[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 96 (Wednesday, May 19, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 27410-27433]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-12605]
[[Page 27409]]
_______________________________________________________________________
Part V
Department of Education
_______________________________________________________________________
Office of Vocational and Adult Education, National Research Centers;
Inviting Applications for New Awards for Fiscal Year 1999; Notice
Federal Register / Vol. 64, No. 96 / Wednesday, May 19, 1999 /
Notices
[[Page 27410]]
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
[CFDA No: 84.051]
Office of Vocational and Adult Education, National Research
Centers (National Centers and Centers); Notice Inviting Applications
for New Awards for Fiscal Year (FY) 1999
Notice to Applicants: This notice is a complete application package.
Together with the statute authorizing the program and the Education
Department General Administrative Regulations (EDGAR), the notice
contains all of the information, application forms, and instructions
needed to apply for a cooperative agreement under these competitions.
SUMMARY: The Secretary invites applications for two new awards for FY
1999 under the National Research Centers authority of sections
114(c)(5) and (6) of the Carl D. Perkins Vocational and Technical
Education Act of 1998 (Act) and announces deadline dates for the
transmittal of applications for funding under that program authority.
The Secretary plans to hold two separate competitions for the National
Centers, with the same closing date. Applicants may apply under one or
both competitions.
PURPOSE OF PROGRAM: Sections 114(c)(5) and (6) of the Act authorize the
Secretary to establish one or more National Centers for the purpose of
conducting research, development, evaluation, dissemination, and
professional development activities, designed to improve the quality
and effectiveness of academic, vocational, and technical education in
secondary and postsecondary institutions.
Given this flexibility, the Secretary has endeavored to design
Centers that would best address the statutory requirements while
meeting the most important needs of the vocational and technical
education community. For assistance in accomplishing this goal, the
Secretary sought the views of interested parties. First, the Secretary
invited public comments and suggestions on how to configure the
National Center or Centers through a notice published in the Federal
Register (March 1, 1999 (64 FR 10076)). Second, the Secretary actively
solicited the views of prospective customers of the Centers, especially
those of States, in accordance with section 114(c)(5)(A) of the Act.
The Secretary held individual and group consultation sessions with
representatives of community colleges and State vocational and
technical education programs, practitioners, researchers, policy
makers, and disseminators. The interest and enthusiasm of persons
expressing views provided for a very rich exchange of very thoughtful
ideas that the Secretary found invaluable when making decisions about
the scope and structure of the National Centers. A summary of the
comments and suggestions received by the Secretary are on the Internet
at: http://www.ed.gov/offices/OVAE/ncrperk111.html.
One of the most substantive decisions facing the Secretary in
implementing sections 114(c)(5) and (6) of the Act was to determine the
most effective structure for the National Center or Centers. The
Secretary considered the clear meaning of the Act; congressional
intent; the suggestions of stakeholders; and possible activities,
focuses, and audiences to be served by the National Center or Centers
and weighed the advantages and opportunities of a variety of possible
options for configuring a National Center or Centers.
The Act clearly highlights (1) research and (2) dissemination and
professional development as two of the most important functions of the
National Center or Centers. Moreover, the Act challenges the Secretary
to support high quality research, development, evaluation,
dissemination, and professional development activities while, at the
same time, minimizing duplication of effort among these required
activities. Section 114(c)(5) of the Act requires a Center to perform
specifically identified research activities. Section
114(c)(5)(A)(iii)(II) of the Act authorizes a Center to carry out
dissemination and professional development activities and section
114(c)(5)(C) of the Act requires all Centers established under section
114(c)(5) of the Act to conduct dissemination and professional
development activities based upon the research described in section
114(c)(5)(A) of the Act. Further, sections 114(c)(6)(A) and (B)(ii) of
the Act authorize the Secretary to provide for technical assistance
upon request of a State and for the dissemination of best practices
information through a National Center or Centers. The emphasis Congress
placed on (1) research and (2) dissemination and professional
development activities lends support to the establishment of two
Centers.
The Secretary believes that Congress intended, through the use of
numerous references in the Act (sections 114(c)(5)(A)(iii)(I),
114(c)(5)(A)(iii)(II), and (C), and 114(c)(6)(A) and (B)(ii)), to
emphasize the critical importance of dissemination and professional
development activities, especially those involving the research of the
National Centers. Most significantly, in view of section 114(c)(5)(C)
of the Act, the Secretary believes Congress intended that research
conducted by the Centers contribute to the efforts of State and local
agencies to improve the quality and effectiveness of vocational and
technical education.
Through their correspondence and during consultation sessions with
the Secretary, stakeholders overwhelmingly identified needs that would
be best met through National Centers that focus on dissemination and
research activities. While agreeing that basic and applied research are
needed, many stakeholders expressed the view that dissemination of
information for practitioners is the most important function a National
Center should perform. Stakeholders thought that researchers typically
used presentations at conferences and articles in research journals as
the primary vehicles for sharing research findings. These stakeholders
thought that the National Centers should be responsive to the needs of
the field and use a variety of proactive dissemination strategies to
reach target audiences.
Further, a majority of stakeholders thought the National Centers
should use a variety of innovative approaches for carrying out all of
the Centers' functions; be responsive to the needs of constituencies,
especially by focusing on activities that have practical applications;
involve the field when establishing research and dissemination agendas;
and leverage available resources, including partnering and coordinating
with exiting networks, professional organizations, and research and
dissemination efforts at the Federal, State, and local levels.
After much deliberation, and following the consultations discussed
earlier, the Secretary has determined that two Centers are needed for
the most effective implementation of the Act and to meet the distinct
needs of the vocational and technical education community. Therefore,
the Secretary plans to establish: (1) the National Research Center for
Career and Technical Education (Research Center) and (2) the National
Dissemination Center for Career and Technical Education (Dissemination
Center). The Secretary believes this configuration will result in the
most effective services being offered by the Centers and will ensure
that the work of the Centers will be of high quality, relevant, timely,
and accessible to the vocational and technical education community. In
addition, the research and dissemination activities provided for in
[[Page 27411]]
sections 114(c)(5) and (6)(A) of the Act are more likely to be
appropriately addressed by two Centers since each activity will be the
focus of a separate Center.
While there was no clear preference expressed by stakeholders on
the number of Centers the Secretary should establish, the types of
activities stakeholders viewed as being most beneficial to them
strongly suggests that it is preferable to establish two Centers. In
addition, the Secretary believes the complexity and magnitude of the
research and dissemination activities required by the Act provide
strong support for the establishment of two Centers. The Secretary also
believes that significant benefits would be derived from having one of
these Centers focus on dissemination and professional development
activities, which were identified by stakeholders as their most
critical need. In sum, a few advantages of two Centers are:
(a) Providing a nationally recognized and centralized mechanism for
a broad and comprehensive dissemination and professional development
effort;
(b) Providing access, via technology, networking, and brokering, to
research best practices developed by entities other than the National
Centers supported under section 114(c) of the Act; and
(c) Allowing the National Research Center for Career and Technical
Education to focus on the important work of research, and at the same
time minimize the amount of resources it would use to support
dissemination and professional development activities.
The establishment of a Center to focus on dissemination and
professional development will certainly reduce the amount of resources
the Secretary expects a Research Center to devote to carrying out
dissemination and professional development activities. However, in
light of the requirement in section 114(c)(5)(C) of the Act, the
Secretary expects the Research Center to play a key role in
dissemination and professional development efforts. The Secretary
believes that a researcher's knowledge of his or her research
activities is invaluable when translating that research into practice--
it enhances the product being disseminated. For this reason, the
Secretary believes that researchers of the Research Center shall be
involved in dissemination and professional development activities. The
nature and extent of that role would depend on the activities proposed
by successful applicants under this competition. However, the Secretary
expects, at a minimum, that an entity entering into a cooperative
agreement with the Department for the Research Center will (1) make its
research and researchers available for the translation of research into
practice that is carried out by the Dissemination Center and (2)
disseminate information on its work through a wide variety of means,
including research and practitioner journals, conference presentations,
newspapers and magazines, newsletters, and technology, as appropriate.
Further, the Secretary expects, as a part of the overall
coordination of all activities of the Centers, that both Centers will
coordinate their dissemination and professional development activities
to ensure that any duplication of effort is reduced or eliminated. A
more detailed discussion of coordination to be carried out by the
Centers is in paragraph (b) of the ``Program Requirements'' section of
this notice.
The Secretary plans to make awards for the Research Center and
Dissemination Center using cooperative agreements. The Secretary
expects the Department's interaction with the recipients of awards to
be characterized by continuing and regular participation in the
project, unusually close collaboration with the recipient, and
intervention or direct operational involvement in the review and
approval of project activities.
Eligible Applicants: The following entities are eligible for an
award under this program:
(a) An institution of higher education.
(b) A public or private nonprofit organization or agency. (See 34
CFR 75.51, How to prove nonprofit status.)
(c) A consortium of institutions, organizations, or agencies in
paragraphs (a) or (b) of this section of this notice. Eligible
applicants seeking to apply for funds as a consortium should read the
regulations in 34 CFR 75.127-75.129, which discuss group applications.
Transmittal of Applications
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Project
Title and CFDA No. Deadline for transmittal of Available funds per year Number of period in
applications awards months
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
National Research Center for August 2, 1999................ $2,250,000 (est.). 1 60
Career and Technical Education. Funding for the second
through fifth 12-month
period of the 60-month
project period is
subject to the
availability of funds
and to the grantee
meeting the
requirements of 34 CFR
75.253.
National Dissemination Center August 2, 1999................ $2,250,000 (est.). 1 60
for Career and Technical Funding for the second
Education. through fifth 12-month
period of the 60-month
project period is
subject to the
availability of funds
and to the grantee
meeting the
requirements of 34 CFR
75.253.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note: The Department is not bound by any estimates in this
notice.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Secretary believes National Centers have
a unique role that enables them to serve as effective catalysts for
program improvement. In this regard, the Secretary believes that in
carrying out section 114(c)(5) and (6) of the Act, both National
Centers should--
(a) Build a knowledge base that is critical to increasing the
quality and improving the effectiveness of vocational and technical
education programs;
(b) Help to redefine vocational education and spearhead
conversations on reform;
(c) Conduct activities that show a balanced agenda that addresses
secondary and postsecondary vocational and technical education issues;
(d) Contribute significantly to both theory and practice,
especially in areas that are relevant to practitioners and in emerging
areas of practice that are not well defined; and
(e) Translate research into practice for teachers, counselors,
administrators, and policy makers through dissemination, professional
development, and technical assistance.
Center Activites
Under section 114(c) of the Act, the Secretary will award
cooperative agreements to establish (1) a National Research Center for
Career and
[[Page 27412]]
Technical Education and (2) a National Dissemination Center for Career
and Technical Education.
National Research Center for Career and Technical Education
The purpose of the National Research Center is to design and
conduct, using a variety of approaches, research, development, and
evaluation activities that are consistent with the purposes of the Act.
The National Research Center shall design and conduct--
(a) Research for the purpose of developing, improving, and
identifying the most successful methods for addressing the education,
employment, and professional development needs of participants in
vocational and technical education programs, including research and
evaluation in such activities as--
(1) The integration of vocational and technical instruction, and
academic, secondary and postsecondary instruction;
(2) Education technology and distance learning approaches and
strategies that are effective in the delivery of vocational and
technical education;
(3) ``State-adjusted levels of performance'' and ``State levels of
performance'' that serve to improve vocational and technical education
programs and student achievement; and
(4) Academic knowledge and vocational and technical skills required
for employment or participation in postsecondary education.
(b) Research to increase the effectiveness and improve the
implementation of vocational and technical education programs,
including--
(1) Conducting research and development; and
(2) Carrying out studies that provide longitudinal information or
formative evaluation with respect to vocational and technical education
programs and student achievement.
(c) Research that can be used to improve pre-service and in-service
professional development and enhance learning in the vocational and
technical education classroom.
(d) Research the Secretary determines appropriate to assist State
and local recipients of funds under the Act and research in such a
manner and with methods that are responsive to the changing and
unanticipated needs of the vocational and technical education
community.
(e) Dissemination and professional development activities based
upon the research described in paragraphs (a) through (d) of this
section of this notice, including coordination with the Dissemination
Center and information sharing through a wide variety of approaches,
including research and practitioner journals, conference presentations,
newspapers and magazines, newsletters, and technology, as appropriate.
National Dissemination Center for Career and Technical Education
The purpose of the National Dissemination Center is to design and
conduct, using a variety of approaches, national level dissemination
and professional development activities that are consistent with the
purposes of the Act. The National Dissemination Center shall design and
conduct--
(a) Comprehensive dissemination and professional development
activities that are--
(1) Related to the applied research and demonstration activities
described in section 114(c) of the Act, which may also include serving
as a repository for information on vocational and technical skills,
State academic standards, and related materials; and
(2) Based upon the research carried out by the National Research
Center.
(b) Effective in-service and pre-service professional development
to assist vocational and technical education systems.
(c) The dissemination of best practices information and the
provision of technical assistance, for the purposes of developing,
improving, and identifying the most successful methods and techniques
for providing vocational and technical education programs assisted
under the Act.
Priorities: Using as a basis the suggestions that were provided by
stakeholders on the scope and structure of the Centers, the Secretary
has identified a number of issues that are important as initial foci
for the National Research and Dissemination Centers. The issues have
been separated into two types of priorities: competitive and
invitational. Although extra points will be awarded to applicants
addressing competitive priorities, the Secretary encourages applicants
to incorporate as many as possible of both types of priorities into
their applications.
Competitive Priorities
Under 34 CFR 75.105(c)(2)(ii), the Secretary gives preference to
applications that meet the following competitive priorities. The
Secretary awards up to five points to an application that meets the
competitive priority in a particularly effective way. These points are
in addition to any points an application earns under the selection
criteria for the program.
Research Center
Competitive Priority 1--Program Improvement (up to 5 Points)
Activities that promote reform and improvement in instructional
practices; that promote learning that effectively transfers from the
classroom to the workplace; and that result in measurable student
achievement of academic and technical knowledge and skills needed to
prepare for further education and careers (e.g., integrated academic
and technical learning, skills competencies, career pathways and
school-wide restructuring).
Competitive Priority 2--Professional Development (up to 5 Points)
Activities that investigate, validate, and promote professional
development, such as effective models of pedagogy and models of applied
learning.
Competitive Priority 3--Effective Links Between Employment Knowledge
and Skills and Academic Competencies (up to 5 Points)
Activities that investigate and validate the most successful
methods and techniques for improving student achievement through
effective links between employment knowledge and skills and academic
competencies that support transitions to employment, post secondary
education, and life-long learning.
Dissemination Center
Competitive Priority 1--Translating Research to Practice (up to 5
Points)
Activities that translate research into promising or best
practices, including synthesizing research and technical reports into
applied tools and practitioner-oriented documents and materials.
Competitive Priority 2--Most Successful Practices (up to 5 Points)
Activities that identify and share the most successful products,
programs, and practices for enhancing student achievement and
performance, including participation in non-traditional training, and
that address the immediate needs of practitioners.
Competitive Priority 3--Professional Development (up to 5 Points)
Professional development activities that lead to high-quality and
effective professionals providing services and programs under the Act.
Invitational Priorities
Under 34 CFR 75.105(c)(1), the Secretary is particularly interested
in applications that meet the following
[[Page 27413]]
invitational priorities. However, an application that meets an
invitational priority does not receive competitive or absolute
preference over other applications.
Research Center
Invitational Priority 1--Technology
Activities that investigate and validate the appropriate use of
technology to facilitate the learning process and provide a basis for
adoption/adaptation by others.
Invitational Priority 2--Evaluation
Activities that develop and validate appropriate evaluation methods
and tools that assess student achievement and educational effectiveness
at the State and local levels.
Dissemination Center
Invitational Priority--Technical Assistance
Activities to deliver technical assistance to States and ``eligible
recipients'' for the purposes of developing, improving, and identifying
the most successful methods and techniques for providing programs and
activities under the Act.
Selection Criteria: Except as noted, the Secretary uses the
following selection criteria to evaluate applications for new awards
under both the competition for the National Research Center for Career
and Technical Education and the competition for the National
Dissemination Center for Career and Technical Education.
Note: Under the criterion ``Quality of project design'', the
elements in paragraph (a)(1) will be used to evaluate only
applications for the National Research Center. Under the criterion
``Quality of project design'', the elements in paragraph (a)(2) will
be used to evaluate only applications for the National Dissemination
Center.
(a)(1) (For use in evaluating only applications for the National
Research Center.) Quality of project design (40 points). (i) The
Secretary considers the quality of the project design.
(ii) In determining the quality of the design of the proposed
project, the Secretary considers the following factors:
(A) The extent to which the proposed project represents an approach
that is exceptional for each of the required research, development,
dissemination, and professional development activities provided for in
section 114(c)(5)(A)(i), (ii), (iii)(I), and (iv); (B); and (C) of the
Act, and under the heading National Research Center for Career and
Technical Education in this notice.
(B) The importance or magnitude of the research proposed by the
project, especially as it relates to improvement in teaching and
student achievement.
(C) The extent to which the proposed activities constitute a
coherent, sustained program of research and development in the field of
vocational and technical education, including, as appropriate, a
substantial addition to an ongoing line of inquiry.
(D) The extent to which the proposed research design includes a
thorough, high-quality review of the relevant literature, a high-
quality plan for research activities, and the use of appropriate
theoretical models and methodological tools, including those of a
variety of approaches.
(E) The extent to which the professional development services to be
provided by the proposed project are of sufficient quality, intensity,
and duration to lead to improvements in practice among the recipients
of those services.
(F) The potential contribution of the proposed project to increased
knowledge and understanding of educational issues, or effective
strategies to improve vocational and technical programs.
(G) The extent to which the project proposes models of
dissemination that incorporate approaches that meet the needs of
different communities of users.
(H) The extent to which the proposed project will be coordinated
with similar or related efforts, and with other appropriate community,
State, and Federal resources.
(I) The quality and sufficiency of strategies for ensuring equal
access and treatment for eligible project participants who are members
of groups that have traditionally been underrepresented based on race,
color, national origin, gender, age, or ability.
(a)(2) (For use in evaluating only applications for the National
Dissemination Center.) Quality of project design (40 points). (i) The
Secretary considers the quality of the project design.
(ii) In determining the quality of the design of the proposed
project, the Secretary considers the following factors:
(A) The extent to which the proposed project represents an approach
that is exceptional for each of the required dissemination and
professional development activities described in section
114(c)(5)(A)(iii)(II); (B); (C); and (6)(A) of the Act and under the
heading National Dissemination Center for Career and Technical
Education in this notice.
(B) The extent to which the proposed dissemination design includes
a thorough, high-quality review of the relevant literature, a high-
quality plan for dissemination activities, and the use of appropriate
models that include a variety of approaches.
(C) The extent to which the technical assistance services to be
provided by the proposed project involves the use of efficient
strategies, including the use of technology.
(D) The extent to which the professional development services to be
provided by the proposed project are of sufficient quality, intensity,
and duration to lead to improvements in practice among the recipients
of those services.
(E) The potential contribution of the proposed project to increased
knowledge and understanding of educational issues, or effective
strategies to improve vocational and technical programs.
(F) The extent to which the project proposes models of
dissemination that incorporate approaches that meet the needs of
different communities of users.
(G) The extent to which the proposed project will be coordinated
with similar or related efforts, and with other appropriate community,
State, and Federal resources.
(H) The quality and sufficiency of strategies for ensuring equal
access and treatment for eligible project participants who are members
of groups that have traditionally been underrepresented based on race,
color, national origin, gender, age, or ability.
(b) Institutional capability (5 points). (1) The Secretary
considers the institutional capability of the proposed applicant and
consortium members, if any.
(2) In determining the quality of the institutional capability, the
Secretary reviews each application to determine the extent to which the
applicant understands the state of knowledge and practice related to
vocational and technical education, as evidenced by its experience in
and capacity for conducting--
(i) Research, development, evaluation, dissemination, and
professional development activities described in section
114(c)(5)(A)(i), (ii), (iii)(I), and (iv); (B); and (C) of the Act and
under the heading National Research Center for Career and Technical
Education in this notice; or
(ii) Dissemination and professional development activities
described in section 114(c)(5)(A)(iii)(II); (B); (C); and (6)(A) of the
Act and under the heading
[[Page 27414]]
National Dissemination Center for Career and Technical Education in
this notice.
(c) Management plan (20 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 following factors:
(i) The extent to which the goals, objectives, and outcomes to be
achieved by the proposed project are clearly specified and measurable.
(ii) 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 and a plan for continuous improvement.
(iii) The adequacy of procedures for coordination and communication
among staff, subcontractors, members of the consortium, if any, the
U.S. Department of Education, and any other National Center funded
under the Act.
(iv) The adequacy of mechanisms for ensuring high-quality products
and services from the proposed project.
(v) How the applicant will ensure that a diversity of perspectives
are brought to bear in the operation of the proposed project.
(d) Quality of personnel (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 following:
(i) The extent to which the proposed director of the National
Center has appropriate qualifications, including relevant project
management experience and administrative skills, a commitment to work
full-time as director of the National Center, and sufficient authority
to effectively manage the activities of the National Center.
(ii) The qualifications, including relevant training and
experience, of key project personnel, and the extent to which their
time commitments are appropriate and adequate to meet proposed project
objectives.
(iii) The qualifications, including relevant training and
experience, of project consultants or subcontractors.
(iv) 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.
(e) Adequacy of resources (10 points). (1) The Secretary considers
the adequacy of resources for the proposed project.
(2) In determining the adequacy of resources for the proposed
project, the Secretary considers the following factors:
(i) The adequacy of support, including facilities, equipment,
supplies, and other resources, from the applicant and consortium
members, if any.
(ii) The extent to which the costs are reasonable in relation to
the objectives, design, and potential significance of the proposed
project.
(iii) The relevance and demonstrated commitment of each partner in
the proposed project to the implementation and success of the project.
(f) Evaluation (15 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 are thorough,
feasible, and appropriate to the goals, objectives, and outcomes of the
proposed project.
(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.
(iii) The extent to which the methods of evaluation will provide
performance feedback and permit periodic assessment of progress toward
achieving intended outcomes.
Program Requirements: To ensure the high quality of the Centers and
achievement of the goals and purposes of sections 114(c)(5) and (6) of
the Act, the Secretary establishes the following program requirements:
(a) Project Director. Each Center shall have a full-time director
who is appointed by the institution serving as the grantee.
(b) Coordination. (1) Each Center funded under section 114(c) of
the Act shall coordinate its activities with the other Center funded
under the Act.
(2) To the extent practicable, each Center shall coordinate its
professional development activities with the professional development
activities carried out--
(i) By ``eligible agencies'' and ``eligible recipients'' under the
Act; and
(ii) Under title II of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act
of 1965 and title II of the Higher Education Act of 1965.
(3) To the extent practicable, each Center shall coordinate its
activities with similar or related activities of the Department's
Office of Educational Research and Improvement, Office of Elementary
and Secondary Education, Office of Postsecondary Education, Office of
Special Educational and Rehabilitative Services, and National Library
of Education; the National Science Foundation; national professional
associations or organizations; and activities funded under the Work
Force Investment Act, the Adult Education and Family Literacy Act, the
School-to-Work Opportunities Act, the Improving Americas Schools Act,
the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunities Act of 1995; and
other similar or related agencies, organizations, and activities in
order to exchange information, avoid duplication of effort, pool
resources, and improve the effectiveness of the Center's activities.
(c) Needs Assessment and Customer Satisfaction. Each Center shall
establish effective procedures to be implemented annually to help to
ensure that the work of the Center is relevant to the needs of
vocational and technical education practitioners and continues to be
effective. The Centers might involve researchers, practitioners,
including persons knowledgeable about providing preparation for non-
traditional training and employment, policymakers, employers, unions,
parents, and other concerned vocational and technical educators in
their efforts.
Note: The Secretary plans to hold regularly scheduled activities
to obtain the views of practitioners on the research and
dissemination needs of the field. Each Center should be prepared to
employ the information obtained by the Secretary in the course of
these consultations to shape its agenda.
(d) Evaluation. Each Center shall conduct an ongoing evaluation of
the Center's effectiveness. As required in paragraph (f)(1)(v) of the
``Program Requirements'' section of this notice, the results of this
evaluation must be submitted to the Secretary in an interim evaluation
report in the third year of the award and a final evaluation report in
the fifth year of the award.
(e) Contingency Plan. During the final year of the award cycle,
each National Center shall develop and remain prepared to implement a
contingency plan for completing all substantive work by the end of the
eleventh month of that year and transferring all projects, services and
activities to a successor during the twelfth month of that year.
(f) Reporting. (1) Each Center shall submit to the Secretary the
following reports--
[[Page 27415]]
(i) Monthly exception reports that describe--
(A) Any problems, delays, or adverse conditions that materially
impair the ability of the National Center to accomplish its purposes,
along with an explanation of any action taken or contemplated to
resolve the difficulties; and
(B) Any favorable developments that will permit the National Center
to accomplish its purposes sooner, at less cost, or more effectively
than projected.
(ii) Semi-annual performance reports.
(iii) Quarterly financial status reports within 30 days of the end
of each quarter.
(iv) Ten printed copies and one electronic copy (pdf) of all
substantive reports and products.
(v) An interim evaluation report in the third year of the award and
a final evaluation report in the fifth year of the award.
(2) Each Center shall annually prepare and submit a report of key
research findings of the Center to the Secretary, the Committee on
Education and the Workforce of the House of Representatives, the
Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate, the
Library of Congress, and each ``eligible agency'' as defined in section
3(9) of the Act.
Waiver of Relemaking
While it is generally the practice of the Secretary to offer
interested parties the opportunity to comment on a regulation before it
is implemented, section 437(d)(1) of the General Education Provisions
Act exempts from formal rulemaking requirements, regulations governing
the first grant competition under a new or substantially revised
program authority (20 U.S.C. 1232(d)(1)). The program authority for the
National Centers was substantially revised on October 31, 1998 by Pub.
L. 105-332. In order to make awards on a timely basis, the Secretary
has decided to publish this notice in final form under the authority of
section 437(d)(1).
Applicable Statute and Regulations
(a) Relevant provisions of the Carl D. Perkins Vocational and
Technical Education Act of 1998, 20 U.S.C. 2301 et seq., in particular,
sections 114(c)(5) and (6)(A), 20 U.S.C. 2324(c)(5) and (6)(A).
(b) The Education Department General Administrative Regulations
(EDGAR) as follows:
(1) 34 CFR part 74 (Administration of Grants and Agreements to
Institutions of Higher Education, Hospitals and Nonprofit
Organizations).
(2) 34 CFR part 75 (Direct Grant Programs).
(3) 34 CFR part 77 (Definitions that Apply to Department
Regulations).
(4) 34 CFR part 80 (Uniform Administrative Requirements for Grants
and Cooperative Agreements to State and Local Governments).
(5) 34 CFR part 81 (General Education Provisions Act --
Enforcement).
(6) 34 CFR part 82 (New Restrictions on Lobbying).
(7) 34 CFR part 85 (Government-wide Debarment and Suspension
(Nonprocurement) and Government-wide Requirements for Drug-Free
Workplace (Grants)).
(8) 34 CFR part 86 (Drug-Free Schools and Campuses).
Definitions
Applicants are encouraged to take particular note of the following
statutory definition:
``Institution of Higher Education'' means--
(a) An educational institution in any State that--
(1) Admits as regular students only persons having a certificate of
graduation from a school providing secondary education, or the
recognized equivalent of such a certificate;
(2) Is legally authorized within such State to provide a program of
education beyond secondary education;
(3) Provides an educational program for which the institution
awards a bachelor's degree or provides not less than a 2-year program
that is acceptable for full credit toward such a degree;
(4) Is a public or other nonprofit institution; and
(5) Is accredited by a nationally recognized accrediting agency or
association, or if not so accredited, is an institution that has been
granted preaccreditation status by such an agency or association that
has been recognized by the Secretary for the granting of
preaccreditation status, and the Secretary has determined that there is
satisfactory assurance that the institution will meet the accreditation
standards of such an agency or association within a reasonable time.
(b) The term also includes--
(1) Any school that provides not less than a 1-year program of
training to prepare students for gainful employment in a recognized
occupation and that meets the provisions of paragraphs (a)(1), (2),
(4), and (5) of this definition.
(2) A public or nonprofit private educational institution in any
State that, in lieu of the requirement in paragraph (a)(1) of this
definition, admits as regular students persons who are beyond the age
of compulsory school attendance in the State in which the institution
is located. (See 20 U.S.C. 1141(a).)
Definitions of the terms ``nonprofit'', ``private'', and ``public''
are contained in 34 CFR 77.1.
Applicants are encouraged to review all applicable definitions in
section 3 of the Act.
Instructions for Transmittal of Applications
Applicants are required to submit one original signed application
and two copies of the application. All forms and assurances must have
ink signatures. Please mark applications as ``original'' or ``copy''.
To aid with the review of applications, the Department encourages
applicants to submit four additional paper copies and one electronic
copy (in Department of Education standard program format) of the
application. The Department will not penalize applicants who do not
provide additional copies.
(a) If an applicant wants to apply for a cooperative agreement
under this competition, the applicant must either--
(1) Mail the original and two copies of the application on or
before the deadline date to: U.S. Department of Education, Application
Control Center, Attention: (CFDA #84.051), Washington, DC 20202-4725,
or
(2) Hand deliver the original and two copies of the application by
4:30 p.m. (Washington, D.C. time) on or before the deadline date to:
U.S. Department of Education, Application Control Center, Attention:
(CFDA #84.051), Room #3633, Regional Office Building #3, 7th and D
Streets, SW., Washington, DC.
(b) An applicant must show one of the following as proof of
mailing:
(1) A legibly dated U.S. Postal Service postmark.
(2) A legible mail receipt with the date of mailing stamped by the
U.S. Postal Service.
(3) A dated shipping label, invoice, or receipt from a commercial
carrier.
(4) Any other proof of mailing acceptable to the Secretary.
(c) If an application is mailed through the U.S. Postal Service,
the Secretary does not accept either of the following as proof of
mailing:
(1) A private metered postmark.
(2) A mail receipt that is not dated by the U.S. Postal Service.
Notes: (1) The U.S. Postal Service does not uniformly provide a
dated postmark. Before relying on this method, an applicant should
check with its local post office.
(2) The Application Control Center will mail a Grant Application
Receipt Acknowledgment to each applicant. If an
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applicant fails to receive the notification of application receipt
within 15 days from the date of mailing the application, the
applicant should call the U.S. Department of Education Application
Control Center at (202) 708-9494.
(3) The applicant must indicate on the envelope and--if not
provided by the Department--in Item 3 of the Application for Federal
Assistance (Standard Form 424) the CFDA number--and suffix letter,
if any--of the competition under which the application is being
submitted.
Application Instructions and Forms: All forms and instructions are
included as Appendix A of this notice. Questions and answers pertaining
to this program are included, as Appendix B, to assist potential
applicants.
To apply for an award under this program competition, your
application must be organized in the following order and include the
following five parts. The parts and additional materials are as
follows:
Part I: Application for Federal Education Assistance (ED Form 424
(Rev. 1-12-99)) and instructions.
Part II: Budget Information--Non-Construction Programs (ED Form No.
524) and instructions.
Part III: Budget Narrative.
Part IV: Program Narrative.
Estimated Public Reporting Burden.
Part V: Additional Assurances and Certifications:
a. Assurances--Non-Construction Programs (Standard Form 424B).
b. Certification regarding Debarment, Suspension, and Other
Responsibility Matters; and Drug-Free Workplace Requirements (ED 80-
0013) and instructions.
c. Certification regarding Debarment, Suspension, Ineligibility and
Voluntary Exclusion: Lower Tier Covered Transactions (ED Form 80-0014,
9/90) and instructions.
(Note: ED Form 80-0014 is intended for the use of grantees and
should not be transmitted to the Department.)
d. Disclosure of Lobbying Activities (Standard Form LLL), if
applicable, and instructions. This document has been marked to reflect
statutory changes. See the notice published by the Office of Management
and Budget at 61 FR 1413 (January 19, 1996).
e. Notice to All Applicants.
No cooperative agreement may be awarded unless a completed
application form has been received.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ricardo Hernandez, Program Improvement
Branch, Division of National Programs, Office of Vocational and Adult
Education, U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW (Room
4512, Mary E. Switzer Building), Washington, DC 20202-7242. Telephone
(202) 205-5977. Internet address: ricardo__hernandez@ed.gov.
Individuals who use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD)
may call the Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 1-800-877-
8339.
Individuals with disabilities may obtain this notice in an
alternate format (e.g., Braille, large print, audio tape, or computer
diskette) on request to the contact persons listed in the preceding
paragraph. Please note, however, that the Department is not able to
reproduce in an alternate format the standard forms included in the
notice.
Electronic Access to This Department
Anyone may view this document, as well as all other Department of
Education documents published in the Federal Register, in text or
portable document format (pdf) on the World Wide Web at either of the
following sites:
http://ocfo.ed.gov/fedreg.htm
http://www.ed.gov/news.html
To use the pdf you must have the Adobe Acrobat Reader Program with
Search, which is available free at either of the preceding sites. If
you have questions about using the pdf, call the U.S. Government
Printing Office at (202)512-1530 or toll free at 1-888-293-6498.
Additionally, this notice, as well as other documents concerning
the implementation of the national Centers, is available on the World
Wide Web at the following site: http://www.ed.gov/offices/OVAE/
ncrperk111.html.
Note: The official version of this document is the document
published in the Federal Register.
Program Authority: 20 U.S.C. 2324(c)(5) and (6)(A).
Patricia W. McNeil,
Assistant Secretary, Office of Vocational and Adult Education.
Appendix A--Part II--Budget Information
Instructions for Part II--Budget Information
Sections A and B--Budget Summary by Categories
1. Personnel: Show salaries to be paid to personnel for each
budget year.
2. Fringe Benefits: Indicate the rate and amount of fringe
benefits for each budget year.
3. Travel: Indicate the amount requested for both local and out
of State travel of project staff for each budget year.
4. Equipment: Indicate the cost of non-expendable personal
property that has a cost of $5,000 or more per unit for each budget
year.
5. Supplies: Include the cost of consumable supplies and
materials to be used during the project period for each budget year.
6. Contractual: Show the amount to be used for: (1) procurement
contracts (except those which belong on other lines such as supplies
and equipment); and (2) sub-contracts for each budget year.
7. Construction: Not Applicable.
8. Other: Indicate all direct costs not clearly covered by lines
1 through 6 above, including consultants and capital expenditures
for each budget year.
9. Total Direct Costs: Show the total for Lines 1 through 8 for
each budget year.
10. Indirect Costs: Indicate the rate and amount of indirect
costs for each budget year.
11. Training/stipend Cost: Indicate cost per student.
12. Total Costs: Show the total for lines 9 through 11 for each
budget year.
Please be sure that each page of your application is numbered
consecutively.
Instructions for Part IV--Program Narrative
The program narrative will comprise the largest portion of your
application. This part is where you spell out the who, what, when,
why, and how, of your proposed project.
Although you will not have a form to fill out for your
narrative, there is a format. This format is based on the selection
criteria. Because your application will be reviewed and rated by a
review panel on the basis of the selection criteria, your narrative
should follow the order and format of the criteria.
Before preparing your application, you should carefully read the
legislation and EDGAR rules governing the program, eligibility
requirements, Center activities, priorities, selection criteria, and
program requirements for this competition.
Your program narrative should be clear, concise, and to the
point. Begin the narrative with a one page abstract or summary of
your project. Then describe the project in detail, addressing each
selection criterion in order. Be sure to number consecutively ALL
pages in your application.
You may include supporting documentation as appendices to the
program narrative. Be sure that this material is concise and
pertinent to this program competition.
You are advised that--
(a) The Secretary considers only information contained in the
application in ranking applications for funding consideration.
(b) The technical review panel evaluates each application solely
on the basis of the Center activities, selection criteria, and
competitive priorities contained in this notice.
(c) Letters of support included as appendices to an application,
that are of direct relevance to or contain commitments that pertain
to the established selection criteria, such as commitment of
resources, will be reviewed by the panel. Letters of support sent
separately from the formal application package are not considered in
the review by the technical review panels. (34 CFR 75.217)
Estimated Burden Statement
According to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, no persons are
required to respond
[[Page 27417]]
to a collection of information unless it displays a valid OMB
control number. The valid OMB control number for this information
collection is 1830-0538. (Expiration date: 4/30/02). The time
required to complete this information collection is estimated to
average 90 hours per response, including the time to review
instructions, search existing data resources, gather the data
needed, and complete and review the information collection.
If you have any comments concerning the accuracy of the time
estimate(s) or suggestions for improving this form, please write to:
U.S. Department of Education, Washington, DC 20202-4651.
If you have comments or concerns regarding the status of your
individual submission of this form, write directly to: Ricardo
Hernandez, Division of National Programs, Office of Vocational and
Adult Education, U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue,
SW (Room 4512, Mary E. Switzer Building), Washington DC 20202-7242.
Notice to All Applicants
Thank you for your interest in this program. The purpose of this
section is to inform you about a new provision in the Department of
Education's General Education Provisions Act (GEPA) that applies to
applicants for new grant awards under Department programs. This
provision is section 427 of GEPA, enacted as part of the Improving
America's Schools Act of 1994 (Pub. L. 103-382).
To Whom Does This Provision Apply?
Section 427 of GEPA affects applicants for new discretionary
grant awards under this program. ALL APPLICANTS FOR NEW AWARDS MUST
INCLUDE INFORMATION IN THEIR APPLICATIONS TO ADDRESS THIS NEW
PROVISION IN ORDER TO RECEIVE FUNDING UNDER THIS PROGRAM.
What Does This Provision Require?
Section 427 requires each applicant for funds (other than an
individual person) to include in its application a description of
the steps the applicant proposes to take to ensure equitable access
to, and participation in, its federally-assisted program for
students, teachers, and other program beneficiaries with special
needs.
This section allows applicants discretion in developing the
required description. The statute highlights six types of barriers
that can impede equitable access or participation that you may
address: gender, race, national origin, color, disability, or age.
Based on local circumstances, you can determine whether these or
other barriers may prevent your students, teachers, etc. from
equitable access or participation. Your description need not be
lengthy; you may provide a clear and succinct description of how you
plan to address those barriers that are applicable to your
circumstances. In addition, the information may be provided in a
single narrative, or, if appropriate, may be discussed in connection
with related topics in the application.
Section 427 is not intended to duplicate the requirements of
civil rights statutes, but rather to ensure that, in designing their
projects, applicants for Federal funds address equity concerns that
may affect the ability of certain potential beneficiaries to fully
participate in the project and to achieve to high standards.
Consistent with program requirements and its approved application,
an applicant may use the Federal funds awarded to it to eliminate
barriers it identifies.
What Are Examples of How an Applicant Might Satisfy the Requirement
of This Provision?
The following examples may help illustrate how an applicant may
comply with section 427.
(1) An applicant that proposes to carry out an adult literacy
project serving, among others, adults with limited English
proficiency, might describe in its application how it intends to
distribute a brochure about the proposed project to such potential
participants in their native language.
(2) An applicant that proposes to develop instructional
materials for classroom use might describe how it will make the
materials available on audio tape or in Braille for students who are
blind.
(3) An applicant that proposes to carry out a model science
program for secondary students and is concerned that girls may be
less likely than boys to enroll in the course, might indicate how it
tends to conduct ``outreach'' efforts to girls, to encourage their
enrollment.
We recognize that many applicants may already be implementing
effective steps to ensure equity of access and participation in
their grant programs, and we appreciate your cooperation in
responding to the requirements of this provision.
Appendix B--Questions and Answers
Potential applicants frequently direct questions to officials of
the Department regarding application notices and programmatic and
administrative regulations governing various direct grant programs.
To assist potential applicants, the Department has assembled the
following most commonly asked questions followed by the Department's
answers.
Q. Can we get an extension of the deadline?
A. No. A closing date may be changed only under extraordinary
circumstances. Any change must be announced in the Federal Register
and must apply to all applications. Waivers for individual
applications cannot be granted regardless of the circumstances.
Q. How many copies of the application should I submit and must
they be bound?
A. Applicants are required to submit one original and two copies
of the application. To aid with the review of applications, the
Department encourages applicants to submit four additional paper
copies and one electronic copy (in Department of Education standard
program format) of the application. The Department will not penalize
applicants who do not provide additional copies. The binding of
applications is optional.
Q. We just missed the deadline for the XXX competition. May we
submit under another competition?
A. Yes, however, the likelihood of success is not good. A
properly prepared application must meet the specifications of the
competition to which it is submitted.
Q. I'm not sure which competition is most appropriate for my
project. What should I do?
A. We are happy to discuss any such questions with you and
provide clarification on the unique elements of the various
competitions.
Q. Will you help us prepare our application?
A. We are happy to provide general program information. Clearly,
it would not be appropriate for staff to participate in the actual
writing of an application, but we can respond to specific questions
about application requirements, evaluation criteria, and the
priorities. Applicants should understand, however, that prior
contact with the Department is not required, nor will it in any way
influence the success of an application.
Q. When will I find out if I'm going to be funded?
A. You can expect to receive notification within 2 months of the
application closing date, depending on the number of applications
received.
Q. Once the review panel has reviewed my application, can you
tell me the outcome?
A. No. Every year we are called by a number of applicants who
have a legitimate reason for needing to know the outcome of the
panel review prior to official notification. Some applicants need to
make job decisions, some need to notify a local school district,
etc. Regardless of the reason, because final funding decisions have
not been made, even at the point where all applications have been
read, we cannot share information about the results of panel review
with anyone.
Q. Will my application be returned if I am not funded?
A. No. We no longer return unsuccessful applications. Thus,
applicants should retain at least one copy of their application.
Q. Can I obtain copies of reviewers' comments?
A. Upon written request, reviewers' comments will be mailed to
applicants.
Q. Is travel allowed under these projects?
A. Travel associated with carrying out the project is allowed.
Because we may request the staff of funded projects to attend an
initial meeting with the Department's staff and provide an annual
briefing to the Department on the project's activities, you may also
wish to include a trip or two to Washington, DC in the travel
budget. Travel to conferences is sometimes allowed when the purpose
of the conference will be of benefit and relates to the project.
Q. If my application receives high scores from the reviewers,
does that mean that I will receive funding?
A. Not necessarily. In addition to the rank order of an
application, the Secretary determines which applications will be
selected for grants by considering--
(a) Information in the application, including any additional
information submitted by an applicant to clarify budgetary or
programmatic questions raised by the Secretary; and
(b) Other information relevant to a criterion, priority, or
other requirement that
[[Page 27418]]
applies to the selection of applications for new grants or
cooperative agreements, including information concerning the
applicant's use of funds under a previous award under the same
Federal program. (34 CFR 75.217)
Q. What happens during pre-award clarification discussions?
A. During pre-award clarification discussions, technical and
budget issues may be raised. These are issues that have been
identified during the panel and staff reviews that require
clarification. Sometimes issues are stated as ``conditions.'' These
are issues that have been identified as so critical that the award
cannot be made unless those conditions are met. Questions may also
be raised about the proposed budget. Generally, these issues are
raised because an application contains inadequate justification or
explanation of a particular budget item, or because the budget item
seems unimportant to the successful completion of the project. If
you are asked to make changes that you feel could seriously affect
the project's success, you may provide reasons for not making the
changes or provide alternative suggestions. Similarly, if proposed
budget reductions will, in your opinion, seriously affect the
project activities, you may explain why and provide additional
justification for the proposed expenses. An award cannot be made
until all issues under discussion have been resolved.
Q. How do I provide an assurance?
A. Except for SF-424B, ``Assurances--Non-Construction
Programs,'' you may provide an assurance simply by stating in
writing that you are meeting a prescribed requirement.
Q. Where can copies of the Federal Register, regulations, and
Federal statutes be obtained?
A. Copies of these materials can usually be found at your local
library. Or you may obtain copies of the material referenced in this
notice in the following manner:
(a) A copy of the Carl D. Perkins Vocational and Technical
Education Act of 1998 (Pub. L. 105-332) may be obtained (1) from the
Government Printing Office by writing to Superintendent of
Documents, P.O. Box 371954, Pittsburgh, PA 15250-7954 or telephoning
(202) 512-1800, or (2) online from the Library of Congress at:
http://thomas.loc.gov.
(b) A copy to the Code of Federal Regulations that contains the
Education Department General Administrative Regulations, 34 CFR
parts 74, 75, 77, 80, 81, 82, 85, and 86, may be obtained from the
Government Printing Office by writing to Superintendent of
Documents, P.O. Box 371954, Pittsburgh, PA 15250-7954 or on the
Internet at: http://www.access.gpo.gov/su__docs or http://
www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr.
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[FR Doc. 99-12605 Filed 5-18-99; 8:45 am]
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