Office of Vocational and Adult Education, Overview Information, School Dropout Prevention Program; Notice inviting applications for new awards for fiscal year (FY) 2005., 39496-39499 [05-13578]

Download as PDF 39496 Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 130 / Friday, July 8, 2005 / Notices became Public Law 108–446. In accordance with 20 U.S.C. 1416(b)(1) and 20 U.S.C. 1442, not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act of 2004, each Lead Agency must have in place a performance plan that evaluates the Lead Agency’s efforts to implement the requirements and purposes of Part C and describe how the Lead Agency will improve such implementation. This plan, referenced here-to-after, is called the Part C State Performance Plan (Part C—SPP). In accordance with 20 U.S.C. 1416(b)(2)(C)(ii) and 20 U.S.C. 1442 the Lead Agency shall report annually to the public on the performance of each Part C program located in the State on the targets in the Lead Agency’s performance plan. The Lead Agency shall report annually to the Secretary on the performance of the State under the Lead Agency’s performance plan. This report, referenced here-to-after, is called the Part C Annual Performance Report (Part C—APR). Requests for copies of the information collection submission for OMB review may be accessed from https:// edicsweb.ed.gov, by selecting the ‘‘Browse Pending Collections’’ link and by clicking on link number 2706. When you access the information collection, click on ‘‘Download Attachments ‘‘to view. Written requests for information should be addressed to U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW., Potomac Center, 9th Floor, Washington, DC 20202–4700. Requests may also be electronically mailed to the Internet address OCIO_RIMG@ed.gov or faxed to 202–245–6623. Please specify the complete title of the information collection when making your request. Comments regarding burden and/or the collection activity requirements should be directed to Sheila Carey at her e-mail address Sheila.Carey@ed.gov. Individuals who use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 1–800–877– 8339. Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services Type of Review: New. Title: A Study of the Addition of Literacy Services for Vocational Rehabilitation Consumers. Frequency: Annually. Affected Public: Individuals or household; State, local, or tribal gov’t, SEAs or LEAs. Reporting and Recordkeeping Hour Burden: Responses: 14,522. Burden Hours: 6,835. VerDate jul<14>2003 16:32 Jul 07, 2005 Jkt 205001 Abstract: This submission is for the collection of data for the ‘‘Evaluation of Projects Demonstrating the Use of Adult Education Literacy Services by State Vocational Rehabilitation Agencies to Improve Earnings of Individuals with Disabilities.’’ The data collection to be approved includes standardized testing instruments, case file summary forms, a teacher rating form, a telephone interview form, and site visit interview and focus group guides. Requests for copies of the information collection submission for OMB review may be accessed from https:// edicsweb.ed.gov, by selecting the ‘‘Browse Pending Collections’’ link and by clicking on link number 2805. When you access the information collection, click on ‘‘Download Attachments’’ to view. Written requests for information should be addressed to U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW., Potomac Center, 9th Floor, Washington, DC 20202–4700. Requests may also be electronically mailed to the Internet address OCIO_RIMG@ed.gov or faxed to 202–245–6623. Please specify the complete title of the information collection when making your request. Comments regarding burden and/or the collection activity requirements should be directed to Sheila Carey at her e-mail address Sheila.Carey@ed.gov. Individuals who use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 1–800–877– 8339. [FR Doc. 05–13412 Filed 7–7–05; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4000–01–P DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION Office of Vocational and Adult Education, Overview Information, School Dropout Prevention Program; Notice inviting applications for new awards for fiscal year (FY) 2005. Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: 84.360A. Application Available: July 8, 2005. Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: August 17, 2005. Eligible Applicants: State educational agencies (SEAs), as defined in 34 CFR 77.1. Estimated Available Funds: $4,500,000. Estimated Range of Awards: $2,000,000–$2,500,000 for the 36-month project period. DATES: Note: The Department will fund multi-year projects for a project period of 36 months entirely from the FY 2005 appropriation in order to assist grantees in meeting the PO 00000 Frm 00014 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 statutory purposes of the School Dropout Prevention (SDP) program and the requirements of this notice. Estimated Average Size of Awards: $2,200,000. Maximum Award: Applications that propose a budget exceeding $2,500,000 for a project period of 36 months will not be reviewed as part of the regular application process. However, if after the Secretary selects applications to be funded, it appears that additional funds remain available, the Secretary may choose to review those additional applications that requested funds exceeding the maximum amount specified. If the Secretary chooses to fund any of those additional applications, applicants will be required to work with the Department to revise their proposed budgets to fit within the appropriate funding range. Estimated Number of Awards: 2. Note: The Department is not bound by any estimates in this notice. Project Period: Up to 36 months. Full Text of Announcement I. Funding Opportunity Description Purpose of Program: This program supports the development and implementation of an effective, sustainable, and coordinated school dropout prevention and reentry programs. An additional purpose is for SEAs to create collaborations with other agencies and work with local educational agencies (LEAs) to assist schools in dropout prevention and reentry activities, including using eighth grade assessments and other data to develop and implement individual performance plans for students entering the ninth grade who are at risk of failing to meet challenging State academic standards and of dropping out of high school. The dropout prevention and reentry strategies implemented by the SEA must be scientifically-based, sustainable, and widely replicated. SEAs must use the funds received under this competition to support activities— (1) in schools that— (a) serve students in grades 6 through 12; and (b) have annual school dropout rates that are above the State average annual dropout rate; or (2) in the middle schools that feed students into the schools described above. Priorities: These priorities are from the notice of final priorities, requirements, definitions, and selection criteria for this program (NFP), published elsewhere in this issue of the Federal Register. E:\FR\FM\08JYN1.SGM 08JYN1 Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 130 / Friday, July 8, 2005 / Notices Absolute Priorities: For FY 2005 these priorities are absolute priorities. Under 34 CFR 75.105(c)(3) we consider only applications that meet these priorities. The priorities are: Priority 1—Collaboration with other agencies and Priority 2—Individual Performance Plans for At-Risk Incoming Ninth Grade Students The requirements for meeting these priorities are in the NFP, published elsewhere in this issue of the Federal Register. Application Requirements Additional requirements for all projects funded through this competition are in the NFP, published elsewhere in this issue of the Federal Register. These additional requirements are: Eligibility Requirement—State Educational Agencies, Evaluation Requirements, Performance Measures Requirements and Requirements for Accountability for Results. Definitions: In addition to the definitions in the authorizing statute and 34 CFR 77.1, the definitions in the NFP, published elsewhere in this issue of the Federal Register, apply. Program Authority: 20 U.S.C. 6551, et seq. Applicable Regulations: (a) The Education Department General Administrative Regulations (EDGAR) in 34 CFR parts 75, 77, 79, 80, 81, 82, 84, 85, 97, 98, and 99. (b) The priorities, requirements, definitions, and selection criteria contained in the NFP, published elsewhere in this issue of the Federal Register. II. Award Information Type of Award: Discretionary grants. Estimated Available Funds: $4,500,000. Estimated Range of Awards: $2,000,000–$2,500,000 for the 36-month project period. Note: The Department will fund multi-year projects for a project period of 36 months entirely from the FY 2005 appropriation in order to assist grantees in meeting the statutory purposes of the SDP and the requirements of this notice. Estimated Average Size of Awards: $2,200,000. Maximum Award: Applications that propose a budget exceeding $2,500,000 for a project period of 36 months will not be reviewed as part of the regular application process. However, if after the Secretary selects applications to be funded, it appears that additional funds remain available, the Secretary may choose to review those additional applications that requested funds exceeding the maximum amount VerDate jul<14>2003 16:32 Jul 07, 2005 Jkt 205001 specified. If the Secretary chooses to fund any of those additional applications, applicants will be required to work with the Department to revise their proposed budgets to fit within the appropriate funding range. Estimated Number of Awards: 2. Note: The Department is not bound by any estimates in this notice. Project Period: Up to 36 months. III. Eligibility Information 1. Eligible Applicants: SEAs, as defined in 34 CFR 77.1. 2. Cost Sharing or Matching: This program does not involve cost sharing or matching but does involve supplement-not-supplant funding provisions (Section 1823(a)(1)(F) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, as amended). IV. Application and Submission Information 1. Address To Request Application Package: Valerie Randall-Walker, U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW., Potomac Center Plaza, room 11081, Washington, DC 20202– 7241. Telephone: (202) 245–7794 or by e-mail: dropoutprevention@ed.gov. If you use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD), you may call the Federal Relay Service (FRS) at 1– 800–877–8339. Individuals with disabilities may obtain a copy of the application package in an alternative format (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, or computer diskette) by contacting the program contact person listed in this section. 2. Content and Form of Application Submission: Applications must include the State’s event dropout rate and the event dropout rate of each school to be served under this grant. Definitions of ‘‘State event dropout rate’’ and ‘‘school event dropout rate’’ are included in both the NFP, published elsewhere in this issue of the Federal Register, and the application package for this program. Other requirements concerning the content of an application, together with the forms you must submit, are in the application package. Page Limit: The application narrative (Part III of the application) is where you, the applicant, address the selection criteria that reviewers use to evaluate your application. We highly encourage you to limit Part III to the equivalent of no more than 25 pages. • A ‘‘page’’ is 8.5″ x 11″, on one side only, with 1″ margins at the top, bottom, and both sides. • Double space (no more than three lines per vertical inch) all text in the application narrative, including titles, PO 00000 Frm 00015 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 39497 headings, footnotes, quotations, references, and captions, as well as all text in charts, tables, figures, and graphs. • Use a font that is either 12 point or larger or no smaller than 10 pitch (characters per inch). The page limit recommendation does not apply to Part I, the cover sheet; Part II, the budget section, including the narrative budget justification; Part IV, the assurances and certifications; or the one-page abstract, the resumes, the bibliography, or the letters of support. However, you must include all of the application narrative in Part III. 3. Submission Dates and Times: Applications Available: July 8, 2005. Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: August 17, 2005. Applications for grants under this program may be submitted electronically using the Electronic Grant Application System (e-Application) accessible through the Department’s eGrants system, or in paper format by mail or hand delivery. For information (including dates and times) about how to submit your application electronically, or by mail or hand delivery, please refer to section IV. 6. Other Submission Requirements in this notice. We do not consider an application that does not comply with the deadline requirements. 4. Intergovernmental Review: This program is subject to Executive Order 12372 and the regulations in 34 CFR part 79. Information about Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs under Executive Order 12372 is in the application package for this program. 5. Funding Restrictions: We reference regulations outlining funding restrictions in the Applicable Regulations section of this notice. 6. Other Submission Requirements: Applications for grants under this program may be submitted electronically or in paper format by mail or hand delivery. a. Electronic Submission of Applications. If you choose to submit your application to us electronically, you must use e-Application available through the Department’s e-Grants system, accessible through the e-Grants portal page at: https://e-grants.ed.gov. While completing your electronic application, you will be entering data online that will be saved into a database. You may not e-mail an electronic copy of a grant application to us. Please note the following: E:\FR\FM\08JYN1.SGM 08JYN1 39498 Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 130 / Friday, July 8, 2005 / Notices • Your participation in e-Application is voluntary. • You must complete the electronic submission of your grant application by 4:30 p.m., Washington, DC time, on the application deadline date. The eApplication system will not accept an application for this program after 4:30 p.m., Washington, DC time, on the application deadline date. Therefore, we strongly recommend that you do not wait until the application deadline date to begin the application process. • The regular hours of operation of the e-Grants Web site are 6 a.m. Monday until 7 p.m. Wednesday; and 6 a.m. Thursday until midnight Saturday, Washington, DC time. Please note that the system is unavailable on Sundays, and between 7 p.m. on Wednesdays and 6 a.m. on Thursdays, Washington, DC time, for maintenance. Any modifications to these hours are posted on the e-Grants Web site. • You will not receive additional point value because you submit your application in electronic format, nor will we penalize you if you submit your application in paper format. • You must submit all documents electronically, including the Application for Federal Education Assistance (ED 424), Budget Information—Non-Construction Programs (ED 524), and all necessary assurances and certifications. • Any narrative sections of your application must be attached as files in a .DOC (document), .RTF (rich text), or .PDF (Portable Document) format. • Your electronic application must comply with any page limit requirements described in this notice. • Prior to submitting your electronic application, you may wish to print a copy of it for your records. • After you electronically submit your application, you will receive an automatic acknowledgment that will include a PR/Award number (an identifying number unique to your application). • Within three working days after submitting your electronic application, fax a signed copy of the ED 424 to the Application Control Center after following these steps: (1) Print ED 424 from e-Application. (2) The SEA’s Authorizing Representative must sign this form. (3) Place the PR/Award number in the upper right hand corner of the hardcopy signature page of the ED 424. (4) Fax the signed ED 424 to the Application Control Center at (202) 245–6272. • We may request that you provide us original signatures on other forms at a later date. VerDate jul<14>2003 16:32 Jul 07, 2005 Jkt 205001 Application Deadline Date Extension in Case of System Unavailability: If you are prevented from electronically submitting your application on the application deadline date because the eApplication system is unavailable, we will grant you an extension of one business day in order to transmit your application electronically, by mail, or by hand delivery. We will grant this extension if— (1) You are a registered user of eApplication and you have initiated an electronic application for this competition; and (2) (a) The e-Application system is unavailable for 60 minutes or more between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m., Washington, DC time, on the application deadline date; or (b) The e-Application system is unavailable for any period of time between 3:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m., Washington, DC time, on the application deadline date. We must acknowledge and confirm these periods of unavailability before granting you an extension. To request this extension or to confirm our acknowledgment of any system unavailability, you may contact either (1) the person listed elsewhere in this notice under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT (see VII. Agency Contact) or (2) the e-Grants help desk at 1–888–336– 8930. If the system is down and therefore the application deadline is extended, an e-mail will be sent to all registered users who have initiated an eApplication. Extensions referred to in this section apply only to the unavailability of the Department’s e-Application system. If the e-Application system is available, and, for any reason, you are unable to submit your application electronically or you do not receive an automatic acknowledgment of your submission, you may submit your application in paper format by mail or hand delivery in accordance with the instructions in this notice. b. Submission of Paper Applications by Mail. If you submit your application in paper format by mail (through the U.S. Postal Service or a commercial carrier), you must mail the original and two copies of your application, on or before the application deadline date, to the Department at the applicable following address: By mail through the U.S. Postal Service: U.S. Department of Education, Application Control Center, Attention: (CFDA Number 84.360A), 400 Maryland Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20202–4260, or PO 00000 Frm 00016 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 By mail through a commercial carrier: U.S. Department of Education, Application Control Center—Stop 4260, Attention: (CFDA Number 84.360A), 7100 Old Landover Road, Landover, MD 20785–1506. Regardless of which address you use, you must show proof of mailing consisting of one of the following: (1) A legibly dated U.S. Postal Service postmark, (2) A legible mail receipt with the date of mailing stamped by the U.S. Postal Service, (3) A dated shipping label, invoice, or receipt from a commercial carrier, or (4) Any other proof of mailing acceptable to the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Education. If you mail your application through the U.S. Postal Service, we do not accept either of the following as proof of mailing: (1) A private metered postmark, or (2) A mail receipt that is not dated by the U.S. Postal Service. If your application is postmarked after the application deadline date, we will not consider your application. Note: The U.S. Postal Service does not uniformly provide a dated postmark. Before relying on this method, you should check with your local post office. c. Submission of Paper Applications by Hand Delivery. If you submit your application in paper format by hand delivery, you (or a courier service) must deliver the original and two copies of your application by hand, on or before the application deadline date, to the Department at the following address: U.S. Department of Education, Application Control Center, Attention: (CFDA Number 84.360A), 550 12th Street, SW., Room 7041, Potomac Center Plaza, Washington, DC 20202–4260. The Application Control Center accepts hand deliveries daily between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Washington, DC time, except Saturdays, Sundays, and Federal holidays. Note for Mail or Hand Delivery of Paper Applications: If you mail or hand deliver your application to the Department: (1) You must indicate on the envelope and—if not provided by the Department—in Item 4 of the ED 424 the CFDA number—and suffix letter, if any—of the competition under which you are submitting your application. (2) The Application Control Center will mail a grant application receipt acknowledgment to you. If you do not receive the grant application receipt E:\FR\FM\08JYN1.SGM 08JYN1 Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 130 / Friday, July 8, 2005 / Notices acknowledgment within 15 business days from the application deadline date, you should call the U.S. Department of Education Application Control Center at (202) 245–6288. V. Application Review Information Selection Criteria: The selection criteria for this competition are from the NFP, published elsewhere in this issue of the Federal Register. The specific selection criteria to be used for this competition are listed in the application package. VI. Award Administration Information 1. Award Notices: If your application is successful, we notify your U.S. Representative and U.S. Senators and send you a Grant Award Notification (GAN). We may also notify you informally. If your application is not evaluated or not selected for funding, we notify you. 2. Administration and National Policy Requirements: We identify administration and national policy requirements in the application package and reference these and other requirements in the Application Regulations section of this notice. We reference the regulations outlining the terms and conditions of an award in the Application Regulations section of this notice and include these and other specific conditions in the GAN. The GAN also incorporates your approved application as part of your binding commitments under the grant. 3. Reporting: At the end of your project period, you must submit a final performance report, including financial information, as directed by the Secretary. If you receive a multi-year award, you must submit an annual performance report that provides the most current performance and financial expenditure information as specified by the Secretary in 34 CFR 75.118. 4. Performance Measures: We explain the requirements for performance measures and accountability for results applicable to this program in the Performance Measures Requirements and Requirements for Accountability for Results sections of the Additional Requirements in the NFP, published elsewhere in this issue of the Federal Register. VII. Agency Contact FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Valerie Randall-Walker, U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW., Potomac Center Plaza, room 11081, Washington, DC 20202– 7241. Telephone: (202) 245–7794 or by e-mail: dropoutprevention@ed.gov. VerDate jul<14>2003 16:32 Jul 07, 2005 Jkt 205001 If you use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD), you may call the Federal Relay Service (FRS) at 1– 800–877–8339. Individuals with disabilities may obtain this document in an alternative format (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, or computer diskette) on request to the program contact person listed in this section. VIII. Other Information Electronic Access to This Document: You may view this document, as well as all other documents of this Department published in the Federal Register, in text or Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF) on the Internet at the following site: https://www.ed.gov/news/ fedregister. To use PDF you must have Adobe Acrobat Reader, which is available free at this site. If you have questions about using PDF, call the U.S. Government Printing Office (GPO), toll free, at 1– 888–293–6498; or in the Washington, DC, area at (202) 512–1530. Note: The official version of this document is the document published in the Federal Register. Free Internet access to the official edition of the Federal Register and the Code of Federal Regulations is available on GPO Access at: https://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/ index/html. Dated: July 5, 2005. Susan Sclafani, Assistant Secretary for Vocational and Adult Education. [FR Doc. 05–13578 Filed 7–7–05; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4000–01–P DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION School Dropout Prevention Program Office of Vocational and Adult Education, Department of Education. ACTION: Notice of final priorities, requirements, definitions, and selection criteria. AGENCY: SUMMARY: The Assistant Secretary for Vocational and Adult Education announces priorities, requirements, definitions, and selection criteria under the School Dropout Prevention (SDP) program. The Assistant Secretary may use one or more of these priorities, requirements, definitions, and selection criteria for competitions in fiscal year (FY) 2005 and later years. We take this action to further the purpose of the SDP program, which is to support the development and implementation of effective, sustainable, and coordinated school dropout prevention and reentry programs. PO 00000 Frm 00017 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 39499 These final priorities, requirements, definitions, and selection criteria are effective August 8, 2005. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Valerie Randall-Walker, U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW., Potomac Center Plaza, room 11081, Washington, DC 20202– 7241. Telephone: (202) 245–7794 or via Internet: dropoutprevention@ed.gov. If you use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD), you may call the Federal Relay Service (FRS) at 1– 800–877–8339. Individuals with disabilities may obtain this document in an alternative format (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, or computer diskette) on request to the contact person listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT. DATES: SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background With the enactment of the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 (NCLB), our Nation made a commitment to closing the achievement gap between disadvantaged and minority students and their peers and to changing the culture of America’s schools so that all students receive the support and highquality instruction they need to meet higher expectations. A critical part of this challenge, at the high school level, is reducing the number of young people who disengage and drop out of school. As several recent national studies have found, a staggering number of youth fail to graduate on time. The complexity of the dropout problem requires the attention of multiple agencies because numerous factors contribute to a student’s decision to drop out. Therefore, successful dropout prevention and reentry activities should involve many agencies and community organizations and institutions in strong collaborative activities. By combining their expertise and resources, these entities can achieve much more than they could individually. Through these priorities, requirements, definitions, and selection criteria, we limit eligibility for SDP funding to State educational agencies (SEAs) and, under Priority 1, give priority to an SEA that partners with other public or private agencies in its efforts to reduce the dropout rate in high schools (grades 9 through 12) where the annual dropout rate exceeds the State average. Another vital element for successful dropout prevention and reentry programs is the early identification of at-risk students and the implementation of a customized set of services and E:\FR\FM\08JYN1.SGM 08JYN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 130 (Friday, July 8, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 39496-39499]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-13578]


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DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION


Office of Vocational and Adult Education, Overview Information, 
School Dropout Prevention Program; Notice inviting applications for new 
awards for fiscal year (FY) 2005.

Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: 84.360A.

DATES: Application Available: July 8, 2005.
    Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: August 17, 2005.
    Eligible Applicants: State educational agencies (SEAs), as defined 
in 34 CFR 77.1.
    Estimated Available Funds: $4,500,000.
    Estimated Range of Awards: $2,000,000-$2,500,000 for the 36-month 
project period.

    Note: The Department will fund multi-year projects for a project 
period of 36 months entirely from the FY 2005 appropriation in order 
to assist grantees in meeting the statutory purposes of the School 
Dropout Prevention (SDP) program and the requirements of this 
notice.

    Estimated Average Size of Awards: $2,200,000.
    Maximum Award: Applications that propose a budget exceeding 
$2,500,000 for a project period of 36 months will not be reviewed as 
part of the regular application process. However, if after the 
Secretary selects applications to be funded, it appears that additional 
funds remain available, the Secretary may choose to review those 
additional applications that requested funds exceeding the maximum 
amount specified. If the Secretary chooses to fund any of those 
additional applications, applicants will be required to work with the 
Department to revise their proposed budgets to fit within the 
appropriate funding range.
    Estimated Number of Awards: 2.

    Note: The Department is not bound by any estimates in this 
notice.

    Project Period: Up to 36 months.

Full Text of Announcement

I. Funding Opportunity Description

    Purpose of Program: This program supports the development and 
implementation of an effective, sustainable, and coordinated school 
dropout prevention and reentry programs. An additional purpose is for 
SEAs to create collaborations with other agencies and work with local 
educational agencies (LEAs) to assist schools in dropout prevention and 
reentry activities, including using eighth grade assessments and other 
data to develop and implement individual performance plans for students 
entering the ninth grade who are at risk of failing to meet challenging 
State academic standards and of dropping out of high school. The 
dropout prevention and reentry strategies implemented by the SEA must 
be scientifically-based, sustainable, and widely replicated.
    SEAs must use the funds received under this competition to support 
activities--
    (1) in schools that--
    (a) serve students in grades 6 through 12; and
    (b) have annual school dropout rates that are above the State 
average annual dropout rate; or
    (2) in the middle schools that feed students into the schools 
described above.
    Priorities: These priorities are from the notice of final 
priorities, requirements, definitions, and selection criteria for this 
program (NFP), published elsewhere in this issue of the Federal 
Register.

[[Page 39497]]

    Absolute Priorities: For FY 2005 these priorities are absolute 
priorities. Under 34 CFR 75.105(c)(3) we consider only applications 
that meet these priorities.
    The priorities are:
    Priority 1--Collaboration with other agencies and Priority 2--
Individual Performance Plans for At-Risk Incoming Ninth Grade Students
    The requirements for meeting these priorities are in the NFP, 
published elsewhere in this issue of the Federal Register.
Application Requirements
    Additional requirements for all projects funded through this 
competition are in the NFP, published elsewhere in this issue of the 
Federal Register.
    These additional requirements are: Eligibility Requirement--State 
Educational Agencies, Evaluation Requirements, Performance Measures 
Requirements and Requirements for Accountability for Results.
    Definitions: In addition to the definitions in the authorizing 
statute and 34 CFR 77.1, the definitions in the NFP, published 
elsewhere in this issue of the Federal Register, apply.
    Program Authority: 20 U.S.C. 6551, et seq.
    Applicable Regulations: (a) The Education Department General 
Administrative Regulations (EDGAR) in 34 CFR parts 75, 77, 79, 80, 81, 
82, 84, 85, 97, 98, and 99. (b) The priorities, requirements, 
definitions, and selection criteria contained in the NFP, published 
elsewhere in this issue of the Federal Register.

II. Award Information

    Type of Award: Discretionary grants.
    Estimated Available Funds: $4,500,000.
    Estimated Range of Awards: $2,000,000-$2,500,000 for the 36-month 
project period.

    Note: The Department will fund multi-year projects for a project 
period of 36 months entirely from the FY 2005 appropriation in order 
to assist grantees in meeting the statutory purposes of the SDP and 
the requirements of this notice.

    Estimated Average Size of Awards: $2,200,000.
    Maximum Award: Applications that propose a budget exceeding 
$2,500,000 for a project period of 36 months will not be reviewed as 
part of the regular application process. However, if after the 
Secretary selects applications to be funded, it appears that additional 
funds remain available, the Secretary may choose to review those 
additional applications that requested funds exceeding the maximum 
amount specified. If the Secretary chooses to fund any of those 
additional applications, applicants will be required to work with the 
Department to revise their proposed budgets to fit within the 
appropriate funding range.
    Estimated Number of Awards: 2.

    Note: The Department is not bound by any estimates in this 
notice.

    Project Period: Up to 36 months.

III. Eligibility Information

    1. Eligible Applicants: SEAs, as defined in 34 CFR 77.1.
    2. Cost Sharing or Matching: This program does not involve cost 
sharing or matching but does involve supplement-not-supplant funding 
provisions (Section 1823(a)(1)(F) of the Elementary and Secondary 
Education Act of 1965, as amended).

IV. Application and Submission Information

    1. Address To Request Application Package: Valerie Randall-Walker, 
U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW., Potomac Center 
Plaza, room 11081, Washington, DC 20202-7241. Telephone: (202) 245-7794 
or by e-mail: dropoutprevention@ed.gov.
    If you use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD), you may 
call the Federal Relay Service (FRS) at 1-800-877-8339.
    Individuals with disabilities may obtain a copy of the application 
package in an alternative format (e.g., Braille, large print, 
audiotape, or computer diskette) by contacting the program contact 
person listed in this section.
    2. Content and Form of Application Submission: Applications must 
include the State's event dropout rate and the event dropout rate of 
each school to be served under this grant. Definitions of ``State event 
dropout rate'' and ``school event dropout rate'' are included in both 
the NFP, published elsewhere in this issue of the Federal Register, and 
the application package for this program. Other requirements concerning 
the content of an application, together with the forms you must submit, 
are in the application package.
    Page Limit: The application narrative (Part III of the application) 
is where you, the applicant, address the selection criteria that 
reviewers use to evaluate your application. We highly encourage you to 
limit Part III to the equivalent of no more than 25 pages.
     A ``page'' is 8.5'' x 11'', on one side only, with 1'' 
margins at the top, bottom, and both sides.
     Double space (no more than three lines per vertical inch) 
all text in the application narrative, including titles, headings, 
footnotes, quotations, references, and captions, as well as all text in 
charts, tables, figures, and graphs.
     Use a font that is either 12 point or larger or no smaller 
than 10 pitch (characters per inch).
    The page limit recommendation does not apply to Part I, the cover 
sheet; Part II, the budget section, including the narrative budget 
justification; Part IV, the assurances and certifications; or the one-
page abstract, the resumes, the bibliography, or the letters of 
support. However, you must include all of the application narrative in 
Part III.
    3. Submission Dates and Times: Applications Available: July 8, 
2005.
    Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: August 17, 2005.
    Applications for grants under this program may be submitted 
electronically using the Electronic Grant Application System (e-
Application) accessible through the Department's e-Grants system, or in 
paper format by mail or hand delivery. For information (including dates 
and times) about how to submit your application electronically, or by 
mail or hand delivery, please refer to section IV. 6. Other Submission 
Requirements in this notice.
    We do not consider an application that does not comply with the 
deadline requirements.
    4. Intergovernmental Review: This program is subject to Executive 
Order 12372 and the regulations in 34 CFR part 79. Information about 
Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs under Executive Order 
12372 is in the application package for this program.
    5. Funding Restrictions: We reference regulations outlining funding 
restrictions in the Applicable Regulations section of this notice.
    6. Other Submission Requirements: Applications for grants under 
this program may be submitted electronically or in paper format by mail 
or hand delivery.
    a. Electronic Submission of Applications.
    If you choose to submit your application to us electronically, you 
must use e-Application available through the Department's e-Grants 
system, accessible through the e-Grants portal page at: https://e-
grants.ed.gov.
    While completing your electronic application, you will be entering 
data online that will be saved into a database. You may not e-mail an 
electronic copy of a grant application to us.
    Please note the following:

[[Page 39498]]

     Your participation in e-Application is voluntary.
     You must complete the electronic submission of your grant 
application by 4:30 p.m., Washington, DC time, on the application 
deadline date. The e-Application system will not accept an application 
for this program after 4:30 p.m., Washington, DC time, on the 
application deadline date. Therefore, we strongly recommend that you do 
not wait until the application deadline date to begin the application 
process.
     The regular hours of operation of the e-Grants Web site 
are 6 a.m. Monday until 7 p.m. Wednesday; and 6 a.m. Thursday until 
midnight Saturday, Washington, DC time. Please note that the system is 
unavailable on Sundays, and between 7 p.m. on Wednesdays and 6 a.m. on 
Thursdays, Washington, DC time, for maintenance. Any modifications to 
these hours are posted on the e-Grants Web site.
     You will not receive additional point value because you 
submit your application in electronic format, nor will we penalize you 
if you submit your application in paper format.
     You must submit all documents electronically, including 
the Application for Federal Education Assistance (ED 424), Budget 
Information--Non-Construction Programs (ED 524), and all necessary 
assurances and certifications.
     Any narrative sections of your application must be 
attached as files in a .DOC (document), .RTF (rich text), or .PDF 
(Portable Document) format.
     Your electronic application must comply with any page 
limit requirements described in this notice.
     Prior to submitting your electronic application, you may 
wish to print a copy of it for your records.
     After you electronically submit your application, you will 
receive an automatic acknowledgment that will include a PR/Award number 
(an identifying number unique to your application).
     Within three working days after submitting your electronic 
application, fax a signed copy of the ED 424 to the Application Control 
Center after following these steps:
    (1) Print ED 424 from e-Application.
    (2) The SEA's Authorizing Representative must sign this form.
    (3) Place the PR/Award number in the upper right hand corner of the 
hard-copy signature page of the ED 424.
    (4) Fax the signed ED 424 to the Application Control Center at 
(202) 245-6272.
     We may request that you provide us original signatures on 
other forms at a later date.
    Application Deadline Date Extension in Case of System 
Unavailability: If you are prevented from electronically submitting 
your application on the application deadline date because the e-
Application system is unavailable, we will grant you an extension of 
one business day in order to transmit your application electronically, 
by mail, or by hand delivery. We will grant this extension if--
    (1) You are a registered user of e-Application and you have 
initiated an electronic application for this competition; and
    (2) (a) The e-Application system is unavailable for 60 minutes or 
more between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m., Washington, DC time, 
on the application deadline date; or
    (b) The e-Application system is unavailable for any period of time 
between 3:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m., Washington, DC time, on the 
application deadline date.
    We must acknowledge and confirm these periods of unavailability 
before granting you an extension. To request this extension or to 
confirm our acknowledgment of any system unavailability, you may 
contact either (1) the person listed elsewhere in this notice under For 
Further Information Contact (see VII. Agency Contact) or (2) the e-
Grants help desk at 1-888-336-8930. If the system is down and therefore 
the application deadline is extended, an e-mail will be sent to all 
registered users who have initiated an e-Application.
    Extensions referred to in this section apply only to the 
unavailability of the Department's e-Application system. If the e-
Application system is available, and, for any reason, you are unable to 
submit your application electronically or you do not receive an 
automatic acknowledgment of your submission, you may submit your 
application in paper format by mail or hand delivery in accordance with 
the instructions in this notice.
    b. Submission of Paper Applications by Mail.
    If you submit your application in paper format by mail (through the 
U.S. Postal Service or a commercial carrier), you must mail the 
original and two copies of your application, on or before the 
application deadline date, to the Department at the applicable 
following address:
    By mail through the U.S. Postal Service:

U.S. Department of Education, Application Control Center, Attention: 
(CFDA Number 84.360A), 400 Maryland Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20202-
4260, or

    By mail through a commercial carrier:

U.S. Department of Education, Application Control Center--Stop 4260, 
Attention: (CFDA Number 84.360A), 7100 Old Landover Road, Landover, MD 
20785-1506.

    Regardless of which address you use, you must show proof of mailing 
consisting of one of the following:
    (1) A legibly dated U.S. Postal Service postmark,
    (2) A legible mail receipt with the date of mailing stamped by the 
U.S. Postal Service,
    (3) A dated shipping label, invoice, or receipt from a commercial 
carrier, or
    (4) Any other proof of mailing acceptable to the Secretary of the 
U.S. Department of Education.
    If you mail your application through the U.S. Postal Service, we do 
not accept either of the following as proof of mailing:
    (1) A private metered postmark, or
    (2) A mail receipt that is not dated by the U.S. Postal Service.
    If your application is postmarked after the application deadline 
date, we will not consider your application.

    Note: The U.S. Postal Service does not uniformly provide a dated 
postmark. Before relying on this method, you should check with your 
local post office.

    c. Submission of Paper Applications by Hand Delivery.
    If you submit your application in paper format by hand delivery, 
you (or a courier service) must deliver the original and two copies of 
your application by hand, on or before the application deadline date, 
to the Department at the following address:

U.S. Department of Education, Application Control Center, Attention: 
(CFDA Number 84.360A), 550 12th Street, SW., Room 7041, Potomac Center 
Plaza, Washington, DC 20202-4260.

    The Application Control Center accepts hand deliveries daily 
between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Washington, DC time, except Saturdays, 
Sundays, and Federal holidays.
    Note for Mail or Hand Delivery of Paper Applications: If you mail 
or hand deliver your application to the Department:
    (1) You must indicate on the envelope and--if not provided by the 
Department--in Item 4 of the ED 424 the CFDA number--and suffix letter, 
if any--of the competition under which you are submitting your 
application.
    (2) The Application Control Center will mail a grant application 
receipt acknowledgment to you. If you do not receive the grant 
application receipt

[[Page 39499]]

acknowledgment within 15 business days from the application deadline 
date, you should call the U.S. Department of Education Application 
Control Center at (202) 245-6288.

V. Application Review Information

    Selection Criteria: The selection criteria for this competition are 
from the NFP, published elsewhere in this issue of the Federal 
Register. The specific selection criteria to be used for this 
competition are listed in the application package.

VI. Award Administration Information

    1. Award Notices: If your application is successful, we notify your 
U.S. Representative and U.S. Senators and send you a Grant Award 
Notification (GAN). We may also notify you informally.
    If your application is not evaluated or not selected for funding, 
we notify you.
    2. Administration and National Policy Requirements: We identify 
administration and national policy requirements in the application 
package and reference these and other requirements in the Application 
Regulations section of this notice.
    We reference the regulations outlining the terms and conditions of 
an award in the Application Regulations section of this notice and 
include these and other specific conditions in the GAN. The GAN also 
incorporates your approved application as part of your binding 
commitments under the grant.
    3. Reporting: At the end of your project period, you must submit a 
final performance report, including financial information, as directed 
by the Secretary. If you receive a multi-year award, you must submit an 
annual performance report that provides the most current performance 
and financial expenditure information as specified by the Secretary in 
34 CFR 75.118.
    4. Performance Measures: We explain the requirements for 
performance measures and accountability for results applicable to this 
program in the Performance Measures Requirements and Requirements for 
Accountability for Results sections of the Additional Requirements in 
the NFP, published elsewhere in this issue of the Federal Register.

VII. Agency Contact

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Valerie Randall-Walker, U.S. 
Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW., Potomac Center 
Plaza, room 11081, Washington, DC 20202-7241. Telephone: (202) 245-7794 
or by e-mail: dropoutprevention@ed.gov.
    If you use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD), you may 
call the Federal Relay Service (FRS) at 1-800-877-8339.
    Individuals with disabilities may obtain this document in an 
alternative format (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, or computer 
diskette) on request to the program contact person listed in this 
section.

VIII. Other Information

    Electronic Access to This Document: You may view this document, as 
well as all other documents of this Department published in the Federal 
Register, in text or Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF) on the 
Internet at the following site: https://www.ed.gov/news/fedregister.
    To use PDF you must have Adobe Acrobat Reader, which is available 
free at this site. If you have questions about using PDF, call the U.S. 
Government Printing Office (GPO), toll free, at 1-888-293-6498; or in 
the Washington, DC, area at (202) 512-1530.

    Note: The official version of this document is the document 
published in the Federal Register. Free Internet access to the 
official edition of the Federal Register and the Code of Federal 
Regulations is available on GPO Access at: https://
www.access.gpo.gov/nara/.


    Dated: July 5, 2005.
Susan Sclafani,
Assistant Secretary for Vocational and Adult Education.
[FR Doc. 05-13578 Filed 7-7-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4000-01-P
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