§ 305.31 - What are the selection criteria for evaluating applications under this program?

The Secretary uses the criteria in this section to evaluate applications for new grants. The maximum number of points for each criterion is stated in parentheses. The maximum score for all of the criteria is 100 points.

(a) Need for the project. (5 points) (1) The Secretary reviews each application for a Regional Resource Center for information that shows the needs of the States in the region and support for the applicant's project by the agencies to be served by the project.

(2) The Secretary reviews each application for a Federal Center for information that identifies potential issues and trends of national concern and procedures for obtaining broad based input in validating, interpreting, synthesizing, and updating information on emerging issues and trends on a regular basis.

(b) Capability of applicant. (5 points) (1) The Secretary reviews each application for information that shows the capability of the applicant to fulfill the responsibilities of a Center under this part.

(2) In making this determination, the Secretary considers evidence of relevant experience which demonstrates the capacity to provide technical assistance to State educational agencies, commitment to the accomplishment of the project, and timely completion of previous comparable work.

(c) Plan of operation. (40 points) (1) The Secretary reviews each application for information that shows the quality of the plan of operation for the project.

(2) The Secretary looks for information that shows—

(i) High quality in the design of the project;

(ii) An effective plan of management that ensures proper and efficient administration of the project;

(iii) A clear description of how the objectives of the project relate to the purpose of the program;

(iv) The way the applicant plans to use its resources and personnel to achieve each objective;

(v) A clear description of how the applicant will provide equal access and treatment for eligible project participants who are members of groups that have been traditionally underrepresented, such as—

(A) Members of racial or ethnic minority groups;

(B) Women;

(C) Individuals with disabilities; and

(D) The elderly.

(d) Quality of key personnel. (25 points) (1) The Secretary reviews each application for information that shows the qualifications of the key personnel the applicant plans to use on the project.

(2) The Secretary looks for information that shows—

(i) The qualifications of the project director (if one is to be used);

(ii) The qualifications of each of the other key personnel to be used in the project;

(iii) The time that each person referred to in paragraphs (d) (1) and (2) of this section will commit to the project; and

(iv) The extent to which the applicant, as part of its nondiscriminatory employment practices, encourages applications for employment from persons who are members of groups that have been traditionally underrepresented, such as—

(A) Members of racial or ethnic minority groups;

(B) Women;

(C) Individuals with disabilities; and

(D) The elderly.

(3) To determine personnel qualifications, the Secretary considers experience and training, in fields related to the objectives of the project, as well as other information that the applicant provides.

(e) Budget and cost effectiveness. (10 points) (1) The Secretary reviews each application for information that shows that the project has an adequate budget and is cost effective.

(2) The Secretary looks for information that shows—

(i) The budget for the project is adequate to support the project activities; and

(ii) Costs are reasonable in relation to the objectives of the project.

(f) Evaluation plan. (10 points) (1) The Secretary reviews each application for information that shows the quality of the evaluation plan for the project.

(See 34 CFR 75.590, Evaluation by the grantee.)

(2) The Secretary looks for information that shows methods of evaluation that are appropriate for the project, and, to the extent possible, are objective and produce data that are quantifiable. For Regional Resource Centers, evaluation methods must include evaluation of changes in State capacity to work with local educational agencies to improve services for students with disabilities.

(g) Adequacy of resources. (5 points) (1) The Secretary reviews each application for information that shows that the applicant plans to devote adequate resources to the project.

(2) The Secretary looks for information that shows—

(i) The facilities that the applicant plans to use are adequate; and

(ii) The equipment and supplies that the applicant plans to use are adequate.

(Approved by the Office of Management and Budget under control number 1820-0028)