82_FR_11235 82 FR 11202 - Application for New Awards; National Professional Development Program

82 FR 11202 - Application for New Awards; National Professional Development Program

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 33 (February 21, 2017)

Page Range11202-11211
FR Document2017-03367

Federal Register, Volume 82 Issue 33 (Tuesday, February 21, 2017)
[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 33 (Tuesday, February 21, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 11202-11211]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2017-03367]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION


Application for New Awards; National Professional Development 
Program

AGENCY: Office of English Language Acquisition, Department of 
Education.

ACTION: Notice.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

    Overview Information:
    National Professional Development Program.
    Notice inviting applications for new awards for fiscal year (FY) 
2017.
    Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: 84.365Z.

DATES: 
    Applications Available: February 21, 2017.
    Deadline for Notice of Intent to Apply: March 13, 2017.
    Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: April 24, 2017.
    Deadline for Intergovernmental Review: June 21, 2017.

[[Page 11203]]

Full Text of Announcement

I. Funding Opportunity Description

    Purpose of Program: The National Professional Development (NPD) 
program, authorized by section 3131(c)(1)(C) of the Elementary and 
Secondary Education Act of 1965 as amended by the Every Student 
Succeeds Act (hereafter in this notice referred to as the ESEA), awards 
grants on a competitive basis, for a period of not more than five 
years, to institutions of higher education (IHEs) or public or private 
entities with relevant experience and capacity, in consortia with State 
educational agencies (SEAs) or local educational agencies (LEAs). The 
purpose of these grants is to provide professional development 
activities that will improve classroom instruction for English learners 
(ELs) and assist educational personnel working with such children to 
meet high professional standards, including standards for certification 
and licensure as teachers who work in language instruction educational 
programs or serve ELs.
    Grants awarded under this program may be used--
    (1) For effective pre-service or inservice professional development 
programs that will improve the qualifications and skills of educational 
personnel involved in the education of ELs, including personnel who are 
not certified or licensed and educational paraprofessionals, and for 
other activities to increase teacher and school leader effectiveness in 
meeting the needs of ELs;
    (2) For the development of program curricula appropriate to the 
needs of the consortia participants involved;
    (3) To support strategies that strengthen and increase parent, 
family, and community member engagement in the education of ELs;
    (4) To develop, share, and disseminate effective practices in the 
instruction of ELs and in increasing the student academic achievement 
of ELs, including the use of technology-based programs;
    (5) In conjunction with other Federal need-based student financial 
assistance programs, for financial assistance, including costs related 
to tuition, fees, and books for enrolling in courses required to 
complete the degree involved, to meet certification or licensing 
requirements for teachers who work in language instruction educational 
programs or serve ELs; and
    (6) As appropriate, to support strategies that promote school 
readiness of ELs and their transition from early childhood education 
programs, such as Head Start or State-run preschool programs, to 
elementary school programs.
    Background:
    Educator effectiveness is the most important in-school factor 
affecting student achievement and success.\1\ The NPD program is a 
Federal grant program that offers professional development specifically 
for educators of ELs. Through its competitions, the NPD program intends 
to improve the academic achievement of ELs by supporting pre-service 
and inservice practices for teachers and other staff, including school 
leaders, working with ELs.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ Calder[oacute]n, M., Slavin, R., and S[aacute]nchez, M. 
(2011). Effective instruction for English learners. Future of 
Children, 21(1), 103-127.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Through previous competitions, the NPD program has funded a range 
of grantees that are currently implementing 121 projects across the 
country. As the EL population continues to grow, it has become 
increasingly important to identify and support practices implemented by 
educators of ELs that effectively improve student learning outcomes.
    However, there are limited studies that provide evidence about how 
to best prepare and support educators of ELs in ways that will 
ultimately improve student learning and outcomes. The existing studies 
that the Department has identified typically do not meet the highest 
standards for rigor, and largely focus on professional development for 
in-service teachers; few focused on preparation for pre-service 
teachers.
    Nonetheless, the body of evidence on effective language, literacy, 
and content instruction for ELs, including specific instructional 
practices for English language acquisition, is growing steadily, as 
documented by the 2014 What Works Clearinghouse (WWC) Practice Guide 
for teaching ELs, available at: http://ies.ed.gov/ncee/wwc/PracticeGuide.aspx?sid=19. To encourage the use of evidence to increase 
the effectiveness of projects funded by NPD, the Department has 
included a competitive preference priority for projects designed to 
improve academic outcomes for ELs using strategies supported by 
moderate evidence of effectiveness (as defined in this document).
    In addition, in order to increase the body of evidence available to 
inform improved instruction for ELs, we encourage NPD applicants to 
propose projects that include a rigorous evaluation of proposed 
activities that, if well-implemented, would meet the WWC Evidence 
Standards with reservations. We believe that such evaluations will help 
ensure that projects funded under the NPD program are part of a 
learning agenda that expands the knowledge base on effective EL 
practices to ultimately enable all ELs to achieve postsecondary and 
career success.
    For the FY 2017 NPD competition, the Department is particularly 
interested in supporting projects that improve parental, family, and 
community engagement. Literature suggests that educators who involve 
families in their children's education can strengthen their 
instructional effectiveness with ELs.2 3 Providing 
professional development that enhances educators' abilities to build 
meaningful relationships with students' families may also support 
students' learning at home. Accordingly, this notice includes a 
competitive preference priority related to improving parent, family, 
and community engagement.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \2\ Chen, C., Kyle, D.W., and McIntyre, M. (2008). Helping 
teachers work effectively with English language learners and their 
families. The School Community Journal, 18 (1), 7-20.
    \3\ Waterman, R. and Harry, B. (2008). Building Collaboration 
Between Schools and Parents of English Language Learners: 
Transcending Barriers, Creating Opportunities. Tempe, AZ: National 
Center for Culturally Responsive Educational Systems.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Department is also interested in supporting dual language 
acquisition approaches that are effective in developing biliteracy 
skills. Evidence suggests that students who are biliterate have certain 
cognitive and social benefits compared to their monolingual peers. 
Further, recent research \4\ suggests that despite initial lags, 
students in well-implemented dual language programs eventually perform 
equal to or better than their counterparts in English-only programs.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \4\ Valentino, R.A., and Reardon, S.F. (2015). Effectiveness of 
four instructional programs designed to serve English language 
learners: Variation by ethnicity and initial English proficiency. 
Educational Evaluation and Policy Analysis, doi: 10.3102/
0162373715573310.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    In addition, we recognize that linguistic and cultural diversity is 
an asset, and that dual language approaches may also enhance the 
preservation of heritage languages and cultures. These approaches may 
be particularly impactful for diverse populations of ELs, such as 
immigrant children and youth and Native American students.
    Finally, we are interested in the development of the early learning 
workforce. In this competition, we encourage pre-service preparation 
for early learning educators so that they can successfully support ELs. 
Because the foundational knowledge of developmental learning and 
language

[[Page 11204]]

acquisition skills applies across all levels of teaching ELs, including 
at the secondary level, we also encourage projects that will include 
this knowledge building for educators at all levels.
    Priorities: This notice includes one absolute priority, two 
competitive preference priorities, and two invitational priorities. The 
absolute priority is from section 3131 of the ESEA (20 U.S.C. 6861). 
Competitive Preference Priority 1 is from 34 CFR 75.226. Competitive 
Preference Priority 2 is from the Department's notice of final 
supplemental priorities and definitions (Supplemental Priorities), 
published in the Federal Register on December 10, 2014 (79 FR 73425).
    Absolute Priority: For FY 2017 and any subsequent year in which we 
make awards from the list of unfunded applicants 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:
    Providing Professional Development to Improve Instruction for 
English Learners.
    Under this priority we provide funding to projects that provide 
professional development activities that will improve classroom 
instruction for ELs and assist educational personnel working with ELs 
to meet high professional standards, including standards for 
certification and licensure as teachers who work in language 
instruction educational programs or serve ELs.
    Competitive Preference Priorities: For FY 2017 and any subsequent 
year in which we make awards from the list of unfunded applications 
from this competition, these priorities are competitive preference 
priorities. Under 34 CFR 75.105(c)(2)(i), we award an additional five 
points to an application that meets competitive preference priority 1, 
and we award up to an additional five points to an application 
depending on how well the application meets competitive preference 
priority 2. An application may be awarded up to a maximum of 10 
additional points under these competitive preference priorities. 
Applicants may address none, one, or both of the competitive preference 
priorities. An applicant must clearly identify in the project abstract 
and the project narrative section of its application the competitive 
preference priority or priorities it wishes the Department to consider 
for purposes of earning competitive preference priority points.
    These priorities are:
    Competitive Preference Priority 1--Moderate Evidence of 
Effectiveness (0 or 5 points).
    Projects that are supported by moderate evidence of effectiveness 
(as defined in this notice).
    Competitive Preference Priority 2--Improving Parent, Family, and 
Community Engagement (up to 5 points).
    Projects that are designed to improve student outcomes through one 
or more of the following:
    (a) Developing and implementing systemic initiatives (as defined in 
this notice) to improve parent and family engagement (as defined in 
this notice) by expanding and enhancing the skills, strategies, and 
knowledge (including techniques or use of technological tools needed to 
effectively communicate, advocate, support, and make informed decisions 
about the student's education) of parents and families.
    (b) Providing professional development that enhances the skills and 
competencies of school or program leaders, principals, teachers, 
practitioners, or other administrative and support staff to build 
meaningful relationships with students' parents or families through 
systemic initiatives (as defined in this notice) that may also support 
students' learning at home.
    (c) Implementing initiatives that improve community engagement (as 
defined in this notice), the relationships between parents or families 
and school or program staff by cultivating sustained partnerships (as 
defined in this notice).
    Invitational Priorities: For FY 2017 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.
    Invitational Priority 1--Dual Language Approaches.
    We encourage applicants to propose projects to improve educator 
preparation and professional learning for dual language implementation 
models to support effective instruction for ELs. In particular, we 
encourage such approaches to take into account the unique needs of 
recently arrived limited English proficient students, immigrant 
children and youth, and Native American students, who are members of 
Federally recognized Indian tribes.
    Invitational Priority 2--Supporting the Early Learning Workforce to 
Serve ELs and Apply the Same Developmental Learning Content to All 
Levels of Teacher Preparation.
    We encourage applicants to propose projects that improve the 
quality and effectiveness of the early learning workforce, including 
administrators, so that they have the necessary knowledge, skills, and 
abilities to improve ELs' cognitive, health, social-emotional, and dual 
language development. Early learning programs are designed to improve 
early learning and development outcomes across one or more of the 
essential domains of school readiness (as defined in this notice) for 
children from birth through third grade (or for any age group within 
this range). Further, we encourage applicants to include in such 
projects these foundational professional learning domains for educators 
at all levels of teaching, including secondary preparation.
    Definitions: The following definitions are from 34 CFR 77.1, 34 CFR 
200.6, the Supplemental Priorities, sections 3201 and 8101 of the ESEA 
(20 U.S.C. 7011 and 7801), and section 101(a) of the Higher Education 
Act of 1965 (HEA) (20 U.S.C. 1001), and apply to the priorities and 
selection criteria in this notice. The source of each definition is 
noted in parentheses following the text of the definition.
    Ambitious means promoting continued, meaningful improvement for 
program participants or for other individuals or entities affected by 
the grant, or representing a significant advancement in the field of 
education research, practices, or methodologies. When used to describe 
a performance target, whether a performance target is ambitious depends 
upon the context of the relevant performance measure and the baseline 
for that measure. (34 CFR 77.1)
    Baseline means the starting point from which performance is 
measured and targets are set. (34 CFR 77.1)
    Community engagement means the systematic inclusion of community 
organizations as partners with State educational agencies, local 
educational agencies, or other educational institutions, or their 
school or program staff to accomplish activities that may include 
developing a shared community vision, establishing a shared 
accountability agreement, participating in shared data-collection and 
analysis, or establishing community networks that are focused on shared 
community-level outcomes. These organizations may include faith- and 
community-based organizations, institutions of higher education 
(including minority-serving institutions eligible to receive aid under 
Title III or Title V of the

[[Page 11205]]

Higher Education Act of 1965), businesses and industries, labor 
organizations, State and local government entities, or Federal entities 
other than the Department. (Supplemental Priorities)
    English learner means an individual who is limited English 
proficient (LEP), which, by statute, means an individual--
    (A) Who is aged 3 through 21;
    (B) Who is enrolled or preparing to enroll in an elementary school 
or secondary school;
    (C)(i) Who was not born in the United States or whose native 
language is a language other than English;
    (ii)(I) Who is a Native American or Alaska Native, or a Native 
resident of the outlying areas; and
    (II) Who comes from an environment where a language other than 
English has had a significant impact on the individual's level of 
English language proficiency; or
    (iii) Who is migratory, whose native language is a language other 
than English, and who comes from an environment where a language other 
than English is dominant; and
    (D) Whose difficulties in speaking, reading, writing, or 
understanding the English language may be sufficient to deny the 
individual--
    (i) The ability to meet challenging State academic standards;
    (ii) The ability to successfully achieve in classrooms where the 
language of instruction is English; or
    (iii) The opportunity to participate fully in society. (Section 
8101 of the ESEA)
    Essential domains of school readiness means the domains of language 
and literacy development, cognition and general knowledge (including 
early mathematics and early scientific development), approaches toward 
learning (including the utilization of the arts), physical well-being 
and motor development (including adaptive skills), and social and 
emotional development. (Supplemental Priorities)
    Immigrant children and youth means individuals who
    (A) Are aged 3 through 21;
    (B) Were not born in any State; and
    (C) Have not been attending one or more schools in any one or more 
States for more than 3 full academic years. (Section 3201 of the ESEA)
    Institution of higher education has the meaning given that term in 
Section 101(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965.
    Language instruction educational program means an instruction 
course--
    (A) In which an English learner is placed for the purpose of 
developing and attaining English proficiency, while meeting challenging 
State academic standards; and,
    (B) That may make instructional use of both English and a child's 
native language to enable the child to develop and attain English 
proficiency, and may include the participation of English proficient 
children if such course is designed to enable all participating 
children to become proficient in English and a second language. 
(Section 3201 of the ESEA)
    Large sample means an analytic sample of 350 or more students (or 
other single analysis units), or 50 or more groups (such as classrooms 
or schools) that contain 10 or more students (or other single analysis 
units). (34 CFR 77.1)
    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. (34 CFR 
77.1.)
    Moderate evidence of effectiveness means one of the following 
conditions is met:
    (A) There is at least one study of the effectiveness of the 
process, product, strategy, or practice being proposed that meets the 
What Works Clearinghouse Evidence Standards without reservations, found 
a statistically significant favorable impact on a relevant outcome 
(with no statistically significant and overriding unfavorable impacts 
on that outcome for relevant populations in the study or in other 
studies of the intervention reviewed by and reported on by the What 
Works Clearinghouse), and includes a sample that overlaps with the 
populations or settings proposed to receive the process, product, 
strategy, or practice.
    (B) There is at least one study of the effectiveness of the 
process, product, strategy, or practice being proposed that meets the 
What Works Clearinghouse Evidence Standards with reservations, found a 
statistically significant favorable impact on a relevant outcome (with 
no statistically significant and overriding unfavorable impacts on that 
outcome for relevant populations in the study or in other studies of 
the intervention reviewed by and reported on by the What Works 
Clearinghouse), includes a sample that overlaps with the populations or 
settings proposed to receive the process, product, strategy, or 
practice, and includes a large sample and a multi-site sample. (34 CFR 
77.1) Note: Multiple studies can cumulatively meet the large and multi-
site sample requirements as long as each study meets the other 
requirements in this paragraph.
    Multi-site sample means more than one site, where site can be 
defined as an LEA, locality, or State. (34 CFR 77.1)
    Parent and family engagement means the systematic inclusion of 
parents and families, working in partnership with SEAs, State lead 
agencies (under Part C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education 
Act (IDEA) or the State's Race to the Top-Early Learning Challenge 
grant), LEAs, or other educational institutions, or their staff, in 
their child's education, which may include strengthening the ability of 
(A) parents and families to support their child's education; and (B) 
school or program staff to work with parents and families. 
(Supplemental Priorities)
    Recently arrived limited English proficient student is a student 
with limited English proficiency who has attended schools in the United 
States for less than twelve months. The phrase ``schools in the United 
States'' includes only schools in the 50 States and the District of 
Columbia. (34 CFR 200.6(b)(4)(iv))
    Relevant outcome means the student outcome(s) (or the ultimate 
outcome if not related to students) the proposed process, product, 
strategy, or practice is designed to improve; consistent with the 
specific goals of a program. (34 CFR 77.1)
    Strong theory means a rationale for the proposed process, product, 
strategy, or practice that includes a logic model (as defined in this 
notice). (34 CFR 77.1)

    Note:  Applicants may use resources such as the Pacific 
Education Laboratory's Education Logic Model Application (http://relpacific.mcrel.org/resources/elm-app) to help design their logic 
models.

    Student achievement means--For grades and subjects in which 
assessments are required under section 1111(b)(3) of the ESEA: (1) A 
student's score on such assessments; and, as appropriate (2) other 
measures of student learning, such as those described in the subsequent 
paragraph, provided that they are rigorous and comparable across 
schools within an LEA.
    For grades and subjects in which assessments are not required under 
section 1111(b)(3) of the ESEA: (1) Alternative measures of student 
learning and performance, such as student results on pre-tests, end-of-
course tests, and objective performance-based assessments; (2) student 
learning objectives; (3) student performance on

[[Page 11206]]

English language proficiency assessments; and (4) other measures of 
student achievement that are rigorous and comparable across schools 
within an LEA (Supplemental Priorities). Note: The ESEA's provisions on 
required academic assessment are, as a result of the ESEA's amendment 
by the Every Student Succeeds Act, found at section 1111(b)(2) rather 
than 1111(b)(3).
    Sustained partnership means a relationship that has demonstrably 
adequate resources and other support to continue beyond the funding 
period and that consist of community organizations as partners with an 
LEA and one or more of its schools. These organizations may include 
faith- and community-based organizations, IHEs (including minority-
serving institutions eligible to receive aid under title III or title V 
of the Higher Education Act of 1965), businesses and industries, labor 
organizations, State and local government entities, or Federal entities 
other than the Department. (Supplemental Priorities)
    Systemic initiative means a policy, program, or activity that 
includes parent and family engagement as a core component and is 
designed to meet critical educational goals, such as school readiness, 
student achievement, and school turnaround. (Supplemental Priorities)
    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. (34 CFR 77.1)
    Program Authority: 20 U.S.C. 6861.
    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 Office of Management and Budget 
Guidelines to Agencies on Government-wide 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. (d) The Supplemental Priorities.

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

II. Award Information

    Type of Award: Discretionary grants.
    Estimated Available Funds: The Further Continuing and Security 
Assistance Appropriations Act, 2017, would provide, on an annualized 
basis, $735,998,203, of which we intend to use an estimated $20,000,000 
for this competition. The actual level of funding, if any, depends on 
final congressional action. However, we are inviting applications to 
allow enough time to complete the grant process if Congress 
appropriated funds for this program. Contingent upon the availability 
of funds and the quality of applications, we may make additional awards 
in FY 2018 or later years from the list of unfunded applicants from 
this competition.
    Estimated Range of Awards: $350,000-550,000.
    Estimated Average Size of Awards: $450,000.
    Maximum Award: $550,000 per year.
    Estimated Number of Awards: 44.

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

    Project Period: 60 months.

III. Eligibility Information

    1. Eligible Applicants: Entities eligible to apply for NPD grants 
are IHEs, or public or private entities with relevant experience and 
capacity, in consortia with LEAs or SEAs.
    2. Cost Sharing or Matching: This program 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 or from the Education Publications 
Center (ED Pubs). 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: 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 package from ED Pubs, be sure to 
identify this program or competition as follows: CFDA 84.365Z.
    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 person listed under Accessible 
Format in section VIII of this notice.
    2. a. 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 competition.
    Notice of Intent to Apply: March 13, 2017.
    We will be able to develop a more efficient process for reviewing 
grant applications if we know the approximate number of applicants that 
intend to apply for funding under this competition. Therefore, the 
Secretary strongly encourages each potential applicant to notify us of 
the applicant's intent to submit an application by emailing 
[email protected] with the subject line ``Intent to Apply'' and include in 
the content of the email the following information: (1) The applicant 
organization's name and address, and (2) any competitive preference 
priority or priorities and invitational priority or priorities the 
applicant is addressing in the application. Applicants that do not 
provide notice of their intent to apply may still submit an 
application.
    Page Limit: The application narrative (Part III of the application) 
is where you, the applicant, address the selection criteria that 
reviewers use to evaluate your application. We recommend that you limit 
the application narrative to no more than 35 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 must 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 bibliography, or the letters of support of 
the application. However, the page limit does apply to all of the 
application narrative section [Part III] of the application.

[[Page 11207]]

    b. Submission of Proprietary Information: Given the types of 
projects that may be proposed in applications for the NPD program, your 
application may include business information that you consider 
proprietary. In 34 CFR 5.11 we define ``business information'' and 
describe the process we use in determining whether any of that 
information is proprietary and, thus, protected from disclosure under 
Exemption 4 of the Freedom of Information Act (5 U.S.C. 552, as 
amended).
    Consistent with the process followed in the prior NPD competitions, 
we may post the project narrative section of funded NPD applications on 
the Department's Web site so you may wish to request confidentiality of 
business information. Identifying proprietary information in the 
submitted application will help facilitate this public disclosure 
process.
    Consistent with Executive Order 12600, please designate in your 
application any information that you believe is exempt from disclosure 
under Exemption 4. In the appropriate Appendix section of your 
application, under ``Other Attachments Form,'' please list the page 
number or numbers on which we can find this information. For additional 
information please see 34 CFR 5.11(c).
    3. Submission Dates and Times:
    Notice of Intent to Apply: March 13, 2017.
    Informational Meetings: The NPD program intends to hold Webinars 
designed to provide technical assistance to interested applicants. 
Detailed information regarding these meetings will be provided on the 
NPD Web site at http://www2.ed.gov/programs/nfdp/applicant.html.
    Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: April 24, 2017.
    Applications for grants under this competition must be submitted 
electronically using the Grants.gov application site. 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 Other Submission Requirements in section IV 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: June 21, 2017.
    4. 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.
    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), 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 at the 
following Web site: http://fedgov.dnb.com/webform. 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 two to five 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 you entered into the SAM 
database. 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, it may be 24 to 48 
hours before you can access the information in, and 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, we have prepared a SAM.gov 
Tip Sheet, which you can find at: 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 for the NPD 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 NPD program, CFDA number 84.365Z, 
must be submitted electronically using the Grants.gov Apply site 
(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 NPD program 
at www.Grants.gov. You must search for

[[Page 11208]]

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 84.365, not 84.365Z).
    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 www.G5.gov. In addition, for specific guidance and 
procedures for submitting an application through Grants.gov, please 
refer to the Grants.gov Web site at: www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/apply-for-grants.html.
     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 read-only, Portable 
Document Format (PDF). Do not upload an interactive or fillable PDF 
file (e.g., Word, Excel, WordPerfect, etc.). If you upload a file type 
other than a read-only, PDF or submit a password-protected file, we 
will not review that material. Please note that this could result in 
your application not being considered for funding because the material 
in question--for example, the project narrative--is critical to a 
meaningful review of your proposal. For that reason it is important to 
allow yourself adequate time to upload all material as PDF files. The 
Department will not convert material from other formats to PDF.
     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. Grants.gov 
will also notify you automatically by email if your application met all 
the Grants.gov validation requirements or if there were any errors 
(such as submission of your application by someone other than a 
registered Authorized Organization Representative, or inclusion of an 
attachment with a file name that contains special characters). You will 
be given an opportunity to correct any errors and resubmit, but you 
must still meet the deadline for submission of applications.
    Once your application is successfully validated by Grants.gov, the 
Department will retrieve your application from Grants.gov and send you 
an email with a unique PR/Award number for your application.
    These emails do not mean that your application is without any 
disqualifying errors. While your application may have been successfully 
validated by Grants.gov, it must also meet the Department's application 
requirements as specified in this notice and in the application 
instructions. Disqualifying errors could include, for instance, failure 
to upload attachments in a read-only, PDF; failure to submit a required 
part of the application; or failure to meet applicant eligibility 
requirements. It is your responsibility to ensure that your submitted 
application has met all of the Department's requirements.
     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 the 
problem affected your ability to submit your application by 4:30:00 
p.m., Washington, DC time, on the application deadline date. We will 
contact you after we determine 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 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

[[Page 11209]]

     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: Patrice Swann, U.S. 
Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue SW., Room 5C144, 
Washington, DC 20202-6510. FAX: (202) 260-5496.
    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 84.365Z), 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.

    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.

    We will not consider applications postmarked after the application 
deadline date.
    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 84.365Z), 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 
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 this competition 
are from section 34 CFR 75.210. The maximum score for all of these 
criteria is 100 points (not including competitive preference priority 
points). The maximum score for each criterion is indicated in 
parentheses.
    (a) Quality of the project design. (up to 45 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:
    (1) The extent to which the goals, objectives, and outcomes to be 
achieved by the proposed project are clearly specified and measurable.
    (2) The extent to which the design for implementing and evaluating 
the proposed project will result in information to guide possible 
replications of project activities or strategies including information 
about the effectiveness of the approach or strategies employed by the 
project.
    (3) The extent to which the proposed project is supported by strong 
theory (as defined in this notice).
    (b) Quality of project personnel. (up to 10 points).
    The Secretary considers the quality of the personnel who will carry 
out the proposed project. In determining the quality of project 
personnel, the Secretary considers the following factors:
    (1) 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
    (2) The qualifications, including relevant training and experience, 
of the project director or principal investigator.
    (3) The qualifications, including relevant training and experience, 
of key project personnel.
    (c) Quality of the management plan. (up to 25 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:
    (1) 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.
    (2) The extent to which the time commitment of the project director 
and principal investigator and other key project personnel are 
appropriate and adequate to meet the objectives of the proposed 
project.
    (d) Quality of the project evaluation. (up to 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:
    (1) The extent to which the methods of evaluation are thorough, 
feasible, and appropriate to the goals, objectives, and outcomes of the 
proposed project.
    (2) 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 with 
reservations.
    (3) The extent to which the methods of evaluation will provide 
performance feedback and permit periodic

[[Page 11210]]

assessment of progress toward achieving intended outcomes.
    (4) The extent to which the methods of evaluation will provide 
valid and reliable performance data on relevant outcomes.

    Note: The following are 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 Webinar recordings 
that were hosted by the Institute of Education Sciences. The first 
Webinar addresses strategies for designing and executing well-designed 
quasi-experimental design studies. This Webinar is available at: http://ies.ed.gov/ncee/wwc/Multimedia.aspx?sid=23. The second Webinar focuses 
on more rigorous evaluation designees, including strategies for 
designing and executing randomized controlled trials. This Webinar is 
available at: http://ies.ed.gov/ncee/wwc/Multimedia.aspx?sid=18.
    2. Review and Selection Process: The Department will screen 
applications that are submitted for NPD grants in accordance with the 
requirements in this notice and determine which applications meet the 
eligibility and other requirements. Peer reviewers will review all 
eligible applications for NPD grants that are submitted by the 
established deadline.
    Applicants should note, however, that we may screen for eligibility 
at multiple points during the competition process, including before and 
after peer review; applicants that are determined to be ineligible will 
not receive a grant award regardless of peer reviewer scores or 
comments. If we determine that an NPD grant application does not meet 
an NPD requirement, the application will not be considered for funding.
    For NPD grant applications, the Department intends to conduct a 
two-part review process to review and score all eligible applications. 
Content reviewers will review and score all eligible applications on 
the following three selection criteria: (a) Quality of the project 
design; (b) Quality of project personnel; and (c) Quality of the 
management plan. These reviewers will also review and score the second 
competitive preference priority. Peer reviewers with evaluation 
expertise will review and score selection criterion (d) Quality of the 
project evaluation.
    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 
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. Risk Assessment and Special Conditions: Consistent with 2 CFR 
200.205, before awarding grants under this program the Department 
conducts a review of the risks posed by applicants. 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.
    4. Integrity and Performance System: If you are selected under this 
competition to receive an award that over the course of the project 
period may exceed the simplified acquisition threshold (currently 
$150,000), under 2 CFR 200.205(a)(2) we must make a judgment about your 
integrity, business ethics, and record of performance under Federal 
awards--that is, the risk posed by you as an applicant--before we make 
an award. In doing so, we must consider any information about you that 
is in the integrity and performance system (currently referred to as 
the Federal Awardee Performance and Integrity Information System 
(FAPIIS)), accessible through SAM. You may review and comment on any 
information about yourself that a Federal agency previously entered and 
that is currently in FAPIIS.
    Please note that, if the total value of your currently active 
grants, cooperative agreements, and procurement contracts from the 
Federal Government exceeds $10,000,000, the reporting requirements in 2 
CFR part 200, Appendix XII, require you to report certain integrity 
information to FAPIIS semiannually. Please review the requirements in 2 
CFR part 200, Appendix XII, if this grant plus all the other Federal 
funds you receive exceed $10,000,000.

VI. Award Administration Information

    1. Award Notices: If your application is successful, we notify your 
U.S. Representative and U.S. Senators and send you a Grant Award 
Notification (GAN). 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 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 http://www.ed.gov/fund/grant/apply/appforms.html.
    (c) 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.
    4. Performance Measures: Under the Government Performance and 
Results Act (GPRA), Federal departments and agencies must clearly 
describe the goals and objectives of programs, identify resources and 
actions needed to accomplish goals and objectives, develop a means of 
measuring progress made, and regularly report on achievement.
    (a) Measures. The Department has developed the following GPRA 
performance measures for evaluating the overall effectiveness of the 
NPD program:

[[Page 11211]]

    Measure 1: The number and percentage of program participants who 
complete the preservice program. Completion is defined by the applicant 
in the submitted application.
    Measure 2: The number and percentage of program participants who 
complete the inservice program. Completion is defined by the applicant 
in the submitted application.
    Measure 3: The number and percentage of program completers, as 
defined by the applicant under measures 1 and 2, who are State 
certified, licensed, or endorsed in EL instruction.
    Measure 4: The percentage of program completers who rate the 
program as effective in preparing them to serve EL students.
    Measure 5: The percentage of school leaders, other educators, and 
employers of program completers who rated the program as effective in 
preparing their teachers, or other educators, to serve ELs or improve 
their abilities to serve ELs effectively.
    Measure 6: For projects that received competitive preference points 
for Competitive Priority 2, the percentage of program completers who 
rated the program as effective, as defined by the grantees, in 
increasing their knowledge and skills related to parent, family, and 
community engagement.
    (b) Baseline data. Applicants must provide baseline (as defined in 
this notice) data for each of the project performance measures listed 
in (a) and explain how each proposed baseline data is related to 
program outcomes; or, if the applicant has determined that there are no 
established baseline data for a particular performance measure, explain 
why there is no established baseline and explain how and when, during 
the project period, the applicant will establish a baseline for the 
performance measure.
    (c) Performance measure targets. In addition, the applicant must 
propose in its application annual targets for the measures listed in 
paragraph (a). Applications must also include the following information 
as directed under 34 CFR 75.110(b):
    (1) Why each proposed performance target is ambitious (as defined 
in this notice) yet achievable compared to the baseline for the 
performance measure.
    (2) The data collection and reporting methods the applicant would 
use and why those methods are likely to yield reliable, valid, and 
meaningful performance data; and
    (3) The applicant's capacity to collect and report reliable, valid, 
and meaningful performance data, as evidenced by high-quality data 
collection, analysis, and reporting in other projects or research.

    Note: If the applicant does not have experience with collection 
and reporting of performance data through other projects or 
research, the applicant should provide other evidence of capacity to 
successfully carry out data collection and reporting for its 
proposed project.

    (d) Performance Reports. All grantees must submit an annual 
performance report and final performance report with information that 
is responsive to these performance measures. The Department will 
consider this data in making annual continuation awards.
    (e) Department Evaluations. Consistent with 34 CFR 75.591, grantees 
funded under this program shall comply with the requirements of any 
evaluation of the program conducted by the Department or an evaluator 
selected by the Department.
    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 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. Agency Contact

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Samuel Lopez, U.S. Department of 
Education, 400 Maryland Avenue SW., Room 5C152, Washington, DC 20202. 
Telephone: (202) 401-4300. FAX: (202) 205-1229 or by email at 
[email protected].
    If you use a TDD or a TTY, call the Federal Relay Service, 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 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: February 15, 2017.
Supreet Anand,
Deputy Director Office of English Language Acquisition.
[FR Doc. 2017-03367 Filed 2-17-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4000-01-P



                                                11202                       Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 33 / Tuesday, February 21, 2017 / Notices

                                                financial or other management system                    necessary processes and systems to                    Telephone: (202) 453–7311 or by email:
                                                that does not meet the standards in 2                   comply with the reporting requirements                Carmen.Gordon@ed.gov.
                                                CFR part 200, subpart D; has not                        in 2 CFR part 170 should you receive                    If you use a TDD or a TTY, call the
                                                fulfilled the conditions of a prior grant;              funding under the competition. This                   FRS, toll free, at 1–800–877–8339.
                                                or is otherwise not responsible.                        does not apply if you have an exception               VIII. Other Information
                                                   4. Integrity and Performance System:                 under 2 CFR 170.110(b).
                                                If you are selected under this                             (b) At the end of your project period,                Accessible Format: Individuals with
                                                competition to receive an award that                    you must submit a final performance                   disabilities can obtain this document
                                                over the course of the project period                   report, including financial information,              and a copy of the application package in
                                                may exceed the simplified acquisition                   as directed by the Secretary. If you                  an accessible format (e.g., braille, large
                                                threshold (currently $150,000), under 2                 receive a multiyear award, you must                   print, audiotape, or computer disc) on
                                                CFR 200.205(a)(2) we must make a                        submit an annual performance report                   request to the program contact person
                                                judgment about your integrity, business                 that provides the most current                        listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
                                                ethics, and record of performance under                                                                       CONTACT in section VII of this notice.
                                                                                                        performance and financial expenditure
                                                Federal awards—that is, the risk posed                                                                           Electronic Access to This Document:
                                                                                                        information as directed by the Secretary
                                                by you as an applicant—before we make                                                                         The official version of this document is
                                                                                                        under 34 CFR 75.118. The Secretary
                                                an award. In doing so, we must consider                                                                       the document published in the Federal
                                                                                                        may also require more frequent
                                                any information about you that is in the                                                                      Register. Free Internet access to the
                                                                                                        performance reports under 34 CFR
                                                integrity and performance system                                                                              official edition of the Federal Register
                                                                                                        75.720(c). For specific requirements on
                                                (currently referred to as the Federal                                                                         and the Code of Federal Regulations is
                                                                                                        reporting, please go to www.ed.gov/
                                                Awardee Performance and Integrity                                                                             available via the Federal Digital System
                                                                                                        fund/grant/apply/appforms/
                                                Information System (FAPIIS)),                                                                                 at: www.gpo.gov/fdsys. At this site you
                                                                                                        appforms.html.
                                                accessible through SAM. You may                                                                               can view this document, as well as all
                                                                                                           (c) Under 34 CFR 75.250(b), the                    other documents of this Department
                                                review and comment on any                               Secretary may provide a grantee with
                                                information about your institution that                                                                       published in the Federal Register, in
                                                                                                        additional funding for data collection                text or PDF. To use PDF you must have
                                                a Federal agency previously entered and                 analysis and reporting. In this case the
                                                that is currently in FAPIIS.                                                                                  Adobe Acrobat Reader, which is
                                                                                                        Secretary establishes a data collection               available free at this site.
                                                   Please note that, if the total value of              period.
                                                your currently active grants, cooperative                                                                        You may also access documents of the
                                                                                                           4. Performance Measures: The success               Department published in the Federal
                                                agreements, and procurement contracts                   of the McNair Program will be measured
                                                from the Federal Government exceeds                                                                           Register by using the article search
                                                                                                        by the McNair Program participants’                   feature at: www.federalregister.gov.
                                                $10,000,000, the reporting requirements                 success in completing research and
                                                in 2 CFR part 200, Appendix XII,                                                                              Specifically, through the advanced
                                                                                                        participation in scholarly activities,                feature at this site, you can limit your
                                                require you to report certain integrity                 enrollment in a graduate program,
                                                information to FAPIIS semiannually.                                                                           search to documents published by the
                                                                                                        continued enrollment in graduate study,               Department.
                                                Please review the requirements in 2 CFR                 and the attainment of a doctoral degree.
                                                part 200, Appendix XII, if this grant                                                                           Dated: February 15, 2017.
                                                                                                        All McNair Program grantees will be
                                                plus all the other Federal funds you                    required to submit an annual                          Linda Byrd-Johnson,
                                                receive exceed $10,000,000.                             performance report.                                   Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary, Higher
                                                                                                           5. Continuation Awards: In making a                Education Programs, and Senior Director,
                                                VI. Award Administration Information                                                                          Student Service.
                                                   1. Award Notices: If your application                continuation award under 34 CFR
                                                                                                                                                              [FR Doc. 2017–03366 Filed 2–17–17; 8:45 am]
                                                is successful, we notify your U.S.                      75.253, the Secretary considers, among
                                                                                                        other things: Whether a grantee has                   BILLING CODE 4000–01–P
                                                Representative and U.S. Senators and
                                                send you a Grant Award Notification                     made substantial progress in achieving
                                                (GAN); or we may send you an email                      the goals and objectives of the project;
                                                                                                                                                              DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
                                                containing a link to access an electronic               whether the grantee has expended funds
                                                version of your GAN. We may notify                      in a manner that is consistent with its               Application for New Awards; National
                                                you informally, also.                                   approved application and budget; and,                 Professional Development Program
                                                   If your application is not evaluated or              if the Secretary has established
                                                                                                        performance management requirements,                  AGENCY: Office of English Language
                                                not selected for funding, we notify you.
                                                                                                        the performance targets in the grantee’s              Acquisition, Department of Education.
                                                   2. Administrative and National Policy
                                                Requirements: We identify                               approved application.                                 ACTION: Notice.
                                                administrative and national policy                         In making a continuation grant, the
                                                                                                        Secretary also considers whether the                    Overview Information:
                                                requirements in the application package                                                                         National Professional Development
                                                and reference these and other                           grantee is operating in compliance with
                                                                                                                                                              Program.
                                                requirements in the Applicable                          the assurances in its approved                          Notice inviting applications for new
                                                Regulations section of this notice.                     application, including those applicable               awards for fiscal year (FY) 2017.
                                                   We reference the regulations outlining               to Federal civil rights laws that prohibit              Catalog of Federal Domestic
                                                the terms and conditions of an award in                 discrimination in programs or activities              Assistance (CFDA) Number: 84.365Z.
                                                the Applicable Regulations section of                   receiving Federal financial assistance                DATES:
                                                                                                        from the Department (34 CFR 100.4,
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES




                                                this notice and include these and other                                                                         Applications Available: February 21,
                                                specific conditions in the GAN. The                     104.5, 106.4, 108.8, and 110.23).                     2017.
                                                GAN also incorporates your approved                     VII. Agency Contact                                     Deadline for Notice of Intent to Apply:
                                                application as part of your binding                                                                           March 13, 2017.
                                                commitments under the grant.                            FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:                        Deadline for Transmittal of
                                                   3. Reporting: (a) If you apply for a                 Carmen Gordon, U.S. Department of                     Applications: April 24, 2017.
                                                grant under this competition, you must                  Education, 400 Maryland Avenue SW.,                     Deadline for Intergovernmental
                                                ensure that you have in place the                       Room 5C111, Washington, DC 20202.                     Review: June 21, 2017.


                                           VerDate Sep<11>2014   17:15 Feb 17, 2017   Jkt 241001   PO 00000   Frm 00032   Fmt 4703   Sfmt 4703   E:\FR\FM\21FEN1.SGM   21FEN1


                                                                            Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 33 / Tuesday, February 21, 2017 / Notices                                                   11203

                                                Full Text of Announcement                               programs, to elementary school                        evaluations will help ensure that
                                                I. Funding Opportunity Description                      programs.                                             projects funded under the NPD program
                                                                                                           Background:                                        are part of a learning agenda that
                                                   Purpose of Program: The National                        Educator effectiveness is the most                 expands the knowledge base on
                                                Professional Development (NPD)                          important in-school factor affecting                  effective EL practices to ultimately
                                                program, authorized by section                          student achievement and success.1 The                 enable all ELs to achieve postsecondary
                                                3131(c)(1)(C) of the Elementary and                     NPD program is a Federal grant program                and career success.
                                                Secondary Education Act of 1965 as                      that offers professional development                     For the FY 2017 NPD competition, the
                                                amended by the Every Student Succeeds                   specifically for educators of ELs.                    Department is particularly interested in
                                                Act (hereafter in this notice referred to               Through its competitions, the NPD                     supporting projects that improve
                                                as the ESEA), awards grants on a                        program intends to improve the                        parental, family, and community
                                                competitive basis, for a period of not                  academic achievement of ELs by                        engagement. Literature suggests that
                                                more than five years, to institutions of                supporting pre-service and inservice                  educators who involve families in their
                                                higher education (IHEs) or public or                    practices for teachers and other staff,               children’s education can strengthen
                                                private entities with relevant experience               including school leaders, working with                their instructional effectiveness with
                                                and capacity, in consortia with State                   ELs.                                                  ELs.2 3 Providing professional
                                                educational agencies (SEAs) or local                       Through previous competitions, the                 development that enhances educators’
                                                educational agencies (LEAs). The                        NPD program has funded a range of                     abilities to build meaningful
                                                purpose of these grants is to provide                   grantees that are currently                           relationships with students’ families
                                                professional development activities that                implementing 121 projects across the                  may also support students’ learning at
                                                will improve classroom instruction for                  country. As the EL population continues               home. Accordingly, this notice includes
                                                English learners (ELs) and assist                       to grow, it has become increasingly                   a competitive preference priority related
                                                educational personnel working with                      important to identify and support                     to improving parent, family, and
                                                such children to meet high professional                 practices implemented by educators of                 community engagement.
                                                standards, including standards for                      ELs that effectively improve student                     The Department is also interested in
                                                certification and licensure as teachers                 learning outcomes.                                    supporting dual language acquisition
                                                who work in language instruction                           However, there are limited studies                 approaches that are effective in
                                                educational programs or serve ELs.                      that provide evidence about how to best               developing biliteracy skills. Evidence
                                                   Grants awarded under this program                    prepare and support educators of ELs in               suggests that students who are biliterate
                                                may be used—                                            ways that will ultimately improve                     have certain cognitive and social
                                                   (1) For effective pre-service or                     student learning and outcomes. The                    benefits compared to their monolingual
                                                inservice professional development                      existing studies that the Department has              peers. Further, recent research 4 suggests
                                                programs that will improve the                          identified typically do not meet the                  that despite initial lags, students in
                                                qualifications and skills of educational                highest standards for rigor, and largely              well-implemented dual language
                                                personnel involved in the education of                  focus on professional development for                 programs eventually perform equal to or
                                                ELs, including personnel who are not                    in-service teachers; few focused on                   better than their counterparts in
                                                certified or licensed and educational                   preparation for pre-service teachers.                 English-only programs.
                                                paraprofessionals, and for other                           Nonetheless, the body of evidence on                  In addition, we recognize that
                                                activities to increase teacher and school               effective language, literacy, and content             linguistic and cultural diversity is an
                                                leader effectiveness in meeting the                     instruction for ELs, including specific               asset, and that dual language
                                                needs of ELs;                                           instructional practices for English                   approaches may also enhance the
                                                   (2) For the development of program                   language acquisition, is growing                      preservation of heritage languages and
                                                curricula appropriate to the needs of the               steadily, as documented by the 2014                   cultures. These approaches may be
                                                consortia participants involved;                        What Works Clearinghouse (WWC)                        particularly impactful for diverse
                                                   (3) To support strategies that                       Practice Guide for teaching ELs,                      populations of ELs, such as immigrant
                                                strengthen and increase parent, family,                 available at: http://ies.ed.gov/ncee/wwc/             children and youth and Native
                                                and community member engagement in                      PracticeGuide.aspx?sid=19. To                         American students.
                                                the education of ELs;                                   encourage the use of evidence to                         Finally, we are interested in the
                                                   (4) To develop, share, and                                                                                 development of the early learning
                                                                                                        increase the effectiveness of projects
                                                disseminate effective practices in the                                                                        workforce. In this competition, we
                                                                                                        funded by NPD, the Department has
                                                instruction of ELs and in increasing the                                                                      encourage pre-service preparation for
                                                                                                        included a competitive preference
                                                student academic achievement of ELs,                                                                          early learning educators so that they can
                                                                                                        priority for projects designed to improve
                                                including the use of technology-based                                                                         successfully support ELs. Because the
                                                                                                        academic outcomes for ELs using
                                                programs;                                                                                                     foundational knowledge of
                                                                                                        strategies supported by moderate
                                                   (5) In conjunction with other Federal                                                                      developmental learning and language
                                                                                                        evidence of effectiveness (as defined in
                                                need-based student financial assistance                 this document).
                                                programs, for financial assistance,                        In addition, in order to increase the
                                                                                                                                                                2 Chen, C., Kyle, D.W., and McIntyre, M. (2008).

                                                                                                                                                              Helping teachers work effectively with English
                                                including costs related to tuition, fees,               body of evidence available to inform                  language learners and their families. The School
                                                and books for enrolling in courses                      improved instruction for ELs, we                      Community Journal, 18 (1), 7–20.
                                                required to complete the degree                         encourage NPD applicants to propose                     3 Waterman, R. and Harry, B. (2008). Building

                                                involved, to meet certification or                      projects that include a rigorous
                                                                                                                                                              Collaboration Between Schools and Parents of
                                                                                                                                                              English Language Learners: Transcending Barriers,
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES




                                                licensing requirements for teachers who                 evaluation of proposed activities that, if            Creating Opportunities. Tempe, AZ: National
                                                work in language instruction                            well-implemented, would meet the                      Center for Culturally Responsive Educational
                                                educational programs or serve ELs; and                  WWC Evidence Standards with                           Systems.
                                                   (6) As appropriate, to support                                                                               4 Valentino, R.A., and Reardon, S.F. (2015).
                                                                                                        reservations. We believe that such                    Effectiveness of four instructional programs
                                                strategies that promote school readiness
                                                                                                                                                              designed to serve English language learners:
                                                of ELs and their transition from early                    1 Calderón, M., Slavin, R., and Sánchez, M.       Variation by ethnicity and initial English
                                                childhood education programs, such as                   (2011). Effective instruction for English learners.   proficiency. Educational Evaluation and Policy
                                                Head Start or State-run preschool                       Future of Children, 21(1), 103–127.                   Analysis, doi: 10.3102/0162373715573310.



                                           VerDate Sep<11>2014   17:15 Feb 17, 2017   Jkt 241001   PO 00000   Frm 00033   Fmt 4703   Sfmt 4703   E:\FR\FM\21FEN1.SGM   21FEN1


                                                11204                       Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 33 / Tuesday, February 21, 2017 / Notices

                                                acquisition skills applies across all                      Competitive Preference Priority 1—                 Learning Content to All Levels of
                                                levels of teaching ELs, including at the                Moderate Evidence of Effectiveness (0 or              Teacher Preparation.
                                                secondary level, we also encourage                      5 points).                                               We encourage applicants to propose
                                                projects that will include this                            Projects that are supported by                     projects that improve the quality and
                                                knowledge building for educators at all                 moderate evidence of effectiveness (as                effectiveness of the early learning
                                                levels.                                                 defined in this notice).                              workforce, including administrators, so
                                                   Priorities: This notice includes one                    Competitive Preference Priority 2—                 that they have the necessary knowledge,
                                                absolute priority, two competitive                      Improving Parent, Family, and                         skills, and abilities to improve ELs’
                                                preference priorities, and two                          Community Engagement (up to 5                         cognitive, health, social-emotional, and
                                                invitational priorities. The absolute                   points).                                              dual language development. Early
                                                priority is from section 3131 of the                       Projects that are designed to improve              learning programs are designed to
                                                ESEA (20 U.S.C. 6861). Competitive                      student outcomes through one or more                  improve early learning and
                                                Preference Priority 1 is from 34 CFR                    of the following:                                     development outcomes across one or
                                                75.226. Competitive Preference Priority                    (a) Developing and implementing                    more of the essential domains of school
                                                2 is from the Department’s notice of                    systemic initiatives (as defined in this              readiness (as defined in this notice) for
                                                final supplemental priorities and                       notice) to improve parent and family                  children from birth through third grade
                                                definitions (Supplemental Priorities),                  engagement (as defined in this notice)                (or for any age group within this range).
                                                published in the Federal Register on                    by expanding and enhancing the skills,                Further, we encourage applicants to
                                                December 10, 2014 (79 FR 73425).                        strategies, and knowledge (including                  include in such projects these
                                                   Absolute Priority: For FY 2017 and                   techniques or use of technological tools              foundational professional learning
                                                any subsequent year in which we make                    needed to effectively communicate,                    domains for educators at all levels of
                                                awards from the list of unfunded                        advocate, support, and make informed                  teaching, including secondary
                                                applicants from this competition, this                  decisions about the student’s education)              preparation.
                                                priority is an absolute priority. Under 34                                                                       Definitions: The following definitions
                                                                                                        of parents and families.
                                                                                                                                                              are from 34 CFR 77.1, 34 CFR 200.6, the
                                                CFR 75.105(c)(3) we consider only                          (b) Providing professional
                                                                                                                                                              Supplemental Priorities, sections 3201
                                                applications that meet this priority.                   development that enhances the skills
                                                                                                                                                              and 8101 of the ESEA (20 U.S.C. 7011
                                                   This priority is:                                    and competencies of school or program
                                                                                                                                                              and 7801), and section 101(a) of the
                                                   Providing Professional Development                   leaders, principals, teachers,
                                                                                                                                                              Higher Education Act of 1965 (HEA) (20
                                                to Improve Instruction for English                      practitioners, or other administrative
                                                                                                                                                              U.S.C. 1001), and apply to the priorities
                                                Learners.                                               and support staff to build meaningful
                                                                                                                                                              and selection criteria in this notice. The
                                                   Under this priority we provide                       relationships with students’ parents or               source of each definition is noted in
                                                funding to projects that provide                        families through systemic initiatives (as             parentheses following the text of the
                                                professional development activities that                defined in this notice) that may also                 definition.
                                                will improve classroom instruction for                  support students’ learning at home.                      Ambitious means promoting
                                                ELs and assist educational personnel                       (c) Implementing initiatives that                  continued, meaningful improvement for
                                                working with ELs to meet high                           improve community engagement (as                      program participants or for other
                                                professional standards, including                       defined in this notice), the relationships            individuals or entities affected by the
                                                standards for certification and licensure               between parents or families and school                grant, or representing a significant
                                                as teachers who work in language                        or program staff by cultivating sustained             advancement in the field of education
                                                instruction educational programs or                     partnerships (as defined in this notice).             research, practices, or methodologies.
                                                serve ELs.                                                 Invitational Priorities: For FY 2017               When used to describe a performance
                                                   Competitive Preference Priorities: For               and any subsequent year in which we                   target, whether a performance target is
                                                FY 2017 and any subsequent year in                      make awards from the list of unfunded                 ambitious depends upon the context of
                                                which we make awards from the list of                   applicants from this competition, these               the relevant performance measure and
                                                unfunded applications from this                         priorities are invitational priorities.               the baseline for that measure. (34 CFR
                                                competition, these priorities are                       Under 34 CFR 75.105(c)(1) we do not                   77.1)
                                                competitive preference priorities. Under                give an application that meets these                     Baseline means the starting point
                                                34 CFR 75.105(c)(2)(i), we award an                     invitational priorities a competitive or              from which performance is measured
                                                additional five points to an application                absolute preference over other                        and targets are set. (34 CFR 77.1)
                                                that meets competitive preference                       applications.                                            Community engagement means the
                                                priority 1, and we award up to an                          Invitational Priority 1—Dual                       systematic inclusion of community
                                                additional five points to an application                Language Approaches.                                  organizations as partners with State
                                                depending on how well the application                      We encourage applicants to propose                 educational agencies, local educational
                                                meets competitive preference priority 2.                projects to improve educator                          agencies, or other educational
                                                An application may be awarded up to a                   preparation and professional learning                 institutions, or their school or program
                                                maximum of 10 additional points under                   for dual language implementation                      staff to accomplish activities that may
                                                these competitive preference priorities.                models to support effective instruction               include developing a shared community
                                                Applicants may address none, one, or                    for ELs. In particular, we encourage                  vision, establishing a shared
                                                both of the competitive preference                      such approaches to take into account                  accountability agreement, participating
                                                priorities. An applicant must clearly                   the unique needs of recently arrived                  in shared data-collection and analysis,
                                                identify in the project abstract and the                limited English proficient students,                  or establishing community networks
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES




                                                project narrative section of its                        immigrant children and youth, and                     that are focused on shared community-
                                                application the competitive preference                  Native American students, who are                     level outcomes. These organizations
                                                priority or priorities it wishes the                    members of Federally recognized Indian                may include faith- and community-
                                                Department to consider for purposes of                  tribes.                                               based organizations, institutions of
                                                earning competitive preference priority                    Invitational Priority 2—Supporting                 higher education (including minority-
                                                points.                                                 the Early Learning Workforce to Serve                 serving institutions eligible to receive
                                                   These priorities are:                                ELs and Apply the Same Developmental                  aid under Title III or Title V of the


                                           VerDate Sep<11>2014   17:15 Feb 17, 2017   Jkt 241001   PO 00000   Frm 00034   Fmt 4703   Sfmt 4703   E:\FR\FM\21FEN1.SGM   21FEN1


                                                                            Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 33 / Tuesday, February 21, 2017 / Notices                                             11205

                                                Higher Education Act of 1965),                          and attaining English proficiency, while              Note: Multiple studies can cumulatively
                                                businesses and industries, labor                        meeting challenging State academic                    meet the large and multi-site sample
                                                organizations, State and local                          standards; and,                                       requirements as long as each study
                                                government entities, or Federal entities                   (B) That may make instructional use                meets the other requirements in this
                                                other than the Department.                              of both English and a child’s native                  paragraph.
                                                (Supplemental Priorities)                               language to enable the child to develop                  Multi-site sample means more than
                                                   English learner means an individual                  and attain English proficiency, and may               one site, where site can be defined as an
                                                who is limited English proficient (LEP),                include the participation of English                  LEA, locality, or State. (34 CFR 77.1)
                                                which, by statute, means an                             proficient children if such course is                    Parent and family engagement means
                                                individual—                                             designed to enable all participating                  the systematic inclusion of parents and
                                                   (A) Who is aged 3 through 21;                        children to become proficient in English              families, working in partnership with
                                                   (B) Who is enrolled or preparing to                  and a second language. (Section 3201 of               SEAs, State lead agencies (under Part C
                                                enroll in an elementary school or                       the ESEA)                                             of the Individuals with Disabilities
                                                secondary school;                                          Large sample means an analytic                     Education Act (IDEA) or the State’s Race
                                                   (C)(i) Who was not born in the United                sample of 350 or more students (or other              to the Top-Early Learning Challenge
                                                States or whose native language is a                    single analysis units), or 50 or more                 grant), LEAs, or other educational
                                                language other than English;                            groups (such as classrooms or schools)                institutions, or their staff, in their
                                                   (ii)(I) Who is a Native American or                  that contain 10 or more students (or                  child’s education, which may include
                                                Alaska Native, or a Native resident of                  other single analysis units). (34 CFR                 strengthening the ability of (A) parents
                                                the outlying areas; and                                 77.1)                                                 and families to support their child’s
                                                   (II) Who comes from an environment                      Logic model (also referred to as theory            education; and (B) school or program
                                                where a language other than English has                 of action) means a well-specified                     staff to work with parents and families.
                                                had a significant impact on the                         conceptual framework that identifies                  (Supplemental Priorities)
                                                individual’s level of English language                  key components of the proposed                           Recently arrived limited English
                                                proficiency; or                                         process, product, strategy, or practice               proficient student is a student with
                                                   (iii) Who is migratory, whose native                 (i.e., the active ‘‘ingredients’’ that are            limited English proficiency who has
                                                language is a language other than                       hypothesized to be critical to achieving              attended schools in the United States for
                                                English, and who comes from an                          the relevant outcomes) and describes                  less than twelve months. The phrase
                                                environment where a language other                      the relationships among the key                       ‘‘schools in the United States’’ includes
                                                than English is dominant; and                           components and outcomes, theoretically                only schools in the 50 States and the
                                                   (D) Whose difficulties in speaking,                  and operationally. (34 CFR 77.1.)                     District of Columbia. (34 CFR
                                                reading, writing, or understanding the                     Moderate evidence of effectiveness
                                                                                                                                                              200.6(b)(4)(iv))
                                                English language may be sufficient to                   means one of the following conditions
                                                                                                                                                                 Relevant outcome means the student
                                                deny the individual—                                    is met:
                                                                                                           (A) There is at least one study of the             outcome(s) (or the ultimate outcome if
                                                   (i) The ability to meet challenging                                                                        not related to students) the proposed
                                                State academic standards;                               effectiveness of the process, product,
                                                                                                        strategy, or practice being proposed that             process, product, strategy, or practice is
                                                   (ii) The ability to successfully achieve                                                                   designed to improve; consistent with
                                                in classrooms where the language of                     meets the What Works Clearinghouse
                                                                                                        Evidence Standards without                            the specific goals of a program. (34 CFR
                                                instruction is English; or                                                                                    77.1)
                                                   (iii) The opportunity to participate                 reservations, found a statistically
                                                                                                        significant favorable impact on a                        Strong theory means a rationale for
                                                fully in society. (Section 8101 of the                                                                        the proposed process, product, strategy,
                                                ESEA)                                                   relevant outcome (with no statistically
                                                                                                        significant and overriding unfavorable                or practice that includes a logic model
                                                   Essential domains of school readiness                                                                      (as defined in this notice). (34 CFR 77.1)
                                                means the domains of language and                       impacts on that outcome for relevant
                                                literacy development, cognition and                     populations in the study or in other                    Note: Applicants may use resources such
                                                general knowledge (including early                      studies of the intervention reviewed by               as the Pacific Education Laboratory’s
                                                                                                        and reported on by the What Works                     Education Logic Model Application (http://
                                                mathematics and early scientific                                                                              relpacific.mcrel.org/resources/elm-app) to
                                                development), approaches toward                         Clearinghouse), and includes a sample
                                                                                                                                                              help design their logic models.
                                                learning (including the utilization of the              that overlaps with the populations or
                                                arts), physical well-being and motor                    settings proposed to receive the process,               Student achievement means—For
                                                development (including adaptive skills),                product, strategy, or practice.                       grades and subjects in which
                                                and social and emotional development.                      (B) There is at least one study of the             assessments are required under section
                                                (Supplemental Priorities)                               effectiveness of the process, product,                1111(b)(3) of the ESEA: (1) A student’s
                                                   Immigrant children and youth means                   strategy, or practice being proposed that             score on such assessments; and, as
                                                individuals who                                         meets the What Works Clearinghouse                    appropriate (2) other measures of
                                                   (A) Are aged 3 through 21;                           Evidence Standards with reservations,                 student learning, such as those
                                                   (B) Were not born in any State; and                  found a statistically significant favorable           described in the subsequent paragraph,
                                                   (C) Have not been attending one or                   impact on a relevant outcome (with no                 provided that they are rigorous and
                                                more schools in any one or more States                  statistically significant and overriding              comparable across schools within an
                                                for more than 3 full academic years.                    unfavorable impacts on that outcome for               LEA.
                                                (Section 3201 of the ESEA)                              relevant populations in the study or in                 For grades and subjects in which
                                                                                                        other studies of the intervention                     assessments are not required under
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES




                                                   Institution of higher education has the
                                                meaning given that term in Section                      reviewed by and reported on by the                    section 1111(b)(3) of the ESEA: (1)
                                                101(a) of the Higher Education Act of                   What Works Clearinghouse), includes a                 Alternative measures of student learning
                                                1965.                                                   sample that overlaps with the                         and performance, such as student
                                                   Language instruction educational                     populations or settings proposed to                   results on pre-tests, end-of-course tests,
                                                program means an instruction course—                    receive the process, product, strategy, or            and objective performance-based
                                                   (A) In which an English learner is                   practice, and includes a large sample                 assessments; (2) student learning
                                                placed for the purpose of developing                    and a multi-site sample. (34 CFR 77.1)                objectives; (3) student performance on


                                           VerDate Sep<11>2014   17:15 Feb 17, 2017   Jkt 241001   PO 00000   Frm 00035   Fmt 4703   Sfmt 4703   E:\FR\FM\21FEN1.SGM   21FEN1


                                                11206                       Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 33 / Tuesday, February 21, 2017 / Notices

                                                English language proficiency                              Estimated Available Funds: The                      Accessible Format in section VIII of this
                                                assessments; and (4) other measures of                  Further Continuing and Security                       notice.
                                                student achievement that are rigorous                   Assistance Appropriations Act, 2017,                     2. a. Content and Form of Application
                                                and comparable across schools within                    would provide, on an annualized basis,                Submission: Requirements concerning
                                                an LEA (Supplemental Priorities). Note:                 $735,998,203, of which we intend to use               the content of an application, together
                                                The ESEA’s provisions on required                       an estimated $20,000,000 for this                     with the forms you must submit, are in
                                                academic assessment are, as a result of                 competition. The actual level of                      the application package for this
                                                the ESEA’s amendment by the Every                       funding, if any, depends on final                     competition.
                                                Student Succeeds Act, found at section                  congressional action. However, we are                    Notice of Intent to Apply: March 13,
                                                1111(b)(2) rather than 1111(b)(3).                      inviting applications to allow enough                 2017.
                                                  Sustained partnership means a                         time to complete the grant process if                    We will be able to develop a more
                                                relationship that has demonstrably                      Congress appropriated funds for this                  efficient process for reviewing grant
                                                adequate resources and other support to                 program. Contingent upon the                          applications if we know the
                                                continue beyond the funding period and                  availability of funds and the quality of              approximate number of applicants that
                                                that consist of community organizations                 applications, we may make additional                  intend to apply for funding under this
                                                as partners with an LEA and one or                      awards in FY 2018 or later years from                 competition. Therefore, the Secretary
                                                more of its schools. These organizations                the list of unfunded applicants from this             strongly encourages each potential
                                                may include faith- and community-                       competition.                                          applicant to notify us of the applicant’s
                                                based organizations, IHEs (including                      Estimated Range of Awards:                          intent to submit an application by
                                                minority-serving institutions eligible to               $350,000–550,000.                                     emailing NPD2017@ed.gov with the
                                                receive aid under title III or title V of the             Estimated Average Size of Awards:                   subject line ‘‘Intent to Apply’’ and
                                                Higher Education Act of 1965),                          $450,000.                                             include in the content of the email the
                                                businesses and industries, labor                          Maximum Award: $550,000 per year.                   following information: (1) The applicant
                                                organizations, State and local                            Estimated Number of Awards: 44.                     organization’s name and address, and
                                                government entities, or Federal entities                  Note: The Department is not bound by any            (2) any competitive preference priority
                                                other than the Department.                              estimates in this notice.                             or priorities and invitational priority or
                                                (Supplemental Priorities)                                 Project Period: 60 months.                          priorities the applicant is addressing in
                                                  Systemic initiative means a policy,                                                                         the application. Applicants that do not
                                                program, or activity that includes parent               III. Eligibility Information                          provide notice of their intent to apply
                                                and family engagement as a core                           1. Eligible Applicants: Entities eligible           may still submit an application.
                                                component and is designed to meet                       to apply for NPD grants are IHEs, or                     Page Limit: The application narrative
                                                critical educational goals, such as                     public or private entities with relevant              (Part III of the application) is where you,
                                                school readiness, student achievement,                  experience and capacity, in consortia                 the applicant, address the selection
                                                and school turnaround. (Supplemental                    with LEAs or SEAs.                                    criteria that reviewers use to evaluate
                                                Priorities)                                               2. Cost Sharing or Matching: This                   your application. We recommend that
                                                  What Works Clearinghouse Evidence                     program does not require cost sharing or              you limit the application narrative to no
                                                Standards means the standards set forth                 matching.                                             more than 35 pages. Applicants are also
                                                in the What Works Clearinghouse                                                                               strongly encouraged not to include
                                                                                                        IV. Application and Submission                        lengthy appendices that contain
                                                Procedures and Standards Handbook
                                                                                                        Information                                           information that they were unable to
                                                (Version 3.0, March 2014), which can be
                                                found at the following link: http://                       1. Address to Request Application                  include within the page limits for the
                                                ies.ed.gov/ncee/wwc/                                    Package: You can obtain an application                narrative.
                                                DocumentSum.aspx?sid=19. (34 CFR                        package via the Internet or from the                     Applicants must use the following
                                                77.1)                                                   Education Publications Center (ED                     standards:
                                                  Program Authority: 20 U.S.C. 6861.                    Pubs). To obtain a copy via the Internet,                • A ‘‘page’’ is 8.5″ x 11″, on one side
                                                                                                        use the following address: www.ed.gov/                only, with 1″ margins at the top, bottom,
                                                  Applicable Regulations: (a) The
                                                                                                        fund/grant/apply/grantapps/index.html.                and both sides.
                                                Education Department General
                                                                                                        To obtain a copy from ED Pubs, write,                    • Double space (no more than three
                                                Administrative Regulations (EDGAR) in
                                                                                                        fax, or call: ED Pubs, U.S. Department                lines per vertical inch) all text in the
                                                34 CFR parts 75, 77, 79, 81, 82, 84, 86,
                                                                                                        of Education, P.O. Box 22207,                         application narrative, including titles,
                                                97, 98, and 99. (b) The Office of
                                                                                                        Alexandria, VA 22304. Telephone, toll                 headings, footnotes, quotations,
                                                Management and Budget Guidelines to
                                                                                                        free: 1–877–433–7827. FAX: (703) 605–                 references, and captions.
                                                Agencies on Government-wide
                                                Debarment and Suspension                                6794. If you use a telecommunications                    • Use a font that is either 12 point or
                                                (Nonprocurement) in 2 CFR part 180, as                  device for the deaf (TDD) or a text                   larger or no smaller than 10 pitch
                                                adopted and amended as regulations of                   telephone (TTY), call, toll free: 1–877–              (characters per inch).
                                                the Department in 2 CFR part 3485. (c)                  576–7734.                                                • Use one of the following fonts:
                                                The Uniform Administrative                                 You can contact ED Pubs at its Web                 Times New Roman, Courier, Courier
                                                Requirements, Cost Principles, and                      site, also: www.EDPubs.gov or at its                  New, or Arial.
                                                Audit Requirements for Federal Awards                   email address: edpubs@inet.ed.gov.                       The page limit for the application
                                                in 2 CFR part 200, as adopted and                          If you request an application package              does not apply to Part I, the cover sheet;
                                                                                                        from ED Pubs, be sure to identify this                Part II, the budget section, including the
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES




                                                amended in 2 CFR part 3474. (d) The
                                                Supplemental Priorities.                                program or competition as follows:                    narrative budget justification; Part IV,
                                                                                                        CFDA 84.365Z.                                         the assurances and certifications; or the
                                                  Note: The regulations in 34 CFR part 86                  Individuals with disabilities can                  one-page abstract, the bibliography, or
                                                apply to IHEs only.                                                                                           the letters of support of the application.
                                                                                                        obtain a copy of the application package
                                                                                                        in an accessible format (e.g., braille,               However, the page limit does apply to
                                                II. Award Information
                                                                                                        large print, audiotape, or compact disc)              all of the application narrative section
                                                   Type of Award: Discretionary grants.                 by contacting the person listed under                 [Part III] of the application.


                                           VerDate Sep<11>2014   17:15 Feb 17, 2017   Jkt 241001   PO 00000   Frm 00036   Fmt 4703   Sfmt 4703   E:\FR\FM\21FEN1.SGM   21FEN1


                                                                            Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 33 / Tuesday, February 21, 2017 / Notices                                              11207

                                                   b. Submission of Proprietary                         the Department provides an                            We strongly recommend that you
                                                Information: Given the types of projects                accommodation or auxiliary aid to an                  register early.
                                                that may be proposed in applications for                individual with a disability in                          Note: Once your SAM registration is active,
                                                the NPD program, your application may                   connection with the application                       it may be 24 to 48 hours before you can
                                                include business information that you                   process, the individual’s application                 access the information in, and submit an
                                                consider proprietary. In 34 CFR 5.11 we                 remains subject to all other                          application through, Grants.gov.
                                                define ‘‘business information’’ and                     requirements and limitations in this                    If you are currently registered with
                                                describe the process we use in                          notice.                                               SAM, you may not need to make any
                                                determining whether any of that                            Deadline for Intergovernmental
                                                                                                                                                              changes. However, please make certain
                                                information is proprietary and, thus,                   Review: June 21, 2017.
                                                                                                                                                              that the TIN associated with your DUNS
                                                protected from disclosure under                            4. Intergovernmental Review: This
                                                                                                                                                              number is correct. Also note that you
                                                Exemption 4 of the Freedom of                           competition is subject to Executive
                                                                                                                                                              will need to update your registration
                                                Information Act (5 U.S.C. 552, as                       Order 12372 and the regulations in 34
                                                                                                                                                              annually. This may take three or more
                                                amended).                                               CFR part 79. Information about
                                                                                                                                                              business days.
                                                   Consistent with the process followed                 Intergovernmental Review of Federal
                                                                                                                                                                Information about SAM is available at
                                                in the prior NPD competitions, we may                   Programs under Executive Order 12372
                                                                                                                                                              www.SAM.gov. To further assist you
                                                post the project narrative section of                   is in the application package for this
                                                                                                                                                              with obtaining and registering your
                                                funded NPD applications on the                          competition.
                                                                                                           5. Funding Restrictions: We reference              DUNS number and TIN in SAM or
                                                Department’s Web site so you may wish
                                                                                                        regulations outlining funding                         updating your existing SAM account,
                                                to request confidentiality of business
                                                                                                        restrictions in the Applicable                        we have prepared a SAM.gov Tip Sheet,
                                                information. Identifying proprietary
                                                                                                        Regulations section of this notice.                   which you can find at: www2.ed.gov/
                                                information in the submitted
                                                                                                           6. Data Universal Numbering System                 fund/grant/apply/sam-faqs.html.
                                                application will help facilitate this
                                                                                                        Number, Taxpayer Identification                         In addition, if you are submitting your
                                                public disclosure process.
                                                   Consistent with Executive Order                      Number, and System for Award                          application via Grants.gov, you must (1)
                                                12600, please designate in your                         Management: To do business with the                   be designated by your organization as an
                                                application any information that you                    Department of Education, you must—                    Authorized Organization Representative
                                                believe is exempt from disclosure under                    a. Have a Data Universal Numbering                 (AOR); and (2) register yourself with
                                                Exemption 4. In the appropriate                         System (DUNS) number and a Taxpayer                   Grants.gov as an AOR. Details on these
                                                Appendix section of your application,                   Identification Number (TIN);                          steps are outlined at the following
                                                under ‘‘Other Attachments Form,’’                          b. Register both your DUNS number                  Grants.gov Web page: www.grants.gov/
                                                please list the page number or numbers                  and TIN with the System for Award                     web/grants/register.html.
                                                                                                        Management (SAM) (formerly the                          7. Other Submission Requirements:
                                                on which we can find this information.
                                                                                                        Central Contractor Registry), the                       Applications for grants for the NPD
                                                For additional information please see 34
                                                                                                        Government’s primary registrant                       program must be submitted
                                                CFR 5.11(c).
                                                   3. Submission Dates and Times:                       database;                                             electronically unless you qualify for an
                                                   Notice of Intent to Apply: March 13,                    c. Provide your DUNS number and                    exception to this requirement in
                                                2017.                                                   TIN on your application; and                          accordance with the instructions in this
                                                   Informational Meetings: The NPD                         d. Maintain an active SAM                          section.
                                                program intends to hold Webinars                        registration with current information                   a. Electronic Submission of
                                                designed to provide technical assistance                while your application is under review                Applications.
                                                to interested applicants. Detailed                      by the Department and, if you are                       Applications for grants under the NPD
                                                information regarding these meetings                    awarded a grant, during the project                   program, CFDA number 84.365Z, must
                                                will be provided on the NPD Web site                    period.                                               be submitted electronically using the
                                                at http://www2.ed.gov/programs/nfdp/                       You can obtain a DUNS number from                  Grants.gov Apply site (Grants.gov).
                                                applicant.html.                                         Dun and Bradstreet at the following                   Through this site, you will be able to
                                                   Deadline for Transmittal of                          Web site: http://fedgov.dnb.com/                      download a copy of the application
                                                Applications: April 24, 2017.                           webform. A DUNS number can be                         package, complete it offline, and then
                                                   Applications for grants under this                   created within one to two business days.              upload and submit your application.
                                                competition must be submitted                              If you are a corporate entity, agency,             You may not email an electronic copy
                                                electronically using the Grants.gov                     institution, or organization, you can                 of a grant application to us.
                                                application site. For information                       obtain a TIN from the Internal Revenue                  We will reject your application if you
                                                (including dates and times) about how                   Service. If you are an individual, you                submit it in paper format unless, as
                                                to submit your application                              can obtain a TIN from the Internal                    described elsewhere in this section, you
                                                electronically, or in paper format by                   Revenue Service or the Social Security                qualify for one of the exceptions to the
                                                mail or hand delivery if you qualify for                Administration. If you need a new TIN,                electronic submission requirement and
                                                an exception to the electronic                          please allow two to five weeks for your               submit, no later than two weeks before
                                                submission requirement, please refer to                 TIN to become active.                                 the application deadline date, a written
                                                Other Submission Requirements in                           The SAM registration process can take              statement to the Department that you
                                                section IV of this notice.                              approximately seven business days, but                qualify for one of these exceptions.
                                                   We do not consider an application                    may take upwards of several weeks,                    Further information regarding
                                                                                                        depending on the completeness and                     calculation of the date that is two weeks
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES




                                                that does not comply with the deadline
                                                requirements.                                           accuracy of the data you entered into                 before the application deadline date is
                                                   Individuals with disabilities who                    the SAM database. Thus, if you think                  provided later in this section under
                                                need an accommodation or auxiliary aid                  you might want to apply for Federal                   Exception to Electronic Submission
                                                in connection with the application                      financial assistance under a program                  Requirement.
                                                process should contact the person listed                administered by the Department, please                  You may access the electronic grant
                                                under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION                           allow sufficient time to obtain and                   application for the NPD program at
                                                CONTACT in section VII of this notice. If               register your DUNS number and TIN.                    www.Grants.gov. You must search for


                                           VerDate Sep<11>2014   17:15 Feb 17, 2017   Jkt 241001   PO 00000   Frm 00037   Fmt 4703   Sfmt 4703   E:\FR\FM\21FEN1.SGM   21FEN1


                                                11208                       Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 33 / Tuesday, February 21, 2017 / Notices

                                                the downloadable application package                       • You must submit all documents                    only, PDF; failure to submit a required
                                                for this competition by the CFDA                        electronically, including all information             part of the application; or failure to meet
                                                number. Do not include the CFDA                         you typically provide on the following                applicant eligibility requirements. It is
                                                number’s alpha suffix in your search                    forms: the Application for Federal                    your responsibility to ensure that your
                                                (e.g., search for 84.365, not 84.365Z).                 Assistance (SF 424), the Department of                submitted application has met all of the
                                                   Please note the following:                           Education Supplemental Information for                Department’s requirements.
                                                   • When you enter the Grants.gov site,                SF 424, Budget Information—Non-                          • We may request that you provide us
                                                you will find information about                         Construction Programs (ED 524), and all               original signatures on forms at a later
                                                submitting an application electronically                necessary assurances and certifications.              date.
                                                through the site, as well as the hours of                  • You must upload any narrative                       Application Deadline Date Extension
                                                operation.                                              sections and all other attachments to                 in Case of Technical Issues with the
                                                   • Applications received by                           your application as files in a read-only,             Grants.gov System: If you are
                                                Grants.gov are date and time stamped.                   Portable Document Format (PDF). Do                    experiencing problems submitting your
                                                Your application must be fully                          not upload an interactive or fillable PDF             application through Grants.gov, please
                                                uploaded and submitted and must be                      file (e.g., Word, Excel, WordPerfect,                 contact the Grants.gov Support Desk,
                                                date and time stamped by the                            etc.). If you upload a file type other than           toll free, at 1–800–518–4726. You must
                                                Grants.gov system no later than 4:30:00                 a read-only, PDF or submit a password-                obtain a Grants.gov Support Desk Case
                                                p.m., Washington, DC time, on the                       protected file, we will not review that               Number and must keep a record of it.
                                                application deadline date. Except as                    material. Please note that this could                    If you are prevented from
                                                otherwise noted in this section, we will                result in your application not being
                                                not accept your application if it is                                                                          electronically submitting your
                                                                                                        considered for funding because the                    application on the application deadline
                                                received—that is, date and time                         material in question—for example, the
                                                stamped by the Grants.gov system—after                                                                        date because of technical problems with
                                                                                                        project narrative—is critical to a                    the Grants.gov system, we will grant you
                                                4:30:00 p.m., Washington, DC time, on                   meaningful review of your proposal. For
                                                the application deadline date. We do                                                                          an extension until 4:30:00 p.m.,
                                                                                                        that reason it is important to allow
                                                not consider an application that does                                                                         Washington, DC time, the following
                                                                                                        yourself adequate time to upload all
                                                not comply with the deadline                                                                                  business day to enable you to transmit
                                                                                                        material as PDF files. The Department
                                                requirements. When we retrieve your                                                                           your application electronically or by
                                                                                                        will not convert material from other
                                                application from Grants.gov, we will                                                                          hand delivery. You also may mail your
                                                                                                        formats to PDF.
                                                notify you if we are rejecting your                        • Your electronic application must                 application by following the mailing
                                                application because it was date and time                comply with any page-limit                            instructions described elsewhere in this
                                                stamped by the Grants.gov system after                  requirements described in this notice.                notice.
                                                4:30:00 p.m., Washington, DC time, on                      • After you electronically submit                     If you submit an application after
                                                the application deadline date.                          your application, you will receive from               4:30:00 p.m., Washington, DC time, on
                                                   • The amount of time it can take to                  Grants.gov an automatic notification of               the application deadline date, please
                                                upload an application will vary                         receipt that contains a Grants.gov                    contact the person listed under FOR
                                                depending on a variety of factors,                      tracking number. This notification                    FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT in
                                                including the size of the application and               indicates receipt by Grants.gov only, not             section VII of this notice and provide an
                                                the speed of your Internet connection.                  receipt by the Department. Grants.gov                 explanation of the technical problem
                                                Therefore, we strongly recommend that                   will also notify you automatically by                 you experienced with Grants.gov, along
                                                you do not wait until the application                   email if your application met all the                 with the Grants.gov Support Desk Case
                                                deadline date to begin the submission                   Grants.gov validation requirements or if              Number. We will accept your
                                                process through Grants.gov.                             there were any errors (such as                        application if we can confirm that a
                                                   • You should review and follow the                   submission of your application by                     technical problem occurred with the
                                                Education Submission Procedures for                     someone other than a registered                       Grants.gov system and that the problem
                                                submitting an application through                       Authorized Organization                               affected your ability to submit your
                                                Grants.gov that are included in the                     Representative, or inclusion of an                    application by 4:30:00 p.m.,
                                                application package for this competition                attachment with a file name that                      Washington, DC time, on the
                                                to ensure that you submit your                          contains special characters). You will be             application deadline date. We will
                                                application in a timely manner to the                   given an opportunity to correct any                   contact you after we determine whether
                                                Grants.gov system. You can also find the                errors and resubmit, but you must still               your application will be accepted.
                                                Education Submission Procedures                         meet the deadline for submission of                      Note: The extensions to which we refer in
                                                pertaining to Grants.gov under News                     applications.                                         this section apply only to the unavailability
                                                and Events on the Department’s G5                          Once your application is successfully              of, or technical problems with, the Grants.gov
                                                system home page at www.G5.gov. In                      validated by Grants.gov, the Department               system. We will not grant you an extension
                                                addition, for specific guidance and                     will retrieve your application from                   if you failed to fully register to submit your
                                                procedures for submitting an                            Grants.gov and send you an email with                 application to Grants.gov before the
                                                application through Grants.gov, please                  a unique PR/Award number for your                     application deadline date and time or if the
                                                                                                                                                              technical problem you experienced is
                                                refer to the Grants.gov Web site at:                    application.                                          unrelated to the Grants.gov system.
                                                www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/                      These emails do not mean that your
                                                apply-for-grants.html.                                  application is without any disqualifying                Exception to Electronic Submission
                                                   • You will not receive additional                    errors. While your application may have               Requirement: You qualify for an
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES




                                                point value because you submit your                     been successfully validated by                        exception to the electronic submission
                                                application in electronic format, nor                   Grants.gov, it must also meet the                     requirement, and may submit your
                                                will we penalize you if you qualify for                 Department’s application requirements                 application in paper format, if you are
                                                an exception to the electronic                          as specified in this notice and in the                unable to submit an application through
                                                submission requirement, as described                    application instructions. Disqualifying               the Grants.gov system because––
                                                elsewhere in this section, and submit                   errors could include, for instance,                     • You do not have access to the
                                                your application in paper format.                       failure to upload attachments in a read-              Internet; or


                                           VerDate Sep<11>2014   17:15 Feb 17, 2017   Jkt 241001   PO 00000   Frm 00038   Fmt 4703   Sfmt 4703   E:\FR\FM\21FEN1.SGM   21FEN1


                                                                            Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 33 / Tuesday, February 21, 2017 / Notices                                            11209

                                                   • You do not have the capacity to                    relying on this method, you should check              replications of project activities or
                                                upload large documents to the                           with your local post office.                          strategies including information about
                                                Grants.gov system;                                         We will not consider applications                  the effectiveness of the approach or
                                                   and                                                  postmarked after the application                      strategies employed by the project.
                                                   • No later than two weeks before the                 deadline date.                                           (3) The extent to which the proposed
                                                application deadline date (14 calendar                     c. Submission of Paper Applications                project is supported by strong theory (as
                                                days or, if the fourteenth calendar day                 by Hand Delivery.                                     defined in this notice).
                                                before the application deadline date                       If you qualify for an exception to the                (b) Quality of project personnel. (up to
                                                falls on a Federal holiday, the next                    electronic submission requirement, you                10 points).
                                                business day following the Federal                      (or a courier service) may deliver your                  The Secretary considers the quality of
                                                holiday), you mail or fax a written                     paper application to the Department by                the personnel who will carry out the
                                                statement to the Department, explaining                 hand. You must deliver the original and               proposed project. In determining the
                                                which of the two grounds for an                         two copies of your application by hand,               quality of project personnel, the
                                                exception prevents you from using the                   on or before the application deadline                 Secretary considers the following
                                                Internet to submit your application.                    date, to the Department at the following              factors:
                                                   If you mail your written statement to                address: U.S. Department of Education,                   (1) The extent to which the applicant
                                                the Department, it must be postmarked                   Application Control Center, Attention:                encourages applications for employment
                                                no later than two weeks before the                      (CFDA Number 84.365Z), 550 12th                       from persons who are members of
                                                application deadline date. If you fax                   Street SW., Room 7039, Potomac Center                 groups that have traditionally been
                                                your written statement to the                           Plaza, Washington, DC 20202–4260.                     underrepresented based on race, color,
                                                Department, we must receive the faxed                      The Application Control Center                     national origin, gender, age, or disability
                                                statement no later than two weeks                       accepts hand deliveries daily between                    (2) The qualifications, including
                                                before the application deadline date.                   8:00 a.m. and 4:30:00 p.m., Washington,               relevant training and experience, of the
                                                   Address and mail or fax your                         DC time, except Saturdays, Sundays,                   project director or principal
                                                statement to: Patrice Swann, U.S.                       and Federal holidays.                                 investigator.
                                                Department of Education, 400 Maryland                      Note for Mail or Hand Delivery of                     (3) The qualifications, including
                                                Avenue SW., Room 5C144, Washington,                     Paper Applications: If you mail or hand               relevant training and experience, of key
                                                DC 20202–6510. FAX: (202) 260–5496.                     deliver your application to the                       project personnel.
                                                   Your paper application must be                       Department—                                              (c) Quality of the management plan.
                                                submitted in accordance with the mail                      (1) You must indicate on the envelope              (up to 25 points).
                                                or hand delivery instructions described                 and—if not provided by the                               The Secretary considers the quality of
                                                in this notice.                                         Department—in Item 11 of the SF 424                   the management plan for the proposed
                                                   b. Submission of Paper Applications                  the CFDA number, including suffix                     project. In determining the quality of the
                                                by Mail.                                                letter, if any, of the competition under              management plan for the proposed
                                                   If you qualify for an exception to the               which you are submitting your                         project, the Secretary considers the
                                                electronic submission requirement, you                  application; and                                      following factors:
                                                may mail (through the U.S. Postal                          (2) The Application Control Center                    (1) The adequacy of the management
                                                Service or a commercial carrier) your                   will mail to you a notification of receipt            plan to achieve the objectives of the
                                                application to the Department. You                      of your grant application. If you do not              proposed project on time and within
                                                must mail the original and two copies                   receive this notification within 15                   budget, including clearly defined
                                                of your application, on or before the                   business days from the application                    responsibilities, timelines, and
                                                application deadline date, to the                       deadline date, you should call the U.S.               milestones for accomplishing project
                                                Department at the following address:                    Department of Education Application                   tasks.
                                                U.S. Department of Education,                           Control Center at (202) 245–6288.                        (2) The extent to which the time
                                                Application Control Center, Attention:                                                                        commitment of the project director and
                                                (CFDA Number 84.365Z), LBJ Basement                     V. Application Review Information                     principal investigator and other key
                                                Level 1, 400 Maryland Avenue SW.,                         1. Selection Criteria: The selection                project personnel are appropriate and
                                                Washington, DC 20202–4260.                              criteria for this competition are from                adequate to meet the objectives of the
                                                   You must show proof of mailing                       section 34 CFR 75.210. The maximum                    proposed project.
                                                consisting of one of the following:                     score for all of these criteria is 100                   (d) Quality of the project evaluation.
                                                   (1) A legibly dated U.S. Postal Service              points (not including competitive                     (up to 20 points).
                                                postmark.                                               preference priority points). The                         The Secretary considers the quality of
                                                   (2) A legible mail receipt with the                  maximum score for each criterion is                   the evaluation to be conducted of the
                                                date of mailing stamped by the U.S.                     indicated in parentheses.                             proposed project. In determining the
                                                Postal Service.                                           (a) Quality of the project design. (up              quality of the evaluation, the Secretary
                                                   (3) A dated shipping label, invoice, or              to 45 points).                                        considers the following factors:
                                                receipt from a commercial carrier.                        The Secretary considers the quality of                 (1) The extent to which the methods
                                                   (4) Any other proof of mailing                       the design of the proposed project. In                of evaluation are thorough, feasible, and
                                                acceptable to the Secretary of the U.S.                 determining the quality of the design of              appropriate to the goals, objectives, and
                                                Department of Education.                                the proposed project, the Secretary                   outcomes of the proposed project.
                                                   If you mail your application through                 considers the following factors:                         (2) The extent to which the methods
                                                the U.S. Postal Service, we do not
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES




                                                                                                          (1) The extent to which the goals,                  of evaluation will, if well implemented,
                                                accept either of the following as proof                 objectives, and outcomes to be achieved               produce evidence about the project’s
                                                of mailing:                                             by the proposed project are clearly                   effectiveness that would meet the What
                                                   (1) A private metered postmark.                      specified and measurable.                             Works Clearinghouse Evidence
                                                   (2) A mail receipt that is not dated by                (2) The extent to which the design for              Standards with reservations.
                                                the U.S. Postal Service.                                implementing and evaluating the                          (3) The extent to which the methods
                                                  Note: The U.S. Postal Service does not                proposed project will result in                       of evaluation will provide performance
                                                uniformly provide a dated postmark. Before              information to guide possible                         feedback and permit periodic


                                           VerDate Sep<11>2014   17:15 Feb 17, 2017   Jkt 241001   PO 00000   Frm 00039   Fmt 4703   Sfmt 4703   E:\FR\FM\21FEN1.SGM   21FEN1


                                                11210                       Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 33 / Tuesday, February 21, 2017 / Notices

                                                assessment of progress toward achieving                 75.217(d)(3), the past performance of the             VI. Award Administration Information
                                                intended outcomes.                                      applicant in carrying out a previous                     1. Award Notices: If your application
                                                  (4) The extent to which the methods                   award, such as the applicant’s use of                 is successful, we notify your U.S.
                                                of evaluation will provide valid and                    funds, achievement of project                         Representative and U.S. Senators and
                                                reliable performance data on relevant                   objectives, and compliance with grant                 send you a Grant Award Notification
                                                outcomes.                                               conditions. The Secretary may also                    (GAN). We may notify you informally,
                                                  Note: The following are technical                     consider whether the applicant failed to              also.
                                                assistance resources on evaluation: (1) WWC             submit a timely performance report or                    If your application is not evaluated or
                                                Procedures and Standards Handbook: http://              submitted a report of unacceptable                    not selected for funding, we notify you.
                                                ies.ed.gov/ncee/wwc/references/idocviewer/              quality.                                                 2. Administrative and National Policy
                                                doc.aspx?docid=19&tocid=1; and (2) IES/                    In addition, in making a competitive               Requirements: We identify
                                                NCEE Technical Methods papers: http://                  grant award, the Secretary also requires
                                                ies.ed.gov/ncee/tech_methods.                                                                                 administrative and national policy
                                                                                                        various assurances including those                    requirements in the application package
                                                   In addition, we invite applicants to                 applicable to Federal civil rights laws               and reference these and other
                                                view two Webinar recordings that were                   that prohibit discrimination in programs              requirements in the Applicable
                                                hosted by the Institute of Education                    or activities receiving Federal financial             Regulations section of this notice.
                                                Sciences. The first Webinar addresses                   assistance from the Department of                        We reference the regulations outlining
                                                strategies for designing and executing                  Education (34 CFR 100.4, 104.5, 106.4,                the terms and conditions of an award in
                                                well-designed quasi-experimental                        108.8, and 110.23).                                   the Applicable Regulations section of
                                                design studies. This Webinar is                            3. Risk Assessment and Special                     this notice and include these and other
                                                available at: http://ies.ed.gov/ncee/wwc/               Conditions: Consistent with 2 CFR                     specific conditions in the GAN. The
                                                Multimedia.aspx?sid=23. The second                      200.205, before awarding grants under                 GAN also incorporates your approved
                                                Webinar focuses on more rigorous                        this program the Department conducts a                application as part of your binding
                                                evaluation designees, including                         review of the risks posed by applicants.              commitments under the grant.
                                                strategies for designing and executing                  Under 2 CFR 3474.10, the Secretary may                   3. Reporting: (a) If you apply for a
                                                randomized controlled trials. This                      impose special conditions and, in                     grant under this competition, you must
                                                Webinar is available at: http://                        appropriate circumstances, high-risk                  ensure that you have in place the
                                                ies.ed.gov/ncee/wwc/                                    conditions on a grant if the applicant or             necessary processes and systems to
                                                Multimedia.aspx?sid=18.                                 grantee is not financially stable; has a              comply with the reporting requirements
                                                   2. Review and Selection Process: The                 history of unsatisfactory performance;                in 2 CFR part 170 should you receive
                                                Department will screen applications                     has a financial or other management                   funding under the competition. This
                                                that are submitted for NPD grants in                    system that does not meet the standards               does not apply if you have an exception
                                                accordance with the requirements in                     in 2 CFR part 200, subpart D; has not                 under 2 CFR 170.110(b).
                                                this notice and determine which                         fulfilled the conditions of a prior grant;               (b) At the end of your project period,
                                                applications meet the eligibility and                   or is otherwise not responsible.                      you must submit a final performance
                                                other requirements. Peer reviewers will                    4. Integrity and Performance System:               report, including financial information,
                                                review all eligible applications for NPD                If you are selected under this                        as directed by the Secretary. If you
                                                grants that are submitted by the                        competition to receive an award that                  receive a multiyear award, you must
                                                established deadline.                                   over the course of the project period                 submit an annual performance report
                                                   Applicants should note, however, that                may exceed the simplified acquisition                 that provides the most current
                                                we may screen for eligibility at multiple               threshold (currently $150,000), under 2               performance and financial expenditure
                                                points during the competition process,                  CFR 200.205(a)(2) we must make a                      information as directed by the Secretary
                                                including before and after peer review;                 judgment about your integrity, business               under 34 CFR 75.118. The Secretary
                                                applicants that are determined to be                    ethics, and record of performance under               may also require more frequent
                                                ineligible will not receive a grant award               Federal awards—that is, the risk posed                performance reports under 34 CFR
                                                regardless of peer reviewer scores or                   by you as an applicant—before we make                 75.720(c). For specific requirements on
                                                comments. If we determine that an NPD                   an award. In doing so, we must consider               reporting, please go to http://
                                                grant application does not meet an NPD                  any information about you that is in the              www.ed.gov/fund/grant/apply/
                                                requirement, the application will not be                integrity and performance system                      appforms.html.
                                                considered for funding.                                 (currently referred to as the Federal                    (c) The Secretary may provide a
                                                   For NPD grant applications, the                      Awardee Performance and Integrity                     grantee with additional funding for data
                                                Department intends to conduct a two-                    Information System (FAPIIS)),                         collection, analysis, and reporting. In
                                                part review process to review and score                 accessible through SAM. You may                       this case the Secretary establishes a data
                                                all eligible applications. Content                      review and comment on any                             collection period.
                                                reviewers will review and score all                     information about yourself that a                        4. Performance Measures: Under the
                                                eligible applications on the following                  Federal agency previously entered and                 Government Performance and Results
                                                three selection criteria: (a) Quality of the            that is currently in FAPIIS.                          Act (GPRA), Federal departments and
                                                project design; (b) Quality of project                     Please note that, if the total value of            agencies must clearly describe the goals
                                                personnel; and (c) Quality of the                       your currently active grants, cooperative             and objectives of programs, identify
                                                management plan. These reviewers will                   agreements, and procurement contracts                 resources and actions needed to
                                                also review and score the second                        from the Federal Government exceeds                   accomplish goals and objectives,
                                                                                                        $10,000,000, the reporting requirements
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES




                                                competitive preference priority. Peer                                                                         develop a means of measuring progress
                                                reviewers with evaluation expertise will                in 2 CFR part 200, Appendix XII,                      made, and regularly report on
                                                review and score selection criterion (d)                require you to report certain integrity               achievement.
                                                Quality of the project evaluation.                      information to FAPIIS semiannually.                      (a) Measures. The Department has
                                                   We remind potential applicants that                  Please review the requirements in 2 CFR               developed the following GPRA
                                                in reviewing applications in any                        part 200, Appendix XII, if this grant                 performance measures for evaluating the
                                                discretionary grant competition, the                    plus all the other Federal funds you                  overall effectiveness of the NPD
                                                Secretary may consider, under 34 CFR                    receive exceed $10,000,000.                           program:


                                           VerDate Sep<11>2014   17:15 Feb 17, 2017   Jkt 241001   PO 00000   Frm 00040   Fmt 4703   Sfmt 4703   E:\FR\FM\21FEN1.SGM   21FEN1


                                                                            Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 33 / Tuesday, February 21, 2017 / Notices                                                 11211

                                                   Measure 1: The number and                            collection, analysis, and reporting in                   Electronic Access to This Document:
                                                percentage of program participants who                  other projects or research.                           The official version of this document is
                                                complete the preservice program.                          Note: If the applicant does not have                the document published in the Federal
                                                Completion is defined by the applicant                  experience with collection and reporting of           Register. Free Internet access to the
                                                in the submitted application.                           performance data through other projects or            official edition of the Federal Register
                                                   Measure 2: The number and                            research, the applicant should provide other          and the Code of Federal Regulations is
                                                percentage of program participants who                  evidence of capacity to successfully carry out        available via the Federal Digital System
                                                complete the inservice program.                         data collection and reporting for its proposed        at: www.gpo.gov/fdsys. At this site you
                                                Completion is defined by the applicant                  project.                                              can view this document, as well as all
                                                in the submitted application.                              (d) Performance Reports. All grantees              other documents of this Department
                                                   Measure 3: The number and                            must submit an annual performance                     published in the Federal Register, in
                                                percentage of program completers, as                    report and final performance report with              text or PDF. To use PDF you must have
                                                defined by the applicant under                          information that is responsive to these               Adobe Acrobat Reader, which is
                                                measures 1 and 2, who are State                         performance measures. The Department                  available free at the site.
                                                certified, licensed, or endorsed in EL                  will consider this data in making annual                 You may also access documents of the
                                                instruction.                                            continuation awards.                                  Department published in the Federal
                                                   Measure 4: The percentage of program                    (e) Department Evaluations.                        Register by using the article search
                                                completers who rate the program as                      Consistent with 34 CFR 75.591, grantees               feature at: www.federalregister.gov.
                                                effective in preparing them to serve EL                 funded under this program shall comply                Specifically, through the advanced
                                                students.                                               with the requirements of any evaluation               search feature at this site, you can limit
                                                   Measure 5: The percentage of school                                                                        your search to documents published by
                                                                                                        of the program conducted by the
                                                leaders, other educators, and employers                                                                       the Department.
                                                                                                        Department or an evaluator selected by
                                                of program completers who rated the
                                                                                                        the Department.                                         Dated: February 15, 2017.
                                                program as effective in preparing their
                                                                                                           5. Continuation Awards: In making a                Supreet Anand,
                                                teachers, or other educators, to serve
                                                                                                        continuation award under 34 CFR                       Deputy Director Office of English Language
                                                ELs or improve their abilities to serve
                                                                                                        75.253, the Secretary considers, among                Acquisition.
                                                ELs effectively.
                                                   Measure 6: For projects that received                other things: Whether a grantee has                   [FR Doc. 2017–03367 Filed 2–17–17; 8:45 am]
                                                competitive preference points for                       made substantial progress in achieving                BILLING CODE 4000–01–P
                                                Competitive Priority 2, the percentage of               the goals and objectives of the project;
                                                program completers who rated the                        whether the grantee has expended funds
                                                program as effective, as defined by the                 in a manner that is consistent with its
                                                                                                        approved application and budget; and,                 DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
                                                grantees, in increasing their knowledge
                                                and skills related to parent, family, and               if the Secretary has established
                                                                                                                                                              National Coal Council
                                                community engagement.                                   performance measurement
                                                   (b) Baseline data. Applicants must                   requirements, the performance targets in              AGENCY: Office of Fossil Energy,
                                                provide baseline (as defined in this                    the grantee’s approved application.                   Department of Energy.
                                                notice) data for each of the project                       In making a continuation award, the                ACTION: Notice of open meetings.
                                                performance measures listed in (a) and                  Secretary also considers whether the
                                                explain how each proposed baseline                      grantee is operating in compliance with               SUMMARY:    This notice announces a
                                                data is related to program outcomes; or,                the assurances in its approved                        meeting of the National Coal Council
                                                if the applicant has determined that                    application, including those applicable               (NCC). The Federal Advisory Committee
                                                there are no established baseline data                  to Federal civil rights laws that prohibit            Act requires that public notice of these
                                                for a particular performance measure,                   discrimination in programs or activities              meetings be announced in the Federal
                                                explain why there is no established                     receiving Federal financial assistance                Register.
                                                baseline and explain how and when,                      from the Department (34 CFR 100.4,                    DATES: Wednesday, March 15, 2017,
                                                during the project period, the applicant                104.5, 106.4, 108.8, and 110.23).                     8:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.
                                                will establish a baseline for the                       VII. Agency Contact                                   ADDRESSES: Sheraton Suites, Old Town
                                                performance measure.                                                                                          Alexandria; 801 N. Saint Asaph St.;
                                                   (c) Performance measure targets. In                  FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:                      Alexandria, VA 22314.
                                                addition, the applicant must propose in                 Samuel Lopez, U.S. Department of
                                                                                                                                                              FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
                                                its application annual targets for the                  Education, 400 Maryland Avenue SW.,
                                                                                                                                                              Daniel Matuszak, U.S. Department of
                                                measures listed in paragraph (a).                       Room 5C152, Washington, DC 20202.
                                                                                                                                                              Energy, 4G–036/Forrestal Building,
                                                Applications must also include the                      Telephone: (202) 401–4300. FAX: (202)
                                                                                                                                                              1000 Independence Avenue SW.,
                                                following information as directed under                 205–1229 or by email at NPD2017@
                                                                                                                                                              Washington, DC 20585–0001;
                                                34 CFR 75.110(b):                                       ed.gov.
                                                                                                                                                              Telephone: 202–287–6915
                                                   (1) Why each proposed performance                      If you use a TDD or a TTY, call the
                                                target is ambitious (as defined in this                 Federal Relay Service, toll free, at 1–               SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
                                                notice) yet achievable compared to the                  800–877–8339.                                            Purpose of the Council: The National
                                                baseline for the performance measure.                                                                         Coal Council provides advice and
                                                                                                        VIII. Other Information                               recommendations to the Secretary of
                                                   (2) The data collection and reporting
                                                                                                           Accessible Format: Individuals with                Energy on general policy matters
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES




                                                methods the applicant would use and
                                                why those methods are likely to yield                   disabilities can obtain this document                 relating to coal and the coal industry.
                                                reliable, valid, and meaningful                         and a copy of the application package in                 Purpose of Meeting: The 2017 Spring
                                                performance data; and                                   an accessible format (e.g., braille, large            Meeting of the National Coal Council.
                                                   (3) The applicant’s capacity to collect              print, audiotape, or compact disc) on                    Tentative Agenda:
                                                and report reliable, valid, and                         request to the program contact person                 1. Call to order and opening remarks by
                                                meaningful performance data, as                         listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION                       Mike Durham, Chair, National Coal
                                                evidenced by high-quality data                          CONTACT in section VII of this notice.                     Council


                                           VerDate Sep<11>2014   17:15 Feb 17, 2017   Jkt 241001   PO 00000   Frm 00041   Fmt 4703   Sfmt 4703   E:\FR\FM\21FEN1.SGM   21FEN1



Document Created: 2018-02-01 15:04:21
Document Modified: 2018-02-01 15:04:21
CategoryRegulatory Information
CollectionFederal Register
sudoc ClassAE 2.7:
GS 4.107:
AE 2.106:
PublisherOffice of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
SectionNotices
ActionNotice.
DatesApplications Available: February 21, 2017.
ContactSamuel Lopez, U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue SW., Room 5C152, Washington, DC 20202. Telephone: (202) 401-4300. FAX: (202) 205-1229 or by email at [email protected]
FR Citation82 FR 11202 

2025 Federal Register | Disclaimer | Privacy Policy
USC | CFR | eCFR