Native American Career and Technical Education Program; Final Waivers and Extension of Project Period, 30512-30514 [2012-12540]
Download as PDF
30512
Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 100 / Wednesday, May 23, 2012 / Notices
universe of need for the first generation
of projects is in the range of
$40,000,000.
The TAC met on January 26–27, 2012
to select waterfront projects and will
meet in early summer to select road
project priorities for FY 2012. Final
project approvals and funding amounts
have been approved by the Federal CoChair and are available on the
Commission’s Web site.
As shown in the FY 2012 Funding
Table, the estimate for FHWA funding
ranges from $0 to $24,700,000. In 2011
continuing resolution language, the US
Secretary of Transportation was
assigned the responsibility by Congress
to identify FHWA projects and programs
that were sufficiently funded (i.e.
completed). In following this
assignment, the Secretary determined
that the Denali Access Program was
sufficiently funded and $13,300,000 in
FY 2011 FHWA funding was assigned to
the Alaska Department of
Transportation. At the request of the
Denali Commission Inspector General,
GAO is presently considering whether
the Secretary had the authority to make
this determination regarding the Denali
Access Program. At the time of drafting
this 2012 annual Work Plan, the GAO
Comptroller General has not yet issued
an opinion. Therefore, depending upon
the forthcoming opinion the
Commission may receive no FHWA
funding or potentially receive both FY
2011 and FY 2012 FHWA funding –
totaling $24,740,000.
Joel Neimeyer,
Federal Co-Chair.
[FR Doc. 2012–12462 Filed 5–22–12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3300–01–P
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
Notice of Proposed Information
Collection Requests; Office of
Planning, Evaluation and Policy
Development; Strategies for Preparing
At-Risk Youth for Postsecondary
Success
Strategies for Preparing AtRisk Youth for Postsecondary Success
focuses on preventing students from
dropping out and preparing them for
postsecondary education or training.
DATES: Interested persons are invited to
submit comments on or before July 23,
2012.
ADDRESSES: Written comments
regarding burden and/or the collection
activity requirements should be
electronically mailed to
ICDocketMgr@ed.gov or mailed to U.S.
Department of Education, 400 Maryland
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
SUMMARY:
VerDate Mar<15>2010
17:00 May 22, 2012
Jkt 226001
Avenue SW., LBJ, Washington, DC
20202–4537. Copies of the proposed
information collection request may be
accessed from https://edicsweb.ed.gov,
by selecting the ‘‘Browse Pending
Collections’’ link and by clicking on
link number 04858. 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.,
LBJ, Washington, DC 20202–4537.
Requests may also be electronically
mailed to ICDocketMgr@ed.gov or faxed
to 202–401–0920. Please specify the
complete title of the information
collection and OMB Control Number
when making your request.
Individuals who use a
telecommunications device for the deaf
(TDD) may call the Federal Information
Relay Service (FIRS) at 1–800–877–
8339.
Section
3506 of the Paperwork Reduction Act of
1995 (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35) requires
that Federal agencies provide interested
parties an early opportunity to comment
on information collection requests. The
Acting Director, Information Collection
Clearance Division, Privacy, Information
and Records Management Services,
Office of Management, publishes this
notice containing proposed information
collection requests at the beginning of
the Departmental review of the
information collection. The Department
of Education is especially interested in
public comment addressing the
following issues: (1) Is this collection
necessary to the proper functions of the
Department; (2) will this information be
processed and used in a timely manner;
(3) is the estimate of burden accurate;
(4) how might the Department enhance
the quality, utility, and clarity of the
information to be collected; and (5) how
might the Department minimize the
burden of this collection on the
respondents, including through the use
of information technology. Please note
that written comments received in
response to this notice will be
considered public records.
Title of Collection: Strategies for
Preparing At-Risk Youth for
Postsecondary Success.
OMB Control Number: Pending.
Type of Review: New.
Total Estimated Number of Annual
Responses: 132.
Total Estimated Number of Annual
Burden Hours: 114.
Abstract: Educators are increasingly
concerned about poor high school
graduation rates, especially among atrisk youth. Many of the programs
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
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adopted by districts and schools to
decrease the dropout rate traditionally
set the goal of completing high school.
Programs that meet the dual goals of
supporting at-risk youth to graduate
from high school and then enroll in and
succeed in postsecondary education are
not commonly found in most school
districts and few studies of dropout
prevention programs have a
postsecondary focus. This study aims to
fill a gap by conducting qualitative case
studies of up to 15 sites. This study will
systematically analyze qualitative data
across multiple respondents to generate
portraits of programs and strategies that
the sites use, lessons based on
implementation successes and
challenges, and evidence suggesting
their effectiveness in improving the
outcomes of interest.
To complete the study, the U.S.
Department of Education is requesting
OMB approval of two related qualitative
data collection activities: (1) A phone
screen with local program managers to
determine the final sample of case
studies and (2) up to 15 site visits to a
purposive case study sample. Although
the lessons are not generalizable to a
larger population because the sample is
purposive and small, the case studies
will provide rich contextual information
to help practitioners assess the
applicability of the lessons in their own
schools or districts.
Dated: May 18, 2012.
Stephanie Valentine,
Acting Director, Information Collection
Clearance Division, Privacy, Information and
Records Management Services, Office of
Management.
[FR Doc. 2012–12536 Filed 5–22–12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4000–01–P
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
Native American Career and Technical
Education Program; Final Waivers and
Extension of Project Period
Office of Vocational and Adult
Education, Department of Education.
ACTION: Notice.
AGENCY:
Overview Information: Final Waivers
and Extension of Project Period for the
Native American Career and Technical
Education Program
Catalog of Federal Domestic
Assistance (CFDA) Number: 84.101A.
SUMMARY: For 60-month projects funded
in fiscal year (FY) 2007 under the Native
American Career and Technical
Education Program (NACTEP), the
Secretary waives 34 CFR 75.250 and
75.261(c)(2) in order to extend the
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23MYN1
Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 100 / Wednesday, May 23, 2012 / Notices
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
project period of these current NACTEP
grants for an additional 12 months. This
will enable the 30 current NACTEP
grantees to seek FY 2012 continuation
awards for their current projects through
FY 2013, and we will not announce a
new NACTEP competition in FY 2012.
DATES: This notice of final waivers and
extension of project period is effective
May 23, 2012.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Gwen Washington. Telephone: (202)
245–7790, or by email:
gwen.washington@ed.gov. Linda Mayo.
Telephone: (202) 245–7792, or by email:
linda.mayo@ed.gov.
If you use a telecommunications
device for the deaf (TDD) or a text
telephone (TTY), call the Federal Relay
Service (FRS), toll free, at 1–800–877–
8339.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On
February 16, 2012, we published a
notice in the Federal Register (77 FR
9216) (February 2012 notice) proposing
to waive 34 CFR 75.250 and
75.261(c)(2), as they apply to NACTEP.
These regulations generally limit project
periods to 60 months and prohibit
project period extensions involving the
obligation of additional Federal funds.
In that notice, the Secretary also
proposed to extend the project period of
NACTEP grants for an additional 12
months to enable the 30 current
NACTEP grantees to seek FY 2012
continuation awards for their current
projects through FY 2013; and to not
announce a new NACTEP competition
in FY 2012.
Public Comment: In the February
2012 notice for NACTEP, the Secretary
invited comments about the potential
effect the proposed waivers and
extension would have on NACTEP and
on applicants that may be eligible to
apply for grant awards under any new
NACTEP notice inviting applications,
should there be one. In response, we
received 82 comments. Generally, we do
not address comments that raise
concerns not related to the proposed
waivers and extension. Of the 82
comments we received, 81 supported
the waivers, extension, and
continuation of current NACTEP
grantees’ awards, citing the benefits the
NACTEP grants provide to the Native
American community.
Analysis of Comments and Changes
Comments: The vast majority, 81 of
the 82 comments we received supported
the proposed waivers and extension of
the NACTEP project period. We heard
from a variety of commenters, including
tribal community college deans and
administrators, teachers, students, and a
VerDate Mar<15>2010
17:00 May 22, 2012
Jkt 226001
project evaluator. The commenters
provided various reasons for their
support of the waivers and extension,
including: their judgment of
effectiveness of work being done by
current NACTEP grantees in current
projects, the number of students served
and placed in employment under
current projects, and the great need for
funding such as that provided by
NACTEP in the Native American
communities served by current projects.
Several commenters stated that it
would be difficult for eligible entities to
prepare NACTEP applications for shortterm funding prior to the
reauthorization of the Carl D. Perkins
Career and Technical Education Act of
2006 (the Perkins Act). Other
commenters stated that with potential
changes in the Perkins authorizing
legislation for NACTEP beyond FY
2012, it was not in the public interest to
conduct a NACTEP grant competition at
this time.
Several commenters expressed the
view that the waivers and extension of
the current project period would be
necessary to allow current students
sufficient time to complete their
programs.
One commenter, who fully supported
the proposed waivers and extension,
stated that tribal colleges would not
have sufficient time to plan, establish,
or effectively operate viable programs
within a one-year timeframe. The
commenter expressed the view that
continuing the projects of current
NACTEP grantees would eliminate the
difficulties, barriers, and inefficiencies
associated with starting new programs
and stated further that extending the
current project period and funding of
current grantees would: capitalize upon
the current momentum of NACTEP
grantee service delivery, since service
streams were already in place and
operational; allow current NACTEP
grantees to support reasonable
modification as a direct outgrowth of
their current work without disruption to
participant cohorts, partnerships,
programs, or plans; and afford a greater
likelihood of successful attainment,
such as student attainment of associate
degrees and certificates, and subsequent
job placement. The commenter further
stated that NACTEP evaluation
requirements place an expectation for
the measurement of long-term impact of
each project, which would be greatly
enhanced by extending the project
duration beyond five years.
Response: We have considered the
comments we received from individuals
and from individuals representing
tribes, community colleges, and tribal
organizations. The vast majority of
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30513
commenters supported the waivers and
extension of the project period and favor
our proposal to continue the current
grants for an additional year under the
current NACTEP authority. The vast
majority of commenters agree with our
overall rationale for the waivers and
extending the current project period and
believe that these waivers and extension
are in the public interest.
Changes: None.
Comment: One commenter requested
information on future NACTEP grant
periods and asked whether a new
NACTEP grant competition would be
held in FY 2013.
Response: At this time, we do not
know whether there will be a NACTEP
competition in FY 2013 or future years.
If there is a NACTEP competition in any
future year, we will announce that
competition through a Federal Register
notice inviting applications in which we
will include, among other information,
the length of the grant period.
Changes: None.
Background
The current NACTEP grantees,
selected based on our March 23, 2007,
NACTEP Federal Register notice
inviting applications (72 FR 13770)
(March 2007 notice), operate career and
technical education programs, as
authorized by section 116(a) through (g)
of the Perkins Act (20 U.S.C. 2326(a)–
(g)). The project period for the current
30 NACTEP grantees is scheduled to
end in FY 2012. For the NACTEP
projects funded in 2007, the Secretary
waives the requirements of 34 CFR
75.250 and 75.261(c)(2), which
generally limit project periods to 60
months and prohibit project period
extensions involving the obligation of
additional Federal funds, in order to
extend the current NACTEP project
period for an additional 12 months and
allow the 30 current NACTEP grantees
to seek continuation awards in FY 2012.
The Secretary’s waivers and extension
mean that: (1) Current NACTEP grantees
will be authorized to request and
receive NACTEP continuation awards in
FY 2012 for project periods through FY
2013, (2) we will not announce a new
competition to make new awards in FY
2012, (3) the March 2007 notice will
continue to govern current projects
during the extension year, and (4) the 30
applications approved under the March
2007 notice will govern continuation
activities.
The March 2007 notice: (1)
Established a project period of up to 60
months and reiterated that funding for
multi-year awards would be dependent
on a grantee meeting the requirements
of 34 CFR 75.253 (continuation of a
E:\FR\FM\23MYN1.SGM
23MYN1
30514
Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 100 / Wednesday, May 23, 2012 / Notices
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
multi-year project after the first budget
period); (2) explained the requirements
of the program; (3) described the
evaluation and reporting requirements;
and (4) established the Government
Performance and Results Act (GPRA)
performance indicators for NACTEP.
With these waivers and extension of
the project period, the current 30
NACTEP grantees may request
continuation awards for one additional
project year, through FY 2013, and we
will consider those continuation award
requests under the current NACTEP
statutory authority. Any requests for
continuation awards will be subject to
the requirements of 34 CFR 75.253,
including the requirement that each
grantee demonstrate that it is making
substantial progress performing its
NACTEP grant activities based on the
requirements in the March 2007 notice
inviting applications.
We will make decisions regarding
continuation awards based on
information provided in NACTEP
grantee requests for continuation
awards, including information provided
in program narratives, budgets and
budget narratives, and performance
reports. Any activities to be carried out
during the continuation year must be
consistent with, or be a logical
extension of the scope, goals, and
objectives of, each grantee’s application
as approved in the 2007 NACTEP
competition.
Waiver of Delayed Effective Date
The Administrative Procedure Act
requires that a substantive rule must be
published at least 30 days before its
effective date, except as otherwise
provided for good cause (5 U.S.C.
553(d)(3)). During the 30-day public
comment period on the notice of
proposed waivers and extension of
project period, of the 82 comments we
received, 81 supported the waivers and
extension of the project period for
current NACTEP grantees. Except for
minor editorial and technical revisions,
there are no differences between the
proposed and final notices of waivers
and extension of the project period for
NACTEP. In addition, given the fact that
the additional period of funding is only
for a 12-month period, and in order to
be able to make timely continuation
grants to the 30 entities affected, the
Secretary has determined that a delayed
effective date is unnecessary and
contrary to the public interest.
Regulatory Flexibility Act Certification
The Secretary certifies that the
waivers and extension and the activities
required to support an additional year of
NACTEP funding will not have a
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17:00 May 22, 2012
Jkt 226001
significant economic impact on a
substantial number of small entities.
The small entities that will be affected
by the waivers and extension are the 30
currently-funded NACTEP grantees.
The Secretary certifies that the
waivers and extension will not have a
significant economic impact on these
NACTEP entities because the waivers
and extension impose minimal
compliance costs to extend projects
already in existence, and the activities
required to support the additional year
of funding will not impose additional
regulatory burdens or require
unnecessary Federal supervision.
Furthermore, the costs of carrying out
these activities could be paid for with
program funds.
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995
This notice of waivers and extension
does not contain any information
collection requirements.
Intergovernmental Review
The NACTEP is not subject to
Executive Order 12372 and the
regulations in 34 CFR part 79.
Accessible Format: Individuals with
disabilities can obtain this document in
an accessible format (e.g., braille, large
print, audiotape, or compact disc) on
request to either of the contact persons
listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
CONTACT.
Electronic Access to This Document:
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 via the Federal Digital System
at: www.gpo.gov/fdsys. At this site you
can 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). To use PDF you must
have Adobe Acrobat Reader, which is
available free at this site.
You may also access documents of the
Department published in the Federal
Register by using the article search
feature at: www.federalregister.gov.
Specifically, through the advanced
search feature at this site, you can limit
your search to documents published by
the Department.
Program Authority: 20 U.S.C. 2326(a)
through (g).
Dated: May 18, 2012.
Johan Uvin,
Delegated Authority to Perform the Functions
and Duties of the Assistant Secretary for
Vocational and Adult Education.
[FR Doc. 2012–12540 Filed 5–22–12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4000–01–P
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DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
Native Hawaiian Career and Technical
Education Program; Final Waiver and
Extension of Project Period
Office of Vocational and Adult
Education, Department of Education.
ACTION: Notice.
AGENCY:
Overview Information
Final Waiver and Extension of Project
Period for the Native Hawaiian Career
and Technical Education Program
Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance
(CFDA) Number: 84.259A.
For 36-month projects funded
in fiscal year (FY) 2009 under the Native
Hawaiian Career and Technical
Education Program (NHCTEP), the
Secretary hereby waives 34 CFR
75.261(c)(2) in order to extend the
project period of these current NHCTEP
grants for an additional 12 months. This
will enable the eight current NHCTEP
grantees to seek FY 2012 continuation
awards for their current projects through
FY 2013, and we will not announce a
new NHCTEP competition in FY 2012.
DATES: This notice of final waiver and
extension of project period is effective
May 23, 2012.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Linda Mayo. Telephone: (202) 245–
7792, or by email: linda.mayo@ed.gov.
If you use a telecommunications
device for the deaf (TDD) or a text
telephone (TTY), call the Federal Relay
Service (FRS), toll free, at 1–800–877–
8339.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On
February 16, 2012, we published a
notice in the Federal Register (77 FR
9214) (February 2012 notice) proposing
to waive 34 CFR 75.261(c)(2) as it
applies to NHCTEP. This regulation
restricts project period extensions
involving the obligation of additional
Federal funds. In that notice, the
Secretary also proposed to extend the
project period of NHCTEP grants for an
additional 12 months to enable the eight
current NHCTEP grantees to seek FY
2012 continuation awards for their
projects through FY 2013.
Public Comment: In the February
2012 notice, the Secretary invited
comments about the potential effect that
this proposed project period waiver and
extension would have on NHCTEP and
on applicants that may be eligible to
apply for grant awards under any new
NHCTEP notice inviting applications,
should there be one. We received three
comments in response. Generally, we do
not address comments that raise
concerns not related to the proposed
waiver and extension.
SUMMARY:
E:\FR\FM\23MYN1.SGM
23MYN1
Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 100 (Wednesday, May 23, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 30512-30514]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-12540]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
Native American Career and Technical Education Program; Final
Waivers and Extension of Project Period
AGENCY: Office of Vocational and Adult Education, Department of
Education.
ACTION: Notice.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Overview Information: Final Waivers and Extension of Project Period for
the Native American Career and Technical Education Program
Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: 84.101A.
SUMMARY: For 60-month projects funded in fiscal year (FY) 2007 under
the Native American Career and Technical Education Program (NACTEP),
the Secretary waives 34 CFR 75.250 and 75.261(c)(2) in order to extend
the
[[Page 30513]]
project period of these current NACTEP grants for an additional 12
months. This will enable the 30 current NACTEP grantees to seek FY 2012
continuation awards for their current projects through FY 2013, and we
will not announce a new NACTEP competition in FY 2012.
DATES: This notice of final waivers and extension of project period is
effective May 23, 2012.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Gwen Washington. Telephone: (202) 245-
7790, or by email: gwen.washington@ed.gov. Linda Mayo. Telephone: (202)
245-7792, or by email: linda.mayo@ed.gov.
If you use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) or a text
telephone (TTY), call the Federal Relay Service (FRS), toll free, at 1-
800-877-8339.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On February 16, 2012, we published a notice
in the Federal Register (77 FR 9216) (February 2012 notice) proposing
to waive 34 CFR 75.250 and 75.261(c)(2), as they apply to NACTEP. These
regulations generally limit project periods to 60 months and prohibit
project period extensions involving the obligation of additional
Federal funds. In that notice, the Secretary also proposed to extend
the project period of NACTEP grants for an additional 12 months to
enable the 30 current NACTEP grantees to seek FY 2012 continuation
awards for their current projects through FY 2013; and to not announce
a new NACTEP competition in FY 2012.
Public Comment: In the February 2012 notice for NACTEP, the
Secretary invited comments about the potential effect the proposed
waivers and extension would have on NACTEP and on applicants that may
be eligible to apply for grant awards under any new NACTEP notice
inviting applications, should there be one. In response, we received 82
comments. Generally, we do not address comments that raise concerns not
related to the proposed waivers and extension. Of the 82 comments we
received, 81 supported the waivers, extension, and continuation of
current NACTEP grantees' awards, citing the benefits the NACTEP grants
provide to the Native American community.
Analysis of Comments and Changes
Comments: The vast majority, 81 of the 82 comments we received
supported the proposed waivers and extension of the NACTEP project
period. We heard from a variety of commenters, including tribal
community college deans and administrators, teachers, students, and a
project evaluator. The commenters provided various reasons for their
support of the waivers and extension, including: their judgment of
effectiveness of work being done by current NACTEP grantees in current
projects, the number of students served and placed in employment under
current projects, and the great need for funding such as that provided
by NACTEP in the Native American communities served by current
projects.
Several commenters stated that it would be difficult for eligible
entities to prepare NACTEP applications for short-term funding prior to
the reauthorization of the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical
Education Act of 2006 (the Perkins Act). Other commenters stated that
with potential changes in the Perkins authorizing legislation for
NACTEP beyond FY 2012, it was not in the public interest to conduct a
NACTEP grant competition at this time.
Several commenters expressed the view that the waivers and
extension of the current project period would be necessary to allow
current students sufficient time to complete their programs.
One commenter, who fully supported the proposed waivers and
extension, stated that tribal colleges would not have sufficient time
to plan, establish, or effectively operate viable programs within a
one-year timeframe. The commenter expressed the view that continuing
the projects of current NACTEP grantees would eliminate the
difficulties, barriers, and inefficiencies associated with starting new
programs and stated further that extending the current project period
and funding of current grantees would: capitalize upon the current
momentum of NACTEP grantee service delivery, since service streams were
already in place and operational; allow current NACTEP grantees to
support reasonable modification as a direct outgrowth of their current
work without disruption to participant cohorts, partnerships, programs,
or plans; and afford a greater likelihood of successful attainment,
such as student attainment of associate degrees and certificates, and
subsequent job placement. The commenter further stated that NACTEP
evaluation requirements place an expectation for the measurement of
long-term impact of each project, which would be greatly enhanced by
extending the project duration beyond five years.
Response: We have considered the comments we received from
individuals and from individuals representing tribes, community
colleges, and tribal organizations. The vast majority of commenters
supported the waivers and extension of the project period and favor our
proposal to continue the current grants for an additional year under
the current NACTEP authority. The vast majority of commenters agree
with our overall rationale for the waivers and extending the current
project period and believe that these waivers and extension are in the
public interest.
Changes: None.
Comment: One commenter requested information on future NACTEP grant
periods and asked whether a new NACTEP grant competition would be held
in FY 2013.
Response: At this time, we do not know whether there will be a
NACTEP competition in FY 2013 or future years. If there is a NACTEP
competition in any future year, we will announce that competition
through a Federal Register notice inviting applications in which we
will include, among other information, the length of the grant period.
Changes: None.
Background
The current NACTEP grantees, selected based on our March 23, 2007,
NACTEP Federal Register notice inviting applications (72 FR 13770)
(March 2007 notice), operate career and technical education programs,
as authorized by section 116(a) through (g) of the Perkins Act (20
U.S.C. 2326(a)-(g)). The project period for the current 30 NACTEP
grantees is scheduled to end in FY 2012. For the NACTEP projects funded
in 2007, the Secretary waives the requirements of 34 CFR 75.250 and
75.261(c)(2), which generally limit project periods to 60 months and
prohibit project period extensions involving the obligation of
additional Federal funds, in order to extend the current NACTEP project
period for an additional 12 months and allow the 30 current NACTEP
grantees to seek continuation awards in FY 2012.
The Secretary's waivers and extension mean that: (1) Current NACTEP
grantees will be authorized to request and receive NACTEP continuation
awards in FY 2012 for project periods through FY 2013, (2) we will not
announce a new competition to make new awards in FY 2012, (3) the March
2007 notice will continue to govern current projects during the
extension year, and (4) the 30 applications approved under the March
2007 notice will govern continuation activities.
The March 2007 notice: (1) Established a project period of up to 60
months and reiterated that funding for multi-year awards would be
dependent on a grantee meeting the requirements of 34 CFR 75.253
(continuation of a
[[Page 30514]]
multi-year project after the first budget period); (2) explained the
requirements of the program; (3) described the evaluation and reporting
requirements; and (4) established the Government Performance and
Results Act (GPRA) performance indicators for NACTEP.
With these waivers and extension of the project period, the current
30 NACTEP grantees may request continuation awards for one additional
project year, through FY 2013, and we will consider those continuation
award requests under the current NACTEP statutory authority. Any
requests for continuation awards will be subject to the requirements of
34 CFR 75.253, including the requirement that each grantee demonstrate
that it is making substantial progress performing its NACTEP grant
activities based on the requirements in the March 2007 notice inviting
applications.
We will make decisions regarding continuation awards based on
information provided in NACTEP grantee requests for continuation
awards, including information provided in program narratives, budgets
and budget narratives, and performance reports. Any activities to be
carried out during the continuation year must be consistent with, or be
a logical extension of the scope, goals, and objectives of, each
grantee's application as approved in the 2007 NACTEP competition.
Waiver of Delayed Effective Date
The Administrative Procedure Act requires that a substantive rule
must be published at least 30 days before its effective date, except as
otherwise provided for good cause (5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3)). During the 30-
day public comment period on the notice of proposed waivers and
extension of project period, of the 82 comments we received, 81
supported the waivers and extension of the project period for current
NACTEP grantees. Except for minor editorial and technical revisions,
there are no differences between the proposed and final notices of
waivers and extension of the project period for NACTEP. In addition,
given the fact that the additional period of funding is only for a 12-
month period, and in order to be able to make timely continuation
grants to the 30 entities affected, the Secretary has determined that a
delayed effective date is unnecessary and contrary to the public
interest.
Regulatory Flexibility Act Certification
The Secretary certifies that the waivers and extension and the
activities required to support an additional year of NACTEP funding
will not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of
small entities.
The small entities that will be affected by the waivers and
extension are the 30 currently-funded NACTEP grantees.
The Secretary certifies that the waivers and extension will not
have a significant economic impact on these NACTEP entities because the
waivers and extension impose minimal compliance costs to extend
projects already in existence, and the activities required to support
the additional year of funding will not impose additional regulatory
burdens or require unnecessary Federal supervision. Furthermore, the
costs of carrying out these activities could be paid for with program
funds.
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995
This notice of waivers and extension does not contain any
information collection requirements.
Intergovernmental Review
The NACTEP is not subject to Executive Order 12372 and the
regulations in 34 CFR part 79.
Accessible Format: Individuals with disabilities can obtain this
document in an accessible format (e.g., braille, large print,
audiotape, or compact disc) on request to either of the contact persons
listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT.
Electronic Access to This Document: 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 via the Federal Digital System
at: www.gpo.gov/fdsys. At this site you can 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). To use PDF
you must have Adobe Acrobat Reader, which is available free at this
site.
You may also access documents of the Department published in the
Federal Register by using the article search feature at:
www.federalregister.gov. Specifically, through the advanced search
feature at this site, you can limit your search to documents published
by the Department.
Program Authority: 20 U.S.C. 2326(a) through (g).
Dated: May 18, 2012.
Johan Uvin,
Delegated Authority to Perform the Functions and Duties of the
Assistant Secretary for Vocational and Adult Education.
[FR Doc. 2012-12540 Filed 5-22-12; 8:45 am]
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