[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 41 (Thursday, March 4, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 12664-12665]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-04491]


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DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION


Withdrawal of Notice Inviting Applications and Cancellation of 
the Competition for the Equity Assistance Centers Program

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

ACTION: Notice; withdrawal.

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SUMMARY: The U.S. Department of Education (Department) withdraws the 
notice inviting applications (NIA) and cancels the competition for 
fiscal year (FY) 2021 for the Equity Assistance Centers (EAC) program 
under Assistance Listing number (ALN) 84.004D. The Department intends 
to announce a new competition in FY 2022.

DATES: The notice published at 86 FR 2653 on January 13, 2021, is 
withdrawn and the competition canceled as of March 4, 2021.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ed Vitelli, U.S. Department of 
Education, 400 Maryland Avenue SW, Room 3E106, Washington, DC 20202. 
Telephone: 202-453-6203. 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:

Background

    The EAC program is authorized under Title IV of the Civil Rights 
Act of 1964, 42 U.S.C. 2000c--2000c-2, 2000c-5, and the implementing 
regulations in 34 CFR part 270. This program awards grants through 
cooperative agreements to operate regional EACs that provide technical 
assistance (including training) at the request of school boards and 
other responsible governmental agencies in the preparation, adoption, 
and implementation of plans for the desegregation of public schools--
which in this context means plans for equity (including desegregation 
based on race, national origin, sex, and religion)--and in the 
development of effective methods of coping with special educational 
problems occasioned by desegregation. Desegregation assistance, per 34 
CFR 270.4, may include, among other activities: (1) Dissemination of 
information regarding effective methods of coping with special 
educational problems occasioned by desegregation; (2) assistance and 
advice in coping with these problems; and (3) training designed to 
improve the ability of teachers, supervisors, counselors, parents, 
community members, community organizations, and other elementary or 
secondary school personnel to deal effectively with special educational 
problems occasioned by desegregation. A project must provide technical 
assistance in all four of the desegregation assistance areas: Race, 
sex, national origin, and religion desegregation.
    On January 13, 2021, the Department published in the Federal 
Register (86 FR 2653) an NIA for the FY 2021 EAC competition, ALN 
84.004D.
    On January 20, 2021, President Joseph R. Biden signed Executive 
Order 13985, titled ``Advancing Racial Equity and Support for 
Underserved Communities Through the Federal Government.'' This 
Executive order directed the Federal Government to pursue a 
comprehensive approach to advancing equity for all, including people of 
color and others who have been historically underserved, marginalized, 
and adversely affected by persistent poverty and inequality.
    On January 20, 2021, President Biden also signed Executive Order 
13988, titled ``Preventing and Combating Discrimination on the Basis of 
Gender Identity or Sexual Orientation.'' This Executive order directed 
the Federal Government to prevent and combat discrimination on the 
basis of gender identity or sexual orientation, and to fully enforce 
laws that prohibit discrimination on the basis of gender identity or 
sexual orientation.
    On February 2, 2021, President Biden signed Executive Order 14012, 
titled ``Restoring Faith in Our Legal Immigration Systems and 
Strengthening Integration and Inclusion Efforts for New Americans.'' 
This Executive order directed the Federal Government to ensure that 
laws and policies encourage full participation by immigrants, including 
refugees, in our civic life; that immigration processes and other 
benefits are delivered effectively and efficiently; and that the 
Federal Government eliminates sources of fear and other barriers that 
prevent immigrants from accessing government services available to 
them.
    To allow the Department the opportunity to consider how best to 
align the EAC program with these Executive orders, to the extent 
statutorily permitted, the Department is withdrawing the NIA and 
cancelling this competition. The Department will propose to extend the 
project period for current grantees to ensure the continuity of the 
important services provided under the program. The Department intends 
to announce a new EAC competition for five-year grants in FY 2022.

Intergovernmental Review

    This program is subject to Executive Order 12372 and the 
regulations in 34 CFR part 79.
    Accessible Format: On request to the program contact person listed 
under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT, individuals with disabilities 
can obtain this document in an accessible format. The Department will 
provide the requestor with an accessible format that may include Rich 
Text Format (RTF) or text format (txt), a thumb drive, an MP3 file, 
braille, large print, audiotape, or compact disc, or other accessible 
format.
    Electronic Access to This Document: The official version of this 
document is the document published in the Federal

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Register. You may access the official edition of the Federal Register 
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which is available free at the site.
    You may also access documents of the Department published in the 
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feature at this site, you can limit your search to documents published 
by the Department.

Mark Washington,
Deputy Assistant Secretary, Office of Elementary and Secondary 
Education.
[FR Doc. 2021-04491 Filed 3-3-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4000-01-P