Truants' Alternative and Optional Education Program (TAOEP) RFP Grant

Truants' Alternative and Optional Education Program (TAOEP) RFP Grant

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: Illinois State Board of Education
Amount: Up to US $11,500,000
Last Updated: April 29, 2025

Summary

The Truants' Alternative and Optional Education Program (TAOEP) RFP, funded by the Illinois State Board of Education, aims to provide educational support to students facing attendance issues and dropouts up to 21 years old. By offering truancy prevention and intervention services, TAOEP ensures equitable access to education through modified programming and individualized plans. Public schools and educational institutions are encouraged to apply, contributing to improved attendance and academic success for at-risk youth.

Overview

Regional Services & School Improvement: Truants Alternative and Optional Education Program (TAOEP) Section 2-3.66 of the Illinois School Code (105 ILCS 5/2-3.66) authorizes the Illinois State Board of Education to provide grants for the establishment of Truants’ Alternative and Optional Education Program (TAOEP). These programs serve students with attendance problems and/or dropouts up to and including those who are 21 years of age and provide truancy prevention and intervention services and/or optional education. Programs which primarily provide truancy prevention and intervention services integrate resources of the school and community to meet the needs of the students and parents. Optional education programs serve as part-time or full-time options to regular school attendance and offer modified instructional programs or other services designed to prevent students from dropping out of school.​​ Public school districts, Regional Offices of Education, community college districts, charter schools, area vocational centers and public university laboratory school approved by the Illinois State Board of Education are eligible to apply.​​ Grant Award/Cost Sharing There is no sharing requirement for this grant. Program Description and Objectives Purpose TAOEPs ensure that targeted students have equitable access to an education by creating modified instructional programming and services to these students, by planning for truancy prevention and intervention services to students and their parents, and by offering part-time or full-time options to regular school attendance. Program Description: The program is designed to serve students with attendance problems and/or dropouts up to and including those who are 21 years of age and to provide truancy prevention and intervention services to students and their parents and/or serve as part-time or full-time options to regular school attendance. These services can help students remain on track to graduate from high school ready for college and career. Professional development opportunities are provided for program staff. Program Objectives Truancy Intervention (supplemental services) and/or Optional/Alternative Education academic, non-academic, and career-related services and activities are appropriately identified and provided to the students.Every TAOEP student will have an Individual Optional Education Plan (IOEP). The IOEP must include learning objectives, services that will be provided in relation to student IOEP goals, assessments of student progress toward goals, timelines, and student and parent acceptance of the plan. Performance Measures Seventy-five percent of students will increase attendance by the end of the grant cycle.Seventy-five percent of students will increase academic achievement as shown by grade promotion, credit earned, graduating from high school, or obtaining a GED by the end of the grant cycle. Target: One hundred percent of eligible students are receiving academic, non-academic, and/or career-related services as described in each student's IOEP. Performance Standards Sixty percent of students will increase attendance by the end of the grant cycle. Sixty percent of students will increase academic achievement as shown by grade promotion, credit earned, graduating from high school, or obtaining a GED by the end of the grant cycle. Deliverables and/or Milestones Every TAOEP student will have an IOEP. The IOEP must include learning objectives.Mid-year reporting of the current year's program should document the services provided and describe the degree to which the grantee is achieving its stated objectives.An annual TAOEP end-of-year student data report must be filed in the IWAS system. It should include student attendance rates and academic progress in terms of promotion (elementary students) and credits earned (high school students) and report on high school graduation or GED completion. This report is due 30 days after the project end date.

Eligibility

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