U.S. Department of Education: Equity Assistance Centers

The Equity Assistance Centers (EAC) program awards grants through cooperative agreements to operate regional EACs that provide technical assistance (including training) at the request of school boards and other responsible governmental agencies in the preparation, adoption, and implementation of plans for the desegregation of public schools. In this context, this means plans for equity (including desegregation based on race, national origin, sex, and religion), and in the development of effective methods of coping with special educational problems occasioned by desegregation. Assistance may include, among other activities:

• Dissemination of information regarding effective methods of coping with special educational problems occasioned by desegregation
• Assistance and advice in coping with these problems
• Training designed to improve the ability of teachers, supervisors, counselors, parents, community members, community organizations, and other elementary or secondary school personnel to deal effectively with special educational problems occasioned by desegregation

The Department of Education will award up to five additional points to eligible applicants that have a track record of success or demonstrated expertise in both of the following:

• Providing effective and comprehensive technical assistance on strategies or interventions supported by evidence and designed to increase socioeconomic diversity within or across schools, districts, or communities
• Researching, evaluating, or developing strategies or interventions supported by evidence and designed to increase socioeconomic diversity within or across schools, districts, or communities

In addition, the Department of Education is especially interested in receiving proposals that meet the following Invitational Priority: A track record of success or demonstrated expertise in providing effective technical assistance on strategies to ensure equitable access to effective teachers and leaders, particularly for students from low-income families and students of color across and within schools and districts.

When providing technical assistance on socioeconomic diversity in response to requests from responsible governmental agencies as a means to further desegregation by race, sex, national origin, and religion, a grantee under this program must assist in conducting outreach and engagement on strategies or interventions designed to increase socioeconomic diversity with appropriate stakeholders, including community members, parents, and teachers.

Amount: $6,518,563 is available for grants ranging from $1,400,000-$1,700,000.

Eligibility: A public agency (other than a State educational agency or a school board) or a private, non-profit organization.

Link: http://www2.ed.gov/programs/equitycenters/applicant.html

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