83_FR_30834 83 FR 30708 - Applications for New Awards; Educational Technology, Media, and Materials for Individuals With Disabilities-Center on Early Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math Learning for Young Children With Disabilities

83 FR 30708 - Applications for New Awards; Educational Technology, Media, and Materials for Individuals With Disabilities-Center on Early Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math Learning for Young Children With Disabilities

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 126 (June 29, 2018)

Page Range30708-30716
FR Document2018-14083

The Department of Education (Department) is issuing a notice inviting applications for a new award for fiscal year (FY) 2018 for Educational Technology, Media, and Materials for Individuals with Disabilities--Center on Early Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math Learning for Young Children with Disabilities, Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) number 84.327G.

Federal Register, Volume 83 Issue 126 (Friday, June 29, 2018)
[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 126 (Friday, June 29, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 30708-30716]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2018-14083]


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DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION


Applications for New Awards; Educational Technology, Media, and 
Materials for Individuals With Disabilities--Center on Early Science, 
Technology, Engineering, and Math Learning for Young Children With 
Disabilities

AGENCY: Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services, 
Department of Education.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Education (Department) is issuing a notice 
inviting applications for a new award for fiscal year (FY) 2018 for 
Educational Technology, Media, and Materials for Individuals with 
Disabilities--Center on Early Science, Technology, Engineering, and 
Math Learning for Young Children with Disabilities, Catalog of Federal 
Domestic Assistance (CFDA) number 84.327G.

DATES: 
    Applications Available: June 29, 2018.
    Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: July 30, 2018.

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: Dawn Ellis, U.S. Department of 
Education, 400 Maryland Avenue SW, Room 5137, Potomac Center Plaza, 
Washington, DC 20202-5108. Telephone: (202) 245-6417. 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 purposes of the Educational Technology, 
Media, and Materials for Individuals with Disabilities Program are to: 
(1) Improve results for students with disabilities by promoting the 
development, demonstration, and use of technology; (2) support 
educational activities designed to be of educational value in the 
classroom for students with disabilities; (3) provide support for 
captioning and video description that is

[[Page 30709]]

appropriate for use in the classroom; and (4) provide accessible 
educational materials to students with disabilities in a timely manner.
    Priority: In accordance with 34 CFR 75.105(b)(2)(v), this priority 
is from allowable activities specified in the statute (see sections 
674(b)(2) and 681(d) of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act 
(IDEA); 20 U.S.C. 1474(b) and 1481(d)).
    Absolute Priority: For FY 2018 and any subsequent year in which we 
make awards from the list of unfunded applications from this 
competition, this priority is an absolute priority. Under 34 CFR 
75.105(c)(3), we consider only applications that meet this priority.
    This priority is:
    Center on Early Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math Learning 
for Young Children with Disabilities.

Background

    The mission of the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative 
Services (OSERS) is to improve early childhood, educational, and 
employment outcomes and raise expectations for all people with 
disabilities, their families, their communities, and the Nation.
    As early as infancy, young children start developing and testing 
hypotheses about how things work. These inquiry-based skills and the 
quest for understanding form the foundation for early science, 
technology, engineering, and math (STEM) learning. Research shows that 
early exposure to STEM learning has positive impacts across 
developmental domains and can positively impact later learning and 
academic performance (Duncan et al., 2007; Mantzicopoulos, Patrick, & 
Samarapungavan, 2008).
    Because of these impacts, experts have recommended that early 
childhood programs intentionally integrate STEM learning into the 
curricula and that it be considered an essential component of a high-
quality early childhood experience (Brenneman, Stevenson-Boyd, & Frede, 
2009; National Research Council, 2009). While there have been recent 
efforts to fund STEM initiatives for early childhood, there has been a 
lack of focus specifically on how to support STEM learning in infants, 
toddlers, and preschool children (young children) with disabilities.
    This focus is necessary, however, because young children with 
disabilities often require specialized supports to engage in STEM 
learning, which can help young children achieve developmental and 
educational outcomes under Parts C and B of the IDEA. Many STEM 
activities require children to use fine and gross motor skills to 
physically engage with objects, have the mobility to participate in 
experiments, or use different senses to explore how something works. 
STEM activities also typically require children to ask questions, have 
focused attention, and solve problems. All of these may pose challenges 
for some young children with disabilities. Yet the hands-on approach 
and active engagement needed for STEM learning is an ideal way for 
young children with disabilities to develop skills and achieve goals 
within their individualized family service plans (IFSPs) or 
individualized education programs (IEPs). Identifying best practices in 
providing STEM learning to young children with disabilities, including 
through the use of technology, would help maximize the benefits to 
them.
    To ensure that young children with disabilities can engage in and 
benefit from STEM learning, this priority will fund a cooperative 
agreement to establish and operate a Center on Early STEM Learning for 
Young Children with Disabilities (the Center). The Center will assemble 
a body of knowledge on the practices and supports, including the use of 
technology, necessary to improve STEM learning for young children with 
disabilities. The Center will also disseminate these practices and 
supports to early childhood programs, administrators, providers, 
families of children with disabilities, and institutions of higher 
education (IHEs).
    This priority is consistent with three priorities from the 
Secretary's Final Supplemental Priorities and Definitions for 
Discretionary Grant Programs, which were published in the Federal 
Register on March 2, 2018 (83 FR 9096): Priority 5--Meeting the Unique 
Needs of Students and Children With Disabilities and/or Those With 
Unique Gifts and Talents; Priority 6--Promoting Science, Technology, 
Engineering, or Math (STEM) Education, With a Particular Focus on 
Computer Science; and Priority 8--Promoting Effective Instruction in 
Classrooms and Schools.

Priority

    The purpose of this priority is to fund a cooperative agreement to 
establish and operate a national Center on Early Science, Technology, 
Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Learning, for Young Children with 
Disabilities to achieve, at a minimum, the following expected outcomes:
    (a) Increased body of knowledge of current evidence-based (as 
defined in this notice) practices (EBPs) for early STEM learning, 
including early computer science learning for young children with 
disabilities;
    (b) Increased use by early childhood programs, providers, and 
families of the current EBPs in early STEM learning for young children 
with disabilities; and
    (c) Increased awareness by faculty in IHEs of the current EBPs in 
early STEM learning for young children with disabilities and increased 
focus on early STEM learning within programs of study within IHEs.
    In addition to these programmatic requirements, to be considered 
for funding under this priority, applicants must meet the application 
and administrative requirements in this priority, which are:
    (a) Demonstrate, in the narrative section of the application under 
``Significance,'' how the proposed project will--
    (1) Address the need in the field for knowledge about early STEM 
learning for young children with disabilities and their families. To 
meet this requirement the applicant must--
    (i) Demonstrate knowledge of the current and emerging EBPs in early 
STEM learning for all young children, and specifically around using 
technology to improve access to early STEM learning for young children 
with disabilities and their families; and
    (ii) Demonstrate knowledge of current educational and policy issues 
and national initiatives relating to early STEM learning for all young 
children and their families, and specifically for young children with 
disabilities and their families;
    (2) Address current and emerging capacity needs of early childhood 
programs, providers, and families to select and implement current EBPs 
that will improve early STEM learning for young children with 
disabilities, including using technology to improve their access to 
early STEM learning activities. To meet this requirement, the applicant 
must--
    (i) Present information and data on the current capacity of early 
childhood providers to effectively support early STEM learning in young 
children with disabilities;
    (ii) Present information and data on how early STEM learning is 
included within personnel preparation programs;
    (iii) Demonstrate knowledge of the implementation supports (e.g., 
professional development and training, ongoing consultation and 
coaching, performance assessments, data systems to support decision-
making, administrative supports) that are needed to implement new 
practices within early childhood programs and services; and

[[Page 30710]]

    (iv) Demonstrate knowledge of how to educate, engage, and support 
families of young children with disabilities to implement early STEM 
learning activities;
    (3) Improve the potential for early STEM outcomes for young 
children with disabilities and indicate the likely magnitude or 
importance of these outcomes.
    (b) Demonstrate, in the narrative section of the application under 
``Quality of project services,'' how the proposed project will--
    (1) Ensure equal access and treatment for members of groups that 
have traditionally been underrepresented based on race, color, national 
origin, gender, age, or disability. To meet this requirement, the 
applicant must describe how it will--
    (i) Identify the needs of the intended recipients for technical 
assistance (TA) and information;
    (ii) Ensure that services and products meet the needs of the 
intended recipients of the grant;
    (iii) As appropriate, address the needs of young children with 
disabilities who are Native American or are dual language learners 
(i.e., English is not the primary language spoken in the home); and
    (iv) As appropriate, address the needs of military-connected young 
children with disabilities;
    (2) Achieve its goals, objectives, and intended outcomes. To meet 
this requirement, the applicant must provide--
    (i) Measurable intended project outcomes; and
    (ii) In Appendix A, the logic model (as defined in this notice) by 
which the proposed project will achieve its intended outcomes that 
depicts, at a minimum, the goals, activities, outputs, and intended 
outcomes of the proposed project;
    (3) Use a conceptual framework (and provide a copy in Appendix A to 
develop project plans and activities, describing any underlying 
concepts, assumptions, expectations, beliefs, or theories, as well as 
the presumed relationships or linkages among these variables, and any 
empirical support for this framework;
    Note: The following websites provide more information on logic 
models and conceptual frameworks: www.osepideasthatwork.org/logicModel 
and www.osepideasthatwork.org/resources-grantees/program-areas/ta-ta/tad-project-logic-model-and-conceptual-framework.
    (4) Be based on current research and make use of EBPs. To meet this 
requirement, the applicant must describe--
    (i) The current research on practices to support early STEM 
learning for young children with disabilities and the use of technology 
to improve access to early STEM learning for young children with 
disabilities;
    (ii) The current research about adult learning principles and 
implementation science or improvement science that will inform the 
proposed products; and
    (iii) How the proposed project will incorporate current research 
and EBPs in the development and delivery of its products and services;
    (5) Develop products and provide services that are of high quality 
and sufficient intensity and duration to achieve the intended outcomes 
of the proposed project. To address this requirement, the applicant 
must describe--
    (i) How it proposes to identify or develop the knowledge base on:
    (A) EBPs on early STEM learning for young children with 
disabilities;
    (B) Use of technology to improve access to early STEM learning for 
young children with disabilities;
    (C) What young children should know or be able to do in early STEM 
at different ages;
    (D) Integration of early STEM learning into IFSPs under Part C of 
the IDEA and IEPs under Part B of the IDEA; and
    (E) Implementation supports needed for early childhood programs and 
providers to have the capacity to implement the early STEM learning 
practices, and educate, engage, and support families of young children 
with disabilities in implementing opportunities for early STEM 
learning.
    (ii) Its proposed approach to universal, general TA,\1\ which must 
identify the intended recipients of the products and services under 
this approach and should include, at minimum, activities focused on--
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    \1\ ``Universal, general TA'' means TA and information provided 
to independent users through their own initiative, resulting in 
minimal interaction with TA center staff and including one-time, 
invited or offered conference presentations by TA center staff. This 
category of TA also includes information or products, such as 
newsletters, guidebooks, or research syntheses, downloaded from the 
TA center's website by independent users. Brief communications by TA 
center staff with recipients, either by telephone or email, are also 
considered universal, general TA.
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    (A) Developing and disseminating resources, materials, and tools 
for faculty at IHEs to embed current EBPs on early STEM learning for 
young children with disabilities within personnel preparation programs 
of study;
    (B) Developing and disseminating resources, materials, and tools 
for early childhood programs and providers on current EBPs on early 
STEM learning for young children with disabilities, including: How to 
incorporate early STEM learning into IFSPs and IEPs to achieve child 
outcomes identified on the IFSP or IEP; how to use technology to 
increase opportunities for early STEM learning and deliver instruction 
or interventions that promote early STEM learning; and how to work with 
families to help promote early STEM learning with their child; and
    (C) Partnering with national professional organizations, 
foundations, industry and research organizations and centers to 
disseminate information on how young children with disabilities can be 
included in broader early STEM research, policies, and practices, 
including within new curricula and learning materials.
    (iii) Its proposed approach to targeted, specialized TA,\2\ which 
must identify the intended recipients, including the type and number of 
recipients that will receive the products and services under this 
approach; and
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    \2\ ``Targeted, specialized TA'' means TA services based on 
needs common to multiple recipients and not extensively 
individualized. A relationship is established between the TA 
recipient and one or more TA center staff. This category of TA 
includes one-time, labor-intensive events, such as facilitating 
strategic planning or hosting regional or national conferences. It 
can also include episodic, less labor-intensive events that extend 
over a period of time, such as facilitating a series of conference 
calls on single or multiple topics that are designed around the 
needs of the recipients. Facilitating communities of practice can 
also be considered targeted, specialized TA.
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    (6) Develop products and implement services that maximize 
efficiency. To address this requirement, the applicant must describe--
    (i) How the proposed project will use technology to achieve the 
intended project outcomes;
    (ii) With whom the proposed project will collaborate and the 
intended outcomes of this collaboration; and
    (iii) How the proposed project will use non-project resources to 
achieve the intended project outcomes.
    (c) In the narrative section of the application under ``Quality of 
the project evaluation,'' include an evaluation plan for the project as 
described in the following paragraphs. The evaluation plan must 
describe: Measures of progress in implementation, including the 
criteria for determining the extent to which the project's products and 
services have met the goals for reaching its target population; 
measures of intended outcomes or results of the project's activities in 
order to evaluate those activities; and how well the goals or

[[Page 30711]]

objectives of the proposed project, as described in its logic model, 
have been met.
    The applicant must provide an assurance that, in designing the 
evaluation plan, it will--
    (1) Designate, with the approval of the OSEP project officer, a 
project liaison staff person with sufficient dedicated time, experience 
in evaluation, and knowledge of the project to work in collaboration 
with the Center to Improve Program and Project Performance (CIP3),\3\ 
the project director, and the OSEP project officer on the following 
tasks:
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    \3\ The major tasks of CIP3 are to guide, coordinate, and 
oversee the design of formative evaluations for every large 
discretionary investment (i.e., those awarded $500,000 or more per 
year and required to participate in the 3+2 process) in OSEP's 
Technical Assistance and Dissemination; Personnel Development; 
Parent Training and Information Centers; and Educational Technology, 
Media, and Materials programs. The efforts of CIP3 are expected to 
enhance individual project evaluation plans by providing expert and 
unbiased TA in designing the evaluations with due consideration of 
the project's budget. CIP3 does not function as a third-party 
evaluator.
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    (i) Revise, as needed, the logic model submitted in the grant 
application to provide for a more comprehensive measurement of 
implementation and outcomes and to reflect any changes or 
clarifications to the model discussed at the kick-off meeting;
    (ii) Refine the evaluation design and instrumentation proposed in 
the grant application consistent with the logic model (e.g., prepare 
evaluation questions about significant program processes and outcomes, 
develop quantitative or qualitative data collections that permit both 
the collection of progress data, including fidelity of implementation, 
as appropriate, and the assessment of project outcomes; and identify 
analytic strategies); and
    (iii) Revise, as needed, the evaluation plan submitted in the grant 
application such that it clearly--
    (A) Specifies the measures and associated instruments or sources 
for data appropriate to the evaluation questions, suggests analytic 
strategies for those data, provides a timeline for conducting the 
evaluation, and includes staff assignments for completion of the plan;
    (B) Delineates the data expected to be available by the end of the 
second project year for use during the project's evaluation (3+2 
review) for continued funding described under the heading Fourth and 
Fifth Years of the Project; and
    (C) Can be used to assist the project director and the OSEP project 
officer, with the assistance of CIP3, as needed, to specify the 
performance measures to be addressed in the project's Annual 
Performance Report;
    (2) Cooperate with CIP3 staff in order to accomplish the tasks 
described in paragraph (1) of this section; and
    (3) Dedicate sufficient funds in each budget year to cover the 
costs of carrying out the tasks described in paragraphs (1) and (2) of 
this section and implementing the evaluation plan.
    (d) Demonstrate, in the narrative section of the application under 
``Adequacy of resources and quality of project personnel,'' how--
    (1) The proposed project will encourage 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, as appropriate;
    (2) The proposed key project providers, consultants, and 
subcontractors have the qualifications and experience to carry out the 
proposed activities and achieve the project's intended outcomes;
    (3) The applicant and any key partners have adequate resources to 
carry out the proposed activities; and
    (4) The proposed costs are reasonable in relation to the 
anticipated results and benefits.
    (e) Demonstrate, in the narrative section of the application under 
``Quality of the management plan,'' how--
    (1) The proposed management plan will ensure that the project's 
intended outcomes will be achieved on time and within budget. To 
address this requirement, the applicant must describe--
    (i) Clearly defined responsibilities for key project providers, 
consultants, and subcontractors, as applicable; and
    (ii) Timelines and milestones for accomplishing the project tasks;
    (2) Key project personnel and any consultants and subcontractors, 
and how these allocations are appropriate and adequate to achieve the 
project's intended outcomes;
    (3) The proposed management plan will ensure that the products and 
services provided are of high quality, relevant, and useful to 
recipients; and
    (4) The proposed project will benefit from a diversity of 
perspectives, including those of researchers, faculty, early childhood 
administrators, providers across different types of early childhood 
programs, families, and policy makers, among others, in its development 
and operation.
    (f) Address the following application requirements. The applicant 
must--
    (1) Include, in Appendix A, providers-loading charts and timelines, 
as applicable, to illustrate the management plan described in the 
narrative;
    (2) Include, in the budget, attendance at the following:
    (i) A one and one-half day kick-off meeting in Washington, DC, 
after receipt of the award, and an annual planning meeting in 
Washington, DC, with the OSEP project officer and other relevant staff 
during each subsequent year of the project period.
    Note: Within 30 days of receipt of the award, a post-award 
teleconference must be held between the OSEP project officer and the 
grantee's project director or other authorized representative;
    (ii) A two and one-half day project directors' conference in 
Washington, DC, during each year of the project period;
    (iii) Three trips annually to attend Department briefings, 
Department-sponsored conferences, and other meetings, as requested by 
OSEP; and
    (iv) A one-day intensive 3+2 review meeting in Washington, DC, 
during the last half of the second year of the project period;
    (3) Include, in the budget, a line item for an annual set-aside of 
five percent of the grant amount to support emerging needs that are 
consistent with the proposed project's intended outcomes, as those 
needs are identified in consultation with, and approved by, the OSEP 
project officer.
    Note: With approval from the OSEP project officer, the project must 
reallocate any remaining funds from this annual set-aside no later than 
the end of the third quarter of each budget period;
    (4) Describe how doctoral students or post-doctoral fellows will be 
engaged in the project to increase the number of future leaders in the 
field who are knowledgeable about early STEM learning for young 
children with disabilities, including the use of technology to increase 
access to early STEM learning; and
    (5) Maintain a high-quality website, with an easy-to-navigate 
design, that meets government or industry-recognized standards for 
accessibility.
    (6) Include, in Appendix A, an assurance that the project will 
assist OSEP with the transfer of pertinent resources and products and 
will maintain the continuity of services during the transition at the 
end of this award period, as appropriate.

Fourth and Fifth Years of the Project

    In deciding whether to continue funding the project for the fourth 
and fifth years, the Secretary will consider

[[Page 30712]]

the requirements of 34 CFR 75.253(a), as well as--
    (a) The recommendation of a 3+2 review team consisting of experts 
selected by the Secretary. This review will be conducted during a one-
day intensive meeting that will be held during the last half of the 
second year of the project period;
    (b) The timeliness with which, and how well, the requirements of 
the negotiated cooperative agreement have been or are being met by the 
project; and
    (c) The quality, relevance, and usefulness of the project's 
products and services and the extent to which the project's products 
and services are aligned with the project's objectives and likely to 
result in the project achieving its intended outcomes.

References

Brenneman, K., Stevenson-Boyd, J., & Frede, E. (2009). Mathematics 
and science in preschool: Policies and practice. NIEER Policy Brief 
(Issue 19). Available from http://nieer.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/MathSciencePolicyBrief0309.pdf.
Duncan, G. J., Dowsett, C. J., Claessens, A., Magnuson, K., Huston, 
A., Klebanov, P.,... Japel, C. (2007). School readiness and later 
achievement. Developmental Psychology, 43(6), 1428-1446.
Mantzicopoulos, P., Patrick, H., & Samarapungavan, A. (2008). Young 
children's motivational beliefs about learning science. Early 
Childhood Research Quarterly, 23(3), 378-394. Available from 
www.researchgate.net/profile/Panayota_Mantzicopoulos/publication/222704499_Young_children%27s_motivational_beliefs_about_learning_science/links/0c9605265240e6d71b000000/Young-childrens-motivational-beliefs-about-learning-science.pdf.
National Research Council. (2009). Mathematics learning in early 
childhood: Paths toward excellence and equity. Washington, DC: The 
National Academies Press.

Definitions

    The following definitions are from 34 CFR 77.1:
    Demonstrates a rationale means a key project component included in 
the project's logic model is informed by research or evaluation 
findings that suggest the project component is likely to improve 
relevant outcomes.
    Evidence-based means the proposed project component is supported by 
one or more of strong evidence, moderate evidence, promising evidence, 
or evidence that demonstrates a rationale.
    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.
    Logic model (also referred to as a theory of action) means a 
framework that identifies key project 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.
    Moderate evidence means that there is evidence of effectiveness of 
a key project component in improving a relevant outcome for a sample 
that overlaps with the populations or settings proposed to receive that 
component, based on a relevant finding from one of the following:
    (i) A practice guide prepared by the WWC using version 2.1 or 3.0 
of the WWC Handbook reporting a ``strong evidence base'' or ``moderate 
evidence base'' for the corresponding practice guide recommendation;
    (ii) An intervention report prepared by the WWC using version 2.1 
or 3.0 of the WWC Handbook reporting a ``positive effect'' or 
``potentially positive effect'' on a relevant outcome based on a 
``medium to large'' extent of evidence, with no reporting of a 
``negative effect'' or ``potentially negative effect'' on a relevant 
outcome; or
    (iii) A single experimental study or quasi-experimental design 
study reviewed and reported by the WWC using version 2.1 or 3.0 of the 
WWC Handbook, or otherwise assessed by the Department using version 2.1 
or 3.0 of the WWC Handbook, as appropriate, and that--
    (A) Meets WWC standards with or without reservations;
    (B) Includes at least one statistically significant and positive 
(i.e., favorable) effect on a relevant outcome;
    (C) Includes no overriding statistically significant and negative 
effects on relevant outcomes reported in the study or in a 
corresponding WWC intervention report prepared under version 2.1 or 3.0 
of the WWC Handbook; and
    (D) Is based on a sample from more than one site (e.g., State, 
county, city, school district, or postsecondary campus) and includes at 
least 350 students or other individuals across sites. Multiple studies 
of the same project component that each meet requirements in paragraphs 
(iii)(A), (B), and (C) of this definition may together satisfy this 
requirement.
    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:
    (i) A practice guide prepared by WWC reporting a ``strong evidence 
base'' or ``moderate evidence base'' for the corresponding practice 
guide recommendation;
    (ii) 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
    (iii) A single study assessed by the Department, as appropriate, 
that--
    (A) 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

[[Page 30713]]

    (B) 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 outcome(s) 
the key project component is designed to improve, consistent with the 
specific goals of the program.
    Strong evidence means that there is evidence of the effectiveness 
of a key project component in improving a relevant outcome for a sample 
that overlaps with the populations and settings proposed to receive 
that component, based on a relevant finding from one of the following:
    (i) A practice guide prepared by the WWC using version 2.1 or 3.0 
of the WWC Handbook reporting a ``strong evidence base'' for the 
corresponding practice guide recommendation;
    (ii) An intervention report prepared by the WWC using version 2.1 
or 3.0 of the WWC Handbook reporting a ``positive effect'' on a 
relevant outcome based on a ``medium to large'' extent of evidence, 
with no reporting of a ``negative effect'' or ``potentially negative 
effect'' on a relevant outcome; or
    (iii) A single experimental study reviewed and reported by the WWC 
using version 2.1 or 3.0 of the WWC Handbook, or otherwise assessed by 
the Department using version 2.1 or 3.0 of the WWC Handbook, as 
appropriate, and that--
    (A) Meets WWC standards without reservations;
    (B) Includes at least one statistically significant and positive 
(i.e., favorable) effect on a relevant outcome;
    (C) Includes no overriding statistically significant and negative 
effects on relevant outcomes reported in the study or in a 
corresponding WWC intervention report prepared under version 2.1 or 3.0 
of the WWC Handbook; and
    (D) Is based on a sample from more than one site (e.g., State, 
county, city, school district, or postsecondary campus) and includes at 
least 350 students or other individuals across sites. Multiple studies 
of the same project component that each meet requirements in paragraphs 
(iii)(A), (B), and (C) of this definition may together satisfy this 
requirement.
    What Works Clearinghouse Handbook (WWC Handbook) means the 
standards and procedures set forth in the WWC Procedures and Standards 
Handbook, Version 2.1 or 3.0 (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 (APA) (5 U.S.C. 553) the Department generally offers interested 
parties the opportunity to comment on proposed priorities. Section 
681(d) of IDEA, however, makes the public comment requirements of the 
APA inapplicable to the priority in this notice.
    Program Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1474 and 1481.
    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.

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


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

II. Award Information

    Type of Award: Cooperative agreement.
    Estimated Available Funds: $1,450,000.
    Contingent upon the availability of funds and the quality of 
applications, we may make additional awards in FY 2019 from the list of 
unfunded applications from this competition.
    Maximum Award: We will not make an award exceeding $1,450,000 for a 
single budget period of 12 months.
    Estimated Number of Awards: 1.

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

    Project Period: Up to 60 months.

III. Eligibility Information

    1. Eligible Applicants: SEAs; State lead agencies under Part C of 
the IDEA; LEAs, including charter schools that are considered LEAs 
under State law; IHEs; other public agencies; private nonprofit 
organizations; freely associated States and outlying areas; Indian 
Tribes or Tribal organizations; and for-profit organizations.
    2. Cost Sharing or Matching: This program does not require cost 
sharing or matching.
    3. Subgrantees: Under 34 CFR 75.708(b) and (c) a grantee under this 
competition may award subgrants--to directly carry out project 
activities described in its application--to the following types of 
entities: IHEs and private nonprofit organizations suitable to carry 
out the activities proposed in the application. The grantee may award 
subgrants to entities it has identified in an approved application.
    4. Other General Requirements:
    (a) Recipients of funding under this competition must make positive 
efforts to employ and advance in employment qualified individuals with 
disabilities (see section 606 of IDEA).
    (b) Applicants for, and recipients of, funding must, with respect 
to the aspects of their proposed project relating to the absolute 
priority, involve individuals with disabilities, or parents of 
individuals with disabilities ages birth through 26, in planning, 
implementing, and evaluating the project (see section 682(a)(1)(A) of 
IDEA).

IV. Application and Submission Information

    1. Application Submission Instructions: 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. Intergovernmental Review: This competition is subject to 
Executive Order 12372 and the regulations in 34 CFR part 79. 
Information about Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs under 
Executive Order 12372 is in the application package for this 
competition.
    3. Funding Restrictions: We reference regulations outlining funding 
restrictions in the Applicable Regulations section of this notice.
    4. Recommended Page Limit: The application narrative (Part III of 
the

[[Page 30714]]

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 70 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, reference citations, and captions, as well as 
all text in charts, tables, figures, graphs, and screen shots.
     Use a font that is 12 point or larger.
     Use one of the following fonts: Times New Roman, Courier, 
Courier New, or Arial.
    The recommended page limit does not apply to Part I, the cover 
sheet; Part II, the budget section, including the narrative budget 
justification; Part IV, the assurances and certifications; or the 
abstract (follow the guidance provided in the application package for 
completing the abstract), the table of contents, the list of priority 
requirements, the resumes, the reference list, the letters of support, 
or the appendices. However, the recommended page limit does apply to 
all of the application narrative, including all text in charts, tables, 
figures, graphs, and screen shots.

V. Application Review Information

    1. Selection Criteria: The selection criteria for this competition 
are from 34 CFR 75.210 and are as follows:
    (a) Significance (10 points).
    (1) The Secretary considers the significance of the proposed 
project.
    (2) In determining the significance of the proposed project, the 
Secretary considers the following factors:
    (i) The extent to which specific gaps or weaknesses in services, 
infrastructure, or opportunities have been identified and will be 
addressed by the proposed project, including the nature and magnitude 
of those gaps or weaknesses;
    (ii) The potential contribution of the proposed project to the 
development and advancement of theory, knowledge, and practices in the 
field of study; and
    (iii) The extent to which the proposed project is likely to build 
local capacity to provide, improve, or expand services that address the 
needs of the target population.
    (b) Quality of project services (35 points).
    (1) The Secretary considers the quality of the services to be 
provided by the proposed project.
    (2) In determining the quality of the services to be provided by 
the proposed project, the Secretary considers the quality and 
sufficiency of strategies for ensuring equal access and treatment for 
eligible project participants who are members of groups that have 
traditionally been underrepresented based on race, color, national 
origin, gender, age, or disability.
    (3) In addition, the Secretary considers the following factors:
    (i) The extent to which the goals, objectives, and outcomes to be 
achieved by the proposed project are clearly specified and measurable;
    (ii) The extent to which there is a conceptual framework underlying 
the proposed research or demonstration activities and the quality of 
that framework;
    (iii) The extent to which the services to be provided by the 
proposed project reflect up-to-date knowledge from research and 
effective practice;
    (iv) The extent to which the design of the proposed project 
includes a thorough, high-quality review of the relevant literature, a 
high-quality plan for project implementation, and the use of 
appropriate methodological tools to ensure successful achievement of 
project objectives; and
    (v) 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.
    (c) Quality of the project evaluation (15 points).
    (1) The Secretary considers the quality of the evaluation to be 
conducted of the proposed project.
    (2) In determining the quality of the evaluation, the Secretary 
considers the following factors:
    (i) The extent to which the methods of evaluation are thorough, 
feasible, and appropriate to the goals, objectives, and outcomes of the 
proposed project;
    (ii) The extent to which the methods of evaluation provide for 
examining the effectiveness of project implementation strategies;
    (iii) The extent to which the methods of evaluation will provide 
performance feedback and permit periodic assessment of progress toward 
achieving intended outcomes; and
    (iv) The extent to which the methods of evaluation include the use 
of objective performance measures that are clearly related to intended 
outcomes of the project and will produce quantitative and qualitative 
data to the extent possible.
    (d) Adequacy of resources and quality of project personnel (20 
points).
    (1) The Secretary considers the adequacy of resources for the 
proposed project.
    (2) In determining the, the Secretary considers the extent to which 
the applicant encourages applications for employment from persons who 
are members of groups that have traditionally been underrepresented 
based on race, color, national origin, gender, age, or disability.
    (3) In determining the adequacy of resources and quality of project 
personnel for the proposed project, the Secretary considers one or more 
of the following factors:
    (i) The qualifications, including relevant training and experience, 
of the project director or principal investigator;
    (ii) The qualifications, including relevant training and 
experience, of key project personnel;
    (iii) The adequacy of support, including facilities, equipment, 
supplies, and other resources, from the applicant organization or the 
lead applicant organization;
    (iv) The relevance and demonstrated commitment of each partner in 
the proposed project to the implementation and success of the project; 
and
    (v) The extent to which the costs are reasonable in relation to the 
objectives, design, and potential significance of the proposed project.
    (e) Quality of the management plan (20 points).
    (1) The Secretary considers the quality of the management plan for 
the proposed project.
    (2) In determining the quality of the management plan for the 
proposed project, the Secretary considers the following factors:
    (i) The adequacy of the management plan to achieve the objectives 
of the proposed project on time and within budget, including clearly 
defined responsibilities, timelines, and milestones for accomplishing 
project tasks;
    (ii) The extent to which the time commitments of the project 
director and principal investigator and other key project personnel are 
appropriate and adequate to meet the objectives of the proposed 
project;
    (iii) The adequacy of mechanisms for ensuring high-quality products 
and services from the proposed project; and
    (iv) 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

[[Page 30715]]

beneficiaries of services, or others, as appropriate.
    2. Review and Selection Process: We remind potential applicants 
that in reviewing applications in any discretionary grant competition, 
the Secretary may consider, under 34 CFR 75.217(d)(3), the past 
performance of the applicant in carrying out a previous award, such as 
the applicant's use of funds, achievement of project objectives, and 
compliance with grant conditions. The Secretary may also consider 
whether the applicant failed to submit a timely performance report or 
submitted a report of unacceptable quality.
    In addition, in making a competitive grant award, the Secretary 
requires various assurances, including those applicable to Federal 
civil rights laws that prohibit discrimination in programs or 
activities receiving Federal financial assistance from the Department 
(34 CFR 100.4, 104.5, 106.4, 108.8, and 110.23).
    3. Additional Review and Selection Process Factors: In the past, 
the Department has had difficulty finding peer reviewers for certain 
competitions because so many individuals who are eligible to serve as 
peer reviewers have conflicts of interest. The standing panel 
requirements under section 682(b) of IDEA also have placed additional 
constraints on the availability of reviewers. Therefore, the Department 
has determined that for some discretionary grant competitions, 
applications may be separated into two or more groups and ranked and 
selected for funding within specific groups. This procedure will make 
it easier for the Department to find peer reviewers by ensuring that 
greater numbers of individuals who are eligible to serve as reviewers 
for any particular group of applicants will not have conflicts of 
interest. It also will increase the quality, independence, and fairness 
of the review process, while permitting panel members to review 
applications under discretionary grant competitions for which they also 
have submitted applications.
    4. 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.
    5. Integrity and Performance System: If you are selected under this 
competition to receive an award that over the course of the project 
period may exceed the simplified acquisition threshold (currently 
$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).
    (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: Under the Government Performance and 
Results Act of 1993 (GPRA), the Department has established a set of 
performance measures, including long-term measures, that are designed 
to yield information on various aspects of the effectiveness and 
quality of the Educational Technology, Media, and Materials for 
Individuals with Disabilities program. These measures are:
     Program Performance Measure #1: The percentage of 
Educational Technology, Media, and Materials Program products and 
services judged to be of high quality by an independent review panel of 
experts qualified to review the substantial content of the products and 
services;
     Program Performance Measure #2: The percentage of 
Educational Technology, Media, and Materials Program products and 
services judged to

[[Page 30716]]

be of high relevance to improving outcomes for infants, toddlers, 
children and youth with disabilities;
     Program Performance Measure #3: The percentage of 
Educational Technology, Media, and Materials Program products and 
services judged to be of useful in improving results for infants, 
toddler, children and youth with disabilities;
     Program Performance Measure #4.1: The federal cost per 
unit of accessible educational materials funded by the Educational 
Technology, Media, and Materials Program;
     Program Performance Measure #4.2: The federal cost per 
unit of accessible educational materials from the National 
Instructional Materials Accessibility Center funded by the Educational 
Technology, Media, and Materials Program; and
     Program Performance Measure #4.3: The federal cost per 
unit of video description funded by the Educational Technology, Media, 
and Materials Program.
    Projects funded under this competition are required to submit data 
on these measures as directed by OSEP.
    Grantees will be required to report information on their project's 
performance in annual performance reports and additional performance 
data to the Department (34 CFR 75.590 and 75.591).
    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) by contacting 
the Management Support Services Team, U.S. Department of Education, 400 
Maryland Avenue SW, Room 5113, Potomac Center Plaza, Washington, DC 
20202-2500. Telephone: (202) 245-7363. If you use a TDD or a TTY, call 
the FRS, toll free, at 1-800-877-8339.
    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 26, 2018.
Johnny W. Collett,
Assistant Secretary for Special Education and Rehabilitative Services.
[FR Doc. 2018-14083 Filed 6-28-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4000-01-P



                                                30708                           Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 126 / Friday, June 29, 2018 / Notices

                                                BOR’s draft and final environmental                     providing both organizations with a                    DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
                                                documents, go to this web address:                      comprehensive list of U.S. commercial
                                                http://www.spk.usace.army.mil/Media/                    shipyards and their capabilities and                   Applications for New Awards;
                                                USACE-Project-Public-Notices/. No                       capacities. These shipyards play a                     Educational Technology, Media, and
                                                supplemental environmental documents                    crucial role in national defense, the                  Materials for Individuals With
                                                for review are anticipated.                             economy and the U.S. transportation                    Disabilities—Center on Early Science,
                                                  Dated: June 14, 2018.                                 infrastructure and as such, are of                     Technology, Engineering, and Math
                                                                                                        considerable interest to the U.S.                      Learning for Young Children With
                                                David G. Ray,
                                                                                                        Government. The data collected is used                 Disabilities
                                                Colonel, U.S. Army, District Commander.
                                                [FR Doc. 2018–13670 Filed 6–28–18; 8:45 am]             to assess the capabilities and capacities              AGENCY:  Office of Special Education and
                                                BILLING CODE 3720–58–P                                  of U.S. commercial shipyards in the                    Rehabilitative Services, Department of
                                                                                                        areas of ship repair and ship                          Education.
                                                                                                        construction. The data is also used to                 ACTION: Notice.
                                                DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE                                   monitor employment numbers for labor
                                                                                                        forecasting for future build projects as               SUMMARY:   The Department of Education
                                                Department of the Navy                                  well as providing information on the                   (Department) is issuing a notice inviting
                                                                                                        ability to raise labor to meet national                applications for a new award for fiscal
                                                [Docket ID USN–2018–HQ–0007]
                                                                                                                                                               year (FY) 2018 for Educational
                                                                                                        industrial mobilization requirements
                                                Submission for OMB Review;                                                                                     Technology, Media, and Materials for
                                                                                                        during times of national emergency. The
                                                Comment Request                                                                                                Individuals with Disabilities—Center on
                                                                                                        data collected is the main source of
                                                                                                                                                               Early Science, Technology, Engineering,
                                                AGENCY:    Department of the Navy, DoD.                 information on these shipyards and is                  and Math Learning for Young Children
                                                ACTION:   30-Day information collection                 used to these ends.                                    with Disabilities, Catalog of Federal
                                                notice.                                                   Affected Public: Business or other for-              Domestic Assistance (CFDA) number
                                                                                                        profit.                                                84.327G.
                                                SUMMARY:    The Department of Defense
                                                has submitted to OMB for clearance the                    Frequency: Annually.                                 DATES:
                                                                                                          Respondent’s Obligation: Voluntary.                     Applications Available: June 29, 2018.
                                                following proposal for collection of
                                                                                                                                                                  Deadline for Transmittal of
                                                information under the provisions of the                   OMB Desk Officer: Ms. Jasmeet                        Applications: July 30, 2018.
                                                Paperwork Reduction Act.                                Seehra.                                                ADDRESSES: For the addresses for
                                                DATES: Consideration will be given to all
                                                                                                          You may also submit comments and                     obtaining and submitting an
                                                comments received by July 30, 2018.                                                                            application, please refer to our Common
                                                                                                        recommendations, identified by Docket
                                                ADDRESSES: Comments and                                 ID number and title, by the following                  Instructions for Applicants to
                                                recommendations on the proposed                         method:                                                Department of Education Discretionary
                                                information collection should be                                                                               Grant Programs, published in the
                                                emailed to Ms. Jasmeet Seehra, DoD                        • Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://
                                                                                                                                                               Federal Register on February 12, 2018
                                                Desk Officer, at oira_submission@                       www.regulations.gov. Follow the
                                                                                                                                                               (83 FR 6003) and available at
                                                omb.eop.gov. Please identify the                        instructions for submitting comments.
                                                                                                                                                               www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2018-02-12/
                                                proposed information collection by DoD                     Instructions: All submissions received              pdf/2018-02558.pdf.
                                                Desk Officer, Docket ID number, and                     must include the agency name, Docket                   FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
                                                title of the information collection.                    ID number, and title for this Federal                  Dawn Ellis, U.S. Department of
                                                FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Fred                   Register document. The general policy                  Education, 400 Maryland Avenue SW,
                                                Licari, 571–372–0493, or whs.mc-                        for comments and other submissions                     Room 5137, Potomac Center Plaza,
                                                alex.esd.mbx.dd-dod-information-                        from members of the public is to make                  Washington, DC 20202–5108.
                                                collections@mail.mil.                                   these submissions available for public                 Telephone: (202) 245–6417. Email:
                                                SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:                              viewing on the internet at http://                     dawn.ellis@ed.gov.
                                                   Title; Associated Form; and OMB                      www.regulations.gov as they are                           If you use a telecommunications
                                                Number: Facilities Available for the                    received without change, including any                 device for the deaf (TDD) or a text
                                                Construction or Repair of Ships;                        personal identifiers or contact                        telephone (TTY), call the Federal Relay
                                                Standard Form 17; OMB Control                           information.                                           Service (FRS), toll free, at 1–800–877–
                                                Number 0703–0006.                                                                                              8339.
                                                   Type of Request: Extension.                            DoD Clearance Officer: Mr. Frederick
                                                                                                        Licari.                                                SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
                                                   Number of Respondents: 200.
                                                   Responses per Respondent: 1.                           Requests for copies of the information               Full Text of Announcement
                                                   Annual Responses: 200.                               collection proposal should be sent to
                                                   Average Burden per Response: 4                                                                              I. Funding Opportunity Description
                                                                                                        Mr. Licari at whs.mc-alex.esd.mbx.dd-
                                                hours.                                                  dod-information-collections@mail.mil.                     Purpose of Program: The purposes of
                                                   Annual Burden Hours: 800.                                                                                   the Educational Technology, Media, and
                                                   Needs and Uses: This information                       Dated: June 21, 2018.                                Materials for Individuals with
                                                collection is part of a joint effort                    Shelly E. Finke,                                       Disabilities Program are to: (1) Improve
                                                between the Naval Sea Systems                                                                                  results for students with disabilities by
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES




                                                                                                        Alternate OSD Federal Register, Liaison
                                                Command (NAVSEA) and the U.S.                           Officer, Department of Defense.                        promoting the development,
                                                Maritime Administration (MARAD), to                     [FR Doc. 2018–13771 Filed 6–28–18; 8:45 am]            demonstration, and use of technology;
                                                maintain a working data set on active                   BILLING CODE 5001–06–P
                                                                                                                                                               (2) support educational activities
                                                U.S. Shipyards. The information                                                                                designed to be of educational value in
                                                collected is required by the Merchant                                                                          the classroom for students with
                                                Start Printed Page 68409 Marine Act of                                                                         disabilities; (3) provide support for
                                                1936 as amended and is critical in                                                                             captioning and video description that is


                                           VerDate Sep<11>2014   17:58 Jun 28, 2018   Jkt 244001   PO 00000   Frm 00026   Fmt 4703   Sfmt 4703   E:\FR\FM\29JNN1.SGM   29JNN1


                                                                                Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 126 / Friday, June 29, 2018 / Notices                                           30709

                                                appropriate for use in the classroom;                   skills to physically engage with objects,              computer science learning for young
                                                and (4) provide accessible educational                  have the mobility to participate in                    children with disabilities;
                                                materials to students with disabilities in              experiments, or use different senses to                   (b) Increased use by early childhood
                                                a timely manner.                                        explore how something works. STEM                      programs, providers, and families of the
                                                   Priority: In accordance with 34 CFR                  activities also typically require children             current EBPs in early STEM learning for
                                                75.105(b)(2)(v), this priority is from                  to ask questions, have focused attention,              young children with disabilities; and
                                                allowable activities specified in the                   and solve problems. All of these may                      (c) Increased awareness by faculty in
                                                statute (see sections 674(b)(2) and                     pose challenges for some young                         IHEs of the current EBPs in early STEM
                                                681(d) of the Individuals with                          children with disabilities. Yet the                    learning for young children with
                                                Disabilities Education Act (IDEA); 20                   hands-on approach and active                           disabilities and increased focus on early
                                                U.S.C. 1474(b) and 1481(d)).                            engagement needed for STEM learning                    STEM learning within programs of
                                                   Absolute Priority: For FY 2018 and                   is an ideal way for young children with                study within IHEs.
                                                any subsequent year in which we make                    disabilities to develop skills and achieve                In addition to these programmatic
                                                awards from the list of unfunded                        goals within their individualized family               requirements, to be considered for
                                                applications from this competition, this                service plans (IFSPs) or individualized                funding under this priority, applicants
                                                priority is an absolute priority. Under 34              education programs (IEPs). Identifying                 must meet the application and
                                                CFR 75.105(c)(3), we consider only                      best practices in providing STEM                       administrative requirements in this
                                                applications that meet this priority.                   learning to young children with                        priority, which are:
                                                   This priority is:                                    disabilities, including through the use of                (a) Demonstrate, in the narrative
                                                   Center on Early Science, Technology,                 technology, would help maximize the                    section of the application under
                                                Engineering, and Math Learning for                      benefits to them.                                      ‘‘Significance,’’ how the proposed
                                                Young Children with Disabilities.                          To ensure that young children with                  project will—
                                                Background                                              disabilities can engage in and benefit                    (1) Address the need in the field for
                                                  The mission of the Office of Special                  from STEM learning, this priority will                 knowledge about early STEM learning
                                                Education and Rehabilitative Services                   fund a cooperative agreement to                        for young children with disabilities and
                                                (OSERS) is to improve early childhood,                  establish and operate a Center on Early                their families. To meet this requirement
                                                educational, and employment outcomes                    STEM Learning for Young Children                       the applicant must—
                                                and raise expectations for all people                   with Disabilities (the Center). The                       (i) Demonstrate knowledge of the
                                                with disabilities, their families, their                Center will assemble a body of                         current and emerging EBPs in early
                                                communities, and the Nation.                            knowledge on the practices and                         STEM learning for all young children,
                                                  As early as infancy, young children                   supports, including the use of                         and specifically around using
                                                start developing and testing hypotheses                 technology, necessary to improve STEM                  technology to improve access to early
                                                about how things work. These inquiry-                   learning for young children with                       STEM learning for young children with
                                                based skills and the quest for                          disabilities. The Center will also                     disabilities and their families; and
                                                understanding form the foundation for                   disseminate these practices and                           (ii) Demonstrate knowledge of current
                                                early science, technology, engineering,                 supports to early childhood programs,                  educational and policy issues and
                                                and math (STEM) learning. Research                      administrators, providers, families of                 national initiatives relating to early
                                                shows that early exposure to STEM                       children with disabilities, and                        STEM learning for all young children
                                                learning has positive impacts across                    institutions of higher education (IHEs).               and their families, and specifically for
                                                developmental domains and can                              This priority is consistent with three              young children with disabilities and
                                                positively impact later learning and                    priorities from the Secretary’s Final                  their families;
                                                academic performance (Duncan et al.,                    Supplemental Priorities and Definitions                   (2) Address current and emerging
                                                2007; Mantzicopoulos, Patrick, &                        for Discretionary Grant Programs, which                capacity needs of early childhood
                                                Samarapungavan, 2008).                                  were published in the Federal Register                 programs, providers, and families to
                                                  Because of these impacts, experts                     on March 2, 2018 (83 FR 9096): Priority                select and implement current EBPs that
                                                have recommended that early childhood                   5—Meeting the Unique Needs of                          will improve early STEM learning for
                                                programs intentionally integrate STEM                   Students and Children With Disabilities                young children with disabilities,
                                                learning into the curricula and that it be              and/or Those With Unique Gifts and                     including using technology to improve
                                                considered an essential component of a                  Talents; Priority 6—Promoting Science,                 their access to early STEM learning
                                                high-quality early childhood experience                 Technology, Engineering, or Math                       activities. To meet this requirement, the
                                                (Brenneman, Stevenson-Boyd, & Frede,                    (STEM) Education, With a Particular                    applicant must—
                                                2009; National Research Council, 2009).                 Focus on Computer Science; and                            (i) Present information and data on
                                                While there have been recent efforts to                 Priority 8—Promoting Effective                         the current capacity of early childhood
                                                fund STEM initiatives for early                         Instruction in Classrooms and Schools.                 providers to effectively support early
                                                childhood, there has been a lack of                                                                            STEM learning in young children with
                                                                                                        Priority
                                                focus specifically on how to support                                                                           disabilities;
                                                STEM learning in infants, toddlers, and                   The purpose of this priority is to fund                 (ii) Present information and data on
                                                preschool children (young children)                     a cooperative agreement to establish and               how early STEM learning is included
                                                with disabilities.                                      operate a national Center on Early                     within personnel preparation programs;
                                                  This focus is necessary, however,                     Science, Technology, Engineering, and                     (iii) Demonstrate knowledge of the
                                                because young children with disabilities                Mathematics (STEM) Learning, for                       implementation supports (e.g.,
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                                                often require specialized supports to                   Young Children with Disabilities to                    professional development and training,
                                                engage in STEM learning, which can                      achieve, at a minimum, the following                   ongoing consultation and coaching,
                                                help young children achieve                             expected outcomes:                                     performance assessments, data systems
                                                developmental and educational                             (a) Increased body of knowledge of                   to support decision-making,
                                                outcomes under Parts C and B of the                     current evidence-based (as defined in                  administrative supports) that are needed
                                                IDEA. Many STEM activities require                      this notice) practices (EBPs) for early                to implement new practices within early
                                                children to use fine and gross motor                    STEM learning, including early                         childhood programs and services; and


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                                                30710                           Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 126 / Friday, June 29, 2018 / Notices

                                                   (iv) Demonstrate knowledge of how to                 requirement, the applicant must                        childhood programs and providers on
                                                educate, engage, and support families of                describe—                                              current EBPs on early STEM learning for
                                                young children with disabilities to                       (i) The current research on practices                young children with disabilities,
                                                implement early STEM learning                           to support early STEM learning for                     including: How to incorporate early
                                                activities;                                             young children with disabilities and the               STEM learning into IFSPs and IEPs to
                                                   (3) Improve the potential for early                  use of technology to improve access to                 achieve child outcomes identified on
                                                STEM outcomes for young children                        early STEM learning for young children                 the IFSP or IEP; how to use technology
                                                with disabilities and indicate the likely               with disabilities;                                     to increase opportunities for early STEM
                                                magnitude or importance of these                          (ii) The current research about adult                learning and deliver instruction or
                                                outcomes.                                               learning principles and implementation                 interventions that promote early STEM
                                                   (b) Demonstrate, in the narrative                    science or improvement science that                    learning; and how to work with families
                                                section of the application under                        will inform the proposed products; and                 to help promote early STEM learning
                                                ‘‘Quality of project services,’’ how the                  (iii) How the proposed project will                  with their child; and
                                                proposed project will—                                  incorporate current research and EBPs                    (C) Partnering with national
                                                   (1) Ensure equal access and treatment                in the development and delivery of its                 professional organizations, foundations,
                                                for members of groups that have                         products and services;                                 industry and research organizations and
                                                                                                          (5) Develop products and provide                     centers to disseminate information on
                                                traditionally been underrepresented
                                                                                                        services that are of high quality and                  how young children with disabilities
                                                based on race, color, national origin,
                                                                                                        sufficient intensity and duration to                   can be included in broader early STEM
                                                gender, age, or disability. To meet this
                                                                                                        achieve the intended outcomes of the                   research, policies, and practices,
                                                requirement, the applicant must
                                                                                                        proposed project. To address this
                                                describe how it will—                                                                                          including within new curricula and
                                                                                                        requirement, the applicant must
                                                   (i) Identify the needs of the intended                                                                      learning materials.
                                                                                                        describe—
                                                recipients for technical assistance (TA)                                                                         (iii) Its proposed approach to targeted,
                                                                                                          (i) How it proposes to identify or
                                                and information;                                                                                               specialized TA,2 which must identify
                                                                                                        develop the knowledge base on:
                                                   (ii) Ensure that services and products                 (A) EBPs on early STEM learning for                  the intended recipients, including the
                                                meet the needs of the intended                          young children with disabilities;                      type and number of recipients that will
                                                recipients of the grant;                                  (B) Use of technology to improve                     receive the products and services under
                                                   (iii) As appropriate, address the needs              access to early STEM learning for young                this approach; and
                                                of young children with disabilities who                 children with disabilities;                              (6) Develop products and implement
                                                are Native American or are dual                           (C) What young children should know                  services that maximize efficiency. To
                                                language learners (i.e., English is not the             or be able to do in early STEM at                      address this requirement, the applicant
                                                primary language spoken in the home);                   different ages;                                        must describe—
                                                and                                                       (D) Integration of early STEM learning                 (i) How the proposed project will use
                                                   (iv) As appropriate, address the needs               into IFSPs under Part C of the IDEA and                technology to achieve the intended
                                                of military-connected young children                    IEPs under Part B of the IDEA; and                     project outcomes;
                                                with disabilities;                                        (E) Implementation supports needed                     (ii) With whom the proposed project
                                                   (2) Achieve its goals, objectives, and               for early childhood programs and                       will collaborate and the intended
                                                intended outcomes. To meet this                         providers to have the capacity to                      outcomes of this collaboration; and
                                                requirement, the applicant must                         implement the early STEM learning                        (iii) How the proposed project will
                                                provide—                                                practices, and educate, engage, and                    use non-project resources to achieve the
                                                   (i) Measurable intended project                      support families of young children with                intended project outcomes.
                                                outcomes; and                                           disabilities in implementing                             (c) In the narrative section of the
                                                   (ii) In Appendix A, the logic model                  opportunities for early STEM learning.                 application under ‘‘Quality of the
                                                (as defined in this notice) by which the                  (ii) Its proposed approach to                        project evaluation,’’ include an
                                                proposed project will achieve its                       universal, general TA,1 which must                     evaluation plan for the project as
                                                intended outcomes that depicts, at a                    identify the intended recipients of the                described in the following paragraphs.
                                                minimum, the goals, activities, outputs,                products and services under this                       The evaluation plan must describe:
                                                and intended outcomes of the proposed                   approach and should include, at                        Measures of progress in
                                                project;                                                minimum, activities focused on—                        implementation, including the criteria
                                                                                                          (A) Developing and disseminating                     for determining the extent to which the
                                                   (3) Use a conceptual framework (and
                                                                                                        resources, materials, and tools for                    project’s products and services have met
                                                provide a copy in Appendix A to
                                                                                                        faculty at IHEs to embed current EBPs                  the goals for reaching its target
                                                develop project plans and activities,
                                                                                                        on early STEM learning for young                       population; measures of intended
                                                describing any underlying concepts,                     children with disabilities within
                                                assumptions, expectations, beliefs, or                                                                         outcomes or results of the project’s
                                                                                                        personnel preparation programs of                      activities in order to evaluate those
                                                theories, as well as the presumed                       study;
                                                relationships or linkages among these                                                                          activities; and how well the goals or
                                                                                                          (B) Developing and disseminating
                                                variables, and any empirical support for                resources, materials, and tools for early                 2 ‘‘Targeted, specialized TA’’ means TA services
                                                this framework;                                                                                                based on needs common to multiple recipients and
                                                   Note: The following websites provide                   1 ‘‘Universal, general TA’’ means TA and             not extensively individualized. A relationship is
                                                more information on logic models and                    information provided to independent users through      established between the TA recipient and one or
                                                conceptual frameworks:                                  their own initiative, resulting in minimal             more TA center staff. This category of TA includes
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                                                                                                        interaction with TA center staff and including one-    one-time, labor-intensive events, such as facilitating
                                                www.osepideasthatwork.org/logicModel                    time, invited or offered conference presentations by   strategic planning or hosting regional or national
                                                and www.osepideasthatwork.org/                          TA center staff. This category of TA also includes     conferences. It can also include episodic, less labor-
                                                resources-grantees/program-areas/ta-ta/                 information or products, such as newsletters,          intensive events that extend over a period of time,
                                                tad-project-logic-model-and-conceptual-                 guidebooks, or research syntheses, downloaded          such as facilitating a series of conference calls on
                                                                                                        from the TA center’s website by independent users.     single or multiple topics that are designed around
                                                framework.                                              Brief communications by TA center staff with           the needs of the recipients. Facilitating
                                                   (4) Be based on current research and                 recipients, either by telephone or email, are also     communities of practice can also be considered
                                                make use of EBPs. To meet this                          considered universal, general TA.                      targeted, specialized TA.



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                                                                                Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 126 / Friday, June 29, 2018 / Notices                                             30711

                                                objectives of the proposed project, as                  with the assistance of CIP3, as needed,                   (1) Include, in Appendix A,
                                                described in its logic model, have been                 to specify the performance measures to                 providers-loading charts and timelines,
                                                met.                                                    be addressed in the project’s Annual                   as applicable, to illustrate the
                                                   The applicant must provide an                        Performance Report;                                    management plan described in the
                                                assurance that, in designing the                           (2) Cooperate with CIP3 staff in order              narrative;
                                                evaluation plan, it will—                               to accomplish the tasks described in                      (2) Include, in the budget, attendance
                                                   (1) Designate, with the approval of the              paragraph (1) of this section; and                     at the following:
                                                OSEP project officer, a project liaison                    (3) Dedicate sufficient funds in each                  (i) A one and one-half day kick-off
                                                staff person with sufficient dedicated                  budget year to cover the costs of                      meeting in Washington, DC, after receipt
                                                time, experience in evaluation, and                     carrying out the tasks described in                    of the award, and an annual planning
                                                knowledge of the project to work in                     paragraphs (1) and (2) of this section                 meeting in Washington, DC, with the
                                                collaboration with the Center to                        and implementing the evaluation plan.                  OSEP project officer and other relevant
                                                Improve Program and Project                                (d) Demonstrate, in the narrative                   staff during each subsequent year of the
                                                Performance (CIP3),3 the project                        section of the application under                       project period.
                                                director, and the OSEP project officer on               ‘‘Adequacy of resources and quality of                    Note: Within 30 days of receipt of the
                                                the following tasks:                                    project personnel,’’ how—                              award, a post-award teleconference
                                                   (i) Revise, as needed, the logic model                  (1) The proposed project will                       must be held between the OSEP project
                                                submitted in the grant application to                   encourage applications for employment                  officer and the grantee’s project director
                                                provide for a more comprehensive                        from persons who are members of                        or other authorized representative;
                                                measurement of implementation and                       groups that have traditionally been                       (ii) A two and one-half day project
                                                outcomes and to reflect any changes or                  underrepresented based on race, color,                 directors’ conference in Washington,
                                                clarifications to the model discussed at                national origin, gender, age, or                       DC, during each year of the project
                                                the kick-off meeting;                                   disability, as appropriate;                            period;
                                                   (ii) Refine the evaluation design and                   (2) The proposed key project                           (iii) Three trips annually to attend
                                                instrumentation proposed in the grant                   providers, consultants, and                            Department briefings, Department-
                                                application consistent with the logic                   subcontractors have the qualifications                 sponsored conferences, and other
                                                model (e.g., prepare evaluation                         and experience to carry out the                        meetings, as requested by OSEP; and
                                                questions about significant program                     proposed activities and achieve the                       (iv) A one-day intensive 3+2 review
                                                processes and outcomes, develop                         project’s intended outcomes;                           meeting in Washington, DC, during the
                                                quantitative or qualitative data                           (3) The applicant and any key                       last half of the second year of the project
                                                collections that permit both the                        partners have adequate resources to                    period;
                                                collection of progress data, including                  carry out the proposed activities; and                    (3) Include, in the budget, a line item
                                                fidelity of implementation, as                             (4) The proposed costs are reasonable               for an annual set-aside of five percent of
                                                appropriate, and the assessment of                      in relation to the anticipated results and             the grant amount to support emerging
                                                project outcomes; and identify analytic                 benefits.                                              needs that are consistent with the
                                                strategies); and                                           (e) Demonstrate, in the narrative                   proposed project’s intended outcomes,
                                                   (iii) Revise, as needed, the evaluation              section of the application under                       as those needs are identified in
                                                plan submitted in the grant application                 ‘‘Quality of the management plan,’’                    consultation with, and approved by, the
                                                such that it clearly—                                   how—                                                   OSEP project officer.
                                                   (A) Specifies the measures and                          (1) The proposed management plan                       Note: With approval from the OSEP
                                                associated instruments or sources for                   will ensure that the project’s intended                project officer, the project must
                                                data appropriate to the evaluation                      outcomes will be achieved on time and                  reallocate any remaining funds from this
                                                questions, suggests analytic strategies                 within budget. To address this                         annual set-aside no later than the end of
                                                for those data, provides a timeline for                 requirement, the applicant must                        the third quarter of each budget period;
                                                conducting the evaluation, and includes                 describe—                                                 (4) Describe how doctoral students or
                                                staff assignments for completion of the                    (i) Clearly defined responsibilities for            post-doctoral fellows will be engaged in
                                                plan;                                                   key project providers, consultants, and                the project to increase the number of
                                                   (B) Delineates the data expected to be               subcontractors, as applicable; and                     future leaders in the field who are
                                                                                                           (ii) Timelines and milestones for                   knowledgeable about early STEM
                                                available by the end of the second
                                                                                                        accomplishing the project tasks;                       learning for young children with
                                                project year for use during the project’s
                                                                                                           (2) Key project personnel and any                   disabilities, including the use of
                                                evaluation (3+2 review) for continued
                                                                                                        consultants and subcontractors, and                    technology to increase access to early
                                                funding described under the heading
                                                                                                        how these allocations are appropriate                  STEM learning; and
                                                Fourth and Fifth Years of the Project;
                                                                                                        and adequate to achieve the project’s                     (5) Maintain a high-quality website,
                                                and
                                                                                                        intended outcomes;                                     with an easy-to-navigate design, that
                                                   (C) Can be used to assist the project                   (3) The proposed management plan                    meets government or industry-
                                                director and the OSEP project officer,                  will ensure that the products and                      recognized standards for accessibility.
                                                  3 The major tasks of CIP3 are to guide, coordinate,
                                                                                                        services provided are of high quality,                    (6) Include, in Appendix A, an
                                                and oversee the design of formative evaluations for     relevant, and useful to recipients; and                assurance that the project will assist
                                                every large discretionary investment (i.e., those          (4) The proposed project will benefit               OSEP with the transfer of pertinent
                                                awarded $500,000 or more per year and required to       from a diversity of perspectives,                      resources and products and will
                                                participate in the 3+2 process) in OSEP’s Technical
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                                                                                                        including those of researchers, faculty,               maintain the continuity of services
                                                Assistance and Dissemination; Personnel
                                                Development; Parent Training and Information            early childhood administrators,                        during the transition at the end of this
                                                Centers; and Educational Technology, Media, and         providers across different types of early              award period, as appropriate.
                                                Materials programs. The efforts of CIP3 are expected    childhood programs, families, and
                                                to enhance individual project evaluation plans by       policy makers, among others, in its                    Fourth and Fifth Years of the Project
                                                providing expert and unbiased TA in designing the
                                                evaluations with due consideration of the project’s     development and operation.                                In deciding whether to continue
                                                budget. CIP3 does not function as a third-party            (f) Address the following application               funding the project for the fourth and
                                                evaluator.                                              requirements. The applicant must—                      fifth years, the Secretary will consider


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                                                30712                           Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 126 / Friday, June 29, 2018 / Notices

                                                the requirements of 34 CFR 75.253(a), as                to either a treatment group receiving a                or ‘‘potentially negative effect’’ on a
                                                well as—                                                project component or a control group                   relevant outcome; or
                                                   (a) The recommendation of a 3+2                      that does not. Randomized controlled                      (iii) A single experimental study or
                                                review team consisting of experts                       trials, regression discontinuity design                quasi-experimental design study
                                                selected by the Secretary. This review                  studies, and single-case design studies                reviewed and reported by the WWC
                                                will be conducted during a one-day                      are the specific types of experimental                 using version 2.1 or 3.0 of the WWC
                                                intensive meeting that will be held                     studies that, depending on their design                Handbook, or otherwise assessed by the
                                                during the last half of the second year                 and implementation (e.g., sample                       Department using version 2.1 or 3.0 of
                                                of the project period;                                  attrition in randomized controlled trials              the WWC Handbook, as appropriate,
                                                   (b) The timeliness with which, and                   and regression discontinuity design                    and that—
                                                how well, the requirements of the                       studies), can meet What Works                             (A) Meets WWC standards with or
                                                negotiated cooperative agreement have                   Clearinghouse (WWC) standards                          without reservations;
                                                been or are being met by the project; and               without reservations as described in the                  (B) Includes at least one statistically
                                                   (c) The quality, relevance, and                      WWC Handbook:                                          significant and positive (i.e., favorable)
                                                usefulness of the project’s products and                   (i) A randomized controlled trial                   effect on a relevant outcome;
                                                services and the extent to which the                    employs random assignment of, for                         (C) Includes no overriding statistically
                                                project’s products and services are                     example, students, teachers, classrooms,               significant and negative effects on
                                                aligned with the project’s objectives and               or schools to receive the project                      relevant outcomes reported in the study
                                                likely to result in the project achieving               component being evaluated (the                         or in a corresponding WWC
                                                its intended outcomes.                                  treatment group) or not to receive the                 intervention report prepared under
                                                References                                              project component (the control group).                 version 2.1 or 3.0 of the WWC
                                                                                                           (ii) A regression discontinuity design              Handbook; and
                                                Brenneman, K., Stevenson-Boyd, J., & Frede,
                                                                                                        study assigns the project component                       (D) Is based on a sample from more
                                                    E. (2009). Mathematics and science in
                                                    preschool: Policies and practice. NIEER             being evaluated using a measured                       than one site (e.g., State, county, city,
                                                    Policy Brief (Issue 19). Available from             variable (e.g., assigning students reading             school district, or postsecondary
                                                    http://nieer.org/wp-content/uploads/                below a cutoff score to tutoring or                    campus) and includes at least 350
                                                    2016/08/MathSciencePolicy                           developmental education classes) and                   students or other individuals across
                                                    Brief0309.pdf.                                      controls for that variable in the analysis             sites. Multiple studies of the same
                                                Duncan, G. J., Dowsett, C. J., Claessens, A.,           of outcomes.                                           project component that each meet
                                                    Magnuson, K., Huston, A., Klebanov,                    (iii) A single-case design study uses               requirements in paragraphs (iii)(A), (B),
                                                    P.,... Japel, C. (2007). School readiness
                                                                                                        observations of a single case (e.g., a                 and (C) of this definition may together
                                                    and later achievement. Developmental
                                                    Psychology, 43(6), 1428–1446.                       student eligible for a behavioral                      satisfy this requirement.
                                                Mantzicopoulos, P., Patrick, H., &                      intervention) over time in the absence                    Project component means an activity,
                                                    Samarapungavan, A. (2008). Young                    and presence of a controlled treatment                 strategy, intervention, process, product,
                                                    children’s motivational beliefs about               manipulation to determine whether the                  practice, or policy included in a project.
                                                    learning science. Early Childhood                   outcome is systematically related to the               Evidence may pertain to an individual
                                                    Research Quarterly, 23(3), 378–394.                 treatment.                                             project component or to a combination
                                                    Available from www.researchgate.net/                   Logic model (also referred to as a                  of project components (e.g., training
                                                    profile/Panayota_Mantzicopoulos/                    theory of action) means a framework                    teachers on instructional practices for
                                                    publication/222704499_Young_
                                                    children%27s_motivational_beliefs_
                                                                                                        that identifies key project components                 English learners and follow-on coaching
                                                    about_learning_science/links/0c96052                of the proposed project (i.e., the active              for these teachers).
                                                    65240e6d71b000000/Young-childrens-                  ‘‘ingredients’’ that are hypothesized to                  Promising evidence means that there
                                                    motivational-beliefs-about-learning-                be critical to achieving the relevant                  is evidence of the effectiveness of a key
                                                    science.pdf.                                        outcomes) and describes the theoretical                project component in improving a
                                                National Research Council. (2009).                      and operational relationships among the                relevant outcome, based on a relevant
                                                    Mathematics learning in early childhood:            key project components and relevant                    finding from one of the following:
                                                    Paths toward excellence and equity.                 outcomes.                                                 (i) A practice guide prepared by WWC
                                                    Washington, DC: The National
                                                                                                           Moderate evidence means that there is               reporting a ‘‘strong evidence base’’ or
                                                    Academies Press.
                                                                                                        evidence of effectiveness of a key                     ‘‘moderate evidence base’’ for the
                                                Definitions                                             project component in improving a                       corresponding practice guide
                                                  The following definitions are from 34                 relevant outcome for a sample that                     recommendation;
                                                CFR 77.1:                                               overlaps with the populations or                          (ii) An intervention report prepared
                                                  Demonstrates a rationale means a key                  settings proposed to receive that                      by the WWC reporting a ‘‘positive
                                                project component included in the                       component, based on a relevant finding                 effect’’ or ‘‘potentially positive effect’’
                                                project’s logic model is informed by                    from one of the following:                             on a relevant outcome with no reporting
                                                research or evaluation findings that                       (i) A practice guide prepared by the                of a ‘‘negative effect’’ or ‘‘potentially
                                                suggest the project component is likely                 WWC using version 2.1 or 3.0 of the                    negative effect’’ on a relevant outcome;
                                                to improve relevant outcomes.                           WWC Handbook reporting a ‘‘strong                      or
                                                  Evidence-based means the proposed                     evidence base’’ or ‘‘moderate evidence                    (iii) A single study assessed by the
                                                project component is supported by one                   base’’ for the corresponding practice                  Department, as appropriate, that—
                                                                                                        guide recommendation;                                     (A) Is an experimental study, a quasi-
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                                                or more of strong evidence, moderate
                                                evidence, promising evidence, or                           (ii) An intervention report prepared                experimental design study, or a well-
                                                evidence that demonstrates a rationale.                 by the WWC using version 2.1 or 3.0 of                 designed and well-implemented
                                                  Experimental study means a study                      the WWC Handbook reporting a                           correlational study with statistical
                                                that is designed to compare outcomes                    ‘‘positive effect’’ or ‘‘potentially positive          controls for selection bias (e.g., a study
                                                between two groups of individuals                       effect’’ on a relevant outcome based on                using regression methods to account for
                                                (such as students) that are otherwise                   a ‘‘medium to large’’ extent of evidence,              differences between a treatment group
                                                equivalent except for their assignment                  with no reporting of a ‘‘negative effect’’             and a comparison group); and


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                                                                                Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 126 / Friday, June 29, 2018 / Notices                                            30713

                                                   (B) Includes at least one statistically              project component that each meet                         Project Period: Up to 60 months.
                                                significant and positive (i.e., favorable)              requirements in paragraphs (iii)(A), (B),
                                                                                                                                                               III. Eligibility Information
                                                effect on a relevant outcome.                           and (C) of this definition may together
                                                   Quasi-experimental design study                      satisfy this requirement.                                 1. Eligible Applicants: SEAs; State
                                                means a study using a design that                          What Works Clearinghouse Handbook                   lead agencies under Part C of the IDEA;
                                                attempts to approximate an                              (WWC Handbook) means the standards                     LEAs, including charter schools that are
                                                experimental study by identifying a                     and procedures set forth in the WWC                    considered LEAs under State law; IHEs;
                                                comparison group that is similar to the                 Procedures and Standards Handbook,                     other public agencies; private nonprofit
                                                treatment group in important respects.                  Version 2.1 or 3.0 (incorporated by                    organizations; freely associated States
                                                This type of study, depending on design                 reference, see 34 CFR 77.2). Study                     and outlying areas; Indian Tribes or
                                                and implementation (e.g., establishment                 findings eligible for review under WWC                 Tribal organizations; and for-profit
                                                of baseline equivalence of the groups                   standards can meet WWC standards                       organizations.
                                                being compared), can meet WWC                           without reservations, meet WWC                            2. Cost Sharing or Matching: This
                                                standards with reservations, but cannot                 standards with reservations, or not meet               program does not require cost sharing or
                                                meet WWC standards without                              WWC standards. WWC practice guides                     matching.
                                                reservations, as described in the WWC                   and intervention reports include                          3. Subgrantees: Under 34 CFR
                                                Handbook.                                               findings from systematic reviews of                    75.708(b) and (c) a grantee under this
                                                   Relevant outcome means the student                   evidence as described in the Handbook                  competition may award subgrants—to
                                                outcome(s) or other outcome(s) the key                  documentation.                                         directly carry out project activities
                                                project component is designed to                           Waiver of Proposed Rulemaking:                      described in its application—to the
                                                improve, consistent with the specific                   Under the Administrative Procedure Act                 following types of entities: IHEs and
                                                goals of the program.                                   (APA) (5 U.S.C. 553) the Department                    private nonprofit organizations suitable
                                                   Strong evidence means that there is                  generally offers interested parties the                to carry out the activities proposed in
                                                evidence of the effectiveness of a key                  opportunity to comment on proposed                     the application. The grantee may award
                                                project component in improving a                        priorities. Section 681(d) of IDEA,                    subgrants to entities it has identified in
                                                relevant outcome for a sample that                      however, makes the public comment                      an approved application.
                                                overlaps with the populations and                       requirements of the APA inapplicable to                   4. Other General Requirements:
                                                settings proposed to receive that                       the priority in this notice.                              (a) Recipients of funding under this
                                                component, based on a relevant finding                     Program Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1474                   competition must make positive efforts
                                                from one of the following:                              and 1481.                                              to employ and advance in employment
                                                   (i) A practice guide prepared by the                    Applicable Regulations: (a) The                     qualified individuals with disabilities
                                                WWC using version 2.1 or 3.0 of the                     Education Department General                           (see section 606 of IDEA).
                                                WWC Handbook reporting a ‘‘strong                       Administrative Regulations in 34 CFR                      (b) Applicants for, and recipients of,
                                                evidence base’’ for the corresponding                   parts 75, 77, 79, 81, 82, 84, 86, 97, 98,              funding must, with respect to the
                                                practice guide recommendation;                          and 99. (b) The Office of Management                   aspects of their proposed project
                                                   (ii) An intervention report prepared                 and Budget Guidelines to Agencies on                   relating to the absolute priority, involve
                                                by the WWC using version 2.1 or 3.0 of                  Governmentwide Debarment and                           individuals with disabilities, or parents
                                                the WWC Handbook reporting a                            Suspension (Nonprocurement) in 2 CFR                   of individuals with disabilities ages
                                                ‘‘positive effect’’ on a relevant outcome               part 180, as adopted and amended as                    birth through 26, in planning,
                                                based on a ‘‘medium to large’’ extent of                regulations of the Department in 2 CFR                 implementing, and evaluating the
                                                evidence, with no reporting of a                        part 3485. (c) The Uniform                             project (see section 682(a)(1)(A) of
                                                ‘‘negative effect’’ or ‘‘potentially                    Administrative Requirements, Cost                      IDEA).
                                                negative effect’’ on a relevant outcome;                Principles, and Audit Requirements for
                                                                                                                                                               IV. Application and Submission
                                                or                                                      Federal Awards in 2 CFR part 200, as
                                                                                                                                                               Information
                                                   (iii) A single experimental study                    adopted and amended as regulations of
                                                reviewed and reported by the WWC                        the Department in 2 CFR part 3474.                        1. Application Submission
                                                using version 2.1 or 3.0 of the WWC                                                                            Instructions: For information on how to
                                                                                                          Note: The regulations in 34 CFR part 79
                                                Handbook, or otherwise assessed by the                  apply to all applicants except federally               submit an application please refer to our
                                                Department using version 2.1 or 3.0 of                  recognized Indian tribes.                              Common Instructions for Applicants to
                                                the WWC Handbook, as appropriate,                                                                              Department of Education Discretionary
                                                and that—                                                 Note: The regulations in 34 CFR part 86              Grant Programs, published in the
                                                   (A) Meets WWC standards without                      apply to IHEs only.                                    Federal Register on February 12, 2018
                                                reservations;                                                                                                  (83 FR 6003) and available at
                                                   (B) Includes at least one statistically              II. Award Information                                  www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2018-02-12/
                                                significant and positive (i.e., favorable)                 Type of Award: Cooperative                          pdf/2018-02558.pdf.
                                                effect on a relevant outcome;                           agreement.                                                2. Intergovernmental Review: This
                                                   (C) Includes no overriding statistically                Estimated Available Funds:                          competition is subject to Executive
                                                significant and negative effects on                     $1,450,000.                                            Order 12372 and the regulations in 34
                                                relevant outcomes reported in the study                    Contingent upon the availability of                 CFR part 79. Information about
                                                or in a corresponding WWC                               funds and the quality of applications,                 Intergovernmental Review of Federal
                                                intervention report prepared under                      we may make additional awards in FY                    Programs under Executive Order 12372
                                                                                                        2019 from the list of unfunded
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                                                version 2.1 or 3.0 of the WWC                                                                                  is in the application package for this
                                                Handbook; and                                           applications from this competition.                    competition.
                                                   (D) Is based on a sample from more                      Maximum Award: We will not make                        3. Funding Restrictions: We reference
                                                than one site (e.g., State, county, city,               an award exceeding $1,450,000 for a                    regulations outlining funding
                                                school district, or postsecondary                       single budget period of 12 months.                     restrictions in the Applicable
                                                campus) and includes at least 350                          Estimated Number of Awards: 1.                      Regulations section of this notice.
                                                students or other individuals across                      Note: The Department is not bound by any                4. Recommended Page Limit: The
                                                sites. Multiple studies of the same                     estimates in this notice.                              application narrative (Part III of the


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                                                30714                           Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 126 / Friday, June 29, 2018 / Notices

                                                application) is where you, the applicant,                  (2) In determining the quality of the                  (1) The Secretary considers the
                                                address the selection criteria that                     services to be provided by the proposed                adequacy of resources for the proposed
                                                reviewers use to evaluate your                          project, the Secretary considers the                   project.
                                                application. We recommend that you (1)                  quality and sufficiency of strategies for                 (2) In determining the, the Secretary
                                                limit the application narrative to no                   ensuring equal access and treatment for                considers the extent to which the
                                                more than 70 pages and (2) use the                      eligible project participants who are                  applicant encourages applications for
                                                following standards:                                    members of groups that have                            employment from persons who are
                                                   • A ‘‘page’’ is 8.5″ x 11″, on one side              traditionally been underrepresented                    members of groups that have
                                                only, with 1″ margins at the top, bottom,               based on race, color, national origin,                 traditionally been underrepresented
                                                and both sides.                                         gender, age, or disability.                            based on race, color, national origin,
                                                   • Double-space (no more than three                      (3) In addition, the Secretary                      gender, age, or disability.
                                                lines per vertical inch) all text in the                considers the following factors:                          (3) In determining the adequacy of
                                                application narrative, including titles,                   (i) The extent to which the goals,                  resources and quality of project
                                                headings, footnotes, quotations,                        objectives, and outcomes to be achieved                personnel for the proposed project, the
                                                reference citations, and captions, as well              by the proposed project are clearly                    Secretary considers one or more of the
                                                as all text in charts, tables, figures,                 specified and measurable;                              following factors:
                                                graphs, and screen shots.                                  (ii) The extent to which there is a                    (i) The qualifications, including
                                                   • Use a font that is 12 point or larger.             conceptual framework underlying the                    relevant training and experience, of the
                                                   • Use one of the following fonts:                    proposed research or demonstration                     project director or principal
                                                Times New Roman, Courier, Courier                       activities and the quality of that                     investigator;
                                                New, or Arial.                                          framework;                                                (ii) The qualifications, including
                                                   The recommended page limit does not                     (iii) The extent to which the services              relevant training and experience, of key
                                                apply to Part I, the cover sheet; Part II,              to be provided by the proposed project                 project personnel;
                                                the budget section, including the                       reflect up-to-date knowledge from                         (iii) The adequacy of support,
                                                narrative budget justification; Part IV,                research and effective practice;                       including facilities, equipment,
                                                the assurances and certifications; or the                  (iv) The extent to which the design of              supplies, and other resources, from the
                                                abstract (follow the guidance provided                  the proposed project includes a                        applicant organization or the lead
                                                in the application package for                          thorough, high-quality review of the                   applicant organization;
                                                completing the abstract), the table of                  relevant literature, a high-quality plan                  (iv) The relevance and demonstrated
                                                contents, the list of priority                          for project implementation, and the use                commitment of each partner in the
                                                requirements, the resumes, the reference                of appropriate methodological tools to                 proposed project to the implementation
                                                list, the letters of support, or the                    ensure successful achievement of                       and success of the project; and
                                                appendices. However, the                                project objectives; and                                   (v) The extent to which the costs are
                                                recommended page limit does apply to                       (v) The extent to which the services                reasonable in relation to the objectives,
                                                all of the application narrative,                       to be provided by the proposed project                 design, and potential significance of the
                                                including all text in charts, tables,                   involve the collaboration of appropriate               proposed project.
                                                figures, graphs, and screen shots.                      partners for maximizing the                               (e) Quality of the management plan
                                                V. Application Review Information                       effectiveness of project services.                     (20 points).
                                                                                                           (c) Quality of the project evaluation                  (1) The Secretary considers the
                                                  1. Selection Criteria: The selection
                                                                                                        (15 points).                                           quality of the management plan for the
                                                criteria for this competition are from 34
                                                                                                           (1) The Secretary considers the                     proposed project.
                                                CFR 75.210 and are as follows:
                                                  (a) Significance (10 points).                         quality of the evaluation to be                           (2) In determining the quality of the
                                                  (1) The Secretary considers the                       conducted of the proposed project.                     management plan for the proposed
                                                significance of the proposed project.                      (2) In determining the quality of the               project, the Secretary considers the
                                                  (2) In determining the significance of                evaluation, the Secretary considers the                following factors:
                                                the proposed project, the Secretary                     following factors:                                        (i) The adequacy of the management
                                                considers the following factors:                           (i) The extent to which the methods                 plan to achieve the objectives of the
                                                  (i) The extent to which specific gaps                 of evaluation are thorough, feasible, and              proposed project on time and within
                                                or weaknesses in services,                              appropriate to the goals, objectives, and              budget, including clearly defined
                                                infrastructure, or opportunities have                   outcomes of the proposed project;                      responsibilities, timelines, and
                                                been identified and will be addressed by                   (ii) The extent to which the methods                milestones for accomplishing project
                                                the proposed project, including the                     of evaluation provide for examining the                tasks;
                                                nature and magnitude of those gaps or                   effectiveness of project implementation                   (ii) The extent to which the time
                                                weaknesses;                                             strategies;                                            commitments of the project director and
                                                  (ii) The potential contribution of the                   (iii) The extent to which the methods               principal investigator and other key
                                                proposed project to the development                     of evaluation will provide performance                 project personnel are appropriate and
                                                and advancement of theory, knowledge,                   feedback and permit periodic                           adequate to meet the objectives of the
                                                and practices in the field of study; and                assessment of progress toward achieving                proposed project;
                                                  (iii) The extent to which the proposed                intended outcomes; and                                    (iii) The adequacy of mechanisms for
                                                project is likely to build local capacity                  (iv) The extent to which the methods                ensuring high-quality products and
                                                                                                        of evaluation include the use of                       services from the proposed project; and
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                                                to provide, improve, or expand services
                                                that address the needs of the target                    objective performance measures that are                   (iv) How the applicant will ensure
                                                population.                                             clearly related to intended outcomes of                that a diversity of perspectives are
                                                  (b) Quality of project services (35                   the project and will produce                           brought to bear in the operation of the
                                                points).                                                quantitative and qualitative data to the               proposed project, including those of
                                                  (1) The Secretary considers the                       extent possible.                                       parents, teachers, the business
                                                quality of the services to be provided by                  (d) Adequacy of resources and quality               community, a variety of disciplinary
                                                the proposed project.                                   of project personnel (20 points).                      and professional fields, recipients or


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                                                                                Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 126 / Friday, June 29, 2018 / Notices                                           30715

                                                beneficiaries of services, or others, as                fulfilled the conditions of a prior grant;             in whole, or in part, with Department
                                                appropriate.                                            or is otherwise not responsible.                       grant funds. When the deliverable
                                                   2. Review and Selection Process: We                     5. Integrity and Performance System:                consists of modifications to pre-existing
                                                remind potential applicants that in                     If you are selected under this                         works, the license extends only to those
                                                reviewing applications in any                           competition to receive an award that                   modifications that can be separately
                                                discretionary grant competition, the                    over the course of the project period                  identified and only to the extent that
                                                Secretary may consider, under 34 CFR                    may exceed the simplified acquisition                  open licensing is permitted under the
                                                75.217(d)(3), the past performance of the               threshold (currently $150,000), under 2                terms of any licenses or other legal
                                                applicant in carrying out a previous                    CFR 200.205(a)(2) we must make a                       restrictions on the use of pre-existing
                                                award, such as the applicant’s use of                   judgment about your integrity, business                works. Additionally, a grantee or
                                                funds, achievement of project                           ethics, and record of performance under                subgrantee that is awarded competitive
                                                objectives, and compliance with grant                   Federal awards—that is, the risk posed                 grant funds must have a plan to
                                                conditions. The Secretary may also                      by you as an applicant—before we make                  disseminate these public grant
                                                consider whether the applicant failed to                an award. In doing so, we must consider                deliverables. This dissemination plan
                                                submit a timely performance report or                   any information about you that is in the               can be developed and submitted after
                                                submitted a report of unacceptable                      integrity and performance system                       your application has been reviewed and
                                                quality.                                                (currently referred to as the Federal                  selected for funding. For additional
                                                   In addition, in making a competitive                 Awardee Performance and Integrity                      information on the open licensing
                                                grant award, the Secretary requires                     Information System (FAPIIS)),                          requirements please refer to 2 CFR
                                                various assurances, including those                     accessible through the System for                      3474.20.
                                                applicable to Federal civil rights laws                 Award Management. You may review                         4. Reporting: (a) If you apply for a
                                                that prohibit discrimination in programs                and comment on any information about                   grant under this competition, you must
                                                or activities receiving Federal financial               yourself that a Federal agency                         ensure that you have in place the
                                                assistance from the Department (34 CFR                  previously entered and that is currently               necessary processes and systems to
                                                100.4, 104.5, 106.4, 108.8, and 110.23).                in FAPIIS.                                             comply with the reporting requirements
                                                   3. Additional Review and Selection                      Please note that, if the total value of             in 2 CFR part 170 should you receive
                                                Process Factors: In the past, the                       your currently active grants, cooperative              funding under the competition. This
                                                Department has had difficulty finding                   agreements, and procurement contracts                  does not apply if you have an exception
                                                peer reviewers for certain competitions                 from the Federal Government exceeds                    under 2 CFR 170.110(b).
                                                because so many individuals who are                     $10,000,000, the reporting requirements                   (b) At the end of your project period,
                                                eligible to serve as peer reviewers have                in 2 CFR part 200, Appendix XII,                       you must submit a final performance
                                                conflicts of interest. The standing panel               require you to report certain integrity                report, including financial information,
                                                requirements under section 682(b) of                    information to FAPIIS semiannually.                    as directed by the Secretary. If you
                                                IDEA also have placed additional                        Please review the requirements in 2 CFR                receive a multiyear award, you must
                                                constraints on the availability of                      part 200, Appendix XII, if this grant                  submit an annual performance report
                                                reviewers. Therefore, the Department                    plus all the other Federal funds you                   that provides the most current
                                                has determined that for some                            receive exceed $10,000,000.                            performance and financial expenditure
                                                discretionary grant competitions,                                                                              information as directed by the Secretary
                                                applications may be separated into two                  VI. Award Administration Information                   under 34 CFR 75.118. The Secretary
                                                or more groups and ranked and selected                     1. Award Notices: If your application               may also require more frequent
                                                for funding within specific groups. This                is successful, we notify your U.S.                     performance reports under 34 CFR
                                                procedure will make it easier for the                   Representative and U.S. Senators and                   75.720(c). For specific requirements on
                                                Department to find peer reviewers by                    send you a Grant Award Notification                    reporting, please go to www.ed.gov/
                                                ensuring that greater numbers of                        (GAN); or we may send you an email                     fund/grant/apply/appforms/
                                                individuals who are eligible to serve as                containing a link to access an electronic              appforms.html.
                                                reviewers for any particular group of                   version of your GAN. We may notify                        5. Performance Measures: Under the
                                                applicants will not have conflicts of                   you informally, also.                                  Government Performance and Results
                                                interest. It also will increase the quality,               If your application is not evaluated or             Act of 1993 (GPRA), the Department has
                                                independence, and fairness of the                       not selected for funding, we notify you.               established a set of performance
                                                review process, while permitting panel                     2. Administrative and National Policy               measures, including long-term
                                                members to review applications under                    Requirements: We identify                              measures, that are designed to yield
                                                discretionary grant competitions for                    administrative and national policy                     information on various aspects of the
                                                which they also have submitted                          requirements in the application package                effectiveness and quality of the
                                                applications.                                           and reference these and other                          Educational Technology, Media, and
                                                   4. Risk Assessment and Specific                      requirements in the Applicable                         Materials for Individuals with
                                                Conditions: Consistent with 2 CFR                       Regulations section of this notice.                    Disabilities program. These measures
                                                200.205, before awarding grants under                      We reference the regulations outlining              are:
                                                this competition the Department                         the terms and conditions of an award in                   • Program Performance Measure #1:
                                                conducts a review of the risks posed by                 the Applicable Regulations section of                  The percentage of Educational
                                                applicants. Under 2 CFR 3474.10, the                    this notice and include these and other                Technology, Media, and Materials
                                                Secretary may impose specific                           specific conditions in the GAN. The                    Program products and services judged to
                                                conditions and, in appropriate
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                                                                                                        GAN also incorporates your approved                    be of high quality by an independent
                                                circumstances, high-risk conditions on a                application as part of your binding                    review panel of experts qualified to
                                                grant if the applicant or grantee is not                commitments under the grant.                           review the substantial content of the
                                                financially stable; has a history of                       3. Open Licensing Requirements:                     products and services;
                                                unsatisfactory performance; has a                       Unless an exception applies, if you are                   • Program Performance Measure #2:
                                                financial or other management system                    awarded a grant under this competition,                The percentage of Educational
                                                that does not meet the standards in 2                   you will be required to openly license                 Technology, Media, and Materials
                                                CFR part 200, subpart D; has not                        to the public grant deliverables created               Program products and services judged to


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                                                30716                           Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 126 / Friday, June 29, 2018 / Notices

                                                be of high relevance to improving                       Room 5113, Potomac Center Plaza,                       commercial delivery, or hand delivery.
                                                outcomes for infants, toddlers, children                Washington, DC 20202–2500.                             Please note that comments submitted by
                                                and youth with disabilities;                            Telephone: (202) 245–7363. If you use a                fax or email and those submitted after
                                                   • Program Performance Measure #3:                    TDD or a TTY, call the FRS, toll free, at              the comment period will not be
                                                The percentage of Educational                           1–800–877–8339.                                        accepted. Written requests for
                                                Technology, Media, and Materials                          Electronic Access to This Document:                  information or comments submitted by
                                                Program products and services judged to                 The official version of this document is               postal mail or delivery should be
                                                be of useful in improving results for                   the document published in the Federal                  addressed to the Director of the
                                                infants, toddler, children and youth                    Register.You may access the official                   Information Collection Clearance
                                                with disabilities;                                      edition of the Federal Register and the                Division, U.S. Department of Education,
                                                   • Program Performance Measure #4.1:                  Code of Federal Regulations via the                    400 Maryland Avenue SW, LBJ, Room
                                                The federal cost per unit of accessible                 Federal Digital System at: www.gpo.gov/                206–06, Washington, DC 20202–4537.
                                                educational materials funded by the                     fdsys. At this site you can view this                  FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For
                                                Educational Technology, Media, and                      document, as well as all other                         specific questions related to collection
                                                Materials Program;                                      documents of this Department                           activities, please contact Ian Foss, 202–
                                                   • Program Performance Measure #4.2:                  published in the Federal Register, in                  377–3681.
                                                The federal cost per unit of accessible                 text or Portable Document Format                       SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The
                                                educational materials from the National                 (PDF). To use PDF you must have
                                                Instructional Materials Accessibility                                                                          Department of Education (ED), in
                                                                                                        Adobe Acrobat Reader, which is                         accordance with the Paperwork
                                                Center funded by the Educational                        available free at the site.
                                                Technology, Media, and Materials                                                                               Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA) (44 U.S.C.
                                                                                                          You may also access documents of the
                                                Program; and                                                                                                   3506(c)(2)(A)), provides the general
                                                                                                        Department published in the Federal
                                                   • Program Performance Measure #4.3:                                                                         public and Federal agencies with an
                                                                                                        Register by using the article search
                                                The federal cost per unit of video                                                                             opportunity to comment on proposed,
                                                                                                        feature at: www.federalregister.gov.
                                                description funded by the Educational                                                                          revised, and continuing collections of
                                                                                                        Specifically, through the advanced
                                                Technology, Media, and Materials                                                                               information. This helps the Department
                                                                                                        search feature at this site, you can limit
                                                Program.                                                                                                       assess the impact of its information
                                                                                                        your search to documents published by
                                                   Projects funded under this                                                                                  collection requirements and minimize
                                                                                                        the Department.
                                                competition are required to submit data                                                                        the public’s reporting burden. It also
                                                                                                          Dated: June 26, 2018.                                helps the public understand the
                                                on these measures as directed by OSEP.
                                                   Grantees will be required to report                  Johnny W. Collett,                                     Department’s information collection
                                                information on their project’s                          Assistant Secretary for Special Education and          requirements and provide the requested
                                                performance in annual performance                       Rehabilitative Services.                               data in the desired format. ED is
                                                reports and additional performance data                 [FR Doc. 2018–14083 Filed 6–28–18; 8:45 am]            soliciting comments on the proposed
                                                to the Department (34 CFR 75.590 and                    BILLING CODE 4000–01–P                                 information collection request (ICR) that
                                                75.591).                                                                                                       is described below. The Department of
                                                   6. Continuation Awards: In making a                                                                         Education is especially interested in
                                                continuation award under 34 CFR                         DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION                                public comment addressing the
                                                75.253, the Secretary considers, among                  [Docket No.: ED–2018–ICCD–0033]
                                                                                                                                                               following issues: (1) Is this collection
                                                other things: Whether a grantee has                                                                            necessary to the proper functions of the
                                                made substantial progress in achieving                  Agency Information Collection                          Department; (2) will this information be
                                                the goals and objectives of the project;                Activities; Submission to the Office of                processed and used in a timely manner;
                                                whether the grantee has expended funds                  Management and Budget for Review                       (3) is the estimate of burden accurate;
                                                in a manner that is consistent with its                 and Approval; Comment Request;                         (4) how might the Department enhance
                                                approved application and budget; and,                   Federal Student Loan Program                           the quality, utility, and clarity of the
                                                if the Secretary has established                        Deferment Request Forms                                information to be collected; and (5) how
                                                performance measurement                                                                                        might the Department minimize the
                                                requirements, the performance targets in                AGENCY: Federal Student Aid (FSA),                     burden of this collection on the
                                                the grantee’s approved application.                     Department of Education (ED).                          respondents, including through the use
                                                   In making a continuation award, the                  ACTION: Notice.                                        of information technology. Please note
                                                Secretary also considers whether the                                                                           that written comments received in
                                                                                                        SUMMARY:   In accordance with the                      response to this notice will be
                                                grantee is operating in compliance with
                                                                                                        Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, ED is                 considered public records.
                                                the assurances in its approved
                                                                                                        proposing a revision of an existing                       Title of Collection: Federal Student
                                                application, including those applicable
                                                                                                        information collection.                                Loan Program Deferment Request
                                                to Federal civil rights laws that prohibit
                                                discrimination in programs or activities                DATES: Interested persons are invited to               Forms.
                                                receiving Federal financial assistance                  submit comments on or before July 30,                     OMB Control Number: 1845–0011.
                                                from the Department (34 CFR 100.4,                      2018.                                                     Type of Review: A revision of an
                                                104.5, 106.4, 108.8, and 110.23).                       ADDRESSES: To access and review all the                existing information collection.
                                                                                                        documents related to the information                      Respondents/Affected Public:
                                                VII. Other Information                                  collection listed in this notice, please               Individuals or Households.
                                                  Accessible Format: Individuals with                   use http://www.regulations.gov by
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                                                                                                                                                                  Total Estimated Number of Annual
                                                disabilities can obtain this document                   searching the Docket ID number ED–                     Responses: 683,903.
                                                and a copy of the application package in                2018–ICCD–0033. Comments submitted                        Total Estimated Number of Annual
                                                an accessible format (e.g., braille, large              in response to this notice should be                   Burden Hours: 109,424.
                                                print, audiotape, or compact disc) by                   submitted electronically through the                      Abstract: These forms serve as the
                                                contacting the Management Support                       Federal eRulemaking Portal at http://                  means by which borrowers in the
                                                Services Team, U.S. Department of                       www.regulations.gov by selecting the                   William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan
                                                Education, 400 Maryland Avenue SW,                      Docket ID number or via postal mail,                   (Direct Loan), Federal Family Education


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Document Created: 2018-06-29 01:13:54
Document Modified: 2018-06-29 01:13:54
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 29, 2018.
ContactDawn Ellis, U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue SW, Room 5137, Potomac Center Plaza, Washington, DC 20202-5108. Telephone: (202) 245-6417. Email: [email protected]
FR Citation83 FR 30708 

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