The Arts in Education Model Development and Dissemination Program furthers the development of models that effectively strengthen and integrate arts in elementary and middle school core academic curriculum.

The purpose of the Arts in Education Model Development and Dissemination Grant is to support the enhancement, expansion, documentation, evaluation, and dissemination of innovative, cohesive models that are based on research and have demonstrated that they effectively: (1) integrate standards-based arts education into the core elementary and middle school curricula; (2) strengthen standards-based arts instruction in these grades; and (3) improve students’ academic performance, including their skills in creating, performing, and responding to the arts. Projects funded through the AEMDD program are intended to increase the amount of information on effective models for arts education that is nationally available that integrate the arts with standards-based education programs.

In this case, "integrating" should be understood both as encouraging the use of high-quality arts in the course of other academic instruction and strengthening the place of arts as a core academic subject in the regular school curricula.

The program has approximately $3.5 million available for new awards in FY 2008.

The Department anticipates making awards by July 1, 2008.

Grantees may spend up to twelve months working with the project evaluator, ED's technical assistance provider, ED staff, and the school district(s) to ensure that the project will be able to implement the evaluation design as planned. Activities may include but are not limited to:

1. Confirming the type of design to be used (for example, enduring that random assignment or matched comparison is feasible within the school and school district, and obtaining the full agreement of the school administration for full participation in the project for the entire period of the project performance period;
2. A review of the outcomes to be measured and the ability to report the outcomes in a format that meets the requirements of ED 524B, such as creating a logic model, if not done prior to applying, that focuses on the level of evaluation and assessment;
3. An agreement with school administrators and staff as to how the applicant plans to assign students, teachers, classrooms, or schools to the project and control group or match them for comparison with other students, teachers, classrooms, or schools;
4. Human Subjects and IRB approval;
5. An agreement with the school district to release student achievement and any other student data in a timely manner; and
6. The development of curriculum materials, professional development activities and rubrics

Projects will be funded for up to 48 months. Funding for continuation awards is contingent upon future Congressional appropriations for this program and the approval of continuation awards. The first 12 months may be used to build capacity to effectively carry out the comprehensive activities involved in the evaluation plan described in the competitive preference priority.

Yes. The What Works Clearinghouse's Evidence-Based Education "Help-Desk" provides resources in designing the project evaluation. That address is: http://www.whatworkshelpdesk.ed.gov/ The Help Desk's mission is to provide federal, state, and local education officials, researchers, program providers, and educators with practical, easy-to-use tools to (i) advance rigorous evaluations of educational interventions (i.e., programs, products, practices, and policies), and (ii) identify and implement evidence-based interventions.

Yes, applicants must provide a complete budget summary for each year on ED Form 524 (Budget information—Non-Construction Programs) at the time of application. A narrative must be included that explains the line items included in the budget.

The multi-year budget will be reviewed to ensure that grantees receive funding that is both fair and adequate to the needs of their projects. To be allowable, a cost must:

• Be necessary and reasonable;
• Be allocable; and
• Conform to limitations under relevant Federal statutes and the cost principles.

No, funding for the program may be available for projects of up to 48 months. The project need not last for 48 months, if the applicant feels the model development and dissemination can happen in a shorter time period.

Awards are anticipated to average $225,000 - $275,000 for the 1st year of the project. We anticipate the average award per year will be $250,000.

No, there is no matching requirement for this program.

The program supports arts in education models targeted to elementary and/or middle school grades. At least one elementary and/or middle school included in the project must have no less than 35 percent of its students from low-income families. See question #23.