[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 246 (Monday, December 22, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 78348-78353]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-30388]


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DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION


Office of Safe and Drug-Free Schools; Overview Information; 
Partnerships in Character Education Program; Notice Inviting 
Applications for New Awards for Fiscal Year (FY) 2009

Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number 84.215S.

DATES: Applications Available: December 22, 2008.
    Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: February 24, 2009.
    Deadline for Intergovernmental Review: April 27, 2009.

Full Text of Announcement

I. Funding Opportunity Description

    Purpose of Program: Under this program we support Federal grants to 
design and implement character education programs that can be 
integrated into classroom instruction and that are consistent with 
State academic content standards. Such programs may be carried out in 
conjunction with other educational reform efforts, and must take into 
consideration the views of the parents of the students to be taught 
under the program and the views of the students. Each application must 
describe how parents, students, students with disabilities (including 
those with mental or physical disabilities), and other members of the 
community, including members of private and nonprofit organizations and 
faith-based and community organizations, will be involved in the design 
and implementation of the program and how the eligible entity will work 
with the larger community to increase the reach and promise of the 
program.
    Priorities: In accordance with 34 CFR 75.105(b)(2)(iv), this 
priority is from title V, part D, subpart 3, section 5431 of the 
Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA) (20 U.S.C. 7247), 
as amended by the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 (NCLB).
    Absolute Priority: For FY 2009 and any subsequent year in which we 
make awards from the list of unfunded applicants from this competition, 
this priority is an absolute priority. Under 34

[[Page 78349]]

CFR 75.105(c)(3) we consider only applications that meet this priority.
    This priority is:
    The design and implementation of character education programs that 
are able to be--
    (a) Integrated into classroom instruction and consistent with State 
academic content standards; and
    (b) Carried out in conjunction with other educational reform 
efforts.
    Competitive Preference Priority: Within this absolute priority, we 
give competitive preference to applications that address the following 
priority.
    This priority is from the notice of final priorities for 
discretionary grant programs, published in the Federal Register on 
January 25, 2005 (70 FR 3585).
    Under 34 CFR 75.105(c)(2)(i), we award up to an additional 20 
points to an application, depending on how well the application meets 
this priority. Applicants proposing a quasi-experimental design may 
receive up to 10 additional points to their final score. Applicants 
proposing an experimental design may receive up to 20 additional points 
to their final score. When using the priority to give competitive 
preference to an application, the Secretary will review applications 
using a two-stage process. In the first stage, the application will be 
reviewed without taking the priority into account. In the second stage 
of review, the applications rated highest in stage one will be reviewed 
for competitive preference.
    This priority is:
    The Secretary establishes a priority for projects proposing an 
evaluation plan that is based on rigorous scientifically based research 
methods to assess the effectiveness of a particular intervention. The 
Secretary intends that this priority will allow program participants 
and the Department to determine whether the project produces meaningful 
effects on student achievement or teacher performance. Evaluation 
methods using an experimental design are best for determining project 
effectiveness. Thus, when feasible, the project must use an 
experimental design under which participants--e.g., students, teachers, 
classrooms, or schools--are randomly assigned to participate in the 
project activities being evaluated or to a control group that does not 
participate in the project activities being evaluated.
    If random assignment is not feasible, the project may use a quasi-
experimental design with carefully matched comparison conditions. This 
alternative design attempts to approximate a randomly assigned control 
group by matching participant--e.g., students, teachers, classrooms, or 
schools--with non-participants having similar pre-program 
characteristics.
    In cases where random assignment is not possible and participation 
in the intervention is determined by a specified cutting point on a 
quantified continuum of scores, regression discontinuity designs may be 
employed. For projects that are focused on special populations in which 
sufficient numbers of participants are not available to support random 
assignment or matched comparison group designs, single-subject designs 
such as multiple baseline or treatment-reversal or interrupted time 
series that are capable of demonstrating causal relationships can be 
employed.
    Proposed evaluation strategies that use neither experimental 
designs with random assignment nor quasi-experimental designs using a 
matched comparison group nor regression discontinuity designs will not 
be considered responsive to the priority when sufficient numbers of 
participants are available to support these designs. Evaluation 
strategies that involve too small a number of participants to support 
group designs must be capable of demonstrating the causal effects of an 
intervention or program on those participants.
    The proposed evaluation plan must describe how the project 
evaluator will collect--before the project intervention commences and 
after it ends--valid and reliable data that measure the impact of 
participation in the program or in the comparison group.
    Points awarded under this priority will be determined by the 
quality of the proposed evaluation method. In determining the quality 
of the evaluation method, we will consider the extent to which the 
applicant presents a feasible, credible plan that includes the 
following:
    (1) The type of design to be used (that is, random assignment or 
matched comparison). If matched comparison, include in the plan a 
discussion of why random assignment is not feasible.
    (2) Outcomes to be measured.
    (3) A discussion of how the applicant plans to assign students, 
teachers, classrooms, or schools to the project and control group or 
match them for comparison with other students, teachers, classrooms, or 
schools.
    (4) A proposed evaluator, preferably independent, with the 
necessary background and technical expertise to carry out the proposed 
evaluation. An independent evaluator does not have any authority over 
the project and is not involved in its implementation.
    In general, depending on the implemented program or project, under 
a competitive preference priority, random assignment evaluation methods 
will receive more points than matched comparison evaluation methods.

Definitions

    As used in this notice--
    Scientifically based research (section 9101(37) NCLB):
    (A) Means research that involves the application of rigorous, 
systematic, and objective procedures to obtain reliable and valid 
knowledge relevant to education activities and programs; and
    (B) Includes research that--
    (i) Employs systematic, empirical methods that draw on observation 
or experiment;
    (ii) Involves rigorous data analyses that are adequate to test the 
stated hypotheses and justify the general conclusions drawn;
    (iii) Relies on measurements or observational methods that provide 
reliable and valid data across evaluators and observers, across 
multiple measurements and observations, and across studies by the same 
or different investigators;
    (iv) Is evaluated using experimental or quasi-experimental designs 
in which individuals, entities, programs, or activities are assigned to 
different conditions and with appropriate controls to evaluate the 
effects of the condition of interest, with a preference for random-
assignment experiments, or other designs to the extent that those 
designs contain within-condition or across-condition controls;
    (v) Ensures that experimental studies are presented in sufficient 
detail and clarity to allow for replication or, at a minimum, offer the 
opportunity to build systematically on their findings; and
    (vi) Has been accepted by a peer-reviewed journal or approved by a 
panel of independent experts through a comparably rigorous, objective, 
and scientific review. Random assignment or experimental design means 
random assignment of students, teachers, classrooms, or schools to 
participate in a project being evaluated (treatment group) or not 
participate in the project (control group). The effect of the project 
is the difference in outcomes between the treatment and control groups.
    Quasi-experimental designs include several designs that attempt to 
approximate a random assignment design.
    Carefully matched comparison groups design means a quasi-
experimental design in which project participants are matched with non-
participants based on

[[Page 78350]]

key characteristics that are thought to be related to the outcome.
    Regression discontinuity design means a quasi-experimental design 
that closely approximates an experimental design.
    In a regression discontinuity design, participants are assigned to 
a treatment or control group based on a numerical rating or score of a 
variable unrelated to the treatment such as the rating of an 
application for funding. Eligible students, teachers, classrooms, or 
schools above a certain score (``cut score'') are assigned to the 
treatment group and those below the score are assigned to the control 
group. In the case of the scores of applicants' proposals for funding, 
the ``cut score'' is established at the point where the program funds 
available are exhausted.
    Single subject design means a design that relies on the comparison 
of treatment effects on a single subject or group of single subjects. 
There is little confidence that findings based on this design would be 
the same for other members of the population.
    Treatment reversal design means a single subject design in which a 
pre-treatment or baseline outcome measurement is compared with a post-
treatment measure. Treatment would then be stopped for a period of 
time, a second baseline measure of the outcome would be taken, followed 
by a second application of the treatment or a different treatment. For 
example, this design might be used to evaluate a behavior modification 
program for disabled students with behavior disorders.
    Multiple baseline design means a single subject design to address 
concerns about the effects of normal development, timing of the 
treatment, and amount of the treatment with treatment-reversal designs 
by using a varying time schedule for introduction of the treatment and/
or treatments of different lengths or intensity.
    Interrupted time series design means a quasi-experimental design in 
which the outcome of interest is measured multiple times before and 
after the treatment for program participants only.

    Note: Due to the very short timeframe that applicants have to 
select a proposed evaluator for the competitive preference priority, 
we remind applicants that they can, under 34 CFR 80.36, use informal 
procedures to select a proposed contractor for this purpose. For 
example, section 80.36 authorizes simple informal procedures to 
select contractors for contracts under the simplified acquisition 
threshold of $100,000. 34 CFR 80.36(d)(1). The regulations only 
require that you request offers from an adequate number of sources. 
In addition, even if you expect that the evaluation of your project 
would cost more than $100,000, the regulations recognize special 
cases where a contractor must be selected within a very limited time 
period. Again, you need to request proposals from an adequate number 
of qualified sources and select the contractor whose proposal is 
most advantageous to the program, considering price and other 
selection factors. In these situations, if informal solicitation 
does not result in an adequate number of proposals, you may select a 
single bidder so long as you document the facts that formed the 
basis for your decision. 34 CFR 80.36(d)(1), (3), (4).

    Invitational Priority: Within the absolute priority, we are 
particularly interested in applications that address the following 
invitational priority. Under 34 CFR 75.105(c)(1) we do not give an 
application that meets this invitational priority a competitive or 
absolute preference over other applications.
    This priority is:
    Faith-based and community organizations.
    The Secretary is especially interested in applications that propose 
to engage faith-based and community organizations in the planning and 
development of character education programs and the delivery of 
services under this program.
    Program Authority: 20 U.S.C. 7247.
    Applicable Regulations: (a) 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. (b) The regulations in 34 CFR 299. 
(c) The notice of final priority published in the Federal Register on 
January 25, 2005 (70 FR 3585). (d) The notice of final eligibility 
requirement for the Office of Safe and Drug-Free Schools discretionary 
grant programs published in the Federal Register on December 4, 2006 
(71 FR 70369).

    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 institutions of 
higher education only.

II. Award Information

    Type of Award: Discretionary grant.
    Estimated Available Funds: The Administration's budget request for 
FY 2009 does not include funds for this program. However, the 
Administration requested $23,824,000 for character education 
activities, of which an estimated $1,277,480 would be made available 
for this competition. The actual level of funding, if any, depends on 
final congressional action. However, we are inviting applications to 
allow enough time to complete the grant process if Congress 
appropriates funds for this program.
    Contingent upon the availability of funds and the quality of 
applications, we may make additional awards in FY 2010 from the list of 
unfunded applicants from this competition.
    Estimated Range of Awards: For State educational agencies (SEAs), 
$500,000-$750,000. For local educational agencies (LEAs), $250,000-
$500,000. We anticipate that applicants who request funding at the 
higher end of these ranges would respond to the competitive preference 
priority to implement experimental or quasi-experimental designs.
    Estimated Average Size of Awards: For SEAs, $600,000 for each 12-
month budget period. For LEAs, $350,000 for each 12-month budget 
period.
    Estimated Number of Awards: 2.

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

    Project Period: Up to 48 months, of which no more than 12 months 
may be used for planning and program design.

III. Eligibility Information

    1. Eligible Applicants:
    (a) An SEA in partnership with--
    (1) One or more LEAs; or
    (2) One or more--
    (i) LEAs; and
    (ii) Nonprofit organizations or entities, including faith-based and 
community organizations, and an institution of higher education (IHE);
    (b) An LEA or consortium of LEAs; or
    (c) An LEA in partnership with one or more nonprofit organizations 
or entities, including faith-based and community organizations, and an 
IHE.
    Charter schools that are considered LEAs under State law are also 
eligible to apply.
    The Secretary limits eligibility under this discretionary grant 
competition to applicants that do not currently have an active grant 
under the Partnerships in Character Education Program. For the purpose 
of this eligibility requirement, a grant is considered active until the 
end of the grant's project or funding period, including any extensions 
of those periods that extend the grantee's authority to obligate funds.
    Participation by Private School Children and Teachers. Each 
eligible entity that receives a grant under this program shall provide, 
to the extent feasible and appropriate, for the participation in 
programs and activities of students and teachers in private elementary 
and secondary schools.
    2. Cost Sharing or Matching: This program does not require cost 
sharing or matching.

[[Page 78351]]

IV. Application and Submission Information

    1. Address to Request Application Package: Sharon J. Burton, U.S. 
Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW., room 10102, Potomac 
Center Plaza (PCP), Washington, DC 20202. Telephone: (202) 245-7867 or 
by e-mail: [email protected].
    If you use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD), call the 
Federal Relay Service (FRS), toll free, at 1-800-877-8339.
    Individuals with disabilities can obtain a copy of the application 
package in an accessible format (e.g., braille, large print, audiotape, 
or computer diskette) by contacting the program contact person listed 
in this section.
    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.
    3. Submission Dates and Times: Applications Available: December 22, 
2008. Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: February 24, 2009.
    Applications for grants under this program 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 in 
paper format by mail or hand delivery, please refer to section IV.6. 
Other Submission Requirements of this notice.
    We do not consider an application that does not comply with the 
deadline requirements.
    Individuals with disabilities who need an accommodation or 
auxiliary aid in connection with the application process should contact 
the person listed under For Further Information Contact in section VII 
of this notice. If the Department provides an accommodation or 
auxiliary aid to an individual with a disability in connection with the 
application process, the individual's application remains subject to 
all other requirements and limitations in this notice. Deadline for 
Intergovernmental Review: April 27, 2009.
    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: Under section 5431(d)(1) of the ESEA (20 
U.S.C. 7247(d)(1)), an SEA may not use more than three percent (3%) of 
the total funds received in any fiscal year for administrative 
purposes. This does not apply to LEAs. We reference additional 
regulations outlining funding restrictions in the Applicable 
Regulations section of this notice.
    6. Other Submission Requirements:
    Applications for grants under this program may be submitted 
electronically or in paper format by mail or hand delivery.
    a. Electronic Submission of Applications.
    We are participating as a partner in the Governmentwide Grants.gov 
Apply site. The Partnerships in Character Education Program, CFDA 
number 84.215S, is included in this project. We request your 
participation in Grants.gov.
    If you choose to submit your application electronically, you must 
use the Governmentwide Grants.gov Apply site at www.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.
    You may access the electronic grant application for the 
Partnerships in Character Education Program at www.Grants.gov. You must 
search for the downloadable application package for this competition by 
the CFDA number. Do not include the CFDA number's alpha suffix in your 
search (e.g., search for 84.215, not 84.215S).
    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 date and time 
stamped. Your application must be fully uploaded and submitted and must 
be date and time stamped by the Grants.gov system no later than 4:30:00 
p.m., Washington, DC time, on the application deadline date. Except as 
otherwise noted in this section, we will not accept your application if 
it is received--that is, date and time stamped by the Grants.gov 
system--after 4:30:00 p.m., Washington, DC time, on the application 
deadline date. We do not consider an application that does not comply 
with the deadline requirements. When we retrieve your application from 
Grants.gov, we will notify you if we are rejecting your application 
because it was date and time stamped by the Grants.gov system after 
4:30:00 p.m., Washington, DC time, on the application deadline date.
     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 submission 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 
you submit your application in a timely manner to the Grants.gov 
system. You can also find the Education Submission Procedures 
pertaining to Grants.gov at http://e-Grants.ed.gov/help/GrantsgovSubmissionProcedures.pdf.
     To submit your application via Grants.gov, you must 
complete all steps in the Grants.gov registration process (see http://www.grants.gov/applicants/get_registered.jsp). These steps include (1) 
registering your organization, a multi-part process that includes 
registration with the Central Contractor Registry (CCR); (2) 
registering yourself as an Authorized Organization Representative 
(AOR); and (3) getting authorized as an AOR by your organization. 
Details on these steps are outlined in the Grants.gov 3-Step 
Registration Guide (see http://www.grants.gov/section910/Grants.govRegistrationBrochure.pdf ). You also must provide on your 
application the same D-U-N-S Number used with this registration. Please 
note that the registration process may take five or more business days 
to complete, and you must have completed all registration steps to 
allow you to submit successfully an application via Grants.gov. In 
addition you will need to update your CCR registration on an annual 
basis. This may take three or more business days to complete.
     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.
     If you submit your application electronically, you must 
submit all documents electronically, including all information you 
typically provide on the following forms: Application for Federal 
Assistance (SF 424), the Department of Education Supplemental 
Information for SF 424, Budget Information--Non-Construction Programs 
(ED 524), and all necessary assurances and certifications.

[[Page 78352]]

     If you submit your application electronically, you must 
attach any narrative sections of your application as files in a .DOC 
(document), .RTF (rich text), or .PDF (Portable Document) format. If 
you upload a file type other than the three file types specified in 
this paragraph or submit a password-protected file, we will not review 
that material.
     Your electronic application must comply with any page-
limit requirements described in this notice.
     After you electronically submit your application, you will 
receive from Grants.gov an automatic notification of receipt that 
contains a Grants.gov tracking number. (This notification indicates 
receipt by Grants.gov only, not receipt by the Department.) The 
Department then will retrieve your application from Grants.gov and send 
a second notification to you by e-mail. This second notification 
indicates that the Department has received your application and has 
assigned your application 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.
    Application Deadline Date Extension in Case of Technical Issues 
with the Grants.gov System: If you are experiencing problems submitting 
your application through Grants.gov, please contact the Grants.gov 
Support Desk, toll free, at 1-800-518-4726. You must obtain a 
Grants.gov Support Desk Case Number and must keep a record of it.
    If you are prevented from electronically submitting your 
application on the application deadline date because of technical 
problems with the Grants.gov system, we will grant you an extension 
until 4:30:00 p.m., Washington, DC time, the following business day to 
enable you to transmit your application electronically or by hand 
delivery. You also may mail your application by following the mailing 
instructions described elsewhere in this notice.
    If you submit an application after 4:30:00 p.m., Washington, DC 
time, on the application deadline date, please contact the person 
listed under For Further Information Contact in section VII of this 
notice and provide an explanation of the technical problem you 
experienced with Grants.gov, along with the Grants.gov Support Desk 
Case Number. We will accept your application if we can confirm that a 
technical problem occurred with the Grants.gov system and that that 
problem affected your ability to submit your application by 4:30:00 
p.m., Washington, DC time, on the application deadline date. The 
Department will contact you after a determination is made on whether 
your application will be accepted.

    Note: The extensions to which we refer in this section apply 
only to the unavailability of, or technical problems with, the 
Grants.gov system. We will not grant you an extension if you failed 
to fully register to submit your application to Grants.gov before 
the application deadline date and time or if the technical problem 
you experienced is unrelated to the Grants.gov system.

    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 following address: 
U.S. Department of Education, Application Control Center, Attention: 
(CFDA Number 84.215S) LBJ Basement Level 1, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW., 
Washington, DC 20202-4260.
    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.
    (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.
    (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 84.215S) 
550 12th Street, SW., Room 7041, Potomac Center Plaza, Washington, DC 
20202-4260.
    The Application Control Center accepts hand deliveries daily 
between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30:00 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 11 of the SF 424 the CFDA number, including 
suffix letter, if any, of the competition under which you are 
submitting your application; and
    (2) The Application Control Center will mail to you a 
notification of receipt of your grant application. If you do not 
receive this notification 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

    1. Selection Criteria: The selection criteria for this competition 
are from 34 CFR 75.210 in EDGAR and are listed in the application 
package.
    2. Review and Selection Process: Additional factors we consider in 
selecting an application for an award are included in 20 U.S.C. 7247. 
We will ensure that, to the extent practicable, the projects for which 
we provide funding are equally distributed among the geographic regions 
of the United States, and among urban, suburban and rural areas.

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 notify you informally, also.
    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

[[Page 78353]]

most current performance and financial expenditure information as 
directed by the Secretary under 34 CFR 75.118. The Secretary may also 
require more frequent performance reports under 34 CFR 75.720(c). For 
specific requirements on reporting, please go to http://www.ed.gov/fund/grant/apply/appforms/appforms.html.
    4. Performance Measures: Under the Government Performance and 
Results Act (GPRA), two performance indicators have been established 
for the Partnerships in Character Education Program. The indicators are 
(1) the percentage of Partnerships in Character Education Program 
grantees that use an experimental or quasi-experimental design for 
their evaluation and (2) the percentage of Partnerships in Character 
Education Program grantees that use an experimental or quasi-
experimental design for their evaluation that are conducted 
successfully and that yield scientifically valid results. Consequently, 
applicants for a grant under this program are advised to give careful 
consideration to these two measures in conceptualizing the design, 
implementation, and evaluation of their proposed project. If funded, 
applicants will be asked to report data in their annual performance 
reports on evaluation outcomes. The Secretary will use this information 
to assess the overall quality of performance data obtained through 
rigorous evaluations conducted by grantees, and to respond to reporting 
requirements concerning this program established in section 5431(h) of 
the ESEA (20 U.S.C. 7247(h)).

VII. Agency Contact

    For Further Information Contact: Sharon J. Burton, U.S. Department 
of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW., room 10102, PCP, Washington, DC 
20202. Telephone: (202) 245-7867 or by e-mail: [email protected].
    If you use a TDD, call the FRS, toll free, at 1-800-877-8339.

VIII. Other Information

    Accessible Format: Individuals with disabilities can obtain this 
document and a copy of the application package in an accessible format 
(e.g., braille, large print, audiotape, or computer diskette) on 
request to the program contact person listed under For Further 
Information Contact in section VII of this notice. Electronic Access to 
This Document: You can 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: December 16, 2008.
Deborah A. Price,
Assistant Deputy Secretary for Safe and Drug-Free Schools.
 [FR Doc. E8-30388 Filed 12-19-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4000-01-P