[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 24 (Thursday, February 5, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Pages 5523-5526]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-2520]


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DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

Office of Elementary and Secondary Education


Overview Information; Early Childhood Educator Professional 
Development Program Notice Inviting Applications for New Awards for 
Fiscal Year (FY) 2004

    Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: 84.349A.

DATES: Applications Available: February 5, 2004.
    Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: March 16, 2004.
    Deadline for Intergovernmental Review: May 17, 2004.
    Eligible Applicants: A partnership consisting of at least one 
entity from each of the following categories, as indicated below:
    (i) One or more institutions of higher education, or other public 
or private entities (including faith-based organizations), that provide 
professional development for early childhood educators who work with 
children from low-income families in high-need communities.
    (ii) One or more public agencies (including local educational 
agencies, State educational agencies, State human services agencies, 
and State and local agencies administering programs under the Child 
Care and Development Block Grant Act of 1990), Head Start agencies, or 
private organizations (including faith-based organizations).
    (iii) If feasible, an entity with demonstrated experience in 
providing training to educators in early childhood education programs 
concerning identifying and preventing behavior problems or working with 
children identified as or suspected to be victims of abuse. This entity 
may be one of the partners described in paragraphs (i) and (ii) under 
Eligible Applicants.
    A partnership may apply for these funds only if one of the partners 
currently provides professional development for early childhood 
educators working in programs located in high-need communities with 
children from low-income families.
    Estimated Available Funds: $14,814,000.
    Estimated Range of Awards: $1,000,000-$1,500,000 for one year; 
$2,000,000-$3,000,000 for two years.
    Estimated Average Size of Awards: $1,250,000 for one year; 
$2,500,000 for two years.
    Estimated Number of Awards: 5-15 awards.


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


    Project Period: Up to 24 months.

Full Text of Announcement

I. Funding Opportunity Description

    Purpose of Program: The purpose of the Early ChildhoodEducator 
Professional Development (ECEPD) program is to enhance the school 
readiness of young children, particularly disadvantaged young children, 
and to prevent them from encountering difficulties once they enter 
school.
    Projects funded under the ECEPD program provide high-quality, 
sustained, and intensive professional development for these early 
childhood educators in how to provide developmentally appropriate 
school-readiness services for preschool-age children that are based on 
the best available research on early childhood pedagogy and on child 
development and learning.
    The specific activities for which recipients may use grant funds 
are identified in the application package.
    Priorities:
    This competition includes one absolute priority and one 
invitational priority that are explained in the following paragraphs. 
These priorities are as follows. In accordance with 34 CFR 
75.105(b)(2)(iv), the absolute priority is from section 2151(e)(5)(A) 
of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, as amended 
(ESEA), 20 U.S.C. 6651(e)(5)(A).
    Absolute Priority: For FY 2004 this priority is an absolute 
priority. Under 34 CFR 75.105(c)(3) we consider only applications that 
meet this priority.
    This priority is:
High-Need Communities
    To provide professional development to early childhood educators 
who are working in early childhood programs that are located in ``high-
need communities.''
    An eligible applicant must demonstrate in its application narrative 
how it meets the statutory requirement in section 2151(e)(5)(A) of the 
ESEA by including relevant demographic and socioeconomic data about the 
``high-need community'' in which the program is located. (See section 
2151(e)(3)(B)(i) of the ESEA.)
    ``High-need community,'' as defined in section 2151(e)(9)(B) of the 
ESEA, means--
    (a) A political subdivision of a State, or a portion of a political 
subdivision of a State, in which at least 50 percent of the children 
are from low-income families; or
    (b) A political subdivision of a State that is among the 10 percent 
of political

[[Page 5524]]

subdivisions of the State having the greatest numbers of such children.


    Note: The following additional terms used in or related to this 
absolute priority have statutory definitions that are included in 
the application package: ``early childhood educator,'' ``low-income 
family,'' and ``professional development.''


    Under this competition we are particularly interested in 
applications that address the following priority.
    Invitational Priority: For FY 2004 this priority is an invitational 
priority. Under 34 CFR 75.105(c)(1) we do not give an application that 
meets this invitational priority a competitive or absolute preference 
over other applications.
    This priority is:
Young Children With Limited English Proficiency, Disabilities, or Other 
Special Needs
    The Secretary is particularly interested in receiving applications 
that focus on providing professional development for early childhood 
educators who work with young children (including infants or toddlers, 
as applicable) with: limited English proficiency; disabilities, as 
identified under Parts B or C of the Individuals with Disabilities 
Education Act; or other special needs.


    Note: The following terms used in this invitational priority 
have statutory definitions that are included in the application 
package: ``child with a disability,'' ``infants and toddlers with 
disabilities,'' ``limited English proficient.''


    Program Authority: 20 U.S.C. 6651(e).
    Applicable Regulations: The Education Department General 
Administrative Regulations (EDGAR) in 34 CFR parts 74, 75, 77, 79, 80, 
81, 82, 84, 85, 86, 97, 98, and 99.

II. Award Information

    Type of Award: Discretionary grants.
    Estimated Available Funds: $14,814,000.
    Estimated Range of Awards: $1,000,000-$1,500,000 for one year; 
$2,000,000-$3,000,000 for two years.
    Estimated Average Size of Awards: $1,250,000 for one year; 
$2,500,000 for two years.
    Estimated Number of Awards: 5-15 awards.


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


    Project Period: Up to 24 months.

III. Eligibility Information

    1. Eligible Applicants: A partnership consisting of at least one 
entity from each of the following categories, as indicated below:
    (i) One or more institutions of higher education, or other public 
or private entities (including faith-based organizations), that provide 
professional development for early childhood educators who work with 
children from low-income families in high-need communities.
    (ii) One or more public agencies (including local educational 
agencies, State educational agencies, State human services agencies, 
and State and local agencies administering programs under the Child 
Care and Development Block Grant Act of 1990), Head Start agencies, or 
private organizations (including faith-based organizations).
    (iii) If feasible, an entity with demonstrated experience in 
providing training to educators in early childhood education programs 
concerning identifying and preventing behavior problems or working with 
children identified as or suspected to be victims of abuse. This entity 
may be one of the partners described in paragraphs (i) and (ii) under 
Eligible Applicants.
    A partnership may apply for these funds only if one of the partners 
currently provides professional development for early childhood 
educators working in programs located in high-need communities with 
children from low-income families.
    2. Cost Sharing or Matching: Each partnership that receives a grant 
under this program must provide (1) at least 50 percent of the total 
cost of the project for the entire grant period; and (2) at least 20 
percent of the project cost for each year. The project may provide 
these funds from any source, other than this program, including other 
Federal sources. The partnership may satisfy these cost-sharing 
requirements by providing contributions in cash or in-kind, fairly 
evaluated, including plant, equipment, and services. Only allowable 
costs may be counted as part of the grantee's share. For example, any 
indirect costs over and above the allowable amount may not be counted 
toward a grantee's share. For additional information about indirect 
costs, see section IV.5. of this notice.

IV. Application and Submission Information

    1. Address To Request Application Package: Education Publications 
Center (ED Pubs), P.O. Box 1398, Jessup, MD 20794-1398. Telephone (toll 
free): 1-877-433-7827. FAX: (301) 470-1244. If you use a 
telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD), you may call the Federal 
Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 1-800-877-8339.
    You may also contact ED Pubs at its Web site: http://www.ed.gov/pubs/edpubs.html or you may contact ED Pubs at its e-mail address: 
[email protected].
    If you request an application from ED Pubs, be sure to identify 
this competition as follows: CFDA number 84.349A. The public also may 
obtain a copy of the application package on the Department's Web site 
at the following address: http://www.ed.gov/programs/eceducator/index.html.
    Individuals with disabilities may obtain a copy of the application 
package in an alternative format (e.g., Braille, large print, 
audiotape, or computer diskette) by contacting the program contact 
person listed under For Further Information Contact elsewhere in this 
notice. However, the Department is not able to reproduce in an 
alternative format the standard forms included in the application 
package.
    2. Content and Form of Application Submission: Requirements 
concerning the content of an application, together with the forms you 
must submit, are in the application package for this program 
competition.
    Page Limit: The application narrative (Part III of the application) 
is where you, the applicant, address the absolute priority and the 
selection criteria that reviewers use to evaluate your application. You 
must limit Part III to the equivalent of no more than 30 typed pages 
and the additional budget narrative to the equivalent of no more than 5 
typed pages, using the following standards.
     A ``page'' is 8.5'' x 11'', on one side only, 
with 1'' margins at the top, bottom, and both sides.
     Double space (no more than three lines per 
vertical inch) all text in the application narrative, including titles, 
headings, footnotes, quotations, references, and captions. You may 
single space information in tables, charts, or graphs, and you may 
single space the limited Appendices.
     Use a font that is either 12-point or larger or 
no smaller than 10 pitch (characters per inch). You may use other point 
fonts for any tables, charts, graphs, and the limited Appendices, but 
those tables, charts, graphs and limited Appendices should be in a font 
size that is easily readable by the reviewers of your application.
     Any tables, charts, or graphs are included in 
the overall narrative page limit. The limited Appendices, including the 
required Partnership Agreement, are not part of these page limits.
     Appendices are limited to the following: 
required Partnership Agreement; and curriculum vitae of key

[[Page 5525]]

personnel (including key contract personnel and consultants).
     Other application materials are limited to the 
specific materials indicated in the application package, and may not 
include any video or other non-print materials.
    Our reviewers will not read any pages of your application that--
     Exceed the page limits if you apply these 
standards; or
     Exceed the equivalent of the page limits if you 
apply other standards.
    3. Submission Dates and Times:
    Applications Available: February 5, 2004.
    Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: March 16, 2004. The dates 
and times for the transmittal of applications by mail or by hand 
(including a courier service or commercial carrier) are in the 
application package for this program. The application package also 
specifies the hours of operation of the e-Application Web site.
    We do not consider an application that does not comply with the 
deadline requirements.
    Deadline for Intergovernmental Review: May 17, 2004.
    4. Intergovernmental Review: This program is subject to Executive 
Order 12372 and the regulations in 34 CFR part 79. Information about 
Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs under Executive Order 
12372 is in the application package for this program.
    5. Funding Restrictions:
    (a) Indirect Costs. For purposes of indirect cost charges, the 
Secretary considers all Early Childhood Educator Professional 
Development program grants to be ``educational training grants'' within 
the meaning of section 75.562(a) of EDGAR (34 CFR 75.562(a)). 
Consistent with 34 CFR 75.562, the indirect cost rate for any fiscal 
agent other than a State agency or agency of local government (such as 
a local educational agency) is limited to a maximum of eight percent or 
the amount permitted by the fiscal agent's negotiated indirect cost 
rate agreement, whichever is less. Further information about indirect 
cost rates, and on how to apply for a negotiated indirect cost rate for 
fiscal agents that do not yet have one, is available at the following 
Web site: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocfo/fipao/icgindex.html.
    (b) Pre-award Costs: For FY 2004 the Secretary exercises his 
authority under sections 75.263 and 74.25(e)(1) of EDGAR (34 CFR 75.263 
and 74.25(e)(1)) to approve pre-award costs incurred by recipients of 
these grants more than 90 calendar days before the grant award. 
Specifically, the Secretary approves necessary and reasonable pre-award 
costs incurred by these grant recipients for up to 90 days before the 
application due date. These pre-award costs must be related to the 
needs assessment that applicants conduct under section 
2151(e)(3)(B)(iii) of the ESEA before submitting their applications, to 
determine the most critical professional development needs of the early 
childhood educators to be served by the project and in the broader 
community.
    Applicants incur any pre-award costs at their own risk. The 
Secretary is under no obligation to reimburse these costs if for any 
reason the applicant does not receive an award or if the award is less 
than anticipated and inadequate to cover these costs.
    We reference additional regulations outlining funding restrictions 
in the Applicable Regulations section of this notice.
    6. Other Submission Requirements: Instructions and requirements for 
the transmittal of applications by mail or by hand (including a courier 
service or commercial carrier) are in the application package for this 
program.
    Application Procedures:


    Note: Some of the procedures in these instructions for 
transmitting applications differ from those in the Education 
Department General Administrative Regulations (EDGAR) (34 CFR 
75.102). Under the Administrative Procedure Act (5 U.S.C. 553) the 
Department generally offers interested parties the opportunity to 
comment on proposed regulations. However, these amendments make 
procedural changes only and do not establish new substantive policy. 
Therefore, under 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(A), the Secretary has determined 
that proposed rulemaking is not required.


    Pilot Project for Electronic Submission of Applications:We are 
continuing to expand our pilot project for electronic submission of 
applications to include additional formula grant programs and 
additional discretionary grant competitions. Early Childhood Educator 
Professional Development--CFDA Number 84.349A is one of the programs 
included in the pilot project. If you are an applicant under Early 
Childhood Educator Professional Development, you may submit your 
application to us in either electronic or paper format.
    The pilot project involves the use of the Electronic Grant 
Application System (e-Application). If you use e-Application, you will 
be entering data online while completing your application. You may not 
e-mail an electronic copy of a grant application to us. If you 
participate in this voluntary pilot project by submitting an 
application electronically, the data you enter online will be saved 
into a database. We request your participation in e-Application. We 
shall continue to evaluate its success and solicit suggestions for its 
improvement.
    If you participate in e-Application, please note the following:
     Your participation is voluntary.
     When you enter the e-Application system, you 
will find information about its hours of operation. We strongly 
recommend that you do not wait until the application deadline date to 
initiate an e-Application package.
     You will not receive additional point value 
because you submit a grant application in electronic format, nor will 
we penalize you if you submit an application in paper format.
     You may submit all documents electronically, 
including the Application for Federal Education Assistance (ED 424), 
Budget Information--Non-Construction Programs (ED 524), and all 
necessary assurances and certifications.
     Your e-Application must comply with any page 
limit requirements described in this notice.
     After you electronically submit your 
application, you will receive an automatic acknowledgement, which will 
include a PR/Award number (an identifying number unique to your 
application).
     Within three working days after submitting your 
electronic application, fax a signed copy of the Application for 
Federal Education Assistance (ED 424) to the Application Control Center 
after following these steps:
    1. Print ED 424 from e-Application.
    2. The institution's Authorizing Representative must sign this 
form.
    3. Place the PR/Award number in the upper right hand corner of the 
hard copy signature page of the ED 424.
    4. Fax the signed ED 424 to the Application Control Center at (202) 
260-1349.
     We may request that you give us original 
signatures on other forms at a later date.Application Deadline Date 
Extension in Case of System Unavailability: If you elect to participate 
in the e-Application pilot for Early Childhood Educator Professional 
Development and you are prevented from submitting your application on 
the application deadline date because the e-Application system is 
unavailable, we will grant you an extension of one business day in 
order to transmit your application electronically, by mail, or by hand 
delivery. We will grant this extension if--

[[Page 5526]]

    1. You are a registered user of e-Application, and you have 
initiated an e-Application for this competition; and
    2. (a) The e-Application system is unavailable for 60 minutes or 
more between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m., Washington, DC time, 
on the application deadline date; or
    (b) The e-Application system is unavailable for any period of time 
during the last hour of operation (that is, for any period of time 
between 3:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m., Washington, DC time) on the 
application deadline date.
    We must acknowledge and confirm these periods of unavailability 
before granting you an extension. To request this extension or to 
confirm our acknowledgement of any system unavailability, you may 
contact either (1) the person listed elsewhere in this notice under For 
Further Information Contact (see VII. Agency Contact) or (2) the e-
GRANTS help desk at 1-888-336-8930.
    You may access the electronic grant application for Early Childhood 
Educator Professional Development at: http://e-grants.ed.gov/.

V. Application Review Information

    1. Selection Criteria: The selection criteria for this program are 
from section 75.210 of EDGAR, 34 CFR 75.210, and are identified in the 
application package.
    2. Review and Selection Process: An additional factor we consider 
in selecting an application for an award is geographical distribution 
(section 2151(e)(4)(B) of the ESEA).

VI. Award Administration Information

    1. Award Notices: If your application is successful, we notify your 
U.S. Representative and U.S. Senators and send you a Grant Award Notice 
(GAN). We may also notify you informally.
    If your application is not evaluated or not selected for funding, 
we notify you.
    2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements: We identify 
administrative and national policy requirements in the application 
package and reference these and other requirements in the Applicable 
Regulations section of this notice.
    We reference the regulations outlining the terms and conditions of 
an award in the Applicable Regulations section of this notice and 
include these and other specific conditions in the GAN. The GAN also 
incorporates your approved application as part of your binding 
commitments under the grant.
    3. Reporting: At the end of your project period, you must submit a 
final performance report, including financial information, as directed 
by the Secretary. If you receive a multi-year award, you must submit an 
annual performance report that provides the most current performance 
and financial expenditure information as specified by the Secretary in 
34 CFR 75.118.
    4. Performance Measures: For FY 2004, grants under this program 
will be governed by the achievement indicators that the Secretary 
published in the Federal Register on March 31, 2003 (68 FR 15646-
15648). These achievement indicators are included in the application 
package.

VII. Agency Contact

    For Further Information Contact: Early Childhood Educator 
Professional Development (ECEPD) program, c/o Rosemary Fennell, U.S. 
Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 
20202-6132. Telephone: (202) 260-0792, or via Internet: 
[email protected].
    If you use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD), you may 
call the Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 1-800-877-8339.
    Individuals with disabilities may obtain this document in an 
alternative format (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, or computer 
diskette) on request to the program contact person listed in this 
section.

VIII. Other Information

    Electronic Access to This Document: You may view this document, as 
well as all other documents of this Department published in the Federal 
Register, in text or Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF) on the 
Internet at the following site: www.ed.gov/news/fedregister.
    To use PDF you must have Adobe Acrobat Reader, which is available 
free at this site. If you have questions about using 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: www.gpoaccess.gov/nara/index.html.


    Dated: February 2, 2004.
Raymond Simon,
Assistant Secretary for Elementary and Secondary Education.
[FR Doc. 04-2520 Filed 2-4-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4000-01-P