[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 59 (Tuesday, March 26, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 13380-13381]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-7212]




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Part XV





Department of Education





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Training Personnel for the Education of Individuals With Disabilities; 
Grants for Personnel Training; Notice Inviting Applications for New 
Awards for Fiscal Year (FY) 1996; Notice

  Federal Register / Vol. 61, No. 59 / Tuesday, March 26, 1996 / 
Notices  

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DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

[CFDA No.: 84.029G]


Training Personnel for the Education of Individuals With 
Disabilities; Grants for Personnel Training; Notice Inviting 
Applications for New Awards for Fiscal Year (FY) 1996

PURPOSE OF PROGRAM: The purpose of Training Personnel for the Education 
of Individuals with Disabilities Program--Grants for Personnel Training 
is to increase the quantity and improve the quality of personnel 
available to serve infants, toddlers, children and youth with 
disabilities.

ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS: Eligible applicants are institutions of higher 
education, and other appropriate nonprofit agencies.

APPLICABLE REGULATIONS: (a) The Education Department General 
Administrative Regulations (EDGAR) in 34 CFR Parts 74, 75, 77, 79, 80, 
81, 82, 85, and 86; and (b) The regulations for this program in 34 CFR 
Part 318.
    In some instances, the description of the absolute priority 
identified below differs from applicable regulatory provisions in 34 
CFR 318. These changes, as well as any supplementary information 
provided under the priority that is not found in the regulations, 
represent interpretative guidance and are provided for purposes of 
clarification. These interpretations do not substantively change the 
regulations.

    Note: The regulations in 34 CFR Part 86 apply to institutions of 
higher education only.

PRIORITY: Under 34 CFR 75.105(c)(3), and 34 CFR 318, the Secretary 
gives an absolute preference to applications that meet the following 
priority. The Secretary funds under this competition only those 
applications that meet this absolute priority:
    Absolute Priority--Grants for Preservice Personnel Training 
(84.029G).
    This priority supports projects designed to provide preservice 
preparation of personnel who serve infants, toddlers, children and 
youth with disabilities. Projects must address either:
    (1) The development of new programs to establish expanded capacity 
for quality preservice training; or
    (2) The improvement of existing programs designed to increase the 
capacity and quality of preservice training.
    In addition, projects must address one or more of the following 
training components:
    (1) Preparation of Personnel for Careers in Special Education. This 
component supports preservice preparation of personnel for careers in 
special education. Preservice training includes additional training for 
currently employed teachers seeking additional degrees, certifications, 
or endorsements. Training may occur at one or more of the following 
levels: baccalaureate, master's, or specialist. Under this component, 
``personnel'' includes special education teachers, speech-language 
pathologists, audiologists, adapted physical education teachers, 
vocational educators, and instructive and assistive technology 
specialists.
    (2) Preparation of Related Services Personnel. This component 
supports preservice preparation of individuals to provide 
developmental, corrective, and other supportive services that assist 
children and youth with disabilities to benefit from special education. 
These include paraprofessional personnel, therapeutic recreation 
specialists, school social workers, health service providers, physical 
therapists, occupational therapists, school psychologists, counselors 
(including rehabilitation counselors), interpreters, orientation and 
mobility specialists, respite care providers, art therapists, 
volunteers, physicians, and other related services personnel. For 
purposes of this component, the Department considers the term 
``interpreters'' to be limited to interpreters for the deaf.
    (i) Projects to train personnel identified as special education 
personnel under training component (1) are not appropriate for purposes 
of this component, even if those personnel may be considered related 
services personnel in other settings (e.g., speech language 
pathologists).
    (ii) This component is not designed for general training. Projects 
must include inducements and preparation to increase the probability 
that graduates will direct their efforts toward supportive services to 
special education. For example, a project in occupational therapy (OT) 
might support a special focus in pediatric or juvenile psychiatric OT; 
support those students whose career goal is OT in the school; or 
provide for practica, and internships in school settings.
    (3) Training Early Intervention and Preschool Personnel. This 
component supports projects that are designed to provide preservice 
preparation of personnel who serve infants, toddlers, and preschool 
children with disabilities, and their families. Personnel may be 
prepared to provide short-term services or long-term services that 
extend into a child's school program. The proposed training program 
must have a clear and limited focus on the special needs of children 
within the age range from birth through five, and must include 
consideration of family involvement in early intervention and preschool 
services. Training programs under this priority must have a significant 
interdisciplinary focus.
    Applications Available: April 23, 1996.
    Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: June, 10, 1996.
    Deadline for Intergovernmental Review: August 10, 1996.
    Estimated Number of Awards: 23.
    Estimated Range of Awards: $100,000 to $480,000.
    Project Period: Up to 36 months.
    Available Funds: In fiscal year 1996, approximately $6,750,000 will 
be available to support an estimated 23 projects (grant awards) under 
this absolute priority (competition). While the total average award is 
estimated at $290,000, it is anticipated that the average range per 
component would be $100,000 to $160,000. Multi-year projects will be 
level funded unless there are increases in costs attributable to 
significant changes in activity level, and funds are available.
    The Congress has not yet enacted a fiscal year 1996 appropriation 
for the Department of Education. The Department is publishing this 
notice in order to give potential applicants adequate time to prepare 
applications. The estimate of the amount of funds that will be 
available for this competition is based, in part, on the President's 
1996 budget request and, in part, on the level of funding available for 
fiscal year 1995.
    Potential applicants should note, however, that the Congress is 
considering proposals to reduce funding in 1996 for the Training 
Personnel for the Education of Individuals with Disabilities Program 
administered by the Department. Final action on the 1996 appropriation 
may require the Department to cancel this competition or to 
significantly reduce the number or size of grant awards that will be 
made under the competition announced in this notice.

    Note: The Department of Education is not bound by any estimates 
in this notice.

WAIVER OF RULEMAKING: It is the practice of the Secretary to offer 
interested parties the opportunity to comment on proposed priorities in 
accordance with the Administrative Procedure Act (5 U.S.C. 553). 
However, this application notice restates existing priorities in 34 CFR 
318. In addition, the Secretary has determined, pursuant to 5 U.S.C.

[[Page 13381]]
553(b)(A), that rulemaking requirements do not apply to the changes to 
applicable regulatory provisions contained in this notice. These 
changes reflect the Secretary's interpretation of existing regulations 
and are provided solely for purposes of clarification.

FOR APPLICATIONS AND GENERAL INFORMATION CONTACT: Marlene Spencer, U.S. 
Department of Education, 600 Independence Avenue, S.W., Switzer 
Building, Room 3072, Washington, D.C. 20202-2651. Telephone: (202) 205-
9058. FAX: (202) 205-9070. Individuals who use a telecommunications 
device for the deaf (TDD) may call the TDD number: (202) 205-8953. 
Internet: Marlene__S[email protected]

FOR TECHNICAL INFORMATION CONTACT: Martha B. Bokee, U.S. Department of 
Education, 600 Independence Avenue, S.W., Room 3078, Switzer Building, 
Washington, D.C. 20202-2641. Telephone: (202) 205-5509. FAX: (202) 205-
9070. Internet: Martha__ B[email protected]
    Information about the Department's funding opportunities, including 
copies of application notices for discretionary grant competitions, can 
be viewed on the Department's electronic bulletin board (ED Board), 
telephone (202) 260-9950; or on the Internet Gopher Server at 
GOPHER.ED.GOV (under Announcements, Bulletins, and Press Releases); or 
on the World Wide Web at http://www.ed.gov/money.html However, the 
official application notice for a discretionary grant competition is 
the notice published in the Federal Register.

    Program Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1431.

    Dated: March 20, 1996.
Howard R. Moses,
Acting Assistant Secretary for Special Education and Rehabilitative 
Services.
[FR Doc. 96-7212 Filed 3-25-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4000-01-P