[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 44 (Monday, March 9, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Pages 10039-10044]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-4932]


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DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION


Office of Elementary and Secondary Education; Overview 
Information; William F. Goodling Even Start Family Literacy Programs--
Grants for Federally Recognized Indian Tribes and Tribal Organizations

    Notice inviting applications for new awards for fiscal year (FY) 
2009.
    Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: 84.258A.

DATES: Applications Available: March 9, 2009.
    Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: May 4, 2009.

Full Text of Announcement

I. Funding Opportunity Description

    Purpose of Program: The William F. Goodling Even Start Family 
Literacy Programs (Even Start), including the grants for Indian tribes 
and Tribal organizations, are intended to help break the cycle of 
poverty and illiteracy by improving the educational opportunities of 
low-income families by integrating early childhood education, adult 
literacy or adult basic education, and parenting education into a 
unified family literacy program. These programs are implemented through 
cooperative activities that: Build on high-quality existing community 
resources to create a new range of educational services; promote the 
academic achievement of children and adults; assist children and adults 
from low-income families in achieving challenging State content and 
student achievement standards; and use instructional programs based on 
scientifically based reading research and addressing the prevention of 
reading difficulties for children and adults, to the extent such 
research is available. A description of the required 15 program 
elements for which funds must be used is included in the application 
package.
    Priorities: Under this competition we are particularly interested 
in applications that address the following priorities.
    Invitational Priorities: For FY 2009 and any subsequent year in 
which we make awards from the list of unfunded applicants from this 
competition, these priorities are invitational priorities. Under 34 CFR 
75.105(c)(1) we do not give an application that meets these 
invitational priorities a competitive or absolute preference over other 
applications.
    These priorities are:

Invitational Priority 1--Intensity

    Applications that propose to operate full-time programs of high 
intensity that offer a minimum of the following hours in each of the 
following four core instructional components:
     Adult Education--60 hours per month.
     Early Childhood Education (birth through 3 years of age)--
60 hours per month.
     Early Childhood Education (3 to 4 years of age)--65 hours 
per month.
     Parenting Education and Interactive Literacy Activities 
between Parents and Children--20 hours per month.
    Scientifically based research on increasing the effectiveness of 
early childhood education programs serving children from low-income 
families tells us that children who participate more intensively in 
early childhood education score higher on standardized literacy 
measures. For example, the Third National Even Start Evaluation: 
Program Impacts and Implications for Improvement showed that ``children 
who participated more intensively in early childhood education scored 
higher on standardized literacy skills. Further, parents who 
participate more intensively in parenting education have children who 
score higher on standardized literacy measures.'' \1\ In other words, 
children who spend more time in high-quality early childhood education 
programs learn more than children who spend less time in those 
programs. The purpose of this invitational priority is to encourage 
family literacy programs supported with Even Start funds to provide 
services that are of a sufficient intensity to maximize language and 
early literacy gains for children enrolled in those programs.\1\
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    \1\ Ricciuti, A.E., St. Pierre, R.G., Lee, W., Parsad, A. & 
Rimdzius, T. Third National Even Start Evaluation: Follow-Up 
Findings From the Experimental Design Study. U.S. Department of 
Education, Institute of Education Sciences, National Center for 
Education Evaluation and Regional Assistance. Washington, DC: 2004. 
p. 8-9.
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Invitational Priority 2--Early Childhood Education Services in a Group 
Setting

    Applications that propose to offer center-based early childhood 
education services.
    The research in early childhood education, such as the Third 
National Even Start Evaluation, shows that educational services for 
young children that are provided in a center are more likely to be 
intensive and, therefore, more likely to result in significant

[[Page 10040]]

learning outcomes than non-center-based services. A center is defined, 
for the purpose of this invitational priority, as a place where early 
childhood educational services can be provided to a group of children 
from multiple households. All center-based programs still must comply 
with the required program elements, including providing integrated 
home-based instructional programs.
    Program Authority: 20 U.S.C. 6381a(a)(1)(C).
    Applicable Regulations: The Education Department General 
Administrative Regulations (EDGAR) in 34 CFR parts 75, 77, 80, 81, 82, 
84, 85, 86, 97, 98, and 99.

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

II. Award Information

    Type of Award: Discretionary grant.
    Estimated Available Funds: $831,470 of FY 2008 funds are available 
for new awards in FY 2009.
    Contingent upon the availability of funds and the quality of 
applications, we may make additional awards later in FY 2009 or in FY 
2010 from the list of unfunded applicants from this competition.
    Estimated Range of Awards: $150,000--$250,000 per year.
    Estimated Average Size of Awards: $200,000 per year.
    Estimated Number of Awards: 3-5.


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


    Project Period: Up to 48 months.

III. Eligibility Information

    1. Eligible Applicants: Federally recognized Indian tribes and 
Tribal organizations. Definitions of the terms ``Indian tribe'' and 
``Tribal organization'' are in section 4 of the Indian Self-
Determination and Education Assistance Act, 25 U.S.C. 450b.
    2. Cost Sharing or Matching: Cost sharing requirements for these 
grants are detailed in section 1234(b) of the Elementary and Secondary 
Education Act of 1965 (ESEA).
    3. Other: (a) In general, a family is eligible to participate in an 
Even Start project for Indian tribes and Tribal organizations if--(1) 
the participating parent (a) is eligible to participate in adult 
education and literacy activities under the Adult Education and Family 
Literacy Act, or (b) is within the State's compulsory school attendance 
age range (in which case a local educational agency must provide or 
ensure the availability of the basic education component), or is 
attending secondary school; and (2) the participating child is younger 
than eight years of age. More specific information on family 
eligibility is contained in section 1236 of the ESEA.
    (b) Participation by Private School Children and Teachers. An 
entity that receives a grant under the Even Start Family Literacy 
Program for Indian tribes and Tribal organizations is required to 
provide for the equitable participation of otherwise eligible private 
elementary school children and secondary school students and their 
teachers or other educational personnel. In order to ensure that grant 
program activities address the needs of private school children, the 
applicant must engage in timely and meaningful consultation with 
appropriate elementary and secondary private school officials during 
the design and development of the program. This consultation must take 
place before the applicant makes any decision that affects the 
opportunities of eligible private school children and students, 
teachers, and other educational personnel to participate. 
Administrative direction and control over grant funds must remain with 
the grantee. (See section 9501, Participation by Private School 
Children and Teachers, of the ESEA.)

IV. Application and Submission Information

    1. Address to Request Application Package: You can obtain an 
application package via the Internet or from the Education Publications 
Center (ED Pubs). To obtain a copy via the Internet, use the following 
address: http://www.Grants.gov. To obtain a copy from ED Pubs, write, 
fax, or call the following: Education Publications Center, 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), call, toll free: 1-877-576-7734.
    You can contact ED Pubs at its Web site, also: http://www.ed.gov/pubs/edpubs.html or at its e-mail address: [email protected].
    If you request an application from ED Pubs, be sure to identify 
this program or competition as follows: CFDA number 84.258A.
    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 
under Accessible Format in section VIII of this notice.
    2. Content and Form of Application Submission: Requirements 
concerning the content of the application, together with the forms you 
must submit, are in the application package for this competition.
    Page Limit: The application narrative is where you, the applicant, 
address the selection criteria that reviewers use to evaluate your 
application. You must limit the application narrative to the equivalent 
of no more than 25 typed pages. You, the applicant, also provide a 
budget narrative that reviewers use to evaluate your application. You 
must limit the budget narrative to the equivalent of no more than 5 
typed pages, and the project abstract to the equivalent of no more than 
2 typed pages. For all page limits, use the following standards:
     A ``page'' is 8.5'' x 11'', on one side only, with 1'' 
margins at the top, bottom, and both sides.
     Double space (no more than three lines per vertical inch) 
all text in the application and budget narratives, including titles, 
headings, footnotes, quotations, references, and captions. Text in 
tables, charts, graphs, and the limited Appendices may be single 
spaced.
     Use a font that is either 12-point or larger or no smaller 
than 10 pitch (characters per inch). You may use other point fonts for 
any tables, charts, graphs, and the limited Appendices, but those 
tables, charts, graphs, and limited Appendices should be in a font size 
that is easily readable by the reviewers of your application.
     Use one of the following fonts for the application and 
budget narratives: Times New Roman, Courier, Courier New, or Arial. An 
application with an application or budget narrative submitted in any 
other font (including Times Roman or Arial Narrow) will not be 
accepted.
     Other application materials are limited to the specific 
materials indicated in the application package, and may not include any 
video or other non-print materials.
    The page limits do not apply to: The cover sheet; the budget forms; 
and the assurances and certifications.
    Any tables, charts, or graphs are included in the overall 
application narrative and budget narrative page limits. The limited 
Appendices are not part of these page limits. Appendices are limited to 
the following: The curriculum vitae or position descriptions of no more 
than 5 people (including key contract personnel and consultants).
    Our reviewers will not read any pages of your application that 
exceed the page

[[Page 10041]]

limit; or exceed the equivalent of the page limit if you apply other 
standards.
    In addition, our reviewers will not read or view any Appendices or 
enclosures (including non-print materials such as videotapes or CDs) 
other than those described in this notice and the application package.
    3. Submission Dates and Times:
    Applications Available: March 9, 2009.
    Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: May 4, 2009.
    Applications for grants under this competition must be submitted 
electronically using the http://Grants.gov">Grants.gov Apply site (http://Grants.gov). For 
information (including dates and times) about how to submit your 
application electronically, or in paper format by mail or hand delivery 
if you qualify for an exception to the electronic submission 
requirement, 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.
    4. Intergovernmental Review: This competition is not subject to 
Executive Order 12372 and the regulations in 34 CFR part 79.
    5. Funding Restrictions: Recipients of an Even Start Indian tribe 
and Tribal organization grant may not use funds awarded under this 
competition for the indirect costs of a project, or claim indirect 
costs as part of the local project share. (Section 1234(b)(3) of the 
ESEA.) Grant recipients may request that the Secretary waive this 
requirement under appropriate circumstances. To obtain a waiver, a 
recipient must demonstrate to the Secretary's satisfaction that the 
recipient otherwise would not be able to participate in the Even Start 
program. (Section 1234(b)(3) of the ESEA.) Information about requesting 
a waiver is in the application package. We reference regulations 
outlining additional funding restrictions in the Applicable Regulations 
section of this notice.
    6. Other Submission Requirements:
    Applications for grants under this competition must be submitted 
electronically unless you qualify for an exception to this requirement 
in accordance with the instructions in this section.

a. Electronic Submission of Applications

    Applications for grants under the William F. Goodling Even Start 
Family Literacy Programs--Grants for Federally Recognized Indian Tribes 
and Tribal Organizations, CFDA Number 84.258A, must be submitted 
electronically using the Governmentwide http://Grants.gov">Grants.gov Apply site at http://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.
    We will reject your application if you submit it in paper format 
unless, as described elsewhere in this section, you qualify for one of 
the exceptions to the electronic submission requirement and submit, no 
later than two weeks before the application deadline date, a written 
statement to the Department that you qualify for one of these 
exceptions. Further information regarding calculation of the date that 
is two weeks before the application deadline date is provided later in 
this section under Exception to Electronic Submission Requirement.
    You may access the electronic grant application for William F. 
Goodling Even Start Family Literacy Programs--Grants for Federally 
Recognized Indian Tribes and Tribal Organizations at http://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 84.258, not 
84.258A).
    Please note the following:
     When you enter the http://Grants.gov">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 http://Grants.gov">Grants.gov are date and time 
stamped. Your application must be fully uploaded and submitted and must 
be date and time stamped by the http://Grants.gov">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 http://Grants.gov">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 
http://Grants.gov">Grants.gov, we will notify you if we are rejecting your application 
because it was date and time stamped by the http://Grants.gov">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 http://Grants.gov">Grants.gov.
     You should review and follow the Education Submission 
Procedures for submitting an application through http://Grants.gov">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 http://Grants.gov">Grants.gov 
system. You can also find the Education Submission Procedures 
pertaining to http://Grants.gov">Grants.gov at http://e-Grants.ed.gov/help/GrantsgovSubmissionProcedures.pdf.
     To submit your application via http://Grants.gov">Grants.gov, you must 
complete all steps in the http://Grants.gov">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 http://Grants.gov">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 http://Grants.gov">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 qualify for an exception to the electronic submission 
requirement, as described elsewhere in this section, and submit your 
application in paper format.
     You must submit all documents electronically, including 
all information you typically provide on the following forms: 
Application for Federal

[[Page 10042]]

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.
     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 http://Grants.gov">Grants.gov an automatic notification of receipt that 
contains a http://Grants.gov">Grants.gov tracking number. (This notification indicates 
receipt by http://Grants.gov">Grants.gov only, not receipt by the Department.) The 
Department then will retrieve your application from http://Grants.gov">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 http://Grants.gov">Grants.gov System: If you are experiencing problems submitting 
your application through http://Grants.gov">Grants.gov, please contact the http://Grants.gov">Grants.gov 
Support Desk, toll free, at 1-800-518-4726. You must obtain a 
http://Grants.gov">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 http://Grants.gov">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 http://Grants.gov">Grants.gov, along with the http://Grants.gov">Grants.gov Support Desk 
Case Number. We will accept your application if we can confirm that a 
technical problem occurred with the http://Grants.gov">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 
http://Grants.gov">Grants.gov system. We will not grant you an extension if you failed 
to fully register to submit your application to http://Grants.gov">Grants.gov before 
the application deadline date and time or if the technical problem 
you experienced is unrelated to the http://Grants.gov">Grants.gov system.


    Exception to Electronic Submission Requirement: You qualify for an 
exception to the electronic submission requirement, and may submit your 
application in paper format, if you are unable to submit an application 
through the http://Grants.gov">Grants.gov system because--
     You do not have access to the Internet; or
     You do not have the capacity to upload large documents to 
the http://Grants.gov">Grants.gov system;
    and
     No later than two weeks before the application deadline 
date (14 calendar days or, if the fourteenth calendar day before the 
application deadline date falls on a Federal holiday, the next business 
day following the Federal holiday), you mail or fax a written statement 
to the Department, explaining which of the two grounds for an exception 
prevent you from using the Internet to submit your application.
    If you mail your written statement to the Department, it must be 
postmarked no later than two weeks before the application deadline 
date. If you fax your written statement to the Department, we must 
receive the faxed statement no later than two weeks before the 
application deadline date.
    Address and mail or fax your statement to: Amber Sheker, U.S. 
Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW., Room 3E252, 
Washington, DC 20202-6200. Telephone: (202) 205-0653. Fax: (202) 260-
8969.
    Your paper application must be submitted in accordance with the 
mail or hand delivery instructions described in this notice.

b. Submission of Paper Applications by Mail

    If you qualify for an exception to the electronic submission 
requirement, you may mail (through the U.S. Postal Service or a 
commercial carrier) your application to the Department. 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 84.258A), 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 qualify for an exception to the electronic submission 
requirement, you (or a courier service) may deliver your paper 
application to the Department by hand. You 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 84.258A), 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

[[Page 10043]]

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 sections 34 CFR 75.209 and 75.210 and are listed in the following 
paragraphs. The maximum score for each criterion is indicated after the 
title of the criterion. The maximum score for all of the selection 
criteria is 100 points.
    (1) Quality of the Project Design (50 points). The Secretary 
considers the quality of the design of the proposed project. In 
determining the quality of the design of the proposed project, the 
Secretary considers the following factors:
    (a) The extent to which the goals, objectives, and outcomes to be 
achieved by the proposed project are clearly specified and measurable. 
(34 CFR 75.210(c)(2)(i))
    (b) The extent to which the proposed project represents an 
exceptional approach for meeting statutory purposes and requirements. 
(34 CFR 75.210(c)(2)(xiv))

    Note: Under section 1235 of the ESEA, projects funded under this 
program must meet the following requirements:

    (1) Include the identification and recruitment of families most in 
need of services provided under this program, as indicated by a low 
level of income, a low level of adult literacy or English language 
proficiency of the eligible parent or parents, and other need-related 
indicators;
    (2) Include screening and preparation of parents, including teenage 
parents, and children to enable those parents and children to 
participate fully in the activities and services provided under this 
program, including testing, referral to necessary counseling, other 
developmental and support services, and related services;
    (3) Be designed to accommodate the participants' work schedule and 
other responsibilities, including the provision of support services, 
when those services are unavailable from other sources, necessary for 
participation in the activities assisted under this program, such as--
    (a) Scheduling and locating of services to allow joint 
participation by parents and children;
    (b) Child care for the period that parents are involved in the 
program provided under this program; and
    (c) Transportation for the purpose of enabling parents and their 
children to participate in activities authorized by this program;
    (4) Include high-quality, intensive instructional programs that 
promote adult literacy and empower parents to support the educational 
growth of their children, developmentally appropriate early childhood 
educational services, and preparation of children for success in 
regular school programs;
    (5) With respect to the qualifications of staff the cost of whose 
salaries are paid, in whole or in part, with Federal funds provided 
under the grant, ensure that--
    (a)(i) A majority of the individuals providing academic 
instruction--
    (I) Have obtained an associate's, bachelor's, or graduate degree in 
a field related to early childhood education, elementary school or 
secondary school education, or adult education; and
    (II) If applicable, meet qualifications established by the State 
for early childhood education, elementary school or secondary school 
education, or adult education provided as part of an Even Start program 
or another family literacy program;
    (ii) The individual responsible for administration of family 
literacy services carried out through the grant has received training 
in the operation of a family literacy program; and
    (iii) Paraprofessionals who provide support for academic 
instruction have a secondary school diploma or its recognized 
equivalent; and
    (b) All new personnel hired to provide academic instruction--
    (i) Have obtained an associate's, bachelor's, or graduate degree in 
a field related to early childhood education, elementary school or 
secondary school education, or adult education; and
    (ii) If applicable, meet qualifications established by the State 
for early childhood education, elementary school or secondary school 
education, or adult education provided as part of an Even Start program 
or another family literacy program;
    (6) Include special training of staff, including child-care staff, 
to develop the skills necessary to work with parents and young children 
in the full range of instructional services offered through this 
program;
    (7) Provide and monitor integrated instructional services to 
participating parents and children through home-based programs;
    (8) Operate on a year-round basis, including the provision of some 
program services, including instructional and enrichment services, 
during the summer months;
    (9) Be coordinated with--
    (a) Other programs assisted under the ESEA;
    (b) Any relevant programs under the Adult Education and Family 
Literacy Act, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, and 
title I of the Workforce Investment Act of 1998; and
    (c) The Head Start program, volunteer literacy programs, and other 
relevant programs;
    (10) Use instructional programs based on scientifically based 
reading research for children and adults, to the extent that research 
is available;
    (11) Encourage participating families to attend regularly and to 
remain in the program a sufficient time to meet their program goals;
    (12) Include reading-readiness activities for preschool children 
based on scientifically based reading research, to the extent 
available, to ensure that children enter school ready to learn to read;
    (13) If applicable, promote the continuity of family literacy to 
ensure that individuals retain and improve their educational outcomes;
    (14) Ensure that the programs will serve those families most in 
need of the activities and services provided by this program; and
    (15) Provide for an independent evaluation of the program, to be 
used for program improvement.
    (2) Quality of Project Services (20 points). The Secretary 
considers the quality of the services to be provided by the proposed 
project. In determining the quality of the services to be provided by 
the proposed project, the Secretary considers the quality and 
sufficiency of strategies for ensuring equal access and treatment for 
eligible project participants who are members of groups that have 
traditionally been underrepresented based on race, color, national 
origin, gender, age, or disability. (34 CFR 75.210(d)(2)) In addition, 
the Secretary considers the following factor: The likelihood that the 
services to be provided by the proposed project will lead to 
improvements in the achievement of students as measured against 
rigorous academic standards. (34 CFR 75.210(d)(3)(vii))
    (3) Adequacy of Resources (15 points). The Secretary considers the 
adequacy of resources for the proposed project. In determining the 
adequacy of resources for the proposed project, the Secretary considers 
the following factors:
    (a) The adequacy of support, including facilities, equipment, 
supplies, and other resources, from the applicant organization or the 
lead applicant organization. (34 CFR 75.210(f)(2)(i))


[[Page 10044]]


    Note: Please note that section 1234(b)(1) of the ESEA requires 
grantees to provide an increasing local project share over the grant 
period (at least the following amounts: 10 percent in the first 
year, 20 percent in the second year. 30 percent in the third year, 
40 percent in the fourth year, 50 percent in the fifth through 
eighth years, and 65 percent thereafter). The law also does not 
permit indirect costs to be included in the budget, either as a part 
of the Federal funding or for the local project's share or match, 
unless a project requests and qualifies for a waiver of that 
requirement under section 1234(b)(3) of the ESEA.

    (b) The extent to which the costs are reasonable in relation to the 
objectives, design, and potential significance of the proposed project. 
(34 CFR 75.210(f)(2)(iv))
    (4) Quality of the Management Plan (15 points). The Secretary 
considers the quality of the management plan for the proposed project. 
In determining the quality of the management plan for the proposed 
project, the Secretary considers the following factors:
    (a) The adequacy of the management plan to achieve the objectives 
of the proposed project on time and within budget, including clearly 
defined responsibilities, timelines, and milestones for accomplishing 
project tasks. (34 CFR 75.210(g)(2)(i))
    (b) The extent to which the time commitments of the project 
director and principal investigator and other key personnel are 
appropriate and adequate to meet the objectives of the proposed 
project. (34 CFR 75.210(g)(2)(iv))

    Note: Grantees will be required to report annually on any 
project-specific performance measures that are included in the 
grantees' approved grant application, including the performance 
measures established for the Tribal Even Start Program under the 
Government Performance and Results Act (GPRA) and identified in 
section VI of this notice under the heading Performance Measures

.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 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: The Department has established the 
following Government Performance and Results Act of 1993 (GPRA) 
performance measures for the William F. Goodling Even Start Family 
Literacy Programs, including the Indian tribes and Tribal organizations 
grants:
    (1) The percentage of Tribal Even Start adults who do not have 
limited English proficiency who achieve significant learning gains in 
reading;
    (2) The percentage of Tribal Even Start adults with limited English 
proficiency who achieve significant learning gains in reading/English 
Language acquisition;
    (3) The percentage of Tribal Even Start adults with a high school 
completion goal who earn a high school diploma;
    (4) The percentage of Tribal Even Start adults with the goal of 
General Equivalency Diploma (GED) attainment who earn a GED;
    (5) The percentage of preschool-aged children participating in 
Tribal Even Start programs who achieve significant gains in oral 
language skills;
    (6) The average number of letters Tribal Even Start preschool-aged 
children are able to identify; and
    (7) The percentage of preschool-aged children participating in 
Tribal Even Start programs who demonstrate age-appropriate oral 
language skills.
    These measures constitute the Department's indicators of success 
for this program. Consequently, we advise an applicant for a grant 
under this program to give careful consideration to these measures in 
conceptualizing the approach and evaluation for its proposed project. 
Each grantee will be required to provide, in its annual performance and 
final reports, data about its progress in meeting these measures. The 
Department will provide further information on selecting valid, 
reliable, and program-appropriate assessment instruments on the Tribal 
Even Start Web site at http://www.ed.gov/programs/evenstartindian/applicant.html.

VII. Agency Contact

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Amber Sheker, U.S. Department of 
Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW., Room 3E252, Washington, DC 20202-
6200. Telephone: (202) 205-0653 or by e-mail: [email protected].
    If you use a TDD, call the Federal Relay Service (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.

    Delegation of Authority: The Secretary of Education has delegated 
authority to Joseph C. Conaty, Director, Academic Improvement and 
Teacher Quality Programs for the Office of Elementary and Secondary 
Education to perform the functions of the Assistant Secretary for 
Elementary and Secondary Education.

    Dated: March 4, 2009.
Joseph C. Conaty,
Director, Academic Improvement and Teacher Quality Programs.
[FR Doc. E9-4932 Filed 3-6-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4000-01-P