Applications for New Awards; Technical Assistance and Dissemination To Improve Services and Results for Children With Disabilities-National Center for Students With Disabilities Who Require Intensive Intervention, 13344-13353 [2016-05759]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 49 (Monday, March 14, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 13344-13353]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-05759]


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DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION


Applications for New Awards; Technical Assistance and 
Dissemination To Improve Services and Results for Children With 
Disabilities--National Center for Students With Disabilities Who 
Require Intensive Intervention

AGENCY: Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services, 
Department of Education.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: Overview Information: Technical Assistance and Dissemination 
to Improve Services and Results for Children with Disabilities--
National Center for Students with Disabilities Who Require Intensive 
Intervention
    Notice inviting applications for a new award for fiscal year (FY) 
2016.

Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: 84.326Q.


DATES: Applications Available: March 14, 2016.
    Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: April 28, 2016.
    Deadline for Intergovernmental Review: June 27, 2016.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Full Text of Announcement

I. Funding Opportunity Description

    Purpose of Program: The purpose of the Technical Assistance and 
Dissemination to Improve Services and Results for Children with 
Disabilities program is to promote academic achievement and to improve 
results for children with disabilities by providing technical 
assistance (TA), supporting model demonstration projects, disseminating 
useful information, and implementing activities that are supported by 
scientifically based research.
    Priority: In accordance with 34 CFR 75.105(b)(2)(v), this priority 
is from allowable activities specified in the statute (see sections 663 
and 681(d) of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)).
    Absolute Priority: For FY 2016 and any subsequent year in which we 
make awards from the list of unfunded applications from this 
competition, this priority is an absolute priority. Under 34 CFR 
75.105(c)(3), we consider only applications that meet this priority.
    This priority is:
    National Center for Students with Disabilities Who Require 
Intensive Intervention.
    Background:
    Providing effective evidence-based (as defined in this notice) 
instruction and intervention for all students, including students with 
disabilities, is critical for their success in postsecondary settings. 
Recent data demonstrate that academic and behavioral outcomes for 
students with disabilities continue to be poor.
    In 2015, for example, a large proportion of students with 
disabilities scored below the basic level \1\ on the National 
Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) in both reading (4th grade: 
70 percent; 8th grade: 67 percent) and math (4th grade: 49 percent; 8th 
grade: 72 percent) (U.S. Department of Education, 2015). In the 2011-12 
school year, students with disabilities were more than twice as likely 
to receive an out-of-school suspension as their non-disabled peers, and 
over half (58 percent) were subjected to seclusion (U.S. Department of 
Education, 2014). Further, students with emotional disturbance or a 
specific learning disability were suspended at higher rates than other 
students with disabilities (Losen, Hodson, Ee, & Martinez, 2014). 
Nationally, in the 2011-12 school year, it is estimated that nearly 18 
million instructional days were lost for all U.S. public school 
children due to exclusionary discipline (Losen, Hodson, Keith, 
Morrison, & Belway, 2015).
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    \1\ For NAEP achievement level definitions, see: https://nces.ed.gov/nationsreportcard/achievement.aspx.
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    Significant and persistent academic and behavioral difficulties can 
limit success in school and postsecondary opportunities. A recent 
report suggests that the graduation rate for students with disabilities 
(61.9 percent) is much lower than the graduation rate for all students 
(81.4 percent) (DePaoli et al., 2015). Students with disabilities are 
also less likely to have enrolled in postsecondary education, have 
lower salaries when employed, and have higher involvement with the 
criminal justice system than their non-disabled peers (Sanford et al., 
2011).
    For some students, the typical evidence-based instruction and 
behavioral supports provided in the classroom are not sufficient to 
address their educational needs or prepare them for postsecondary 
opportunities. They will need individualized, more intensive 
intervention composed of practices that are evidence-based.
    Interventions can be intensified in multiple ways (e.g., dosage, 
group size, intervention components, interventionist expertise) (e.g., 
Barnett, Daly, Jones, & Lentz, 2004; Codding & Lane, 2014; Daly, 
Martens, Barnett, Witt, & Olson, 2007; Mellard, McKnight, & Jordan, 
2010; Warren, Fey, & Yoder, 2007), and for students at risk of, or 
identified as having, a disability, research has demonstrated the 
effectiveness of intensive interventions in improving reading outcomes 
(e.g., Allor, Mathes, Roberts, Cheatham, & Al Otaiba, 2014; Al Otaiba 
et al., 2014; Denton et al., 2013; Solis, Miciak, Vaughn, & Fletcher, 
2014; Wanzek et al., 2013); mathematics outcomes (e.g., Bryant et al., 
2014; Dennis, 2015; Fuchs, Fuchs, Powell, Seethaler, Cirino, & 
Fletcher, 2008; Gersten et al., 2009); and behavioral outcomes (e.g., 
Gage, Lewis, & Stichter, 2012; Goh & Bambara, 2012).
    The co-occurrence of academic and behavioral difficulties has been 
well documented, yet the exact nature of the relationship is still not 
well understood (e.g., Algozzine, Wang, & Violette, 2011; Morgan & 
Sideridis, 2013). However, recent research on integrating academic and 
behavioral interventions has demonstrated promise for improving student 
outcomes (e.g., Algozzine et al., 2012; Chaparro, Smolkowski, Baker, 
Hanson, & Ryan-Jackson, 2012; Stewart, Benner, Martella, Marchand-
Martella, 2007). In an analysis of academic, behavioral, and integrated 
academic and behavioral intervention models, Stewart et al. (2007) 
found greater gains in reading and behavior for the integrated 
intervention model than the academic or behavioral intervention models 
alone.
    In short, there are students with disabilities who have persistent 
learning or behavior difficulties and who need intensive intervention 
to succeed in school and to be prepared for postsecondary 
opportunities. However, States, districts, and schools need assistance 
in developing or refining and coordinating their systems of instruction

[[Page 13345]]

and intervention to address the needs of these students.
    Research has identified numerous components within schools' systems 
of instruction and intervention that can make an intervention more or 
less effective and sustainable. For example, the need to improve 
educators' knowledge and use of evidence-based interventions through 
teacher preparation (e.g., Ciullo et al., 2015; Gable, Tonelson, Sheth, 
Wilson, & Park, 2012; Kern, Hilt-Panahon, & Sokol, 2009) and 
professional development (e.g., Bambara, Goh, Kern, & Caskie, 2012; 
Ciullo et al., 2015; Debnam, Pas, & Bradshaw, 2012; Kern, Hilt-Panahon, 
& Sokol, 2009; Regan, Berkeley, Hughes, & Brady, 2015) has been well 
documented. The need to improve educators' knowledge and use of 
culturally and linguistically responsive instruction for students with 
disabilities (e.g., Ford, 2012; Orosco & Klingner, 2010) has also been 
noted, as 91 percent of 4th and 89 percent of 8th grade students with 
disabilities who are English Learners (ELs) scored below the basic 
level in reading on the 2015 NAEP (U.S. Department of Education, 2015).
    Another component that can facilitate or impede implementation and 
sustainability of an intervention is school culture (O'Connor & 
Freeman, 2012), particularly for students with persistent difficulties 
(e.g., Bambara et al., 2012). The leadership and organizational 
supports, such as scheduling, roles of staff, adequate planning time, 
professional development structure, evaluation, leadership support, 
policies, and funding (e.g., Bambara et al., 2012; Fixsen, Naoom, 
Blas[eacute], Friedman, & Wallace, 2005; O'Connor & Freeman, 2012), can 
also facilitate or impede the effectiveness and sustainability of the 
system of instruction and intervention. Addressing academic and 
behavioral difficulties separately, instead of using an integrated 
approach, may result in inefficiencies in coordinating intervention. By 
using a more integrated approach, limited resources can be maximized 
and organizational structures and efficiency can be improved (e.g., 
Chaparro et al., 2012; Lane, Oakes, & Menzies, 2014; McIntosh, Bohanon, 
& Goodman, 2010).
    As part of the recent emphasis in the Department's accountability 
efforts on improved results for students with disabilities, the 
Department required States under Indicator 17 of their IDEA Part B 
State Performance Plans/Annual Performance Reports (SPPs/APRs) to 
develop a State Systemic Improvement Plan (SSIP).\2\ As part of the 
SSIP, States must identify the result(s) they intend to achieve through 
implementing the SSIP (referred to as the State Identified Measureable 
Result(s) (SIMR)). To date, 42 States are focusing on improving 
performance in reading, math, or both, and 12 States are focusing on 
increasing the graduation rate of children and youth with disabilities. 
States will need TA to support the implementation of their SSIP 
strategies to improve academic and behavior-related results.
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    \2\ In accordance with section 616(b) of IDEA, States must have 
in place a performance plan that evaluates the State's efforts to 
implement the requirements and purposes of Part B of the IDEA and 
describes how the State will improve such implementation. As part of 
the SPP/APR, each State establishes measurable and rigorous targets 
for each indicator established by the Secretary. In the Results 
Driven Accountability System, OSERS required States under Indicator 
17 to develop a SSIP as part of their Federal fiscal year (FFY) 2013 
through FFY 2018 IDEA Part B SPPs/APRs. The SSIP must include: (1) 
FFY 2013 baseline data expressed as a percentage and aligned with 
the State-identified Measurable Result(s) (SIMR) for children with 
disabilities; (2) measurable and rigorous targets (expressed as a 
percentage) for each of the five years for FFY 2014 through FFY 
2018, with the FFY 2018 target reflecting improvement over the FFY 
2013 baseline data; and (3) a plan that includes an explanation of 
how the improvement strategies selected will lead to measurable 
improvement in the SIMR.
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    The priority established in this notice will fund a national center 
that will focus on intensive academic and behavioral interventions for 
students with disabilities with persistent learning or behavior 
difficulties, but not students with the most significant cognitive 
disabilities, as the needs of those students are targeted in other 
Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) investments.
    Priority:
    The purpose of this priority is to fund a cooperative agreement to 
establish and operate a National Center for Students with Disabilities 
Who Require Intensive Intervention (Center). The Center will assist 
State educational agencies (SEAs) and local educational agencies (LEAs) 
in their efforts to support schools and educators in implementing 
intensive intervention composed of practices that are evidence-based 
(``intensive intervention'') for students with disabilities who have 
persistent learning or behavior difficulties and who need intensive 
intervention to succeed in school and be prepared for postsecondary 
opportunities (``students with disabilities who need intensive 
intervention''). The Center will give priority to those States with 
SIMRs that focus on academic or behavior-related results. The Center 
must achieve, at a minimum, the following expected outcomes:
    (1) Increased LEA and educators' knowledge and use of intensive 
intervention in reading, mathematics, and behavior;
    (2) Increased LEA and educators' knowledge and use of culturally 
and linguistically responsive intensive intervention, including 
intensive intervention for ELs with disabilities;
    (3) Increased capacity of LEAs and schools to develop or refine and 
coordinate their system of instruction and intervention to implement 
intensive intervention in reading, mathematics, and behavior;
    (4) Increased capacity of SEAs, LEAs, and educators to support, 
implement, and sustain intensive intervention in reading, mathematics, 
and behavior;
    (5) Increased capacity of SEAs to support the efforts of LEAs to 
use intensive intervention to achieve the academic and behavior-related 
results identified in a State's SIMR;
    (6) Increased knowledge and capacity of SEAs, LEAs, and educators 
to use and coordinate existing national, regional, State, and local 
resources (e.g., parent and family organizations, TA providers, mental 
health agencies and organizations, etc.) to better support, implement, 
and sustain intensive intervention in reading, mathematics, and 
behavior;
    (7) Increased dissemination of lessons learned from implementing 
intensive intervention to inform State and local implementation 
efforts; and
    (8) Increased capacity of institutions of higher education (IHEs) 
to prepare educators to coordinate instruction and intervention and 
support, implement, and sustain intensive intervention in reading, 
mathematics, and behavior.
    In addition to these programmatic requirements, to be considered 
for funding under this priority, applicants must meet the application 
and administrative requirements in this priority. OSEP encourages 
innovative approaches to meet these requirements, which are:
    (a) Demonstrate, in the narrative section of the application under 
``Significance of the Project,'' how the proposed project will--
    (1) Address the current training and information needs of LEAs and 
educators in providing intensive intervention to students with 
disabilities who need intensive intervention. To meet this requirement 
the applicant must--
    (i) Present information and current data on the current capacity of 
LEAs and educators to address the needs of students with disabilities 
who need intensive intervention; and

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    (ii) Demonstrate knowledge of current educational issues around, 
and policy initiatives intended to address, the needs of students with 
disabilities who need intensive intervention; and
    (2) Address the current and emerging needs of SEAs and LEAs in 
developing or refining and coordinating their systems of instruction 
and intervention for supporting, implementing, and sustaining intensive 
intervention.
    (b) Demonstrate, in the narrative section of the application under 
``Quality of the Project Services,'' how the proposed project will--
    (1) Ensure equal access and treatment for members of groups that 
have historically been underrepresented based on race, color, national 
origin, gender, age, or disability. To meet this requirement, the 
applicant must describe how it will--
    (i) Identify the needs of the intended recipients for TA and 
information; and
    (ii) Ensure that services and products meet the needs of the 
intended recipients (e.g., by creating materials in formats accessible 
to and in languages understandable to the stakeholders served by the 
intended recipients);
    (2) Achieve its goals, objectives, and intended outcomes. To meet 
this requirement, the applicant must provide--
    (i) Measurable intended project outcomes; and
    (ii) The logic model by which the proposed project will achieve its 
intended outcomes. A logic model communicates how a project will 
achieve its intended outcomes and provides a framework for both the 
formative and summative evaluations of the project;
    (3) Use a conceptual framework to develop project plans and 
activities, describing any underlying concepts, assumptions, 
expectations, beliefs, or theories, as well as the presumed 
relationships or linkages among these variables, and any empirical 
support for this framework;

    Note: Rather than use the definition of ``logic model'' in 
section 77.1(c) of EDGAR, OSEP uses the definition in paragraph 
(b)(2)(ii) of these application requirements. This definition, 
unlike the definition in 34 CFR 77.1(c), differentiates between 
logic models and conceptual frameworks. The following Web sites 
provide more information on logic models: 
www.researchutilization.org/matrix/logicmodel_resource3c.html and 
www.osepideasthatwork.org/logicModel/index.asp;

    (4) Be based on current research and make use of evidence-based 
practices. To meet this requirement, the applicant must describe--
    (i) The current research on the effectiveness of intensive 
intervention for students with disabilities who need intensive 
intervention;
    (ii) The current research about adult learning principles and 
implementation science that will inform the proposed TA; and
    (iii) How the proposed project will incorporate current research 
and evidence-based practices in the development and delivery of its 
products and services;
    (5) Develop products and provide services that are of high quality 
and sufficient intensity and duration to achieve the intended outcomes 
of the proposed project. To address this requirement, the applicant 
must describe--
    (i) How it proposes to identify or develop the knowledge base on 
coordinating systems of instruction and intervention and supporting, 
implementing, and sustaining intensive intervention for students with 
disabilities who need intensive intervention;
    (ii) Its proposed approach to universal, general TA,\3\ which must 
identify the intended recipients of the products and services under 
this approach;
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    \3\ ``Universal, general TA'' means TA and information provided 
to independent users through their own initiative, resulting in 
minimal interaction with TA center staff and including one-time, 
invited or offered conference presentations by TA center staff. This 
category of TA also includes information or products, such as 
newsletters, guidebooks, or research syntheses, downloaded from the 
TA center's Web site by independent users. Brief communications by 
TA center staff with recipients, either by telephone or email, are 
also considered universal, general TA.
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    (iii) Its proposed approach to targeted, specialized TA,\4\ which 
must identify--
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    \4\ ``Targeted, specialized TA'' means TA services based on 
needs common to multiple recipients and not extensively 
individualized. A relationship is established between the TA 
recipient and one or more TA center staff. This category of TA 
includes one-time, labor-intensive events, such as facilitating 
strategic planning or hosting regional or national conferences. It 
can also include episodic, less labor-intensive events that extend 
over a period of time, such as facilitating a series of conference 
calls on single or multiple topics that are designed around the 
needs of the recipients. Facilitating communities of practice can 
also be considered targeted, specialized TA.
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    (A) The intended recipients of the products and services under this 
approach; and
    (B) Its proposed approach to measure the readiness of potential TA 
recipients to work with the project, assessing, at a minimum, their 
current infrastructure, available resources, and ability to build 
capacity at the local level;
    (C) Its proposed approach to working with IHEs to prepare educators 
to coordinate instruction and intervention and support, implement, and 
sustain intensive intervention in reading, mathematics, and behavior; 
and
    (iv) Its proposed approach to intensive, sustained TA,\5\ which 
must identify--
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    \5\ ``Intensive, sustained TA'' means TA services often provided 
on-site and requiring a stable, ongoing relationship between the TA 
center staff and the TA recipient. ``TA services'' are defined as 
negotiated series of activities designed to reach a valued outcome. 
This category of TA should result in changes to policy, program, 
practice, or operations that support increased recipient capacity or 
improved outcomes at one or more systems levels.
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    (A) The intended recipients of the products and services under this 
approach;
    (B) Its proposed approach to measure the readiness of the SEAs, 
LEAs, and schools to work with the project, including their commitment 
to the initiative, alignment of the initiative to their needs, current 
infrastructure, available resources, and ability to build capacity at 
the district level;
    (C) Its proposed plan for assisting LEAs to build or enhance 
training systems that include professional development based on adult 
learning principles and coaching;
    (D) Its proposed plan for working with appropriate levels of the 
education system (e.g., SEAs, LEAs, schools) to ensure that there is 
communication between each level and that there are systems in place to 
support the use of intensive intervention;
    (E) Its proposed plan for working with national, State, regional, 
and local TA providers and agencies (e.g., State TA providers, regional 
TA providers, Department-funded and other federally funded TA Centers, 
mental health agencies and organizations) and families to ensure that 
there is communication between each level and that there are systems in 
place to support the use of intensive intervention; and
    (F) Its proposed plan for collaborating and coordinating with 
Department-funded TA investments, where appropriate, in order to align 
complementary work and jointly develop and implement products and 
services to implement intensive intervention;
    (6) Develop products and implement services that maximize 
efficiency. To address this requirement, the applicant must describe--
    (i) How the proposed project will use technology to achieve the 
intended project outcomes;
    (ii) With whom the proposed project will collaborate and the 
intended outcomes of this collaboration; and

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    (iii) How the proposed project will use non-project resources to 
achieve the intended project outcomes.
    (c) In the narrative section of the application under ``Quality of 
the Evaluation Plan,'' include an evaluation plan for the project as 
described in the following paragraphs. The evaluation plan must 
describe: Measures of progress in implementation, including the 
criteria for determining the extent to which the project's products and 
services have reached their target population; measures of intended 
outcomes or results of the project's activities in order to evaluate 
those activities; and how well the goals or objectives of the proposed 
project, as described in its logic model, have been met.
    The applicant must provide an assurance that, in designing the 
evaluation plan, it will--
    (1) Designate, with the approval of the OSEP project officer, a 
project liaison staff person with sufficient dedicated time, experience 
in evaluation, and knowledge of the project to work in collaboration 
with the Center to Improve Project Performance (CIPP),\6\ the project 
director, and the OSEP project officer on the following tasks:
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    \6\ The major tasks of CIPP are to guide, coordinate, and 
oversee the design of formative evaluations for every large 
discretionary investment (i.e., those awarded $500,000 or more per 
year and required to participate in the 3+2 process) in OSEP's 
Technical Assistance and Dissemination; Personnel Development; 
Parent Training and Information Centers; and Educational Technology, 
Media, and Materials programs. The efforts of CIPP are expected to 
enhance individual project evaluation plans by providing expert and 
unbiased TA in designing the evaluations with due consideration of 
the project's budget. CIPP does not function as a third-party 
evaluator.
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    (i) Revise, as needed, the logic model submitted in the grant 
application to provide for a more comprehensive measurement of 
implementation and outcomes and to reflect any changes or 
clarifications to the model discussed at the kick-off meeting;
    (ii) Refine the evaluation design and instrumentation proposed in 
the grant application consistent with the logic model (e.g., prepare 
evaluation questions about significant program processes and outcomes; 
develop quantitative or qualitative data collections that permit both 
the collection of progress data, including fidelity of implementation, 
as appropriate, and the assessment of project outcomes; select 
respondent samples if appropriate; design instruments or identifying 
data sources; and identify analytic strategies); and
    (iii) Revise, as needed, the evaluation plan submitted in the grant 
application such that it clearly--
    (A) Specifies the measures and associated instruments or sources 
for data appropriate to the evaluation questions, suggests analytic 
strategies for those data, provides a timeline for conducting the 
evaluation, and includes staff assignments for completing the plan;
    (B) Delineates the data expected to be available by the end of the 
second project year for use during the project's 3+2 review for 
continued funding described under the heading Fourth and Fifth Years of 
the Project; and
    (C) Can be used to assist the project director and the OSEP project 
officer, with the assistance of CIPP, as needed, to specify the 
performance measures to be addressed in the project's Annual 
Performance Report;
    (2) Cooperate with CIPP staff in order to accomplish the tasks 
described in paragraph (1) of this section; and
    (3) Dedicate sufficient funds in each budget year to cover the 
costs of carrying out the tasks described in paragraphs (1) and (2) of 
this section and implementing the evaluation plan.
    (d) Demonstrate, in the narrative section of the application under 
``Adequacy of Project Resources,'' how--
    (1) The proposed project will encourage applications for employment 
from persons who are members of groups that have traditionally been 
underrepresented based on race, color, national origin, gender, age, or 
disability, as appropriate;
    (2) The proposed key project personnel, consultants, and 
subcontractors have the qualifications and experience to carry out the 
proposed activities and achieve the project's intended outcomes;
    (3) The applicant and any key partners have adequate resources to 
carry out the proposed activities; and
    (4) The proposed costs are reasonable in relation to the 
anticipated results and benefits.
    (e) Demonstrate, in the narrative section of the application under 
``Quality of the Management Plan,'' how--
    (1) The proposed management plan will ensure that the project's 
intended outcomes will be achieved on time and within budget. To 
address this requirement, the applicant must describe--
    (i) Clearly defined responsibilities for key project personnel, 
consultants, and subcontractors, as applicable; and
    (ii) Timelines and milestones for accomplishing the project tasks;
    (2) Key project personnel and any consultants and subcontractors 
will be allocated to the project and how these allocations are 
appropriate and adequate to achieve the project's intended outcomes;
    (3) The proposed management plan will ensure that the products and 
services provided are of high quality, relevant, and useful to 
recipients; and
    (4) The proposed project will benefit from a diversity of 
perspectives, including those of families, educators, TA providers, 
researchers, and policy makers, among others, in its development and 
operation.
    (f) Address the following application requirements. The applicant 
must--
    (1) Include, in Appendix A, a logic model that depicts, at a 
minimum, the goals, activities, outputs, and intended outcomes of the 
proposed project.
    (2) Include, in Appendix A, a conceptual framework for the project;
    (3) Include, in Appendix A, personnel-loading charts and timelines, 
as applicable, to illustrate the management plan described in the 
narrative;
    (4) Include, in the budget, attendance at the following:
    (i) A one and one-half day kick-off meeting in Washington, DC, 
after receipt of the award, and an annual planning meeting in 
Washington, DC, with the OSEP project officer and other relevant staff 
during each subsequent year of the project period.

    Note: Within 30 days of receipt of the award, a post-award 
teleconference must be held between the OSEP project officer and the 
grantee's project director or other authorized representative;

    (ii) A two and one-half day project directors' conference in 
Washington, DC, during each year of the project period;
    (iii) Two annual two-day trips to attend Department briefings, 
Department-sponsored conferences, and other meetings, as requested by 
OSEP; and
    (iv) A one-day intensive 3+2 review meeting in Washington, DC, 
during the last half of the second year of the project period;
    (5) Include, in the budget, a line item for an annual set-aside of 
five percent of the grant amount to support emerging needs that are 
consistent with the proposed project's intended outcomes, as those 
needs are identified in consultation with, and approved by, the OSEP 
project officer. With approval from the OSEP project officer, the 
project must reallocate any remaining funds from this annual set-aside 
no later than the end of the third quarter of each budget period; and
    (6) Maintain a Web site that meets government or industry-
recognized standards for accessibility.

[[Page 13348]]

    Fourth and Fifth Years of the Project:
    In deciding whether to continue funding the project for the fourth 
and fifth years, the Secretary will consider the requirements of 34 CFR 
75.253(a), as well as--
    (a) The recommendation of a 3+2 review team consisting of experts 
selected by the Secretary. This review will be conducted during a one-
day intensive meeting that will be held during the last half of the 
second year of the project period;
    (b) The timeliness and effectiveness with which all requirements of 
the negotiated cooperative agreement have been or are being met by the 
project; and
    (c) The quality, relevance, and usefulness of the project's 
products and services and the extent to which the project's products 
and services are aligned with the project's objectives and likely to 
result in the project achieving its intended outcomes.

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Algozzine, K., Helf, S. S., & Duran, G. Z. (2012). Effects of multi-
tier academic and behavior instruction on difficult-to-teach 
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Allor, J. H., Mathes, P. G., Roberts, J. K., Cheatham, J. P., & Al 
Otaiba, S. (2014). Is scientifically based reading instruction 
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Debnam, K. J., Pas, E. T., & Bradshaw, C. P. (2012). Secondary and 
tertiary support systems in schools implementing school-wide 
positive behavioral interventions and supports: A preliminary 
descriptive analysis. Journal of Positive Behavior Interventions, 
14, 142-152.
Dennis, M. S. (2015). Effects of Tier 2 and Tier 3 mathematics 
interventions for second graders with mathematics difficulties. 
Learning Disabilities Research & Practice, 30, 29-42.
Denton, C. A., Tolar, T. D., Fletcher, J. M., Barth, A. E., Vaughn, 
S., & Francis, D. J. (2013). Effects of Tier 3 intervention for 
students with persistent reading difficulties and characteristics of 
inadequate responders. Journal of Educational Psychology, 105, 633-
648.
DePaoli, J. L., Fox, J. H., Ingram, E. S., Maushard, M., Bridgeland, 
J. M., & Balfanz, R. (2015). 2015 Building a grad nation: Progress 
and challenge in ending the high school dropout epidemic. Retrieved 
from America's Promise Alliance Web site: https://gradnation.org/report/2015-building-grad-nation-report.
Fixsen, D. L., Naoom, S. F., Blas[eacute], K. A., Friedman, R. M., & 
Wallace, F. (2005). Implementation research: A synthesis of the 
literature. Tampa, FL: University of South Florida, Louis de la 
Parte Florida Mental Health Institute.
Ford, D. Y. (2012). Culturally different students in special 
education: Looking backward to move forward. Exceptional Children, 
78, 391-405.
Fuchs, L. S., Fuchs, D., Powell, S. R., Seethaler, P. M., Cirino, P. 
T., & Fletcher, J. M. (2008). Intensive intervention for students 
with mathematics disabilities: Seven principles of effective 
practice. Learning Disabilities Quarterly, 31, 79-92.
Gable, R. A., Tonelson, S. W., Sheth, M., Wilson, C., & Park, K. L. 
(2012). Importance, usage, and preparedness to implement evidence-
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comparison of knowledge and skills of special education and general 
education teachers. Education & Treatment of Children, 35, 499-519.
Gage, N. A., Lewis, T. A., & Stichter, J. P. (2012). Functional 
behavioral assessment-based interventions for students with or at 
risk for emotional and/or behavioral disorders in school: A 
hierarchical linear modeling meta-analysis. Behavioral Disorders, 
37, 55-77.
Gersten, R., Beckmann, S., Clarke, B., Foegen, A., Marsh, L., Star, 
J. R., & Witzel, B. (2009). Assisting students struggling with 
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middle schools (NCEE 2009-4060). Washington, DC: National Center for 
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behavior supports in school settings: A meta-analysis. Remedial and 
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    Definitions:
    For the purposes of this priority:
    Evidence-based means supported by strong theory.
    Strong theory means a rationale for the proposed process, product, 
strategy, or practice that includes a logic model.
    Waiver of Proposed Rulemaking: Under the Administrative Procedure 
Act (APA) (5 U.S.C. 553) the Department generally offers interested 
parties the opportunity to comment on proposed priorities and 
requirements. Section 681(d) of IDEA, however, makes the public comment 
requirements of the APA inapplicable to the priority in this notice.
    Program Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1463 and 1481.
    Applicable Regulations: (a) The Education Department General 
Administrative Regulations in 34 CFR parts 75, 77, 79, 81, 82, 84, 86, 
97, 98, and 99. (b) The Office of Management and Budget Guidelines to 
Agencies on Governmentwide Debarment and Suspension (Nonprocurement) in 
2 CFR part 180, as adopted and amended as regulations of the Department 
in 2 CFR part 3485. (c) The Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost 
Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards in 2 CFR part 
200, as adopted and amended as regulations of the Department in 2 CFR 
part 3474.

    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 IHEs only.

II. Award Information

    Type of Award: Cooperative agreement.
    Estimated Available Funds: $2,100,000.
    Contingent upon the availability of funds and the quality of 
applications, we may make additional awards in FY 2017 from the list of 
unfunded applications from this competition.
    Maximum Award: We will reject any application that proposes a 
budget exceeding $2,100,000 for a single budget period of 12 months.
    Estimated Number of Awards: 1.

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

    Project Period: Up to 36 months with an optional additional 24 
months based on performance. Applications must include plans for both 
the 36-month award and the 24-month extension.

III. Eligibility Information

    1. Eligible Applicants: SEAs; LEAs, including public charter 
schools that operate as LEAs under State law; IHEs; other public 
agencies; private nonprofit organizations; freely associated States and 
outlying areas; Indian tribes or tribal organizations; and for-profit 
organizations.
    2. Cost Sharing or Matching: This program does not require cost 
sharing or matching.
    3. Eligible Subgrantees: (a) Under 34 CFR 75.708(b) and (c) a 
grantee may award subgrants--to directly carry out project activities 
described in its application--to the following types of entities: SEAs; 
LEAs, including public charter schools that operate as LEAs under State 
law; IHEs; other public agencies; private nonprofit organizations; 
freely associated States and outlying areas; Indian tribes or tribal 
organizations; and for-profit organizations suitable to carry out the 
activities proposed in the application.
    (b) The grantee may award subgrants to entities it has identified 
in an approved application.
    4. Other General Requirements:
    (a) Recipients of funding under this competition must make positive 
efforts to employ and advance in employment qualified individuals with 
disabilities (see section 606 of IDEA).
    (b) Each applicant for, and recipient of, funding under this 
program must involve individuals with disabilities, or parents of 
individuals with disabilities ages birth through 26, in planning, 
implementing, and evaluating the project (see section 682(a)(1)(A) of 
IDEA).

IV. Application and Submission Information

    1. Address to Request Application Package: You can obtain an 
application package via the Internet or from the Education Publications 
Center (ED Pubs). To obtain a copy via the Internet, use the following 
address: www.ed.gov/fund/grant/apply/grantapps/. To obtain a 
copy from ED Pubs, write, fax, or call: ED Pubs, U.S. Department of 
Education, P.O. Box 22207, Alexandria, VA 22304. Telephone, toll free: 
1-877-433-7827. FAX: (703) 605-6794. If you use a telecommunications 
device for the deaf (TDD) or a text telephone (TTY), call, toll free: 
1-877-576-7734.
    You can contact ED Pubs at its Web site, also: www.EDPubs.gov or at 
its email address: edpubs@inet.ed.gov.
    If you request an application package from ED Pubs, be sure to 
identify this competition as follows: CFDA number 84.326Q.
    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 person or team listed under 
Accessible Format in section VIII of this notice.
    2. Content and Form of Application Submission: Requirements 
concerning the content of an application, together with the forms you 
must submit, are in

[[Page 13350]]

the application package for this competition.
    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. You must limit Part III to 
no more than 70 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, including titles, headings, 
footnotes, quotations, reference citations, and captions, as well as 
all text in charts, tables, figures, graphs, and screen shots.
     Use a font that is 12 point or larger.
     Use one of the following fonts: Times New Roman, Courier, 
Courier New, or Arial. An application submitted in any other font 
(including Times Roman or Arial Narrow) will not be accepted.
    The page limit and double-spacing requirements do 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 abstract (follow the guidance provided in the 
application package for completing the abstract), the table of 
contents, the list of priority requirements, the resumes, the reference 
list, the letters of support, or the appendices. However, the page 
limit and double-spacing requirements do apply to all of Part III, the 
application narrative, including all text in charts, tables, figures, 
graphs, and screen shots.
    We will reject your application if you exceed the page limit in the 
application narrative section or if you apply standards other than 
those specified in this notice and the application package.
    3. Submission Dates and Times:
    Applications Available: March 14, 2016.
    Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: April 28, 2016.
    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 Other Submission Requirements in section 
IV 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 27, 2016.
    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, 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 System for Award 
Management (SAM) (formerly the Central Contractor Registry), the 
Government's primary registrant database;
    c. Provide your DUNS number and TIN on your application; and
    d. Maintain an active 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 at the 
following Web site: https://fedgov.dnb.com/webform. A DUNS number can be 
created within one to two business days.
    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 two to five weeks for your TIN to become active.
    The SAM registration process can take approximately seven business 
days, but may take upwards of several weeks, depending on the 
completeness and accuracy of the data you enter into the SAM database. 
Thus, if you think you might want to apply for Federal financial 
assistance under a program administered by the Department, please allow 
sufficient time to obtain and register your DUNS number and TIN. We 
strongly recommend that you register early.

    Note: Once your SAM registration is active, it may be 24 to 48 
hours before you can access the information in, and submit an 
application through, Grants.gov.

    If you are currently registered with SAM, 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.
    Information about SAM is available at www.SAM.gov. To further 
assist you with obtaining and registering your DUNS number and TIN in 
SAM or updating your existing SAM account, we have prepared a SAM.gov 
Tip Sheet, which you can find at: www2.ed.gov/fund/grant/apply/sam-faqs.html.
    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/web/grants/register.html.
    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 National Center for Students with 
Disabilities Who Require Intensive Intervention competition, CFDA 
number 84.326Q, 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

[[Page 13351]]

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 National 
Center for Students with Disabilities Who Require Intensive 
Intervention competition 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 84.326, not 84.326Q).
    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. In addition, for specific guidance and 
procedures for submitting an application through Grants.gov, please 
refer to the Grants.gov Web site at: www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/apply-for-grants.html.
     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 read-only, non-modifiable 
Portable Document Format (PDF). Do not upload an interactive or 
fillable PDF file. If you upload a file type other than a read-only, 
non-modifiable PDF (e.g., Word, Excel, WordPerfect, etc.) or submit a 
password-protected file, we will not review that material. Please note 
that this could result in your application not being considered for 
funding because the material in question--for example, the project 
narrative--is critical to a meaningful review of your proposal. For 
that reason it is important to allow yourself adequate time to upload 
all material as PDF files. The Department will not convert material 
from other formats to PDF. Additional, detailed information on how to 
attach files is in the application instructions.
     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. Grants.gov 
will also notify you automatically by email if your application met all 
the Grants.gov validation requirements or if there were any errors 
(such as submission of your application by someone other than a 
registered Authorized Organization Representative, or inclusion of an 
attachment with a file name that contains special characters). You will 
be given an opportunity to correct any errors and resubmit, but you 
must still meet the deadline for submission of applications.
    Once your application is successfully validated by Grants.gov, the 
Department will retrieve your application from Grants.gov and send you 
an email with a unique PR/Award number for your application.
    These emails do not mean that your application is without any 
disqualifying errors. While your application may have been successfully 
validated by Grants.gov, it must also meet the Department's application 
requirements as specified in this notice and in the application 
instructions. Disqualifying errors could include, for instance, failure 
to upload attachments in a read-only, non-modifiable PDF; failure to 
submit a required part of the application; or failure to meet applicant 
eligibility requirements. It is your responsibility to ensure that your 
submitted application has met all of the Department's requirements.
     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 the 
problem affected your ability to submit your application by 4:30:00 
p.m., Washington, DC time, on the application deadline date. We will 
contact you after we determine 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

[[Page 13352]]

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: Celia Rosenquist, U.S. 
Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue SW., Room 5146, Potomac 
Center Plaza, Washington, DC 20202-5076. FAX: (202) 245-7590.
    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 84.326Q) 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.

    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.

    We will not consider applications postmarked after the application 
deadline date.
    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 84.326Q) 550 12th Street SW., Room 7039, 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--
    (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 34 CFR 75.210 and are listed in the application package.
    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 
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. Additional Review and Selection Process Factors: In the past, 
the Department has had difficulty finding peer reviewers for certain 
competitions because so many individuals who are eligible to serve as 
peer reviewers have conflicts of interest. The standing panel 
requirements under section 682(b) of IDEA also have placed additional 
constraints on the availability of reviewers. Therefore, the Department 
has determined that for some discretionary grant competitions, 
applications may be separated into two or more groups and ranked and 
selected for funding within specific groups. This procedure will make 
it easier for the Department to find peer reviewers by ensuring that 
greater numbers of individuals who are eligible to serve as reviewers 
for any particular group of applicants will not have conflicts of 
interest. It also will increase the quality, independence, and fairness 
of the review process, while permitting panel members to review 
applications under discretionary grant competitions for which they also 
have submitted applications. However, if the Department decides to 
select an equal number of applications in each group for funding, this 
may result in different cut-off points for fundable applications in 
each group.
    4. Risk Assessment and Special Conditions: Consistent with 2 CFR 
200.205, before awarding grants under this competition the Department 
conducts a review of the risks posed by applicants. Under 2 CFR 
3474.10, the Secretary may impose special conditions and, in 
appropriate circumstances, high-risk 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 2 CFR part 200, subpart D; has not 
fulfilled the conditions of a prior grant; or is otherwise not 
responsible.

[[Page 13353]]

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); or we may send you an email containing a link to 
access an electronic version of your 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 multiyear 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.
    (c) Under 34 CFR 75.250(b), the Secretary may provide a grantee 
with additional funding for data collection analysis and reporting. In 
this case the Secretary establishes a data collection period.
    4. Performance Measures: Under the Government Performance and 
Results Act of 1993 (GPRA), the Department has established a set of 
performance measures, including long-term measures, that are designed 
to yield information on various aspects of the effectiveness and 
quality of the Technical Assistance and Dissemination to Improve 
Services and Results for Children With Disabilities program. For 
purposes of this priority, the Center will use these measures, which 
focus on the extent to which projects provide high-quality products and 
services, the relevance of project products and services to educational 
and early intervention policy and practice, and the use of products and 
services to improve educational and early intervention policy and 
practice.
    Projects funded under this competition are required to submit data 
on these measures as directed by OSEP.
    Grantees will be required to report information on their project's 
performance in annual and final performance reports to the Department 
(34 CFR 75.590).
    5. Continuation Awards: In making a continuation award under 34 CFR 
75.253, the Secretary considers, among other things: Whether a grantee 
has made substantial progress in achieving the goals and objectives of 
the project; whether the grantee has expended funds in a manner that is 
consistent with its approved application and budget; and, if the 
Secretary has established performance measurement requirements, the 
performance targets in the grantee's approved application.
    In making a continuation award, 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 Contact

    For Further Information Contact: Celia Rosenquist, U.S. Department 
of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue SW., Room 5146, Potomac Center Plaza, 
Washington, DC 20202-5076. Telephone: (202) 245-7373.
    If you use a TDD or a TTY, call the Federal Relay Service (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) by contacting 
the Grants and Contracts Services Team, U.S. Department of Education, 
400 Maryland Avenue SW., Room 5037, Potomac Center Plaza, Washington, 
DC 20202-2550. Telephone: (202) 245-7363. If you use a TDD or a TTY, 
call the FRS, toll free, at 1-800-877-8339.
    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 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: March 9, 2016.
Michael K. Yudin,
Assistant Secretary for Special Education and Rehabilitative Services.
[FR Doc. 2016-05759 Filed 3-11-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4000-01-P