[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 67 (Thursday, April 7, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 20376-20382]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-08051]


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DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION


Applications for New Awards; Innovative Approaches to Literacy 
Program

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

ACTION: Notice.

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    Overview Information: Innovative Approaches to Literacy (IAL) 
Program. Notice inviting applications for new awards for fiscal year 
(FY) 2016.

Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: 84.215G.

DATES: Applications Available: April 7, 2016.
    Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: May 9, 2016.
    Deadline for Intergovernmental Review: July 6, 2016.

Full Text of Announcement

I. Funding Opportunity Description

    Purpose of Program: The IAL program supports high-quality programs 
designed to develop and improve literacy skills for children and 
students from birth through 12th grade in high-need local educational 
agencies (LEAs) and schools. The U.S. Department of Education 
(Department) intends to support innovative programs that promote early 
literacy for young children, motivate older children to read, and 
increase student achievement by using school libraries as partners to 
improve literacy, distributing free books to children and their 
families, and offering high-quality literacy activities.
    The IAL program supports the implementation of high-quality plans 
for childhood literacy activities and book distribution efforts that 
are supported by evidence of strong theory.
    Priorities: This notice contains one absolute priority and three 
competitive preference priorities. The absolute priority is from the 
notice of final priorities, requirement, and definitions for this 
program (IAL NFP) published in the Federal Register on June 17, 2014 
(79 FR 34428). Competitive Preference Priorities 1 and 2 are from the 
Department's notice of final supplemental priorities and definitions 
for discretionary grant programs (Supplemental Priorities), published 
in the Federal Register on December 10, 2014 (79 FR 73425). Competitive 
Preference Priority 3 is from the IAL NFP.
    Absolute Priority: For FY 2016 and any subsequent year in which we 
make awards from the list of unfunded applications 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:
    High-Quality Plan for Innovative Approaches to Literacy That 
Include Book Distribution, Childhood Literacy Activities, or Both, and 
That Is Supported, at a Minimum, by Evidence of Strong Theory.
    To meet this priority, applicants must submit a plan that is 
supported by evidence of strong theory, including a rationale for the 
proposed process, product, strategy, or practice and a corresponding 
logic model.
    The applicant must submit a plan with the following information:
    (a) A description of the proposed book distribution, childhood 
literacy activities, or both, that are designed to improve the literacy 
skills of children and students by one or more of the following--
    (1) Promoting early literacy and preparing young children to read;
    (2) Developing and improving students' reading ability;
    (3) Motivating older children to read; and
    (4) Teaching children and students to read.
    (b) The age or grade spans of children and students from birth 
through 12th grade to be served.
    (c) A detailed description of the key goals, the activities to be 
undertaken, the rationale for those activities, the timeline, the 
parties responsible for implementing the activities, and the 
credibility of the plan (as judged, in part, by the information 
submitted as evidence of strong theory); and
    (d)(i) A description of how the proposed project is supported by 
strong theory; and
    (ii) The corresponding logic model.
    Competitive Preference Priorities: For FY 2016 and any subsequent 
year in which we make awards from the list of unfunded applications 
from this competition, these priorities are competitive preference 
priorities. Under 34 CFR 75.105(c)(2)(i), we award an additional five 
points per priority to an application that meets Competitive Preference 
Priorities 1-3, for a total of 15 possible points.
    These priorities are:
    Competitive Preference Priority 1--Leveraging Technology To Support 
Instructional Practice and Professional Development. (5 points)
    Projects that are designed to leverage technology through using 
high-speed Internet access and devices to increase students' and 
educators' access to high-quality accessible digital tools, 
assessments, and materials, particularly open educational resources.
    Competitive Preference Priority 2--Improving Early Learning and 
Development Outcomes. (5 points)
    Projects that are designed to improve early learning and 
development outcomes across one or more of the essential domains of 
school readiness for children from birth through third grade (or for 
any age group within this range) through a focus on one or more of the 
following:
    (a) Increasing access to high-quality early learning and 
development

[[Page 20377]]

programs and comprehensive services, particularly for children with 
high needs.
    (b) Improving the quality and effectiveness of the early learning 
workforce so that early childhood educators, including administrators, 
have the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to improve young 
children's health, social-emotional, and cognitive outcomes.
    (c) Sustaining improved early learning and development outcomes 
throughout the early elementary school years.
    Competitive Preference Priority 3--Serving Rural Local Educational 
Agencies (LEAs). (5 points)
    To meet this priority, an applicant must propose a project designed 
to provide high-quality literacy programming, or distribute books, or 
both, to students served by a rural LEA.
    Definitions: The following definitions are from the Supplemental 
Priorities, the IAL NFP, and 34 CFR 77.1(c).
    Children with high needs means children from birth through 
kindergarten entry who are from low-income families or otherwise in 
need of special assistance and support, including children who have 
disabilities or developmental delays; who are English learners; who 
reside on ``Indian lands'' as that term is defined by section 8013(7) 
of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA), as 
amended by the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 (NCLB); who are 
migrant, homeless, or in foster care; and who are other children as 
identified by the State.
    Essential domains of school readiness means the domains of language 
and literacy development, cognition and general knowledge (including 
early mathematics and early scientific development), approaches toward 
learning (including the utilization of the arts), physical well-being 
and motor development (including adaptive skills), and social and 
emotional development.
    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 processes, products, strategies, or practices. Specifically, 
evidence of promise means the conditions in both paragraphs (i) and 
(ii) 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 design study that meets the What Works 
Clearinghouse Evidence Standards with reservations; or
    (C) Randomized controlled trial that meets the What Works 
Clearinghouse Evidence Standards with or without reservations.
    (ii) The study referenced in paragraph (i) of this definition 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.
    High-need local educational agency (High-need LEA) means--
    (i) Except for LEAs referenced in paragraph (ii), an LEA in which 
at least 25 percent of the students aged 5-17 in the school attendance 
area of the LEA are from families with incomes below the poverty line, 
based on data from the U.S. Census Bureau's Small Area Income and 
Poverty Estimates for school districts for the most recent income year 
(Census list).
    (ii) For an LEA that is not included on the Census list, such as a 
charter school LEA, an LEA for which the State educational agency (SEA) 
determines, consistent with the manner described under section 1124(c) 
of the ESEA, as amended by NCLB, in which the SEA determines an LEA's 
eligibility for Title I allocations, that 25 percent of the students 
aged 5-17 in the LEA are from families with incomes below the poverty 
line.
    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.
    National not-for-profit organization (NNP) means an agency, 
organization, or institution owned and operated by one or more 
corporations or associations whose net earnings do not benefit, and 
cannot lawfully benefit, any private shareholder or entity. In 
addition, it means, for the purposes of this program, an organization 
of national scope that is supported by staff or affiliates at the State 
and local levels, who may include volunteers, and that has a 
demonstrated history of effectively developing and implementing 
literacy activities.

    Note: A local affiliate of an NNP does not meet the definition 
of NNP. Only a national agency, organization, or institution is 
eligible to apply as an NNP.

    Open educational resources means teaching, learning, and research 
resources that reside in the public domain or have been released under 
an intellectual property license that permits their free use and 
repurposing by others.
    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 (but 
not What Works Clearinghouse Evidence Standards without reservations).
    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 outcomes 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.
    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.
    Rural local educational agency (Rural LEA) means an LEA that is 
eligible under the Small Rural School Achievement program or the Rural 
and Low-Income School program authorized under Title VI, Part B of the 
ESEA, as amended by NCLB, at the time of application. (IAL NFP)
    Strong theory means a rationale for the proposed process, product, 
strategy, or practice that includes a logic model.
    What Works Clearinghouse evidence standards means the standards set 
forth in the What Works Clearinghouse Procedures and Standards Handbook 
(Version 3.0, March 2014), which can be found at the following link: 
http://ies.ed.gov/ncee/wwc/DocumentSum.aspx?sid=19.

    Program Authority: Sections 5411-5413 of the ESEA, as amended by 
NCLB; Title III of Division H of Pub. L. 114-113, the Consolidated 
Appropriations Act, 2016.

    Applicable Regulations: (a) The Education Department General 
Administrative Regulations in 34 CFR parts 75, 77, 79, 81, 82, 84, 86, 
97, 98, and 99. (b) The Office of Management and Budget Guidelines to 
Agencies on Governmentwide Debarment and

[[Page 20378]]

Suspension (Nonprocurement) in 2 CFR part 180, as adopted and amended 
as regulations of the Department in 2 CFR part 3485. (c) The Uniform 
Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements 
for Federal Awards in 2 CFR part 200, as adopted and amended as 
regulations of the Department in 2 CFR part 3474. (d) The regulations 
in 34 CFR part 299. (e) The Supplemental Priorities. (f) The IAL NFP.

II. Award Information

    Type of Award: Discretionary grants.
    Estimated Available Funds: $26,475,715.00.
    Contingent upon the availability of funds and the quality of 
applications, we may make additional awards in FY 2017 from the list of 
unfunded applications from this competition.
    Estimated Range of Awards to LEAs and Consortia of LEAs: $175,000 
to $750,000 (annually).
    Estimated Average Size of Awards to LEAs and Consortia of LEAs: 
$500,000 (annually).
    Estimated Number of Awards to LEAs and Consortia of LEAs: 30.
    Estimated Range of Awards to NNPs, Consortia of NNPs, and Consortia 
of NNPs and LEAs: $1,500,000 to $5,000,000 (annually).
    Estimated Average Size of Awards to NNPs, Consortia of NNPs, and 
Consortia of NNPs and LEAs: $3,000,000 (annually).
    Estimated Number of Awards to NNPs, Consortia of NNPs, and 
Consortia of NNPs and LEAs: 2-6.

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

    Project Period: Up to 24 months.

III. Eligibility Information

    1. Eligible Applicants: To be considered for an award under this 
competition, an applicant must:
    (a) Be one of the following:
    (1) A high-need LEA (as defined in this notice);
    (2) An NNP (as defined in this notice) that serves children and 
students within the attendance boundaries of one or more high-need 
LEAs;
    (3) A consortium of NNPs that serves children and students within 
the attendance boundaries of one or more high-need LEAs;
    (4) A consortium of high-need LEAs; or
    (5) A consortium of one or more high-need LEAs and one or more NNPs 
that serves children and students within the attendance boundaries of 
one or more high-need LEAs.
    (b) Coordinate with school libraries in developing project 
proposals.
    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: You can obtain an 
application package via the Internet, from the Education Publications 
Center (ED Pubs), or from the program office. To obtain a copy via the 
Internet, use the following address: www2.ed.gov/programs/innovapproaches-literacy/applicant.html.
    To obtain a copy from ED Pubs, write, fax, or call: 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 text telephone (TTY), 
call, 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 as follows: CFDA number 84.215G.
    To obtain a copy from the program office, write, call, or send an 
email to the following person: Beth Yeh, U.S. Department of Education, 
400 Maryland Avenue SW., Room 3E332, Washington, DC 20202-6200. 
Telephone: (202) 205-5798 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.
    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 is where you, the applicant, 
address the selection criteria that reviewers use to evaluate your 
application. You must limit the application narrative to no more than 
25 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. An application submitted in any other font 
(including Times Roman or Arial Narrow) will be not accepted.
    The page limit does not apply to the cover sheet; eligibility 
information; the budget section, including the narrative budget 
justification; the assurances and certifications; or the one-page 
abstract, the resumes, the bibliography, the logic model, or the 
letters of support. However, the page limit does apply to all of the 
application narrative section.
    Our reviewers will not read any pages of your application that 
exceed the page limit.

    Note: The applicant should include, as an attachment, the logic 
model used to address paragraph (d)(ii) of the absolute priority.

    b. Submission of Proprietary Information: Given the types of 
projects that may be proposed in applications for the IAL program, an 
application may include business information that the applicant 
considers proprietary. In 34 CFR 5.11 we define ``business 
information'' and describe the process we use in determining whether 
any of that information is proprietary and, thus, protected from 
disclosure under Exemption 4 of the Freedom of Information Act (5 
U.S.C. 552, as amended).
    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 believe is exempt from disclosure 
under Exemption 4. 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: April 7, 2016
    Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: May 9, 2016.
    Applications for grants under this competition must be submitted 
electronically using the Grants.gov Apply site (Grants.gov). For 
information (including dates and times) about how to submit your 
application electronically, or in paper format by mail or hand delivery 
if you qualify for an exception to the electronic submission 
requirement, please refer to Other Submission Requirements in section 
IV of this notice.
    We do not consider an application that does not comply with the 
deadline requirements.

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    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 6, 2016.
    4. Intergovernmental Review: This competition is subject to 
Executive Order 12372 and the regulations in 34 CFR part 79. 
Information about Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs under 
Executive Order 12372 is in the application package for this 
competition.
    5. Funding Restrictions: We reference regulations outlining funding 
restrictions in the Applicable Regulations section of this notice.
    6. Data Universal Numbering System Number, Taxpayer Identification 
Number, and 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), 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 at the 
following Web site: http://fedgov.dnb.com/webform. 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 two to five 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 you enter into the SAM database. 
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, it may be 24 to 48 
hours before you can access the information in, and 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 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: 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 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 Innovative Approaches to Literacy 
Program, CFDA number 84.215G, 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 IAL 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 84.215, not 
84.215G).
    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 competition to ensure that 
you submit your application in a timely manner to the Grants.gov 
system. You can also find the Education Submission Procedures 
pertaining to Grants.gov under News and Events on the Department's G5 
system home page at www.G5.gov. In addition, for specific guidance and 
procedures for submitting an application through Grants.gov, please 
refer to the Grants.gov Web site at: www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/apply-for-grants.html.

[[Page 20380]]

     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 read-only, non-modifiable 
Portable Document Format (PDF). Do not upload an interactive or 
fillable PDF file. If you upload a file type other than a read-only, 
non-modifiable PDF (e.g., Word, Excel, WordPerfect, etc.) or submit a 
password-protected file, we will not review that material. Please note 
that this could result in your application not being considered for 
funding because the material in question--for example, the project 
narrative--is critical to a meaningful review of your proposal. For 
that reason, it is important to allow yourself adequate time to upload 
all material as PDF files. The Department will not convert material 
from other formats to PDF.
     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. Grants.gov 
will also notify you automatically by email if your application met all 
the Grants.gov validation requirements or if there were any errors 
(such as submission of your application by someone other than a 
registered Authorized Organization Representative, or inclusion of an 
attachment with a file name that contains special characters). You will 
be given an opportunity to correct any errors and resubmit, but you 
must still meet the deadline for submission of applications.
    Once your application is successfully validated by Grants.gov, the 
Department will retrieve your application from Grants.gov and send you 
an email with a unique PR/Award number for your application. These 
emails do not mean that your application is without any disqualifying 
errors. While your application may have been successfully validated by 
Grants.gov, it must also meet the Department's application requirements 
as specified in this notice and in the application instructions. 
Disqualifying errors could include, for instance, failure to upload 
attachments in a read-only, non-modifiable PDF; failure to submit a 
required part of the application; or failure to meet applicant 
eligibility requirements. It is your responsibility to ensure that your 
submitted application has met all of the Department's requirements.
     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 the 
problem affected your ability to submit your application by 4:30:00 
p.m., Washington, DC time, on the application deadline date. We will 
contact you after we determine whether your application will be 
accepted.

    Note: The extensions to which we refer in this section apply 
only to the unavailability of, or technical problems with, the 
Grants.gov system. We will not grant you an extension if you failed 
to fully register to submit your application to Grants.gov before 
the application deadline date and time or if the technical problem 
you experienced is unrelated to the Grants.gov system.

    Exception to Electronic Submission Requirement: You qualify for an 
exception to the electronic submission requirement, and may submit your 
application in paper format, if you are unable to submit an application 
through the Grants.gov system because--
     You do not have access to the Internet; or
     You do not have the capacity to upload large documents to 
the Grants.gov system;
    and
     No later than two weeks before the application deadline 
date (14 calendar days or, if the fourteenth calendar day before the 
application deadline date falls on a Federal holiday, the next business 
day following the Federal holiday), you mail or fax a written statement 
to the Department, explaining which of the two grounds for an exception 
prevents 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: Beth Yeh, U.S. 
Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue SW., Room 3E335, 
Washington, DC 20202-6200. Telephone: (202) 205-5798 or by email: 
[email protected].
    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 84.215G), 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.

[[Page 20381]]

    (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.

    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.

    We will not consider applications postmarked after the application 
deadline date.
    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 84.215G), 550 12th Street SW., Room 7039, Potomac Center 
Plaza, Washington, DC 20202-4260.
    The Application Control Center accepts hand deliveries daily 
between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Washington, DC time, except Saturdays, 
Sundays, and Federal holidays.

    Note for Mail or Hand Delivery of Paper Applications: If you 
mail or hand deliver your application to the Department--
    (1) You must indicate on the envelope and--if not provided by 
the Department--in Item 11 of the SF 424 the CFDA number, including 
suffix letter, if any, of the competition under which you are 
submitting your application; and
    (2) The Application Control Center will mail to you a 
notification of receipt of your grant application. If you do not 
receive this notification within 15 business days from the 
application deadline date, you should call the U.S. Department of 
Education Application Control Center at (202) 245-6288.

V. Application Review Information

    1. Selection Criteria: The selection criteria for this competition 
are from 34 CFR 75.210. The maximum score for all selection criteria is 
100. The maximum possible score for each selection criterion is 
indicated in parentheses. The selection criteria for this competition 
are as follows:
    (a) Significance (10 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 proposed project is likely to build local capacity to provide, 
improve, or expand services that address the needs of the target 
population.
    (b) Quality of the project design (20 points). The Secretary 
considers the quality of the design of the proposed project. In 
determining the quality of the design of the proposed project, the 
Secretary considers the following factors:
    (i) The extent to which the goals, objectives, and outcomes to be 
achieved by the proposed project are clearly specified and measurable. 
(4 points)
    (ii) The extent to which the proposed project will establish 
linkages with other appropriate agencies and organizations providing 
services to the target population. (4 points)
    (iii) The extent to which the proposed project is part of a 
comprehensive effort to improve teaching and learning and support 
rigorous academic standards for students. (4 points)
    (iv) The extent to which performance feedback and continuous 
improvement are integral to the design of the proposed project. (4 
points)
    (v) The extent to which the proposed project is supported by 
evidence of promise. (4 points)
    (c) Quality of project services (25 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:
    (i) 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. (10 points)
    (ii) The extent to which the services to be provided by the 
proposed project are appropriate to the needs of the intended 
recipients or beneficiaries of those services. (10 points)
    (iii) The extent to which the training or professional development 
services to be provided by the proposed project are of sufficient 
quality, intensity, and duration to lead to improvements in practice 
among the recipients of those services. (5 points)
    (d) Adequacy of resources (10 points). The Secretary considers the 
adequacy of resources for the proposed project. In determining the 
adequacy of resources for the proposed project, the Secretary 
considers:
    (i) The extent to which the costs are reasonable in relation to the 
objectives, design, and potential significance of the proposed project. 
(5 points)
    (ii) The extent to which the costs are reasonable in relation to 
the number of persons to be served and to the anticipated results and 
benefits. (5 points)
    (e) Quality of the management plan (20 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:
    (i) 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. (10 points)
    (ii) The adequacy of mechanisms for ensuring high-quality products 
and services from the proposed project. (5 points)
    (iii) 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. (5 points)
    (f) Quality of the project evaluation (15 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 extent to which the methods of evaluation will provide 
performance feedback and permit periodic assessment of progress toward 
achieving intended outcomes.
    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 
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. Risk Assessment and Special Conditions: Consistent with 2 CFR 
200.205, before awarding grants under this competition the Department 
conducts a review of the risks posed by

[[Page 20382]]

applicants. Under 2 CFR 3474.10, the Secretary may impose special 
conditions and, in appropriate circumstances, high-risk 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 2 CFR part 200, 
subpart D; 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 multiyear 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.
    (c) Under 34 CFR 75.250(b), the Secretary may provide a grantee 
with additional funding for data collection analysis and reporting. In 
this case the Secretary establishes a data collection period.
    4. Performance Measures: The Department has established the 
following Government Performance and Results Act of 1993 (GPRA) 
performance measures for the IAL program: (1) The percentage of four-
year-old children participating in the project who achieve significant 
gains in oral language skills; (2) the percentage of fourth graders 
participating in the project who demonstrated individual student growth 
(i.e., an improvement in their achievement) over the past year on State 
reading or language arts assessments under section 1111(b)(3) of the 
ESEA, as amended by NCLB; (3) the percentage of eighth graders 
participating in the project who demonstrated individual student growth 
(i.e., an improvement in their achievement) over the past year on State 
reading or language arts assessments under section 1111(b)(3) of the 
ESEA, as amended by NCLB; (4) the percentage of schools participating 
in the project whose book-to-student ratios increase from the previous 
year; and (5) the percentage of participating children who receive at 
least one free, grade- and language-appropriate book of their own.

    Note: For purposes of measures (2) and (3) above, beginning with 
the 2017-2018 school year, the applicable statutory provision is 
section 1111(b)(2) of the ESEA, as amended by the Every Student 
Succeeds Act.

    These measures constitute the Department's indicators of success 
for this program. Consequently, we advise an applicant for a grant 
under this program to give careful consideration to these measures in 
conceptualizing the approach and evaluation for its proposed project. 
Each grantee will be required to provide, in its annual performance and 
final reports, data about its progress in meeting these measures, to 
the extent that they apply to the grantee's project.
    5. Continuation Awards: In making a continuation award under 34 CFR 
75.253, the Secretary considers, among other things: whether a grantee 
has made substantial progress in achieving the goals and objectives of 
the project; whether the grantee has expended funds in a manner that is 
consistent with its approved application and budget; and, if the 
Secretary has established performance measurement requirements, the 
performance targets in the grantee's approved application.
    In making a continuation award, 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: Beth Yeh, U.S. Department of 
Education, 400 Maryland Avenue SW., Room 3E332, Washington, DC 20202-
6200. Telephone: (202) 205-5798 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 PDF. To use PDF you must have Adobe Acrobat 
Reader, which is available free at the site.
    You may also access documents of the Department published in the 
Federal Register by using the article search feature at: 
www.federalregister.gov. Specifically, through the advanced search 
feature at this site, you can limit your search to documents published 
by the Department.

    Dated: April 4, 2016.
Ann Whalen,
Senior Advisor to the Secretary Delegated the Duties of Assistant 
Secretary for Elementary and Secondary Education.
[FR Doc. 2016-08051 Filed 4-6-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4000-01-P