Equity Assistance Centers (Formerly Desegregation Assistance Centers (DAC)), 46807-46817 [2016-16811]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 137 (Monday, July 18, 2016)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 46807-46817]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-16811]



[[Page 46807]]

Vol. 81

Monday,

No. 137

July 18, 2016

Part III





Department of Education





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34 CFR Chapter II, Parts 270, 271, and 272





Equity Assistance Centers (Formerly Desegregation Assistance Centers 
(DAC)); Final Priority and Requirement--Equity Assistance Centers; 
Final Rules; Applications for New Awards; Equity Assistance Centers; 
Notice

Federal Register / Vol. 81 , No. 137 / Monday, July 18, 2016 / Rules 
and Regulations

[[Page 46808]]


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DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

34 CFR Parts 270, 271, and 272

RIN 1810-AB26
[Docket ID ED-2016-OESE-0006]


Equity Assistance Centers (Formerly Desegregation Assistance 
Centers (DAC))

AGENCY: Office of Elementary and Secondary Education, Department of 
Education.

ACTION: Final regulations.

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SUMMARY: The Secretary amends the regulations that govern the Equity 
Assistance Centers (EAC) program, authorized under Title IV of the 
Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Title IV), and removes the regulations that 
govern the State Educational Agency Desegregation (SEA Desegregation) 
program, authorized under Title IV. These regulations govern the 
application process for new EAC grant awards. These regulations update 
the definitions applicable to this program; remove the existing 
selection criteria; and provide the Secretary with flexibility to 
determine the number and composition of geographic regions for the EAC 
program.

DATES: These regulations are effective August 17, 2016.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Britt Jung, U.S. Department of 
Education, 400 Maryland Avenue SW., Room 3E206, Washington, DC 20202-
6135. Telephone: (202) 205-4513 or by email: britt.jung@ed.gov.
    If you use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) or a text 
telephone (TTY), call the Federal Relay Service (FRS), toll free, at 1-
800-877-8339.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On March 24, 2016, the Secretary published a 
notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) for the EAC program (81 FR 15665). 
In the preamble of the NPRM, we discussed on pages 15666 through 15667 
the major changes proposed in that document to improve the EAC program. 
These included the following:
     Amending the section that governs the existing geographic 
regions to allow the Secretary flexibility in choosing the number and 
composition of geographic regions to be funded with each competition.
     Adding religion to the areas of desegregation assistance, 
adding a definition for ``special educational problems occasioned by 
desegregation,'' and amending the definition of ``sex desegregation'' 
to clarify the protected individuals identified by this term.
     Removing the existing selection criteria, to instead rely 
on the general selection criteria listed under the Education Department 
General Administrative Regulations (EDGAR) at 34 CFR 75.210.
     Removing the limitations and exceptions established in 
current 34 CFR 270.6 on providing desegregation assistance, to align 
these regulations with those of other technical assistance centers.
     Removing 34 CFR part 271, as the SEA Desegregation program 
has not been funded in twenty years, as well as merging part 272 into 
part 270, so that a single part covers the EAC program.
    These final regulations contain changes from the NPRM, which are 
fully explained in the Analysis of Comments and Changes section of this 
document.
    Public Comment: In response to our invitation in the NPRM, 108 
parties submitted comments on the proposed regulations. We discuss 
substantive issues under the section number of the item to which they 
pertain. Several comments did not pertain to a specific section of the 
proposed regulations. We discuss these comments based on the general 
topic area. Generally, we do not address technical and other minor 
changes. In addition, we do not address comments that raise concerns 
not directly related to the proposed regulations.
    Analysis of Comments and Changes: An analysis of the comments and 
of any changes in the regulations since publication of the NPRM 
follows.

General Comments

    Comment: Numerous commenters wrote to express their support and 
appreciation of the previous work of the EACs.
    Discussion: The Department appreciates the support for this program 
and for the past work of the EACs.
    Changes: None.
    Comment: Several commenters wrote to express their support for 
updating the program name and related definitions to refer to ``Equity 
Assistance Centers'' rather than Desegregation Assistance Centers. 
However, a few commenters objected to the Department amending the 
definition of a ``Desegregation Assistance Center'' to refer to it as 
an Equity Assistance Center. These commenters proposed alternate names, 
such as Integration and Equity Assistance Centers (IEACS), 
Desegregation and Equity Assistance Centers (DEACs) or Civil Rights 
Equity Assistance Centers (CREACs).
    Discussion: The Department appreciates the support expressed by 
many commenters for these changes. The Department declines to adopt the 
commenters' alternate suggestions for names, as we maintain that the 
term ``equity'' better reflects the breadth of desegregation activities 
currently undertaken by the regional centers. Also, we note that the 
Department has for some time referred to the regional centers as 
``Equity Assistance Centers'' in the notices inviting applications, in 
cooperative agreements, and on the Office of Elementary and Secondary 
Education's (OESE's) Web page for the grant program. Ultimately, the 
purpose of the regional centers is to ensure equitable access to 
educational opportunities for all students without regard to race, sex, 
national origin, or religion. Therefore, we believe it is appropriate 
to formally refer to the regional centers as ``Equity Assistance 
Centers.''
    Changes: None.
    Comment: Some commenters requested that we delay the implementation 
of these regulations until we engage in further consultation with the 
existing EACs, tribes, or other stakeholders.
    Discussion: The Department solicited public comment on the open 
issues affecting these regulations through the NPRM. Existing EACs, 
along with other stakeholders, were notified of the proposed 
regulations multiple times throughout the comment period. The 
Department provided the existing EACs with the same opportunity to 
comment on the proposed regulations as all other interested parties. 
Further, we note that these proposed regulations do not trigger the 
need for tribal consultation; while American Indian and Alaska Native 
students may benefit as a result of the EAC program, the program is 
aimed at servicing all LEAs seeking assistance with desegregation 
problems, and not directly Indian tribes. Thus, we decline to postpone 
the implementation of these regulations for the purpose of further 
consultation.
    Changes: None.
    Comment: One commenter suggested that the EACs renew a programmatic 
focus on supporting school integration efforts, and provide assistance 
for policy efforts designed to bring students together. This commenter 
also suggested the Department increase EAC accountability in reporting 
outputs, outcomes, best practices, and what works, to expand resources 
and awareness to a wide array of communities.
    Discussion: The Department supports the continued development of an 
EAC program that works to ensure that students are brought together 
through eliminating segregation in schools on

[[Page 46809]]

the basis of race, national origin, sex and religion. The Department 
agrees that accountability plays an important role in this process, and 
directs this commenter to our Government Performance and Results Act 
(GPRA) measures, which measure the work of the EACs using a variety of 
criteria, and performance reporting requirements including annual 
performance reports, annual evaluations, and financial reports. These 
can be found in the notice inviting applications for new awards 
published elsewhere in this issue of the Federal Register. When running 
competitions for the EAC program, the Department hopes to attract 
applicants that will consider a range of methods for addressing the 
needs of each geographic region, which may include identifying 
different strategies to expand resources and awareness to a wide array 
of communities within the region. Finally, as to the sharing of best 
practices, the Department notes that under Sec.  270.30(b), each EAC is 
expected to coordinate assistance in its geographic regions with 
appropriate SEAs, Comprehensive Centers, Regional Educational 
Laboratories, and other Federal technical assistance centers, which 
could include the soliciting and sharing of best practices.
    Changes: None.

Removal of Previous 34 CFR Part 271

    Comment: Some commenters requested that the Department retain the 
regulations for the SEA Desegregation Program under existing 34 CFR 
part 271.
    Discussion: The Department appreciates, but disagrees with, these 
comments. Congress has not funded the SEA Desegregation program in more 
than 20 years, and as a result, the Department no longer administers 
this program. Given these circumstances, the Department believes that 
retaining the SEA Desegregation program regulations under part 271 is 
not in the public interest, and could only result in public confusion. 
Thus, the Department will move forward in removing 34 CFR part 271, and 
consolidating current part 272 into part 270.
    Changes: None.

Removal of Previous Sec.  272.30: What criteria does the Secretary use 
to make a grant?

    Comment: Several commenters objected to the Department removing the 
selection criteria under previous Sec.  272.30. Specifically, some of 
these commenters stated that the existing selection criteria are 
necessary because they are tailored to the special needs of the civil 
rights community. Another commenter requested that the selection 
criteria specify that the EACs can provide assistance in all 
desegregation assistance areas, and that EACs can help to combat 
religious discrimination without decreasing other civil rights 
protections. Another commenter suggested that the Department consider 
an understanding of the elements required to effect real and lasting 
change versus information dissemination.
    Discussion: The Department believes that using the general 
selection criteria listed in 34 CFR 75.210 will provide the Secretary 
with the necessary flexibility to ensure that the selection criteria 
reflect the needs and concerns identified at the time of each 
competition, including those of the civil rights community. The general 
selection criteria have been vetted and tested across many Departmental 
programs, and provide a wide range of factors for evaluating 
applications in any competition. In addition, adoption of the general 
selection criteria would allow the Secretary to improve the selection 
process, based upon experience gained in running the program.
    With regard to the concern that EACs be able to provide assistance 
in all desegregation assistance areas, we decline to add this as a 
selection criterion because we will be using the general selection 
criteria under 34 CFR 75.210. However, the Department will ensure that 
through those criteria, we will select grantees that have the 
capability to provide technical assistance across all areas of 
desegregation assistance. The Department expects that each grantee will 
have the capacity to provide all types of desegregation assistance, in 
accordance with requests for technical assistance. Finally, with regard 
to the concern that the selected EACs be able to effect real and 
lasting change, we expect that future grantees will continue the strong 
work of current and past EAC grantees, and will provide appropriate 
levels of technical assistance depending on the requests. This may take 
the form of information dissemination, which is often necessary to 
effect change. However, we believe that the selected EACs will be in 
the best position to determine the appropriate level of technical 
assistance in response to each request and that such technical 
assistance will be of sufficient quality, intensity, and duration to 
lead to improvements in practice among the eligible entities receiving 
those services.
    Changes: None.

Sec.  270.4 What types of projects are authorized under this program?

    Comment: Several commenters expressed support for the addition of 
``community organizations'' to the list of parties that may receive 
desegregation assistance under this program.
    Discussion: The Department appreciates the support for these 
changes.
    Changes: None.

Sec.  270.5 What geographic regions do the EACs serve?

    Comment: Several commenters asked that the Department maintain ten 
geographic regions, rather than reducing to four geographic regions. 
Among these, some commenters stated that demand for EAC services is 
rising, and expressed concern as to how four geographic regions could 
meet those demands. Some commenters requested that we instead increase 
the number of geographic regions.
    Discussion: The Department believes that allowing the Secretary to 
determine the number and composition of geographic regions for the 
program is necessary to maximize the program funds devoted to technical 
assistance. As noted in the NPRM, Congress has reduced funding for the 
EAC program significantly since the program was first created. The 
Department will limit the number of centers to provide each center with 
more funding, which will help to ensure a greater percentage of funds 
are used to provide technical assistance and a smaller percentage of 
funds are devoted to overhead costs. Were the EAC program to receive 
additional funding in the future, the Department may consider 
increasing the number of geographic regions, as appropriate.
    With regard to the commenters who expressed concern that the demand 
for EAC services is rising, the Department notes that the regulations 
seek to streamline EAC services. Thus, the Department believes that 
these changes will help alleviate issues of excess demand, rather than 
aggravate them.
    Changes: None.
    Comment: Two commenters asked the Department to clarify how 
potential grantees will be able to identify partners and the needs of 
States if the geographic regions will not be announced until the notice 
inviting applications.
    Discussion: The Department expects that a data-driven approach to 
identifying regional needs will help potential applicants anticipate 
the needs of each region and make better use of existing resources, 
including other Federal technical assistance providers

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and Federal, State, and local data sources. In addition, the Department 
anticipates that this will be an ongoing process, and that needs of the 
States and LEAs within each region will become more apparent throughout 
the project period. Similarly, while the Department expects applicants 
will have baseline knowledge of potential partners within the 
geographic region, we hope that grantees will identify new partners 
throughout the project period, as appropriate.
    Changes: None.
    Comment: Several commenters expressed concern with the proposed 
criteria for determining the number and boundaries of the geographic 
regions. In addition, several commenters suggested that changing these 
criteria during an election year would create additional risk to the 
program. Finally, some commenters expressed general concern that 
providing the Secretary with flexibility to determine the number and 
composition of geographic regions for the program would expose the 
centers to political influences.
    Discussion: The Department has identified objective criteria that 
will be used to establish both the number and the geographic boundaries 
of each region to be served by the EACs. Through the NPRM, we solicited 
comments on what factors the Secretary should consider when determining 
the composition of States in each geographic region, and gave careful 
consideration to all suggestions. As such, we believe that the criteria 
identified are sufficient to ensure that boundaries of the new 
geographic regions are based on appropriate data, and reflect the 
underlying needs of those regions.
    Similarly, because the Department established the criteria for 
geographic boundaries through public comment and the boundaries will be 
based on objective measures, we believe the published criteria we will 
use when determining the number and composition of geographic regions 
for the EAC program insulate the EAC geographic boundary determinations 
from political influence.
    Changes: None.
    Comment: Some commenters suggested that the Department could allow 
the centers within each existing region to determine which States and 
LEAs in its region should receive focused attention based on available 
data.
    Discussion: Title IV and our implementing regulations limit the 
centers to providing services upon request. The demand-driven nature of 
the program precludes the regional centers from focusing on specific 
States or LEAs without a request from those States or LEAs. Please note 
that once an EAC has developed materials in response to a request for 
technical assistance, that EAC may make those materials available to 
other interested parties.
    Changes: None.
    Comment: Several commenters expressed concern that these 
regulations could jeopardize the relationships between the existing 
centers and their clients, or would compromise cross-center 
collaboration. Similarly, several commenters expressed concern that 
changing the current EAC serving a particular geographic region could 
affect the viability of multi-year projects underway in that region.
    Discussion: While we appreciate commenters' concern that these 
regulations could disrupt the relationships between existing centers 
and their clients, we note that the EAC funds are awarded to centers 
through a competitive grant process. Therefore, there is always, and 
has always been, a possibility that the center will change during a new 
award cycle. The Department seeks to ensure that program funds are 
awarded to the most qualified applicants, which will ensure that 
program funds are used to maximum effect.
    The Department appreciates the commenters' commitment to 
implementing comprehensive, multi-year plans for combating issues of 
inequity within their region. The Department notes that the EAC program 
will continue to fund multi-year grants, and the centers will continue 
to support multi-year technical assistance activities to improve 
equity, when necessary.
    The Department agrees with commenters that ensuring continuity of 
services is essential to the work of the EAC program. Therefore, we are 
revising Sec.  270.30 to require that the EACs selected following a new 
competition will work with current EACs to support a smooth transition 
and to minimize disruption for the intended beneficiaries.
    Changes: We have revised Sec.  270.30 to include Sec.  270.30(c), 
which requires that the EACs selected following a new competition must 
work with current EACs to support a smooth transition and to minimize 
disruption in the provision of technical assistance.
    Comment: Several commenters expressed concern that, were the 
Department to reduce the number of geographic regions from 10 to 4, a 
number of beneficiaries would no longer receive services from the EAC 
program, or would no longer be able to afford them. Commenters 
expressed particular concern that this could lead to a reduction in 
services for English learners, low-income, or rural students. 
Similarly, some commenters expressed concern that consolidating the 
geographic regions would lead to increased competition between the LEAs 
in that region. Finally, several commenters expressed a concern that 
the EACs would focus on serving highly impacted States.
    Discussion: The Department does not anticipate that changing the 
number of geographic regions will result in a reduction in EAC 
technical assistance provided. First, with regard to demand for 
services, we note that EACs provide assistance where requested by 
school boards or other responsible governmental agencies. These 
services are and will continue to be provided free to responsible 
governmental agencies and we do not anticipate any impact on the number 
of requests for assistance from the EACs because of the reduction in 
the number of geographic regions. With regard to the ability of the 
EACs to continue to meet the demand for services, the Department 
believes that consolidating the number of geographic regions will 
increase efficiency in the use of time, staff, money, and other 
resources and increase the magnitude of direct technical assistance. We 
also anticipate that applicants will propose approaches to technical 
assistance that include the use of existing resources and emerging 
technologies to improve coordination of center staff and continuous 
oversight of assistance activities. Furthermore, these regulations do 
not alter the level of funding established by Congress for the EAC 
program. As such, the resources available to fund EACs nationwide, as 
demand dictates, remain the same. For these reasons, we also disagree 
with the assertion that consolidating the geographic regions could lead 
to heightened competition amongst the LEAs within each consolidated 
region.
    The Department agrees with commenters that it is important to 
ensure that LEAs with high numbers of low-income students, rural LEAs, 
and other traditionally underserved populations continue to benefit 
from the EAC program. The Department intends to expand the reach of the 
EACs through these regulations by improving the effectiveness and 
efficiency of the delivery of services.
    We note that the regulations do not use the terms ``high impacted 
States'' or ``highly impacted States.'' As noted above, the regulations 
will not cause the EACs to focus on certain States within a region, 
because EACs provide services

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when responsible governmental agencies request assistance, not when 
EACs conduct outreach. Thus, as is now the case, EACs will continue to 
serve eligible entities within an entire geographic region, upon 
request for assistance. Please note that once an EAC has developed 
materials in response to a request for technical assistance, that EAC 
may make those materials available to other interested parties.
    Changes: None.
    Comment: Several commenters expressed concern regarding the 
potential costs associated with consolidating the geographic regions. 
Of these commenters, many were concerned that consolidation would 
result in overreliance on remote technical assistance by the EACs. 
Although some commenters supported EACs increasing their use of 
technology, many expressed a belief that the work of the EACs 
necessitates face-to-face interaction. In addition, some commenters 
stated that the EACs could not increase the use of remote technical 
assistance because the EACs are already utilizing technology to the 
maximum extent possible. Moreover, some commenters expressed concern 
that poor and rural LEAs and Indian reservations do not have the 
technological infrastructure to support remote technical assistance. 
Finally, some commenters expressed concern that consolidation of the 
geographic regions would result in increased travel costs, as well as 
the need for more staff and infrastructure within each EAC.
    Discussion: The Department believes that the concerns of the 
commenters are unwarranted. The Department stresses that, while we will 
consolidate the number of geographic regions, each region will receive 
a commensurate portion of EAC program funds. The increased funding for 
each new geographic region should at least partially offset any 
increased costs for travel, and enable the centers to accrue the 
necessary staff and infrastructure to serve that geographic region. The 
Department expects that the EACs will continue to provide on-the-ground 
technical assistance, and appreciates that such interaction is often a 
necessary part of combatting entrenched issues that contribute to 
segregation.
    In order to reach a wide array of eligible entities, we also expect 
that the EACs will enhance their technical assistance capacities 
through technology. As noted in the NPRM, the Internet now allows EACs 
to provide effective and coordinated technical assistance across much 
greater geographic distances than would have been possible when the 
previous regulations were promulgated in 1987. Thus, while we 
acknowledge that the EACs already make great use of technology, we 
expect that the EACs will need to continue to expand their use of 
technology to reflect the best practices and most current capabilities 
for providing remote technical assistance. In addition, we note that 
the current regulations are not intended to curtail in-person technical 
assistance, but rather acknowledge that significant advances in 
technology enable EACs to use a variety of methods for providing 
technical assistance, and that decreases in funding over the past three 
decades demand that the EACs continue to find novel methods of 
providing assistance in order to reach a broad range of eligible 
entities. Furthermore, we note that under the current structure of ten 
geographic regions, the EACs are already integrating the use of 
technology to serve the large, geographically dispersed populations 
within the region and cannot respond to every request with in-person 
technical assistance. Thus, the EACs will need to continue to exercise 
professional judgment in considering whether a request for technical 
assistance can be addressed through remote technical assistance. The 
Department expects that centers will consider whether there are any 
barriers to providing and receiving technical assistance remotely. As 
such, the Department expects that high-quality applicants for funding 
under the EAC program will propose effective and efficient ways to 
serve the needs of the entire region.
    Changes: None.
    Comment: Several commenters expressed concern that reducing the 
number of regions could negatively affect the collaborative work that 
the EACs conduct with the Office for Civil Rights (OCR) and Department 
of Justice (DOJ), or that EACs would have to limit the role they play 
in supporting individual LEAs reaching settlement agreements with OCR 
or DOJ. Some of these commenters stated that OCR needs 300 new field 
investigators, and that reducing the number of EACs would contribute to 
this void. Other commenters stated that EACs provide technical 
assistance and training to DOJ and OCR, and expressed a concern that 
these entities would no longer receive training were the number of 
geographic regions to be consolidated.
    Discussion: The Department anticipates that the EACs will continue 
to collaborate with the OCR and DOJ, as appropriate. The Department 
does not anticipate that the EACs will scale back collaboration with 
these entities, because each EAC will receive funding commensurate with 
the size of the geographic region. Thus, each EAC will have comparable 
resources to support LEAs in meeting settlement agreements, upon 
request.
    However, we note that while these entities all address civil rights 
matters, the role of the EACs is different from, and independent of, 
the role of OCR and DOJ. It would be inappropriate to base any aspect 
of the EAC program on the amount of resources devoted to programs aimed 
at providing similar services to eligible entities. Thus, it is 
inappropriate to consider the number of OCR field investigators when 
considering the number of regions for the EAC program. Finally, the 
Department notes that persons served by the EAC program are limited by 
section 270.3 to include public school personnel, students, parents, 
community organizations and other community members. Thus, while the 
Department anticipates that the EACs will continue to collaborate with 
OCR and DOJ, it would be inappropriate for the EACs to provide 
technical assistance to OCR or DOJ using grant funds provided under 
these regulations.
    Changes: None.
    Comment: Several commenters proposed additional criteria the 
Secretary should consider when determining the size and number of the 
geographic regions. One commenter suggested the Secretary group 
contiguous States into regions. Other commenters suggested the 
Secretary consider: Each proposed geographic region's history with 
inequities; whether a geographic area contains urban, suburban, rural, 
or frontier populations; the size and diversity of the student 
population; emerging issues in the field; active school desegregation 
cases; geographic miles served and number of LEAs; and number of civil 
rights complaints filed over a given time period in each region. 
Additional commenters suggested that the Department consider the 
distrust of Federal government agencies; the historical relationship 
between the Federal government and tribal schools, and the element of 
trust within that relationship; cultural affinity; the weather; and the 
politics of the region.
    Discussion: The Department agrees with one commenter's suggestion 
that priority be given to grouping contiguous States into regions, as 
States in similar geographic regions tend to face similar equity 
issues. The Department also plans to examine each region's history in 
addressing issues of equity, active school desegregation cases, number 
of civil rights complaints, and emerging issues in the field by 
examining the

[[Page 46812]]

history of EAC and other Departmental technical assistance activities. 
The Department will limit its analysis to the composition of urban, 
city, and rural LEAs in each geographic region, because these are the 
designations for which we have available data. The size and diversity 
of the student population is included within Sec.  270.5(c)(1). In 
addition, the number of LEAs in each geographic region is included 
under Sec.  270.5(c)(2), and the Department believes this is a better 
measurement of the need of a region than geographic miles covered. The 
Department declines to incorporate all additional suggested criteria, 
because they are not aligned with the goals of the program and there is 
no clear way of measuring those suggested criteria.
    Changes: We have revised Sec.  270.5(c) to include a consideration 
of the geographic proximity of the States within each region.
    Comment: One commenter expressed concern that consolidating the 
number of EACs would expand the EACs' scope of responsibility into 
areas and issues associated with geographic regions for which they are 
not familiar.
    Discussion: The Department expects high-quality applicants to be 
able to provide technical assistance across all desegregation 
assistance areas the program covers. The Department further expects 
that, if an EAC did not have experience in addressing a request for 
technical assistance, it would develop that expertise or partner with 
other EACs or Federal technical assistance centers to develop that 
expertise collaboratively. Such coordination would be within the scope 
of Sec.  270.30(b), which requires EACs to coordinate assistance with 
appropriate SEAs, Comprehensive Centers, Regional Educational 
Laboratories, and other Federal technical assistance centers. The 
Department expects high-quality applicants to identify adequate 
supports and leverage all available resources, including non-Federal 
resources, in light of the program's current funding level. In doing 
so, we believe that EACs will have the capacity to effectively respond 
to the particular needs of each region.
    Changes: None.

Section 270.7 What definitions apply to this program?

    Comment: Several commenters expressed support for the Department 
clarifying and updating the definition of ``sex desegregation'' to 
explain that sex desegregation includes desegregation based on 
transgender status, gender identity, sex stereotypes, and pregnancy and 
related conditions consistent with the Department's interpretation of 
``sex'' under Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (Title IX) 
and implementing regulations, and the interpretations and rules of 
other Federal agencies. No commenters opposed including all of these 
terms in the Department's proposed definition. In addition, some 
commenters suggested that the definition of ``sex desegregation'' 
should include desegregation based on ``sexual orientation,'' and that 
sex stereotyping should specify that stereotypical notions of gender 
include the sex-role expectation that females should be attracted to 
and romantically involved only with males (and not females) and that 
males should be attracted to and romantically involved only with 
females (and not males).
    Discussion: In the NPRM, the Department noted that it updated the 
definition of ``sex desegregation'' to clarify to whom it applies and 
highlight some emerging issues for which EACs may provide technical 
assistance, including the treatment of students with regard to sex 
stereotypes.
    In the NPRM, the Department also noted that the inclusion of ``sex 
stereotypes'' was aligned with our Office for Civil Rights' 
interpretation of the prohibition of sex discrimination in Title IX and 
its regulations, and was consistent with other Federal agencies' recent 
regulatory proposals, which defined ``sex stereotypes'' to include 
treating a person differently because he or she does not conform to 
sex-role expectations by being in a relationship with a person of the 
same sex. After the NRPM, the Department of Health and Human Services 
and the Department of Labor both issued final regulations providing 
that sex stereotyping includes expectations related to the appropriate 
roles and behavior of a certain sex. 81 FR 31,376, 31,468 (May 18, 
2016) (to be codified at 45 CFR 92.4); 81 FR 39,108, 39,168 (June 15, 
2016) (to be codified at 41 CFR 60-20.7(a)(3)).
    Some Federal district courts have recognized in the wake of the 
Supreme Court's decision in Price Waterhouse v. Hopkins, 490 U.S. 228 
(1989), that discrimination on the basis of ``sex'' includes 
discrimination based on sex stereotypes about sexual attraction and 
sexual behavior or about deviations from ``heterosexually defined 
gender norms.'' See, e.g., Videckis v. Pepperdine Univ., No. 
CV1500298DDPJCX, 2015 WL 8916764 (C.D. Cal. Dec. 15, 2015); Isaacs v. 
Felder, 2015 WL 6560655 (M.D. Ala. Oct. 29, 2015); Baldwin v. Dep't of 
Transp., Appeal No. 0120133080, Agency No. 2012-24738-FAA-03 (July 15, 
2015) (``Sexual orientation discrimination . . . is sex discrimination 
because it necessarily involves discrimination based on gender 
stereotypes.''). For example, Videckis held that the distinction 
between discrimination based on gender stereotyping and sexual 
orientation is artificial, and that claims based on sexual orientation 
are covered by Title VII and Title IX as sex or gender discrimination. 
As the Department noted in the NPRM, interpretations of Title IX and 
its regulations are particularly relevant to the meaning of ``sex'' 
under Title IV because Congress's 1972 amendment to Title IV to add sex 
as an appropriate desegregation assistance area was included in Title 
IX. Discrimination against an individual because he or she does not 
conform to sex-role expectations by being attracted to or in a 
relationship with a person of the same sex will inevitably rely on sex 
stereotypes. Therefore, in order to provide clarity for EACs on a type 
of sex discrimination on which they may provide technical assistance, 
the Department is amending the regulation by adding this language after 
the reference to ``sex stereotypes'' as an example of one included in 
the commentary of the NPRM.
    Changes: The Department will amend the definition of ``sex 
desegregation'' to add the phrase ``such as treating a person 
differently because he or she does not conform to sex-role expectations 
because he or she is attracted to or is in a relationship with a person 
of the same sex'' after ``sex stereotypes.''
    Comment: Several commenters expressed support for the Department's 
proposal to add a definition of ``religion desegregation,'' and to 
incorporate religion into the definitions of ``desegregation 
assistance'' and ``desegregation assistance areas.'' Additional 
commenters supported the addition, but requested that the Department 
amend the definition of ``religion desegregation'' or provide 
additional guidance to ensure that this does not result in harm to 
other students' civil rights, result in discrimination, or deprive any 
student of educational opportunities due to another student's religious 
beliefs. In addition, one commenter expressed that the Department 
should add ``religious desegregation'' only if additional funds are 
provided. Finally, one commenter opposed the addition of ``religion 
desegregation'' as being out of alignment with the other desegregation 
assistance activities carried out under this program.

[[Page 46813]]

    Discussion: First, the Department appreciates the support expressed 
by many commenters for these changes. The Department is satisfied that 
the definition of ``religion desegregation'' set forth in the proposed 
regulations is the most appropriate one for the work of the EAC 
program. The Department notes that religion is specifically included in 
the definition of ``desegregation'' in Section 401 of Title IV, the 
statute authorizing the EAC program. Under Title IV the Secretary is 
authorized to provide technical assistance to support the desegregation 
of public schools and the assignment of students to schools without 
regard to religion. The addition of ``religious desegregation'' does 
not alter the civil rights of students, but rather provides the EACs 
the ability to assist schools to address religion desegregation 
matters. The Department is aware of an increasing number of incidents 
of anti-Semitic bullying and harassment in public schools. See, e.g., 
T.E. v. Pine Bush Cent. Sch. Dist., 58 F. Supp. 3d 332 (S.D.N.Y. 2014). 
In addition, the Department is aware of reports documenting that 
students who are or are perceived as Hindu, Muslim, Sikh, Arab, Middle 
Eastern, South Asian, or Southeast Asian are frequent targets of 
bullying and harassment. Given the increasing religious diversity in 
the United States, and the increased tension that has developed in many 
of our schools related to a student's actual or perceived religion, the 
Department believes these regulations are necessary to provide support 
and technical assistance for schools to assist in developing effective 
strategies to ensure all students have a full opportunity to 
participate in educational programs, regardless of religion. The 
Department believes that the need and ability for EACs to provide 
technical assistance to address religion desegregation should not be 
tied to the EAC funding levels. Accordingly, the Department declines to 
change the regulations based on these comments.
    Changes: None.
    Comment: One commenter suggested that the Department update the 
definition of ``race desegregation'' to reflect the nature of modern 
desegregation efforts. Another commenter expressed concern that the 
caveat that ``race desegregation'' does not mean the assignment of 
students to public schools to correct conditions of racial separation 
that are not the result of State or local law or official action was 
too limiting. This commenter suggested that the Department define 
racial desegregation ``to include racial integration efforts permitted 
by law and the Department's guidance.''
    Discussion: The definition of ``race desegregation'' is rooted in 
the definition of ``desegregation'' under section 401 of Title IV. In 
section 401(b), Congress defined ``desegregation'' to mean the 
assignment of students to public schools and within such schools 
without regard to their race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. 
The definition under section 401(b) specifies that ``desegregation'' 
shall not mean the assignment of students to public schools in order to 
overcome racial imbalance. Thus, the Department believes that the 
current definition of ``race desegregation'' incorporates the statutory 
definition.
    Changes: None.
    Comment: One commenter requested that the Department amend the 
definition of ``Special educational problems occasioned by 
desegregation'' to problems that arise ``in the course of'' rather than 
``as a result of'' desegregation efforts. Another commenter suggested 
that the Department change the term ``special educational problems 
occasioned by desegregation,'' rather than add a definition for the 
existing term. Both expressed that the term and its definition 
presented a deficit-based perspective on desegregation activities, 
rather than focusing on the benefits of these activities.
    Discussion: The term ``special educational problems occasioned by 
desegregation'' is rooted in section 403 of Title IV, which states that 
technical assistance may, among other activities, include making 
available to such agencies information regarding effective methods of 
coping with special educational problems occasioned by desegregation. 
Thus, we decline to alter the term ``special educational problems 
occasioned by desegregation.'' However, the Department agrees that the 
underlying definition would be better served by referring to problems 
that arise ``in the course of'' rather than ``as a result of'' 
desegregation efforts because the language of the former more 
accurately reflects the scope of activities covered under ``special 
educational problems occasioned by desegregation.''
    Changes: We have revised the definition of ``special educational 
problems occasioned by desegregation'' under Sec.  270.7 to mean those 
issues that arise in classrooms, schools, and communities in the course 
of desegregation efforts based on race, national origin, sex, or 
religion.
    Comment: One commenter suggested that the Department adopt language 
requiring greater parent and parent organization engagement in 
informing EAC work with schools and LEAs. Similarly, another commenter 
advocated that the Department require successful applicants to 
demonstrate substantive partnership with parent organizations.
    Discussion: Proposed Sec.  270.4 added ``community organizations'' 
to the list of parties that may receive desegregation assistance under 
this program. The Department interprets ``community organizations'' to 
include parent organizations. The Department believes that this 
addition will enable greater parent organization involvement in EAC 
technical assistance activities. Furthermore, we note that parents of 
students are eligible to receive technical assistance under the EAC 
program.
    With regard to the request that the Department require successful 
applicants to the EAC program to demonstrate substantive partnership 
with parent organizations, the Department expects that the EACs will 
engage all interested beneficiaries and eligible stakeholders within an 
LEA that requests technical assistance. However, the Department 
believes that the EACs are in the best position to assess who to engage 
based on the factual situation encountered, in order to successfully 
address an identified need for desegregation assistance. Thus, the 
Department declines to add a requirement that applicants demonstrate a 
substantive partnership with parent organizations.
    Changes: None.

Section 270.32 What limitation is imposed on providing Equity 
Assistance under this program?

    Comment: One commenter opposed proposed Sec.  270.32 and suggested 
that the Department clarify that the regulation will not prevent EACs 
from assisting LEAs in need of support and assistance with inclusive 
curriculum design. Another commenter proposed that the Department amend 
current Sec.  270.6(b) to read that the activities prohibited under 
Sec.  270.6(a) do not prohibit the DACs from assisting LEAs with 
implementing appropriate language services for English Learner 
students.
    Discussion: Consistent with the General Education Provisions Act, 
20 U.S.C. 1232(a), we cannot and do not authorize centers to exercise 
direction or control over the curriculum. The Department believes it 
necessary to amend previous Sec.  270.6(b) because, as drafted, Sec.  
270.6(b) could be misconstrued to permit the development or 
implementation of activities for direct instruction;

[[Page 46814]]

removing this provision will ensure clarity. The Department agrees that 
EACs could provide technical assistance to ensure that English learner 
programs do not unjustifiably segregate students on the basis of 
national origin or English learner status, consistent with our ``Dear 
Colleague Letter: English Learner Students and Limited English 
Proficient Parents'' (Jan. 7, 2015), (https://www2.ed.gov/ocr/letters/colleague-el-201501.pdf). Because the Department has developed publicly 
available guidance on the responsibilities of SEAs and LEAs to ensure 
equal educational opportunities for English learners, we do not believe 
it is necessary to add this to the regulation.
    Changes: None.

Executive Orders 12866 and 13563

Regulatory Impact Analysis

    Under Executive Order 12866, the Secretary must determine whether 
this regulatory action is ``significant'' and, therefore, subject to 
the requirements of the Executive order and subject to review by the 
Office of Management and Budget (OMB). Section 3(f) of Executive Order 
12866 defines a ``significant regulatory action'' as an action likely 
to result in a rule that may--
    (1) Have an annual effect on the economy of $100 million or more, 
or adversely affect a sector of the economy, productivity, competition, 
jobs, the environment, public health or safety, or State, local, or 
tribal governments or communities in a material way (also referred to 
as an ``economically significant'' rule);
    (2) Create serious inconsistency or otherwise interfere with an 
action taken or planned by another agency;
    (3) Materially alter the budgetary impacts of entitlement grants, 
user fees, or loan programs or the rights and obligations of recipients 
thereof; or
    (4) Raise novel legal or policy issues arising out of legal 
mandates, the President's priorities, or the principles stated in the 
Executive order.
    Discussion of Costs and Benefits: We have determined that the 
potential costs associated with this regulatory action will be minimal 
while the potential benefits are significant.
    For EAC grants, applicants may anticipate costs in developing their 
applications. Application, submission, and participation in a 
competitive discretionary grant program are voluntary. The final 
regulations will create flexibility for us to use general selection 
criteria listed in EDGAR 75.210. We believe that any criterion from 
EDGAR 75.210 used in a grant competition will not impose a financial 
burden that applicants would not otherwise incur in the development and 
submission of a grant application. Other losses may stem from the 
reduction of the number of regional centers for those applicants that 
do not receive a grant in future funding years, including the costs of 
phasing out those centers and associated job losses. Additionally, due 
to the consolidation of EACs, the remaining geographic regions will 
cover a larger geographic range. As a result, future grantees may 
experience increased travel costs in providing in-person technical 
assistance. However, this should be offset in part by an increased 
amount of funding, commensurate with the size of its geographic region.
    We do not believe that reducing the number of regions will prevent 
EACs from providing technical assistance across the country. 
Technological advancements allow EACs to provide effective and 
coordinated technical assistance across much greater geographic 
distances than when the previous regulations were promulgated.
    The benefits include enhancing project design and quality of 
services to better meet the statutory objectives of the programs. These 
changes will allow more funds to be used directly for providing 
technical assistance to responsible governmental agencies for their 
work in equity and desegregation, by reducing the amount of funds 
directed to overhead costs. The flexibility of the geographic regions 
will increase the Department's ability to be strategic with limited 
resources. In addition, these changes will result in each center 
receiving a greater percentage of the overall funds for the program, 
and this greater percentage and amount of funds for each selected 
applicant will help to incentivize an increased quality and diversity 
of applicants.
    In addition, the Secretary believes that students covered under sex 
desegregation and religion desegregation will strongly benefit from the 
final regulations. The revised definition of ``sex desegregation'' will 
provide clarification regarding the scope of issues covered under sex 
desegregation, removing any confusion about appropriate technical 
assistance. For religion desegregation, grantees will need to provide 
technical assistance to responsible governmental agencies seeking 
assistance on this subject, but the costs associated with these new 
technical assistance activities will be covered by program funds.

Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995

    These final regulations do not contain any information collection 
requirements.

Intergovernmental Review

    This program is subject to Executive Order 12372 and the 
regulations in 34 CFR part 79. One of the objectives of the Executive 
order is to foster an intergovernmental partnership and a strengthened 
federalism. The Executive order relies on processes developed by State 
and local governments for coordination and review of proposed Federal 
financial assistance.
    This document provides early notification of our specific plans and 
actions for these programs.
    Accessible Format: Individuals with disabilities can obtain this 
document in an accessible format (e.g., braille, large print, 
audiotape, or compact disc) on request to the person listed under FOR 
FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT.
    Electronic Access to This Document: The official version of this 
document is the document published in the Federal Register. Free 
Internet access to the official edition of the Federal Register and the 
Code of Federal Regulations is available via the Federal Digital System 
at: www.gpo.gov/fdsys. At this site you can view this document, as well 
as all other documents of this Department published in the Federal 
Register, in text or 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.

(Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number: 84.004D)

List of Subjects in 34 CFR Parts 270, 271, and 272

    Elementary and secondary education, Equal educational opportunity, 
Grant programs--education, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements.

    Dated: July 12, 2016.
Ann Whalen,
Senior Advisor to the Secretary Delegated the Duties of Assistant 
Secretary for Elementary and Secondary Education.

    For the reasons discussed in the preamble, the Secretary of 
Education amends parts 270, 271, and 272 of title 34 of the Code of 
Federal Regulations as follows:

[[Page 46815]]


0
1. Part 270 is revised to read as follows:

PART 270--EQUITY ASSISTANCE CENTER PROGRAM

Subpart A--General
Sec.
270.1 What is the Equity Assistance Center Program?
270.2 Who is eligible to receive a grant under this program?
270.3 Who may receive assistance under this program?
270.4 What types of projects are authorized under this program?
270.5 What geographic regions do the EACs serve?
270.6 What regulations apply to this program?
270.7 What definitions apply to this program?
Subpart B--[RESERVED]
Subpart C--How Does the Secretary Award a Grant?
Sec.
270.20 How does the Secretary evaluate an application for a grant?
270.21 How does the Secretary determine the amount of a grant?
Subpart D--What Conditions Must I Meet after I Receive a Grant?
Sec.
270.30 What conditions must be met by a recipient of a grant?
270.31 What stipends and related reimbursements are authorized under 
this program?
270.32 What limitation is imposed on providing Equity Assistance 
under this program?

    Authority: 42 U.S.C. 2000c--2000c-2, 2000c-5, unless otherwise 
noted.

Subpart A--General


Sec.  270.1  What is the Equity Assistance Center Program?

    This program provides financial assistance to operate regional 
Equity Assistance Centers (EACs), to enable them to provide technical 
assistance (including training) at the request of school boards and 
other responsible governmental agencies in the preparation, adoption, 
and implementation of plans for the desegregation of public schools, 
and in the development of effective methods of coping with special 
educational problems occasioned by desegregation.


Sec.  270.2  Who is eligible to receive a grant under this program?

    A public agency (other than a State educational agency or a school 
board) or private, nonprofit organization is eligible to receive a 
grant under this program.


Sec.  270.3  Who may receive assistance under this program?

    (a) The recipient of a grant under this part may provide assistance 
only if requested by school boards or other responsible governmental 
agencies located in its geographic region.
    (b) The recipient may provide assistance only to the following 
persons:
    (1) Public school personnel.
    (2) Students enrolled in public schools, parents of those students, 
community organizations and other community members.


Sec.  270.4  What types of projects are authorized under this program?

    (a) The Secretary may award funds to EACs for projects offering 
technical assistance (including training) to school boards and other 
responsible governmental agencies, at their request, for assistance in 
the preparation, adoption, and implementation of plans for the 
desegregation of public schools.
    (b) A project must provide technical assistance in all four of the 
desegregation assistance areas, as defined in 34 CFR 270.7.
    (c) Desegregation assistance may include, among other activities:
    (1) Dissemination of information regarding effective methods of 
coping with special educational problems occasioned by desegregation;
    (2) Assistance and advice in coping with these problems; and
    (3) Training designed to improve the ability of teachers, 
supervisors, counselors, parents, community members, community 
organizations, and other elementary or secondary school personnel to 
deal effectively with special educational problems occasioned by 
desegregation.


Sec.  270.5  What geographic regions do the EACs serve?

    (a) The Secretary awards a grant to provide race, sex, national 
origin, and religion desegregation assistance under this program to 
regional EACs serving designated geographic regions.
    (b) The Secretary announces in the Federal Register the number of 
centers and geographic regions for each competition.
    (c) The Secretary determines the number and boundaries of each 
geographic region for each competition on the basis of one or more of 
the following:
    (1) Size and diversity of the student population;
    (2) The number of LEAs;
    (3) The composition of urban, city, and rural LEAs;
    (4) The history and frequency of the EAC and other Department 
technical assistance activities;
    (5) Geographic proximity of the States within each region; and
    (6) The amount of funding available for the competition.


Sec.  270.6  What regulations apply to this program?

    The following regulations apply to this program:
    (a) The Education Department General Administrative Regulations 
(EDGAR) in 34 CFR part 75 (Direct Grant Programs), part 77 (Definitions 
That Apply to Department Regulations), part 79 (Intergovernmental 
Review of Department of Education Programs and Activities), and part 81 
(General Education Provisions Act--Enforcement), except that 34 CFR 
75.232 (relating to the cost analysis) does not apply to grants under 
this program.
    (b) The regulations in this part.
    (c) The Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and 
Audit Requirements for Federal Awards in 2 CFR part 200, as adopted in 
2 CFR part 3474 and the OMB Guidelines to Agencies on Governmentwide 
Debarment and Suspension (Nonprocurement) in 2 CFR part 180, as adopted 
in 2 CFR part 3485.


Sec.  270.7  What definitions apply to this program?

    In addition to the definitions in 34 CFR 77.1, the following 
definitions apply to the regulations in this part:
    Desegregation assistance means the provision of technical 
assistance (including training) in the areas of race, sex, national 
origin, and religion desegregation of public elementary and secondary 
schools.
    Desegregation assistance areas means the areas of race, sex, 
national origin, and religion desegregation.
    English learner has the same meaning under this part as the same 
term defined in section 8101(20) of the Elementary and Secondary 
Education Act, as amended.

(Authority: Section 8101(20) of the Elementary and Secondary 
Education Act of 1965, as amended by the Every Student Succeeds Act, 
Pub. L. 114-95 (2015) (ESSA))

    Equity Assistance Center means a regional desegregation technical 
assistance and training center funded under this part.
    National origin desegregation means the assignment of students to 
public schools and within those schools without regard to their 
national origin, including providing students such as those who are 
English learners with a full opportunity for participation in all 
educational programs regardless of their national origin.

[[Page 46816]]

    Public school means any elementary or secondary educational 
institution operated by a State, subdivision of a State, or 
governmental agency within a State, or operated wholly or predominantly 
from or through the use of governmental funds or property, or funds or 
property derived from governmental sources.
    Public school personnel means school board members and persons who 
are employed by or who work in the schools of a responsible 
governmental agency, as that term is defined in this section.
    Race desegregation means the assignment of students to public 
schools and within those schools without regard to their race, 
including providing students with a full opportunity for participation 
in all educational programs regardless of their race. ``Race 
desegregation'' does not mean the assignment of students to public 
schools to correct conditions of racial separation that are not the 
result of State or local law or official action.
    Religion desegregation means the assignment of students to public 
schools and within those schools without regard to their religion, 
including providing students with a full opportunity for participation 
in all educational programs regardless of their religion.
    Responsible governmental agency means any school board, State, 
municipality, LEA, or other governmental unit legally responsible for 
operating a public school or schools.
    School board means any agency or agencies that administer a system 
of one or more public schools and any other agency that is responsible 
for the assignment of students to or within that system.
    Sex desegregation means the assignment of students to public 
schools and within those schools without regard to their sex (including 
transgender status; gender identity; sex stereotypes, such as treating 
a person differently because he or she does not conform to sex-role 
expectations because he or she is attracted to or is in a relationship 
with a person of the same sex; and pregnancy and related conditions), 
including providing students with a full opportunity for participation 
in all educational programs regardless of their sex.
    Special educational problems occasioned by desegregation means 
those issues that arise in classrooms, schools, and communities in the 
course of desegregation efforts based on race, national origin, sex, or 
religion. The phrase does not refer to the provision of special 
education and related services for students with disabilities as 
defined under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (20 
U.S.C. 1400 et seq.)

Subpart B--[RESERVED]

Subpart C--How Does the Secretary Award a Grant?


Sec.  270.20  How does the Secretary evaluate an application for a 
grant?

    (a) The Secretary evaluates the application on the basis of the 
criteria in 34 CFR 75.210.
    (b) The Secretary selects the highest ranking application for each 
geographic region to receive a grant.


Sec.  270.21  How does the Secretary determine the amount of a grant?

    The Secretary determines the amount of a grant on the basis of:
    (a) The amount of funds available for all grants under this part;
    (b) A cost analysis of the project (that shows whether the 
applicant will achieve the objectives of the project with reasonable 
efficiency and economy under the budget in the application), by which 
the Secretary:
    (1) Verifies the cost data in the detailed budget for the project;
    (2) Evaluates specific elements of costs; and
    (3) Examines costs to determine if they are necessary, reasonable, 
and allowable under applicable statutes and regulations;
    (c) Evidence supporting the magnitude of the need of the 
responsible governmental agencies for desegregation assistance in the 
geographic region and the cost of providing that assistance to meet 
those needs, as compared with the evidence supporting the magnitude of 
the needs for desegregation assistance, and the cost of providing it, 
in all geographic regions for which applications are approved for 
funding;
    (d) The size and the racial, ethnic, or religious diversity of the 
student population of the geographic region for which the EAC will 
provide services; and
    (e) Any other information concerning desegregation problems and 
proposed activities that the Secretary finds relevant in the 
applicant's geographic region.

Subpart D--What Conditions Must I Meet after I Receive a Grant?


Sec.  270.30  What conditions must be met by a recipient of a grant?

    (a) A recipient of a grant under this part must:
    (1) Operate an EAC in the geographic region to be served; and
    (2) Have a full-time project director.
    (b) A recipient of a grant under this part must coordinate 
assistance in its geographic region with appropriate SEAs, 
Comprehensive Centers, Regional Educational Laboratories, and other 
Federal technical assistance centers. As part of this coordination, the 
recipient shall seek to prevent duplication of assistance where an SEA, 
Comprehensive Center, Regional Educational Laboratory, or other Federal 
technical assistance center may have already provided assistance to the 
responsible governmental agency.
    (c) A recipient of a grant under this part must communicate and 
coordinate with the most recent EAC grant recipient(s) in its region, 
as needed, to ensure a smooth transition for ongoing technical 
assistance under the EAC program.


Sec.  270.31  What stipends and related reimbursements are authorized 
under this program?

    (a) The recipient of an award under this program may pay:
    (1) Stipends to public school personnel who participate in 
technical assistance or training activities funded under this part for 
the period of their attendance, if the person to whom the stipend is 
paid receives no other compensation for that period; or
    (2) Reimbursement to a responsible governmental agency that pays 
substitutes for public school personnel who:
    (i) Participate in technical assistance or training activities 
funded under this part; and
    (ii) Are being compensated by that responsible governmental agency 
for the period of their attendance.
    (b) A recipient may pay the stipends and reimbursements described 
in this section only if it demonstrates that the payment of these costs 
is necessary to the success of the technical assistance or training 
activity, and will not exceed 20 percent of the total award.
    (c) If a recipient is authorized by the Secretary to pay stipends 
or reimbursements (or any combination of these payments), the recipient 
shall determine the conditions and rates for these payments in 
accordance with appropriate State policies, or in the absence of State 
policies, in accordance with local policies.
    (d) A recipient of a grant under this part may pay a travel 
allowance only to a person who participates in a technical assistance 
or training activity under this part.
    (e) If the participant does not complete the entire scheduled 
activity, the recipient may pay the participant's transportation to his 
or her residence or

[[Page 46817]]

place of employment only if the participant left the training activity 
because of circumstances not reasonably within his or her control.


Sec.  270.32  What limitation is imposed on providing Equity Assistance 
under this program?

    A recipient of a grant under this program may not use funds to 
assist in the development or implementation of activities or the 
development of curriculum materials for the direct instruction of 
students to improve their academic and vocational achievement levels.

PART 271 [REMOVED AND RESERVED]

0
2. Under the authority of section 414 of the Department of Education 
Organization Act, 20 U.S.C. 3474, part 271 is removed and reserved.

PART 272 [REMOVED AND RESERVED]

0
3. Under the authority of section 414 of the Department of Education 
Organization Act, 20 U.S.C. 3474, part 272 is removed and reserved.

[FR Doc. 2016-16811 Filed 7-15-16; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4000-01-P