Applications for New Awards; Personnel Development To Improve Services and Results for Children With Disabilities-Preparation of Special Education, Early Intervention, and Related Services Leadership Personnel

AGENCY:

Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services, Department of Education.

ACTION:

Notice.

SUMMARY:

The Department of Education (Department) is issuing a notice inviting applications for new awards for fiscal year (FY) 2021 for Personnel Development to Improve Services and Results for Children with Disabilities—Preparation of Special Education, Early Intervention, and Related Services Leadership Personnel, Assistance Listing Number 84.325D. This notice relates to the approved information collection under OMB control number 1820-0028.

DATES:

Applications Available: April 8, 2021.

Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: June 7, 2021.

Deadline for Intergovernmental Review: August 6, 2021.

Pre-Application Webinar Information: No later than April 13, 2021, the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS) will post pre-recorded informational webinars designed to provide technical assistance to interested applicants. The webinars may be found at www2.ed.gov/fund/grant/apply/osep/new-osep-grants.html.

ADDRESSES:

For the addresses for obtaining and submitting an application, please refer to our Common Instructions for Applicants to Department of Education Discretionary Grant Programs, published in the Federal Register on February 13, 2019 (84 FR 3768), and available at www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2019-02-13/pdf/2019-02206.pdf.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Celia Rosenquist, U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue SW, Room 5158, Potomac Center Plaza, Washington, DC 20202-5076. Telephone: (202) 245-7373. Email: Celia.Rosenquist@ed.gov.

If you use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) or a text telephone (TTY), call the Federal Relay Service (FRS), toll free, at 1-800-877-8339.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Full Text of Announcement

I. Funding Opportunity Description

Purpose of Program: The purposes of this program are to (1) help address State-identified needs for personnel preparation in special education, early intervention, related services, and regular education to work with children, including infants and toddlers, with disabilities; and (2) ensure that those personnel have the necessary skills and knowledge, derived from practices that have been determined through scientifically based research and experience, to be successful in serving those children.

Priorities: This competition includes two absolute priorities and two competitive preference priorities. In accordance with 34 CFR 75.105(b)(2)(v), the absolute priorities and competitive preference priorities are from allowable activities specified in the statute (see sections 662 and 681 of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA); 20 U.S.C. 1462 and 1481).

Absolute Priorities: For FY 2021 and any subsequent year in which we make awards from the list of unfunded applications from this competition, these priorities are absolute priorities. Under 34 CFR 75.105(c)(3), we consider only applications that meet either Absolute Priority 1 or Absolute Priority 2. Applicants may apply under both absolute priorities but must submit separate applications if they do so.

These priorities are:

Absolute Priority 1—Preparation of Special Education, Early Intervention, and Related Services Faculty.

Background:

The purpose of this priority is to support existing doctoral degree programs that prepare special education, early intervention, and related services personnel who are well-qualified for, and can act effectively in, leadership positions as researchers and preparers of special education, early intervention, and related services personnel in institutions of higher education (IHEs). There is a well-documented need for leadership personnel to fill faculty positions within IHEs in special education, early intervention, and related services (Castillo et al., 2014; Montrosse & Young, 2012; Robb et al., 2012; Smith et al., 2011; Smith et al., 2010; Woods & Snyder, 2009). These leaders conduct research to increase the knowledge of effective interventions and services for children, including infants and toddlers, and youth with disabilities. These leaders also teach practices supported by evidence to future special education, early intervention, related services, and regular education professionals who will work in a variety of educational settings and provide services directly to these children (deBettencourt et al., 2016; Robb et al., 2012; Smith et al., 2010; West & Hardman, 2012). Shortages in these leadership positions limit the field's capacity to generate new knowledge of effective interventions and to prepare future professionals to improve outcomes for children with disabilities (Smith et al., 2011).

Leadership personnel in IHEs play an essential role in promoting high expectations for each child with a disability and provide, or prepare others to provide, effective interventions and services that improve outcomes for children, including infants, toddlers, and youth with disabilities. In addition to preparing future special education, early intervention, related services, and regular education professionals, future faculty at IHEs will also play a critical role in attracting diverse and qualilifed individuals to the teaching profession and in providing future educators in preparation programs with experiences in various roles in the field that would provide them with practical knowledge and resources for their future career in education (Billingsley et al., 2020; Brownell et al., 2020). Critical competencies for special education, early intervention, and related services faculty vary depending on the type and the requirements of the preparation program but can include, for example, skills needed for postsecondary instruction, research, administration, policy development, professional practice, the use of technologies to support in-person and remote teaching and student learning, and leadership. However, all leadership personnel need to promote high expectations and have current knowledge of effective interventions and services that improve outcomes for children with disabilities, including high-need children with disabilities. This knowledge should be applicable to children served in a variety of educational settings (e.g., urban or rural public schools, including charter schools) or early childhood and early intervention settings (e.g., home, community-based, Early Head Start and Head Start, child care, or public and private preschools). The interventions and services must include those that improve early childhood, educational, and employment outcomes.

Priority:

The purpose of this priority is to support existing doctoral degree programs that prepare special education, early intervention, and related services personnel at the doctoral degree level who are well qualified for, and can act effectively in, faculty positions in IHEs as researchers and preparers of personnel.

This priority will provide support to help address identified needs for personnel with the knowledge and skills to establish and meet high expectations for each child with a disability. Programs must culminate in a doctoral degree, which may include a Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) degree. Applicants must plan to recruit and enroll the proposed number of scholars in the application within the first 12 months of the project period or demonstrate that scholars enrolled after the first 12 months can complete the program by the end of the proposed project period.

Note:

Project periods under this priority may be up to 60 months. Projects should be designed to ensure that all proposed scholars successfully complete the program within 60 months of the start of the project. The Secretary may reduce continuation awards for any project in which scholars are not on track to complete the program by the end of that period.

To be considered for funding under this absolute priority, program applicants must meet the application requirements contained in the priority. All projects funded under this absolute priority also must meet the programmatic and administrative requirements specified in the priority.

Note:

Preparation programs that lead to clinical doctoral degrees in related services (e.g., a Doctor of Audiology degree or Doctor of Physical Therapy degree) are not included in this priority. These types of preparation programs are eligible to apply for funding under the Personnel Preparation in Special Education, Early Intervention, and Related Services priority (84.325K) that the Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) intends to fund in FY 2021.

To meet the requirements of this priority, an applicant must—

(a) Demonstrate, in the narrative section of the application under “Significance,” how—

(1) The project addresses the need for leadership personnel to promote high expectations and provide, or prepare others to provide, effective interventions and services that improve outcomes for children with disabilities, including high-need children with disabilities. To address this requirement, the applicant must present—

(i) Appropriate and applicable data (e.g., national, State) demonstrating the need for the leadership personnel the applicant proposes to prepare; and

(ii) Data demonstrating the success of the doctoral program to date in producing faculty in special education, early intervention, or related services, such as: The professional accomplishments of program graduates (e.g., public service, awards, or publications) that demonstrate their leadership in special education, early intervention, or related services; the average amount of time it takes for program graduates to complete the program; the number of program graduates and the percentage of scholars who enroll who graduate; and the percentage of program graduates finding employment directly related to their preparation; and

Note:

Data on the success of a doctoral program should be no older than five years prior to the start date of the project proposed in the application. When reporting percentages, the denominator (i.e., the total number of scholars or program graduates) must be provided.

(2) Scholar competencies to be acquired in the program relate to knowledge and skills needed by the leadership personnel the applicant proposes to prepare. To address this requirement, the applicant must—

(i) Identify the competencies needed by leadership personnel in order to provide, or prepare others to provide, effective interventions and services, including through distance education, that improve outcomes for children with disabilities, including high-need children with disabilities; and

(ii) Provide the conceptual framework of the leadership preparation program, including any empirical support, that will promote the acquisition of the identified competencies needed by leadership personnel.

(b) Demonstrate, in the narrative section of the application under “Quality of project services,” how—

(1) The applicant will recruit and retain high-quality scholars ² participating in the project and ensure equal access and treatment for eligible project participants who are members of groups that have traditionally been underrepresented based on race, color, national origin, gender, age, or disability. To meet this requirement, the narrative must describe—

(i) The selection criteria the applicant will use to identify high-quality applicants for admission in the program;

(ii) The recruitment strategies the applicant will use to attract high-quality applicants, including specific recruitment strategies targeting high-quality applicants from traditionally underrepresented groups, including underrepresented people of color, individuals with disabilities, and nontraditional scholars (e.g., returning military); and

(iii) The approach the applicant will use to help all scholars, including individuals with disabilities, complete the program within the proposed project period; and

(2) The project is designed to promote the acquisition of the competencies needed by leadership personnel to promote high expectations and provide, or prepare others to provide, effective interventions and services that improve outcomes for children with disabilities, including high-need children with disabilities. To address this requirement, the applicant must—

(i) Describe how the components of the project, such as coursework, internship experiences, research requirements, and other opportunities provided to scholars, will enable the scholars to acquire the competencies needed by leadership personnel the applicant proposes to prepare;

(ii) Describe how the components of the project are integrated in order to support the acquisition and enhancement of the identified competencies needed by leadership personnel the applicant proposes to prepare;

(iii) Describe how the components of the project prepare scholars to promote high expectations and to provide, or prepare others to provide, effective interventions and services that improve outcomes for children with disabilities, including high-need children with disabilities, in a variety of educational or early childhood and early intervention settings, including in-person and remote settings;

(iv) Demonstrate, through a letter of support from a public, parochial, or private partnering agency, school, or program, that it will provide scholars with a high-quality internship experience in a high-need local educational agency (LEA), a high-poverty school, a school implementing a comprehensive support and improvement plan, a school implementing a targeted support and improvement plan for children with disabilities, a State educational agency (SEA), an early childhood and early intervention program located within the geographical boundaries of a high-need LEA, or an early childhood and early intervention program located within the geographical boundaries of an LEA serving the highest percentage of schools identified for comprehensive support and improvement or implementing targeted support and improvement plans in the State;

(v) Describe how the project will partner with diverse stakeholders to inform project components;

(vi) Describe how the project will use resources, as appropriate, available through technical assistance centers, which may include centers funded by the Department;

(vii) Describe the approach that faculty members will use to mentor or otherwise support scholars with the goal of helping them acquire competencies needed by leadership personnel and advancing their careers in special education, early intervention, or related services;

(viii) Describe how the components of the project will promote the acquisition of scholars' critical leadership skills, including communication, networking, and collaboration; and

(ix) Describe how the components of the project will promote the acquisition of scholars' knowledge of strategies and approaches in attracting, preparing, and retaining future educators who will work with and provide services to children with disabilities.

(c) Demonstrate, in the narrative section of the application under “Quality of the project evaluation,” how the applicant will—

(1) Evaluate how well the goals or objectives of the proposed leadership project have been met. The applicant must describe the outcomes to be measured for both the project and the scholars, particularly the acquisition of scholars' competencies; and the evaluation methodologies to be employed, including proposed instruments, data collection methods, and possible analyses;

(2) Collect, analyze, and use data on current scholars and scholars who graduate from the program to improve the proposed program on an ongoing basis; and

(3) Report the evaluation results to OSEP in the applicant's annual and final performance reports.

(d) Demonstrate, in the narrative under “Required Project Assurances” or appendices as directed, that the following program requirements are met. The applicant must—

(1) Include in appendix B of the application—

(i) Course syllabi for all coursework in the major and any required coursework for a minor;

(ii) Course syllabi for all research methods, evaluation methods, or data analysis courses required by the degree program and elective research methods, evaluation methods, or data analysis courses that have been completed by more than one scholar enrolled in the program in the last five years; and

(iii) For new coursework, proposed syllabi;

(2) Ensure that the proposed number of scholars will be recruited and enrolled into the program within the first 12 months of the project period or demonstrate that scholars enrolled after the first 12 months can graduate from the program by the end of the proposed project period. The described scholar recruitment strategies, including recruitment of individuals with disabilities, the program components and their sequence, and proposed budget must be consistent with this requirement;

(3) Ensure that efforts to recruit a diverse range of scholars, including diversity of race, ethnicity, or national origin, are consistent with applicable law. For instance, grantees may engage in focused outreach and recruitment to increase the diversity of the applicant pool prior to the selection of scholars;

(4) Ensure that the project will meet the requirements in 34 CFR 304.23, particularly those related to (i) informing all scholarship recipients of their service obligation commitment; and (ii) disbursing scholarships. Failure by a grantee to properly meet these requirements is a violation of the grant award that may result in sanctions, including the grantee being liable for returning any misused funds to the Department;

(5) Ensure that prior approval from the OSEP project officer will be obtained before admitting additional scholars beyond the number of scholars proposed in the application and before transferring a scholar to another preparation program funded by OSEP;

(6) Ensure that the project will meet the statutory requirements in section 662(e) through (h) of IDEA;

(7) Ensure that at least 65 percent of the total award over the project period (i.e., up to 5 years) will be used for scholar support;

(8) Ensure that the IHE will not require scholars enrolled in the program to work (e.g., as graduate assistants) as a condition of receiving support (e.g., tuition, stipends) from the proposed project, unless the work is specifically related to the acquisition of scholars' competencies or the requirements for completion of their personnel preparation program. This prohibition on work as a condition of receiving support does not apply to the service obligation requirements in section 662(h) of IDEA;

(9) Ensure that the project will be operated in a manner consistent with nondiscrimination requirements contained in the U.S. Constitution and the Federal civil rights laws;

(10) Ensure that a revised project budget will be submitted to OSEP should the project not be able to recruit and enroll the proposed number of scholars that can graduate from the program by the end of the project period;

(11) Ensure that the budget includes attendance by the project director at a three-day project directors' meeting in Washington, DC, or virtually, during each year of the project. The budget may also provide for the attendance of scholars at the same three-day project directors' meetings in Washington, DC, or virtually;

(12) Ensure that the project director, key personnel, and scholars will actively participate in the cross-project collaboration, advanced trainings, and cross-site learning opportunities (e.g., webinars, briefings) supported by OSEP. This network is intended to promote opportunities for participants to share resources and generate new knowledge by addressing topics of common interest to participants across projects including Department priorities and needs in the field;

(13) Ensure that if the project maintains a website, it will be of high quality, with an easy-to-navigate design that meets government or industry-recognized standards for accessibility;

(14) Ensure that annual progress toward meeting project goals is posted on the project website;

(15) Ensure that scholar accomplishments (e.g., public service, awards, publications) will be reported in annual and final performance reports; and

(16) Ensure that annual data will be submitted on each scholar who receives grant support (OMB Control Number 1820-0686). The primary purposes of the data collection are to track the service obligation fulfillment of scholars who receive funds from OSEP grants and to collect data for program performance measure reporting under the Government Performance and Results Act of 1993 (GPRA). Applicants are encouraged to visit the Personnel Development Program Data Collection System (DCS) website at https://pdp.ed.gov/osep for further information about this data collection requirement. Typically, data collection begins in January of each year, and grantees are notified by email about the data collection period for their grant, although grantees may submit data as needed, year-round. This data collection must be submitted electronically by the grantee and does not supplant the annual grant performance report required of each grantee for continuation funding (see 34 CFR 75.590). Data collection includes the submission of a signed, completed Pre-Scholarship Agreement and Exit Certification for each scholar funded under an OSEP grant (see paragraph (d)(4) of this priority).

Absolute Priority 2—Preparation of Special Education and Early Intervention Administrators.

Background:

The purpose of this priority is to support existing doctoral degree programs that prepare special education or early intervention personnel who are well-qualified for, and can act effectively in, leadership positions in public school systems, such as SEAs, charter management organizations (CMOs), charter school authorizers, lead agencies (LAs), LEAs, early intervention services programs (EIS programs), or schools. Shortages of leadership personnel at State and local agencies to fill special education and early intervention administrator positions have been noted (Bellamy & Iwaszuk, 2017; Billingsley et al., 2014). The turnover rate for leaders in State and local agencies has also increased substantially over the past decade, which impacts the ongoing efforts at the State and local levels to improve educational practices (NCSI, 2018a; NCSI, 2018b). These administrators supervise and evaluate the implementation of instructional programs to make sure that State or local agencies are meeting the needs of children with disabilities. Administrators also ensure that schools and programs meet Federal, State, and local requirements for special education, early intervention, and related services (Billingsley et al., 2014; Bruns et al., 2017; Boscardin & Lashley, 2018).

Special education and early intervention administrators play an essential role in promoting high expectations for each child with a disability and supervising the provision of effective interventions and services that improve outcomes for children, including infants, toddlers, and youth with disabilities. In addition to supervising the provision of effective interventions and services that improve outcomes for children, special education or early intervention administrators also play a critical role in attracting diverse and qualilifed educators and implementing strategies to retain effective educators (Billingsley & Bettini, 2019). Critical competencies for special education or early intervention administrators vary depending on the type of leadership personnel and the requirements of the preparation program but can include, for example, skills needed for implementing special education policies and laws, administration and supervision, organizational and system change, program planning and implementation, evaluation of educational programs, technology implementation for in-person and remote instruction, and collaboration with stakeholders (Boscardin & Lashley, 2018; Bruns et al., 2017).

However, all leadership personnel need to promote high expectations and have current knowledge of effective interventions and services that improve outcomes for children with disabilities, including high-need children with disabilities. This knowledge should be applicable to children served in a variety of educational settings (e.g., urban or rural public schools, including charter schools) or early childhood and early intervention settings (e.g., home, community-based, Early Head Start and Head Start, child care, or public and private preschools). The interventions and services must include those that improve early childhood, educational, and employment outcomes.

Priority:

The purpose of this priority is to support existing doctoral degree programs that prepare special education or early intervention personnel to work as administrators in public school systems such as SEAs, CMOs, charter school authorizers, LAs, LEAs, private school networks, parochial schools, EIS programs, or schools in positions such as SEA special education administrators, LEA or regional special education directors, school-based special education directors, preschool coordinators, and early intervention coordinators.

This priority will provide support to help address identified needs for personnel with the knowledge and skills to establish and meet high expectations for each child with a disability. Doctoral programs in educational administration that include a focus on special education are eligible under this priority. Programs must culminate in a doctoral degree, which may include a Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) degree. The preparation of school principals is not included under this priority. Under this priority, applicants may propose projects that enroll scholars who are concurrently employed (e.g., as special education teachers) while enrolled in the program. Applicants must plan to recruit and enroll the proposed number of scholars in the application within the first 12 months of the project period or demonstrate that scholars enrolled after the first 12 months can complete the program by the end of the proposed project period.

Note:

Project periods under this priority may be up to 60 months. Projects should be designed to ensure that all proposed scholars successfully complete the program within 60 months of the start of the project. The Secretary may reduce continuation awards for any projects in which scholars are not on track to complete the program by the end of that period.

To be considered for funding under this absolute priority, all applicants must meet all of the application requirements contained in the priority. All projects funded under this absolute priority also must meet all of the programmatic and administrative requirements specified in the priority.

To meet the requirements of this priority, an applicant must—

(a) Demonstrate, in the narrative section of the application under “Significance,” how—

(1) The project addresses the need for leadership personnel to promote high expectations and supervise the provision of effective interventions and services that improve outcomes for children with disabilities, including high-need children with disabilities. To address this requirement, the applicant must present—

(i) Appropriate and applicable data (e.g., State, region, district, local) demonstrating the need for the special education or early intervention administrators the applicant proposes to prepare; and

(ii) Data demonstrating the success of the doctoral program to date in producing special education or early intervention administrators, such as: The professional accomplishments of program graduates (e.g., public service, awards) that demonstrate their leadership in special education or early intervention; the average amount of time it takes for program graduates to complete the program; the number of program graduates; and the percentage of program graduates finding employment directly related to their preparation; and

Note:

Data on the success of a doctoral program should be no older than five years prior to the start date of the project proposed in the application. When reporting percentages, the denominator (i.e., the total number of scholars or program graduates) must be provided.

(2) Scholar competencies to be acquired in the program relate to knowledge and skills needed by the leadership personnel the applicant proposes to prepare. To address this requirement, the applicant must—

(i) Identify the competencies needed by leadership personnel to supervise the provision of effective interventions and services, including through distance education, that improve outcomes for children with disabilities, including high-need children with disabilities; and

(ii) Provide the conceptual framework of the leadership preparation program, including any empirical support, that will promote the acquisition of the identified competencies needed by leadership personnel.

(b) Demonstrate, in the narrative section of the application under “Quality of project services,” how—

(1) The applicant will recruit and retain high-quality scholars participating in the project and ensure equal access and treatment for eligible project participants who are members of groups that have traditionally been underrepresented based on race, color, national origin, gender, age, or disability. To meet this requirement, the narrative must describe—

(i) The selection criteria the applicant will use to identify high-quality applicants for admission in the program;

(ii) The recruitment strategies the applicant will use to attract high-quality applicants, including specific recruitment strategies targeting high-quality applicants from traditionally underrepresented groups, including underrepresented people of color, individuals with disabilities, and nontraditional scholars (e.g., returning military); and

(iii) The approach the applicant will use to help all scholars, including individuals with disabilities, complete the program during the proposed project period; and

(2) The project is designed to promote the acquisition of the competencies needed by leadership personnel to promote high expectations and supervise the provision of effective interventions and services that improve outcomes for children with disabilities, including high-need children with disabilities. To address this requirement, the applicant must—

(i) Describe how the components of the project, such as coursework, work-based experiences aligned with project components (e.g., internships, current employment), program evaluation, and other opportunities provided to scholars, will enable the scholars to acquire the competencies needed by leadership personnel the applicant proposes to prepare;

(ii) Describe how the components of the project are integrated in order to support the acquisition and enhancement of the identified competencies needed by leadership personnel the applicant proposes to prepare;

(iii) Describe how the components of the project prepare scholars to promote high expectations and to supervise the provision of effective interventions and services that improve outcomes for children with disabilities, including high-need children with disabilities, in a variety of educational or early childhood and early intervention settings, including in-person and remote settings;

(iv) Demonstrate, through a letter of support from a public, parochial, or private partnering agency, school, or program, that it will provide scholars with a high-quality internship experience in a high-need LEA, a high-poverty school, a school implementing a comprehensive support and improvement plan, a school implementing a targeted support and improvement plan for children with disabilities, an SEA, an early childhood and early intervention program located within the geographical boundaries of a high-need LEA, or an early childhood and early intervention program located within the geographical boundaries of an LEA serving the highest percentage of schools identified for comprehensive support and improvement or implementing targeted support and improvement plans in the State;

(v) Describe how the project will partner with diverse stakeholders to inform project components;

(vi) Describe how the project will use resources, as appropriate, available through technical assistance centers, which may include centers funded by the Department;

(vii) Describe the approach that faculty members will use to mentor or otherwise support scholars, including scholars who are pursuing a degree on a part-time basis or are concurrently employed on a full-time basis, with the goal of helping them acquire competencies needed by leadership personnel and advancing their careers in special education or early intervention administration;

(viii) Describe how the components of the project will promote the acquisition of scholars' critical leadership skills, including communication, networking, and collaboration; and

(ix) Describe how the components of the project will promote the acquisition of scholars' knowledge of strategies and approaches in attracting, preparing, and retaining qualified educators, particularly educators from underrepresented backgrounds, who will work with and provide services to children with disabilities.

(c) Demonstrate, in the narrative section of the application under “Quality of the project evaluation,” how the applicant will—

(1) Evaluate how well the goals or objectives of the proposed leadership project have been met. The applicant must describe the outcomes to be measured for both the project and the scholars, particularly the acquisition of scholars' competencies; and the evaluation methodologies to be employed, including proposed instruments, data collection methods, and possible analyses;

(2) Collect, analyze, and use data on current scholars and scholars who graduate from the program to improve the proposed program on an ongoing basis; and

(3) Report the evaluation results to OSEP in the applicant's annual and final performance reports.

(d) Demonstrate, in the narrative under “Required Project Assurances” or appendices as directed, that the following program requirements are met. The applicant must—

(1) Include in appendix B of the application—

(i) Course syllabi for all coursework in the major and any required coursework for a minor;

(ii) Course syllabi for all evaluation methods or data analysis courses required by the degree program and for all elective evaluation methods or data analysis courses that have been completed by more than one scholar enrolled in the program in the last five years; and

(iii) For new coursework, proposed syllabi;

(2) Ensure that the proposed number of scholars will be recruited into the program within the first 12 months of the project period or demonstrate that scholars enrolled after the first 12 months can graduate from the program by the end of the proposed project period. The described scholar recruitment strategies, including recruitment of individuals with disabilities, the program components and their sequence, and proposed budget must be consistent with this requirement;

(3) Ensure that efforts to recruit a diverse range of scholars, including diversity of race, ethnicity, or national origin, are consistent with applicable law. For instance, grantees may engage in focused outreach and recruitment to increase the diversity of the applicant pool prior to the selection of scholars;

(4) Ensure that the project will meet the requirements in 34 CFR 304.23, particularly those related to (i) informing all scholarship recipients of their service obligation commitment; and (ii) disbursing scholarships. Failure by a grantee to properly meet these requirements is a violation of the grant award that may result in sanctions, including the grantee being liable for returning any misused funds to the Department;

(5) Ensure that prior approval from the OSEP project officer will be obtained before admitting additional scholars beyond the number of scholars proposed in the application and before transferring a scholar to another preparation program funded by OSEP;

(6) Ensure that the project will meet the statutory requirements in section 662(e) through (h) of IDEA;

(7) Ensure that at least 65 percent of the total award over the project period (i.e., up to 5 years) will be used for scholar support;

(8) Ensure that the IHE will not require scholars enrolled in the program to work (e.g., as graduate assistants) as a condition of receiving support (e.g., tuition, stipends) from the proposed project, unless the work is specifically related to the acquisition of scholars' competencies or the requirements for completion of their personnel preparation program. This prohibition on work as a condition of receiving support does not apply to the service obligation requirements in section 662(h) of IDEA;

(9) Ensure that the project will be operated in a manner consistent with nondiscrimination requirements contained in the U.S. Constitution and the Federal civil rights laws;

(10) Ensure that a revised project budget will be submitted to OSEP should the project not be able to recruit and enroll the proposed number of scholars that can graduate from the program by the end of the project period;

(11) Ensure that the budget includes attendance by the project director at a three-day project directors' meeting in Washington, DC, or virtually, during each year of the project. The budget may also provide for the attendance of scholars at the same three-day project directors' meetings in Washington, DC, or virtually;

(12) Ensure that the project director, key personnel, and scholars will actively participate in the cross-project collaboration, advanced trainings, and cross-site learning opportunities (e.g., webinars, briefings) supported by OSEP. This network is intended to promote opportunities for participants to share resources and generate new knowledge by addressing topics of common interest to participants across projects including Department priorities and needs in the field;

(13) Ensure that if the project maintains a website, it will be of high quality, with an easy-to-navigate design, that meets government or industry-recognized standards for accessibility;

(14) Ensure that annual progress toward meeting project goals is posted on the project website;

(15) Ensure that scholar accomplishments (e.g., public service, awards, program implementation demonstrating improved child outcomes) will be reported in annual and final performance reports; and

(16) Ensure that annual data will be submitted on each scholar who receives grant support (OMB Control Number 1820-0686). The primary purposes of the data collection are to track the service obligation fulfillment of scholars who receive funds from OSEP grants and to collect data for program performance measure reporting under the Government Performance and Results Act of 1993 (GPRA). Applicants are encouraged to visit the Personnel Development Program Data Collection System (DCS) website at https://pdp.ed.gov/osep for further information about this data collection requirement. Typically, data collection begins in January of each year, and grantees are notified by email about the data collection period for their grant, although grantees may submit data as needed, year-round. This data collection must be submitted electronically by the grantee and does not supplant the annual grant performance report required of each grantee for continuation funding (see 34 CFR 75.590). Data collection includes the submission of a signed, completed Pre-Scholarship Agreement and Exit Certification for each scholar funded under an OSEP grant (see paragraph (d)(4) of this priority).

Competitive Preference Priorities: Within Absolute Priorities 1 and 2, we give competitive preference to applications that address Competitive Preference Priorities 1 and 2. Under 34 CFR 75.105(c)(2)(i), we award an additional 3 points to an application that meets Competitive Preference Priority 1 and an additional 3 points to an application that meets Competitive Preference Priority 2. The total maximum points we may award an application that chooses to address all of the competitive preference priorities is 6. Applicants should indicate in the abstract which competitive preference priorities are addressed.

These priorities are:

Competitive Preference Priority 1 (0 or 3 points).

Research has recognized a number of contributing factors to a scholar's acquisition of competencies and success in doctoral programs including developing and enhancing professional networks and collaborative learning opportunities (Douglas, 2020; Sverdlik et al., 2018). Further, networks are viewed as integral to leadership development and critical to addressing complex problems (Cullen-Lester et al., 2017; Hoppe & Reinelt, 2010). However, it has been noted that doctoral programs have often not paid sufficient attention to these factors (Douglas, 2020).

An application that proposes a partnership consisting of two or three IHEs in a high-need area of leadership shortages. To meet the competitive preference priority, a project must—

(a) Establish a partnership comprised of two or three IHEs with existing doctoral programs that prepare scholars to work as doctoral-level leaders in the high-need area proposed;

(b) Address in the project narrative the high-need area (e.g., early childhood behavior, secondary transition, or special education administration) in which the partnership proposes to prepare scholars;

(c) Address in the project narrative how the opportunities provided to scholars through the partnership activities will promote the competencies needed by leaders the project proposes to prepare;

(d) Address in the project narrative how the partnership is designed to ensure that scholars have opportunities to work with faculty and scholars at each IHE participating in the partnership on activities that will promote the competencies needed by leaders the project proposes to prepare; and

(e) Address in the project narrative how policies, procedures, standards, and fiscal management of the partnership will be established.

Note:

For additional information regarding group applications, refer to 34 CFR 75.127, 75.128, and 75.129.

Note:

Partnerships of two or three IHEs must be structured so that either (1) each participating IHE in the partnerhip must have a doctoral program that enrolls and supports scholars; or (2) one IHE enrolls scholars in the doctoral program but scholars are required to take coursework and other program components (e.g., teaching, reasearh) at each participating IHE in the partnership as part of the doctoral program requirements.

Competitive Preference Priority 2 (0 or 3 points).

(a) Under this priority, an applicant must demonstrate that the applicant has not had an active discretionary grant under the program from which it seeks funds, including through membership in a group application submitted in accordance with 34 CFR 75.127-75.129, in the last five years before the deadline date for submission of applications under the program.

(b) For the purpose of this priority, a grant or contract is active until the end of the grant's or contract's project or funding period, including any extensions of those periods that extend the grantee's or contractor's authority to obligate funds.

References:

Bellamy, T., & Iwaszuk, W. (2017, October). Responding to the need for new local special education administrators: A case study. CEEDAR Center. https://ceedar.education.ufl.edu/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Case-Study-SPED-10-29-17.pdf.

Billingsley, B., & Bettini, E. (2019). Special education teacher attrition and retention: A review of the literature. Review of Educational Research, 89 (5), 697-744. https://doi.org/10.3102/0034654319862495.

Billingsley, B., Bettini, E., Mathews, H.M., & McLeskey, J. (2020). Improving working conditions to support special educators' effectiveness: A call for leadership. Teacher Education and Special Education, 43 (1), 7-27.

Billingsley, B.S., Crockett, J., & Kamman, M.L. (2014). Recruiting and retaining teachers and administrators in special education. In P.T. Sindelar, E.D. McCray, M.T. Brownell, & B. Lignugaris/Kraft (Eds.), Handbook of research on special education teacher preparation (pp. 94-112). Routledge.

Boscardin, M.L., & Lashley, C.L. (2018). Expanding the leadership framework to support socially just special education policy, preparation, and standards. In J.B. Crockett, B.S. Billingsley, & M.L. Boscardin (Eds.), The handbook of leadership and administration for special education. Routledge.

Brownell, M.T., Jones, N.D., Sohn, H., & Stark, K. (2020). Improving teaching quality for students with disabilities: Establishing a warrant for teacher education practice. Teacher Education and Special Education, 43 (1), 28-444.

Bruns, D.A., LaRocco, D.J., Sharp, O.L., & Sopko, K.M. (2017). Leadership competencies in U.S. early intervention/early childhood special education service systems: A national survey. Infants and Young Children, 30 (4), 304-319.

Castillo, J.M., Curtis, M.J., & Tan, S.Y. (2014). Personnel needs in school psychology: A 10-year follow-up study on predicted personnel shortages. Psychology in the Schools, 51 (8), 832-849.

deBettencourt, L.U., Hoover, J.J., Rude, H.A., & Taylor, S.S. (2016). Preparing special education higher education faculty: The influence of contemporary education issues and policy recommendations. Teacher Education and Special Education, 39 (2), 121-133.

Cullen-Lester, K.L., Maupin, C.K., & Carter, D.R. (2017). Incorporating social networks in leadership development: A conceptual model and evaluation of research and practice. The Leadership Quarterly, 28 (1), 130-152.

Douglas, A.S. (2020). Engaging doctoral students in networking opportunities: A relational approach to doctoral study. Teaching in Higher Education. https://doi.org/10.1080/13562517.2020.1808611.

Hoppe, B., & Reinelt, C. (2010). Social network analysis and the evaluation of leadership networks. The Leadership Quarterly, 21 (4), 600-619.

Montrosse, B.E., & Young, C.J. (2012). Market demand for special education faculty. Teacher Education and Special Education, 35 (2), 140-153.

National Center for Systemic Improvement (NCSI). (2018a). Leadership turnover: The impact on State special education systems. https://ncsi-library.wested.org/resources/250.

National Center for Systemic Improvement (NCSI). (2018b). Leadership turnover: The impact on State early intervention systems. https://ncsi-library.wested.org/resources/200.

Robb, S.M., Smith, D.D., & Montrosse, B.E. (2012). A context of the demand for special education faculty: A study of special education teacher preparation programs. Teacher Education and Special Education, 35 (2), 128-139.

Smith, D.D., Montrosse, B.E., Robb, S.M., Tyler, N.C., & Young, C. (2011). Assessing trends in leadership: Special education's capacity to produce a highly qualified workforce. Claremont Graduate University. https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/ED537788.pdf.

Smith, D.D., Robb, S.M., West, J., & Tyler, N.C. (2010). The changing education landscape: How special education leadership preparation can make a difference for teachers and their students with disabilities. Teacher Education and Special Education, 33 (1), 25-43.

Sverdlik, A., Hall, N.C., McAlpine, L., & Hubbard, K. (2018). The Ph.D. experience: A review of the factors influencing doctoral students' completion, achievement, and well-being. International Journal of Doctoral Studies, 13, 361-388.

West, J.E., & Hardman, H.L. (2012). Averting current and future special education faculty shortages: Policy implications and recommendations. Teacher Education and Special Education, 35 (2), 154-160.

Woods, J., & Snyder, P. (2009). Interdisciplinary doctoral leadership training in early intervention. Infants & Young Children, 22 (1), 32-34.

Waiver of Proposed Rulemaking: Under the Administrative Procedure Act (APA) (5 U.S.C. 553) the Department generally offers interested parties the opportunity to comment on proposed priorities and requirements. Section 681(d) of IDEA, however, makes the public comment requirements of the APA inapplicable to the priorities in this notice.

Program Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1462 and 1481.

Note:

Projects will be awarded and must be operated in a manner consistent with the nondiscrimination requirements contained in Federal civil rights laws.

Applicable Regulations: (a) The Education Department General Administrative Regulations in 34 CFR parts 75, 77, 79, 81, 82, 84, 86, 97, 98, and 99. (b) The Office of Management and Budget Guidelines to Agencies on Governmentwide Debarment and Suspension (Nonprocurement) in 2 CFR part 180, as adopted and amended as regulations of the Department in 2 CFR part 3485. (c) The Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards in 2 CFR part 200, as adopted and amended as regulations of the Department in 2 CFR part 3474. (d) The regulations for this program in 34 CFR part 304.

Note:

The regulations in 34 CFR part 86 apply to IHEs only.

II. Award Information

Type of Award: Discretionary grants.

Note:

In accordance with 34 CFR 75.200(b)(4), the Department may award a cooperative agreement under this program if the Secretary determines that substantial involvement between the Department and the recipient is necessary to carry out a collaborative project.

Estimated Available Funds: $4,750,000.

Contingent upon the availability of funds and the quality of applications, we may make additional awards in FY 2022 from the list of unfunded applications from this competition.

Estimated Range of Awards: $225,000-$250,000 per year for an individual IHE; $450,000-$500,000 per year for a two-IHE group application; and $675,000-$750,000 for a three-IHE group application.

Estimated Average Size of Awards: $237,500 per year for an individual IHE; $475,000 per year for a two-IHE group application; and $712,500 per year for a three-IHE group application.

Maximum Award: For a single budget period of 12 months, we will not make an award exceeding: For an individual IHE, $250,000; for a two-IHE group application, $500,000; and, for a three-IHE group application, $750,000.

Estimated Number of Awards: Up to 19 awards for individual IHEs. OSEP intends to fund in FY 2021 at least 13 high-quality individual IHE applications meeting the requirements under Absolute Priority 1 and 6 high-quality individual IHE applications meeting the requirements under Absolute Priority 2. However, the total number of awards may change depending on the number of group application awards under each absolute priority.

Note:

The Department is not bound by any estimates in this notice.

Project Period: Up to 60 months.

III. Eligibility Information

1. Eligible Applicants: IHEs and private nonprofit organizations.

Note:

If you are a nonprofit organization, under 34 CFR 75.51, you may demonstrate your nonprofit status by providing: (1) Proof that the Internal Revenue Service currently recognizes the applicant as an organization to which contributions are tax deductible under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code; (2) a statement from a State taxing body or the State attorney general certifying that the organization is a nonprofit organization operating within the State and that no part of its net earnings may lawfully benefit any private shareholder or individual; (3) a certified copy of the applicant's certificate of incorporation or similar document if it clearly establishes the nonprofit status of the applicant; or (4) any item described above if that item applies to a State or national parent organization, together with a statement by the State or parent organization that the applicant is a local nonprofit affiliate.

2. a. Cost Sharing or Matching: Cost sharing or matching is not required for this competition.

b. Indirect Cost Rate Information: This program uses a training indirect cost rate. This limits indirect cost reimbursement to an entity's actual indirect costs, as determined in its negotiated indirect cost rate agreement, or eight percent of a modified total direct cost base, whichever amount is less. For more information regarding training indirect cost rates, see 34 CFR 75.562. For more information regarding indirect costs, or to obtain a negotiated indirect cost rate, please see www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocfo/intro.html.

c. Administrative Cost Limitation: This program does not include any program-specific limitation on administrative expenses. All administrative expenses must be reasonable and necessary and conform to Cost Principles described in 2 CFR part 200 subpart E of the Uniform Guidance.

3. Subgrantees: A grantee under this competition may not award subgrants to entities to directly carry out project activities described in its application. Under 34 CFR 75.708(e), a grantee may contract for supplies, equipment, and other services in accordance with 2 CFR part 200.

4. Other General Requirements:

a. Recipients of funding under this competition must make positive efforts to employ and advance in employment qualified individuals with disabilities (see section 606 of IDEA).

b. Applicants for, and recipients of, funding must, with respect to the aspects of their proposed project relating to Absolute Priority 1 or 2, involve individuals with disabilities, or parents of individuals with disabilities ages birth through 26, in planning, implementing, and evaluating the project (see section 682(a)(1)(A) of IDEA).

IV. Application and Submission Information

1. Application Submission Instructions: Applicants are required to follow the Common Instructions for Applicants to Department of Education Discretionary Grant Programs, published in the Federal Register on February 13, 2019 (84 FR 3768), and available at www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2019-02-13/pdf/2019-02206.pdf,, which contain requirements and information on how to submit an application.

2. Intergovernmental Review: This competition is subject to Executive Order 12372 and the regulations in 34 CFR part 79. Information about Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs under Executive Order 12372 is in the application package for this competition.

3. Funding Restrictions: We reference regulations outlining funding restrictions in the Applicable Regulations section of this notice.

4. Recommended Page Limit: The application narrative is where you, the applicant, address the selection criteria that reviewers use to evaluate your application. We recommend that you (1) limit the application narrative to no more than 50 pages and (2) use the following standards:

• A “page” is 8.5″ x 11″, on one side only, with 1″ margins at the top, bottom, and both sides.
• Double-space (no more than three lines per vertical inch) all text in the application narrative, including titles, headings, footnotes, quotations, reference citations, and captions, as well as all text in charts, tables, figures, graphs, and screen shots.
• Use a font that is 12 point or larger.
• Use one of the following fonts: Times New Roman, Courier, Courier New, or Arial.

The recommended page limit does not apply to the cover sheet; the budget section, including the narrative budget justification; the assurances and certifications; or the abstract (follow the guidance provided in the application package for completing the abstract), the table of contents, the list of priority requirements, the resumes, the reference list, the letters of support, or the appendices. However, the recommended page limit does apply to all of the application narrative, including all text in charts, tables, figures, graphs, and screen shots.

V. Application Review Information

1. Selection Criteria: The selection criteria for this competition are from 34 CFR 75.210 and are as follows:

(a) Significance (10 points).

(1) The Secretary considers the significance of the proposed project.

(2) In determining the significance of the proposed project, the Secretary considers the following factors:

(i) The extent to which the proposed project will prepare personnel for fields in which shortages have been demonstrated;

(ii) The importance or magnitude of the results or outcomes likely to be attained by the proposed project; and

(iii) The extent to which there is a conceptual framework underlying the proposed research or demonstration activities and the quality of that framework.

(b) Quality of project services (45 points).

(1) The Secretary considers the quality of the services to be provided by the proposed project.

(2) In determining the quality of the services to be provided by the proposed project, the Secretary considers the quality and sufficiency of strategies for ensuring equal access and treatment for eligible project participants who are members of groups that have traditionally been underrepresented based on race, color, national origin, gender, age, or disability.

(3) In addition, the Secretary considers the following factors:

(i) The extent to which the training or professional development services to be provided by the proposed project are of sufficient quality, intensity, and duration to lead to improvements in practice among the recipients of those services;

(ii) The extent to which the proposed activities constitute a coherent, sustained program of training in the field; and

(iii) The extent to which the services to be provided by the proposed project reflect up-to-date knowledge from research and effective practice.

(c) Quality of project evaluation (25 points).

(1) The Secretary considers the quality of the evaluation to be conducted of the proposed project.

(2) In determining the quality of the evaluation, the Secretary considers the following factors:

(i) The extent to which the methods of evaluation are thorough, feasible, and appropriate to the goals, objectives, and outcomes of the proposed project;

(ii) The extent to which the goals, objectives, and outcomes to be achieved by the proposed project are clearly specified and measurable;

(iii) The extent to which the methods of evaluation include the use of objective performance measures that are clearly related to the intended outcomes of the project and will produce quantitative and qualitative data to the extent possible; and

(iv) The extent to which the methods of evaluation will provide timely guidance for quality assurance.

(d) Quality of the management plan and adequacy of resources (20 points).

(1) The Secretary considers the quality of the management plan and the adequacy of resources for the proposed project.

(2) In determining the quality of the management plan and the adequacy of resources, the Secretary considers the following factors:

(i) The qualifications, including relevant training and experience, of key project personnel;

(ii) The adequacy of the management plan to achieve the objectives of the proposed project on time and within budget, including clearly defined responsibilities, timelines, and milestones for accomplishing project tasks;

(iii) The extent to which the time commitments of the project director and principal investigator and other key project personnel are appropriate and adequate to meet the objectives of the proposed project;

(iv) The adequacy of support, including facilities, equipment, supplies, and other resources, from the applicant organization or the lead applicant organization; and

(v) The extent to which the budget is adequate to support the proposed project.

2. Review and Selection Process: We remind potential applicants that in reviewing applications in any discretionary grant competition, the Secretary may consider, under 34 CFR 75.217(d)(3), the past performance of the applicant in carrying out a previous award, such as the applicant's use of funds, achievement of project objectives, and compliance with grant conditions. The Secretary may also consider whether the applicant failed to submit a timely performance report or submitted a report of unacceptable quality.

In addition, in making a competitive grant award, the Secretary requires various assurances, including those applicable to Federal civil rights laws that prohibit discrimination in programs or activities receiving Federal financial assistance from the Department (34 CFR 100.4, 104.5, 106.4, 108.8, and 110.23).

3. Additional Review and Selection Process Factors: In the past, the Department has had difficulty finding peer reviewers for certain competitions because so many individuals who are eligible to serve as peer reviewers have conflicts of interest. The standing panel requirements under section 682(b) of IDEA also have placed additional constraints on the availability of reviewers. Therefore, the Department has determined that for some discretionary grant competitions, applications may be separated into two or more groups and ranked and selected for funding within specific groups. This procedure will make it easier for the Department to find peer reviewers by ensuring that greater numbers of individuals who are eligible to serve as reviewers for any particular group of applicants will not have conflicts of interest. It also will increase the quality, independence, and fairness of the review process, while permitting panel members to review applications under discretionary grant competitions for which they also have submitted applications.

4. Risk Assessment and Specific Conditions: Consistent with 2 CFR 200.206, before awarding grants under this competition the Department conducts a review of the risks posed by applicants. Under 2 CFR 200.208, the Secretary may impose specific conditions, and under 2 CFR 3474.10, in appropriate circumstances, high-risk conditions on a grant if the applicant or grantee is not financially stable; has a history of unsatisfactory performance; has a financial or other management system that does not meet the standards in 2 CFR part 200, subpart D; has not fulfilled the conditions of a prior grant; or is otherwise not responsible.

5. Integrity and Performance System: If you are selected under this competition to receive an award that over the course of the project period may exceed the simplified acquisition threshold (currently $250,000), under 2 CFR 200.206(a)(2) we must make a judgment about your integrity, business ethics, and record of performance under Federal awards—that is, the risk posed by you as an applicant—before we make an award. In doing so, we must consider any information about you that is in the integrity and performance system (currently referred to as the Federal Awardee Performance and Integrity Information System (FAPIIS)), accessible through the System for Award Management. You may review and comment on any information about yourself that a Federal agency previously entered and that is currently in FAPIIS.

Please note that, if the total value of your currently active grants, cooperative agreements, and procurement contracts from the Federal Government exceeds $10,000,000, the reporting requirements in 2 CFR part 200, Appendix XII, require you to report certain integrity information to FAPIIS semiannually. Please review the requirements in 2 CFR part 200, Appendix XII, if this grant plus all the other Federal funds you receive exceed $10,000,000.

6. In General: In accordance with the Office of Management and Budget's guidance located at 2 CFR part 200, all applicable Federal laws, and relevant Executive guidance, the Department will review and consider applications for funding pursuant to this notice inviting applications in accordance with—

(a) Selecting recipients most likely to be successful in delivering results based on the program objectives through an objective process of evaluating Federal award applications (2 CFR 200.205);

(b) Prohibiting the purchase of certain telecommunication and video surveillance services or equipment in alignment with section 889 of the National Defense Authorization Act of 2019 (Pub. L. 115-232) (2 CFR 200.216);

(c) Providing a preference, to the extent permitted by law, to maximize use of goods, products, and materials produced in the United States (2 CFR 200.322); and

(d) Terminating agreements in whole or in part to the greatest extent authorized by law if an award no longer effectuates the program goals or agency priorities (2 CFR 200.340).

VI. Award Administration Information

1. Award Notices: If your application is successful, we notify your U.S. Representative and U.S. Senators and send you a Grant Award Notification (GAN); or we may send you an email containing a link to access an electronic version of your GAN. We may notify you informally, also.

If your application is not evaluated or not selected for funding, we notify you.

2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements: We identify administrative and national policy requirements in the application package and reference these and other requirements in the Applicable Regulations section of this notice.

We reference the regulations outlining the terms and conditions of an award in the Applicable Regulations section of this notice and include these and other specific conditions in the GAN. The GAN also incorporates your approved application as part of your binding commitments under the grant.

3. Open Licensing Requirements: Unless an exception applies, if you are awarded a grant under this competition, you will be required to openly license to the public grant deliverables created in whole, or in part, with Department grant funds. When the deliverable consists of modifications to pre-existing works, the license extends only to those modifications that can be separately identified and only to the extent that open licensing is permitted under the terms of any licenses or other legal restrictions on the use of pre-existing works. Additionally, a grantee that is awarded competitive grant funds must have a plan to disseminate these public grant deliverables. This dissemination plan can be developed and submitted after your application has been reviewed and selected for funding. For additional information on the open licensing requirements please refer to 2 CFR 3474.20.

4. Reporting: (a) If you apply for a grant under this competition, you must ensure that you have in place the necessary processes and systems to comply with the reporting requirements in 2 CFR part 170 should you receive funding under the competition. This does not apply if you have an exception under 2 CFR 170.110(b).

(b) At the end of your project period, you must submit a final performance report, including financial information, as directed by the Secretary. If you receive a multiyear award, you must submit an annual performance report that provides the most current performance and financial expenditure information as directed by the Secretary under 34 CFR 75.118. The Secretary may also require more frequent performance reports under 34 CFR 75.720(c). For specific requirements on reporting, please go to www.ed.gov/fund/grant/apply/appforms/appforms.html.

5. Performance Measures: For the purposes of the Government Performance and Results Act of 1993 (GPRA) and reporting under 34 CFR 75.110, the Department has established a set of performance measures, including long-term measures, that are designed to yield information on the quality of the Personnel Development to Improve Services and Results for Children with Disabilities program. These measures include: (1) The percentage of preparation programs that incorporate scientifically or evidence-based practices into their curricula; (2) the percentage of scholars completing preparation programs who are knowledgeable and skilled in evidence-based practices for children with disabilities; (3) the percentage of scholars who exit preparation programs prior to completion due to poor academic performance; (4) the percentage of scholars completing preparation programs who are working in the area(s) in which they were prepared upon program completion; (5) the Federal cost per scholar who completed the preparation program; (6) the percentage of scholars who completed the preparation program and are employed in high-need districts; and (7) the percentage of scholars who completed the preparation program and who are rated effective by their employers.

In addition, the Department will gather information on the following outcome measures: (1) The percentage of scholars who completed the preparation program and are employed in the field of special education for at least two years; (2) the number and percentage of scholars proposed by the grantee in their application that were actually enrolled and making satisfactory academic progress in the current academic year; and (3) the number and percentage of enrolled scholars who are on track to complete the training program by the end of the project's original grant period.

Grantees may be asked to participate in assessing and providing information on these aspects of program quality.

6. Continuation Awards: In making a continuation award under 34 CFR 75.253, the Secretary considers, among other things: Whether a grantee has made substantial progress in achieving the goals and objectives of the project; whether the grantee has expended funds in a manner that is consistent with its approved application and budget; and, if the Secretary has established performance measurement requirements, the performance targets in the grantee's approved application.

In making a continuation award, the Secretary also considers whether the grantee is operating in compliance with the assurances in its approved application, including those applicable to Federal civil rights laws that prohibit discrimination in programs or activities receiving Federal financial assistance from the Department (34 CFR 100.4, 104.5, 106.4, 108.8, and 110.23).

VII. Other Information

Accessible Format: On request to the program contact person listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT, individuals with disabilities can obtain this document and a copy of the application package in an accessible format. The Department will provide the requestor with an accessible format that may include Rich Text Format (RTF) or text format (txt), a thumb drive, an MP3 file, braille, large print, audiotape, or compact disc, or other accessible format.

Electronic Access to This Document: The official version of this document is the document published in the Federal Register. You may access the official edition of the Federal Register and the Code of Federal Regulations at www.govinfo.gov. At this site you can view this document, as well as all other documents of this Department published in the Federal Register, in text or Portable Document Format (PDF). To use PDF you must have Adobe Acrobat Reader, which is available free at the site.

You may also access documents of the Department published in the Federal Register by using the article search feature at www.federalregister.gov. Specifically, through the advanced search feature at this site, you can limit your search to documents published by the Department.