Department of Education – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents
The Office of Indian Education of the U.S. Department of Education requests clearance for the Indian Education Discretionary Grant Applications authorized under Title VII, Part A, of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, as amended. The Professional Development (CFDA 84.299B) program is a competitive discretionary grant program. The grant applications submitted for this program are evaluated on the basis of how well an applicant addresses the selection criteria, and are used to determine applicant eligibility and amount of award for projects selected for funding.
The Federal Perkins Loan Master Promissory Note (MPN) provides the terms and conditions of the Perkins Loan program and is prepared by the participating eligible institution and signed by the borrower.
In accordance with the Privacy Act of 1974, as amended (Privacy Act), the Department of Education (Department) publishes this notice to revise the system of records notice for the Office of the Inspector General Data Analytics System (18-10-02). The Department amends this system of records notice by: (1) Clarifying the purposes of the system and adding that a purpose of the system is to coordinate relationships with other Federal, State, local, or foreign agencies or other public authorities responsible for assisting in the investigation, prosecution, oversight, or enforcement of violations of administrative, civil, or criminal law or regulations; (2) proposing to revise routine use (1), ``Disclosure for Use by Other Law Enforcement Agencies,'' to allow for the disclosure of information to a Federal, State, local, or foreign agency or other public authority responsible for assisting the Department in the investigation, prosecution, oversight, or enforcement of violations of administrative, civil, or criminal law or regulations; (3) proposing to revise routine use (12), ``Disclosure to the President's Council on Integrity and Efficiency (PCIE),'' to allow disclosure to its successor entity, the Council of Inspectors General for Integrity and Efficiency or any successor entity; (4) revising the safeguards of the system to allow data in the system to be accessed by authorized users; and, (5) updating the person listed as the System Manager.
This study will examine state subgrant competitions conducted under the 21st Century Community Learning Centers (CCLC) program in order to glean ``lessons learned'' that can inform efforts to improve the state capacity for conducting state competitions for similarly- structured grant programs under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, as amended. More specifically, the study will examine how states conduct their 21st CCLC competitions; state-level conditions and capacity issues affecting the conduct of such competitions; how states evaluate the quality of local applications and plans; and potential strategies for improvement.
The purpose of this study is to learn more about current processes and personnel involved in the identification of English Learners (ELs) for special education services.
On April 20, 2012, the Office of Innovation and Improvement in the U.S. Department of Education published in the Federal Register (77 FR 23675) a notice inviting applications for new awards for fiscal year (FY) 2012 for the Promise Neighborhoods implementation grant competition (2012 Implementation Grant NIA). This notice corrects an error in the deadline for transmittal of applications.
The Assistant Secretary for Special Education and Rehabilitative Services proposes a funding priority for the Disability and Rehabilitation Research Projects and Centers Program administered by NIDRR. Specifically, this notice proposes a priority for an RRTC on Vocational Rehabilitation and Developing Strategies to Meet Employer Needs in Changing Economic Environments. The Assistant Secretary may use this priority for competitions in fiscal year (FY) 2012 and later years. We take this action to focus research attention on areas of national need. We intend this priority to improve employment outcomes for individuals with disabilities.
The U.S. Department of Education (the Department) is seeking to gather and share information about practices and policies regarding existing education data systems that disaggregate data on subgroups within the Asian and Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Island (ANHPI) student population. The Department anticipates making use of this information to help State educational agencies (SEAs), local educational agencies (LEAs), schools, and institutions of higher education (IHEs) identify, share, and implement promising practices and policies for identifying and overcoming challenges to gathering and disaggregating data on subgroups within the ANHPI student population. SEAs, LEAs, schools, and IHEs might then use those data to improve their ability to respond to the unique needs and issues that might exist for these subgroups. The Department is issuing this request for information (RFI) to collect information about promising practices and policies regarding existing education data systems and models that disaggregate data on subgroups within the ANHPI student population. The Department poses a series of questions to which we invite interested members of the public, including experts and data collection practitioners, to respond. The Department will publish a document that contains a summary of the recommendations that we will develop using information obtained as a result of the RFI and through other outreach efforts. This RFI has no effect on the existing Federal data collection and aggregate reporting requirements for racial and ethnic data by educational agencies and institutions. The Department is not considering modifying its racial and ethnic data collection and reporting requirements set forth in its 2007 Final Guidance on Maintaining, Collecting, and Reporting Racial and Ethnic Data to the U.S. Department of Education (2007 Guidance), 72 FR 59266 (October 19, 2007). http://www2.ed.gov/legislation/FedRegister/other/2007-4/ 101907c.html.
The Assistant Secretary for Special Education and Rehabilitative Services proposes a priority under the Technical Assistance on State Data Collection program. The Assistant Secretary may use this priority for competitions in fiscal year (FY) 2012 and later years. We take this action to focus attention on an identified national need to provide technical assistance (TA) to States to improve their capacity to meet the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) data collection, analysis, and reporting requirements. We propose to assist States in developing or enhancing statewide early childhood longitudinal data systems, by which we mean data systems that include child-level data for infants, toddlers, and young children with disabilities (birth through age 5) served through early childhood programs under IDEA Part C and Part B preschool programs. These statewide early childhood longitudinal data systems would be part of a coordinated early learning data system, by which we mean data systems that vertically and horizontally link child, program, and workforce data elements related to children (birth through age 5). This TA will build States' capacity to report high-quality data to meet IDEA reporting requirements.
This request for OMB approval is to conduct a second follow-up full scale data collection for the Baccalaureate and Beyond Longitudinal Study of 2008/2012 from July 2012 through March 2013.
The Pell Grant Expansions under the PGE is a two-part, five- year demonstration study sponsored by the U.S. Department of Education that focuses on the effects of expanded access to Pell grants on students' employment and earnings outcomes. The primary outcome of interest is (1) the employment status and earnings of students who participate in the study while secondary outcomes include (2) students' experiences with and participation in education and training, (3) measures of student debt and financial aid, and (4) the extent of participation in job search assistance services.
The Secretary amends four sections of the Federal Pell Grant Program regulations to make them consistent with recent changes in the law that prohibit a student from receiving two consecutive Pell Grants in a single award year.
On March 27, 2012, the Office of Innovation and Improvement in the U.S. Department of Education published in the Federal Register (77 FR 18216) a notice inviting applications for new awards for fiscal year 2012 for the Investing in Innovation (i3) Scale-up grant competition (March 27 i3 Scale-up NIA). This notice extends the deadline date and date for intergovernmental review announced in, and corrects an error in, the March 27 i3 Scale-up NIA.
On March 27, 2012, the Office of Innovation and Improvement in the U.S. Department of Education published in the Federal Register (77 FR 18229) a notice inviting applications for new awards for fiscal year 2012 for the Investing in Innovation (i3) Validation grant competition (March 27 i3 Validation NIA). This notice extends the deadline date and date for intergovernmental review announced in, and corrects an error in the March 27 i3 Validation NIA.
The Assistant Secretary for Elementary and Secondary Education amends the selection criteria under the Enhanced Assessment Instruments Grant program, also called the Enhanced Assessment Grant (EAG) program, as established in the notice of final priorities, requirements, definitions, and selection criteria published in the Federal Register on April 19, 2011 (2011 NFP). The 2011 NFP established specific priorities, requirements, definitions, and selection criteria that may be used for the EAG program. The revisions in this notice provide the Secretary with additional flexibility with respect to selection criteria for EAG competitions in 2012 that use fiscal year (FY) 2011 funds and for subsequent competitions. We believe that these revisions will enable the Department to administer this program more effectively, simplify the application and review processes, and better ensure that the strongest applications receive EAG funds.
In accordance with the Privacy Act of 1974, as amended (Privacy Act), the Department of Education (Department) publishes this notice of a new system of records entitled ``National Longitudinal Transitions Study2012'' (18-13-27). The National Center for Education Evaluation and Regional Assistance at the Department's Institute of Education Sciences (IES) commissioned this study as part of the congressionally mandated national assessment of Individuals with Disability Education Act (IDEA). It will be conducted under a contract that IES awarded in September 2010. The central research questions that the study will address are: How do the characteristics, courses of study, receipt of services and accommodations, school experiences, and key outcomes for transition-age students with an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) differ from transition-age students with a plan that provides accommodations under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (Section 504 Plan) and from transition-age students without a Section 504 Plan or an IEP? How have these facets changed over time for students with IEPs? The system will contain records from 500 school districts on approximately 15,000 students and their parents, 15,000 teachers, and 2,000 principals.
The Department has developed a Race to the Top Annual Performance Report that is tied directly to the Race to the Top selection criteria and priorities previously established and published in the Federal Register. The report is grounded in the key performance targets included in grantees' approved Race to the Top plans. Grantees will be required to report on their progress in the four core education reform areas and in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. This reporting includes narrative sections on progress and key performance indicators. As was the case in the completion of the Race to the Top applications, grantees will coordinate with LEAs to collect and report on school and district-level data elements.
The Assistant Secretary for Special Education and Rehabilitative Services proposes a priority under the Disability and Rehabilitation Research Projects and Centers Program administered by the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR). Specifically, this notice proposes a priority for a Disability and Rehabilitation Research Project (DRRP) on Employment of Individuals with Disabilities. The Assistant Secretary may use this priority for competitions in fiscal year (FY) 2012 and later years. We take this action to focus research attention on areas of national need. We intend this priority to contribute to improved employment outcomes for individuals with disability.
This notice sets forth the schedule and proposed agenda for the upcoming meeting of the National Assessment Governing Board (Board) and also describes the specific functions of the Board. Notice of this meeting is required under Section 10(a)(2) of the Federal Advisory Committee Act. This notice is issued to provide members of the general public with an opportunity to attend and/or provide comments. Individuals who will need special accommodations in order to attend the meeting (e.g. interpreting services, assistive listening devices, materials in alternative format) should notify Munira Mwalimu at 202- 357-6938 or at Munira.Mwalimu@ed.gov no later than April 27, 2012. We will attempt to meet requests after this date but cannot guarantee availability of the requested accommodation. The meeting site is accessible to individuals with disabilities.
The Federal Pell Grant, ACG, and National SMART Programs are student financial assistance programs authorized under the Higher Education Act of 1965 (HEA), as amended. These programs provide grant assistance to an eligible student attending an institution of higher education. The institution determines the student's award and disburses program funds to the student on behalf of the Department (ED). To account for the funds disbursed, institutions report student payment information to ED electronically. COD is a simplified process for requesting, reporting, and reconciling Pell Grant, ACG, and National SMART funds.
Graduate Assistance in Areas of National Need (GAANN) grantees must submit a performance report annually. The reports are used to evaluate grantee performance. Further, the data from the reports will be aggregated to evaluate the accomplishments and impact of the GAANN Program as a whole. Results will be reported to the Secretary in order to respond to Government Performance and Results Act (GPRA) requirements.
The Assistant Deputy Secretary for Innovation and Improvement proposes definitions, requirements, and selection criteria for the Exemplary Charter School Collaboration Awards (Collaboration Awards) and may use these definitions, requirements, and selection criteria for a competition in fiscal year (FY) 2012 and later years. The Assistant Deputy Secretary is taking this action to create incentives for charter schools (as defined in section 5210(1) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, as amended (ESEA)) to (a) collaborate with non- chartered public schools (as defined in this notice) and non-chartered local educational agencies (LEAs) to share and transfer best educational and operational practices at the elementary and secondary school levels; and (b) disseminate information about these collaborations across the Nation. The Collaboration Awards competition would be designed to encourage charter schools and non-chartered public schools or non-chartered LEAs to share resources and responsibilities, build trust and teamwork, boost academic excellence in charter schools and non-chartered public schools alike, and provide students and their parents with a range of effective educational options.
On February 15, 2012, we published in the Federal Register (77 FR 8848) a notice inviting applications for the AP Test Fee fiscal year (FY) 2012 competition (February 15 notice). That notice established an April 6, 2012, deadline for eligible applicants to apply for funding under this program. We are reopening the competition to eligible applicants because additional funds have become available. The February 15 notice stated that for FY 2012, the Department expected to award $19,962,200 in new grants under this program. Based on the anticipated number of applicants and other information available to the Department, we expected this amount to be sufficient to pay up to $38 per advanced placement exam for up to three exams per low-income student. An additional $4,750,000 in FY 2012 funds have become available. Based on the anticipated number of applicants and other information available to the Department, we expect the new total amount of funds available for awards, $24,712,200, to be sufficient to pay the full cost of each advanced placement exam, with no limitation on the number of exams per low-income student. We are reopening the FY 2012 competition to give eligible applicants an opportunity to submit revised applications that reflect the new total amount of funds available for new awards. All information in the February 15, notice for this competition remains the same, except for the changes in funding described above and the following changes to DATES.
Title I, Part A of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA), as amended by the No Child Left Behind Act, and its regulations contain several existing provisions that require State educational agencies (SEAs), local educational agencies (LEAs), and schools to collect and disseminate information. The Paperwork Reduction Act covers these activities, which are currently approved by the Office of Management and Budget under control number 1810-0581 (expires April 30, 2012). The U.S. Department of Education (ED) has invited each SEA to request flexibility on behalf of itself, its LEAs, and schools, in order to better focus on improving student academic achievement and increasing the quality of instruction (ESEA flexibility). As of April 17, 2012, 11 SEAs have had their ESEA flexibility requests approved, 27 SEAs' requests are pending, and 5 SEAs have indicated that they intend to request ESEA flexibility in September 2012. Of particular relevance to this collection is ED's expectation that, overall, ESEA flexibility will result in less burden on SEAs, LEAs, and schools compared with current law absent this flexibility. The burden estimate for this collection is therefore substantially lower than that of the currently approved collection.
Under the Small, Rural School Achievement (SRSA) program, CFDA: Number: 84.358A, the U.S. Department of Education (Department) awards grants on a formula basis to eligible local educational agencies (LEAs) to address the unique needs of rural school districts. In this notice, we establish the deadline for submission of fiscal year (FY) 2012 SRSA grant applications. An eligible LEA that is required to submit an application must do so electronically by the deadline in this notice.
The Office of Vocational and Adult Education (OVAE) requests a revision to its data collection to assist states with the implementation of the currently approved automatic cohort designations that go into effect on July 1, 2012, for the follow-up measures related to student employment status, obtaining a secondary credential, and post-secondary transition.
The Consolidated State Performance Report (CSPR) is the required annual reporting tool for each State, Bureau of Indian Education, District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico as authorized under Section 9303 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, as amended by the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001.
This notice sets forth the schedule for the upcoming public meeting of the National Advisory Council on Indian Education (the Council) and is intended to notify the general public of the meeting. This notice also describes the functions of the Council. Notice of the Council's meetings is required under Section 10(a)(2) of the Federal Advisory Committee Act. Date and Time: May 2-3, 2012; May 2, 20128 a.m.-5 p.m. Eastern Daylight Savings Time. May 3, 20128 a.m.-5 p.m. Eastern Daylight Savings Time. Location: Washington, DCDetails about the meeting location will be posted on the Committee Web site on April 30, 2012. Web site: www.NACIE-ED.org (To RSVP, and for NACIE Meeting Updates, and Final Agenda).
The Assistant Secretary for Special Education and Rehabilitative Services proposes the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research's (NIDRR's) Long-Range Plan (Plan) for fiscal years (FYs) 2013 through 2017. Pursuant to the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, the Department is required to develop a plan for NIDRR that outlines NIDRR's priorities for rehabilitation research, demonstration projects, training, and related activities, and explains the basis for these priorities.
The Office for Civil Rights (OCR) has enforcement responsibilities under several civil rights laws, including Title VI, Title IX, Section 504, the Age Discrimination Act, and the Boy Scouts of America Equal Access Act. To meet these responsibilities, OCR collects assurances of compliance from applicants for Federal financial assistance from, and applicants for funds made available through, the U.S. Department of Education, as required by regulations. These entities include, for example, State educational agencies, local education agencies, and postsecondary educational institutions.
This application package invites small business concerns to submit a Phase II application for the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program (CFDA 84.133). This is in response to Public Law 106-554, the ``Small Business Reauthorization Act of 2000, H.R. 5667'' enacted on December 21, 2000.
This application package invites small business concerns to submit a Phase I application for the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program (CFDA 84.133). This is in response to Public Law 106- 554, the ``Small Business Reauthorization Act of 2000, H.R. 5667'' enacted on December 21, 2000.
The Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) Program provides a wide range of services to help individuals with disabilities to prepare for and engage in gainful employment. Eligible individuals are those who have a physical or mental impairment that results in a substantial impediment to employment, who can benefit from VR services for employment, and who require VR services.
This notice sets forth the schedule and agenda of the meeting of the President's Advisory Commission on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (Commission). The notice also describes the functions of the Commission. Notice of the meeting is required by section 10 (a) (2) of the Federal Advisory Committee Act and intended to notify the public of its opportunity to attend. Date: May 7, 2012. Time: 8:30 a.m.-5:00 EDT. Address: National Education Association, 1201 16th Street NW., Washington, DC 20036. Date: May 8, 2012. Time: 8:30 a.m.-12 noon EDT. Address: National Education Association, 1201 16th Street NW., Washington, DC 20036.
This application package will be used by applicants to the Fulbright-Hays Seminars Abroad Program, which provides opportunities for U.S. educators to participate in short-term study seminars abroad in the social sciences, social studies and humanities.
The Assistant Secretary for Special Education and Rehabilitative Services proposes priorities and definitions under the State Personnel Development Grants (SPDG) program. The Assistant Secretary may use one or more of these priorities and definitions for competitions in fiscal year (FY) 2012 and later years. We take this action to assist State educational agencies (SEAs) to make their systems of professional development more effective and efficient through the provision of evidence-based, ongoing professional development that uses technology to support the implementation of evidence-based practices.
