2023-05120. Applications for New Awards; Native Hawaiian Education Program

AGENCY:

Office of Elementary and Secondary Education, Department of Education.

ACTION:

Notice.

SUMMARY:

The Department of Education (Department) is issuing a notice inviting applications for fiscal year (FY) 2023 for the Native Hawaiian Education (NHE) program, Assistance Listing Number 84.362A. This notice relates to the approved information collection under OMB control number 1894-0006.

DATES:

Applications Available: March 17, 2023.

Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: April 13, 2023.

Deadline for Intergovernmental Review: July 12, 2023.

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 December 7, 2022 (87 FR 75045) and available at https://www.federalregister.gov/​documents/​2022/​12/​07/​2022-26554/​common-instructions-for-applicants-to-department-of-education-discretionary-grant-programs. Please note that these Common Instructions supersede the version published on December 27, 2021.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Joanne Osborne, U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue SW, Room 3E306, Washington, DC 20202. Telephone: [phone]. Email: [e-mail].

If you are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability and wish to access telecommunications relay services, please dial 7-1-1.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Full Text of Announcement

I. Funding Opportunity Description

Purpose of Program: The purpose of the NHE program is to support innovative projects that recognize and address the unique educational needs of Native Hawaiians. These projects must include one or more of the activities authorized under section 6205(a)(3) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, as amended (ESEA).

Background: The NHE program serves the unique educational needs of Native Hawaiians and recognizes the roles of Native Hawaiian languages and cultures in the educational success and long-term well-being of Native Hawaiian students. The program supports effective supplemental education programs that maximize participation of Native Hawaiian educators and leaders in the planning, development, implementation, management, and evaluation of programs designed to serve Native Hawaiians.

In accordance with section 6204 of the ESEA, the Native Hawaiian Education Council (NHEC) was established in 1994 with the statutory responsibility to coordinate, assess, and provide guidance to appropriate Federal, State, and local agencies on the effectiveness of existing education programs for Native Hawaiians, the state of present Native Hawaiian education efforts, and improvements that may be made to existing programs, policies, and procedures to improve the educational attainment of Native Hawaiians. In its 2020-2021 annual report, the NHEC recommended the Department prioritize funding projects that (1) assert Hawaiian language-medium instruction and culture-based education programs, frameworks, and values as critical to addressing equity, resiliency, and social-emotional well-being for increased Native Hawaiian learner outcomes and closing achievement gaps; (2) expand `a ̄ ina-based (land-based) programs and initiatives to address place-based inequities and increase educational opportunities; and (3) address mental health and social-emotional well-being as essential for Native Hawaiian learner outcomes, increased academic performance, behavior, social integration, resiliency, identity, and self-efficacy. The Department encourages applicants to review NHEC's most recent program recommendations (available at: http://www.nhec.org/​nhec-reports/​annual-reports/​) prior to applying, so that applicants can benefit from the research and community outreach that informed NHEC's recommendations.

Priorities: This notice contains two absolute priorities and two competitive preference priorities.

Consistent with 34 CFR 75.105(b)(2)(v), Absolute Priority 1 is from section 6205(a)(3) of the ESEA, which identifies authorized program activities. Absolute Priority 2 is from title III of division H of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023 (Pub. L. 117-328) (the Act). In accordance with 34 CFR 75.105(c)(2)(i), Competitive Preference Priority 1 is from section 6205(a)(2) of the ESEA and Competitive Preference Priority 2 is from the Notice of Final Priorities and Definitions-Secretary's Supplemental Priorities and Definitions for Discretionary Grants Programs (Supplemental Priorities) published in the Federal Register on December 10, 2021 (86 FR 70612), and available at https://www.federalregister.gov/​documents/​2021/​12/​10/​2021-26615/​final-priorities-and-definitions-secretarys-supplemental-priorities-and-definitions-for.

Absolute Priorities: For FY 2023 and any subsequent year in which we make awards from the list of unfunded applications from this competition, these priorities are absolute priorities. Under 34 CFR 75.105(c)(3), we consider only applications that meet one or more of these priorities. If addressing Absolute Priority 1, an applicant may address one or more subparts of the priority and must clearly identify in the Project Abstract section of its application which subpart or subparts of the Absolute Priority 1 its project addresses.

If addressing Absolute Priority 2 and proposing to renovate or modernize an existing public elementary school, secondary school, or structure related to a public elementary school or secondary school, the applicant must clearly identify in the Project Abstract section of its application the name of the school or structure. If addressing Absolute Priority 2 and proposing to construct a new building, an applicant must clearly indicate this in the Project Abstract section of its application, and provide the proposed name, if available. An applicant addressing Absolute Priority 2 must provide information or data showing that the proposed or existing structure serves or will serve a predominantly Native Hawaiian student body.

Applicants must clearly identify the specific absolute priority or priorities the proposed project addresses in the project abstract; an applicant that wishes to apply under both priorities should submit two separate applications.

Note: The Department may create two funding slates—one for applicants that meet Absolute Priority 1 and one for applicants that meet Absolute Priority 2. As a result, the Department may fund applications out of the overall rank order, provided applications of sufficient quality are submitted, but the Department is not bound to do so.

These priorities are:

Absolute Priority 1—Native Hawaiian Education Activities.

To meet this priority, an eligible applicant must propose a project that includes one or more of the following authorized activities pursuant to section 6205(a)(3) of the ESEA:

(a) The development and maintenance of a statewide Native Hawaiian early education and care system to provide a continuum of services for Native Hawaiian children from the prenatal period of the children through age 5.

(b) The operation of family-based education centers that provide such services as—

(i) Programs for Native Hawaiian parents and their infants from the prenatal period of the infants through age 3;

(ii) Preschool programs for Native Hawaiians; and

(iii) Research on, and development and assessment of, family-based, early childhood, and preschool programs for Native Hawaiians.

(c) Activities that enhance beginning reading and literacy in either the Hawaiian or the English language among Native Hawaiian students in kindergarten through grade 3 and assistance in addressing the distinct features of combined English and Hawaiian literacy for Hawaiian speakers in grades 5 and 6.

(d) Activities to meet the special needs of Native Hawaiian students with disabilities, including—

(i) The identification of such students and their needs;

(ii) The provision of support services to the families of such students; and

(iii) Other activities consistent with the requirements of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).

(e) Activities that address the special needs of Native Hawaiian students who are gifted and talented, including—

(i) Educational, psychological, and developmental activities designed to assist in the educational progress of those students; and

(ii) Activities that involve the parents of those students in a manner designed to assist in the educational progress of such students.

(f) The development of academic and vocational curricula to address the needs of Native Hawaiian children and adults, including curriculum materials in the Hawaiian language and mathematics and science curricula that incorporate Native Hawaiian tradition and culture.

(g) Professional development activities for educators, including—

(i) The development of programs to prepare prospective teachers to address the unique needs of Native Hawaiian students within the context of Native Hawaiian culture, language, and traditions;

(ii) In-service programs to improve the ability of teachers who teach in schools with high concentrations of Native Hawaiian students to meet the unique needs of such students; and

(iii) The recruitment and preparation of Native Hawaiians, and other individuals who live in communities with a high concentration of Native Hawaiians, to become teachers.

(h) The operation of community-based learning centers that address the needs of Native Hawaiian students, parents, families, and communities through the coordination of public and private programs and services, including—

(i) Early childhood education programs;

(ii) Before, after, and summer school programs, expanded learning time, or weekend academies;

(iii) Career and technical education programs; and

(iv) Programs that recognize and support the unique cultural and educational needs of Native Hawaiian children, and incorporate appropriately qualified Native Hawaiian elders and seniors.

(i) Activities, including program co-location, to enable Native Hawaiians to enter and complete programs of postsecondary education, including—

(i) Family literacy services; and

(ii) Counseling, guidance, and support services for students.

(j) Research and data collection activities to determine the educational status and needs of Native Hawaiian children and adults.

(k) Other research and evaluation activities related to programs carried out under title VI, part B of the ESEA.

(l) Other activities, consistent with the purposes of title VI, part B of the ESEA, to meet the educational needs of Native Hawaiian children and adults.

Absolute Priority 2—Native Hawaiian Education Construction.

To meet this priority, an eligible applicant must propose a project that will result in the construction, renovation, or modernization of a public elementary school, secondary school, or structure related to a public elementary school or secondary school that serves a predominantly Native Hawaiian student body. To meet this priority, an applicant must provide information or data showing that the proposed or existing structure serves or will serve a predominantly Native Hawaiian student body.

Note: FY 2023 funds may be used for the purpose of construction, renovation, and modernization of any public elementary school, secondary school, or structure related to a public elementary school or secondary school that serves a predominantly Native Hawaiian student body. For the purposes of this program, the Department considers “predominantly” to mean a student body that is comprised of 50 percent or more Native Hawaiian students.

Competitive Preference Priorities: For FY 2023 and any subsequent year in which we make awards from the list of unfunded applications from this competition, these priorities are competitive preference priorities for applications under Absolute Priority 1. Under 34 CFR 75.105(c)(2)(i), we award up to an additional 3 points to an application, depending on how well the application meets Competitive Preference Priority 1, and we award up to an additional 3 points to an application, depending on how well the application meets Competitive Preference Priority 2. The maximum number of competitive preference priority points is 6.

These priorities are:

Competitive Preference Priority 1—Native Hawaiian Education Priority Activities. (up to 3 points)

To meet this priority, an eligible applicant must propose a project that is designed to address one or more of the following, pursuant to section 6205(a)(2) of the ESEA:

(a) Beginning reading and literacy among students in kindergarten through third grade.

(b) The needs of at-risk children and youth.

(c) The needs in fields or disciplines in which Native Hawaiians are underemployed.

(d) The use of the Hawaiian language in instruction.

Competitive Preference Priority 2—Addressing the Impact of COVID-19 on Students, Educators, and Faculty. (up to 3 points)

To meet this priority, an eligible applicant must propose a project that is designed to address the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, including impacts that extend beyond the duration of the pandemic itself, on the students most impacted by the pandemic, with a focus on underserved students and the educators who serve them, through one or both of the following priority areas:

(a) Addressing students' social, emotional, mental health, and academic needs through approaches that are inclusive with regard to race, ethnicity, culture, language, and disability status.

(b) Using evidence-based instructional approaches and supports, such as professional development, coaching, ongoing support for educators, high quality tutoring, expanded access to rigorous coursework and content across K-12, and expanded learning time to accelerate learning for students in ways that ensure all students have the opportunity to successfully meet challenging academic content standards without contributing to tracking or remedial courses.

Definitions: For FY 2023, and any subsequent year in which we make awards from the list of unfunded applications from this competition, the following definitions apply. The definitions of “Demonstrates a rationale,” “Evidence-based”, “Project component,” “Logic model,” and “Relevant outcome” are from 34 CFR 77.1(c). The definition of “Charter school” is from section 4310(2) of the ESEA; the definitions of “Native Hawaiian,” “Native Hawaiian community-based organization,” “Native Hawaiian educational organization,” and “Native Hawaiian language” are from section 6207 of the ESEA; and the definitions of “Regular high school diploma,” “Local educational agency,” and “State educational agency” are from section 8101 of the ESEA. The definitions of “Children or students with disabilities,” “Early learning,” “Educator,” “Military- or veteran-connected student,” and “Underserved student” are from the Supplemental Priorities.

These definitions apply to the FY 2023 grant competition and any subsequent year in which we make awards from the list of unfunded applications from this competition.

Charter school means a public school that—

(a) In accordance with a specific State statute authorizing the granting of charters to schools, is exempt from significant State or local rules that inhibit the flexible operation and management of public schools, but not from any rules relating to the other requirements of this definition;

(b) Is created by a developer as a public school, or is adapted by a developer from an existing public school, and is operated under public supervision and direction;

(c) Operates in pursuit of a specific set of educational objectives determined by the school's developer and agreed to by the authorized public chartering agency;

(d) Provides a program of elementary or secondary education, or both;

(e) Is nonsectarian in its programs, admissions policies, employment practices, and all other operations, and is not affiliated with a sectarian school or religious institution;

(f) Does not charge tuition;

(g) Complies with the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12101 et seq.), section 444 of the General Education Provisions Act (20 U.S.C. 1232g) (commonly referred to as the “Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974”), and part B of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act;

(h) Is a school to which parents choose to send their children, and that

(1) admits students on the basis of a lottery, consistent with section 4303(c)(3)(A) of the ESEA, if more students apply for admission than can be accommodated; or

(2) in the case of a school that has an affiliated charter school (such as a school that is part of the same network of schools), automatically enrolls students who are enrolled in the immediate prior grade level of the affiliated charter school and, for any additional student openings or student openings created through regular attrition in student enrollment in the affiliated charter school and the enrolling school, admits students on the basis of a lottery as described in clause (i);

(i) Agrees to comply with the same Federal and State audit requirements as do other elementary schools and secondary schools in the State, unless such State audit requirements are waived by the State;

(j) Meets all applicable Federal, State, and local health and safety requirements;

(k) Operates in accordance with State law;

(l) Has a written performance contract with the authorized public chartering agency in the State that includes a description of how student performance will be measured in charter schools pursuant to State assessments that are required of other schools and pursuant to any other assessments mutually agreeable to the authorized public chartering agency and the charter school; and

(m) May serve students in early childhood education programs or postsecondary students. (Section 4310(2) of the ESEA)

Children or students with disabilities means children with disabilities as defined in section 602(3) of the IDEA (20 U.S.C. 1401(3)) and 34 CFR 300.8 or students with disabilities, as defined in the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. 705(37), 705(202)(B)). (Supplemental Priorities)

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. (34 CFR 77.1(c))

Early learning means any

(a) State-licensed or State-regulated program or provider, regardless of setting or funding source, that provides early care and education for children from birth to kindergarten entry, including, but not limited to, any program operated by a child care center or in a family child care home;

(b) program funded by the Federal Government or State or local educational agencies (LEAs) (including any IDEA-funded program);

(c) Early Head Start and Head Start program;

(d) non-relative child care provider who is not otherwise regulated by the State and who regularly cares for two or more unrelated children for a fee in a provider setting; and

(e) other program that may deliver early learning and development services in a child's home, such as the Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting Program; Early Head Start; and Part C of IDEA.

Educator means an individual who is an early learning educator, teacher, principal or other school leader, specialized instructional support personnel ( e.g., school psychologist, counselor, school social worker, early intervention service personnel), paraprofessional, or faculty. (Supplemental Priorities)

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. (34 CFR 77.1(c))

Local educational agency —

(a) IN GENERAL.—The term “local educational agency” means a public board of education or other public authority legally constituted within a State for either administrative control or direction of, or to perform a service function for, public elementary schools or secondary schools in a city, county, township, school district, or other political subdivision of a State, or of or for a combination of school districts or counties that is recognized in a State as an administrative agency for its public elementary schools or secondary schools.

(b) ADMINISTRATIVE CONTROL AND DIRECTION.—The term includes any other public institution or agency having administrative control and direction of a public elementary school or secondary school.

(c) BUREAU OF INDIAN EDUCATION SCHOOLS.—The term includes an elementary school or secondary school funded by the Bureau of Indian Education but only to the extent that including the school makes the school eligible for programs for which specific eligibility is not provided to the school in another provision of law and the school does not have a student population that is smaller than the student population of the LEA receiving assistance under the ESEA with the smallest student population, except that the school shall not be subject to the jurisdiction of any State educational agency other than the Bureau of Indian Education.

(d) EDUCATION SERVICE AGENCIES.—The term includes educational service agencies and consortia of those agencies.

(e) STATE EDUCATIONAL AGENCY.—The term includes the State educational agency in a State in which the State educational agency is the sole educational agency for all public schools. (Section 8101(30) of the ESEA)

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. (34 CFR 77.1(c))

Military- or veteran-connected student means one or more of the following:

(a) A child participating in an early learning program, a student enrolled in preschool through grade 12, or a student enrolled in career and technical education or postsecondary education who has a parent or guardian who is a member of the uniformed services (as defined by 37 U.S.C. 101) in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, Space Force, National Guard, Reserves, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, or Public Health Service or is a veteran of the uniformed services with an honorable discharge (as defined by 38 U.S.C. 3311).

(b) A student who is a member of the uniformed services, a veteran of the uniformed services, or the spouse of a service member or veteran.

(c) A child participating in an early learning program, a student enrolled in preschool through grade 12, or a student enrolled in career and technical education or postsecondary education who has a parent or guardian who is a veteran of the uniformed services (as defined by 37 U.S.C. 101). (Supplemental Priorities)

Native Hawaiian means any individual who is—

(a) A citizen of the United States; and

(b) A descendant of the aboriginal people who, prior to 1778, occupied and exercised sovereignty in the area that now comprises the State of Hawaii, as evidenced by—

(1) Genealogical records;

(2) Kupuna (elders) or Kamaaina (long-term community residents) verification; or

(3) Certified birth records. (Section 6207(2) of the ESEA)

Native Hawaiian community-based organization means any organization that is composed primarily of Native Hawaiians from a specific community and that assists in the social, cultural, and educational development of Native Hawaiians in that community. (Section 6207(3) of the ESEA)

Native Hawaiian educational organization means a private nonprofit organization that—

(a) Serves the interests of Native Hawaiians;

(b) Has Native Hawaiians in substantive and policymaking positions within the organization;

(c) Incorporates Native Hawaiian perspective, values, language, culture, and traditions into the core function of the organization;

(d) Has demonstrated expertise in the education of Native Hawaiian youth; and

(e) Has demonstrated expertise in research and program development. (Section 6207(4) of the ESEA)

Native Hawaiian language means the single Native American language indigenous to the original inhabitants of the State of Hawaii. (Section 6207(5) of the ESEA)

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). (34 CFR 77.1(c))

Regular high school diploma

(a) means the standard high school diploma awarded to the preponderance of students in the State that is fully aligned with State standards, or a higher diploma, except that a regular high school diploma shall not be aligned to the alternate academic achievement standards described in ESEA section 1111(b)(1)(E); and

(b) does not include a recognized equivalent of a diploma, such as a general equivalency diploma, certificate of completion, certificate of attendance, or similar lesser credential. (Section 8101(43) of the ESEA)

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. (34 CFR 77.1(c))

State educational agency means the agency primarily responsible for the State supervision of public elementary schools and secondary schools. (Section 8101(49) of the ESEA)

Underserved student means a student (which may include children in early learning environments, students in K-12 programs, students in postsecondary education or career and technical education, and adult learners, as appropriate) in one or more of the following subgroups:

(a) A student who is living in poverty or is served by schools with high concentrations of students living in poverty.

(b) A student of color.

(c) A student who is a member of a federally recognized Indian Tribe.

(d) An English learner.

(e) A child or student with a disability.

(f) A disconnected youth.

(g) A technologically unconnected youth.

(h) A migrant student.

(i) A student experiencing homelessness or housing insecurity.

(j) A lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or questioning, or intersex (LGBTQI+) student.

(k) A student who is in foster care.

(l) A student without documentation of immigration status.

(m) A pregnant, parenting, or caregiving student.

(n) A student impacted by the justice system, including a formerly incarcerated student.

(o) A student who is the first in their family to attend postsecondary education.

(p) A student enrolling in or seeking to enroll in postsecondary education for the first time at the age of 20 or older.

(q) A student who is working full-time while enrolled in postsecondary education.

(r) A student who is enrolled in or is seeking to enroll in postsecondary education who is eligible for a Pell Grant.

(s) An adult student in need of improving their basic skills or an adult student with limited English proficiency.

(t) A student performing significantly below grade level.

(u) A military- or veteran-connected student. (Supplemental Priorities)

Application Requirement: In accordance with ESEA section 6206(b), we are establishing the following application requirement: Each applicant for a grant under this program shall submit the application for comment to the LEA serving students who will participate in the program to be carried out under the grant ( i.e., Hawaii State Department of Education), and include those comments, if any, with the application to the Secretary.

Program Authority: Section 6205 of the ESEA (20 U.S.C. 7515); Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023.

Applicable Regulations: (a) The Education Department General Administrative Regulations in 34 CFR parts 75, 77, 79, 81, 82, 84, 86, 97, 98, and 99. (b) The Office of Management and Budget Guidelines to Agencies on Governmentwide Debarment and Suspension (Nonprocurement) in 2 CFR part 180, as adopted and amended as regulations of the Department in 2 CFR part 3485. (c) The Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards in 2 CFR part 200, as adopted and amended as regulations of the Department in 2 CFR part 3474. (d) The Supplemental Priorities.

Note: The regulations in 34 CFR part 86 apply to institutions of higher education only.

II. Award Information

Type of Award: Discretionary grants.

Estimated Available Funds: $33,197,670.

Estimated Range of Awards: $400,000-$1,325,000.

Estimated Number of Awards: 25-83.

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

Project Period: Up to 36 months.

III. Eligibility Information

1. Eligible Applicants: The following entities are eligible to apply under this competition:

(a) Native Hawaiian educational organizations.

(b) Native Hawaiian community-based organizations.

(c) Public and private nonprofit organizations, agencies, and institutions with experience in developing or operating Native Hawaiian programs or programs of instruction in the Native Hawaiian language.

(d) Charter schools.

(e) Consortia of the organizations, agencies, and institutions described in paragraphs (a) through (c).

2. a. Cost Sharing or Matching: This program does not require cost sharing or matching.

b. Indirect Cost Rate Information: This program uses an unrestricted indirect cost rate. For more information regarding indirect costs, or to obtain a negotiated indirect cost rate, please see www2.ed.gov/​about/​offices/​list/​ocfo/​intro.html.

c. Administrative Cost Limitation: No more than 5 percent of funds awarded for a grant under this program may be used for direct administrative costs (ESEA section 6305, (20 U.S.C. 7545 and the Act). For additional information please see Funding Restriction section below.

3. Subgrantees: A grantee under this competition may not award subgrants to entities to directly carry out project activities described in its application.

4. Performance Reports: If you receive an award under this program, you are required to provide copies of the performance reports (see section VI of this document below) to the Native Hawaiian Education Council (authorized under section 6204 of the ESEA (20 U.S.C. 7514)).

5. Build America Buy America Act: This program is subject to the Build America, Buy America Act (Pub. L. 117-58) domestic sourcing requirements. Accordingly, under this program, grantees and their contractors may not use their grant funds for infrastructure projects or activities ( e.g., construction, remodeling, and broadband infrastructure) unless—

(a) All iron and steel used in the infrastructure project or activity are produced in the United States;

(b) All manufactured products used in the infrastructure project or activity are produced in the United States; and

(c) All construction materials are manufactured in the United States.

Grantees may request waivers to these requirements by submitting a Build America Buy America Act Waiver Request Form. For more information, including a link to the Waiver Request Form, see the Department's Build America Buy America Waivers website at https://www2.ed.gov/​policy/​fund/​guid/​buy-america/​index.html.

IV. Application and Submission Information

1. Application Submission Instructions: Applicants are required to follow the Common Instructions for Applicants to Department of Education Discretionary Grant Programs, published in the Federal Register on December 7, 2022 (87 FR 75045) and available at https://www.federalregister.gov/​documents/​2022/​12/​07/​2022-26554/​common-instructions-for-applicants-to-department-of-education-discretionary-grant-programs. Please note that these Common Instructions supersede the version published on December 27, 2021.

2. Submission of Proprietary Information: Given the types of projects that may be proposed in applications for the NHE program, your application may include business information that you consider proprietary. In 34 CFR 5.11, we define “business information” and describe the process we use in determining whether any of that information is proprietary and, thus, protected from disclosure under Exemption 4 of the Freedom of Information Act (5 U.S.C. 552, as amended). Because we plan to make successful applications available to the public, you may wish to request confidentiality of business information.

Consistent with Executive Order 12600, please designate in your application any information that you believe is exempt from disclosure under Exemption 4. In the appropriate Appendix section of your application, under “Other Attachments Form,” please list the page number or numbers on which we can find this information. For additional information please see 34 CFR 5.11(c).

3. Intergovernmental Review: This program is not subject to Executive Order 12372 and the regulations in 34 CFR part 79.

4. Funding Restrictions: No more than 5 percent of FY 2023 funds awarded for a grant under this program may be used for direct administrative costs (ESEA section 6205(b) and the Act). This 5 percent limit does not include indirect costs.

Note: In general, for purposes of this competition, the 5 percent limit on administrative costs under ESEA section 6205(b) includes direct and indirect administrative costs. In the Act, however, Congress explicitly specified that, for FY 2023 funds, the administrative cost cap refers only to direct administrative costs.

We reference regulations outlining additional funding restrictions in the Applicable Regulations section of this notice.

5. Recommended Page Limit: The application narrative 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 30 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.
• Use a font that is either 12 point or larger or no smaller than 10 pitch (characters per inch).
• Use one of the following fonts: Times New Roman, Courier, Courier New, or Arial.

The recommended page limit does not apply to the cover sheet; the budget section, including the narrative budget justification; the assurances and certifications; or the one-page abstract, the resumes, the bibliography, or the letters of support. However, the recommended page limit does apply to all of the application narrative.

V. Application Review Information

1. Selection Criteria: The selection criteria for this competition are from 34 CFR 75.210. The maximum score for all of the selection criteria is 100 points. The maximum score for each criterion is included in parentheses following the title of the specific selection criterion. Each criterion also includes the factors that reviewers will consider in determining the extent to which an applicant meets the criterion.

The selection criteria are as follows:

(a) Need for project (up to 10 points)

(1) The Secretary considers the need for the proposed project.

(2) In determining the need for the proposed project, the Secretary considers 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.

(b) Quality of the project design (up to 30 points)

(1) The Secretary considers the quality of the design of the proposed project.

(2) In determining the quality of the design of the proposed project, the Secretary considers the extent to which the proposed project demonstrates a rationale (as defined in this notice).

(c) Quality of project personnel (up to 10 points)

(1) The Secretary considers the quality of the personnel who will carry out the proposed project.

(2) In determining the quality of project personnel, the Secretary considers the extent to which the applicant encourages applications for employment from persons who are members of groups that have traditionally been underrepresented based on race, color, national origin, gender, age, or disability (up to 5 points).

(3) In addition, the Secretary considers the qualifications, including relevant training and experience, of key project personnel (up to 5 points).

(d) Quality of the management plan (up to 30 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 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.

(e) Quality of the project evaluation (up to 20 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 will provide valid and reliable performance data on relevant outcomes (up to 10 points).

(ii) The extent to which the methods of evaluation include the use of objective performance measures that are clearly related to the intended outcomes of the project and will produce quantitative and qualitative data to the extent possible (up to 10 points).

Note: The quality of the project evaluation selection criterion relates to performance measure (1) under the Performance Measures section of this notice.

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, and 110.23.).

3. Risk Assessment and Specific Conditions: Consistent with 2 CFR 200.206, before awarding grants under this competition the Department conducts a review of the risks posed by applicants. Under 2 CFR 200.208, the Secretary may impose specific conditions and, under 2 CFR 3474.10, in appropriate circumstances, high-risk conditions on a grant if the applicant or grantee is not financially stable; has a history of unsatisfactory performance; has a financial or other management system that does not meet the standards in 2 CFR part 200, subpart D; has not fulfilled the conditions of a prior grant; or is otherwise not responsible.

4. Integrity and Performance System: If you are selected under this competition to receive an award that over the course of the project period may exceed the simplified acquisition threshold (currently $250,000), under 2 CFR 200.206(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.

5. In General. In accordance with the Office of Management and Budget's guidance located at 2 CFR part 200, all applicable Federal laws, and relevant Executive guidance, the Department will review and consider applications for funding pursuant to this notice inviting applications in accordance with—

(a) Selecting recipients most likely to be successful in delivering results based on the program objectives through an objective process of evaluating Federal award applications (2 CFR 200.205;

(b) Prohibiting the purchase of certain telecommunication and video surveillance services or equipment in alignment with section 889 of the National Defense Authorization Act of 2019 (Pub. L. 115-232) (2 CFR 200.216);

(c) Providing a preference, to the extent permitted by law, to maximize use of goods, products, and materials produced in the United States (2 CFR 200.322); and

(d) Terminating agreements in whole or in part to the greatest extent authorized by law if an award no longer effectuates the program goals or agency priorities (2 CFR 200.340).

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). 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.

(c) Under 34 CFR 75.250(b), the Secretary may provide a grantee with additional funding for data collection analysis and reporting. In this case the Secretary establishes a data collection period.

5. Performance Measures: For the purposes of Department reporting under 34 CFR 75.110, we have established four performance measures for the NHE program under Absolute Priority 1: (1) the number of grantees that attain or exceed the targets for the outcome indicators for their projects that have been approved by the Secretary; (2) the percentage of Native Hawaiian children participating in early education programs who consistently demonstrate school readiness in literacy as measured by the Hawaii School Readiness Assessment (HSRA); (3) the percentage of students in schools served by the program who graduate from high school with a regular high school diploma (as defined in this notice) in 4 years; and (4) the percentage of students participating in a Native Hawaiian language (as defined in this notice) program that is conducted under the NHE program who meet or exceed proficiency standards in reading on a test of the Native Hawaiian language.

For Absolute Priority 2, the Department has established the following performance measures for the NHE program: (1) the number of grantees that attain or exceed the targets for the outcome indicators for their projects that have been approved by the Secretary; (2) the number and percentage of grantees that report annually that the overall condition of the school building(s) on which their project focuses is adequate; and (3) the number and percentage of grantees that report their project is at each of the following levels of completion: (a) not started; (b) 1-25 percent; (c) 26-50 percent; (d) 51-75 percent; (e) 76-99 percent; (f) 100 percent complete.

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, whether the grantee has made substantial progress in achieving 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: On request to the program contact person listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT , individuals with disabilities can obtain this document and a copy of the application package in an accessible format. The Department will provide the requestor with an accessible format that may include Rich Text Format (RTF) or text format (txt), a thumb drive, an MP3 file, braille, large print, audiotape, or compact disc, or other accessible format.

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 at www.govinfo.gov. 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.

James F. Lane,

Senior Advisor, Office of the Secretary. Delegated the Authority to Perform the Functions and Duties of the Assistant Secretary Office of Elementary and Secondary Education.