[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 34 (Wednesday, February 20, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 11858-11865]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-03876]


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DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION


Applications for New Awards; Arts in Education Model Development 
and Dissemination Program

AGENCY: Office of Innovation and Improvement, Department of Education.

ACTION: Notice.

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Overview Information

Arts in Education Model Development and Dissemination Program

    Notice inviting applications for new awards for fiscal year (FY) 
2013.

Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: 84.351D.

DATES: Applications Available: February 20, 2013.
    Deadline for Notice of Intent to Apply: March 22, 2013.
    Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: April 22, 2013.
    Deadline for Intergovernmental Review: June 20, 2013.

Full Text of Announcement

I. Funding Opportunity Description

    Purpose of Program: The Arts in Education Model Development and 
Dissemination (AEMDD) program supports the enhancement, expansion, 
documentation, evaluation, and dissemination of innovative, cohesive 
models that are based on research and have demonstrated that they 
effectively-- (1) Integrate standards-based arts education into the 
core elementary and middle school curriculum; (2) strengthen standards-
based arts instruction in these grades; and (3) improve students' 
academic performance, including their skills in creating, performing, 
and responding to the arts. Projects funded through the AEMDD program 
are intended to increase the amount of nationally available information 
on effective models for arts education that integrate the arts with 
standards-based education programs.
    Priorities: This competition includes one absolute priority and 
four competitive preference priorities that are explained in the 
following paragraphs. Absolute priority 1 is from the notice of final 
priority, requirements, and definitions for this program, published in 
the Federal Register on March 30, 2005 (70 FR 16234). The competitive 
preference 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), and corrected on 
May 12, 2011 (76 FR 27637) (Supplemental Priorities).
    Absolute Priority: For FY 2013 and any subsequent year in which we 
make awards from the list of unfunded applicants from this competition, 
this priority is an absolute priority. Under 34 CFR 75.105(c)(3) we 
consider only applications that meet this priority.
    This priority is:
    This priority supports projects that enhance, expand, document, 
evaluate, and disseminate innovative, cohesive models that are based on 
research and have demonstrated their effectiveness in (1) integrating 
standards-based arts education into the core elementary or middle 
school curriculum, (2) strengthening standards-based arts instruction 
in the elementary or middle school grades, and (3) improving the 
academic performance of students in elementary or middle school grades, 
including their skills in creating, performing, and responding to the 
arts.
    In order to meet this priority, an applicant must demonstrate that 
the model project for which it seeks funding (1) serves only elementary 
school or middle school grades, or both, and (2) is linked to State and 
national standards intended to enable all students to meet challenging 
expectations and to improve student and school performance.

    Note: National standards are the arts standards developed by the 
Consortium of National Arts Education Associations or another 
comparable set of national arts standards. The standards developed 
by the

[[Page 11859]]

Consortium outline what students should know and be able to do in 
the arts. These are not Department standards.

    Competitive Preference Priorities: For FY 2013 and any subsequent 
year in which we make awards from the list of unfunded applicants from 
this competition, these priorities are competitive preference 
priorities. Under 34 CFR 75.105(c)(2)(i), we award up to an additional 
10 points to an applicant that meets Priority 1, up to an additional 10 
points to an applicant that meets Priority 2, up to an additional 5 
points to an applicant that meets Priority 3, and up to an additional 5 
points to an applicant that meets Priority 4. Therefore, the maximum 
number of competitive preference points that an application can receive 
under this competition is 30 points, depending on how well the 
application meets one or more of these priorities.
    When using these priorities to give competitive preference to an 
application, we will review the applications using a two-stage review 
process. In the first stage, we will review the applications without 
taking the competitive preference priorities into account. In the 
second stage, we will review the applications rated highest in the 
first stage of the process to determine whether they will receive the 
competitive preference priority points. We will consider awarding 
competitive preference priority points only to those applicants with 
top-ranked scores based on the selection criteria. An applicant must 
identify in the project narrative section of its application the 
priority or priorities it wishes the Department to consider for 
purposes of earning the competitive preference priority points.
    These priorities are:

Priority 1--Building Evidence of Effectiveness (0 to 10 Points)

    Projects that propose evaluation plans that are likely to produce 
valid and reliable evidence in one or more of the following priority 
areas: (a) Improving project design and implementation or designing 
more effective future projects to improve outcomes. (b) Identifying and 
improving practices, strategies, and policies that may contribute to 
improving outcomes.
    Under this priority, at a minimum, the outcome of interest is to be 
measured multiple times before and after the treatment for project 
participants and, where feasible, for a comparison group of non-
participants.

Priority 2--Supporting Programs, Practices, or Strategies for Which 
There Is Strong or Moderate Evidence of Effectiveness (0 to 10 Points)

    Projects that are supported by strong or moderate evidence.
    A project that is supported by strong evidence (as defined in this 
notice) will receive more points than a project that is supported by 
moderate evidence (as defined in this notice).

Priority 3--Turning Around Persistently Lowest-Achieving Schools (0 to 
5 Points)

    Projects that are designed to address one or more of the following 
priority areas:
    (a) Improving student achievement (as defined in this notice) in 
persistently lowest-achieving schools (as defined in this notice).
    (b) Providing services to students enrolled in persistently lowest-
achieving schools (as defined in this notice).

    Note: For the purposes of this priority, the Department 
considers schools that are identified as Tier I or Tier II schools 
under the School Improvement Grants program (see 75 FR 66363) as 
part of a State's approved FY 2009, FY 2010, or FY 2011 applications 
to be persistently lowest-achieving schools. A list of these Tier I 
and Tier II schools can be found on the Department's Web site at 
http://www2.ed.gov/programs/sif/index.html.

Priority 4--Technology (0 to 5 Points)

    Projects that are designed to improve student achievement (as 
defined in this notice) 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.
    Application Requirements: To be eligible for AEMDD funds, 
applicants must propose to address the needs of low-income children by 
carrying out projects that serve at least one elementary or middle 
school in which 35 percent or more of the children enrolled are from 
low-income families (based on data used in meeting the poverty criteria 
in Title I, Section 1113(a)(5) of the Elementary and Secondary 
Education Act of 1965, as amended (ESEA)).

Definitions

    The definitions for ``arts'' and ``integrating,'' as used in this 
notice, are from the notice of final priority, requirements, and 
definitions for this program, published in the Federal Register on 
March 30, 2005 (70 FR 16234). The remaining definitions are from the 
Supplemental Priorities published in the Federal Register on December 
15, 2010 (75 FR 78486), and corrected on May 12, 2011 (76 FR 27637).
    Arts includes music, dance, theater, media arts, and visual arts, 
including folk arts.
    Carefully matched comparison group design means a type of quasi-
experimental study (as defined in this notice) that attempts to 
approximate an experimental study (as defined in this notice). More 
specifically, it is a design in which project participants are matched 
with non-participants based on key characteristics that are thought to 
be related to the outcome. These characteristics include, but are not 
limited to: (1) Prior test scores and other measures of academic 
achievement (preferably, the same measures that the study will use to 
evaluate outcomes for the two groups); (2) Demographic characteristics, 
such as age, disability, gender, English proficiency, ethnicity, 
poverty level, parents' educational attainment, and single- or two-
parent family background; (3) The time period in which the two groups 
are studied (e.g., the two groups are children entering kindergarten in 
the same year as opposed to sequential years); and (4) Methods used to 
collect outcome data (e.g., the same test of reading skills 
administered in the same way to both groups).
    Experimental study means a study that employs random assignment of, 
for example, students, teachers, classrooms, schools, or districts to 
participate in a project being evaluated (treatment group) or not to 
participate in the project (control group). The effect of the project 
is the average difference in outcomes between the treatment and control 
groups.
    Integrating means (i) encouraging the use of high-quality arts 
instruction in other academic/content areas, and (ii) strengthening the 
place of the arts as a core academic subject in the school curriculum.
    Interrupted time series design means a type of quasi-experimental 
study (as defined in this notice) in which the outcome of interest is 
measured multiple times before and after the treatment for program 
participants only. If the program had an impact, the outcomes after 
treatment will have a different slope or level from those before 
treatment. That is, the series should show an ``interruption'' of the 
prior situation at the time when the program was implemented. Adding a 
comparison group time series, such as schools not participating in the 
program or schools participating in the program in a

[[Page 11860]]

different geographic area, substantially increases the reliability of 
the findings.\1\
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    \1\ A single subject or single case design is an adaptation of 
an interrupted time series design that relies on the comparison of 
treatment effects on a single subject or group of single subjects. 
There is little confidence that findings based on this design would 
be the same for other members of the population. In some single 
subject designs, treatment reversal or multiple baseline designs are 
used to increase internal validity. In a treatment reversal design, 
after a pretreatment or baseline outcome measurement is compared 
with a post treatment measure, the treatment would then be stopped 
for a period of time; a second baseline measure of the outcome would 
be taken, followed by a second application of the treatment or a 
different treatment. A multiple baseline design addresses concerns 
about the effects of normal development, timing of the treatment, 
and amount of the treatment with treatment-reversal designs by using 
a varying time schedule for introduction of the treatment and/or 
treatments of different lengths or intensity.
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    Moderate evidence means evidence from previous studies whose 
designs can support causal conclusions (i.e., studies with high 
internal validity) but have limited generalizability (i.e., moderate 
external validity), or studies with high external validity but moderate 
internal validity. The following would constitute moderate evidence:
    (1) At least one well-designed and well-implemented (as defined in 
this notice) experimental or quasi-experimental study (as defined in 
this notice) supporting the effectiveness of the practice, strategy, or 
program, with small sample sizes or other conditions of implementation 
or analysis that limit generalizability;
    (2) At least one well-designed and well-implemented (as defined in 
this notice) experimental or quasi-experimental study (as defined in 
this notice) that does not demonstrate equivalence between the 
intervention and comparison groups at program entry but that has no 
other major flaws related to internal validity; or
    (3) Correlational research with strong statistical controls for 
selection bias and for discerning the influence of internal factors.
    Persistently lowest-achieving schools means, as determined by the 
State: (i) Any Title I school in improvement, corrective action, or 
restructuring that (a) is among the lowest-achieving five percent of 
Title I schools in improvement, corrective action, or restructuring or 
the lowest-achieving five Title I schools in improvement, corrective 
action, or restructuring in the State, whichever number of schools is 
greater; or (b) is a high school that has had a graduation rate as 
defined in 34 CFR 200.19(b) that is less than 60 percent over a number 
of years; and (ii) any secondary school that is eligible for, but does 
not receive, Title I funds that: (a) is among the lowest-achieving five 
percent of secondary schools or the lowest-achieving five secondary 
schools in the State that are eligible for, but do not receive, Title I 
funds, whichever number of schools is greater; or (b) is a high school 
that has had a graduation rate as defined in 34 CFR 200.19(b) that is 
less than 60 percent over a number of years.
    To identify the persistently lowest-achieving schools, a State must 
take into account both: (i) The academic achievement of the ``all 
students'' group in a school in terms of proficiency on the State's 
assessments under section 1111(b)(3) of the ESEA in reading/language 
arts and mathematics combined; and (ii) the school's lack of progress 
on those assessments over a number of years in the ``all students'' 
group.
    Quasi-experimental study means an evaluation design that attempts 
to approximate an experimental study (as defined in this notice) and 
can support causal conclusions (i.e., minimizes threats to internal 
validity, such as selection bias, or allows them to be modeled). Well-
designed and well-implemented (as defined in this notice) quasi-
experimental studies include carefully matched comparison group designs 
(as defined in this notice), interrupted time series designs (as 
defined in this notice), or regression discontinuity designs (as 
defined in this notice).
    Regression discontinuity design study means, in part, a quasi-
experimental study design (as defined in this notice) that closely 
approximates an experimental study (as defined in this notice). In a 
regression discontinuity design, participants are assigned to a 
treatment or comparison group based on a numerical rating or score of a 
variable unrelated to the treatment such as the rating of an 
application for funding. Another example would be assignment of 
eligible students, teachers, classrooms, or schools above a certain 
score (``cut score'') to the treatment group and assignment of those 
below the score to the comparison group.
    Strong evidence means evidence from previous studies whose designs 
can support causal conclusions (i.e., studies with high internal 
validity), and studies that in total include enough of the range of 
participants and settings to support scaling up to the State, regional, 
or national level (i.e., studies with high external validity). The 
following are examples of strong evidence:
    (1) More than one well-designed and well-implemented (as defined in 
this notice) experimental study (as defined in this notice) or well-
designed and well-implemented (as defined in this notice) quasi-
experimental study (as defined in this notice) that supports the 
effectiveness of the practice, strategy, or program; or
    (2) One large, well-designed and well-implemented (as defined in 
this notice) randomized controlled, multisite trial that supports the 
effectiveness of the practice, strategy, or program.
    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.
    Well-designed and well-implemented means, with respect to an 
experimental or quasi-experimental study (as defined in this notice), 
that the study meets the What Works Clearinghouse evidence standards, 
with or without reservations (see http://ies.ed.gov/ncee/wwc/references/idocviewer/doc.aspx?docid=19&tocid=1 and in particular the 
description of ``Reasons for Not Meeting Standards'' at http://ies.ed.gov/ncee/wwc/references/idocviewer/Doc.aspx?docId=19&tocId=4#reasons).

    Program Authority: 20 U.S.C. 7271.

    Applicable Regulations: (a) The Education Department General 
Administrative Regulations (EDGAR) in 34 CFR parts 74, 75, 77, 79, 80, 
81, 82, 84, 86, 97, 98, and 99. (b) The Education Department suspension 
and debarment regulations in 2 CFR part 3485. (c) The notice of final 
priority, requirements, and definitions for this program, published in 
the Federal Register on March 30, 2005 (70 FR 16234); (d) The notice of 
final supplemental priorities and definitions for discretionary grant 
programs, published in the Federal Register on December 15, 2010 (75 FR 
78486), and corrected on May 12, 2011 (76 FR 27637).


[[Page 11861]]


    Note: The regulations in 34 CFR part 79 apply to all applicants 
except federally recognized Indian tribes.


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

II. Award Information

    Type of Award: Discretionary grants.
    Estimated Available Funds: $2,047,326.
    The Administration's budget request for FY 2013 does not include 
funds for this program. In place of this program and several other, 
sometimes narrowly targeted, programs focused on student achievement in 
specific subject areas, the Administration has proposed to create, 
through the ESEA reauthorization, a broader program, ``Effective 
Teaching and Learning for a Well-Rounded Education,'' that would 
support activities to improve student achievement and teacher 
effectiveness in arts and other subject areas.
    However, we are inviting applications to allow enough time to 
complete the grant process before the end of the current fiscal year, 
if Congress appropriates funds for this program.
    Contingent upon the availability of funds and the quality of 
applications, we may make additional awards in FY 2014 from the list of 
unfunded applicants from this competition.
    Estimated Range of Awards: $275,000 to $325,000 for the first year 
of the project. Funding for the second, third, and fourth years is 
subject to the availability of funds and the approval of continuation 
awards (see 34 CFR 75.253).
    Estimated Average Size of Awards: $300,000.
    Estimated Number of Award: 6.

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

    Project Period: Up to 48 months (subject to availability of funds).

    Note: The first 12 months of the project period may be used to 
build capacity to effectively carry out the comprehensive activities 
involved in the evaluation plan described in competitive preference 
priority 1.

III. Eligibility Information

    1. Eligible Applicants: (1) One or more local educational agencies 
(LEAs), including charter schools that are considered LEAs under State 
law and regulations, that may work in partnership with one or more of 
the following:
     A State or local non-profit or governmental arts 
organization.
     A State educational agency (SEA) or regional educational 
service agency.
     An institution of higher education.
     A public or private agency, institution, or organization, 
such as a community- or faith-based organization; or
    (2) One or more State or local non-profit or governmental arts 
organizations that must work in partnership with one or more LEAs and 
may partner with one or more of the following:
     An SEA or regional educational service agency.
     An institution of higher education.
     A public or private agency, institution, or organization, 
such as a community- or faith-based organization.

    Note: If more than one LEA or arts organization wishes to form a 
consortium and jointly submit a single application, they must follow 
the procedures for group applications described in 34 CFR 75.127 
through 75.129 of EDGAR.

    2. a. Cost Sharing or Matching: This program does not require cost 
sharing or matching.
    b. Supplement-Not-Supplant: This program involves supplement-not-
supplant funding requirements. Under section 5551(f)(2) of the ESEA, 
the Secretary requires that assistance provided under this program be 
used only to supplement, and not to supplant, any other assistance or 
funds made available from non-Federal sources for the activities 
assisted under the program.
    This restriction also has the effect of allowing projects to 
recover indirect costs only on the basis of a restricted indirect cost 
rate, according to the requirements in 34 CFR 75.563 and 34 CFR 76.564 
through 76.569. As soon as they decide to apply, applicants are urged 
to contact the ED Indirect Cost Group at (202) 377-3840 for guidance 
about obtaining a restricted indirect cost rate to use on the Budget 
Information form (ED Form 524) included with the application package.
    c. Coordination Requirement: Under section 5551(f)(1) of the ESEA, 
the Secretary requires that each entity funded under this program 
coordinate, to the extent practicable, each project or program carried 
out with funds awarded under this program with appropriate activities 
of public or private cultural agencies, institutions, and 
organizations, including museums, arts education associations, 
libraries, and theaters.

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: www.ed.gov/fund/grant/apply/grantapps/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) or a text telephone (TTY), call the Federal Relay Service (FRS), 
toll free: 1-877-576-7734.
    You can contact ED Pubs at its Web site, also: www.EDPubs.gov or at 
its email address: [email protected].
    If you request an application from ED Pubs, be sure to identify 
this program or competition as follows: CFDA number 84.351D.
    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 person or team listed under 
Accessible Format in section VIII of this notice.
    2. Content and Form of Application Submission: Requirements 
concerning the content of an application, together with the forms you 
must submit, are in the application package for this program.
    Notice of Intent to Apply: The Department will be able to develop a 
more efficient process for reviewing grant applications if it has a 
better understanding of the number of entities that intend to apply for 
funding under this program. Therefore, the Secretary strongly 
encourages each potential applicant to notify the Department by sending 
a short email message indicating the applicant's intent to submit an 
application for funding. The email need not include information 
regarding the content of the proposed application, only the applicant's 
intent to submit it. This email notification should be sent to Diane 
Austin at [email protected].
    Applicants that fail to provide this email notification may still 
apply for funding.
    Page Limit: The application narrative is where you, the applicant, 
address the selection criteria that reviewers use to evaluate your 
application. Applicants are strongly encouraged to limit the 
application narrative (Part III) to the equivalent of no more than 50 
single-sided 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

[[Page 11862]]

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 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).
    3. Submission Dates and Times:
    Applications Available: February 20, 2013.
    Deadline for Notice of Intent to Apply: March 22, 2013.
    Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: April 22, 2013.
    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, 2013.
    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. We reference regulations outlining funding restrictions in the 
Applicable Regulations section of this notice.
    6. Data Universal Numbering System Number, Taxpayer Identification 
Number, Central Contractor Registry, and System for Award Management: 
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)--and, after July 24, 2012, with the System 
for Award Management (SAM), the Government's primary registrant 
database;
    c. Provide your DUNS number and TIN on your application; and
    d. Maintain an active CCR or SAM 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 or SAM 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 registration annually. This may take three or more 
business days to complete. Information about SAM is available at 
SAM.gov.
    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 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 Arts in Education Model 
Development and Dissemination program, CFDA number 84.351D, 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 Arts in 
Education Model Development and Dissemination program 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 84.351, not 
84.351D).
    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. Therefore, we 
strongly recommend that you do not wait until the application

[[Page 11863]]

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 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: Diane Austin, U.S. 
Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue SW., Room 4W245, 
Washington, DC 20202-5950. FAX: (202) 205-5630.
    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 84.351D), 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,

[[Page 11864]]

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 84.351D), 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 all the selection 
criteria is 100 points. The maximum score for each criterion is 
indicated in parentheses. Each criterion also includes the factors that 
the reviewers will consider in determining how well an application 
meets the criterion. The notes following the selection criteria are 
guidance to help applicants in preparing their applications and are not 
required by statute or regulations. The selection criteria are as 
follows:
    (1) Need for project (15 points).
    The Secretary considers the need for the proposed project by 
considering the following factors:
    (a) The extent to which the proposed project will provide services 
or otherwise address the needs of students at risk of educational 
failure.
    (b) The extent to which specific gaps or weaknesses in services, 
infrastructure, or opportunities have been identified and will be 
addressed by the proposed project, including the nature and magnitude 
of those gaps or weaknesses.
    (2) Significance (10 points).
    The Secretary considers the significance of the proposed project by 
considering the following factor:
    The likely utility of the products (such as information, materials, 
processes, or techniques) that will result from the proposed project, 
including the potential for their being used effectively in a variety 
of other settings.
    (3) Quality of the project design (30 points).
    The Secretary considers the quality of the design of the proposed 
project by considering the following factors:
    (a) The extent to which the design of the proposed project reflects 
up-to-date knowledge from research and effective practices.
    (b) 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.
    (c) The extent to which the proposed project is designed to build 
capacity and yield results that will extend beyond the period of 
Federal financial assistance.
    (4) Quality of project personnel (10 points).
    The Secretary considers the quality of the personnel who will carry 
out the proposed project. 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.
    In addition, the Secretary considers the following factor:
    The qualifications, including relevant training and experience, of 
key project personnel.
    (5) Quality of the management plan (25 points).
    The Secretary considers the quality of the management plan for the 
proposed project by considering 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.
    (b) The extent to which the time commitments of the project 
director and principal investigator and other key project personnel are 
appropriate and adequate to meet the objectives of the proposed 
project.
    (c) The adequacy of procedures for ensuring feedback and continuous 
improvement in the operation of the proposed project.
    (6) Quality of the project evaluation (10 points). The Secretary 
considers the quality of the evaluation to be conducted of the proposed 
project by considering the following factors:
    (a) 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.
    (b) The extent to which the methods of evaluation will provide 
performance feedback and permit periodic assessment of progress toward 
achieving intended outcomes.

    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 evaluation plan should include benchmarks to monitor 
progress toward specific project objectives and also outcome 
measures to assess the impact on teaching and learning, or other 
important outcomes for project participants. More specifically, the 
plan should identify the individual or organization that has agreed 
to serve as evaluator for the project and describe the 
qualifications of that evaluator. The plan should describe the 
evaluation design, indicating: (1) What types of data will be 
collected; (2) when various types of data will be collected; (3) 
what methods will be used; (4) what instruments will be developed 
and when these instruments will be developed; (5) how the data will 
be analyzed; (6) when reports of results and outcomes will be 
available; and (7) how the applicant will use the information 
collected through the evaluation to monitor progress of the funded 
project and to provide accountability information both about success 
at the initial site and about effective strategies for replication 
in other settings. Applicants are encouraged to devote an 
appropriate level of resources to project evaluation.

    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

[[Page 11865]]

that does not meet the standards in 34 CFR part 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); or we may send you an email containing a link to 
access an electronic version of your 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 established the 
following Government Performance and Results Act of 1993 (GPRA) 
performance measures for the Arts in Education Model Development and 
Dissemination program: (1) The percentage of students participating in 
arts model projects funded through the AEMDD program who demonstrate 
proficiency in mathematics compared to those in control or comparison 
groups and (2) the percentage of students participating in arts model 
projects who demonstrate proficiency in reading compared to those in 
control or comparison groups.
    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.
    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: Diane Austin, U.S. Department of 
Education, 400 Maryland Avenue SW., Room 4W245, Washington, DC 20202-
5950. Telephone: (202) 260-1280 or by email: [email protected].
    If you use a TDD or a TTY, 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 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: February 14, 2013.
James H. Shelton, III,
Assistant Deputy Secretary for Innovation and Improvement.
[FR Doc. 2013-03876 Filed 2-19-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4000-01-P