[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 95 (Wednesday, May 16, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 22644-22649]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-10474]


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DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION


Applications for New Award; Center To Improve Social and 
Emotional Learning and School Safety--Cooperative Agreement

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

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Education (Department) is issuing a notice 
inviting applications for a new award for fiscal year (FY) 2018 for the 
Center To Improve Social and Emotional Learning and School Safety 
(Center)--Cooperative Agreement, Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance 
(CFDA) number 84.424B.

DATES: 
    Applications Available: May 16, 2018.
    Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: July 2, 2018.
    Deadline for Intergovernmental Review: August 29, 2018.

ADDRESSES: For the addresses for obtaining and submitting an 
application, please refer to our Common Instructions for Applicants to 
Department of Education Discretionary Grant Programs, published in the 
Federal Register on February 12, 2018 (83 FR 6003) and available at 
www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2018-02-12/pdf/2018-02558.pdf.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Eve Birge, U.S. Department of 
Education, 400 Maryland Avenue SW, Room 3C147, Washington, DC 20202-
6450. Telephone: (202) 453-6717. 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.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Full Text of Announcement

I. Funding Opportunity Description

    Purpose of Program: The purpose of the Center is to provide 
technical assistance to support States and districts in the 
implementation of social and emotional learning evidence-based (as 
defined in this notice) programs and practices. The Center will enhance 
the capacity of (1) State educational agencies (SEAs) to support their 
local educational agencies (LEAs) and (2) LEAs to support their 
schools.
    Background: The Center will be supported by funds reserved for 
Title IV, Part A technical assistance and capacity building, pursuant 
to section 4103(a)(3) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 
1965 (ESEA).\1\
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    \1\ In December 2015, Congress enacted the Every Student 
Succeeds Act (ESSA), which reauthorized the ESEA. Therefore, for 
purposes of this notice, unless otherwise indicated, all references 
to the ``ESEA'' are to the ``ESEA, as amended by the ESSA.''
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    Positive social and emotional skills and abilities help students 
attain and apply knowledge and attitudes that enhance personal 
development, social relationships, and ethical behavior.\2\ These 
skills and abilities help inform how students relate to each other and 
adults.
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    \2\ Weissberg, R.P., & O'Brien, M.U. (2004). What works in 
school-based social and emotional learning programs for positive 
youth development. The ANNALS of the American Academy of Political 
and Social Science, 591(1), 86-97.
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    Research shows that how students interact with their peers and 
teachers, approach their schoolwork, and form beliefs about learning 
has implications on how they perform in the classroom.\3\ Evidence-
based programs and practices (EBPPs) designed to foster social and 
emotional learning (SEL) are associated with positive outcomes ranging 
from better test scores and higher graduation rates to improved social 
behavior.\4\
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    \3\ Durlak, J.A., Weissberg, R.P., Dymnicki, A.B., Taylor, R.D. 
& Schellinger, K.B. (2011). The impact of enhancing students' social 
and emotional learning: A meta-analysis of school-based universal 
interventions. Child Development, January/February 2011, Volume 82, 
Number 1, 405-432. Retrieved at: www.casel.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/meta-analysis-child-development-1.pdf.
    \4\ Payton, J., Weissberg, R.P., Durlak, J.A., Dymnicki, A.B., 
Taylor, R.D., Schellinger, K.B., & Pachan, M. (2008). The positive 
impact of social and emotional learning for kindergarten to eighth-
grade students: Findings from three scientific reviews. Chicago, IL: 
Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning. 
Retrieved at: www.casel.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/PDF-4-the-positive-impact-of-social-and-emotional-learning-for-kindergarten-to-eighth-grade-students-executive-summary.pdf.
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    A recent meta-study of 82 school-based, universal SEL interventions 
involving nearly 100,000 students found that SEL benefits youth 
development, including improved social and emotional skills, attitudes, 
indicators of well-being, and increased graduation rates.\5\ Benefits 
were similar regardless of students' race, socioeconomic background, or 
school location.
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    \5\ Taylor, R.D., Oberle, E., Durlak, J.A., & Weissberg, R.P. 
(2017). Promoting positive youth development through school-based 
social and emotional learning interventions: A meta-analysis of 
follow-up effects. Child Development, 88(4):1156-1171. doi: 10.1111/
cdev.12864.
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    Another study analyzed the economic impact of six SEL programs and 
found that on average, every dollar invested yields $11 in long-term 
benefits, ranging from improved mental and physical health, reduced 
juvenile crime, and higher lifetime earnings.\6\
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    \6\ Belfield, C., Bowden, B., Klapp, A., Levin, H., Shand, R., & 
Zander, S. (2015). The Economic Value of Social and Emotional 
Learning. New York, NY: Center for Benefit-Cost Studies in 
Education. Retrieved at: http://cbcse.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/SEL-Revised.pdf.
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    But implementation is not always consistent. When there is not 
adequate training or understanding by implementers, assessment of 
efficacy, or accountability, it can jeopardize positive student 
impacts.\7\ The technical assistance described in this notice will 
support States and districts by enhancing their capacity to 
successfully implement EBPPs.
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    \7\ Evans, R., Murphy, S., & Scourfield, J. Implementation of a 
school-based social and emotional learning intervention: 
Understanding diffusion processes within complex systems. Prevention 
Science. 2015;16(5):754-764. doi:10.1007/s11121-015-0552-0.
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    For the purpose of this notice inviting applications, SEL includes 
developing and maintaining positive relationships with peers and 
adults; using self-control; building social skills, including 
recognizing and managing emotions in oneself; understanding others' 
emotions and perspectives; making responsible

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decisions (i.e., ``making good choices''); working effectively in 
cooperative groups; coping with frustration; reading social cues; 
resolving interpersonal conflicts; demonstrating compassion and empathy 
toward others; exercising persistence; building resilience; and 
developing other SEL skills and abilities.
    Under the ESEA, States have an opportunity to broaden their 
measures of student success to include SEL measures. LEAs that receive 
funds under the ESEA Title IV-A Student Support and Academic Enrichment 
(SSAE) Grants program may, under section 4107(a)(3)(J) of the ESEA, use 
those funds for SEL activities, including interventions that build 
resilience, self-control, empathy, persistence, and other social and 
behavioral skills. The following excerpt is taken from the guidance 
published by the Department on the SSAE grant program (https://www2.ed.gov/policy/elsec/leg/essa/essassaegrantguid10212016.pdf): 
``Extensive research, as well as educators' own experiences, shows that 
school-based SEL programs play an important role in fostering healthy 
relationships and increasing academic and career success.\8\ A growing 
body of research in this field is demonstrating that various tools and 
practices can enhance students' social and emotional development.\9\ 
For example, implementing practices that support students' sense of 
belonging and value can increase students' academic success.'' \10\
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    \8\ Durlak, J.A., Weissberg, R.P., Dymnicki, A.B., Taylor, R.D., 
& Schellinger, K.B. (2011). The impact of enhancing students' social 
and emotional learning: A meta-analysis of school-based universal 
interventions. Child Development, 82(1), pp. 405-432. Retrieved at: 
www.casel.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/meta-analysis-child-development-1.pdf.
    \9\ CASEL Guide to Effective Social and Emotional Learning 
Programs (www.casel.org/guide/).
    \10\ Blackwell, L.A., Trzesniewski, K.H., & Dweck, C.S. (2007). 
Implicit theories of intelligence and achievement across the junior 
high school transition: A longitudinal study and an intervention. 
Child Development, 78, 246-263. Retrieved at: mtoliveboe.org/cmsAdmin/uploads/blackwell-theories-of-intelligence-child-dev-2007.pdf. Cohen, G.L., Garcia, J., Purdie-Vaugns, V., Apfel, N., & 
Brzustoski, P. (2009). Recursive processes in self-affirmation: 
Intervening to close the minority achievement gap. Science, 324, 
400-403.
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    State-level policies are being developed that reflect these 
competencies, their expansion, and measurement. Forty-five out of 
fifty-six ESSA State plans submitted to the Department included SEL 
programming and skill building. Recently released findings of the 2015-
2016 School Survey on Crime and Safety revealed that 66.3 percent of 
all public schools have SEL programs for students.\11\ Increasingly, 
schools across the country are implementing SEL \12\ as there is 
increasing awareness about how to support students experiencing 
violence in their neighborhoods and abuse in their homes, drug and 
alcohol addiction, and pressure to succeed in school. We anticipate 
that there will be an increased need for technical assistance and 
training in order to implement programs effectively and with fidelity.
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    \11\ Diliberti, M., Jackson, M., and Kemp, J. (2017). Crime, 
Violence, Discipline, and Safety in U.S. Public Schools: Findings 
from the School Survey on Crime and Safety: 2015-2016 (NCES 2017-
122). U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education 
Statistics. Washington, DC. Retrieved at: http://nces.ed.gov/pubsearch.
    \12\ Wanless, S.B. & Domitrovich, C.E. Prevention Science (2015) 
16: 1037. Retrieved at: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11121-015-0612-5.
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    The Aspen Institute's National Commission on Social, Emotional, and 
Academic Development released a report in January 2018, How learning 
happens: Supporting students' social, emotional, and academic 
development, in which they demonstrate that SEL programming and skill 
building are inextricably linked to improved academic outcomes and 
student success; particularly salient is the assertion that 
professional development and training are essential in order for 
potential gains to be realized.\13\ This lends further support to the 
Department's decision to launch a Center to Improve Social and 
Emotional Learning and School Safety.
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    \13\ The Aspen Institute National Commission on Social, 
Emotional, and Academic Development. How Learning Happens: 
Supporting Students' Social, Emotional, and Academic Development. 
Retrieved at https://assets.aspeninstitute.org/content/uploads/2018/01/2017_Aspen_InterimReport_Update2.pdf.
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    There are many approaches to improving SEL skills and abilities. In 
order to meet the unique needs and preferences of States and districts, 
the Center must be able to provide technical assistance on a wide array 
of approaches. The Center must be able to identify core features of SEL 
and the components necessary to support implementation so that it can 
support States and districts with a variety of EBPPs that fit their 
local contexts. This flexibility and the capacity to accommodate a 
range of needs and requests can be accomplished, in part, by reviewing 
the research and evidence and developing a common understanding of the 
tenets or foundations on which this body of work and assistance can be 
built.
    Priorities: This notice contains one absolute priority. We are 
establishing the absolute priority for the FY 2018 grant competition 
and any subsequent year in which we make awards from the list of 
unfunded applications from this competition, in accordance with section 
437(d)(1) of the General Education Provisions Act (GEPA), 20 U.S.C. 
1232(d)(1).
    Absolute Priority: This priority is an absolute priority. Under 34 
CFR 75.105(c)(3), we consider only applications that meet this 
priority.
    This priority is:

Supporting the Implementation of Social and Emotional Learning 
Evidence-Based Programs and Practices

    The purpose of the Center is to provide technical assistance to 
support implementation of social and emotional learning (SEL) evidence-
based programs and practices (EBPPs) by enhancing the capacity of (1) 
SEAs to support their LEAs and (2) LEAs to support their schools.
    To meet this priority, applicants must submit a plan demonstrating 
that the Center will be designed to--
    (a) Improve skills of SEA personnel to--
    (1) Promote SEL EBPPs through policies, funding mechanisms, and 
interagency coordination;
    (2) Collect and analyze data to inform decision-making regarding 
implementation of SEL EBPPs; and
    (3) Develop the capacity, partnerships, and proficiency needed to 
provide expert technical assistance regarding implementation of SEL 
EBPPs.
    (b) Improve skills of LEA personnel to--
    (1) Implement SEL EBPPs; and
    (2) Collect and use data to inform decision-making regarding 
implementation of SEL EBPPs.
    (c) Establish a cadre of subject matter experts to provide training 
to SEAs and LEAs on how to implement a wide array of SEL EBPPs.
    (d) Develop reliable and valid tools and processes for measuring 
outcomes and evaluating the fidelity of the implementation of SEL 
EBPPs.
    (e) Coordinate with other federally funded technical assistance 
centers, such as the Department's Office of Safe and Healthy Students' 
(OSHS) National Technical Assistance Center for the Education of 
Neglected or Delinquent Children and Youth, the Department's Office of 
Special Education Programs' (OSEP) and OSHS' Positive Behavioral 
Interventions and Supports OSEP Technical Assistance Center, and OSEP's 
Technical Assistance and Dissemination to Improve Services and Results 
for Children with Disabilities--Technical Assistance Center on Positive

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Social, Emotional, and Behavioral Outcomes for Young Children with, and 
at Risk for, Developmental Delays or Disabilities.
    Fourth and fifth years of the project: In deciding whether to 
continue funding the project for the fourth and fifth years, the 
Secretary will consider the requirements of 34 CFR 75.253(a), as well 
as: (i) The recommendation of a review team consisting of experts 
selected by the Secretary and convening for a one-day intensive review 
during the last half of the second year of the project period; (ii) the 
timeliness with which, and how well, the requirements of the negotiated 
cooperative agreement have been or are being met by the project; and 
(iii) the quality, relevance, and usefulness of the project's products 
and services and the extent to which the project's products and 
services are aligned with the project's objectives and likely to result 
in the project achieving its intended outcomes.
    Definitions: The following definitions apply to this competition. 
The definition of ``evidence-based'' is from section 8101 of the ESEA. 
The definitions of ``baseline,'' ``performance measure,'' and 
``performance target'' are from 34 CFR 77.1.
    Evidence-based, when used with respect to a State, local 
educational agency, or school activity, means an activity, strategy, or 
intervention that--
    (i) Demonstrates a statistically significant effect on improving 
student outcomes or other relevant outcomes based on--
    (I) Strong evidence from at least one well-designed and well-
implemented experimental study;
    (II) Moderate evidence from at least one well-designed and well-
implemented quasi-experimental study; or
    (III) Promising evidence from at least one well-designed and well-
implemented correlational study with statistical controls for selection 
bias; or
    (ii)(I) Demonstrates a rationale based on high-quality research 
findings or positive evaluation that such activity, strategy, or 
intervention is likely to improve student outcomes or other relevant 
outcomes; and
    (II) Includes ongoing efforts to examine the effects of such 
activity, strategy, or intervention.
    Baseline means the starting point from which performance is 
measured and targets are set.
    Performance measure means any quantitative indicator, statistic, or 
metric used to gauge program or project performance.
    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.
    Waiver of Proposed Rulemaking: Under the Administrative Procedure 
Act (5 U.S.C. 553), the Department generally offers interested parties 
the opportunity to comment on proposed priorities and application 
requirements. Section 437(d)(1) of GEPA, however, allows the Secretary 
to exempt from rulemaking requirements, regulations governing the first 
grant competition under a new or substantially revised program 
authority. This is the first grant competition for this program under 
Title IV, Part A (section 4103 of the ESEA) and therefore qualifies for 
this exemption. In order to ensure timely grant awards, the Secretary 
has decided to forgo public comment on the absolute priority and 
application requirements under section 437(d)(1) of GEPA. This priority 
and the application requirements will apply to the FY 2018 grant 
competition and any subsequent year in which we make awards from the 
list of unfunded applications from this competition.
    Program Authority: This grant program is authorized by Title IV, 
Part A, Subpart 1 (4103(3), 20 U.S.C. 7113(3)).
    Applicable Regulations: (a) The Education Department General 
Administrative Regulations (EDGAR) 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 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.

II. Award Information

    Type of Award: Cooperative agreement.
    Estimated Available Funds: $1,000,000.
    Estimated Award: $1,000,000 per year for up to 5 years.
    Estimated Number of Awards: 1.

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

    Project Period: Up to 60 months.

III. Eligibility Information

    1. Eligible Applicants: Public agencies and private nonprofit or 
for-profit organizations, including institutions of higher education, 
with the demonstrated ability and capacity to carry out the activities 
described in this notice.
    2. Cost Sharing or Matching: This program does not require cost 
sharing or matching.
    3. Subgrantees: Under 34 CFR 75.708(b) and (c) a grantee under this 
competition may award subgrants--to directly carry out project 
activities described in its application--to the following types of 
entities: Local educational agencies, State educational agencies, 
institutions of higher education, and nonprofit organizations. The 
grantee may award subgrants to entities it has identified in an 
approved application or that it selects through a competition under 
procedures established by the grantee.
    4. Participation of Faith-based Organizations: Faith-based 
organizations are eligible to apply for grants under this competition 
provided they meet all statutory and regulatory requirements.

IV. Application and Submission Information

    1. Application Submission Instructions: For information on how to 
submit an application please refer to our Common Instructions for 
Applicants to Department of Education Discretionary Grant Programs, 
published in the Federal Register on February 12, 2018 (83 FR 6003) and 
available at www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2018-02-12/pdf/2018-02558.pdf.
    2. Intergovernmental Review: This program is subject to Executive 
Order 12372 and the regulations in 34 CFR part 79. Information about 
Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs under Executive Order 
12372 is in the application package for this program.
    3. Funding Restrictions: We reference regulations outlining funding 
restrictions in the Applicable Regulations section of this notice.

V. Application Review Information

    1. Selection Criteria and Application Requirements: The selection 
criteria for this competition are from 34 CFR 75.210. We are 
establishing the application requirements accompanying the selection 
criteria for the FY 2018 grant competition and any subsequent year in 
which we make awards from the list of unfunded applications from this 
competition, in accordance with section 437(d)(1) of GEPA, 20 U.S.C. 
1232(d)(1).
    The maximum score for addressing all of the selection criteria is 
100 points. The points assigned to each criterion are indicated in 
parentheses following the criterion. Non-Federal peer reviewers will 
review each application and score

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each program narrative against the following selection criteria:
    (a) Significance of the Project (up to 30 points)
    The Secretary considers the significance of the proposed project. 
In determining the significance of the proposed project, the Secretary 
considers the following factors:
    (i) 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. (10 points)
    (ii) The importance or magnitude of the results or outcomes likely 
to be attained by the proposed project. (10 points)
    (iii) The likelihood that the proposed project will result in 
system change or improvement. (10 points)
    In addressing this criterion, an applicant must describe, in the 
narrative section of the application under ``Significance of the 
Project,'' how the proposed project will--
    (1) Address the current and emerging needs of SEAs and LEAs to 
implement, scale-up, and sustain SEL EBPPs as evidenced by the ability 
and capacity to (i) present applicable national, State, regional, or 
local data demonstrating the needs of SEAs and LEAs to implement, 
scale-up, and sustain SEL EBPPs; and (ii) demonstrate knowledge of 
current policy initiatives and issues relating to implementing, 
scaling, and sustaining SEL EBPPs within the context of school 
improvement efforts; and
    (2) Result in (i) improved quality of SEL programming 
implementation; and (ii) increased scale-up of program implementation 
in LEAs and SEAs over the course of the project period.
    (b) Quality of Project Services (up to 35 points)
    The Secretary considers the quality of the services to be provided 
by the proposed project.
    (i) In determining the quality of the services to be provided by 
the proposed project, the Secretary considers 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. (5 points)
    In addition, the Secretary considers the following factors:
    (ii) The extent to which the goals, objectives, and outcomes to be 
achieved by the proposed project are clearly specified and measurable. 
(15 points)
    (iii) The extent to which the technical assistance services to be 
provided by the proposed project involve the use of efficient 
strategies, including the use of technology, as appropriate, and the 
leveraging of non-project resources. (15 points)
    In addressing this criterion, an applicant must describe, in the 
narrative section of the application under ``Quality of Project 
Services,'' how the proposed project will--
    (1) Ensure equal access and treatment for members of groups that 
have traditionally been underrepresented based on race, color, national 
origin, linguistic diversity, gender, age, or disability; in addition 
to vulnerable populations such as students that have had contact with 
the child welfare or juvenile justice systems or who have experienced 
homelessness. For example, describe the process that will be used to 
(i) identify the needs of the intended recipients for technical 
assistance and information; and (ii) ensure that services and products 
meet the needs of the intended recipients;
    (2) Achieve its goals, objectives, and intended outcomes. Evidence 
to address this includes (i) measurable intended project outcomes; and 
(ii) the theory of action on how the proposed project will achieve the 
intended project outcomes;
    (3) Use a conceptual framework to guide the development of project 
plans and activities, describing any underlying concepts, assumptions, 
expectations, beliefs, or theories, as well as the presumed 
relationship or linkages among these variables, and any empirical 
support for this framework;
    (4) Develop products and provide services that are of sufficient 
quality, intensity, and duration to achieve the intended outcomes of 
the proposed project. For example, describe (i) proposed activities to 
identify, develop, or expand the knowledge base of researchers, 
trainers, technical assistance providers, and practitioners; (ii) 
proposed approach to general technical assistance, including the 
intended recipients of the products and services under this approach; 
(iii) proposed approach to targeted technical assistance, including the 
intended recipients of the products and services, and its proposed 
approach to measure the readiness of potential recipients to work with 
the project, including their infrastructure, available resources, and 
ability to build capacity; and (iv) proposed approach to intensive, 
sustained technical assistance, including the intended recipients of 
the products and services under this approach;
    (5) Develop products and implement services to maximize the 
project's efficiency. For example, describe (i) how the proposed 
project will use technology to achieve the intended project outcomes; 
(ii) how the proposed project will collaborate with other related 
centers supported by the Department; (iii) with whom the proposed 
project will collaborate and the intended outcomes of this 
collaboration; and (iv) how the proposed project will use non-project 
resources effectively to achieve the intended project outcomes; and
    (6) Maintain a website that meets government or industry-recognized 
standards for accessibility.
    (c) Quality of the Evaluation Plan (up to 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 following factors:
    (i) The extent to which the methods of evaluation are thorough, 
feasible, and appropriate to the goals, objectives, and outcomes of the 
proposed project. (5 points)
    (ii) The extent to which the methods of evaluation will provide 
performance feedback and permit periodic assessment of progress toward 
achieving intended outcomes. (5 points)
    In addressing this criterion, an applicant must describe, in the 
narrative section of the application under ``Quality of the Evaluation 
Plan,'' how--
    (1) The proposed project will collect and analyze data related to 
specific and measurable goals, objectives, and intended outcomes of the 
project. Evidence to address this includes (i) proposed evaluation 
methodologies, including instruments, data collection methods, and 
possible analyses; (ii) proposed standards or targets for determining 
effectiveness; and (iii) proposed methods for collecting data on 
implementation supports and fidelity of implementation;
    (2) The proposed project will use the evaluation results to examine 
the effectiveness of the project's implementation strategies and the 
progress toward achieving intended outcomes;
    (3) The methods of evaluation will produce quantitative and 
qualitative data that demonstrate whether the project achieved the 
intended outcomes; and
    (4) The proposed project will identify key components (i.e., the 
active ``ingredients'' that are hypothesized to be critical to 
achieving the relevant outcomes) through the depiction of a logic model 
that lays out the goals, activities, outputs, and outcomes of the 
proposed project.
    (d) Quality of the Management Plan (up to 25 points)

[[Page 22648]]

    The Secretary considers the quality of the management plan for the 
proposed project. In determining the quality of the management plan for 
the proposed project, the Secretary considers the following factors:
    (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. (10 points)
    (iii) How the applicant will ensure that a diversity of 
perspectives are brought to bear in the operation of the proposed 
project, including those of parents, teachers, the business community, 
a variety of disciplinary and professional fields, recipients or 
beneficiaries of services, or others, as appropriate. (5 points)
    In addressing this criterion, an applicant must describe, in the 
narrative section of the application under ``Quality of the Management 
Plan,'' how--
    (1) The proposed management plan will ensure that the project's 
intended outcomes will be achieved on time and within budget. For 
example, clearly define and describe (i) responsibilities for key 
project personnel, consultants, and subcontractors, as appropriate; and 
(ii) timelines and milestones for accomplishing the project tasks, 
recognizing the proposed project period spans up to 60 months;
    (2) Key project personnel and any consultants and subcontractors 
will be allocated to the project and demonstrate the appropriateness 
and adequacy of these time allocations to achieve the project's 
intended outcomes;
    (3) The proposed management plan will ensure that the products and 
services provided are of high quality, including the method and 
regularity by which quantitative data will be collected on the scope 
and frequency of product use and the role(s) of users;
    (4) The proposed project will benefit from a diversity of 
perspectives, including families, educators, technical assistance 
providers, researchers, and policy makers, among others, in its 
development and operation; and
    (5) The proposed costs are reasonable in relation to the 
anticipated results and benefits.
    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 (34 CFR 
100.4, 104.5, 106.4, 108.8, and 110.23).
    3. Risk Assessment and Specific 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 specific 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.
    4. Integrity and Performance System: If you are selected under this 
competition to receive an award that over the course of the project 
period may exceed the simplified acquisition threshold (currently 
$150,000), under 2 CFR 200.205(a)(2) we must make a judgment about your 
integrity, business ethics, and record of performance under Federal 
awards--that is, the risk posed by you as an applicant--before we make 
an award. In doing so, we must consider any information about you that 
is in the integrity and performance system (currently referred to as 
the Federal Awardee Performance and Integrity Information System 
(FAPIIS)), accessible through the System for Award Management. You may 
review and comment on any information about yourself that a Federal 
agency previously entered and that is currently in FAPIIS.
    Please note that, if the total value of your currently active 
grants, cooperative agreements, and procurement contracts from the 
Federal Government exceeds $10,000,000, the reporting requirements in 2 
CFR part 200, Appendix XII, require you to report certain integrity 
information to FAPIIS semiannually. Please review the requirements in 2 
CFR part 200, Appendix XII, if this grant plus all the other Federal 
funds you receive exceed $10,000,000.

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. Open Licensing Requirements: Unless an exception applies, if you 
are awarded a grant under this competition, you will be required to 
openly license to the public grant deliverables created in whole, or in 
part, with Department grant funds. When the deliverable consists of 
modifications to pre-existing works, the license extends only to those 
modifications that can be separately identified and only to the extent 
that open licensing is permitted under the terms of any licenses or 
other legal restrictions on the use of pre-existing works. 
Additionally, a grantee or subgrantee that is awarded competitive grant 
funds must have a plan to disseminate these public grant deliverables. 
This dissemination plan can be developed and submitted after your 
application has been reviewed and selected for funding. For additional 
information on the open licensing requirements please refer to 2 CFR 
3474.20(c).
    4. 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

[[Page 22649]]

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.
    5. Performance Measures:
    (a) Program performance measures. The Department has established 
the following performance measures for assessing the effectiveness of 
the Center to Improve Social and Emotional Learning and School Safety--
Cooperative Agreement:
     The number of training and technical assistance events 
provided by the Center to SEAs and LEAs.
     The percentage of training and technical assistance 
services and products provided by the Center to SEAs and LEAs that are 
deemed to be useful through an independent expert review.
     For a representative sample of LEAs that receive training 
or technical assistance, the percentage of LEAs in which SEL EBPPs are 
implemented in schools with fidelity as determined through an 
independent expert review.
    (b) Performance measure targets. The applicant must propose in the 
application annual targets for the measures listed in paragraph (a). As 
directed under 34 CFR 75.110(b), applicants must include why each 
proposed performance target is ambitious yet achievable compared to the 
baseline for the performance measure.
    (c) As required under 34 CFR 75.110(c), the applicant must also 
describe:
    (1) 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
    (2) 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.

    Note: If the applicant does not have experience with collection 
and reporting of performance data through other projects or 
research, the applicant should provide other evidence of capacity to 
successfully carry out data collection and reporting for its 
proposed project. The reviewers of each application will score 
related selection criteria on the basis of how well an applicant has 
considered the requirements in paragraphs (a), (b), and (c) in 
conceptualizing the approach and evaluation of the project.

    The grantee must submit an annual performance report and final 
performance report with information that is responsive to the 
performance measures. The Department will consider these data in making 
annual continuation awards.
    Consistent with 34 CFR 75.591, the grantee funded under this 
program shall comply with the requirements of any evaluation of the 
program conducted by the Department or an evaluator selected by the 
Department.
    6. 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. 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.
    Electronic Access to This Document: The official version of this 
document is the document published in the Federal Register. You may 
access the official edition of the Federal Register and the Code of 
Federal Regulations 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 11, 2018.
Jason Botel,
Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary, Delegated the Authority to 
Perform the Functions and Duties of the Assistant Secretary of 
Elementary and Secondary Education.
[FR Doc. 2018-10474 Filed 5-15-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4000-01-P