Applications for New Awards; High School Equivalency Program, 74707-74712 [2020-25892]
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Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 226 / Monday, November 23, 2020 / Notices
sound capacity to provide reliable data
on the GPRA measures, including the
project’s annual performance targets for
addressing the GPRA performance
measures, as is required by the OMBapproved annual performance report
that is included in the application
package. All grantees will be required to
submit, as part of their annual
performance report, information with
respect to these GPRA performance
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: On request to the
program contact person listed under FOR
FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT,
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), to the
extent reasonably practicable.
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
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You may also access documents of the
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Specifically, through the advanced
search feature at this site, you can limit
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your search to documents published by
the Department.
Frank T. Brogan,
Assistant Secretary for Elementary and
Secondary Education.
[FR Doc. 2020–25891 Filed 11–20–20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4000–01–P
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
Applications for New Awards; High
School Equivalency Program
Office of Elementary and
Secondary Education, Department of
Education.
ACTION: Notice.
AGENCY:
The Department of Education
(Department) is issuing a notice inviting
applications for fiscal year (FY) 2021 for
the High School Equivalency Program
(HEP), Assistance Listing Number
84.141A. This notice relates to the
approved information collection under
OMB control number 1894–0006.
DATES:
Applications Available: November 27,
2020.
Deadline for Transmittal of
Applications: January 22, 2021.
Deadline for Intergovernmental
Review: March 23, 2021.
Pre-Application Webinar Information:
The Department will hold preapplication workshops via webinar for
prospective applicants on Monday,
November 30, 1:30 p.m. Eastern Time.
We will repeat the webinar on Tuesday,
December 1, 1:30 p.m. Eastern Time.
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-201902-13/pdf/2019-02206.pdf.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Steven Carr, U.S. Department of
Education, 400 Maryland Avenue SW,
Room 3E321, Washington, DC 20202.
Telephone: (202) 260–2067. Email:
steven.carr@ed.gov.
If you use a telecommunications
device for the deaf (TDD) or a text
telephone (TTY), call the Federal Relay
Service (FRS), toll free, at 1–800–877–
8339.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
SUMMARY:
Full Text of Announcement
I. Funding Opportunity Description
Purpose of Program: The HEP is
designed to assist migratory or seasonal
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74707
farmworkers (or immediate family
members of such workers) to obtain the
equivalent of a secondary school
diploma and subsequently to gain
improved employment, enter into
military service, or be placed in an
institution of higher education (IHE) or
other postsecondary education or
training.
Priorities: This competition includes
two competitive preference priorities
and two invitational priorities.
Competitive Preference Priority 1 is
from the Secretary’s Final Supplemental
Priorities and Definitions for
Discretionary Grant Programs
(Supplemental Priorities) published in
the Federal Register on March 2, 2018
(83 FR 9096). In accordance with 34
CFR 75.105(b)(2)(iv), Competitive
Preference Priority 2 is from section
418A(e) of the Higher Education Act of
1965, as amended (HEA) (20 U.S.C.
1070d–2(e)). The purpose of HEP aligns
with priority 9(c) of the Supplemental
Priorities, which promotes projects
aimed at creating or supporting
alternative paths to a regular high
school diploma (as defined in section
8101(43) of the Elementary and
Secondary Education Act of 1965, as
amended) for students whose
environments outside of school,
disengagement with a traditional
curriculum, homelessness, or other
challenges make it more difficult for
them to complete an educational
program.
Competitive Preference Priorities: For
FY 2021 and any subsequent year in
which we make awards from the list of
unfunded applications from this
competition, these priorities are
competitive preference priorities. Under
34 CFR 75.105(c)(2)(i) we award up to
an additional 5 points to an application
for Competitive Preference Priority 1
and up to an additional 15 points to an
application for Competitive Preference
Priority 2, depending on how well the
application meets these priorities.
These priorities are:
Competitive Preference Priority 1—
Fostering Flexible and Affordable Paths
to Obtaining Knowledge and Skills. (Up
to 5 points)
Projects that are designed to address
improving collaboration between
education providers and employers to
ensure student learning objectives are
aligned with the skills or knowledge
required for employment in in-demand
industry sectors or occupations (as
defined in section 3(23) of the
Workforce Innovation and Opportunity
Act of 2014).
Note: Applicants that address
Competitive Preference Priority 1 must
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do so under selection criterion (b)
‘‘Quality of the project design.’’
Competitive Preference Priority 2—
Consideration of Prior Experience. (Up
to 15 points)
Projects that are expiring (current HEP
grantees in their final budget period)
will be considered for additional points
under Competitive Preference Priority 2.
In accordance with section 418A(e) of
the HEA, the Department will award up
to 15 points for this priority. In
accordance with 34 CFR 206.31, the
Secretary will consider the applicant’s
prior experience in implementing its
expiring HEP project, based on
information that includes the number of
HEP participants served; the percentage
of HEP participants exiting the program
having received a High School
Equivalency (HSE) diploma; the
percentage of HSE diploma recipients
who enter postsecondary education or
training programs, upgraded
employment, or the military; and the
extent to which the applicant met
administrative requirements.
Note: Competitive Preference Priority
2 applies to expiring projects (current
HEP grantees in their final budget
period) that received their current HEP
award in FY 2016.
Invitational Priorities: For FY 2021
and any subsequent year in which we
make awards from the list of unfunded
applications from this competition,
these priorities are invitational
priorities. Under 34 CFR 75.105(c)(1) we
do not give an application that meets
these invitational priorities a
competitive or absolute preference over
other applications.
These priorities are:
Invitational Priority 1—New Potential
Grantees
Projects proposed by ‘‘new potential
grantees.’’ For the purposes of this
priority, a new potential grantee is any
applicant that has never received a grant
or subgrant under HEP.
Note: Prospective applicants,
including new potential grantees, for the
Department’s discretionary grant
programs that have never received a
grant from the Department and those
that are interested in learning more
about the process may refer to the
following resources:
https://www2.ed.gov/documents/
funding-101/funding-101-basics.pdf
https://www2.ed.gov/documents/
funding-101/funding-101.pdf
Invitational Priority 2—Support for
Remote Learning
Projects designed to adopt and
support models that leverage technology
(e.g., universal design for learning,
competency-based education, or hybrid/
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blended learning) and provide highquality digital learning content,
application, and tools. Remote learning
means programming where at least part
of the learning occurs away from the
physical building in a manner that
addresses a learner’s educational needs.
Remote learning may include online,
hybrid/blended learning, or nontechnology-based learning (e.g., lab kits,
project supplies, paper packets).
Competency-based education (also
called proficiency-based or masterbased learning) means learning based on
knowledge and skills that are
transparent and measurable. Progression
is based on demonstrated mastery of
what students are expected to know
(knowledge) and be able to do (skills),
rather than seat time or age.
Definitions: The definitions of
‘‘migrant farmworker’’ and ‘‘seasonal
farmworker’’ are from 34 CFR 206.5.
The definitions of ‘‘demonstrates a
rationale,’’ ‘‘experimental study,’’ ‘‘logic
model,’’ ‘‘project component,’’
‘‘promising evidence,’’ ‘‘quasiexperimental design study,’’ and ‘‘What
Works Clearinghouse Handbooks (WWC
Handbooks)’’ are from 34 CFR 77.1. The
definition of ‘‘in-demand industry
sector or occupation’’ is from Section
3(23) of the Workforce Innovation and
Opportunity Act of 2014 (WIOA).
Demonstrates a rationale means a key
project component included in the
project’s logic model is informed by
research or evaluation findings that
suggest the project component is likely
to improve relevant outcomes.
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 Handbooks:
(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
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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.
In-demand industry sector or
occupation means (i) an industry sector
that has a substantial current or
potential impact (including through jobs
that lead to economic self-sufficiency
and opportunities for advancement) on
the State, regional, or local economy, as
appropriate, and that contributes to the
growth or stability of other supporting
businesses, or the growth of other
industry sectors; or (ii) an occupation
that currently has or is projected to have
a number of positions (including
positions that lead to economic selfsufficiency and opportunities for
advancement) in an industry sector so
as to have a significant impact on the
State, regional, or local economy, as
appropriate.
The determination of whether an
industry sector or occupation is indemand under this definition shall be
made by the State board or local board,
as appropriate, using State and regional
business and labor market projections,
including the use of labor market
information.
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.
Migrant farmworker means a seasonal
farmworker—as defined in this notice—
whose employment required travel that
precluded the farmworker from
returning to his or her domicile
(permanent place of residence) within
the same day.
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).
Promising evidence means that there
is evidence of the effectiveness of a key
project component in improving a
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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 quasiexperimental design study, or a welldesigned 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.
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
standards with reservations, but cannot
meet WWC standards without
reservations, as described in the WWC
Handbook.
Seasonal farmworker means a person
whose primary employment was in
farmwork on a temporary or seasonal
basis (that is, not a constant year-round
activity) for a period of at least 75 days
within the past 24 months.
What Works Clearinghouse
Handbooks (WWC Handbooks) means
the standards and procedures set forth
in the WWC Standards Handbook,
Versions 4.0 or 4.1, and WWC
Procedures Handbook, Versions 4.0 or
4.1, or in the WWC Procedures and
Standards Handbook, Version 3.0 or
Version 2.1 (all incorporated by
reference, see § 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 WWC
Handbooks documentation.
Program Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1070d–
2.
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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 (OMB) 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
regulations for this program in 34 CFR
part 206. (e) The Migrant Education
Program (MEP) definitions in 34 CFR
200.81. (f) The National Farmworker
Jobs Program (NFJP) definitions in 20
CFR 685.110 and eligibility regulations
in 20 CFR 685.320. (g) The
Supplemental Priorities.
Note: The regulations in 34 CFR part
86 apply to IHEs only.
Note: The MEP definitions and NFJP
definitions and eligibility regulations
apply to individuals seeking to qualify
for HEP based on past participation in
the MEP or NFJP.
II. Award Information
Type of Award: Discretionary grants.
Estimated Available Funds: The
Administration’s budget request for FY
2021 does not include funds for this
program. However, we are inviting
applications to allow enough time to
complete the grant process before the
end of the current fiscal year, if
Congress appropriates funds for this
program.
Contingent upon the availability of
funds and the quality of applications,
we may make additional awards in
subsequent years from the list of
unfunded applications from this
competition.
Estimated Range of Awards:
$180,000–$475,000.
Estimated Average Size of Awards:
$470,000.
Maximum Award: The Department
will not make an award exceeding
$475,000 for a single budget period of
12 months. Under 34 CFR 75.104(b) the
Secretary may reject without
consideration or evaluation any
application that proposes a project
funding level that exceeds the stated
maximum award amount.
Minimum Award: The Department
will not make an award for less than the
amount of $180,000 for a single budget
period of 12 months. Under section
418A of the HEA, the Secretary is
prohibited from making an award for
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less than the stated award amount.
Therefore, we will reject any application
that proposes a HEP award that is less
than the stated minimum award
amount.
Note: This approach is intended to
promote fairness and transparency in
the competitive process.
Estimated Number of Awards: 14.
Note: The Department is not bound by
any estimates in this notice.
Project Period: Up to 60 months (five
12-month budget periods). Under
section 418(e) of the HEA, except under
extraordinary circumstances, the
Secretary must award grants for a fiveyear period. Under 34 CFR 75.117(b),
applicants must submit a budget
narrative accompanied by a budget form
prescribed by the Secretary that
provides budget information for each
budget period of the proposed project
period. Therefore, we may reject any
application that does not propose a fiveyear project period as reflected on the
applicant’s ED 524 form, Section A and
budget narrative form, submitted as a
part of the application.
III. Eligibility Information
1. Eligible Applicants: An IHE or a
private nonprofit organization may
apply for a grant to operate a HEP
project. If a private nonprofit
organization other than an IHE applies
for a HEP grant, that agency must plan
the project in cooperation with an IHE
and must propose to operate some
aspects of the project with the facilities
of that IHE.
Note: IHE has the meaning given it in
sections 101 and 102 of the HEA.
Note: The definitions for ‘‘private’’
and ‘‘nonprofit’’ are in 34 CFR 77.1.
Note: If you are a nonprofit
organization, under 34 CFR 75.51, you
may demonstrate your nonprofit status
by providing: (1) Proof that the Internal
Revenue Service currently recognizes
the applicant as an organization to
which contributions are tax deductible
under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal
Revenue Code; (2) a statement from a
State taxing body or the State attorney
general certifying that the organization
is a nonprofit organization operating
within the State and that no part of its
net earnings may lawfully benefit any
private shareholder or individual; (3) a
certified copy of the applicant’s
certificate of incorporation or similar
document if it clearly establishes the
nonprofit status of the applicant; or (4)
any item described above if that item
applies to a State or national parent
organization, together with a statement
by the State or parent organization that
the applicant is a local nonprofit
affiliate.
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2.a. Cost Sharing or Matching: This
competition does not require cost
sharing or matching. However,
consistent with 34 CFR 75.700, which
requires an applicant to comply with its
approved application, an applicant that
proposes non-Federal matching funds
and is awarded a grant must provide
those funds for each year that the funds
are proposed.
b. Indirect Cost Rate Information: This
program uses a training indirect cost
rate. This limits indirect cost
reimbursement to an entity’s actual
indirect costs, as determined in its
negotiated indirect cost rate agreement,
or eight percent of a modified total
direct cost base, whichever amount is
less. For more information regarding
training indirect cost rates, see 34 CFR
75.562. For more information regarding
indirect costs, or to obtain a negotiated
indirect cost rate, please see
www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocfo/
intro.html.
c. Administrative Cost Limitation:
This program does not include any
program-specific limitation on
administrative expenses. All
administrative expenses must be
reasonable and necessary and conform
to Cost Principles described in 2 CFR
part 200 subpart E of the Uniform
Guidance.
3. Subgrantees: Under 34 CFR
75.708(b) and (c) a grantee under this
competition may award subgrants—to
directly carry out project activities
described in its application—to the
following types of entities: IHEs and
nonprofit organizations. The grantee
may award subgrants to entities it has
identified in an approved application or
that it selects through a competition
under procedures established by the
grantee.
4. Other: Projects funded under this
competition must budget for a three-day
Office of Migrant Education annual
meeting for HEP Directors in the
Washington, DC area during each year
of the project period. Such expenses are
allowable uses of grant funds and may
be included in the proposed project
budget. This meeting may be held
virtually if conditions warrant such
format.
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,
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which contain requirements and
information on how to submit an
application.
2. Submission of Proprietary
Information: Given the types of projects
that may be proposed in applications for
HEP, your application may include
business information that you consider
proprietary. In 34 CFR 5.11 we define
‘‘business information’’ and describe the
process we use in determining whether
any of that information is proprietary
and, thus, protected from disclosure
under Exemption 4 of the Freedom of
Information Act (5 U.S.C. 552, as
amended).
Because we plan to make successful
applications available to the public, you
may wish to request confidentiality of
business information.
Consistent with Executive Order
12600, please designate in your
application any information that you
believe is exempt from disclosure under
Exemption 4. In the appropriate
Appendix section of your application,
under ‘‘Other Attachments Form,’’
please list the page number or numbers
on which we can find this information.
For additional information please see 34
CFR 5.11(c).
3. 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.
4. Funding Restrictions: We reference
regulations outlining funding
restrictions in the Applicable
Regulations section of this notice.
5. Recommended Page Limit: The
application narrative 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 25 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,
references, and captions, as well as all
text in charts, tables, figures, and
graphs.
• Use a font that is either 12 point or
larger or no smaller than 10 pitch
(characters per inch).
• Use one of the following fonts:
Times New Roman, Courier, Courier
New, or Arial.
The recommended page limit does not
apply to the cover sheet; the budget
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section, including the narrative budget
justification; the assurances and
certifications; or the one-page abstract,
the resumes, the bibliography, or the
letters of support. However, the
recommended page limit does apply to
all of the application narrative. An
application will not be disqualified if it
exceeds the recommended page limit.
V. Application Review Information
1. Selection Criteria: The selection
criteria for this competition are from 34
CFR 75.210 and are as follows:
(a) Need for project. (Up to 10 points)
(1) The Secretary considers the need
for the proposed project.
(2) In determining the need for the
proposed project, the Secretary
considers the magnitude of the need for
the services to be provided or the
activities to be carried out by the
proposed project. (Up to 10 points)
(b) Quality of the project design. (Up
to 24 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. (Up to 7
points)
(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. (Up to 5 points)
(iii) The extent to which the proposed
project will establish linkages with
other appropriate agencies and
organizations providing services to the
target population. (Up to 5 points)
(iv) The extent to which the proposed
project demonstrates a rationale (as
defined in this notice). (Up to 7 points)
(c) Quality of project services. (Up to
24 points)
(1) The Secretary considers the
quality of the services to be provided by
the proposed project.
(2) In determining the quality of the
services to be provided by the proposed
project, the Secretary considers the
quality and sufficiency of strategies for
ensuring equal access and treatment for
eligible project participants who are
members of groups that have
traditionally been underrepresented
based on race, color, national origin,
gender, age, or disability. (Up to 3
points)
(3) In addition, the Secretary
considers the following factors:
(i) The extent to which the services to
be provided by the proposed project are
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appropriate to the needs of the intended
recipients or beneficiaries of those
services. (Up to 7 points)
(ii) 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. (Up to
7 points)
(iii) The likely impact of the services
to be provided by the proposed project
on the intended recipients of those
services. (Up to 7 points)
(d) Quality of project personnel. (Up
to 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. (Up to 3
points)
(3) In addition, the Secretary
considers the qualifications, including
relevant training and experience, of key
project personnel. (Up to 7 points)
(e) Adequacy of resources. (Up to 12
points)
(1) The Secretary considers the
adequacy of resources for the proposed
project.
(2) In determining the adequacy of
resources 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. (Up to 4 points)
(ii) The relevance and demonstrated
commitment of each partner in the
proposed project to the implementation
and success of the project. (Up to 4
points)
(iii) The extent to which the costs are
reasonable in relation to the objectives,
design, and potential significance of the
proposed project. (Up to 4 points)
(f) Quality of the project evaluation.
(Up to 20 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. (Up
to 10 points)
(ii) The extent to which the methods
of evaluation will provide performance
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feedback and permit periodic
assessment of progress toward achieving
intended outcomes. (Up to 5 points)
(iii) The extent to which the methods
of evaluation will, if well implemented,
produce promising evidence (as defined
in this notice) about the project’s
effectiveness. (Up to 5 points)
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)(ii), 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).
Additional factors we consider in
selecting an application for an award are
in section 418A of the HEA. In
accordance with section 418A, the
Secretary makes HEP awards based on
the number, quality, and promise of the
applications. Additionally, in
accordance with section 418A, if final
FY 2021 HEP and College Assistance
Migrant Program appropriations exceed
$40,000,000, the Secretary will consider
the need to provide an equitable
geographic distribution of HEP awards.
The Secretary may consider the need to
provide equitable geographic
distribution of HEP awards when—
1. Two or more applicants receive the
same score at the funding cutoff for this
competition,
2. The Secretary determines that a
geographic region is overserved by
current HEP projects,
3. The Secretary determines that a
geographic region is underserved by
current HEP projects, or
4. Two or more applicants propose to
operate similar HEP projects in the same
geographical region.
When evaluating a potentially
overserved or underserved geographic
region, the Secretary may consider
factors such as migrant or seasonal
farmworker population data for a State
or region, approximate distance between
current and proposed projects, the type
of entity of the current or proposed
project (e.g., private nonprofit
organization, 2-year IHE, 4-year IHE),
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74711
and the number of students proposed to
be served by the current or proposed
HEP project.
3. 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.
4. 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
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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: For the
purposes of the Government
Performance and Results Act of 1993
(GPRA) and reporting under 34 CFR
75.110, the Department developed the
following performance measures to
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evaluate the overall effectiveness of
HEP: (1) The percentage of HEP
participants exiting the program having
received a HSE diploma (GPRA 1), and
(2) the percentage of HSE diploma
recipients who enter postsecondary
education or training programs,
upgraded employment, or the military
(GPRA 2).
Applicants must propose annual
targets for these measures and establish
annual student enrollment targets in
their applications. Applicants should
identify these targets within their
application abstracts. The national
target for GPRA 1 for FY 2021 is that 69
percent of HEP participants exit the
program having received an HSE
credential. The national target for GPRA
2 for FY 2021 is that 80 percent of HEP
HSE diploma recipients will enter
postsecondary education or training
programs, upgraded employment, or the
military. The national targets for
subsequent years may be adjusted based
on additional baseline data. Peer
reviewers evaluate how well applicants
propose to meet their application’s goals
and objectives. Peer reviewers will score
related selection criteria on the basis of
how well an applicant addresses these
GPRA measures in addition to any other
goals and objectives included in the
application. Therefore, applicants will
want to consider how to demonstrate a
sound capacity to provide reliable data
on the GPRA measures, including the
project’s annual performance targets for
addressing the GPRA performance
measures, as is required by the OMBapproved annual performance report
that is included in the application
package. All grantees will be required to
submit, as part of their annual
performance report, information with
respect to these GPRA performance
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
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from the Department (34 CFR 100.4,
104.5, 106.4, 108.8, and 110.23).
VII. Other Information
Accessible Format: On request to the
program contact person listed under FOR
FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT,
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), to the
extent reasonably practicable.
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.
Frank T. Brogan,
Assistant Secretary for Elementary and
Secondary Education.
[FR Doc. 2020–25892 Filed 11–20–20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4000–01–P
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
[Docket No.: ED–2020–SCC–0132]
Agency Information Collection
Activities; Submission to the Office of
Management and Budget for Review
and Approval; Comment Request;
Report of the Randolph-Sheppard
Vending Facility Program
Office of Special Education and
Rehabilitation Services (OSERS),
Department of Education (ED).
ACTION: Notice.
AGENCY:
In accordance with the
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, ED is
proposing a revision of a currently
approved collection.
DATES: Interested persons are invited to
submit comments on or before
December 23, 2020.
ADDRESSES: Written comments and
recommendations for proposed
information collection requests should
be sent within 30 days of publication of
SUMMARY:
E:\FR\FM\23NON1.SGM
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Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 226 (Monday, November 23, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Pages 74707-74712]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-25892]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
Applications for New Awards; High School Equivalency Program
AGENCY: Office of Elementary and Secondary Education, Department of
Education.
ACTION: Notice.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The Department of Education (Department) is issuing a notice
inviting applications for fiscal year (FY) 2021 for the High School
Equivalency Program (HEP), Assistance Listing Number 84.141A. This
notice relates to the approved information collection under OMB control
number 1894-0006.
DATES:
Applications Available: November 27, 2020.
Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: January 22, 2021.
Deadline for Intergovernmental Review: March 23, 2021.
Pre-Application Webinar Information: The Department will hold pre-
application workshops via webinar for prospective applicants on Monday,
November 30, 1:30 p.m. Eastern Time. We will repeat the webinar on
Tuesday, December 1, 1:30 p.m. Eastern Time.
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: Steven Carr, U.S. Department of
Education, 400 Maryland Avenue SW, Room 3E321, Washington, DC 20202.
Telephone: (202) 260-2067. 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 HEP is designed to assist migratory or
seasonal farmworkers (or immediate family members of such workers) to
obtain the equivalent of a secondary school diploma and subsequently to
gain improved employment, enter into military service, or be placed in
an institution of higher education (IHE) or other postsecondary
education or training.
Priorities: This competition includes two competitive preference
priorities and two invitational priorities. Competitive Preference
Priority 1 is from the Secretary's Final Supplemental Priorities and
Definitions for Discretionary Grant Programs (Supplemental Priorities)
published in the Federal Register on March 2, 2018 (83 FR 9096). In
accordance with 34 CFR 75.105(b)(2)(iv), Competitive Preference
Priority 2 is from section 418A(e) of the Higher Education Act of 1965,
as amended (HEA) (20 U.S.C. 1070d-2(e)). The purpose of HEP aligns with
priority 9(c) of the Supplemental Priorities, which promotes projects
aimed at creating or supporting alternative paths to a regular high
school diploma (as defined in section 8101(43) of the Elementary and
Secondary Education Act of 1965, as amended) for students whose
environments outside of school, disengagement with a traditional
curriculum, homelessness, or other challenges make it more difficult
for them to complete an educational program.
Competitive Preference Priorities: For FY 2021 and any subsequent
year in which we make awards from the list of unfunded applications
from this competition, these priorities are competitive preference
priorities. Under 34 CFR 75.105(c)(2)(i) we award up to an additional 5
points to an application for Competitive Preference Priority 1 and up
to an additional 15 points to an application for Competitive Preference
Priority 2, depending on how well the application meets these
priorities.
These priorities are:
Competitive Preference Priority 1--Fostering Flexible and
Affordable Paths to Obtaining Knowledge and Skills. (Up to 5 points)
Projects that are designed to address improving collaboration
between education providers and employers to ensure student learning
objectives are aligned with the skills or knowledge required for
employment in in-demand industry sectors or occupations (as defined in
section 3(23) of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act of 2014).
Note: Applicants that address Competitive Preference Priority 1
must
[[Page 74708]]
do so under selection criterion (b) ``Quality of the project design.''
Competitive Preference Priority 2--Consideration of Prior
Experience. (Up to 15 points)
Projects that are expiring (current HEP grantees in their final
budget period) will be considered for additional points under
Competitive Preference Priority 2. In accordance with section 418A(e)
of the HEA, the Department will award up to 15 points for this
priority. In accordance with 34 CFR 206.31, the Secretary will consider
the applicant's prior experience in implementing its expiring HEP
project, based on information that includes the number of HEP
participants served; the percentage of HEP participants exiting the
program having received a High School Equivalency (HSE) diploma; the
percentage of HSE diploma recipients who enter postsecondary education
or training programs, upgraded employment, or the military; and the
extent to which the applicant met administrative requirements.
Note: Competitive Preference Priority 2 applies to expiring
projects (current HEP grantees in their final budget period) that
received their current HEP award in FY 2016.
Invitational Priorities: For FY 2021 and any subsequent year in
which we make awards from the list of unfunded applications from this
competition, these priorities are invitational priorities. Under 34 CFR
75.105(c)(1) we do not give an application that meets these
invitational priorities a competitive or absolute preference over other
applications.
These priorities are:
Invitational Priority 1--New Potential Grantees
Projects proposed by ``new potential grantees.'' For the purposes
of this priority, a new potential grantee is any applicant that has
never received a grant or subgrant under HEP.
Note: Prospective applicants, including new potential grantees, for
the Department's discretionary grant programs that have never received
a grant from the Department and those that are interested in learning
more about the process may refer to the following resources:
https://www2.ed.gov/documents/funding-101/funding-101-basics.pdf
https://www2.ed.gov/documents/funding-101/funding-101.pdf
Invitational Priority 2--Support for Remote Learning
Projects designed to adopt and support models that leverage
technology (e.g., universal design for learning, competency-based
education, or hybrid/blended learning) and provide high-quality digital
learning content, application, and tools. Remote learning means
programming where at least part of the learning occurs away from the
physical building in a manner that addresses a learner's educational
needs. Remote learning may include online, hybrid/blended learning, or
non-technology-based learning (e.g., lab kits, project supplies, paper
packets). Competency-based education (also called proficiency-based or
master-based learning) means learning based on knowledge and skills
that are transparent and measurable. Progression is based on
demonstrated mastery of what students are expected to know (knowledge)
and be able to do (skills), rather than seat time or age.
Definitions: The definitions of ``migrant farmworker'' and
``seasonal farmworker'' are from 34 CFR 206.5. The definitions of
``demonstrates a rationale,'' ``experimental study,'' ``logic model,''
``project component,'' ``promising evidence,'' ``quasi-experimental
design study,'' and ``What Works Clearinghouse Handbooks (WWC
Handbooks)'' are from 34 CFR 77.1. The definition of ``in-demand
industry sector or occupation'' is from Section 3(23) of the Workforce
Innovation and Opportunity Act of 2014 (WIOA).
Demonstrates a rationale means a key project component included in
the project's logic model is informed by research or evaluation
findings that suggest the project component is likely to improve
relevant outcomes.
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 Handbooks:
(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.
In-demand industry sector or occupation means (i) an industry
sector that has a substantial current or potential impact (including
through jobs that lead to economic self-sufficiency and opportunities
for advancement) on the State, regional, or local economy, as
appropriate, and that contributes to the growth or stability of other
supporting businesses, or the growth of other industry sectors; or (ii)
an occupation that currently has or is projected to have a number of
positions (including positions that lead to economic self-sufficiency
and opportunities for advancement) in an industry sector so as to have
a significant impact on the State, regional, or local economy, as
appropriate.
The determination of whether an industry sector or occupation is
in-demand under this definition shall be made by the State board or
local board, as appropriate, using State and regional business and
labor market projections, including the use of labor market
information.
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.
Migrant farmworker means a seasonal farmworker--as defined in this
notice--whose employment required travel that precluded the farmworker
from returning to his or her domicile (permanent place of residence)
within the same day.
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).
Promising evidence means that there is evidence of the
effectiveness of a key project component in improving a
[[Page 74709]]
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.
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 standards with reservations, but cannot meet
WWC standards without reservations, as described in the WWC Handbook.
Seasonal farmworker means a person whose primary employment was in
farmwork on a temporary or seasonal basis (that is, not a constant
year-round activity) for a period of at least 75 days within the past
24 months.
What Works Clearinghouse Handbooks (WWC Handbooks) means the
standards and procedures set forth in the WWC Standards Handbook,
Versions 4.0 or 4.1, and WWC Procedures Handbook, Versions 4.0 or 4.1,
or in the WWC Procedures and Standards Handbook, Version 3.0 or Version
2.1 (all incorporated by reference, see Sec. 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 WWC
Handbooks documentation.
Program Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1070d-2.
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 (OMB)
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 regulations
for this program in 34 CFR part 206. (e) The Migrant Education Program
(MEP) definitions in 34 CFR 200.81. (f) The National Farmworker Jobs
Program (NFJP) definitions in 20 CFR 685.110 and eligibility
regulations in 20 CFR 685.320. (g) The Supplemental Priorities.
Note: The regulations in 34 CFR part 86 apply to IHEs only.
Note: The MEP definitions and NFJP definitions and eligibility
regulations apply to individuals seeking to qualify for HEP based on
past participation in the MEP or NFJP.
II. Award Information
Type of Award: Discretionary grants.
Estimated Available Funds: The Administration's budget request for
FY 2021 does not include funds for this program. However, we are
inviting applications to allow enough time to complete the grant
process before the end of the current fiscal year, if Congress
appropriates funds for this program.
Contingent upon the availability of funds and the quality of
applications, we may make additional awards in subsequent years from
the list of unfunded applications from this competition.
Estimated Range of Awards: $180,000-$475,000.
Estimated Average Size of Awards: $470,000.
Maximum Award: The Department will not make an award exceeding
$475,000 for a single budget period of 12 months. Under 34 CFR
75.104(b) the Secretary may reject without consideration or evaluation
any application that proposes a project funding level that exceeds the
stated maximum award amount.
Minimum Award: The Department will not make an award for less than
the amount of $180,000 for a single budget period of 12 months. Under
section 418A of the HEA, the Secretary is prohibited from making an
award for less than the stated award amount. Therefore, we will reject
any application that proposes a HEP award that is less than the stated
minimum award amount.
Note: This approach is intended to promote fairness and
transparency in the competitive process.
Estimated Number of Awards: 14.
Note: The Department is not bound by any estimates in this notice.
Project Period: Up to 60 months (five 12-month budget periods).
Under section 418(e) of the HEA, except under extraordinary
circumstances, the Secretary must award grants for a five-year period.
Under 34 CFR 75.117(b), applicants must submit a budget narrative
accompanied by a budget form prescribed by the Secretary that provides
budget information for each budget period of the proposed project
period. Therefore, we may reject any application that does not propose
a five-year project period as reflected on the applicant's ED 524 form,
Section A and budget narrative form, submitted as a part of the
application.
III. Eligibility Information
1. Eligible Applicants: An IHE or a private nonprofit organization
may apply for a grant to operate a HEP project. If a private nonprofit
organization other than an IHE applies for a HEP grant, that agency
must plan the project in cooperation with an IHE and must propose to
operate some aspects of the project with the facilities of that IHE.
Note: IHE has the meaning given it in sections 101 and 102 of the
HEA.
Note: The definitions for ``private'' and ``nonprofit'' are in 34
CFR 77.1.
Note: If you are a nonprofit organization, under 34 CFR 75.51, you
may demonstrate your nonprofit status by providing: (1) Proof that the
Internal Revenue Service currently recognizes the applicant as an
organization to which contributions are tax deductible under section
501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code; (2) a statement from a State
taxing body or the State attorney general certifying that the
organization is a nonprofit organization operating within the State and
that no part of its net earnings may lawfully benefit any private
shareholder or individual; (3) a certified copy of the applicant's
certificate of incorporation or similar document if it clearly
establishes the nonprofit status of the applicant; or (4) any item
described above if that item applies to a State or national parent
organization, together with a statement by the State or parent
organization that the applicant is a local nonprofit affiliate.
[[Page 74710]]
2.a. Cost Sharing or Matching: This competition does not require
cost sharing or matching. However, consistent with 34 CFR 75.700, which
requires an applicant to comply with its approved application, an
applicant that proposes non-Federal matching funds and is awarded a
grant must provide those funds for each year that the funds are
proposed.
b. Indirect Cost Rate Information: This program uses a training
indirect cost rate. This limits indirect cost reimbursement to an
entity's actual indirect costs, as determined in its negotiated
indirect cost rate agreement, or eight percent of a modified total
direct cost base, whichever amount is less. For more information
regarding training indirect cost rates, see 34 CFR 75.562. For more
information regarding indirect costs, or to obtain a negotiated
indirect cost rate, please see www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocfo/intro.html.
c. Administrative Cost Limitation: This program does not include
any program-specific limitation on administrative expenses. All
administrative expenses must be reasonable and necessary and conform to
Cost Principles described in 2 CFR part 200 subpart E of the Uniform
Guidance.
3. Subgrantees: Under 34 CFR 75.708(b) and (c) a grantee under this
competition may award subgrants--to directly carry out project
activities described in its application--to the following types of
entities: IHEs and nonprofit organizations. The grantee may award
subgrants to entities it has identified in an approved application or
that it selects through a competition under procedures established by
the grantee.
4. Other: Projects funded under this competition must budget for a
three-day Office of Migrant Education annual meeting for HEP Directors
in the Washington, DC area during each year of the project period. Such
expenses are allowable uses of grant funds and may be included in the
proposed project budget. This meeting may be held virtually if
conditions warrant such format.
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. Submission of Proprietary Information: Given the types of
projects that may be proposed in applications for HEP, your application
may include business information that you consider proprietary. In 34
CFR 5.11 we define ``business information'' and describe the process we
use in determining whether any of that information is proprietary and,
thus, protected from disclosure under Exemption 4 of the Freedom of
Information Act (5 U.S.C. 552, as amended).
Because we plan to make successful applications available to the
public, you may wish to request confidentiality of business
information.
Consistent with Executive Order 12600, please designate in your
application any information that you believe is exempt from disclosure
under Exemption 4. In the appropriate Appendix section of your
application, under ``Other Attachments Form,'' please list the page
number or numbers on which we can find this information. For additional
information please see 34 CFR 5.11(c).
3. 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.
4. Funding Restrictions: We reference regulations outlining funding
restrictions in the Applicable Regulations section of this notice.
5. Recommended Page Limit: The application narrative 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 25 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, references, and captions, as well as all text in
charts, tables, figures, and graphs.
Use a font that is either 12 point or larger or no smaller
than 10 pitch (characters per inch).
Use one of the following fonts: Times New Roman, Courier,
Courier New, or Arial.
The recommended page limit does not apply to the cover sheet; the
budget section, including the narrative budget justification; the
assurances and certifications; or the one-page abstract, the resumes,
the bibliography, or the letters of support. However, the recommended
page limit does apply to all of the application narrative. An
application will not be disqualified if it exceeds the recommended page
limit.
V. Application Review Information
1. Selection Criteria: The selection criteria for this competition
are from 34 CFR 75.210 and are as follows:
(a) Need for project. (Up to 10 points)
(1) The Secretary considers the need for the proposed project.
(2) In determining the need for the proposed project, the Secretary
considers the magnitude of the need for the services to be provided or
the activities to be carried out by the proposed project. (Up to 10
points)
(b) Quality of the project design. (Up to 24 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.
(Up to 7 points)
(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. (Up to 5 points)
(iii) The extent to which the proposed project will establish
linkages with other appropriate agencies and organizations providing
services to the target population. (Up to 5 points)
(iv) The extent to which the proposed project demonstrates a
rationale (as defined in this notice). (Up to 7 points)
(c) Quality of project services. (Up to 24 points)
(1) The Secretary considers the quality of the services to be
provided by the proposed project.
(2) In determining the quality of the services to be provided by
the proposed project, the Secretary considers the quality and
sufficiency of strategies for ensuring equal access and treatment for
eligible project participants who are members of groups that have
traditionally been underrepresented based on race, color, national
origin, gender, age, or disability. (Up to 3 points)
(3) In addition, the Secretary considers the following factors:
(i) The extent to which the services to be provided by the proposed
project are
[[Page 74711]]
appropriate to the needs of the intended recipients or beneficiaries of
those services. (Up to 7 points)
(ii) 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. (Up to 7 points)
(iii) The likely impact of the services to be provided by the
proposed project on the intended recipients of those services. (Up to 7
points)
(d) Quality of project personnel. (Up to 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. (Up to 3 points)
(3) In addition, the Secretary considers the qualifications,
including relevant training and experience, of key project personnel.
(Up to 7 points)
(e) Adequacy of resources. (Up to 12 points)
(1) The Secretary considers the adequacy of resources for the
proposed project.
(2) In determining the adequacy of resources 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. (Up to 4 points)
(ii) The relevance and demonstrated commitment of each partner in
the proposed project to the implementation and success of the project.
(Up to 4 points)
(iii) The extent to which the costs are reasonable in relation to
the objectives, design, and potential significance of the proposed
project. (Up to 4 points)
(f) Quality of the project evaluation. (Up to 20 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. (Up to 10 points)
(ii) The extent to which the methods of evaluation will provide
performance feedback and permit periodic assessment of progress toward
achieving intended outcomes. (Up to 5 points)
(iii) The extent to which the methods of evaluation will, if well
implemented, produce promising evidence (as defined in this notice)
about the project's effectiveness. (Up to 5 points)
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)(ii), 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).
Additional factors we consider in selecting an application for an
award are in section 418A of the HEA. In accordance with section 418A,
the Secretary makes HEP awards based on the number, quality, and
promise of the applications. Additionally, in accordance with section
418A, if final FY 2021 HEP and College Assistance Migrant Program
appropriations exceed $40,000,000, the Secretary will consider the need
to provide an equitable geographic distribution of HEP awards. The
Secretary may consider the need to provide equitable geographic
distribution of HEP awards when--
1. Two or more applicants receive the same score at the funding
cutoff for this competition,
2. The Secretary determines that a geographic region is overserved
by current HEP projects,
3. The Secretary determines that a geographic region is underserved
by current HEP projects, or
4. Two or more applicants propose to operate similar HEP projects
in the same geographical region.
When evaluating a potentially overserved or underserved geographic
region, the Secretary may consider factors such as migrant or seasonal
farmworker population data for a State or region, approximate distance
between current and proposed projects, the type of entity of the
current or proposed project (e.g., private nonprofit organization, 2-
year IHE, 4-year IHE), and the number of students proposed to be served
by the current or proposed HEP project.
3. 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.
4. 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
[[Page 74712]]
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: For the purposes of the Government
Performance and Results Act of 1993 (GPRA) and reporting under 34 CFR
75.110, the Department developed the following performance measures to
evaluate the overall effectiveness of HEP: (1) The percentage of HEP
participants exiting the program having received a HSE diploma (GPRA
1), and (2) the percentage of HSE diploma recipients who enter
postsecondary education or training programs, upgraded employment, or
the military (GPRA 2).
Applicants must propose annual targets for these measures and
establish annual student enrollment targets in their applications.
Applicants should identify these targets within their application
abstracts. The national target for GPRA 1 for FY 2021 is that 69
percent of HEP participants exit the program having received an HSE
credential. The national target for GPRA 2 for FY 2021 is that 80
percent of HEP HSE diploma recipients will enter postsecondary
education or training programs, upgraded employment, or the military.
The national targets for subsequent years may be adjusted based on
additional baseline data. Peer reviewers evaluate how well applicants
propose to meet their application's goals and objectives. Peer
reviewers will score related selection criteria on the basis of how
well an applicant addresses these GPRA measures in addition to any
other goals and objectives included in the application. Therefore,
applicants will want to consider how to demonstrate a sound capacity to
provide reliable data on the GPRA measures, including the project's
annual performance targets for addressing the GPRA performance
measures, as is required by the OMB-approved annual performance report
that is included in the application package. All grantees will be
required to submit, as part of their annual performance report,
information with respect to these GPRA performance 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: On request to the program contact person listed
under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT, 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), to the extent reasonably practicable.
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.
Frank T. Brogan,
Assistant Secretary for Elementary and Secondary Education.
[FR Doc. 2020-25892 Filed 11-20-20; 8:45 am]
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