96-21872. Notice Inviting Applications for New Awards for Fiscal Year 1997  

  • [Federal Register Volume 61, Number 169 (Thursday, August 29, 1996)]
    [Notices]
    [Pages 45718-45724]
    From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
    [FR Doc No: 96-21872]
    
    
    
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    _______________________________________________________________________
    
    Part V
    
    
    
    
    
    Department of Education
    
    
    
    
    
    _______________________________________________________________________
    
    
    
    Inviting Applications for New Awards for Fiscal Year 1997; Notice
    
    Federal Register / Vol. 61, No. 169 / Thursday, August 29, 1996 / 
    Notices
    
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    DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
    
    
    Notice Inviting Applications for New Awards for Fiscal Year 1997
    
    AGENCY: Department of Education.
    
    SUMMARY: This notice provides closing dates and other information 
    regarding the transmittal of applications for fiscal year 1997 
    competitions under three programs authorized by the Individuals with 
    Disabilities Education Act. This notice supports the National Education 
    Goals by improving understanding of how to enable children and youth 
    with disabilities to reach higher levels of academic achievement.
    
    Research in Education of Individuals With Disabilities Program [CFDA 
    No. 84.023]
    
        Purpose of Program: To advance and improve the knowledge base and 
    improve the practice of professionals, parents, and others providing 
    early intervention, special education, and related services--including 
    professionals in regular education environments--to provide children 
    with disabilities effective instruction and enable these children to 
    learn successfully.
        Eligible Applicants: State and local educational agencies; 
    institutions of higher education; and other public agencies and 
    nonprofit private organizations.
        Applicable Regulations: (a) The Education Department General 
    Administrative Regulations (EDGAR) in 34 CFR Parts 74, 75, 77, 80, 81, 
    82, 85, and 86; and (b) the regulations for this program in 34 CFR Part 
    324.
    
        Note: The regulations in 34 CFR Part 86 apply to institutions of 
    higher education only.
    
        Priorities: Under 34 CFR 75.105(c)(3) and 34 CFR 324.10 the 
    Secretary gives an absolute preference to applications that meet the 
    following priorities. The Secretary funds under these competitions only 
    those applications that meet any one of these absolute priorities:
    
        Note: If an applicant wishes to apply under more than one of 
    these absolute priorities, the applicant must submit a separate 
    application under each affected priority.
    Absolute Priority 1--Student-Initiated Research Projects (84.023B)
        This priority provides support for short-term (up to 12 months) 
    postsecondary student-initiated research projects focusing on special 
    education and related services for children and youth with disabilities 
    and early intervention services for infants and toddlers, consistent 
    with the purposes of the program, as described in 34 CFR 324.1.
        Projects must--
        (1) Develop research skills in postsecondary students; and
        (2) Include a principal investigator who serves as a mentor to the 
    student-researcher while the project is carried out by the student.
        A project must budget for a trip to Washington, DC for the annual 
    two-day Research Project Directors' meeting.
        Project Period: Up to 12 months.
        Maximum Award: In no case does the Secretary make an award greater 
    than $20,000 for a single budget period of 12 months. The Secretary 
    rejects and does not consider an application that proposes a budget 
    exceeding this maximum amount. However, because of budgetary 
    considerations contingent upon congressional action, the Secretary may 
    change the maximum amount through a note accompanying the application 
    package.
        Page Limits: Part III of the application, the Application 
    Narrative, requires applicants to address the selection criteria that 
    will be used by reviewers in evaluating individual proposals. The 
    applicant must limit the Part III--Application Narrative, to no more 
    than 25 double-spaced, 8\1/2\  x  11'' pages (on one side only) with 
    one-inch margins. This page limitation applies to any charts and graphs 
    included in the application narrative. The application narrative page 
    limit does not apply to: Part I--the electronically scannable form; 
    Part II--the budget section (including the narrative budget 
    justification); and Part IV--the assurances and certifications. Also, 
    the one page abstract, resume(s), bibliography, or letters of support, 
    while considered part of the application, are not subject to the page 
    limitation. Applicants should note that reviewers are not required to 
    review any information provided in addition to the application 
    information listed above. If using a proportional computer font, use no 
    smaller than a 12-point font. If using a nonproportional computer font 
    or a typewriter, do not use more than 10 characters to the inch. 
    Proposal narratives that exceed this page limit, or narratives using a 
    smaller print size or spacing that makes the narrative exceed the 
    equivalent of this limit, will not be considered for funding.
    Absolute Priority 2--Field-Initiated Research Projects (84.023C)
        This priority provides support for a wide range of field-initiated 
    research projects that support innovation, development, exchange, and 
    use of advancements in knowledge and practice designed to contribute to 
    the improvement of instruction and learning of infants, toddlers, 
    children, and youth with disabilities.
    
    Invitational Priorities
    
        Within Absolute Priority 2 the Secretary is particularly interested 
    in applications that meet one or more of the following invitational 
    priorities. However, under 34 CFR 75.105(c)(1) an application that 
    meets one or more of these invitational priorities does not receive 
    competitive or absolute preference over other applications:
        (1) Short-term (i.e. up to 12 months) research projects that are 
    budgeted at $100,000 or less, and that are one or more of the 
    following: pilot studies, projects that employ new methodologies, 
    descriptive studies, projects to advance assessment, projects that 
    synthesize state-of-the-art research and practice, projects for 
    research dissemination and utilization, projects that analyze extant 
    data bases.
        The Secretary encourages studies that use these approaches to 
    maximize the achievement of students with disabilities in core academic 
    subjects and foster the full participation of students with 
    disabilities in educational reform efforts related to the Goals 2000: 
    Educate America Act.
        (2) Projects that implement and examine a model or models for using 
    research knowledge to improve educational practice and results for 
    children with disabilities, and that include methodologies with the 
    capacity to judge the effectiveness of the model or models as 
    implemented in practice settings.
        (3) Projects that study the delivery of coordinated services from 
    providers such as health, social service, and mental health agencies.
        (4) Projects that study non-categorical approaches to establishing 
    eligibility for special education.
        (5) Projects that study and develop instructionally relevant 
    assessment practices that can also be used to establish student 
    eligibility for special education.
        Project Period: The majority of projects will be funded for up to 
    36 months. Only in exceptional circumstances--such as research 
    questions that require repeated measurement, longitudinal design--will 
    projects be funded for more than 36 months or up to a maximum of 60 
    months.
        Maximum Award: In no case does the Secretary make an award greater 
    than $180,000 for a single budget period of 12 months. The Secretary 
    rejects and does not consider an application that
    
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    proposes a budget exceeding this maximum amount. However, because of 
    budgetary considerations contingent upon congressional action, the 
    Secretary may change the maximum amount through a note accompanying the 
    application package. Multi-year projects will be level funded unless 
    there are changes in costs attributable to significant changes in 
    activity level.
        Page Limits: Part III of the application, the Application 
    Narrative, requires applicants to address the selection criteria that 
    will be used by reviewers in evaluating individual proposals. The 
    applicant must limit the Part III--Application Narrative, to no more 
    than 50 double-spaced, 8\1/2\ x 11'' pages (on one side only) with one-
    inch margins. This page limitation applies to any charts and graphs 
    included in the application narrative. The application narrative page 
    limit does not apply to: Part I--the electronically scannable form; 
    Part II--the budget section (including the narrative budget 
    justification); and Part IV--the assurances and certifications. Also, 
    the one page abstract, resume(s), bibliography, or letters of support, 
    while considered part of the application, are not subject to the page 
    limitation. Applicants should note that reviewers are not required to 
    review any information provided in addition to the application 
    information listed above. If using a proportional computer font, use no 
    smaller than a 12-point font. If using a nonproportional computer font 
    or a typewriter, do not use more than 10 characters to the inch. 
    Proposal narratives that exceed this page limit, or narratives using a 
    smaller print size or spacing that makes the narrative exceed the 
    equivalent of this limit, will not be considered for funding.
    Absolute Priority 3--Examining Alternatives for Results Assessment for 
    Children with Disabilities (84.023F)
        The Secretary establishes an absolute priority for research 
    projects that meet the requirements of paragraphs (a), (b), and (c) as 
    follows:
        (a) Pursue systematic programs of applied research focusing on one 
    or more issues related to assessment or results based accountability 
    for students with disabilities, or both. These issues include, but are 
    not limited to the following:
        (1) Testing accommodations and adaptations. When adaptations and 
    accommodations are made to permit students with disabilities to 
    participate in results assessments, how are the technical 
    characteristics of the assessments affected? How can the results be 
    interpreted? To what degree can these scores be aggregated with 
    nonadapted assessments? What are the best methods for selecting 
    appropriate accommodations and adaptations? How can testing 
    accommodations be related to instructional accommodations?
        (2) Alternative assessments. If alternative assessments (such as 
    performance assessments or portfolio assessments) are provided for 
    students with disabilities, how can these assessments be compared with 
    conventional assessments? What technical criteria can appropriately be 
    applied to these assessments if used with students with disabilities?
        (3) Development of assessments. How can general educational 
    assessments be developed to be more inclusive for students with 
    disabilities? How can problematic items and item formats be identified? 
    How can students with disabilities be adequately represented in test 
    development and validation samples? What are the effects if tests 
    developed for general populations are administered to students with 
    disabilities?
        (4) Including students with disabilities in general assessments. 
    How should decisions be made and documented to include students with 
    disabilities in general educational assessments or alternative 
    assessments? What factors influence these decisions?
        (5) System development. How can assessment and accountability 
    systems be developed with the range and flexibility to accommodate 
    diverse student populations? How can accountability and 
    individualization both be maintained?
        (6) Basic concepts and principles. How can basic concepts and 
    principles in assessment be revised to reflect new approaches to 
    assessment and new roles and challenges in assessing children with 
    disabilities?
        (b) Produce and disseminate information that can be applied in 
    educational programs, as well as in subsequent research.
        (c) Coordinate their activities, as appropriate, with the Center to 
    Support the Achievement of World Class Outcomes for Students with 
    Disabilities and with other related projects funded under the Goals 
    2000: Educate America Act.
        The budget for a project must provide for two trips annually to 
    Washington, DC for (1) a two-day Research Project Directors' meeting; 
    and (2) another meeting: to meet and collaborate with the project 
    officer of the Office of Special Education Programs and the other 
    projects funded under this priority, to share information, and to 
    discuss findings and methods of dissemination.
        Project Period: Up to 36 months.
        Maximum Award: In no case does the Secretary make an award greater 
    than $185,000 for a single budget period of 12 months. The Secretary 
    rejects and does not consider an application that proposes a budget 
    exceeding this maximum amount. However, because of budgetary 
    considerations contingent upon congressional action, the Secretary may 
    change the maximum amount through a note accompanying the application 
    package. Multi-year projects will be level funded unless there are 
    changes in costs attributable to significant changes in activity level.
        Page Limits: Part III of the application, the Application 
    Narrative, requires applicants to address the selection criteria that 
    will be used by reviewers in evaluating individual proposals. The 
    applicant must limit the Part III--Application Narrative, to no more 
    than 50 double-spaced, 8\1/2\  x  11'' pages (on one side only) with 
    one-inch margins. This page limitation applies to any charts and graphs 
    included in the application narrative. The application narrative page 
    limit does not apply to: Part I--the electronically scannable form; 
    Part II--the budget section (including the narrative budget 
    justification); and Part IV--the assurances and certifications. Also, 
    the one page abstract, resume(s), bibliography, or letters of support, 
    while considered part of the application, are not subject to the page 
    limitation. Applicants should note that reviewers are not required to 
    review any information provided in addition to the application 
    information listed above. If using a proportional computer font, use no 
    smaller than a 12-point font. If using a nonproportional computer font 
    or a typewriter, do not use more than 10 characters to the inch. 
    Proposal narratives that exceed this page limit, or narratives using a 
    smaller print size or spacing that makes the narrative exceed the 
    equivalent of this limit, will not be considered for funding.
    
    For Applications and General Information Contact: Claudette Carey, U.S. 
    Department of Education, 600 Independence Avenue, S.W., room 3525, 
    Switzer Building, Washington, D.C. 20202-2641. Telephone: (202) 205-
    8106. FAX: (202) 205-8105. Internet: Claudette--Carey@ed.gov
        Individuals who use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) 
    may call the TDD number: (202) 205-8953.
    
    For Technical Information Contact: For Student-Initiated Research 
    Projects
    
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    (84.023B): Susan Sanchez, U.S. Department of Education, 600 
    Independence Avenue, S.W., room 3524, Switzer Building, Washington, 
    D.C. 20202-2641. Telephone: (202) 205-8998. FAX: (202) 205-8105. 
    Internet: Susan__Sanchez@ed.gov
        For Field-Initiated Research Projects (84.023C): Tom V. Hanley, 
    U.S. Department of Education, 600 Independence Avenue, S.W., room 3526, 
    Switzer Building, Washington, D.C. 20202-2641. Telephone: (202) 205-
    8110. FAX: (202) 205-8105. Internet: Tom__Hanley@ed.gov
        For Examining Alternatives for Results Assessment for Children with 
    Disabilities (84.023F): David Malouf, U.S. Department of Education, 600 
    Independence Avenue, S.W., room 3521, Switzer Building, Washington, 
    D.C. 20202-2641. Telephone: (202) 205-8111. FAX: (202) 205-8105. 
    Internet: Dave__Malouf@ed.gov
        Individuals who use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) 
    may call the TDD number: (202) 205-8953.
        Program Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1441-1443.
    
                             Research in Education of Individuals with Disabilities Program Application Notice for Fiscal Year 1997                         
    --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                            Deadline for                                             Estimated              
                                                 Applications  Application  Intergovern-                                              average     Estimated 
                 CFDA No. and name                 available     deadline    mental re-           Estimated range of awards           size of       No. of  
                                                                   date         view                                                   awards       awards  
    --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    84.023B  Student-initiated research                9/8/96       2/7/97           N/A  $10,000-20,000                                $15,000           13
     projects.                                                                                                                                              
    84.023C  Field-initiated research projects.        9/8/96     11/25/96           N/A  70,000-180,000                                125,000           20
    84.023F  Examining alternatives for results        9/8/96      12/6/96           N/A  175,000-185,000                               180,000            5
     assessment for children with disabilities.                                                                                                             
    --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    
    Training Personnel for the Education of Individuals With Disabilities--
    Grants for Personnel Training And Parent Training and Information 
    Centers [CFDA No. 84.029]
    
        Purpose of Program: (a) The purpose of Grants for Personnel 
    Training is to increase the quantity and improve the quality of 
    personnel available to serve infants, toddlers, children, and youth 
    with disabilities. (b) The purpose of Parent Training and Information 
    Centers is to enable parents to work more fully and effectively with 
    professionals in meeting the needs of infants, toddlers, children, and 
    youth with disabilities.
        Eligible Applicants: Under Absolute Priority 1 (Preparation of 
    Special Education, Related Services, and Early Intervention Personnel 
    to Serve Infants, Toddlers, Children, and Youth with Low-Incidence 
    Disabilities), Absolute Priority 2 (Preparation of Leadership 
    Personnel), and Absolute Priority 3 (Minority Institutions): 
    Institutions of higher education and appropriate nonprofit agencies.
        Under Absolute Priority 4 (Parent Training and Information 
    Centers): parent organizations, as defined in 34 CFR 316.5(c).
        Applicable Regulations: (a) The Education Department General 
    Administrative Regulations (EDGAR) in 34 CFR parts 74, 75, 76, 77, 79, 
    80, 81, 82, 85, and 86; and (b) The regulations for these programs in 
    34 CFR parts 316 and 318.
    
        Note: The regulations in 34 CFR part 86 apply to institutions of 
    higher education only.
    
        Priorities: Under 34 CFR 75.105(b)(2) and (c)(3), 34 CFR 316, and 
    34 CFR 318, the Secretary gives an absolute preference to applications 
    that meet the following priorities. The Secretary funds under these 
    competitions only those applications that meet any one of these 
    absolute priorities:
    
        (Note: If an applicant wishes to apply under more than one of 
    these absolute priorities, the applicant must submit a separate 
    application under each appropriate priority.)
    Absolute Priority 1--Preparation of Special Education, Related 
    Services, and Early Intervention Personnel to Serve Infants, Toddlers, 
    Children, and Youth with Low-Incidence Disabilities (84.029A)
        Background: The national demand for educational, related services, 
    and early intervention personnel to serve infants, toddlers, children 
    and youth with low-incidence disabilities exceeds available supply. 
    However, because of the small number of these personnel needed in each 
    State, institutions of higher education and individual States are 
    reluctant to support the needed professional development programs. Of 
    the programs that are available, not all are producing graduates with 
    the prerequisite skills needed to meet the needs of the low-incidence 
    disability population. Federal support is required to ensure an 
    adequate supply of personnel to serve children with low-incidence 
    disabilities and to improve the quality of appropriate training 
    programs so that graduates possess necessary prerequisite skills.
        Priority: The Secretary establishes an absolute priority to support 
    projects that increase the number and quality of personnel to serve 
    children with low-incidence disabilities. This priority supports 
    projects that provide preservice preparation of special educators, 
    early intervention personnel, and related services personnel at the 
    associate, baccalaureate, master's, or specialist level.
        The term ``low-incidence disability'' means a visual or hearing 
    impairment, or simultaneous visual and hearing impairments (including 
    deaf-blindness), significant mental retardation, or an impairment such 
    as severe and multiple disabilities, severe orthopedic disabilities, 
    autism, and traumatic brain injury, for which a small number of highly 
    skilled and knowledgeable personnel are needed.
        Applicants may propose to prepare one or more of the following 
    types of personnel:
        (1) Special educators including early childhood, speech and 
    language, adapted physical education, and assistive technology 
    personnel;
        (2) Related services personnel who provide developmental, 
    corrective, and other supportive services that assist children with 
    low-incidence disabilities to benefit from special education. Both 
    comprehensive programs and specialty components within a broader 
    discipline that prepares personnel for work with the low-incidence 
    population may be supported; or,
        (3) Early intervention personnel who serve children birth through 
    age 2 with disabilities and their families. Early intervention 
    personnel include persons prepared to provide training for, or be 
    consultants to, service providers and case managers.
        The Secretary particularly encourages projects that address the 
    needs of more than one State, provide multi-disciplinary training, and 
    include collaboration among several institutions and between training 
    institutions and public schools. In addition, projects that foster 
    successful coordination between
    
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    special education and regular education professional development 
    programs to meet the needs of children with low-incidence disabilities 
    in inclusive settings are encouraged.
        Projects must:
        (a) Show how their proposed activities address the demands for 
    trained personnel to serve children with low-incidence disabilities in 
    the State or States whose needs the project is expected to meet. The 
    extent of the need for trained personnel in a particular State must be 
    supported by the State's Comprehensive System of Personnel Development 
    (CSPD), or the CSPD supplemented by other additional relevant sources 
    which the applicant demonstrates to be reliable and accurate.
        (b) Prepare personnel to address the specialized needs of children 
    with low-incidence disabilities from different cultural and language 
    backgrounds;
        (c) Incorporate best practices in the design of the program and the 
    curricula;
        (d) Incorporate curricula that focus on improving results for 
    children with low-incidence disabilities;
        (e) Promote high expectations for students with low-incidence 
    disabilities and foster access to the general curriculum in the regular 
    classroom, wherever appropriate; and
        (f) Develop linkages with Education Department technical assistance 
    providers to communicate information on program models used and program 
    effectiveness.
        Under this absolute priority, the Secretary plans to award 
    approximately:
          55 percent of the available funds for projects that 
    support careers in special education, including early childhood 
    educators;
          30 percent of the available funds for projects that 
    support careers in related services; and
          15 percent of the available funds for projects that 
    support careers in early intervention.
        Project Period: Up to 36 months.
        Maximum Award: In no case does the Secretary make an award greater 
    than $400,000 for a single budget period of 12 months. The Secretary 
    rejects and does not consider an application that proposes a budget 
    exceeding this maximum amount. However, because of budgetary 
    considerations contingent upon congressional action, the Secretary may 
    change the maximum amount through a note accompanying the application 
    package. Multi-year projects will be level funded unless there are 
    changes in costs attributable to significant changes in activity level.
        Page Limits: Part III of the application, the Application 
    Narrative, requires applicants to address the selection criteria that 
    will be used by reviewers in evaluating individual proposals. The 
    applicant must limit the Part III--Application Narrative, to no more 
    than 40 double-spaced, 8 1/2  x  11'' pages (on one side only) with 
    one-inch margins. This page limitation applies to any charts and graphs 
    included in the application narrative. The application narrative page 
    limit does not apply to: Part I--the electronically scannable form; 
    Part II--the budget section (including the narrative budget 
    justification); and Part IV--the assurances and certifications. Also, 
    the one page abstract, resume(s), bibliography, or letters of support, 
    while considered part of the application, are not subject to the page 
    limitation. Applicants should note that reviewers are not required to 
    review any information provided in addition to the application 
    information listed above. If using a proportional computer font, use no 
    smaller than a 12-point font. If using a nonproportional computer font 
    or a typewriter, do not use more than 10 characters to the inch. 
    Proposal narratives that exceed this page limit, or narratives using a 
    smaller print size or spacing that makes the narrative exceed the 
    equivalent of this limit, will not be considered for funding.
    Absolute Priority 2--Preparation of Leadership Personnel (84.029D).
        This priority supports projects that are designed to provide 
    preservice professional preparation of leadership personnel in special 
    education, related services, and early intervention. Leadership 
    training is considered to be preparation in--
        (a) Supervision and administration at the advanced graduate, 
    doctoral, and post-doctoral levels;
        (b) Research; and
        (c) Personnel preparation at the doctoral and post-doctoral levels 
    (34 CFR 318.11(a)(4)).
    
    Invitational Priorities
    
        Within Absolute Priority 1 the Secretary is particularly interested 
    in applications that meet one or more of the following invitational 
    priorities. However, under 34 CFR 75.105(c)(1) an application that 
    meets one or more of these invitational priorities does not receive 
    competitive or absolute preference over other applications:
        (a) Projects designed to foster successful coordination between 
    special education and regular education teachers, administrators, 
    related services personnel, infant intervention specialists, and 
    parents.
        (b) Projects that coordinate their professional development 
    programs for regular and special education personnel.
        (c) Projects that include recruitment of leadership personnel from 
    groups that are underrepresented in educational leadership positions.
        Project Period: Up to 48 months.
        Maximum Award: In no case does the Secretary make an award greater 
    than $225,000 for a single budget period of 12 months. The Secretary 
    rejects and does not consider an application that proposes a budget 
    exceeding this maximum amount. However, because of budgetary 
    considerations contingent upon congressional action, the Secretary may 
    change the maximum amount through a note accompanying the application 
    package. Multi-year projects will be level funded unless there are 
    changes in costs attributable to significant changes in activity level.
        Page Limits: Part III of the application, the Application 
    Narrative, requires applicants to address the selection criteria that 
    will be used by reviewers in evaluating individual proposals. The 
    applicant must limit the Part III--Application Narrative, to no more 
    than 40 double-spaced, 8\1/2\  x  11'' pages (on one side only) with 
    one-inch margins. This page limitation applies to any charts and graphs 
    included in the application narrative. The application narrative page 
    limit does not apply to: Part I--the electronically scannable form; 
    Part II--the budget section (including the narrative budget 
    justification); and Part IV--the assurances and certifications. Also, 
    the one page abstract, resume(s), bibliography, or letters of support, 
    while considered part of the application, are not subject to the page 
    limitation. Applicants should note that reviewers are not required to 
    review any information provided in addition to the application 
    information listed above. If using a proportional computer font, use no 
    smaller than a 12-point font. If using a nonproportional computer font 
    or a typewriter, do not use more than 10 characters to the inch. 
    Proposal narratives that exceed this page limit, or narratives using a 
    smaller print size or spacing that makes the narrative exceed the 
    equivalent of this limit, will not be considered for funding.
    Absolute Priority 3--Minority Institutions (84.029E).
        This priority supports awards to Historically Black Colleges and 
    Universities and other institutions of higher education whose minority 
    student enrollment is at least 25 percent. Awards may provide training 
    of personnel in all areas noted in 34 CFR
    
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    318.10(a) (1) and (2), and must be designed to increase the 
    capabilities of the institution in appropriate training areas (34 CFR 
    318.11(a)(16)).
        Project Period: Up to 48 months.
        Maximum Award: In no case does the Secretary make an award greater 
    than $200,000 for a single budget period of 12 months. The Secretary 
    rejects and does not consider an application that proposes a budget 
    exceeding this maximum amount. However, because of budgetary 
    considerations contingent upon congressional action, the Secretary may 
    change the maximum amount through a note accompanying the application 
    package. Multi-year projects will be level funded unless there are 
    changes in costs attributable to significant changes in activity level.
        Page Limits: Part III of the application, the Application 
    Narrative, requires applicants to address the selection criteria that 
    will be used by reviewers in evaluating individual proposals. The 
    applicant must limit the Part III--Application Narrative, to no more 
    than 40 double-spaced, 81/2  x  11'' pages (on one side only) with one-
    inch margins. This page limitation applies to any charts and graphs 
    included in the application narrative. The application narrative page 
    limit does not apply to: Part I--the electronically scannable form; 
    Part II--the budget section (including the narrative budget 
    justification); and Part IV--the assurances and certifications. Also, 
    the one page abstract, resume(s), bibliography, or letters of support, 
    while considered part of the application, are not subject to the page 
    limitation. Applicants should note that reviewers are not required to 
    review any information provided in addition to the application 
    information listed above. If using a proportional computer font, use no 
    smaller than a 12-point font. If using a nonproportional computer font 
    or a typewriter, do not use more than 10 characters to the inch. 
    Proposal narratives that exceed this page limit, or narratives using a 
    smaller print size or spacing that makes the narrative exceed the 
    equivalent of this limit, will not be considered for funding.
    Absolute Priority 4--Parent Training and Information Centers (84.029M)
        The purpose of this priority is to support Parent Training and 
    Information Centers that assist parents to--
        (1) Better understand the nature and needs of the disabling 
    conditions of their children with disabilities;
        (2) Provide follow-up support for the educational programs of their 
    children with disabilities;
        (3) Communicate more effectively with special and regular 
    educators, administrators, related services personnel, and other 
    relevant professionals;
        (4) Participate fully in educational decision making processes, 
    including the development of the individualized education program, for 
    a child with a disability;
        (5) Obtain information about the range of options, programs, 
    services, and resources available at the national, State, and local 
    levels to children with disabilities and their families; and
        (6) Understand the provisions for educating children with 
    disabilities under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.
        In order to assure that awards for parent centers serve parents of 
    minority children with disabilities representative to the proportion of 
    the minority population in the areas being served, applicants for 
    awards shall identify with specificity the special efforts that will be 
    undertaken to involve those parents, including efforts to work with 
    community-based and cultural organizations and the specification of 
    supplementary aids, services, and supports that will be made available. 
    Applicants shall also specify budgetary items earmarked to accomplish 
    these efforts.
    
    Competitive Priorities
    
        Within Absolute Priority 4, the Secretary, under 34 CFR 
    75.105(c)(2)(i), gives preference to applications that meet one or more 
    of the following competitive priorities:
        (a) Providing parent training and information in one or more 
    Empowerment Zones or Enterprise Communities. The Secretary awards 5 
    points to an application that meets the competitive priority relating 
    to Empowerment Zones or Enterprise Communities published in the Federal 
    Register on November 7, 1994 (59 FR 55534). These points are in 
    addition to any points the application earns under the selection 
    criteria for the program.
        A list of areas that have been selected as Empowerment Zones or 
    Enterprise Communities is included in an appendix to a notice published 
    in the Federal Register on December 6, 1995 (60 FR 62699).
        (b) To assist the Secretary in ensuring that awards are distributed 
    geographically on a State or regional basis throughout all the States, 
    the Secretary awards 15 points to an application that provides parent 
    training and information in a State, or geographic area, that would be 
    unserved by an existing Parent Training and Information Center in FY 
    1997. These points are in addition to any points the application earns 
    under the selection criteria for the program and under competitive 
    preference (a).
    (20 U.S.C. 1431(e))
    
        Project Period: Up to 60 months.
        Maximum Award: In no case does the Secretary make an award greater 
    than $400,000 for a single budget period of 12 months. The Secretary 
    rejects and does not consider an application that proposes a budget 
    exceeding this maximum amount. However, because of budgetary 
    considerations contingent upon congressional action, the Secretary may 
    change the maximum amount through a note accompanying the application 
    package. Multi-year projects will be level funded unless there are 
    changes in costs attributable to significant changes in activity level.
        Page Limits: Part III of the application, the Application 
    Narrative, requires applicants to address the selection criteria that 
    will be used by reviewers in evaluating individual proposals. The 
    applicant must limit the Part III--Application Narrative, to no more 
    than 40 double-spaced, 8\1/2\  x  11'' pages (on one side only) with 
    one-inch margins. This page limitation applies to any charts and graphs 
    included in the application narrative. The application narrative page 
    limit does not apply to: Part I--the electronically scannable form; 
    Part II--the budget section (including the narrative budget 
    justification); and Part IV--the assurances and certifications. Also, 
    the one page abstract, resume(s), bibliography, or letters of support, 
    while considered part of the application, are not subject to the page 
    limitation. Applicants should note that reviewers are not required to 
    review any information provided in addition to the application 
    information listed above. If using a proportional computer font, use no 
    smaller than a 12-point font. If using a nonproportional computer font 
    or a typewriter, do not use more than 10 characters to the inch. 
    Proposal narratives that exceed this page limit, or narratives using a 
    smaller print size or spacing that makes the narrative exceed the 
    equivalent of this limit, will not be considered for funding.
    
    SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The selection criteria that are used to 
    evaluate applications under this priority award significant points 
    based on the extent to which a proposed project addresses the needs of 
    parents of minority infants, toddlers, children, and youth with 
    disabilities.
        Also, a list of States or geographic areas that are currently 
    unfunded or
    
    [[Page 45723]]
    
    underserved is available from the contact person listed below.
    
    FOR APPLICATIONS AND GENERAL INFORMATION CONTACT: Ernestine Jefferson, 
    U.S. Department of Education, 600 Independence Avenue S.W., room 3072, 
    Switzer Building, Washington, D.C. 20202-2651. Telephone: 205-8761. 
    FAX: (202) 205-9070. Internet: Ernestine__Jefferson@ed.gov.
        Individuals who use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) 
    may call the TDD number at (202) 260-7381.
    
    FOR TECHNICAL INFORMATION CONTACT: For Preparation of Special 
    Education, Related Services, and Early Intervention Personnel to Serve 
    Infants, Toddlers, Children, and Youth with Low-Incidence Disabilities 
    (84.029A): Verna Hart, U.S. Department of Education, 600 Independence 
    Avenue, S.W., room 3519, Switzer Building, Washington, D.C. 20202-2641. 
    Telephone: (202) 205-5392. FAX: (202) 205-9070. Internet: 
    Verna__Hart@ed.gov.For Preparation of Leadership Personnel (84.029D): 
    Bob Gilmore, U.S. Department of Education, 600 Independence Avenue 
    S.W., room 3076, Switzer Building, Washington, D.C. 20202-2651. 
    Telephone: (202) 205-9080. FAX: (202) 205-9070. Internet: 
    Bob__Gilmore@ed.gov.
        For Minority Institutions (84.029E): Victoria Mims, U.S. Department 
    of Education, 600 Independence Avenue S.W., room 3513, Switzer 
    Building, Washington, D.C. 20202-2651. Telephone: (202) 205-8687. FAX: 
    (202) 205-9070. Internet: Victoria__Mims@ed.gov.
        For Parent Training and Information Centers (84.029M): Merri 
    Pearson, U.S. Department of Education, 600 Independence Avenue S.W., 
    room 3518, Switzer Building, Washington, D.C. 20202-2651. Telephone: 
    (202) 205-9093. FAX: (202) 205-9070. Internet: 
    Merri__Pearson@ed.gov.Individuals who use a telecommunications device 
    for the deaf (TDD) may call the TDD number at (202) 260-7381.
        Program Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1431.
    
       Training Personnel for the Education of Individuals with Disabilities--Grants for Personnel Training and Parent Training and Information Centers--   
                                                             Application Notice for Fiscal Year 1997                                                        
    --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                                                     Estimated              
                                              Applications  Application     Deadline for                                              average     Estimated 
                CFDA No. and name               available     deadline   intergovernmental         Estimated range of awards          size of     number of 
                                                                date           review                                                  awards       awards  
    --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    84.029A--Preparation of special                 9/8/96      1/10/97         3/10/97     $200,000-400,000                           $300,000           30
     education, related services, and early                                                                                                                 
     intervention personnel to serve                                                                                                                        
     infants, toddlers, children, and youth                                                                                                                 
     with low-incidence disabilities.                                                                                                                       
    84.029D--Preparation of leadership              9/8/96      12/2/96          2/3/97     175,000-225,000                             200,000           14
     personnel.                                                                                                                                             
    84.029E--Minority Institutions..........        9/8/96      12/6/96          2/6/97     190,000-200,000                             195,000           18
    84.029M--Parent training and information        9/8/96     11/25/96         1/27/97     100,000-400,000                             185,000           14
     centers.                                                                                                                                               
    --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    
    PROGRAM FOR CHILDREN AND YOUTH WITH SERIOUS EMOTIONAL DISTURBANCE [CFDA 
    No. 84.237]
    
        Purpose of Program: To support projects designed to improve special 
    education and related services to children and youth with serious 
    emotional disturbance. Types of projects that may be supported under 
    the program include, but are not limited to, research, development, and 
    demonstration projects. Funds may also be used to develop and 
    demonstrate approaches to assist and prevent children with emotional 
    and behavioral problems from developing serious emotional disturbance.
        Eligible Applicants: Institutions of higher education, State 
    educational agencies, local educational agencies, and other appropriate 
    public and nonprofit private institutions or agencies.
        Applicable Regulations: (a) The Education Department General 
    Administrative Regulations (EDGAR) in 34 CFR parts 74, 75, 77, 79, 80, 
    81, 82, 85, and 86; and (b) The regulations for this program in 34 CFR 
    Part 328.
    
        Note: The regulations in 34 CFR Part 86 apply to institutions of 
    higher education only.
    
        Priority: Under 34 CFR 75.105(c)(3), and 34 CFR 328, the Secretary 
    gives an absolute preference to applications that meet the following 
    priority. The Secretary funds under this competition only those 
    applications that meet this absolute priority:
    Absolute Priority--Developing Effective Secondary School-Based 
    Practices for Youth with Serious Emotional Disturbance (84.237H)
        Background: Recent nationwide research on secondary school 
    experiences and post-school outcomes for students with disabilities 
    finds that youth with serious emotional disturbance (SED) are at 
    particularly high risk for school failure and for poor post-school 
    outcomes. While the majority of secondary age students with SED attend 
    regular high schools, most of these students receive special education 
    and related services outside the regular classroom for a substantial 
    part, or all, of their school day. SED students attending regular 
    secondary schools tend, as a group: to display erratic school 
    attendance patterns; to achieve low levels of academic success despite 
    generally normal-and-above ability levels; to be minimally involved in 
    the social milieu of their schools; and to drop out of school at 
    alarming rates. Fifty percent drop out of school, most by the tenth 
    grade.
        Poor adjustment and behavioral concerns are common during and 
    beyond high school among these students. Data from the National 
    Longitudinal Transition Study show that only one in ten students with 
    serious emotional disturbance have behavior management plans. They tend 
    to be under- or un-employed, are rarely involved in post-secondary 
    education, and are at high risk for engaging in activities and 
    behaviors outside the bounds of the law. While fairly substantial 
    recent and current efforts are focusing on improving results for 
    younger students with SED, little attention is being directed toward 
    their secondary-age counterparts. This priority is intended to address 
    this critical need.
        Priority: The Secretary establishes an absolute priority for 
    projects to develop, implement, test the efficacy of, and disseminate 
    practices for improving academic, vocational, personal, social, and 
    behavioral results for students with SED in regular high schools, 
    including consideration of the most appropriate and least restrictive 
    placements.
        Under this priority, projects must--
    
    [[Page 45724]]
    
        (1) Develop practices with sound conceptual bases that are designed 
    to improve critical academic, vocational, personal, social, and 
    behavioral outcomes for SED students;
        (2) Apply rigorous research standards in testing the efficacy of 
    practices developed;
        (3) Develop products that include clear, comprehensive descriptions 
    of tested practices, test site contexts, and target student 
    characteristics, and disseminate these products to appropriate research 
    institutes, clearinghouses, and technical assistance providers.
        A project must budget for two trips annually to Washington, D.C. 
    for: (1) A two-day Research Project Directors' meeting; and (2) another 
    meeting to meet and collaborate with the OSEP project officer and with 
    other relevant OSEP funded projects.
        Project Period: Up to 48 months
        Maximum Award: In no case does the Secretary make an award greater 
    than $168,000 for a single budget period of 12 months. The Secretary 
    rejects and does not consider an application that proposes a budget 
    exceeding this maximum amount. However, because of budgetary 
    considerations contingent upon congressional action, the Secretary may 
    change the maximum amount through a note accompanying the application 
    package. Multi-year projects will be level funded unless there are 
    changes in costs attributable to significant changes in activity level.
        Page Limits: Part III of the application, the Application 
    Narrative, requires applicants to address the selection criteria that 
    will be used by reviewers in evaluating individual proposals. The 
    applicant must limit the Part III--Application Narrative, to no more 
    than 50 double-spaced, 8\1/2\  x  11'' pages (on one side only) with 
    one-inch margins. This page limitation applies to any charts and graphs 
    included in the application narrative. The application narrative page 
    limit does not apply to: Part I--the electronically scannable form; 
    Part II--the budget section (including the narrative budget 
    justification); and Part IV--the assurances and certifications. Also, 
    the one page abstract, resume(s), bibliography, or letters of support, 
    while considered part of the application, are not subject to the page 
    limitation. Applicants should note that reviewers are not required to 
    review any information provided in addition to the application 
    information listed above. If using a proportional computer font, use no 
    smaller than a 12-point font. If using a nonproportional computer font 
    or a typewriter, do not use more than 10 characters to the inch. 
    Proposal narratives that exceed this page limit, or narratives using a 
    smaller print size or spacing that makes the narrative exceed the 
    equivalent of this limit, will not be considered for funding.
    
    FOR APPLICATIONS AND GENERAL INFORMATION CONTACT: Claudette Carey, U.S. 
    Department of Education, 600 Independence Avenue, S.W., room 3525, 
    Switzer Building, Washington, D.C. 20202-2641. Telephone: (202) 205-
    9864. FAX: (202) 20508105. Internet: Claudette__Carey@ed.gov
        Individuals who use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) 
    may call the TDD number: (202) 205-8953.
    
    FOR TECHNICAL INFORMATION CONTACT: Helen Thornton, U.S. Department of 
    Education, 600 Independence Avenue, S.W., room 3520, Switzer Building, 
    Washington, D.C. 20202-2641. Telephone: (202) 205-5910. FAX: (202) 205-
    8105. Internet: Helen__Thornton@ed.gov
        Individuals who use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) 
    may call the TDD number: (202) 205-8953.
        Program Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1426.
    
                           Program for Children and Youth With Serious Emotional Disturbance--Application Notice for Fiscal Year 1987                       
    --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                                                     Estimated              
                                              Applications  Application     Deadline for                                              average     Estimated 
                CFDA No. and name               available     deadline   intergovernmental         Estimated range of awards          size of       No. of  
                                                                date           review                                                  awards       awards  
    --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    84.237H--Developing effective secondary        9/08/96     12/13/96         2/13/97     $166,000-168,000                           $167,000            2
     school-based practices for youth with                                                                                                                  
     serious emotional disturbance.                                                                                                                         
    --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    
    FOR ELECTRONIC ACCESS TO INFORMATION: Information about the 
    Department's funding opportunities, including copies of application 
    notices for discretionary grant competitions, can be viewed on the 
    Department's electronic bulletin board (ED Board), telephone (202) 260-
    9950; on the Internet Gopher Server at GOPHER.ED.GOV (under 
    Announcements, Bulletins and Press Releases) or World Wide Web site (at 
    http://www.ed.gov/). However, the official application notice for a 
    discretionary grant competition is the notice published in the Federal 
    Register. Application packages will be available in alternative formats 
    upon request.
    
        Dated: August 22, 1996.
    Judith E. Heumann,
    Assistant Secretary for Special Education and Rehabilitative Services.
    [FR Doc. 96-21872 Filed 8-28-96; 8:45 am]
    BILLING CODE 4000-01-P
    
    
    

Document Information

Published:
08/29/1996
Department:
Education Department
Entry Type:
Notice
Document Number:
96-21872
Pages:
45718-45724 (7 pages)
PDF File:
96-21872.pdf