83_FR_30555 83 FR 30430 - Applications for New Awards; Statewide Family Engagement Centers

83 FR 30430 - Applications for New Awards; Statewide Family Engagement Centers

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 125 (June 28, 2018)

Page Range30430-30437
FR Document2018-13913

The Department of Education (Department) is issuing a notice inviting applications for fiscal year (FY) 2018 for the Statewide Family Engagement Centers (SFEC) program, Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) number 84.310A.

Federal Register, Volume 83 Issue 125 (Thursday, June 28, 2018)
[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 125 (Thursday, June 28, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 30430-30437]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2018-13913]


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DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION


Applications for New Awards; Statewide Family Engagement Centers

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

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Education (Department) is issuing a notice 
inviting applications for fiscal year (FY) 2018 for the Statewide 
Family Engagement Centers (SFEC) program, Catalog of Federal Domestic 
Assistance (CFDA) number 84.310A.

DATES: 
    Applications Available: June 28, 2018.
    Deadline for Notice of Intent to Apply: July 13, 2018.
    Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: July 30, 2018.
    Pre-Application Webinar Information: For information about the pre-
application webinar, visit the SFEC website at: https://innovation.ed.gov/statewide-family-engagement-centers-program/.

ADDRESSES: For the addresses for obtaining and submitting an 
application, please refer to our Common Instructions for Applicants to 
Department of Education Discretionary Grant Programs, published in the 
Federal Register on February 12, 2018 (83 FR 6003), and available at 
www.thefederalregister.org/fdsys/pkg/FR-2018-02-12/pdf/2018-02558.pdf.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jane Hodgdon, U.S. Department of 
Education, 400 Maryland Avenue SW, Room 4W248, Washington, DC 20202-
5970. Telephone: (202) 453-6620. Email: [email protected].
    If you use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) or a text 
telephone (TTY), call the Federal Relay Service (FRS), toll free, at 1-
800-877-8339.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Full Text of Announcement

I. Funding Opportunity Description

    Purpose of Program: The SFEC program is authorized under title IV, 
part E of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, as 
amended (ESEA). The purpose of the SFEC program is to provide financial 
support to organizations that provide technical assistance and training 
to State educational agencies (SEAs) and local educational agencies 
(LEAs) in the implementation and enhancement of systemic and effective 
family engagement policies, programs, and activities that lead to 
improvements in student development and academic achievement. The 
Secretary is authorized to award grants to statewide organizations (or 
consortia of such organizations) in partnership with an SEA to 
establish SFECs that (1) carry out parent education and family 
engagement in education programs, and (2) provide comprehensive 
training and technical assistance to SEAs, LEAs, schools identified by 
SEAs and LEAs, organizations that support family-school partnerships, 
and other such programs.
    Background: The SFEC program seeks to promote high-impact cradle-
to-career family, school, and community engagement by funding centers 
that build the capacity of all stakeholders--including families, SEAs, 
LEAs, school-level staff and personnel, and community based 
organizations--to engage in effective partnerships that support student 
achievement and school

[[Page 30431]]

improvement and increase the number of high-quality educational options 
available to families.
    Family, school, and community engagement must be viewed as a shared 
responsibility among all parties, in order to be effective. The 
engagement should be continuous from birth to young adulthood and 
should take place wherever children learn--at home, in school, and in 
their community.
    The Department's Dual Capacity-Building Framework for Family-School 
Partnerships \1\ identifies several key conditions essential to the 
design of effective, high-impact activities and initiatives for 
building the capacity of families, SEAs, LEAs, and school staff to 
partner in ways that support student achievement and school 
improvement. These conditions highlight the fact that effective, high-
impact activities are purposefully designed and linked to school and 
LEA achievement goals (e.g., school readiness, student achievement, and 
school improvement).
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    \1\ See: www2.ed.gov/documents/family-community/partners-education.pdf.
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    The capacity building initiatives should be embedded into the 
support structures and processes at the SEA and LEA levels, including 
training, professional development, teaching and learning, curriculum, 
and community collaboration. These initiatives should also operate with 
adequate resources, including public-private partnerships, to ensure 
meaningful and effective strategies that have the power to impact 
student learning and achievement. Building on years of research and 
lessons learned from programs such as Parent Information Centers,\2\ 
the high-impact family engagement envisioned in SFEC requires a focus 
on State and local policy, as well as initiatives designed to promote 
parental involvement (as defined in this notice) and other direct 
support for parents, families, and the organizations that serve them.
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    \2\ Parent Information Centers program is one of the primary 
vehicles under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act 
(IDEA) for providing information and training to parents of children 
with disabilities.
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    In this year's SFEC competition, the Department also seeks to build 
an evidence base for the program by providing incentives to applicants 
that propose: (1) Projects that are supported by evidence and (2) 
robust evaluations. Such projects would, if well-implemented, yield 
promising evidence (as defined in this notice). To this end, we include 
a competitive preference priority encouraging projects that are based 
on evidence, with a specific interest in providing families with 
evidence-based strategies for promoting literacy, an application 
requirement that requires applicants to submit a logic model as part of 
their applications, and a selection criterion that encourages 
applicants to further explain the conceptual framework outlined in the 
logic model. In addition, through our competitive preference 
priorities, we seek applications that propose to support families in 
making informed decisions about educational opportunities that will 
meet the unique needs of each student.
    Priorities: This notice contains two competitive preference 
priorities. Under section 437(d)(1) of the General Education Provisions 
Act (GEPA), we are establishing Competitive Preference Priorities 1(a) 
and 2. Competitive Preference Priority 1(b) is from the Secretary's 
Final Supplemental Priorities and Definitions for Discretionary Grant 
Programs (Supplemental Priorities), published in the Federal Register 
on March 2, 2018 (83 FR 9096).
    Competitive Preference Priorities: For FY 2018 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 three 
points to an application that meets either Competitive Preference 
Priority 1(a) or Competitive Preference Priority 1(b), and we award up 
to an additional three points to an application depending on how well 
the application meets Competitive Preference Priority 2, for a maximum 
of six additional points under these priorities. The total possible 
points for each competitive preference priority are noted in 
parentheses.
    These priorities are:
    Competitive Preference Priority 1 (0 or 3 points).
    The Secretary gives priority to projects that are designed to--
    (a) Create SFECs that will provide direct services to parents and 
families through evidence-based (as defined in this notice) activities.
    (b) Provide families with evidence-based (as defined in this 
notice) strategies for promoting literacy. This may include providing 
families with access to books or other physical or digital materials or 
content about how to support their child's reading development, or 
providing family literacy activities (as defined in section 203(9) of 
the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act).

    Note: An application will not receive points for both (a) and 
(b) under Competitive Preference Priority 1.

    Competitive Preference Priority 2 (up to 3 points).
    The Secretary gives priority to projects that are designed to 
provide families with the information and tools they need to make 
important decisions regarding the educational choice (as defined in 
this notice) that is most appropriate for their children.
    Application Requirements: The following requirements (a) (b), and 
(d)-(g) are from section 4503 of the ESEA. Under section 437(d)(1) of 
GEPA, we are establishing application requirements (c), (h), (i), and 
(j). For FY 2018, and any subsequent year in which we make awards from 
the list of unfunded applications from this competition, the following 
application requirements apply. In order to receive funding, an 
applicant must include the following in its application:
    (a) A description of the applicant's approach to family engagement 
in education.
    (b) A description of how the SEA and any partner organization will 
support the SFEC that will be operated by the applicant including a 
description of the SEA's and any partner organization's commitment of 
such support.
    (c) A description of the applicant's plan for building a statewide 
infrastructure for family engagement in education, that includes--
    (1) Management and governance;
    (2) Statewide leadership, including the development and 
implementation, in partnership with the SEA(s), of statewide family 
engagement in education policy and systemic initiatives that will 
provide for a continuum of services to remove barriers for family 
engagement in education and support school reform efforts as well as 
parental involvement policies under the ESEA; and
    (3) Systemic services for family engagement in education, including 
assistance for effective participation by parents in their children's 
education in order to help their children meet challenging State 
academic standards, such as by assisting parents--
    (i) To engage in activities that will improve student academic 
achievement, including understanding how parents can support learning 
in the classroom with activities at home and in after-school and 
extracurricular programs;
    (ii) To communicate effectively with their children, teachers, 
school leaders, counselors, administrators, and other school personnel;
    (iii) To become active participants in the development, 
implementation, and review of school-parent compacts, family engagement 
in education

[[Page 30432]]

policies, and school planning and improvement;
    (iv) To participate in the design and provision of assistance to 
students who are not making academic progress;
    (v) To participate in State and local decision making;
    (vi) To train other parents; and
    (vii) In learning and using technology applied in their children's 
education;
    (d) A description of the applicant's demonstrated experience in 
providing training, information, and support, to SEAs, LEAs, schools, 
educators, parents, and organizations on family engagement in education 
policies and practices that are effective for parents (including low-
income parents) and families, parents of English learners, minorities, 
students with disabilities, homeless children and youth, children and 
youth in foster care, and migrant students, including evaluation 
results, reporting, or other data exhibiting such demonstrated 
experience.
    (e) A description of the steps the applicant will take to target 
services to low-income students and parents.
    (f) An assurance that the applicant will--
    (1) Establish a special advisory committee, the membership of which 
includes--
    (i) Parents, who shall constitute a majority of the members of the 
special advisory committee;
    (ii) Representatives of education professionals with expertise in 
improving services for disadvantaged children;
    (iii) Representatives of local elementary schools and secondary 
schools, including students;
    (iv) Representatives of the business community; and
    (v) Representatives of SEAs and LEAs;
    (2) Use not less than 65 percent of the funds received under this 
part in each fiscal year to serve LEAs, schools, and community-based 
organizations that serve high concentrations of disadvantaged students, 
including students who are English language learners, minorities, 
students with disabilities, homeless children and youth, children and 
youth in foster care, and migrant students;
    (3) Operate a SFEC of sufficient size, scope, and quality to ensure 
that the center is adequate to serve the SEA, LEAs, and community-based 
organizations;
    (4) Ensure that the SFEC will retain staff with the requisite 
training and experience to serve parents in the State;
    (5) Serve urban, suburban, and rural LEAs and schools;
    (6) Work with--
    (i) Other SFECs assisted under this part; and
    (ii) Parent training and information centers and community parent 
resource centers assisted under sections 671 and 672 of the Individuals 
with Disabilities Education Act (20 U.S.C. 1471; 1472); and
    (7) Use not less than 30 percent of the funds received under this 
competition for each fiscal year to establish or expand technical 
assistance for evidence-based (as defined in this notice) parent 
education programs;
    (8) Provide assistance to SEAs, LEAs, and community-based 
organizations that support family members in supporting student 
achievement;
    (9) Work with SEAs, LEAs, schools, educators, and parents to 
determine parental needs and the best means for delivery of services to 
address such needs;
    (10) Conduct sufficient outreach to assist parents, including 
parents who the applicant may have a difficult time engaging with a 
school or LEA; and
    (11) Conduct outreach to low-income students and parents, including 
low-income students and parents who are not proficient in English.
    (g) An assurance that the applicant will conduct training programs 
in the community to improve adult literacy, including financial 
literacy.
    (h) A description of how the applicant will meet program 
requirement (a) to obtain a non-Federal matching contribution in each 
fiscal year after the first fiscal year in which the project is funded.
    (i) A preliminary memorandum of understanding (MOU), signed by each 
organization or agency with which it would partner in implementing the 
proposed SFEC, including the partner SEA(s), which details each 
partner's financial, programmatic, and long-term commitment with 
respect to the strategies described in the application.
    (j) A logic model that identifies the key project components, 
explains how the key project components will lead to relevant outcomes, 
and informs the applicant's performance measures and project evaluation 
design.
    Program Requirements: Program requirement (b) is from section 4504 
of the ESEA. In addition, under section 437(d)(1) of the GEPA, we are 
establishing program requirements for a final MOU and that no SEA may 
partner with more than one SFEC grantee. We also are establishing a 
requirement for a minimum match. We note that section 4502(c) of the 
ESEA already requires grantees to obtain matching funds after the first 
year of the grant; in this notice we are establishing the specific 
minimum percentage of non-Federal contributions, which may be in cash 
or in-kind, that each grantee must secure in years two through five of 
the grant. For FY 2018 and any subsequent year in which we make awards 
from the list of unfunded applications from this competition, the 
following program requirements apply.
    (a) Matching funds for grant renewal.
    Each grantee must contribute non-Federal matching funds or in-kind 
donations equal to at least 15 percent of its SFEC grant award in 
project years two through five.
    (b) Uses of funds.
    Each grantee shall use the grant funds, based on the needs 
determined under Application Requirement (f)(9), to provide training 
and technical assistance to SEAs, LEAs, and organizations that support 
family-school partnerships; and activities, services, and training for 
LEAs, school leaders, educators, and parents--
    (1) To assist parents in participating effectively in their 
children's education and to help their children meet challenging State 
academic standards, such as by assisting parents--
    (i) To engage in activities that will improve student academic 
achievement, including understanding how parents can support learning 
in the classroom with activities at home and in after-school and 
extracurricular programs;
    (ii) To communicate effectively with their children, teachers, 
school leaders, counselors, administrators, and other school personnel;
    (iii) To become active participants in the development, 
implementation, and review of school-parent compacts, family engagement 
in education policies, and school planning and improvement;
    (iv) To participate in the design and provision of assistance to 
students who are not making academic progress;
    (v) To participate in State and local decision making;
    (vi) To train other parents; and
    (vii) In learning and using technology applied in their children's 
education;
    (2) To develop and implement, in partnership with the SEA, 
statewide family engagement in education policy and systemic 
initiatives that will provide a continuum of services to remove 
barriers for family engagement in education and support school reform 
efforts; and
    (3) To develop and implement parental involvement policies under 
the ESEA.
    (c) Final MOU.
    Within the first 12 months of the project, each grantee must submit 
a final MOU, signed by each organization or agency with which it is 
partnering to implement the SFEC, including the

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partner SEA(s), that details each partner's financial, programmatic, 
and long-term commitment.
    (d) SEA partnership.
    While each SFEC grantee must partner with at least one SEA, no SEA 
may partner with more than one SFEC grantee.
    Definitions: For FY 2018 and any subsequent year in which we make 
awards from the list of unfunded applications from this competition, 
the following definitions apply. The definitions of ``Local educational 
agency,'' ``Parental involvement,'' and ``State educational agency'' 
are from section 8101 of the ESEA (20 U.S.C. 7801). The definition of 
``Educational choice'' is from the Supplemental Priorities. The 
definition of ``Evidence-based'' is from sections 4503(c) and 8101(21) 
of the ESEA. The definitions of ``Experimental study,'' ``Logic 
model,'' ``Performance measure,'' ``Performance target,'' ``Project,'' 
``Project component,'' ``Promising evidence,'' ``Quasi-experimental 
design study,'' ``Relevant outcome,'' and ``What Works Clearinghouse 
Handbook'' are from 34 CFR 77.1. The definition of ``Family literacy 
activities'' is from section 203(9) of the Workforce Innovation and 
Opportunity Act. In addition, we are establishing a definition of 
``Statewide organization'' under section 437(d)(1) of GEPA.
    Educational choice means the opportunity for a child or student (or 
a family member on their behalf) to create a high-quality personalized 
path for learning that is consistent with applicable Federal, State, 
and local laws; is in an educational setting that best meets the 
child's or student's needs; and, where possible, incorporates evidence-
based activities, strategies, or interventions. Opportunities made 
available to a student through a grant program are those that 
supplement what is provided by a student's geographically assigned 
school or the institution in which he or she is currently enrolled and 
may include one or more of the options listed below:
    (1) Public educational programs or courses including those offered 
by traditional public schools, public charter schools, public magnet 
schools, public online education providers, or other public education 
providers.
    (2) Private or home-based educational programs or courses including 
those offered by private schools, private online providers, private 
tutoring providers, community or faith-based organizations, or other 
private education providers.
    (3) Internships, apprenticeships, or other programs offering access 
to learning in the workplace.
    (4) Part-time coursework or career preparation, offered by a public 
or private provider in person or through the internet or another form 
of distance learning, that serves as a supplement to full-time 
enrollment at an educational institution, as a stand-alone program 
leading to a credential, or as a supplement to education received in a 
homeschool setting.
    (5) Dual or concurrent enrollment programs or early college high 
schools (as defined in section 8101(15) and (17) of the ESEA), or other 
programs that enable secondary school students to begin earning credit 
toward a postsecondary degree or credential prior to high school 
graduation.
    (6) Other educational services including credit-recovery, 
accelerated learning, or tutoring.
    Evidence-based, for purposes of this notice, means an activity, 
strategy, or intervention that demonstrates a statistically significant 
effect on improving student outcomes or other relevant outcomes based 
on promising evidence from at least one well-designed and well-
implemented correlational study with statistical controls for selection 
bias.
    Experimental study means a study that is designed to compare 
outcomes between two groups of individuals (such as students) that are 
otherwise equivalent except for their assignment to either a treatment 
group receiving a project component or a control group that does not. 
Randomized controlled trials, regression discontinuity design studies, 
and single-case design studies are the specific types of experimental 
studies that, depending on their design and implementation (e.g., 
sample attrition in randomized controlled trials and regression 
discontinuity design studies), can meet What Works Clearinghouse (WWC) 
standards without reservations as described in the WWC Handbook:
    (i) A randomized controlled trial employs random assignment of, for 
example, students, teachers, classrooms, or schools to receive the 
project component being evaluated (the treatment group) or not to 
receive the project component (the control group).
    (ii) A regression discontinuity design study assigns the project 
component being evaluated using a measured variable (e.g., assigning 
students reading below a cutoff score to tutoring or developmental 
education classes) and controls for that variable in the analysis of 
outcomes.
    (iii) A single-case design study uses observations of a single case 
(e.g., a student eligible for a behavioral intervention) over time in 
the absence and presence of a controlled treatment manipulation to 
determine whether the outcome is systematically related to the 
treatment.
    Family literacy activities means activities that are of sufficient 
intensity and quality, to make sustainable improvements in the economic 
prospects for a family and that better enable parents or family members 
to support their children's learning needs, and that integrate all of 
the following activities:
    (a) Parent or family adult education and literacy activities that 
lead to readiness for postsecondary education or training, career 
advancement, and economic self-sufficiency.
    (b) Interactive literacy activities between parents or family 
members and their children.
    (c) Training for parents or family members regarding how to be the 
primary teacher for their children and full partners in the education 
of their children.
    (d) An age-appropriate education to prepare children for success in 
school and life experiences.
    Local educational agency (LEA) means:
    (a) In General. A public board of education or other public 
authority legally constituted within a State for either administrative 
control or direction of, or to perform a service function for, public 
elementary schools or secondary schools in a city, county, township, 
school district, or other political subdivision of a State, or of or 
for a combination of school districts or counties that is recognized in 
a State as an administrative agency for its public elementary schools 
or secondary schools.
    (b) Administrative Control and Direction. The term includes any 
other public institution or agency having administrative control and 
direction of a public elementary school or secondary school.
    (c) Bureau of Indian Education Schools. The term includes an 
elementary school or secondary school funded by the Bureau of Indian 
Education but only to the extent that including the school makes the 
school eligible for programs for which specific eligibility is not 
provided to the school in another provision of law and the school does 
not have a student population that is smaller than the student 
population of the LEA receiving assistance under the ESEA with the 
smallest student population, except that

[[Page 30434]]

the school shall not be subject to the jurisdiction of any SEA other 
than the Bureau of Indian Education.
    (d) Educational Service Agencies. The term includes educational 
service agencies and consortia of those agencies.
    (e) State educational agency. The term includes the SEA in a State 
in which the SEA is the sole educational agency for all public schools.
    Logic model (also referred to as theory of action) means a 
reasonable conceptual framework that identifies key components of the 
proposed project (i.e., the active ``ingredients'' that are 
hypothesized to be critical to achieving the relevant outcomes) and 
describes the theoretical and operational relationships among the key 
project components and relevant outcomes.
    Parental involvement means the participation of parents in regular, 
two-way, and meaningful communication involving student academic 
learning and other school activities, including ensuring--
    (A) That parents play an integral role in assisting their child's 
learning;
    (B) That parents are encouraged to be actively involved in their 
child's education at school;
    (C) That parents are full partners in their child's education and 
are included, as appropriate, in decision-making and on advisory 
committees to assist in the education of their child; and
    (D) The carrying out of other activities, such as those described 
in section 1116 of the ESEA.
    Performance measure means any quantitative indicator, statistic, or 
metric used to gauge program or project performance.
    Performance target means a level of performance that an applicant 
would seek to meet during the course of a project or as a result of a 
project.
    Project means the activity described in the application.
    Project component means an activity, strategy, intervention, 
process, product, practice, or policy included in a project. Evidence 
may pertain to an individual project component or to a combination of 
project components (e.g., training teachers on instructional practices 
for English learners and follow-on coaching for these teachers).
    Promising evidence means that there is evidence of the 
effectiveness of a key project component in improving a relevant 
outcome, based on a relevant finding from one of the following:
    (a) A practice guide prepared by WWC reporting a ``strong evidence 
base'' or ``moderate evidence base'' for the corresponding practice 
guide recommendation;
    (b) An intervention report prepared by the WWC reporting a 
``positive effect'' or ``potentially positive effect'' on a relevant 
outcome with no reporting of a ``negative effect'' or ``potentially 
negative effect'' on a relevant outcome; or
    (c) A single study assessed by the Department, as appropriate, 
that--
    (i) Is an experimental study, a quasi-experimental design study, or 
a well-designed and well-implemented correlational study with 
statistical controls for selection bias (e.g., a study using regression 
methods to account for differences between a treatment group and a 
comparison group); and
    (ii) Includes at least one statistically significant and positive 
(i.e., favorable) effect on a relevant outcome.
    Quasi-experimental design study means a study using a design that 
attempts to approximate an experimental study by identifying a 
comparison group that is similar to the treatment group in important 
respects. This type of study, depending on design and implementation 
(e.g., establishment of baseline equivalence of the groups being 
compared), can meet WWC standards with reservations, but cannot meet 
WWC standards without reservations, as described in the WWC Handbook.
    Relevant outcome means the student outcome(s) or other outcomes(s) 
the key project component is designed to improve, consistent with the 
specific goals of the program.
    State educational agency (SEA) means the agency primarily 
responsible for the State supervision of public elementary schools and 
secondary schools.
    Statewide organization means a public or private organization 
that--
    (1) Provides family engagement support or services;
    (2) Demonstrates capacity to provide such support or services 
statewide to all States participating in its proposed project; and
    (3) Is not an SEA or LEA.
    What Works Clearinghouse Handbook (WWC Handbook) means the 
standards and procedures set forth in the WWC Procedures and Standards 
Handbook, Version 3.0 or Version 2.1 (incorporated by reference, see 34 
CFR 77.2). Study findings eligible for review under WWC standards can 
meet WWC standards without reservations, meet WWC standards with 
reservations, or not meet WWC standards. WWC practice guides and 
intervention reports include findings from systematic reviews of 
evidence as described in the Handbook documentation.
    Waiver of Proposed Rulemaking: Under the Administrative Procedure 
Act (5 U.S.C. 553) the Department generally offers interested parties 
the opportunity to comment on proposed definitions and other 
requirements. Section 437(d)(1) of GEPA, however, allows the Secretary 
to exempt from rulemaking requirements regulations governing the first 
grant competition under a new or substantially revised program 
authority. This is the first grant competition for this program under 
sections 4501-4506 of the ESEA, as amended by the Every Student 
Succeeds Act, and, therefore, qualifies for this exemption. In order to 
ensure timely grant awards, the Secretary has decided to forgo public 
comment on the priorities, requirements and definitions under section 
437(d)(1) of GEPA. These definitions and requirements will apply to the 
FY 2018 grant competition and any subsequent year in which we make 
awards from the list of unfunded applications from this competition.
    Program Authority: Sections 4501-4506 of the ESEA (20 U.S.C. 7241-
46).
    Applicable Regulations: (a) The Education Department General 
Administrative Regulations in 34 CFR parts 75, 77, 79, 81, 82, 84, 86, 
97, 98, and 99. (b) The Office of Management and Budget Guidelines to 
Agencies on Governmentwide Debarment and Suspension (Nonprocurement) in 
2 CFR part 180, as adopted and amended as regulations of the Department 
in 2 CFR part 3485. (c) The Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost 
Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards in 2 CFR part 
200, as adopted and amended as regulations of the Department in 2 CFR 
part 3474. (d) The Supplemental Priorities.

II. Award Information

    Type of Award: Discretionary grants.
    Estimated Available Funds: $9,700,000.
    Contingent upon the availability of funds and the quality of 
applications, we may make additional awards in subsequent years from 
the list of unfunded applications from this competition.
    Estimated Range of Awards: $500,000-$1,000,000 per project year.
    Maximum Award: We will not make an award exceeding $1,000,000 for a 
single project year.
    Estimated Number of Awards: 10.

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

    Project Period: Up to 60 months.
    Continued funding of a grant under this competition after the third 
year will

[[Page 30435]]

be contingent on the grantee's progress toward meeting the performance 
measures and targets identified in the application.

III. Eligibility Information

    1. Eligible Applicants: Statewide organizations (or consortia of 
such organizations) in partnership with at least one SEA.
    2. Cost Sharing or Matching: ESEA section 4502(c) requires that 
each grantee contribute non-Federal resources, which may be in cash or 
in-kind, towards its project for each fiscal year after the first 
fiscal year in which the project is funded by the Department. We are 
establishing a program requirement under section 437(d)(1) of GEPA that 
a grantee must obtain matching funds or in-kind donations equal to at 
least 15 percent of its grant award in project years two through five. 
Applicants must include a budget showing their matching contributions 
on an annual basis relative to the annual budget amount of SFEC grant 
funds in years two through five.
    3. Subgrantees: A grantee under this competition may not award 
subgrants to entities to directly carry out project activities 
described in its application.

IV. Application and Submission Information

    1. Application Submission Instructions: For information on how to 
submit an application please refer to our Common Instructions for 
Applicants to Department of Education Discretionary Grant Programs, 
published in the Federal Register on February 12, 2018 (83 FR 6003), 
and available at www.thefederalregister.org/fdsys/pkg/FR-2018-02-12/pdf/2018-02558.pdf.
    2. Submission of Proprietary Information: Given the types of 
projects that may be proposed in applications for SFEC, your 
application may include business information that you consider 
proprietary. In 34 CFR 5.11 we define ``business information'' and 
describe the process we use in determining whether any of that 
information is proprietary and, thus, protected from disclosure under 
Exemption 4 of the Freedom of Information Act (5 U.S.C. 552, as 
amended).
    Because we plan to make all successful applications available to 
the public, you may wish to request confidentiality of business 
information.
    Consistent with Executive Order 12600, please designate in your 
application any information that you believe is exempt from disclosure 
under Exemption 4. In the appropriate Appendix section of your 
application, under ``Other Attachments Form,'' please list the page 
number or numbers on which we can find this information. For additional 
information please see 34 CFR 5.11(c).
    3. Intergovernmental Review: This program is subject to Executive 
Order 12372 and the regulations in 34 CFR part 79. However, under 34 
CFR 79.8(a), we waive intergovernmental review in order to make awards 
by the end of FY 2018.
    4. Funding Restrictions: We reference regulations outlining funding 
restrictions in the Applicable Regulations section of this notice.
    5. Recommended 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 (1) limit the application narrative to no more than 40 pages 
and (2) use the following standards:
     A ``page'' is 8.5'' x 11'', on one side only, with 1'' 
margins at the top, bottom, and both sides.
     Double space (no more than three lines per vertical inch) 
all text in the application narrative, including titles, headings, 
footnotes, quotations, references, and captions, as well as all text in 
charts, tables, figures, and graphs.
     Use a font that is either 12 point or larger or no smaller 
than 10 pitch (characters per inch).
     Use one of the following fonts: Times New Roman, Courier, 
Courier New, or Arial.
    The recommended page limit does not apply to Part I, the cover 
sheet; Part II, the budget section, including the narrative budget 
justification; Part IV, the assurances and certifications; or the one-
page abstract, the resumes, the bibliography, the preliminary MOU, the 
logic model, or the letters of support. However, the recommended page 
limit does apply to all of the application narrative.
    6. Notice of Intent to Apply: The Department will be able to 
develop a more efficient process for reviewing grant applications if it 
has a better understanding of the number of entities that intend to 
apply for funding under this competition. Therefore, the Secretary 
strongly encourages each potential applicant to notify the Department 
of the applicant's intent to submit an application for funding by 
sending a short email message indicating the applicant's intent to 
submit an application for funding. The email need not include 
information regarding the content of the proposed application, only the 
applicant's intent to submit it. This email notification should be sent 
to [email protected] with ``INTENT TO APPLY'' in the subject line by July 13, 
2018. Applicants that do not notify us of their intent to apply may 
still apply for funding.

V. Application Review Information

    1. Selection Criteria: The selection criteria for this competition 
are from 34 CFR 75.210. The maximum score for all of the selection 
criteria is 100 points. The maximum score for each criterion is 
included in parentheses following the title of the specific selection 
criterion. Each criterion also includes the factors that reviewers will 
consider in determining the extent to which an applicant meets the 
criterion.
    Points awarded under these selection criteria are in addition to 
any points an applicant earns under the competitive preference 
priorities in this notice.
    The selection criteria are as follows:
    A. Quality of the Project Design (up to 30 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--
    (1) The extent to which there is a conceptual framework underlying 
the proposed research or demonstration activities and the quality of 
that framework.
    (2) The extent to which the services to be provided by the proposed 
project reflect up-to-date knowledge from research and effective 
practice.
    (3) The extent to which the proposed project is designed to build 
capacity and yield results that will extend beyond the period of 
Federal financial assistance.
    B. Quality of the Management Plan and Project Personnel (up to 20 
points).
    The Secretary considers the quality of the services to be provided 
by the proposed project. In determining the quality of project 
personnel, the Secretary considers the extent to which the applicant 
encourages applications for employment from persons who are members of 
groups that have traditionally been underrepresented based on race, 
color, national origin, gender, age, or disability.
    In addition, in determining the quality of the management plan and 
project personnel, the Secretary considers--
    (1) How the applicant will ensure that a diversity of perspectives 
are brought to bear in the operation of the proposed project, including 
those of parents, teachers, the business community, a variety of 
disciplinary and professional fields, recipients or beneficiaries of 
services, or others, as appropriate.

[[Page 30436]]

    (2) The extent to which the services to be provided by the proposed 
project involve the collaboration of appropriate partners for 
maximizing the effectiveness of project services.
    (3) 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.
    (4) The qualifications, including relevant training and experience, 
of key project personnel.
    C. Adequacy of Resources (up to 20 points).
    The Secretary considers the adequacy of resources for the proposed 
project. In determining the adequacy of resources for the proposed 
project, the Secretary considers--
    (1) The relevance and demonstrated commitment of each partner in 
the proposed project to the implementation and success of the project.
    (2) The extent to which the costs are reasonable in relation to the 
objectives, design, and potential significance of the proposed project.
    (3) The extent to which the costs are reasonable in relation to the 
number of persons to be served and the anticipated results and 
benefits.
    D. Quality of the Project Evaluation (up to 30 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--
    (1) The extent to which the methods of evaluation include the use 
of objective performance measures that are clearly related to the 
intended outcomes of the project and will produce quantitative and 
qualitative data to the extent possible.
    (2) The extent to which the evaluation will provide performance 
feedback and permit periodic assessment of progress toward achieving 
intended outcomes.
    (3) The extent to which methods of evaluation will, if well-
implemented, produce promising evidence (as defined in 34 CFR 77.1(c)) 
about the project's effectiveness.
    2. Review and Selection Process: We remind potential applicants 
that in reviewing applications in any discretionary grant competition, 
the Secretary may consider, under 34 CFR 75.217(d)(3), the past 
performance of the applicant in carrying out a previous award, such as 
the applicant's use of funds, achievement of project objectives, and 
compliance with grant conditions. The Secretary may also consider 
whether the applicant failed to submit a timely performance report or 
submitted a report of unacceptable quality.
    In addition, in making a competitive grant award, the Secretary 
requires various assurances, including those applicable to Federal 
civil rights laws that prohibit discrimination in programs or 
activities receiving Federal financial assistance from the Department 
(34 CFR 100.4, 104.5, 106.4, 108.8, and 110.23).
    Additionally, as stated in Program Requirement (d), no SEA may 
partner with more than one SFEC grantee. We will review applications 
scoring within the funding range to ensure that SEAs are represented on 
only one funded application. If changes are necessary to a highly 
ranked applicant's proposed SEA partners, such changes may constitute a 
change in the scope and objectives of the grant, which may result in an 
application not being selected for funding.
    3. Risk Assessment and Specific Conditions: Consistent with 2 CFR 
200.205, before awarding grants under this competition the Department 
conducts a review of the risks posed by applicants. Under 2 CFR 
3474.10, the Secretary may impose specific conditions and, in 
appropriate circumstances, high-risk conditions on a grant if the 
applicant or grantee is not financially stable; has a history of 
unsatisfactory performance; has a financial or other management system 
that does not meet the standards in 2 CFR part 200, subpart D; has not 
fulfilled the conditions of a prior grant; or is otherwise not 
responsible.
    4. Integrity and Performance System: If you are selected under this 
competition to receive an award that over the course of the project 
period may exceed the simplified acquisition threshold (currently 
$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 the System for Award Management. You may 
review and comment on any information about yourself that a Federal 
agency previously entered and that is currently in FAPIIS.
    Please note that, if the total value of your currently active 
grants, cooperative agreements, and procurement contracts from the 
Federal Government exceeds $10,000,000, the reporting requirements in 2 
CFR part 200, Appendix XII, require you to report certain integrity 
information to FAPIIS semiannually. Please review the requirements in 2 
CFR part 200, Appendix XII, if this grant plus all the other Federal 
funds you receive exceed $10,000,000.

VI. Award Administration Information

    1. Award Notices: If your application is successful, we notify your 
U.S. Representative and U.S. Senators and send you a Grant Award 
Notification (GAN); or we may send you an email containing a link to 
access an electronic version of your GAN. We may notify you informally, 
also.
    If your application is not evaluated or not selected for funding, 
we notify you.
    2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements: We identify 
administrative and national policy requirements in the application 
package and reference these and other requirements in the Applicable 
Regulations section of this notice.
    We reference the regulations outlining the terms and conditions of 
an award in the Applicable Regulations section of this notice and 
include these and other specific conditions in the GAN. The GAN also 
incorporates your approved application as part of your binding 
commitments under the grant.
    3. Open Licensing Requirements: Unless an exception applies, if you 
are awarded a grant under this competition, you will be required to 
openly license to the public grant deliverables created in whole, or in 
part, with Department grant funds. When the deliverable consists of 
modifications to pre-existing works, the license extends only to those 
modifications that can be separately identified and only to the extent 
that open licensing is permitted under the terms of any licenses or 
other legal restrictions on the use of pre-existing works. 
Additionally, a grantee or subgrantee that is awarded competitive grant 
funds must have a plan to disseminate these public grant deliverables. 
This dissemination plan can be developed and submitted after your 
application has been reviewed and selected for funding. For additional 
information on the open licensing requirements please refer to 2 CFR 
3474.20.
    4. Reporting: (a) If you apply for a grant under this competition, 
you must ensure that you have in place the necessary processes and 
systems to comply with the reporting requirements in 2 CFR part 170 
should you receive funding under the competition. This does not apply 
if you have an exception under 2 CFR 170.110(b).

[[Page 30437]]

    (b) At the end of your project period, you must submit a final 
performance report, including financial information, as directed by the 
Secretary. If you receive a multiyear award, you must submit an annual 
performance report that provides the most current performance and 
financial expenditure information as directed by the Secretary under 34 
CFR 75.118. The Secretary may also require more frequent performance 
reports under 34 CFR 75.720(c). For specific requirements on reporting, 
please go to www.ed.gov/fund/grant/apply/appforms/appforms.html.
    5. Performance Measures: As outlined in title IV, part E, section 
4501 of the ESEA, SFEC is focused on using family engagement to improve 
student development and academic achievement. The program recognizes 
that in order to effectively and sustainably engage parents and 
families, grantees must use training and technical assistance to build 
capacity at the State and district levels to develop and implement 
policies, programs, and activities that are inclusive of families and 
lead to improvements in student development and academic achievement. 
SFECs must also provide direct support to parents, teachers, and others 
that strengthen the relationship between parents and their children's 
school, foster greater engagement, and assist them in meeting the 
educational needs of children. SFEC will coordinate its activities with 
activities conducted under section 1116 and other parts of the ESEA, as 
well as other Federal, State, and local services and programs.
    Annual performance measures: (1) The number of parents who are 
participating in SFEC activities designed to provide them with the 
information necessary to understand their annual school report cards 
and other opportunities for engagement under section 1116 and other 
related ESEA provisions; (2) the number of high-impact activities or 
services provided to build a statewide infrastructure for systemic 
family engagement that includes support for SEA- and LEA-level 
leadership and capacity-building; (3) the number of high-impact 
activities or services implemented to ensure that parents are trained 
and can effectively engage in activities that will improve student 
academic achievement, to include an understanding of how they can 
support learning in the classroom with activities at home or outside 
the school generally, as well as how they can participate in State and 
local decision-making processes; and (4) the percentage of parents and 
families receiving SFEC services who report having enhanced capacity to 
work with schools and service providers effectively in meeting the 
academic and developmental needs of their children.
    6. Continuation Awards: In making a continuation award under 34 CFR 
75.253, the Secretary considers, among other things: Whether a grantee 
has made substantial progress in achieving the goals and objectives of 
the project; whether the grantee has expended funds in a manner that is 
consistent with its approved application and budget; and, if the 
Secretary has established performance measurement requirements, the 
performance targets in the grantee's approved application.
    In making a continuation award, the Secretary also considers 
whether the grantee is operating in compliance with the assurances in 
its approved application, including those applicable to Federal civil 
rights laws that prohibit discrimination in programs or activities 
receiving Federal financial assistance from the Department (34 CFR 
100.4, 104.5, 106.4, 108.8, and 110.23).

VII. Other Information

    Accessible Format: 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.
    Electronic Access to This Document: The official version of this 
document is the document published in the Federal Register. You may 
access the official edition of the Federal Register and the Code of 
Federal Regulations 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 Portable Document Format (PDF). To use PDF you must have Adobe 
Acrobat Reader, which is available free at the site.
    You may also access documents of the Department published in the 
Federal Register by using the article search feature at: 
www.federalregister.gov. Specifically, through the advanced search 
feature at this site, you can limit your search to documents published 
by the Department.

    Dated: June 25, 2018.
James Blew,
Acting Assistant Deputy, Secretary for Innovation and Improvement.
[FR Doc. 2018-13913 Filed 6-27-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4000-01-P



                                              30430                         Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 125 / Thursday, June 28, 2018 / Notices

                                              Innovation Board was unable to provide                  organizations may submit written                          Pre-Application Webinar Information:
                                              public notification required by 41 CFR                  comments to the DIB about its approved                 For information about the pre-
                                              102–3.150(a) concerning the meeting on                  agenda pertaining to this meeting or at                application webinar, visit the SFEC
                                              July 11, 2018, of the Defense Innovation                any time regarding the DIB’s mission.                  website at: https://innovation.ed.gov/
                                              Board. Accordingly, the Advisory                        Individuals submitting a written                       statewide-family-engagement-centers-
                                              Committee Management Officer for the                    statement must submit their statement                  program/.
                                              Department of Defense, pursuant to 41                   to the DFO (see FOR FURTHER                            ADDRESSES: For the addresses for
                                              CFR 102–3.150(b), waives the 15-                        INFORMATION CONTACT section for contact                obtaining and submitting an
                                              calendar day notification requirement.                  information). Written comments that do                 application, please refer to our Common
                                              This meeting is being held under the                    not pertain to a scheduled meeting may                 Instructions for Applicants to
                                              provisions of the Federal Advisory                      be submitted at any time. However, if                  Department of Education Discretionary
                                              Committee Act (FACA) of 1972 (5                         individual comments pertain to a                       Grant Programs, published in the
                                              U.S.C., Appendix, as amended), the                      specific topic being discussed at the                  Federal Register on February 12, 2018
                                              Government in the Sunshine Act of                       planned meeting, then such comments                    (83 FR 6003), and available at
                                              1976 (5 U.S.C. 552b, as amended), and                   must be received in writing not later                  www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2018-02-12/
                                              41 CFR 102–3.140 and 102–3.150.                         than July 6, 2018. The DFO will compile                pdf/2018-02558.pdf.
                                                 Purpose of the Meeting: The mission                  all written submissions and provide                    FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jane
                                              of the DIB is to examine and provide the                them to DIB members for consideration.                 Hodgdon, U.S. Department of
                                              Secretary of Defense and the Deputy                        Oral Presentations: Individuals                     Education, 400 Maryland Avenue SW,
                                              Secretary of Defense independent                        wishing to make an oral statement to the               Room 4W248, Washington, DC 20202–
                                              advice and recommendations on                           DIB at the public meeting may be                       5970. Telephone: (202) 453–6620.
                                              innovative means to address future                      permitted to speak for up to two                       Email: SFEC@ed.gov.
                                              challenges in terms of integrated change                minutes. Anyone wishing to speak to                       If you use a telecommunications
                                              to organizational structure and                         the DIB should submit a request by                     device for the deaf (TDD) or a text
                                              processes, business and functional                      email at osd.innovation@mail.mil not                   telephone (TTY), call the Federal Relay
                                              concepts, and technology applications.                  later than July 6, 2018 for planning.                  Service (FRS), toll free, at 1–800–877–
                                              The DIB focuses on (a) technology and                   Requests for oral comments should                      8339.
                                              capabilities, (b) practices and                         include a copy or summary of planned                   SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
                                              operations, and (c) people and culture.                 remarks for archival purposes.
                                                 Agenda: During the meeting, the DIB                  Individuals may also be permitted to                   Full Text of Announcement
                                              will deliberate on building innovation                  submit a comment request at the public
                                              capacity among allies and partners,                                                                            I. Funding Opportunity Description
                                                                                                      meeting; however, depending on the                        Purpose of Program: The SFEC
                                              metrics for software development and                    number of individuals requesting to
                                              acquisition programs from the Software                                                                         program is authorized under title IV,
                                                                                                      speak, the schedule may limit                          part E of the Elementary and Secondary
                                              Acquisition and Practices (SWAP)
                                                                                                      participation. Webcast attendees will be               Education Act of 1965, as amended
                                              study, and development and
                                                                                                      provided instructions with the live                    (ESEA). The purpose of the SFEC
                                              deployment of emerging technologies
                                                                                                      stream link if they wish to submit                     program is to provide financial support
                                              within DoD. Mr. Joshua Marcuse, in his
                                                                                                      comments during the open meeting.                      to organizations that provide technical
                                              role as the Innovation Advisor to the
                                              Chief Management Officer, will brief the                  Dated: June 25, 2018.                                assistance and training to State
                                              DIB on DoD’s latest implementation                      Shelly E. Finke,                                       educational agencies (SEAs) and local
                                              activities related to DIB                               Alternate OSD Federal Register, Liaison                educational agencies (LEAs) in the
                                              recommendations. Members of the                         Officer, Department of Defense.                        implementation and enhancement of
                                              public will have an opportunity to                      [FR Doc. 2018–13919 Filed 6–27–18; 8:45 am]            systemic and effective family
                                              provide oral comments to the DIB                        BILLING CODE 5001–06–P                                 engagement policies, programs, and
                                              regarding the DIB’s deliberations and                                                                          activities that lead to improvements in
                                              potential recommendations. See below                                                                           student development and academic
                                              for additional information on how to                    DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION                                achievement. The Secretary is
                                              sign up to provide public comments.                                                                            authorized to award grants to statewide
                                                 Meeting Accessibility: Pursuant to                   Applications for New Awards;                           organizations (or consortia of such
                                              Federal statutes and regulations (the                   Statewide Family Engagement Centers                    organizations) in partnership with an
                                              FACA, the Sunshine Act, and 41 CFR                                                                             SEA to establish SFECs that (1) carry out
                                              102–3.140 through 102–3.165) and the                    AGENCY: Office of Innovation and                       parent education and family
                                              availability of space, the meeting is                   Improvement, Department of Education.                  engagement in education programs, and
                                              open to the public from 2:30 p.m. to                    ACTION: Notice.                                        (2) provide comprehensive training and
                                              5:00 p.m. Seating is on a first-come                                                                           technical assistance to SEAs, LEAs,
                                              basis. Members of the public wishing to                 SUMMARY:   The Department of Education                 schools identified by SEAs and LEAs,
                                              attend the meeting or wanting to receive                (Department) is issuing a notice inviting              organizations that support family-school
                                              a link to the live stream webcast should                applications for fiscal year (FY) 2018 for             partnerships, and other such programs.
                                              register on the DIB website, http://                    the Statewide Family Engagement                           Background: The SFEC program seeks
                                              innovation.defense.gov, no later than                   Centers (SFEC) program, Catalog of                     to promote high-impact cradle-to-career
                                              July 6, 2018. Members of the media                      Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA)                     family, school, and community
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                                              should RSVP to Lieutenant Colonel                       number 84.310A.                                        engagement by funding centers that
                                              Mike Andrews, U.S. Air Force, Office of                 DATES:                                                 build the capacity of all stakeholders—
                                              the Secretary of Defense Public Affairs,                  Applications Available: June 28, 2018.               including families, SEAs, LEAs, school-
                                              at michael.r.andrews16.mil@mail.mil.                      Deadline for Notice of Intent to Apply:              level staff and personnel, and
                                                 Written Statements: Pursuant to                      July 13, 2018.                                         community based organizations—to
                                              section 10(a)(3) of the FACA and 41 CFR                   Deadline for Transmittal of                          engage in effective partnerships that
                                              102–3.140, the public or interested                     Applications: July 30, 2018.                           support student achievement and school


                                         VerDate Sep<11>2014   17:08 Jun 27, 2018   Jkt 244001   PO 00000   Frm 00034   Fmt 4703   Sfmt 4703   E:\FR\FM\28JNN1.SGM   28JNN1


                                                                            Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 125 / Thursday, June 28, 2018 / Notices                                              30431

                                              improvement and increase the number                     literacy, an application requirement that                 Competitive Preference Priority 2 (up
                                              of high-quality educational options                     requires applicants to submit a logic                  to 3 points).
                                              available to families.                                  model as part of their applications, and                  The Secretary gives priority to
                                                 Family, school, and community                        a selection criterion that encourages                  projects that are designed to provide
                                              engagement must be viewed as a shared                   applicants to further explain the                      families with the information and tools
                                              responsibility among all parties, in                    conceptual framework outlined in the                   they need to make important decisions
                                              order to be effective. The engagement                   logic model. In addition, through our                  regarding the educational choice (as
                                              should be continuous from birth to                      competitive preference priorities, we                  defined in this notice) that is most
                                              young adulthood and should take place                   seek applications that propose to                      appropriate for their children.
                                              wherever children learn—at home, in                     support families in making informed                       Application Requirements: The
                                              school, and in their community.                         decisions about educational                            following requirements (a) (b), and (d)–
                                                 The Department’s Dual Capacity-                      opportunities that will meet the unique                (g) are from section 4503 of the ESEA.
                                              Building Framework for Family-School                    needs of each student.                                 Under section 437(d)(1) of GEPA, we are
                                              Partnerships 1 identifies several key                      Priorities: This notice contains two                establishing application requirements
                                              conditions essential to the design of                   competitive preference priorities. Under               (c), (h), (i), and (j). For FY 2018, and any
                                              effective, high-impact activities and                   section 437(d)(1) of the General                       subsequent year in which we make
                                              initiatives for building the capacity of                                                                       awards from the list of unfunded
                                                                                                      Education Provisions Act (GEPA), we
                                              families, SEAs, LEAs, and school staff to                                                                      applications from this competition, the
                                                                                                      are establishing Competitive Preference
                                              partner in ways that support student                                                                           following application requirements
                                                                                                      Priorities 1(a) and 2. Competitive
                                              achievement and school improvement.                                                                            apply. In order to receive funding, an
                                                                                                      Preference Priority 1(b) is from the
                                              These conditions highlight the fact that                                                                       applicant must include the following in
                                                                                                      Secretary’s Final Supplemental
                                              effective, high-impact activities are                                                                          its application:
                                                                                                      Priorities and Definitions for
                                              purposefully designed and linked to                                                                               (a) A description of the applicant’s
                                                                                                      Discretionary Grant Programs
                                              school and LEA achievement goals (e.g.,                                                                        approach to family engagement in
                                                                                                      (Supplemental Priorities), published in
                                              school readiness, student achievement,                                                                         education.
                                                                                                      the Federal Register on March 2, 2018
                                              and school improvement).
                                                                                                      (83 FR 9096).                                             (b) A description of how the SEA and
                                                 The capacity building initiatives
                                              should be embedded into the support                        Competitive Preference Priorities: For              any partner organization will support
                                              structures and processes at the SEA and                 FY 2018 and any subsequent year in                     the SFEC that will be operated by the
                                              LEA levels, including training,                         which we make awards from the list of                  applicant including a description of the
                                              professional development, teaching and                  unfunded applications from this                        SEA’s and any partner organization’s
                                              learning, curriculum, and community                     competition, these priorities are                      commitment of such support.
                                              collaboration. These initiatives should                 competitive preference priorities. Under                  (c) A description of the applicant’s
                                              also operate with adequate resources,                   34 CFR 75.105(c)(2)(i), we award an                    plan for building a statewide
                                              including public-private partnerships,                  additional three points to an application              infrastructure for family engagement in
                                              to ensure meaningful and effective                      that meets either Competitive Preference               education, that includes—
                                              strategies that have the power to impact                Priority 1(a) or Competitive Preference                   (1) Management and governance;
                                              student learning and achievement.                       Priority 1(b), and we award up to an                      (2) Statewide leadership, including
                                              Building on years of research and                       additional three points to an application              the development and implementation,
                                              lessons learned from programs such as                   depending on how well the application                  in partnership with the SEA(s), of
                                              Parent Information Centers,2 the high-                  meets Competitive Preference Priority 2,               statewide family engagement in
                                              impact family engagement envisioned in                  for a maximum of six additional points                 education policy and systemic
                                              SFEC requires a focus on State and local                under these priorities. The total possible             initiatives that will provide for a
                                              policy, as well as initiatives designed to              points for each competitive preference                 continuum of services to remove
                                              promote parental involvement (as                        priority are noted in parentheses.                     barriers for family engagement in
                                              defined in this notice) and other direct                   These priorities are:                               education and support school reform
                                              support for parents, families, and the                                                                         efforts as well as parental involvement
                                                                                                         Competitive Preference Priority 1 (0 or
                                              organizations that serve them.                                                                                 policies under the ESEA; and
                                                                                                      3 points).
                                                 In this year’s SFEC competition, the                                                                           (3) Systemic services for family
                                                                                                         The Secretary gives priority to                     engagement in education, including
                                              Department also seeks to build an                       projects that are designed to—
                                              evidence base for the program by                                                                               assistance for effective participation by
                                              providing incentives to applicants that                    (a) Create SFECs that will provide                  parents in their children’s education in
                                              propose: (1) Projects that are supported                direct services to parents and families                order to help their children meet
                                              by evidence and (2) robust evaluations.                 through evidence-based (as defined in                  challenging State academic standards,
                                              Such projects would, if well-                           this notice) activities.                               such as by assisting parents—
                                              implemented, yield promising evidence                      (b) Provide families with evidence-                    (i) To engage in activities that will
                                              (as defined in this notice). To this end,               based (as defined in this notice)                      improve student academic achievement,
                                              we include a competitive preference                     strategies for promoting literacy. This                including understanding how parents
                                              priority encouraging projects that are                  may include providing families with                    can support learning in the classroom
                                              based on evidence, with a specific                      access to books or other physical or                   with activities at home and in after-
                                              interest in providing families with                     digital materials or content about how to              school and extracurricular programs;
                                              evidence-based strategies for promoting                 support their child’s reading                             (ii) To communicate effectively with
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                                                                                                      development, or providing family                       their children, teachers, school leaders,
                                                1 See: www2.ed.gov/documents/family-                  literacy activities (as defined in section             counselors, administrators, and other
                                              community/partners-education.pdf.                       203(9) of the Workforce Innovation and                 school personnel;
                                                2 Parent Information Centers program is one of the
                                                                                                      Opportunity Act).                                         (iii) To become active participants in
                                              primary vehicles under the Individuals with
                                              Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) for providing           Note: An application will not receive                the development, implementation, and
                                              information and training to parents of children with    points for both (a) and (b) under Competitive          review of school-parent compacts,
                                              disabilities.                                           Preference Priority 1.                                 family engagement in education


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                                              30432                         Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 125 / Thursday, June 28, 2018 / Notices

                                              policies, and school planning and                          (ii) Parent training and information                in-kind, that each grantee must secure
                                              improvement;                                            centers and community parent resource                  in years two through five of the grant.
                                                 (iv) To participate in the design and                centers assisted under sections 671 and                For FY 2018 and any subsequent year in
                                              provision of assistance to students who                 672 of the Individuals with Disabilities               which we make awards from the list of
                                              are not making academic progress;                       Education Act (20 U.S.C. 1471; 1472);                  unfunded applications from this
                                                 (v) To participate in State and local                and                                                    competition, the following program
                                              decision making;                                           (7) Use not less than 30 percent of the             requirements apply.
                                                 (vi) To train other parents; and                     funds received under this competition                     (a) Matching funds for grant renewal.
                                                 (vii) In learning and using technology               for each fiscal year to establish or                      Each grantee must contribute non-
                                              applied in their children’s education;                  expand technical assistance for                        Federal matching funds or in-kind
                                                 (d) A description of the applicant’s                 evidence-based (as defined in this                     donations equal to at least 15 percent of
                                              demonstrated experience in providing                    notice) parent education programs;                     its SFEC grant award in project years
                                              training, information, and support, to                     (8) Provide assistance to SEAs, LEAs,               two through five.
                                              SEAs, LEAs, schools, educators, parents,                and community-based organizations                         (b) Uses of funds.
                                              and organizations on family engagement                  that support family members in                            Each grantee shall use the grant funds,
                                              in education policies and practices that                supporting student achievement;                        based on the needs determined under
                                              are effective for parents (including low-                  (9) Work with SEAs, LEAs, schools,                  Application Requirement (f)(9), to
                                              income parents) and families, parents of                educators, and parents to determine                    provide training and technical
                                              English learners, minorities, students                  parental needs and the best means for                  assistance to SEAs, LEAs, and
                                              with disabilities, homeless children and                delivery of services to address such                   organizations that support family-school
                                              youth, children and youth in foster care,               needs;                                                 partnerships; and activities, services,
                                              and migrant students, including                            (10) Conduct sufficient outreach to                 and training for LEAs, school leaders,
                                              evaluation results, reporting, or other                 assist parents, including parents who                  educators, and parents—
                                              data exhibiting such demonstrated                       the applicant may have a difficult time                   (1) To assist parents in participating
                                              experience.                                             engaging with a school or LEA; and                     effectively in their children’s education
                                                 (e) A description of the steps the                      (11) Conduct outreach to low-income                 and to help their children meet
                                              applicant will take to target services to               students and parents, including low-                   challenging State academic standards,
                                              low-income students and parents.                        income students and parents who are                    such as by assisting parents—
                                                 (f) An assurance that the applicant                  not proficient in English.                                (i) To engage in activities that will
                                              will—                                                      (g) An assurance that the applicant                 improve student academic achievement,
                                                 (1) Establish a special advisory                     will conduct training programs in the
                                              committee, the membership of which                                                                             including understanding how parents
                                                                                                      community to improve adult literacy,                   can support learning in the classroom
                                              includes—                                               including financial literacy.
                                                 (i) Parents, who shall constitute a                                                                         with activities at home and in after-
                                                                                                         (h) A description of how the applicant              school and extracurricular programs;
                                              majority of the members of the special                  will meet program requirement (a) to
                                              advisory committee;                                                                                               (ii) To communicate effectively with
                                                                                                      obtain a non-Federal matching                          their children, teachers, school leaders,
                                                 (ii) Representatives of education
                                                                                                      contribution in each fiscal year after the             counselors, administrators, and other
                                              professionals with expertise in
                                                                                                      first fiscal year in which the project is              school personnel;
                                              improving services for disadvantaged
                                                                                                      funded.                                                   (iii) To become active participants in
                                              children;                                                  (i) A preliminary memorandum of
                                                 (iii) Representatives of local                                                                              the development, implementation, and
                                                                                                      understanding (MOU), signed by each                    review of school-parent compacts,
                                              elementary schools and secondary
                                                                                                      organization or agency with which it                   family engagement in education
                                              schools, including students;
                                                 (iv) Representatives of the business                 would partner in implementing the                      policies, and school planning and
                                              community; and                                          proposed SFEC, including the partner                   improvement;
                                                 (v) Representatives of SEAs and LEAs;                SEA(s), which details each partner’s                      (iv) To participate in the design and
                                                 (2) Use not less than 65 percent of the              financial, programmatic, and long-term                 provision of assistance to students who
                                              funds received under this part in each                  commitment with respect to the                         are not making academic progress;
                                              fiscal year to serve LEAs, schools, and                 strategies described in the application.                  (v) To participate in State and local
                                              community-based organizations that                         (j) A logic model that identifies the               decision making;
                                              serve high concentrations of                            key project components, explains how                      (vi) To train other parents; and
                                              disadvantaged students, including                       the key project components will lead to                   (vii) In learning and using technology
                                              students who are English language                       relevant outcomes, and informs the                     applied in their children’s education;
                                              learners, minorities, students with                     applicant’s performance measures and                      (2) To develop and implement, in
                                              disabilities, homeless children and                     project evaluation design.                             partnership with the SEA, statewide
                                              youth, children and youth in foster care,                  Program Requirements: Program                       family engagement in education policy
                                              and migrant students;                                   requirement (b) is from section 4504 of                and systemic initiatives that will
                                                 (3) Operate a SFEC of sufficient size,               the ESEA. In addition, under section                   provide a continuum of services to
                                              scope, and quality to ensure that the                   437(d)(1) of the GEPA, we are                          remove barriers for family engagement
                                              center is adequate to serve the SEA,                    establishing program requirements for a                in education and support school reform
                                              LEAs, and community-based                               final MOU and that no SEA may partner                  efforts; and
                                              organizations;                                          with more than one SFEC grantee. We                       (3) To develop and implement
                                                 (4) Ensure that the SFEC will retain                 also are establishing a requirement for a              parental involvement policies under the
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                                              staff with the requisite training and                   minimum match. We note that section                    ESEA.
                                              experience to serve parents in the State;               4502(c) of the ESEA already requires                      (c) Final MOU.
                                                 (5) Serve urban, suburban, and rural                 grantees to obtain matching funds after                   Within the first 12 months of the
                                              LEAs and schools;                                       the first year of the grant; in this notice            project, each grantee must submit a final
                                                 (6) Work with—                                       we are establishing the specific                       MOU, signed by each organization or
                                                 (i) Other SFECs assisted under this                  minimum percentage of non-Federal                      agency with which it is partnering to
                                              part; and                                               contributions, which may be in cash or                 implement the SFEC, including the


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                                                                            Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 125 / Thursday, June 28, 2018 / Notices                                             30433

                                              partner SEA(s), that details each                          (3) Internships, apprenticeships, or                   (iii) A single-case design study uses
                                              partner’s financial, programmatic, and                  other programs offering access to                      observations of a single case (e.g., a
                                              long-term commitment.                                   learning in the workplace.                             student eligible for a behavioral
                                                 (d) SEA partnership.                                    (4) Part-time coursework or career                  intervention) over time in the absence
                                                                                                      preparation, offered by a public or                    and presence of a controlled treatment
                                                 While each SFEC grantee must
                                                                                                      private provider in person or through                  manipulation to determine whether the
                                              partner with at least one SEA, no SEA
                                                                                                      the internet or another form of distance               outcome is systematically related to the
                                              may partner with more than one SFEC
                                                                                                      learning, that serves as a supplement to               treatment.
                                              grantee.                                                                                                          Family literacy activities means
                                                                                                      full-time enrollment at an educational
                                                 Definitions: For FY 2018 and any                     institution, as a stand-alone program                  activities that are of sufficient intensity
                                              subsequent year in which we make                        leading to a credential, or as a                       and quality, to make sustainable
                                              awards from the list of unfunded                        supplement to education received in a                  improvements in the economic
                                              applications from this competition, the                 homeschool setting.                                    prospects for a family and that better
                                              following definitions apply. The                                                                               enable parents or family members to
                                                                                                         (5) Dual or concurrent enrollment
                                              definitions of ‘‘Local educational                                                                             support their children’s learning needs,
                                                                                                      programs or early college high schools
                                              agency,’’ ‘‘Parental involvement,’’ and                                                                        and that integrate all of the following
                                                                                                      (as defined in section 8101(15) and (17)
                                              ‘‘State educational agency’’ are from                                                                          activities:
                                                                                                      of the ESEA), or other programs that
                                              section 8101 of the ESEA (20 U.S.C.                                                                               (a) Parent or family adult education
                                                                                                      enable secondary school students to
                                              7801). The definition of ‘‘Educational                                                                         and literacy activities that lead to
                                                                                                      begin earning credit toward a
                                              choice’’ is from the Supplemental                                                                              readiness for postsecondary education
                                                                                                      postsecondary degree or credential prior
                                              Priorities. The definition of ‘‘Evidence-                                                                      or training, career advancement, and
                                                                                                      to high school graduation.
                                              based’’ is from sections 4503(c) and                                                                           economic self-sufficiency.
                                                                                                         (6) Other educational services
                                              8101(21) of the ESEA. The definitions of                                                                          (b) Interactive literacy activities
                                                                                                      including credit-recovery, accelerated
                                              ‘‘Experimental study,’’ ‘‘Logic model,’’                                                                       between parents or family members and
                                                                                                      learning, or tutoring.
                                              ‘‘Performance measure,’’ ‘‘Performance                                                                         their children.
                                                                                                         Evidence-based, for purposes of this
                                              target,’’ ‘‘Project,’’ ‘‘Project component,’’                                                                     (c) Training for parents or family
                                                                                                      notice, means an activity, strategy, or
                                              ‘‘Promising evidence,’’ ‘‘Quasi-                                                                               members regarding how to be the
                                                                                                      intervention that demonstrates a
                                              experimental design study,’’ ‘‘Relevant                                                                        primary teacher for their children and
                                                                                                      statistically significant effect on
                                              outcome,’’ and ‘‘What Works                                                                                    full partners in the education of their
                                                                                                      improving student outcomes or other
                                              Clearinghouse Handbook’’ are from 34                                                                           children.
                                                                                                      relevant outcomes based on promising                      (d) An age-appropriate education to
                                              CFR 77.1. The definition of ‘‘Family
                                                                                                      evidence from at least one well-                       prepare children for success in school
                                              literacy activities’’ is from section 203(9)
                                                                                                      designed and well-implemented                          and life experiences.
                                              of the Workforce Innovation and
                                                                                                      correlational study with statistical                      Local educational agency (LEA)
                                              Opportunity Act. In addition, we are
                                                                                                      controls for selection bias.                           means:
                                              establishing a definition of ‘‘Statewide
                                                                                                         Experimental study means a study                       (a) In General. A public board of
                                              organization’’ under section 437(d)(1) of
                                                                                                      that is designed to compare outcomes                   education or other public authority
                                              GEPA.
                                                                                                      between two groups of individuals                      legally constituted within a State for
                                                 Educational choice means the                         (such as students) that are otherwise                  either administrative control or
                                              opportunity for a child or student (or a                equivalent except for their assignment                 direction of, or to perform a service
                                              family member on their behalf) to create                to either a treatment group receiving a                function for, public elementary schools
                                              a high-quality personalized path for                    project component or a control group                   or secondary schools in a city, county,
                                              learning that is consistent with                        that does not. Randomized controlled                   township, school district, or other
                                              applicable Federal, State, and local                    trials, regression discontinuity design                political subdivision of a State, or of or
                                              laws; is in an educational setting that                 studies, and single-case design studies                for a combination of school districts or
                                              best meets the child’s or student’s                     are the specific types of experimental                 counties that is recognized in a State as
                                              needs; and, where possible, incorporates                studies that, depending on their design                an administrative agency for its public
                                              evidence-based activities, strategies, or               and implementation (e.g., sample                       elementary schools or secondary
                                              interventions. Opportunities made                       attrition in randomized controlled trials              schools.
                                              available to a student through a grant                  and regression discontinuity design                       (b) Administrative Control and
                                              program are those that supplement what                  studies), can meet What Works                          Direction. The term includes any other
                                              is provided by a student’s                              Clearinghouse (WWC) standards                          public institution or agency having
                                              geographically assigned school or the                   without reservations as described in the               administrative control and direction of
                                              institution in which he or she is                       WWC Handbook:                                          a public elementary school or secondary
                                              currently enrolled and may include one                     (i) A randomized controlled trial                   school.
                                              or more of the options listed below:                    employs random assignment of, for                         (c) Bureau of Indian Education
                                                 (1) Public educational programs or                   example, students, teachers, classrooms,               Schools. The term includes an
                                              courses including those offered by                      or schools to receive the project                      elementary school or secondary school
                                              traditional public schools, public                      component being evaluated (the                         funded by the Bureau of Indian
                                              charter schools, public magnet schools,                 treatment group) or not to receive the                 Education but only to the extent that
                                              public online education providers, or                   project component (the control group).                 including the school makes the school
                                              other public education providers.                          (ii) A regression discontinuity design              eligible for programs for which specific
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                                                 (2) Private or home-based educational                study assigns the project component                    eligibility is not provided to the school
                                              programs or courses including those                     being evaluated using a measured                       in another provision of law and the
                                              offered by private schools, private                     variable (e.g., assigning students reading             school does not have a student
                                              online providers, private tutoring                      below a cutoff score to tutoring or                    population that is smaller than the
                                              providers, community or faith-based                     developmental education classes) and                   student population of the LEA receiving
                                              organizations, or other private education               controls for that variable in the analysis             assistance under the ESEA with the
                                              providers.                                              of outcomes.                                           smallest student population, except that


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                                              30434                         Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 125 / Thursday, June 28, 2018 / Notices

                                              the school shall not be subject to the                  the corresponding practice guide                       evidence as described in the Handbook
                                              jurisdiction of any SEA other than the                  recommendation;                                        documentation.
                                              Bureau of Indian Education.                                (b) An intervention report prepared by                 Waiver of Proposed Rulemaking:
                                                 (d) Educational Service Agencies. The                the WWC reporting a ‘‘positive effect’’                Under the Administrative Procedure Act
                                              term includes educational service                       or ‘‘potentially positive effect’’ on a                (5 U.S.C. 553) the Department generally
                                              agencies and consortia of those                         relevant outcome with no reporting of a                offers interested parties the opportunity
                                              agencies.                                               ‘‘negative effect’’ or ‘‘potentially                   to comment on proposed definitions
                                                 (e) State educational agency. The term               negative effect’’ on a relevant outcome;               and other requirements. Section
                                              includes the SEA in a State in which the                or                                                     437(d)(1) of GEPA, however, allows the
                                              SEA is the sole educational agency for                     (c) A single study assessed by the                  Secretary to exempt from rulemaking
                                              all public schools.                                     Department, as appropriate, that—                      requirements regulations governing the
                                                 Logic model (also referred to as theory                 (i) Is an experimental study, a quasi-              first grant competition under a new or
                                              of action) means a reasonable                           experimental design study, or a well-                  substantially revised program authority.
                                              conceptual framework that identifies                    designed and well-implemented                          This is the first grant competition for
                                              key components of the proposed project                  correlational study with statistical                   this program under sections 4501–4506
                                              (i.e., the active ‘‘ingredients’’ that are              controls for selection bias (e.g., a study             of the ESEA, as amended by the Every
                                              hypothesized to be critical to achieving                using regression methods to account for                Student Succeeds Act, and, therefore,
                                              the relevant outcomes) and describes                    differences between a treatment group                  qualifies for this exemption. In order to
                                              the theoretical and operational                         and a comparison group); and                           ensure timely grant awards, the
                                              relationships among the key project                        (ii) Includes at least one statistically            Secretary has decided to forgo public
                                              components and relevant outcomes.                       significant and positive (i.e., favorable)             comment on the priorities, requirements
                                                 Parental involvement means the                       effect on a relevant outcome.                          and definitions under section 437(d)(1)
                                              participation of parents in regular, two-                  Quasi-experimental design study                     of GEPA. These definitions and
                                              way, and meaningful communication                       means a study using a design that                      requirements will apply to the FY 2018
                                              involving student academic learning                     attempts to approximate an                             grant competition and any subsequent
                                              and other school activities, including                  experimental study by identifying a                    year in which we make awards from the
                                              ensuring—                                               comparison group that is similar to the                list of unfunded applications from this
                                                                                                      treatment group in important respects.                 competition.
                                                 (A) That parents play an integral role
                                                                                                                                                                Program Authority: Sections 4501–
                                              in assisting their child’s learning;                    This type of study, depending on design
                                                                                                                                                             4506 of the ESEA (20 U.S.C. 7241–46).
                                                 (B) That parents are encouraged to be                and implementation (e.g., establishment                   Applicable Regulations: (a) The
                                              actively involved in their child’s                      of baseline equivalence of the groups                  Education Department General
                                              education at school;                                    being compared), can meet WWC                          Administrative Regulations in 34 CFR
                                                 (C) That parents are full partners in                standards with reservations, but cannot                parts 75, 77, 79, 81, 82, 84, 86, 97, 98,
                                              their child’s education and are                         meet WWC standards without                             and 99. (b) The Office of Management
                                              included, as appropriate, in decision-                  reservations, as described in the WWC                  and Budget Guidelines to Agencies on
                                              making and on advisory committees to                    Handbook.                                              Governmentwide Debarment and
                                              assist in the education of their child;                    Relevant outcome means the student                  Suspension (Nonprocurement) in 2 CFR
                                              and                                                     outcome(s) or other outcomes(s) the key                part 180, as adopted and amended as
                                                 (D) The carrying out of other                        project component is designed to                       regulations of the Department in 2 CFR
                                              activities, such as those described in                  improve, consistent with the specific                  part 3485. (c) The Uniform
                                              section 1116 of the ESEA.                               goals of the program.                                  Administrative Requirements, Cost
                                                 Performance measure means any                           State educational agency (SEA)                      Principles, and Audit Requirements for
                                              quantitative indicator, statistic, or                   means the agency primarily responsible                 Federal Awards in 2 CFR part 200, as
                                              metric used to gauge program or project                 for the State supervision of public                    adopted and amended as regulations of
                                              performance.                                            elementary schools and secondary                       the Department in 2 CFR part 3474. (d)
                                                 Performance target means a level of                  schools.                                               The Supplemental Priorities.
                                              performance that an applicant would                        Statewide organization means a
                                              seek to meet during the course of a                     public or private organization that—                   II. Award Information
                                              project or as a result of a project.                       (1) Provides family engagement                         Type of Award: Discretionary grants.
                                                 Project means the activity described                 support or services;                                      Estimated Available Funds:
                                              in the application.                                        (2) Demonstrates capacity to provide                $9,700,000.
                                                 Project component means an activity,                 such support or services statewide to all                 Contingent upon the availability of
                                              strategy, intervention, process, product,               States participating in its proposed                   funds and the quality of applications,
                                              practice, or policy included in a project.              project; and                                           we may make additional awards in
                                              Evidence may pertain to an individual                      (3) Is not an SEA or LEA.                           subsequent years from the list of
                                              project component or to a combination                      What Works Clearinghouse Handbook                   unfunded applications from this
                                              of project components (e.g., training                   (WWC Handbook) means the standards                     competition.
                                              teachers on instructional practices for                 and procedures set forth in the WWC                       Estimated Range of Awards:
                                              English learners and follow-on coaching                 Procedures and Standards Handbook,                     $500,000–$1,000,000 per project year.
                                              for these teachers).                                    Version 3.0 or Version 2.1 (incorporated                  Maximum Award: We will not make
                                                 Promising evidence means that there                  by reference, see 34 CFR 77.2). Study                  an award exceeding $1,000,000 for a
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                                              is evidence of the effectiveness of a key               findings eligible for review under WWC                 single project year.
                                              project component in improving a                        standards can meet WWC standards                          Estimated Number of Awards: 10.
                                              relevant outcome, based on a relevant                   without reservations, meet WWC                           Note: The Department is not bound by any
                                              finding from one of the following:                      standards with reservations, or not meet               estimates in this notice.
                                                 (a) A practice guide prepared by                     WWC standards. WWC practice guides                       Project Period: Up to 60 months.
                                              WWC reporting a ‘‘strong evidence                       and intervention reports include                         Continued funding of a grant under
                                              base’’ or ‘‘moderate evidence base’’ for                findings from systematic reviews of                    this competition after the third year will


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                                                                            Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 125 / Thursday, June 28, 2018 / Notices                                            30435

                                              be contingent on the grantee’s progress                 please list the page number or numbers                 should be sent to SFEC@ed.gov with
                                              toward meeting the performance                          on which we can find this information.                 ‘‘INTENT TO APPLY’’ in the subject
                                              measures and targets identified in the                  For additional information please see 34               line by July 13, 2018. Applicants that do
                                              application.                                            CFR 5.11(c).                                           not notify us of their intent to apply
                                                                                                         3. Intergovernmental Review: This                   may still apply for funding.
                                              III. Eligibility Information                            program is subject to Executive Order
                                                 1. Eligible Applicants: Statewide                    12372 and the regulations in 34 CFR                    V. Application Review Information
                                              organizations (or consortia of such                     part 79. However, under 34 CFR 79.8(a),                   1. Selection Criteria: The selection
                                              organizations) in partnership with at                   we waive intergovernmental review in                   criteria for this competition are from 34
                                              least one SEA.                                          order to make awards by the end of FY                  CFR 75.210. The maximum score for all
                                                 2. Cost Sharing or Matching: ESEA                    2018.                                                  of the selection criteria is 100 points.
                                              section 4502(c) requires that each                         4. Funding Restrictions: We reference               The maximum score for each criterion is
                                              grantee contribute non-Federal                          regulations outlining funding                          included in parentheses following the
                                              resources, which may be in cash or in-                  restrictions in the Applicable                         title of the specific selection criterion.
                                              kind, towards its project for each fiscal               Regulations section of this notice.                    Each criterion also includes the factors
                                              year after the first fiscal year in which                  5. Recommended Page Limit: The                      that reviewers will consider in
                                              the project is funded by the Department.                application narrative (Part III of the                 determining the extent to which an
                                              We are establishing a program                           application) is where you, the applicant,              applicant meets the criterion.
                                              requirement under section 437(d)(1) of                  address the selection criteria that                       Points awarded under these selection
                                              GEPA that a grantee must obtain                         reviewers use to evaluate your                         criteria are in addition to any points an
                                              matching funds or in-kind donations                     application. We recommend that you (1)                 applicant earns under the competitive
                                              equal to at least 15 percent of its grant               limit the application narrative to no                  preference priorities in this notice.
                                              award in project years two through five.                more than 40 pages and (2) use the                        The selection criteria are as follows:
                                              Applicants must include a budget                        following standards:                                      A. Quality of the Project Design (up to
                                              showing their matching contributions                       • A ‘‘page’’ is 8.5″ x 11″, on one side             30 points).
                                              on an annual basis relative to the annual               only, with 1″ margins at the top, bottom,                 The Secretary considers the quality of
                                              budget amount of SFEC grant funds in                    and both sides.                                        the design of the proposed project. In
                                              years two through five.                                    • Double space (no more than three
                                                                                                                                                             determining the quality of the design of
                                                 3. Subgrantees: A grantee under this                 lines per vertical inch) all text in the
                                                                                                                                                             the proposed project, the Secretary
                                              competition may not award subgrants to                  application narrative, including titles,
                                                                                                                                                             considers—
                                              entities to directly carry out project                  headings, footnotes, quotations,
                                                                                                      references, and captions, as well as all                  (1) The extent to which there is a
                                              activities described in its application.                                                                       conceptual framework underlying the
                                                                                                      text in charts, tables, figures, and
                                              IV. Application and Submission                          graphs.                                                proposed research or demonstration
                                              Information                                                • Use a font that is either 12 point or             activities and the quality of that
                                                 1. Application Submission                            larger or no smaller than 10 pitch                     framework.
                                              Instructions: For information on how to                 (characters per inch).                                    (2) The extent to which the services
                                              submit an application please refer to our                  • Use one of the following fonts:                   to be provided by the proposed project
                                              Common Instructions for Applicants to                   Times New Roman, Courier, Courier                      reflect up-to-date knowledge from
                                              Department of Education Discretionary                   New, or Arial.                                         research and effective practice.
                                              Grant Programs, published in the                           The recommended page limit does not                    (3) The extent to which the proposed
                                              Federal Register on February 12, 2018                   apply to Part I, the cover sheet; Part II,             project is designed to build capacity and
                                              (83 FR 6003), and available at                          the budget section, including the                      yield results that will extend beyond the
                                              www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2018-02-12/                    narrative budget justification; Part IV,               period of Federal financial assistance.
                                              pdf/2018-02558.pdf.                                     the assurances and certifications; or the                 B. Quality of the Management Plan
                                                 2. Submission of Proprietary                         one-page abstract, the resumes, the                    and Project Personnel (up to 20 points).
                                              Information: Given the types of projects                bibliography, the preliminary MOU, the                    The Secretary considers the quality of
                                              that may be proposed in applications for                logic model, or the letters of support.                the services to be provided by the
                                              SFEC, your application may include                      However, the recommended page limit                    proposed project. In determining the
                                              business information that you consider                  does apply to all of the application                   quality of project personnel, the
                                              proprietary. In 34 CFR 5.11 we define                   narrative.                                             Secretary considers the extent to which
                                              ‘‘business information’’ and describe the                  6. Notice of Intent to Apply: The                   the applicant encourages applications
                                              process we use in determining whether                   Department will be able to develop a                   for employment from persons who are
                                              any of that information is proprietary                  more efficient process for reviewing                   members of groups that have
                                              and, thus, protected from disclosure                    grant applications if it has a better                  traditionally been underrepresented
                                              under Exemption 4 of the Freedom of                     understanding of the number of entities                based on race, color, national origin,
                                              Information Act (5 U.S.C. 552, as                       that intend to apply for funding under                 gender, age, or disability.
                                              amended).                                               this competition. Therefore, the                          In addition, in determining the
                                                 Because we plan to make all                          Secretary strongly encourages each                     quality of the management plan and
                                              successful applications available to the                potential applicant to notify the                      project personnel, the Secretary
                                              public, you may wish to request                         Department of the applicant’s intent to                considers—
                                              confidentiality of business information.                submit an application for funding by                      (1) How the applicant will ensure that
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                                                 Consistent with Executive Order                      sending a short email message                          a diversity of perspectives are brought to
                                              12600, please designate in your                         indicating the applicant’s intent to                   bear in the operation of the proposed
                                              application any information that you                    submit an application for funding. The                 project, including those of parents,
                                              believe is exempt from disclosure under                 email need not include information                     teachers, the business community, a
                                              Exemption 4. In the appropriate                         regarding the content of the proposed                  variety of disciplinary and professional
                                              Appendix section of your application,                   application, only the applicant’s intent               fields, recipients or beneficiaries of
                                              under ‘‘Other Attachments Form,’’                       to submit it. This email notification                  services, or others, as appropriate.


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                                              30436                         Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 125 / Thursday, June 28, 2018 / Notices

                                                 (2) The extent to which the services                 submit a timely performance report or                  in 2 CFR part 200, Appendix XII,
                                              to be provided by the proposed project                  submitted a report of unacceptable                     require you to report certain integrity
                                              involve the collaboration of appropriate                quality.                                               information to FAPIIS semiannually.
                                              partners for maximizing the                                In addition, in making a competitive                Please review the requirements in 2 CFR
                                              effectiveness of project services.                      grant award, the Secretary requires                    part 200, Appendix XII, if this grant
                                                 (3) The adequacy of the management                   various assurances, including those                    plus all the other Federal funds you
                                              plan to achieve the objectives of the                   applicable to Federal civil rights laws                receive exceed $10,000,000.
                                              proposed project on time and within                     that prohibit discrimination in programs
                                              budget, including clearly defined                       or activities receiving Federal financial              VI. Award Administration Information
                                              responsibilities, timelines, and                        assistance from the Department (34 CFR                    1. Award Notices: If your application
                                              milestones for accomplishing project                    100.4, 104.5, 106.4, 108.8, and 110.23).               is successful, we notify your U.S.
                                              tasks.                                                     Additionally, as stated in Program                  Representative and U.S. Senators and
                                                 (4) The qualifications, including                    Requirement (d), no SEA may partner                    send you a Grant Award Notification
                                              relevant training and experience, of key                with more than one SFEC grantee. We                    (GAN); or we may send you an email
                                              project personnel.                                      will review applications scoring within                containing a link to access an electronic
                                                 C. Adequacy of Resources (up to 20                   the funding range to ensure that SEAs                  version of your GAN. We may notify
                                              points).                                                are represented on only one funded                     you informally, also.
                                                 The Secretary considers the adequacy                 application. If changes are necessary to                  If your application is not evaluated or
                                              of resources for the proposed project. In               a highly ranked applicant’s proposed                   not selected for funding, we notify you.
                                              determining the adequacy of resources                   SEA partners, such changes may                            2. Administrative and National Policy
                                              for the proposed project, the Secretary                 constitute a change in the scope and                   Requirements: We identify
                                              considers—                                              objectives of the grant, which may result              administrative and national policy
                                                 (1) The relevance and demonstrated                   in an application not being selected for               requirements in the application package
                                              commitment of each partner in the                       funding.                                               and reference these and other
                                              proposed project to the implementation                     3. Risk Assessment and Specific
                                                                                                                                                             requirements in the Applicable
                                              and success of the project.                             Conditions: Consistent with 2 CFR
                                                                                                                                                             Regulations section of this notice.
                                                 (2) The extent to which the costs are                200.205, before awarding grants under
                                                                                                      this competition the Department                           We reference the regulations outlining
                                              reasonable in relation to the objectives,
                                                                                                      conducts a review of the risks posed by                the terms and conditions of an award in
                                              design, and potential significance of the
                                                                                                      applicants. Under 2 CFR 3474.10, the                   the Applicable Regulations section of
                                              proposed project.
                                                                                                      Secretary may impose specific                          this notice and include these and other
                                                 (3) The extent to which the costs are
                                                                                                      conditions and, in appropriate                         specific conditions in the GAN. The
                                              reasonable in relation to the number of
                                                                                                      circumstances, high-risk conditions on a               GAN also incorporates your approved
                                              persons to be served and the anticipated
                                                                                                      grant if the applicant or grantee is not               application as part of your binding
                                              results and benefits.
                                                 D. Quality of the Project Evaluation                 financially stable; has a history of                   commitments under the grant.
                                              (up to 30 points).                                      unsatisfactory performance; has a                         3. Open Licensing Requirements:
                                                 The Secretary considers the quality of               financial or other management system                   Unless an exception applies, if you are
                                              the evaluation to be conducted of the                   that does not meet the standards in 2                  awarded a grant under this competition,
                                              proposed project. In determining the                    CFR part 200, subpart D; has not                       you will be required to openly license
                                              quality of the evaluation, the Secretary                fulfilled the conditions of a prior grant;             to the public grant deliverables created
                                              considers—                                              or is otherwise not responsible.                       in whole, or in part, with Department
                                                 (1) The extent to which the methods                     4. Integrity and Performance System:                grant funds. When the deliverable
                                              of evaluation include the use of                        If you are selected under this                         consists of modifications to pre-existing
                                              objective performance measures that are                 competition to receive an award that                   works, the license extends only to those
                                              clearly related to the intended outcomes                over the course of the project period                  modifications that can be separately
                                              of the project and will produce                         may exceed the simplified acquisition                  identified and only to the extent that
                                              quantitative and qualitative data to the                threshold (currently $150,000), under 2                open licensing is permitted under the
                                              extent possible.                                        CFR 200.205(a)(2), we must make a                      terms of any licenses or other legal
                                                 (2) The extent to which the evaluation               judgment about your integrity, business                restrictions on the use of pre-existing
                                              will provide performance feedback and                   ethics, and record of performance under                works. Additionally, a grantee or
                                              permit periodic assessment of progress                  Federal awards—that is, the risk posed                 subgrantee that is awarded competitive
                                              toward achieving intended outcomes.                     by you as an applicant—before we make                  grant funds must have a plan to
                                                 (3) The extent to which methods of                   an award. In doing so, we must consider                disseminate these public grant
                                              evaluation will, if well-implemented,                   any information about you that is in the               deliverables. This dissemination plan
                                              produce promising evidence (as defined                  integrity and performance system                       can be developed and submitted after
                                              in 34 CFR 77.1(c)) about the project’s                  (currently referred to as the Federal                  your application has been reviewed and
                                              effectiveness.                                          Awardee Performance and Integrity                      selected for funding. For additional
                                                 2. Review and Selection Process: We                  Information System (FAPIIS)),                          information on the open licensing
                                              remind potential applicants that in                     accessible through the System for                      requirements please refer to 2 CFR
                                              reviewing applications in any                           Award Management. You may review                       3474.20.
                                              discretionary grant competition, the                    and comment on any information about                      4. Reporting: (a) If you apply for a
                                              Secretary may consider, under 34 CFR                    yourself that a Federal agency                         grant under this competition, you must
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                                              75.217(d)(3), the past performance of the               previously entered and that is currently               ensure that you have in place the
                                              applicant in carrying out a previous                    in FAPIIS.                                             necessary processes and systems to
                                              award, such as the applicant’s use of                      Please note that, if the total value of             comply with the reporting requirements
                                              funds, achievement of project                           your currently active grants, cooperative              in 2 CFR part 170 should you receive
                                              objectives, and compliance with grant                   agreements, and procurement contracts                  funding under the competition. This
                                              conditions. The Secretary may also                      from the Federal Government exceeds                    does not apply if you have an exception
                                              consider whether the applicant failed to                $10,000,000, the reporting requirements                under 2 CFR 170.110(b).


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                                                                            Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 125 / Thursday, June 28, 2018 / Notices                                            30437

                                                 (b) At the end of your project period,               services who report having enhanced                    ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
                                              you must submit a final performance                     capacity to work with schools and                      AGENCY
                                              report, including financial information,                service providers effectively in meeting
                                              as directed by the Secretary. If you                    the academic and developmental needs                   [EPA–HQ–OPP–2018–0008; FRL–9978–35]
                                              receive a multiyear award, you must                     of their children.
                                              submit an annual performance report                        6. Continuation Awards: In making a                 Pesticide Product Registration;
                                              that provides the most current                          continuation award under 34 CFR                        Receipt of Applications for New Uses
                                              performance and financial expenditure                   75.253, the Secretary considers, among
                                              information as directed by the Secretary                other things: Whether a grantee has                    AGENCY: Environmental Protection
                                              under 34 CFR 75.118. The Secretary                      made substantial progress in achieving                 Agency (EPA).
                                              may also require more frequent                          the goals and objectives of the project;               ACTION:   Notice.
                                              performance reports under 34 CFR                        whether the grantee has expended funds
                                              75.720(c). For specific requirements on                 in a manner that is consistent with its                SUMMARY:    EPA has received applications
                                              reporting, please go to www.ed.gov/                     approved application and budget; and,                  to register new uses for pesticide
                                              fund/grant/apply/appforms/                              if the Secretary has established                       products containing currently registered
                                              appforms.html.                                          performance measurement
                                                 5. Performance Measures: As outlined                                                                        active ingredients. Pursuant to the
                                                                                                      requirements, the performance targets in               Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and
                                              in title IV, part E, section 4501 of the                the grantee’s approved application.
                                              ESEA, SFEC is focused on using family                                                                          Rodenticide Act (FIFRA), EPA is hereby
                                                                                                         In making a continuation award, the                 providing notice of receipt and
                                              engagement to improve student
                                                                                                      Secretary also considers whether the                   opportunity to comment on these
                                              development and academic
                                              achievement. The program recognizes                     grantee is operating in compliance with                applications.
                                              that in order to effectively and                        the assurances in its approved
                                                                                                      application, including those applicable                DATES: Comments must be received on
                                              sustainably engage parents and families,                                                                       or before July 30, 2018.
                                              grantees must use training and technical                to Federal civil rights laws that prohibit
                                              assistance to build capacity at the State               discrimination in programs or activities               ADDRESSES:   Submit your comments,
                                              and district levels to develop and                      receiving Federal financial assistance                 identified by the Docket Identification
                                              implement policies, programs, and                       from the Department (34 CFR 100.4,                     (ID) Number and the File Symbol of
                                              activities that are inclusive of families               104.5, 106.4, 108.8, and 110.23).                      interest as shown in the body of this
                                              and lead to improvements in student                     VII. Other Information                                 document, by one of the following
                                              development and academic                                                                                       methods:
                                              achievement. SFECs must also provide                       Accessible Format: Individuals with                   • Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://
                                              direct support to parents, teachers, and                disabilities can obtain this document                  www.regulations.gov. Follow the online
                                              others that strengthen the relationship                 and a copy of the application package in               instructions for submitting comments.
                                              between parents and their children’s                    an accessible format (e.g., braille, large             Do not submit electronically any
                                              school, foster greater engagement, and                  print, audiotape, or compact disc) on                  information you consider to be
                                              assist them in meeting the educational                  request to the program contact person                  Confidential Business Information (CBI)
                                              needs of children. SFEC will coordinate                 listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION                   or other information whose disclosure is
                                              its activities with activities conducted                CONTACT.                                               restricted by statute.
                                              under section 1116 and other parts of                      Electronic Access to This Document:                   • Mail: OPP Docket, Environmental
                                              the ESEA, as well as other Federal,                     The official version of this document is               Protection Agency Docket Center (EPA/
                                              State, and local services and programs.                 the document published in the Federal                  DC), (28221T), 1200 Pennsylvania Ave.
                                                 Annual performance measures: (1)                     Register. You may access the official                  NW, Washington, DC 20460–0001.
                                              The number of parents who are                           edition of the Federal Register and the
                                              participating in SFEC activities                        Code of Federal Regulations via the                      • Hand Delivery: To make special
                                              designed to provide them with the                       Federal Digital System at: www.gpo.gov/                arrangements for hand delivery or
                                              information necessary to understand                     fdsys. At this site you can view this                  delivery of boxed information, please
                                              their annual school report cards and                    document, as well as all other                         follow the instructions at http://
                                              other opportunities for engagement                      documents of this Department                           www.epa.gov/dockets/contacts.html.
                                              under section 1116 and other related                    published in the Federal Register, in                    Additional instructions on
                                              ESEA provisions; (2) the number of                      text or Portable Document Format                       commenting or visiting the docket,
                                              high-impact activities or services                      (PDF). To use PDF you must have                        along with more information about
                                              provided to build a statewide                           Adobe Acrobat Reader, which is                         dockets generally, is available at http://
                                              infrastructure for systemic family                      available free at the site.                            www.epa.gov/dockets.
                                              engagement that includes support for                       You may also access documents of the                FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
                                              SEA- and LEA-level leadership and                       Department published in the Federal                    Michael Goodis, Registration Division
                                              capacity-building; (3) the number of                    Register by using the article search                   (RD) (7505P), main telephone number:
                                              high-impact activities or services                      feature at: www.federalregister.gov.                   (703) 305–7090; email address:
                                              implemented to ensure that parents are                  Specifically, through the advanced                     RDFRNotices@epa.gov, Anita Pease,
                                              trained and can effectively engage in                   search feature at this site, you can limit             Antimicrobials Division (AD) (7510P),
                                              activities that will improve student                    your search to documents published by                  main telephone number: (703) 305–
                                              academic achievement, to include an
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                                                                                                      the Department.                                        7090; email address: ADFRNotices@
                                              understanding of how they can support
                                                                                                        Dated: June 25, 2018.                                epa.gov. The mailing address for each
                                              learning in the classroom with activities
                                                                                                      James Blew,                                            contact person is: Office of Pesticide
                                              at home or outside the school generally,
                                              as well as how they can participate in                  Acting Assistant Deputy, Secretary for                 Programs, Environmental Protection
                                              State and local decision-making                         Innovation and Improvement.                            Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave. NW,
                                              processes; and (4) the percentage of                    [FR Doc. 2018–13913 Filed 6–27–18; 8:45 am]            Washington, DC 20460–0001.
                                              parents and families receiving SFEC                     BILLING CODE 4000–01–P                                 SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:



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Document Created: 2018-11-06 09:55:46
Document Modified: 2018-11-06 09:55:46
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: June 28, 2018.
ContactJane Hodgdon, U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue SW, Room 4W248, Washington, DC 20202- 5970. Telephone: (202) 453-6620. Email: [email protected]
FR Citation83 FR 30430 

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