[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 45 (Monday, March 8, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Pages 10682-10686]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-5149]


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DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION


Office of Elementary and Secondary Education; Overview 
Information; Early Reading First; Notice Inviting Applications for New 
Awards for Fiscal Year (FY) 2004

    Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: 84.359A/B.

    Dates:
    Applications Available: March 8, 2004 (pre- and full applications).
    Deadline for Transmittal of Pre-Applications: April 22, 2004.
    Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: July 1, 2004 (for 
applicants invited to submit full applications only).
    Deadline for Intergovernmental Review: August 30, 2004.
    Eligible Applicants: The term ``eligible applicant'' means the 
following: (a) One or more local educational agencies (LEA) that are 
eligible to receive a subgrant under the Reading First program (title 
I, part B, subpart 1, Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, 
as amended (ESEA)), (b) one or more public or private organizations or 
agencies (including faith-based organizations) located in a community 
served by an eligible LEA; or (c) one or more of the eligible LEAs, 
applying in collaboration with one or more of the eligible 
organizations or agencies. To qualify under (b) of this paragraph, the 
organization's or agency's application must be on behalf of one or more 
programs that serve preschool-age children (such as a Head Start 
program, a child care program, or a family literacy program such as 
Even Start, or a lab school at a university), unless the organization 
or agency itself operates a preschool program.
    Estimated Available Funds: $94,439,000.
    Estimated Range of Awards: $750,000-$4,500,000.
    Estimated Average Size of Awards: $2,500,000.
    Estimated Number of Awards: 21-125.

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

    Project Period: Up to 36 months.
    Full Text of Announcement

I. Funding Opportunity Description

    Purpose of Program: This program supports local efforts to enhance 
the oral language, cognitive, and early reading skills of preschool-age 
children, especially those from low-income families, through 
strategies, materials, and professional development that are grounded 
in scientifically based reading research.
    Priorities: Under this competition we are particularly interested 
in applications that address the following invitational and competitive 
priorities.
    Invitational Priorities: For FY 2004 these priorities are 
invitational priorities. Under 35 CFR 75.105(c)(1) we do not give an 
application that meets these invitational priorities a competitive or 
absolute preference over other applications.
    These priorities are:

Invitational Priority 1--Intensity

    The Secretary is especially interested in preschool programs that 
operate full-time, full-year early childhood

[[Page 10683]]

educational programs, at a minimum of 6.5 hours per day, 5 days per 
week, 46 weeks per year, and that serve children for the two 
consecutive years prior to their entry into kindergarten.
    Scientifically based research on increasing the effectiveness of 
early childhood education programs serving children from low-income 
families tells us that children attending such programs that have a 
greater intensity of service make higher and more persistent gains in 
the language and cognitive domains than children who attend early 
childhood programs that have lesser intensity of service. In other 
words, children who spend more time in high-quality early childhood 
education programs learn more than children who spend less time in 
those programs. The purpose of Invitational Priority 1 is to encourage 
preschool programs supported with Early Reading First (ERF) funds to 
provide services that are of a sufficient duration and intensity to 
maximize language and early literacy gains for children enrolled in 
those programs.

Invitational Priority 2--Children From Low-Income Families

    The Secretary is especially interested in projects in which, in all 
preschool centers supported by the ERF funds, at least 75 percent of 
the children enrolled in the preschool qualify to receive free or 
reduced priced lunches; or at least 75 percent of the children enrolled 
in the elementary school in the school attendance area in which that 
center is located qualify to receive free or reduced priced lunches.
    One of the statutory purposes of the ERF program is to enhance the 
early language, literacy, and early reading development of preschool-
age children, particularly those from low-income families. This 
priority is intended to increase the likelihood that preschool programs 
supported with ERF funds serve children primarily from low-income 
families.
    Competitive Preference Priority: In accordance with 34 CFR 
75.105(b)(2)(ii), this priority is from Sec.  75.225 of the Education 
Department General Administrative Regulations (EDGAR), which apply to 
this program (34 CFR 75.225).

Competitive Preference Priority--Novice Applicant

    For FY 2004 this priority is a competitive preference priority. 
Under 34 CFR 75.105(c)(2)(i) we award an additional 5 points to a pre-
application and an additional 5 points to a full application meeting 
this competitive priority.
    This priority is:

Novice Applicant

    The applicant must be a ``novice applicant'' as defined in 34 CFR 
75.225.
    Program Authority: 20 U.S.C. 6371-6376.
    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.

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

II. Award Information

    Type of Award: Discretionary grant.
    Estimated Available Funds: $94,439,000.
    Estimated Range of Awards: $750,000-$4,500,000.
    Estimated Average Size of Awards: $2,500,000.
    Estimated Number of Awards: 21-125.

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

    Project Period: Up to 36 months.

III. Eligibility Information

    1. Eligible Applicants: The term ``eligible applicant'' means the 
following: (a) One or more LEAs that are eligible to receive a subgrant 
under the Reading First program (title I, part B, subpart 1, ESEA), (b) 
one or more public or private organizations or agencies (including 
faith-based organizations) located in a community served by an eligible 
LEA; or (c) one or more of the eligible LEAs, applying in collaboration 
with one or more of the eligible organizations or agencies. To qualify 
under (b) of this paragraph, the organization's or agency's application 
must be on behalf of one or more programs that serve preschool-age 
children (such as a Head Start program, a child care program, or a 
family literacy program such as Even Start, or a lab school at a 
university), unless the organization or agency itself operates a 
preschool program.
    2. Cost Sharing or Matching: This program does not involve cost 
sharing or matching.

IV. Application and Submission Information

    1. Address to Request Application Package: You may obtain the 
application package electronically by downloading it from the ERF Web 
site: http://www.ed.gov/programs/earlyreading/applicant.html.
    You may also contact Education Publications Center (ED Pubs), PO 
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 (toll free): 1-877-576-7734.
    You may also contact ED Pubs at its Web site: www.ed.gov/pubs/edpubs.html or you may contact ED Pubs at its e-mail address: 
[email protected].
    If you request an application package from ED Pubs, be sure to 
identify this competition as follows: CFDA number 84.359A/B.
    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 in section VII of this notice.
    2. Content and Form of Application Submission: Requirements 
concerning the content of the pre-application and the full application, 
together with the forms you must submit, are in the application package 
for this program. Page Limits: The pre-application narrative and the 
full application narrative for this program (Part II of the pre- and 
full applications) are where you, the applicant, address the selection 
criteria that reviewers use to evaluate your pre- and full 
applications. You must limit Part II of the pre-application to the 
equivalent of no more than 10 pages and Part II of the full application 
to the equivalent of no more than 35 pages. Part III of the full 
application is where you, the applicant, provide a budget narrative 
that reviewers use to evaluate your full application. You must limit 
the budget narrative in Part III of the full application to the 
equivalent of no more than 5 pages. Part IV of the full application is 
where you, the applicant, provide up to 5 resumes (curriculum vita) and 
the demonstration of stakeholder support for the project that reviewers 
use to evaluate your full application. You must limit each resume to 
the equivalent of no more than 3 pages each and limit the demonstration 
of stakeholder support for the project to the equivalent of no more 
than 5 pages. For all page limits, use the following standards:
     A ``page'' is 8.5 x 11, on 
one side only, with 1 margins at the top, bottom, and both 
sides.
     Double space (no more than three lines per 
vertical inch) all text in the application narrative, including titles, 
headings, quotations, and references included in the body of the 
narrative.
     Text in endnotes, charts, tables, figures, and 
graphs may be single-spaced.

[[Page 10684]]

     Use a font that is either 12 point or larger or 
no smaller than 10 pitch (characters per inch).
    The page limits do not apply to Part I, the cover sheet and the 
one-page abstract; or the following portions of the full application: 
Part III, the budget; or Part IV, the assurances and certifications; 
and the endnotes.
    Our reviewers will not read any pages of your pre-application or 
full application that--
     Exceed the page limit if you apply these 
standards; or
     Exceed the equivalent of the page limit if you 
apply other standards.
    3. Submission Dates and Times:
    Applications Available: March 8, 2004 (pre- and full applications).
    Deadline for Transmittal of Pre-Applications: April 22, 2004.
    Deadline for Transmittal of Full Applications: July 1, 2004 (for 
applicants invited to submit full applications only).
    The dates and times for the transmittal of pre- and full 
applications by mail or by hand (including a courier service or 
commercial carrier) are in the application package for this program.
    We do not consider a pre-application or a full application that 
does not comply with the deadline requirements.
    Deadline for Intergovernmental Review: August 30, 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: We reference regulations outlining funding 
restrictions in the Applicable Regulations section of this notice.
    6. Other Submission Requirements: Instructions and requirements for 
the transmittal of pre-applications and full 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 Reading First--
CFDA Number 84.359A/B is one of the programs included in the pilot 
project. If you are an applicant under Early Reading First, 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 Reading First 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--
    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 Reading 
First at: http://e-grants.ed.gov.

V. Application Review Information

    1. Selection Criteria: This program has separate selection criteria 
for pre-applications and full applications.
    A. Pre-applications: The following selection criteria for pre-
applications are in section 75.210 of EDGAR. Further information about 
each of these selection criteria is in the application package. The 
maximum score for the pre-application selection criteria is 100 points. 
The maximum score for each criterion is indicated at the end of that 
criterion.
    (i) Quality of the project design. The Secretary considers the 
quality of the design of the proposed project. In determining the 
quality of the design of

[[Page 10685]]

the proposed project, the Secretary considers the following factor:
    (a) The extent to which the proposed project represents an 
exceptional approach for meeting statutory purposes and requirements. 
(34 CFR 75.210(c)(2)(xiv))
    We will award pre-applicants from 0-70 points for the quality of 
the project design.
    (ii) Quality of project services. The Secretary considers the 
quality of the services to be provided by the proposed project. In 
determining the quality of the services to be provided by the proposed 
project, the Secretary considers the quality and sufficiency of 
strategies for ensuring equal access and treatment for eligible project 
participants who are members of groups that have traditionally been 
underrepresented based on race, color, national origin, gender, age, or 
disability. (34 CFR 75.210(d)(1),(2))
    In addition, the Secretary considers the following factors:
    (a) The extent to which the services to be provided by the proposed 
project reflect up-to-date knowledge from research and effective 
practice. (34 CFR 75.210(d)(3)(iii))
    (b) The likelihood that the services to be provided by the proposed 
project will lead to improvements in the achievement of students as 
measured against rigorous academic standards. (34 CFR 
75.210(d)(3)(vii))
    We will award pre-applicants from 0-30 points for the quality of 
project services.
    B. Full Application: The following selection criteria for those 
invited to submit full applications are in section 75.210 of EDGAR. 
Further information about each of these selection criteria is in the 
application package. The maximum score for each criterion is indicated 
at the end of the criterion.
    (i) Quality of the project design. The Secretary considers the 
quality of the design of the proposed project. In determining the 
quality of the design of the proposed project, the Secretary considers 
the following factor:
    (a) The extent to which the proposed project represents an 
exceptional approach for meeting statutory purposes and requirements. 
(34 CFR 75.210(c)(2)(xiv))
    We will award applicants from 0-35 points for the quality of the 
project design.
    (ii) Quality of project services. The Secretary considers the 
quality of the services to be provided by the proposed project. In 
determining the quality of the services to be provided by the proposed 
project, the Secretary considers the quality and sufficiency of 
strategies for ensuring equal access and treatment for eligible project 
participants who are members of groups that have traditionally been 
underrepresented based on race, color, national origin, gender, age, or 
disability. (34 CFR 75.210(d)(1),(2))
    In addition, the Secretary considers the following factors:
    (a) The extent to which the services to be provided by the proposed 
project reflect up-to-date knowledge from research and effective 
practice. (34 CFR 75.210(d)(3)(iii))
    (b) The likelihood that the services to be provided by the proposed 
project will lead to improvements in the achievement of students as 
measured against rigorous academic standards. (34 CFR 
75.210(d)(3)(vii))
    We will award applicants from 0-15 points for the quality of 
project services.
    (iii) Quality of project personnel. The Secretary considers the 
quality of the personnel who will carry out the proposed project. In 
determining the quality of project personnel, the Secretary considers 
the extent to which the applicant encourages applications for 
employment from persons who are members of groups that have 
traditionally been underrepresented based on race, color, national 
origin, gender, age, or disability. (34 CFR 75.210(e)(1),(2))
    In addition, the Secretary considers the following factors:
    (a) The qualifications, including relevant training and experience, 
of the project director or principal investigator. (34 CFR 
75.210(e)(3)(i))
    (b) The qualifications, including relevant training and experience, 
of key project personnel. (34 CFR 75.210(e)(3)(ii))
    (c) The qualifications, including relevant training and experience, 
of project consultants or subcontractors. (34 CFR 75.210(e)(3)(iii))
    We will award applicants from 0-10 points for the quality of 
project personnel.
    (iv) Adequacy of resources. The Secretary considers the adequacy of 
resources for the proposed project. In determining the adequacy of 
resources for the proposed project, the Secretary considers the 
following factors:
    (a) The relevance and demonstrated commitment of each partner in 
the proposed project to the implementation and success of the project. 
(34 CFR 75.210(f)(2)(ii))
    (b) The extent to which the costs are reasonable in relation to the 
objectives, design, and potential significance of the proposed project. 
(34 CFR 75.210(f)(2)(iv))
    We will award applicants from 0-10 points for adequacy of 
resources.
    (v) Quality of the management plan. The Secretary considers the 
quality of the management plan for the proposed project. In determining 
the quality of the management plan for the proposed project, the 
Secretary considers the following factors:
    (a) The adequacy of the management plan to achieve the objectives 
of the proposed project on time and within budget, including clearly 
defined responsibilities, timelines, and milestones for accomplishing 
project tasks. (34 CFR 75.210(g)(2)(i))
    (b) The adequacy of procedures for ensuring feedback and continuous 
improvement in the operation of the proposed project. (34 CFR 
75.210(g)(2)(ii))
    (c) The extent to which the time commitments of the project 
director and principal investigator and other key project personnel are 
appropriate and adequate to meet the objectives of the proposed 
project. (34 CFR 75.210(g)(2)(iv))
    We will award applicants from 0-10 points for the quality of the 
management plan.
    (vi) Quality of the project evaluation. The Secretary considers the 
quality of the evaluation to be conducted of the proposed project. In 
determining the quality of the evaluation, the Secretary considers the 
following factors:
    (a) The extent to which the methods of evaluation are thorough, 
feasible, and appropriate to the goals, objectives, and outcomes of the 
proposed project. (34 CFR 75.210(h)(2)(i))
    (b) The extent to which the methods of evaluation include the use 
of objective performance measures that are clearly related to the 
intended outcomes of the project and will produce quantitative and 
qualitative data to the extent possible. (34 CFR 75.210(h)(2)(iv))
    We will award applicants from 0-10 points for the quality of the 
project evaluation.
    (vii) Significance. The Secretary considers the significance of the 
proposed project. In determining the significance of the proposed 
project, the Secretary considers the following factor:
    (a) The potential contribution of the proposed project to the 
development and advancement of theory, knowledge, and practices in the 
field of study. (34 CFR 75.210(b)(2)(vi))
    We will award applicants from 0-10 points for the significance of 
the proposed project.

[[Page 10686]]

VI. Award Administration Information

    1. Award Notices: If your pre-application is successful, we notify 
you in writing and post the list of successful applicants on the ERF 
Web site at www.ed.gov/programs/earlyreading/awards.html. If your full 
application is successful, we notify your U.S. Representative and U.S. 
Senators and send you a Grant Award Notification (GAN). We may also 
notify you informally.
    If your pre-application is not evaluated, or following the 
submission of your pre-application you are not invited to submit a full 
application, we notify you. If your full 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. ERF grantees also are required to meet the reporting 
requirements outlined in section 1225 of the ESEA.
    4. Performance Measures: Under the Government Performance and 
Results Act (GPRA), the Secretary has established the following two 
measures for evaluating the overall effectiveness of the ERF program: 
(1) Increasing percentages of preschool-age children will demonstrate 
age-appropriate oral language skills; and (2) increasing percentages of 
preschool-age children will demonstrate letter knowledge.
    We will expect all grantees to document their success in addressing 
these performance measures in the annual performance report referred to 
in section VI.3. of this notice.

VII. Agency Contact

    For Further Information Contact: Mary Anne Lesiak, U.S. Department 
of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW., room 3W240, Washington, DC 
20202-6132. Telephone: (202) 260-2195 or by e-mail: 
[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: http://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: http://www.gpoaccess.gov/nara/index.html.


    Dated: March 3, 2004.
Raymond Simon,
Assistant Secretary for Elementary and Secondary Education.
[FR Doc. 04-5149 Filed 3-5-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4000-01-P