[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 44 (Tuesday, March 8, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 11214-11218]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-4442]


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DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION


Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services; Overview 
Information; Technical Assistance and Dissemination To Improve Services 
and Results for Children With Disabilities--Secondary Transition 
Technical Assistance Center; Notice Inviting Applications for New 
Awards for Fiscal Year (FY) 2005

Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: 84.326J.


Dates: Applications Available: March 9, 2005.
    Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: April 22, 2005.
    Deadline for Intergovernmental Review: June 21, 2005.
    Eligible Applicants: State educational agencies (SEAs), local 
educational agencies (LEAs), public charter schools that are LEAs under 
State law, institutions of higher education (IHEs), other public 
agencies, private nonprofit organizations, outlying areas, freely 
associated States, Indian tribes or tribal organizations, and for-
profit organizations.
    Estimated Available Funds: $5,200,000.
    Maximum Award: The Secretary does not intend to fund an application 
that proposes a budget exceeding $800,000 for a single budget period of 
12 months for year one of the project period, and $1,100,000 for a 
single budget period of 12 months for years two through five of the 
project period.
    Number of Awards: 1.

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

    Project Period: Up to 60 months.

Full Text of Announcement

I. Funding Opportunity Description

    Purpose of Program: This program promotes academic achievement and 
improves results for children with disabilities by supporting technical 
assistance, model demonstration projects, dissemination of useful 
information, and implementation activities that are supported by 
scientifically based research.
    Priority: In accordance with 34 CFR 75.105(b)(2)(v), this priority 
is from allowable activities specified in the statute (see sections 663 
and 681(d) of the Individuals With Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)).
    Absolute Priority: For FY 2005 this priority is an absolute 
priority. Under 34 CFR 75.105(c)(3), we consider only applications that 
meet this priority.
    This priority is:

Technical Assistance and Dissemination to Improve Services and Results 
for Children With Disabilities--Secondary Transition Technical 
Assistance Center

Background
    The secondary transition of students with disabilities is a complex 
process for youth, their families, and school personnel. IDEA requires 
transition planning for students at age 16, including a description of 
their postsecondary goals and needed transition services in their 
Individualized Education Programs. Adding to the complexity, transition 
planning and services require a multi-agency approach to address the 
multiple needs of youth with disabilities as they move from high school 
to further education, employment, and where appropriate, independent 
living and adult services.
    Although recent findings of the National Longitudinal Transition 
Study-2 (2004) and data from States' Annual Performance Reports 
indicate that the experiences of students with disabilities have 
significantly improved over the past decade, students in some 
disability categories, such as emotional disturbance, continue to 
experience poor academic and social outcomes. The U.S. Bureau of Labor 
Statistics indicates that in 2002, only 31 percent of civilian non-
institutionalized youth with disabilities, ages 18-24, were employed, 
compared to 85 percent of those without a disability. More extensive 
efforts, therefore, are needed to improve transitions from high school 
to postsecondary education, employment, independent living, and adult 
services. Efforts must begin in the early years of schooling to help 
students make a successful transition to meaningful employment and 
financial independence (Center on Education Policy, 2002). To ensure 
full

[[Page 11215]]

implementation of IDEA and to help youth with disabilities and their 
families achieve desired postschool outcomes, the Secondary Transition 
Technical Assistance Center (Center) will help States build capacity to 
support and improve transition planning, services, and outcomes for 
youth with disabilities.
    This Center will disseminate information and provide technical 
assistance on research-based practices as identified by sources such as 
the What Works Clearinghouse (WWC) (http://www.whatworks.ed.gov) with 
an emphasis on building and sustaining State-level infrastructures of 
support and building district-level demonstrations of effective 
transition methods for youth with disabilities. The goal of this Center 
is to promote efficient and effective large-scale implementation and 
sustainability of research-based interventions and models.
    Priority: This priority supports the improvement of transition 
planning, services, and outcomes for youth with disabilities through a 
center that will focus on disseminating information and providing 
technical assistance. The Center's planning activities must include, 
but are not limited to, the following:
    (a) Develop a strategic plan for technical assistance and 
dissemination in the first two months after award. This plan must be 
submitted to the Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) for 
approval and must be updated and approved annually. The plan must 
identify each activity necessary to advance the implementation of 
transition-related actions in the States and demonstrate the strategic 
relationship of these actions to improved outcomes for youth with 
disabilities.
    (b) Meet with the OSEP project officer and other appropriate 
Federal staff in Washington, DC within the first two months of the 
project to clarify project activities and further develop the strategic 
plan.
    The Center's knowledge development activities must include, but are 
not limited to, the following:
    (a) Conduct an analysis of IDEA Part B State Annual Performance 
Reports and other sources of information to determine the current 
status of transition planning strategies and identify any practices and 
strategies that support improved performance or create barriers.
    (b) Identify effective and promising practices that improve 
transition planning, services, and outcomes for youth with disabilities 
by consulting sources such as the WWC, by commissioning the WWC to 
conduct reviews of relevant research if such reviews have not already 
been done, and, if necessary, by conducting its own reviews of research 
studies using standards consistent with those of WWC. The Center must 
consult with other appropriate technical assistance providers across 
the Department of Education and other federal agencies to incorporate 
effective strategies for improving the performance of students with 
disabilities in broader improvement efforts. The Center must also work 
to ensure that its efforts are coordinated with other reform/school 
improvement initiatives at the district and local school level.
    The Center's technical assistance and dissemination activities must 
include, but are not limited to, the following:
    (a) Maintain, in collaboration with the proposed new Center on 
Access to the General Education Curriculum for High School Students 
with Disabilities, a user-friendly Web site with relevant information 
and documents in a form that meets a government or industry-recognized 
standard for accessibility.
    (b) Work directly with States and a limited number of school 
districts, selected in collaboration with the Center on Access to the 
General Education Curriculum for High School Students with 
Disabilities, to: (1) Improve integrated and systemic implementation of 
interventions, such as self-determination curriculum and career 
development activities, and strategies, such as concurrent enrollment, 
mentorships, internships, culturally sensitive approaches, and combined 
funding streams; (2) establish and maintain an evaluation system based 
on a standard protocol to measure progress of implementation in States; 
and (3) produce reports on trends and patterns and other pertinent 
topics as requested by OSEP.
    (c) Provide technical assistance on effective systems of support.
    (d) Foster integrated approaches to transition planning and 
services.
    (e) Provide leadership and other technical assistance activities 
regarding research-based transition strategies and supports.
    (f) Develop and implement a plan for building a cadre of trainers 
through regional capacity building institutes and other meetings as 
requested by OSEP. At a minimum, the Center must hold trainer 
institutes every year of the project.
    (g) Prepare and disseminate reports and documents on secondary 
transition interventions, strategies, and supports including 
publications in peer-reviewed journals.
    (h) Develop and apply strategies for the dissemination of 
information to State-specific audiences including students, teachers, 
rehabilitation counselors, families, administrators, policymakers, and 
researchers. Such strategies must involve collaboration with other 
technical assistance providers, organizations, and agencies.
    (i) Develop partnerships with relevant programs, agencies, and 
organizations to assist with implementing the goals of the New Freedom 
Initiative (NFI) and promoting equal access to full participation in 
American society. (See the NFI at the following Web site:  http://www.hhs.gov/newfreedom/eo13217.html) Partners are not limited to but 
must include a minimum of the following entities, national teacher 
organizations, school administrators, teacher trainers, guidance 
counselors, parent and disability organizations, national postsecondary 
support organizations, business coalitions, and key Federal agencies, 
including the Rehabilitation Services Administration, the National 
Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research, the Department of 
Labor, and other agencies that work to improve access to public 
accommodations, commercial facilities, information technology, 
telecommunications services, and housing.
    (j) Submit for approval a proposal describing the content and 
purpose of any new paper or electronic product, prior to its 
development, to the document review board of OSEP's Dissemination 
Center.
    (k) Provide OSEP-specified technical assistance to States. This 
effort must include participation in: (1) Collaborative Web-based 
technical assistance activities; (2) OSEP-sponsored Communities of 
Practice; and (3) direct technical assistance to OSEP-specified States 
through partnerships among OSEP, other centers, and selected States. 
Staff time and project resources dedicated to provide technical 
assistance to OSEP-specified States will be negotiated with OSEP as 
part of the cooperative agreement within 30 days of the annual project 
continuation award (Technical assistance to OSEP-specified States 
averages approximately $40,000 per year.)
    The Center must also--
    (a) Maintain communication with the OSEP project officer through 
monthly phone conversations and e-mail communication as needed. The 
Center must submit annual performance reports and provide additional 
written

[[Page 11216]]

materials as needed for the OSEP project officer to monitor the 
Center's work.
    (b) Establish, maintain, and meet at least annually with an 
advisory committee consisting of individuals with disabilities, 
parents, educators, researchers, and other appropriate individuals to 
review and advise on the Center's activities and plans.
    (c) Maintain communication and collaboration with other relevant 
OSERS-funded projects.
    (g) Fund, as project assistants, two doctoral students per year who 
have concentrations in special education, educational leadership, 
rehabilitation, or other relevant, transition-related areas.
    (h) Conduct evaluations of its specific activities and of the 
overall impact of its work. The Center must report its evaluation 
findings annually to the OSEP project officer.
    (i) Budget for annual attendance at two-day Technical Assistance 
Project Director's meeting and at least two one-day planning meetings 
in Washington, DC. The Center must also budget to attend three one-day 
meetings such as Department briefings, Department-sponsored 
conferences, and other OSEP-requested activities.
Fourth and Fifth Years of Project
    In deciding whether to continue this project for the fourth and 
fifth years, the Secretary will consider the requirements of 34 CFR 
75.253(a), and in addition--
    (a) The recommendation of a review team consisting of experts 
selected by the Secretary which will conduct its review in Washington, 
DC during the last half of the project's second year. Projects must 
budget for travel expenses associated with this one-day intensive 
review;
    (b) The timeliness and effectiveness with which all requirements of 
the negotiated cooperative agreement have been or are being met by the 
Center; and
    (c) Evidence of the degree to which the Center's activities have 
contributed to a changed practice and improved transition outcomes for 
youth with disabilities.
Waiver of Proposed Rulemaking
    Under the Administrative Procedure Act (APA) (5 U.S.C. 553) the 
Department generally offers interested parties the opportunity to 
comment on a proposed priority. However, section 681(d) of IDEA makes 
the public comment requirements of the APA inapplicable to the priority 
in this notice.
    Program Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1463 and 1481(d).
    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 79 apply to all applicants 
except federally recognized Indian tribes.



    Note: The regulations in 34 CFR part 86 apply to IHEs only.

II. Award Information

    Type of Award: Cooperative agreement.
    Estimated Available Funds: $5,200,000.
    Maximum Award: The Secretary does not intend to fund an application 
that proposes a budget exceeding $800,000 for a single budget period of 
12 months for year one of the project period, and $1,100,000 for a 
single budget period of 12 months for years two through five of the 
project period.
    Number of Awards: 1.

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

    Project Period: Up to 60 months.

III. Eligibility Information

    1. Eligible Applicants: SEAs, LEAs, public charter schools that are 
LEAs under State law, IHEs, other public agencies, private nonprofit 
organizations, outlying areas, freely associated States, Indian tribes 
or tribal organizations, and for-profit organizations.
    2. Cost Sharing or Matching: This competition does not involve cost 
sharing or matching.
    3. Other: General Requirements--(a) The projects funded under this 
competition must make positive efforts to employ and advance in 
employment qualified individuals with disabilities (see section 606 of 
IDEA).
    (b) Applicants and grant recipients funded under this competition 
must involve individuals with disabilities or parents of individuals 
with disabilities ages birth through 26 in planning, implementing, and 
evaluating the projects (see section 682(a)(1)(A) of 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: 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 84.326J.
    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 70 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 9, 
2005.
    Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: April 22, 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.

[[Page 11217]]

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 21, 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. Secondary Transition Technical 
Assistance Center--CFDA Number 84.326J 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 Secondary 
Transition Technical Assistance Center--CFDA Number 84.326J competition 
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.
     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 
84.326J), 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 
84.326J), 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 
84.326J), 550 12th

[[Page 11218]]

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 of EDGAR 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: Under the Government Performance and 
Results Act (GPRA), the Department is currently developing measures 
that will yield information on various aspects of the quality of the 
Technical Assistance to Improve Services and Results for Children with 
Disabilities program. The measures will focus on: the extent to which 
projects provide high quality products and services, the relevance of 
project products and services to educational and early intervention 
policy and practice, and the use of products and services to improve 
educational and early intervention policy and practice.
    Once the measures are developed, we will notify grantees if they 
will be required to provide any information related to these measures.
    Grantees will also be required to report information on their 
projects' performance in annual reports to the Department (34 CFR 
75.590).

VII. Agency Contact

For Further Information Contact: Marlene Simon-Burroughs, U.S. 
Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW., room 4151, Potomac 
Center Plaza, Washington, DC 20202-2550. Telephone: (202) 245-7525.
    If you use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD), you may 
call the Federal 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: 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 2, 2005.
John H. Hager,
Assistant Secretary for Special Education and Rehabilitative Services.
[FR Doc. 05-4442 Filed 3-7-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4000-01-P