Applications for New Awards; State Personnel Development Grants, 45613-45621 [2020-16549]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 146 (Wednesday, July 29, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Pages 45613-45621]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-16549]


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DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION


Applications for New Awards; State Personnel Development Grants

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 (NIA) for fiscal year (FY) 2020 for the State 
Personnel Development Grants (SPDG) program, Catalog of Federal 
Domestic Assistance (CFDA) number 84.323A. This notice relates to the 
approved information collection under OMB control number 1820-0028.

DATES: 
    Applications Available: July 29, 2020.
    Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: September 10, 2020.
    Pre-Application Webinar Information: No later than August 3, 2020, 
OSERS will post pre-recorded informational webinars designed to provide 
technical assistance to interested applicants. The webinars may be 
found at www2.ed.gov/fund/grant/apply/osep/new-osep-grants.html.

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 this program is to assist State 
educational agencies (SEAs) in reforming and improving their systems 
for personnel preparation and professional development in early 
intervention, educational, and transition services in order to improve 
results for children with disabilities.
    Priorities: This notice contains three absolute priorities. In 
accordance with 34 CFR 75.105(b)(2)(iv), Absolute Priority 1 is from 
the notice of final priorities and definitions published in the Federal 
Register on August 2, 2012 (77 FR 45944) (2012 NFP). Absolute Priority 
2 is from sections 651 through 655 of IDEA, as amended by the Every 
Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). Absolute Priority 3 is from the notice of 
final priority and definitions for this program published elsewhere in 
this issue of the Federal Register (2020 NFP).
    Under this competition, Absolute Priority 3 constitutes its own 
funding category, and the Department intends to award one-third of the 
SPDG grants under this competition to grants under Absolute Priority 3 
provided applications of sufficient quality are submitted. Applications 
will be rank ordered separately for Absolute Priority 3. Therefore, 
applicants must clearly identify if the proposed project addresses 
Absolute Priority 3.
    Absolute Priorities: For FY 2020 and any subsequent year in which 
we make awards from the list of unfunded applications from this 
competition, these priorities are absolute priorities. Applicants must 
address Absolute Priorities 1 and 2. They may also choose to address 
Absolute Priority 3. Under 34 CFR 75.105(c)(3), we consider only 
applications that meet all of the priorities that they choose to 
address.
    These priorities are:
    Absolute Priority 1: Effective and Efficient Delivery of 
Professional Development.
    The Department establishes a priority to assist SEAs in reforming 
and

[[Page 45614]]

improving their systems for personnel (as that term is defined in 
section 651(b) of IDEA) preparation and professional development of 
individuals providing early intervention, educational, and transition 
services in order to improve results for children with disabilities.
    In order to meet this priority, an applicant must demonstrate in 
the SPDG State Plan it submits, as part of its application under 
section 653(a)(2) of IDEA, that its proposed project will--
    (1) Use evidence-based professional development practices that will 
increase implementation of evidence-based practices and result in 
improved outcomes for children with disabilities;
    (2) Provide ongoing assistance to personnel receiving SPDG-
supported professional development that supports the implementation of 
evidence-based practices with fidelity (as defined in this notice); and
    (3) Use technology to more efficiently and effectively provide 
ongoing professional development to personnel, including to personnel 
in rural areas and to other populations, such as personnel in urban or 
high-need local educational agencies (LEAs) (as defined in this 
notice).
    Absolute Priority 2: State Personnel Development Grants.
    Statutory Requirements. To meet this priority, an applicant must 
meet the following statutory requirements:
    1. State Personnel Development Plan.
    An applicant must submit a State Personnel Development Plan that 
identifies and addresses the State and local needs for the personnel 
preparation and professional development of personnel, as well as 
individuals who provide direct supplementary aids and services to 
children with disabilities, and that--
    (a) Is designed to enable the State to meet the requirements of 
section 612(a)(14) of IDEA, as amended by the ESSA and section 
635(a)(8) and (9) of IDEA;
    (b) Is based on an assessment of State and local needs that 
identifies critical aspects and areas in need of improvement related to 
the preparation, ongoing training, and professional development of 
personnel who serve infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and children with 
disabilities within the State, including--
    (1) Current and anticipated personnel vacancies and shortages; and
    (2) The number of preservice and inservice programs;
    (c) Is integrated and aligned, to the maximum extent possible, with 
State plans and activities under the Elementary and Secondary Education 
Act of 1965, as amended (ESEA); the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as 
amended; and the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended (HEA);
    (d) Describes a partnership agreement that is in effect for the 
period of the grant, which agreement must specify--
    (1) The nature and extent of the partnership described in 
accordance with section 652(b) of IDEA and the respective roles of each 
member of the partnership, including, if applicable, an individual, 
entity, or agency other than the SEA that has the responsibility under 
State law for teacher preparation and certification; and
    (2) How the SEA will work with other persons and organizations 
involved in, and concerned with, the education of children with 
disabilities, including the respective roles of each of the persons and 
organizations;
    (e) Describes how the strategies and activities the SEA uses to 
address identified professional development and personnel needs will be 
coordinated with activities supported with other public resources 
(including funds provided under Part B and Part C of IDEA and retained 
for use at the State level for personnel and professional development 
purposes) and private resources;
    (f) Describes how the SEA will align its personnel development plan 
with the plan and application submitted under sections 1111 and 
2101(d), respectively, of the ESEA;
    (g) Describes strategies the SEA will use to address the identified 
professional development and personnel needs and how such strategies 
will be implemented, including--
    (1) A description of the programs and activities that will provide 
personnel with the knowledge and skills to meet the needs of, and 
improve the performance and achievement of, infants, toddlers, 
preschoolers, and children with disabilities; and
    (2) How such strategies will be integrated, to the maximum extent 
possible, with other activities supported by grants funded under 
section 662 of IDEA, as amended by the ESSA;
    (h) Provides an assurance that the SEA will provide technical 
assistance to LEAs to improve the quality of professional development 
available to meet the needs of personnel who serve children with 
disabilities;
    (i) Provides an assurance that the SEA will provide technical 
assistance to entities that provide services to infants and toddlers 
with disabilities to improve the quality of professional development 
available to meet the needs of personnel serving those children;
    (j) Describes how the SEA will recruit and retain teachers who meet 
the qualifications described in section 612(a)(14)(C) of IDEA, as 
amended by the ESSA, and other qualified personnel in geographic areas 
of greatest need;
    (k) Describes the steps the SEA will take to ensure that 
economically disadvantaged and minority children are not taught at 
higher rates by teachers who do not meet the qualifications described 
in section 612(a)(14)(C) of IDEA, as amended by the ESSA; and
    (l) Describes how the SEA will assess, on a regular basis, the 
extent to which the strategies implemented have been effective in 
meeting the performance goals described in section 612(a)(15) of IDEA, 
as amended by the ESSA.
    2. Partnerships.
    (a) Required Partners.
    Applicants must establish a partnership with LEAs and other State 
agencies involved in, or concerned with, the education of children with 
disabilities, including--
    (1) Not less than one institution of higher education (IHE); and
    (2) The State agencies responsible for administering Part C of 
IDEA, early education, child care, and vocational rehabilitation 
programs.
    (b) Other Partners.
    An SEA must work in partnership with other persons and 
organizations involved in, and concerned with, the education of 
children with disabilities, which may include--
    (1) The Governor;
    (2) Parents of children with disabilities ages birth through 26;
    (3) Parents of nondisabled children ages birth through 26;
    (4) Individuals with disabilities;
    (5) Parent training and information centers or community parent 
resource centers funded under sections 671 and 672 of IDEA, 
respectively;
    (6) Community-based and other nonprofit organizations involved in 
the education and employment of individuals with disabilities;
    (7) Personnel as defined in section 651(b) of IDEA;
    (8) The State advisory panel established under Part B of IDEA;
    (9) The State interagency coordinating council established under 
Part C of IDEA;
    (10) Individuals knowledgeable about vocational education;
    (11) The State agency for higher education;
    (12) Public agencies with jurisdiction in the areas of health, 
mental health, social services, and juvenile justice;
    (13) Other providers of professional development who work with 
infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and children with disabilities;

[[Page 45615]]

    (14) Other individuals; and
    (15) An individual, entity, or agency as a partner in accordance 
with section 652(b)(3) of IDEA, if State law assigns responsibility for 
teacher preparation and certification to an individual, entity, or 
agency other than the SEA.
    3. Use of Funds.
    (a) Professional Development Activities--Each SEA that receives a 
grant under this program must use the grant funds to support activities 
in accordance with the State's Personnel Development Plan, including 
one or more of the following:
    (1) Carrying out programs that provide support to both special 
education and regular education teachers of children with disabilities 
and principals, such as programs that--
    (i) Provide teacher mentoring, team teaching, reduced class 
schedules and caseloads, and intensive professional development;
    (ii) Use standards or assessments for guiding beginning teachers 
that are consistent with challenging State academic achievement 
standards and with the requirements for professional development, as 
defined in section 8101 of the ESEA; and
    (iii) Encourage collaborative and consultative models of providing 
early intervention, special education, and related services.
    (2) Encouraging and supporting the training of special education 
and regular education teachers and administrators to effectively use 
and integrate technology--
    (i) Into curricula and instruction, including training to improve 
the ability to collect, manage, and analyze data to improve teaching, 
decision making, school improvement efforts, and accountability;
    (ii) To enhance learning by children with disabilities; and
    (iii) To effectively communicate with parents.
    (3) Providing professional development activities
    that--
    (i) Improve the knowledge of special education and regular 
education teachers concerning--
    (A) The academic and developmental or functional needs of students 
with disabilities; or
    (B) Effective instructional strategies, methods, and skills, and 
the use of State academic content standards and student academic 
achievement standards, and State assessments, to improve teaching 
practices and student academic achievement;
    (ii) Improve the knowledge of special education and regular 
education teachers and principals and, in appropriate cases, 
paraprofessionals, concerning effective instructional practices, and 
that--
    (A) Provide training in how to teach and address the needs of 
children with different learning styles and children who are English 
learners;
    (B) Involve collaborative groups of teachers, administrators, and, 
in appropriate cases, related services personnel;
    (C) Provide training in methods of--
    (I) Positive behavioral interventions and supports to improve 
student behavior in the classroom;
    (II) Scientifically based reading instruction, including early 
literacy instruction;
    (III) Early and appropriate interventions to identify and help 
children with disabilities;
    (IV) Effective instruction for children with low-incidence 
disabilities;
    (V) Successful transitioning to postsecondary opportunities; and
    (VI) Classroom-based techniques to assist children prior to 
referral for special education;
    (D) Provide training to enable personnel to work with and involve 
parents in their child's education, including parents of low income and 
children with disabilities who are English learners;
    (E) Provide training for special education personnel and regular 
education personnel in planning, developing, and implementing effective 
and appropriate individualized education programs (IEPs); and
    (F) Provide training to meet the needs of students with significant 
health, mobility, or behavioral needs prior to serving those students;
    (iii) Train administrators, principals, and other relevant school 
personnel in conducting effective IEP meetings; and
    (iv) Train early intervention, preschool, and related services 
providers, and other relevant school personnel in conducting effective 
individualized family service plan (IFSP) meetings.
    (4) Developing and implementing initiatives to promote the 
recruitment and retention of special education teachers who meet the 
qualifications described in section 612(a)(14)(C) of IDEA, as amended 
by the ESSA, particularly initiatives that have proven effective in 
recruiting and retaining teachers who meet those qualifications, 
described in section 612(a)(14)(C) of IDEA, as amended by the ESSA, 
including programs that provide--
    (i) Teacher mentoring from exemplary special education teachers, 
principals, or superintendents;
    (ii) Induction and support for special education teachers during 
their first three years of employment as teachers; or
    (iii) Incentives, including financial incentives, to retain special 
education teachers who have a record of success in helping students 
with disabilities.
    (5) Carrying out programs and activities that are designed to 
improve the quality of personnel who serve children with disabilities, 
such as--
    (i) Innovative professional development programs (which may be 
provided through partnerships with IHEs), including programs that train 
teachers and principals to integrate technology into curricula and 
instruction to improve teaching, learning, and technology literacy and 
that are consistent with the definition of professional development in 
section 8101 of the ESEA; and
    (ii) The development and use of proven, cost effective strategies 
for the implementation of professional development activities, such as 
through the use of technology and distance learning.
    (6) Carrying out programs and activities that are designed to 
improve the quality of early intervention personnel, including 
paraprofessionals and primary referral sources, such as--
    (i) Professional development programs to improve the delivery of 
early intervention services;
    (ii) Initiatives to promote the recruitment and retention of early 
intervention personnel; and
    (iii) Interagency activities to ensure that early intervention 
personnel are adequately prepared and trained.
    (b) Other Activities--Each SEA that receives a grant under this 
program must use the grant funds to support activities in accordance 
with the State's Personnel Development Plan, including one or more of 
the following:
    (1) Reforming special education and regular education teacher 
certification (including re-certification) or licensing requirements to 
ensure that--
    (i) Special education and regular education teachers have--
    (A) The training and information necessary to address the full 
range of needs of children with disabilities across disability 
categories; and
    (B) The necessary subject matter knowledge and teaching skills in 
the academic subjects that the teachers teach;
    (ii) Special education and regular education teacher certification 
(including re-certification) or licensing requirements are aligned with 
challenging State academic content standards; and
    (iii) Special education and regular education teachers have the 
subject

[[Page 45616]]

matter knowledge and teaching skills, including technology literacy, 
necessary to help students with disabilities meet challenging State 
academic achievement standards.
    (2) Programs that establish, expand, or improve alternative routes 
for State certification of special education teachers for individuals 
with a baccalaureate or master's degree who meet the qualifications 
described in section 612(a)(14)(C)of IDEA, as amended by the ESSA, 
including mid-career professionals from other occupations, 
paraprofessionals, and recent college or university graduates with 
records of academic distinction who demonstrate the potential to become 
highly effective special education teachers.
    (3) Teacher advancement initiatives for special education teachers 
that promote professional growth and emphasize multiple career paths 
(such as paths to becoming a career teacher, mentor teacher, or 
exemplary teacher) and pay differentiation.
    (4) Developing and implementing mechanisms to assist LEAs and 
schools in effectively recruiting and retaining special education 
teachers who meet the qualifications described in section 612(a)(14)(C) 
of IDEA, as amended by the ESSA.
    (5) Reforming tenure systems, implementing teacher testing for 
subject matter knowledge, and implementing teacher testing for State 
certification or licensure, consistent with title II of the HEA (20 
U.S.C. 1021 et seq.).
    (6) Funding projects to promote reciprocity of teacher 
certification or licensing between or among States for special 
education teachers, except that no reciprocity agreement developed 
under this absolute priority may lead to the weakening of any State 
teacher certification or licensing requirement.
    (7) Assisting LEAs to serve children with disabilities through the 
development and use of proven, innovative strategies to deliver 
intensive professional development programs that are both cost 
effective and easily accessible, such as strategies that involve 
delivery through the use of technology, peer networks, and distance 
learning.
    (8) Developing, or assisting LEAs in developing, merit-based 
performance systems and strategies that provide differential and bonus 
pay for special education teachers.
    (9) Supporting activities that ensure that teachers are able to use 
challenging State academic content standards and student academic 
achievement standards, and State assessments for all children with 
disabilities, to improve instructional practices and improve the 
academic achievement of children with disabilities.
    (10) When applicable, coordinating with, and expanding centers 
established under section 2113(c)(18) of the ESEA, as amended by the No 
Child Left Behind Act of 2002, to benefit special education teachers.
    (c) Contracts and Subgrants--An SEA that receives a grant under 
this program--
    (1) Must award contracts or subgrants to LEAs, IHEs, parent 
training and information centers, or community parent resource centers, 
as appropriate, to carry out the State Personnel Development Plan; and
    (2) May award contracts and subgrants to other public and private 
entities, including the lead agency under Part C of IDEA, to carry out 
the State plan.
    (d) Use of Funds for Professional Development--An SEA that receives 
a grant under this program must use--
    (1) Not less than 90 percent of the funds the SEA receives under 
the grant for any fiscal year for the Professional Development 
Activities described in paragraph (a); and
    (2) Not more than 10 percent of the funds the SEA receives under 
the grant for any fiscal year for the Other Activities described in 
paragraph (b).
    Absolute Priority 3: Choice in Professional Development.
    Priority:
    The purpose of this priority is to fund SPDG grants to SEAs that 
empower teachers and other personnel to select professional development 
activities that meet their individual needs to improve results for 
children with disabilities. States will meet the priority if they 
describe in their application how they will develop personalized 
professional development projects to carry out their State plan under 
section 653 of IDEA and implement professional development activities 
that are consistent with the use of funds provisions in section 654 of 
IDEA. This would be accomplished by using funds under the SPDG program 
for stipends or other mechanisms to provide personnel with choice in 
selecting professional development options that will count toward State 
or local professional development requirements, as appropriate, such as 
the number of hours personnel must fill or the competencies they must 
acquire to obtain or retain certification, and that are designed to 
meet their individual needs and thus improve results for children with 
disabilities.
    Application Requirements: For FY 2020 and any subsequent year in 
which we make awards from the list of unfunded applications from this 
competition, the following application requirements apply.
    Applicants must--
    (a) Demonstrate, in the narrative section of the application under 
``Significance,'' how the proposed project will develop personalized 
professional development activities using stipends or other mechanisms 
that provide personnel choice in professional development options 
designed to meet their individual needs and count toward State or local 
professional development requirements and thus improve results for 
children with disabilities;
    (b) Describe how the State will select the individual(s) or groups 
of personnel that will be provided with professional development 
options, including the extent to which applicants will prioritize 
selecting individuals or groups of personnel serving rural children 
with disabilities or disadvantaged children with disabilities, such as 
children from low-income families. If applicable, applicants should 
specify how they will prioritize personnel if demand for professional 
development among the individuals or groups of personnel that the 
applicant proposes to serve exceeds what available funds can support;
    (c) Describe how the State will create a list of approved 
professional development options that meet the requirements of the SPDG 
program. This description should include how the applicant will engage 
with a range of stakeholders, including school administrators, 
personnel serving students with disabilities, families of students with 
disabilities and individuals with disabilities, and other State or 
local agencies serving individuals with disabilities, such as juvenile 
justice agencies, to determine which professional development options 
it will offer. Specifically, professional development options must--
    (1) Use evidence-based (as defined in this notice) professional 
development methods that will increase implementation of evidence-based 
practices and result in improved outcomes for children with 
disabilities;
    (2) Include ongoing assistance that supports the implementation of 
evidence-based practices with fidelity (as defined in this notice); and
    (3) Use technology to more efficiently and effectively provide 
ongoing professional development to personnel, including to personnel 
in rural areas and in urban or high-need local

[[Page 45617]]

educational agencies (LEAs) (as defined in this notice);
    (d) If applicable, describe the steps that personnel would need to 
take to request professional development options not already on a list 
of approved professional development options, the justification that 
personnel would need to provide to demonstrate how the selected options 
would improve results for children with disabilities, and how personnel 
would be notified if their request was approved or disapproved in 
writing and within 14 days; and
    (e) Describe--
    (1) The extent to which the proposed project will use professional 
development practices supported by evidence to support the attainment 
of identified competencies;
    (2) How improvement in implementation of SPDG-supported practices 
over time will be demonstrated by participants in SPDG professional 
development activities;
    (3) The extent to which the proposed project will use SPDG 
professional development funds to provide activities designed to 
sustain the use of SPDG-supported practices;
    (4) How the proposed project will determine whether special 
education teachers who meet the qualifications described in section 
612(a)(14)(C) of IDEA, as amended by the ESSA, that have participated 
in SPDG-supported special education teacher retention activities remain 
as special education teachers two years after their initial 
participation in these activities; and
    (5) How the proposed project will assess whether and to what extent 
the project improves outcomes for children with disabilities.

Additional SPDG Requirements

    Projects funded under this program must--
    (a) Budget for a three-day project directors' meeting in 
Washington, DC, during each year of the project;
    (b) Budget $4,000 annually for support of the SPDG Program website 
currently administered by the University of Oregon 
(www.signetwork.org); and
    (c) If a project receiving assistance under this program authority 
maintains a website, include relevant information and documents in a 
form that meets a government or industry-recognized standard for 
accessibility.
    Definitions:
    The following definitions apply to this competition. We provide the 
source of the definitions in parentheses.
    Evidence-based means the proposed project component is supported by 
one or more of strong evidence, moderate evidence, and promising 
evidence. (34 CFR 77.1)
    Experimental study means a study that is designed to compare 
outcomes between two groups of individuals (such as students) that are 
otherwise equivalent except for their assignment to either a treatment 
group receiving a project component or a control group that does not. 
Randomized controlled trials, regression discontinuity design studies, 
and single-case design studies are the specific types of experimental 
studies that, depending on their design and implementation (e.g., 
sample attrition in randomized controlled trials and regression 
discontinuity design studies), can meet What Works Clearinghouse (WWC) 
standards without reservations as described in the WWC Handbook 
(version 3.0):
    (i) A randomized controlled trial employs random assignment of, for 
example, students, teachers, classrooms, or schools to receive the 
project component being evaluated (the treatment group) or not to 
receive the project component (the control group).
    (ii) A regression discontinuity design study assigns the project 
component being evaluated using a measured variable (e.g., assigning 
students reading below a cutoff score to tutoring or developmental 
education classes) and controls for that variable in the analysis of 
outcomes.
    (iii) A single-case design study uses observations of a single case 
(e.g., a student eligible for a behavioral intervention) over time in 
the absence and presence of a controlled treatment manipulation to 
determine whether the outcome is systematically related to the 
treatment. (34 CFR 77.1)
    Fidelity means the delivery of instruction in the way in which it 
was designed to be delivered. (77 FR 45944)
    High-need LEA means, in accordance with section 2102(3) of the 
ESEA, an LEA--
    (a) That serves not fewer than 10,000 children from families with 
incomes below the poverty line (as that term is defined in section 
8101(41) of the ESEA), or for which not less than 20 percent of the 
children served by the LEA are from families with incomes below the 
poverty line; and
    (b) For which there is (1) a high percentage of teachers not 
teaching in the academic subjects or grade levels that the teachers 
were trained to teach, or (2) a high percentage of teachers with 
emergency, provisional, or temporary certification or licensing.
    Lead agency means the agency designated by the State's Governor 
under section 635(a)(10) of IDEA and 34 CFR 303.120 that receives funds 
under section 643 of IDEA to administer the State's responsibilities 
under part C of IDEA. (34 CFR 303.22)
    Local educational agency (LEA) means a public board of education or 
other public authority legally constituted within a State for either 
administrative control or direction of, or to perform a service 
function for, public elementary schools or secondary schools in a city, 
county, township, school district, or other political subdivision of a 
State, or for such combination of school districts or counties as are 
recognized in a State as an administrative agency for its public 
elementary schools or secondary schools. (Section 602(19) of IDEA (20 
U.S.C. 1401(19)))
    Project component means an activity, strategy, intervention, 
process, product, practice, or policy included in a project. Evidence 
may pertain to an individual project component or to a combination of 
project components (e.g., training teachers on instructional practices 
for English learners and follow-on coaching for these teachers). (34 
CFR 77.1)
    Promising evidence means that there is evidence of the 
effectiveness of a key project component in improving a relevant 
outcome, based on a relevant finding from one of the following--
    (i) A practice guide prepared by WWC reporting a ``strong evidence 
base'' or ``moderate evidence base'' for the corresponding practice 
guide recommendation;
    (ii) An intervention report prepared by the WWC reporting a 
``positive effect'' or ``potentially positive effect'' on a relevant 
outcome with no reporting of a ``negative effect'' or ``potentially 
negative effect'' on a relevant outcome; or
    (iii) A single study assessed by the Department, as appropriate, 
that--
    (A) Is an experimental study, a quasi-experimental design study, or 
a well-designed and well-implemented correlational study with 
statistical controls for selection bias (e.g., a study using regression 
methods to account for differences between a treatment group and a 
comparison group); and
    (B) Includes at least one statistically significant and positive 
(i.e., favorable) effect on a relevant outcome. (34 CFR 77.1)
    Quasi-experimental design study means a study using a design that 
attempts to approximate an experimental study by identifying a 
comparison group that is similar to the treatment group in important 
respects. This type of study, depending on design and implementation 
(e.g., establishment of baseline equivalence of the groups being 
compared), can meet WWC

[[Page 45618]]

standards with reservations, but cannot meet WWC standards without 
reservations, as described in the WWC Handbook. (34 CFR 77.1)
    Relevant outcome means the student outcome(s) or other outcome(s) 
the key project component is designed to improve, consistent with the 
specific goals of the program. (34 CFR 77.1)
    State educational agency means the State board of education or 
other agency or officer primarily responsible for the State supervision 
of public elementary schools and secondary schools, or, if there is no 
such officer or agency, an officer or agency designated by the Governor 
or by State law. (Section 602(32) of IDEA (20 U.S.C. 1401(32)))
    Strong evidence means that there is evidence of the effectiveness 
of a key project component in improving a relevant outcome for a sample 
that overlaps with the populations and settings proposed to receive 
that component, based on a relevant finding from one of the following--
    (i) A practice guide prepared by the WWC using version 2.1 or 3.0 
of the WWC Handbook reporting a ``strong evidence base'' for the 
corresponding practice guide recommendation;
    (ii) An intervention report prepared by the WWC using version 2.1 
or 3.0 of the WWC Handbook reporting a ``positive effect'' on a 
relevant outcome based on a ``medium to large'' extent of evidence, 
with no reporting of a ``negative effect'' or ``potentially negative 
effect'' on a relevant outcome; or
    (iii) A single experimental study reviewed and reported by the WWC 
using version 2.1 or 3.0 of the WWC Handbook, or otherwise assessed by 
the Department using version 3.0 of the WWC Handbook, as appropriate, 
and that--
    (A) Meets WWC standards without reservations;
    (B) Includes at least one statistically significant and positive 
(i.e., favorable) effect on a relevant outcome;
    (C) Includes no overriding statistically significant and negative 
effects on relevant outcomes reported in the study or in a 
corresponding WWC intervention report prepared under version 2.1 or 3.0 
of the WWC Handbook; and
    (D) Is based on a sample from more than one site (e.g., State, 
county, city, school district, or postsecondary campus) and includes at 
least 350 students or other individuals across sites. Multiple studies 
of the same project component that each meet requirements in paragraphs 
(iii)(A), (B), and (C) of this definition may together satisfy this 
requirement. (34 CFR 77.1)
    What Works Clearinghouse Handbook (WWC Handbook) means the 
standards and procedures set forth in the WWC Procedures and Standards 
Handbook, Version 3.0 or Version 2.1 (incorporated by reference, see 34 
CFR 77.2). Study findings eligible for review under WWC standards can 
meet WWC standards without reservations, meet WWC standards with 
reservations, or not meet WWC standards. WWC practice guides and 
intervention reports include findings from systematic reviews of 
evidence as described in the Handbook documentation. (34 CFR 77.1)

    Note: The What Works Clearinghouse Procedures and Standards 
Handbook (Version 3.0), as well as the more recent What Works 
Clearinghouse Handbooks released in October 2017 (Version 4.0) and 
January 2020 (Version 4.1), are available at https://ies.ed.gov/ncee/wwc/Handbooks.


    Program Authority:  20 U.S.C. 1451-1455.

    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. (d) The 2012 NFP. (e) The 2020 NFP.

    Note: The regulations in 34 CFR part 86 apply to IHEs only.


    Note: Projects must be awarded and operated in a manner 
consistent with the nondiscrimination requirements contained in the 
U.S. Constitution and the Federal civil rights laws.

II. Award Information

    Type of Award: Discretionary grants.
    Estimated Available Funds: $11,727,418.
    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: $500,000-$2,100,000 (for the 50 States, 
the District of Columbia, and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico). In the 
case of outlying areas (United States Virgin Islands, Guam, American 
Samoa, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands), awards 
will be not less than $80,000.

    Note: We will set the amount of each award after considering--
    (1) The amount of funds available for making the grants;
    (2) The relative population of the State or outlying area;
    (3) The types of activities proposed by the State or outlying 
area;
    (4) The alignment of proposed activities with section 612(a)(14) 
of IDEA, as amended by the ESSA;
    (5) The alignment of proposed activities with State plans and 
applications submitted under sections 1111 and 2101(d), 
respectively, of the ESEA; and
    (6) The use, as appropriate, of research and instruction 
supported by evidence.

    Estimated Average Size of Awards: $900,000 excluding the outlying 
areas.
    Estimated Number of Awards: 11.

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

    Project Period: Not less than one year and not more than five 
years.

III. Eligibility Information

    1. Eligible Applicants: An SEA of one of the 50 States, the 
District of Columbia, or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico or an outlying 
area (United States Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and the 
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands).

    Note: Public Law 95-134, which permits the consolidation of 
grants to the outlying areas, does not apply to funds received under 
this competition.

    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 Absolute 
Priorities 2 and 3, 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

[[Page 45619]]

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. However, 
under 34 CFR 79.8(a), we waive intergovernmental review in order to 
make awards by the end of FY 2020.
    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 70 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 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 (20 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 extent to which the proposed project is part of a 
comprehensive effort to improve teaching and learning and support 
rigorous academic standards for students.
    (ii) The extent to which specific gaps or weaknesses in services, 
infrastructure, or opportunities have been identified and will be 
addressed by the proposed project, including the nature and magnitude 
of those gaps or weaknesses.
    (iii) The extent to which the training or professional development 
services to be provided by the proposed project are of sufficient 
quality, intensity, and duration to lead to improvements in practice 
among the recipients of those services.
    (iv) The likelihood that the proposed project will result in system 
change or improvement.
    (b) Quality of the project design (25 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 is 
appropriate to, and will successfully address, the needs of the target 
population or other identified needs.
    (iii) The extent to which the services to be provided by the 
proposed project involve the collaboration of appropriate partners for 
maximizing the effectiveness of project services.
    (iv) The extent to which the design of the proposed project 
reflects up-to-date knowledge from research and effective practice.
    (v) The extent to which the proposed project will establish 
linkages with other appropriate agencies and organizations providing 
services to the target population.
    (c) Quality of the project personnel (10 points).
    (1) The Secretary considers the quality of the personnel who will 
carry out the proposed project.
    (2) In determining the quality of project personnel, the Secretary 
considers the extent to which the applicant encourages applications for 
employment from persons who are members of groups that have 
traditionally been underrepresented based on race, color, national 
origin, gender, age, or disability.
    (3) In addition, the Secretary considers the following factors:
    (i) The qualifications, including relevant training and experience, 
of the project director or principal investigator.
    (ii) The qualifications, including relevant training and 
experience, of key project personnel.
    (d) Adequacy of resources and management plan (20 points).
    (1) The Secretary considers the adequacy of resources and 
management plan for the proposed project.
    (2) In determining the adequacy of resources for the proposed 
project, the Secretary considers the following factors:
    (i) The relevance and demonstrated commitment of each partner in 
the proposed project to the implementation and success of the project.
    (ii) The extent to which the budget is adequate to support the 
proposed project.
    (iii) 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.
    (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 potential for continued support of the project after 
Federal funding ends, including, as appropriate, the demonstrated 
commitment of appropriate entities to such support.
    (e) 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 are appropriate 
to the context within which the project operates.
    (iii) The extent to which the methods of evaluation provide for 
examining the effectiveness of project implementation strategies.
    (iv) The extent to which the methods of evaluation include the use 
of

[[Page 45620]]

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.
    (v) The extent to which the evaluation will provide guidance about 
effective strategies suitable for replication or testing in other 
settings.
    (vi) The extent to which the methods of evaluation will provide 
performance feedback and permit periodic assessment of progress toward 
achieving intended outcomes.
    (vii) The extent to which the evaluation plan clearly articulates 
the key project components, mediators, and outcomes, as well as a 
measurable threshold for acceptable implementation.
    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 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 or subgrantee 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.
    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

[[Page 45621]]

yield information on various aspects of the effectiveness and quality 
of the SPDG Program. These measures assess the extent to which--
     Projects use professional development practices supported 
by evidence to support the attainment of identified competencies;
     Participants in SPDG professional development demonstrate 
improvement in implementation of SPDG-supported practices over time;
     Projects use SPDG professional development funds to 
provide activities designed to sustain the use of SPDG-supported 
practices;
     Special education teachers who meet the qualifications 
described in section 612(a)(14)(C) of IDEA, as amended by the ESSA, and 
who have participated in SPDG-supported special education teacher 
retention activities remain as special education teachers two years 
after their initial participation in these activities; and
     Projects improve outcomes for children with disabilities.
    Each grantee funded under this competition must collect and 
annually report data related to its performance on these measures in 
the project's annual and final performance report to the Department in 
accordance with section 653(d) of IDEA and 34 CFR 75.590. Applicants 
should discuss in the application narrative how they propose to collect 
performance data for these measures.
    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 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,
Commissioner, Rehabilitation Services Administration. Delegated the 
authority to perform the functions and duties of the Assistant 
Secretary for the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative 
Services.
[FR Doc. 2020-16549 Filed 7-27-20; 4:15 pm]
BILLING CODE 4000-01-P