95-9511. Secondary Education and Transitional Services for Youth With Disabilities Program  

  • [Federal Register Volume 60, Number 74 (Tuesday, April 18, 1995)]
    [Notices]
    [Pages 19466-19470]
    From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
    [FR Doc No: 95-9511]
    
    
    
    
    [[Page 19465]]
    
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    Part II
    
    
    
    
    
    Department of Education
    
    
    
    
    
    _______________________________________________________________________
    
    
    
    Secondary Education and Transitional Services for Youth With 
    Disabilities Program; Final Priority and Invitation to Apply for New 
    Awards; Notices
    
    Federal Register / Vol. 60, No. 74 / Tuesday, April 18, 1995 / 
    Notices 
    [[Page 19466]] 
    
    DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
    
    
    Secondary Education and Transitional Services for Youth With 
    Disabilities Program
    
    AGENCY: Department of Education.
    
    ACTION: Notice of final priority.
    
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    SUMMARY: The Secretary of Education announces a final priority for an 
    award to provide technical assistance to improve the transition for 
    youth with disabilities from school to work and other postsecondary 
    settings. This priority is intended to provide technical assistance to 
    support students with disabilities in a wide range of school to work 
    experiences and promote their successful transition to a variety of 
    postsecondary settings. The Secretary also announces selection criteria 
    that will be applied in evaluating applications submitted for this 
    competition.
    
    EFFECTIVE DATE: This priority takes effect May 18, 1995.
    
    FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Joseph Clair, U.S. Department of 
    Education, 600 Independence Avenue, S.W., Room 4622, Switzer Building, 
    Washington, D.C. 20202-2644. Telephone: (202) 205-9503. Individuals who 
    use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) may call the TDD 
    number at (202) 205-8169.
    
    SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Over the last decade, four pieces of Federal 
    legislation have been enacted that affect the transition of students 
    with disabilities from school to postsecondary settings, including 
    gainful employment. These include amendments to the Individuals with 
    Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, 
    and passage of the School-to-Work Opportunities Act of 1994 and the 
    Goals 2000: Educate America Act. Each piece of legislation is described 
    below.
        The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, as amended, now 
    requires that a statement of needed transition services be included in 
    the individualized education program (IEP) of all eligible students 
    beginning no later than age 16, and at a younger age if appropriate, 
    and that the statement of required services be updated on an annual 
    basis. 20 U.S.C. 1401(a)(20)(D). Transition services are defined as ``a 
    coordinated set of activities for a student, designed within an 
    outcome-oriented process, which promotes movement from school to post-
    school activities * * * and shall include instruction, community 
    experiences, the development of employment and other post-school adult 
    living objectives, and, when appropriate, acquisition of daily living 
    skills and functional vocational evaluation.'' 20 U.S.C. 1401(a)(19).
        The Rehabilitation Act now requires the State Vocational 
    Rehabilitation programs to enter into formal interagency cooperative 
    agreements with education officials responsible for the provision of a 
    free appropriate public education to students with disabilities in 
    order to facilitate the development and accomplishment of long term 
    rehabilitation goals, intermediate rehabilitation objectives, and goals 
    and objectives to enable students with disabilities to live 
    independently before leaving the school setting. State vocational 
    rehabilitation plans must address: (i) provisions for determining State 
    lead agencies and qualified personnel responsible for transition 
    services; (ii) procedures for outreach to and identification of youth 
    in need of such services; and (iii) a timeframe for evaluation and 
    follow-up of youth who have received such services. 29 U.S.C. 
    721(a)(24).
        In May of 1994, President Clinton signed into law the School-to-
    Work Opportunities Act of 1994. This law, administered jointly by the 
    Departments of Education and Labor, establishes a national framework 
    within which all States can create statewide School-to-Work 
    Opportunities systems. These systems will be designed to help youth 
    acquire the knowledge, skills, abilities, and labor market information 
    they need to make a smooth and effective transition from school to 
    career-oriented work and to further education and training.
        Under the School-to-Work Opportunities Act of 1994, 20 U.S.C. 6101 
    et seq., States and local partnerships are developing and implementing 
    plans for school-to-work opportunities systems that will provide 
    opportunities for all students, including those with disabilities, to 
    prepare successfully for high-skill, high-wage jobs or further 
    education and training. Any student who completes a School-to-Work 
    Opportunities program of study will receive: (1) a high school diploma; 
    (2) a certificate or diploma recognizing one or two years of 
    postsecondary education, if appropriate; and (3) a portable, industry-
    recognized skill certificate. While each State and locality will have 
    broad latitude to design its own system, every system will have common 
    core components:
         Work-based learning. Providing students with a planned 
    program of job training and work experiences in a broad range of tasks 
    in an occupational area, as well as workplace mentoring.
         School-based learning. Including a coherent multi-year 
    sequence of instruction--typically including at least 2 years of 
    secondary education and at least 1 or 2 years of postsecondary 
    education--tied to occupational skills standards and challenging 
    academic standards such as those established by States under Goals 
    2000.
         Connecting activities. To ensure coordination of the work- 
    and school-based learning components, such as providing technical 
    assistance in designing work-based learning, matching students with 
    employers' work-based learning opportunities, and collecting 
    information on what happens to students after they complete the 
    program.
        The intent of the Goals 2000: Educate America Act, 20 U.S.C. 5801 
    et seq., is to provide resources to States and communities to help all 
    students achieve the high standards they will need to meet the 
    challenges of the 21st century. The law supports State and local 
    efforts to set challenging standards that will strengthen education in 
    their States and communities--teaching, curriculum, and assessments 
    aligned with higher standards.
        Goals 2000 also establishes a National Skill Standards Board to 
    assist in the development of rigorous occupational standards that are 
    relevant to industry. This Board will have broad-based representation 
    from business, labor and education and will identify the specific 
    knowledge, skill, and ability levels needed to perform a given job in a 
    given industry. Standards endorsed by the board would be linked to the 
    highest international standards and would promote the transition to 
    high-performance jobs.
        This award will be jointly funded in fiscal year 1995 under three 
    statutory authorities: (1) the Secondary Education and Transitional 
    Services for Youth with Disabilities Program authorized by section 626 
    of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act; (2) sections 202(b) 
    (4) and (6) of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973; and (3) the Cooperative 
    Demonstration Program authorized by section 420A of the Carl D. Perkins 
    Vocational and Applied Technology Education Act (the Perkins Act). In 
    fiscal year 1996, the award will include funding from section 311(d) of 
    the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. The Secretary has determined that this 
    joint award is necessary because of the need to provide technical 
    assistance to support students with disabilities in a wide range of 
    school to work experiences and promote their successful transition to a 
    variety of [[Page 19467]] postsecondary settings including gainful 
    employment.
        The funds provided under the Cooperative Demonstration Program must 
    meet the cost-sharing requirement of section 420A(b)(2) of the Perkins 
    Act implemented by 34 CFR 426.30. In the first year of the project, we 
    anticipate providing $25,000 from the Cooperative Demonstration 
    program. The funds provided under section 311(d) of the Rehabilitation 
    Act of 1973 must be used only for youth with severe disabilities.
        In the application notice, we will inform potential applicants how 
    much funding we estimate will come from each program for fiscal year 
    1995. As noted above, we anticipate that the source and amount of 
    funding will change in future years and will notify the grantee. If 
    other sources of funding are added that would result in additional 
    requirements in a future year, the Secretary will notify the grantee 
    concerning those requirements.
        The Department believes that people involved in providing 
    educational, related, and transitional services to individuals with 
    disabilities need better information, particularly in areas such as: 
    (1) meeting the transition requirements in Part B of the Individuals 
    with Disabilities Education Act, the Rehabilitation Act, and the 
    School-to-Work Opportunities Act; (2) helping students with 
    disabilities access transition programs including those supported by 
    developing School-to-Work Opportunities systems; (3) overcoming 
    administrative, attitudinal, and programmatic barriers that limit the 
    planning and implementation of effective practices for students with 
    disabilities in transitional programs, such as those that school 
    personnel can use to encourage and facilitate extensive student/parent 
    involvement; (4) working with statewide School-to-Work Opportunities 
    systems to help students with disabilities acquire the academic and 
    occupational skills, abilities, and labor market information they need 
    to make a smooth and effective transition from school to career-
    oriented work or to further education or training; (5) building on and 
    enriching current promising programs such as tech-prep education, 
    career academies, school-to-apprenticeship, youth apprenticeship, 
    cooperative education, adult education, adult services, and business-
    education compacts; (6) facilitating the representation of disability 
    interests in the formation of partnerships among secondary and 
    postsecondary educational institutions, private and public employers, 
    labor organizations, government, community groups, parents, and other 
    key groups; and (7) ensuring that students with disabilities, including 
    those with severe disabilities, are provided an integrated array of 
    learning experiences in the classroom and at the worksite, including 
    appropriate modification of curriculum, instructional techniques, 
    equipment, and the work environment.
        On December 2, 1994 the Secretary published a notice of proposed 
    priority for this program in the Federal Register (59 FR 62248).
    
        Note: This notice of final priority does not solicit 
    applications. A notice inviting applications under this program is 
    published in a separate notice in this issue of the Federal 
    Register.
    
    Analysis of Comments and Changes
    
        The Department is in the process of reviewing its priorities to 
    focus them more closely on improving results for children, including 
    children with disabilities, and on eliminating prescriptive 
    requirements that are unnecessary to achieve program purposes and that 
    may limit the creative approaches in carrying out activities. This 
    priority has been reviewed by the Department with these considerations 
    in mind.
        The statement of purpose for the priority has been revised to more 
    clearly reflect the goal of ensuring that young individuals with 
    disabilities acquire the skills and knowledge, have the experiences, 
    and receive the services and supports they need to achieve successful 
    postschool outcomes. Technical assistance activities described in the 
    ``Purpose'' section have been broadened consistent with achieving this 
    goal, while specific targets for technical assistance are still 
    included in the ``Priority'' section. Numerous prescriptive 
    requirements detailing how activities are to be conducted have been 
    eliminated. These include requirements to field-test, revise, and 
    publicize user-friendly documentation of model practices; to document 
    proven and exemplary practices by collecting, analyzing, and reporting 
    a variety of descriptive and outcome data; and to provide information 
    in a number of narrowly defined specific areas.
        In response to the Secretary's invitation in the notice of proposed 
    priority, twelve parties submitted comments. An analysis of the 
    comments follows.
        Comment: One commenter recommended that the current State Systems 
    for Transition Services projects receive additional funding to provide 
    the types of activities proposed in this priority.
        Discussion: The Secretary acknowledges that the activities and 
    relationships developed by the State Systems for Transition Services 
    projects are important to promote successful transition outcomes for 
    youth with disabilities, including their participation in programs 
    supported by school-to-work opportunities systems, at the State and 
    local levels. However, the Secretary believes that it is necessary that 
    one technical assistance project be supported to identify, disseminate, 
    and provide information on proven practices and approaches from a 
    national perspective that can successfully support and accommodate 
    students with disabilities, including those with severe disabilities, 
    in transition from school to employment and other postsecondary 
    environments.
        Change: None.
        Comment: One commenter proposed that a requirement be added that 
    the technical assistance project enter into an agreement with a parent 
    training and information center which has expertise in technical 
    assistance on transition.
        Discussion: While the priority emphasizes the importance of 
    involving parents in many of the activities of the technical assistance 
    project, the Secretary believes that requiring the project to enter 
    into an agreement with a specific parent training and information 
    center or centers would be overly prescriptive. However, applicants may 
    propose such an activity in their application to address the 
    involvement of parents.
        Change: None.
        Comment: One commenter requested that the following points be 
    considered: (1) the establishment of guidelines for joint monitoring; 
    (2) the removal of any lead agency provisions; (3) the past success and 
    failure of applicants in providing nationwide technical assistance to 
    States; and (4) the establishment of linkages with one-stop career 
    centers.
        Discussion: In relation to both joint monitoring and lead agency 
    provision, the Secretary stresses the importance of having a project 
    lead agency be responsible to a Federal lead agency although other 
    agencies will be involved in activities such as monitoring and 
    accountability.
        The Secretary notes that the establishment of linkages or working 
    relationships with relevant agencies, such as one-stop career centers, 
    is an activity that both School-to-Work and OSERS transition grantees 
    are currently encouraged to address in the implementation of their 
    projects. This priority would allow technical assistance in developing 
    such linkages be available to these grantees.
        Change: None. [[Page 19468]] 
        Comment: One commenter suggests that consistent with other school-
    to-work grants, partnerships be eligible to apply for the technical 
    assistance project.
        Discussion: Eligible applicants for the technical assistance 
    project include institutions of higher education (IHEs), state 
    educational agencies (SEAs), local educational agencies (LEAs), and 
    other public or private non-profit institutions or agencies. The 
    School-to-Work Opportunities Act defines ``local partnership'' as 
    meaning a local entity that is responsible for a local School-to-Work 
    Opportunities program. If a partnership fits within the definition of 
    eligible applicant for this priority, it may apply. However, the 
    recipient of the grant is expected to demonstrate the expertise 
    necessary for a national technical assistance project.
        Change: None.
        Comment: One commenter asked that the priority focus on the 
    following issues: (1) training students to have a meaningful role in 
    their own transition plans; (2) meeting the spirit of the law, 
    including how the various laws can work together rather than 
    separately; and (3) exploring the effectiveness of transition programs 
    which begin before the age of 16.
        Discussion: All of these issues are currently being addressed in a 
    range of transition efforts supported by the Office of Special 
    Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS). The Secretary has 
    identified as one of the activities of the technical assistance project 
    to prepare information, including information on current projects, in 
    user friendly formats for dissemination to relevant audiences. In 
    addition, the technical assistance project must provide technical 
    assistance to these projects. These activities will produce material on 
    proven practices that address these issues.
        Change: None.
        Comment: One commenter suggested that vocational rehabilitation 
    agencies be included as eligible applicants.
        Discussion: Vocational rehabilitation agencies are eligible to 
    submit applications under this priority.
        Change: None.
        Comment: One commenter recommended that the priority emphasize to a 
    greater extent (1) the development of relationships with the State 
    School-to-Work Implementation Projects and the State Systems for 
    Transition Services projects and (2) the need for creating a national 
    network of innovators and implementors.
        Discussion: Language in the current priority does emphasize the 
    development of relationships with the State School-to-Work 
    Implementation projects and the State Systems for Transition Services 
    projects as well as creating a national network of innovators and 
    implementors through the dissemination of information on proven 
    practices and current projects, including funded research and model 
    demonstration projects. OSERS currently supports a separate Institute 
    to Evaluate and Provide Technical Assistance to States Implementing 
    Cooperative Projects to Improve Transition Services.
        Change: Language has been added to the priority requiring the 
    technical assistance project to coordinate activities with other 
    technical assistance providers such as the Institute to Evaluate and 
    Provide Technical Assistance to States Implementing Cooperative 
    Projects to Improve Transition Services.
        Comment: One commenter states that it should be clear that this 
    Technical Assistance Project is not responsible for monitoring or 
    evaluating either the State School-to-Work Implementation projects or 
    the State Systems for Transition Services projects.
        Discussion: OSERS currently supports a project to provide technical 
    assistance to the State Systems for Transition Services projects to 
    improve their evaluation design. A purpose of this technical assistance 
    project is to assist the Departments of Education and Labor in 
    evaluating School-to-Work Opportunities Systems. Therefore, technical 
    assistance will be available to State School-to-Work Implementation 
    projects on incorporating students with disabilities into the 
    evaluation design of their school-to-work effort. However, this project 
    is not specifically responsible for monitoring or evaluating State 
    School-to-Work Implementation projects or State Systems for Transition 
    Services projects.
        Change: None.
        Comment: One commenter suggests that technical assistance which 
    develops or enhances state-level ``systemic reform'' would have more 
    benefits and long-term outcomes than providing technical assistance to 
    current staff. Consideration should also be given to the development of 
    incentives to encourage States to coordinate among multiple Federal 
    workforce education and training programs, specifically in regard to 
    serving youth with disabilities.
        Discussion: The technical assistance project must provide technical 
    assistance, upon request, to States receiving School-to-Work 
    Opportunities Development Grants and provide technical assistance in 
    accordance with agreements developed with States receiving School-to-
    Work Opportunities Implementation Grants as well as providing technical 
    assistance to relevant staff as their School-to-Work systems are 
    emerging.
        The Secretary agrees that in order to ensure that transition 
    programs are successful, relevant employment training agencies must be 
    involved in the proposed activities. This would include coordinating 
    with State agencies which administer other Federal workforce education 
    and training programs, including programs supported under the Job 
    Training Partnership Act and the Perkins Act.
        Change: Language has been added to the priority to indicate that, 
    in order to be effectively implemented, relevant employment training 
    agencies must be involved in the proposed project activities.
        Comment: One commenter seeks clarification as to the extent to 
    which the documentation of project outcomes will align with those 
    outcomes specified in the eight National Education Goals contained in 
    Goals 2000: Educate America Act, in addition to those outlined in IDEA 
    and the School-to-Work Opportunities Act.
        Discussion: The Goals 2000: Educate America Act contains several 
    initiatives which impact on the successful school-to-work transition of 
    all students. These initiatives include the establishment of high 
    academic and skill standards, and the creation of a National Skill 
    Standards Board.
        Change: The Secretary agrees with the commenter, and the relevant 
    initiatives contained in this Act have been described under the 
    Supplementary Information section of the priority.
        Comment: One commenter requested that the priority incorporate the 
    development of a core data base on the extent to which youth with 
    disabilities have access to, participate in, and benefit from the full 
    range of School-to-Work Opportunities systems. This data base could 
    also be used for program planning, program improvement, and policy 
    development at the local, State, and national level. Specific 
    activities should emphasize (1) the development of computer-based tools 
    and resources for data base planning and policy development and (2) the 
    provision of evaluation technical assistance in relation to performance 
    management systems.
        Discussion: The priority currently requires that the technical 
    assistance project identify proven practices and information that is 
    useful in addressing the secondary education, transitional service, and 
    postsecondary education [[Page 19469]] needs of individuals with 
    disabilities, including individuals with severe disabilities. The 
    development of a core data base would be one means of meeting this 
    requirement and applicants can propose such an activity in their 
    application. However, the Secretary believes that requiring the 
    development of such a data base would be overly prescriptive.
        The priority also requires that this information be disseminated to 
    all relevant audiences, including policy makers, administrators, 
    teachers, other service providers, parents and individuals with 
    disabilities, and that the technical assistance project will assist the 
    Departments of Education and Labor in evaluating School-to-Work 
    Opportunities systems. Therefore, the Secretary believes that 
    sufficient data will be available at the national, State, and local 
    levels which could be used for program planning, program improvement, 
    and policy development.
        Change: None.
    
    Absolute Priority: Accessing School-to-Work, Secondary, and 
    Postsecondary Environments--A Technical Assistance and Dissemination 
    Effort
    
        Purpose: The goal of this project is to help ensure that young 
    individuals with disabilities acquire the skills and knowledge, have 
    the experiences, and receive the services and supports they need to 
    achieve successful postschool outcomes, including gainful employment 
    and independent living. The project would do this by: (1) preparing and 
    disseminating information on how best to meet the secondary education, 
    transitional service, and postsecondary education needs of individuals 
    with disabilities, including individuals with severe disabilities, in 
    user-friendly formats to relevant audiences such as policy makers, 
    administrators, teachers, other service providers, parents, and 
    individuals with disabilities; and (2) making available technical 
    assistance to personnel responsible for providing transitional services 
    for individuals with disabilities, particularly personnel working on 
    planning and implementing School-to-Work Opportunities systems. A 
    critical focus of this project is assisting personnel responsible for 
    providing transitional services and School-to-Work Opportunities 
    grantees to develop the necessary skills and knowledge base to assist 
    individuals with disabilities, including those with severe 
    disabilities, to become integrated into appropriate transition programs 
    and School-to-Work Opportunities systems established by States. In 
    order to be effectively implemented, students, parents, relevant 
    employment training agencies and other providers of adult services, and 
    members of underrepresented populations, such as minorities, women, and 
    disadvantaged persons, must be involved in the proposed activities.
        Technical assistance may be provided in a variety of ways including 
    training sessions, on-going consultation, participation in national 
    meetings, one-on-one State visits, and visits to successful School-to-
    Work Opportunities systems.
        The Secretary anticipates funding one cooperative agreement with a 
    project period of up to 60 months subject to the requirements of 34 CFR 
    75.253(a) for continuation awards. In making the initial award, the 
    Secretary will consider the extent to which applicants provide evidence 
    that States receiving School-to-Work Opportunities grants are likely to 
    participate in technical assistance activities provided by the 
    Technical Assistance Project.
        In determining whether to continue this technical assistance 
    project for the third, fourth, and fifth years, the Secretary, in 
    addition to applying the requirements of 34 CFR 75.253(a), will 
    consider the recommendation of a review team consisting of three 
    experts selected by the Secretary. The review, including a two-day 
    visit to the project, is to be performed during the third quarter of 
    the second year and must be included in the year's evaluation required 
    under 34 CFR 75.590. Funds to cover costs associated with the services 
    to be performed by the review team are estimated to be approximately 
    $4,000.
    
    Priority
    
        The Technical Assistance Project must:
        (1) Identify proven practices and information that is useful in 
    addressing the secondary education, transitional service, and 
    postsecondary education needs of individuals with disabilities, 
    including individuals with severe disabilities.
        (2) Prepare information, including information on proven practices 
    and current projects, in user-friendly formats for dissemination to 
    relevant audiences, including policy makers, administrators, teachers, 
    other service providers, parents, individuals with disabilities, and 
    others.
        (3) Disseminate information to all relevant audiences directly and, 
    where possible, through using existing networks, systems, and 
    mechanisms such as INet, the National Library of Education, Office of 
    Special Education Programs' clearinghouses, the Office of Educational 
    Research and Improvement's 10 regional educational laboratories, parent 
    training and information centers, and State information networks.
        (4) Provide technical assistance upon request to States receiving 
    School-to-Work Opportunities Development Grants.
        (5) Provide technical assistance in accordance with agreements 
    developed with States receiving School-to-Work Opportunities 
    Implementation Grants.
        (6) Provide technical assistance to Office of Special Education and 
    Rehabilitative Services projects in the areas of secondary education, 
    transitional services, and postsecondary education, including support 
    for meetings.
        (7) Assist the Departments of Education and Labor in evaluating 
    School-to-Work Opportunities systems.
        (8) In years two and four, conduct a national forum that identifies 
    persistent problems, proposes solutions, and responds to emerging 
    issues and trends in providing students with disabilities with access 
    to School-to-Work Opportunities systems.
        (9) Coordinate activities with other technical assistance providers 
    such as Federal technical assistance efforts related to the 
    implementation of the School-to-Work Opportunities Act and the 
    Institute to Evaluate and Provide Technical Assistance to States 
    Implementing Cooperative Projects to Improve Transition Services.
    
    Selection Criteria for Evaluating Applications
    
        Under the secondary education, transitional, and postsecondary 
    education technical assistance and information dissemination 
    competition, the Secretary uses the following selection criteria. These 
    criteria were taken from 34 CFR 380.11(a)-(e) and 380.13 (f) and (g).
        (a) Plan of Operation. (10 points) The Secretary reviews each 
    application to determine the quality of the plan of operation for the 
    project, including--
        (1) The extent to which the plan of management is effective and 
    ensures proper and efficient administration of the project; and
        (2) 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 handicapping condition.
        (b) Quality of key personnel. (15 points) (1) The Secretary reviews 
    each application to determine the quality of key personnel the 
    applicant plans to use on the project, including-- [[Page 19470]] 
        (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 paragraph (b)(1)(i) 
    and (ii) of this section will commit to the project; and
        (iv) How the applicant, as 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 
    handicapping condition.
        (2) To determine personnel qualifications under paragraph (b)(1)(i) 
    and (ii) of this section, the Secretary considers--
        (i) Experience and training in fields related to the objectives of 
    the project; and
        (ii) Any other qualifications that pertain to the quality of the 
    project.
        (c) 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.
        (d) Evaluation plan. (10 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 to the project; and
        (2) To the extent possible, are objective and produce data that are 
    quantifiable.
        (e) Adequacy of resources. (10 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.
        (f) Evidence of need. (10 points) (1) The Secretary reviews each 
    application to assess whether the need for the proposed technical 
    assistance has been adequately justified.
        (2) The Secretary determines the extent to which the application--
        (i) Describes the technical assistance needs to be addressed by the 
    project;
        (ii) Describes how the applicant identified those needs;
        (iii) Describes how those needs will be met by the project; and
        (iv) Describes the benefits to be gained by meeting those needs.
        (g) Project design. (40 points) (1) The Secretary reviews each 
    application to evaluate the quality of the proposed technical 
    assistance project design.
        (2) The Secretary determines the extent to which--
        (i) The technical assistance objectives are designed to meet the 
    identified needs and are clearly defined, measurable, and achievable;
        (ii) The content of the proposed technical assistance and 
    instructional approach are appropriate for the project participants.
        (3) The Secretary determines the extent to which each application 
    provides for--
        (i) A method for gaining the participation of prospective target 
    populations in need of technical assistance;
        (ii) Innovative procedures for disseminating information and 
    imparting skills to project participants; and
        (iii) Use of current research findings and information on model 
    practices in providing the technical assistance.
        Eligible Applicants: Institutions of Higher Education (IHEs), State 
    educational agencies (SEAs), Local educational agencies (LEAs), and 
    other public or private non-profit institutions or agencies.
    
    Intergovernmental Review
    
        This program is subject to the requirements of Executive Order 
    12372 and the regulations in 34 CFR Part 79. The objective of the 
    Executive order is to foster an intergovernmental partnership and a 
    strengthened federalism by relying on processes developed by State and 
    local governments for coordination and review of proposed Federal 
    financial assistance.
        In accordance with the order, this document is intended to provide 
    early notification of the Department's specific plans and actions for 
    this program.
        Applicable Program Regulations: 34 CFR Part 326 and 34 CFR Part 
    426.
    
        Program Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1425, 20 U.S.C. 2420a, 29 U.S.C. 
    761a(b) (4) and (6), 29 U.S.C. 777a(d), and 20 U.S.C. 1231(b).
    
    (Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number 84.158, Secondary 
    Education and Transitional Services for Youth with Disabilities 
    Program)
    
        Dated: April 13, 1995.
    Howard R. Moses,
    Acting Assistant Secretary for Special Education and Rehabilitative 
    Services.
    [FR Doc. 95-9511 Filed 4-17-95; 8:45 am]
    BILLING CODE 4000-01-P
    
    

Document Information

Effective Date:
5/18/1995
Published:
04/18/1995
Department:
Education Department
Entry Type:
Notice
Action:
Notice of final priority.
Document Number:
95-9511
Dates:
This priority takes effect May 18, 1995.
Pages:
19466-19470 (5 pages)
PDF File:
95-9511.pdf