§ 309.21 - What selection criteria does the Secretary use?

The Secretary uses the following criteria to evaluate applications unless, with regard to training projects, he determines that the selection criteria in 34 CFR part 318 are more appropriate:

(a) Importance. (15 points) (1) The Secretary reviews each application to determine the extent to which the proposed project addresses concerns in light of the purposes of this part.

(2) The Secretary considers—

(i) The significance of the problem or issue to be addressed;

(ii) The extent to which the project is based on previous research findings related to the problem or issue;

(iii) The numbers of individuals who will benefit; and

(iv) How the project wil address the identified problem or issue.

(b) Impact. (15 points) (1) The Secretary reviews each application to determine the probable impact of the proposed project in meeting the needs of children with disabilities, birth through age eight, and their families.

(2) The Secretary considers—

(i) The contribution that project findings or products will make to current knowledge and practice;

(ii) The methods used for dissemination of project findings or products to appropriate target audiences; and

(iii) The extent to which findings or products are replicable, if appropriate.

(c) Technical soundness. (35 points) (1) The Secretary reviews each application to determine the technical soundness of the project plan.

(2) In reviewing applications under this part, the Secretary considers—

(i) The quality of the design of the project;

(ii) The proposed sample or target population, including the numbers of participants involved and methods that will be used by the applicant to ensure that participants who are otherwise eligible to participate are selected without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, age, or disability;

(iii) The methods and procedures used to implement the design, including instrumentation and data analysis; and

(iv) The anticipated outcomes.

(3) With respect to training projects in applying the criterion in paragraph (c)(2)(iii) of this section, the Secretary considers—

(i) The curriculum, course sequence, and practice leading to specific competencies; and

(ii) The relationship of the project to the comprehensive system of personnel development plans required by parts B and H of the Act, and State licensure or certification standards.

(4) In addition to the criteria in paragraph (c)(2) of this section, the Secretary, in reviewing outreach projects, also considers—

(i) The agencies to be served through outreach activities;

(ii) The current services, their location, and anticipated impact of outreach assistance for each of those agencies;

(iii) The model demonstration project upon which the outreach project is based, including the effectiveness of the model program with children, families, or other recipients of project services; and

(iv) The likelihood that the demonstration project will be continued and supported by funds other that those available through this part.

(d) Plan of operation. (10 points) (1) The Secretary reviews each application to determine the quality of the plan of operation for the project.

(2) The Secretary considers—

(i) The extent to which the management plan will ensure proper and efficient administration of the project:

(ii) Clarity in the goals and objectives of the project;

(iii) The quality of the activities proposed to accomplish the goals and objectives;

(iv) The adequacy of proposed timeliness for accomplishing those activities; and

(v) Effectiveness in the ways in which the applicant plans to use the resources and personnel to accomplish the goals and objectives.

(e) Evaluation plan. (5 points) (1) The Secretary reviews each application to determine the quality of the plan for evaluating project goals, objectives, and activities.

(2) The Secretary considers the extent to which the methods of evaluation are appropriate and produce objectives and quantifiable data.

(f) Quality of key personnel. (10 points) (1) The Secretary reviews each application to determine the qualifications of the key personnel the applicant plans to use.

(2) The Secretary considers—

(i) The qualifications of the project director and project coordinator (if one is used);

(ii) The qualifications of each of the other key project personnel;

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

(iv) How the applicant will ensure that personnel are selected for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, age, or disability.

(3) The Secretary considers experience and training in areas related to project goals to determine qualifications of key personnel.

(g) Adequacy of resources. (5 points) (1) The Secretary reviews each application to determine adequacy of resources allocated to the project.

(2) The Secretary considers the adequacy of the facilities and the equipment and supplies that the applicant plans to use.

(h) Budget and cost-effectiveness. (5 points) (1) The Secretary reviews each application to determine if the project has an adequate budget.

(2) The Secretary considers the extent to which—

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

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

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