§ 319.23 - What selection criteria does the Secretary use in the basic State award and competitive award programs?

The Secretary uses the following criteria to evaluate an application for a basic State award (SEA or IHE applicant) and for a competitive award:

(a) Extent of need for the project. (30 points) The Secretary reviews each application to determine—

(1) The extent to which the project identifies and selects priority needs from the range of personnel needs identified in the State comprehensive systems of personnel development;

(2) The extent to which the project addresses the personnel needs selected by the applicant under paragraph (a)(1) of this section; and

(3) If appropriate, how the project relates to actual and projected personnel needs for certified teachers in the State as identified by the State educational agency in its annual data report required under section 618 of the IDEA.

(b) Program content. (20 points) The Secretary reviews each application to determine the extent to which—

(1) Competencies that will be acquired by each trainee and how the competencies will be evaluated are identified;

(2) Substantive content of the training to be provided is appropriate for the attainment of professional knowledge and competencies that are necessary for the provision of quality educational or early intervention services to infants, toddlers, children, and youth with disabilities;

(3) Benefits to be gained by the number of trainees expected to be graduated or otherwise to complete training and employed over the next five years are described;

(4) Appropriate methods, procedures, techniques, and instructional media or materials will be used in the preparation of trainees who serve infants, toddlers, children, and youth with disabilities;

(5) If relevant, appropriate practicum facilities are accessible to the applicant agency and trainees and will be used for such activities as observation, participation, practice teaching, laboratory or clinical experience, internships, and other supervised experiences of adequate scope and length;

(6) If relevant, practicum facilities for model programs will provide state-of-the-art educational services, including use of current and innovative curriculum materials, instructional procedures, and equipment; and

(7) Program philosophy, program objectives, and activities to be implemented to attain program objectives are related to the educational or early intervention needs of infants, toddlers, children, and youth with disabilities.

(c) Plan of operation. (15 points) The Secretary reviews each application to determine the quality of the plan of operation for the project, including—

(1) The quality of the project design;

(2) The effectiveness of the management plan in ensuring proper and efficient administration of the project;

(3) How the objectives of the project relate to the purpose of the program;

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

(5) How the applicant will ensure that project participants who are otherwise eligible to participate are selected without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, age, or disability.

(d) Evaluation plan. (15 points) The Secretary reviews each application to determine the quality of the evaluation plan for the project, including the extent to which the applicant's methods of evaluation—

(1) Are appropriate for the project; and

(2) To the extent possible, are objective and produce data that are quantifiable, including, but not limited to, the number of trainees graduated and hired, and the number of trainees who complete short-term in-service or pre-service training programs. (See 34 CFR 75.590, Evaluation by the grantee).

(e) Quality of key personnel. (10 points) The Secretary reviews each application to determine the quality of the key personnel the applicant plans to use on the project, including—

(1) The qualifications of the project director;

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

(3) The time that each of the key personnel plans to commit to the project;

(4) How the applicant, as a part of its nondiscriminatory employment practices, will ensure that its personnel are selected for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, age, or disability; and

(5) Experience and training in fields related to the objectives of the project.

(f) Adequacy of resources. (5 points) The Secretary reviews each application to determine the adequacy of the resources that the applicant plans to devote to the project, including facilities, equipment, and supplies.

(g) Budget and cost-effectiveness. (5 points) The Secretary reviews each application to determine the extent to which—

(1) The budget is adequate to support the project; and

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

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