Applications for New Awards; Personnel Development To Improve Services and Results for Children With Disabilities-Preparation of Special Education, Early Intervention, and Related Services Leadership Personnel, 29650-29658 [2023-09688]
Download as PDF
ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with NOTICES1
29650
Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 88 / Monday, May 8, 2023 / Notices
statements and other supporting
documentation may be found by
clicking on the ‘‘View Supporting
Statement and Other Documents’’ link.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For
specific questions related to collection
activities, please contact Elizabeth
Wilde, 202–245–6122.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The
Department is especially interested in
public comment addressing the
following issues: (1) is this collection
necessary to the proper functions of the
Department; (2) will this information be
processed and used in a timely manner;
(3) is the estimate of burden accurate;
(4) how might the Department enhance
the quality, utility, and clarity of the
information to be collected; and (5) how
might the Department minimize the
burden of this collection on the
respondents, including through the use
of information technology. Please note
that written comments received in
response to this notice will be
considered public records.
Title of Collection: Impact Evaluation
to Inform the Teacher and School
Leader Incentive Program.
OMB Control Number: 1850–0950.
Type of Review: An extension without
change of a currently approved ICR.
Respondents/Affected Public: State,
local, and Tribal governments.
Total Estimated Number of Annual
Responses: 1,995.
Total Estimated Number of Annual
Burden Hours: 853.
Abstract: Congress mandated that IES
conduct an independent evaluation of
the Teacher and School Leader
Incentive Program (TSL), which
supports a variety of strategies aimed at
improving the quality of teaching and
attracting and retaining effective
educators. In response to the legislative
mandate to evaluate the TSL program,
the first evaluation component
addresses the need to understand the
characteristics of districts that received
TSL grants and the key strategies they
are using to improve educator
effectiveness and student achievement.
The focus of the second evaluation
component arises from a need to assess
effectiveness, focusing on a single,
common strategy of designating teacher
leaders to provide coaching to other
teachers. This strategy of focusing on a
single, common strategy of grantees is
part of an evidence-building strategy for
the program that complements evidence
on other aspects of the grant that have
been previously evaluated. More
research is needed to provide guidance
on whether this teacher leader strategy
improves teacher effectiveness and
student achievement. The second
VerDate Sep<11>2014
21:48 May 05, 2023
Jkt 259001
component of the evaluation uses a
random assignment design to study the
impacts (and implementation and costeffectiveness) of the teacher leader role
in non-TSL districts.
Dated: May 3, 2023.
Juliana Pearson,
PRA Coordinator, Strategic Collections and
Clearance, Governance and Strategy Division,
Office of Chief Data Officer, Office of
Planning, Evaluation and Policy
Development.
[FR Doc. 2023–09750 Filed 5–5–23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4000–01–P
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
Applications for New Awards;
Personnel Development To Improve
Services and Results for Children With
Disabilities—Preparation of Special
Education, Early Intervention, and
Related Services Leadership
Personnel
Office of Special Education and
Rehabilitative Services, Department of
Education.
ACTION: Notice.
AGENCY:
The Department of Education
(Department) is issuing a notice inviting
applications for new awards for fiscal
year (FY) 2023 for Personnel
Development to Improve Services and
Results for Children with Disabilities—
Preparation of Special Education, Early
Intervention, and Related Services
Leadership Personnel, Assistance
Listing Number 84.325D. This notice
relates to the approved information
collection under OMB control number
1820–0028.
DATES:
Applications Available: May 8, 2023.
Deadline for Transmittal of
Applications: July 7, 2023.
Deadline for Intergovernmental
Review: September 5, 2023.
Pre-Application Webinar Information:
No later than May 15, 2023, the Office
of Special Education and Rehabilitative
Services (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 December 7, 2022
(87 FR 75045) and available at
www.federalregister.gov/documents/
2022/12/07/2022-26554/commonSUMMARY:
PO 00000
Frm 00030
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
instructions-for-applicants-todepartment-of-education-discretionarygrant-programs. Please note that these
Common Instructions supersede the
version published on December 27,
2021.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Celia Rosenquist, U.S. Department of
Education, 400 Maryland Avenue SW,
Room 5076, Potomac Center Plaza,
Washington, DC 20202–5076.
Telephone: 202–245–7373. Email:
Celia.Rosenquist@ed.gov.
If you are deaf, hard of hearing, or
have a speech disability and wish to
access telecommunications relay
services, please dial 7–1–1.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Full Text of Announcement
I. Funding Opportunity Description
Purposes of Program: The purposes of
this program are to (1) help address
State-identified needs for personnel
preparation in special education, early
intervention, related services, and
regular education to work with children,
including infants and toddlers, with
disabilities; and (2) ensure that those
personnel have the necessary skills and
knowledge, derived from practices that
have been determined through
scientifically based research and
experience, to be successful in serving
those children.
Priority: This competition includes
one absolute priority and, within that
absolute priority, two competitive
preference priorities. In accordance with
34 CFR 75.105(b)(2)(v), the absolute
priority is from allowable activities
specified in the statute (see sections 662
and 681 of the Individuals with
Disabilities Education Act (IDEA); 20
U.S.C. 1462 and 1481).
Absolute Priority: For FY 2023 and
any subsequent year in which we make
awards from the list of unfunded
applications from this competition, this
priority is an absolute priority. Under 34
CFR 75.105(c)(3), we consider only
applications that meet this priority.
This priority is:
Preparation of Special Education,
Early Intervention, and Related Services
Leadership Personnel.
Background:
The Department is committed to
promoting equity for children with
disabilities to access educational
resources and opportunities. The
Department also places a high priority
on increasing the number of leadership
personnel, including increasing the
number of multilingual leadership
personnel and leadership personnel
from racially and ethnically diverse
backgrounds, who provide, or prepare
E:\FR\FM\08MYN1.SGM
08MYN1
ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with NOTICES1
Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 88 / Monday, May 8, 2023 / Notices
others to provide, services to children
with disabilities. To support these goals,
under this absolute priority, the
Department will fund projects that
support doctoral degree programs to
prepare and increase the number of
personnel who are well qualified for,
and can act effectively in, leadership
positions as researchers and special
education/early intervention/related
services personnel preparers in
institutions of higher education (IHEs),
or as leaders in State educational
agencies (SEAs), lead agencies (LAs)
under Part C of IDEA, local educational
agencies (LEAs), early intervention
services programs (EIS programs), or
schools, including increasing the
number of multilingual leadership
personnel and leadership personnel
from racially and ethnically diverse
backgrounds at the doctoral level in
special education, early intervention,
and related services.
There is a well-documented need for
special education, early intervention,
and related services leadership
personnel who serve critical roles
within different settings (Bellamy &
Iwaszuk, 2017; Castillo et al., 2014;
Montrosse & Young, 2012; NCSI, 2018a;
NCSI, 2018b; Robb et al., 2012; Tucker
et al., 2020). For example, leadership
personnel in IHEs teach practices
supported by research to future special
education, early intervention, related
services, and general education
professionals. These leaders also
conduct research that increases
knowledge of effective interventions
and services for children, including
infants and toddlers, and youth with
disabilities. Another example of a
critical leadership role includes special
education and early intervention
administrators who supervise and
evaluate the implementation of
instructional programs to ensure that
State or local agencies are meeting the
needs of children with disabilities.
Administrators also ensure that schools
and programs meet Federal, State, and
local requirements for special
education, early intervention, and
related services.
The need to increase the number of
multilingual leadership personnel and
leadership personnel from racially and
ethnically diverse backgrounds has been
recognized due to the significant
benefits for both personnel and the
children they serve (e.g., CarverThomas, 2018; deBettencourt et al.,
2016). For example, special education
programs at IHEs benefit from
multilingual faculty and faculty from
racially and ethnically diverse
backgrounds who bring different
perspectives, experiences, and contexts
VerDate Sep<11>2014
21:48 May 05, 2023
Jkt 259001
to the program and its curriculum,
which, in turn, benefits the individuals
enrolled in the program and the
children with disabilities those
individuals will ultimately serve (e.g.,
deBettencourt, et al., 2016; Maggin et
al., 2021). A multilingual faculty and
faculty from racially and ethnically
diverse backgrounds also brings
different perspectives, experiences, and
contexts to research, which is critical to
promoting innovative advances in
knowledge and practice (e.g., Hofstra et
al., 2020), including advances in
knowledge of effective culturally and
linguistically responsive instruction and
interventions and services that improve
outcomes for children with disabilities.
Special education and early
intervention administrators have a
critical role in increasing the number of
multilingual personnel and personnel
from racially and ethnically diverse
backgrounds who support children with
disabilities through policies, initiatives,
and promoting an inclusive culture in
early intervention and school settings
(e.g., Carver-Thomas, 2018; Steiner et
al., 2022) as well as retaining personnel.
Administrators also ensure that schools
and programs implement culturally and
linguistically responsive instructional
programs to ensure that State or local
agencies are meeting the needs of
children with disabilities (Bellamy et
al., 2014).
Leadership personnel can have
significant influence in preparing and
supporting personnel, policy, and
research. All leadership personnel need
to promote high expectations and have
current knowledge of effective
culturally and linguistically responsive
instruction, interventions, and services
that improve outcomes for children with
disabilities. Critical competencies for
special education, early intervention,
and related services leadership
personnel vary depending on the type of
leadership personnel and the
requirements of the preparation
program, but can include, for example,
skills needed for postsecondary
instruction, administration and
supervision, interpreting and applying
research, policy development and
implementation, organizational and
systems change, communication,
collaboration, and the use of
technologies to support in-person and
distance education (Boscardin &
Lashley, 2018; Bruns et al., 2017).
Scholars’ acquisition of competencies
and success in doctoral programs
depends on factors such as supportive
supervision, experiential learning
opportunities, access to resources, and
developing and enhancing professional
PO 00000
Frm 00031
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
29651
networks and collaborative learning
opportunities (Douglas, 2020; Sverdlik
et al., 2018). Networks, in particular, are
integral to leadership development and
critical to addressing complex problems
(Cullen-Lester et al., 2017; Hoppe &
Reinelt, 2010).
Priority:
The purpose of this priority is to
support doctoral degree programs to
prepare and increase the number of
personnel who are well-qualified for,
and can act effectively in, leadership
positions as researchers and special
education/early intervention/related
services personnel preparers in IHEs, or
as leaders in SEAs, LAs under Part C of
IDEA, LEAs, or EIS programs, including
increasing the number of multilingual
leadership personnel and leadership
personnel from racially and ethnically
diverse backgrounds at the doctoral
level in special education, early
intervention, and related services.
Proposed projects must be designed to
prepare graduates to be well-qualified
for, and act effectively in, leadership
positions as researchers and special
education/early intervention/related
services personnel preparers in IHEs, or
as leaders in SEAs, LAs, LEAs, or EIS
programs. Projects must support a
program that culminates in a doctoral
degree (Ph.D. or Ed.D.).
Note: Eligible applicants include
partnerships 1 that are comprised of two
or three IHEs with doctoral programs
that prepare scholars 2 and otherwise
meet the eligibility requirements. For
additional information regarding group
applications, refer to 34 CFR 75.127,
75.128, and 75.129.
Note: Project periods under this
priority may be up to 60 months.
Projects should be designed to ensure
that all proposed scholars successfully
complete the program within 60 months
from the start of the project. The
Secretary may reduce continuation
awards for any project in which scholars
1 For the purposes of this priority, a
‘‘partnership’’ is a group comprised of two or three
IHEs with doctoral programs in which (a) each IHE
enrolls and supports scholars as part of the
partnership, and (b) the partnership provides joint
experiences each year for scholars to learn from
faculty and scholars at each participating IHE that
promote the acquisition of leadership competencies
through coursework, research, internship
experiences, work-based experiences, or other
opportunities as a requirement of the project.
2 For the purposes of this priority, ‘‘scholar’’ is
limited to an individual who (a) is pursuing a
doctoral degree related to special education, early
intervention, or related services; (b) receives
scholarship assistance as authorized under section
662 of IDEA (34 CFR 304.3(g)); and (c) will be able
to be employed in a position that serves children
with disabilities for at least 51 percent of their time
or case load. See https://pdp.ed.gov/OSEP/Home/
Regulation for more information.
E:\FR\FM\08MYN1.SGM
08MYN1
ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with NOTICES1
29652
Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 88 / Monday, May 8, 2023 / Notices
are not on track to complete the program
by the end of that period.
To be considered for funding under
this absolute priority, applicants must
meet the application requirements
contained in the priority. All projects
funded under this absolute priority also
must meet the programmatic and
administrative requirements specified in
the priority.
Note: Preparation programs that lead
to clinical doctoral degrees in related
services (e.g., a Doctor of Audiology
degree or Doctor of Physical Therapy
degree) are not included in this priority.
These types of preparation programs are
eligible to apply for funding under the
Preparation of Early Intervention and
Special Education Personnel Serving
Children with Disabilities who have
High-Intensity Needs (84.325K),
Preparation of Related Services
Personnel Serving Children with
Disabilities who have High-Intensity
Needs priority (84.325R), or the
Personnel Preparation of Special
Education, Early Intervention, and
Related Services Personnel at
Historically Black Colleges and
Universities, Tribally Controlled
Colleges and Universities, and other
Minority Serving Institutions priority
(84.325M) that the Office of Special
Education Programs (OSEP) intends to
fund in FY 2023.
To meet the requirements of this
priority, an applicant must—
(a) Demonstrate, in the narrative
section of the application under
‘‘Significance,’’ how—
(1) The proposed project would
increase the number of leadership
personnel who are well qualified to
advance practice, policy, or research in
the project’s preparation focus area and
how it will provide, or prepare others to
provide, effective culturally and
linguistically responsive instruction,
interventions, and services that improve
outcomes for children with disabilities;
(2) The doctoral program to date has
been successful (including program
data, if available) in producing
leadership personnel. Applicants
should include data for the number of
students who have completed the
doctoral program disaggregated by race,
national origin and primary language(s),
and disability status; the types of
leadership positions that recent program
graduates are employed in related to
their preparation; the professional
accomplishments of program graduates
that demonstrate their leadership in
special education, early intervention, or
related services (e.g., public service,
awards, publications); and the
percentage of program graduates finding
employment related to their preparation
VerDate Sep<11>2014
21:48 May 05, 2023
Jkt 259001
serving students with disabilities in
underserved communities if applicable
(e.g., employed in districts with high
rates of poverty); and
Note: Data on the success of a doctoral
program should be no more than 5 years
old on the start date of the project
proposed in the application. When
reporting percentages, the denominator
(i.e., the total number of scholars or
program graduates) must be provided.
(3) Scholar competencies to be
acquired in the program relate to
knowledge and skills needed by the
leadership personnel in the project’s
proposed preparation focus area to
provide, or prepare others to provide,
effective culturally and linguistically
responsive instruction, interventions,
and services, including through distance
education, that improve outcomes for
children with disabilities.
(b) Demonstrate, in the narrative
section of the application under
‘‘Quality of project services,’’ how—
(1) The applicant will recruit and
retain scholars participating in the
project. To meet this requirement, the
narrative must describe—
(i) The selection criteria the applicant
will use to identify doctoral applicants
for admission to the program;
(ii) The recruitment strategies the
project will use to attract doctoral
applicants, including from groups that
are underrepresented in the field,
including applicants with disabilities,
multilingual applicants, and applicants
from racially and ethnically diverse
backgrounds, to ensure a diverse pool of
applicants; and
Note: Applicants should engage in
focused outreach and recruitment to
increase the number of doctoral
applicants from groups that are
underrepresented in the field, including
applicants with disabilities,
multilingual applicants, and applicants
from racially and ethnically diverse
backgrounds, but the scholar selection
criteria the applicant intends to use
must ensure equal access and treatment
of all applicants seeking admission to
the program and must be consistent
with applicable law, including Federal
civil rights laws.
(iii) The approach that will be used to
mentor and support all scholars in
completing the program and preparing
them for careers in special education,
early intervention, or related services;
and
(2) The project is designed to promote
the acquisition of the competencies
needed by leadership personnel in the
project’s proposed preparation focus
area to provide, or prepare others to
provide, effective culturally and
linguistically responsive instruction,
PO 00000
Frm 00032
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
interventions, and services that improve
outcomes for children with disabilities.
To address this requirement, the
applicant must—
(i) Describe how the proposed project
components, such as coursework,
research, internship experiences, workbased experiences, program evaluation,
and other opportunities provided to
scholars, and sequence of the
components will enable the scholars to
acquire the competencies needed by
leadership personnel;
Note: Applicants that propose
partnership projects must describe how
the project components and sequence of
the components are designed to ensure
that scholars have opportunities to
acquire the competencies needed by
leadership personnel through engaging
and collaborating with faculty and
scholars at each IHE participating in the
partnership.
(ii) Describe how the proposed project
components will prepare scholars to
provide, or prepare others to provide,
culturally and linguistically responsive
effective instruction, interventions, and
services that improve outcomes for
children with disabilities, in a variety of
educational or early childhood and
early intervention settings, including inperson and remote settings;
(iii) Describe how the proposed
project will engage partners, including
multilingual individuals, individuals
and families from racially and
ethnically diverse backgrounds, public
or private entities (e.g., organizations,
centers, agencies, schools, programs)
that provide services to multilingual
children with disabilities and their
families, and public or private entities
that provide services to children of color
with disabilities and their families, to
inform project components; and
(iv) Describe how the proposed
project components will promote the
acquisition of scholars’ knowledge of
strategies and approaches in attracting,
preparing, and retaining future
personnel with disabilities, multilingual
personnel and personnel from racially
and ethnically diverse backgrounds,
who will work with, and provide
effective culturally and linguistically
responsive instruction, interventions,
and services to, children with
disabilities and their families.
(c) Demonstrate, in the narrative
section of the application under
‘‘Quality of the Project Personnel and
Management Plan,’’ how—
(1) The project director and other key
project personnel are qualified to
prepare scholars in the project’s
preparation focus area;
E:\FR\FM\08MYN1.SGM
08MYN1
ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with NOTICES1
Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 88 / Monday, May 8, 2023 / Notices
(2) The project director and other key
project personnel will manage the
components of the project;
(3) The time commitments of the
project director and other key project
personnel are adequate to meet the
objectives of the proposed project; and
(4) For proposed partnership projects,
the project will establish policies,
procedures, standards, and fiscal
management of the partnership.
(d) Demonstrate, in the narrative
section of the application under
‘‘Adequacy of resources,’’ how—
(1) Information regarding the types of
accommodations and resources
available to fully support scholars’ wellbeing and a work-life balance (e.g.,
university and community mental
health supports, counseling services,
health resources, housing resources,
childcare) will be disseminated and
how the project will support scholars
accessing those accommodations and
resources on a timely basis, if needed,
while the scholar is in the program;
(2) The types of accommodations and
resources provided to support scholars’
well-being and a work-life balance will
be individualized based on scholars’
cultural, academic, and social emotional
needs with the goal of supporting them
to complete the program; and
(3) The budget is adequate for meeting
the project objectives and mitigating
financial burden to scholars while
completing the program of study.
Note: Scholar support does not need
to be uniform for all scholars and
should be customized for individual
scholars based on the scholar’s financial
needs, including a consideration of all
costs associated with the attendance,
even if that means enrolling fewer
scholars as part of the proposed project.
Scholar support can include support for
cost of attendance (i.e., tuition and fees;
university student health insurance; an
allowance for books, materials, and
supplies; an allowance for
miscellaneous personal expenses; an
allowance for dependent care, such as
childcare; and an allowance for room
and board), travel in conjunction with
training assignments, including
conference registration, and stipends to
support scholars’ completion of the
program and professional development.
Projections for scholar support should
consider tuition increases and cost of
living increases over the project period.
(e) Demonstrate, in the narrative
section of the application under
‘‘Quality of the project evaluation,’’ how
the applicant will—
(1) Evaluate how well the goals or
objectives of the proposed leadership
project have been met. The applicant
must describe the outcomes to be
VerDate Sep<11>2014
21:48 May 05, 2023
Jkt 259001
measured for both the project and the
scholars, particularly the acquisition of
scholars’ competencies, and the
evaluation methodologies to be
employed, data collection methods, and
possible analyses; and
(2) Collect, analyze, and use data on
scholars supported by the project to
inform the proposed project on an
ongoing basis.
(f) Demonstrate, in the appendices or
narrative under ‘‘Required project
assurances’’ as directed, that the
following requirements are met. The
applicant must—
(1) Include, in Appendix A of the
application—
(i) Charts, tables, figures, graphs,
screen shots, and visuals that provide
information directly relating to the
application requirements for the
narrative. Appendix A should not be
used for supplementary information.
Please note that charts, tables, figures,
graphs, and screen shots can be singlespaced when placed in Appendix A;
and
(ii) A letter of support from a public
or private partnering agency, school, or
program, that states it will provide
scholars with a field or clinic
experience in a high-need LEA,3 a highpoverty school,4 a school implementing
a comprehensive support and
improvement plan,5 a school
implementing a targeted support and
improvement plan 6 for children with
3 For the purposes of this priority, ‘‘high-need
LEA’’ means an LEA (a) that serves not fewer than
10,000 children from families with incomes below
the poverty line; or (b) for which not less than 20
percent of the children are from families with
incomes below the poverty line.
4 For the purposes of this priority, ‘‘high-poverty
school’’ means a school in which at least 50 percent
of students are from low-income families as
determined using one of the measures of poverty
specified in section 1113(a)(5) of the Elementary
and Secondary Education Act of 1965, as amended
(ESEA). For middle and high schools, eligibility
may be calculated on the basis of comparable data
from feeder schools. Eligibility as a high-poverty
school under this definition is determined on the
basis of the most currently available data.
5 For the purposes of this priority, ‘‘school
implementing a comprehensive support and
improvement plan’’ means a school identified for
comprehensive support and improvement by a State
under section 1111(c)(4)(D) of the ESEA that
includes (a) not less than the lowest performing 5
percent of all schools in the State receiving funds
under title I, part A of the ESEA; (b) all public high
schools in the State failing to graduate one third or
more of their students; and (c) public schools in the
State described in section 1111(d)(3)(A)(i)(II) of the
ESEA.
6 For the purposes of this priority, ‘‘school
implementing a targeted support and improvement
plan’’ means a school identified for targeted support
and improvement by a State that has developed and
is implementing a school-level targeted support and
improvement plan to improve student outcomes
based on the indicators in the statewide
accountability system as defined in section
1111(d)(2) of the ESEA.
PO 00000
Frm 00033
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
29653
disabilities, an SEA, an early childhood
and early intervention program located
within the geographical boundaries of a
high-need LEA, or an early childhood
and early intervention program located
within the geographical boundaries of
an LEA serving the highest percentage
of schools identified for comprehensive
support and improvement or
implementing targeted support and
improvement plans in the State;
(2) Include in Appendix B of the
application—
(i) A table that includes the project’s
required coursework that provides the
title, description, and learning goals;
and
(ii) Four exemplars of course syllabi
in research methods, evaluation
methods, or data analysis courses
required by the degree program;
Note: Partnership projects should
include two course syllabi from each
participating IHE.
(3) Include in the application budget
attendance by the project director at a 3day project directors’ meeting in
Washington, DC, during each year of the
project. The budget may also provide for
the attendance of scholars at the same
3-day project directors’ meetings in
Washington, DC; and
(4) Provide an assurance that—
(i) The project will meet the
requirements in 34 CFR 304.23,
particularly those related to (A)
informing all scholarship recipients of
their service obligation commitment;
and (B) disbursing scholarships. Failure
by a grantee to properly meet these
requirements is a violation of the grant
award that may result in the grantee
being liable for returning any misused
funds to the Department;
(ii) The project will meet the statutory
requirements in section 662(e) through
(h) of IDEA;
(iii) The project will be operated in a
manner consistent with
nondiscrimination requirements
contained in the U.S. Constitution and
Federal civil rights laws;
(iv) All the syllabi for the project’s
required coursework will be provided if
requested by OSEP;
(v) At least 65 percent of the total
award over the project period (i.e., up to
5 years) will be used for scholar
support;
(vi) Scholar support provided by the
project (e.g., tuition and fees; university
student health insurance; an allowance
for books, materials, and supplies; an
allowance for miscellaneous personal
expenses; an allowance for dependent
care, such as childcare; and an
allowance for room and board) will not
be conditioned on the scholar working
E:\FR\FM\08MYN1.SGM
08MYN1
ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with NOTICES1
29654
Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 88 / Monday, May 8, 2023 / Notices
for the grantee (e.g., personnel at the
IHE);
(vii) The project director, key
personnel, and scholars will actively
participate in the cross-project
collaboration, advanced trainings, and
cross-site learning opportunities (e.g.,
webinars, briefings) supported by OSEP.
This network is intended to promote
opportunities for participants to share
resources and generate new knowledge
by addressing topics of common interest
to participants across projects including
Department priorities and needs in the
field;
(viii) The project website, if
applicable, will be of high quality, with
an easy-to-navigate design that meets
government or industry-recognized
standards for accessibility;
(ix) Scholar accomplishments (e.g.,
public service, awards, publications)
will be reported in annual and final
performance reports; and
(x) Annual data will be submitted on
each scholar who receives grant support
(OMB Control Number 1820–0686). The
primary purposes of the data collection
are to track the service obligation
fulfillment of scholars who receive
funds from OSEP grants and to collect
data for program performance measure
reporting under 34 CFR 75.110. Data
collection includes the submission of a
signed, completed pre-scholarship
agreement and exit certification for each
scholar funded under an OSEP grant
(see paragraph (f)(4)(i) of this priority).
Applicants are encouraged to visit the
Personnel Development Program Data
Collection System (DCS) website at
https://pdp.ed.gov/osep for further
information about this data collection
requirement.
Competitive Preference Priorities:
Within this absolute priority, we give
competitive preference to applications
that address the following priorities.
Under 34 CFR 75.105(c)(2)(i), we award
an additional 3 points to an application
that meets Competitive Preference
Priority 1 and an additional 3 points to
an application that meets Competitive
Preference Priority 2. Applicants should
indicate in the abstract if competitive
preference priorities are addressed, and
which competitive preference priorities
are being addressed.
These priorities are:
Competitive Preference Priority 1—
Applications from New Potential
Grantees (0 or 3 points).
(a) Under this priority, an applicant
must demonstrate that the applicant
(i.e., the IHE) has not had an active
discretionary grant under the program
from which it seeks funds, including
through membership in a group
application submitted in accordance
VerDate Sep<11>2014
21:48 May 05, 2023
Jkt 259001
with 34 CFR 75.127–75.129, in the last
5 years before the deadline date for
submission of applications under the
84.325D program.
(b) For the purposes of this priority,
a grant or contract is active until the end
of the grant’s or contract’s project or
funding period, including any
extensions of those periods that extend
the grantee’s or contractor’s authority to
obligate funds.
Competitive Preference Priority 2—
Partnership Applications that Include
Minority-Serving Institutions (MSIs) (0
or 3 points).
(a) Under this priority, a partnership
application that includes one or more
IHEs that meet the definition of an MSI.7
(b) For purposes of this priority, the
Department will use the FY 2022
Eligibility Matrix to determine MSI
eligibility.
References
Bellamy, G.T., Crockett, J.B., & Nordengren,
C. (2014). Preparing school leaders for
every student’s learning (Document No.
LS–2). Collaboration for Effective
Educator, Development, Accountability,
and Reform Center. https://
ceedar.education.ufl.edu/wp-content/
uploads/2014/09/LS-2_FINAL_09-1814.pdf.
Bellamy, T., & Iwaszuk, W. (2017, October).
Responding to the need for new local
special education administrators: A case
study. CEEDAR Center. https://
ceedar.education.ufl.edu/wp-content/
uploads/2018/02/Case-Study-SPED-1029-17.pdf.
Boscardin, M.L., & Lashley, C.L. (2018).
Expanding the leadership framework to
support socially just special education
policy, preparation, and standards. In
J.B. Crockett, B.S. Billingsley, & M.L.
Boscardin (Eds.), The handbook of
leadership and administration for
special education. Routledge.
Bruns, D.A., LaRocco, D.J., Sharp, O.L., &
Sopko, K.M. (2017). Leadership
competencies in U.S. early intervention/
early childhood special education
service systems: A national survey.
Infants and Young Children, 30(4), 304–
319.
Carver-Thomas, D. (2018). Diversifying the
teaching profession: How to recruit and
retain teachers of color. Learning Policy
Institute. https://
learningpolicyinstitute.org/product/
diversifying-teaching-profession-report.
Castillo, J.M., Curtis, M.J., & Tan, S.Y. (2014).
Personnel needs in school psychology: A
7 For purposes of this priority, ‘‘Minority-Serving
Institution (MSI)’’ means an institution that is
eligible to receive assistance under sections 316
through 320 of part A of title III, under part B of
title III, or under title V of the Higher Education Act
of 1965, as amended. For purposes of this priority,
the Department will use the FY 2022 Eligibility
Matrix to determine MSI eligibility (see
www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ope/idues/
eligibility.html).
PO 00000
Frm 00034
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
10-year follow-up study on predicted
personnel shortages. Psychology in the
Schools, 51(8), 832–849.
Cullen-Lester, K.L., Maupin, C.K., & Carter,
D.R. (2017). Incorporating social
networks in leadership development: A
conceptual model and evaluation of
research and practice. The Leadership
Quarterly, 28(1), 130–152.
deBettencourt, L.U., Hoover, J.J., Rude, H.A.,
& Taylor, S.S. (2016). Preparing special
education higher education faculty: The
influence of contemporary education
issues and policy recommendations.
Teacher Education and Special
Education, 39, 121–133.
Douglas, A.S. (2020). Engaging doctoral
students in networking opportunities: A
relational approach to doctoral study.
Teaching in Higher Education. https://
doi.org/10.1080/13562517.2020.1808611.
Hofstra, B., Kulkarni, V.V., Munoz-Najar
Galvez, S., He, B., Jurafsky, D., &
McFarland, D.A. (2020). The DiversityInnovation paradox in science.
Proceedings of the National Academy of
Sciences, 117, 9284–9291.
Hoppe, B., & Reinelt, C. (2010). Social
network analysis and the evaluation of
leadership networks. The Leadership
Quarterly, 21(4), 600–619.
Maggin, D.M., Collins, T.A., Foster, J.A.,
Scott, M.N., Mossing, K.W., & Dorsey,
C.M. (2021). Faculty perspectives on the
recruitment, retention, and preparation
of special education doctoral students of
color. Teacher Education and Special
Education, 45(3), 227–245. https://
doi.org/10.1177/08884064211046230.
Montrosse, B.E., & Young, C.J. (2012). Market
demand for special education faculty.
Teacher Education and Special
Education, 35(2), 140–153.
National Center for Systemic Improvement
(NCSI). (2018a). Leadership turnover:
The impact on State special education
systems. https://ncsi-library.wested.org/
resources/250.
National Center for Systemic Improvement
(NCSI). (2018b). Leadership turnover:
The impact on State early intervention
systems. https://ncsi-library.wested.org/
resources/200.
Robb, S.M., Smith, D.D., & Montrosse, B.E.
(2012). A context of the demand for
special education faculty: A study of
special education teacher preparation
programs. Teacher Education and
Special Education, 35(2), 128–139.
Steiner, E.D., Greer, L., Berdie, L., Schwartz,
H.L., Woo, A., Doan, S., Lawrence, R.A.,
Wolfe, R.L., & Gittens, A.D. (2022).
Prioritizing strategies to racially diversify
the K–12 teacher workforce: Findings
from the state of the American teacher
and state of the American principal
surveys. RAND Corporation.
www.rand.org/pubs/research_reports/
RRA1108-6.html.
Sverdlik, A., Hall, N.C., McAlpine, L., &
Hubbard, K. (2018). The Ph.D.
experience: A review of the factors
influencing doctoral students’
completion, achievement, and wellbeing. International Journal of Doctoral
Studies, 13, 361–388.
E:\FR\FM\08MYN1.SGM
08MYN1
Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 88 / Monday, May 8, 2023 / Notices
Tucker, D.A, Compton, M.V., Allen, S.J.,
Mayo, R., Hooper, C., Ogletree, B., Flynn,
P., Frazier, A., McMurry, S. (2020).
Exploring barriers to doctoral education
in communication sciences and
disorders: Insights from practicing
professionals. Perspectives of the ASHA
Special Interest Groups, 1–12. https://
doi.org/10.1044/2020_PERSP-20-00019.
Waiver of Proposed Rulemaking:
Under the Administrative Procedure Act
(APA) (5 U.S.C. 553) the Department
generally offers interested parties the
opportunity to comment on proposed
priorities. Section 681(d) of IDEA,
however, makes the public comment
requirements of the APA inapplicable to
the priorities in this notice.
Program Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1462
and 1481.
Note: Projects will be awarded and
must be operated in a manner consistent
with the nondiscrimination
requirements contained in Federal civil
rights laws.
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 regulations for this program in 34
CFR part 304.
Note: The regulations in 34 CFR part
86 apply to IHEs only.
ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with NOTICES1
II. Award Information
Type of Award: Discretionary grants.
Estimated Available Funds:
$9,750,000.
Contingent upon the availability of
funds and the quality of applications,
we may make additional awards in FY
2024 from the list of unfunded
applications from this competition.
Estimated Range of Awards:
$225,000–$250,000 per year for an
individual IHE; $450,000–$500,000 per
year for a two-IHE partnership
application; and $675,000–$750,000 for
a three-IHE partnership application.
Estimated Average Size of Awards:
$237,500 per year for an individual IHE;
$475,000 per year for a two-IHE group
application; and $712,500 per year for a
three-IHE group application.
Maximum Award: For a single budget
period of 12 months, we will not make
an award exceeding: for an individual
VerDate Sep<11>2014
21:48 May 05, 2023
Jkt 259001
IHE, $250,000; for a two-IHE group
application, $500,000; and for a threeIHE group application, $750,000.
Estimated Number of Awards: Up to
39 awards for individual IHEs.
However, the total number of awards
may change depending on the number
of group application awards under the
absolute priority.
Note: The Department is not bound by
any estimates in this notice.
Project Period: Up to 60 months.
III. Eligibility Information
1. Eligible Applicants: IHEs and
private nonprofit organizations.
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.
2.a. Cost Sharing or Matching: Cost
sharing or matching is not required for
this competition.
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.
PO 00000
Frm 00035
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
29655
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
private 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, consistent
with 34 CFR 75.708(b)(2).
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 projects
relating to the absolute priority, involve
individuals with disabilities, or parents
of individuals with disabilities ages
birth through 26, in planning,
implementing, and evaluating the
project (see section 682(a)(1)(A) of
IDEA).
IV. Application and Submission
Information
1. Application Submission
Instructions: Applicants are required to
follow the Common Instructions for
Applicants to Department of Education
Discretionary Grant Programs,
published in the Federal Register on
December 7, 2022 (87 FR 775045) and
available at www.federalregister.gov/
documents/2022/12/07/2022-26554/
common-instructions-for-applicants-todepartment-of-education-discretionarygrant-programs, which contain
requirements and information on how to
submit an application. Please note that
these Common Instructions supersede
the version published on December 27,
2021.
2. Intergovernmental Review: This
competition is subject to Executive
Order 12372 and the regulations in 34
CFR part 79. Information about
Intergovernmental Review of Federal
Programs under Executive Order 12372
is in the application package for this
competition.
3. Funding Restrictions: We reference
regulations outlining funding
restrictions in the Applicable
Regulations section of this notice.
4. Recommended Page Limit: The
application narrative 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 40 pages; (2) limit the whole
E:\FR\FM\08MYN1.SGM
08MYN1
29656
Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 88 / Monday, May 8, 2023 / Notices
ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with NOTICES1
application to no more than 100 pages;
and (3) 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 the cover sheet; the budget
section, including the narrative budget
justification; 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 (10 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 will prepare personnel for fields
in which shortages have been
demonstrated; and
(ii) The importance or magnitude of
the results or outcomes likely to be
attained by the proposed project,
especially improvements in teaching
and student achievement.
(b) Quality of project services (35
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.
(3) In addition, the Secretary
considers the following factors:
(i) The extent to which the services to
be provided by the proposed project
VerDate Sep<11>2014
21:48 May 05, 2023
Jkt 259001
reflect up-to-date knowledge from
research and effective practice;
(ii) 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;
(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; and
(iv) The extent to which the proposed
activities constitute a coherent,
sustained program of training in the
field.
(c) Quality of project personnel and
quality of the management plan (20
points).
(1) The Secretary considers the
quality of the project personnel and the
quality of the management plan for 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 key
project personnel;
(ii) The adequacy of the management
plan to achieve the objectives of the
proposed project on time and within
budget, including clearly defined
responsibilities, timelines, and
milestones for accomplishing project
tasks; and
(iii) The extent to which the time
commitments of the project director and
principal investigator and other key
project personnel are appropriate and
adequate to meet the objectives of the
proposed project; and
(d) Adequacy of resources (20 points).
(1) The Secretary considers the
adequacy of resources of the proposed
project.
(2) In determining the adequacy of
resources of 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; and
(ii) The extent to which the costs are
reasonable in relation to the objectives,
design, and potential significance of the
proposed project.
PO 00000
Frm 00036
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
(e) Quality of the project evaluation
(15 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; and
(ii) The extent to which the methods
of evaluation will provide performance
feedback and permit periodic
assessment of progress toward achieving
intended outcomes.
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.
E:\FR\FM\08MYN1.SGM
08MYN1
ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with NOTICES1
Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 88 / Monday, May 8, 2023 / Notices
4. Risk Assessment and Specific
Conditions: Consistent with 2 CFR
200.206, before awarding grants under
this competition the Department
conducts a review of the risks posed by
applicants. Under 2 CFR 200.208, the
Secretary may impose specific
conditions, and under 2 CFR 3474.10, 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 200.206(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.
6. In General: In accordance with the
Office of Management and Budget’s
guidance located at 2 CFR part 200, all
applicable Federal laws, and relevant
Executive guidance, the Department
will review and consider applications
for funding pursuant to this notice
inviting applications in accordance
with—
(a) Selecting recipients most likely to
be successful in delivering results based
on the program objectives through an
objective process of evaluating Federal
award applications (2 CFR 200.205);
(b) Prohibiting the purchase of certain
telecommunication and video
surveillance services or equipment in
VerDate Sep<11>2014
21:48 May 05, 2023
Jkt 259001
alignment with section 889 of the
National Defense Authorization Act of
2019 (Pub. L. 115–232) (2 CFR 200.216);
(c) Providing a preference, to the
extent permitted by law, to maximize
use of goods, products, and materials
produced in the United States (2 CFR
200.322); and
(d) Terminating agreements in whole
or in part to the greatest extent
authorized by law if an award no longer
effectuates the program goals or agency
priorities (2 CFR 200.340).
VI. Award Administration Information
1. Award Notices: If your application
is successful, we notify your U.S.
Representative and U.S. Senators and
send you a Grant Award Notification
(GAN); or we may send you an email
containing a link to access an electronic
version of your GAN. We may notify
you informally, also.
If your application is not evaluated or
not selected for funding, we notify you.
2. Administrative and National Policy
Requirements: We identify
administrative and national policy
requirements in the application package
and reference these and other
requirements in the Applicable
Regulations section of this notice.
We reference the regulations outlining
the terms and conditions of an award in
the Applicable Regulations section of
this notice and include these and other
specific conditions in the GAN. The
GAN also incorporates your approved
application as part of your binding
commitments under the grant.
3. Open Licensing Requirements:
Unless an exception applies, if you are
awarded a grant under this competition,
you will be required to openly license
to the public grant deliverables created
in whole, or in part, with Department
grant funds. When the deliverable
consists of modifications to pre-existing
works, the license extends only to those
modifications that can be separately
identified and only to the extent that
open licensing is permitted under the
terms of any licenses or other legal
restrictions on the use of pre-existing
works. Additionally, a grantee that is
awarded competitive grant funds must
have a plan to disseminate these public
grant deliverables. This dissemination
plan can be developed and submitted
after your application has been
reviewed and selected for funding. For
additional information on the open
licensing requirements please refer to 2
CFR 3474.20.
4. Reporting: (a) If you apply for a
grant under this competition, you must
ensure that you have in place the
necessary processes and systems to
comply with the reporting requirements
PO 00000
Frm 00037
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
29657
in 2 CFR part 170 should you receive
funding under the competition. This
does not apply if you have an exception
under 2 CFR 170.110(b).
(b) At the end of your project period,
you must submit a final performance
report, including financial information,
as directed by the Secretary. If you
receive a multiyear award, you must
submit an annual performance report
that provides the most current
performance and financial expenditure
information as directed by the Secretary
under 34 CFR 75.118. The Secretary
may also require more frequent
performance reports under 34 CFR
75.720(c). For specific requirements on
reporting, please go to www.ed.gov/
fund/grant/apply/appforms/
appforms.html.
(c) Under 34 CFR 75.250(b), the
Secretary may provide a grantee with
additional funding for data collection
analysis and reporting. In this case the
Secretary establishes a data collection
period.
5. Performance Measures: For the
purposes of Department reporting under
34 CFR 75.110, the Department has
established a set of performance
measures, including long-term
measures, that are designed to yield
information on various aspects of the
effectiveness and quality of the
Personnel Development to Improve
Services and Results for Children with
Disabilities program. These measures
include (1) the percentage of
preparation programs that incorporate
scientifically based research or
evidence-based practices (EBPs) into
their curricula; (2) the percentage of
scholars completing the preparation
program who are knowledgeable and
skilled in EBPs that improve outcomes
for children with disabilities; (3) the
percentage of scholars who exit the
preparation program prior to completion
due to poor academic performance; (4)
the percentage of scholars completing
the preparation program who are
working in the area(s) in which they
were prepared upon program
completion; (5) the Federal cost per
scholar who completed the preparation
program; (6) the percentage of scholars
who completed the preparation program
and are employed in high-need districts;
and (7) the percentage of scholars who
completed the preparation program and
who are rated effective by their
employers.
In addition, the Department will
gather information on the following
outcome measures: (1) the number and
percentage of scholars proposed by the
grantee in their application that were
actually enrolled and making
satisfactory academic progress in the
E:\FR\FM\08MYN1.SGM
08MYN1
29658
Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 88 / Monday, May 8, 2023 / Notices
ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with NOTICES1
current academic year; (2) the number
and percentage of enrolled scholars who
are on track to complete the training
program by the end of the project’s
original grant period; and (3) the
percentage of scholars who completed
the preparation program and are
employed in the field of special
education for at least two years.
Grantees may be asked to participate
in assessing and providing information
on these aspects of program quality.
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, whether the grantee has
made substantial progress in achieving
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. The Department will provide the
requestor with an accessible format that
may include Rich Text Format (RTF) or
text format (txt), a thumb drive, an MP3
file, braille, large print, audiotape, or
compact disc, or other accessible format.
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.
VerDate Sep<11>2014
21:48 May 05, 2023
Jkt 259001
Specifically, through the advanced
search feature at this site, you can limit
your search to documents published by
the Department.
Katherine Neas,
Deputy Assistant Secretary, Delegated the
authority to perform the functions and duties
of the Assistant Secretary for the Office of
Special Education and Rehabilitative
Services.
[FR Doc. 2023–09688 Filed 5–5–23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4000–01–P
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
[Docket No.: ED–2023–SCC–0078]
Agency Information Collection
Activities; Submission to the Office of
Management and Budget for Review
and Approval; Comment Request;
Early Childhood Longitudinal Study,
Kindergarten Class of 2023–24 (ECLS–
K:2024) Kindergarten and First-Grade
Fall 2023 Materials Revision
National Center for Education
Statistics (NCES), Department of
Education (ED).
ACTION: Notice.
AGENCY:
In accordance with the
Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of
1995, the Department is proposing a
revision of a currently approved
information collection request (ICR).
DATES: Interested persons are invited to
submit comments on or before June 7,
2023.
ADDRESSES: Written comments and
recommendations for proposed
information collection requests should
be submitted within 30 days of
publication of this notice. Click on this
link www.reginfo.gov/public/do/
PRAMain to access the site. Find this
information collection request (ICR) by
selecting ‘‘Department of Education’’
under ‘‘Currently Under Review,’’ then
check the ‘‘Only Show ICR for Public
Comment’’ checkbox. Reginfo.gov
provides two links to view documents
related to this information collection
request. Information collection forms
and instructions may be found by
clicking on the ‘‘View Information
Collection (IC) List’’ link. Supporting
statements and other supporting
documentation may be found by
clicking on the ‘‘View Supporting
Statement and Other Documents’’ link.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For
specific questions related to collection
activities, please contact Carrie Clarady,
202–245–6347.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The
Department is especially interested in
public comment addressing the
SUMMARY:
PO 00000
Frm 00038
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
following issues: (1) is this collection
necessary to the proper functions of the
Department; (2) will this information be
processed and used in a timely manner;
(3) is the estimate of burden accurate;
(4) how might the Department enhance
the quality, utility, and clarity of the
information to be collected; and (5) how
might the Department minimize the
burden of this collection on the
respondents, including through the use
of information technology. Please note
that written comments received in
response to this notice will be
considered public records.
Title of Collection: Early Childhood
Longitudinal Study, Kindergarten Class
of 2023–24 (ECLS–K:2024) Kindergarten
and First-Grade Fall 2023 Materials
Revision.
OMB Control Number: 1850–0750.
Type of Review: A revision of a
currently approved ICR.
Respondents/Affected Public:
Individuals and households.
Total Estimated Number of Annual
Responses: 159,964.
Total Estimated Number of Annual
Burden Hours: 87,154.
Abstract: The Early Childhood
Longitudinal Study (ECLS) program,
conducted by the National Center for
Education Statistics (NCES) within the
Institute of Education Sciences (IES) of
the U.S. Department of Education (ED),
draws together information from
multiple sources to provide rich,
descriptive data on child development,
early learning, and school progress. The
ECLS program studies deliver national
data on children’s status at birth and at
various points thereafter; children’s
transitions to nonparental care, early
care and education programs, and
school; and children’s experiences and
growth through the elementary grades.
The Early Childhood Longitudinal
Study, Kindergarten Class of 2023–24
(ECLS–K:2024) is the fourth cohort in
the series of early childhood
longitudinal studies. The study will
advance research in child development
and early learning by providing a
detailed and comprehensive source of
current information on children’s early
learning and development, transitions
into kindergarten and beyond, and
progress through school. The ECLS–
K:2024 will provide data about the
population of children who will be
kindergartners in the 2023–24 school
year, focusing on children’s early school
experiences continuing through the fifth
grade, and will include collection of
data from parents, teachers, and school
administrators, as well as direct child
assessments.
The request to conduct the first three
national data collection rounds for the
E:\FR\FM\08MYN1.SGM
08MYN1
Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 88 (Monday, May 8, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 29650-29658]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-09688]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
Applications for New Awards; Personnel Development To Improve
Services and Results for Children With Disabilities--Preparation of
Special Education, Early Intervention, and Related Services Leadership
Personnel
AGENCY: Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services,
Department of Education.
ACTION: Notice.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The Department of Education (Department) is issuing a notice
inviting applications for new awards for fiscal year (FY) 2023 for
Personnel Development to Improve Services and Results for Children with
Disabilities--Preparation of Special Education, Early Intervention, and
Related Services Leadership Personnel, Assistance Listing Number
84.325D. This notice relates to the approved information collection
under OMB control number 1820-0028.
DATES:
Applications Available: May 8, 2023.
Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: July 7, 2023.
Deadline for Intergovernmental Review: September 5, 2023.
Pre-Application Webinar Information: No later than May 15, 2023,
the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (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 December 7, 2022 (87 FR 75045) and available at
www.federalregister.gov/documents/2022/12/07/2022-26554/common-instructions-for-applicants-to-department-of-education-discretionary-grant-programs. Please note that these Common Instructions supersede
the version published on December 27, 2021.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Celia Rosenquist, U.S. Department of
Education, 400 Maryland Avenue SW, Room 5076, Potomac Center Plaza,
Washington, DC 20202-5076. Telephone: 202-245-7373. Email:
[email protected].
If you are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability and
wish to access telecommunications relay services, please dial 7-1-1.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Full Text of Announcement
I. Funding Opportunity Description
Purposes of Program: The purposes of this program are to (1) help
address State-identified needs for personnel preparation in special
education, early intervention, related services, and regular education
to work with children, including infants and toddlers, with
disabilities; and (2) ensure that those personnel have the necessary
skills and knowledge, derived from practices that have been determined
through scientifically based research and experience, to be successful
in serving those children.
Priority: This competition includes one absolute priority and,
within that absolute priority, two competitive preference priorities.
In accordance with 34 CFR 75.105(b)(2)(v), the absolute priority is
from allowable activities specified in the statute (see sections 662
and 681 of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA); 20
U.S.C. 1462 and 1481).
Absolute Priority: For FY 2023 and any subsequent year in which we
make awards from the list of unfunded applications from this
competition, this priority is an absolute priority. Under 34 CFR
75.105(c)(3), we consider only applications that meet this priority.
This priority is:
Preparation of Special Education, Early Intervention, and Related
Services Leadership Personnel.
Background:
The Department is committed to promoting equity for children with
disabilities to access educational resources and opportunities. The
Department also places a high priority on increasing the number of
leadership personnel, including increasing the number of multilingual
leadership personnel and leadership personnel from racially and
ethnically diverse backgrounds, who provide, or prepare
[[Page 29651]]
others to provide, services to children with disabilities. To support
these goals, under this absolute priority, the Department will fund
projects that support doctoral degree programs to prepare and increase
the number of personnel who are well qualified for, and can act
effectively in, leadership positions as researchers and special
education/early intervention/related services personnel preparers in
institutions of higher education (IHEs), or as leaders in State
educational agencies (SEAs), lead agencies (LAs) under Part C of IDEA,
local educational agencies (LEAs), early intervention services programs
(EIS programs), or schools, including increasing the number of
multilingual leadership personnel and leadership personnel from
racially and ethnically diverse backgrounds at the doctoral level in
special education, early intervention, and related services.
There is a well-documented need for special education, early
intervention, and related services leadership personnel who serve
critical roles within different settings (Bellamy & Iwaszuk, 2017;
Castillo et al., 2014; Montrosse & Young, 2012; NCSI, 2018a; NCSI,
2018b; Robb et al., 2012; Tucker et al., 2020). For example, leadership
personnel in IHEs teach practices supported by research to future
special education, early intervention, related services, and general
education professionals. These leaders also conduct research that
increases knowledge of effective interventions and services for
children, including infants and toddlers, and youth with disabilities.
Another example of a critical leadership role includes special
education and early intervention administrators who supervise and
evaluate the implementation of instructional programs to ensure that
State or local agencies are meeting the needs of children with
disabilities. Administrators also ensure that schools and programs meet
Federal, State, and local requirements for special education, early
intervention, and related services.
The need to increase the number of multilingual leadership
personnel and leadership personnel from racially and ethnically diverse
backgrounds has been recognized due to the significant benefits for
both personnel and the children they serve (e.g., Carver-Thomas, 2018;
deBettencourt et al., 2016). For example, special education programs at
IHEs benefit from multilingual faculty and faculty from racially and
ethnically diverse backgrounds who bring different perspectives,
experiences, and contexts to the program and its curriculum, which, in
turn, benefits the individuals enrolled in the program and the children
with disabilities those individuals will ultimately serve (e.g.,
deBettencourt, et al., 2016; Maggin et al., 2021). A multilingual
faculty and faculty from racially and ethnically diverse backgrounds
also brings different perspectives, experiences, and contexts to
research, which is critical to promoting innovative advances in
knowledge and practice (e.g., Hofstra et al., 2020), including advances
in knowledge of effective culturally and linguistically responsive
instruction and interventions and services that improve outcomes for
children with disabilities. Special education and early intervention
administrators have a critical role in increasing the number of
multilingual personnel and personnel from racially and ethnically
diverse backgrounds who support children with disabilities through
policies, initiatives, and promoting an inclusive culture in early
intervention and school settings (e.g., Carver-Thomas, 2018; Steiner et
al., 2022) as well as retaining personnel. Administrators also ensure
that schools and programs implement culturally and linguistically
responsive instructional programs to ensure that State or local
agencies are meeting the needs of children with disabilities (Bellamy
et al., 2014).
Leadership personnel can have significant influence in preparing
and supporting personnel, policy, and research. All leadership
personnel need to promote high expectations and have current knowledge
of effective culturally and linguistically responsive instruction,
interventions, and services that improve outcomes for children with
disabilities. Critical competencies for special education, early
intervention, and related services leadership personnel vary depending
on the type of leadership personnel and the requirements of the
preparation program, but can include, for example, skills needed for
postsecondary instruction, administration and supervision, interpreting
and applying research, policy development and implementation,
organizational and systems change, communication, collaboration, and
the use of technologies to support in-person and distance education
(Boscardin & Lashley, 2018; Bruns et al., 2017). Scholars' acquisition
of competencies and success in doctoral programs depends on factors
such as supportive supervision, experiential learning opportunities,
access to resources, and developing and enhancing professional networks
and collaborative learning opportunities (Douglas, 2020; Sverdlik et
al., 2018). Networks, in particular, are integral to leadership
development and critical to addressing complex problems (Cullen-Lester
et al., 2017; Hoppe & Reinelt, 2010).
Priority:
The purpose of this priority is to support doctoral degree programs
to prepare and increase the number of personnel who are well-qualified
for, and can act effectively in, leadership positions as researchers
and special education/early intervention/related services personnel
preparers in IHEs, or as leaders in SEAs, LAs under Part C of IDEA,
LEAs, or EIS programs, including increasing the number of multilingual
leadership personnel and leadership personnel from racially and
ethnically diverse backgrounds at the doctoral level in special
education, early intervention, and related services. Proposed projects
must be designed to prepare graduates to be well-qualified for, and act
effectively in, leadership positions as researchers and special
education/early intervention/related services personnel preparers in
IHEs, or as leaders in SEAs, LAs, LEAs, or EIS programs. Projects must
support a program that culminates in a doctoral degree (Ph.D. or
Ed.D.).
Note: Eligible applicants include partnerships \1\ that are
comprised of two or three IHEs with doctoral programs that prepare
scholars \2\ and otherwise meet the eligibility requirements. For
additional information regarding group applications, refer to 34 CFR
75.127, 75.128, and 75.129.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ For the purposes of this priority, a ``partnership'' is a
group comprised of two or three IHEs with doctoral programs in which
(a) each IHE enrolls and supports scholars as part of the
partnership, and (b) the partnership provides joint experiences each
year for scholars to learn from faculty and scholars at each
participating IHE that promote the acquisition of leadership
competencies through coursework, research, internship experiences,
work-based experiences, or other opportunities as a requirement of
the project.
\2\ For the purposes of this priority, ``scholar'' is limited to
an individual who (a) is pursuing a doctoral degree related to
special education, early intervention, or related services; (b)
receives scholarship assistance as authorized under section 662 of
IDEA (34 CFR 304.3(g)); and (c) will be able to be employed in a
position that serves children with disabilities for at least 51
percent of their time or case load. See https://pdp.ed.gov/OSEP/Home/Regulation for more information.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note: Project periods under this priority may be up to 60 months.
Projects should be designed to ensure that all proposed scholars
successfully complete the program within 60 months from the start of
the project. The Secretary may reduce continuation awards for any
project in which scholars
[[Page 29652]]
are not on track to complete the program by the end of that period.
To be considered for funding under this absolute priority,
applicants must meet the application requirements contained in the
priority. All projects funded under this absolute priority also must
meet the programmatic and administrative requirements specified in the
priority.
Note: Preparation programs that lead to clinical doctoral degrees
in related services (e.g., a Doctor of Audiology degree or Doctor of
Physical Therapy degree) are not included in this priority. These types
of preparation programs are eligible to apply for funding under the
Preparation of Early Intervention and Special Education Personnel
Serving Children with Disabilities who have High-Intensity Needs
(84.325K), Preparation of Related Services Personnel Serving Children
with Disabilities who have High-Intensity Needs priority (84.325R), or
the Personnel Preparation of Special Education, Early Intervention, and
Related Services Personnel at Historically Black Colleges and
Universities, Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities, and other
Minority Serving Institutions priority (84.325M) that the Office of
Special Education Programs (OSEP) intends to fund in FY 2023.
To meet the requirements of this priority, an applicant must--
(a) Demonstrate, in the narrative section of the application under
``Significance,'' how--
(1) The proposed project would increase the number of leadership
personnel who are well qualified to advance practice, policy, or
research in the project's preparation focus area and how it will
provide, or prepare others to provide, effective culturally and
linguistically responsive instruction, interventions, and services that
improve outcomes for children with disabilities;
(2) The doctoral program to date has been successful (including
program data, if available) in producing leadership personnel.
Applicants should include data for the number of students who have
completed the doctoral program disaggregated by race, national origin
and primary language(s), and disability status; the types of leadership
positions that recent program graduates are employed in related to
their preparation; the professional accomplishments of program
graduates that demonstrate their leadership in special education, early
intervention, or related services (e.g., public service, awards,
publications); and the percentage of program graduates finding
employment related to their preparation serving students with
disabilities in underserved communities if applicable (e.g., employed
in districts with high rates of poverty); and
Note: Data on the success of a doctoral program should be no more
than 5 years old on the start date of the project proposed in the
application. When reporting percentages, the denominator (i.e., the
total number of scholars or program graduates) must be provided.
(3) Scholar competencies to be acquired in the program relate to
knowledge and skills needed by the leadership personnel in the
project's proposed preparation focus area to provide, or prepare others
to provide, effective culturally and linguistically responsive
instruction, interventions, and services, including through distance
education, that improve outcomes for children with disabilities.
(b) Demonstrate, in the narrative section of the application under
``Quality of project services,'' how--
(1) The applicant will recruit and retain scholars participating in
the project. To meet this requirement, the narrative must describe--
(i) The selection criteria the applicant will use to identify
doctoral applicants for admission to the program;
(ii) The recruitment strategies the project will use to attract
doctoral applicants, including from groups that are underrepresented in
the field, including applicants with disabilities, multilingual
applicants, and applicants from racially and ethnically diverse
backgrounds, to ensure a diverse pool of applicants; and
Note: Applicants should engage in focused outreach and recruitment
to increase the number of doctoral applicants from groups that are
underrepresented in the field, including applicants with disabilities,
multilingual applicants, and applicants from racially and ethnically
diverse backgrounds, but the scholar selection criteria the applicant
intends to use must ensure equal access and treatment of all applicants
seeking admission to the program and must be consistent with applicable
law, including Federal civil rights laws.
(iii) The approach that will be used to mentor and support all
scholars in completing the program and preparing them for careers in
special education, early intervention, or related services; and
(2) The project is designed to promote the acquisition of the
competencies needed by leadership personnel in the project's proposed
preparation focus area to provide, or prepare others to provide,
effective culturally and linguistically responsive instruction,
interventions, and services that improve outcomes for children with
disabilities. To address this requirement, the applicant must--
(i) Describe how the proposed project components, such as
coursework, research, internship experiences, work-based experiences,
program evaluation, and other opportunities provided to scholars, and
sequence of the components will enable the scholars to acquire the
competencies needed by leadership personnel;
Note: Applicants that propose partnership projects must describe
how the project components and sequence of the components are designed
to ensure that scholars have opportunities to acquire the competencies
needed by leadership personnel through engaging and collaborating with
faculty and scholars at each IHE participating in the partnership.
(ii) Describe how the proposed project components will prepare
scholars to provide, or prepare others to provide, culturally and
linguistically responsive effective instruction, interventions, and
services that improve outcomes for children with disabilities, in a
variety of educational or early childhood and early intervention
settings, including in-person and remote settings;
(iii) Describe how the proposed project will engage partners,
including multilingual individuals, individuals and families from
racially and ethnically diverse backgrounds, public or private entities
(e.g., organizations, centers, agencies, schools, programs) that
provide services to multilingual children with disabilities and their
families, and public or private entities that provide services to
children of color with disabilities and their families, to inform
project components; and
(iv) Describe how the proposed project components will promote the
acquisition of scholars' knowledge of strategies and approaches in
attracting, preparing, and retaining future personnel with
disabilities, multilingual personnel and personnel from racially and
ethnically diverse backgrounds, who will work with, and provide
effective culturally and linguistically responsive instruction,
interventions, and services to, children with disabilities and their
families.
(c) Demonstrate, in the narrative section of the application under
``Quality of the Project Personnel and Management Plan,'' how--
(1) The project director and other key project personnel are
qualified to prepare scholars in the project's preparation focus area;
[[Page 29653]]
(2) The project director and other key project personnel will
manage the components of the project;
(3) The time commitments of the project director and other key
project personnel are adequate to meet the objectives of the proposed
project; and
(4) For proposed partnership projects, the project will establish
policies, procedures, standards, and fiscal management of the
partnership.
(d) Demonstrate, in the narrative section of the application under
``Adequacy of resources,'' how--
(1) Information regarding the types of accommodations and resources
available to fully support scholars' well-being and a work-life balance
(e.g., university and community mental health supports, counseling
services, health resources, housing resources, childcare) will be
disseminated and how the project will support scholars accessing those
accommodations and resources on a timely basis, if needed, while the
scholar is in the program;
(2) The types of accommodations and resources provided to support
scholars' well-being and a work-life balance will be individualized
based on scholars' cultural, academic, and social emotional needs with
the goal of supporting them to complete the program; and
(3) The budget is adequate for meeting the project objectives and
mitigating financial burden to scholars while completing the program of
study.
Note: Scholar support does not need to be uniform for all scholars
and should be customized for individual scholars based on the scholar's
financial needs, including a consideration of all costs associated with
the attendance, even if that means enrolling fewer scholars as part of
the proposed project. Scholar support can include support for cost of
attendance (i.e., tuition and fees; university student health
insurance; an allowance for books, materials, and supplies; an
allowance for miscellaneous personal expenses; an allowance for
dependent care, such as childcare; and an allowance for room and
board), travel in conjunction with training assignments, including
conference registration, and stipends to support scholars' completion
of the program and professional development. Projections for scholar
support should consider tuition increases and cost of living increases
over the project period.
(e) Demonstrate, in the narrative section of the application under
``Quality of the project evaluation,'' how the applicant will--
(1) Evaluate how well the goals or objectives of the proposed
leadership project have been met. The applicant must describe the
outcomes to be measured for both the project and the scholars,
particularly the acquisition of scholars' competencies, and the
evaluation methodologies to be employed, data collection methods, and
possible analyses; and
(2) Collect, analyze, and use data on scholars supported by the
project to inform the proposed project on an ongoing basis.
(f) Demonstrate, in the appendices or narrative under ``Required
project assurances'' as directed, that the following requirements are
met. The applicant must--
(1) Include, in Appendix A of the application--
(i) Charts, tables, figures, graphs, screen shots, and visuals that
provide information directly relating to the application requirements
for the narrative. Appendix A should not be used for supplementary
information. Please note that charts, tables, figures, graphs, and
screen shots can be single-spaced when placed in Appendix A; and
(ii) A letter of support from a public or private partnering
agency, school, or program, that states it will provide scholars with a
field or clinic experience in a high-need LEA,\3\ a high-poverty
school,\4\ a school implementing a comprehensive support and
improvement plan,\5\ a school implementing a targeted support and
improvement plan \6\ for children with disabilities, an SEA, an early
childhood and early intervention program located within the
geographical boundaries of a high-need LEA, or an early childhood and
early intervention program located within the geographical boundaries
of an LEA serving the highest percentage of schools identified for
comprehensive support and improvement or implementing targeted support
and improvement plans in the State;
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\3\ For the purposes of this priority, ``high-need LEA'' means
an LEA (a) that serves not fewer than 10,000 children from families
with incomes below the poverty line; or (b) for which not less than
20 percent of the children are from families with incomes below the
poverty line.
\4\ For the purposes of this priority, ``high-poverty school''
means a school in which at least 50 percent of students are from
low-income families as determined using one of the measures of
poverty specified in section 1113(a)(5) of the Elementary and
Secondary Education Act of 1965, as amended (ESEA). For middle and
high schools, eligibility may be calculated on the basis of
comparable data from feeder schools. Eligibility as a high-poverty
school under this definition is determined on the basis of the most
currently available data.
\5\ For the purposes of this priority, ``school implementing a
comprehensive support and improvement plan'' means a school
identified for comprehensive support and improvement by a State
under section 1111(c)(4)(D) of the ESEA that includes (a) not less
than the lowest performing 5 percent of all schools in the State
receiving funds under title I, part A of the ESEA; (b) all public
high schools in the State failing to graduate one third or more of
their students; and (c) public schools in the State described in
section 1111(d)(3)(A)(i)(II) of the ESEA.
\6\ For the purposes of this priority, ``school implementing a
targeted support and improvement plan'' means a school identified
for targeted support and improvement by a State that has developed
and is implementing a school-level targeted support and improvement
plan to improve student outcomes based on the indicators in the
statewide accountability system as defined in section 1111(d)(2) of
the ESEA.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
(2) Include in Appendix B of the application--
(i) A table that includes the project's required coursework that
provides the title, description, and learning goals; and
(ii) Four exemplars of course syllabi in research methods,
evaluation methods, or data analysis courses required by the degree
program;
Note: Partnership projects should include two course syllabi from
each participating IHE.
(3) Include in the application budget attendance by the project
director at a 3-day project directors' meeting in Washington, DC,
during each year of the project. The budget may also provide for the
attendance of scholars at the same 3-day project directors' meetings in
Washington, DC; and
(4) Provide an assurance that--
(i) The project will meet the requirements in 34 CFR 304.23,
particularly those related to (A) informing all scholarship recipients
of their service obligation commitment; and (B) disbursing
scholarships. Failure by a grantee to properly meet these requirements
is a violation of the grant award that may result in the grantee being
liable for returning any misused funds to the Department;
(ii) The project will meet the statutory requirements in section
662(e) through (h) of IDEA;
(iii) The project will be operated in a manner consistent with
nondiscrimination requirements contained in the U.S. Constitution and
Federal civil rights laws;
(iv) All the syllabi for the project's required coursework will be
provided if requested by OSEP;
(v) At least 65 percent of the total award over the project period
(i.e., up to 5 years) will be used for scholar support;
(vi) Scholar support provided by the project (e.g., tuition and
fees; university student health insurance; an allowance for books,
materials, and supplies; an allowance for miscellaneous personal
expenses; an allowance for dependent care, such as childcare; and an
allowance for room and board) will not be conditioned on the scholar
working
[[Page 29654]]
for the grantee (e.g., personnel at the IHE);
(vii) The project director, key personnel, and scholars will
actively participate in the cross-project collaboration, advanced
trainings, and cross-site learning opportunities (e.g., webinars,
briefings) supported by OSEP. This network is intended to promote
opportunities for participants to share resources and generate new
knowledge by addressing topics of common interest to participants
across projects including Department priorities and needs in the field;
(viii) The project website, if applicable, will be of high quality,
with an easy-to-navigate design that meets government or industry-
recognized standards for accessibility;
(ix) Scholar accomplishments (e.g., public service, awards,
publications) will be reported in annual and final performance reports;
and
(x) Annual data will be submitted on each scholar who receives
grant support (OMB Control Number 1820-0686). The primary purposes of
the data collection are to track the service obligation fulfillment of
scholars who receive funds from OSEP grants and to collect data for
program performance measure reporting under 34 CFR 75.110. Data
collection includes the submission of a signed, completed pre-
scholarship agreement and exit certification for each scholar funded
under an OSEP grant (see paragraph (f)(4)(i) of this priority).
Applicants are encouraged to visit the Personnel Development Program
Data Collection System (DCS) website at https://pdp.ed.gov/osep for
further information about this data collection requirement.
Competitive Preference Priorities: Within this absolute priority,
we give competitive preference to applications that address the
following priorities. Under 34 CFR 75.105(c)(2)(i), we award an
additional 3 points to an application that meets Competitive Preference
Priority 1 and an additional 3 points to an application that meets
Competitive Preference Priority 2. Applicants should indicate in the
abstract if competitive preference priorities are addressed, and which
competitive preference priorities are being addressed.
These priorities are:
Competitive Preference Priority 1--Applications from New Potential
Grantees (0 or 3 points).
(a) Under this priority, an applicant must demonstrate that the
applicant (i.e., the IHE) has not had an active discretionary grant
under the program from which it seeks funds, including through
membership in a group application submitted in accordance with 34 CFR
75.127-75.129, in the last 5 years before the deadline date for
submission of applications under the 84.325D program.
(b) For the purposes of this priority, a grant or contract is
active until the end of the grant's or contract's project or funding
period, including any extensions of those periods that extend the
grantee's or contractor's authority to obligate funds.
Competitive Preference Priority 2--Partnership Applications that
Include Minority-Serving Institutions (MSIs) (0 or 3 points).
(a) Under this priority, a partnership application that includes
one or more IHEs that meet the definition of an MSI.\7\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\7\ For purposes of this priority, ``Minority-Serving
Institution (MSI)'' means an institution that is eligible to receive
assistance under sections 316 through 320 of part A of title III,
under part B of title III, or under title V of the Higher Education
Act of 1965, as amended. For purposes of this priority, the
Department will use the FY 2022 Eligibility Matrix to determine MSI
eligibility (see www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ope/idues/eligibility.html).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
(b) For purposes of this priority, the Department will use the FY
2022 Eligibility Matrix to determine MSI eligibility.
References
Bellamy, G.T., Crockett, J.B., & Nordengren, C. (2014). Preparing
school leaders for every student's learning (Document No. LS-2).
Collaboration for Effective Educator, Development, Accountability,
and Reform Center. https://ceedar.education.ufl.edu/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/LS-2_FINAL_09-18-14.pdf.
Bellamy, T., & Iwaszuk, W. (2017, October). Responding to the need
for new local special education administrators: A case study. CEEDAR
Center. https://ceedar.education.ufl.edu/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Case-Study-SPED-10-29-17.pdf.
Boscardin, M.L., & Lashley, C.L. (2018). Expanding the leadership
framework to support socially just special education policy,
preparation, and standards. In J.B. Crockett, B.S. Billingsley, &
M.L. Boscardin (Eds.), The handbook of leadership and administration
for special education. Routledge.
Bruns, D.A., LaRocco, D.J., Sharp, O.L., & Sopko, K.M. (2017).
Leadership competencies in U.S. early intervention/early childhood
special education service systems: A national survey. Infants and
Young Children, 30(4), 304-319.
Carver-Thomas, D. (2018). Diversifying the teaching profession: How
to recruit and retain teachers of color. Learning Policy Institute.
https://learningpolicyinstitute.org/product/diversifying-teaching-profession-report.
Castillo, J.M., Curtis, M.J., & Tan, S.Y. (2014). Personnel needs in
school psychology: A 10-year follow-up study on predicted personnel
shortages. Psychology in the Schools, 51(8), 832-849.
Cullen-Lester, K.L., Maupin, C.K., & Carter, D.R. (2017).
Incorporating social networks in leadership development: A
conceptual model and evaluation of research and practice. The
Leadership Quarterly, 28(1), 130-152.
deBettencourt, L.U., Hoover, J.J., Rude, H.A., & Taylor, S.S.
(2016). Preparing special education higher education faculty: The
influence of contemporary education issues and policy
recommendations. Teacher Education and Special Education, 39, 121-
133.
Douglas, A.S. (2020). Engaging doctoral students in networking
opportunities: A relational approach to doctoral study. Teaching in
Higher Education. https://doi.org/10.1080/13562517.2020.1808611.
Hofstra, B., Kulkarni, V.V., Munoz-Najar Galvez, S., He, B.,
Jurafsky, D., & McFarland, D.A. (2020). The Diversity-Innovation
paradox in science. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences,
117, 9284-9291.
Hoppe, B., & Reinelt, C. (2010). Social network analysis and the
evaluation of leadership networks. The Leadership Quarterly, 21(4),
600-619.
Maggin, D.M., Collins, T.A., Foster, J.A., Scott, M.N., Mossing,
K.W., & Dorsey, C.M. (2021). Faculty perspectives on the
recruitment, retention, and preparation of special education
doctoral students of color. Teacher Education and Special Education,
45(3), 227-245. https://doi.org/10.1177/08884064211046230.
Montrosse, B.E., & Young, C.J. (2012). Market demand for special
education faculty. Teacher Education and Special Education, 35(2),
140-153.
National Center for Systemic Improvement (NCSI). (2018a). Leadership
turnover: The impact on State special education systems. https://ncsi-library.wested.org/resources/250.
National Center for Systemic Improvement (NCSI). (2018b). Leadership
turnover: The impact on State early intervention systems. https://ncsi-library.wested.org/resources/200.
Robb, S.M., Smith, D.D., & Montrosse, B.E. (2012). A context of the
demand for special education faculty: A study of special education
teacher preparation programs. Teacher Education and Special
Education, 35(2), 128-139.
Steiner, E.D., Greer, L., Berdie, L., Schwartz, H.L., Woo, A., Doan,
S., Lawrence, R.A., Wolfe, R.L., & Gittens, A.D. (2022).
Prioritizing strategies to racially diversify the K-12 teacher
workforce: Findings from the state of the American teacher and state
of the American principal surveys. RAND Corporation. www.rand.org/pubs/research_reports/RRA1108-6.html.
Sverdlik, A., Hall, N.C., McAlpine, L., & Hubbard, K. (2018). The
Ph.D. experience: A review of the factors influencing doctoral
students' completion, achievement, and well-being. International
Journal of Doctoral Studies, 13, 361-388.
[[Page 29655]]
Tucker, D.A, Compton, M.V., Allen, S.J., Mayo, R., Hooper, C.,
Ogletree, B., Flynn, P., Frazier, A., McMurry, S. (2020). Exploring
barriers to doctoral education in communication sciences and
disorders: Insights from practicing professionals. Perspectives of
the ASHA Special Interest Groups, 1-12. https://doi.org/10.1044/2020_PERSP-20-00019.
Waiver of Proposed Rulemaking: Under the Administrative Procedure
Act (APA) (5 U.S.C. 553) the Department generally offers interested
parties the opportunity to comment on proposed priorities. Section
681(d) of IDEA, however, makes the public comment requirements of the
APA inapplicable to the priorities in this notice.
Program Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1462 and 1481.
Note: Projects will be awarded and must be operated in a manner
consistent with the nondiscrimination requirements contained in Federal
civil rights laws.
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 regulations for this program in 34 CFR part 304.
Note: The regulations in 34 CFR part 86 apply to IHEs only.
II. Award Information
Type of Award: Discretionary grants.
Estimated Available Funds: $9,750,000.
Contingent upon the availability of funds and the quality of
applications, we may make additional awards in FY 2024 from the list of
unfunded applications from this competition.
Estimated Range of Awards: $225,000-$250,000 per year for an
individual IHE; $450,000-$500,000 per year for a two-IHE partnership
application; and $675,000-$750,000 for a three-IHE partnership
application.
Estimated Average Size of Awards: $237,500 per year for an
individual IHE; $475,000 per year for a two-IHE group application; and
$712,500 per year for a three-IHE group application.
Maximum Award: For a single budget period of 12 months, we will not
make an award exceeding: for an individual IHE, $250,000; for a two-IHE
group application, $500,000; and for a three-IHE group application,
$750,000.
Estimated Number of Awards: Up to 39 awards for individual IHEs.
However, the total number of awards may change depending on the number
of group application awards under the absolute priority.
Note: The Department is not bound by any estimates in this notice.
Project Period: Up to 60 months.
III. Eligibility Information
1. Eligible Applicants: IHEs and private nonprofit organizations.
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.
2.a. Cost Sharing or Matching: Cost sharing or matching is not
required for this competition.
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 private 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, consistent with 34 CFR 75.708(b)(2).
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 projects relating to the absolute
priority, involve individuals with disabilities, or parents of
individuals with disabilities ages birth through 26, in planning,
implementing, and evaluating the project (see section 682(a)(1)(A) of
IDEA).
IV. Application and Submission Information
1. Application Submission Instructions: Applicants are required to
follow the Common Instructions for Applicants to Department of
Education Discretionary Grant Programs, published in the Federal
Register on December 7, 2022 (87 FR 775045) and available at
www.federalregister.gov/documents/2022/12/07/2022-26554/common-instructions-for-applicants-to-department-of-education-discretionary-grant-programs, which contain requirements and information on how to
submit an application. Please note that these Common Instructions
supersede the version published on December 27, 2021.
2. Intergovernmental Review: This competition is subject to
Executive Order 12372 and the regulations in 34 CFR part 79.
Information about Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs under
Executive Order 12372 is in the application package for this
competition.
3. Funding Restrictions: We reference regulations outlining funding
restrictions in the Applicable Regulations section of this notice.
4. Recommended Page Limit: The application narrative 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 40 pages; (2) limit the whole
[[Page 29656]]
application to no more than 100 pages; and (3) 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 the cover sheet; the
budget section, including the narrative budget justification; 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 (10 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 will prepare personnel
for fields in which shortages have been demonstrated; and
(ii) The importance or magnitude of the results or outcomes likely
to be attained by the proposed project, especially improvements in
teaching and student achievement.
(b) Quality of project services (35 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.
(3) In addition, the Secretary considers the following factors:
(i) The extent to which the services to be provided by the proposed
project reflect up-to-date knowledge from research and effective
practice;
(ii) 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;
(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; and
(iv) The extent to which the proposed activities constitute a
coherent, sustained program of training in the field.
(c) Quality of project personnel and quality of the management plan
(20 points).
(1) The Secretary considers the quality of the project personnel
and the quality of the management plan for 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 key project personnel;
(ii) The adequacy of the management plan to achieve the objectives
of the proposed project on time and within budget, including clearly
defined responsibilities, timelines, and milestones for accomplishing
project tasks; and
(iii) The extent to which the time commitments of the project
director and principal investigator and other key project personnel are
appropriate and adequate to meet the objectives of the proposed
project; and
(d) Adequacy of resources (20 points).
(1) The Secretary considers the adequacy of resources of the
proposed project.
(2) In determining the adequacy of resources of 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; and
(ii) The extent to which the costs are reasonable in relation to
the objectives, design, and potential significance of the proposed
project.
(e) Quality of the project evaluation (15 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; and
(ii) The extent to which the methods of evaluation will provide
performance feedback and permit periodic assessment of progress toward
achieving intended outcomes.
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.
[[Page 29657]]
4. Risk Assessment and Specific Conditions: Consistent with 2 CFR
200.206, before awarding grants under this competition the Department
conducts a review of the risks posed by applicants. Under 2 CFR
200.208, the Secretary may impose specific conditions, and under 2 CFR
3474.10, 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 200.206(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.
6. In General: In accordance with the Office of Management and
Budget's guidance located at 2 CFR part 200, all applicable Federal
laws, and relevant Executive guidance, the Department will review and
consider applications for funding pursuant to this notice inviting
applications in accordance with--
(a) Selecting recipients most likely to be successful in delivering
results based on the program objectives through an objective process of
evaluating Federal award applications (2 CFR 200.205);
(b) Prohibiting the purchase of certain telecommunication and video
surveillance services or equipment in alignment with section 889 of the
National Defense Authorization Act of 2019 (Pub. L. 115-232) (2 CFR
200.216);
(c) Providing a preference, to the extent permitted by law, to
maximize use of goods, products, and materials produced in the United
States (2 CFR 200.322); and
(d) Terminating agreements in whole or in part to the greatest
extent authorized by law if an award no longer effectuates the program
goals or agency priorities (2 CFR 200.340).
VI. Award Administration Information
1. Award Notices: If your application is successful, we notify your
U.S. Representative and U.S. Senators and send you a Grant Award
Notification (GAN); or we may send you an email containing a link to
access an electronic version of your GAN. We may notify you informally,
also.
If your application is not evaluated or not selected for funding,
we notify you.
2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements: We identify
administrative and national policy requirements in the application
package and reference these and other requirements in the Applicable
Regulations section of this notice.
We reference the regulations outlining the terms and conditions of
an award in the Applicable Regulations section of this notice and
include these and other specific conditions in the GAN. The GAN also
incorporates your approved application as part of your binding
commitments under the grant.
3. Open Licensing Requirements: Unless an exception applies, if you
are awarded a grant under this competition, you will be required to
openly license to the public grant deliverables created in whole, or in
part, with Department grant funds. When the deliverable consists of
modifications to pre-existing works, the license extends only to those
modifications that can be separately identified and only to the extent
that open licensing is permitted under the terms of any licenses or
other legal restrictions on the use of pre-existing works.
Additionally, a grantee that is awarded competitive grant funds must
have a plan to disseminate these public grant deliverables. This
dissemination plan can be developed and submitted after your
application has been reviewed and selected for funding. For additional
information on the open licensing requirements please refer to 2 CFR
3474.20.
4. Reporting: (a) If you apply for a grant under this competition,
you must ensure that you have in place the necessary processes and
systems to comply with the reporting requirements in 2 CFR part 170
should you receive funding under the competition. This does not apply
if you have an exception under 2 CFR 170.110(b).
(b) At the end of your project period, you must submit a final
performance report, including financial information, as directed by the
Secretary. If you receive a multiyear award, you must submit an annual
performance report that provides the most current performance and
financial expenditure information as directed by the Secretary under 34
CFR 75.118. The Secretary may also require more frequent performance
reports under 34 CFR 75.720(c). For specific requirements on reporting,
please go to www.ed.gov/fund/grant/apply/appforms/appforms.html.
(c) Under 34 CFR 75.250(b), the Secretary may provide a grantee
with additional funding for data collection analysis and reporting. In
this case the Secretary establishes a data collection period.
5. Performance Measures: For the purposes of Department reporting
under 34 CFR 75.110, the Department has established a set of
performance measures, including long-term measures, that are designed
to yield information on various aspects of the effectiveness and
quality of the Personnel Development to Improve Services and Results
for Children with Disabilities program. These measures include (1) the
percentage of preparation programs that incorporate scientifically
based research or evidence-based practices (EBPs) into their curricula;
(2) the percentage of scholars completing the preparation program who
are knowledgeable and skilled in EBPs that improve outcomes for
children with disabilities; (3) the percentage of scholars who exit the
preparation program prior to completion due to poor academic
performance; (4) the percentage of scholars completing the preparation
program who are working in the area(s) in which they were prepared upon
program completion; (5) the Federal cost per scholar who completed the
preparation program; (6) the percentage of scholars who completed the
preparation program and are employed in high-need districts; and (7)
the percentage of scholars who completed the preparation program and
who are rated effective by their employers.
In addition, the Department will gather information on the
following outcome measures: (1) the number and percentage of scholars
proposed by the grantee in their application that were actually
enrolled and making satisfactory academic progress in the
[[Page 29658]]
current academic year; (2) the number and percentage of enrolled
scholars who are on track to complete the training program by the end
of the project's original grant period; and (3) the percentage of
scholars who completed the preparation program and are employed in the
field of special education for at least two years.
Grantees may be asked to participate in assessing and providing
information on these aspects of program quality.
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, whether
the grantee has made substantial progress in achieving 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. The Department will provide the requestor with an
accessible format that may include Rich Text Format (RTF) or text
format (txt), a thumb drive, an MP3 file, braille, large print,
audiotape, or compact disc, or other accessible format.
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.
Katherine Neas,
Deputy Assistant Secretary, Delegated the authority to perform the
functions and duties of the Assistant Secretary for the Office of
Special Education and Rehabilitative Services.
[FR Doc. 2023-09688 Filed 5-5-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4000-01-P