[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 41 (Thursday, March 3, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 10380-10386]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-4150]


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DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION


Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services; Overview 
Information; State Personnel Development Grants Program; Notice 
Inviting Applications for New Awards for Fiscal Year (FY) 2004 (To Be 
Awarded in FY 2005)

Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: 84.323A.

    Dates: Applications Available: March 4, 2005. Deadline for 
Transmittal of Applications: April 15, 2005. Deadline for 
Intergovernmental Review: June 14, 2005.
    Eligible Applicants: A State educational agency (SEA) of one of the 
50 States, the District of Columbia, or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico 
or an outlying area (United States Virgin Islands, Guam, American 
Samoa, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands). Current 
State Program Improvement Grant grantees with multi-year awards who 
wish to apply for a grant under the State Personnel Development Program 
may do so, subject to section 651(e) of the Individuals with 
Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), which prohibits a State requesting 
to receive a continuation award under the State Improvement Grant 
Program, as in effect prior to December 3, 2004, from receiving any 
other award under this program authority for that fiscal year.
    Estimated Available Funds: $8,350,992.
    Estimated Range of Awards: In the case of the 50 States, the 
District of Columbia, and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, award 
amounts will be not less than $500,000, nor more than $4,000,000. In 
the case of an outlying area, awards will be not less than $80,000.


    Note: Consistent with 34 CFR 75.104(b) of the Education 
Department General Administrative Regulations (EDGAR), we will 
reject, without consideration or evaluation, any application that 
proposes a project funding level for any fiscal year that exceeds 
the stated maximum award amount for that fiscal year.


    We will set the amount of each grant after considering--
    (1) The amount of funds available for making the grants;
    (2) The relative population of the State or outlying area;
    (3) The types of activities proposed by the State or outlying area;
    (4) The alignment of proposed activities with section 612(a)(14) of 
the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA);
    (5) The alignment of proposed activities with State plans and 
applications submitted under sections 1111 and 2112, respectively, of 
the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, as amended (ESEA); 
and
    (6) The use, as appropriate, of scientifically based research 
activities.
    Estimated Average Size of Awards: $927,888, excluding outlying 
areas.
    Estimated Number of Awards: 9.


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


    Project Period: Not less than one year and not more than five 
years.

Full Text of Announcement

I. Funding Opportunity Description

    Purpose of Program: The purpose of this program, authorized under 
the IDEA, is to assist SEAs in reforming and improving their systems 
for personnel preparation and professional development in early 
intervention, educational, and transition services in order to improve 
results for children with disabilities.
    Priorities: In accordance with 34 CFR 75.105(b)(2)(v) these 
priorities are from allowable activities specified in the statute. (See 
sections 651-655 of the IDEA).
    Absolute Priority: For FY 2005 this priority is an absolute 
priority. Under section 653 of the IDEA and 34 CFR 75.105(c)(3), we 
consider only applications that meet this priority.
    Background of Priority: States have been successful in improving 
educational and transition services and results for children with 
disabilities in response to growing demands imposed by factors, such as 
demographics, social policies, and labor and economic markets. In order 
for States to address

[[Page 10381]]

such demands and to facilitate lasting systemic change that is of 
benefit to all students, including children with disabilities, States 
must involve local educational agencies (LEAs), parents, individuals 
with disabilities and their families, teachers and other service 
providers, and other interested individuals and organizations in 
carrying out comprehensive strategies to improve results for children 
with disabilities. SEAs, in partnership with LEAs, parents of children 
with disabilities, and other individuals and organizations, are in the 
best position to improve education for children with disabilities and 
to address their unique needs.
    The Improving Teacher Quality State Grants Program contained in 
title II, part A of the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 (NCLB), is 
designed to increase student achievement by elevating teacher and 
principal quality through recruitment, hiring, and retention 
strategies. SEAs receiving assistance under this program must develop a 
plan for coordinating title II professional development activities with 
professional development activities funded through other Federal, 
State, and local programs. States must develop these activities in a 
collaborative fashion and seek the input of teachers, principals, 
parents, administrators, paraprofessionals, and other school personnel.
    Section 653 of the IDEA requires that the State Personnel 
Development Plan be integrated and aligned, to the maximum extent 
possible, with State plans under the ESEA. A State receiving support 
under this priority must coordinate with the State's Title II, part A 
Grant in conducting its analysis of State and local needs for 
professional development for personnel to serve children with 
disabilities, and in developing its improvement strategies.
    Priority: This priority supports projects that assist SEAs in 
reforming and improving their systems for personnel preparation and 
professional development in early intervention, educational, and 
transition services in order to improve results for children with 
disabilities.

State Personnel Development Plan

    Applicants must submit a State Personnel Development Plan that 
identifies and addresses the State and local needs for personnel 
preparation and professional development of personnel, as well as 
individuals who provide direct supplementary aids and services to 
children with disabilities, and that--
    (a) Is designed to enable the State to meet the requirements of 
section 612(a)(14) and section 635(a) (8) and (9) of the IDEA;
    (b) Is based on an assessment of State and local needs that 
identifies critical aspects and areas in need of improvement related to 
the preparation, ongoing training, and professional development of 
personnel who serve infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and children with 
disabilities within the State, including--
    (i) Current and anticipated personnel vacancies and shortages; and
    (ii) The number of preservice and inservice programs; and
    (c) Is integrated and aligned, to the maximum extent possible, with 
State plans and activities under the ESEA, the Rehabilitation Act of 
1973, as amended and the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended 
(HEA);
    (d) Describes a partnership agreement that is in effect for the 
period of the grant, which agreement shall specify--
    (i) The nature and extent of the partnership described in 
accordance with section 652(b) of the IDEA and the respective roles of 
each member of the partnership, including, if applicable, an 
individual, entity, or agency other than the SEA that has the 
responsibility under State law for teacher preparation and 
certification; and
    (ii) How the SEA will work with other persons and organizations 
involved in, and concerned with, the education of children with 
disabilities, including the respective roles of each of the persons and 
organizations;
    (e) Describes how the strategies and activities the SEA uses to 
address identified professional development and personnel needs will be 
coordinated with activities supported with other public resources 
(including funds provided under part B and part C of the IDEA and 
retained for use at the State level for personnel and professional 
development purposes) and private resources;
    (f) Describes how the SEA will align its personnel development plan 
with the plan and application submitted under sections 1111 and 2112, 
respectively, of the ESEA;
    (g) Describes those strategies the SEA will use to address the 
identified professional development and personnel needs and how such 
strategies will be implemented, including--
    (i) A description of the programs and activities that will provide 
personnel with the knowledge and skills to meet the needs of, and 
improve the performance and achievement of infants, toddlers, 
preschoolers, and children with disabilities; and
    (ii) How such strategies will be integrated, to the maximum extent 
possible, with other activities supported by grants funded under 
section 662 of the IDEA;
    (h) Provides an assurance that the SEA will provide technical 
assistance to LEAs to improve the quality of professional development 
available to meet the needs of personnel who serve children with 
disabilities;
    (i) Provides an assurance that the SEA will provide technical 
assistance to entities that provide services to infants and toddlers 
with disabilities to improve the quality of professional development 
available to meet the needs of personnel serving those children;
    (j) Describes how the SEA will recruit and retain highly qualified 
teachers and other qualified personnel in geographic areas of greatest 
need;
    (k) Describes the steps the SEA will take to ensure that 
economically disadvantaged and minority children are not taught at 
higher rates by teachers who are not highly qualified; and
    (l) Describes how the SEA will assess, on a regular basis, the 
extent to which the strategies implemented have been effective in 
meeting the performance goals described in section 612(a)(15) of the 
IDEA (effective as of July 1, 2005).

Partnerships

Required Partners
    Applicants shall establish a partnership with LEAs and other State 
agencies involved in, or concerned with, the education of children with 
disabilities, including--
    (a) Not less than one institution of higher education; and;
    (b) The State agencies responsible for administering part C of the 
IDEA, early education, child care, and vocational rehabilitation 
programs.
Other Partners
    An SEA shall work in partnership with other persons and 
organizations involved in, and concerned with, the education of 
children with disabilities, which may include--
    (a) The Governor;
    (b) Parents of children with disabilities ages birth through 26;
    (c) Parents of nondisabled children ages birth through 26;
    (d) Individuals with disabilities;
    (e) Parent training and information centers or community parent 
resource centers funded under sections 671 and 672, respectively, of 
the IDEA;
    (f) Community-based and other nonprofit organizations involved in 
the

[[Page 10382]]

education and employment of individuals with disabilities;
    (g) Personnel as defined in section 651(b) of the IDEA;
    (h) The State advisory panel established under part B of the IDEA;
    (i) The State interagency coordinating council established under 
part C of the IDEA;
    (j) Individuals knowledgeable about vocational education;
    (k) The State agency for higher education;
    (l) Noneducational public agencies with jurisdiction in the areas 
of health, mental health, social services and juvenile justice;
    (m) Other providers of professional development who work with 
infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and children with disabilities;
    (n) Other individuals; and
    (o) In cases where the SEA is not responsible for teacher 
certification, an individual, entity, or agency responsible for teacher 
certification as defined in section 652(b)(3) of the IDEA.
Use of Funds
    (a) Professional Development Activities--Each SEA that receives a 
State Personnel Development Grant under this program shall use the 
grant funds to support activities in accordance with the State's 
Personnel Development Plan, including one or more of the following:
    (1) Carrying out programs that provide support to both special 
education and regular education teachers of children with disabilities 
and principals, such as programs that--
    (i) Provide teacher mentoring, team teaching, reduced class 
schedules and case loads, and intensive professional development;
    (ii) Use standards or assessments for guiding beginning teachers 
that are consistent with challenging State student academic achievement 
and functional standards and with the requirements for professional 
development, as defined in section 9101 of the ESEA; and
    (iii) Encourage collaborative and consultative models of providing 
early intervention, special education, and related services.
    (2) Encouraging and supporting the training of special education 
and regular education teachers and administrators to effectively use 
and integrate technology--
    (i) Into curricula and instruction, including training to improve 
the ability to collect, manage, and analyze data to improve teaching, 
decision-making, school improvement efforts, and accountability;
    (ii) To enhance learning by children with disabilities; and
    (iii) To effectively communicate with parents.
    (3) Providing professional development activities that--
    (i) Improve the knowledge of special education and regular 
education teachers concerning--
    (A) The academic and developmental or functional needs of students 
with disabilities; or
    (B) Effective instructional strategies, methods, and skills, and 
the use of State academic content standards and student academic 
achievement and functional standards, and State assessments, to improve 
teaching practices and student academic achievement;
    (ii) Improve the knowledge of special education and regular 
education teachers and principals and, in appropriate cases, 
paraprofessionals, concerning effective instructional practices, and 
that--
    (A) Provide training in how to teach and address the needs of 
children with different learning styles and children who are limited 
English proficient;
    (B) Involve collaborative groups of teachers, administrators, and, 
in appropriate cases, related services personnel;
    (C) Provide training in methods of--
    (I) Positive behavioral interventions and supports to improve 
student behavior in the classroom;
    (II) Scientifically based reading instruction, including early 
literacy instruction;
    (III) Early and appropriate interventions to identify and help 
children with disabilities;
    (IV) Effective instruction for children with low incidence 
disabilities;
    (V) Successful transitioning to postsecondary opportunities; and
    (VI) Using classroom-based techniques to assist children prior to 
referral for special education;
    (D) Provide training to enable personnel to work with and involve 
parents in their child's education, including parents of low income and 
limited English proficient children with disabilities;
    (E) Provide training for special education personnel and regular 
education personnel in planning, developing, and implementing effective 
and appropriate individualized education programs (IEPs); and
    (F) Provide training to meet the needs of students with significant 
health, mobility, or behavioral needs prior to serving those students;
    (iii) Train administrators, principals, and other relevant school 
personnel in conducting effective IEP meetings; and
    (iv) Train early intervention, preschool, and related services 
providers, and other relevant school personnel, in conducting effective 
individualized family service plan (IFSP) meetings.
    (4) Developing and implementing initiatives to promote the 
recruitment and retention of highly qualified special education 
teachers, particularly initiatives that have been proven effective in 
recruiting and retaining highly qualified teachers, including programs 
that provide--
    (i) Teacher mentoring from exemplary special education teachers, 
principals, or superintendents;
    (ii) Induction and support for special education teachers during 
their first three years of employment as teachers; or
    (iii) Incentives, including financial incentives, to retain special 
education teachers who have a record of success in helping students 
with disabilities.
    (5) Carrying out programs and activities that are designed to 
improve the quality of personnel who serve children with disabilities, 
such as--
    (i) Innovative professional development programs (which may be 
provided through partnerships that include institutions of higher 
education), including programs that train teachers and principals to 
integrate technology into curricula and instruction to improve 
teaching, learning, and technology literacy, which professional 
development shall be consistent with the definition of professional 
development in section 9101 of the ESEA; and
    (ii) The development and use of proven, cost effective strategies 
for the implementation of professional development activities, such as 
through the use of technology and distance learning.
    (6) Carrying out programs and activities that are designed to 
improve the quality of early intervention personnel, including 
paraprofessionals and primary referral sources, such as--
    (i) Professional development programs to improve the delivery of 
early intervention services;
    (ii) Initiatives to promote the recruitment and retention of early 
intervention personnel; and
    (iii) Interagency activities to ensure that early intervention 
personnel are adequately prepared and trained.
    (b) Other Activities--Each SEA that receives a State Personnel 
Development Grant under this program shall use the grant funds to 
support activities in accordance with the State's Personnel Development 
Plan, including one or more of the following:

[[Page 10383]]

    (1) Reforming special education and regular education teacher 
certification (including recertification) or licensing requirements to 
ensure that--
    (i) Special education and regular education teachers have--
    (A) The training and information necessary to address the full 
range of needs of children with disabilities across disability 
categories; and
    (B) The necessary subject matter knowledge and teaching skills in 
the academic subjects that the teachers teach;
    (ii) Special education and regular education teacher certification 
(including recertification) or licensing requirements are aligned with 
challenging State academic content standards; and
    (iii) Special education and regular education teachers have the 
subject matter knowledge and teaching skills, including technology 
literacy, necessary to help students with disabilities meet challenging 
State student academic achievement and functional standards.
    (2) Programs that establish, expand, or improve alternative routes 
for State certification of special education teachers for highly 
qualified individuals with a baccalaureate or master's degree, 
including mid-career professionals from other occupations, 
paraprofessionals, and recent college or university graduates with 
records of academic distinction who demonstrate the potential to become 
highly effective special education teachers.
    (3) Teacher advancement initiatives for special education teachers 
that promote professional growth and emphasize multiple career paths 
(such as paths to becoming a career teacher, mentor teacher, or 
exemplary teacher) and pay differentiation.
    (4) Developing and implementing mechanisms to assist LEAs and 
schools in effectively recruiting and retaining highly qualified 
special education teachers.
    (5) Reforming tenure systems, implementing teacher testing for 
subject matter knowledge, and implementing teacher testing for State 
certification or licensing, consistent with Title II of the HEA.
    (6) Funding projects to promote reciprocity of teacher 
certification or licensing between or among States for special 
education teachers, except that no reciprocity agreement developed 
under this priority may lead to the weakening of any State teacher 
certification or licensing requirement.
    (7) Assisting LEAs to serve children with disabilities through the 
development and use of proven, innovative strategies to deliver 
intensive professional development programs that are both cost 
effective and easily accessible, such as strategies that involve 
delivery through the use of technology, peer networks, and distance 
learning.
    (8) Developing, or assisting LEAs in developing, merit based 
performance systems, and strategies that provide differential and bonus 
pay for special education teachers.
    (9) Supporting activities that ensure that teachers are able to use 
challenging State academic content standards and student academic 
achievement and functional standards, and State assessments for all 
children with disabilities, to improve instructional practices and 
improve the academic achievement of children with disabilities.
    (10) When applicable, coordinating with, and expanding centers 
established under, section 2113(c)(18) of the ESEA to benefit special 
education teachers.
    (c) Contracts and Subgrants--An SEA that receives a grant under 
this priority--
    (1) Shall award contracts or subgrants to LEAs, institutions of 
higher education, parent training and information centers, or community 
parent resource centers, as appropriate, to carry out the State plan; 
and
    (2) May award contracts and subgrants to other public and private 
entities, including the lead agency under Part C of the IDEA, to carry 
out the State plan.
    (d) Use of Funds for Professional Development--An SEA that receives 
a grant under this priority shall use--
    (1) Not less than 90 percent of the funds the SEA receives under 
the grant for any fiscal year for the Professional Development 
Activities described in paragraph (a); and
    (2) Not more than 10 percent of the funds the SEA receives under 
the grant for any fiscal year for the Other Activities described in 
paragraph (b).
    (e) Grants to Outlying Areas--Public Law 95-134, permitting the 
consolidation of grants to the outlying areas, shall not apply to funds 
received under this program authority.
    Projects funded under this priority must also:
    (a) Budget for a two-day Project Directors' meeting in Washington, 
DC during each year of the project;
    (b) Budget $4,000 for support of the State Personnel Development 
Program Web site (http://www.signetwork.org); and
    (c) If a project receiving assistance under this program authority 
maintains a Web site, include relevant information and documents in a 
form that meets a government or industry-recognized standard for 
accessibility.
    Waiver of Proposed Rulemaking: Under Administrative Procedures Act 
(5 U.S.C. 553) the Department generally offers interested parties the 
opportunity to comment on proposed priorities, selection criteria, and 
other non-statutory requirements. Section 437(d)(1) of the General 
Education Provisions Act (20 U.S.C. 1232(d)(1)), however, allows the 
Secretary to exempt from rulemaking requirements, regulations governing 
the first grant competition under a new or substantially revised 
program authority. This is the first grant competition for this program 
under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act of 
2004 and therefore qualifies for this exemption. In order to ensure 
timely grant awards, the Secretary has decided to forego public comment 
on certain requirements in the absolute priority under section 
437(d)(1). This absolute priority will apply to the FY 2005 grant 
competition only.

    Program Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1451.

    Applicable Regulations: The Education Department General 
Administrative Regulations (EDGAR) in 34 CFR parts 74, 75, 77, 79, 80, 
81, 82, 84, 85, 97, 98, and 99.


    Note: The regulations in 34 CFR part 79 apply to all applicants 
except federally recognized Indian tribes.

II. Award Information

    Type of Award: Discretionary grants.
    Estimated Range of Awards: In the case of the 50 States, the 
District of Columbia, and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, award 
amounts will be not less than $500,000, nor more than $4,000,000. In 
the case of an outlying area awards will be not less than $80,000.


    Note: Consistent with 34 CFR 75.104(b) of EDGAR, we will reject 
without further consideration or evaluation any application that 
proposes a project funding level for any fiscal year that exceeds 
the stated maximum award amount for that fiscal year.


    We will set the amount of each grant after considering--
    (1) The amount of funds available for making the grants;
    (2) The relative population of the State or outlying area;
    (3) The types of activities proposed by the State or outlying area;
    (4) The alignment of proposed activities with section 612(a)(14) of 
the IDEA;
    (5) The alignment of proposed activities with State plans and 
applications submitted under sections

[[Page 10384]]

1111 and 2112, respectively, of the ESEA; and
    (6) The use, as appropriate, of scientifically based research 
activities.
    Estimated Average Size of Awards: $927,888, excluding outlying 
areas.
    Estimated Number of Awards: 9.


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

    Project Period: Not less than one year and not more than five 
years.

III. Eligibility Information

    1. Eligible Applicants: An SEA of one of the 50 States, the 
District of Columbia, or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico or an outlying 
area (United States Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and the 
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands). Current State Program 
Improvement Grant grantees with multi-year awards who wish to apply for 
a grant under the State Personnel Development Program may do so, 
subject to section 651(e) of the Individuals with Disabilities 
Education Act, as amended (IDEA), which prohibits a State requesting to 
receive a continuation award under the State Improvement Grant Program, 
as in effect prior to December 3, 2004, from receiving any other award 
under this program authority for that fiscal year.
    2. Cost Sharing or Matching: This competition does not involve cost 
sharing or matching.
    3. Other: General Requirements--The projects funded under this 
competition must make positive efforts to employ and advance in 
employment qualified individuals with disabilities (see section 606 of 
the IDEA).

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 (toll free): 
1-877-576-7734.
    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 84.323A.
    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 in section VII of 
this notice.
    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 competition.
    Page Limit: The application narrative (Part III of the application) 
is where you, the applicant, address the selection criteria that 
reviewers use to evaluate your application. You must limit Part III to 
the equivalent of no more than 100 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, as well as all text in 
charts, tables, figures, and graphs.
     Use a font that is either 12 point or larger or no smaller 
than 10 pitch (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, the references, or the letters of support. 
However, you must include all of the application narrative in Part III.
    We will reject your application if--
     You apply these standards and exceed the page limit; or
     You apply other standards and exceed the equivalent of the 
page limit.
    3. Submission Dates and Times:
    Applications Available: March 4, 2005.
    Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: April 15, 2005.
    Applications for grants under this competition may be submitted 
electronically using the Grants.gov Apply site (Grants.gov), or in 
paper format by mail or hand delivery. For information (including dates 
and times) about how to submit your application electronically, or by 
mail or hand delivery, please refer to section IV. 6. Other Submission 
Requirements in this notice.
    We do not consider an application that does not comply with the 
deadline requirements.
    Deadline for Intergovernmental Review: June 14, 2005.
    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 competition.
    5. Funding Restrictions: We reference regulations outlining funding 
restrictions in the Applicable Regulations section of this notice.
    6. Other Submission Requirements: Applications for grants under 
this competition may be submitted electronically or in paper format by 
mail or hand delivery.
    a. Electronic Submission of Applications.
    We have been accepting applications electronically through the 
Department's e-Application system since FY 2000. In order to expand on 
those efforts and comply with the President's Management Agenda, we are 
continuing to participate as a partner in the new governmentwide 
Grants.gov Apply site in FY 2005. The State Personnel Development 
Grants Program--CFDA Number 84.323A is one of the competitions included 
in this project.
    If you choose to submit your application electronically, you must 
use the Grants.gov Apply site (Grants.gov). Through this site, you will 
be able to download a copy of the application package, complete it 
offline, and then upload and submit your application. You may not e-
mail an electronic copy of a grant application to us. We request your 
participation in Grants.gov.
    You may access the electronic grant application for the State 
Personnel Development Grants Program--CFDA Number 84.323A at: http://www.grants.gov. You must search for the downloadable application 
package for this program by the CFDA number. Do not include the CFDA 
number's alpha suffix in your search.
    Please note the following:
     Your participation in Grants.gov is voluntary.
     When you enter the Grants.gov site, you will find 
information about submitting an application electronically through the 
site, as well as the hours of operation.
     Applications received by Grants.gov are time and date 
stamped. Your application must be fully uploaded and submitted with a 
date/time received by the Grants.gov system no later than 4:30 p.m., 
Washington, DC time, on the application deadline date. We will not 
consider your application if it was received by the Grants.gov system 
later than 4:30 p.m. on the application deadline date. When we retrieve 
your application from Grants.gov, we will notify you if we are 
rejecting your application because it was submitted after 4:30 p.m. on 
the application deadline date.

[[Page 10385]]

     If you experience technical difficulties on the 
application deadline date and are unable to meet the 4:30 p.m., 
Washington, DC time, deadline, print out your application and follow 
the instructions in this notice for the submission of paper 
applications by mail or hand delivery.
     The amount of time it can take to upload an application 
will vary depending on a variety of factors including the size of the 
application and the speed of your Internet connection. Therefore, we 
strongly recommend that you do not wait until the application deadline 
date to begin the application process through Grants.gov.
     You should review and follow the Education Submission 
Procedures for submitting an application through Grants.gov that are 
included in the application package for this competition to ensure that 
your application is submitted timely to the Grants.gov system.
     To use Grants.gov, you, as the applicant, must have a D-U-
N-S Number and register in the Central Contractor Registry (CCR). You 
should allow a minimum of five business days to complete the CCR 
registration.
     You will not receive additional point value because you 
submit your application in electronic format, nor will we penalize you 
if you submit your application in paper format.
     You may submit all documents electronically, including all 
information typically included on the Application for Federal Education 
Assistance (ED 424), Budget Information--Non-Construction Programs (ED 
524), and all necessary assurances and certifications. Any narrative 
sections of your application should be attached as files in a .DOC 
(document), .RTF (rich text) or .PDF (Portable Document) format.
     Your electronic application must comply with any page 
limit requirements described in this notice.
     After you electronically submit your application, you will 
receive an automatic acknowledgement from Grants.gov that contains a 
Grants.gov tracking number. The Department will retrieve your 
application from Grants.gov and send you a second confirmation by e-
mail that will include a PR/Award number (an ED-specified identifying 
number unique to your application).
     We may request that you provide us original signatures on 
forms at a later date.
    b. Submission of Paper Applications by Mail.
    If you submit your application in paper format by mail (through the 
U.S. Postal Service or a commercial carrier), you must mail the 
original and two copies of your application, on or before the 
application deadline date, to the Department at the applicable 
following address:

By mail through the U.S. Postal Service: U.S. Department of Education, 
Application Control Center, Attention: (CFDA Number 84.323A), 400 
Maryland Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20202-4260.
     or
By mail through a commercial carrier: U.S. Department of Education, 
Application Control Center--Stop 4260, Attention: (CFDA Number 
84.323A), 7100 Old Landover Road, Landover, MD 20785-1506.

    Regardless of which address you use, you must show proof of mailing 
consisting of one of the following:
    (1) A legibly dated U.S. Postal Service postmark,
    (2) A legible mail receipt with the date of mailing stamped by the 
U.S. Postal Service,
    (3) A dated shipping label, invoice, or receipt from a commercial 
carrier, or
    (4) Any other proof of mailing acceptable to the Secretary of the 
U.S. Department of Education.
    If you mail your application through the U.S. Postal Service, we do 
not accept either of the following as proof of mailing:
    (1) A private metered postmark, or
    (2) A mail receipt that is not dated by the U.S. Postal Service.
    If your application is postmarked after the application deadline 
date, we will not consider your application.


    Note: The U.S. Postal Service does not uniformly provide a dated 
postmark. Before relying on this method, you should check with your 
local post office.

    c. Submission of Paper Applications by Hand Delivery.
    If you submit your application in paper format by hand delivery, 
you (or a courier service) must deliver the original and two copies of 
your application by hand, on or before the application deadline date, 
to the Department at the following address: U.S. Department of 
Education, Application Control Center, Attention: (CFDA Number 
84.323A), 550 12th Street, SW., Room 7041, Potomac Center Plaza, 
Washington, DC 20202-4260. The Application Control Center accepts hand 
deliveries daily between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Washington, DC time, 
except Saturdays, Sundays and Federal holidays. Note for Mail or Hand 
Delivery of Paper Applications: If you mail or hand deliver your 
application to the Department:
    (1) You must indicate on the envelope and--if not provided by the 
Department--in Item 4 of the Application for Federal Education 
Assistance (ED 424) the CFDA number--and suffix letter, if any--of the 
competition under which you are submitting your application.
    (2) The Application Control Center will mail a grant application 
receipt acknowledgment to you. If you do not receive the grant 
application receipt acknowledgment within 15 business days from the 
application deadline date, you should call the U.S. Department of 
Education Application Control Center at (202) 245-6288.

V. Application Review Information

    Selection Criteria: The selection criteria for this competition are 
from 34 CFR 75.210 and are listed in the application package.

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 
Notification (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: The goal of the State Personnel 
Development Grants Program is to reform and improve State systems for 
personnel preparation and professional development in early 
intervention, educational, and transition services in order to improve 
results for children with disabilities.
    Under the Government Performance and Results Act (GPRA), the 
Department is currently working to develop

[[Page 10386]]

measures that will yield information on various aspects of performance 
consistent with the program's purpose. When implemented, each grantee 
will be required to submit data documenting its performance on these 
measures.
    In addition, the applicant's proposed project evaluation must 
describe 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 on the project's contribution to the reform and 
improvement of such systems.
    If funded, the applicant will be expected to report such data in 
the projects' annual performance reports (34 CFR 75.590). Data should 
reflect how States have used State Personnel Development Grant funding, 
in addition to State resources, to reform and improve their systems for 
personnel preparation and professional development.
    We will notify grantees of the performance measures once they are 
developed.

VII. Agency Contact

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Larry Wexler, U.S. Department of 
Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW., Room 4019, Potomac Center Plaza, 
Washington, DC 20202-2550. Telephone: (202) 245-7571.
    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 by contacting the following office: The Grants and 
Contracts Services Team, U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland 
Avenue, SW., Potomac Center Plaza, Washington, DC 20202-2550. 
Telephone: (202) 245-7363.

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: February 25, 2005.
John H. Hager,
Assistant Secretary for Special Education and Rehabilitative Services.
[FR Doc. 05-4150 Filed 3-2-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4000-01-P