[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 112 (Tuesday, June 11, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 35001-35009]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-13846]


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DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION


Applications for New Awards; Charter Schools Program (CSP) Grants 
to Non-State Educational Agency (Non-SEA) Eligible Applicants for 
Planning, Program Design, and Initial Implementation and for 
Dissemination

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

ACTION: Notice.

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    Overview Information:
    CSP Grants to Non-SEA Eligible Applicants for Planning, Program 
Design, and Initial Implementation and for Dissemination
    Notice inviting applications for new awards for fiscal year (FY) 
2013.
    Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Numbers: 84.282B and 
84.282C.
    Dates:
    Applications Available: June 11, 2013.
    Dates of Pre-Application Webinars (all times are Washington, DC 
time):
    1. June 17, 2013, 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.; and
    2. June 20, 2013, 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
    Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: July 12, 2013.
    Deadline for Intergovernmental Review: August 12, 2013.

Full Text of Announcement

I. Funding Opportunity Description

    Purpose of Program: The purpose of the CSP is to increase national 
understanding of the charter school model by expanding the number of 
high-quality charter schools available to students across the Nation; 
providing financial assistance for the planning, program design, and 
initial implementation of charter schools; and evaluating the effects 
of charter schools, including their effects on students, student 
academic achievement, staff, and parents.
    This notice inviting applications (NIA) announces competitions for 
two different grants: (1) Planning, Program Design, and Initial 
Implementation; and (2) Dissemination. Each grant has different 
purposes, eligibility requirements, and selection criteria. Information 
pertaining to each grant will be outlined in subsequent sections.
    Non-SEA eligible applicants are those that are qualified to 
participate based on requirements set forth in this NIA. Non-SEA 
eligible applicants in States in which the SEA does not have an 
approved application under the CSP may receive grants directly from the 
Secretary for either planning, program design, and initial 
implementation of charter schools or to carry out dissemination 
activities. States with approved CSP applications are Arizona, 
Arkansas, California, Colorado, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, 
Indiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, 
New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, 
and Wisconsin.
    Non-SEA eligible applicants that propose to use grant funds for 
planning, program design, and initial implementation of charter schools 
must apply under CFDA number 84.282B. Non-SEA eligible applicants that 
request funds for dissemination activities must apply under CFDA number 
84.282C.
    Priorities: This notice includes one absolute priority and three 
competitive preference priorities. The absolute priority and 
competitive preference priorities are from 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).
    Background:
    The absolute and competitive preference priorities focus this 
competition on assisting educationally disadvantaged students and other 
students--specifically students attending high-poverty schools, 
students in rural areas, students with disabilities, English Learners, 
and military-connected students--in meeting State academic content 
standards and State student academic achievement standards.
    All charter schools receiving CSP funds, as outlined in section 
5210(1)(G) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, as 
amended (ESEA), must comply with various non-discrimination laws, 
including the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, title VI of the Civil 
Rights Act of 1964, title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, 
section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, part B of the 
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (i.e., rights afforded to 
students and their parents with disabilities), and applicable State 
laws. The Department is particularly interested in encouraging charter 
schools to develop and implement innovative strategies to meet the 
needs of educationally disadvantaged students and other students.
    In particular, recent reports have indicated that charter schools 
may be serving students with disabilities and English Learners at a 
lower rate than traditional public schools.\1\
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    \1\ General Accountability Office. June 2012. ``Additional 
Federal Attention Needed to Help Protect Access for Students with 
Disabilities''. http://www.gao.gov/assets/600/591435.pdf.
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    The Secretary also recognizes that military-connected students 
often face distinctive obstacles in the way of receiving a high-quality 
education due to such factors as significant parental absence and 
frequent relocations.\2\
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    \2\ The White House. January 2011. ``Strengthening Our Military 
Families: Meeting America's Commitment. www.defense.gov/home/features/2011/0111_initiative/strengthening_our_military_january_2011.pdf
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    In addition, the Department understands that rural schools confront 
their own unique challenges and seeks to encourage rural education 
leaders to use charter schools, as appropriate, as part of their 
overall school improvement efforts.
    Lastly, recent studies have indicated that charter schools may be 
less racially diverse than traditional public schools.\3\ Given 
research showing that all students benefit from attending a school with 
a diverse student body,\4\ the Department

[[Page 35002]]

is interested in supporting charter schools that explicitly focus on 
creating and maintaining a diverse student body (See Competitive 
Preference Priority 2 (Promoting Diversity) and the accompanying note).
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    \3\ Frankenberg, E., Siegel-Hawley, G., and Wang, J. January 
2010. ``Choice without Equity: Charter School Segregation and the 
Need for Civil Rights Standards'' http://civilrightsproject.ucla.edu/research/k-12-education/integration-and-diversity/choice-without-equity-2009-report/frankenberg-choices-without-equity-2010.pdf
    \4\ Mickelson, Roslyn A. & Bottia, Martha (2010). Integrated 
Education and Mathematics Outcomes: A Synthesis of Social Science 
Research. North Carolina Law Review, Vol. 88(3), pp. 993-1090; 
National Academy of Education. Race Conscious Policies for Assigning 
Students to Schools. Social Science Research and Supreme Court 
Cases. (2007). http://nepc.colorado.edu/files/Brief-NAE.pdf.
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    The absolute priority and all of the competitive preference 
priorities are intended to encourage applicants to develop innovative 
projects designed to eliminate achievement gaps between the subgroups 
described in this notice and the highest-achieving subgroups in their 
States.
    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:
    Improving Achievement and High School Graduation Rates [High-
Poverty]. Accelerating learning and helping to improve high school 
graduation rates (as defined in this notice) and college enrollment 
rates in high-poverty schools (as defined in this notice).

    Note: To meet this priority, an applicant demonstrating that it 
is a high poverty school (as defined in this notice) or, in the case 
of a charter school that has not yet enrolled students, will target 
for enrollment students from low-income families as determined using 
one of the criteria specified under section 1113(a)(5) of the ESEA.

    Similarly, to meet this priority, an applicant for a dissemination 
grant under CFDA number 84.282C must provide enrollment data 
demonstrating that at least 50 percent of its students are from low-
income families as determined using one of the criteria specified under 
section 1113(a)(5) of the ESEA.
    Applications approved for funding must meet the absolute priority 
throughout the performance period.
    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 will award up to an 
additional four points to an application depending on how well the 
application meets Competitive Preference Priority 1, up to an 
additional two points to an application depending on how well the 
application meets Competitive Preference Priority 2, and up to an 
additional three points to an application depending on how well the 
application meets Competitive Preference Priority 3. The maximum number 
of points an application can receive under these priorities is nine.

    Note: In order to be eligible to receive points under these 
competitive preference priorities, the applicant must identify the 
priority or priorities that it believes it meets, provide a detailed 
explanation of how the project meets the priority, and provide 
documentation supporting its claims.

    These priorities are:
    Competitive Preference Priority 1--Improving Achievement and High 
School Graduation Rates [Rural Students, Students with Disabilities, 
and English Learners] (up to 4 points).
    This priority is for projects that are designed to address one or 
more of the following priority areas:
    (a) Accelerating learning and helping to improve high school 
graduation rates (as defined in this notice) and college enrollment 
rates for students in rural local educational agencies (as defined in 
this notice).
    (b) Accelerating learning and helping to improve high school 
graduation rates (as defined in this notice) and college enrollment 
rates for students with disabilities.
    (c) Accelerating learning and helping to improve high school 
graduation rates (as defined in this notice) and college enrollment 
rates for English Learners.

    Note: This competitive preference priority encourages the 
applicant to provide a thoughtful, in-depth response to the priority 
area(s) to which it is well-suited to respond. Applicants will 
receive up to four points for how well they address priority areas 
(a) through (c). Applicants may choose to respond to one, two, or 
three of the priority areas but, in order to receive the maximum 
available points, it is not necessary for applicants to respond to 
more than one priority area.

    Competitive Preference Priority 2--Promoting Diversity (up to 2 
points).
    Projects that are designed to promote student diversity, including 
racial and ethnic diversity, or avoid racial isolation.

    Note: An applicant addressing Competitive Preference Priority 
2--Promoting Diversity is invited to discuss how the proposed design 
of its project would help bring together students from different 
backgrounds, including students from different racial and ethnic 
backgrounds, to attain the benefits that flow from a diverse student 
body, or to avoid racial isolation.


    Note: For information on permissible ways to address this 
priority, please refer to the joint guidance issued by the 
Department of Education and the Department of Justice entitled, 
``Guidance on the Voluntary Use of Race to Achieve Diversity and 
Avoid Racial Isolation in Elementary and Secondary Schools'' at 
http://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/docs/guidance-ese-201111.pdf.

    Competitive Preference Priority 3--Support for Military Families 
(up to 3 points).
    This priority is for projects that are designed to address the 
needs of military-connected students (as defined in this notice).

    Note: For purposes of this program, projects meeting this 
priority must target military-connected students who are current or 
prospective public charter school students. The applicant's 
recruitment and admissions policy must comply with its State charter 
school law and CSP program requirements (for information on 
admissions and the lottery under the CSP, see ``Charter Schools 
Program Nonregulatory Guidance'' at http://www2.ed.gov/programs/charter/nonregulatory-guidance.html).

    Definitions
    The following definitions are from 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), and apply to this competition.
    1. Graduation rate means a four-year adjusted cohort graduation 
rate consistent with 34 CFR 200.19(b)(1) and may also include an 
extended-year adjusted cohort graduation rate consistent with 34 CFR 
200.19(b)(1)(v) if the State in which the proposed project is 
implemented has been approved by the Secretary to use such a rate under 
Title I of the ESEA.
    2. 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 ESEA. 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.
    3. Military-connected student means: (a) a child participating in 
an early learning program, a student in preschool through grade 12, or 
a student enrolled in postsecondary education or training who has a 
parent or guardian on active duty in the uniformed services (as defined 
by 37 U.S.C. 101, in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast 
Guard, National Guard, or the reserve component of any of the 
aforementioned services) or (b) a student who is a

[[Page 35003]]

veteran of the uniformed services, who is on active duty, or who is the 
spouse of an active-duty service member.
    4. Rural local educational agency means a local educational agency 
(LEA) that is eligible under the Small Rural School Achievement (SRSA) 
program or the Rural and Low-Income School (RLIS) program authorized 
under Title VI, Part B of the ESEA. Eligible applicants may determine 
whether a particular LEA is eligible for these programs by referring to 
information on the Department's Web site at http://www2.ed.gov/nclb/freedom/local/reap.html.
    Requirements: Applicants approved for funding under this 
competition must attend an in-person, two-day meeting for project 
directors during each year of the project.

    Note: The applicant is encouraged to include the cost of 
attending this meeting in its proposed budgets.

    Program Authority: 20 U.S.C. 7221-7221i.
    Applicable Regulations: (a) The Education Department General 
Administrative Regulations (EDGAR) in 34 CFR parts 74, 75, 76, 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 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).

    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 only to 
institutions of higher education.

II. Award Information

    Type of Award: Discretionary grants.
    Estimated Available Funds: $2,000,000.
    Contingent upon the availability of funds and quality of 
applications, we may make additional awards in FY 2014 from the list of 
unfunded applications from this competition.
    Estimated Range of Awards: $140,000 to $200,000 per year.
    Estimated Average Size of Awards: $175,000 per year.
    Estimated Number of Awards: 10-14.

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

    Project Period: Up to 36 months for planning, program design, and 
initial implementation grants under CFDA number 84.282B. Up to 24 
months for dissemination grants under CFDA number 84.282C.

    Note: For planning, program design, and initial implementation 
grants awarded by the Secretary to non-SEA eligible applicants under 
CFDA number 84.282B, no more than 18 months may be used for planning 
and program design and no more than 24 months may be used for the 
initial implementation of a charter school.

III. Eligibility Information

    1. Eligible Applicants:
    (a) Planning, Program Design, and Initial Implementation grants 
(CFDA number 84.282B): A developer that has (1) applied to an 
authorized public chartering authority to operate a charter school; and 
(2) provided adequate and timely notice to that authority under section 
5203(d)(3) of the ESEA (20 U.S.C. 7221b(d)(3)). In accordance with 
section 5203(d)(3) of the ESEA, an applicant for a pre-charter planning 
grant may include, in section V of its application, a request for a 
waiver from the Secretary of the requirement that the eligible 
applicant provide its authorized public chartering authority timely 
notice, and a copy, of its application for CSP funds (20 U.S.C. 
7221b(d)(3)).

    Note:  Section 5210 of the ESEA (20 U.S.C. 7221i(2)) defines 
``developer'' as an individual or group of individuals (including a 
public or private nonprofit organization), which may include 
teachers, administrators and other school staff, parents, or other 
members of the local community in which a charter school project 
will be carried out. Additionally, the charter school must be 
located in a State with a State statute specifically authorizing the 
establishment of charter schools and in which the SEA does not have 
an application approved under the CSP.

    (b) Dissemination grants (CFDA number 84.282C): Charter schools, as 
defined in section 5210(1) of the ESEA (20 U.S.C. 7221i(1)), that have 
been in operation for at least three consecutive years and have 
demonstrated overall success, including--
    (1) Substantial progress in improving student academic achievement;
    (2) High levels of parent satisfaction; and
    (3) The management and leadership necessary to overcome initial 
start-up problems and establish a thriving, financially viable charter 
school.

    Note:  Consistent with section 5204(f)(6) of the ESEA (20 U.S.C. 
7221c(f)(6)), a charter school may apply for funds to carry out 
dissemination activities, whether or not the charter school 
previously applied for or received funds under the CSP for planning, 
program design, or implementation.


    Note: These competitions (CFDA numbers 84.282B and 84.282C) are 
limited to eligible applicants in States in which the SEA does not 
have an approved application under the CSP (or will not have an 
approved application as of October 1, 2013). The following States 
currently have approved applications under the CSP: Arizona, 
Arkansas, California, Colorado, District of Columbia, Florida, 
Georgia, Indiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New 
Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, South Carolina, 
Tennessee, Texas, and Wisconsin.

    Eligible applicants, including charter schools, located in States 
with currently approved CSP applications that are interested in 
participating in the CSP should contact the SEA for information related 
to the State's CSP subgrant competition. Further information is 
available at http://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/oii/csp/funding.html.
    2. Cost Sharing or Matching: This program does not require cost 
sharing or matching.
IV. Application and Submission Information
    1. Address to Request Application Package: LaShawndra Thornton, 
U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue SW., Room 4W257, 
Washington, DC 20202-5970. Telephone: (202) 453-5617 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.a. Content and Form of Application Submission: Requirements 
concerning the content of an application, together with the forms you 
must submit, are in the application package for this competition.
    Page Limit: The application narrative (Part III of the application) 
is where you, the applicant, address the selection criteria that 
reviewers use to evaluate your application. The Secretary strongly 
encourages applicants to limit Part III to the equivalent of no more 
than 50 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 application narrative, including titles, headings, 
footnotes, quotations, references, and captions, as well as all text in 
charts, tables, figures, and graphs.

[[Page 35004]]

     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, you must 
include all of the application narrative in Part III.
    b. Submission of Proprietary In formation:
    Given the types of projects that may be proposed in applications 
for the CSP Non-SEA Grants for Planning, Program Design, and Initial 
Implementation and for Dissemination, an application may include 
business information that the applicant considers proprietary. The 
Department's regulations define ``business information'' in 34 CFR 
5.11.
    Because we plan to make successful applications available to the 
public, you may wish to request confidentiality of business 
information.
    Consistent with Executive Order 12600, please designate in your 
application any information that you feel is exempt from disclosure 
under Exemption 4 of the Freedom of Information Act. In the appropriate 
Appendix section of your application, under ``Other Attachments Form,'' 
please list the page number or numbers on which we can find this 
information. For additional information please see 34 CFR 5.11(c).
    3. Submission Dates and Times:
    Applications Available: June 11, 2013.
    Date of Pre-Application Webinar: The Department will hold a pre-
application Webinar for prospective applicants on the following dates 
(all times are Washington, DC time):
    1. June 17, 2013, 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.; and
    2. June 20, 2013, 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
    Individuals interested in attending one of the Webinars are 
encouraged to pre-register by emailing their name, organization, 
contact information, and preferred Webinar date and time with the 
subject heading NON-SEA PRE-APPLICATION MEETING to 
[email protected]. There is no registration fee for attending this 
Webinar.
    For further information about the pre-application Webinar, contact 
LaShawndra Thornton, U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue 
SW., room 4W257, Washington, DC 20202-5970. Telephone: (202) 453-5617 
or by email: [email protected].
    Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: July 12, 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: August 12, 2013.
    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 program. 
Please note that, under 34 CFR 79.8(a), we have shortened the standard 
60-day intergovernmental review period in order to make awards by the 
end of FY 2013.
    5. Funding Restrictions:
    Use of Funds for Post-Award Planning and Design of the Educational 
Program and Initial Implementation of the Charter School. A non-SEA 
eligible applicant receiving a grant under CFDA number 84.282B may use 
the grant funds only for--
    (a) Post-award planning and design of the educational program, 
which may include (1) refinement of the desired educational results and 
of the methods for measuring progress toward achieving those results; 
and (2) professional development of teachers and other staff who will 
work in the charter school; and
    (b) Initial implementation of the charter school, which may include 
(1) informing the community about the school; (2) acquiring necessary 
equipment and educational materials and supplies; (3) acquiring or 
developing curriculum materials; and (4) other initial operational 
costs that cannot be met from State or local sources. (20 U.S.C. 
7221c(f)(3))

    Note: CSP funds awarded under CFDA number 84.282B may be used 
only for the planning and initial implementation of a charter 
school. As a general matter, the Secretary considers charter schools 
that have been in operation for more than three years to be past the 
initial implementation phase and, therefore, ineligible to receive 
CSP funds to support the initial implementation of a charter school.

    Use of Funds for Dissemination Activities. A charter school 
receiving a grant under CFDA number 84.282C may use grant funds to 
assist other schools in adapting the charter school's program (or 
certain aspects of the charter school's program), or to disseminate 
information about the charter school, through such activities as--
    (a) Assisting other individuals with the planning and start-up of 
one or more new public schools, including charter schools, that are 
independent of the assisting charter school and the assisting charter 
school's developers, and that agree to be held to at least as high a 
level of accountability as the assisting charter school;
    (b) Developing partnerships with other public schools, including 
charter schools, designed to improve student academic achievement in 
each of the schools participating in the partnership;
    (c) Developing curriculum materials, assessments, and other 
materials that promote increased student achievement and are based on 
successful practices within the assisting charter school; and
    (d) Conducting evaluations and developing materials that document 
the successful practices of the assisting charter school and that are 
designed to improve student performance in other schools. (20 U.S.C. 
7221c(f)(6))
    We reference additional regulations outlining funding restrictions 
in the Applicable Regulations section in this notice.
    6. Data Universal Numbering System Number, Taxpayer Identification 
Number, 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 System for Award 
Management (SAM) (formerly the Central Contractor Registry (CCR)), the 
Government's primary registrant database;
    c. Provide your DUNS number and TIN on your application; and

[[Page 35005]]

    d. Maintain an active 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 SAM registration process may take seven or more business days 
to complete. If you are currently registered with the SAM, 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 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 CSP, CFDA Numbers 84.282B and 
84.282C, 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 CSP 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 84.282, not 
84.282B or 282C).

    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 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

[[Page 35006]]

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: LaShawndra Thornton, 
U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue SW., Room 4W257, 
Washington, DC 20202-5970. 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 84.282B or 84.282C), LBJ Basement Level 1, 400 Maryland 
Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20202-4260.
    You must show proof of mailing consisting of one of the following:
    (1) A legibly dated U.S. Postal Service postmark.
    (2) A legible mail receipt with the date of mailing stamped by the 
U.S. Postal Service.
    (3) A dated shipping label, invoice, or receipt from a commercial 
carrier.
    (4) Any other proof of mailing acceptable to the Secretary of the 
U.S. Department of Education.
    If you mail your application through the U.S. Postal Service, we do 
not accept either of the following as proof of mailing:
    (1) A private metered postmark.
    (2) A mail receipt that is not dated by the U.S. Postal Service.
    If your application is postmarked after the application deadline 
date, we will not consider your application.

    Note: The U.S. Postal Service does not uniformly provide a dated 
postmark. Before relying on this method, you should check with your 
local post office.

    c. Submission of Paper Applications by Hand Delivery.
    If you qualify for an exception to the electronic submission 
requirement, you (or a courier service) may deliver your paper 
application to the Department by hand. You must deliver the original 
and two copies of your application by hand, on or before the 
application deadline date, to the Department at the following address: 
U.S. Department of Education, Application Control Center, Attention: 
(CFDA Number 84.282B or 84.282C), 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. Application Requirements. An applicant applying for CSP grant 
funds, under either CFDA number 84.282B or 84.282C, must address the 
following application requirements, which are based on section 5203(b) 
of the ESEA (20 U.S.C. 7221b(b)), as well as the applicable selection 
criteria in this notice, and may choose to respond to the application 
requirements in the context of its responses to the selection criteria.
    (a) Describe the educational program to be implemented by the 
proposed charter school, including how the program will enable all 
students to meet challenging State student academic achievement 
standards, the grade levels or ages of children to be served, and the 
curriculum and instructional practices to be used;

    Note:  An applicant proposing to operate a single-sex charter 
school should include in its application a detailed description of 
how it is complying with applicable nondiscrimination laws, 
including the Equal Protection Clause of the U.S. Constitution (as 
interpreted in United States v. Virginia, 518 U.S. 515 (1996) and 
other cases) and Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (20 
U.S.C. 1681 et seq.) and its regulations, including 34 CFR 
106.34(c). Specifically, the applicant should provide a written 
justification for a proposed single-sex charter school that 
explains: (1) How the single-sex program charter school is based on 
an important governmental objective(s); and (2) how the single-sex 
nature of the charter school is substantially related to the stated 
objective(s). An applicant proposing to operate a single-sex charter 
school that is part of an LEA and not a single-school LEA under 
State law, should also provide (1) information about whether there 
is or are a substantially equal single-sex school(s) for students of 
the excluded sex, and, if so, a detailed description of both the 
proposed single-sex charter school and the substantially equal 
single-sex school(s) based on the factors in 34 CFR 106.34(c)(3); 
and, (2) information about whether there is or are a substantially 
equal coeducational school(s) for students of the excluded sex, and, 
if so, a detailed description of both the proposed single-sex 
charter school and the substantially equal coeducational school(s) 
based on the factors in 34 CFR 106.34(c)(3).

    (b) Describe how the charter school will be managed;
    (c) Describe the objectives of the charter school and the methods 
by which the charter school will determine its progress toward 
achieving those objectives;
    (d) Describe the administrative relationship between the charter 
school and the authorized public chartering agency;
    (e) Describe how parents and other members of the community will be 
involved in the planning, program design, and implementation of the 
charter school;
    (f) Describe how the authorized public chartering agency will 
provide for continued operation of the charter school once the Federal 
grant has expired, if that agency determines that the charter school 
has met its objectives as described in paragraph (c) of this section;
    (g) If the charter school desires the Secretary to consider waivers 
under the authority of the CSP, include a request and justification for 
waivers of any Federal statutory or regulatory provisions that the 
applicant believes are necessary for the successful operation of the 
charter school, and a description of any State or local rules,

[[Page 35007]]

generally applicable to public schools, that will be waived for, or 
otherwise not apply to, the school. Each applicant for a planning, 
program design, and initial implementation grant under CFDA number 
84.282B--that is requesting a waiver of the requirement under section 
5203(d)(3) of the ESEA (20 U.S.C. 7221b(d)(3)) to provide its 
authorized public chartering agency with notice, and a copy, of its CSP 
application--should indicate whether it has applied for a charter 
previously and, if so, the name of the authorized public chartering 
authority and the disposition of the charter application;
    (h) Describe how the grant funds will be used, including a 
description of how these funds will be used in conjunction with other 
Federal programs administered by the Secretary;
    (i) Describe how students in the community will be informed about 
the charter school and be given an equal opportunity to attend the 
charter school;

    Note: The applicant should provide a detailed description of its 
recruitment and admissions policies and practices, including a 
description of the lottery it plans to employ if more students apply 
for admission than can be accommodated. The applicant also should 
describe any plans to use a weighted lottery or to exempt certain 
categories of students from the lottery and how these plans are 
consistent with State law, the CSP authorizing statute, and CSP 
Nonregulatory Guidance (for information related to the lottery 
requirement under the CSP, please see Section E of the CSP 
Nonregulatory Guidance at http://www2.ed.gov/programs/charter/nonregulatory-guidance.html).

    (j) Describe how a charter school that is considered an LEA under 
State law, or an LEA in which a charter school is located, will comply 
with sections 613(a)(5) and 613(e)(1)(B) of the Individuals with 
Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)(for additional information on IDEA, 
please see http://idea.ed.gov/explore/view/p/%2Croot%2Cstatute%2CI%2CB%2C613%2C); and
    (k) If the eligible applicant desires to use grant funds for 
dissemination activities under section 5202(c)(2)(c) of the ESEA (20 
U.S.C 7221a(c)(2)(C)), describe those activities and how those 
activities will involve charter schools and other public schools, LEAs, 
developers, and potential developers.
    2. Selection Criteria: The selection criteria for this competition 
are from 20 U.S.C. 7221b and 7221c and 34 CFR 75.210 of EDGAR.
    The selection criteria for applicants submitting applications under 
CFDA number 84.282B are listed in paragraph (a) of this section, and 
the selection criteria for applicants submitting applications under 
CFDA number 84.282C are listed in paragraph (b) of this section.
    (a) Selection Criteria for Planning, Program Design, and Initial 
Implementation Grants (CFDA number 84.282B). The following selection 
criteria are based on sections 5203, 5204, and 5210 of the ESEA (20 
U.S.C. 7221b, 7221c, and 7221i) and 34 CFR 75.210 of EDGAR. The maximum 
possible score for addressing all of the criteria in this section is 
100 points. The maximum possible score for addressing each criterion is 
indicated in parentheses following the criterion. In evaluating an 
application for a planning, program design, and implementation grant, 
the Secretary considers the following criteria:
    (1) Quality of the proposed curriculum and instructional practices 
(20 U.S.C. 7221c(b)(1)) (up to 15 points).

    Note: The Secretary encourages the applicant to describe the 
quality of the educational program to be implemented by the proposed 
charter school, including how the program will enable all students 
to meet challenging State student academic achievement standards, 
the grade levels or ages of students to be served, and the 
curriculum and instructional practices to be used. If the curriculum 
and instructional practices have been successfully used in other 
schools operated or managed by the applicant, the Secretary 
encourages the applicant to describe the implementation of such 
practices and the academic results achieved.

    (2) The extent to which the proposed project will assist 
educationally disadvantaged students in meeting State academic content 
standards and State student academic achievement standards (20 U.S.C. 
7221c(a)(1)) (up to 3 points).
    (3) The quality of the strategy for assessing achievement of the 
charter school's objectives (20 U.S.C. 7221c(a)(4)) (up to 15 points).
    (4) The extent of community support and parental and community 
involvement (20 U.S.C. 7221c(b)(3); 20 U.S.C. 7221b(b)(3)(E)) (up to 8 
points).
    The Secretary considers the extent of community support for and 
parental and community involvement in, the charter school. In 
determining the extent of community support for, and parental and 
community involvement in, the charter school, the Secretary considers--
    (i) The extent of community support for the application (up to 4 
points); and
    (ii) The extent to which the proposed project encourages parental 
and community involvement in the planning, program design, and 
implementation of the charter school (up to 4 points).

    Note: In describing the extent to which the proposed project 
encourages parental and community involvement in the charter school, 
the Secretary encourages the applicant to describe how parents and 
other members of the community will be informed about the charter 
school and how students will be given an equal opportunity to attend 
the charter school.

    (5) Quality of project personnel (34 CFR 75.210(e)(1), (e)(2), and 
(e)(3)(ii)) (up to 22 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--
    (i) 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 (up to 2 points); and
    (ii) The qualifications, including relevant training and 
experience, of key project personnel (up to 20 points).

    Note: The applicant is encouraged to provide evidence of the key 
project personnel's skills and experience in the following areas: 
successfully launching a high-quality charter school; developing an 
innovative school design; relevant non-profit organization 
management and leadership; sound board governance; effective 
curriculum development and implementation; and strong fiscal 
management.

    (6) Quality of the management plan (34 CFR 75.210(g)(1) and 
(g)(2)(i)) (up to 18 points). The Secretary considers the quality of 
the management plan for the proposed project. In determining the 
quality of the management plan for the proposed project, the Secretary 
considers the 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.
    (7) Existence and quality of a charter or performance contract 
between the charter school and its authorized public chartering agency 
(20 U.S.C. 7221i(1)(L)) (up to 16 points). The existence of a written 
charter or performance contract between the charter school and its 
authorized public chartering agency and the extent to which the charter 
or performance contract describes how student performance will be 
measured in the charter school pursuant to State assessments that are 
required of other schools and pursuant to any other assessments 
mutually agreeable to the authorized public chartering agency and the 
charter school.

    Note: The applicant is encouraged to submit a copy of its 
approved charter or performance contract. If the applicant has had 
an application for a charter denied, the

[[Page 35008]]

applicant should describe the circumstances surrounding such denial 
and how it plans to revise the charter application before 
resubmitting it to the authorized public chartering agency.

    (8) The degree of flexibility afforded by the SEA and, if 
applicable, the LEA to the charter school (20 U.S.C. 7721c(b)(2)) (up 
to 3 points).

    Note: The Secretary encourages the applicant to describe the 
flexibility afforded under its State's charter school law in terms 
of establishing an administrative relationship between the charter 
school and the authorized public chartering agency, and whether 
charter schools are exempt from significant State or local rules 
that inhibit the flexible operation and management of public 
schools.

    The Secretary also encourages the applicant to include a 
description of the degree of autonomy the charter school will have over 
such matters as the charter school's budget, expenditures, daily 
operations, and personnel in accordance with its State's charter school 
law.
    (b) Selection Criteria for Dissemination Grants (CFDA number 
84.282C). The following selection criteria are based on sections 5204 
and 5210(1)(L) of the ESEA (20 U.S.C. 7221c and 7221i(1)(L)) and from 
34 CFR 75.210 of EDGAR. The maximum possible score for addressing all 
the criteria in this section is 100 points. The maximum possible score 
for addressing each criterion is indicated in parentheses following the 
criterion. In evaluating an application for a dissemination grant, the 
Secretary considers the following criteria:
    (1) The quality of the proposed dissemination activities and the 
likelihood that those activities will improve student achievement (20 
U.S.C. 7221c(b)(7)) (up to 15 points).

    Note: The Secretary encourages the applicant to describe the 
objectives for the proposed dissemination activities and the methods 
by which the charter school will determine its progress toward 
achieving those objectives.

    (2) Existence of a charter or performance contract between the 
charter school and its authorized public chartering agency (20 U.S.C. 
7221i(1)(L)) (up to 1 point). The existence of a written charter or 
performance contract between the charter school and its authorized 
public chartering agency and how the charter or performance contract 
requires student performance to be measured in the charter school 
pursuant to State assessments that are required of other schools and 
pursuant to any other assessments mutually agreeable to the authorized 
public chartering agency and the charter school.
    (3) Demonstration of success (20 U.S.C. 7221c(f)(6)(A)) (up to 40 
points). The extent to which the school has demonstrated overall 
success, including--
    (i) Substantial progress in improving student academic achievement 
(up to 25 points);
    (ii) High levels of parent satisfaction (up to 5 points); and
    (iii) The management and leadership necessary to overcome initial 
start-up problems and establish a thriving, financially viable charter 
school (up to 10 points).

    Note: The Secretary encourages the applicant to provide 
performance data (both school-wide and by subgroup) for the past 
three years on State assessments as compared to all students in 
other schools in the State at the same grade level, and as compared 
to other schools serving similar populations of students (while 
maintaining the appropriate standards that protect personally 
identifiable information).

    The Secretary also encourages the applicant to provide its most 
recent State Report Card.
    (4) Dissemination strategy (34 CFR 75.210(b)(2)(xii)) (up to 15 
points). The Secretary considers the significance of the proposed 
project. In determining the significance of the proposed project, the 
Secretary considers the extent to which the results of the proposed 
project are to be disseminated in ways that will enable others to use 
the information or strategies.
    (5) Quality of project personnel (34 CFR 75.210(e)(1), (e)(2), and 
(e)(3)(i)) (up to 14 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--
    (i) 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 (up to 3 points); and
    (ii) The qualifications, including relevant training and 
experience, of the project director or principal investigator (up to 11 
points).
    (6) Quality of the management plan (34 CFR 75.210 (g)(1) and 
(g)(2)(i)) (up to 15 points). The Secretary considers the quality of 
the management plan for the proposed project. In determining the 
quality of the management plan for the proposed project, the Secretary 
considers the 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.
    3. 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).
    4. 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), 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

[[Page 35009]]

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 goal of the CSP is to support the 
creation and development of a large number of high-quality charter 
schools that are free from State or local rules that inhibit flexible 
operation, are held accountable for enabling students to reach 
challenging State performance standards, and are open to all students. 
The Secretary has two performance indicators to measure progress toward 
this goal: (1) The number of charter schools in operation around the 
Nation, and (2) the percentage of fourth- and eighth-grade charter 
school students who are achieving at or above the proficient level on 
State examinations in mathematics and reading/language arts. 
Additionally, the Secretary has established the following measure to 
examine the efficiency of the CSP: Federal cost per student in 
implementing a successful school (defined as a school in operation for 
three or more consecutive years).
    All grantees must submit an annual performance report with 
information that is responsive 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: LaShawndra Thornton, U.S. Department 
of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue SW., room 4W257, Washington, DC 
20202-5970. Telephone: (202) 453-5617 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: June 6, 2013.
Nadya Chinoy Dabby,
Acting Assistant Deputy Secretary for Innovation and Improvement.
[FR Doc. 2013-13846 Filed 6-10-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4000-01-P