[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 66 (Thursday, April 8, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 18269-18279]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-07261]


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

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION


Applications for New Awards; Personnel Development To Improve 
Services and Results for Children With Disabilities--Preparation of 
Special Education, Early Intervention, and Related Services Leadership 
Personnel

AGENCY: Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services, 
Department of Education.

ACTION: Notice.

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

SUMMARY: The Department of Education (Department) is issuing a notice 
inviting applications for new awards for fiscal year (FY) 2021 for 
Personnel Development to Improve Services and Results for Children with 
Disabilities--Preparation of Special Education, Early Intervention, and 
Related Services Leadership Personnel, Assistance Listing Number 
84.325D. This notice relates to the approved information collection 
under OMB control number 1820-0028.

DATES: 
    Applications Available: April 8, 2021.
    Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: June 7, 2021.
    Deadline for Intergovernmental Review: August 6, 2021.
    Pre-Application Webinar Information: No later than April 13, 2021, 
the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS) 
will post pre-recorded informational webinars designed to provide 
technical assistance to interested applicants. The webinars may be 
found at www2.ed.gov/fund/grant/apply/osep/new-osep-grants.html.

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: Celia Rosenquist, U.S. Department of 
Education, 400 Maryland Avenue SW, Room 5158, Potomac Center Plaza, 
Washington, DC 20202-5076. Telephone: (202) 245-7373. 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 purposes of this program are to (1) help 
address State-identified needs for personnel preparation in special 
education, early intervention, related services, and regular education 
to work with children, including infants and toddlers, with 
disabilities; and (2) ensure that those personnel have the necessary 
skills and knowledge, derived from practices that have been determined 
through scientifically based research and experience, to be successful 
in serving those children.
    Priorities: This competition includes two absolute priorities and 
two competitive preference priorities. In accordance with 34 CFR 
75.105(b)(2)(v), the absolute priorities and competitive preference 
priorities are from allowable activities specified in the statute (see 
sections 662 and 681 of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act 
(IDEA); 20 U.S.C. 1462 and 1481).
    Absolute Priorities: For FY 2021 and any subsequent year in which 
we make awards from the list of unfunded applications from this 
competition, these priorities are absolute priorities. Under 34 CFR 
75.105(c)(3), we consider only applications that meet either Absolute 
Priority 1 or Absolute Priority 2. Applicants may apply under both 
absolute priorities but must submit separate applications if they do 
so.
    These priorities are:
    Absolute Priority 1--Preparation of Special Education, Early 
Intervention, and Related Services Faculty.
    Background:
    The purpose of this priority is to support existing doctoral degree 
programs that prepare special education, early intervention, and 
related services personnel who are well-qualified for, and can act 
effectively in, leadership positions as researchers and preparers of 
special education, early intervention, and related services personnel 
in institutions of higher education (IHEs). There is a well-documented 
need for leadership personnel to fill faculty positions within IHEs in 
special education, early intervention, and related services (Castillo 
et al., 2014; Montrosse & Young, 2012; Robb et al., 2012; Smith et al., 
2011; Smith et al., 2010; Woods & Snyder, 2009). These leaders conduct

[[Page 18270]]

research to increase the knowledge of effective interventions and 
services for children, including infants and toddlers, and youth with 
disabilities. These leaders also teach practices supported by evidence 
to future special education, early intervention, related services, and 
regular education professionals who will work in a variety of 
educational settings and provide services directly to these children 
(deBettencourt et al., 2016; Robb et al., 2012; Smith et al., 2010; 
West & Hardman, 2012). Shortages in these leadership positions limit 
the field's capacity to generate new knowledge of effective 
interventions and to prepare future professionals to improve outcomes 
for children with disabilities (Smith et al., 2011).
    Leadership personnel in IHEs play an essential role in promoting 
high expectations for each child with a disability and provide, or 
prepare others to provide, effective interventions and services that 
improve outcomes for children, including infants, toddlers, and youth 
with disabilities. In addition to preparing future special education, 
early intervention, related services, and regular education 
professionals, future faculty at IHEs will also play a critical role in 
attracting diverse and qualilifed individuals to the teaching 
profession and in providing future educators in preparation programs 
with experiences in various roles in the field that would provide them 
with practical knowledge and resources for their future career in 
education (Billingsley et al., 2020; Brownell et al., 2020). Critical 
competencies for special education, early intervention, and related 
services faculty vary depending on the type and the requirements of the 
preparation program but can include, for example, skills needed for 
postsecondary instruction, research, administration, policy 
development, professional practice, the use of technologies to support 
in-person and remote teaching and student learning, and leadership. 
However, all leadership personnel need to promote high expectations and 
have current knowledge of effective interventions and services that 
improve outcomes for children with disabilities, including high-need 
children with disabilities. This knowledge should be applicable to 
children served in a variety of educational settings (e.g., urban or 
rural public schools, including charter schools) or early childhood and 
early intervention settings (e.g., home, community-based, Early Head 
Start and Head Start, child care, or public and private preschools). 
The interventions and services must include those that improve early 
childhood, educational, and employment outcomes.
    Priority:
    The purpose of this priority is to support existing doctoral degree 
programs that prepare special education, early intervention, and 
related services personnel at the doctoral degree level who are well 
qualified for, and can act effectively in, faculty positions in IHEs as 
researchers and preparers of personnel.
    This priority will provide support to help address identified needs 
for personnel with the knowledge and skills to establish and meet high 
expectations for each child with a disability. Programs must culminate 
in a doctoral degree, which may include a Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) 
degree. Applicants must plan to recruit and enroll the proposed number 
of scholars in the application within the first 12 months of the 
project period or demonstrate that scholars enrolled after the first 12 
months can complete the program by the end of the proposed project 
period.

    Note: Project periods under this priority may be up to 60 
months. Projects should be designed to ensure that all proposed 
scholars successfully complete the program within 60 months of the 
start of the project. The Secretary may reduce continuation awards 
for any project in which scholars are not on track to complete the 
program by the end of that period.

    To be considered for funding under this absolute priority, program 
applicants must meet the application requirements contained in the 
priority. All projects funded under this absolute priority also must 
meet the programmatic and administrative requirements specified in the 
priority.

    Note:  Preparation programs that lead to clinical doctoral 
degrees in related services (e.g., a Doctor of Audiology degree or 
Doctor of Physical Therapy degree) are not included in this 
priority. These types of preparation programs are eligible to apply 
for funding under the Personnel Preparation in Special Education, 
Early Intervention, and Related Services priority (84.325K) that the 
Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) intends to fund in FY 
2021.

    To meet the requirements of this priority, an applicant must--
    (a) Demonstrate, in the narrative section of the application under 
``Significance,'' how--
    (1) The project addresses the need for leadership personnel to 
promote high expectations and provide, or prepare others to provide, 
effective interventions and services that improve outcomes for children 
with disabilities, including high-need children with disabilities.\1\ 
To address this requirement, the applicant must present--
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ For purposes of this priority, ``high-need children with 
disabilities'' refers to children or students (ages birth through 
21, depending on the State) who are eligible for services under 
IDEA, and who may be at risk of educational failure or otherwise in 
need of special assistance or support because they: (1) Are living 
in poverty, (2) are English learners, (3) are academically far below 
grade level, (4) have left school before receiving a regular high 
school diploma, (5) are at risk of not graduating with a regular 
high school diploma on time, (6) are homeless, (7) are in foster 
care, or (8) have been incarcerated.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (i) Appropriate and applicable data (e.g., national, State) 
demonstrating the need for the leadership personnel the applicant 
proposes to prepare; and
    (ii) Data demonstrating the success of the doctoral program to date 
in producing faculty in special education, early intervention, or 
related services, such as: The professional accomplishments of program 
graduates (e.g., public service, awards, or publications) that 
demonstrate their leadership in special education, early intervention, 
or related services; the average amount of time it takes for program 
graduates to complete the program; the number of program graduates and 
the percentage of scholars who enroll who graduate; and the percentage 
of program graduates finding employment directly related to their 
preparation; and

    Note: Data on the success of a doctoral program should be no 
older than five years prior to the start date of the project 
proposed in the application. When reporting percentages, the 
denominator (i.e., the total number of scholars or program 
graduates) must be provided.

    (2) Scholar competencies to be acquired in the program relate to 
knowledge and skills needed by the leadership personnel the applicant 
proposes to prepare. To address this requirement, the applicant must--
    (i) Identify the competencies needed by leadership personnel in 
order to provide, or prepare others to provide, effective interventions 
and services, including through distance education, that improve 
outcomes for children with disabilities, including high-need children 
with disabilities; and
    (ii) Provide the conceptual framework of the leadership preparation 
program, including any empirical support, that will promote the 
acquisition of the identified competencies needed by leadership 
personnel.
    (b) Demonstrate, in the narrative section of the application under 
``Quality of project services,'' how--
    (1) The applicant will recruit and retain high-quality scholars \2\

[[Page 18271]]

participating in the project and ensure 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. To meet this requirement, the 
narrative must describe--
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \2\ For the purposes of this priority, ``scholar'' is limited to 
an individual who (a) is pursuing a doctoral degree related to 
special education, early intervention, or related services; (b) 
receives scholarship assistance as authorized under section 662 of 
IDEA (34 CFR 304.3(g)); and (c) will be able to be employed in a 
position that serves children with disabilities for at least 51 
percent of their time or case load. See https://pdp.ed.gov/OSEP/Home/Regulation for more information.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (i) The selection criteria the applicant will use to identify high-
quality applicants for admission in the program;
    (ii) The recruitment strategies the applicant will use to attract 
high-quality applicants, including specific recruitment strategies 
targeting high-quality applicants from traditionally underrepresented 
groups, including underrepresented people of color, individuals with 
disabilities, and nontraditional scholars (e.g., returning military); 
and
    (iii) The approach the applicant will use to help all scholars, 
including individuals with disabilities, complete the program within 
the proposed project period; and
    (2) The project is designed to promote the acquisition of the 
competencies needed by leadership personnel to promote high 
expectations and provide, or prepare others to provide, effective 
interventions and services that improve outcomes for children with 
disabilities, including high-need children with disabilities. To 
address this requirement, the applicant must--
    (i) Describe how the components of the project, such as coursework, 
internship experiences, research requirements, and other opportunities 
provided to scholars, will enable the scholars to acquire the 
competencies needed by leadership personnel the applicant proposes to 
prepare;
    (ii) Describe how the components of the project are integrated in 
order to support the acquisition and enhancement of the identified 
competencies needed by leadership personnel the applicant proposes to 
prepare;
    (iii) Describe how the components of the project prepare scholars 
to promote high expectations and to provide, or prepare others to 
provide, effective interventions and services that improve outcomes for 
children with disabilities, including high-need children with 
disabilities, in a variety of educational or early childhood and early 
intervention settings, including in-person and remote settings;
    (iv) Demonstrate, through a letter of support from a public, 
parochial, or private partnering agency, school, or program, that it 
will provide scholars with a high-quality internship experience in a 
high-need local educational agency (LEA),\3\ a high-poverty school,\4\ 
a school implementing a comprehensive support and improvement plan,\5\ 
a school implementing a targeted support and improvement plan \6\ for 
children with disabilities, a State educational agency (SEA), an early 
childhood and early intervention program located within the 
geographical boundaries of a high-need LEA, or an early childhood and 
early intervention program located within the geographical boundaries 
of an LEA serving the highest percentage of schools identified for 
comprehensive support and improvement or implementing targeted support 
and improvement plans in the State;
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \3\ For the purposes of this priority, ``high-need LEA'' means 
an LEA (a) that serves not fewer than 10,000 children from families 
with incomes below the poverty line; or (b) for which not less than 
20 percent of the children served by the LEA are from families with 
incomes below the poverty line.
    \4\ For the purposes of this priority, ``high-poverty school'' 
means a school in which at least 50 percent of students are from 
low-income families as determined using one of the measures of 
poverty specified under section 1113(a)(5) of the Elementary and 
Secondary Education Act of 1965, as amended (ESEA). For middle and 
high schools, eligibility may be calculated on the basis of 
comparable data from feeder schools. Eligibility as a high-poverty 
school is determined on the basis of the most currently available 
data.
    \5\ For the purposes of this priority, a ``school implementing a 
comprehensive support and improvement plan'' is a school identified 
for comprehensive support and improvement by the State under section 
1111(c)(4)(D) of the ESEA that includes (a) not less than the 
lowest-performing five percent of all schools receiving funds under 
Title I, Part A of the ESEA; (b) all public high schools in the 
State failing to graduate one-third or more of their students; and 
(c) public schools in the State described under section 
1111(d)(3)(A)(i)(II) of the ESEA.
    \6\ For the purposes of this priority, a ``school implementing a 
targeted support and improvement plan'' means a school identified 
for targeted support and improvement by a State that has developed 
and is implementing a school-level targeted support and improvement 
plan to improve student outcomes based on the indicators in the 
statewide accountability system as defined in section 1111(d)(2) of 
the ESEA.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (v) Describe how the project will partner with diverse stakeholders 
to inform project components;
    (vi) Describe how the project will use resources, as appropriate, 
available through technical assistance centers, which may include 
centers funded by the Department;
    (vii) Describe the approach that faculty members will use to mentor 
or otherwise support scholars with the goal of helping them acquire 
competencies needed by leadership personnel and advancing their careers 
in special education, early intervention, or related services;
    (viii) Describe how the components of the project will promote the 
acquisition of scholars' critical leadership skills, including 
communication, networking, and collaboration; and
    (ix) Describe how the components of the project will promote the 
acquisition of scholars' knowledge of strategies and approaches in 
attracting, preparing, and retaining future educators who will work 
with and provide services to children with disabilities.
    (c) Demonstrate, in the narrative section of the application under 
``Quality of the project evaluation,'' how the applicant will--
    (1) Evaluate how well the goals or objectives of the proposed 
leadership project have been met. The applicant must describe the 
outcomes to be measured for both the project and the scholars, 
particularly the acquisition of scholars' competencies; and the 
evaluation methodologies to be employed, including proposed 
instruments, data collection methods, and possible analyses;
    (2) Collect, analyze, and use data on current scholars and scholars 
who graduate from the program to improve the proposed program on an 
ongoing basis; and
    (3) Report the evaluation results to OSEP in the applicant's annual 
and final performance reports.
    (d) Demonstrate, in the narrative under ``Required Project 
Assurances'' or appendices as directed, that the following program 
requirements are met. The applicant must--
    (1) Include in appendix B of the application--
    (i) Course syllabi for all coursework in the major and any required 
coursework for a minor;
    (ii) Course syllabi for all research methods, evaluation methods, 
or data analysis courses required by the degree program and elective 
research methods, evaluation methods, or data analysis courses that 
have been completed by more than one scholar enrolled in the program in 
the last five years; and
    (iii) For new coursework, proposed syllabi;
    (2) Ensure that the proposed number of scholars will be recruited 
and enrolled into the program within the first 12 months of the project 
period or demonstrate that scholars enrolled after the first 12 months 
can graduate from the program by the end of the proposed project 
period. The described scholar recruitment strategies, including 
recruitment of individuals with disabilities, the program components

[[Page 18272]]

and their sequence, and proposed budget must be consistent with this 
requirement;
    (3) Ensure that efforts to recruit a diverse range of scholars, 
including diversity of race, ethnicity, or national origin, are 
consistent with applicable law. For instance, grantees may engage in 
focused outreach and recruitment to increase the diversity of the 
applicant pool prior to the selection of scholars;
    (4) Ensure that the project will meet the requirements in 34 CFR 
304.23, particularly those related to (i) informing all scholarship 
recipients of their service obligation commitment; and (ii) disbursing 
scholarships. Failure by a grantee to properly meet these requirements 
is a violation of the grant award that may result in sanctions, 
including the grantee being liable for returning any misused funds to 
the Department;
    (5) Ensure that prior approval from the OSEP project officer will 
be obtained before admitting additional scholars beyond the number of 
scholars proposed in the application and before transferring a scholar 
to another preparation program funded by OSEP;
    (6) Ensure that the project will meet the statutory requirements in 
section 662(e) through (h) of IDEA;
    (7) Ensure that at least 65 percent of the total award over the 
project period (i.e., up to 5 years) will be used for scholar support;
    (8) Ensure that the IHE will not require scholars enrolled in the 
program to work (e.g., as graduate assistants) as a condition of 
receiving support (e.g., tuition, stipends) from the proposed project, 
unless the work is specifically related to the acquisition of scholars' 
competencies or the requirements for completion of their personnel 
preparation program. This prohibition on work as a condition of 
receiving support does not apply to the service obligation requirements 
in section 662(h) of IDEA;
    (9) Ensure that the project will be operated in a manner consistent 
with nondiscrimination requirements contained in the U.S. Constitution 
and the Federal civil rights laws;
    (10) Ensure that a revised project budget will be submitted to OSEP 
should the project not be able to recruit and enroll the proposed 
number of scholars that can graduate from the program by the end of the 
project period;
    (11) Ensure that the budget includes attendance by the project 
director at a three-day project directors' meeting in Washington, DC, 
or virtually, during each year of the project. The budget may also 
provide for the attendance of scholars at the same three-day project 
directors' meetings in Washington, DC, or virtually;
    (12) Ensure that the project director, key personnel, and scholars 
will actively participate in the cross-project collaboration, advanced 
trainings, and cross-site learning opportunities (e.g., webinars, 
briefings) supported by OSEP. This network is intended to promote 
opportunities for participants to share resources and generate new 
knowledge by addressing topics of common interest to participants 
across projects including Department priorities and needs in the field;
    (13) Ensure that if the project maintains a website, it will be of 
high quality, with an easy-to-navigate design that meets government or 
industry-recognized standards for accessibility;
    (14) Ensure that annual progress toward meeting project goals is 
posted on the project website;
    (15) Ensure that scholar accomplishments (e.g., public service, 
awards, publications) will be reported in annual and final performance 
reports; and
    (16) Ensure that annual data will be submitted on each scholar who 
receives grant support (OMB Control Number 1820-0686). The primary 
purposes of the data collection are to track the service obligation 
fulfillment of scholars who receive funds from OSEP grants and to 
collect data for program performance measure reporting under the 
Government Performance and Results Act of 1993 (GPRA). Applicants are 
encouraged to visit the Personnel Development Program Data Collection 
System (DCS) website at https://pdp.ed.gov/osep for further information 
about this data collection requirement. Typically, data collection 
begins in January of each year, and grantees are notified by email 
about the data collection period for their grant, although grantees may 
submit data as needed, year-round. This data collection must be 
submitted electronically by the grantee and does not supplant the 
annual grant performance report required of each grantee for 
continuation funding (see 34 CFR 75.590). Data collection includes the 
submission of a signed, completed Pre-Scholarship Agreement and Exit 
Certification for each scholar funded under an OSEP grant (see 
paragraph (d)(4) of this priority).
    Absolute Priority 2--Preparation of Special Education and Early 
Intervention Administrators.
    Background:
    The purpose of this priority is to support existing doctoral degree 
programs that prepare special education or early intervention personnel 
who are well-qualified for, and can act effectively in, leadership 
positions in public school systems, such as SEAs, charter management 
organizations (CMOs), charter school authorizers, lead agencies (LAs), 
LEAs, early intervention services programs (EIS programs), or schools. 
Shortages of leadership personnel at State and local agencies to fill 
special education and early intervention administrator positions have 
been noted (Bellamy & Iwaszuk, 2017; Billingsley et al., 2014). The 
turnover rate for leaders in State and local agencies has also 
increased substantially over the past decade, which impacts the ongoing 
efforts at the State and local levels to improve educational practices 
(NCSI, 2018a; NCSI, 2018b). These administrators supervise and evaluate 
the implementation of instructional programs to make sure that State or 
local agencies are meeting the needs of children with disabilities. 
Administrators also ensure that schools and programs meet Federal, 
State, and local requirements for special education, early 
intervention, and related services (Billingsley et al., 2014; Bruns et 
al., 2017; Boscardin & Lashley, 2018).
    Special education and early intervention administrators play an 
essential role in promoting high expectations for each child with a 
disability and supervising the provision of effective interventions and 
services that improve outcomes for children, including infants, 
toddlers, and youth with disabilities. In addition to supervising the 
provision of effective interventions and services that improve outcomes 
for children, special education or early intervention administrators 
also play a critical role in attracting diverse and qualilifed 
educators and implementing strategies to retain effective educators 
(Billingsley & Bettini, 2019). Critical competencies for special 
education or early intervention administrators vary depending on the 
type of leadership personnel and the requirements of the preparation 
program but can include, for example, skills needed for implementing 
special education policies and laws, administration and supervision, 
organizational and system change, program planning and implementation, 
evaluation of educational programs, technology implementation for in-
person and remote instruction, and collaboration with stakeholders 
(Boscardin & Lashley, 2018; Bruns et al., 2017).
    However, all leadership personnel need to promote high expectations 
and

[[Page 18273]]

have current knowledge of effective interventions and services that 
improve outcomes for children with disabilities, including high-need 
children with disabilities. This knowledge should be applicable to 
children served in a variety of educational settings (e.g., urban or 
rural public schools, including charter schools) or early childhood and 
early intervention settings (e.g., home, community-based, Early Head 
Start and Head Start, child care, or public and private preschools). 
The interventions and services must include those that improve early 
childhood, educational, and employment outcomes.
    Priority:
    The purpose of this priority is to support existing doctoral degree 
programs that prepare special education or early intervention personnel 
to work as administrators in public school systems such as SEAs, CMOs, 
charter school authorizers, LAs, LEAs, private school networks, 
parochial schools, EIS programs, or schools in positions such as SEA 
special education administrators, LEA or regional special education 
directors, school-based special education directors, preschool 
coordinators, and early intervention coordinators.
    This priority will provide support to help address identified needs 
for personnel with the knowledge and skills to establish and meet high 
expectations for each child with a disability. Doctoral programs in 
educational administration that include a focus on special education 
are eligible under this priority. Programs must culminate in a doctoral 
degree, which may include a Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) degree. The 
preparation of school principals is not included under this priority. 
Under this priority, applicants may propose projects that enroll 
scholars who are concurrently employed (e.g., as special education 
teachers) while enrolled in the program. Applicants must plan to 
recruit and enroll the proposed number of scholars in the application 
within the first 12 months of the project period or demonstrate that 
scholars enrolled after the first 12 months can complete the program by 
the end of the proposed project period.

    Note: Project periods under this priority may be up to 60 
months. Projects should be designed to ensure that all proposed 
scholars successfully complete the program within 60 months of the 
start of the project. The Secretary may reduce continuation awards 
for any projects in which scholars are not on track to complete the 
program by the end of that period.

    To be considered for funding under this absolute priority, all 
applicants must meet all of the application requirements contained in 
the priority. All projects funded under this absolute priority also 
must meet all of the programmatic and administrative requirements 
specified in the priority.
    To meet the requirements of this priority, an applicant must--
    (a) Demonstrate, in the narrative section of the application under 
``Significance,'' how--
    (1) The project addresses the need for leadership personnel to 
promote high expectations and supervise the provision of effective 
interventions and services that improve outcomes for children with 
disabilities, including high-need children with disabilities.\7\ To 
address this requirement, the applicant must present--
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \7\ For purposes of this priority, ``high-need children with 
disabilities'' refers to children or students (ages birth through 
21, depending on the State) who are eligible for services under 
IDEA, and who may be at risk of educational failure or otherwise in 
need of special assistance or support because they: (1) Are living 
in poverty, (2) are English learners, (3) are academically far below 
grade level, (4) have left school before receiving a regular high 
school diploma, (5) are at risk of not graduating with a regular 
high school diploma on time, (6) are homeless, (7) are in foster 
care, or (8) have been incarcerated.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (i) Appropriate and applicable data (e.g., State, region, district, 
local) demonstrating the need for the special education or early 
intervention administrators the applicant proposes to prepare; and
    (ii) Data demonstrating the success of the doctoral program to date 
in producing special education or early intervention administrators, 
such as: The professional accomplishments of program graduates (e.g., 
public service, awards) that demonstrate their leadership in special 
education or early intervention; the average amount of time it takes 
for program graduates to complete the program; the number of program 
graduates; and the percentage of program graduates finding employment 
directly related to their preparation; and

    Note: Data on the success of a doctoral program should be no 
older than five years prior to the start date of the project 
proposed in the application. When reporting percentages, the 
denominator (i.e., the total number of scholars or program 
graduates) must be provided.

    (2) Scholar competencies to be acquired in the program relate to 
knowledge and skills needed by the leadership personnel the applicant 
proposes to prepare. To address this requirement, the applicant must--
    (i) Identify the competencies needed by leadership personnel to 
supervise the provision of effective interventions and services, 
including through distance education, that improve outcomes for 
children with disabilities, including high-need children with 
disabilities; and
    (ii) Provide the conceptual framework of the leadership preparation 
program, including any empirical support, that will promote the 
acquisition of the identified competencies needed by leadership 
personnel.
    (b) Demonstrate, in the narrative section of the application under 
``Quality of project services,'' how--
    (1) The applicant will recruit and retain high-quality scholars \8\ 
participating in the project and ensure 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. To meet this requirement, the 
narrative must describe--
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \8\ For the purposes of this priority, ``scholar'' is limited to 
an individual who (a) is pursuing a doctoral degree related to 
special education, early intervention, or related services; (b) 
receives scholarship assistance as authorized under section 662 of 
IDEA (34 CFR 304.3(g)); and (c) will be able to be employed in a 
position that serves children with disabilities for either 51 
percent of their time or case load. See https://pdp.ed.gov/OSEP/Home/Regulation for more information.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (i) The selection criteria the applicant will use to identify high-
quality applicants for admission in the program;
    (ii) The recruitment strategies the applicant will use to attract 
high-quality applicants, including specific recruitment strategies 
targeting high-quality applicants from traditionally underrepresented 
groups, including underrepresented people of color, individuals with 
disabilities, and nontraditional scholars (e.g., returning military); 
and
    (iii) The approach the applicant will use to help all scholars, 
including individuals with disabilities, complete the program during 
the proposed project period; and
    (2) The project is designed to promote the acquisition of the 
competencies needed by leadership personnel to promote high 
expectations and supervise the provision of effective interventions and 
services that improve outcomes for children with disabilities, 
including high-need children with disabilities. To address this 
requirement, the applicant must--
    (i) Describe how the components of the project, such as coursework, 
work-based experiences aligned with project components (e.g., 
internships, current employment), program evaluation, and other 
opportunities provided to scholars, will enable the scholars to acquire 
the competencies needed by

[[Page 18274]]

leadership personnel the applicant proposes to prepare;
    (ii) Describe how the components of the project are integrated in 
order to support the acquisition and enhancement of the identified 
competencies needed by leadership personnel the applicant proposes to 
prepare;
    (iii) Describe how the components of the project prepare scholars 
to promote high expectations and to supervise the provision of 
effective interventions and services that improve outcomes for children 
with disabilities, including high-need children with disabilities, in a 
variety of educational or early childhood and early intervention 
settings, including in-person and remote settings;
    (iv) Demonstrate, through a letter of support from a public, 
parochial, or private partnering agency, school, or program, that it 
will provide scholars with a high-quality internship experience in a 
high-need LEA,\9\ a high-poverty school,\10\ a school implementing a 
comprehensive support and improvement plan,\11\ a school implementing a 
targeted support and improvement plan \12\ for children with 
disabilities, an SEA, an early childhood and early intervention program 
located within the geographical boundaries of a high-need LEA, or an 
early childhood and early intervention program located within the 
geographical boundaries of an LEA serving the highest percentage of 
schools identified for comprehensive support and improvement or 
implementing targeted support and improvement plans in the State;
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \9\ For the purposes of this priority, ``high-need LEA'' means 
an LEA (a) that serves not fewer than 10,000 children from families 
with incomes below the poverty line; or (b) for which not less than 
20 percent of the children served by the LEA are from families with 
incomes below the poverty line.
    \10\ For the purposes of this priority, ``high-poverty school'' 
means a school in which at least 50 percent of students are from 
low-income families as determined using one of the measures of 
poverty specified under section 1113(a)(5) of the ESEA. For middle 
and high schools, eligibility may be calculated on the basis of 
comparable data from feeder schools. Eligibility as a high-poverty 
school is determined on the basis of the most currently available 
data.
    \11\ For the purposes of this priority, a ``school implementing 
a comprehensive support and improvement plan'' is a school 
identified for comprehensive support and improvement by the State 
under section 1111(c)(4)(D) of the ESEA that includes (a) not less 
than the lowest-performing five percent of all schools receiving 
funds under Title I, Part A of the ESEA; (b) all public high schools 
in the State failing to graduate one-third or more of their 
students; and (c) public schools in the State described under 
section 1111(d)(3)(A)(i)(II) of the ESEA.
    \12\ For the purposes of this priority, a ``school implementing 
a targeted support and improvement plan'' means a school identified 
for targeted support and improvement by a State that has developed 
and is implementing a school-level targeted support and improvement 
plan to improve student outcomes based on the indicators in the 
statewide accountability system as defined in section 1111(d)(2) of 
the ESEA.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (v) Describe how the project will partner with diverse stakeholders 
to inform project components;
    (vi) Describe how the project will use resources, as appropriate, 
available through technical assistance centers, which may include 
centers funded by the Department;
    (vii) Describe the approach that faculty members will use to mentor 
or otherwise support scholars, including scholars who are pursuing a 
degree on a part-time basis or are concurrently employed on a full-time 
basis, with the goal of helping them acquire competencies needed by 
leadership personnel and advancing their careers in special education 
or early intervention administration;
    (viii) Describe how the components of the project will promote the 
acquisition of scholars' critical leadership skills, including 
communication, networking, and collaboration; and
    (ix) Describe how the components of the project will promote the 
acquisition of scholars' knowledge of strategies and approaches in 
attracting, preparing, and retaining qualified educators, particularly 
educators from underrepresented backgrounds, who will work with and 
provide services to children with disabilities.
    (c) Demonstrate, in the narrative section of the application under 
``Quality of the project evaluation,'' how the applicant will--
    (1) Evaluate how well the goals or objectives of the proposed 
leadership project have been met. The applicant must describe the 
outcomes to be measured for both the project and the scholars, 
particularly the acquisition of scholars' competencies; and the 
evaluation methodologies to be employed, including proposed 
instruments, data collection methods, and possible analyses;
    (2) Collect, analyze, and use data on current scholars and scholars 
who graduate from the program to improve the proposed program on an 
ongoing basis; and
    (3) Report the evaluation results to OSEP in the applicant's annual 
and final performance reports.
    (d) Demonstrate, in the narrative under ``Required Project 
Assurances'' or appendices as directed, that the following program 
requirements are met. The applicant must--
    (1) Include in appendix B of the application--
    (i) Course syllabi for all coursework in the major and any required 
coursework for a minor;
    (ii) Course syllabi for all evaluation methods or data analysis 
courses required by the degree program and for all elective evaluation 
methods or data analysis courses that have been completed by more than 
one scholar enrolled in the program in the last five years; and
    (iii) For new coursework, proposed syllabi;
    (2) Ensure that the proposed number of scholars will be recruited 
into the program within the first 12 months of the project period or 
demonstrate that scholars enrolled after the first 12 months can 
graduate from the program by the end of the proposed project period. 
The described scholar recruitment strategies, including recruitment of 
individuals with disabilities, the program components and their 
sequence, and proposed budget must be consistent with this requirement;
    (3) Ensure that efforts to recruit a diverse range of scholars, 
including diversity of race, ethnicity, or national origin, are 
consistent with applicable law. For instance, grantees may engage in 
focused outreach and recruitment to increase the diversity of the 
applicant pool prior to the selection of scholars;
    (4) Ensure that the project will meet the requirements in 34 CFR 
304.23, particularly those related to (i) informing all scholarship 
recipients of their service obligation commitment; and (ii) disbursing 
scholarships. Failure by a grantee to properly meet these requirements 
is a violation of the grant award that may result in sanctions, 
including the grantee being liable for returning any misused funds to 
the Department;
    (5) Ensure that prior approval from the OSEP project officer will 
be obtained before admitting additional scholars beyond the number of 
scholars proposed in the application and before transferring a scholar 
to another preparation program funded by OSEP;
    (6) Ensure that the project will meet the statutory requirements in 
section 662(e) through (h) of IDEA;
    (7) Ensure that at least 65 percent of the total award over the 
project period (i.e., up to 5 years) will be used for scholar support;
    (8) Ensure that the IHE will not require scholars enrolled in the 
program to work (e.g., as graduate assistants) as a condition of 
receiving support (e.g., tuition, stipends) from the proposed project, 
unless the work is specifically related to the acquisition of scholars' 
competencies or the requirements for

[[Page 18275]]

completion of their personnel preparation program. This prohibition on 
work as a condition of receiving support does not apply to the service 
obligation requirements in section 662(h) of IDEA;
    (9) Ensure that the project will be operated in a manner consistent 
with nondiscrimination requirements contained in the U.S. Constitution 
and the Federal civil rights laws;
    (10) Ensure that a revised project budget will be submitted to OSEP 
should the project not be able to recruit and enroll the proposed 
number of scholars that can graduate from the program by the end of the 
project period;
    (11) Ensure that the budget includes attendance by the project 
director at a three-day project directors' meeting in Washington, DC, 
or virtually, during each year of the project. The budget may also 
provide for the attendance of scholars at the same three-day project 
directors' meetings in Washington, DC, or virtually;
    (12) Ensure that the project director, key personnel, and scholars 
will actively participate in the cross-project collaboration, advanced 
trainings, and cross-site learning opportunities (e.g., webinars, 
briefings) supported by OSEP. This network is intended to promote 
opportunities for participants to share resources and generate new 
knowledge by addressing topics of common interest to participants 
across projects including Department priorities and needs in the field;
    (13) Ensure that if the project maintains a website, it will be of 
high quality, with an easy-to-navigate design, that meets government or 
industry-recognized standards for accessibility;
    (14) Ensure that annual progress toward meeting project goals is 
posted on the project website;
    (15) Ensure that scholar accomplishments (e.g., public service, 
awards, program implementation demonstrating improved child outcomes) 
will be reported in annual and final performance reports; and
    (16) Ensure that annual data will be submitted on each scholar who 
receives grant support (OMB Control Number 1820-0686). The primary 
purposes of the data collection are to track the service obligation 
fulfillment of scholars who receive funds from OSEP grants and to 
collect data for program performance measure reporting under the 
Government Performance and Results Act of 1993 (GPRA). Applicants are 
encouraged to visit the Personnel Development Program Data Collection 
System (DCS) website at https://pdp.ed.gov/osep for further information 
about this data collection requirement. Typically, data collection 
begins in January of each year, and grantees are notified by email 
about the data collection period for their grant, although grantees may 
submit data as needed, year-round. This data collection must be 
submitted electronically by the grantee and does not supplant the 
annual grant performance report required of each grantee for 
continuation funding (see 34 CFR 75.590). Data collection includes the 
submission of a signed, completed Pre-Scholarship Agreement and Exit 
Certification for each scholar funded under an OSEP grant (see 
paragraph (d)(4) of this priority).
    Competitive Preference Priorities: Within Absolute Priorities 1 and 
2, we give competitive preference to applications that address 
Competitive Preference Priorities 1 and 2. Under 34 CFR 
75.105(c)(2)(i), we award an additional 3 points to an application that 
meets Competitive Preference Priority 1 and an additional 3 points to 
an application that meets Competitive Preference Priority 2. The total 
maximum points we may award an application that chooses to address all 
of the competitive preference priorities is 6. Applicants should 
indicate in the abstract which competitive preference priorities are 
addressed.
    These priorities are:
    Competitive Preference Priority 1 (0 or 3 points).
    Research has recognized a number of contributing factors to a 
scholar's acquisition of competencies and success in doctoral programs 
including developing and enhancing professional networks and 
collaborative learning opportunities (Douglas, 2020; Sverdlik et al., 
2018). Further, networks are viewed as integral to leadership 
development and critical to addressing complex problems (Cullen-Lester 
et al., 2017; Hoppe & Reinelt, 2010). However, it has been noted that 
doctoral programs have often not paid sufficient attention to these 
factors (Douglas, 2020).
    An application that proposes a partnership consisting of two or 
three IHEs in a high-need area of leadership shortages. To meet the 
competitive preference priority, a project must--
    (a) Establish a partnership comprised of two or three IHEs with 
existing doctoral programs that prepare scholars to work as doctoral-
level leaders in the high-need area proposed;
    (b) Address in the project narrative the high-need area (e.g., 
early childhood behavior, secondary transition, or special education 
administration) in which the partnership proposes to prepare scholars;
    (c) Address in the project narrative how the opportunities provided 
to scholars through the partnership activities will promote the 
competencies needed by leaders the project proposes to prepare;
    (d) Address in the project narrative how the partnership is 
designed to ensure that scholars have opportunities to work with 
faculty and scholars at each IHE participating in the partnership on 
activities that will promote the competencies needed by leaders the 
project proposes to prepare; and
    (e) Address in the project narrative how policies, procedures, 
standards, and fiscal management of the partnership will be 
established.

    Note: For additional information regarding group applications, 
refer to 34 CFR 75.127, 75.128, and 75.129.


    Note: Partnerships of two or three IHEs must be structured so 
that either (1) each participating IHE in the partnerhip must have a 
doctoral program that enrolls and supports scholars; or (2) one IHE 
enrolls scholars in the doctoral program but scholars are required 
to take coursework and other program components (e.g., teaching, 
reasearh) at each participating IHE in the partnership as part of 
the doctoral program requirements.

    Competitive Preference Priority 2 (0 or 3 points).
    (a) Under this priority, an applicant must demonstrate that the 
applicant has not had an active discretionary grant under the program 
from which it seeks funds, including through membership in a group 
application submitted in accordance with 34 CFR 75.127-75.129, in the 
last five years before the deadline date for submission of applications 
under the program.
    (b) For the purpose of this priority, a grant or contract is active 
until the end of the grant's or contract's project or funding period, 
including any extensions of those periods that extend the grantee's or 
contractor's authority to obligate funds.
    References:

Bellamy, T., & Iwaszuk, W. (2017, October). Responding to the need 
for new local special education administrators: A case study. CEEDAR 
Center. https://ceedar.education.ufl.edu/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Case-Study-SPED-10-29-17.pdf.
Billingsley, B., & Bettini, E. (2019). Special education teacher 
attrition and retention: A review of the literature. Review of 
Educational Research, 89(5), 697-744. https://doi.org/10.3102/0034654319862495.
Billingsley, B., Bettini, E., Mathews, H.M., & McLeskey, J. (2020). 
Improving working conditions to support special educators' 
effectiveness: A call for leadership.

[[Page 18276]]

Teacher Education and Special Education, 43(1), 7-27.
Billingsley, B.S., Crockett, J., & Kamman, M.L. (2014). Recruiting 
and retaining teachers and administrators in special education. In 
P.T. Sindelar, E.D. McCray, M.T. Brownell, & B. Lignugaris/Kraft 
(Eds.), Handbook of research on special education teacher 
preparation (pp. 94-112). Routledge.
Boscardin, M.L., & Lashley, C.L. (2018). Expanding the leadership 
framework to support socially just special education policy, 
preparation, and standards. In J.B. Crockett, B.S. Billingsley, & 
M.L. Boscardin (Eds.), The handbook of leadership and administration 
for special education. Routledge.
Brownell, M.T., Jones, N.D., Sohn, H., & Stark, K. (2020). Improving 
teaching quality for students with disabilities: Establishing a 
warrant for teacher education practice. Teacher Education and 
Special Education, 43(1), 28-444.
Bruns, D.A., LaRocco, D.J., Sharp, O.L., & Sopko, K.M. (2017). 
Leadership competencies in U.S. early intervention/early childhood 
special education service systems: A national survey. Infants and 
Young Children, 30(4), 304-319.
Castillo, J.M., Curtis, M.J., & Tan, S.Y. (2014). Personnel needs in 
school psychology: A 10-year follow-up study on predicted personnel 
shortages. Psychology in the Schools, 51(8), 832-849.
deBettencourt, L.U., Hoover, J.J., Rude, H.A., & Taylor, S.S. 
(2016). Preparing special education higher education faculty: The 
influence of contemporary education issues and policy 
recommendations. Teacher Education and Special Education, 39(2), 
121-133.
Cullen-Lester, K.L., Maupin, C.K., & Carter, D.R. (2017). 
Incorporating social networks in leadership development: A 
conceptual model and evaluation of research and practice. The 
Leadership Quarterly, 28(1), 130-152.
Douglas, A.S. (2020). Engaging doctoral students in networking 
opportunities: A relational approach to doctoral study. Teaching in 
Higher Education. https://doi.org/10.1080/13562517.2020.1808611.
Hoppe, B., & Reinelt, C. (2010). Social network analysis and the 
evaluation of leadership networks. The Leadership Quarterly, 21(4), 
600-619.
Montrosse, B.E., & Young, C.J. (2012). Market demand for special 
education faculty. Teacher Education and Special Education, 35(2), 
140-153.
National Center for Systemic Improvement (NCSI). (2018a). Leadership 
turnover: The impact on State special education systems. https://ncsi-library.wested.org/resources/250.
National Center for Systemic Improvement (NCSI). (2018b). Leadership 
turnover: The impact on State early intervention systems. https://ncsi-library.wested.org/resources/200.
Robb, S.M., Smith, D.D., & Montrosse, B.E. (2012). A context of the 
demand for special education faculty: A study of special education 
teacher preparation programs. Teacher Education and Special 
Education, 35(2), 128-139.
Smith, D.D., Montrosse, B.E., Robb, S.M., Tyler, N.C., & Young, C. 
(2011). Assessing trends in leadership: Special education's capacity 
to produce a highly qualified workforce. Claremont Graduate 
University. https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/ED537788.pdf.
Smith, D.D., Robb, S.M., West, J., & Tyler, N.C. (2010). The 
changing education landscape: How special education leadership 
preparation can make a difference for teachers and their students 
with disabilities. Teacher Education and Special Education, 33(1), 
25-43.
Sverdlik, A., Hall, N.C., McAlpine, L., & Hubbard, K. (2018). The 
Ph.D. experience: A review of the factors influencing doctoral 
students' completion, achievement, and well-being. International 
Journal of Doctoral Studies, 13, 361-388.
West, J.E., & Hardman, H.L. (2012). Averting current and future 
special education faculty shortages: Policy implications and 
recommendations. Teacher Education and Special Education, 35(2), 
154-160.
Woods, J., & Snyder, P. (2009). Interdisciplinary doctoral 
leadership training in early intervention. Infants & Young Children, 
22(1), 32-34.

    Waiver of Proposed Rulemaking: Under the Administrative Procedure 
Act (APA) (5 U.S.C. 553) the Department generally offers interested 
parties the opportunity to comment on proposed priorities and 
requirements. Section 681(d) of IDEA, however, makes the public comment 
requirements of the APA inapplicable to the priorities in this notice.

    Program Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1462 and 1481.

    Note: Projects will be awarded and must be operated in a manner 
consistent with the nondiscrimination requirements contained in 
Federal civil rights laws.

    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 regulations for this program in 34 CFR part 304.

    Note: The regulations in 34 CFR part 86 apply to IHEs only.

II. Award Information

    Type of Award: Discretionary grants.

    Note: In accordance with 34 CFR 75.200(b)(4), the Department may 
award a cooperative agreement under this program if the Secretary 
determines that substantial involvement between the Department and 
the recipient is necessary to carry out a collaborative project.

    Estimated Available Funds: $4,750,000.
    Contingent upon the availability of funds and the quality of 
applications, we may make additional awards in FY 2022 from the list of 
unfunded applications from this competition.
    Estimated Range of Awards: $225,000-$250,000 per year for an 
individual IHE; $450,000-$500,000 per year for a two-IHE group 
application; and $675,000-$750,000 for a three-IHE group application.
    Estimated Average Size of Awards: $237,500 per year for an 
individual IHE; $475,000 per year for a two-IHE group application; and 
$712,500 per year for a three-IHE group application.
    Maximum Award: For a single budget period of 12 months, we will not 
make an award exceeding: For an individual IHE, $250,000; for a two-IHE 
group application, $500,000; and, for a three-IHE group application, 
$750,000.
    Estimated Number of Awards: Up to 19 awards for individual IHEs. 
OSEP intends to fund in FY 2021 at least 13 high-quality individual IHE 
applications meeting the requirements under Absolute Priority 1 and 6 
high-quality individual IHE applications meeting the requirements under 
Absolute Priority 2. However, the total number of awards may change 
depending on the number of group application awards under each absolute 
priority.

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

    Project Period: Up to 60 months.

III. Eligibility Information

    1. Eligible Applicants: IHEs and private nonprofit organizations.

    Note: If you are a nonprofit organization, under 34 CFR 75.51, 
you may demonstrate your nonprofit status by providing: (1) Proof 
that the Internal Revenue Service currently recognizes the applicant 
as an organization to which contributions are tax deductible under 
section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code; (2) a statement from 
a State taxing body or the State attorney general certifying that 
the organization is a nonprofit organization operating within the 
State and that no part of its net earnings may lawfully benefit any 
private shareholder or individual; (3) a certified copy of the 
applicant's certificate of incorporation or similar document if it 
clearly establishes the nonprofit status of the applicant; or (4) 
any

[[Page 18277]]

item described above if that item applies to a State or national 
parent organization, together with a statement by the State or 
parent organization that the applicant is a local nonprofit 
affiliate.

    2. a. Cost Sharing or Matching: Cost sharing or matching is not 
required for this competition.
    b. Indirect Cost Rate Information: This program uses a training 
indirect cost rate. This limits indirect cost reimbursement to an 
entity's actual indirect costs, as determined in its negotiated 
indirect cost rate agreement, or eight percent of a modified total 
direct cost base, whichever amount is less. For more information 
regarding training indirect cost rates, see 34 CFR 75.562. For more 
information regarding indirect costs, or to obtain a negotiated 
indirect cost rate, please see www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocfo/intro.html.
    c. Administrative Cost Limitation: This program does not include 
any program-specific limitation on administrative expenses. All 
administrative expenses must be reasonable and necessary and conform to 
Cost Principles described in 2 CFR part 200 subpart E of the Uniform 
Guidance.
    3. Subgrantees: A grantee under this competition may not award 
subgrants to entities to directly carry out project activities 
described in its application. Under 34 CFR 75.708(e), a grantee may 
contract for supplies, equipment, and other services in accordance with 
2 CFR part 200.
    4. Other General Requirements:
    a. Recipients of funding under this competition must make positive 
efforts to employ and advance in employment qualified individuals with 
disabilities (see section 606 of IDEA).
    b. Applicants for, and recipients of, funding must, with respect to 
the aspects of their proposed project relating to Absolute Priority 1 
or 2, involve individuals with disabilities, or parents of individuals 
with disabilities ages birth through 26, in planning, implementing, and 
evaluating the project (see section 682(a)(1)(A) of IDEA).

IV. Application and Submission Information

    1. Application Submission Instructions: Applicants are required to 
follow the 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, which 
contain requirements and information on how to submit an application.
    2. Intergovernmental Review: This competition is subject to 
Executive Order 12372 and the regulations in 34 CFR part 79. 
Information about Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs under 
Executive Order 12372 is in the application package for this 
competition.
    3. Funding Restrictions: We reference regulations outlining funding 
restrictions in the Applicable Regulations section of this notice.
    4. Recommended Page Limit: The application narrative is where you, 
the applicant, address the selection criteria that reviewers use to 
evaluate your application. We recommend that you (1) limit the 
application narrative to no more than 50 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, reference citations, and captions, as well as 
all text in charts, tables, figures, graphs, and screen shots.
     Use a font that is 12 point or larger.
     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 abstract (follow the guidance 
provided in the application package for completing the abstract), the 
table of contents, the list of priority requirements, the resumes, the 
reference list, the letters of support, or the appendices. However, the 
recommended page limit does apply to all of the application narrative, 
including all text in charts, tables, figures, graphs, and screen 
shots.

V. Application Review Information

    1. Selection Criteria: The selection criteria for this competition 
are from 34 CFR 75.210 and are as follows:
    (a) Significance (10 points).
    (1) The Secretary considers the significance of the proposed 
project.
    (2) In determining the significance of the proposed project, the 
Secretary considers the following factors:
    (i) The extent to which the proposed project will prepare personnel 
for fields in which shortages have been demonstrated;
    (ii) The importance or magnitude of the results or outcomes likely 
to be attained by the proposed project; and
    (iii) The extent to which there is a conceptual framework 
underlying the proposed research or demonstration activities and the 
quality of that framework.
    (b) Quality of project services (45 points).
    (1) The Secretary considers the quality of the services to be 
provided by the proposed project.
    (2) 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.
    (3) In addition, the Secretary considers the following factors:
    (i) 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;
    (ii) The extent to which the proposed activities constitute a 
coherent, sustained program of training in the field; and
    (iii) The extent to which the services to be provided by the 
proposed project reflect up-to-date knowledge from research and 
effective practice.
    (c) Quality of project evaluation (25 points).
    (1) The Secretary considers the quality of the evaluation to be 
conducted of the proposed project.
    (2) 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;
    (ii) The extent to which the goals, objectives, and outcomes to be 
achieved by the proposed project are clearly specified and measurable;
    (iii) The extent to which the methods of evaluation include the use 
of objective performance measures that are clearly related to the 
intended outcomes of the project and will produce quantitative and 
qualitative data to the extent possible; and
    (iv) The extent to which the methods of evaluation will provide 
timely guidance for quality assurance.
    (d) Quality of the management plan and adequacy of resources (20 
points).
    (1) The Secretary considers the quality of the management plan and 
the adequacy of resources for the proposed project.

[[Page 18278]]

    (2) In determining the quality of the management plan and the 
adequacy of resources, the Secretary considers the following factors:
    (i) The qualifications, including relevant training and experience, 
of key project personnel;
    (ii) 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;
    (iii) The extent to which the time commitments of the project 
director and principal investigator and other key project personnel are 
appropriate and adequate to meet the objectives of the proposed 
project;
    (iv) The adequacy of support, including facilities, equipment, 
supplies, and other resources, from the applicant organization or the 
lead applicant organization; and
    (v) The extent to which the budget is adequate to support the 
proposed project.
    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. Additional Review and Selection Process Factors: In the past, 
the Department has had difficulty finding peer reviewers for certain 
competitions because so many individuals who are eligible to serve as 
peer reviewers have conflicts of interest. The standing panel 
requirements under section 682(b) of IDEA also have placed additional 
constraints on the availability of reviewers. Therefore, the Department 
has determined that for some discretionary grant competitions, 
applications may be separated into two or more groups and ranked and 
selected for funding within specific groups. This procedure will make 
it easier for the Department to find peer reviewers by ensuring that 
greater numbers of individuals who are eligible to serve as reviewers 
for any particular group of applicants will not have conflicts of 
interest. It also will increase the quality, independence, and fairness 
of the review process, while permitting panel members to review 
applications under discretionary grant competitions for which they also 
have submitted applications.
    4. Risk Assessment and Specific Conditions: Consistent with 2 CFR 
200.206, before awarding grants under this competition the Department 
conducts a review of the risks posed by applicants. Under 2 CFR 
200.208, the Secretary may impose specific conditions, and under 2 CFR 
3474.10, 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.
    5. 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 200.206(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.
    6. In General: In accordance with the Office of Management and 
Budget's guidance located at 2 CFR part 200, all applicable Federal 
laws, and relevant Executive guidance, the Department will review and 
consider applications for funding pursuant to this notice inviting 
applications in accordance with--
    (a) Selecting recipients most likely to be successful in delivering 
results based on the program objectives through an objective process of 
evaluating Federal award applications (2 CFR 200.205);
    (b) Prohibiting the purchase of certain telecommunication and video 
surveillance services or equipment in alignment with section 889 of the 
National Defense Authorization Act of 2019 (Pub. L. 115-232) (2 CFR 
200.216);
    (c) Providing a preference, to the extent permitted by law, to 
maximize use of goods, products, and materials produced in the United 
States (2 CFR 200.322); and
    (d) Terminating agreements in whole or in part to the greatest 
extent authorized by law if an award no longer effectuates the program 
goals or agency priorities (2 CFR 200.340).

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 that is awarded competitive grant funds must 
have a plan to disseminate these public grant deliverables. This 
dissemination

[[Page 18279]]

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.
    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 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: For the purposes of the Government 
Performance and Results Act of 1993 (GPRA) and reporting under 34 CFR 
75.110, the Department has established a set of performance measures, 
including long-term measures, that are designed to yield information on 
the quality of the Personnel Development to Improve Services and 
Results for Children with Disabilities program. These measures include: 
(1) The percentage of preparation programs that incorporate 
scientifically or evidence-based \13\ practices into their curricula; 
(2) the percentage of scholars completing preparation programs who are 
knowledgeable and skilled in evidence-based practices for children with 
disabilities; (3) the percentage of scholars who exit preparation 
programs prior to completion due to poor academic performance; (4) the 
percentage of scholars completing preparation programs who are working 
in the area(s) in which they were prepared upon program completion; (5) 
the Federal cost per scholar who completed the preparation program; (6) 
the percentage of scholars who completed the preparation program and 
are employed in high-need districts; and (7) the percentage of scholars 
who completed the preparation program and who are rated effective by 
their employers.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \13\ For the purposes of this performance measure, ``evidence-
based'' means, at a minimum, evidence that demonstrates a rationale 
(as defined in 34 CFR 77.1), where a key project component included 
in the project's logic model is informed by research or evaluation 
findings that suggest the project component is likely to improve 
relevant outcomes.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    In addition, the Department will gather information on the 
following outcome measures: (1) The percentage of scholars who 
completed the preparation program and are employed in the field of 
special education for at least two years; (2) the number and percentage 
of scholars proposed by the grantee in their application that were 
actually enrolled and making satisfactory academic progress in the 
current academic year; and (3) the number and percentage of enrolled 
scholars who are on track to complete the training program by the end 
of the project's original grant period.
    Grantees may be asked to participate in assessing and providing 
information on these aspects of program quality.
    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: On request to the program contact person listed 
under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT, individuals with disabilities 
can obtain this document and a copy of the application package 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 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.

David Cantrell,
Deputy Director, Office of Special Education Programs, Delegated the 
authority to perform the functions and duties of the Assistant 
Secretary for the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative 
Services.
[FR Doc. 2021-07261 Filed 4-7-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4000-01-P