[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 149 (Monday, August 4, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 41998-42004]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-20454]
[[Page 41997]]
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Part II
Department of Education
_______________________________________________________________________
Individuals With Disabilities Education Act; Notice Inviting
Applications for New Awards for Fiscal Year 1998; Notice
Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 149 / Monday, August 4, 1997 /
Notices
[[Page 41998]]
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DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
Individuals With Disabilities Education Act; Notice Inviting
Applications for New Awards for Fiscal Year 1998
AGENCY: Department of Education.
ACTION: Notice inviting applications for new awards for fiscal year
1998.
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SUMMARY: On June 4, 1997, the President signed into law Pub. L. 105-17,
the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act Amendments, amending
the Individual with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).
This notice provides closing dates and other information regarding
the transmittal of applications for fiscal year 1998 competitions under
four programs authorized by the Individuals with Disabilities Education
Act (the Act, as amended by the 1997 amendments). The priorities under
these programs are based on the statutory provisions in the Act or on
previously published priorities, as indicated in each priority. Only
changes authorized by the 1997 Amendments to IDEA were made to
priorities previously published. For example, the Act no longer refers
to ``youth with disabilities''. ``Youth with disabilities'' is no
longer distinguished from ``children with disabilities'' under the Act;
therefore, all references to ``youth with disabilities'' have been
deleted from the priorities. Also, the types of entities eligible to
apply for grants under these programs have been changed where necessary
to reflect changes in the Act.
This notice supports the National Education Goals by improving
understanding of how to enable children with disabilities to reach
higher levels of academic achievement.
Note: The Department of Education is not bound by any estimates
in this notice.
Research and Innovation To Improve Services and Results for Children
With Disabilities (CFDA No. 84.023)
Purpose of Program: To produce, and advance the use of, knowledge
to (1) improve services provided under the Act, including the practices
of professionals and others involved in providing those services to
children with disabilities; and (2) improve educational and early
intervention results for infants, toddlers, and children with
disabilities.
Eligible Applicants: State and local educational agencies;
institutions of higher education; other public agencies; private
nonprofit organizations; outlying areas; freely associated States; and
Indian tribes or tribal organizations.
Applicable Regulations: (a) The Education Department General
Administrative Regulations (EDGAR) in 34 CFR parts 74, 75, 76, 77, 80,
81, 82, 85, and 86; and (b) The selection criteria included in
regulations in 34 CFR 324.31.
Note: The regulations in 34 CFR part 86 apply to institutions of
higher education only.
Priorities: Under sections 661(e)(2) and 672 of the Act and 34 CFR
75.105(c)(3), the Secretary gives an absolute preference to
applications that meet the following priorities. The Secretary funds
under these competitions only those applications that meet these
absolute priorities:
Absolute Priority 1--Field-Initiated Research Projects (84.023C).
This statutory 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 early intervention, instruction and
learning of infants, toddlers, and children with disabilities as
described in section 672 of the Act.
Applicants and resulting projects must involve individuals with
disabilities or parents of individuals with disabilities in planning,
implementing, and evaluating the project. (See section 661(f)(1)(A) of
the Act).
A project must budget for a trip to Washington, DC. for the annual
two-day Research Project Directors' meeting.
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:
(1) Projects to address the specific problems of over-
identification and under-identification of children with disabilities.
(See section 672(a)(3) of the Act).
(2) Projects to develop and implement effective strategies for
addressing inappropriate behavior of students with disabilities in
schools, including strategies to prevent children with emotional and
behavioral problems from developing emotional disturbances that require
the provision of special education and related services. (See section
672(a)(4) of the Act).
(3) Projects studying and promoting improved alignment and
compatibility of general and special education reforms concerned with
curricular and instructional reform, evaluation and accountability of
those reforms, and administrative procedures. (See section 672(b)(2)(D)
of the Act).
(4) Projects that advance knowledge about the coordination of
education with health and social services. (See section 672(b)(2)(G) of
the Act).
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 within a longitudinal
design--will projects be funded for more than 36 months, up to a
maximum of 60 months.
Maximum Award: The Secretary rejects and does not consider an
application that proposes a budget exceeding $180,000 for any single
budget period of 12 months. However, because of budgetary
considerations contingent upon congressional action, the Secretary may
change the maximum amount through a notice published in the Federal
Register.
Page Limits: The applicant must limit the Part III of its
application--Application Narrative, to no more than 50 double-spaced 8
\1/2\ x 11'' pages (on one side only) with one inch margins (top,
bottom, and sides). Please refer to the ``Page Limit Requirements for
All Applications'' section of this notice for more specific information
on this page limit requirement.
Absolute Priority 2--Student-Initiated Research Projects (84.023B).
This absolute priority was published in the Federal Register on
November 21, 1994 (59 FR 60054).
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 with disabilities and early
intervention services for infants and toddlers, consistent with the
purposes of the program, as described in section 672 of the Act.
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.
Applicants and resulting projects must involve individuals with
disabilities or parents of individuals with disabilities in planning,
implementing, and evaluating the project. (See section 661(f)(1)(A) of
the Act).
[[Page 41999]]
Project Period: Up to 12 months.
Maximum Award: The Secretary rejects and does not consider an
application that proposes a budget exceeding $20,000 for the entire
project period. However, because of budgetary considerations contingent
upon congressional action, the Secretary may change the maximum amount
through a notice published in the Federal Register.
Page Limits: The applicant must limit Part III of its application--
Application Narrative, to no more than 25 double-spaced 8\1/2\ x 11''
pages (on one side only) with one inch margins (top, bottom, and
sides). Please refer to the ``Page Limit Requirements for All
Applications'' section of this notice for more specific information on
this page limit requirement.
Absolute Priority 3--Initial Career Awards (84.023N). This absolute
priority was published in the Federal Register on March 5, 1996 (61 FR
8810).
Background: There is a need to enable individuals in the initial
phases of their careers to initiate and develop promising lines of
research that would improve early intervention services for infants and
toddlers, and special education and related services for children with
disabilities. Support for research activities among individuals in the
initial phases of their careers is intended to develop the capacity of
the special education research community. This priority would address
the additional need to provide support for a broad range of field-
initiated research projects--focusing on the special education and
related services for children with disabilities and early intervention
for infants and toddlers--consistent with the purpose of the program as
described in section 672 of the Act.
Priority: The Secretary establishes an absolute priority for the
purpose of awarding grants to eligible applicants for the support of
individuals in the initial phases of their careers to initiate and
develop promising lines of research consistent with the purposes of the
program. For purposes of this priority, the initial phase of an
individuals career is considered to be the first three years after
completing a doctoral program and graduating (e.g., for fiscal year
1998 awards, projects may support individuals who completed a doctoral
program and graduated no earlier than the 1994-95 academic year).
Projects must--
(a) Pursue a line of inquiry that reflects a programmatic strand of
research emanating either from theory or a conceptual framework. The
line of research must be evidenced by a series of related questions
that establish directions for designing future studies extending beyond
the support of this award. The project is not intended to represent all
inquiry related to the particular theory or conceptual framework;
rather, it is expected to initiate a new line or advance an existing
one;
(b) In addition to involving individuals with disabilities or
parents of individuals with disabilities in planning, implementing, and
evaluating the project, as required by the Act, include, in its design
and conduct, sustained involvement with nationally recognized experts
having substantive or methodological knowledge and expertise relevant
to the proposed research. Experts do not have to be at the same
institution or agency at which the project is located, but the
interaction must be sufficient to develop the capacity of the
researcher to pursue effectively the research into mid-career
activities. At least 50 percent of the researcher's time must be
devoted to the project;
(c) Prepare its procedures, findings, and conclusions in a manner
that informs other interested researchers and is useful for advancing
professional practice or improving programs and services to infants,
toddlers, and children with disabilities and their families; and
(d) Disseminate project procedures, findings, and conclusions to
appropriate research institutes and technical assistance providers.
A project's budget must include funds to attend the two-day
Research Project Directors' meeting to be held in Washington, DC each
year of the project.
Applicants and resulting projects must involve individuals with
disabilities or parents of individuals with disabilities in planning,
implementing, and evaluating the project. (See section 661(f)(1)(A) of
the Act).
Project Period: Up to 36 months.
Maximum Award: The Secretary rejects and does not consider an
application that proposes a budget exceeding $75,000 for any single
budget period of 12 months. However, because of budgetary
considerations contingent upon congressional action, the Secretary may
change the maximum amount through a notice published in the Federal
Register.
Page Limits: The applicant must limit Part III of its application--
Application Narrative, to no more than 30 double-spaced 8\1/2\ x 11''
pages (on one side only) with one inch margins (top, bottom, and
sides). Please refer to the ``Page Limit Requirements for All
Applications'' section of this notice for more specific information on
this page limit requirement.
Program Authority: Section 672 of the Act.
Personnel Preparation To Improve Services and Results for Children With
Disabilities (CFDA No. 84.029)
Purpose Of Program: The purposes of this program are to (1) help
address State-identified needs for qualified personnel in special
education, related services, early intervention, and regular education,
to work with children with disabilities; and (2) to ensure that those
personnel have the skills and knowledge, derived from practices that
have been determined, through research and experience, to be
successful, that are needed to serve those children.
Eligible Applicants: Institutions of higher education and private
nonprofit organizations.
Applicable Regulations: (a) The Education Department General
Administrative Regulations (EDGAR) in 34 CFR parts 74, 75, 77, 79, 80,
81, 82, 85, and 86; (b) The selection criteria included in regulations
in 34 CFR 318.22; and (c) 34 CFR 318.31-33.
Note: The regulations in 34 CFR part 86 apply to institutions of
higher education only.
Priorities: Under section 661(e)(2) and 673 of the Act and 34 CFR
75.105(c)(3), the Secretary gives an absolute preference to
applications that meet the following priorities. The Secretary funds
under these competitions only those applications that meet these
absolute priorities:
Absolute Priority 1--Preparation of Special Education, Related
Services, and Early Intervention Personnel to Serve Infants, Toddlers,
and Children with Low-Incidence Disabilities (84.029A). This absolute
priority was published in the Federal Register on May 9, 1996 (61 FR
21230).
Background: The national demand for educational, related services,
and early intervention personnel to serve infants, toddlers, and
children 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-
[[Page 42000]]
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, a
significant cognitive impairment, or any impairment for which a small
number of personnel with highly specialized skills and knowledge are
needed in order for children with that impairment to receive early
intervention services or a free appropriate public education.
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 low-incidence 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 special education and regular education
professional development programs to meet the needs of children with
low-incidence disabilities in inclusive settings are encouraged.
Applicants and resulting projects must involve individuals with
disabilities or parents of individuals with disabilities in planning,
implementing, and evaluating the project. (See section 661(f)(1)(A) of
the Act).
To be considered for an award an applicant must satisfy the
following requirements contained in section 673(f)-(h) of the Act--
(a) Demonstrate, with letters from one or more States that the
project proposes to serve, that States need personnel in the area or
areas in which the applicant proposes to provide preparation, as
identified in the State's comprehensive system of personnel development
(CSPD) under Parts B and C of the Act;
(b) Demonstrate that it has engaged in a cooperative effort with
one or more State educational agencies to plan, carry out, and monitor
the project;
(c) Provide letters from one or more States stating that they
intend to accept successful completion of the proposed personnel
preparation program as meeting State personnel standards for serving
children with disabilities or serving infants and toddlers with
disabilities;
(d) Meet State and professionally-recognized standards for the
preparation of special education and related services personnel (See
section 673(g)(2) of the Act); and
(e) Ensure that individuals who receive a scholarship under the
proposed project will subsequently provide special education and
related services to children with disabilities for a period of two
years for every year for which assistance was received or repay all or
part of the cost of that assistance, in accordance with regulations to
be issued by the Secretary.
The application requirement described in paragraph (e) is required
by section 673(h)(1) of the Act (20 U.S.C. 1474(h)(1)). Because this
provision was added to the Act during the recent reauthorization, the
Secretary has not had the opportunity to promulgate regulations, but
expects to do so before grant awards are made. In order for an
applicant to provide the assurances required by statute, the applicant
must, at a minimum, describe:
(1) How it will notify trainees of the work or repay requirement;
and (2) How it will notify trainees when the regulations are finalized.
The Secretary encourages applicants to award stipends and scholarships
that last at least for one-year. By having at least one-year stipends
and scholarships, it would be less likely that any trainee would enter
work or repay status before the regulations are in effect.
Each project funded under this absolute priority must--
(a) Prepare personnel to address the specialized needs of children
with low-incidence disabilities from different cultural and language
backgrounds;
(b) Incorporate best practices in the design of the program and the
curricula;
(c) Incorporate curricula that focus on improving results for
children with low-incidence disabilities;
(d) Promote high expectations for students with low-incidence
disabilities and foster access to the general curriculum in the regular
classroom, wherever appropriate; and
(e) Develop linkages with Education Department technical assistance
providers to communicate information on program models used and program
effectiveness;
(f) If the project prepares personnel to provide services to
visually impaired or blind children that can be appropriately provided
in Braille, prepare those individuals to provide those services in
Braille (See section 673(b)(5) of the Act);
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.
A project's budget must include funds to attend a two-day Project
Director's meeting to be held in Washington, D.C. each year of the
project.
Competitive Priority
Within this absolute priority, the Secretary under 34 CFR
75.105(c)(2)(ii), and section 673(g)(3)(B) of the Act will select an
application from an institution of higher education that is
successfully recruiting and preparing individuals with disabilities and
individuals from groups that are underrepresented in the profession for
which they are preparing individuals over an application of comparable
merit that does not meet the priority.
Project Period: Up to 36 months.
Maximum Award: The Secretary rejects and does not consider an
application that proposes a budget exceeding $300,000 for any single
budget period of 12 months. However, because of budgetary
considerations contingent upon congressional action, the Secretary may
change the maximum amount through a notice published in the Federal
Register.
Page Limits: The applicant must limit Part III of its application--
Application Narrative, to no more than 40 double-spaced 8\1/2\ x 11''
pages (on one side only) with one inch margins (top,
[[Page 42001]]
bottom, and sides). Please refer to the ``Page Limit Requirements for
All Applications'' section of this notice for more specific information
on this page limit requirement.
Absolute Priority 2--Preparation of Leadership Personnel (84.029D).
This statutory priority supports projects that support leadership
activities such as: (a) Preparing personnel at the advanced graduate,
doctoral, and postdoctoral levels of training to administer, enhance,
or provide services for children with disabilities; or (b) providing
interdisciplinary training for various types of leadership personnel,
including teacher preparation faculty, administrators, researchers,
supervisors, principals, and other persons whose work affects early
intervention, educational, and transitional services for children with
disabilities.
To be considered for an award, an applicant must satisfy the
following requirements contained in section 673 (f)-(h) of the Act--
(a) Demonstrate, with letters from one or more States that the
project proposes to serve, that States need personnel in the area or
areas in which the applicant proposes to provide preparation, as
identified in the State's comprehensive system of personnel development
under Parts B and C of the Act, if the purpose of the project is to
assist personnel in obtaining a degree;
(b) Demonstrate that it has engaged in a cooperative effort with
one or more State educational agencies to plan, carry out, and monitor
the project;
(c) Meet State and professionally-recognized standards for the
preparation of special education and related services personnel, if the
purpose of the project is to assist personnel in obtaining a degree;
and
(d) Ensure that individuals who receive a scholarship under the
proposed project will subsequently perform work related to their
preparation for a period of two years for every year for which
assistance was received or repay all or part of the cost of that
assistance, in accordance with regulations to be issued by the
Secretary.
The application requirement described in paragraph (d) is required
by section 673(h)(2) of the Act (20 U.S.C. 1474(h)(2)). Because this
provision was added to the Act during the recent reauthorization, the
Secretary has not had the opportunity to promulgate regulations, but
expects to do so before grant awards are made. In order for an
applicant to provide the assurances required by statute, the applicant
must, at a minimum, describe: (1) How it will notify trainees of the
work or repay requirement; and (2) How it will notify trainees when the
regulations are finalized. The Secretary encourages applicants to award
stipends and scholarships that last at least for one-year. By having at
least one year stipends and scholarships, it would be less likely that
any trainee would enter work or repay status before the regulations are
in effect.
Applicants and resulting projects must involve individuals with
disabilities or parents of individuals with disabilities in planning,
implementing, and evaluating the project. (See section 661(f)(1)(A) of
the Act).
A project's budget must include funds to attend a two-day Project
Director's meeting to be held in Washington, DC each year of the
project.
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:
(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, including individuals with
disabilities, in educational leadership positions.
Project Period: Up to 48 months.
Maximum Award: The Secretary rejects and does not consider an
application that proposes a budget exceeding $225,000 for any single
budget period of 12 months. However, because of budgetary
considerations contingent upon congressional action, the Secretary may
change the maximum amount through a notice published in the Federal
Register.
Page Limits: The applicant must limit Part III of its application--
Application Narrative, to no more than 40 double-spaced 8\1/2\ x 11''
pages (on one side only) with one inch margins (top, bottom, and
sides). Please refer to the ``Page Limit Requirements for All
Applications'' section of this notice for more specific information on
this page limit requirement.
Absolute Priority 3-- Preparation of Personnel in Minority
Institutions (84.029E).
This statutory priority supports awards to institutions of higher
education whose minority student enrollment is at least 25 percent,
including Historically Black Colleges and Universities, for the
purposes of preparing personnel to work with children with
disabilities. Awards must be made consistent with the objectives in
section 673(a) of the Act.
To be considered for an award, an applicant must satisfy the
following requirements contained in section 673 (f)-(h) of the Act--
(a) Demonstrate, with letters from one or more States that the
project proposes to serve, that States need personnel in the area or
areas in which the applicant proposes to provide preparation, as
identified in the State's comprehensive system of personnel development
under Parts B and C of the Act.
(b) Demonstrate that it has engaged in a cooperative effort with
one or more State educational agencies to plan, carry out, and monitor
the project;
(c) Provide letters from one or more States stating that they
intend to accept successful completion of the proposed personnel
preparation program as meeting State personnel standards for serving
children with disabilities or serving infants and toddlers with
disabilities;
(d) Meet State and professionally-recognized standards for the
preparation of special education and related services personnel; and
(e) Ensure that individuals who receive a scholarship under the
proposed project will subsequently provide special education and
related services to children with disabilities for a period of two
years for every year for which assistance was received or repay all or
part of the cost of that assistance, in accordance with regulations to
be issued by the Secretary.
The application requirement described in paragraph (e) is required
by section 673(h)(1) of the Act (20 U.S.C. 1474(h)(1)). Because this
provision was added to the Act during the recent reauthorization, the
Secretary has not had the opportunity to promulgate regulations, but
expects to do so before grant awards are made. In order for an
applicant to provide the assurances required by statute, the applicant
must, at a minimum, describe: (1) How it will notify trainees of the
work or repay requirement; and (2) How it will notify trainees when the
regulations are finalized. The Secretary encourages applicants to award
stipends and scholarships that last at least for one-
[[Page 42002]]
year. By having at least one-year stipends and scholarships, it would
be less likely that any trainee would enter work or repay status before
the regulations are in effect.
Applicants and resulting projects must involve individuals with
disabilities or parents of individuals with disabilities in planning,
implementing, and evaluating the project. See section 661(f)(1)(A) of
the Act).
A project's budget must include funds to attend a two-day Project
Directors' meeting to be held in Washington, DC each year of the
project.
Project Period: Up to 48 months.
Maximum Award: The Secretary rejects and does not consider an
application that proposes a budget exceeding $200,000 for any single
budget period of 12 months. However, because of budgetary
considerations contingent upon congressional action, the Secretary may
change the maximum amount through a notice published in the Federal
Register.
Page Limits: The applicant must limit Part III of its application--
Application Narrative, to no more than 40 double-spaced 8\1/2\ x 11''
pages (on one side only) with one inch margins (top, bottom, and
sides). Please refer to the ``Page Limit Requirements for All
Applications'' section of this notice for more specific information on
this page limit requirement.
Program Authority: Section 673 of the Act.
Training and Information for Parents of Children With Disabilities
(CFDA No. 84.029)
Purpose of Program: The purpose of this statutory priority is to
ensure that children with disabilities, and their parents, receive
training and information on their rights and protections under this
Act, in order to develop the skills necessary to effectively
participate in planning and decisionmaking relating to early
intervention, educational, and transitional services and in systemic-
change activities.
Eligible Applicants: Parent organizations, as defined in section
682(g) of the Act.
Applicable Regulations: (a) The Education Department General
Administrative Regulations (EDGAR) in 34 CFR parts 74, 75, 77, 79, 80,
81, 82, and 85; and (b) the selection criteria included in 34 CFR
316.22.
Supplementary Information: Under sections 682 (e)(1) and (e)(2),
the Secretary is required to: (1) Make at least one award to a parent
organization in each State, unless the Secretary does not receive an
application from such an organization in each State of sufficient
quality to warrant approval; and (2) select among applications
submitted by parent organizations in a State in a manner that ensures
the most effective assistance to parents, including parents in urban
and rural areas, in the State. If there is more than one parent center
in a particular State, the Secretary expects that the parent center
projects will coordinate activities to ensure the most effective
assistance to parents in that State.
Priority: Under sections 661(e)(2) and 682 of the Act, and 34 CFR
75.105(c)(3), the Secretary gives an absolute preference to
applications that meet the following priority. The Secretary funds
under these competitions only those applications that meet this
absolute priority:
Absolute Priority--Parent Training and Information Centers
(84.029M).
Each parent training and information center funded under this
absolute priority must satisfy the following requirements contained in
Section 682(b)and (c) of the Act--
(1) Provide training and information that meets the training and
information needs of parents of children with disabilities in the area
served by the center, particularly underserved parents and parents of
children who may be inappropriately identified;
(2) Assist parents to understand the availability of, and how to
effectively use procedural safeguards under the Act, including
encouraging the use, and explaining the benefits, of alternative
methods of dispute resolution, such as the mediation process described
in the Act;
(3) Serve the parents of infants, toddlers, and children with the
full range of disabilities;
(4) Assist parents to----
(A) Better understand the nature of their children's disabilities
and their educational and developmental needs;
(B) Communicate effectively with personnel responsible for
providing special education, early intervention, and related services;
(C) Participate in decision making processes and the development of
individualized education programs and individualized family service
plans;
(D) Obtain appropriate information about the range of options,
programs, services, and resources available to assist children with
disabilities and their families;
(E) Understand the provisions of the Act for the education of, and
the provision of early intervention services to, children with
disabilities; and
(F) Participate in school reform activities.
(5) In States where the State elects to contract with the parent
training and information center, contract with the State education
agencies to provide, consistent with sections 615(e)(2)(B) and (D) of
the Act, individuals who meet with parents to explain the mediation
process to them;
(6) Network with appropriate clearinghouses, including
organizations conducting national dissemination activities under
section 685(d) of the Act, and with other national, State, and local
organizations and agencies, such as protection and advocacy agencies,
that serve parents and families of children with the full range of
disabilities;
(7) Upon request from a Community Parent Resource Center, establish
a cooperative partnership in accordance with section 683(b)(3) of the
Act; and
(8) Annually report to the Secretary on----
(A) The number of parents to whom it provided information and
training in the most recently concluded fiscal year, and
(B) The effectiveness of strategies used to reach and serve
parents, including underserved parents of children with disabilities.
A parent training and information center that receives assistance
under this absolute priority may also conduct the following
activities----
(1) Provide information to teachers and other professionals who
provide special education and related services to children with
disabilities;
(2) Assist students with disabilities to understand their rights
and responsibilities on reaching the age of majority, as included under
section 615(m) of the Act; and
(3) Assist parents of children with disabilities to be informed
participants in the development and implementation of the State's State
improvement plan under the Act.
An applicant must identify special efforts it will undertake----
(A) To ensure that the needs for training and information of
underserved parents of children with disabilities in the area to be
served are effectively met; and
(B) To work with community-based organizations.
Applicants and resulting projects must involve individuals with
disabilities or parents of individuals with disabilities in planning,
implementing, and evaluating the projects. (See section 661(f)(1)(A) of
the Act).
[[Page 42003]]
A project's budget must include funds to attend a two-day Project
Directors' meeting to be held in Washington, DC each year of the
project.
Competitive Priority:
Within this absolute priority, the Secretary, under 34 CFR
75.105(c)(2)(i), gives preference to applications that meet the
following competitive priority:
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 55544). 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).
Project Period: Up to 60 months.
Maximum Award: The Secretary rejects and does not consider an
application that proposes a budget exceeding $400,000 for any 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 notice published in the Federal Register.
Page Limits: The applicant must limit Part III of its application--
Application Narrative, to no more than 40 double-spaced 8\1/2\ x 11''
pages (on one side only) with one inch margins (top, bottom, and
sides). Please refer to the ``Page Limit Requirements for All
Applications'' section of this notice for more specific information on
this page limit requirement.
Program Authority: Section 682 of the Act.
Technology And Media Services For Individuals With Disabilities [CFDA
No. 84.026]
Purpose Of Program: The purpose of this program is to promote the
development, demonstration, and utilization of technology and to
support educational media activities designed to be of educational
value to children with disabilities. This program supports providing
free educational materials, including textbooks, in accessible media
for visually impaired and print disabled students in elementary,
secondary, postsecondary, and graduate schools.
Eligible Applicants: State and local educational agencies;
institutions of higher education; other public agencies; private
nonprofit organizations; outlying areas; freely associated States;
Indian tribes or tribal organizations; and for-profit organizations.
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 selection criteria included in
regulations for these programs in 34 CFR 332.32.
Note: The regulations in 34 CFR part 86 apply to institutions of
higher education only.
Priority: Under sections 661(e)(2) and 687 and 34 CFR 75.105
(c)(3), 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--Recorded Audio Cassettes for Visually and Print
Disabled Students (84.026K). This absolute priority was published in
the Federal Register on November 7, 1994 (59 FR 55544).
Background: This priority would support recording, producing,
duplicating, and distributing 15/16 ips (inch per second) four-track
cassette versions of textbooks and other educational reading materials
for students (elementary, secondary, postsecondary and graduate) who
are visually or print disabled. These cassette tapes will help provide
equal educational opportunities to target students and lessen some of
the barriers they face in the classroom.
Priority:
To be considered for funding under this priority, the project
must--
(1) Handle all requests for materials, including confirmation of
eligibility by disability;
(2) Ensure the project activities are conducted in compliance with
section 121 of the Copyright Act, as amended.
(3) Record or duplicate the books on 15/16 ips (inch per second),
four-track cassettes of one hour per track recording time. (Publishers
must be provided rights to copies of the master tape and rights to
market the cassettes as they see fit);
(4) Mail the cassettes on a free-loan, postage paid basis;
(5) Handle returned cassettes, preservative re-recording, and all
other associated administrative and circulation functions; and
(6) To the extent that funds are not sufficient to meet the demand
for free materials, place a priority on providing free materials that
are not otherwise required to be provided by educational agencies or
institutions.
Applicants and resulting projects must involve individuals with
disabilities or parents of individuals with disabilities in planning,
implementing, and evaluating the project. (See section 661(f)(1)(A) of
the Act).
A project's budget must include funds to attend a two-day Project
Directors' meeting to be held in Washington, DC each year of the
project.
Project Period: Up to 36 months.
Maximum Award: The Secretary rejects and does not consider an
application that proposes a budget exceeding $4,500,000 for any 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 notice published in the Federal Register.
Page Limits: The applicant must limit Part III of its application--
Application Narrative, to no more than 40 double-spaced 8\1/2\ x 11''
pages (on one side only) with one inch margins (top, bottom, and
sides). Please refer to the ``Page Limit Requirements for All
Applications'' section of this notice for more specific information on
this page limit requirement.
Program Authority: Section 687 of the Act.
Page Limit Requirements For All Applications: 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. Applicants must limit the Part III--Application
Narrative, to the specific page limit requirement listed under each
priority. The Application Narrative must be double-spaced 8\1/2\ x
11'' pages (on one side only) with one inch margins (top, bottom, and
sides). This page limitation applies to all material presented in the
application narrative--including, for example, any charts, tables,
figures, and graphs. The application narrative page limit does not
apply to: Part I--the cover sheet; Part II--the budget section
(including the narrative budget justification); and Part IV--the
assurances and certifications. Also, the one-page abstract, resumes,
bibliography, or letters of support, while considered part of the
application, are not subject to the page limitation. Applicants should
note that reviewers
[[Page 42004]]
are not required to review any information provided in addition to the
application information listed above. All sections of text in the
application narrative must be double-spaced (no more than 3 lines per
vertical inch). If using a proportional computer font, use no smaller
than a 12-point font, and an average character density no greater than
14 characters per inch. If using a nonproportional font or a
typewriter, do not use more than 12 characters to the inch. Double-
spacing and font requirements do not apply within charts, tables,
figures, and graphs, but the information presented in those formats
should be easily readable. The Secretary rejects and does not consider
an application that does not adhere to these requirements.
For Applications and General Information Contact: Requests for
applications and general information should be addressed to the Grants
and Contracts Services Team, 600 Independence Avenue, SW, room 3317,
Switzer Building, Washington, DC 20202-2641. The preferred method for
requesting information is to FAX your request to: (202) 205-8717.
Telephone: (202) 260-9182.
Ingergovernmental Review
Except for the Research and Innovation to Improve Services and
Results for Children with Disabilities, all other programs in this
notice are subject to the requirements of Executive Order 12372 and the
regulations in 34 CFR part 79. The objective of the Executive order is
to foster an intergovernmental partnership and a strengthened
federalism by relying on processes developed by State and local
governments for coordination and review of proposed Federal financial
assistance.
In accordance with the order, this document is intended to provide
early notification of the Department's specific plans and actions for
those program.
Individuals With Disabilities Education Act Application Notice for Fiscal Year 1998
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Application Deadline for Maximum Estimated
CFDA No. and name Applications deadline intergovernmental award (per Page number of
available date review year)\1\ limit\2\ awards
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
84.023C Field-Initiated
Research Projects.............. 08/08/97 10/01/97 ................. $180,000 50 14
84.023B Student-Initiated
Research Projects.............. 8/08/97 2/06/98 ................. 20,000 25 12
84.023N Initial Career Awards.. 8/08/97 10/01/97 ................. 75,000 30 4
84.029A Preparation of Special
Education, Related Services,
and Early Intervention
Personnel to Serve Infants,
Toddlers, and Children with Low-
Incidence Disabilities......... 8/08/97 10/01/97 12/01/97 300,000 40 16
84.029D Preparation of
Leadership Personnel........... 8/08/97 9/26/97 11/25/97 225,000 40 6
84.029E Preparation of
Personnel in Minority
Institutions................... 8/8/97 9/26/97 11/25/97 200,000 40 16
84.029M Parent Training and
Information Centers............ 8/08/97 10/17/97 12/14/97 400,000 40 13
84.026K Recorded Audio
Cassettes for Visually and
Print Disabled Students........ 8/08/97 9/12/97 11/10/97 4,500,000 40 1
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ The Secretary rejects and does not consider an application that proposes a budget exceeding the amount
listed for each priority for any single budget period of 12 months.
\2\ Applicants must limit the Application Narrative, Part III of the Application, to the page limits noted
above. Please refer to the ``Page Limit'' section of this notice for the specific requirements. The Secretary
rejects and does not consider an application that does not adhere to this requirement.
Individuals who use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD)
may call the TDD number: (202) 205-8953. Individuals with disabilities
may obtain a copy of this notice or the application packages referred
to in this notice in an alternate format (e.g. Braille, large print,
audiotape, or computer diskette) by contacting the Department as listed
above.
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://
gcs.ed.gov); or on the World Wide Web (at http://gcs.ed.gov). However,
the official application notice for a discretionary grant competition
is the notice published in the Federal Register.
Dated: July 30, 1997.
Judith E. Heumann,
Assistant Secretary for Special Education and Rehabilitative Services.
[FR Doc. 97-20454 Filed 8-1-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4000-01-P
