[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 47 (Thursday, March 10, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 13137-13143]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-5544]


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DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION


Equity Assistance Centers Program; Office of Elementary and 
Secondary Education; Overview Information; Training and Advisory 
Services; Equity Assistance Centers (Formerly the Desegregation 
Assistance Centers (DAC)); Notice Inviting Applications for New Awards 
for Fiscal Year (FY) 2011

Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: 84.004D.

    Dates:
    Applications Available: March 10, 2011.

[[Page 13138]]

    Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: April 25, 2011.
    Deadline for Intergovernmental Review: June 20, 2011.

Full Text of Announcement

I. Funding Opportunity Description

    Purpose of Program: The Training and Advisory Services--Equity 
Assistance Centers (EAC) program is authorized under Title IV of the 
Civil Rights Act of 1964, 42 U.S.C. 2000c-2000c-2, 2000c-5, and the 
implementing regulations in 34 CFR parts 270 and 272. This program 
awards grants through cooperative agreements to operate 10 regional 
EACs that provide technical assistance (including training) at the 
request of school boards and other responsible governmental agencies in 
the preparation, adoption, and implementation of plans for the 
desegregation of public schools--which in this context means plans for 
equity (including desegregation based on race, sex, and national 
origin)--and in the development of effective methods of coping with 
special educational problems occasioned by desegregation. Assistance 
may include, among other activities: (1) Dissemination of information 
regarding effective methods of coping with special educational problems 
occasioned by desegregation; (2) assistance and advice in coping with 
these problems; and (3) training designed to improve the ability of 
teachers, supervisors, counselors, parents, community members, and 
other elementary or secondary school personnel to deal effectively with 
special educational problems occasioned by desegregation.

    Note: The phrase ``special educational problems occasioned by 
desegregation'' means those problems that arise in classrooms, 
schools, and communities as a result of desegregation efforts. The 
phrase does not refer to issues or problems related to special 
education programs under the Individuals with Disabilities Education 
Act (20 U.S.C. 1400 et seq.).

    Priorities: These priorities are from the notice of supplemental 
priorities and definitions for discretionary grant programs, published 
in the Federal Register on December 15, 2010 (75 FR 78486).
    Competitive Priorities: For FY 2011 these priorities are 
competitive preference priorities. Under 34 CFR 75.105(c)(2)(i) we 
award up to an additional five points to an application, depending on 
how well the application addresses one of the following two priorities. 
Applicants may address more than one of the competitive preference 
priorities; however, the Department will review and award points under 
only one of the priorities. Therefore, an applicant must identify in 
its application which priority it wishes the Department to consider for 
purposes of earning the competitive preference priority points.
    These priorities are:
    1. Improving the Effectiveness and Distribution of Effective 
Teachers or Principals.
    Projects that are designed to address the following priority area:
    Increasing the retention, particularly in high-poverty schools (as 
defined in this notice), and equitable distribution of teachers or 
principals who are effective.
    For the purposes of this priority, teacher and principal 
effectiveness should be measured using:
    (1) Teacher or principal evaluation data, in States or local 
educational agencies that have in place a high-quality teacher or 
principal evaluation system that takes into account student growth (as 
defined in this notice) in significant part and uses multiple measures, 
that, in the case of teachers, may include observations for determining 
teacher effectiveness (such as systems that meet the criteria for 
evaluation systems under the Race to the Top program as described in 
criterion (D)(2)(ii) of the Race to the Top notice inviting 
applications (74 FR 59803)); or
    (2) Data that include, in significant part, student achievement (as 
defined in this notice) or student growth data (as defined in this 
notice) and may include multiple measures in States or local 
educational agencies that do not have the teacher or principal 
evaluation systems described in paragraph (1).

    Note: EACs provide technical assistance at the request of school 
boards and other responsible governmental agencies in the 
preparation, adoption, and implementation of plans for equity. Under 
this priority we may award additional points to eligible projects 
that demonstrate expertise in addressing equity issues related to 
the attainment and maintenance of the equitable distribution of 
effective teachers or principals in high-poverty schools.

    2. Improving School Engagement, School Environment, and School 
Safety and Improving Family and Community Engagement.
    Projects that are designed to address the following priority area:
    Improving school safety, which may include decreasing the incidence 
of harassment, bullying, violence, and substance use.

    Note: EACs provide technical assistance at the request of school 
boards and other responsible governmental agencies in the 
preparation, adoption, and implementation of plans for equity. Under 
this priority we may award additional points to eligible projects 
that demonstrate expertise in addressing equity issues related to 
school safety, including decreasing the incidence of harassment, 
bullying, violence, and substance use.


    In this competition, we are particularly interested in applications 
that address the following invitational priorities.
    Invitational Priorities: For FY 2011 these two 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:
    1. Enabling More Data-Based Decision-Making.
    Projects that are designed to collect (or obtain), analyze, and use 
high-quality and timely data, including data on program participant 
outcomes, in accordance with privacy requirements (as defined in this 
notice) in the following priority area:
    Providing reliable and comprehensive information on the 
implementation of Department of Education programs, and participant 
outcomes in these programs, by using data from State longitudinal data 
systems or by obtaining data from reliable third-party sources.

    Note: Applicants are encouraged to propose EAC programs that 
collect, analyze, and use reliable data to improve EAC 
implementation and improve participant outcomes.


    2. Promoting Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics 
(STEM) Education.
    Projects that are designed to address the following priority area:
    Increasing the number of individuals from groups traditionally 
underrepresented in STEM, including minorities, individuals with 
disabilities, and women, who are provided with access to rigorous and 
engaging coursework in STEM or who are prepared for postsecondary or 
graduate study and careers in STEM.

    Note: EACs provide technical assistance at the request of school 
boards and other responsible governmental agencies in the 
preparation, adoption, and implementation of plans for equity. This 
priority encourages projects related to increasing the number of 
individuals from groups traditionally underrepresented in STEM, 
including minorities, individuals with disabilities, and women, and 
designed in a manner that is permitted under current law.


    Definitions: The following definitions are from the notice of 
supplemental priorities and definitions for

[[Page 13139]]

discretionary grant programs, published in the Federal Register on 
December 15, 2010 and apply to this competition. Additional definitions 
applicable to this program are found in the authorizing statute for 
this program at 42 U.S.C. 2000c and in the program regulations in 34 
CFR parts 77, 270, and 272, and will be included in the application 
package.
    For purposes of this competition, the following definitions apply:
    High-poverty school means a school in which at least 50 percent of 
students are eligible for free or reduced-price lunches under the 
Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act or in which at least 50 
percent of students are from low-income families as determined using 
one of the criteria specified under section 1113(a)(5) of the 
Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, as amended. For middle 
and high schools, eligibility may be calculated on the basis of 
comparable data from feeder schools. Eligibility as a high-poverty 
school under this definition is determined on the basis of the most 
currently available data.
    Privacy requirements means the requirements of the Family 
Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), 20 U.S.C. 1232g, and its 
implementing regulations in 34 CFR part 99, the Privacy Act, 5 U.S.C. 
552a, as well as all applicable Federal, State and local requirements 
regarding privacy.
    Student achievement means--
    (a) For tested grades and subjects: (1) A student's score on the 
State's assessments under the ESEA; and, as appropriate, (2) other 
measures of student learning, such as those described in paragraph (b) 
of this definition, provided they are rigorous and comparable across 
schools.
    (b) For non-tested grades and subjects: Alternative measures of 
student learning and performance, such as student scores on pre-tests 
and end-of-course tests; student performance on English language 
proficiency assessments; and other measures of student achievement that 
are rigorous and comparable across schools.
    Student growth means the change in student achievement (as defined 
in this notice) for an individual student between two or more points in 
time. A State may also include other measures that are rigorous and 
comparable across classrooms.
    Program Authority: 42 U.S.C. 2000c-2000c-2, 2000c-5.
    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, except that 34 CFR 75.232 does not 
apply to grants under 34 CFR part 272. (b) The regulations for this 
program in 34 CFR parts 270 and 272. (c) The notice of final 
supplemental priorities and definitions for discretionary grant 
programs, published in the Federal Register on December 15, 2010 (75 FR 
78486).


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

II. Award Information

    Type of Award: Cooperative agreement.
    Estimated Available Funds: The Administration has requested 
$6,989,000 for the Training and Advisory Services--Equity Assistance 
Centers program for FY 2011. Of this amount, we intend to use 
$6,896,000 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.
    Estimated Range of Awards: $500,000--$800,000.
    Estimated Average Size of Awards: $689,600.
    Estimated Number of Awards: 10.
    Maximum Award: We will reject and not review any application that 
proposes a budget exceeding $800,000 for a single budget period of 12 
months.

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


    Project Period: Up to 36 months.

III. Eligibility Information

    1. Eligible Applicants: A public agency (other than a State 
educational agency or a school board) or a private, non-profit 
organization.
    2. Cost Sharing or Matching: This program does not require cost 
sharing or matching.
    3. Geographical Regions: Ten EACs will be funded under this grant 
program in ten different geographical regions in accordance with 34 CFR 
272.12. Our reviewers will read all proposals by region. One award will 
be made in each region to the highest ranking proposal from that 
region.
    The geographic regions served by the EACs are:
    Region I: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode 
Island, Vermont.
    Region II: New York, New Jersey, Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands.
    Region III: Delaware, District of Columbia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, 
Virginia, West Virginia.
    Region IV: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North 
Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee.
    Region V: Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, Wisconsin.
    Region VI: Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas.
    Region VII: Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska.
    Region VIII: Colorado, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah, 
Wyoming.
    Region IX: Arizona, California, Nevada.
    Region X: Alaska, American Samoa, Guam, Hawaii, Idaho, Northern 
Mariana Islands, Oregon, The Federated States of Micronesia, The 
Republic of the Marshall Islands, The Republic of Palau, Washington.

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://www2.ed.gov/programs/equitycenters/index.html. To 
obtain a copy from ED Pubs, write, fax, or call the following: ED Pubs, 
U.S. Department of Education, P.O. Box 22207, Alexandria, VA 22304. 
Telephone, toll free: 1-877-433-7827. FAX: (703) 605-6794. 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.EDPubs.gov 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 84.004D.
    To obtain a copy from the program office, contact: Fran Walter, 
U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW., room 3W115, 
Washington, DC 20202-6450. Telephone: (202) 205-9198 or by e-mail: 
[email protected]. If you use a 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 program.
    Page Limit: The application narrative (Part III of the application) 
is where you, the applicant, address the selection

[[Page 13140]]

criteria that reviewers use to evaluate your application. We encourage 
you to limit the narrative to no more than 50 pages and suggest that 
you use the following standards:
     A ``page'' is 8.5'' x 11'', on one side only, with 1'' 
margins at the top, bottom, and both sides.
     Double space (no more than three lines per vertical inch) 
all text in the application narrative, including titles, headings, 
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).
     Use one of the following fonts: Times New Roman, Courier, 
Courier New, or Arial.
    The optional supplemental narrative is where you, the applicant, 
may address one of the competitive preference priorities. You must 
identify the competitive preference priority that you are addressing in 
this narrative. Our reviewers will only score the competitive 
preference priority that you identify. We suggest that you limit the 
optional supplemental narrative to no more than three pages using the 
formatting standards previously identified.
    The suggested 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 optional supplemental 
narrative to address the competitive preference priority, or the 
letters of support. However, the suggested page limit does apply to all 
of the application narrative section [Part III].
    3. Submission Dates and Times:
    Applications Available: March 10, 2011.
    Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: April 25, 2011.
    Applications for grants under this program must be submitted 
electronically using the Grants.gov Apply site (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.7. 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: June 20, 2011.
    4. Intergovernmental Review: This program is subject to Executive 
Order 12372 and the regulations in 34 CFR part 79. Information about 
Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs under Executive Order 
12372 is in the application package for this program.
    5. Funding Restrictions: We reference regulations outlining funding 
restrictions in the Applicable Regulations section in this notice.
    6. Data Universal Numbering System Number, Taxpayer Identification 
Number, and Central Contractor Registry: To do business with the 
Department of Education, you must--
    a. Have a Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number and a 
Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN);
    b. Register both your DUNS number and TIN with the Central 
Contractor Registry (CCR), the Government's primary registrant 
database;
    c. Provide your DUNS number and TIN on your application; and
    d. Maintain an active CCR registration with current information 
while your application is under review by the Department and, if you 
are awarded a grant, during the project period.
    You can obtain a DUNS number from Dun and Bradstreet. A DUNS number 
can be created within one business day.
    If you are a corporate entity, agency, institution, or 
organization, you can obtain a TIN from the Internal Revenue Service. 
If you are an individual, you can obtain a TIN from the Internal 
Revenue Service or the Social Security Administration. If you need a 
new TIN, please allow 2-5 weeks for your TIN to become active.
    The CCR registration process may take five or more business days to 
complete. If you are currently registered with the CCR, you may not 
need to make any changes. However, please make certain that the TIN 
associated with your DUNS number is correct. Also note that you will 
need to update your CCR registration on an annual basis. This may take 
three or more business days to complete.
    In addition, if you are submitting your application via Grants.gov, 
you must (1) be designated by your organization as an Authorized 
Organization Representative (AOR); and (2) register yourself with 
Grants.gov as an AOR. Details on these steps are outlined in the 
Grants.gov 3-Step Registration Guide (see http://www.grants.gov/section910/Grants.govRegistrationBrochure.pdf).
    7. Other Submission Requirements: Applications for grants under 
this program 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 Training and Services--Equity 
Assistance Centers (EACs) CFDA number 84.004D, must be submitted 
electronically using 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.
    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 Training and Advisory 
Services_Equity Assistance Centers at 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 
(e.g., search for 84.004, not 84.004D).
    Please note the following:
     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 
p.m., Washington, DC time, on the application deadline date. Except as 
otherwise noted in this section, we will not accept your

[[Page 13141]]

application if it is received--that is, date and time stamped by the 
Grants.gov system--after 4:30 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 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 program 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 under News and Events on the Department's G5 system home 
page at http://www.G5.gov.
     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: The 
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.
     You must attach any narrative sections of your application 
as files in a .PDF (Portable Document) format only. If you upload a 
file type other than a .PDF 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 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 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 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.


    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 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 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: Fran Walter, U.S. 
Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW., Room 3W115, 
Washington, DC 20202. FAX: (202) 202-5870.
    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 84.004D) 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.

[[Page 13142]]

    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 84.004D, 550 12th Street, SW., Room 7041, Potomac Center 
Plaza, Washington, DC 20202-4260.

The Application Control Center accepts hand deliveries daily between 8 
a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Washington, DC time, except Saturdays, Sundays, and 
Federal holidays.

    Note for Mail or Hand Delivery of Paper Applications: If you 
mail or hand deliver your application to the Department--
    (1) You must indicate on the envelope and--if not provided by 
the Department--in Item 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 following selection criteria for this 
program are from the regulations for this program in 34 CFR 272.30. The 
maximum score for all of the selection criteria is 100 points. The 
maximum score for each criterion is indicated in parenthesis with the 
criterion. The Secretary uses the following criteria to evaluate 
applications for EAC grants:
    (a) Mission and Strategy. (30 points) The Secretary reviews each 
application to determine the extent to which the applicant understands 
effective practices for addressing problems in each of the 
desegregation assistance areas, including the extent to which the 
applicant:
    (1) Understands the mission of the proposed DAC;
    (2) Is familiar with relevant research, theory, materials, and 
training models;
    (3) Is familiar with the types of problems that arise in each of 
the desegregation assistance areas;
    (4) Is familiar with relevant strategies for technical assistance 
and training; and
    (5) Is familiar with the desegregation needs of responsible 
governmental agencies in its designated region.

    Note:  The phrase ``desegregation assistance areas'' is defined 
in 34 CFR 270.3.


    Note:  EACs were originally identified as DACs and are still 
referred to by that name in the regulations for this program.

    (b) Organizational Capability. (15 points) The Secretary reviews 
each application to determine the ability of the applicant to sustain a 
long-term, high-quality, and coherent program of technical assistance 
and training, including the extent to which the applicant:
    (1) Demonstrates the commitment to provide the services of 
appropriate faculty or staff members from its organization;
    (2) Selects project staff with an appropriate mixture of scholarly 
and practitioner backgrounds; and
    (3) Has had past successes in rendering technical assistance and 
training in the desegregation assistance areas, including collaborating 
with other individuals and organizations.
    (c) Plan of Operation. (25 points) The Secretary reviews each 
application to determine the quality of the plan of operation for the 
project, including the extent to which:
    (1) The design of the project is of high quality;
    (2) The plan of management ensures proper and efficient 
administration of the project;
    (3) The applicant plans to use its resources and personnel 
effectively to achieve each objective; and
    (4) The applicant will ensure that project participants who are 
otherwise eligible to participate are selected without regard to race, 
color, national origin, sex, age, or handicapping condition.
    (d) Quality of Key Personnel. (15 points)
    (1) The Secretary reviews each application to determine the 
qualifications of the key personnel that the applicant plans to use on 
the project, including:
    (i) The qualifications of the project director;
    (ii) The qualifications of the other key personnel to be used in 
the project;
    (iii) The time that each person referred to in paragraphs (d)(1)(i) 
and (ii) of this section will commit to the project; and
    (iv) How the applicant, as part of its nondiscriminatory employment 
practices, will ensure that its personnel are selected for employment 
without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, age, or 
handicapping condition.
    (2) To determine personnel qualifications, under paragraphs 
(d)(1)(i) and (ii) of this section, the Secretary considers:
    (i) Experience and training in fields related to the objectives of 
the project; and
    (ii) Any other qualifications that pertain to the quality of the 
project.
    (e) Budget and Cost Effectiveness. (5 points) The Secretary reviews 
each application to determine the extent to which:
    (1) The budget for the project is adequate to support the project 
activities; and
    (2) Costs are reasonable in relation to the objectives of the 
project.
    (f) Evaluation Plan. (5 points) The Secretary reviews each 
application to determine the quality of the evaluation plan for the 
project, including the extent to which the methods of evaluation--
    (1) Are appropriate for the project; and
    (2) To the extent possible, are objective and produce data that are 
quantifiable.

    Note: A strong evaluation plan should be included in the 
application narrative and should be used, as appropriate, to shape 
the development of the project from the beginning of the grant 
period. The plan should describe what methods will be used to 
collect data, what data will be collected, and when. It should 
identify benchmarks that will be used to monitor progress toward 
achieving project objectives and outcome measures. Applicants are 
encouraged to devote an appropriate level of resources to project 
evaluation.


    (g) Adequacy of Resources. (5 points) The Secretary reviews each 
application to determine the adequacy of the resources that the 
applicant plans to devote to the project, including facilities, 
equipment, and supplies.
    2. Review and Selection Process: We remind potential applicants 
that in reviewing applications in any discretionary grant competition, 
the Secretary may consider, under 34 CFR 75.217(d)(3), the past 
performance of the applicant in carrying out a previous award, such as 
the applicant's use of funds, achievement of project objectives, and 
compliance with grant conditions. The Secretary may also consider 
whether the applicant failed to submit a timely performance report or 
submitted a report of unacceptable quality.

[[Page 13143]]

    In addition, in making a competitive grant award, the Secretary 
also requires various assurances including those applicable to Federal 
civil rights laws that prohibit discrimination in programs or 
activities receiving Federal financial assistance from the Department 
of Education (34 CFR 100.4, 104.5, 106.4, 108.8, and 110.23).
    Additional factors we consider in selecting an application for an 
award are as follows: The Training and Advisory Services Program will 
award one EAC grant per geographical region. See 34 CFR 272.31(b).
    3. Special Conditions: Under 34 CFR 74.14 and 80.12, the Secretary 
may impose special conditions on a grant if the applicant or grantee is 
not financially stable; has a history of unsatisfactory performance; 
has a financial or other management system that does not meet the 
standards in 34 CFR parts 74 or 80, as applicable; has not fulfilled 
the conditions of a prior grant; or is otherwise not responsible.

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: (a) If you apply for a grant under this competition, 
you must ensure that you have in place the necessary processes and 
systems to comply with the reporting requirements in 2 CFR part 170 
should you receive funding under the competition. This does not apply 
if you have an exception under 2 CFR 170.110(b).
    (b) 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 Training and Advisory Services--Equity 
Assistance Centers program, adapted from a set of common measures 
developed to help assess performance across the Department's technical 
assistance programs:
    Program Goal: To support access and equity in public schools and 
help school districts solve equity problems in education related to 
race, gender, and national origin.
    Objective 1: Provide high-quality technical assistance and training 
to public school districts in addressing equity in education.
    Measure 1: The percentage of customers of EACs that develop, 
implement, or improve their policies or practices, or both, in 
eliminating, reducing, or preventing harassment, conflict, and school 
violence.
    Measure 2: The percentage of customers of EACs that develop, 
implement, or improve their policies or practices, or both, ensuring 
that students of different race, sex, and national origin have 
equitable opportunity for high-quality instruction.
    Measure 3: The percentage of customers of EACs that report the 
products and services they received from the EACs are of high quality.
    Measure 4: The percentage of customers who report that the products 
and services they received from the EACs are of high usefulness to 
their policies and practices.
    All grantees will be expected to submit, as part of their annual 
and final performance reports, quantitative data documenting their 
progress with regard to these performance measures.
    5. Continuation Awards: In making a continuation award, the 
Secretary may consider, under 34 CFR 75.253, the extent to which a 
grantee has made ``substantial progress toward meeting the objectives 
in its approved application.'' This consideration includes the review 
of a grantee's progress in meeting the targets and projected outcomes 
in its approved application, and whether the grantee has expended funds 
in a manner that is consistent with its approved application and 
budget. In making a continuation grant, the Secretary also considers 
whether the grantee is operating in compliance with the assurances in 
its approved application, including those applicable to Federal civil 
rights laws that prohibit discrimination in programs or activities 
receiving Federal financial assistance from the Department (34 CFR 
100.4, 104.5, 106.4, 108.8, and 110.23).

VII. Agency Contact

    For Further Information Contact: Fran Walter, U.S. Department of 
Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW., room 3W115, Washington, DC 20202-
6400. Telephone: (202) 205-9198 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. 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 7, 2011.
Thelma Mel[eacute]ndez de Santa Ana,
Assistant Secretary for Elementary and Secondary Education.
[FR Doc. 2011-5544 Filed 3-9-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4000-01-P