[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 90 (Tuesday, May 10, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 28837-28847]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-10925]


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

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION


Application for New Awards; Charter Schools Program (CSP)--Grants 
for Replication and Expansion of High-Quality Charter Schools

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

ACTION: Notice.

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

SUMMARY: Overview Information: CSP--Grants for Replication and 
Expansion of High-Quality Charter Schools Notice inviting applications 
for new awards for fiscal year (FY) 2016.

Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: 84.282M.


DATES: Applications Available: May 10, 2016.
    Date of Pre-Application Webinar: June 16, 2016, 2:00 p.m. to 3:30 
p.m., Washington, DC, time.
    Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: June 20, 2016.
    Deadline for Intergovernmental Review: August 23, 2016.

Full Text of Announcement

I. Funding Opportunity Description

    Purpose of Program: The purpose of the CSP is to increase national 
understanding of the charter school model by expanding the number of 
high-quality charter schools (as defined in this notice) available to 
students across the Nation; providing financial assistance for the 
planning, program design, and initial implementation of charter 
schools; and evaluating the effects of charter schools, including their 
effects on students, student academic achievement, staff, and parents.
    The purpose of the CSP Grants for Replication and Expansion of 
High-Quality Charter Schools (Replication and Expansion) competition 
(CFDA 84.282M) is to award grants to eligible applicants to enable them 
to replicate (as defined in this notice) or expand high-quality charter 
schools (as defined in this notice) with demonstrated records of 
success, including success in increasing student academic achievement. 
Eligible applicants may use their grant funds to expand the enrollment 
of one or more existing charter schools by substantially increasing the 
number of available seats per school, or to open one or more new 
charter schools that are based on the charter school model for which 
the eligible applicant has presented evidence of success.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On December 10, 2015, the President signed 
into law the Every Student Succeeds

[[Page 28838]]

Act (ESSA), Public Law 114-95, which reauthorized the Elementary and 
Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA), as amended by the No Child Left 
Behind Act of 2001 (NCLB). Under section 5(c) of ESSA, CSP grants 
awarded in FY 2016 and earlier years will operate in accordance with 
the requirements of the ESEA, as amended by NCLB, and any continuation 
awards applicable to these grants also will operate in accordance with 
such requirements.
    For this year's competition, the Department uses the same absolute 
priorities, competitive preference priorities, and selection criteria 
as in FY 2015, because we believe these facilitated a large number of 
high-quality applications and a diverse pool of applicants. In 
developing their applications, applicants should review the application 
package available at www.Grants.gov for additional information 
concerning the priorities, application requirements, and selection 
criteria of this notice, as well as more detailed information on the 
submission process.
    Like the FY 2015 Replication and Expansion grant competition, this 
notice includes two absolute priorities for applicants with Experience 
Operating or Managing High-Quality Charter Schools, and for applicants 
serving a Low-Income Demographic. The first absolute priority requires 
applicants to operate or manage more than one high-quality charter 
school (as defined in this notice), and the second requires applicants 
to demonstrate that at least 60 percent of the students in the charter 
schools it operates or manages are from low-income families. Applicants 
should review the application package for additional information 
concerning the absolute priorities. Both absolute priorities are from 
the final priorities, requirements, and selection criteria for this 
program, published in the Federal Register on July 12, 2011 (76 FR 
40898) (Final Priorities), and are intended to ensure that projects are 
designed to meet the needs of educationally disadvantaged and other 
students.
    The FY 2016 Replication and Expansion grant competition also 
includes the same three competitive preference priorities as the FY 
2015 Replication and Expansion competition. Applicants addressing 
Competitive Preference Priority 1 may select and address only one of 
three parts of the priority. Part (a) of Competitive Preference 
Priority 1 is for projects designed to support students who are members 
of federally recognized Indian tribes and is from the Secretary's final 
supplemental priorities and definitions for discretionary grant 
programs, published in the Federal Register on December 10, 2014 (79 FR 
73425) (Supplemental Priorities). Part (b) of Competitive Preference 
Priority 1 is for projects designed to replicate (as defined in this 
notice) and expand high-quality charter schools in order to support 
school improvement efforts by local educational agencies (LEAs) and is 
from the Final Priorities for this program. Part (c) of Competitive 
Preference Priority 1 is for projects designed to replicate (as defined 
in this notice) and expand high-quality charter schools (as defined in 
this notice) in federally designated Promise Zones, and is from the 
notice of final priority for Promise Zones, published in the Federal 
Register on March 27, 2014 (79 FR 17035) (Promise Zones Priority). The 
thirteen Promise Zones that have been designated thus far are located 
in Camden City, New Jersey; the Chocktaw Nation of Oklahoma; East 
Indianapolis, Indiana; Los Angeles, California; the Lowlands of South 
Carolina; Minneapolis, Minnesota; North Hartford, Connecticut; 
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Pine Ridge, South Dakota; Sacramento, 
California; San Antonio, Texas; Southeastern Kentucky; and St. Louis, 
Missouri. Another Promise Zones competition is currently underway and 
new designees are expected to be announced in the spring of 2016. If 
new designees are announced prior to the deadline for transmittal of 
applications for this competition, applicants may meet this priority by 
submitting the requisite HUD form 50153, signed by an authorized 
representative of the lead organization of the newly designated Promise 
Zone.
    The second competitive preference priority is Promoting Diversity. 
It is from the Final Priorities for this program. This priority awards 
additional points to applications that demonstrate a record of, and an 
intent to continue, taking active measures to promote diversity by 
bringing together students of different backgrounds, such as different 
racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic backgrounds, and to serve students 
with disabilities and English learners at rates comparable to the rates 
at which these students are served in public schools in the surrounding 
area. In connection with developing responses to this priority, 
applicants are encouraged to refer to the joint guidance issued by the 
Department's Office for Civil Rights and the U.S. Department of Justice 
entitled, ``Guidance on the Voluntary Use of Race to Achieve Diversity 
and Avoid Racial Isolation in Elementary and Secondary Schools'' 
(www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/docs/guidance-ese-201111.pdf) and 
``Schools' Civil Rights Obligations to English Learner Students and 
Limited English Proficient Parents'' (www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/ellresources.html).
    The third competitive preference priority is Novice Applicants (as 
defined in this notice). It is from 34 CFR 75.225(c)(2). This priority 
provides additional points to applicants that have neither received a 
CSP Replication and Expansion grant--either individually or as part of 
a group--at any point in the past nor received a discretionary grant 
from the Federal government in the previous five years.
    The FY 2016 Replication and Expansion grant competition also 
continues to include an invitational priority that encourages 
applicants to conduct rigorous evaluations of practices within their 
schools that will, if well implemented, produce evidence that meets 
What Works Clearinghouse (WWC) Evidence Standards (as defined in this 
notice). The Department remains committed to building evidence of the 
effectiveness of a range of educational practices, increasing the 
number of schools that implement practices that are based on evidence, 
and identifying and evaluating practices that other schools or school 
systems could adopt to improve outcomes for their students (e.g., 
educator induction practices or school discipline policies).
    Finally, the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2016, Division H, 
Pub. L. 114-113 (FY 2016 Appropriations Act), retains the authority 
provided in Appropriations Acts for fiscal years 2014 and 2015 to use 
CSP funds ``for grants that support preschool education in charter 
schools.'' For information on the use of CSP funds to support preschool 
education in charter schools, see ``Guidance on the Use of Funds to 
Support Preschool Education'' at www2.ed.gov/programs/charter/csppreschoolfaqs.doc.
    All charter schools receiving CSP funds, as outlined in section 
5210(1)(G) of the ESEA, must comply with various non-discrimination 
laws, including the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, title VI of the 
Civil Rights Act of 1964, title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, 
section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, part B of the 
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (specifies rights afforded 
to students with disabilities and their parents), and applicable State 
laws.
    Priorities: This notice includes two absolute priorities, three 
competitive preference priorities, and one invitational priority. Both 
absolute

[[Page 28839]]

priorities are from the Final Priorities for this program. Part (a) of 
Competitive Preference Priority 1 is from the Supplemental Priorities; 
part (b) is from the Final Priorities; and part (c) is from the Promise 
Zones Priority. Competitive Preference Priority 2 is from the Final 
Priorities, and Competitive Preference Priority 3 is from 34 CFR 
75.225(c)(2).
    Absolute 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 absolute priorities. Under 34 CFR 
75.105(c)(3), we consider only applications that meet both of the 
following priorities:
    Absolute Priority 1--Experience Operating or Managing High-Quality 
Charter Schools.
    This priority is for projects that will provide for the replication 
or expansion of high-quality charter schools (as defined in this 
notice) by applicants that currently operate or manage more than one 
high-quality charter school (as defined in this notice).
    Absolute Priority 2--Low-Income Demographic.
    To meet this priority, an applicant must demonstrate that at least 
60 percent of all students in the charter schools it currently operates 
or manages are individuals from low-income families (as defined in this 
notice).
    Competitive Preference Priorities: For FY 2016 and any subsequent 
year in which we make awards based on the list of unfunded applications 
from this competition, these priorities are competitive preference 
priorities. Under 34 CFR 75.105(c)(2)(i), we will award an additional 
five points to an application that addresses part (a) of Competitive 
Preference Priority 1; an additional four points to an application that 
addresses part (b) of Competitive Preference Priority 1; or an 
additional point to an application that addresses part (c) of 
Competitive Preference Priority 1. An application may receive points 
for only one of the three parts of Competitive Preference Priority 1, 
and should specify which part it is addressing. If an applicant 
addresses more than one part of Competitive Preference Priority 1 and 
does not specify whether it is addressing part (a), (b), or (c), the 
application will be awarded priority points only for the part addressed 
in the application that has the highest maximum potential point value, 
regardless of the number of priority points the application is awarded 
for that particular part of Competitive Preference Priority 1.
    We will award an additional three points to an application that 
meets Competitive Preference Priority 2, and an additional two points 
to an application that meets Competitive Preference Priority 3. The 
maximum total competitive preference priority points an application can 
receive for this competition is 10.
    These priorities are:
    Competitive Preference Priority 1. (0, 1, 4, or 5 points).
    (a) Supporting High Need Students. (0 or 5 points).
    Projects that are designed to improve academic outcomes, learning 
environments, or both, for students who are members of federally 
recognized Indian tribes.
    (b) School Improvement. (0 or 4 points).
    To meet this priority, an applicant must demonstrate that its 
proposed replication or expansion of one or more high-quality charter 
schools (as defined in this notice) will occur in partnership with, and 
will be designed to assist, one or more LEAs in implementing academic 
or structural interventions to serve students attending schools that 
have been identified for improvement, corrective action, closure, or 
restructuring under section 1116 of the ESEA, and as described in the 
notice of final requirements for School Improvement Grants, published 
in the Federal Register on October 28, 2010 (75 FR 66363).
    Note: Applicants in States that are exercising flexibility under 
the ESEA, as amended by NCLB, in the 2015-16 school year may partner 
with LEAs to serve students attending priority or focus schools (see 
the Department's June 7, 2012 guidance entitled, ``ESEA Flexibility,'' 
at www.ed.gov/esea/flexibility, and the Office of Elementary and 
Secondary Education's (OESE's) December 18, 2015 Dear Colleague Letter 
at https://www2.ed.gov/policy/elsec/leg/essa/transition-dcl.pdf). 
Applicants in all States should review OESE's January 28, 2016 Dear 
Colleague Letter at https://www2.ed.gov/policy/elsec/leg/essa/transitionsy1617-dcl.pdf, for information on interventions required in 
2016-2017.
    (c) Promise Zones. (0 or 1 point).
    This priority is for projects that are designed to serve and 
coordinate with a federally designated Promise Zone.
    Note: As a participant in the Administration's Promise Zones 
Initiative, the Department is cooperating with the Department of 
Housing and Urban Development (HUD), the Department of Agriculture 
(USDA), and nine other Federal agencies to support comprehensive 
revitalization efforts in 20 high-poverty urban, rural, and tribal 
communities across the country. Each application for Replication and 
Expansion grant funds that is accompanied by a Certification of 
Consistency with Promise Zone Goals and Implementation (HUD Form 
50153), signed by an authorized representative of the lead organization 
of a Promise Zone designated by HUD or USDA supporting the application, 
will meet this priority. To view the list of designated Promise Zones 
and lead organizations please go to www.hud.gov/promisezones. The 
certification form is available at https://portal.hud.gov/hudportal/documents/huddoc?id=HUD_Form_50153.pdf.
    Competitive Preference Priority 2--Promoting Diversity. (0 or 3 
points).
    This priority is for applicants that demonstrate a record of (in 
the schools they currently operate or manage), as well as an intent to 
continue (in schools that they will be creating or substantially 
expanding (as defined in this notice) under this grant), taking active 
measures to --
    (a) Promote student diversity, including racial and ethnic 
diversity, or avoid racial isolation;
    (b) Serve students with disabilities at a rate that is at least 
comparable to the rate at which these students are served in public 
schools in the surrounding area; and
    (c) Serve English learners at a rate that is at least comparable to 
the rate at which these students are served in public schools in the 
surrounding area.
    In support of this priority, applicants must provide enrollment 
data as well as descriptions of existing policies and activities 
undertaken or planned to be undertaken.
    Note: An applicant addressing Competitive Preference Priority 2 is 
invited to discuss how the proposed design of its project will 
encourage approaches by charter schools that help bring together 
students of different backgrounds, including students from different 
racial and ethnic backgrounds, to attain the benefits that flow from a 
diverse student body. The applicant should discuss in its application 
how it would ensure that those approaches are permissible under current 
law.
    Competitive Preference Priority 3--Novice Applicant. (34 CFR 
75.225(c)(2)) (0 or 2 points).
    This priority is for applicants that qualify as novice applicants 
(as defined in this notice).
    Invitational Priority: For FY 2016 and any subsequent year in which 
we make awards based on the list of unfunded applications 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

[[Page 28840]]

invitational priority any preference over other applications.
    This priority is:
    Invitational Priority--Rigorous Evaluation.
    The Secretary is particularly interested in funding applications 
that demonstrate that the applicant is currently conducting, or will 
conduct, a rigorous independent evaluation of specific practices within 
the applicant's charter schools (e.g., school discipline policies or 
professional development practices, such as teacher coaching), through 
a quasi-experimental design study or randomized controlled trial (as 
defined in this notice) that will, if well implemented, meet What Works 
Clearinghouse (WWC) Evidence Standards (as defined in this notice).
    The following definitions are from 34 CFR 75.225 and 77.1 and the 
Final Priorities for this program.
    Ambitious means promoting continued, meaningful improvement for 
program participants or for other individuals or entities affected by 
the grant, or representing a significant advancement in the field of 
education research, practices, or methodologies. When used to describe 
a performance target (as defined in this notice), whether a performance 
target (as defined in this notice) is ambitious depends upon the 
context of the relevant performance measure (as defined in this notice) 
and the baseline (as defined in this notice) for that measure. (34 CFR 
77.1)
    Baseline means the starting point from which performance is 
measured and targets are set. (34 CFR 77.1)
    Charter management organization (CMO) is a nonprofit organization 
that operates or manages multiple charter schools by centralizing or 
sharing certain functions and resources among schools. (Final 
Priorities)
    Educationally disadvantaged students includes, but is not 
necessarily limited to, individuals from low-income families (as 
defined in this notice), English learners, migratory children, children 
with disabilities, and neglected or delinquent children. (Final 
Priorities)
    High-quality charter school is a school that shows evidence of 
strong academic results for the past three years (or over the life of 
the school, if the school has been open for fewer than three years), 
based on the following factors:
    (1) Increasing student academic achievement and attainment for all 
students, including, as applicable, educationally disadvantaged 
students (as defined in this notice) served by the charter schools 
operated or managed by the applicant.
    (2) Either (i) Demonstrated success in closing historic achievement 
gaps for the subgroups of students described in section 
1111(b)(2)(C)(v)(II) of the ESEA at the charter schools operated or 
managed by the applicant, or
    (ii) No significant achievement gaps between any of the subgroups 
of students described in section 1111(b)(2)(C)(v)(II) of the ESEA at 
the charter schools operated or managed by the applicant and 
significant gains in student academic achievement with all populations 
of students served by the charter schools operated or managed by the 
applicant.
    (3) Achieved results (including performance on statewide tests, 
annual student attendance and retention rates, high school graduation 
rates, college attendance rates, and college persistence rates where 
applicable and available) for low-income and other educationally 
disadvantaged students (as defined in this notice) served by the 
charter schools operated or managed by the applicant that are above the 
average academic achievement results for such students in the State.
    (4) No significant compliance issues (as defined in this notice), 
particularly in the areas of student safety and financial management. 
(Final Priorities)
    Individual from a low-income family means an individual who is 
determined by a State educational agency (SEA) or LEA to be a child, 
age 5 through 17, from a low-income family on the basis of (a) data 
used by the Secretary to determine allocations under section 1124 of 
the ESEA, (b) data on children eligible for free or reduced-price 
lunches under the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act, (c) 
data on children in families receiving assistance under part A of title 
IV of the Social Security Act, (d) data on children eligible to receive 
medical assistance under the Medicaid program under Title XIX of the 
Social Security Act, or (e) an alternate method that combines or 
extrapolates from the data in items (a) through (d) of this definition 
(see 20 U.S.C. 6537(3)). (Final Priorities)
    Novice applicant means--
    (a) Any applicant for a grant from the Department that--
    (i) Has never received a grant or subgrant under the program from 
which it seeks funding;
    (ii) Has never been a member of a group application, submitted in 
accordance with 34 CFR 75.127-75.129, that received a grant under the 
program from which it seeks funding; and
    (iii) Has not had an active discretionary grant from the Federal 
government in the five years before the deadline date for applications 
for new awards under the program.
    (b) For purposes of paragraph (a)(1)(iii) of this section, a grant 
is active until the end of the grant's project or funding period, 
including any extensions of those periods that extend the grantee's 
authority to obligate funds (34 CFR 75.225).
    Performance measure means any quantitative indicator, statistic, or 
metric used to gauge program or project performance. (34 CFR 77.1)
    Performance target means a level of performance that an applicant 
would seek to meet during the course of a project or as a result of a 
project. (34 CFR 77.1)
    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). 
(34 CFR 77.1)
    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 (as defined in this notice) 
without reservations. (34 CFR 77.1)
    Replicate means to open one or more new charter schools that are 
based on the charter school model or models for which the applicant has 
presented evidence of success. (Final Priorities)
    Significant compliance issue means a violation that did, will, or 
could lead to the revocation of a school's charter. (Final Priorities)
    Substantially expand means to increase the student count of an 
existing charter school by more than 50 percent or to add at least two 
grades to an existing charter school over the course of the grant. 
(Final Priorities)
    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: //
ies.ed.gov/ncee/wwc/DocumentSum.aspx?sid=19. (34 CFR 77.1)


[[Page 28841]]


    Program Authority: FY 2016 Appropriations Act; and the ESEA, as 
amended by NCLB (20 U.S.C. 7221-7221j).

    Applicable Regulations: (a) The Education Department General 
Administrative Regulations (EDGAR) in 34 CFR parts 75, 76, 77, 79, 81, 
82, 84, 86, 97, 98, and 99. (b) The Office of Management and Budget 
Guidelines to Agencies on Governmentwide Debarment and 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 in 2 CFR 
part 3474. (d) The Final Priorities for this program. (e) The Promise 
Zones Priority. (f) The Supplemental Priorities.
    Note 1: The regulations in 34 CFR part 79 apply to all applicants 
except federally recognized Indian tribes.
    Note 2: The regulations in 34 CFR part 86 apply only to 
institutions of higher education.

II. Award Information

    Type of Award: Discretionary grants.
    Estimated Available Funds: $65,000,000.
    Estimated Range of Awards: $500,000 to $3,000,000 per year.
    Estimated Average Size of Awards: $1,600,000 per year.
    Estimated Number of Awards: 10-20.
    Note: The Department is not bound by any estimates in this notice. 
The estimated range and average size of awards are based on a single 
12-month budget period.
    Project Period: Up to 60 months.
    Maximum Award: See Reasonable and Necessary Costs in section 
III.3.(a) below for information regarding the maximum amount of funds 
that may be awarded per new school seat and per new school.

III. Eligibility Information

    1. Eligible Applicants: Non-profit charter management organizations 
(as defined in this notice) and other entities that are not for-profit 
entities. Eligible applicants also may apply as a group or consortium.
    2. Cost Sharing or Matching: This competition does not require cost 
sharing or matching.
    3. Other: (a) Reasonable and Necessary Costs: The Secretary may 
elect to impose maximum limits on the amount of grant funds that may be 
awarded per charter school replicated (as defined in this notice), per 
charter school substantially expanded (as defined in this notice), or 
per new school seat created.
    For this competition, the maximum limit of grant funds that may be 
awarded per new school seat is $3,000, including a maximum limit per 
new school created of $800,000. The maximum limit per new school seat 
in a charter school that is substantially expanding (as defined in this 
notice) its enrollment is $1,500, including a maximum limit per 
substantially expanded (as defined in this notice) school of $800,000.
    Note: Applicants must ensure that all costs included in the 
proposed budget are reasonable and necessary in light of the goals and 
objectives of the proposed project. Any costs determined by the 
Secretary to be unreasonable or unnecessary will be removed from the 
final approved budget.
    (b) Other CSP Grants: A charter school that has received CSP funds 
for replication or expansion previously, or that has received funds for 
planning or initial implementation of a charter school (i.e., CFDA 
84.282A or 84.282B), may not use funds under this grant for the same 
purpose. However, such charter school may be eligible to receive funds 
under this competition to substantially expand the charter school 
beyond the existing grade levels or student count.
    A charter school that receives funds under this competition is 
ineligible to receive funds for the same purpose under section 
5202(c)(2) of the ESEA, including for planning and program design or 
the initial implementation of a charter school (i.e., CFDA 84.282A or 
84.282B).
    (c) Costs for Evaluation. In accordance with 34 CFR 75.590, 
Replication and Expansion grant funds may be used to cover post-award 
costs associated with an evaluation under the invitational priority or 
an evaluation under Selection Criterion (e) of this notice, provided 
that such costs are reasonable and necessary to meet the objectives of 
the approved project.

IV. Application and Submission Information

    1. Address To Request Application Package: Brian Martin, U.S. 
Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue SW., Room 4W224, 
Washington, DC 20202-5970. Telephone: (202) 205-9085 or by email: 
[email protected].
    If you use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) or a text 
telephone (TTY), call the Federal Relay Service (FRS), toll free, at 1-
800-877-8339.
    Individuals with disabilities can obtain a copy of the application 
package in an accessible format (e.g., braille, large print, audiotape, 
or compact disc) by contacting the program contact person listed in 
this section.
    2.a. Content and Form of Application Submission: Requirements 
concerning the content of an application, together with the forms you 
must submit, are in the application package for this competition.
    Page Limit: The application narrative (Part III of the application) 
is where you, the applicant, address the priorities, selection 
criteria, and application requirements that reviewers use to evaluate 
your application. We recommend that you limit the application narrative 
[Part III] to no more than 60 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 not be accepted.
    The page limit does not apply to Part I, the cover sheet; Part II, 
the budget section, including the narrative budget justification; Part 
IV, the assurances and certifications; or the one-page abstract, the 
resumes, the bibliography, or the letters of support. However, the page 
limit does apply to all of the application narrative section (Part 
III).
    b. Submission of Proprietary Information:
    Given the types of projects that may be proposed in applications 
for the Replication and Expansion grant competition, your application 
may include business information that you consider 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.

[[Page 28842]]

    Consistent with Executive Order 12600, please designate in your 
application any information that you feel 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: May 10, 2016.
    Date of Pre-Application Webinar: The Department will hold a pre-
application meeting via Webinar for prospective applicants on June 16, 
2016, 2:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., Washington, DC, time. Individuals 
interested in attending this meeting are encouraged to pre-register by 
emailing their name, organization, and contact information with the 
subject heading ``PRE-APPLICATION MEETING'' to [email protected]. 
There is no registration fee for attending this meeting.
    For further information about the pre-application meeting, contact 
Brian Martin, U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue SW., 
Room 4W224, Washington, DC 20202-5970. Telephone: (202) 205-9085 or by 
email: [email protected].
    Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: June 24, 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.
    Individuals with disabilities who need an accommodation or 
auxiliary aid in connection with the application process should contact 
the person listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT in section VII 
of this notice. If the Department provides an accommodation or 
auxiliary aid to an individual with a disability in connection with the 
application process, the individual's application remains subject to 
all other requirements and limitations in this notice.
    Deadline for Intergovernmental Review: August 23, 2016.
    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 competition.
    5. Funding Restrictions: Grantees under this program must use the 
grant funds to replicate (as defined in this notice) or substantially 
expand (as defined in this notice) the charter school model or models 
for which the applicant has presented evidence of success. Grant funds 
must be used to carry out allowable activities, as described in section 
5204(f)(3) of the ESEA (20 U.S.C. 7221c(f)(3)).
    Pursuant to section 5204(f)(3) of the ESEA, grantees under this 
program must use the grant funds for--
    (a) Post-award planning and design of the educational program, 
which may include: (i) Refinement of the desired educational results 
and of the methods for measuring progress toward achieving those 
results; and (ii) professional development of teachers and other staff 
who will work in the charter school; and
    (b) Initial implementation of the charter school, which may 
include: (i) Informing the community about the school; (ii) acquiring 
necessary equipment and educational materials and supplies; (iii) 
acquiring or developing curriculum materials; and (iv) other initial 
operational costs that cannot be met from State or local sources.
    The FY 2016 Appropriations Act authorizes the use of CSP funds 
``for grants that support preschool education in charter schools.'' 
Therefore, an application submitted under this competition may propose 
to use CSP funds to support preschool education in a charter school. 
For additional information and guidance regarding the use of CSP funds 
to support preschool education in charter schools, see ``Guidance on 
the use of Funds to support Preschool Education,'' released in November 
2014 (www2.ed.gov/programs/charter/csppreschoolfaqs.doc).
    In accordance with the program requirements from the Final 
Priorities, a grantee may use up to 20 percent of grant funds for 
initial operational costs associated with the expansion or improvement 
of the grantee's oversight or management of its charter schools, 
provided that: (i) The specific charter schools being created or 
substantially expanded (as defined in this notice) under the grant are 
the intended beneficiaries of such expansion or improvement, and (ii) 
such expansion or improvement is intended to improve the grantee's 
ability to manage or oversee the charter schools created or 
substantially expanded under the grant.
    We reference additional 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.

[[Page 28843]]

    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 CSP Grants for Replication and 
Expansion of High-Quality Charter Schools, CFDA number 84.282M, 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 CSP Grants for 
Replication and Expansion of High-Quality Charter Schools at 
www.Grants.gov. You must search for the downloadable application 
package for this competition by the CFDA number. Do not include the 
CFDA number's alpha suffix in your search (e.g., search for 84.282, not 
84.282M).
    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.
     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.

[[Page 28844]]

     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 determinate 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: Brian Martin, U.S. 
Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue SW., Room 4W224, 
Washington, DC 20202-5970. FAX: (202) 205-5630.
    Your paper application must be submitted in accordance with the 
mail or hand delivery instructions described in this notice.
    b. Submission of Paper Applications by Mail.
    If you qualify for an exception to the electronic submission 
requirement, you may mail (through the U.S. Postal Service or a 
commercial carrier) your application to the Department. You must mail 
the original and two copies of your application, on or before the 
application deadline date, to the Department at the following address:

U.S. Department of Education, Application Control Center, Attention: 
CFDA Number 84.282M, 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.
    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.
    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 84.282M, 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. Application Requirements: Applications for CSP Replication and 
Expansion grant funds must address the following application 
requirements. An applicant may choose to respond to the application 
requirements in the context of its responses to the selection criteria.
    These application requirements are from the Final Priorities for 
this program.
    (a) Describe the objectives of the project for replicating or 
substantially expanding high-quality charter schools (as defined in 
this notice) and the methods by which the applicant will determine its 
progress toward achieving those objectives.
    (b) Describe how the applicant currently operates or manages the 
charter schools for which it has

[[Page 28845]]

presented evidence of success, and how the proposed new or 
substantially expanded (as defined in this notice) charter schools will 
be operated or managed. Include a description of central office 
functions, governance, daily operations, financial management, human 
resources management, and instructional management. If applying as a 
group or consortium, describe the roles and responsibilities of each 
member of the group or consortium and how each member will contribute 
to this project.
    (c) Describe how the applicant will ensure that each proposed new 
or substantially expanded charter school receives its commensurate 
share of Federal education funds that are allocated by formula each 
year, including during the first year of operation of the school and 
any year in which the school's enrollment substantially expands (as 
defined in this notice).
    (d) Describe the educational program to be implemented in the 
proposed new or substantially expanded charter schools, including how 
the program will enable all students (including educationally 
disadvantaged students (as defined in this notice)) to meet State 
student academic achievement standards, the grade levels or ages of 
students to be served, and the curriculum and instructional practices 
to be used.
    Note: As part of the grants review process, an applicant currently 
operating or proposing to create or substantially expand (as defined in 
this notice) a single-sex charter school, or an applicant currently 
providing or proposing to provide a single-sex class or single-sex 
extracurricular activity within a coeducational charter school 
(collectively referred to as ``single-sex educational program''), must 
demonstrate that its existing or proposed single-sex educational 
program is in compliance with applicable nondiscrimination laws, 
including the Equal Protection Clause of the U.S. Constitution (as 
interpreted in United States v. Virginia, 518 U.S. 515 (1996), and 
other cases) and Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (20 
U.S.C. 1681, et seq.) and its regulations, including 34 CFR 106.34. 
Such an applicant likely will be required to provide fact-specific 
information about the single-sex educational program within specified 
timeframes. In addition, special conditions are likely to be placed on 
any grant awarded to an applicant that provides a single-sex 
educational program. Please see the application package for additional 
information related to the requirements for single-sex educational 
programs.
    (e) Describe the administrative relationship between the charter 
school or schools to be replicated (as defined in this notice) or 
substantially expanded (as defined in this notice) by the applicant and 
the authorized public chartering agency.
    (f) Describe how the applicant will provide for continued operation 
of the proposed new or substantially expanded charter school or schools 
once the Federal grant has expired.
    (g) Describe how parents and other members of the community will be 
involved in the planning, program design, and implementation of the 
proposed new or substantially expanded (as defined in this notice) 
charter school or schools.
    (h) Include a request and justification for waivers of any Federal 
statutory or regulatory provisions that the applicant believes are 
necessary for the successful operation of the proposed new or 
substantially expanded charter schools.
    (i) Describe how the grant funds will be used, including how these 
funds will be used in conjunction with other Federal programs 
administered by the Secretary, and with any matching funds.
    (j) Describe how all students in the community, including students 
with disabilities, English learners, and other educationally 
disadvantaged students (as defined in this notice), will be informed 
about the proposed new or substantially expanded (as defined in this 
notice) charter schools and given an equal opportunity to attend such 
schools.

    Note: Under section 5210(1)(H) of the ESEA (20 U.S.C. 
7221i(1)(H)), charter schools receiving CSP funds must admit 
students on the basis of a lottery if more students apply for 
admission than can be accommodated. Accordingly, the application 
must include a description of the applicant's admissions policy, 
including the lottery that will be employed by each charter school 
that is oversubscribed.

    (k) Describe how the proposed new or substantially expanded charter 
schools that are considered to be LEAs under State law, or the LEAs in 
which the new or substantially expanded (as defined in this notice) 
charter schools are located, will comply with sections 613(a)(5) and 
613(e)(1)(B) of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).
    (l) Provide information on any significant compliance issues (as 
defined in this notice) identified within the past three years for each 
school managed by the applicant, including compliance issues in the 
areas of student safety, financial management, and statutory or 
regulatory compliance.
    (m) For each charter school currently operated or managed by the 
applicant, provide the following information: The year founded, the 
grades currently served, the number of students, the address, the 
percentage of students in each subgroup of students described in 
section 1111(b)(2)(C)(v)(II) of the ESEA, results on the State 
assessment for the past three years (if available) by subgroup, 
attendance rates, student attrition rates for the past three years, and 
(if the school operates a 12th grade) high school graduation rates and 
college attendance rates (maintaining standards to protect personally 
identifiable information).
    (n) Provide objective data showing applicant quality. In 
particular, the Secretary requires the applicant to provide the 
following data:
    (1) Performance (school-wide and by subgroup) for the past three 
years (if available) on statewide tests of all charter schools operated 
or managed by the applicant as compared to all students in other 
schools in the State or States at the same grade level, and as compared 
with other schools serving similar demographics of students 
(maintaining standards to protect personally identifiable information);
    (2) Annual student attendance and retention rates (school-wide and 
by subgroup) for the past three years (or over the life of the school, 
if the school has been open for fewer than three years), and 
comparisons with other similar schools (maintaining standards to 
protect personally identifiable information); and
    (3) Where applicable and available, high school graduation rates, 
college attendance rates, and college persistence rates (school-wide 
and by subgroup) for the past three years (if available) of students 
attending schools operated or managed by the applicant, and the 
methodology used to calculate these rates (maintaining standards to 
protect personally identifiable information). When reporting data for 
schools in States that may have particularly demanding or low standards 
of proficiency, applicants are invited to discuss how their academic 
success might be considered against applicants from across the country.
    (o) Provide such other information and assurances as the Secretary 
may require.
    2. Selection Criteria. The selection criteria for this program are 
from the Final Priorities for this program and 34 CFR 75.210. The 
maximum possible score for addressing all of the criteria in this 
section is 100 points. The maximum possible score for addressing

[[Page 28846]]

each criterion is indicated in parentheses following the criterion.
    In evaluating an application, the Secretary considers the following 
criteria:
    (a) Quality of the eligible applicant. (Final Priorities) (50 
points)
    In determining the quality of the applicant, the Secretary 
considers the following factors--
    (1) The degree, including the consistency over the past three 
years, to which the applicant has demonstrated success in significantly 
increasing student academic achievement and attainment for all 
students, including, as applicable, educationally disadvantaged 
students (as defined in this notice) served by the charter schools 
operated or managed by the applicant (20 points).
    (2) Either--
    (i) The degree, including the consistency over the past three 
years, to which the applicant has demonstrated success in closing 
historic achievement gaps for the subgroups of students described in 
section 1111(b)(2)(C)(v)(II) of the ESEA at the charter schools 
operated or managed by the applicant, or
    (ii) The degree, including the consistency over the past three 
years, to which there have not been significant achievement gaps 
between any of the subgroups of students described in section 
1111(b)(2)(C)(v)(II) of the ESEA at the charter schools operated or 
managed by the applicant and to which significant gains in student 
academic achievement have been made with all populations of students 
served by the charter schools operated or managed by the applicant (15 
points).
    (3) The degree, including the consistency over the past three 
years, to which the applicant has achieved results (including 
performance on statewide tests, annual student attendance and retention 
rates, high school graduation rates, college attendance rates, and 
college persistence rates where applicable and available) for low-
income and other educationally disadvantaged students (as defined in 
this notice) served by the charter schools operated or managed by the 
applicant that are significantly above the average academic achievement 
results for such students in the State (15 points).
    (b) Contribution in assisting educationally disadvantaged students. 
(Final Priorities) (10 points)
    The contribution the proposed project will make in assisting 
educationally disadvantaged students (as defined in this notice) served 
by the applicant to meet or exceed State academic content standards and 
State student academic achievement standards, and to graduate college- 
and career-ready. When responding to this selection criterion, 
applicants must discuss the proposed locations of schools to be created 
or substantially expanded and the student populations to be served.
    (c) Quality of the project design. (Final Priorities) (10 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 extent to which the goals, 
objectives, and outcomes to be achieved by the proposed project are 
clearly specified, measurable, and attainable. Applicants proposing to 
open schools serving substantially different populations than those 
currently served by the model for which they have demonstrated evidence 
of success must address the attainability of outcomes given this 
difference.
    (d) Quality of the management plan and personnel. (Final 
Priorities) (20 points)
    The Secretary considers the quality of the management plan and 
personnel to replicate and substantially expand high-quality charter 
schools (as defined in this notice). In determining the quality of the 
management plan and personnel for the proposed project, the Secretary 
considers--
    (1) 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 (4 points).
    (2) The business plan for improving, sustaining, and ensuring the 
quality and performance of charter schools created or substantially 
expanded (as defined in this notice) under these grants beyond the 
initial period of Federal funding in areas including, but not limited 
to, facilities, financial management, central office, student academic 
achievement, governance, oversight, and human resources of the charter 
schools (4 points).
    (3) A multi-year financial and operating model for the 
organization, a demonstrated commitment of current and future partners, 
and evidence of broad support from stakeholders critical to the 
project's long-term success (4 points).
    (4) The plan for closing charter schools supported, overseen, or 
managed by the applicant that do not meet high standards of quality (2 
points).
    (5) The qualifications, including relevant training and experience, 
of the project director, chief executive officer or organization 
leader, and key project personnel, especially in managing projects of 
the size and scope of the proposed project (6 points).
    (e) Quality of the evaluation plan. (34 CFR 75.210(h)(2)(iv)) (10 
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 include the use of objective performance measures (as 
defined in this notice) that are clearly related to the intended 
outcomes of the project and will produce quantitative and qualitative 
data to the extent possible.
    3. Review and Selection Process: We remind potential applicants 
that in reviewing applications in any discretionary grant competition, 
the Secretary may consider, under 34 CFR 75.217(d)(3), the past 
performance of the applicant in carrying out a previous award, such as 
the applicant's use of funds, achievement of project objectives, and 
compliance with grant conditions. The Secretary may also consider 
whether the applicant failed to submit a timely performance report or 
submitted a report of unacceptable quality.
    In addition, in making a competitive grant award, the Secretary 
requires various assurances, including those applicable to Federal 
civil rights laws that prohibit discrimination in programs or 
activities receiving Federal financial assistance from the Department 
of Education (34 CFR 100.4, 104.5, 106.4, 108.8, and 110.23).
    4. 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 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.

[[Page 28847]]

    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: (a) The goal of the CSP is to support the 
creation and development of a large number of high-quality charter 
schools (as defined in this notice) that are free from State or local 
rules that inhibit flexible operation, are held accountable for 
enabling students to reach challenging State performance standards, and 
are open to all students. The Secretary has two performance indicators 
to measure progress towards this goal: (1) The number of charter 
schools in operation around the Nation, and (2) the percentage of 
fourth- and eighth-grade charter school students who are achieving at 
or above the proficient level on State assessments in mathematics and 
reading/language arts. Additionally, the Secretary has established the 
following measure to examine the efficiency of the CSP: Federal cost 
per student in implementing a successful school (defined as a school in 
operation for three or more consecutive years).
    (b) Project-Specific Performance Measures. Applicants must propose 
project-specific performance measures (as defined in this notice) and 
performance targets (as defined in this notice) consistent with the 
objectives of the proposed project. Applications must provide the 
following information as directed under 34 CFR 75.110(b) and (c):
    (1) Performance measures. How each proposed performance measure (as 
defined in this notice) would accurately measure the performance of the 
project and how the proposed performance measure (as defined in this 
notice) would be consistent with the performance measures (as defined 
in this notice) established for the program funding the competition.
    (2) Baseline data. (i) Why each proposed baseline (as defined in 
this notice) is valid; or (ii) if the applicant has determined that 
there are no established baseline (as defined in this notice) data for 
a particular performance measure (as defined in this notice), an 
explanation of why there is no established baseline (as defined in this 
notice) and of how and when, during the project period, the applicant 
would establish a valid baseline (as defined in this notice) for the 
performance measure (as defined in this notice).
    (3) Performance targets. Why each proposed performance target (as 
defined in this notice) is ambitious (as defined in this notice) yet 
achievable compared to the baseline (as defined in this notice) for the 
performance measure (as defined in this notice) and when, during the 
project period, the applicant would meet the performance target(s) (as 
defined in this notice).
    (4) The applicant must also describe in the application: (i) The 
data collection and reporting methods the applicant would use and why 
those methods are likely to yield reliable, valid, and meaningful 
performance data, and (ii) the applicant's capacity to collect and 
report reliable, valid, and meaningful performance data, as evidenced 
by high-quality data collection, analysis, and reporting in other 
projects or research.
    All grantees must submit an annual performance report with 
information that is responsive to these performance measures (as 
defined in this notice).
    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 (as defined in this notice) 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: Brian Martin, U.S. Department of 
Education, 400 Maryland Avenue SW., Room 4W224, Washington, DC 20202-
5970. Telephone: (202) 205-9085 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 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: May 5, 2016.
Nadya Chinoy Dabby,
Assistant Deputy Secretary for Innovation and Improvement.
[FR Doc. 2016-10925 Filed 5-9-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4000-01-P