80 FR 58234 - Final Waiver and Extension of the Project Period for the Literacy Information and Communication System Regional Professional Development Centers
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 187 (September 28, 2015)
Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 187 (September 28, 2015)
| Page Range | 58234-58235 | |
| FR Document | 2015-24590 |
[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 187 (Monday, September 28, 2015)] [Notices] [Pages 58234-58235] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2015-24590] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION Final Waiver and Extension of the Project Period for the Literacy Information and Communication System Regional Professional Development Centers Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: 84.191B. AGENCY: Career, Technical, and Adult Education, Department of Education. ACTION: Final Waiver and Extension. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: For the 36-month grant projects funded in fiscal year (FY) 2011, using FY 2010 funds, under the Literacy Information and Communication System (LINCS) Regional Professional Development Centers (RPDC) program, the Secretary hereby waives the restriction against project period extensions involving the obligation of additional Federal funds, and extends the project period of the four LINCS RPDC grants for an additional 12 months. This enables the four current LINCS RPDC grantees that received awards under the FY 2011 competition that were extended for one additional year through FY 2014 using 2013 funds (through September 30, 2015), to seek another continuation award for one additional year through FY 2015 with FY 2014 funds (through September 30, 2016); and we will not announce a new LINCS RPDC competition for FY 2015. DATES: This final waiver and extension of the project period is effective September 28, 2015. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Patricia Bennett, U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Ave. SW., Room 11013, Potomac Center Plaza, Washington, DC 20202. Telephone: (202) 245-7758 or by email at: [email protected]. If you use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) or a text telephone (TTY), call the Federal Relay Service (FRS), toll free, at 1- 800-877-8339. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On June 2, 2014, we published in the Federal Register (79 FR 31315) a final waiver and extension for the current 36- month grant projects under the Literacy Information and Communication System (LINCS) Regional Professional Development Centers (RPDC) program in which the Secretary waived the restriction against project period extensions involving the obligation of additional Federal funds and extended for an additional 12 months the project period of the four LINCS RPDC grants. The Secretary took this action because we did not believe that it was in the public interest to hold a LINCS RPDC competition for FY 2014, (through September 30, 2015), the same year in which the Department's LINCS resource collection contract and the LINCS technical services contract would end. This one-year extension of the LINCS RPDC project period through FY 2014 ensured seamless technical assistance service delivery to our adult education customers. On July 24, 2015, we published in the Federal Register (80 FR 44088) (July 2015 notice) a proposed waiver of 34 CFR 75.261(a) and (c)(2), which restricts project period extensions involving the obligation of additional Federal funds, as it applies to the LINCS RPDC. The Secretary also proposed in the July 2015 notice to extend the project period of LINCS RPDC grants for an additional 12 months to enable the four current LINCS RPDC grantees that received awards under the FY 2011 competition to seek a continuation award for one additional year through FY 2015 (through September 30, 2016), with FY 2014 funds, in accordance with the transition authority under section 503(c) of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), 29 U.S.C. 3343(c), which grants the Secretary broad discretion to take appropriate action to provide for the orderly transition from the prior Adult Education and Family Literacy Act (AEFLA) (20 U.S.C. 9201 et seq.) to AEFLA as authorized under WIOA. The Secretaries of Education and Labor have published proposed rules implementing WIOA and are also developing guidance for the State and local grantees that implement WIOA programs, including AEFLA. We did not believe that it would be in the public interest to hold a LINCS RPDC competition during a period of significant change for State grantees transitioning to new program requirements under WIOA, as this is a time when support from the four experienced LINCS RPDC grantees would be particularly critical to maintaining needed technical assistance and professional development for State grantees and adult educators. There are no substantive differences between the proposed and final waivers and extensions. Public Comment: In the July 2015 notice, the Secretary invited comments about the potential effect that this waiver and extension of the project period would have on LINCS RPDCs and on applicants that may be eligible to apply for grant awards under any new LINCS RPDC notice inviting applications, should there be one. The July 2015 notice contained background information and our reasons for proposing the waiver and extension of the project period. We received 12 comments in response to our proposal, one of which did not address the proposed waiver and extension. Generally, we do not address comments that raise concerns not related to the proposed waiver and extension. Analysis of Comments and Changes Comment: Each of the 11 commenters who addressed the proposed waiver and extension: Supported it, discussed the benefits and accomplishments of current LINCS RPDC projects, and stated that an extension of the current project period would allow grantees to continue to provide quality professional development during a period of transition from the requirements of the prior AEFLA to the new requirements of AEFLA under WIOA. Response: We agree with the 11 commenters that extending the current LINCS RPDC grant period will allow current LINCS RPDC grantees to request continuation awards with which they could (1) continue to work toward accomplishing the goals and objectives stated in their 2011 LINCS RPDC grant applications, and (2) provide quality professional development during a period of transition from the requirements of the prior AEFLA to the requirements of AEFLA under WIOA. Change: None. Waiver of Delayed Effective Date The Administrative Procedure Act (APA) requires that a substantive rule must be published at least 30 days before its effective date, except as otherwise provided for good cause (5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3)). The Secretary has determined that a delayed effective date is unnecessary and contrary to the public interest. It is unnecessary because we received only 11 public comments on this action, all of which supported our proposal and we have not made any substantive changes to the proposal. It is contrary to public interest because we would not be able to make timely continuation grants to the four affected entities with the delay. Therefore, the Secretary waives the APA's delayed effective date provision for good cause. Regulatory Flexibility Act Certification The Secretary certifies that the waiver and extension and the activities [[Page 58235]] required to support an additional year of funding will not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities. The small entities that will be affected by this waiver and extension are the four currently-funded LINCS RPDC grantees and any potential applicants for LINCS RPDC grants in FY 2015. The Secretary further certifies that the waiver and extension will not have a significant economic impact on these LINCS RPDC entities because the waiver and extension impose minimal compliance costs to extend projects already in existence, and the activities required to support the additional year of funding will not impose additional regulatory burdens or require unnecessary Federal supervision. Furthermore, the costs of carrying out these activities could be paid for with program funds. Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 This final waiver and extension does not contain any information collection requirements. Intergovernmental Review The LINCS RPDC is subject to Executive Order 12372 and the regulations in 34 CFR part 79. One of the objectives of the Executive order is to foster an intergovernmental partnership and a strengthened federalism. The Executive order relies on processes developed by State and local governments for coordination and review of proposed Federal financial assistance. This document provides early notification of our specific plans and actions for this program. Accessible Format: Individuals with disabilities can obtain this document in an accessible format (e.g., braille, large print, audiotape, or compact disc) on request to the contact person listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT. Electronic Access to This Document: The official version of this document is the document published in the Federal Register. 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 this 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. Program Authority: 29 U.S.C. 3332(c)(2)(G). Dated: September 22, 2015. Johan E. Uvin, Deputy Assistant Secretary, Delegated the Authority of Assistant Secretary for the Office for Career, Technical, and Adult Education. [FR Doc. 2015-24590 Filed 9-25-15; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4000-01-P
![58234 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 187 / Monday, September 28, 2015 / Notices
Dated: September 17, 2015. restriction against project period and on applicants that may be eligible
Tori K. White, extensions involving the obligation of to apply for grant awards under any new
Acting Chief, Regulatory Division. additional Federal funds and extended LINCS RPDC notice inviting
[FR Doc. 2015–24575 Filed 9–25–15; 8:45 am] for an additional 12 months the project applications, should there be one. The
BILLING CODE 3720–58–P period of the four LINCS RPDC grants. July 2015 notice contained background
The Secretary took this action because information and our reasons for
we did not believe that it was in the proposing the waiver and extension of
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION public interest to hold a LINCS RPDC the project period.
competition for FY 2014, (through We received 12 comments in response
Final Waiver and Extension of the September 30, 2015), the same year in to our proposal, one of which did not
Project Period for the Literacy which the Department’s LINCS resource address the proposed waiver and
Information and Communication collection contract and the LINCS extension. Generally, we do not address
System Regional Professional technical services contract would end. comments that raise concerns not
Development Centers This one-year extension of the LINCS related to the proposed waiver and
RPDC project period through FY 2014 extension.
Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance ensured seamless technical assistance
(CFDA) Number: 84.191B. service delivery to our adult education Analysis of Comments and Changes
AGENCY: Career, Technical, and Adult customers. Comment: Each of the 11 commenters
Education, Department of Education. On July 24, 2015, we published in the who addressed the proposed waiver and
ACTION: Final Waiver and Extension.
Federal Register (80 FR 44088) (July extension: Supported it, discussed the
2015 notice) a proposed waiver of 34 benefits and accomplishments of
SUMMARY: For the 36-month grant CFR 75.261(a) and (c)(2), which restricts current LINCS RPDC projects, and
projects funded in fiscal year (FY) 2011, project period extensions involving the stated that an extension of the current
using FY 2010 funds, under the Literacy obligation of additional Federal funds, project period would allow grantees to
Information and Communication as it applies to the LINCS RPDC. The continue to provide quality professional
System (LINCS) Regional Professional Secretary also proposed in the July 2015 development during a period of
Development Centers (RPDC) program, notice to extend the project period of transition from the requirements of the
the Secretary hereby waives the LINCS RPDC grants for an additional 12 prior AEFLA to the new requirements of
restriction against project period months to enable the four current LINCS AEFLA under WIOA.
extensions involving the obligation of RPDC grantees that received awards Response: We agree with the 11
additional Federal funds, and extends under the FY 2011 competition to seek commenters that extending the current
the project period of the four LINCS a continuation award for one additional LINCS RPDC grant period will allow
RPDC grants for an additional 12 year through FY 2015 (through current LINCS RPDC grantees to request
months. This enables the four current September 30, 2016), with FY 2014 continuation awards with which they
LINCS RPDC grantees that received funds, in accordance with the transition could (1) continue to work toward
awards under the FY 2011 competition authority under section 503(c) of the accomplishing the goals and objectives
that were extended for one additional Workforce Innovation and Opportunity stated in their 2011 LINCS RPDC grant
year through FY 2014 using 2013 funds Act (WIOA), 29 U.S.C. 3343(c), which applications, and (2) provide quality
(through September 30, 2015), to seek grants the Secretary broad discretion to professional development during a
another continuation award for one take appropriate action to provide for period of transition from the
additional year through FY 2015 with the orderly transition from the prior requirements of the prior AEFLA to the
FY 2014 funds (through September 30, Adult Education and Family Literacy requirements of AEFLA under WIOA.
2016); and we will not announce a new Act (AEFLA) (20 U.S.C. 9201 et seq.) to Change: None.
LINCS RPDC competition for FY 2015. AEFLA as authorized under WIOA. The
Secretaries of Education and Labor have Waiver of Delayed Effective Date
DATES: This final waiver and extension
published proposed rules implementing The Administrative Procedure Act
of the project period is effective
WIOA and are also developing guidance (APA) requires that a substantive rule
September 28, 2015.
for the State and local grantees that must be published at least 30 days
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
implement WIOA programs, including before its effective date, except as
Patricia Bennett, U.S. Department of otherwise provided for good cause (5
AEFLA. We did not believe that it
Education, 400 Maryland Ave. SW., U.S.C. 553(d)(3)). The Secretary has
would be in the public interest to hold
Room 11013, Potomac Center Plaza, determined that a delayed effective date
a LINCS RPDC competition during a
Washington, DC 20202. Telephone: period of significant change for State is unnecessary and contrary to the
(202) 245–7758 or by email at: grantees transitioning to new program public interest. It is unnecessary
patricia.bennett@ed.gov. requirements under WIOA, as this is a because we received only 11 public
If you use a telecommunications
time when support from the four comments on this action, all of which
device for the deaf (TDD) or a text
experienced LINCS RPDC grantees supported our proposal and we have not
telephone (TTY), call the Federal Relay
would be particularly critical to made any substantive changes to the
Service (FRS), toll free, at 1–800–877–
maintaining needed technical assistance proposal. It is contrary to public interest
8339.
and professional development for State because we would not be able to make
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On June 2, grantees and adult educators. timely continuation grants to the four
2014, we published in the Federal There are no substantive differences affected entities with the delay.
tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
Register (79 FR 31315) a final waiver between the proposed and final waivers Therefore, the Secretary waives the
and extension for the current 36-month and extensions. APA’s delayed effective date provision
grant projects under the Literacy Public Comment: In the July 2015 for good cause.
Information and Communication notice, the Secretary invited comments
System (LINCS) Regional Professional about the potential effect that this Regulatory Flexibility Act Certification
Development Centers (RPDC) program waiver and extension of the project The Secretary certifies that the waiver
in which the Secretary waived the period would have on LINCS RPDCs and extension and the activities
VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:19 Sep 25, 2015 Jkt 235001 PO 00000 Frm 00004 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\28SEN1.SGM 28SEN1](https://thefederalregister.org/doc/80_FR_58421/page/1.svg)
![Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 187 / Monday, September 28, 2015 / Notices 58235
required to support an additional year of Specifically, through the advanced results more rapidly than is typically
funding will not have a significant search feature at this site, you can limit achieved in education research.
economic impact on a substantial your search to documents published by
Full Text of Announcement
number of small entities. the Department.
The small entities that will be affected Program Authority: 29 U.S.C.
I. Funding Opportunity Description
by this waiver and extension are the 3332(c)(2)(G). Purpose of Program: The purpose of
four currently-funded LINCS RPDC the Low-Cost, Short-Duration
Dated: September 22, 2015.
grantees and any potential applicants Evaluation of Education Interventions
for LINCS RPDC grants in FY 2015. Johan E. Uvin,
Deputy Assistant Secretary, Delegated the
and Low-Cost, Short-Duration
The Secretary further certifies that the Evaluation of Special Education
waiver and extension will not have a Authority of Assistant Secretary for the Office
for Career, Technical, and Adult Education. Interventions grant programs is to
significant economic impact on these support rigorous evaluations of
LINCS RPDC entities because the waiver [FR Doc. 2015–24590 Filed 9–25–15; 8:45 am]
education interventions implemented
and extension impose minimal BILLING CODE 4000–01–P
by SEAs and LEAs that have important
compliance costs to extend projects implications for improving student
already in existence, and the activities education outcomes. The evaluations
required to support the additional year DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
are low cost because they rely on
of funding will not impose additional administrative records or other available
Applications for New Awards; Low-
regulatory burdens or require data and are completed within a two-
Cost, Short-Duration Evaluation of
unnecessary Federal supervision. year period. The evaluations are
Education Interventions and Low-Cost,
Furthermore, the costs of carrying out rigorous because they use randomized
Short-Duration Evaluation of Special
these activities could be paid for with controlled trials or regression
Education Interventions
program funds. discontinuity designs that, if well
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 AGENCY: Institute of Education Sciences, implemented, would meet What Works
Department of Education. Clearinghouse evidence standards
This final waiver and extension does
ACTION: Notice. without reservations for determining the
not contain any information collection
requirements. effectiveness of interventions.
Overview Information The evaluations are to be carried out
Intergovernmental Review by partnerships between research
Low-Cost, Short-Duration Evaluation of
The LINCS RPDC is subject to Education Interventions and Low- institutions and SEAs or LEAs.
Executive Order 12372 and the Cost, Short-Duration Evaluation of Implementation of the intervention to be
regulations in 34 CFR part 79. One of Special Education Interventions evaluated is to be supported by the SEA
the objectives of the Executive order is Notice inviting applications for new and/or LEA and not by the grant. The
to foster an intergovernmental awards for fiscal year (FY) 2016. education intervention to be evaluated
partnership and a strengthened should be implemented and the key
federalism. The Executive order relies Catalog of Federal Domestic outcomes collected within the first year
on processes developed by State and Assistance (CFDA) Numbers: 84.305L of the project, and the analysis and
local governments for coordination and and 84.324L. dissemination should be completed by
review of proposed Federal financial DATES: Request for Applications the end of the second year of the project.
assistance. This document provides Available: September 30, 2015. In order to meet this schedule, projects
early notification of our specific plans Applications Available: November 12, should focus on interventions that are
and actions for this program. 2015. expected to produce meaningful results
Accessible Format: Individuals with Deadline for Transmittal of quickly (for example, within one
disabilities can obtain this document in Applications: January 12, 2016. semester or school year) and that rely on
an accessible format (e.g., braille, large SUMMARY: The Deputy Director for outcome measures that are readily
print, audiotape, or compact disc) on Policy and Research, delegated the available to researchers.
request to the contact person listed duties of the Director, of the Institute of Competitions in This Notice: The
under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION Education Sciences (Institute) Institute’s National Center for Education
CONTACT. announces the Institute’s FY 2016 grant Research (NCER) will hold one
Electronic Access to This Document: competition for Low-Cost, Short- competition for the Low-Cost, Short-
The official version of this document is Duration Evaluation of Education Duration Evaluation of Education
the document published in the Federal Interventions and Low-Cost, Short- Interventions Grant Program (84.305L).
Register. Free Internet access to the Duration Evaluation of Special The Institute’s National Center for
official edition of the Federal Register Education Interventions. The Deputy Special Education Research (NCSER)
and the Code of Federal Regulations is Director for Policy and Research takes will hold one competition for the Low-
available via the Federal Digital System this action under the Education Cost, Short-Duration Evaluation of
at: www.gpo.gov/fdsys. At this site you Sciences Reform Act of 2002. The Special Education Interventions Grant
can view this document, as well as all Institute’s purpose in awarding these Program (84.324L).
other documents of this Department grants is to support rigorous evaluations
of education interventions that State Program Authority: 20 U.S.C. 9501 et seq.
published in the Federal Register, in
text or Adobe Portable Document educational agencies (SEAs) or local Applicable Regulations: (a) The
tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
Format (PDF). To use PDF you must educational agencies (LEAs) believe will Education Department General
have Adobe Acrobat Reader, which is produce meaningful improvements in Administrative Regulations in 34 CFR
available free at this site. student outcomes within a short period parts 77, 81, 82, 84, 86, 97, 98, and 99.
You may also access documents of the (for example, within a single semester or In addition, the regulations in 34 CFR
Department published in the Federal academic year), that can be conducted at part 75 are applicable, except for the
Register by using the article search low cost, and that will provide provisions in 34 CFR 75.100, 75.101(b),
feature at www.federalregister.gov. policymakers with valid and useful 75.102, 75.103, 75.105, 75.109(a),
VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:19 Sep 25, 2015 Jkt 235001 PO 00000 Frm 00005 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\28SEN1.SGM 28SEN1](https://thefederalregister.org/doc/80_FR_58421/page/2.svg)
Document Created: 2018-02-26 10:21:54
Document Modified: 2018-02-26 10:21:54
| Category | Regulatory Information | |
| Collection | Federal Register | |
| sudoc Class | AE 2.7: GS 4.107: AE 2.106: | |
| Publisher | Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration | |
| Section | Notices | |
| Action | Final Waiver and Extension. | |
| Dates | This final waiver and extension of the project period is effective September 28, 2015. | |
| Contact | Patricia Bennett, U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Ave. SW., Room 11013, Potomac Center Plaza, Washington, DC 20202. Telephone: (202) 245-7758 or by email at: [email protected] | |
| FR Citation | 80 FR 58234 |
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