[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 52 (Tuesday, March 18, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Pages 15103-15110]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-05934]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION


Applications for New Awards; Professional Development for Arts 
Educators (PDAE) Program

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

ACTION: Notice.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

Overview Information:

    Professional Development for Arts Educators (PDAE) Program Notice 
inviting applications for new awards for fiscal year (FY) 2014.

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

    Dates:
    Applications Available: March 18, 2014.
    Deadline for Notice of Intent to Apply: April 17, 2014.
    Date of Pre-Application Meeting: April 3, 2014.
    Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: May 19, 2014.
    Deadline for Intergovernmental Review: July 16, 2014.

Full Text of Announcement

I. Funding Opportunity Description

    Purpose of Program: The Professional Development for Arts Educators 
(PDAE) program supports the implementation of high-quality model 
professional development programs in elementary and secondary education 
for music, dance, drama, media arts, or visual arts, including folk 
arts, for educators and other arts instructional staff of kindergarten 
through grade 12 (K-12) students in high-poverty schools. The purpose 
of this program is to strengthen standards-based arts education 
programs and to help ensure that all students meet challenging State 
academic content standards and challenging State student academic 
achievement standards in the arts.
    Priorities: This competition includes one absolute priority, one 
competitive preference priority, and one invitational priority. The 
absolute priority is from the notice of final priority, requirements, 
and definitions for this program (2005 NFP), published in the Federal 
Register on March 30, 2005 (70 FR 16242). The competitive preference 
priority is from the notice of final supplemental priorities and 
definitions for discretionary grant programs,

[[Page 15104]]

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 2014 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 professional development programs for K-12 
arts educators and other instructional staff that use innovative 
instructional methods and current knowledge from education research and 
focus on--
    (1) The development, enhancement, or expansion of standards-based 
arts education programs; or
    (2) The integration of standards-based arts instruction with other 
core academic area content.
    In order to meet this priority, an applicant must demonstrate that 
the project for which it seeks funding is linked to State and national 
standards intended to enable all students to meet challenging 
expectations, and to improving student and school performance.

    Note: The term ``national standards'' was used, but not defined, 
in the 2005 NFP. Since then, the program has described ``national 
standards'' to mean 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 Consortium 
outline what students should know and be able to do in the arts. 
Although the program considers these standards ``national 
standards,'' these standards are not established or endorsed by the 
Department.

    Competitive Preference Priority: For FY 2014 and any subsequent 
year in which we make awards from the list of unfunded applicants from 
this competition, this priority is a competitive preference priority. 
Under 34 CFR 75.105(c)(2)(i) we award up to an additional 20 points to 
an application, depending on how well the application meets this 
priority. Therefore, the maximum number of competitive preference 
points that an application can receive under this competition is 20 
points.
    This priority is:
    Competitive Preference Priority--Technology (0 to 20 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.

    Note:  An applicant must identify in the project narrative 
section of its application whether it wishes the Department to 
consider its application for purposes of earning competitive 
preference priority points.

    Invitational Priority: For FY 2014 and any subsequent year in which 
we make awards from the list of unfunded applicants from this 
competition, this priority is an invitational priority. Under 34 CFR 
75.105(c)(1) we do not give an application that meets this invitational 
priority a competitive or absolute preference over other applications.
    This priority is:
    Invitational Priority--Promoting Science, Technology, Engineering, 
and Mathematics (STEM) Education.
    Projects that are designed to provide increased opportunities for 
high-quality professional development for K-12 arts educators and other 
instructional staff in integrating arts with STEM subjects.
    Application Requirement: The following requirement is from the 2005 
NFP.
    To be eligible for PDAE Program funds, applicants must propose to 
carry out professional development programs for arts educators and 
other instructional staff of K-12 low-income children and youth by 
implementing projects in schools in which 50 percent or more of the 
children enrolled are from low-income families (based on the poverty 
criteria in Title I, section 1113(a)(5) of the Elementary and Secondary 
Education Act of 1965, as amended.

    Note: Applicants will be required to provide evidence that they 
are serving such schools.

    Definitions: The definitions for the terms ``arts,'' ``arts 
educator,'' and ``integrate'' are from the 2005 NFP (see 70 FR 16242, 
16244). The definitions for the terms ``evidence of promise,'' ``logic 
model,'' ``randomized controlled trial,'' ``relevant outcome,'' 
``quasi-experimental design study,'' and ``strong theory'' are from 34 
CFR 77.1(c). The definition for the term ``sustained and intensive'' is 
specific to the program's Government Performance and Results Act (GPRA) 
measure only. The remaining definition, ``student achievement,'' is 
from the Supplemental Priorities.
    Arts includes music, dance, theater, media arts, and visual arts, 
including folk arts.
    Arts educator means a teacher who works in music, dance, theater, 
media arts, or visual arts, including folk arts.
    Evidence of promise means there is empirical evidence to support 
the theoretical linkage(s) between at least one critical component and 
at least one relevant outcome presented in the logic model for the 
proposed process, product, strategy, or practice. Specifically, 
evidence of promise means the conditions in paragraphs (a) and (b) of 
this section are met:
    (i) There is at least one study that is a--
    (A) Correlational study with statistical controls for selection 
bias;
    (B) Quasi-experimental study that meets the What Works 
Clearinghouse Evidence Standards with reservations; \1\ or
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ What Works Clearinghouse Procedures and Standards Handbook 
(Version 2.1, September 2011), which can currently be found at the 
following link: http://ies.ed.gov/ncee/wwc/DocumentSum.aspx?sid=19.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (C) Randomized controlled trial that meets the What Works 
Clearinghouse Evidence Standards with or without reservations.\2\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \2\ What Works Clearinghouse Procedures and Standards Handbook 
(Version 2.1, September 2011), which can currently be found at the 
following link: http://ies.ed.gov/ncee/wwc/DocumentSum.aspx?sid=19.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (ii) The study referenced in paragraph (a) found a statistically 
significant or substantively important (defined as a difference of 0.25 
standard deviations or larger), favorable association between at least 
one critical component and one relevant outcome presented in the logic 
model for the proposed process, product, strategy, or practice.
    Integrate means to strengthen (i) the use of high-quality arts 
instruction within other academic content areas, and (ii) the place of 
the arts as a core academic subject in the school curriculum.
    Logic model (also referred to as theory of action) means a well-
specified conceptual framework that identifies key components of the 
proposed process, product, strategy, or practice (i.e., the active 
``ingredients'' that are hypothesized to be critical to achieving the 
relevant outcomes) and describes the relationships among the key 
components and outcomes, theoretically and operationally.
    Quasi-experimental design study means a study using a design that 
attempts to approximate an experimental design by identifying a 
comparison group that is similar to the treatment group in important 
respects. These studies, depending on design and implementation, can 
meet What Works Clearinghouse Evidence Standards with reservations \3\ 
(they cannot meet What

[[Page 15105]]

Works Clearinghouse Evidence Standards without reservations).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \3\ What Works Clearinghouse Procedures and Standards Handbook 
(Version 2.1, September 2011), which can currently be found at the 
following link: http://ies.ed.gov/ncee/wwc/DocumentSum.aspx?sid=19.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Randomized controlled trial means a study that employs random 
assignment of, for example, students, teachers, classrooms, schools, or 
districts to receive the intervention being evaluated (the treatment 
group) or not to receive the intervention (the control group). The 
estimated effectiveness of the intervention is the difference between 
the average outcome for the treatment group and for the control group. 
These studies, depending on design and implementation, can meet What 
Works Clearinghouse Evidence Standards without reservations.\4\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \4\ What Works Clearinghouse Procedures and Standards Handbook 
(Version 2.1, September 2011), which can currently be found at the 
following link: http://ies.ed.gov/ncee/wwc/DocumentSum.aspx?sid=19.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Relevant outcome means the student outcome(s) (or the ultimate 
outcome if not related to students) the proposed process, product, 
strategy, or practice is designed to improve; consistent with the 
specific goals of a program.
    Strong theory means a rationale for the proposed process, product, 
strategy, or practice that includes a logic model.
    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.
    Sustained and Intensive, as used in the GPRA measure set forth in 
the Performance Measures section of this notice, means to complete 40 
hours of professional development and 75% of the total number of 
professional development hours offered over a period of 6 or more 
months.

    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, 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 16242). (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).

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

II. Award Information

    Type of Award: Discretionary grants.
    Estimated Available Funds: $4,600,000.
    Contingent upon the availability of funds and the quality of 
applications, we may make additional awards in FY 2015 or subsequent 
fiscal years from the list of unfunded applicants from this 
competition.
    Estimated Range of Awards: $150,000-$350,000 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 Awards: 15.

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

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

    Note: In recognition of the increased rigor of the expected 
evaluation design, applicants may use the first 12 months of the 
project period to refine the evaluation design, build capacity to 
execute the evaluation, and ensure that program design and 
implementation is aligned with the evaluation requirements.

III. Eligibility Information

    1. Eligible Applicants: An LEA, which may be a charter school that 
is considered an LEA under State law and regulations, that is acting on 
behalf of an individual school or schools that meets the poverty 
criterion with respect to children from low-income families that is 
specified in the Application Requirement section elsewhere in this 
notice, and that must 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; or
     A public or private agency, institution, or organization, 
including a museum, an arts education association, a library, a 
theater, or a community- or faith-based organization.
    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 requirement has the effect of 
requiring grantees to use a restricted indirect cost rate, according to 
the requirements in 34 CFR 75.563 and 34 CFR 76.564 through 76.569. The 
restricted indirect cost rate excludes certain costs from the rate that 
otherwise would be recovered under a standard indirect cost rate. As 
soon as applicants decide to apply, they 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.
    3. 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 through its grant 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 package from ED Pubs, be sure to 
identify this program or competition as follows: CFDA number 84.351C.

[[Page 15106]]

    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. 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 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 competition. 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. The email notification should be sent to the 
program email address: [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 (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 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).
    b. Submission of Proprietary Information: Given the types of 
projects that may be proposed in applications for the PDAE program, 
some applications may include business information that applicants 
consider proprietary. The Department's regulations define ``business 
information'' in 34 CFR 5.11.
    We plan on posting the project narrative section of funded PDAE 
applications on the Department's Web site so you may wish to request 
confidentiality of business information. Identifying proprietary 
information in the submitted application will help facilitate this 
public disclosure process.
    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: March 18, 2014.
    Deadline for Notice of Intent to Apply: April 17, 2014.
    Date of Pre-Application Meeting: April 3, 2014.
    Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: May 19, 2014.

    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: July 16, 2014.
    4. Intergovernmental Review: This program is subject to Executive 
Order 12372 and the regulations in 34 CFR part 79. Information about 
Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs under Executive Order 
12372 is in the application package for this program.
    5. Funding Restrictions: We reference regulations outlining funding 
restrictions in the Applicable Regulations section of 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
    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-to-two business days.
    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 can take approximately seven business 
days, but may take upwards of several weeks, depending on the 
completeness and accuracy of the data entered into the SAM database by 
an entity. Thus, if you think you might want to apply for Federal 
financial assistance under a program administered by the Department, 
please allow sufficient time to obtain and register your DUNS number 
and TIN. We strongly recommend that you register early.

    Note: Once your SAM registration is active, you will need to 
allow 24 to 48 hours for the information to be available in 
Grants.gov and before you can submit an application through 
Grants.gov.

    If you are currently registered with SAM, you may not need to make 
any changes. However, please make certain

[[Page 15107]]

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.
    Information about SAM is available at www.SAM.gov. To further 
assist you with obtaining and registering your DUNS number and TIN in 
SAM or updating your existing SAM account, we have prepared a SAM.gov 
Tip Sheet, which you can find at: http://www2.ed.gov/fund/grant/apply/sam-faqs.html.
    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/web/grants/register.html.
    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 PDAE Program, CFDA Number 84.351C, 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 PDAE 
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 84.351C).
    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.


[[Page 15108]]


    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: Michelle J. Armstrong, 
U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue SW., Room 4W214, 
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 84.351C), 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 84.351C), 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 program 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. A note following a selection criterion is guidance to 
help applicants in preparing their applications, and is not required by 
statute or regulations. The criteria are as follows:
    (1) Significance (5 points).
    The Secretary considers the significance of the proposed project. 
In determining the significance of the proposed project, the Secretary 
considers the following factors:
    (a) The extent to which the proposed project is likely to build 
local capacity to provide, improve, or expand services that address the 
needs of the target population.
    (b) 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.
    (2) Quality of the project design (10 points).
    The Secretary considers the quality of the design of the proposed 
project by considering the following factors:
    (a) The extent to which the proposed project is supported by strong 
theory (as defined 34 CFR 77.1(c)).
    (b) The potential and planning for the incorporation of project 
purposes, activities, or benefits into the ongoing work of the 
applicant beyond the end of the grant.
    (3) Quality of project services (15 points).
    The Secretary considers the quality of the services to be provided 
by the proposed project. In determining the quality of the services to 
be provided by the proposed project, the Secretary considers the 
following factors:
    (a) The quality and sufficiency of strategies for ensuring equal 
access and treatment for eligible project participants who are members 
of groups that have traditionally been underrepresented based on race, 
color, national origin, gender, age, or disability.
    (b) The extent to which the training or professional development 
services to be provided by the proposed project are of sufficient 
quality, intensity, and duration to lead to improvements in practice 
among the recipients of those services.
    (c) The likelihood that the services to be provided by the proposed 
project will lead to improvements in the achievement of students as 
measured against rigorous academic standards.
    (4) Quality of project personnel (15 points).

[[Page 15109]]

    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 following factors:
    (a) 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.
    (b) The qualifications, including relevant training and experience, 
of key project personnel.
    (c) The qualifications, including relevant training and experience, 
of project consultants or subcontractors.
    (5) Quality of the management plan (30 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 (25 points).
    The Secretary considers the quality of the evaluation to be 
conducted of the proposed project. In determining the quality of the 
evaluation, the Secretary considers 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.
    (c) The extent to which the methods of evaluation will, if well-
implemented, produce evidence of promise (as defined in this notice).
    2. Review and Selection Process: We remind potential applicants 
that in reviewing applications in any discretionary grant competition, 
the Secretary may consider, under 34 CFR 75.217(d)(3), the past 
performance of the applicant in carrying out a previous award, such as 
the applicant's use of funds, achievement of project objectives, and 
compliance with grant conditions. The Secretary may also consider 
whether the applicant failed to submit a timely performance report or 
submitted a report of unacceptable quality.
    In addition, in making a competitive grant award, the Secretary 
also requires various assurances including those applicable to Federal 
civil rights laws that prohibit discrimination in programs or 
activities receiving Federal financial assistance from the Department 
of Education (34 CFR 100.4, 104.5, 106.4, 108.8, and 110.23).
    3. Special Conditions: Under 34 CFR 74.14 and 80.12, the Secretary 
may impose special conditions on a grant if the applicant or grantee is 
not financially stable; has a history of unsatisfactory performance; 
has a financial or other management system that does not meet the 
standards in 34 CFR parts 74 or 80, as applicable; has not fulfilled 
the conditions of a prior grant; or is otherwise not responsible.

VI. Award Administration Information

    1. Award Notices: If your application is successful, we notify your 
U.S. Representative and U.S. Senators and send you a Grant Award 
Notification (GAN); 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: We have established two GPRA performance 
measures for the PDAE Program. The first GPRA measure is: The 
percentage of teachers participating in the PDAE Program who receive 
professional development that is sustained and intensive. In 
implementing this measure, the Department will collect from grantees 
data on the extent to which they provide professional development that 
is sustained and intensive in accordance with the definition for the 
phrase ``sustained and intensive'' provided elsewhere in this notice. 
The second GPRA measure is: The percentage of PDAE projects whose 
teachers show a statistically significant increase in content knowledge 
in the arts. In implementing this measure, grantees will be expected to 
administer a pre-test and a post-test of teacher content knowledge in 
the arts. The pre-test and post-test should be the same test or an 
equivalent version of the test. Successful applicants will be expected 
to include professional development data in their annual performance 
reports to the Department.
    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, a grantee's failure to meet performance 
measure targets, 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).

[[Page 15110]]

VII. Agency Contact

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michelle J. Armstrong, U.S. Department 
of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue SW., Room 4W 214, Washington, DC 
20202. Telephone (202) 453-6525 or by email: 
[email protected]. If you use a TDD or 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 persons 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 the Federal Regulations is available via the Federal Digital 
Systems 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: March 13, 2014.
Nadya Chinoy Dabby,
Associate Assistant Deputy Secretary for Innovation and Improvement, 
delegated the authority to perform the functions and duties of the 
Assistant Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2014-05934 Filed 3-17-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4000-01-P