[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 168 (Tuesday, August 29, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 52618-52628]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-22060]



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Part IV





Department of Education





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Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services; Grant 
Applications Under Part D, Subpart 2 of the Individuals With 
Disabilities Education Act; Notice

  Federal Register / Vol. 65, No. 168 / Tuesday, August 29, 2000 / 
Notices  

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DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION


Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services; Grant 
Applications Under Part D, Subpart 2 of the Individuals with 
Disabilities Education Act

AGENCY: Department of Education.

ACTION: Notice inviting applications for new awards for fiscal year 
(FY) 2001.

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SUMMARY: This notice provides closing dates and other information 
regarding the transmittal of applications for FY 2001 competitions 
under four programs authorized by the Individuals with Disabilities 
Education Act (IDEA), as amended. The four programs are: Special 
Education--Research and Innovation to Improve Services and Results for 
Children with Disabilities (seven priorities); Special Education--
Technology and Media Services for Individuals with Disabilities (two 
priorities); Special Education--Training and Information for Parents of 
Children with Disabilities (one priority); and Special Education--
Studies and Evaluations Program (one priority).

Goals 2000: Educate America Act

    The Goals 2000: Education America Act (Goals 2000) focuses the 
Nation's education reform efforts on the eight National Education Goals 
and provides a framework for meeting them. Goals 2000 promotes new 
partnerships to strengthen schools and expands the Department's 
capacities for helping communities to exchange ideas and obtain 
information needed to achieve the goals.
    These priorities would address the first National Education Goal 
that all children in America will start school ready to learn by 
helping to improve results for children with disabilities.

Waiver of Rulemaking

    It is generally our practice to offer interested parties the 
opportunity to comment on proposed priorities. However, section 
661(e)(2) of IDEA makes the Administrative Procedure Act (5 U.S.C. 553) 
inapplicable to the priorities in this notice.

General Requirements

    (a) The projects funded under this notice must make positive 
efforts to employ and advance in employment qualified individuals with 
disabilities in project activities (see Section 606 of IDEA).
    (b) Applicants and grant recipients funded under this notice must 
involve individuals with disabilities or parents of individuals with 
disabilities in planning, implementing, and evaluating the projects 
(see Section 661(f)(1)(A) of IDEA).
    (c) The projects funded under these priorities must budget for a 
two-day Project Directors' meeting in Washington, DC during each year 
of the project.
    (d) In a single application, an applicant must address only one 
absolute priority in this notice.
    (e) Part III of each application submitted under a priority in this 
notice, the application narrative, is where an applicant addresses the 
selection criteria that are used by reviewers in evaluating the 
application. You must limit Part III to the equivalent of no more than 
the number of pages listed under each applicable priority, using the 
following standards:
     A ``page'' is 8.5" x 11" (on one side only) with one-inch 
margins (top, bottom, and sides).
     Double-space (no more than three lines per vertical inch) 
all text in the application narrative, including titles, headings, 
footnotes, quotations, and captions, as well as all text in charts, 
tables, figures, and graphs.
     If using a proportional computer font, use no smaller than 
a 12-point font, and an average character density no greater than 18 
characters per inch. If using a nonproportional font or a typewriter, 
do not use more than 12 characters per inch.
    The page limit does not apply to Part I--the cover sheet; Part II--
the budget section, including the narrative budget justification; Part 
IV, the assurances and certifications; or the one-page abstract, the 
resumes, the bibliography or references, or the letters of support. 
However, you must include all of the application narrative in Part III.
    We will reject without consideration or evaluation any application 
if--
     You apply these standards and exceed the page limit; or
     You apply other standards and exceed the equivalent of the 
page limit.

Research and Innovation To Improve Services and Results for 
Children With Disabilities (CFDA 84.324)

Purpose of Program

    To produce, and advance the use of, knowledge to: (1) Improve 
services provided under IDEA, including the practices of professionals 
and others involved in providing those services to children with 
disabilities; and (2) improve educational and early intervention 
results for infants, toddlers, and children with disabilities.

Eligible Applicants

    State and local educational agencies; institutions of higher 
education; other public agencies; private nonprofit organizations; 
outlying areas; freely associated States; and Indian tribes or tribal 
organizations.

Applicable Regulations

    (a) The Education Department General Administrative Regulations 
(EDGAR) in 34 CFR parts 74, 75, 77, 80, 81, 82, 85, 86, 97, 98, and 99; 
(b) The selection criteria for the priorities under this program that 
are drawn from the EDGAR general selection criteria menu. The specific 
selection criteria for each priority are included in the funding 
application packet for the applicable competition.

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

Priority

    Under 34 CFR 75.105(c)(3), we consider only applications that meet 
one of the following priorities:
Absolute Priority 1--Postsecondary Education Programs for Individuals 
Who Are Deaf (84.324A)
    This priority provides support for four regional centers on 
postsecondary education for individuals who are deaf, including 
individuals with a wide range of hearing loss. Each center would 
provide technical assistance to a range of postsecondary institutions, 
including academic, vocational, technical, continuing, and adult 
education programs, to expand the array of educational opportunities 
within the region that are available to students who are deaf. The 
centers must provide technical assistance to institutions currently not 
serving students who are deaf to assist them to develop services and to 
institutions currently serving students who are deaf to assist them in 
improving existing programs. In carrying out the objectives of this 
priority, projects must distribute technical assistance services and 
resources equitably, taking into account population and geographic 
size, within each State in its targeted geographic region.
    Each regional center must:
    (a) Conduct an assessment to determine current technical assistance 
needs and priorities of postsecondary institutions related to 
recruiting; enrolling; retaining; instructing; addressing the varying 
communication needs and methods used by individuals who are deaf, 
including those from language minorities; and otherwise effectively 
serving students who are deaf;
    (b) Provide consultation, in-service training, and planning and 
development

[[Page 52619]]

assistance to appropriate staff at postsecondary education institutions 
to (1) enhance access to programs and accommodation of individuals who 
are deaf and (2) as needed, improve their basic skills before 
matriculating in a postsecondary education environment, and individuals 
who need job specific skill development training;
    (c) Provide technical assistance on the responsibilities of 
postsecondary education institutions under Federal statutes, including 
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, and the 
Americans with Disabilities Act;
    (d) Cooperate with participating secondary and postsecondary 
educational institutions within the region in developing outreach 
strategies and disseminating information to individuals who are deaf to 
enhance their awareness of available postsecondary opportunities, both 
within and outside the region;
    (e) Disseminate information about resources (e.g. financial, 
support services) available to students who are deaf and to 
postsecondary institutions to help them accommodate these students;
    (f) Through development or acquisition, make training materials 
available and disseminate information on proven models, components of 
models, and other exemplary practices, including innovative technology, 
to assist administrators, faculty and staff in implementing effective 
and cost-effective service-delivery systems that foster integration of 
students who are deaf with other students;
    (g) Encourage the use of consortia of postsecondary education 
institutions and other cooperative arrangements to provide services and 
assistance to students who are deaf, including coordination of 
postsecondary education options with existing public and private 
community services that may address the educational, remedial, support 
service, transitional, independent living, and employment needs of 
individuals who are deaf;
    (h) Coordinate technical assistance and dissemination activities 
with relevant information clearinghouses and organizations such as the 
National Clearinghouse on Postsecondary Education for Individuals with 
Disabilities (HEATH), National Information Center for Children and 
Youth with Disabilities, Secondary Education and Transition Technical 
Assistance Center, and Association of Higher Education and Disability;
    (i) Evaluate the overall impact, effectiveness, and results of the 
postsecondary institutions within the region in accommodating students 
who are deaf;
    (j) Work with the other three grantees under this program to 
operate a postsecondary education programs network to coordinate and 
collaborate on the development and establishment of needs-assessment 
activities, material development, technical assistance, outreach, 
information dissemination, and evaluation of the regional centers' 
activities for the purpose of avoiding overlap and duplication of 
efforts. Grantees must ensure that individuals who are deaf have 
information on postsecondary programs throughout the country, including 
information on the services they provide, and that information on 
proven models, components of models, and other exemplary practices, 
including innovative technology, is equally available in each of the 
four regions. This coordination must include carrying out collaborative 
activities and cross-regional initiatives, where appropriate; and
    (k) Develop structured methods and processes for evaluating the 
impact and appropriateness of the assistance provided by the regional 
centers to staff at postsecondary education institutions related to 
enhancing access to programs and accommodating individuals who are 
deaf. In particular, consultation, in-service training, and planning 
and development should be evaluated.
    Under this priority, we will fund four cooperative agreements, each 
with a project period of up to 60 months subject to the requirements of 
34 CFR 75.253(a) for continuation awards.
    In deciding whether to continue this project for the fourth and 
fifth years, we will consider the requirements of 34 CFR 75.253(a), and 
in addition--
    (a) The recommendation of a review team consisting of three experts 
whom we select. The review team will conduct its review during the last 
half of the project's second year, including a two-day site visit to 
the grantee. The results of the review team's review may be included in 
that year's evaluation required under 34 CFR 75.590. Costs associated 
with the services to be performed by the review team must also be 
included in the project's budget for year two. These costs are 
estimated to be approximately $6,000;
    (b) The timeliness and effectiveness with which all requirements of 
the negotiated cooperative agreement have been or are being met by the 
project; and
    (c) The degree to which the projects are making a positive 
contribution to addressing the technical assistance needs of 
postsecondary institutions related to assisting them to increase and 
improve postsecondary opportunities for students who are deaf.
    To ensure that all States benefit from these projects, we will 
support four projects that will be required to serve each State within 
one of the following geographic regions:
    Northeast Region--Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, 
Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, 
Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Virgin Islands.
    Southern Region--Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, 
Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, 
Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and West Virginia.
    Midwest Region--Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, 
Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, and 
Wisconsin.
    Western Region--Alaska, American Samoa, Arizona, California, 
Colorado, Guam, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Northern 
Mariana Islands, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming.
    Competitive Preference: Within this absolute priority, we will give 
the following competitive preference under section 606 of IDEA and 34 
CFR 75.105(c)(2)(i), to applications that are otherwise eligible for 
funding under this priority:
    Up to ten (10) points based on the effectiveness of the applicant's 
strategies for employing and advancing in employment qualified 
individuals with disabilities in project activities as required under 
paragraph (a) of the ``General Requirements'' section of this notice. 
In determining the effectiveness of those strategies, we may consider 
the applicant's past success in pursuit of this goal.
    Therefore, for purposes of this competitive preference, applicants 
can be awarded up to a total of 10 points in addition to those awarded 
under the published selection criteria for this priority. That is, an 
applicant meeting this competitive preference could earn a maximum 
total of 110 points.
    Project Period: Up to 60 months.
    Maximum Award: The maximum award amount is $1,000,000. Consistent 
with EDGAR 34 CFR 75.104(b), we will reject any application that 
proposes a project funding level for any year that exceeds the stated 
maximum award amount for that year. We will consider, and may fund, 
requests for additional funding as an addendum to an application to 
reflect the costs of reasonable accommodations necessary to allow 
individuals with disabilities to be employed on the project as 
personnel on project activities.

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    Page Limits: The maximum page limit for this priority is 50 double-
spaced pages.

    Note: Applications must meet the required page limit standards 
that are described in the ``General Requirements'' section of this 
notice.

Absolute Priority 2--Student-Initiated Research Projects (84.324B)
    This priority provides support for short-term (up to 12 months) 
postsecondary student-initiated research projects focusing on special 
education and related services for children with disabilities and early 
intervention services for infants and toddlers with disabilities, 
consistent with the purposes of the program, as described in Section 
672 of the Act.
    Projects must--
    (a) Develop research skills in postsecondary students; and
    (b) Include a principal investigator who serves as a mentor to the 
student researcher while the project is carried out by the student.
    Project Period: Up to 12 months.
    Maximum Award: The maximum award amount is $20,000. Consistent with 
EDGAR 34 CFR 75.104(b), we will reject any application that proposes a 
project funding level for any year that exceeds the stated maximum 
award amount for that year. We will consider, and may fund, requests 
for additional funding as an addendum to an application to reflect the 
costs of reasonable accommodations necessary to allow individuals with 
disabilities to be employed on the project as personnel on project 
activities.
    Page Limits: The maximum page limit for this priority is 25 double-
spaced pages.

    Note: Applications must meet the required page limit standards 
that are described in the ``General Requirements'' section of this 
notice.

Absolute Priority 3--Field-Initiated Research Projects (84.324C)
    This priority provides support for a wide range of field-initiated 
research projects that support innovation, development, exchange, and 
use of advancements in knowledge and practice as described in Section 
672 of the Act including the improvement of early intervention, 
instruction, and learning for infants, toddlers, and children with 
disabilities.
    Projects must--
    (a) Prepare their procedures, findings, and conclusions in a manner 
that informs other interested researchers and is useful for advancing 
professional practice or improving programs and services to infants, 
toddlers, and children with disabilities and their families; and
    (b) Disseminate project procedures, findings, and conclusions to 
appropriate research institutes and technical assistance providers.
    Invitational Priorities: Within absolute priority 3 for FY 2001, we 
are particularly interested in applications that meet one or more of 
the following invitational priorities.
    However, under 34 CFR 75.105(c)(1) we do not give to an application 
that meets one or more of these invitational priorities a competitive 
or absolute preference over other applications.
    (a) Projects to address the specific problems of over-
identification and under-identification of children with disabilities. 
(See section 672(a)(3) of the Act).
    (b) Projects to develop and implement effective strategies for 
addressing inappropriate behavior of students with disabilities in 
schools, including strategies to prevent children with emotional and 
behavioral problems from developing emotional disturbances that require 
the provision of special education and related services. (See section 
672(a)(4) of the Act).
    (c) Projects studying and promoting improved alignment and 
compatibility of regular and special education reforms concerned with 
curriculum and instruction, evaluation and accountability, and 
administrative procedures. (See section 672(b)(2)(D) of the Act).
    (d) Projects that advance knowledge about the coordination of 
education with health and social services. (See section 672(b)(2)(G) of 
the Act).
    Competitive Preference: Within this absolute priority, we will give 
the following competitive preference under section 606 of IDEA and 34 
CFR 75.105(c)(2)(i), to applications that are otherwise eligible for 
funding under this priority:
    Up to ten (10) points based on the effectiveness of the applicant's 
strategies for employing and advancing in employment qualified 
individuals with disabilities in project activities as required under 
paragraph (a) of the ``General Requirements'' section of this notice. 
In determining the effectiveness of those strategies, we may consider 
the applicant's past success in pursuit of this goal.
    Therefore, within this competitive preference, applicants can be 
awarded up to a total of 10 points in addition to those awarded under 
the published selection criteria for this priority. That is, an 
applicant meeting this competitive preference could earn a maximum 
total of 110 points.
    Project Period: The majority of projects will be funded for up to 
36 months. Only in exceptional circumstances--such as research 
questions that require repeated measurement within a longitudinal 
design--will projects be funded for more than 36 months, up to a 
maximum of 60 months.
    Maximum Award: The maximum award amount is $180,000. Consistent 
with EDGAR 34 CFR 75.104(b), we will reject any application that 
proposes a project funding level for any year that exceeds the stated 
maximum award amount for that year. We will consider, and may fund, 
requests for additional funding as an addendum to an application to 
reflect the costs of reasonable accommodations necessary to allow 
individuals with disabilities to be employed on the project as 
personnel on project activities.
    Page Limits: The maximum page limit for this priority is 50 double-
spaced pages.

    Note: Applications must meet the required page limit standards 
that are described in the ``General Requirements'' section of this 
notice.

Absolute Priority 4--Youth with Disabilities Leadership Development 
Project (84.324F)
    Background: Recent legislation has increased the options and 
choices for postsecondary education, employment, and independent 
living. These include the Workforce Investment Act (WIA), including 
Title IV, which amended the Rehabilitation Act of 1973; the Americans 
with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA); and the Ticket to Work and Work 
Incentives Improvement Act of 1999.
    A number of studies and reports have helped to document the 
difficulties youth with disabilities have transitioning from school to 
adult life. They report low levels of participation in postsecondary 
education and training programs, unemployment, underemployment, and 
dependence on public assistance programs. In addition, they indicate a 
number of issues that must be addressed in order for youth with 
disabilities to be more successful in achieving their goals for adult 
life. These include the need to (1) increase family and student 
involvement in transition planning; (2) increase access to work-based 
learning and contextual teaching; (3) improve participation in 
postsecondary education; (4) improve collaboration among multiple 
service systems; and (5) ensure better access to and utilization of 
health insurance and health care.

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    This priority represents a collaborative effort between the 
Department of Education--Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative 
Services; the Social Security Administration; the Department of Labor; 
the National Council on Disability; the Department of Health and Human 
Services--Maternal and Child Health, Centers for Disease Control and 
Prevention, and Administration on Developmental Disabilities; and the 
President's Committee on Employment of People with Disabilities. This 
group of Federal partners conducted annual National Leadership 
Conferences for Youth with Disabilities in fiscal years 1998, 1999, and 
2000. These earlier conferences will help to inform the activities 
outlined in the priority including the requirement described in 
paragraph (g)(5).
    Priority: The purpose of this priority is to support a project to 
advance and improve the knowledge base and the practice of youth and 
the professionals, parents, educators, employers, and other partners 
providing education, transition and related services to youth with 
disabilities consistent with the purposes of IDEA, Part D, Section 672. 
This will be accomplished by obtaining information on the perspectives 
of youth with disabilities regarding barriers to effective policy and 
practice for improving results for youth with disabilities and 
developing strategic actions for reducing those barriers.
    The project funded under this priority must hold 5 annual National 
Leadership Conferences of Youth with Disabilities (NLCs) involving 
youth with disabilities ages 16 through 24. The project must:
    (a) For each conference, include discussion topics related to--
    (1) Equality of opportunity, full participation, and self-
sufficiency;
    (2) Disability history and culture, civil rights laws, and the ADA;
    (3) Skills for effective leadership at State and local levels and 
mentoring;
    (4) Self advocacy and self determination;
    (5) Independent living; and
    (6) Systems, such as education, vocational rehabilitation, 
workforce development, health, social security, housing, and 
transportation, including collaboration among these systems.
    (b) Based on these discussions--
    (1) Develop an update on the impact of barriers to successful adult 
life;
    (2) Identify what works, such as promising practices; and
    (3) Highlight actions that should be implemented at the national, 
State, and local levels as seen by youth with disabilities.
    (c) Enhance the self-determination efforts of youth with 
disabilities.
    (d) Be informed by transition research and what is currently known 
about promising practices.
    (e) Involve youth with disabilities in--
    (1) Ongoing follow-up activities designed to build on and enhance 
the leadership skills gained in the NLCs; and
    (2) Planning and directing the Conferences.
    (f) Document and disseminate information annually on the results of 
these Conferences. The project will be responsible for coordinating its 
dissemination efforts with other OSERS-funded technical assistance 
projects including the Secondary Education and Transition Technical 
Assistance Center.
    (g) In collaboration with Federal partners, develop a process for 
selecting which youth with disabilities will be invited to participate 
in each annual Conference that--
    (1) Includes at least one representative from each U.S. territory 
and State;
    (2) Reflects the diverse cultural groups of our nation with a 
balance between males and females;
    (3) Includes the participation of youth with a broad array of 
disabilities;
    (4) Includes the participation of Federal partners in the selection 
process; and
    (5) Provides for input from at least two NLC-experienced youth--
youth that have served as past NLC representatives--who will 
participate actively and equally with others involved in the selection 
process. The youth must be provided training on the criteria used for 
reaching consensus on the selection of finalists.
    (h) Design and carry out a strategic management plan, including 
project evaluation. This plan must be designed to provide information 
to guide necessary ongoing refinements to the structure and activities 
of the project that will improve its effectiveness. The plan must also 
include procedures for follow-up activities designed to measure the 
impact of NLC participation on experiences and outcomes for youth.
    Under this priority, we will fund one award for a cooperative 
agreement with a project period of up to 60 months subject to the 
requirements of 34 CFR 75.253(a) for continuation awards.
    In deciding whether to continue this project for the fourth and 
fifth years, we will consider the requirements of 34 CFR 75.253(a), and 
in addition--
    (a) The recommendation of a review team consisting of three experts 
whom we select. The review team will conduct its review during the last 
half of the project's second year, including a two-day site visit to 
the grantee. The results of the review team's review may be included in 
that year's evaluation required under 34 CFR 75.590. Costs associated 
with the services to be performed by the review team must also be 
included in the project's budget for year two. These costs are 
estimated to be approximately $6,000;
    (b) The timeliness and effectiveness with which all requirements of 
the negotiated cooperative agreement have been or are being met by the 
project; and
    (c) The degree to which the project's design and methodology 
demonstrates the potential for advancing significant new knowledge.
    Competitive Preference: Within this absolute priority, we will give 
the following competitive preference under section 606 of IDEA and 34 
CFR 75.105(c)(2)(i), to applications that are otherwise eligible for 
funding under this priority:
    Up to ten (10) points based on the effectiveness of the applicant's 
strategies for employing and advancing in employment qualified 
individuals with disabilities in project activities as required under 
paragraph (a) of the ``General Requirements'' section of this notice. 
In determining the effectiveness of those strategies, we may consider 
the applicant's past success in pursuit of this goal.
    Therefore, for purposes of this competitive preference, applicants 
can be awarded up to a total of 10 points in addition to those awarded 
under the published selection criteria for this priority. That is, an 
applicant meeting this competitive preference could earn a maximum 
total of 110 points.
    Project Period: Up to 60 months.
    Maximum Award: The maximum award amount is $300,000. Consistent 
with EDGAR 34 CFR 75.104(b), we will reject any application that 
proposes a project funding level for any year that exceeds the stated 
maximum award amount for that year. We will consider, and may fund, 
requests for additional funding as an addendum to an application to 
reflect the costs of reasonable accommodations necessary to allow 
individuals with disabilities to be employed on the project as 
personnel on project activities.

    Note: Funding is contingent upon the availability of funds, 
including Federal interagency support for this project from the 
collaborating agencies mentioned in the background statement.

    Page Limits: The maximum page limit for this priority is 50 double-
spaced pages.

    Note: Applications must meet the required page limit standards 
that are described in the

[[Page 52622]]

``General Requirements'' section of this notice.

Absolute Priority 5--Model Demonstration Projects for Children with 
Disabilities (84.324M).
    This priority supports model demonstration projects that develop, 
implement, evaluate, and disseminate new or improved approaches for 
providing early intervention, special education, and related services 
to infants, toddlers, and children with disabilities, and students with 
disabilities who are pursuing post-school employment, postsecondary 
education, or independent living goals. Projects supported under this 
priority are expected to be major contributors of models or components 
of models for service providers and for outreach projects funded under 
IDEA.
    Requirements for all Demonstration Projects: A model demonstration 
project must--
    (a) Develop and implement the model with specific components or 
strategies that are based on theory, research, or evaluation data;
    (b) Determine the effectiveness of the model and its components or 
strategies by using multiple measures of results; and
    (c) Product detailed procedures and materials that would enable 
others to replicate the model.
    Federal financial participation for a project funded under this 
priority will not exceed 90 percent of the total annual costs of 
development, implementation, evaluation, and dissemination of the 
project (see Section 661(f)(2)(A) of IDEA).
    In addition to the annual two-day Project Directors' meeting in 
Washington, DC mentioned in the ``General Requirements'' section of 
this notice, projects must budget for another annual meeting in 
Washington, DC to collaborate with the Federal project officer and the 
other projects funded under this priority, to share information and 
discuss model development, implementation, evaluation, and 
dissemination issues.
    Competitive Preferences: Within this absolute priority, we will 
give the following competitive preference under section 606 of IDEA and 
34 CFR 75.105(c)(2)(i), to applications that are otherwise eligible for 
funding under this priority:
    Up to ten (10) points based on the effectiveness of the applicant's 
strategies for employing and advancing in employment qualified 
individuals with disabilities in project activities as required under 
paragraph (a) of the ``General Requirements'' section of this notice. 
In determining the effectiveness of those strategies, we may consider 
the applicant's past success in pursuit of this goal.
    Therefore, for purposes of this competitive preference, applicants 
can be awarded up to a total of 10 points in addition to those awarded 
under the published selection criteria for this priority. That is, an 
applicant meeting this competitive preference could earn a maximum 
total of 110 points.
    Project Period: Up to 48 months.
    Maximum Award: The maximum award amount is $175,000. Consistent 
with EDGAR 34 CFR 75.104(b), we will reject any application that 
proposes a project funding level for any year that exceeds the stated 
maximum award amount for that year. We will consider, and may fund, 
requests for additional funding as an addendum to an application to 
reflect the costs of reasonable accommodations necessary to allow 
individuals with disabilities to be employed on the project as 
personnel on project activities.
    Page Limit: The maximum page limit for this priority is 50 double-
spaced pages.

    Note: Applications must meet the required page limit standards 
that are described in the ``General Requirements'' section of this 
notice.

Absolute Priority 6--Initial Career Awards (84.324N)
    Background: There is a need to enable individuals in the initial 
phases of their careers to initiate and develop promising lines of 
research that would improve early intervention services for infants and 
toddlers, and special education and related services for children with 
disabilities. Support for research activities among individuals in the 
initial phases of their careers is intended to develop the capacity of 
the early intervention and special education research community. This 
priority would address the additional need to provide support for a 
broad range of field-initiated research projects--focusing on the 
special education and related services for children with disabilities 
and early intervention for infants and toddlers--consistent with the 
purpose of the program as described in section 672 of the Act.
    Priority: We will establish an absolute priority for the purpose of 
awarding grants to eligible applicants for the support of individuals 
in the initial phases of their careers to initiate and develop 
promising lines of research consistent with the purposes of the 
program. For purposes of this priority, the initial phase of an 
individual's career is considered to be the first three years after 
completing a doctoral program and graduating (i.e., for fiscal year 
2001 awards, projects may support individuals who completed a doctoral 
program and graduated no earlier than the 1997-1998 academic year).
    At least 50 percent of the initial career researcher's time must be 
devoted to the project.
    Projects must--
    (a) Pursue a line of research that is developed either from theory 
or a conceptual framework. The line of research must establish 
directions for designing future studies extending beyond the support of 
this award. The project is not intended to represent all inquiry 
related to the particular theory or conceptual framework; rather, it is 
expected to initiate a new line or advance an existing one;
    (b) Include, in design and conduct, sustained involvement with one 
or more nationally recognized experts having substantive or 
methodological knowledge and expertise relevant to the proposed 
research. The experts do not have to be at the same institution or 
agency at which the project is located, but the interaction with the 
project must be sufficient to develop the capacity of the initial 
career researcher to effectively pursue the research into mid-career 
activities;
    (c) Prepare procedures, findings, and conclusions in a manner that 
informs other interested researchers and is useful for advancing 
professional practice or improving programs and services to infants, 
toddlers, and children with disabilities and their families; and
    (d) Disseminate project procedures, findings, and conclusions to 
appropriate research institutes and technical assistance providers.
    Invitational Priority: Within absolute priority 6 for FY 2001, we 
are particularly interested in applications that meet the following 
invitational priority. However, under 34 CFR 75.105(c)(1) we do not 
give to an application that meets the priority a competitive or 
absolute preference over other applications.
    Projects that include in the design and conduct of the research 
project, a practicing teacher or clinician, in addition to the required 
involvement of nationally recognized experts.
    Project Period: Up to 36 months.
    Maximum Award: The maximum award amount is $75,000. Consistent with 
EDGAR 34 CFR 75.104(b), we will reject any application that proposes a 
project funding level for any year that exceeds the stated maximum 
award amount for that year. We will consider, and may fund, requests 
for additional

[[Page 52623]]

funding as an addendum to an application to reflect the costs of 
reasonable accommodations necessary to allow individuals with 
disabilities to be employed on the project as personnel on project 
activities.
    Page Limits: The maximum page limit for this priority is 30 double-
spaced pages.

    Note: Applications must meet the required page limit standards 
that are described in the ``General Requirements'' section of this 
notice.

Absolute Priority 7--Outreach Projects for Children with Disabilities 
(84.324R)
    This priority supports projects that will assist educational and 
other agencies in replicating proven models, components of models, and 
other exemplary practices that improve services for infants, toddlers, 
children with disabilities, and students with disabilities who are 
pursuing post-school employment, postsecondary education or independent 
living goals.
    For the purposes of this priority, a ``proven model'' is a 
comprehensive description of a theory or system that, when applied, has 
been shown to be effective. ``Exemplary practices'' are effective 
strategies and methods used to deliver educational, related, or early 
intervention services. The models, components of models, or exemplary 
practices selected for outreach may include those developed for pre-
service and in-service personnel preparation, and do not need to have 
been developed through projects funded under IDEA, or by the applicant.
    Important elements of an outreach project include but are not 
limited to:
    (a) Providing supporting data or other documentation in the 
application regarding the effectiveness of the model, components of a 
model, or exemplary practices selected for outreach;
    (b) Selecting implementation sites in multiple regions within one 
State or multiple States and describing the criteria for their 
selection;
    (c) Describing the expected costs, needed personnel, staff 
training, equipment, and sequence of implementation activities 
associated with the replication efforts, including a description of any 
modifications to the model or practice made by the sites;
    (d) Including public awareness, product development and 
dissemination, training, and technical assistance activities as part of 
the implementation of the project; and
    (e) Coordinating dissemination and replication activities conducted 
as part of outreach with dissemination projects, technical assistance 
providers, consumer and advocacy organizations, State and local 
educational agencies, and the lead agencies for Part C of IDEA, as 
appropriate.
    Projects must prepare products from the project in formats that are 
useful for specific audiences, including parents, administrators, 
teachers, early intervention personnel, related services personnel, and 
individuals with disabilities. (See section 661(f)(2)(B) of IDEA).
    Federal financial participation for a project funded under this 
priority will not exceed 90 percent of the total annual costs of 
development, operation, and evaluation of the project (see section 
661(f)(2)(A) of IDEA).
    In addition to the annual two-day Project Directors' meeting in 
Washington, D.C. mentioned in the ``General Requirements'' section of 
this notice, projects must budget annually for another annual meeting 
in Washington, D.C. to collaborate with the Federal project officer and 
the other projects funded under this priority, to share information and 
discuss project implementation issues.
    Competitive Preference: Within this absolute priority, we will give 
the following competitive preference under section 606 of IDEA and 34 
CFR 75.105(c)(2)(i), to applications that are otherwise eligible for 
funding under this priority:
    Up to ten (10) points based on the effectiveness of the applicant's 
strategies for employing and advancing in employment qualified 
individuals with disabilities in project activities as required under 
paragraph (a) of the ``General Requirements'' section of this notice. 
In determining the effectiveness of those strategies, we may consider 
the applicant's past success in pursuit of this goal.
    Therefore, for purposes of this competitive preference, applicants 
can be awarded up to a total of 10 points in addition to those awarded 
under the published selection criteria for this priority. That is, an 
applicant meeting this competitive preference could earn a maximum 
total of 110 points.
    Project Period: Up to 36 months.
    Maximum Award: The maximum award amount is $175,000. Consistent 
with EDGAR 34 CFR 75.104(b), we will reject any application that 
proposes a project funding level for any year that exceeds the stated 
maximum award amount for that year. We will consider, and may fund, 
requests for additional funding as an addendum to an application to 
reflect the costs of reasonable accommodations necessary to allow 
individuals with disabilities to be employed on the project as 
personnel on project activities.
    Page Limits: The maximum page limit for this priority is 50 double-
spaced pages.

    Note: Applications must meet the required page limit standards 
that are described in the ``General Requirements'' section of this 
notice.

Technology and Media Services for Individuals With Disabilities 
(CFDA 84.327)

Purpose of Program

    The purpose of this program is to promote the development, 
demonstration, and utilization of technology and to support educational 
media activities designed to be of educational value to children with 
disabilities. This program also provides support for some captioning, 
video description, and cultural activities.

Applicable Regulations

    (a) The Education Department General Administrative Regulations 
(EDGAR) in 34 CFR parts 74, 75, 77, 79, 80, 81, 82, 85, 86, 97, 98, and 
99; (b) The selection criteria for the priorities under this program 
that are drawn from the EDGAR general selection criteria menu. The 
specific selection criteria for each priority are included in the 
funding application packet for the applicable competition.

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

Eligible Applicants

    State and local educational agencies; institutions of higher 
education; other public agencies; private nonprofit organizations; 
outlying areas; freely associated States; Indian tribes or tribal 
organizations; and for-profit organizations.

Priority

    Under section 687 of IDEA and 34 CFR 75.105(c)(3), we consider only 
applications that meet the following priority:
Absolute Priority 1--Steppingstones of Technology Innovation for 
Students With Disabilities (84.327A).
    The purpose of this priority is to support projects that--
    (a) Develop or select and describe a technology-based approach for 
achieving one or more of the following purposes for early intervention, 
preschool, elementary, middle school, or high school students with 
disabilities: (1) Improving the results of education or early 
intervention; (2) improving access to and participation in the general 
curriculum, or appropriate activities for preschool children; and (3)

[[Page 52624]]

improving accountability and participation in educational reform. The 
technology-based approach must be an innovative combination of a new 
technology and additional materials and methodologies that enable the 
technology to achieve educational purposes for students with 
disabilities;
    (b) Justify the approach on the basis of research or theory that 
supports the effectiveness of the technology-based approach for 
achieving one or more of the purposes presented in paragraph (a);
    (c) Clearly identify and conduct work in ONE of the following 
phases:
    (1) Phase 1--Development: Projects funded under Phase 1 must 
develop and refine a technology-based approach, and test its 
feasibility for use with students with disabilities. Activities may 
include development, adaptation, and refinement of technology, 
curriculum materials, or instructional methodologies. Activities must 
include formative evaluation. The primary product of Phase 1 should be 
a promising technology-based approach that is suitable for field-based 
evaluation of effectiveness.
    (2) Phase 2--Research on Effectiveness: Projects funded under Phase 
2 must select a promising technology-based approach that has been 
developed in a manner consistent with Phase 1, and subject the approach 
to rigorous field-based research and evaluation to determine 
effectiveness and feasibility in educational or early intervention 
settings. Approaches studied in Phase 2 may have been developed with 
previous funding under this priority or with funding from other 
sources. Products of Phase 2 include a further refinement and 
description of the technology-based approach, and sound evidence that, 
in a defined range of real world contexts, the approach can be 
effective in achieving one or more of the purposes presented in 
paragraph (a).
    (3) Phase 3--Research on Implementation: Projects funded under 
Phase 3 must select a technology-based approach that has been evaluated 
for effectiveness and feasibility in a manner consistent with Phase 2, 
and must study the implementation of the approach in multiple, complex 
settings to acquire an improved understanding of the range of contexts 
in which the approach can be used effectively, and the factors that 
determine the effectiveness and sustainability of the approach in this 
range of contexts. Approaches studied in Phase 3 may have been 
developed and tested with previous funding under this priority or with 
funding from other sources. Factors to be studied in Phase 3 include 
factors related to the technology, materials, and methodologies that 
constitute the technology-based approach. Also to be studied in Phase 3 
are contextual factors associated with students, teacher attitudes and 
skills, physical setting, curricular and instructional or early 
intervention approaches, resources, professional development, policy 
supports, etc. Phases 2 and 3 can be contrasted as follows: Phase 2 
studies the effectiveness the approach can have, while Phase 3 studies 
the effectiveness the approach is likely to have in sustained use in a 
range of typical educational settings. The primary product of Phase 3 
should be a set of research findings that can be used to guide 
dissemination and utilization of the technology-based approach;
    (d) In addition to the annual two-day Project Directors' meeting in 
Washington, D.C. mentioned in the ``General Requirements'' section of 
this notice, budget for another annual trip to Washington, D.C. to 
collaborate with the Federal project officer and the other projects 
funded under this priority, and to share information and discuss 
findings and methods of dissemination; and
    (e) Prepare products from the project in formats that are useful 
for specific audiences as appropriate, including parents, 
administrators, teachers, early intervention personnel, related 
services personnel, researchers, and individuals with disabilities.
    Projects for Children from Birth to 3: We intend to fund at least 
two projects focusing on technology-based approaches for children with 
disabilities, ages birth to 3.
    Competitive Preference: Within this absolute priority, we will give 
the following competitive preference under section 606 of IDEA and 34 
CFR 75.105(c)(2)(i), to applications that are otherwise eligible for 
funding under this priority:
    Up to ten (10) points based on the effectiveness of the applicant's 
strategies for employing and advancing in employment qualified 
individuals with disabilities in project activities as required under 
paragraph (a) of the ``General Requirements'' section of this notice. 
In determining the effectiveness of those strategies, we may consider 
the applicant's past success in pursuit of this goal.
    Therefore, for purposes of this competitive preference, applicants 
can be awarded up to a total of 10 points in addition to those awarded 
under the published selection criteria for this priority. That is, an 
applicant meeting this competitive preference could earn a maximum 
total of 110 points.
    Project Period: We intend to fund at least three projects in each 
phase. Projects funded under Phase 1 will be funded for up to 24 
months. Projects funded under Phase 2 will be funded for up to 24 
months. Projects funded under Phase 3 will be funded for up to 36 
months. During the final year of projects funded under Phase 3, we will 
determine whether or not to fund an optional six-month period for 
additional dissemination activities.
    Maximum Award: The maximum award amount is $200,000 for projects in 
Phases 1 and 2, and $300,000 for projects in Phase 3. Consistent with 
EDGAR 34 CFR 75.104(b), we will reject any application that proposes a 
project funding level for any year that exceeds the stated maximum 
award amount for that year. We will consider, and may fund, requests 
for additional funding as an addendum to an application to reflect the 
costs of reasonable accommodations necessary to allow individuals with 
disabilities to be employed on the project as personnel on project 
activities.
    Page Limits: The maximum page limit for this priority is 50 double-
spaced pages.

    Note: Applications must meet the required page limit standards 
that are described in the ``General Requirements'' section of this 
notice.

Absolute Priority 2--Accessible Media for Students with Visual 
Impairments and Print Disabilities (84.327K)
    Background: According to the U.S. Department of Education's 1999 
21st Annual Report to Congress, there were approximately 5.4 million 
students with disabilities aged 6 through 21 served by the Individuals 
with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) in school year 1997-1998, 
including 26,070 students who are blind or visually impaired. We 
currently support one cooperative agreement to provide textbooks and 
other educational materials in accessible formats by recording, 
producing, duplicating, and distributing tapes of printed textbooks. In 
addition, we will also support one cooperative agreement to apply new 
technology for producing and distributing educational materials. In an 
effort to continue to meet the needs of these special populations, we 
must continue to move forward and capitalize on advanced technology to 
serve visually impaired and other print disabled students in 
elementary, secondary, postsecondary and graduate schools.
    Priority: The purpose of this priority is to promote the 
utilization of advanced technology to support the translation of 
printed educational media to alternative

[[Page 52625]]

formats for use by students with visual impairments and print 
disabilities. This priority supports the distribution of free 
educational materials through mediums such as CD-ROMs, the Internet, 
and audio tapes, using technology such as electronic text and digital 
audio synchronization.
    To be considered for funding under this priority, the project 
must--
    (a) Handle requests for educational materials, from students who 
are visually or print disabled at all educational levels without 
charging for materials or memberships fees.
    (b) Obtain statements of eligibility by disability for each 
requestor.
    (c) Coordinate and collaborate with publishers, software 
developers, and manufacturers of accessible materials for individuals 
who are visually impaired or otherwise print disabled to utilize 
technology to allow access to textbooks and other educational materials 
via the Internet, CD-Roms, and audio tapes, using technology such as 
electronic text and digital audio synchronization.
    (d) Apply new technology for producing and distributing educational 
materials in accessible formats for individuals who are blind or 
otherwise print disabled.
    (e) Coordinate with disability and educational organizations, and 
government agencies to ensure effective coordination and nonduplication 
of effort.
    (f) Ensure the project activities are conducted in compliance with 
section 121 of the Copyright Act, as amended.
    (g) Ensure that publishers have the rights to copies of the 
materials distributed at no charge and rights to market those 
materials.
    (h) To the extent that funds are not sufficient to meet the demand 
for free materials, place a priority on providing free materials that 
are not otherwise required to be provided by educational agencies or 
institutions.
    (i) Identify outreach activities that will be conducted.
    (j) Establish an advisory group consisting of parents of students 
who are visually impaired or print disabled, consumers who are visually 
impaired or print disabled, and schools or other institutions where 
accessible products are used to provide input on the impact of program 
activities and services and project goals and objectives.
    Competitive Preference: Within this absolute priority, we will give 
the following competitive preference under section 606 of IDEA and 34 
CFR 75.105(c)(2)(i), to applications that are otherwise eligible for 
funding under this priority:
    Up to ten (10) points based on the effectiveness of the applicant's 
strategies for employing and advancing in employment qualified 
individuals with disabilities in project activities as required under 
paragraph (a) of the ``General Requirements'' section of this notice. 
In determining the effectiveness of those strategies, we may consider 
the applicant's past success in pursuit of this goal.
    Therefore, for purposes of this competitive preference, applicants 
can be awarded up to a total of 10 points in addition to those awarded 
under the published selection criteria for this priority. That is, an 
applicant meeting this competitive preference could earn a maximum 
total of 110 points.
    Project Period: Up to 36 months.
    Maximum Award: The maximum award amount is $6,000,000. Consistent 
with EDGAR 34 CFR 75.104(b), we will reject any application that 
proposes a project funding level for any year that exceeds the stated 
maximum award amount for that year. We will consider, and may fund, 
requests for additional funding as an addendum to an application to 
reflect the costs of reasonable accommodations necessary to allow 
individuals with disabilities to be employed on the project as 
personnel on project activities.
    Page Limits: The maximum page limit for this priority is 70 double-
spaced pages.

    Note: Applications must meet the required page limit standards 
that are described in the ``General Requirements'' section of this 
notice.

SPECIAL EDUCATION--TRAINING AND INFORMATION FOR PARENTS OF CHILDREN 
WITH DISABILITIES [CFDA No. 84.328]

Purpose of Program

    The purpose of this program is to ensure that parents of children 
with disabilities receive training and information to help improve 
results for their children.

Eligible Applicants

    Eligible applicants are local parent organizations. According to 
section 682(g), a parent organization is a private nonprofit 
organization (other than an institution of higher education) that:
    (a) Has a board of directors--
    (1) The parent and professional members of which are broadly 
representative of the population to be served;
    (2) The majority of whom are parents of children with disabilities; 
and
    (3) That includes individuals with disabilities and individuals 
working in the fields of special education, related services, and early 
intervention; or
    (b) Has a membership that represents the interests of individuals 
with disabilities and has established a special governing committee 
meeting the requirements for a board of directors in paragraph (a) and 
has a memorandum of understanding between this special governing 
committee and the board of directors of the organization that clearly 
outlines the relationship between the board and the committee and the 
decision making responsibilities and authority of each.
    According to section 683(c), local parent organizations are parent 
organizations that must meet one of the following criteria--
    (a) Have a board of directors the majority of whom are from the 
community to be served; or
    (b) Have, as part of their mission, serving the interests of 
individuals with disabilities from those community; and have a special 
governing committee to administer the project, a majority of the 
members of which are individuals from those community.
    Examples of administrative responsibilities include controlling the 
use of the project funds, and hiring and managing project personnel.

Applicable Regulations

    (a) The Education Department General Administrative Regulations 
(EDGAR) in 34 CFR parts 74, 75, 77, 79, 80, 81, 82, 85, 97, 98, and 99; 
and (b) The selection criteria for this priority that are drawn from 
the EDGAR general selection criteria menu. The specific selection 
criteria for this priority are included in the funding application 
packet for this competition.

Priority

    Under sections 661(e)(2) and 683 of the Act, and 34 CFR 
75.105(c)(3), we will give an absolute preference to applications that 
meet this absolute priority:
Absolute Priority--Community Parent Resource Centers (84.328C)
    The purpose of this priority is to support local parent training 
and information centers that will help ensure that underserved parents 
of children with disabilities, including low-income parents, parents of 
children with limited English proficiency, and parents with 
disabilities, have the training and information they need to enable 
them to participate effectively in helping their children with 
disabilities to--
    (a) Meet developmental goals and, to the maximum extent possible, 
those

[[Page 52626]]

challenging standards that have been established for all children; and
    (b) Be prepared to lead productive independent adult lives, to the 
maximum extent possible.
    Each community parent training and information center supported 
under this priority must --
    (a) Provide training and information that meets the training and 
information needs of parents of children with disabilities proposed to 
be served by the project;
    (b) Assist parents to understand the availability of, and how to 
effectively use, procedural safeguards under Section 615 of the Act, 
including encouraging the use, and explaining the benefits, of 
alternative methods of dispute resolution, such as the mediation 
process described in the Act;
    (c) Serve the parents of infants, toddlers, and children with the 
full range of disabilities by assisting parents to--
    (1) Better understand the nature of their children's disabilities 
and their educational and developmental needs;
    (2) Communicate effectively with personnel responsible for 
providing special education, early intervention, and related services;
    (3) Participate in decision-making processes and the development of 
individualized education programs and individualized family service 
plans;
    (4) Obtain appropriate information about the range of options, 
programs, services, and resources available to assist children with 
disabilities and their families;
    (5) Understand the provisions of the Act for the education of, and 
the provision of early intervention services to, children with 
disabilities; and
    (6) Participate in school reform activities;
    (d) Contract with the State educational agencies, if the State 
elects to contract with the community parent resource centers, for the 
purpose of meeting with parents who choose not to use the mediation 
process to encourage the use and explain the benefits of mediation, 
consistent with sections 615(e)(2)(B) and (D) of the Act;
    (e) In order to serve parents and families of children with the 
full range of disabilities, network with appropriate clearinghouses, 
including organizations conducting national dissemination activities 
under section 685(d) of the Act, and with other national, State, and 
local organizations and agencies, such as protection and advocacy 
agencies;
    (f) Establish cooperative partnerships with the parent training and 
information centers funded under section 682 of the Act;
    (g) Be designed to meet the specific needs of families who 
experience significant isolation from available sources of information 
and support; and
    (h) Annually report to the Assistant Secretary on--
    (1) The number of parents to whom it provided information and 
training in the most recently concluded fiscal year; and
    (2) The effectiveness of strategies used to reach and serve 
parents, including underserved parents of children with disabilities.
    We intend to fund a maximum of fifteen awards.
    Competitive Preferences: Within this absolute priority, we will 
give competitive preference to applications under 34 CFR 
75.105(c)(2)(i) that meet one or more of the following priorities:
    (1) We will award 20 points to an application submitted by a local 
parent organization that has a board of directors, the majority of whom 
are parents of children with disabilities, from the community to be 
served.
    (2) We will award 5 points to an application that proposes to 
provide services to one or more Empowerment Zones or Enterprise 
Communities that are designated within the areas served by projects. To 
meet this priority an applicant must indicate that it will:
    (a)(i) Design a program that includes special activities focused on 
the unique needs of one or more Empowerment Zones or Enterprise 
Communities; or
    (ii) Devote a substantial portion of program resources to providing 
services within, or meeting the needs of residents of these zones and 
communities.
    (b) As appropriate, contribute to the strategic plan of the 
Empowerment Zones or Enterprise Communities and become an integral 
component of the Empowerment Zone or Enterprise Community activities.
    A list of areas that have been selected as Empowerment Zones or 
Enterprise Communities is included in the application package.
    (3) We will award up to five (5) points based on the effectiveness 
of the applicant's strategies for employing and advancing in employment 
qualified individuals with disabilities in project activities as 
required under paragraph (a) of the General Requirements section of 
this notice (Section 606 of IDEA). In determining the effectiveness of 
those strategies, we may consider the applicant's past success in 
pursuit of this goal.
    Therefore, for purposes of these competitive preferences, 
applicants can be awarded up to a total of 30 points in addition to 
those awarded under the published selection criteria for this priority. 
That is, an applicant meeting all of these competitive preferences 
could earn a maximum total of 130 points.
    Project Period: Up to 36 months.
    Maximum Award: The maximum award amount is $100,000. Consistent 
with EDGAR 34 CFR 75.104(b), we will reject any application that 
proposes a project funding level for any year that exceeds the stated 
maximum award amount for that year. We will consider, and may fund, 
requests for additional funding as an addendum to an application to 
reflect the costs of reasonable accommodations necessary to allow 
individuals with disabilities to be employed on the project as 
personnel on project activities.
    Page Limits: The maximum page limit for this priority is 30 double-
spaced pages.

    Note: Applications must meet the required page limit standards 
that are described in the ``General Requirements'' section of this 
notice.

Special Education Studies and Evaluations [CFDA 84.329]

Purpose of Program

    To assess progress in implementing IDEA, including State and local 
efforts to provide free appropriate public education to children with 
disabilities, and early intervention services to infants and toddlers 
with disabilities.

Applicable Regulatioins

    (a) The Education Department General Administrative Regulations 
(EDGAR) in 34 CFR parts 74, 75, 77, 79, 80, 81, 82, 85, 86, 97, 98, and 
99; and (b) The selection criteria for the priority under this program 
that are drawn from the EDGAR general selection menu. The specific 
selection criteria for this priority are included in the funding 
application packet for the applicable competition.

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

Eligible Applicants

    State and local educational agencies; institutions of higher 
education; other public agencies; for-profit organizations; private 
nonprofit organizations; outlying areas; freely associated States; and 
Indian tribes or tribal organizations.

Priority

    Under section 674 of IDEA and 34 CFR 75.105(c)(3), we consider only 
applications that meet the following priority:

[[Page 52627]]

Absolute Priority--National Early Intervention Longitudinal Study 
(NEILS) (CFDA 84.329E)
    Background: In 1995, the Office of Special Education Programs 
(OSEP) determined that there was a critical need to discern the 
immediate and long-term effects of Part H, now called Part C, of the 
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act on infants and toddlers and 
their families, as well as on service providers. That program, provides 
early intervention services for children under three years of age and 
their families. In order to obtain that information, OSEP funded a 
cooperative agreement with SRI International for SRI to conduct a 
longitudinal study of a cohort of entrants into Part C. The main study 
questions are as follows:
    (a) Who are the children and families receiving early intervention 
services?
    (b) What early intervention services do participating children and 
families receive and how are these services delivered?
    (c) What outcomes do participating children and families 
experience?
    (d) How do outcomes relate to variations in child and family 
characteristics and services provided?
    The study will follow a group of more than 3,300 children between 
ages 0 through 2 at the time of recruitment (1997--1998) through the 
time that each child completes kindergarten. The sample is now 
approximately 3, 4 and 5 years of age. The original five-year grant is 
not long enough to follow all the children until they complete 
kindergarten.
    Priority: We will establish an absolute priority for a project to 
continue the National Early Intervention Longitudinal Study (NEILS) 
until each of the children in that study has completed kindergarten. 
The project must analyze the data and present a plan for a future study 
to examine a new cohort of entrants into the Part C program. The 
project officer will provide the awarded project with a copy of the 
questionnaires to be used in the project. The project must:
    (a) Plan for and direct the smooth transition of projected-related 
resources from SRI International;
    (b) Compare and evaluate different patterns of child development 
related to long-term results for children and their families through 
longitudinal analyses;
    (c) Assess the effects of socioeconomic, demographic and health-
related variables on long-term developmental and behavioral 
characteristics of the children;
    (d) Incorporate factors related to body structure, body function, 
personal functioning, and the interaction with the environment with 
these variables that could result in a disadvantage limiting or 
preventing the fulfillment of an age-appropriate role;
    (e) Isolate and explain the long-term effects of intervention on 
children and their families; and
    (f) Present a comprehensive plan for assessing a new cohort of 
infants and toddlers served under Part C.
    In addition to the annual two-day Research Project Directors' 
meeting in Washington, D.C. mentioned in the ``General Requirements'' 
section of this notice, the project must budget for four additional 
annual meetings in Washington, D.C. for: (1) An Early Childhood Project 
Directors' Meeting; (2) a Part C Directors' meeting; and (3) an 
additional two meetings, to meet and collaborate with the project 
officer from the Office of Special Education programs (OSEP) and with 
representatives from other relevant OSEP funded projects.
    Project Period: Under this award, we will make one award for a 
cooperative agreement with a project period of up to 60 months subject 
to the requirements of 34 CFR 75.253(a) for continuation awards.
    Competitive Preference: Within this absolute priority, we will give 
the following competitive preference under section 606 of IDEA and 34 
CFR 75.105(c)(2)(i), to applications that are otherwise eligible for 
funding under this priority:
    Up to ten (10) points based on the effectiveness of the applicant's 
strategies for employing and advancing in employment qualified 
individuals with disabilities in project activities as required under 
paragraph (a) of the ``General Requirements'' section of this notice. 
In determining the effectiveness of those strategies, we may consider 
the applicant's past success in pursuit of this goal.
    Therefore, for purposes of this competitive preference, applicants 
can be awarded up to a total of 10 points in addition to those awarded 
under the published selection criteria for this priority. That is, an 
applicant meeting this competitive preference could earn a maximum 
total of 110 points.
    Maximum Award: The maximum award amount is $1,100,000 for fiscal 
year 2001, $1,200,000 for fiscal year 2002, $1,300,000 for fiscal year 
2003, and $400,000 per year for fiscal years 2004 and 2005. Consistent 
with EDGAR 34 CFR 75.104(b), we will reject any application that 
proposes a project funding level for any year that exceeds the stated 
maximum award amount for that year. We will consider, and may fund, 
requests for additional funding as an addendum to an application to 
reflect the costs of reasonable accommodations necessary to allow 
individuals with disabilities to be employed on the project as 
personnel on project activities.
    Page Limits: The maximum page limit for this priority is 70 double-
spaced pages.

    Note: Applicants must meet the required page limits that are 
described in the ``General Requirements'' section of this notice.

For Applications Contact

    Education Publications Center (ED Pubs), PO Box 1398, Jessup, 
Maryland 20794-1398. Telephone (toll free): 1-877-4ED-Pubs (1-877-433-
7827). FAX: 301-470-1244. Individuals who use a telecommunications 
device for the deaf (TDD) may call (toll free) 1-877-576-7734.
    You may also contact Ed Pubs via its Web site (http://www.ed.gov/pubs/edpubs.html) or its E-mail address ([email protected]).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT Grants and Contracts Services Team, 
U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, S.W., room 3317, 
Switzer Building, Washington, DC 20202-2550. Telephone: (202) 260-9182.
    If you use a TDD you may call the Federal Information Relay Service 
(FIRS) at 1-800-877-8339.
    Individuals with disabilities may obtain this document in an 
alternate format (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, or computer 
diskette) on request to the contact persons listed in the preceding 
paragraph.
    Individuals with disabilities may obtain a copy of the application 
package in an alternate format by contacting the Department as listed 
above. However, the Department is not able to reproduce in an alternate 
format the standard forms included in the application package.

Intergovernmental Review

    All programs in this notice (except for the Research and Innovation 
to Improve Services and Results for Children with Disabilities Program) 
are subject to the requirements of Executive Order 12372 and the 
regulations in 34 CFR Part 79. The objective of the Executive order is 
to foster an intergovernmental partnership and a strengthened 
federalism by relying on processes developed by State and local 
governments for coordination and review of proposed Federal financial 
assistance.
    In accordance with the order, we intend this document to provide 
early

[[Page 52628]]

notification of the Department's specific plans and actions for those 
programs.

                                                       Individuals With Disabilities Education Act
                                                        [Application Notice for Fiscal Year 2001]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                  Application     Deadline for      Maximum                                                   Estimated
       CFDA number and name         Applications    deadline   intergovernmental   award (per           Project period              Page      number of
                                      available       date           review          year)*                                       limit**       awards
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
84.324A  Postsecondary Education        09/06/00     12/15/00        02/14/01      $1,000,000  Up to 60 mos...................           50            4
 Programs for Individuals who are
 Deaf.
84.324B  Student Initiated              09/06/00     02/09/01        04/11/01          20,000  Up to12 mos....................           25           12
 Research Projects.
84.324C  Field Initiated Research       09/06/00     01/05/01        03/06/01         180,000  Up to 60 mos.***...............           50           14
 Projects.
84.324F  Youth Leadership               09/06/00     10/13/00        12/12/00         300,000  Up to 60 mos...................           50            1
 Development Project.
84.324M  Model Demonstration            09/06/00     12/15/00        02/12/01         175,000  Up to 48 mos...................           50           14
 Projects for Children with
 Disabilities.
84.324N  Initial Career Awards....      09/06/00     10/27/00        12/16/00          75,000  Up to 36 mos...................           30            4
84.324R  Outreach Projects for          09/06/00     12/01/00        01/31/01         175,000  Up to 36 mos...................           50           14
 Children with Disabilities.
84.327A  Steppingstones of              09/06/00     12/08/00        02/05/01     ...........  ...............................  ...........           11
 Technology Innovation for
 Students with Disabilities.
    Phase 1 and 2.................  ............  ...........  .................      200,000  Up to 24 mos...................           50  ...........
    Phase 3.......................  ............  ...........  .................      300,000  Up to 36 mos...................           50  ...........
84.327K  Accessible Media for           09/06/00     10/13/00        12/12/00       6,000,000  Up to 36 mos...................           70            1
 Students with Visual Impairments
 and Print Disabilities.
84.328C  Community Parent Resource      09/06/00     11/03/00        01/02/01         100,000  Up to 36 mos...................           30           15
 Centers.
84.329E  National Early                 09/06/00     10/13/00        12/12/00     ...........  Up to 60 mos...................           70            1
 Intervention Longitudinal Study.
    FY 2001.......................  ............  ...........  .................    1,100,000  ...............................  ...........  ...........
    FY 2002.......................  ............  ...........  .................    1,200,000  ...............................  ...........  ...........
    FY 2003.......................  ............  ...........  .................    1,300,000  ...............................  ...........  ...........
    FY 2004.......................  ............  ...........  .................      400,000  ...............................  ...........  ...........
    FY 2005.......................  ............  ...........  .................      400,000  ...............................  ...........  ...........
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
*Consistent with EDGAR 34 CFR 75.104(b), we will reject any application that proposes a project funding level for any year that exceeds the stated
  maximum award amount for that year. We will consider, and may fund, requests for additional funding as an addendum to an application to reflect the
  costs of reasonable accommodations necessary to allow individuals with disabilities to be employed on the project as personnel on project activities.
**Applicants must limit the Application Narrative, Part III of the Application, to the page limits noted above. Please refer to the ``Page Limit''
  requirements and the page limit standards described in the ``General Requirements'' section included under each priority description. We will reject
  and will not consider an application that does not adhere to this requirement.
***The majority of projects will be funded for up to 36 months. Only in exceptional circumstances will projects be funded for more than 36 months, up to
  a maximum of 60 months.

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 
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 Adobe Acrobat Reader, 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/nara/index.html


    Program Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1405, 1461, 1472, 1474, and 1487.

    Dated: August 24, 2000.
Judith E. Heumann,
Assistant Secretary for Special Education and Rehabilitative Services.
[FR Doc. 00-22060 Filed 8-28-00; 8:45 am]
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