Applications for New Awards; Supporting Effective Educator Development Grant Program, 9892-9899 [2013-03125]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 29 (Tuesday, February 12, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 9892-9899]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-03125]


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DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION


Applications for New Awards; Supporting Effective Educator 
Development Grant Program

AGENCY: Office of Innovation and Improvement, Department of Education.

ACTION: Notice.

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    Overview Information: Supporting Effective Educator Development 
(SEED) Grant Program.
    Notice inviting applications for new awards for FY 2013.
    Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: 84.367D.

DATES: 
    Applications Available: February 12, 2013.
    Deadline for Notice of Intent to Apply: March 14, 2013.
    Date of Pre-Application Meeting: March 7, 2013.
    Further information will be available on the agency's Web site 
www2.ed.gov/programs/edseed/.
    Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: April 15, 2013.
    Deadline for Intergovernmental Review: June 12, 2013.

Full Text of Announcement

I. Funding Opportunity Description

    Purpose of Program: The SEED program provides funding for grants to 
national not-for-profit organizations (as defined in this notice) for 
projects that support teacher or principal training or professional 
enhancement activities and are supported by at least moderate evidence 
of effectiveness (as defined in this notice). The purpose of the 
program is to increase the number of highly effective teachers and 
principals (as defined in this notice) by developing or expanding the 
implementation of practices that are demonstrated to have an impact on 
improving student achievement or student growth (as defined in this 
notice). These grants will allow eligible entities to develop, expand, 
and evaluate practices that can serve as models of best practices that 
can be sustained and disseminated.
    Priorities: These priorities are from the notice of final 
priorities, requirements, definitions, and selection criteria (NFP) for 
this program, published elsewhere in this issue of the Federal 
Register.
    Absolute Priorities: For the FY 2013 grant competition and any 
subsequent year in which we make awards from the list of unfunded 
applicants from this competition, these priorities are absolute 
priorities. Under 34 CFR 75.105(c)(3) we consider only applications 
that meet one or more of these priorities.
    These priorities are:
    Absolute Priority 1: Teacher or Principal Recruitment, Selection, 
and Preparation.
    This priority funds projects that will create or expand practices 
and strategies that increase the number of highly effective teachers 
(as defined in this notice) or highly effective principals (as defined 
in this notice) by recruiting, selecting, and preparing talented 
individuals to work in schools with high concentrations of high-need 
students (as defined in this notice). Projects must include activities 
that focus on creating or expanding high-performing teacher preparation 
programs, principal preparation programs, or both. Activities may 
include but are not limited to expanding clinical experiences, 
redesigning and implementing program coursework to align with State 
standards and district requirements for P-12 teachers, providing 
induction and other support for program participants in their 
classrooms and schools, and developing

[[Page 9893]]

strategies for tracking the effect program graduates have on the 
achievement of their students or the performance of their schools.
    In addition, an applicant must propose a plan demonstrating a 
rigorous, competitive selection process to determine which aspiring 
teachers or principals participate in the applicant's proposed 
activities.
    Absolute Priority 2: Professional Development for Teachers to 
Improve their Writing Instruction.
    This priority funds projects designed to improve student literacy 
and writing skills by creating or expanding practices and strategies 
that increase the number of highly effective teachers (as defined in 
this notice) by improving their knowledge, understanding, and teaching 
of writing in the context of their subject areas. Projects will focus 
on improving writing instruction to increase student achievement (as 
defined in this notice) by providing high-quality professional 
development to teachers in schools with high concentrations of high-
need students (as defined in this notice).
    Applicants are required to (i) describe the need, in the districts 
proposed to be served, for teacher professional development to improve 
student literacy and writing skills and (ii) demonstrate alignment of 
their proposed projects with State standards.
    In addition, applicants must describe how they plan to measure the 
impact the professional development has on the effectiveness of 
teachers served by their projects. Applicants must determine teacher 
effectiveness through a rigorous, transparent, and fair evaluation in 
which performance is differentiated using multiple measures of 
effectiveness and based in significant part on student growth (as 
defined in this notice).
    Absolute Priority 3: Advanced Certification and Advanced 
Credentialing.
    This priority funds projects that will create or expand practices 
and strategies based on advanced certification or advanced 
credentialing that increase the number of highly effective teachers (as 
defined in this notice), highly effective principals (as defined in 
this notice), or both, who work in schools with high concentrations of 
high-need students (as defined in this notice).
    Applicants are required to focus their proposed projects on 
encouraging and supporting teachers, principals, or both, who seek a 
nationally recognized, standards-based advanced certificate or advanced 
credential through high-quality professional enhancement projects 
designed to improve teaching and learning for teachers who may take on 
career ladder positions (as defined in this notice), principals, or 
both who would serve as models, mentors, and coaches for other 
teachers, principals, or both working in schools with high 
concentrations of high-need students (as defined in this notice).
    In addition, the effectiveness of teachers or principals who 
receive advanced certification or credentialing must be determined 
through a rigorous, transparent, and fair evaluation in which 
performance is differentiated using multiple measures of effectiveness 
and based in significant part on student growth (as defined in this 
notice).
    Finally, an applicant must propose a plan demonstrating a rigorous, 
competitive selection process to determine which teachers or principals 
participate in the applicant's proposed activities.
    Competitive Preference Priorities: For the FY 2013 grant 
competition and any subsequent year in which we make awards from the 
list of unfunded applicants from this competition, these priorities are 
competitive preference priorities. Under 34 CFR 75.105(c)(2)(i) we 
award an additional 5 points to an application that meets Competitive 
Preference Priority 1. We award an additional 1 point to an application 
that meets Competitive Preference Priority 2. We award up to an 
additional 3 points to an application that meets Competitive Preference 
Priority 3. These points are in addition to any points the application 
earns under the selection criteria. Addressing these competitive 
preference priorities is optional, and applicants may choose to respond 
to none, one, two, or all three of the competitive preference 
priorities for this competition.
    These priorities are:
    Competitive Preference Priority 1: Supporting Practices and 
Strategies for Which There Is Strong Evidence of Effectiveness (0 or 5 
points).
    This priority funds projects that are supported by strong evidence 
of effectiveness (as defined in this notice).
    Competitive Preference Priority 2: Improving Efficiency (Cost-
Effectiveness) (0 or 1 point).
    This priority funds projects that will identify strategies for 
providing cost-effective, high-quality services at the State, regional, 
or local level by making better use of available resources. Such 
projects may include innovative and sustainable uses of technology, 
modification of school schedules and teacher compensation systems, use 
of open educational resources (as defined in this notice), or other 
strategies.
    Competitive Preference Priority 3: Promoting Science, Technology, 
Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Education (0 to 3 points).
    This priority funds projects that address one or both of the 
following priority areas:
    (a) Increasing the opportunities for high-quality preparation of, 
or professional development for, teachers of STEM subjects.
    (b) Increasing the number of individuals from groups traditionally 
underrepresented in STEM, including minorities, individuals with 
disabilities, and women, who are teachers of STEM subjects and have 
increased opportunities for high-quality preparation or professional 
development.
    In addition, applicants must describe how they plan to measure the 
impact the proposed project activities have on teacher effectiveness. 
Applicants must determine teacher effectiveness through a rigorous, 
transparent, and fair evaluation in which performance is differentiated 
using multiple measures of effectiveness and based in significant part 
on student growth (as defined in this notice).

Definitions

    Career ladder positions means school-based instructional leadership 
positions designed to improve instructional practice, which teachers 
may voluntarily accept, such as positions described as master teacher, 
mentor teacher, demonstration or model teacher, or instructional coach, 
and for which teachers are selected based on criteria that are 
predictive of the ability to lead other teachers.
    High-need students means students at risk of educational failure, 
such as students who are living in poverty, who are English learners, 
who are far below grade level or who are not on track to becoming 
college- or career-ready by graduation, who have left school or college 
before receiving, respectively, a regular high school diploma or a 
college degree or certificate, who are at risk of not graduating with a 
diploma on time, who are homeless, who are in foster care, who are 
pregnant or parenting teenagers, who have been incarcerated, who are 
new immigrants, who are migrant, or who have disabilities.
    Highly effective principal means a principal whose students, 
overall and for each subgroup as described in section 
1111(b)(2)(C)(v)(II) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, as 
amended (ESEA) (i.e., economically disadvantaged students, students 
from major racial and ethnic groups, students with disabilities, and 
students with limited English proficiency), achieve high rates (e.g.,

[[Page 9894]]

one and one-half grade levels in an academic year) of student growth. 
Eligible applicants may include multiple measures, provided that 
principal effectiveness is evaluated, in significant part, based on 
student growth. Supplemental measures may include, for example, high 
school graduation rates; college enrollment rates; evidence of 
providing supportive teaching and learning conditions, support for 
ensuring effective instruction across subject areas for a well-rounded 
education, strong instructional leadership, and positive family and 
community engagement; or evidence of attracting, developing, and 
retaining high numbers of effective teachers.
    Highly effective teacher means a teacher whose students achieve 
high rates (e.g., one and one-half grade levels in an academic year) of 
student growth. Eligible applicants may include multiple measures, 
provided that teacher effectiveness is evaluated, in significant part, 
based on student growth. Supplemental measures may include, for 
example, multiple observation-based assessments of teacher performance 
or evidence of leadership roles (which may include mentoring or leading 
professional development learning communities) that increase 
effectiveness of other teachers in the school or local educational 
agency (LEA).
    Large sample means a sample of 350 or more students (or other 
single analysis units) who were randomly assigned to a treatment or 
control group, or 50 or more groups (such as classrooms or schools) 
that contain 10 or more students (or other single analysis units) and 
that were randomly assigned to a treatment or control group.
    Moderate evidence of effectiveness means one of the following 
conditions is met:
    (1) There is at least one study of the effectiveness of the 
process, product, strategy, or practice being proposed that meets the 
What Works Clearinghouse (WWC) Evidence Standards without reservations; 
\1\ found a statistically significant favorable impact on a relevant 
outcome (as defined in this notice) (with no statistically significant 
unfavorable impacts on that outcome for relevant populations in the 
study or in other studies of the intervention reviewed by and reported 
on by the WWC); and includes a sample that overlaps with the 
populations or settings proposed to receive the process, product, 
strategy, or practice.
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    \1\ See WWC Procedures and Standards Handbook (Version 2.1, 
September 2011), which can currently be found at the following link: 
https://ies.ed.gov/ncee/wwc/DocumentSum.aspx?sid=19.
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    (2) There is at least one study of the effectiveness of the 
process, product, strategy, or practice being proposed that meets the 
WWC Evidence Standards with reservations; \2\ found a statistically 
significant favorable impact on a relevant outcome (as defined in this 
notice) (with no statistically significant unfavorable impacts on that 
outcome for relevant populations in the study or in other studies of 
the intervention reviewed by and reported on by the WWC); includes a 
sample that overlaps with the populations or settings proposed to 
receive the process, product, strategy, or practice; and includes a 
large sample (as defined in this notice) and a multi-site sample (as 
defined in this notice). (Note: multiple studies can cumulatively meet 
the large and multi-site sample requirements as long as each study 
meets the other requirements in this paragraph.)
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    \2\ See WWC Procedures and Standards Handbook (Version 2.1, 
September 2011), which can currently be found at the following link: 
https://ies.ed.gov/ncee/wwc/DocumentSum.aspx?sid=19.
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    Multi-site sample means more than one site, where site can be 
defined as an LEA, locality, or State.
    National level describes the level of scope or effectiveness of a 
process, product, strategy, or practice that is able to be effective in 
a wide variety of communities, including rural and urban areas, as well 
as with different groups (e.g., economically disadvantaged, racial and 
ethnic groups, migrant populations, individuals with disabilities, 
English learners, and individuals of each gender).
    National not-for-profit organization means an entity that meets the 
definition of ``nonprofit'' under 34 CFR 77.1(c) and is of national 
scope, meaning that the entity provides services in multiple States to 
a significant number or percentage of recipients and is supported by 
staff or affiliates in multiple States.
    Open educational resources means teaching, learning, and research 
resources that reside in the public domain or have been released under 
an intellectual property license that permits their free use or 
repurposing by others.
    Relevant outcome means the student outcome or outcomes (or the 
ultimate outcome if not related to students) that the proposed project 
is designed to improve, consistent with the specific goals of a 
program.
    Strong evidence of effectiveness means that one of the following 
conditions is met:
    (1) There is at least one study of the effectiveness of the 
process, product, strategy, or practice being proposed that meets the 
WWC Evidence Standards without reservations; \3\ found a statistically 
significant favorable impact on a relevant outcome (as defined in this 
notice) (with no statistically significant unfavorable impacts on that 
outcome for relevant populations in the study or in other studies of 
the intervention reviewed by and reported on by the WWC); includes a 
sample that overlaps with the populations and settings proposed to 
receive the process, product, strategy, or practice; and includes a 
large sample (as defined in this notice) and a multi-site sample (as 
defined in this notice). (Note: Multiple studies can cumulatively meet 
the large and multi-site sample requirements as long as each study 
meets the other requirements in this paragraph.)
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    \3\ See WWC Procedures and Standards Handbook (Version 2.1, 
September 2011), which can currently be found at the following link: 
https://ies.ed.gov/ncee/wwc/DocumentSum.aspx?sid=19.
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    (2) There are at least two studies of the effectiveness of the 
process, product, strategy, or practice being proposed, each of which 
meets the WWC Evidence Standards with reservations; \4\ found a 
statistically significant favorable impact on a relevant outcome (as 
defined in this notice) (with no statistically significant unfavorable 
impacts on that outcome for relevant populations in the studies or in 
other studies of the intervention reviewed by and reported on by the 
WWC); includes a sample that overlaps with the populations and settings 
proposed to receive the process, product, strategy, or practice; and 
includes a large sample (as defined in this notice) and a multi-site 
sample (as defined in this notice).
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    \4\ See What Works Clearinghouse Procedures and Standards 
Handbook (Version 2.1, September 2011), which can currently be found 
at the following link: https://ies.ed.gov/ncee/wwc/DocumentSum.aspx?sid=19.
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    Student achievement means--
    (a) For tested grades and subjects: (1) A student's score on the 
State's assessments under the ESEA; and, as appropriate, (2) other 
measures of student learning, such as those described in paragraph (b) 
of this definition, provided they are rigorous and comparable across 
schools.
    (b) For non-tested grades and subjects: alternative measures of 
student learning and performance, such as student scores on pre-tests 
and end-of-course tests; student performance on English language 
proficiency assessments; and other measures of student achievement that 
are rigorous and comparable across schools.

[[Page 9895]]

    Student growth means the change in student achievement (as defined 
in this notice) for an individual student between two or more points in 
time. An applicant may also include other measures that are rigorous 
and comparable across classrooms.
    Program Authority: Department of Education Appropriations Act, 2012 
(Pub. L. 112-74, Title III, Division F).
    Applicable Regulations: (a) The Education Department General 
Administrative Regulations (EDGAR) in 34 CFR parts 74, 75, 77, 79, 81, 
82, 84, 86, 97, 98, and 99. (b) The Education Department debarment and 
suspension regulations in 2 CFR part 3485. (c) The notice of final 
priorities, requirements, definitions, and selection criteria, 
published elsewhere in this issue of the Federal Register.

    Note:  The regulations in 34 CFR part 79 apply to all applicants 
except federally recognized Indian tribes.


    Note:  The regulations in 34 CFR part 86 apply to institutions 
of higher education only.

II. Award Information

    Type of Award: Discretionary grants.
    Estimated Available Funds: $25,349,859.
    Estimated Range of Awards: $5,000,000-$15,000,000 per award.
    Estimated Average Size of Awards: $8,300,000.
    Estimated Number of Awards: 1-5 awards.

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

    Project Period: Up to 36 months.

III. Eligibility Information

    1. Eligible Applicants: As established in the NFP published 
elsewhere in this issue of the Federal Register, to be eligible for a 
SEED program grant, an entity must be a national not-for-profit 
organization (as defined in this notice). Each applicant must provide 
in its application documentation that it is a national not-for-profit 
organization (as defined in this notice).
    2. Cost Sharing or Matching: This program does not require cost 
sharing or matching.
    3. Evidence Standards: As established in the NFP published 
elsewhere in this issue of the Federal Register, to be eligible for 
funding, an applicant must demonstrate that its proposed project is 
supported by at least moderate evidence of effectiveness (as defined in 
this notice).
    Each applicant must provide in its application documentation that 
its proposed project is supported by at least moderate evidence of 
effectiveness. An applicant that responds to the Supporting Practices 
and Strategies for Which There Is Strong Evidence of Effectiveness 
priority also must provide documentation that its proposed project is 
supported by strong evidence of effectiveness (as defined in this 
notice). An applicant must ensure that all evidence is available to the 
Department from publically available sources and provide links or 
references to, or copies of, the evidence in the application. If the 
Department determines that an applicant has provided insufficient 
evidence that its proposed project meets the definition of ``moderate 
evidence of effectiveness'' or ``strong evidence of effectiveness,'' 
the applicant will not have an opportunity to provide additional 
evidence to support its application.
    4. Evaluations: As established in the NFP published elsewhere in 
this issue of the Federal Register, an applicant receiving funds under 
this program must comply with the requirements of any evaluation of the 
program conducted by the Department. In addition, an applicant 
receiving funds under this program must make broadly available through 
formal (e.g., peer-reviewed journals) or informal (e.g., newsletters) 
mechanisms, in print or electronically, the results of any evaluations 
it conducts of its funded activities.

IV. Application and Submission Information

    1. Address to Request Application Package: Richard Wilson, U.S. 
Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue SW., room 4C125, 
Washington, DC 20202-5960 or by email: SEED@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.
    Individuals with disabilities can obtain a copy of the application 
package in an accessible format (e.g., braille, large print, audiotape, 
or compact disc) by contacting the program contact person listed in 
this section.
    2. a. Content and Form of Application Submission: Requirements 
concerning the content of an application, together with the forms you 
must submit, are in the application package for this competition.
    Notice of Intent to Apply: March 14, 2013. The Department will be 
able to develop a more efficient process for reviewing grant 
applications if it has a better understanding of the number of entities 
that intend to apply for funding under this competition. Therefore, the 
Department strongly encourages each potential applicant to notify the 
Department by sending a short email message indicating the applicant's 
intent to submit an application for funding. The email need not include 
information regarding the content of the proposed application, only the 
applicant's intent to submit it. The Department requests that this 
email notification be sent to the SEED program inbox at: seed@ed.gov.
    Eligible entities that fail to provide this email notification may 
still apply for funding.
    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 suggest you limit the 
application narrative to the equivalent of no more than 50 pages, using 
the following standards:
     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, except for titles, headings, 
footnotes, quotations, references, captions, charts, tables, figures, 
and graphs.
     Use a font that is either 12 point or larger or no smaller 
than 10 pitch (characters per inch).
     Use one of the following fonts: Times New Roman, Courier, 
Courier New, or Arial.
    The page limit 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, or letters of support.
    b. Submission of Proprietary Information: Given the types of 
projects that may be proposed in applications for the SEED program, an 
application may include business information that the applicant 
considers proprietary. The Department's regulations define ``business 
information'' in 34 CFR 5.11.
    Because we plan to make successful applications available to the 
public, you may wish to request confidentiality of business 
information.
    Consistent with Executive Order 12600, please designate in your 
application any information that you feel is exempt from disclosure 
under Exemption 4 of the Freedom of Information Act. In the appropriate 
Appendix section of your application, under ``Other Attachments Form,'' 
please list the page number or numbers on which we can find this 
information. For additional information please see 34 CFR 5.11(c).

[[Page 9896]]

    3. Submission Dates and Times:
    Applications Available: February 12, 2013.
    Deadline for Notice of Intent to Apply: March 14, 2013.
    Date of Pre-Application Meeting: March 7, 2013. Further information 
will be available on the agency's Web site www2.ed.gov/programs/edseed/.
    Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: April 15, 2013.
    Applications for grants under this competition must be submitted 
electronically using the Grants.gov Apply site (Grants.gov). For 
information (including dates and times) about how to submit your 
application electronically, or in paper format by mail or hand delivery 
if you qualify for an exception to the electronic submission 
requirement, please refer to section IV. 7. Other Submission 
Requirements of this notice.
    We do not consider an application that does not comply with the 
deadline requirements.
    Individuals with disabilities who need an accommodation or 
auxiliary aid in connection with the application process should contact 
the person listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT in section VII 
of this notice. If the Department provides an accommodation or 
auxiliary aid to an individual with a disability in connection with the 
application process, the individual's application remains subject to 
all other requirements and limitations in this notice.
    Deadline for Intergovernmental Review: June 12, 2013.
    4. Intergovernmental Review: This competition 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 
competition.
    5. Funding Restrictions: We reference regulations outlining funding 
restrictions in the Applicable Regulations section of this notice.
    6. Data Universal Numbering System Number, Taxpayer Identification 
Number, Central Contractor Registry, and System for Award Management: 
To do business with the Department of Education, you must--
    a. Have a Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number and a 
Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN);
    b. Register both your DUNS number and TIN with the Central 
Contractor Registry (CCR)--and, after July 24, 2012, with the System 
for Award Management (SAM), the Government's primary registrant 
database;
    c. Provide your DUNS number and TIN on your application; and
    d. Maintain an active CCR or SAM registration with current 
information while your application is under review by the Department 
and, if you are awarded a grant, during the project period.
    You can obtain a DUNS number from Dun and Bradstreet. A DUNS number 
can be created within one business day.
    If you are a corporate entity, agency, institution, or 
organization, you can obtain a TIN from the Internal Revenue Service. 
If you are an individual, you can obtain a TIN from the Internal 
Revenue Service or the Social Security Administration. If you need a 
new TIN, please allow 2-5 weeks for your TIN to become active.
    The CCR or SAM registration process may take five or more business 
days to complete. If you are currently registered with the CCR, you may 
not need to make any changes. However, please make certain that the TIN 
associated with your DUNS number is correct. Also note that you will 
need to update your registration annually. This may take three or more 
business days to complete. Information about SAM is available at 
SAM.gov.
    In addition, if you are submitting your application via Grants.gov, 
you must (1) be designated by your organization as an Authorized 
Organization Representative (AOR); and (2) register yourself with 
Grants.gov as an AOR. Details on these steps are outlined at the 
following Grants.gov Web page: www.grants.gov/applicants/get_registered.jsp.
    7. Other Submission Requirements: Applications for grants under 
this competition must be submitted electronically unless you qualify 
for an exception to this requirement in accordance with the 
instructions in this section.
    a. Electronic Submission of Applications.
    Applications for grants under the Supporting Effective Educator 
Development Grant Program, CFDA number 84.367D, must be submitted 
electronically using the Governmentwide Grants.gov Apply site at 
www.Grants.gov. Through this site, you will be able to download a copy 
of the application package, complete it offline, and then upload and 
submit your application. You may not email an electronic copy of a 
grant application to us.
    We will reject your application if you submit it in paper format 
unless, as described elsewhere in this section, you qualify for one of 
the exceptions to the electronic submission requirement and submit, no 
later than two weeks before the application deadline date, a written 
statement to the Department that you qualify for one of these 
exceptions. Further information regarding calculation of the date that 
is two weeks before the application deadline date is provided later in 
this section under Exception to Electronic Submission Requirement.
    You may access the electronic grant application for the Supporting 
Effective Educator Development Grant Program at www.Grants.gov. You 
must search for the downloadable application package for this 
competition by the CFDA number. Do not include the CFDA number's alpha 
suffix in your search (e.g., search for 84.367, not 84.367D).
    Please note the following:
     When you enter the Grants.gov site, you will find 
information about submitting an application electronically through the 
site, as well as the hours of operation.
     Applications received by Grants.gov are date and time 
stamped. Your application must be fully uploaded and submitted and must 
be date and time stamped by the Grants.gov system no later than 4:30:00 
p.m., Washington, DC time, on the application deadline date. Except as 
otherwise noted in this section, we will not accept your application if 
it is received--that is, date and time stamped by the Grants.gov 
system--after 4:30:00 p.m., Washington, DC time, on the application 
deadline date. We do not consider an application that does not comply 
with the deadline requirements. When we retrieve your application from 
Grants.gov, we will notify you if we are rejecting your application 
because it was date and time stamped by the Grants.gov system after 
4:30:00 p.m., Washington, DC time, on the application deadline date.
     The amount of time it can take to upload an application 
will vary depending on a variety of factors, including the size of the 
application and the speed of your Internet connection. Therefore, we 
strongly recommend that you do not wait until the application deadline 
date to begin the submission process through Grants.gov.
     You should review and follow the Education Submission 
Procedures for submitting an application through Grants.gov that are 
included in the application package for this competition to ensure that 
you submit your application in a timely manner to the Grants.gov 
system. You can also find the Education Submission Procedures 
pertaining to Grants.gov under News and Events on the Department's G5 
system home page at www.G5.gov.

[[Page 9897]]

     You will not receive additional point value because you 
submit your application in electronic format, nor will we penalize you 
if you qualify for an exception to the electronic submission 
requirement, as described elsewhere in this section, and submit your 
application in paper format.
     You must submit all documents electronically, including 
all information you typically provide on the following forms: The 
Application for Federal Assistance (SF 424), the Department of 
Education Supplemental Information for SF 424, Budget Information--Non-
Construction Programs (ED 524), and all necessary assurances and 
certifications.
     You must upload any narrative sections and all other 
attachments to your application as files in a PDF (Portable Document) 
read-only, non-modifiable format. Do not upload an interactive or 
fillable PDF file. If you upload a file type other than a read-only, 
non-modifiable PDF or submit a password-protected file, we will not 
review that material.
     Your electronic application must comply with any page-
limit requirements described in this notice.
     After you electronically submit your application, you will 
receive from Grants.gov an automatic notification of receipt that 
contains a Grants.gov tracking number. (This notification indicates 
receipt by Grants.gov only, not receipt by the Department.) The 
Department then will retrieve your application from Grants.gov and send 
a second notification to you by email. This second notification 
indicates that the Department has received your application and has 
assigned your application a PR/Award number (a Department-specified 
identifying number unique to your application).
     We may request that you provide us original signatures on 
forms at a later date.
    Application Deadline Date Extension in Case of Technical Issues 
with the Grants.gov System: If you are experiencing problems submitting 
your application through Grants.gov, please contact the Grants.gov 
Support Desk, toll free, at 1-800-518-4726. You must obtain a 
Grants.gov Support Desk Case Number and must keep a record of it.
    If you are prevented from electronically submitting your 
application on the application deadline date because of technical 
problems with the Grants.gov system, we will grant you an extension 
until 4:30:00 p.m., Washington, DC time, the following business day to 
enable you to transmit your application electronically or by hand 
delivery. You also may mail your application by following the mailing 
instructions described elsewhere in this notice.
    If you submit an application after 4:30:00 p.m., Washington, DC 
time, on the application deadline date, please contact the person 
listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT in section VII of this 
notice and provide an explanation of the technical problem you 
experienced with Grants.gov, along with the Grants.gov Support Desk 
Case Number. We will accept your application if we can confirm that a 
technical problem occurred with the Grants.gov system and that that 
problem affected your ability to submit your application by 4:30:00 
p.m., Washington, DC time, on the application deadline date. The 
Department will contact you after a determination is made on whether 
your application will be accepted.

    Note: The extensions to which we refer in this section apply 
only to the unavailability of, or technical problems with, the 
Grants.gov system. We will not grant you an extension if you failed 
to fully register to submit your application to Grants.gov before 
the application deadline date and time or if the technical problem 
you experienced is unrelated to the Grants.gov system.

    Exception to Electronic Submission Requirement: You qualify for an 
exception to the electronic submission requirement, and may submit your 
application in paper format, if you are unable to submit an application 
through the Grants.gov system because--
     You do not have access to the Internet; or
     You do not have the capacity to upload large documents to 
the Grants.gov system; and
     No later than two weeks before the application deadline 
date (14 calendar days or, if the fourteenth calendar day before the 
application deadline date falls on a Federal holiday, the next business 
day following the Federal holiday), you mail or fax a written statement 
to the Department, explaining which of the two grounds for an exception 
prevents you from using the Internet to submit your application.
    If you mail your written statement to the Department, it must be 
postmarked no later than two weeks before the application deadline 
date. If you fax your written statement to the Department, we must 
receive the faxed statement no later than two weeks before the 
application deadline date.
    Address and mail or fax your statement to: Richard Wilson, U.S. 
Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue SW., Room 4C125, 
Washington, DC 20202-5960. FAX: (202) 401-8466.
    Your paper application must be submitted in accordance with the 
mail or hand delivery instructions described in this notice.
    b. Submission of Paper Applications by Mail.
    If you qualify for an exception to the electronic submission 
requirement, you may mail (through the U.S. Postal Service or a 
commercial carrier) your application to the Department. You must mail 
the original and two copies of your application, 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 84.367D), LBJ Basement Level 1, 400 Maryland 
Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20202-4260.
    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.
    (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.
    (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 qualify for an exception to the electronic submission 
requirement, you (or a courier service) may deliver your paper 
application to the Department by hand. You 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 84.367D), 550 12th Street SW., Room 7041, 
Potomac Center Plaza, Washington, DC 20202-4260.
    The Application Control Center accepts hand deliveries daily 
between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30:00 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--

[[Page 9898]]

    (1) You must indicate on the envelope and--if not provided by the 
Department--in Item 11 of the SF 424 the CFDA number, including suffix 
letter, if any, of the competition under which you are submitting your 
application; and
    (2) The Application Control Center will mail to you a notification 
of receipt of your grant application. If you do not receive this 
notification 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

    1. Selection Criteria: The selection criteria for this competition 
are from the NFP for this program, published elsewhere in this issue of 
the Federal Register, and are as follows:
    The maximum score for all the selection criteria is 100 points. The 
maximum score for each criterion is indicated in parentheses. Each 
criterion also includes the factors that reviewers will consider in 
determining the extent to which an applicant meets the criterion.
    In addressing each criterion, applicants are encouraged to make 
explicit connections to relevant aspects of responses to other 
selection criteria.
    A. Significance (20 points). The Secretary considers the 
significance of the proposed project. In determining the significance 
of the proposed project, the Secretary considers:
    (1) The significance of the proposed project on a national level 
(as defined in this notice).
    (2) The potential contribution of the proposed project to the 
development and advancement of teacher and school leadership theory, 
knowledge, and practices.
    (3) The importance or magnitude of the results or outcomes likely 
to be attained by the proposed project, especially improvements in 
teaching and student achievement.
    B. Quality of the Project Design and Services (25 points). The 
Secretary considers the quality of the design and services of the 
proposed project. In determining the quality of the design and services 
of the proposed project, the Secretary considers:
    (1) The extent to which the goals, objectives, and outcomes to be 
achieved by the proposed project are clearly specified, aligned, and 
measurable.
    (2) The extent to which the proposed project is part of a 
comprehensive effort to improve teaching and learning and support 
rigorous academic standards for students.
    (3) The extent to which the training or professional development 
services to be provided by the proposed project will be of sufficient 
quality, intensity, and duration to lead to improvements in practice 
among the recipients of those services.
    C. Quality of the Management Plan and Personnel (15 points). The 
Secretary considers the quality of the management plan for the proposed 
project and of the personnel who will carry out the proposed project. 
In determining the quality of the management plan and the project 
personnel, the Secretary considers:
    (1) The qualifications, including relevant training and experience, 
of the project director, key project personnel, and project consultants 
or subcontractors.
    (2) The adequacy of the management plan to achieve the objectives 
of the proposed project on time and within budget, including clearly 
defined responsibilities, timelines, and milestones for accomplishing 
project tasks.
    (3) The extent to which the time commitments of the project 
director and other key project personnel are appropriate and adequate 
to meet the objectives of the proposed project.
    (4) The extent to which the proposed management plan includes 
sufficient and reasonable resources to effectively carry out the 
proposed project, including the project evaluation.
    D. Sustainability (20 points). The Secretary considers the adequacy 
of resources to continue the proposed project after the grant period 
ends. In determining the adequacy of resources and the potential for 
utility of the proposed project's activities and products by other 
organizations, the Secretary considers:
    (1) The extent to which the proposed project is designed to build 
capacity and yield results that will extend beyond the period of 
Federal financial assistance.
    (2) The extent to which the proposed project is likely to yield 
findings and products (such as information, materials, processes, or 
techniques) that may be used by other agencies and organizations.
    (3) The extent to which the applicant will disseminate information 
about results and outcomes of the proposed project in ways that will 
enable others, including the public, to use the information or 
strategies.
    (e) Quality of the Project Evaluation (20 points). The Secretary 
considers the quality of the evaluation to be conducted of the proposed 
project. In determining the quality of the evaluation, the Secretary 
considers one or more of the following factors:
    (1) The extent to which the methods of evaluation are thorough, 
feasible, and appropriate to the goals, objectives, and outcomes of the 
proposed project.
    (2) The extent to which the evaluation includes the use of 
objective performance measures that are clearly related to the intended 
outcomes of the project and will produce quantitative and qualitative 
data.
    (3) The extent to which the evaluation will provide performance 
feedback and permit periodic assessment of progress toward achieving 
intended outcomes.
    (4) The extent to which the proposed project plan includes 
sufficient resources to carry out the project evaluation effectively.

    Note: We encourage applicants to review the following technical 
assistance resources on evaluation: (1) WWC Procedures and Standards 
Handbook:  https://ies.ed.gov/ncee/wwc/references/idocviewer/doc.aspx?docid=19&tocid=1; and (2) IES/NCEE Technical Methods 
papers: https://ies.ed.gov/ncee/tech_methods/.

    2. Review and Selection Process: We remind potential applicants 
that in reviewing applications in any discretionary grant competition, 
the Secretary may consider, under 34 CFR 75.217(d)(3), the past 
performance of the applicant in carrying out a previous award, such as 
the applicant's use of funds, achievement of project objectives, and 
compliance with grant conditions. The Secretary may also consider 
whether the applicant failed to submit a timely performance report or 
submitted a report of unacceptable quality.
    In addition, in making a competitive grant award, the Secretary 
also requires various assurances including those applicable to Federal 
civil rights laws that prohibit discrimination in programs or 
activities receiving Federal financial assistance from the Department 
of Education (34 CFR 100.4, 104.5, 106.4, 108.8, and 110.23).
    3. Special Conditions: Under 34 CFR 74.14 and 80.12, the Secretary 
may impose special conditions on a grant if the applicant or grantee is 
not financially stable; has a history of unsatisfactory performance; 
has a financial or other management system that does not meet the 
standards in 34 CFR parts 74 or 80, as applicable; has not fulfilled 
the conditions of a prior grant; or is otherwise not responsible.

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

[[Page 9899]]

(GAN). We may notify you informally, also.
    If your application is not evaluated or not selected for funding, 
we notify you.
    2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements: We identify 
administrative and national policy requirements in the application 
package and reference these and other requirements in the Applicable 
Regulations section of this notice.
    We reference the regulations outlining the terms and conditions of 
an award in the Applicable 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: (a) If you apply for a grant under this competition, 
you must ensure that you have in place the necessary processes and 
systems to comply with the reporting requirements in 2 CFR part 170 
should you receive funding under the competition. This does not apply 
if you have an exception under 2 CFR 170.110(b).
    (b) 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 directed by the Secretary under 34 
CFR 75.118. The Secretary may also require more frequent performance 
reports under 34 CFR 75.720(c). For specific requirements on reporting, 
please go to www.ed.gov/fund/grant/apply/appforms/appforms.html.
    4. Performance Measures: The overall purpose of the SEED program is 
to support projects by national not-for-profit organizations (as 
defined in this notice) that are supported by at least moderate 
evidence of effectiveness (as defined in this notice) to recruit, 
select, and prepare or provide professional enhancement activities for 
teachers, principals, or both. We have established the following 
performance measures for the SEED program: For absolute priorities 1 
and 2, the percentage of teacher and principal participants who serve 
concentrations of high-need students (as defined in this notice), are 
highly effective (as defined in this notice), and serve for at least 
two years, and the cost per such participant. For absolute priority 3, 
the percentage of teacher and principal participants who receive 
advanced certification or advanced credentialing and are highly 
effective, and the cost per such participant. Grantees will report 
annually on each component of these measures.
    5. Continuation Awards: In making a continuation award, the 
Secretary may consider, under 34 CFR 75.253, the extent to which a 
grantee has made ``substantial progress toward meeting the objectives 
in its approved application.'' This consideration includes the review 
of a grantee's progress in meeting the targets and projected outcomes 
in its approved application, and whether the grantee has expended funds 
in a manner that is consistent with its approved application and 
budget. In making a continuation grant, the Secretary also considers 
whether the grantee is operating in compliance with the assurances in 
its approved application, including those applicable to Federal civil 
rights laws that prohibit discrimination in programs or activities 
receiving Federal financial assistance from the Department (34 CFR 
100.4, 104.5, 106.4, 108.8, and 110.23).

VII. Agency Contacts

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Richard Wilson, U.S. Department of 
Education, 400 Maryland Avenue SW., room 4C125, Washington, DC 20202-
5960. Telephone: (202) 453-6709, or by email: SEED@ed.gov.
    If you use a TDD or TTY, call the FRS, toll free, at 1-800-877-
8339.

VIII. Other Information

    Accessible Format: Individuals with disabilities can obtain this 
document and a copy of the application package in an accessible format 
(e.g., braille, large print, audiotape, or compact disc) on request to 
the program contact person listed under For Further Information Contact 
in section VII of this notice.
    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 the 
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.

    Dated: February 7, 2013.
James H. Shelton, III,
Assistant Deputy Secretary for Innovation and Improvement.
[FR Doc. 2013-03125 Filed 2-11-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4000-01-P