Notice Inviting Applications for New Awards for Fiscal Year 1998
Federal RegisterDec 18, 1997
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[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 243 (Thursday, December 18, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 66436-66440]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-33007]
[[Page 66435]]
_______________________________________________________________________
Part IV
Department of Education
_______________________________________________________________________
Notice Inviting Applications for New Awards for Fiscal Year 1998;
Notice
Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 243 / Thursday, December 18, 1997 /
Notices
[[Page 66436]]
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
Notice Inviting Applications for New Awards for Fiscal Year 1998
AGENCY: Department of Education.
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
two programs authorized by IDEA, as amended. The priorities under these
programs are based on previously published priorities for which public
comment was sought and received. Only changes required by IDEA were
made to priorities previously published. For example, IDEA no longer
refers to ``youth with disabilities''. ``Youth with disabilities'' is
no longer distinguished from ``children with disabilities'' under IDEA;
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 IDEA.
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.
Special Education--Research and Innovation To Improve Services and
Results for Children With Disabilities [CFDA No. 84.324]
Purpose of Program: To produce, and advance the use of, knowledge
to: (1) Improve services provided under IDEA, 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 for priority 2, and 34 CFR 324.32 for
priority 1.
Note: The regulations in 34 CFR Part 86 apply to institutions of
higher education only.
Priorities: Under section 672 of IDEA 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--Outreach Projects for Children With
Disabilities (84.324R)
This priority supports projects that assist educational and other
agencies in implementing proven models, components of models, and other
exemplary practices to improve services for infants, toddlers, children
with disabilities, and individuals with disabilities transitioned into
postsecondary settings. The models, components of models, or exemplary
practices selected for outreach may include models developed for pre-
service and in-service personnel preparation, and do not need to have
been developed through projects funded under IDEA, or by the applicant.
To increase the impact of outreach activities, projects are encouraged
to select implementation sites in multiple regions or States.
An outreach project must--
(a) Disseminate information about and assist in replicating proven
models, components of models, or exemplary practices;
(b) Coordinate dissemination and replication activities as
appropriate with dissemination projects, technical assistance
providers, consumer and advocacy organizations, State and local
educational agencies, and the lead agencies for Part C of IDEA;
(c) Ensure interagency coordination if multiple agencies are
involved in the provision of services;
(d) Ensure that the models, components of models, or exemplary
practices are consistent with Parts B and C of IDEA, are state-of-the-
art, match the needs of the proposed sites, and have evaluation data
supporting their effectiveness;
(e) Include public awareness, product development and
dissemination, training, and technical assistance activities and
written plans for working with sites;
(f) Describe criteria for selecting implementation sites where
outreach activities will be conducted; and the expected costs, needed
personnel, staff training, equipment, and sequence of implementation
activities;
(g) Evaluate the outreach activities to determine their
effectiveness. The evaluation must include the types and numbers of
sites where outreach activities are conducted, number of persons
trained, types of follow-up activities, number of children and families
served at each outreach site, child and family progress and
satisfaction, and changes in the model or practices made by sites;
(h) Make positive efforts to employ and advance in employment
qualified individuals with disabilities in programs assisted under this
Act. (See section 606 of IDEA); and
(i) Prepare products from the project in formats that are useful
for specific audiences, including parents, administrators, teachers,
early intervention personnel, related services personnel, and
individuals with disabilities. (See section 661(f)(2)(B) of IDEA).
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
IDEA).
Projects must budget for two trips annually to Washington, DC, for:
(1) A two-day project directors' meeting; and (2) a meeting to
collaborate with the Federal project officer and other projects funded
under this priority, to share information and discuss project
implementation issues.
Project Period: Up to 36 months.
Maximum Award: The Secretary rejects and does not consider an
application that proposes a budget exceeding $150,000 for any single
budget period of 12 months. 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 to the
equivalent of 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 2--Research Institute to Accelerate Learning for
Children With Disabilities With Curricular and Instructional
Interventions in Kindergarten Through Grade Three (84.324V)
Background
The consequences of failing to learn are serious. Lack of learning
in one domain reduces an individual's capacity
[[Page 66437]]
to benefit from other educational experiences. Failure in education
establishes a self-perpetuating cycle and negatively affects the
individual's disposition toward lifelong learning, employment, and
contribution to society. Most children with disabilities face
challenges to learning. These challenges are amplified as calls are
made for higher standards to be achieved by all students, including
children with disabilities, and as more children with disabilities are
educated in general education classrooms.
Evidence from the National Longitudinal Transition Study indicates
that many children with disabilities are not learning subject matter
content. An urgency exists to develop powerful curricular and
instructional interventions that maximize rates of development, promote
generalized learning, and reduce discrepancies between their
performance and that of their peers.
Intervention research has demonstrated that children with
disabilities possess the potential to learn, participate, and
contribute in school, home, community, and workplace. Research on
instructional interventions for children with disabilities has been the
hallmark of special education research. For example, research on direct
instruction, behavioral management interventions, learning strategies,
peer mediated learning, and reciprocal teaching has led to improvements
in professional practice.
Yet, single solution interventions are insufficient for teaching
children with disabilities complex subject matter content. In many
instances, these interventions are content free. Moreover, little
empirical evidence is available on the context of the classroom for
supporting the implementation of these solutions.
Priority
The Secretary establishes an absolute priority for the purpose of
establishing a research institute to study curricular and instructional
classroom based interventions in kindergarten through grade three that
accelerate subject matter learning for children with disabilities and
promote sustained use of these interventions by practitioners.
The Institute must examine--
(a) The effectiveness of the various interventions for children
with disabilities; and
(b) The classroom context that supports the implementation of the
interventions that produce and sustain positive learning outcomes for
children with disabilities, including such factors as classroom groups;
classroom and cross-classroom management strategies; curriculum design
principles; classroom settings; instructional materials; amount of time
on task; integration into the curriculum; and teacher actions, skills,
and attitudes.
The research may include, for example, studying classroom based
exemplars and models, designing and implementing interventions, and
collecting student and teacher data from exemplars, using a rich array
of research methods to reach the intended goals of this priority and as
articulated by the proposed research hypotheses.
The Institute must--
(a) Design and conduct a strategic program of research that focuses
on helping students with disabilities learn subject matter content in
critical areas such as reading and math, and builds upon the existing
research knowledge for teaching children with disabilities;
(b) Design and conduct a strategic program of research across
multiple sites to represent organizational and demographic diversity;
(c) Collect, analyze, and communicate student outcome data and
supporting context data, and multiple outcome data for teachers,
parents, and administrators, as appropriate;
(d) Collaborate with other research institutes supported under the
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act and experts and researchers
in related subject matter and methodological fields, as appropriate for
the program of research, to design and conduct the strategic program of
research;
(e) Collaborate with communication specialists and professional and
advocacy organizations to ensure that findings are prepared in formats
that are useable for specific audiences such as teachers,
administrators, and other service providers;
(f) Develop linkages with Education Department technical assistance
providers to communicate research findings and distribute products;
(g) Provide training and research opportunities for a limited
number of graduate students, including students who are from
traditionally underrepresented groups;
(h) Meet with the Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP)
project officer in the first four months of the project to review the
program of research and communication approaches;
(i) Make positive efforts to employ and advance in employment
qualified individuals with disabilities in programs assisted under this
Act. (See section 606 of IDEA); and
(j) Prepare the research and evaluation findings and products from
the project in formats that are useful for specific audiences,
including parents, administrators, teachers, early intervention
personnel, related services personnel, and individuals with
disabilities. (See section 661(f)(2)(B) of IDEA).
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
IDEA).
The 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.
Under this priority, The Secretary will make one award for a
cooperative agreement with a project period of up to 60 months subject
to the requirements of 34 CFR 75.253(a) for continuation awards. In
determining whether to continue the Institute for the fourth and fifth
years of the project period, the Secretary, in addition to the
requirements of 34 CFR 75.253(a), will consider--
(a) The recommendation of a review team consisting of three experts
selected by the Secretary. The services of the review team, including a
two-day site visit to the Institute are to be performed during the last
half of the Institute's second year and may be included in that year's
evaluation required under 34 CFR 75.590. Costs associated with the
services to be performed by the review team must also be included in
the Institute's budget for year two. These costs are estimated to be
approximately $4,000;
(b) The timeliness and effectiveness with which all requirements of
the negotiated cooperative agreement have been or are being met by the
Institute; and
(c) The degree to which the Institute's research design and
methodology demonstrates the potential for advancing significant new
knowledge.
Project Period: Up to 60 months.
Maximum Award: The Secretary rejects and does not consider an
application that proposes a budget exceeding $700,000 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.
The Secretary may change the maximum amount through a notice published
in the Federal Register.
[[Page 66438]]
Page Limits: The applicant must limit Part III of its application
to the equivalent of no more than 60 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 IDEA.
Special Education--Technology and Media Services for Individuals With
Disabilities [CFDA No. 84.327]
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 also provides support
for some captioning, video description, and cultural activities.
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 section 687 and 34 CFR 75.105(c)(3), the Secretary
gives an absolute preference to applications that meet any one of the
following priorities. The Secretary funds under these competitions only
those applications that meet these absolute priorities:
Absolute Priority 1 --Closed-Captioned Daytime Television Programs
(84.327S)
This priority would continue and expand closed-captioning of a
variety of daytime television programs broadcast nationally for persons
who are deaf or hard of hearing during this segment of the day that has
proven to be the most difficult in terms of private sector support.
To be considered for funding under this priority, a project must--
(a) Include the criteria used to determine which programs are
proposed for captioning. These criteria must take into account the
preference of consumers for particular programs, the diversity of
programming available, and the contribution of programs to the general
educational and cultural experiences of individuals with hearing
impairments;
(b) Determine the total number of hours and the projected cost per
hour for each program to be captioned;
(c) For each proposed program to be captioned, identify the source
of private or other public support and the projected dollar amount of
that support;
(d) Identify the methods of captioning to be used for each hour and
the projected cost per hour for each method used;
(e) Provide and maintain back-up systems that would ensure
successful, timely captioning service;
(f) Demonstrate the willingness of major national television
networks and cable companies to permit captioning of their programs;
and
(g) Implement procedures for monitoring the extent to which full
and accurate captioning is provided and use this information to make
refinements in captioning operations.
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
IDEA).
All projects funded under this priority must make positive efforts
to employ and advance in employment qualified individuals with
disabilities in programs assisted under this Act. (See section 606 of
IDEA).
A project's budget must include funds to attend a two-day Project
Directors' meeting to be held in Washington, D.C. 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 $350,000 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.
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
to the equivalent of 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 2--Cultural Experiences for Deaf or Hard of Hearing
Individuals (84.327T)
Background
In the past, projects under this priority have supported a variety
of activities, including: theatrical experiences in which cast members
included deaf, hard-of hearing, and hearing performers; theater and set
design, directing, dance, and storytelling; cultural experiences
focusing on Native American art and culture; hands-on theater
experience involving persons from minority groups; and a touring
``instant theater'.
Priority: This priority supports a variety of cultural activities
designed to enrich the lives of deaf or hard-of hearing individuals,
including children and adults. These activities must use an approach
that integrates children and adults who are deaf or hard of hearing
with those who can hear while conducting cultural experiences that will
increase public awareness and understanding of deafness and other
hearing impairments, and of the artistic and intellectual achievements
of deaf and hard of hearing individuals.
A grantee may not use funds under this priority for passive
activities such as viewing a play or video, or passively watching a
storyteller or artist at work.
To be considered for funding under this priority, a project must--
(a) Use an integrated approach that mixes children and adults who
are deaf or hard of hearing, with those who are hearing in carrying out
project activities; and
(b) Develop and implement strategies that will increase public
awareness and understanding of deafness and other hearing impairments
and of the artistic and intellectual achievements of deaf and hard of
hearing individuals, including children and adults. Outreach activities
such as promoting the project to schools, community organizations, news
media, and relevant national organizations 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
IDEA).
All projects funded under this priority must make positive efforts
to employ and advance in employment qualified individuals with
disabilities in programs assisted under this Act. (See section 606 of
IDEA).
A project's budget must include funds to attend a two-day Project
Directors'
[[Page 66439]]
meeting to be held in Washington, D.C. each year of the project.
Invitational Priority
Within this absolute priority, the Secretary is particularly
interested in applications that meet the following invitational
priority. However, pursuant to 34 CFR 75.105(c)(i), an application that
meets this invitational priority does not receive competitive or
absolute preference over applications that do not meet this priority:
Projects that include people from a variety of cultural, racial, or
ethnic backgrounds.
Project Period: Up to 36 months.
Maximum Award: The Secretary rejects and does not consider an
application that proposes a budget exceeding $110,000 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.
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
to the equivalent of 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--Video Description Projects (84.327C)
This priority supports the description of national television
programming in order to make television more accessible to persons with
visual impairments. The intent of this priority is to provide access to
diverse programming in order to enhance shared educational, social, and
cultural experiences of persons who are visually impaired. The range of
programs proposed for description may include, but is not limited to,
children's programs, prime time programming, movies, and specials.
To be considered for funding under this priority, a project must--
(a) In selecting programs to be video described, include criteria
that take into account the preference of consumers for particular
programs, the diversity of programming available, and the contribution
of programs to the general educational, social, and cultural experience
of individuals with visual impairments;
(b) Determine the total number of hours and the projected cost per
hour for each program to be described;
(c) For each program to be described, identify the source of
private or other public support, if any, and the projected dollar
amount of that support;
(d) Identify the methods to be used in the provision of described
video;
(e) Demonstrate the willingness of major national television
networks and cable companies to permit video description of their
programs; and
(f) Implement procedures for monitoring the extent to which an
accurate description is provided and use this information to make
refinements in the video description operations.
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
IDEA).
All projects funded under this priority must make positive efforts
to employ and advance in employment qualified individuals with
disabilities in programs assisted under this Act. (See section 606 of
IDEA).
A project's budget must include funds to attend a two-day Project
Directors' meeting to be held in Washington, D.C. 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 $350,000 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.
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
to the equivalent of 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 IDEA.
Page Limit: Part III of the application, the application narrative,
is where an applicant addresses the selection criteria that are used by
reviewers in evaluating the application. An applicant must limit Part
III to the equivalent of the number of pages listed under each
priority, using the following standards: (1) A ``page'' is 8\1/2\'' x
11'' (on one side only) with one-inch margins (top, bottom, and sides).
(2) All text in the application narrative, including titles, headings,
footnotes, quotations, references, and captions, as well as all text in
charts, tables, figures, and graphs, 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 18 characters per inch. If using a nonproportional font
or a typewriter, do not use more than 12 characters to the inch.
The page limit does not apply to Part I--the cover sheet; Part II--
the budget section (including the narrative budget justification); Part
IV--the assurances and certifications; or the one-page abstract,
resumes, bibliography, and letters of support. However, all of the
application narrative must be included in Part III. If an application
narrative uses a smaller print size, spacing, or margin that would make
the narrative exceed the equivalent of the page limit, the application
will not be considered for funding.
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, S.W., room 3317, Switzer Building, Washington, D.C. 20202-2641.
The preferred method for requesting information is to FAX your request
to: (202) 205-8717. Telephone: (202) 260-9182.
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. However, the Department is not able to reproduce in an alternate
format the standard forms included in the application package.
Intergovernmental Review
All 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.
[[Page 66440]]
Individuals With Disabilities Education Act Application Notice for Fiscal Year 1998
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Application Deadline for Maximum Estimated
CFDA number and name Applications deadline intergovernmental award (per Page number of
available date review year)* limit** awards
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
84.324R Outreach Projects for Infants, Toddlers, and Children with
Disabilities...................................................... 12/29/97 2/23/98 4/27/98 $150,000 40 21
84.324V Research Institute to Accelerate Learning for Children
with Disabilities with Curricular and Instructional Interventions
in Kindergarten through Grade Three............................... 12/29/97 2/23/98 4/27/98 700,000 60 1
84.327S Closed-Captioned Daytime Television Programs.............. 12/29/97 2/23/98 4/27/98 350,000 40 4
84.327T Cultural Experiences for Deaf or Hard of Hearing
Individuals....................................................... 12/29/97 2/23/98 4/27/98 110,000 40 5
84.327C Video Description Projects................................ 12/29/97 2/23/98 4/27/98 350,000 40 2
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* The Department 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.
** 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.
Electronic Access to This Document
Anyone may view this document, as well as all other Department of
Education documents published in the Federal Register, in text or
portable document format (pdf) on the World Wide Web at either of the
following sites:
http://ocfo.ed.gov/fedreg.htm
http://www.ed.gov/news.html
To use the pdf you must have the Adobe Acrobat Reader Program with
Search, which is available free at either of the previous sites. If you
have questions about using the pdf, call the U.S. Government Printing
Office toll free at 1-888-293-6498.
Anyone may also view these documents in text copy only on an
electronic bulletin board of the Department. Telephone: (202) 219-1511
or, toll free, 1-800-222-4922. The documents are located under Option
G--Files/Announcements, Bulletins, and Press Releases.
Note: The official version of a document is the document
published in the Federal Register.
Dated: December 12, 1997.
Judith E. Heumann,
Assistant Secretary for Special Education and Rehabilitative Services.
[FR Doc. 97-33007 Filed 12-17-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4000-01-P
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