[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 86 (Friday, May 3, 2019)]
[Notices]
[Pages 19060-19068]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-09055]


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DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION


Applications for New Awards; Comprehensive Literacy State 
Development Program

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

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Education is issuing a notice inviting 
applications for new awards for fiscal year (FY) 2019 for the 
Comprehensive Literacy State Development (CLSD) program, Catalog of 
Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) number 84.371C. This notice relates 
to the approved information collection under OMB control number 1894-
0006.

DATES: 
    Applications Available: May 3, 2019.
    Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: June 3, 2019.
    Deadline for Intergovernmental Review: August 1, 2019.

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 13, 2019 (84 FR 3768), and available at 
www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2019-02-13/pdf/2019-02206.pdf.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Cindy Savage, U.S. Department of 
Education, 400 Maryland Avenue SW, Room 3E230, Washington, DC 20202-
6450. Telephone: (202) 453-5998. 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 Comprehensive Literacy State Development 
(CLSD) program awards competitive grants to advance literacy skills, 
through the use of evidence-based practices, activities and 
interventions, including pre-literacy skills, reading, and writing, for 
children from birth through grade 12, with an emphasis on disadvantaged 
children, including children living in poverty, English learners (as 
defined in this notice), and children with disabilities (as defined in 
this notice).
    Background: The fiscal year 2019 competition for new CLSD awards 
fully transitions the program to the Elementary and Secondary Education 
Act of 1965, as amended by the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESEA). We 
have, therefore, focused this year's competition very closely on the 
requirements in the statute. In addition, we have included two 
competitive preference priorities that highlight key policy ideas on 
which we would like to see States focus their literacy plans or 
encourage eligible subgrant applicants to focus their local literacy 
plans. First, we give competitive preference to projects that would 
include evidence-based family literacy strategies as a key

[[Page 19061]]

component to their literacy plans. We believe that encouraging parents 
and families to read with their children and promote reading at home is 
critical to instilling a passion for reading early in a child's life. 
Second, we give competitive preference to projects that would focus on 
effective literacy interventions while also increasing educational 
options for groups of students who have traditionally been underserved. 
To the extent practicable, we encourage States to consider ways to 
design their subgrant competitions to promote literacy interventions 
for students in rural communities, with disabilities, who are English 
learners, or who are in foster care. These interventions may take place 
outside of the traditional public school setting, including, for 
example, through community partnerships.
    Priorities: This competition includes two competitive preference 
priorities. The competitive preference priorities are from the 
Secretary's Final Supplemental Priorities and Definitions for 
Discretionary Grant Programs published in the Federal Register on March 
2, 2018 (83 FR 9096) (Supplemental Priorities).
    Competitive Preference Priorities: For FY 2019 and any subsequent 
year in which we make awards from the list of unfunded applications 
from this competition these priorities are competitive preference 
priorities. Under 34 CFR 75.105(c)(2)(i) we award up to an additional 
five points to an application depending on how well the application 
meets each of these priorities, for a maximum of 10 additional points 
if both priorities are adequately addressed.
    These priorities are:
    Priority 1--Promoting Literacy (up to 5 points).
    Projects that are designed to provide families with evidence-based 
(as defined in this notice) strategies for promoting literacy. This may 
include providing families with access to books or other physical or 
digital materials or content about how to support their child's reading 
development, or providing family literacy activities (as defined in 
section 203(9) of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act of 
2014).
    Priority 2--Empowering Families and Individuals to Choose a High-
Quality Education That Meets Their Unique Needs (up to 5 points).
    Projects that are designed to increase the proportion of students 
with access to educational choice (as defined in this notice) for one 
or more of the following groups of children or students:
    (a) Children or students in communities served by rural local 
educational agencies (as defined in this notice).
    (b) Children or students with disabilities (as defined in this 
notice).
    (c) English learners (as defined in this notice).
    (d) Children or students who are or were previously in foster care.
    Application Requirements: These application requirements are from 
sections 2222 and 2223 of the ESEA (20 U.S.C. 6642-6643). For FY 2019, 
and any subsequent year in which we make awards from the list of 
unfunded applications from this competition, the following application 
requirements apply. In order to receive funding, an applicant must 
submit an application that meets the following requirements:
    (a) State Agency Early Childhood Program Collaboration.
    To be eligible under this program, an SEA must collaborate with the 
State agency responsible for administering early childhood education 
programs and the State agency responsible for administering child care 
programs in the State, as well as, if applicable, the State Advisory 
Council on Early Childhood Education and Care (SAC) designated or 
established pursuant to section 642B(b)(1)(A)(i) of the Head Start Act 
(42 U.S.C. 9837b(b)(1)(A)(i)), in writing and implementing the early 
childhood education portion of the grant application submitted for the 
CLSD program.
    (b) State Needs Assessment.
    To be eligible under this program, an SEA must include a needs 
assessment that analyzes literacy needs across the State and in high-
need schools (as defined in this notice) and local educational agencies 
(LEAs) that serve high-need schools, including identifying the most 
significant gaps in literacy proficiency and inequities in student 
access to effective teachers of literacy, considering each of the 
subgroups of students, as defined in section 1111(c)(2) of the ESEA.
    (c) State Comprehensive Literacy Plan.
    To be eligible under this program, an SEA must include a 
description of how, in collaboration with its State literacy team, if 
applicable, it will develop a State comprehensive literacy instruction 
(as defined in this notice) plan or will revise and update an already 
existing State comprehensive literacy instruction plan.
    (d) State Implementation Plan.
    To be eligible under this program, an SEA must include an 
implementation plan that includes a description of how it will carry 
out the State-level activities.
    (e) Assurances.
    To be eligible under this program, an SEA must include in its 
application the following assurances:
    (1) State Funding Allocations.
    An SEA must assure that it will subgrant not less than 95 percent 
of grant funds to eligible entities (as defined in this notice), based 
on their needs assessment and a competitive application process, for 
comprehensive literacy instruction (as defined in this notice) programs 
according to the funding allocations in Program Requirement (a).
    (2) Serving Low-Income and High-Need Students.
    An SEA must assure that it will give priority in awarding subgrants 
to eligible entities (as defined in this notice) that--
    (i) Serve children from birth through age 5 who are from families 
with income levels at or below 200 percent of the Federal poverty line 
(as defined in this notice); or
    (ii) Are LEAs serving a high number or percentage of high-need 
schools (as defined in this notice).
    (3) Geographic Diversity.
    An SEA must assure that it will provide subgrants to eligible 
entities (as defined in this notice) serving a diversity of geographic 
areas, giving priority to entities serving greater numbers or 
percentages of children from low-income families.
    Program Requirements: These program requirements are from sections 
2222-2225 and 2301 of the ESEA. For FY 2019 and any subsequent year in 
which we make awards from the list of unfunded applications from this 
competition, the following program requirements apply.
    (a) State Funding Allocations.
    (1) Grantees must use not less than 95 percent of grant funds to 
award subgrants to eligible entities (as defined in this notice), based 
on their needs assessment and a competitive application process;
    (2) Grantees must subgrant funds as follows:
    (i) Not less than 15 percent of the funds awarded to subgrantees 
must be used for State and local programs and activities pertaining to 
children from birth through kindergarten entry;
    (ii) Not less than 40 percent of the funds awarded to subgrantees 
must be used for State and local programs and activities, allocated 
equitably among the grades of kindergarten through grade 5; and
    (iii) Not less than 40 percent of the funds awarded to subgrantees 
must be

[[Page 19062]]

used for State and local programs and activities, allocated equitably 
among grades 6 through 12.
    (b) State-Level Activities.
    (1) A grantee may reserve not more than 5 percent of the CLSD funds 
it receives for activities identified through the needs assessment and 
comprehensive literacy plan, including the following activities:
    (i) Providing technical assistance, or engaging qualified providers 
to provide technical assistance, to eligible entities (as defined in 
this notice) to enable the eligible entities to design and implement 
literacy programs.
    (ii) Coordinating with institutions of higher education in the 
State to provide recommendations to strengthen and enhance pre-service 
courses for students preparing to teach children from birth through 
grade 12 in explicit, systematic, and intensive instruction in 
evidence-based (as defined in this notice) literacy methods.
    (iii) Reviewing and updating, in collaboration with teachers and 
institutions of higher education, State licensure or certification 
standards in the area of literacy instruction in early education 
through grade 12.
    (iv) Making publicly available, including on the SEA's website, 
information on promising instructional practices to improve child 
literacy achievement.
    (v) Administering and monitoring the implementation of subgrants by 
eligible entities (as defined in this notice).
    (2) After making awards to subgrantees and carrying out the State-
level activities described in this notice, an SEA may use any remaining 
amount to carry out one or more of the following activities:
    (i) Developing literacy coach training programs and training 
literacy coaches.
    (ii) Administration and evaluation of CLSD activities.
    (3) Consultation requirement.
    A grantee must consult with the State agency responsible for 
administering early childhood education programs, the State agency 
responsible for administering child care programs, and, if applicable, 
the SAC in making and implementing subgrants under the early childhood 
education portion of the CLSD program.
    (d) Requirements that apply to subgrants to eligible entities (as 
defined in this notice) in support of birth through kindergarten entry 
literacy.
    (1) Subgrantee application requirements.
    An eligible entity (as defined in this notice) desiring to receive 
a subgrant under CLSD must submit an application to the SEA, at such 
time, in such manner, and containing such information as the SEA may 
require. Such application must include a description of--
    (i) How the CLSD funds will be used to enhance the language and 
literacy development and school readiness of children, from birth 
through kindergarten entry, in early childhood education programs, 
which must include an analysis of data that support the proposed use of 
CLSD funds;
    (ii) How the CLSD funds will be used to prepare and provide ongoing 
assistance to staff in the programs, including through high-quality 
professional development (as defined in this notice);
    (iii) How the activities assisted with the CLSD funds will be 
coordinated with comprehensive literacy instruction (as defined in this 
notice) at the kindergarten through grade 12 levels; and
    (iv) How the CLSD funds will be used to evaluate the success of the 
activities assisted under the subgrant in enhancing the early language 
and literacy development of children from birth through kindergarten 
entry.
    (2) Priority.
    In awarding subgrants to eligible entities (as defined in this 
notice) in support of birth through kindergarten entry, section 
2222(d)(2)(E)of the ESEA requires that an SEA must provide an assurance 
that it will--
    (i) Give priority to an eligible entity (as defined in this notice) 
that will use CLSD funds to implement evidence-based (as defined in 
this notice) activities; and
    (ii) Give priority to an eligible entity (as defined in this 
notice) that will use CLSD funds to serve children from birth through 
age 5 who are from families with income levels at or below 200 percent 
of the Federal poverty line (as defined in this notice) or is an LEA 
serving a high number or percentage of high-need schools (as defined in 
this notice).
    (3) Duration.
    The term of a subgrant must be determined by the grantee and must 
not exceed five years.
    (4) Sufficient size and scope.
    Each subgrant must be of sufficient size and scope to allow the 
eligible entity (as defined in this notice) to carry out high-quality 
early literacy initiatives for children from birth through kindergarten 
entry.
    (5) Local uses of funds.
    An eligible entity (as defined in this notice) that receives a 
subgrant from the SEA must use the CLSD funds, consistent with the 
entity's approved application, to--
    (i) Carry out high-quality professional development (as defined in 
this notice) opportunities for early childhood educators, teachers, 
principals, other school leaders, paraprofessionals, specialized 
instructional support personnel, and instructional leaders;
    (ii) Train providers and personnel to develop and administer 
evidence-based (as defined in this notice) early childhood education 
literacy initiatives; and
    (iii) Coordinate the involvement of families, early childhood 
education program staff, principals, other school leaders, specialized 
instructional support personnel (as appropriate), and teachers in 
literacy development of children served under CLSD.
    (e) Requirements that apply to subgrants to eligible entities (as 
defined in this notice) in support of kindergarten through grade 12 
literacy.
    (1) Subgrantee application requirements.
    An eligible entity (as defined in this notice) desiring to receive 
a subgrant from the SEA under the CLSD program must submit an 
application to the SEA at such time, in such manner, and containing 
such information as the SEA may require. Such application must include, 
for each school that the eligible entity (as defined in this notice) 
identifies as participating in a CLSD program, the following 
information:
    (i) A description of the eligible entity's (as defined in this 
notice) needs assessment conducted to identify how CLSD funds will be 
used to inform and improve comprehensive literacy instruction (as 
defined in this notice) at the school.
    (ii) How the school, the LEA, or a provider of high-quality 
professional development (as defined in this notice) will provide 
ongoing high-quality professional development to all teachers, 
principals, other school leaders, specialized instructional support 
personnel (as appropriate), and other instructional leaders served by 
the school.
    (iii) How the school will identify children in need of literacy 
interventions or other support services.
    (iv) An explanation of how the school will integrate comprehensive 
literacy instruction (as defined in this notice) into a well-rounded 
education (as defined in this notice).
    (v) A description of how the school will coordinate comprehensive 
literacy instruction (as defined in this notice) with early childhood 
education programs and activities and after-school programs and 
activities in the area served by the LEA.
    (2) Priority.

[[Page 19063]]

    In awarding subgrants to eligible entities (as defined in this 
notice) the SEA must--
    (i) Give priority to an eligible entity (as defined in this notice) 
that will use grant funds to implement evidence-based (as defined in 
this notice) activities; and
    (ii) Give priority to an eligible entity (as defined in this 
notice) that is an LEA serving a high number or percentage of high-need 
schools (as defined in this notice).
    (3) Duration.
    The term of a subgrant must be determined by the grantee and must 
not exceed five years.
    (4) Sufficient size and scope.
    Each subgrant must be of sufficient size and scope to allow the 
eligible entity (as defined in this notice) to carry out high-quality 
comprehensive literacy instruction (as defined in this notice) in each 
grade level for which the CLSD funds are provided.
    (5) Local uses of funds for kindergarten through grade 5.
    An eligible entity (as defined in this notice) that receives a 
subgrant from the SEA under the CLSD program must use the CLSD funds to 
carry out the following activities pertaining to children in 
kindergarten through grade 5:
    (i) Developing and implementing a comprehensive literacy 
instruction (as defined in this notice) plan across content areas for 
such children that--
    (A) Serves the needs of all children, including children with 
disabilities (as defined in this notice) and English learners (as 
defined in this notice), especially children who are reading or writing 
below grade level;
    (B) Provides intensive, supplemental, accelerated, and explicit 
intervention and support in reading and writing for children whose 
literacy skills are below grade level; and
    (C) Supports activities that are provided primarily during the 
regular school day but that may be augmented by after-school and out-
of-school time instruction.
    (ii) Providing high-quality professional development (as defined in 
this notice) opportunities for teachers, literacy coaches, literacy 
specialists, English as a second language specialists (as appropriate), 
principals, other school leaders, specialized instructional support 
personnel, school librarians, paraprofessionals, and other program 
staff.
    (iii) Training principals, specialized instructional support 
personnel, and other LEA personnel to support, develop, administer, and 
evaluate high-quality kindergarten through grade 5 literacy 
initiatives.
    (iv) Coordinating the involvement of early childhood education 
program staff, principals, other instructional leaders, teachers, 
teacher literacy teams, English as a second language specialists (as 
appropriate), special educators, school personnel, and specialized 
instructional support personnel (as appropriate) in the literacy 
development of children served.
    (v) Engaging families and encouraging family literacy experiences 
and practices to support literacy development.
    (6) Local uses of funds for grades 6 through 12.
    An eligible entity (as defined in this notice) that receives a 
subgrant from the SEA under CLSD must use CLSD funds to carry out the 
following activities pertaining to children in grades 6 through 12:
    (i) Developing and implementing a comprehensive literacy 
instruction (as defined in this notice) plan across content areas for 
such children that--
    (A) Serves the needs of all children, including children with 
disabilities (as defined in this notice) and English learners (as 
defined in this notice), especially children who are reading or writing 
below grade level;
    (B) Provides intensive, supplemental, accelerated, and explicit 
intervention and support in reading and writing for children whose 
literacy skills are below grade level; and
    (C) Supports activities that are provided primarily during the 
regular school day but that may be augmented by after-school and out-
of-school time instruction.
    (ii) Training principals, specialized instructional support 
personnel, school librarians, and other LEA personnel to support, 
develop, administer, and evaluate high-quality comprehensive literacy 
instruction (as defined in this notice) initiatives for grades 6 
through 12.
    (iii) Assessing the quality of adolescent comprehensive literacy 
instruction (as defined in this notice) as part of a well-rounded 
education (as defined in this notice).
    (iv) Providing time for teachers to meet to plan evidence-based (as 
defined in this notice) adolescent comprehensive literacy instruction 
(as defined in this notice) to be delivered as part of a well-rounded 
education (as defined in this notice).
    (v) Coordinating the involvement of principals, other instructional 
leaders, teachers, teacher literacy teams, English as a second language 
specialists (as appropriate), paraprofessionals, special educators, 
specialized instructional support personnel (as appropriate), and 
school personnel in the literacy development of children served.
    (7) Additional local allowable uses of funds for kindergarten 
through grade 12.
    An eligible entity that receives a subgrant from an SEA under CLSD 
may, in addition to carrying out the activities described in paragraphs 
5 and 6 of this requirement, use subgrant funds to carry out the 
following activities pertaining to children in kindergarten through 
grade 12:
    (i) Recruiting, placing, training, and compensating literacy 
coaches.
    (ii) Connecting out-of-school learning opportunities to in-school 
learning in order to improve children's literacy achievement.
    (iii) Training families and caregivers to support the improvement 
of adolescent literacy.
    (iv) Providing for a multi-tier system of supports for literacy 
services.
    (v) Forming a school literacy leadership team to help implement, 
assess, and identify necessary changes to the literacy initiatives in 1 
or more schools to ensure success.
    (vi) Providing time for teachers (and other literacy staff, as 
appropriate, such as school librarians or specialized instructional 
support personnel) to meet to plan comprehensive literacy instruction 
(as defined in this notice).
    (e) Supplement not supplant.
    Grantees must use CLSD funds to supplement, and not supplant, non-
Federal funds that would otherwise be used for activities authorized 
under the CLSD program.
    (f) Cooperation with national evaluation.
    Grantees must cooperate with a national evaluation of the CLSD 
program (34 CFR 75.591). The evaluation will include high-quality 
research that applies rigorous and systematic procedures to obtain 
valid knowledge relevant to the implementation and effect of the CLSD 
program. The evaluation will directly coordinate with individual State 
evaluations of the CLSD program implementation.
    Definitions: These definitions are from sections 2221 and 8101 of 
the ESEA, as amended, and the Supplemental Priorities.
    Children or students with disabilities means children with 
disabilities as defined in the Individuals with Disabilities Education 
Act (IDEA), which is--
    (a) A child--
    (i) With intellectual disabilities, hearing impairments (including

[[Page 19064]]

deafness), speech or language impairments, visual impairments 
(including blindness), serious emotional disturbance (referred to in 
the IDEA as ``emotional disturbance''), orthopedic impairments, autism, 
traumatic brain injury, other health impairments, or specific learning 
disabilities; and
    (ii) Who, by reason thereof, needs special education and related 
services.
    (b) The term ``child with a disability'' for a child aged 3 through 
9 (or any subset of that age range, including ages three through five), 
may, at the discretion of the State and the local educational agency, 
include a child--
    (i) Experiencing developmental delays, as defined by the State and 
as measured by appropriate diagnostic instruments and procedures, in 
one or more of the following areas: Physical development; cognitive 
development; communication development; social or emotional 
development; or adaptive development; and
    (ii) Who, by reason thereof, needs special education and related 
services.
    Comprehensive literacy instruction means instruction that--
    (a) Includes developmentally appropriate, contextually explicit, 
and systematic instruction, and frequent practice, in reading and 
writing across content areas;
    (b) Includes age-appropriate, explicit, systematic and intentional 
instruction in phonological awareness, phonic decoding, vocabulary, 
language structure, reading fluency, and reading comprehension;
    (c) Includes age-appropriate, explicit instruction in writing, 
including opportunities for children to write with clear purposes, with 
critical reasoning appropriate to the topic and purpose, and with 
specific instruction and feedback from instructional staff;
    (d) Makes available and uses diverse, high-quality print materials 
that reflect the reading and development levels, and interests, of 
children;
    (e) Uses differentiated instructional approaches, including 
individual and small group instruction and discussion;
    (f) Provides opportunities for children to use language with peers 
and adults in order to develop language skills, including developing 
vocabulary;
    (g) Includes frequent practice of reading and writing strategies;
    (h) Uses age-appropriate, valid, and reliable screening 
assessments, diagnostic assessments, formative assessment processes, 
and summative assessments to identify a child's learning needs, to 
inform instruction, and to monitor the child's progress and the effects 
of instruction;
    (i) Uses strategies to enhance children's motivation to read and 
write and children's engagement in self-directed learning;
    (j) Incorporates the principles of universal design for learning;
    (k) Depends on teachers' collaboration in planning, instruction, 
and assessing a child's progress and on continuous professional 
learning; and
    (l) Links literacy instruction to the challenging State academic 
standards, including the ability to navigate, understand, and write 
about, complex print and digital subject matter.
    Educational choice means the opportunity for a child or student (or 
a family member on their behalf) to create a high-quality personalized 
path for learning that is consistent with applicable Federal, State, 
and local laws; is in an educational setting that best meets the 
child's or student's needs; and, where possible, incorporates evidence-
based activities, strategies, or interventions. Opportunities made 
available to a student through a grant program are those that 
supplement what is provided by a child's or student's geographically 
assigned school or the institution in which he or she is currently 
enrolled and may include one or more of the options listed below:
    (1) Public educational programs or courses including those offered 
by traditional public schools, public charter schools, public magnet 
schools, public online education providers, or other public education 
providers.
    (2) Internships, apprenticeships, or other programs offering access 
to learning in the workplace.
    (3) Dual or concurrent enrollment programs or early college high 
schools (as defined in section 8101(15) and (17) of the ESEA), or other 
programs that enable secondary school students to begin earning credit 
toward a postsecondary degree or credential prior to high school 
graduation.
    (4) Other educational services including credit-recovery, 
accelerated learning, or tutoring.
    Eligible entity means an entity that consists of--
    (a) One or more LEAs that serve a high percentage of high-need 
schools and--
    (1) Have the highest number or proportion of children who are 
counted under section 1124(c) of the ESEA, in comparison to other LEAs 
in the State;
    (2) Are among the LEAs in the State with the highest number or 
percentages of children reading or writing below grade level, based on 
the most currently available State academic assessment data under 
section 1111(b)(2) of the ESEA; or
    (3) Serve a significant number or percentage of schools that are 
implementing comprehensive support and improvement activities and 
targeted support and improvement activities under section 1111(d) of 
the ESEA;
    (b) One or more early childhood education programs serving low-
income or otherwise disadvantaged children, which may include home-
based literacy programs for pre-school-aged children, that have a 
demonstrated record of providing comprehensive literacy instruction for 
the age group such program proposes to serve; or
    (c) An LEA, described in paragraph (a), or consortium of such LEAs, 
or an early childhood education program, which may include home-based 
literacy programs for preschool-aged children, acting in partnership 
with one or more public or private nonprofit organizations or agencies 
(which may include early childhood education programs) that have a 
demonstrated record of effectiveness in--
    (1) Improving literacy achievement of children, consistent with the 
purposes of participation under the CLSD program, from birth through 
grade 12; and
    (2) Providing professional development in comprehensive literacy 
instruction.
    English learner means an individual--
    (a) Who is aged 3 through 21;
    (b) Who is enrolled or preparing to enroll in an elementary school 
or secondary school;
    (c)(i) Who was not born in the United States or whose native 
language is a language other than English;
    (ii)(I) Who is a Native American or Alaska Native, or a native 
resident of the outlying areas; and
    (II) Who comes from an environment where a language other than 
English has had a significant impact on the individual's level of 
English language proficiency; or
    (iii) Who is migratory, whose native language is a language other 
than English, and who comes from an environment where a language other 
than English is dominant; and
    (d) Whose difficulties in speaking, reading, writing, or 
understanding the English language may be sufficient to deny the 
individual--
    (i) The ability to meet the challenging State academic standards;
    (ii) The ability to successfully achieve in classrooms where the 
language of instruction is English; or
    (iii) The opportunity to participate fully in society.
    Evidence-based, when used with respect to a State, LEA, or school 
activity, means an activity, strategy, or

[[Page 19065]]

intervention that demonstrates a statistically significant effect on 
improving student outcomes or other relevant outcomes based on--
    (a) Strong evidence from at least one-well designed and well-
implemented experimental study;
    (b) Moderate evidence from at least one well-designed and well-
implemented quasi-experimental study; or
    (c) Promising evidence from at least one well-designed and well-
implemented correlational study with statistical controls for selection 
bias.
    High-need school means--
    (a)(i) An elementary school or middle school in which not less than 
50 percent of the enrolled students are children from low-income 
families; or
    (ii) A high school in which not less than 40 percent of the 
enrolled students are children from low-income families, which may be 
calculated using comparable data from the schools that feed into the 
high school.
    (b) For the purposes of subparagraph (a) of this definition, the 
term ``low-income family'' means a family--
    (i) In which the children are eligible for a free or reduced-price 
lunch under the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 
1751 et seq.);
    (ii) Receiving assistance under the program of block grants to 
States for temporary assistance for needy families established under 
part A of title IV of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 601 et seq.); 
or
    (iii) In which the children are eligible to receive medical 
assistance under the Medicaid program under title XIX of the Social 
Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1396 et seq.).
    Poverty line means the poverty line (as defined by the Office of 
Management and Budget and revised annually in accordance with section 
673(2) of the Community Services Block Grant Act) applicable to a 
family of the size involved.
    Professional development means activities that--
    (a) Are an integral part of school and LEA strategies for providing 
educators (including teachers, principals, other school leaders, 
specialized instructional support personnel, paraprofessionals, and, as 
applicable, early childhood educators) with the knowledge and skills 
necessary to enable students to succeed in a well-rounded education (as 
defined in this notice) and to meet the challenging State academic 
standards; and
    (b) Are sustained (not stand-alone, one-day, or short term 
workshops), intensive, collaborative, job-embedded, data-driven, and 
classroom-focused, and may include activities that--
    (1) Improve and increase teachers--
    (i) Knowledge of the academic subjects the teachers teach;
    (ii) Understanding of how students learn; or
    (iii) Ability to analyze student work and achievement from multiple 
sources, including how to adjust instructional strategies, assessments, 
and materials based on such analysis;
    (2) Are an integral part of broad schoolwide and districtwide 
educational improvement plans;
    (3) Allow personalized plans for each educator to address the 
educator's specific needs identified in observation or other feedback;
    (4) Improve classroom management skills;
    (5) Support the recruitment, hiring, and training of effective 
teachers, including teachers who became certified through State and 
local alternative routes to certification;
    (6) Advance teacher understanding of--
    (i) Effective instructional strategies that are evidence-based (as 
defined in this notice); or
    (ii) Strategies for improving student academic achievement or 
substantially increasing the knowledge and teaching skills of teachers;
    (7) Are aligned with, and directly related to, academic goals of 
the school or LEA;
    (8) Are developed with extensive participation of teachers, 
principals, other school leaders, parents, representatives of Indian 
tribes (as applicable), and administrators of schools to be served 
under this program;
    (9) Are designed to give teachers of English learners (as defined 
in this notice), and other teachers and instructional staff, the 
knowledge and skills to provide instruction and appropriate language 
and academic support services to those children, including the 
appropriate use of curricula and assessments;
    (10) To the extent appropriate, provide training for teachers, 
principals, and other school and community-based early childhood 
program leaders in the use of technology (including education about the 
harms of copyright piracy), so that technology and technology 
applications are effectively used in the classroom to improve teaching 
and learning in the curricula and academic subjects in which the 
teachers teach;
    (11) As a whole, are regularly evaluated for their impact on 
teacher effectiveness and student academic achievement, with the 
findings of the evaluations used to improve the quality of professional 
development;
    (12) Are designed to give teachers of children with disabilities 
(as defined in this notice) or children with developmental delays, and 
other teachers and instructional staff, the knowledge and skills to 
provide instruction and academic support services to those children, 
including positive behavioral interventions and supports, multi-tier 
system of supports, and use of accommodations;
    (13) Include instruction in the use of data and assessments to 
inform classroom practice;
    (14) Include instruction in ways that teachers, principals, other 
school leaders, specialized instructional support personnel, and school 
administrators may work more effectively with parents and families;
    (15) Involve the forming of partnerships with institutions of 
higher education, including, as applicable, Tribal Colleges and 
Universities as defined in section 316(b) of the HEA (20 U.S.C. 
1059c(b)), to establish school-based teacher, principal, and other 
school leader training programs that provide prospective teachers, 
novice teachers, principals, and other school leaders with an 
opportunity to work under the guidance of experienced teachers, 
principals, other school leaders, and faculty of such institutions;
    (16) Create programs to enable paraprofessionals (assisting 
teachers employed by an LEA receiving assistance under part A of title 
I) to obtain the education necessary for those paraprofessionals to 
become certified and licensed teachers;
    (17) Provide follow-up training to teachers who have participated 
in activities described in this paragraph that are designed to ensure 
that the knowledge and skills learned by the teachers are implemented 
in the classroom; or
    (18) Where practicable, provide for school staff and other early 
childhood education program providers to address jointly the transition 
to elementary school, including issues related to school readiness.
    Rural local educational agency means an LEA that is eligible under 
the Small Rural School Achievement (SRSA) program or the Rural and Low-
Income School (RLIS) program authorized under Title V, Part B of the 
ESEA. Eligible applicants may determine whether a particular district 
is eligible for these programs by referring to information on the 
Department's website at www2.ed.gov/nclb/freedom/local/reap.html.
    Well-rounded education means courses, activities, and programming 
in subjects such as English, reading or

[[Page 19066]]

language arts, writing, science, technology, engineering, mathematics, 
foreign languages, civics and government, economics, arts, history, 
geography, computer science, music, career and technical education, 
health, physical education, and any other subject, as determined by the 
State or LEA, with the purpose of providing all students access to an 
enriched curriculum and educational experience.

    Program Authority: Sections 2221-2225 of the Elementary and 
Secondary Education Act of 1965, as amended by the Every Student 
Succeeds Act (Pub. L. 115-224).

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

II. Award Information

    Type of Award: Discretionary grants.
    Estimated Available Funds: $190,000,000.
    Contingent upon the availability of funds and the quality of 
applications, we may make additional awards in subsequent years from 
the list of unfunded applications from this competition.
    Estimated Range of Awards: $19,000,000 to $38,000,000.
    Estimated Average Size of Awards: $29,000,000.
    Estimated Number of Awards: 5-10.

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

    Project Period: 60 months.

III. Eligibility Information

    1. Eligible Applicants: SEAs of the 50 States, the District of 
Columbia, and Puerto Rico (referred to in this notice as State).
    2.a. Cost Sharing or Matching: This program does not require cost 
sharing or matching.
    b. Supplement-Not-Supplant: This program involves supplement-not-
supplant funding requirements.
    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 eligible entities (as 
defined in this notice).
    The grantee must award subgrants to entities it selects through a 
competition under procedures established by the grantee.

IV. Application and Submission Information

    1. Application Submission Instructions: For information and 
requirements 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 13, 2019 
(84 FR 3768) and available at https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2019-02-13/pdf/2019-02206.pdf, which contain requirements and 
information on how to submit an application.
    2. Submission of Proprietary Information: Given the types of 
projects that may be proposed in applications for the CLSD program, an 
application may include business information that the applicant 
considers proprietary. In 34 CFR 5.11, we define ``business 
information'' and describe the process we use in determining whether 
any of that information is proprietary and, thus, protected from 
disclosure under Exemption 4 of the Freedom of Information Act (5 
U.S.C. 552, as amended).
    Because we plan to make successful applications available to the 
public, you may wish to request confidentiality of business 
information.
    Consistent with Executive Order 12600, please designate in your 
application any information that you believe is exempt from disclosure 
under Exemption 4. In the appropriate Appendix section of your 
application, under ``Other Attachments Form,'' please list the page 
number or numbers on which we can find this information. For additional 
information please see 34 CFR 5.11(c).
    3. 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.
    4. Funding Restrictions: We reference regulations outlining funding 
restrictions in the Applicable Regulations section of this notice.
    5. Recommended Page Limit: The application narrative is where you, 
the applicant, address the selection criteria that reviewers use to 
evaluate your application. We recommend you (1) limit the application 
narrative to no more than 30 pages and (2) use the following standards:
     A ``page'' is 8.5'' x 11'', on one side only, with 1'' 
margins at the top, bottom, and both sides.
     Double space (no more than three lines per vertical inch) 
all text in the application narrative, including titles, headings, 
footnotes, quotations, references, and captions, as well as all text in 
charts, tables, figures and graphs
     Use a font that is either 12 point or larger or no smaller 
than 10 pitch (characters per inch).
     Use one of the following fonts: Times New Roman, Courier, 
Courier New, or Arial.
    The recommended page limit does not apply to the cover sheet; the 
budget section, including the narrative budget justification; the 
assurances and certifications; or the one-page abstract, resumes, 
bibliography, or letters of support. However, the recommended page 
limit does apply to all of the application narrative section.

V. Application Review Information

    1. Selection Criteria: The selection criteria for this competition 
are from 34 CFR 75.210. The maximum score for all selection criteria is 
100. The maximum possible score for each selection criterion is 
indicated in parentheses. The selection criteria for this competition 
are as follows:
    (a) Need for project (15 points).
    The Secretary considers the need for the proposed project. In 
determining the need for the proposed project, the Secretary considers 
the extent to which specific gaps or weaknesses in services, 
infrastructure, or opportunities have been identified and will be 
addressed by the proposed project, including the nature and magnitude 
of those gaps or weaknesses.
    (b) Quality of the project design (25 points).
    The Secretary considers the quality of the design of the proposed 
project. In determining the quality of the design of the proposed 
project, the Secretary considers the following factors:
    (1) The extent to which the goals, objectives, and outcomes to be 
achieved by the proposed project are clearly specified and measurable.
    (2) The extent to which performance feedback and continuous 
improvement are integral to the design of the proposed project.
    (c) Quality of the management plan (25 points).
    The Secretary considers the quality of the management plan for the 
proposed project. In determining the quality of the management plan for 
the proposed project, the Secretary considers:

[[Page 19067]]

    (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.
    (2) The adequacy of procedures for ensuring feedback and continuous 
improvement in the operation of the proposed project.
    (d) Quality of project services (35 points).
    The Secretary considers the quality of the project services to be 
provided by the proposed project. In determining the quality of project 
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. In addition, the 
Secretary considers:
    (1) The likely impact of the services to be provided by the 
proposed project on the intended recipients of those services; and
    (2) The extent to which the training or professional development 
services to be provided by the proposed project are of sufficient 
quality, intensity, and duration to lead to improvements in practice 
among the recipients of those services.
    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 program 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 
$250,000), 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 (APR) 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: The Department has established the 
following Government Performance and Results Act of 1993 performance 
measures for the CLSD program:
    (1) The percentage of participating four-year-old children who 
achieve significant gains in oral language skills, as determined by a 
State-approved measure.
    (2) The percentage of participating fifth-grade students who meet 
or exceed proficiency on State reading/language arts assessments under 
section 1111(b)(2)(B)(v)(I) of the ESEA.
    (3) The percentage of participating eighth-grade students who meet 
or

[[Page 19068]]

exceed proficiency on State reading/language arts assessments under 
section 1111(b)(2)(B)(v)(I) of the ESEA.
    (4) The percentage of participating high school students who meet 
or exceed proficiency on State reading/language arts assessments under 
section 1111(b)(2)(B)(v)(I) of the ESEA.
    All grantees will be expected to submit an APR that includes data 
addressing these performance measures to the extent that they apply to 
the grantee's project. Performance targets will be established by each 
grantee and must be made for each year of the five-year performance 
period.
    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 at www.govinfo.gov. 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.

Frank Brogan,
Assistant Secretary of the Office of Elementary and Secondary 
Education.
[FR Doc. 2019-09055 Filed 5-2-19; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4000-01-P