Section 260.110  Eligible Applicants

a)         An applicant's eligibility for a grant shall be determined by the purpose of the program being funded, i.e., receipt of professional development by the applicant's staff, as defined in Section 2-3.51(a-5)(6) of the School Code [105 ILCS 5/2-3.51(a-5)(6)], and employed in any of kindergarten through grade 6, or provision of professional development by the applicant.

1)         A public school district, charter school, or public university laboratory school approved by the Illinois State Board of Education providing instruction in kindergarten through grade 6 may apply for funding to pay the costs associated with its staff's receipt of professional development services and activities.

2)         In addition to the eligible applicants identified in subsection (a)(1) of this Section, a regional office of education, postsecondary institution, and other not-for-profit entity may apply for funding to conduct specific professional development programs, as may be identified in a given Request for Proposals (RFP) issued in accordance with Section 260.120 of this Part, designed to improve reading instruction and student achievement in reading (e.g., Reading Recovery, response to intervention). 

b)         Each RFP shall state whether joint applications for funds may be submitted by any combination of eligible applicants, as described in subsection (a) of this Section, subject to the conditions stated in subsections (b)(1), (b)(2) and (b)(3) of this Section. 

1)         If a joint application is submitted, then an administrative agent shall be designated.

2)         The superintendent from each of the participating school districts and the official authorized to submit a proposal on behalf of any other eligible entity as defined in subsection (a) of this Section shall sign the joint application.

3)         An eligible applicant shall only participate in one proposal for a specific program.

(Source:  Added at 33 Ill. Reg. 4031, effective February 23, 2009)