[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 58 (Friday, March 24, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 16088-16090]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-7300]



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Part VI





Department of Education





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Office of Elementary and Secondary Education; Safe and Drug-Free 
Schools and Communities National Programs--Federal Activities Grants 
Program--The Challenge Newsletter; Notices

  Federal Register / Vol. 65, No. 58 / Friday, March 24, 2000 / 
Notices  

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DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION


Office of Elementary and Secondary Education; Safe and Drug-Free 
Schools and Communities National Programs--Federal Activities Grants 
Program--The Challenge Newsletter

AGENCY: Department of Education.

ACTION: Notice of final priority and selection criteria for fiscal year 
2000 and subsequent years.

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SUMMARY: The Assistant Secretary announces a final priority, eligible 
applicants, and selection criteria for fiscal year (FY) 2000 and, at 
the discretion of the Assistant Secretary, for subsequent years under 
the Safe and Drug-Free Schools and Communities National Programs--
Federal Activities Grants Program. The Assistant Secretary takes this 
action to focus Federal financial assistance on an identified national 
need--the development and dissemination of a newsletter with 
information about effective practices to prevent drug use and violent 
behavior among youth. The Challenge newsletter will provide a 
communication link on current and future program directions, research-
based activities, and other information related to effective drug and 
violence prevention strategies between the U.S. Department of Education 
and State and local educational agencies and other public and private 
organizations involved with prevention of youth drug use and violent 
behavior.

EFFECTIVE DATE: This notice takes effect on April 24, 2000.
    Eligible Applicants: Eligible applicants under this competition are 
public and private nonprofit organizations and individuals.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Gail Beaumont, Safe and Drug-Free 
Schools Program, U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW, 
Room 3E310, Washington, DC 20202-6123, (202) 260-3954. Fax: (202) 260-
7767. Internet: [email protected].
    An individual who uses a TDD may call the Federal Information Relay 
Service (FIRS) at 1-800-877-8339.

    Note: This notice of final priority does not solicit 
applications. A notice inviting applications under this competition 
is published elsewhere in this issue of the Federal Register.


SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This notice contains the final priority for 
fiscal year 2000, and related selection criteria. Under the absolute 
priority, the Assistant Secretary intends to award one cooperative 
agreement for up to 36 months; this cooperative agreement will support 
a means of communicating with the field on current and future program 
directions, research-based activities, and other information related to 
effective drug and violence prevention practices through The Challenge 
newsletter. The primary audience for The Challenge is classroom 
teachers.
    Applicants must demonstrate extensive knowledge of elements of 
effective drug and violence prevention programs and current research in 
the area of drug and violence prevention. Funds under the Safe and 
Drug-Free Schools Program reach 97 percent of the nation's school 
districts. While most school districts have implemented drug and 
violence prevention activities in some form, too often these activities 
are narrow in scope and are not based on science. Many school districts 
lack data on the effects of their drug and violence prevention programs 
on student behavior. They need information about programs that have 
proven to be effective or promising that they can adopt for their 
students. Although research exists on drug and violence prevention 
strategies that have positive results, too often this research is not 
known to school personnel, and does not get translated into practice. 
The Challenge will provide classroom teachers and other professionals 
with information about effective or promising drug and violence 
prevention programs and strategies, articles by experts in the 
prevention field, and other timely information covering a broad range 
of topics that comprise the expanding knowledge base on drug and 
violence prevention.
    With regard to content, the following information describes 
examples of topics and types of articles that have been featured in 
past issues of The Challenge:
     Information about principles of effective drug and 
violence prevention programs.
     Key elements or characteristics of successful drug and 
violence prevention programs.
     Research studies and data related to drug and violence 
prevention.
     Articles by recognized experts in fields related to safe 
and drug-free schools.
     Articles describing model programs.
     Information that describes discretionary grant activities 
funded under the Safe and Drug-Free Schools and Communities Program, 
National Programs, including resources and products resulting from the 
activities.
     Timely information on special topics such as emerging 
trends in use of specific drugs, or early warning signs of violent 
behavior.
     Resources and helplines for obtaining information and 
materials on drug and violence prevention.
While applicants are expected to address in their applications the 
topics and types of articles described in the above list, the list is 
by no means comprehensive. Applicants are encouraged to offer 
suggestions on ways to communicate with the field on a broad range of 
key issues, including information on classroom practices, assessments, 
and appropriate strategies.
    Frequency of past publication of The Challenge has ranged from 6-10 
times per year, and the number of pages has ranged from 4-26 pages per 
issue. The number of copies has been 50,000 per issue. These numbers 
are offered as guides based on past practice, and are not requirements 
of the current competition. Applicants are encouraged to offer 
suggestions regarding the length and frequency of publication, as well 
as number of copies per issue and dissemination plan.
    The applicant funded under the absolute priority in this notice 
will have the responsibility to design, develop, publish, disseminate, 
and manage all aspects of The Challenge consistent with the specific 
requirements in the absolute priority below. In submitting their 
proposals for funding, applicants are encouraged to offer suggestions 
and ideas for The Challenge in addition to those specified in the 
absolute priority.

Public Comments

    On January 25, 2000, the Assistant Secretary published a notice of 
proposed priority, eligible applicants, and selection criteria for this 
competition in the Federal Register (65 FR 3948-3950). In response to 
the Assistant Secretary's invitation to comment, the Department 
received comments from two organizations. In response to the comments 
received, the Assistant Secretary made two modifications--one to the 
supplementary information section of the notice and one to the 
selection criteria--as noted in the analysis of comments and changes 
and elsewhere in this notice.

Analysis of Comments and Changes

Highlight More Classroom Practices, Assessments, and Appropriate 
Strategies

    Comment: One commenter suggested that, in order to benefit 
classroom teachers, the content of the newsletter should highlight more 
classroom practices, assessments, and appropriate strategies rather 
than the items identified in the Federal Register.

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    Discussion: The Department agrees that the newsletter should 
include information for classroom teachers such as classroom practices, 
assessments, and appropriate strategies, but not to the exclusion of 
other topics listed in supplementary information.
    The supplementary information provided in the Notice of Proposed 
Priority includes a list of suggested, but not mandatory, topics and 
types of articles that have been featured in past issues of The 
Challenge.
    Changes: The supplementary information section of this notice is 
amended to include a statement that applicants are encouraged to offer 
suggestions about communicating information about classroom practices, 
assessments, and appropriate strategies.

Definition of ``Newsletter'', Specifications Regarding Length, 
Frequency of Publication

    Comment: One commenter sought clarification of the meaning of the 
term ``newsletter'' in terms of length and frequency of publication 
envisioned for 5 The Challenge, expressing the concern that without 
more clarification proposals might be very different and difficult to 
compare.
    Discussion: The dictionary definition for the term ``newsletter'' 
is ``a printed sheet, pamphlet, or small newspaper containing news or 
information of interest chiefly to a special group.'' While a specific 
definition of ``newsletter'' is not provided for this priority, the 
dictionary definition provides a general frame of reference. The 
supplementary information in the Notice of Proposed Priority states 
that past publication of The Challenge has ranged from 6--10 times per 
year, and the number of pages has ranged from 4--26 pages per issue. 
These numbers are offered as guides based on past practice, and are not 
requirements. The Department chose not to be prescriptive in terms of 
length and frequency of publication, opting instead to encourage 
applicants to offer their suggestions. Proposals will be reviewed 
individually on their own merits against the selection criteria.
    Changes: None.

Selection Criteria--Adequacy of Resources

    Comment: One commenter asked if peer reviewers should be 
determining whether costs are reasonable, and based on what 
qualifications.
    Discussion: Peer reviewers for all grant competitions have as one 
of their tasks assessing budgets submitted by applicants and 
determining if costs are reasonable, based on the design, scope, and 
complexity of the proposed projects.
    Changes: None.
    Comment: One commenter suggested that the adequacy of resources 
such as adequate office space, computer hardware and software, database 
capabilities for the subscriber database, and established relationships 
with graphic designers, printers, and mailing houses are also important 
considerations. The commenter suggested also increasing the point value 
to ensure that offerors possess the necessary non-staff resources and 
capabilities.
    Discussion: The Department agrees that it is important to consider 
resources such as those described by the commenter, but that 
consideration of those resources can be accomplished by adding a factor 
to the ``Adequacy of Resources'' selection criterion without increasing 
the overall point score for this criterion.
    Change: The comment is addressed by adding the following factor 
under the ``Adequacy of Resources'' selection criterion: ``The adequacy 
of support, including facilities, equipment, supplies, and other 
resources, from the applicant organization or the lead applicant 
organization'' for 5 points. The overall point score of 10 points for 
the ``Adequacy of Resources'' selection criterion remains the same. The 
point score for the factor ``the extent to which the costs are 
reasonable in relation to the objectives, design, and potential 
significance of the proposed project'' is reduced from 10 to 5 points.

Organizational Experience as a Selection Factor

    Comment: One commenter stated that organizational experience/
qualifications is nowhere to be found within the proposed selection 
criteria, and commented that organizational experience and 
qualifications would be an important selection factor.
    Discussion: The Department agrees that organizational experience 
and qualifications is an important selection factor. Qualifications and 
experience of key personnel and other factors for ensuring high-quality 
products and services from the proposed project are addressed under the 
selection criterion ``Quality of Management Plan''.
    Changes: None.

Selection Criteria--Quality of Project Evaluation

    Comment: One commenter questioned why so many points (25) are 
allocated to the ``Quality of Project Evaluation'' criterion since The 
Challenge is not a demonstration project. The commenter stated that 
measuring the impact on recipients of reading an article or an entire 
issue will be complicated and the validity of those studies can be 
questionable. In addition, the commenter stated that the large number 
of points (25% of the total possible) seems to imply an expectation of 
a sophisticated evaluation plan, which can be costly. Those costs would 
likely reduce the number or size or both, of the issues that can be 
produced, which would in turn reduce the likelihood of measurable 
impact.
    Discussion: The Department places high importance on the quality of 
the project evaluation, which is reflected in the relatively high point 
score assigned to this criterion. Evaluation is also addressed in the 
absolute priority, which includes the statement that applicants must 
propose projects that: ``evaluate on an ongoing basis the impact of The 
Challenge on the intended audience, and use evaluation results for 
continuous improvement of the newsletter.'' The evaluation plan and 
methods of evaluation will vary, depending on the objectives and design 
of The Challenge proposed by each applicant. The Department intends for 
the award recipient to solicit customer feedback, and assess customer 
satisfaction regarding content, design, format, frequency of 
publication, length, and other relevant aspects of the newsletter, and 
leaves it to the applicant to develop a suitable plan to collect and 
use the information for quality improvement.
    Changes: None

Absolute Priority

    Under 34 CFR 75.105(c)(3) and the Safe and Drug-Free Schools and 
Communities Act of 1994, the Secretary gives an absolute preference to 
applications that meet the following priority. The Secretary funds 
under this competition only applications that meet this absolute 
priority. Under the absolute funding priority for this competition, 
applicants must propose projects that:
    (1) Design, develop, publish, and disseminate The Challenge, a 
newsletter for educators, prevention specialists, and other 
professionals in fields related to education and drug and violence 
prevention to provide information about effective practices to prevent 
drug use and violent behavior among youth.
    (2) Manage all aspects of The Challenge, including developing 
contents of each issue, writing or soliciting articles for each issue, 
preparing artwork, handling all design and pre-production tasks, and 
printing and mailing.

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    (3) Create, maintain, and expand a subscriber data base for ED.
    (4) Evaluate on an ongoing basis the impact of The Challenge on the 
intended audience, and use evaluation results for continuous 
improvement of the newsletter.
    (5) Develop, create, and maintain a Web site to post each issue and 
receive reader comments and suggestions.
    (6) Agree to have content of the newsletter reviewed and approved 
by the Department of Education prior to publication.

Selection Criteria

    The following selection criteria will be used to evaluate 
applications for one cooperative agreement under this competition. The 
maximum score for all these criteria is 100 points. The maximum score 
for each criterion or factor under that criterion is indicated in 
parentheses.
    (1) Significance. (10 points)
    In determining the significance of the proposed project, the 
following factor is considered: The potential contribution of the 
proposed project to increased knowledge or understanding of educational 
problems, issues, or effective strategies.
    (2) Quality of the project design. (30 points)
    In determining the quality of the design of the proposed project, 
the following factors are considered:
    (a) The extent to which the goals, objectives, and outcomes to be 
achieved by the proposed project are clearly specified and measurable. 
(10)
    (b) The extent to which the design of the proposed project is 
appropriate to, and will successfully address, the needs of the target 
population or other identified needs. (5)
    (c) The extent to which the proposed project represents an 
exceptional approach to the priority or priorities established for the 
competition. (15)
    (3) Adequacy of resources. (10 points)
    In determining the adequacy of resources for the proposed project, 
the following factors are considered:
    (a) The adequacy of support, including facilities, equipment, 
supplies, and other resources, from the applicant organization or the 
lead applicant organization. (5)
    (b) The extent to which the costs are reasonable in relation to the 
objectives, design, and potential significance of the proposed project. 
(5)
    (4) Quality of management plan. (25 points)
    In determining the quality of the management plan for the proposed 
project, the following factors are considered:
    (a) 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. (5)
    (b) The adequacy of mechanisms for ensuring high-quality products 
and services from the proposed project, including qualifications and 
experience of key personnel in writing and editing newsletters for 
education, prevention and related fields. (10)
    (c) 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. (5)
    (d) How the applicant will ensure that a diversity of perspectives 
are brought to bear in the operation of the proposed project, including 
those of students, faculty, parents, the business community, a variety 
of disciplinary and professional fields, recipients or beneficiaries of 
services, or others, as appropriate. (5)
    (5) Quality of project evaluation. (25 points)
    In determining the quality of the evaluation, the following factors 
are considered:
    (a) The extent to which the evaluation plan provides for an ongoing 
evaluation of the effectiveness of The Challenge newsletter, and its 
impact on the intended audience. (10)
    (b) The extent to which the evaluation results will be used for 
continuous improvement of The Challenge. (5)
    (c) The extent to which the methods of evaluation are appropriate 
to the context within which the project operates. (5)
    (d ) The extent to which the methods of evaluation will provide 
performance feedback and permit periodic assessment of progress toward 
achieving intended outcomes. (5)

Intergovernmental Review

    This program is 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 government 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 
this program.

Electronic Access to This Document

    You may view this document, as well as all other Department of 
Education documents published in the Federal Register, in text or Adobe 
Portable Document Format (PDF) on the Internet 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 (GPO), toll free, at 1-888-293-6498; or in the Washington, DC 
area at (202) 512-1530.

    Note: The official version of this document is the document 
published in the Federal Register. Free Internet access to the 
official edition of the Federal Register and the Code of Federal 
Regulations is available on GPO Access at: http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/index.html


    Program Authority: 20 U.S.C. 7131

    Dated: March 21, 2000.

(Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number 84.184P Office of 
Elementary and Secondary Education--Safe and Drug-Free Schools and 
Communities National Programs--Federal Activities--The Challenge 
Newsletter)
Michael Cohen,
Assistant Secretary for Elementary and Secondary Education.
[FR Doc. 00-7300 Filed 3-23-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4000-01-U