[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 130 (Monday, July 12, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 36534-36539]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-14763]
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DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
Applications for New Awards; Innovative Approaches to Literacy
Program
AGENCY: Office of Elementary and Secondary Education, Department of
Education.
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: The Department of Education (Department) is issuing a notice
inviting applications for new awards for fiscal year (FY) 2021 for the
Innovative Approaches to Literacy (IAL) Program, Assistance Listing
Number 84.215G. This notice relates to the approved information
collection under OMB control number 1894-0006.
DATES:
Applications Available: July 12, 2021.
Deadline for Notice of Intent to Apply: July 22, 2021.
Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: August 11, 2021.
Deadline for Intergovernmental Review: September 10, 2021.
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: Simon Earle, U.S. Department of
Education, 400 Maryland Avenue SW, Room 3E254, Washington, DC 20202-
6450. Telephone: (202) 453-7923. 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.
Pre-Application Webinar Information: The Department will hold a
pre-application meeting via webinar for prospective applicants. For
information about the pre-application webinar, visit the IAL website
at: https://oese.ed.gov/offices/office-of-discretionary-grants-support-services/well-rounded-education-programs/innovative-approaches-to-literacy/.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Full Text of Announcement
I. Funding Opportunity Description
Purpose of Program: The IAL program supports high-quality programs
designed to develop and improve literacy skills for children and
students from birth through 12th grade in high-need local educational
agencies (LEAs) and schools. The Department intends to promote
innovative literacy programs that support the development of literacy
skills in low-income communities, including programs that (1) develop
and enhance effective school library programs, which may include
providing professional development for school librarians, books, and
up-to-date materials to high-need schools; (2) provide early literacy
services, including pediatric literacy programs through which, during
well-child visits, medical providers trained in research-based methods
of early language and literacy promotion provide developmentally
appropriate books and recommendations to parents to encourage them to
read aloud to their children starting in infancy; and (3) provide high-
quality books on a regular basis to children and adolescents from low-
income communities to increase reading motivation, performance, and
frequency.
The Explanatory Statement for Division H of the Consolidated
Appropriations Act, 2021 (Pub. L. 116-260) (2021 Appropriations
Explanatory Statement) includes language directing the Department to
reserve no less than 50 percent of funds under the IAL program for
grants to develop and enhance effective school library programs, which
may include providing professional development to school librarians and
books and up-to-date materials to high-need schools (166 Cong. Rec.
H8634, 2020). While report language does not create a legal requirement
to reserve the specified amount of funding for school library programs,
the number of high-quality applications related to school library
programs received under IAL competitions generally has allowed the
Department to meet this report language directive.
Priorities: This notice contains two absolute priorities and three
competitive preference priorities. Absolute Priorities 1 and 2 were
established in the notice of final priorities and requirement for IAL
(NFP), published elsewhere in this issue of the Federal Register.
Competitive Preference Priority 1 is from the Administrative Priorities
for Discretionary Grant Programs, published in the Federal Register on
March 9, 2020 (85 FR 13640) (Administrative Priorities). Competitive
Preference Priorities 2 and 3 are from the NFP.
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 at least one of
these absolute priorities.
These priorities are:
Absolute Priority 1--Projects, Carried Out in Coordination With
School Libraries, for Book Distribution, Childhood Literacy Activities,
or Both.
Projects that propose to coordinate with school libraries to carry
out grant activities, such as book distributions, childhood literacy
activities, or both, for the proposed project.
Absolute Priority 2--Projects, Carried Out in Coordination With
School Libraries, That Provide a Learning Environment That Is Racially,
Ethnically, Culturally, Disability Status
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and Linguistically Responsive and Inclusive, Supportive, and Identity-
Safe.
Projects coordinated with school libraries and designed to be
responsive to racial, ethnic, cultural, disability, and linguistic
differences in a manner that creates inclusive, supportive, and
identity-safe learning environments.
In its application, the applicant must--
(a) Describe the types of racially, ethnically, culturally,
disability status, and linguistically responsive program design
elements that the applicant proposes to include in its project;
(b) Explain how its program design will create inclusive,
supportive, and identity-safe environments; and
(c) Describe how its project will be carried out in coordination
with school libraries.
Competitive Preference 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 competitive preference
priorities. Under 34 CFR 75.105(c)(2)(i), we award up to an additional
13 points to an application, depending on how well the application
meets one or more of these priorities. For Competitive Preference
Priority 1, we award an additional five points to an application that
meets the priority. For Competitive Preference Priority 2, we award an
additional five points to an application that meets the priority. For
Competitive Preference Priority 3, we award up to an additional three
points, depending on which priority subpart (a, b, or c) the applicant
meets.
These priorities are:
Competitive Preference Priority 1--Rural Applicants. (0 or 5
points)
Under this priority, an applicant must demonstrate the applicant
proposes to serve a community that is served by one or more LEAs with a
locale code of 32, 33, 41, 42, or 43.
Note: To determine whether a particular LEA is eligible for the
Small, Rural School Achievement program (SRSA) or Rural and Low-
Income School program (RLIS), refer to the Department's website at
https://oese.ed.gov/offices/office-of-formula-grants/rural-insular-native-achievement-programs/rural-education-achievement-program/.
Applicants are encouraged to retrieve locale codes from the National
Center for Education Statistics (NCES) School District search tool
(https://nces.ed.gov/ccd/districtsearch/), where LEAs can be looked
up individually to retrieve locale codes and Public School search
tool (https://nces.ed.gov/ccd/schoolsearch/), where individual
schools can be looked up to retrieve locale codes. Applicants are
encouraged to retrieve campus settings from the NCES College
Navigator search tool (https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/) where
IHEs can be looked up individually to determine the campus setting.
Competitive Preference Priority 2--Supporting Students in Urban
Areas. (0 or 5 points)
Projects that are designed to serve one or more urban LEAs. In its
application, an applicant must demonstrate one of the following:
(a) The applicant is an eligible LEA or consortium of eligible LEAs
with a locale code of 11, 12, or 13.
(b) The applicant is a national nonprofit that proposes to serve
schools within eligible LEAs all of which have a locale code of 11, 12,
or 13.
Note: Applicants are encouraged to retrieve locale codes from
the NCES School District search tool (https://nces.ed.gov/ccd/districtsearch/), searching by LEA.
Competitive Preference Priority 3--Supporting Students From Low-
Income Families. (up to 3 points)
Projects that serve LEAs serving students from low-income families.
In its application, an applicant must demonstrate, based on Small Area
Income and Poverty Estimates (SAIPE) data from the U.S. Census Bureau
or, for an LEA for which SAIPE data are not available, the same State-
derived equivalent of SAIPE data that the State uses to make
allocations under part A of title I of the Elementary and Secondary
Education Act of 1965, as amended (ESEA), one of the following:
(a) At least 30 percent of the students enrolled in each of the
LEAs to be served by the proposed project are from families with an
income below the poverty line. (1 point)
(b) At least 40 percent of the students enrolled in each of the
LEAs to be served by the proposed project are from families with an
income below the poverty line. (2 points)
(c) At least 50 percent of the students enrolled in each of the
LEAs to be served by the proposed project are from families with an
income below the poverty line. (3 points)
Definitions: The definitions of ``demonstrates a rationale,''
``logic model,'' ``project component,'' and ``relevant outcome'' are
from 34 CFR 77.1. The definition of ``eligible national nonprofit
organization'' is from section 2226(b)(2) of the ESEA (20 U.S.C.
6646(b)(2)). The definition of ``local educational agency'' is from
section 8101(30) (20 U.S.C. 7801(30)) of the ESEA.
Demonstrates a rationale means 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.
Eligible national nonprofit organization (NNP) means an
organization of national scope that--
(a) Is supported by staff, which may include volunteers, or
affiliates at the State and local levels; and
(b) Demonstrates effectiveness or high-quality plans for addressing
childhood literacy activities for the population targeted by the grant.
Note: A local affiliate of an NNP organization does not meet the
definition of NNP organization. Only a national agency,
organization, or institution is eligible to apply as an NNP
organization.
Local educational agency means:
(a) In general--The term local educational agency means a public
board of education or other public authority legally constituted within
a State for either administrative control or direction of, or to
perform a service function for, public elementary schools or secondary
schools in a city, county, township, school district, or other
political subdivision of a State, or of or for a combination of school
districts or counties that is recognized in a State as an
administrative agency for its public elementary schools or secondary
schools.
(b) Administrative Control and Direction--The term includes any
other public institution or agency having administrative control and
direction of a public elementary school or secondary school.
(c) Bureau of Indian Education Schools--The term includes an
elementary school or secondary school funded by the Bureau of Indian
Education but only to the extent that including the school makes the
school eligible for programs for which specific eligibility is not
provided to the school in another provision of law and the school does
not have a student population that is smaller than the student
population of the local educational agency receiving assistance under
this Act with the smallest student population, except that the school
shall not be subject to the jurisdiction of any State educational
agency other than the Bureau of Indian Education.
(d) Educational Service Agencies--The term includes educational
service agencies and consortia of those agencies.
(e) State Educational Agency--The term includes the State
educational agency in a State in which the State educational agency is
the sole educational agency for all public schools.
Logic model (also referred to as a theory of action) means a
framework that identifies key project components
[[Page 36536]]
of the proposed project (i.e., the active ``ingredients'' that are
hypothesized to be critical to achieving the relevant outcomes) and
describes the theoretical and operational relationships among the key
project components and relevant outcomes.
Project component means an activity, strategy, intervention,
process, product, practice, or policy included in a project. Evidence
may pertain to an individual project component or to a combination of
project components (e.g., training teachers on instructional practices
for English learners and follow-on coaching for these teachers).
Relevant outcome means the student outcome(s) or other outcome(s)
the key project component is designed to improve, consistent with the
specific goals of the program.
Program Authority: Section 2226 of the ESEA (20 U.S.C. 6646).
Note: Projects will be awarded and must be operated in a manner
consistent with the nondiscrimination requirements contained in the
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 in 34 CFR part 299. (e) The NFP. (f) The
Administrative Priorities.
Note: The regulations in 34 CFR part 79 apply to all applicants
except federally recognized Indian Tribes.
II. Award Information
Type of Award: Discretionary grants.
Estimated Available Funds: $25,000,000.
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: $175,000 to $750,000.
Estimated Average Size of Awards: $500,000.
Estimated Number of Awards: 40-60.
Note: The Department is not bound by any estimates in this
notice.
Project Period: 60 months.
III. Eligibility Information
1. Eligible Applicants: To be considered for an award under this
competition, an applicant must be one or more of the following:
(1) An LEA in which 20 percent or more of the students served by
the LEA are from families with an income below the poverty line (as
defined in section 8101(41) of the ESEA).
(2) A consortium of such LEAs described in paragraph (1) above.
(3) The Bureau of Indian Education.
(4) An eligible national nonprofit organization (as defined in
section 2226(b)(2) of the ESEA) that serves children and students
within the attendance boundaries of one or more eligible LEAs.
Note: Under the definition of ``poverty line'' in section
8101(41) of the ESEA, the determination of the percentage of
students served by an LEA from families with an income below the
poverty line is based on the U.S. Census Bureau's SAIPE data.
An entity that meets the definition of an LEA in section 8101(30)
of the ESEA and that serves multiple LEAs, such as a county office of
education, an education service agency, or regional service education
agency, must provide the most recent SAIPE data for each of the
individual LEAs it serves. To determine whether the entity meets the
poverty threshold, the Department will derive the entity's poverty rate
by aggregating the number of students from families below the poverty
line (as provided in SAIPE data) in each of the LEAs the entity serves
and dividing it by the total number of students (as provided in SAIPE
data) in all of the LEAs the entity serves.
An LEA for which SAIPE data are not available, such as a non-
geographic charter school, must provide a determination by the State
educational agency (SEA) that 20 percent or more of the students aged
5-17 in the LEA are from families with incomes below the poverty line
based on the same State-derived poverty data the SEA used to determine
the LEA's allocation under part A of title I of the ESEA.
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 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: This competition does not require
cost sharing or matching.
b. Supplement-Not-Supplant: This competition involves supplement-
not-supplant funding requirements. Section 2301 of the ESEA provides
that funds made available under this program must be used to
supplement, and not supplant, non-Federal funds that would otherwise be
used for IAL program activities by grantees. 20 U.S.C. 1221e-3, 3474,
and 6511(a); 34 CFR 76.564 through 76.569.
c. Indirect Cost Rate Information: This program uses a restricted
indirect cost rate. 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.
d. 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.
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. Submission of Proprietary Information: Given the types of
projects that may be proposed in applications for the IAL program, your
application may include business information that you consider
proprietary. In 34 CFR 5.11 we define ``business information'' and
describe the process we use in determining whether any of that
information is proprietary and, thus, protected from disclosure under
Exemption 4 of the Freedom of
[[Page 36537]]
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. Please note
that, under 34 CFR 79.8(a), we have shortened the standard 60-day
intergovernmental review period in order to make awards by the end of
FY 2021.
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 that you (1) limit the
application narrative to no more than 25 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; the one-page abstract, resumes,
bibliography, logic model, or letters of support. However, the
recommended page limit does apply to all of the application narrative.
6. Notice of Intent to Apply: The Department will be able to review
grant applications more efficiently if we know the approximate number
of applicants that intend to apply. Therefore, we strongly encourage
each potential applicant to notify us of their intent to submit an
application. To do so, please email the program contact person listed
under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT with the subject line ``Intent to
Apply,'' and include the applicant's name and a contact person's name
and email address. Applicants that do not submit a notice of intent to
apply may still apply for funding; applicants that do submit a notice
of intent to apply are not bound to apply or bound by the information
provided.
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 (up to 20 points).
The Secretary considers the significance of the proposed project.
In determining the significance of the proposed project, the Secretary
considers the following factors:
(1) The significance of the problem or issue to be addressed by the
proposed project.
(2) The extent to which the proposed project is likely to build
local capacity to provide, improve, or expand services that address the
needs of the target population.
(3) The importance or magnitude of the results or outcomes likely
to be attained by the proposed project, especially improvements in
teaching and student achievement.
(b) Quality of the project design (up to 20 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 the design of the proposed project is
appropriate to, and will successfully address, the needs of the target
population or other identified needs.
(3) The extent to which the proposed project represents an
exceptional approach for meeting statutory purposes and requirements.
(4) The extent to which the proposed project demonstrates a
rationale (as defined in this notice).
(c) Quality of project services (up to 25 points).
The Secretary considers the quality of the services to be provided
by the proposed project. 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.
In addition, the Secretary considers the following factors:
(1) The extent to which the services to be provided by the proposed
project are appropriate to the needs of the intended recipients or
beneficiaries of those services.
(2) The likely impact of the services to be provided by the
proposed project on the intended recipients of those services.
(3) The extent to which the services to be provided by the proposed
project are focused on those with greatest needs.
(d) Quality of the management plan (up to 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:
(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.
(3) 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.
(e) Quality of project evaluation (up to 10 points).
The Secretary considers the quality of the evaluation to be
conducted of the proposed project. In determining the quality of the
evaluation, the Secretary considers the following factors:
(1) The extent to which the methods of evaluation are appropriate
to the context within which the project operates.
(2) The extent to which the methods of evaluation provide for
examining the effectiveness of project implementation strategies.
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
[[Page 36538]]
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
200.206, before awarding grants under this program 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.
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 200.206(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.
5. 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 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.
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 purposes of the Government Performance
and Results Act of 1993 and for Department reporting under 34 CFR
75.110, the Department has established the following performance
measures for the IAL program: (1) The percentage of fourth graders
participating in the project who demonstrated individual student growth
(i.e., an improvement in their achievement) over the past year on State
reading or language arts assessments under section 1111(b)(2) of the
ESEA; (2) the percentage of eighth graders participating in the project
who demonstrated individual student growth (i.e., an improvement in
their achievement) over the past year on State reading or language arts
assessments under section 1111(b)(2) of the ESEA; (3) the percentage of
schools participating in the project whose book-to-student ratios
increase from the previous year; and (4) the percentage of
participating children who receive at least one free, grade- and
language-appropriate book of their own.
All grantees will be expected to submit an annual performance
report that includes data addressing these
[[Page 36539]]
performance measures to the extent that they apply to the grantee's
project.
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, whether
the grantee has made substantial progress in achieving 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.
Ian Rosenblum,
Deputy Assistant Secretary for Policy and Programs Delegated the
Authority to Perform the Functions and Duties of the Assistant
Secretary, Office of Elementary and Secondary Education.
[FR Doc. 2021-14763 Filed 7-9-21; 8:45 am]
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