[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 83 (Monday, April 30, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 25452-25457]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-10377]



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DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION


Applications for New Awards; Territories and Freely Associated 
States Education Grant Program

AGENCY: Office of Elementary and Secondary Education, Department of 
Education.

ACTION: Notice.

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    Overview Information: Territories and Freely Associated States 
Education Grant Program; Notice inviting applications for new awards 
for fiscal year (FY) 2012.

Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: 84.256A.


DATES: 
    Applications Available: April 30, 2012.
    Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: June 29, 2012.
    Deadline for Intergovernmental Review: August 28, 2012.

Full Text of Announcement

I. Funding Opportunity Description

    Purpose of Program: The Territories and Freely Associated States 
Education Grant (T&FASEG) program supports projects to raise student 
achievement through direct educational services. Grants are awarded 
competitively to local educational agencies (LEAs) in the U.S. 
Territories (American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana 
Islands, Guam, and the Virgin Islands) and the Republic of Palau. The 
LEA may use grant funds to carry out activities authorized by the 
Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, as amended (ESEA), 
including teacher training, curriculum development, the development or 
acquisition of instructional materials, and general school improvement 
and reform.
    Under the T&FASEG program the Secretary awards grants for projects 
to--
    (a) Conduct activities consistent with the programs described in 
the ESEA, including the types of activities authorized under--
    (1) Title I of the ESEA--Improving the Academic Achievement of the 
Disadvantaged.
    (2) Title II of the ESEA--Preparing, Training, and Recruiting High-
Quality Teachers and Principals.
    (3) Title III of the ESEA--Language Instruction for Limited English 
Proficient and Immigrant Students.
    (4) Title IV of the ESEA--21st Century Schools.
    (5) Title V of the ESEA--Promoting Informed Parental Choice and 
Innovative Programs; and
    (b) Provide direct educational services that assist all students 
with meeting challenging State academic achievement standards.

    Note: The Secretary interprets the term ``direct educational 
services'' to mean--
    (1) Activities that are designed to improve student achievement 
or the quality of education; and
    (2) Instructional services for students and teacher training.

    Priorities: Under this competition we are particularly interested 
in applications that address the following priorities.
    Invitational Priorities: For FY 2012, 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:
    Priority 1--Standards and Assessments.
    The Secretary is particularly interested in receiving applications 
that focus on developing standards in reading and language arts and 
mathematics that build toward college- and career-readiness by the time 
students graduate from high school. The Secretary encourages the 
development or use, or both, of a new generation of assessments that 
align with the college- and career-ready standards and that will better 
determine whether students have acquired the skills needed for success.
    Priority 2--Effective Teachers and Leaders.
    The Secretary is particularly interested in receiving applications 
that focus on recruiting and improving the effectiveness of teachers, 
principals, and administrative leaders through professional development 
and training in order to better meet the needs of students, especially 
students in high-need schools. Further, the Secretary is interested in 
receiving applications that focus on developing pathways and practices 
for preparing, placing, and supporting beginning teachers and 
principals in high-need schools.
    Priority 3--Technology.
    The Secretary is particularly interested in LEA projects that are 
designed to improve student achievement or teacher effectiveness 
through the use of high-quality digital tools or materials, which may 
include preparing teachers to use the technology to improve 
instruction, as well as developing, implementing, or evaluating digital 
tools or materials.

    Program Authority: 20 U.S.C. 6331.
    Applicable Regulations: The Education Department General 
Administrative Regulations (EDGAR) in 34 CFR parts 75, 77, 79, 80, 81, 
82, 84, 85, 97, 98, and 99.

II. Award Information

    Type of Award: Discretionary grants.
    Estimated Available Funds: $4,750,000 of FY 2011 funds are 
available for new awards in FY 2012.
    Estimated Range of Awards: $800,000 to $1,000,000.
    Estimated Average Size of Awards: $900,000.
    Estimated Number of Awards: 4-6.

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

    Project Period: Up to 36 months.

III. Eligibility Information

    1. Eligible Applicants: LEAs in American Samoa, the Commonwealth of 
the Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the 
Republic of Palau.
    2. Cost Sharing or Matching: This competition does not require cost 
sharing or matching.

IV. Application and Submission Information

    1. Address to Request Application Package: You can obtain the 
application package electronically by downloading it from the 
Territories and Freely Associated States Education Grant program Web 
site: http://www2.ed.gov/programs/tfasegp/applicant.html.
    To obtain a copy from the program office, contact: Collette Fisher, 
U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue SW., Room 3W227, LBJ, 
Washington, DC 20202-6400. Telephone: (202) 260-2544 or by email: 
[email protected].
    If you use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) or a text 
telephone (TTY), 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 compact disc) 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 is where you, the applicant, 
address the selection criteria that reviewers use to evaluate your 
application. You must limit the application narrative to no more than 
35 pages, using the following standards:
     A ``page'' is 8.5 x 11, on one side 
only, with 1'' margins at the top, bottom, and both sides.
     Double space (no more than three lines per vertical inch) 
all text in the

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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. An application submitted in any other font 
(including Times Roman or Arial Narrow) will not be accepted.
    The page limit does not apply to Part I, the cover sheet; Part II, 
the budget section, including the narrative budget justification; Part 
IV, the assurances and certifications; or the one-page abstract, the 
resumes, the bibliography, or the letters of support. However, the page 
limit does apply to all of the application narrative section [Part 
III].
    Our reviewers will not read any pages of your application that 
exceed the page limit.
    3. Submission Dates and Times:
    Applications Available: April 30, 2012.
    Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: June 29, 2012.
    Applications for grants under this competition 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: August 28, 2012.
    4. Intergovernmental Review: This competition is subject to 
Executive Order 12372 and the regulations in 34 CFR part 79. 
Information about Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs under 
Executive Order 12372 is in the application package for this 
competition.
    5. Funding Restrictions: We reference regulations outlining funding 
restrictions in the Applicable Regulations section of this notice.
    6. 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 at the 
following Grants.gov Web page: www.grants.gov/applicants/get_registered.jsp.
    7. 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 Territories and Freely Associated 
States Education Grant Program competition, CFDA number 84.256A, 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 email 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 the Territories 
and Freely Associated States Education Grant competition 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 84.256, not 
84.256A).
    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 4:30:00 
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.

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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 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 upload any narrative sections and all other 
attachments to your application as files in a PDF (Portable Document) 
read-only, non-modifiable format. Do not upload an interactive or 
fillable PDF file. If you upload a file type other than a read-only, 
non-modifiable 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 email. 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.

    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: Collette Fisher, U.S. 
Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue SW., Room 3W227, LBJ, 
Washington, DC 20202-6400. Fax: (202) 205-5870.
    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 84.256A), 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

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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 84.256A), 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. The maximum score for each criterion is 
indicated after the title of the criterion. The maximum score for all 
selection criteria is 100 points.
    As provided for in section 1121(b)(3)(B) of the ESEA, the 
Secretary, in making awards under this program, will take into 
consideration the recommendations of Pacific Region Educational 
Laboratory (PREL). PREL will use the following criteria in developing 
its recommendations, and the Secretary will use them in making final 
funding decisions. The notes following the selection criteria are meant 
to serve as guidance to assist the applicant in creating a stronger 
application and are not required by statute or regulation.
    (a) Need for project. (5 points)
    (1) The Secretary considers the need for the proposed project. (34 
CFR 75.210(a)(1)).
    (2) In determining the need for the proposed project, the Secretary 
considers the following factors:
    (i) The magnitude or severity of the problem to be addressed by the 
proposed project. (34 CFR 75.210(a)(2)(i)).
    (ii) The magnitude of the need for the services to be provided or 
the activities to be carried out by the proposed project. (34 CFR 
75.210(a)(2)(ii)).
    (iii) The extent to which the proposed project will provide 
services or otherwise address the needs of students at risk of 
educational failure. (34 CFR 75.210(a)(2)(iii)).

    Note:  In addressing this criterion, applicants may want to 
consider including in the project narrative information that clearly 
demonstrates the unique needs and circumstances that justify funding 
support for their project. Applicants may also consider including 
information to demonstrate the extent to which local resources are 
used to meet the needs addressed by the project proposal.

    (b) Significance. (10 points)
    (1) The Secretary considers the significance of the proposed 
project. (34 CFR 75.210(b)(1)).
    (2) In determining the significance of the proposed project, the 
Secretary considers the following factors:
    (i) The national significance of the proposed project. (34 CFR 
75.210(b)(2)(i)).
    (ii) The significance of the problem or issue to be addressed by 
the proposed project. (34 CFR 75.210(b)(2)(ii)).
    (iii) The importance or magnitude of the results or outcomes likely 
to be attained by the proposed project, especially improvements in 
teaching and student achievement. (34 CFR 75.210(b)(2)(xiv)).
    (c) Quality of the project design. (25 points)
    (1) The Secretary considers the quality of the design of the 
proposed project. (34 CFR 75.210(c)(1)).
    (2) In determining the quality of the design of the proposed 
project, the Secretary considers the following factors:
    (i) 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)).
    (ii) The extent to which the design of the proposed project is 
appropriate to, and will successfully address, the needs of the target 
population or other identified needs. (34 CFR 75.210(c)(2)(ii)).
    (iii) The extent to which the proposed project will be coordinated 
with similar or related efforts, and with other appropriate community, 
State, and Federal resources. (34 CFR 75.210(c)(2)(xvi)).
    (iv) The extent to which the proposed project is part of a 
comprehensive effort to improve teaching and learning and support 
rigorous academic standards for students. (34 CFR 75.210(c)(2)(xviii)).
    (v) The extent to which the proposed project encourages parental 
involvement. (34 CFR 75.210(c)(2)(xix)).
    (vi) The extent to which performance feedback and continuous 
improvement are integral to the design of the proposed project. (34 CFR 
75.210(c)(2)(xxi)).
    (d) Adequacy of resources. (5 points)
    (1) The Secretary considers the adequacy of resources for the 
proposed project. (34 CFR 75.210(f)(1)).
    (2) In determining the adequacy of resources for the proposed 
project, the Secretary considers the following factors:
    (i) The extent to which the budget is adequate to support the 
proposed project. (34 CFR 75.210(f)(2)(iii)).
    (ii) 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)).
    (iii) The extent to which the costs are reasonable in relation to 
the number of persons to be served and to the anticipated results and 
benefits. (34 CFR 75.210(f)(2)(v)).
    (e) Quality of project personnel. (15 points)
    (1) The Secretary considers the quality of the personnel who will 
carry out the proposed project. (34 CFR 75.210(e)(1)).
    (2) In determining the quality of project personnel, the Secretary 
considers the extent to which the applicant encourages applications for 
employment from persons who are members of groups that have 
traditionally been underrepresented based on race, color, national 
origin, gender, age, or disability. (34 CFR 75.210(e)(2)).
    (3) In addition, the Secretary considers the following factors:
    (i) The qualifications, including relevant training and experience, 
of the project director or principal investigator. (34 CFR 
75.210(e)(3)(i)).
    (ii) The qualifications, including relevant training and 
experience, of key project personnel. (34 CFR 75.210(e)(3)(ii)).
    (iii) The qualifications, including relevant training and 
experience, of project consultants or subcontractors. (34 CFR 
75.210(e)(3)(iii)).

    Note: In addressing this criterion, applicants may want to 
consider including curriculum vitae and resumes of key project 
personnel.

    (f) Quality of the project evaluation. (25 points)
    (1) The Secretary considers the quality of the evaluation to be 
conducted of the proposed project. (34 CFR 75.210(h)(1)).
    (2) In determining the quality of the evaluation, the Secretary 
considers the following factors:
    (i) The extent to which the methods of evaluation provide for 
examining the

[[Page 25456]]

effectiveness of project implementation strategies. (34 CFR 
75.210(h)(2)(iii)).
    (ii) The extent to which the methods of evaluation include the use 
of objective performance measures that are clearly related to the 
intended outcomes of the project and will produce quantitative and 
qualitative data to the extent possible. (34 CFR 75.210(h)(2)(iv)).

    Note: In addressing this criterion, applicants may want to 
consider aligning their evaluations with the performance measures 
described in section VI. 4 of this notice.

    (g) Quality of project services. (15 points)
    (1) The Secretary considers the quality of the services to be 
provided by the proposed project. (34 CFR 75.210(d)(1)).
    (2) 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)).
    (3) In addition, the Secretary considers the following factors:
    (i) The extent to which the services to be provided by the proposed 
project are appropriate to the needs of the intended recipients or 
beneficiaries of those services. (34 CFR 75.210(d)(3)(i)).
    (ii) The likely impact of the services to be provided by the 
proposed project on the intended recipients of those services. (34 CFR 
75.210(d)(3)(iv)).
    (iii) The extent to which the training or professional development 
services to be provided by the proposed project are of sufficient 
quality, intensity, and duration to lead to improvements in practice 
among the recipients of those services. (34 CFR 75.210(d)(3)(v)).
    (iv) The extent to which the services to be provided by the 
proposed project are focused on those with greatest needs. (34 CFR 
75.210(d)(3)(xi)).
    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.
    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).
    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 www.ed.gov/fund/grant/apply/appforms/appforms.html.
    4. Performance Measures: The Department has developed the following 
three performance measures for evaluating the effectiveness of the 
T&FASEG program:
    (1) The percentage of teachers participating in professional 
development activities under the T&FASEG program who demonstrate 
progress toward State teacher certification;
    (2) The percentage of students participating in reading programs 
under the T&FASEG program who score proficient or above in reading on 
State assessments; and
    (3) The percentage of students participating in mathematics 
programs under the T&FASEG program who score proficient or above in 
mathematics on State assessments.
    These measurements 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.
    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: Collette Fisher, U.S. Department of 
Education, 400 Maryland Avenue SW., Room 3W227, LBJ, Washington, DC 
20202-6400. Telephone: (202) 260-2544 or by email: 
[email protected].
    If you use a TDD or a TTY, call the FRS, toll free, at 1-800-877-
8339.

[[Page 25457]]

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 compact disc) on request to 
the program contact person listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT 
in section VII of this notice.
    Electronic Access to This Document: 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 via the Federal Digital System 
at: www.gpo.gov/fdsys. At this site 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). To use PDF 
you must have Adobe Acrobat Reader, which is available free at the 
site.
    You may also access documents of the Department published in the 
Federal Register by using the article search feature at: 
www.federalregister.gov. Specifically, through the advanced search 
feature at this site, you can limit your search to documents published 
by the Department.

    Dated: April 25, 2012.
Michael Yudin,
Acting Assistant Secretary for Elementary and Secondary Education.
[FR Doc. 2012-10377 Filed 4-27-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4000-01-P