Applications for New Awards; Technical Assistance and Dissemination To Improve Services and Results for Children With Disabilities-Model Demonstration Projects To Develop Coaching Systems, 12540-12547 [2020-04316]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 42 (Tuesday, March 3, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Pages 12540-12547]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-04316]


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DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION


Applications for New Awards; Technical Assistance and 
Dissemination To Improve Services and Results for Children With 
Disabilities--Model Demonstration Projects To Develop Coaching Systems

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

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Education (Department) is issuing a notice 
inviting applications for new awards for fiscal

[[Page 12541]]

year (FY) 2020 for Model Demonstration Projects to Develop Coaching 
Systems, Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) number 84.326M. 
These projects will provide support to professionals to collaborate 
with early learning and early intervention programs, schools, 
districts, and State agencies to establish the infrastructure, 
personnel skills, and processes necessary for an effective and 
sustainable coaching system. This notice relates to the approved 
information collection under OMB control number 1820-0028.

DATES: 
    Applications Available: March 3, 2020.
    Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: May 4, 2020.
    Deadline for Intergovernmental Review: July 1, 2020.

ADDRESSES: For the addresses for obtaining and submitting an 
application, please refer to our Common Instructions for Applicants to 
Department of Education Discretionary Grant Programs, published in the 
Federal Register on February 13, 2019 (84 FR 3768), and available at 
www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2019-02-13/pdf/2019-02206.pdf.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jennifer Coffey, U.S. Department of 
Education, 400 Maryland Avenue SW, Room 5161, Potomac Center Plaza, 
Washington, DC 20202-5076. Telephone: (202) 245-6673. Email: 
[email protected].
    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:

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: This competition includes one absolute priority, one 
competitive preference priority, and one invitational priority. In 
accordance with 34 CFR 75.105(b)(2)(v), the absolute priority and 
competitive preference priority are from allowable activities specified 
in or otherwise authorized in sections 663 and 681(d) of the 
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) (20 U.S.C. 1463, 
1481(d)).
    Absolute Priority: For FY 2020 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:
    Model Demonstration Projects to Develop Coaching Systems.

Background

    Model demonstrations to improve early intervention, educational, or 
transitional results for children with disabilities and their families 
have been authorized under the IDEA since the law's inception. For the 
purposes of this priority, a model is a set of existing evidence-based 
practices,\1\ including interventions and implementation strategies 
(i.e., core model components), that research suggests will improve 
outcomes for children, families, personnel,\2\ administrators, or 
systems, when implemented with fidelity. Model demonstrations involve 
investigating the degree to which a given model can be implemented and 
sustained in real-world settings, by staff employed in those settings, 
while achieving outcomes similar to those attained under research 
conditions.
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    \1\ For purposes of this priority, ``evidence-based'' means the 
proposed project component is supported by promising evidence, which 
is evidence of the effectiveness of a key project component in 
improving a ``relevant outcome'' (as defined in 34 CFR 77.1), based 
on a relevant finding from one of the sources identified under 
``promising evidence'' in 34 CFR 77.1.
    \2\ As defined by section 651(b) of IDEA, the term ``personnel'' 
means special education teachers, regular education teachers, 
principals, administrators, related services personnel, 
paraprofessionals, and early intervention personnel serving infants, 
toddlers, preschoolers, or children with disabilities, except where 
a particular category of personnel, such as related services 
personnel, is identified.
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    Researchers have identified practices that improve academic, 
functional, developmental, and behavioral outcomes for children with 
disabilities, yet such evidence-based practices are not implemented or 
scaled up in a systematic manner to maximize their potential to impact 
child outcomes (Sanetti & Collier-Meek, 2019). To bridge this research-
to-practice gap, the field has responded by developing improved 
professional development models for supporting the implementation of 
evidence-based practices.
    Coaching has been identified as a key implementation ``driver'' for 
implementing evidence-based practices (Metz & Bartley, 2012). Kraft et 
al.'s (2018) meta-analysis of the causal effects of coaching suggests 
coaching programs hold real promise for improving instructional 
practice and, as a result, child outcomes. This meta-analysis also 
found that virtual coaching can be as effective as in-person coaching 
and that there are many unknowns related to the amount of coaching 
needed and strategies that will be most effective.
    Various coaching models show promising results for improving 
instructional practices and child outcomes. Examples of promising 
models include mentoring (Schmidt et al., 2017), data-driven 
instructional coaching (Glover et al., 2019), and practice-based 
coaching (Snyder et al., 2015), among others.
    The field has also begun to articulate the challenges and solutions 
to implementing effective coaching models, specifically the 
infrastructure needed to support a comprehensive and sustainable 
coaching system. For example, Kraft et al. (2018) suggest that a 
primary implementation challenge is building a corps of capable coaches 
whose expertise is well matched to the diverse needs of the personnel 
being supported. In addition, the State Implementation and Scaling up 
of Evidence-based Practices Technical Assistance Center (SISEP) 
developed a resource that describes research-based components of 
coaching (https://nirn.fpg.unc.edu/resources/coaching-practice-profile). These findings provide a basis for investing in efforts to 
expand the existing research base and to learn more about what it takes 
to scale up and sustain coaching models.
    Model demonstration coaching projects could further refine the key 
components of effective coaching across various models and provide 
needed data on whether particular approaches to coaching are effective, 
how to differentiate coaching strategies based on personnel needs, the 
amount of coaching individuals need to successfully implement an 
evidence-based practice and how to select coaches.
    Model demonstration coaching projects can identify the challenges 
to implementation and determine system supports to assist in meeting 
those challenges. Additionally, these model demonstrations can take the 
first steps to systematically scale up the critical features of 
effective coaching.
    The projects must be awarded and operated in a manner consistent 
with

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nondiscrimination requirements contained in the U.S. Constitution and 
the Federal civil rights laws.

Priority

    The purpose of this priority is to fund three cooperative 
agreements to establish and operate evidence-based model demonstration 
projects. The models will implement coaching systems in early 
intervention, early learning, elementary school, middle school, or high 
school settings.
    The models will address the infrastructure (e.g., implementation 
teams) and ongoing supports needed to foster the development, 
implementation, and evaluation of coaches and a coaching system to 
support personnel who work with children with disabilities.
    The models will demonstrate methods for identifying coaching 
strategies and the necessary intensity and frequency of those 
strategies to meet the needs of personnel being coached.
    The models will capture information about challenges to 
implementation and determine what system supports may assist in meeting 
those challenges. Additionally, the models will use coaching data to 
provide information about how coaching services affect provider 
services and, accordingly, child outcomes (i.e., connecting coaching 
fidelity data to intervention fidelity data to child outcome data). The 
model demonstration projects will assess how models can--
     Support implementation of evidence-based practices that 
improve outcomes for children with disabilities;
     Improve the capacity of local coaches to support personnel 
who serve children with disabilities;
     Improve the capacity of sites and the central offices or 
programs that support them to build infrastructure that supports an 
effective coaching system; and
     Improve understanding of how State agencies could reduce 
barriers to, and support, implementation of coaching systems.
    Applicants must propose models that meet the following 
requirements:
    (a) The model's core intervention components must include--
    (1) Coaching services that are supported by evidence;
    (2) Ongoing measures of coaching supports and the impact of those 
supports, specifically fidelity measures and child outcomes; \3\
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    \3\ Applicants must ensure the confidentiality of individual 
student data, consistent with the Confidentiality of Information 
regulations under both part B and part C of IDEA, which incorporate 
requirements and exceptions under section 444 of the General 
Education Provisions Act (20 U.S.C. 1232g), commonly known as the 
``Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act'' (FERPA), but also 
include several provisions that are specifically related to children 
with disabilities receiving services under IDEA and provide 
protections beyond the FERPA regulations. Therefore, examining the 
IDEA requirements first is the most effective and efficient way to 
meet the requirements of both IDEA and FERPA for children with 
disabilities. Applicants should also be aware of State laws or 
regulations concerning the confidentiality of individual records. 
See www2.ed.gov/policy/gen/guid/ptac/pdf/idea-ferpa.pdf and 
studentprivacy.ed.gov/resources/ferpaidea-cross-walk. Final FERPA 
regulatory changes became effective January 3, 2012, and include 
requirements for data sharing. Applicants are encouraged to review 
the final FERPA regulations published on December 2, 2011 (76 FR 
75604). Questions can be directed to the Student Privacy Policy 
Office (SPPO) (https://www2.ed.gov/policy/gen/guid/fpco/) 
at 1-800-USA-LEARN (1-800-872-5327) or https://studentprivacy.ed.gov/contact.
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    (2) Professional development to support coaches' appropriate and 
timely use of data to inform the need for differentiating coaching 
strategies, intensity, and frequency dependent on content and personnel 
needs;
    (3) Procedures to refine the model based on the ongoing measures of 
fidelity of coaching services, fidelity of the implementation of 
evidence-based practices, and child outcomes;
    (4) Procedures for coaches to share data at the site, central 
office or program, and State levels so that the data can be used to 
make decisions regarding, remove barriers to, and support, 
implementation and sustainability of the coaching system; and
    (5) Measures of the model's social validity, i.e., measures of 
personnel and administrator satisfaction with the model components, 
processes, and outcomes.
    (b) The model's core implementation components must include--
    (1) Criteria and strategies for selecting \4\ and recruiting sites 
and coaches at those sites, including approaches to introducing the 
model to, and promoting the model among, site participants.\5\ 
Applicants are encouraged to choose sites from a variety of settings 
(e.g., urban, rural, suburban, type of school such as elementary, 
charter, or early learning) and populations (e.g., concentration of 
students receiving free or reduced-price lunch);
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    \4\ For factors to consider when selecting model demonstration 
sites, the applicant should refer to Assessing Sites for Model 
Demonstration: Lessons Learned for OSEP Grantees at mdcc.sri.com/documents/MDCC_Site_Assessment_Brief_09-30-11.pdf. The document also 
contains a site assessment tool.
    \5\ For factors to consider when preparing for model 
demonstration implementation, the applicant should refer to 
Preparing for Model Demonstration Implementation at mdcc.sri.com/documents/MDCC_PreparationStage_Brief_Apr2013.pdf.
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    (2) A lag site implementation design, which allows for model 
development and refinement at the first site in year one of the project 
period, with sites two and three implementing a revised model based on 
data from the first site beginning in subsequent project years;
    (3) A professional development component that includes a strategy 
to work with administrators and coaches, to enable site-based personnel 
to implement the coaching model with fidelity; and
    (4) Measures of the results of the professional development 
required by paragraph (b)(3) of this section.
    (c) The core strategies for sustaining the model must include--
    (1) Documentation that permits current and future site-based staff 
to replicate or appropriately tailor and sustain the model at any site; 
\6\
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    \6\ For a guide on documenting model demonstration sustainment 
and replication, the applicant should refer to Planning for 
Replication and Dissemination From the Start: Guidelines for Model 
Demonstration Projects (Revised) at mdcc.sri.com/documents/MDCC_ReplicationBrief_SEP2015.pdf.
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    (2) Guidelines and procedures to--
    (i) Help administrators support a coaching system;
    (ii) Provide professional development to coaches;
    (iii) Collect data on fidelity of coaching services and impact of 
coaching on intervention fidelity;
    (iv) Match coaching strategies and intensity of the strategies 
based on content and personnel need;
    (v) Determine the amount and frequency of coaching needed to 
improve intervention fidelity; and
    (vi) Collect data regarding the connection among coaching 
strategies used, the frequency and amount of coaching, and the fidelity 
of the implementation of the model coaching system and child outcomes 
and communicate regularly about the data at the local, regional (as 
appropriate), and State levels;
    (3) Strategies for the grantee to disseminate or promote the use of 
the model, such as developing easily accessible online training 
materials, coordinating with TA providers who might serve as future 
trainers, or providing technical support (e.g., webinars, training 
sessions, or workshops) for users who may want to learn about and 
implement the model and its components; and
    (4) Strategies for the grantee to assist State agencies (e.g., 
State educational agencies (SEAs) and State lead agencies

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(SLAs) and local early learning or early intervention agencies and 
local educational agencies (LEAs)) within the State to scale up a model 
and its components.
    To be considered for funding under this absolute priority, 
applicants must meet the application requirements contained in this 
priority. Each project funded under this absolute priority also must 
meet the programmatic and administrative requirements specified in the 
priority.

Application Requirements

    An applicant must include in its application--
    (a) A detailed review of the literature addressing the proposed 
evidence-based model or its implementation components and the proposed 
processes to improve coaching services for personnel who serve children 
with disabilities;
    (b) A logic model \7\ that depicts, at a minimum, the goals, 
activities, outputs, and outcomes (described in paragraph (a) under the 
heading Priority) of the proposed model demonstration project.
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    \7\ Logic model (also referred to as a theory of action) means a 
framework that identifies key project components of the proposed 
project (i.e., the active ``ingredients'' that are hypothesized to 
be critical to achieving the relevant outcomes) and describes the 
theoretical and operational relationships among the key project 
components and relevant outcomes.
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    Note: The following websites provide resources for constructing 
logic models: www.osepideasthatwork.org/logicModel and 
www.osepideasthatwork.org/resources-grantees/program-areas/ta-ta/tad-project-logic-model-and-conceptual-framework;
    (c) A description of the activities and measures to be incorporated 
into the proposed model demonstration project (i.e., the project 
design) to develop coaching systems, including a timeline of how and 
when the components are introduced within the model. A detailed and 
complete description must include the following:
    (1) Each of the coaching system components.
    (2) The existing and proposed measures of fidelity of coaching 
services, fidelity of the implementation of evidence-based practices, 
and child outcomes, as well as social validity measures. The measures 
should be described as completely as possible, referenced as 
appropriate, and included, when available, in Appendix A.
    (3) Each of the implementation components, including, at a minimum, 
those listed under paragraph (b) under the heading Priority. The 
existing or proposed implementation fidelity measures, including those 
measuring the fidelity of the professional development strategy, should 
be described as completely as possible, referenced as appropriate, and 
included, when available, in Appendix A. In addition, this description 
should include--
    (i) Demographics, including, at a minimum, the settings of, and 
children participating in, all of the implementation sites that have 
been identified and successfully recruited for the purposes of this 
application using the selection and recruitment strategies described in 
paragraph (b)(1) under the heading Priority;
    Note: Applicants are encouraged to identify, to the extent 
possible, the sites willing to participate in the applicant's model 
demonstration. Final site selection will be determined in consultation 
with the Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) project officer 
following the kick-off meeting described in paragraph (e)(1) of these 
application requirements, and if the project is working with 
elementary, middle, or high school sites, the final sites will include 
at least one school of choice such as a public magnet, public charter, 
or private school; and
    (ii) The lag site implementation design for implementation 
consistent with the requirements in paragraph (b)(2) under the heading 
Priority.
    (4) Each of the strategies to promote sustaining and replicating 
the model, including, at a minimum, those listed under paragraph (c) 
under the heading Priority.
    (d) A description of the evaluation activities and measures to be 
incorporated into the proposed model demonstration project. A detailed 
and complete description must include--
    (1) A formative evaluation plan, consistent with the project's 
logic model, that includes evaluation questions, sources of data, a 
timeline for data collection, and analysis plans. The plan must show 
how the outcome data (e.g., child, personnel, or systems measures, 
social validity) and implementation data (e.g., fidelity, effectiveness 
of professional development activities) will be used separately or in 
combination to improve the project during the performance period. These 
data will be reported in the annual performance report (APR). The plan 
also must outline how these data will be reviewed by project staff, 
when they will be reviewed, and how they will be used during the course 
of the project to adjust the model or its implementation to increase 
the model's usefulness, generalizability, and potential for 
sustainability; and
    (2) A summative evaluation plan, including a timeline, to collect 
and analyze data on changes to child, teacher, service provider, or 
system outcomes over time or relative to comparison groups that can be 
reasonably attributable to project activities. The plan must show how 
the child, personnel, or system outcome and implementation data 
collected by the project will be used separately or in combination to 
demonstrate the promise of the model.
    (e) A budget for attendance at the following:
    (1) A one and one-half day kick-off meeting to be held in 
Washington, DC, after receipt of the award.
    (2) A three-day project directors' conference in Washington, DC, 
occurring twice during the project performance period.
    (3) Four travel days spread across years two through four of the 
project period to attend planning meetings, Department briefings, 
Department-sponsored conferences, and other meetings, as requested by 
OSEP, to be held in Washington, DC.

Other Project Activities

    To meet the requirements of this priority, each project, at a 
minimum, must--
    (a) Communicate and collaborate on an ongoing basis with other 
Department-funded projects, including, at a minimum, OSEP-funded TA 
centers that might disseminate information on the model or support the 
scale-up efforts of a model based on promising evidence;
    (b) Maintain ongoing telephone and email communication with the 
OSEP project officer and the other model demonstration projects funded 
under this priority;
    (c) If the project maintains a website, include relevant 
information about the model, the intervention, and the demonstration 
activities and ensure that the website meets government- or industry-
recognized standards for accessibility; and
    (d) Ensure that annual progress toward meeting project goals is 
posted on the project website.
    Competitive Preference Priority: Within this absolute priority, we 
give competitive preference to applications that address the following 
competitive preference priority. Under 34 CFR 75.105(c)(2)(i), we award 
an additional 5 points to an application that meets the competitive 
preference priority. This priority is:
    Competitive Preference Priority 1 (0 or 5 points). Projects 
proposed by applicants that have not had an active grant award under 
the Technical

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Assistance and Dissemination to Improve Services and Results for 
Children model demonstration grants (84.326M) at any point in the 
preceding five fiscal years (i.e., FY 2015-FY 2019).
    Note: If an applicant has previously received a grant under the 
84.326M program, the performance period for that grant must have ended 
on or before September 30, 2014 in order to receive points under this 
priority.
    Invitational Priority: For FY 2020 and any subsequent year in which 
we make awards from the list of unfunded applications from this 
competition, this priority is an invitational priority. Under 34 CFR 
75.105(c)(1), we do not give an application that meets this 
invitational priority a competitive or absolute preference over other 
applications. This priority is:
    Projects that include a virtual delivery method within their 
coaching system.

References

Glover, T. A., Reddy, L. A., Kurz, A., & Elliott, S. N. (2019). Use 
of an online platform to facilitate and investigate data-driven 
instructional coaching. Assessment for Effective Intervention, 
44(2), 95-103.
Kraft, M. A., Blazar, D., & Hogan, D. (2018). The effect of teacher 
coaching on instruction and achievement: A meta-analysis of the 
causal evidence. Review of Educational Research, 88(4), 547-588.
Metz, A., & Bartley, L. (2012). Active implementation frameworks for 
program success. Zero to Three, 32(4), 11-18.
Sanetti, L. M. H., & Collier-Meek, M. A. (2019). Increasing 
implementation science literacy to address the research-to-practice 
gap in school psychology. Journal of School Psychology, 76, 33-47.
Schmidt, R., Young, V., Cassidy, L., Wang, H., & Laguarda, K. 
(2017). Impact of the New Teacher Center's new teacher induction 
model on teachers and students. SRI International.
Snyder, P. A., Hemmeter, M. L., & Fox, L. (2015). Supporting 
implementation of evidence-based practices through practice-based 
coaching. Topics in Early Childhood Special Education, 35(3), 133-
143.
    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 other 
requirements. Section 681(d) of IDEA, however, makes the public comment 
requirements of the APA inapplicable to the absolute priority and 
related definitions 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 institutions of 
higher education (IHEs) only.

II. Award Information

    Type of Award: Cooperative agreements.
    Estimated Available Funds: $1,200,000.
    Contingent upon the availability of funds and the quality of 
applications, we may make additional awards in FY 2021 from the list of 
unfunded applications from this competition.
    Estimated Range of Awards: $375,000 to $400,000 per year.
    Estimated Average Size of Awards: $400,000 per year.
    Maximum Award: We will not make an award exceeding $400,000 for a 
single budget period of 12 months.
    Estimated Number of Awards: 3.
    Note: The Department is not bound by any estimates in this notice.
    Project Period: Up to 48 months.

III. Eligibility Information

    1. Eligible Applicants: SEAs; LEAs, including charter schools that 
are considered LEAs under State law; IHEs; other public agencies; 
private nonprofit organizations; outlying areas; freely associated 
States; Indian Tribes or Tribal organizations; and for-profit 
organizations.
    2. Cost Sharing or Matching: This program does not require cost 
sharing or matching.
    3. Subgrantees: A grantee under this competition may not award 
subgrants to entities to directly carry out project activities 
described in its application. Under 34 CFR 75.708(e), a grantee may 
contract for supplies, equipment, and other services in accordance with 
2 CFR part 200.
    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) Applicants for, and recipients of, funding must, with respect 
to the aspects of their proposed project relating to the absolute 
priority, 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. Application Submission Instructions: Applicants are required to 
follow the Common Instructions for Applicants to Department of 
Education Discretionary Grant Programs, published in the Federal 
Register on February 13, 2019 (84 FR 3768), and available at 
www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2019-02-13/pdf/2019-02206.pdf, which 
contain requirements and information on how to submit an application.
    2. 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.
    3. Funding Restrictions: We reference regulations outlining funding 
restrictions in the Applicable Regulations section of this notice.
    4. Recommended Page Limit: The application narrative (Part III of 
the application) is where you, the applicant, address the selection 
criteria that reviewers use to evaluate your application. We recommend 
that you (1) limit the application narrative to no more than 50 pages 
and (2) use 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.
    The recommended page limit does not apply to Part I, the cover 
sheet; Part II, the budget section, including the narrative budget 
justification; Part IV, the assurances and certifications; or the 
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

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appendices. However, the recommended page limit does apply to all of 
the application narrative, including all text in charts, tables, 
figures, graphs, and screen shots.

V. Application Review Information

    1. Selection Criteria: The selection criteria for this competition 
are from 34 CFR 75.210 and are as follows:
    (a) Significance (15 points).
    (1) The Secretary considers the significance of the proposed 
project.
    (2) In determining the significance of the proposed project, the 
Secretary considers the following factors:
    (i) The potential contribution of the proposed project to increased 
knowledge or understanding of educational problems, issues, or 
effective strategies;
    (ii) The extent to which the proposed project is likely to build 
local capacity to provide, improve, or expand services that address the 
needs of the target population;
    (iii) The importance or magnitude of the results or outcomes likely 
to be attained by the proposed project, especially improvements in 
teaching and student achievement; and
    (iv) The likely utility of the products (such as information, 
materials, processes, or techniques) that will result from the proposed 
project, including the potential for their being used effectively in a 
variety of other settings.
    (b) Quality of the project design (35 points).
    (1) The Secretary considers the quality of the design of the 
proposed project.
    (2) In determining the quality of the design of the proposed 
project, the Secretary considers the following factors:
    (i) The extent to which the goals, objectives, and outcomes to be 
achieved by the proposed project are clearly specified and measurable;
    (ii) The extent to which the design of the proposed project 
includes a thorough, high-quality review of the relevant literature, a 
high-quality plan for project implementation, and the use of 
appropriate methodological tools to ensure successful achievement of 
project objectives;
    (iii) The quality of the proposed demonstration design and 
procedures for documenting project activities and results;
    (iv) The extent to which the design for implementing and evaluating 
the proposed project will result in information to guide possible 
replication of project activities or strategies, including information 
about the effectiveness of the approach or strategies employed by the 
project; and
    (v) The extent to which performance feedback and continuous 
improvement are integral to the design of the proposed project.
    (c) Adequacy of resources and quality of the management plan (25 
points).
    (1) The Secretary considers the adequacy of resources and the 
quality of the management plan for the proposed project.
    (2) In determining the adequacy of resources and the quality of the 
management plan for the proposed project, the Secretary considers the 
following factors:
    (i) The adequacy of support, including facilities, equipment, 
supplies, and other resources, from the applicant organization or the 
lead applicant organization;
    (ii) The relevance and demonstrated commitment of each partner in 
the proposed project to the implementation and success of the project;
    (iii) The extent to which the time commitments of the project 
director and principal investigator and other key project personnel are 
appropriate and adequate to meet the objectives of the proposed 
project;
    (iv) How the applicant will ensure that a diversity of perspectives 
are brought to bear in the operation of the proposed project, including 
those of parents, teachers, the business community, a variety of 
disciplinary and professional fields, recipients or beneficiaries of 
services, or others, as appropriate;
    (v) The adequacy of the management plan to achieve the objectives 
of the proposed project on time and within budget, including clearly 
defined responsibilities, timelines, and milestones for accomplishing 
project tasks; and
    (vi) The adequacy of mechanisms for ensuring high-quality products 
and services from the proposed project.
    (d) Quality of the project evaluation (25 points).
    (1) The Secretary considers the quality of the evaluation to be 
conducted of the proposed project.
    (2) In determining the quality of the evaluation, the Secretary 
considers the following factors:
    (i) The extent to which the methods of evaluation are thorough, 
feasible, and appropriate to the goals, objectives, and outcomes of the 
proposed project;
    (ii) The extent to which the methods of evaluation will provide 
performance feedback and permit periodic assessment of progress toward 
achieving intended outcomes;
    (iii) The extent to which the methods of evaluation provide for 
examining the effectiveness of project implementation strategies;
    (iv) The extent to which the evaluation will provide guidance about 
effective strategies suitable for replication or testing in other 
settings; and
    (v) The extent to which the methods of evaluation include the use 
of objective performance measures that are clearly related to the 
intended outcomes of the project and will produce quantitative and 
qualitative data to the extent possible.
    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 
(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.
    4. Risk Assessment and Specific Conditions: Consistent with 2 CFR 
200.205, before awarding grants under

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this competition the Department conducts a review of the risks posed by 
applicants. Under 2 CFR 3474.10, the Secretary may impose specific 
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.
    5. Integrity and Performance System: If you are selected under this 
competition to receive an award that over the course of the project 
period may exceed the simplified acquisition threshold (currently 
$250,000), under 2 CFR 200.205(a)(2) we must make a judgment about your 
integrity, business ethics, and record of performance under Federal 
awards--that is, the risk posed by you as an applicant--before we make 
an award. In doing so, we must consider any information about you that 
is in the integrity and performance system (currently referred to as 
the Federal Awardee Performance and Integrity Information System 
(FAPIIS)), accessible through the System for Award Management. You may 
review and comment on any information about yourself that a Federal 
agency previously entered and that is currently in FAPIIS.
    Please note that, if the total value of your currently active 
grants, cooperative agreements, and procurement contracts from the 
Federal Government exceeds $10,000,000, the reporting requirements in 2 
CFR part 200, Appendix XII, require you to report certain integrity 
information to FAPIIS semiannually. Please review the requirements in 2 
CFR part 200, Appendix XII, if this grant plus all the other Federal 
funds you receive exceed $10,000,000.

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. Open Licensing Requirements: Unless an exception applies, if you 
are awarded a grant under this competition, you will be required to 
openly license to the public grant deliverables created in whole, or in 
part, with Department grant funds. When the deliverable consists of 
modifications to pre-existing works, the license extends only to those 
modifications that can be separately identified and only to the extent 
that open licensing is permitted under the terms of any licenses or 
other legal restrictions on the use of pre-existing works. 
Additionally, a grantee that is awarded competitive grant funds must 
have a plan to disseminate these public grant deliverables. This 
dissemination plan can be developed and submitted after your 
application has been reviewed and selected for funding. For additional 
information on the open licensing requirements please refer to 2 CFR 
3474.20.
    4. 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.
    5. Performance Measures: Under the Government Performance Results 
Modernization Act of 2010, 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 Model Demonstration Projects to Develop Coaching Systems 
under the Technical Assistance and Dissemination to Improve Services 
and Results for Children With Disabilities program. These measures 
are--
     Current Program Performance Measure: The percentage of 
effective evidence-based program models developed by model 
demonstration projects that are promoted to States and their partners 
through the Technical Assistance and Dissemination Network; and
     Pilot Program Performance Measure: The percentage of 
effective program models developed by model demonstration projects that 
are sustained beyond the life of the model demonstration project.
    The current program performance measure and the pilot program 
performance measure apply to projects funded under this competition, 
and grantees 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).
    6. 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. Other Information

    Accessible Format: Individuals with disabilities can obtain this 
document and a copy of the application package in an accessible format 
(e.g., braille, large print, audiotape, or compact disc) on request to 
the program contact person listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION 
CONTACT.
    Electronic Access to This Document: The official version of this 
document is the document published in the Federal

[[Page 12547]]

Register. You may access the official edition of the Federal Register 
and the Code of Federal Regulations at www.govinfo.gov. 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.

Mark Schultz,
Delegated the authority to perform the functions and duties of the 
Assistant Secretary for the Office of Special Education and 
Rehabilitative Services.
[FR Doc. 2020-04316 Filed 3-2-20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4000-01-P