80 FR 15768 - Applications for New Awards; Ready-To-Learn Television

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 57 (March 25, 2015)

[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 57 (Wednesday, March 25, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 15768-15775]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2015-06791]


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DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION


Applications for New Awards; Ready-To-Learn Television

AGENCY: Office of Innovation and Improvement, Department of Education.

ACTION: Notice.

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    Overview Information:
    Ready-to-Learn Television.
    Notice inviting applications for new awards for fiscal year (FY) 
2015.
    Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: 84.295A.

DATES: Applications Available: March 25, 2015.
    Deadline for Notice of Intent to Apply: April 9, 2015.
    Date of Pre-Application Webinar: An informational Webinar will be 
announced on the Ready-to-Learn Television Web site at http://www2.ed.gov/programs/rtltv/index.html.
    Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: May 26, 2015.
    Deadline for Intergovernmental Review: July 23, 2015.

Full Text of Announcement

I. Funding Opportunity Description

    Purpose of Program: The Ready-to-Learn Television Program (Ready-
to-Learn) is designed to: (1) Facilitate school readiness and academic 
achievement by supporting the development and national distribution of 
educational television and interactive media programming for preschool 
and elementary school children and their parents; (2) develop and 
disseminate educational outreach materials and programs that are 
designed to deepen and extend the effectiveness of the educational 
television and interactive media and (3) build social and virtual 
communities of parents, educators, and children devoted to using the 
media materials.
    Background:
    Ready-to-Learn aims to take advantage of common mass media consumer 
technologies in order to reach children in low-income homes who may be 
lacking in educationally-rich learning opportunities and make it easier 
for parents, caregivers, and early learning providers to find 
trustworthy materials that they can use with the children in their 
care.
    Ready-to-Learn accomplishes this by using Federal dollars to 
stimulate the creation of educational media content that meets the 
highest standards of educational quality, while aiming to be just as 
entertaining as the best commercially produced media programs. Ready-
to-Learn is not meant to be a mere subsidy to enable media producers to 
create educational content that would not otherwise be commercially 
feasible for them to produce. Rather, Ready-to-Learn seeks to bring 
educators and media producers together in cooperative working 
relationships that would not otherwise be possible, while also using 
the Federal investment to leverage additional contributions in funding, 
talent, and resources.
    To succeed, media producers generally must depart from their 
typical ways of working and embrace the contributions of educators and 
other education experts. Experts in subject matter and pedagogy, 
instructional designers, formative researchers, and other educators 
will work side by side and on equal footing with creative and media 
production experts in areas such as storytelling and interactive 
gameplay in order to merge their contributions into a unified and 
integrated effort.
    As in the 2010 competition, in which Ready-to-Learn supported the 
development of educational ``transmedia,'' we are again looking to 
create new, interrelated combinations of television and interactive 
media in which characters, narrative story lines, and problem-solving 
are used to connect the various media products. In order to make this 
work, producers may need to plan how their different products will work 
together to execute a cohesive strategy, and then build a production 
model accordingly. Furthermore, producers may need to think carefully 
about how the eventual distribution of the products will be sequenced 
and organized to ensure that users will experience them in a manner 
that reflects this cohesiveness.
    Striking the right balance between innovation and access is key. 
Technologies are constantly changing, and with them come new 
opportunities for improving young children's learning. Ready-to-Learn 
seeks to take advantage of the best educational uses of each medium and 
explore how best to combine both emerging and older media platforms to 
reach young children and their caregivers. With emerging technologies, 
it is important, however, to keep in mind what is available to low-
income users in their homes or communities and what is accessible to a 
wide range of users, particularly those with disabilities.
    Although the television programming created under Ready-to-Learn 
has generally been made accessible to users who have hearing or vision 
loss through captioning and video description, some of the transmedia 
created to accompany these programs has lacked meaningful

[[Page 15769]]

accessibility features for users with disabilities. Products produced 
by projects funded through this competition must be accessible both for 
purposes of complying with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and to 
ensure that the needs of all users, including those with disabilities, 
are addressed. In meeting the requirement to reach the ``widest 
possible audience'' set out in section 2431(a)(1)(D) of the Elementary 
and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA), applicants are expected to 
include the accommodations needed to provide accessibility to 
individuals with disabilities.
    Furthermore, distribution has been an issue. In the past, the 
Department has generally assumed that if Ready-to-Learn grantees 
created high-quality products, national distribution deals would 
follow--usually through the existing infrastructure of the public 
television system. But the range of media available to producers has 
expanded beyond broadcast or cable television and Web sites to include 
national video streaming companies, applications for tablets and 
smartphones, game platforms, social media, and other technologies. 
Contemporary users also desire the ability to move freely between these 
platforms.
    Therefore, in this competition we are encouraging applicants to 
consider and plan for distribution much earlier in the life of their 
proposed projects, and to directly partner with those broadcasters, 
streamers, game companies, publishers, or others that will be integral 
to ensure that the media is accessible to all users and will reflect 
both the creative and educational vision that went into its design.
    Historically, Ready-to-Learn has also required grantees to develop 
and implement outreach programs in culturally diverse local 
communities. This year, we continue this focus by encouraging 
applicants to partner with both local and national organizations that 
promote wider use of the educational media materials in homes, daycare 
facilities, museums and libraries, and a variety of other informal 
learning and school-based settings. We therefore encourage the creation 
of supplemental materials for teachers, parents, and caregivers to use 
in these settings. We also encourage the development of both local and 
virtual user communities to share information, model effective 
practices, and promote dissemination.
    Throughout this process, conducting research is essential in at 
least two ways: First, when formative research is conducted in 
coordination with the production teams, it can help to ensure that 
learners are responding appropriately to design elements such as user 
interfaces, visual cues, programmed feedback, and more. Second, 
research can be used to determine the effectiveness of the media 
products in helping young children learn or improve their school 
readiness. Because of the importance of research to the success of 
projects, Ready-to-Learn encourages applicants to enlist independent 
researchers to conduct one or more rigorous effectiveness studies that 
will meet the What Works Clearinghouse Evidence Standards (as defined 
in this notice). Such studies should examine the effectiveness of the 
proposed combination of television and other interactive media to 
improve science or literacy learning outcomes and to improve school 
readiness, when used by children in the proposed home or informal 
learning. Studies should also compare the learning and school readiness 
outcomes of children using products supported by Ready-to-Learn to the 
outcomes of children using other similar educational media or non-
media-based learning materials.
    Statutory Requirements:
    As set forth in section 2431 of the ESEA, to be eligible to receive 
a cooperative agreement under Ready-to-Learn, an applicant must propose 
to:
    (1) Develop, produce, and distribute educational and instructional 
video programming for preschool and elementary school children and 
their parents in order to facilitate student academic achievement;
    (2) Facilitate the development, directly or through contracts with 
producers of children and family educational television programming, of 
educational programming for preschool and elementary school children, 
and the accompanying support materials and services that promote the 
effective use of such programming;
    (3) Facilitate the development of programming and digital content 
containing Ready-to-Learn-based children's programming and resources 
for parents and caregivers that is specially designed for nationwide 
distribution over public television stations' digital broadcasting 
channels and the Internet;
    (4) Contract with entities (such as public telecommunications 
entities) so that programs developed under this program are 
disseminated and distributed to the widest possible audience 
appropriate to be served by the programming, and through the use of the 
most appropriate distribution technologies; and
    (5) Develop and disseminate education and training materials, 
including interactive programs and programs adaptable to distance 
learning technologies, that are designed--
    (i) To promote school readiness; and
    (ii) To promote the effective use of materials developed under 
paragraphs (2) and (3) among parents, teachers, Head Start providers, 
Even Start providers, providers of family literacy services, child care 
providers, early childhood development personnel, elementary school 
teachers, public libraries, and after-school program personnel caring 
for preschool and elementary school children.

    Note: As set forth in section 2431(d) of the ESEA, a recipient 
of a Ready-to-Learn Television cooperative agreement is authorized 
to use up to five percent of the amount received for the normal and 
customary expenses of administering the grant.

    Priorities: Under this competition, we are particularly interested 
in applications that address one or both of the following priorities.
    Invitational Priorities: For FY 2015 and any subsequent year in 
which we make awards from the list of unfunded applicants from this 
competition, these priorities are invitational priorities. Under 34 CFR 
75.105(c)(1) we do not give an application that meets these 
invitational priorities a competitive or absolute preference over other 
applications.
    These priorities are:
    Invitational Priority 1.
    The Secretary invites applications from eligible public 
telecommunications entities that have a demonstrated track record in 
high-quality educational television production for preschool or 
elementary school-aged children and demonstrated success in improving 
reading, math, or science skills for children ages two through eight. 
These entities are invited to collaborate, as needed, with early 
learning educators; professional media producers; national 
broadcasters, streaming companies, or other mass media distributors; 
learning game companies; formative researchers; and other relevant 
organizations to produce and nationally distribute high-quality, age-
appropriate educational television and digital media content that 
focuses on science (including scientific thinking and skill 
development) or literacy. The media should target children ages two 
through eight (or subsets), particularly those from low-income 
families, for use in the home or in informal learning settings for the 
purposes of improving learning outcomes or school readiness. Applicants 
are encouraged to use both

[[Page 15770]]

television and a variety of accessible digital media to explore new 
combinations of narrative storytelling and interactive learning, and 
whenever possible, to make these media available to consumers at no 
cost.
    Invitational Priority 2.
    The Secretary invites applications from eligible public 
telecommunications entities that have a demonstrated track record in 
high-quality educational television production for preschool or 
elementary school aged children and demonstrated success in improving 
reading, math, or science skills for children ages two through eight. 
These entities are invited to create and nationally distribute new 
combinations of educational television and accessible interactive media 
for young children, ages two through eight (or subsets), particularly 
those from low-income families, that use analytics and embedded 
assessments, consistent with applicable privacy requirements, in order 
to (a) create personalized learning experiences that adapt as users 
progressively demonstrate competency or (b) provide useful and 
meaningful learning data to parents, caregivers, or educators.

    Note: The media produced using Ready-to-Learn funds must comply 
with 16 CFR 312, the Children's Online Privacy Protection Rule, 
which protects children under the age of 13 from unfair or deceptive 
use of personal information. This rule can be found at: 
www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=4939e77c77a1a1a08c1cbf905fc4b409&node=16%3A1.0.1.3.36&rgn=div5.

    Definitions: The following definitions apply to this competition. 
The definitions of ``logic model,'' ``strong theory,'' and ``What Works 
Clearinghouse Evidence Standards'' are from 34 CFR 77.1(c). The 
definition of ``public telecommunications entity'' is from 20 U.S.C. 
7801(35), which references 47 U.S.C. 397.
    Logic model (also referred to as theory of action) means a well-
specified conceptual framework that identifies key components of the 
proposed process, product, strategy, or practice (i.e., the active 
``ingredients'' that are hypothesized to be critical to achieving the 
relevant outcomes) and describes the relationships among the key 
components and outcomes, theoretically and operationally.

    Note: In developing logic models, applicants may want to use 
resources such as the Pacific Education Laboratory's Education Logic 
Model Application (www.relpacific.mcrel.org/PERR.html or http://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/ED544779.pdf) to help design their logic 
models.

    Public telecommunications entity means any enterprise which (a) is 
a public broadcast station or a noncommercial telecommunications 
entity; and (b) disseminates public telecommunications services to the 
public.
    Strong theory means a rationale for the proposed process, product, 
strategy, or practice that includes a logic model.
    What Works Clearinghouse Evidence Standards means the standards set 
forth in the What Works Clearinghouse Procedures and Standards Handbook 
(Version 3.0, March 2014), which can be found at the following link: 
http://ies.ed.gov/ncee/wwc/DocumentSum.aspx?sid=19.

    Program Authority:  20 U.S.C. 6775.

    Applicable Regulations: (a) The Education Department General 
Administrative Regulations (EDGAR) in 34 CFR parts 75, 77, 79, 81, 82, 
84, 86, 97, 98, and 99. (b) The OMB Guidelines to Agencies on 
Governmentwide Debarment and Suspension (Nonprocurement) in 2 CFR part 
180, as adopted and amended as regulations of the Department in 2 CFR 
part 3485. (c) The Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost 
Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards in 2 CFR part 
200, as adopted and amended in 2 CFR part 3474.

    Note: The regulations in 34 CFR part 79 apply to all applicants 
except federally recognized Indian tribes.


    Note: The regulations in 34 CFR part 86 apply to institutions of 
higher education only.

II. Award Information

    Type of Award: Cooperative agreements.
    Estimated Available Funds: $25,621,000 for FY 2015.
    Contingent upon the availability of funds and the quality of 
applications, we may make additional awards in FY 2016 from the list of 
unfunded applicants from this competition.
    Estimated Range of Awards: $4,000,000-$12,000,000 for the first 
year of the project. Funding for the second, third, fourth, and fifth 
years is subject to availability of funds and the approval of 
continuation awards (see 34 CFR 75.253).
    Estimated Average Size of Awards: $8,000,000 for the first year of 
the project; $40,000,000 over five years.
    Estimated Number of Awards: 3.

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

    Project Period: Up to 60 months.

III. Eligibility Information

    1. Eligible Applicants: To receive a cooperative agreement under 
this competition, an entity must be a public telecommunications entity 
(as defined in this notice) that is able to demonstrate:
    (A) A capacity to develop and nationally distribute educational and 
instructional television programming of high quality that is accessible 
by a large majority of disadvantaged preschool and elementary school 
children;
    (B) A capacity to contract with the producers of children's 
television programming for the purpose of developing educational 
television programming of high quality;
    (C) A capacity, consistent with the entity's mission and nonprofit 
nature, to negotiate such contracts in a manner that returns to the 
entity an appropriate share of any ancillary income from sales of any 
program-related products; and
    (D) A capacity to localize programming and materials to meet 
specific State and local needs and to provide educational outreach at 
the local level.

    Note: If more than one public telecommunications entity wishes 
to form a consortium and jointly submit a single application, they 
must follow the procedures for group applications described in 34 
CFR 75.127 through 75.129 of EDGAR.

    2. Cost Sharing or Matching: This competition does not require cost 
sharing or matching.

IV. Application and Submission Information

    1. Address to Request Application Package: You can obtain an 
application package via the Internet, from the Education Publications 
Center (ED Pubs), or from the program office.
    To obtain a copy via the Internet, use the following address: 
www.ed.gov/fund/grant/apply/grantapps/index.html.
    To obtain a copy from ED Pubs, write, fax, or call the following: 
ED Pubs, U.S. Department of Education, P.O. Box 22207, Alexandria, VA 
22304. Telephone, toll free: 1-877-433-7827. FAX: (703) 605-6794. If 
you use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) or a text 
telephone (TTY), call, toll free: 1-877-576-7734.
    You can contact ED Pubs at its Web site, also: www.EDPubs.gov or at 
its email address: [email protected].
    If you request an application from ED Pubs, be sure to identify 
this program as follows: CFDA number 84.295A.
    To obtain a copy from the program office, contact: Brian Lekander, 
U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue SW., Room 4C133, 
Washington,

[[Page 15771]]

DC 20202-9830. Telephone: (202) 205-5633 or by email: 
[email protected]. If you use a TDD or a TTY, call the Federal Relay 
Service (FRS), toll free, at 1-800-877-8339.
    Individuals with disabilities can obtain a copy of the application 
package in an accessible format (e.g., braille, large print, audiotape, 
or compact disc) by contacting the program contact person listed in 
this section.
    2. Content and Form of Application Submission: Requirements 
concerning the content of an application, together with the forms you 
must submit, are in the application package for this program.
    Notice of Intent to Apply: April 9, 2015.
    We will be able to develop a more efficient process for reviewing 
grant applications if we have a better understanding of the number of 
public telecommunications entities that intend to apply for funding 
under this program. Therefore, we strongly encourage each potential 
applicant to notify the Department by sending a short email message 
indicating the applicant's intent to submit an application for funding. 
The email should indicate the invitational priority or priorities to be 
addressed and the subject matter focus (e.g., science or literacy) of 
the application. The email should be addressed to [email protected]. 
Applicants may also fill out a brief letter of intent to apply form on 
the Ready-to-Learn Web site. Applicants that do not provide this email 
notification or fill out the form may still apply for funding.
    Page Limit: The application narrative is where you, the applicant, 
address the selection criteria that reviewers use to evaluation your 
application. Applicants are strongly encouraged to limit the 
application narrative (Part III) to the equivalent of no more than 50 
pages. Applicants are also strongly encouraged not to include lengthy 
appendices that contain information that they were unable to include 
within the page limits for the narrative. Applicants should use the 
following standards:
     A ``page'' is 8.5'' x 11'', on one side only, with 1'' 
margins at the top, bottom, and both sides.
     Double space (no more than three lines per vertical inch) 
all text in the application narrative, including titles, headings, 
footnotes, quotations, references, and captions.
     Use a font that is either 12 point or larger or no smaller 
than 10 pitch (characters per inch).
     Use one of the following fonts: Times New Roman, Courier, 
Courier New, or Arial.
    The page limit for the application does not apply to Part I, the 
cover sheet; Part II, the budget section, including the narrative 
budget justification; Part IV, the assurances and certifications; or 
the one-page abstract, the resumes, the bibliography, or the letters of 
support of the application. However, the page limit does apply to all 
of the application narrative section of the application.
    3. Submission Dates and Times:
    Applications Available: March 25, 2015.
    Deadline for Notice of Intent to Submit an Application: April 9, 
2015.
    Date of Pre-Application Webinar: The Department intends to hold a 
Webinar designed to provide technical assistance to those interested in 
applying for a Ready-to-Learn grant. Detailed information regarding 
this meeting will be provided on the Ready-to-Learn Web site at http://www2.ed.gov/programs/rtltv/index.html.
    Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: May 26, 2015.
    Applications for grants under this competition must be submitted 
electronically using the Grants.gov Apply site (Grants.gov). For 
information (including dates and times) about how to submit your 
application electronically, or in paper format by mail or hand delivery 
if you qualify for an exception to the electronic submission 
requirement, please refer to section IV. Application and Submission 
Information. 7. Other Submission Requirements of this notice.
    We do not consider an application that does not comply with the 
deadline requirements.
    Individuals with disabilities who need an accommodation or 
auxiliary aid in connection with the application process should contact 
the person listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT in section VII 
of this notice. If the Department provides an accommodation or 
auxiliary aid to an individual with a disability in connection with the 
application process, the individual's application remains subject to 
all other requirements and limitations in this notice.
    Deadline for Intergovernmental Review: May 26, 2015.
    4. Intergovernmental Review: This program 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 program.
    5. Funding Restrictions: We reference regulations outlining funding 
restrictions in the Applicable Regulations section of this notice.
    6. Data Universal Numbering System Number, Taxpayer Identification 
Number, and System for Award Management: To do business with the 
Department of Education, you must--
    a. Have a Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number and a 
Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN);
    b. Register both your DUNS number and TIN with the System for Award 
Management (SAM) (formerly the Central Contractor Registry (CCR)), the 
Government's primary registrant database;
    c. Provide your DUNS number and TIN on your application; and
    d. Maintain an active SAM registration with current information 
while your application is under review by the Department and, if you 
are awarded a grant, during the project period.
    You can obtain a DUNS number from Dun and Bradstreet. A DUNS number 
can be created within one to two business days.
    If you are a corporate entity, agency, institution, or 
organization, you can obtain a TIN from the Internal Revenue Service. 
If you are an individual, you can obtain a TIN from the Internal 
Revenue Service or the Social Security Administration. If you need a 
new TIN, please allow 2-5 weeks for your TIN to become active.
    The SAM registration process can take approximately seven business 
days, but may take upwards of several weeks, depending on the 
completeness and accuracy of the data entered into the SAM database by 
an entity. Thus, if you think you might want to apply for Federal 
financial assistance under a program administered by the Department, 
please allow sufficient time to obtain and register your DUNS number 
and TIN. We strongly recommend that you register early.

    Note:  Once your SAM registration is active, you will need to 
allow 24 to 48 hours for the information to be available in 
Grants.gov and before you can submit an application through 
Grants.gov.

    If you are currently registered with SAM, you may not need to make 
any changes. However, please make certain that the TIN associated with 
your DUNS number is correct. Also note that you will need to update 
your registration annually. This may take three or more business days.
    Information about SAM is available at www.SAM.gov. To further 
assist you with obtaining and registering your DUNS number and TIN in 
SAM or updating your existing SAM account,

[[Page 15772]]

we have prepared a SAM.gov Tip Sheet, which you can find at: http://www2.ed.gov/fund/grant/apply/sam-faqs.html.
    In addition, if you are submitting your application via Grants.gov, 
you must (1) be designated by your organization as an Authorized 
Organization Representative (AOR); and (2) register yourself with 
Grants.gov as an AOR. Details on these steps are outlined at the 
following Grants.gov Web page: www.grants.gov/web/grants/register.html.
    7. Other Submission Requirements: Applications for grants under 
this program must be submitted electronically unless you qualify for an 
exception to this requirement in accordance with the instructions in 
this section.
    a. Electronic Submission of Applications.
    Applications for grants under the Ready-to-Learn Television 
Program, CFDA Number 84.295A, must be submitted electronically using 
the Governmentwide Grants.gov Apply site at www.Grants.gov. Through 
this site, you will be able to download a copy of the application 
package, complete it offline, and then upload and submit your 
application. You may not email an electronic copy of a grant 
application to us.
    We will reject your application if you submit it in paper format 
unless, as described elsewhere in this section, you qualify for one of 
the exceptions to the electronic submission requirement and submit, no 
later than two weeks before the application deadline date, a written 
statement to the Department that you qualify for one of these 
exceptions. Further information regarding calculation of the date that 
is two weeks before the application deadline date is provided later in 
this section under Exception to Electronic Submission Requirement.
    You may access the electronic grant application for the Ready-to-
Learn program at www.Grants.gov. You must search for the downloadable 
application package for this competition by the CFDA number. Do not 
include the CFDA number's alpha suffix in your search (e.g., search for 
84.295, not 84.295A).
    Please note the following:
     When you enter the Grants.gov site, you will find 
information about submitting an application electronically through the 
site, as well as the hours of operation.
     Applications received by Grants.gov are date and time 
stamped. Your application must be fully uploaded and submitted and must 
be date and time stamped by the Grants.gov system no later than 4:30:00 
p.m., Washington, DC time, on the application deadline date. Except as 
otherwise noted in this section, we will not accept your application if 
it is received--that is, date and time stamped by the Grants.gov 
system--after 4:30:00 p.m., Washington, DC time, on the application 
deadline date. We do not consider an application that does not comply 
with the deadline requirements. When we retrieve your application from 
Grants.gov, we will notify you if we are rejecting your application 
because it was date and time stamped by the Grants.gov system after 
4:30:00 p.m., Washington, DC time, on the application deadline date.
     The amount of time it can take to upload an application 
will vary depending on a variety of factors, including the size of the 
application and the speed of your Internet connection. Therefore, we 
strongly recommend that you do not wait until the application deadline 
date to begin the submission process through Grants.gov.
     You should review and follow the Education Submission 
Procedures for submitting an application through Grants.gov that are 
included in the application package for this competition to ensure that 
you submit your application in a timely manner to the Grants.gov 
system. You can also find the Education Submission Procedures 
pertaining to Grants.gov under News and Events on the Department's G5 
system home page at http://www.G5.gov.
     You will not receive additional point value because you 
submit your application in electronic format, nor will we penalize you 
if you qualify for an exception to the electronic submission 
requirement, as described elsewhere in this section, and submit your 
application in paper format.
     You must submit all documents electronically, including 
all information you typically provide on the following forms: the 
Application for Federal Assistance (SF 424), the Department of 
Education Supplemental Information for SF 424, Budget Information--Non-
Construction Programs (ED 524), and all necessary assurances and 
certifications.
     You must upload any narrative sections and all other 
attachments to your application as files in a PDF (Portable Document) 
read-only, non-modifiable format. Do not upload an interactive or 
fillable PDF file. If you upload a file type other than a read-only, 
non-modifiable PDF or submit a password-protected file, we will not 
review that material.
     Your electronic application must comply with any page-
limit requirements described in this notice.
     After you electronically submit your application, you will 
receive from Grants.gov an automatic notification of receipt that 
contains a Grants.gov tracking number. (This notification indicates 
receipt by Grants.gov only, not receipt by the Department.) The 
Department then will retrieve your application from Grants.gov and send 
a second notification to you by email. This second notification 
indicates that the Department has received your application and has 
assigned your application a PR/Award number (an ED-specified 
identifying number unique to your application).
     We may request that you provide us original signatures on 
forms at a later date.
    Application Deadline Date Extension in Case of Technical Issues 
with the Grants.gov System: If you are experiencing problems submitting 
your application through Grants.gov, please contact the Grants.gov 
Support Desk, toll free, at 1-800-518-4726. You must obtain a 
Grants.gov Support Desk Case Number and must keep a record of it.
    If you are prevented from electronically submitting your 
application on the application deadline date because of technical 
problems with the Grants.gov system, we will grant you an extension 
until 4:30:00 p.m., Washington, DC time, the following business day to 
enable you to transmit your application electronically or by hand 
delivery. You also may mail your application by following the mailing 
instructions described elsewhere in this notice.
    If you submit an application after 4:30:00 p.m., Washington, DC 
time, on the application deadline date, please contact the person 
listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT in section VII of this 
notice and provide an explanation of the technical problem you 
experienced with Grants.gov, along with the Grants.gov Support Desk 
Case Number. We will accept your application if we can confirm that a 
technical problem occurred with the Grants.gov system and that that 
problem affected your ability to submit your application by 4:30:00 
p.m., Washington, DC time, on the application deadline date. The 
Department will contact you after a determination is made on whether 
your application will be accepted.

    Note:  The extensions to which we refer in this section apply 
only to the unavailability of, or technical problems with, the 
Grants.gov system. We will not grant you an extension if you failed 
to fully register to submit your application to Grants.gov before 
the application deadline date and time or if the

[[Page 15773]]

technical problem you experienced is unrelated to the Grants.gov 
system.

    Exception to Electronic Submission Requirement: You qualify for an 
exception to the electronic submission requirement, and may submit your 
application in paper format, if you are unable to submit an application 
through the Grants.gov system because--
     You do not have access to the Internet; or
     You do not have the capacity to upload large documents to 
the Grants.gov system; and
     No later than two weeks before the application deadline 
date (14 calendar days or, if the fourteenth calendar day before the 
application deadline date falls on a Federal holiday, the next business 
day following the Federal holiday), you mail or fax a written statement 
to the Department, explaining which of the two grounds for an exception 
prevents you from using the Internet to submit your application. If you 
mail your written statement to the Department, it must be postmarked no 
later than two weeks before the application deadline date. If you fax 
your written statement to the Department, we must receive the faxed 
statement no later than two weeks before the application deadline date.
    Address and mail or fax your statement to: Brian Lekander, U.S. 
Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue SW., Room 4C133, 
Washington, DC 20202. FAX: (202) 205-5631.
    Your paper application must be submitted in accordance with the 
mail or hand delivery instructions described in this notice.
    b. Submission of Paper Applications by Mail.
    If you qualify for an exception to the electronic submission 
requirement, you may mail (through the U.S. Postal Service or a 
commercial carrier) your application to the Department. You must mail 
the original and two copies of your application, on or before the 
application deadline date, to the Department at the following address: 
U.S. Department of Education, Application Control Center, Attention: 
(CFDA Number 84.295A), LBJ Basement Level 1, 400 Maryland Avenue SW., 
Washington, DC 20202-4260.
    You must show proof of mailing consisting of one of the following:
    (1) A legibly dated U.S. Postal Service postmark.
    (2) A legible mail receipt with the date of mailing stamped by the 
U.S. Postal Service.
    (3) A dated shipping label, invoice, or receipt from a commercial 
carrier.
    (4) Any other proof of mailing acceptable to the Secretary of the 
U.S. Department of Education.
    If you mail your application through the U.S. Postal Service, we do 
not accept either of the following as proof of mailing:
    (1) A private metered postmark.
    (2) A mail receipt that is not dated by the U.S. Postal Service.
    If your application is postmarked after the application deadline 
date, we will not consider your application.

    Note:  The U.S. Postal Service does not uniformly provide a 
dated postmark. Before relying on this method, you should check with 
your local post office.

    c. Submission of Paper Applications by Hand Delivery.
    If you qualify for an exception to the electronic submission 
requirement, you (or a courier service) may deliver your paper 
application to the Department by hand. You must deliver the original 
and two copies of your application, by hand, on or before the 
application deadline date, to the Department at the following address: 
U.S. Department of Education, Application Control Center, Attention: 
(CFDA Number 84.295A), 550 12th Street, SW., Room 7039, Potomac Center 
Plaza, Washington, DC 20202-4260.
    The Application Control Center accepts hand deliveries daily 
between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30:00 p.m., Washington, DC time, except 
Saturdays, Sundays, and Federal holidays.
    Note for Mail or Hand Delivery of Paper Applications: If you mail 
or hand deliver your application to the Department--
    (1) You must indicate on the envelope and--if not provided by the 
Department--in Item 11 of the SF 424 the CFDA number, including suffix 
letter, if any, of the competition under which you are submitting your 
application; and
    (2) The Application Control Center will mail to you a notification 
of receipt of your grant application. If you do not receive this grant 
notification within 15 business days from the application deadline 
date, you should call the U.S. Department of Education Application 
Control Center at (202) 245-6288.

V. Application Review Information

    1. Selection Criteria: The selection criteria for the Ready-to-
Learn competition are from the EDGAR general selection criteria in 34 
CFR 75.210 and are listed below.
    The points assigned to each criterion are indicated in the 
parentheses next to the criterion. An applicant may earn up to a total 
of 100 points based on its responses to the selection criteria.

    Note:  An applicant must provide in the project narrative 
section of its application information about how its proposed 
project addresses the selection criteria. In responding to the 
selection criteria, applicants should keep in mind that peer 
reviewers may consider only the information provided in the written 
application when scoring and commenting on the application.

    A. Significance (10 points)
    The Secretary considers the significance of the proposed project. 
In determining the significance of the proposed project, the Secretary 
considers the following factors:
    (i) The extent to which the proposed project will provide services 
or otherwise address the needs of students at risk of educational 
failure.
    (ii) The extent to which the proposed project involves the 
development or demonstration of promising new strategies that build on, 
or are alternatives to, existing strategies.
    B. Quality of the Project Design (25 points)
    The Secretary considers the quality of the design of the proposed 
project. In determining the quality of the design of the proposed 
project, the Secretary considers the following factors:
    (i) The extent to which the proposed project represents an 
exceptional approach for meeting statutory purposes and requirements.
    (ii) The extent to which the proposed project is supported by 
strong theory (as defined in this notice).
    (iii) The extent to which the goals, objectives, and outcomes to be 
achieved by the proposed project are clearly specified and measurable.
    (iv) The extent to which the proposed development efforts include 
adequate quality controls and, as appropriate, repeated testing of 
products.

    Note:  In responding to the Quality of the Project Design 
selection criterion, an applicant should include a detailed 
description of its proposal to develop media and conduct outreach, 
as described in section 2431 of the ESEA.

    C. Strategy to Scale (25 points)
    The Secretary considers the applicant's strategy to scale the 
proposed project. In determining the applicant's capacity to scale the 
proposed project, the Secretary considers the following factors:
    (i) The applicant's capacity (e.g., in terms of qualified 
personnel, financial resources, or management capacity) to further 
develop and bring to scale the proposed process, product, strategy, or 
practice, or to work with others to ensure that the proposed process, 
product, strategy, or practice can be further developed and brought to 
scale, based on the findings of the proposed project.

[[Page 15774]]

    (ii) The likely utility of the products (such as information, 
materials, processes, or techniques) that will result from the proposed 
project, including the potential for their being used effectively in a 
variety of other settings.
    D. Quality of the Management Plan (20 Points)
    The Secretary considers the quality of the management plan for the 
proposed project. In determining the quality of the management plan for 
the proposed project, the Secretary considers the following factors:
    (i) 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.
    (ii) The qualifications, including relevant training and 
experience, of key project personnel.
    (iii) The relevance and demonstrated commitment of each partner in 
the proposed project to the implementation and success of the project.
    E. Quality of the Project Evaluation (20 points)
    The Secretary considers the quality of the evaluation to be 
conducted of the proposed project. In determining the quality of the 
evaluation, the Secretary considers the following factors:
    (i) The extent to which the methods of evaluation include the use 
of objective performance measures that are clearly related to the 
intended outcomes of the project and will produce quantitative and 
qualitative data to the extent possible.
    (ii) The extent to which the methods of evaluation will provide 
timely guidance for quality assurance.
    (iii) The extent to which the methods of evaluation will, if well-
implemented, produce evidence about the project's effectiveness that 
would meet the What Works Clearinghouse Evidence Standards (as defined 
in this notice) with reservations.

    Note:  We encourage applicants to review the following technical 
assistance resources on evaluation: (1) WWC Procedures and Standards 
Handbook: http://ies.ed.gov/ncee/wwc/references/idocviewer/doc.aspx?docid=19&tocid=1; and (2) IES/NCEE Technical Methods 
papers: http://ies.ed.gov/ncee/tech_methods/. In addition, we invite 
applicants to view two optional Webinar recordings that was hosted 
by the Institute of Education Sciences. The first Webinar discussed 
strategies for designing and executing well-designed quasi-
experimental design studies. Applicants interested in viewing this 
Webinar may find more information at the following Web site: http://ies.ed.gov/ncee/wwc/news.aspx?sid=23. We also encourage applicants 
to review a second Webinar recorded by the IES that focused on more 
rigorous evaluation designs. This Webinar discusses strategies for 
designing and executing studies that meet WWC standards without 
reservations. Applicants interested in reviewing this Webinar may 
find more information at the following Web site: http://ies.ed.gov/ncee/wwc/News.aspx?sid=18.
    2. Review and Selection Process: Before making awards, we will 
screen applications submitted in accordance with the requirements in 
this notice to determine whether applications have met eligibility 
and other requirements. This screening process may occur at various 
stages of the process; applicants that are determined to be 
ineligible will not receive a grant, regardless of peer reviewer 
scores or comments.

    We will use independent peer reviewers with varied backgrounds and 
professions, such as experts in science or literacy education, early 
learning, media production and distribution, educational game 
development, educational technology, community-based outreach, or 
educational research and evaluation. All reviewers will be thoroughly 
screened for conflicts of interest to ensure a fair and competitive 
review process. Peer reviewers will read, prepare a written evaluation, 
and score the assigned applications, using the selection criteria 
provided in this notice.
    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.
    Finally, in making a competitive grant award, the Secretary also 
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 of Education 
(34 CFR 100.4, 104.5, 106.4, 108.8, and 110.23).
    3. Special Conditions: Under 2 CFR 3474.10, the Secretary may 
impose special conditions and, in appropriate circumstances, high-risk 
conditions on a grant if the applicant or grantee is not financially 
stable; has a history of unsatisfactory performance; has a financial or 
other management system that does not meet the standards in 2 CFR part 
200, subpart D; has not fulfilled the conditions of a prior grant; or 
is otherwise not responsible.

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. 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 multi-year 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.
    4. Performance Measures: The Department has established four 
performance measures for the Ready-to-Learn program. These measures 
constitute the Department's indicators of success for the program. 
Consequently, we advise an applicant for a grant under this program to 
give careful consideration to these measures in conceptualizing the 
approach and evaluation for its proposed project. Each grantee will be 
required to provide, in its annual performance reports and in its final 
report, data about its progress in meeting these measures.
    The first three are Government Performance and Results Act of 1993

[[Page 15775]]

(GPRA) performance measures for the Ready-to-Learn program:
     The percentage of summative experimental or quasi-
experimental research studies that demonstrate positive and 
statistically significant gains in science or literacy skills when 
Ready-to-Learn transmedia properties are compared to similar non-Ready-
to-Learn-funded digital properties or to other more traditional 
educational materials.
     The number of children who annually use Ready-to-Learn 
produced educational media products, disaggregated by individual 
product, as determined by appropriate industry standard metrics or, 
when available, by tracking tools.
     The percentage of educational ``transmedia products,'' 
along with necessary supporting materials, that are deemed to be of 
high quality in promoting learning of science or literacy by an 
independent panel of expert reviewers.

    Note:  The Department will convene expert panels annually to 
review grantee-produced products. Applicants should include in their 
budgets funds for two individuals each year to spend two days in 
Washington, DC to attend these panel meetings and to demonstrate the 
identified products to reviewers.

    The fourth performance measure for Ready-to-Learn is a program 
efficiency measure:
     Dollars leveraged from non-Federal sources per Federal 
dollar dedicated to core non-outreach and non-research program 
activities.
    5. Continuation Awards: In making a continuation award under 34 CFR 
75.253, the Secretary considers, among other things: Whether a grantee 
has made substantial progress in achieving the goals and objectives of 
the project; whether the grantee has expended funds in a manner that is 
consistent with its approved application and budget; and, if the 
Secretary has established performance measurement requirements, the 
performance targets in the grantee's approved application. In making a 
continuation grant, 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. Agency Contact

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Brian Lekander, U.S. Department of 
Education, 400 Maryland Avenue SW., Room 4C133, Washington, DC 20202-
5930. Telephone: (202) 205-5633 or by email: [email protected].
    If you use a TDD or a TTY, call the FRS, toll free, at 1-800-877-
8339.

VIII. Other Information

    Accessible Format: Individuals with disabilities can obtain this 
document and a copy of the application package in an accessible format 
(e.g., braille, large print, audiotape, or compact disc) on request to 
the program contact person listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT 
in section VII of this notice.
    Electronic Access to This Document: The official version of this 
document is the document published in the Federal Register. Free 
Internet access to the official edition of the Federal Register and the 
Code of Federal Regulations is available via the Federal Digital System 
at: www.thefederalregister.org/fdsys. At this site you can view this document, as well 
as all other documents of this Department published in the Federal 
Register, in text or Adobe 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.

    Dated: March 20, 2015.
Nadya Chinoy Dabby,
Assistant Deputy Secretary for Innovation and Improvement.
[FR Doc. 2015-06791 Filed 3-23-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4000-01-P