[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 105 (Monday, June 1, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Pages 33141-33148]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-11729]
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DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
Applications for New Awards; State Tribal Education Partnership
Grants to Tribal Educational Agencies
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 fiscal year (FY) 2020 for the State Tribal
Education Partnership Grant Program (STEP), Catalog of Federal Domestic
Assistance (CFDA)
[[Page 33142]]
number 84.415A. This notice relates to the approved information
collection under OMB control number 1894-0006.
DATES:
Applications Available: June 1, 2020.
Deadline for Notice of Intent to Apply: May 15, 2020.
Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: July 31, 2020.
Deadline for Intergovernmental Review: September 29, 2020.
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: Shahla Ortega, U.S. Department of
Education, 400 Maryland Avenue SW, Room 3W245, Washington, DC 20202-
6450. Telephone: (202) 453-5602. 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 STEP are to: (1) Promote Tribal
self-determination in education; (2) improve the academic achievement
of Indian children and youth; and (3) promote the coordination and
collaboration of Tribal educational agencies (TEAs) (as defined in this
notice) with State educational agencies (SEAs) and local educational
agencies (LEAs) to meet the unique education and culturally related
academic needs of Indian students.
Background: STEP was authorized under section 6132 of the
Elementary and Secondary Education Act, as amended (ESEA), to include
one-year grants to Tribes to create TEAs (STEP Development grants) and
three-year grants to TEAs to coordinate and collaborate with SEAs and
LEAs (STEP grants to TEAs: Next STEP Capacity-Building Grant Program).
Our intent for this competition is to award three-year STEP grants
to TEAs to directly administer education programs (as defined in this
notice), build capacity to administer and coordinate education
programs, and receive training and support from and provide training
and support to SEAs and LEAs. In addition, we are especially interested
in approaches employed by TEAs to deliver services that will expand
educational options for Native students, further promoting Tribal self-
determination in education. Therefore, we are including Absolute
Priority 1 to support proposed projects that are designed to do one or
more of the following: recruit or retain educators; build capacity to
promote the availability of work-based learning experiences (such as
internships, apprenticeships, and fellowships); prepare the TEA to open
a new charter school; or build capacity to enable the TEA to prepare to
convert a BIE-operated school to a Tribally operated school.
A TEA must submit with its application for funding an agreement (as
defined in this notice) with an SEA, one or more LEAs, or both the SEA
and an LEA. For the purposes of this agreement, a school funded by the
Bureau of Indian Education (BIE) is considered an LEA. However, if a
TEA operates a BIE-funded school, the agreement must include at least
one other LEA not run by the Tribe or an SEA. The agreement must
document the commitment of the TEA, SEA, and LEA to work together and
must include all required elements established in this notice. Letters
of support from an SEA or LEA will not meet this requirement and will
not be accepted as a substitute.
Because we believe that it will be critically important for TEAs
receiving a three-year STEP grant to have project leadership in place
at the start of the work, projects are required to have a project
director in place as soon as possible but not later than 60 days after
the project start date in order to successfully meet program outcomes.
In addition, an applicant TEA must submit an agreement with the
appropriate SEA or LEA to implement the activities described in the
application. Within 120 days of receiving the award, a grantee must
make any needed updates to the agreement. We also require that a
grantee report annually on project progress and that, at the end of the
three-year project, each grantee must demonstrate in its final
performance report that the grantee met the program objectives.
In accordance with the Department's commitment to engage in regular
and meaningful consultation and collaboration with Indian Tribes (as
defined in this notice), the Office of Elementary and Secondary
Education's (OESE) Office of Indian Education (OIE) and the White House
Initiative on American Indian and Alaska Native Education (WHIAIANE)
conducted two Tribal Consultation sessions regarding the STEP program,
on December 13, 2018, and February 11, 2020, respectively. Consistent
with the Department's trust responsibility to Tribes and its Tribal
Consultation Policy, on those two dates, OESE consulted with elected
officials of federally recognized Tribes to ensure that their views
inform OESE's policy decisions related to the priorities, requirements,
definitions, and selection criteria that govern this competition. At
the 2018 Tribal Consultation, there was significant interest in
providing opportunities for Tribes that do not have a TEA to create
one. So, the FY 2019 competition focused on one-year grants to Tribes
that wanted to establish TEAs.
On January 11, 2020, the Department notified Tribal leaders from
each of the federally recognized Indian Tribes, all Tribal College or
University (TCU) presidents, current grantees under ESEA Title VI
formula and discretionary grant programs, and other stakeholders of the
opportunity to provide input on the FY 2020 STEP competition via an
email issued through OIE's listserve. The email notification provided
information on how Tribal leaders could participate in a blended in-
person and virtual Tribal consultation in Washington, DC, on February
11, 2020, and provide written Tribal comment through March 12, 2020,
through the [email protected] mailbox.
The Department solicited feedback on five specific questions as
part of this Tribal consultation. There were 60 total participants in
attendance either in-person or virtually, and two written comments were
submitted. A summary of the feedback to these questions and how the
Department incorporated this feedback into the FY 2020 STEP notice
inviting applications (NIA) follows.
The Department first asked: ``When partnering with SEAs and LEAs,
what kinds of education programs are you most interested in
administering? ESEA formula grants, State grants, local grants?'' The
options for this multiple-choice question included formula grants under
Title VI of the ESEA, other ESEA formula grants, State grants, and
local grants.
Consultation participants, both in person, virtually, and via
written comments, expressed significant interest in administering
education programs, including interest in directly administering
formula grants under Title VI of the ESEA and other ESEA programs
including Title I, Part A (Improving the Academic Achievement of the
Disadvantaged--Improving Basic Programs Operated by Local Educational
Agencies); Title I, Part D (Prevention and Intervention Programs
[[Page 33143]]
for Children and Youth Who Are Neglected, Delinquent, or At-Risk);
Title II (Preparing, Training, and Recruiting High-Quality Teachers,
Principals, or Other School Leaders); the 21st Century Community
Learning Center grant under Title IV; and the Rural and Low-Income
School grant under Title V. Consultation participants also expressed
interest in administering various State and local grants.
The Department elaborated on this question by asking, ``What
actions do you want to take as part of directly administering education
programs?'' Consultation participants offered actions including
training school staff on culturally responsive and trauma-informed
teaching, partnering with SEA staff, directing funding to close
achievement and opportunity gaps, and holding public schools more
accountable for the performance of American Indian students.
Next, the Department asked ``What kind of evidence should the
Department require to meet the requirement that an applicant show
evidence of existing capacity? Is having a Tribal Education Code enough
evidence to demonstrate capacity of an applicant?'' Consultation
participants indicated that having a Tribal Education Code may be one
element of demonstrating evidence of capacity but that alone is not
sufficient. Other evidence of capacity may include implementation of
standard operating procedures of the TEA, three to five years of
``clean audits,'' Tribal consultation between the TEA and LEAs, and a
prior written agreement between the TEA and LEA and/or SEA. We have
taken this feedback into account in our definitions of ``established
TEA'' and ``existing capacity'' in this NIA.
Third, the Department asked ``Are you interested in using a STEP
grant to build capacity to expand educational options, such as
expanding Tribal control over existing schools that serve Tribal
students or opening new Tribally-operated schools, including new
charter schools, in addition to the required activities (directly
administering programs, building capacity, two-way training and
support)? If yes, are you interested in any of the following options?
(1) Taking over an existing school? (2) Opening a new school? Or (3)
Other option?'' In response, the vast majority of consultation
participants indicated interest in building capacity to expand
educational options. Consultation participants expressed notable
interest in opening new schools, such as charter schools or Tribal
compact schools. We have incorporated feedback from Tribal consultation
in the absolute priority for this competition that emphasizes building
capacity to expand educational options, which may include opening new
schools.
Next the Department asked ``Are you interested in using a STEP
grant to build capacity to promote the availability of work-based
learning experiences, such as by establishing partnerships to support
internships, apprenticeships, or other career pathways, in addition to
the required activities (directly administering programs, building
capacity, two-way training and support)? If yes, which work-based
learning experiences are you interested in building capacity to
promote: (1) Internships; (2) Apprenticeships; (3) Other career
pathways?'' All consultation participants indicated interest in
building capacity to promote the availability of work-based learning
experiences except one participant who was not sure; no participants
said that they were not interested. One consulation participant was
especially interested in using STEP funds to build capacity in this
area. We have incorporated feedback from Tribal consultation in the
absolute priority for this competition that emphasizes building
capacity to expand educational options in one or more of several ways,
which may include building capacity to promote work-based learning
experiences.
Finally, the Department asked ``Are you interested in using a STEP
grant to recruit and retain educators, including by offering support
for transportation or housing, in addition to the required activities
(directly administering programs, building capacity, two-way training
and support)? If yes, which supports might you want to offer: (1)
Transportation; (2) Housing; (3) Other?'' All consultation participants
indicated interest in building capacity to recruit and retain
educators. We have incorporated this Tribal input into the design of
Absolute Priority 1.
Priorities: This notice contains three absolute priorities and one
competitive preference priority. We are establishing these priorities
for the FY 2020 grant competition and any subsequent year in which we
make awards from the list of unfunded applications from this
competition, in accordance with section 437(d)(1) of the General
Education Provisions Act (GEPA), 20 U.S.C. 1232(d)(1).
Absolute Priorities: For FY 2020 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 Absolute Priority
1 and either Absolute Priority 2 or 3.
Note: The Department intends to create two funding slates--one
for applicants that meet Absolute Priorities 1 and 2 and another for
applicants that meet Absolute Priorities 1 and 3. As a result, the
Department may fund applications out of the overall rank order,
provided applications of sufficient quality are submitted, but the
Department is not bound to do so. Applicants must clearly identify
the specific absolute priorities that the proposed project addresses
in the project abstract.
These priorities are:
Absolute Priority 1--Building capacity to administer and coordinate
education programs.
Applicants must propose a project, and include a plan and timeline,
that is designed to do one or more of the following:
(a) Recruit or retain educators, including by supplementing efforts
to recruit or retain educators employed by the TEA or by a partnering
LEA.
(b) Promote the availability of work-based learning experiences
(such as internships, apprenticeships, and fellowships) or career
exploration opportunities for elementary and secondary students served
by the TEA that align with in-demand industry sectors or occupations
(as defined in section 3(23) of the Workforce Innovation and
Opportunity Act of 2014), without providing direct services.
(c) For a TEA located in a State with a State statute specifically
authorizing the establishment of charter schools, build TEA capacity
necessary to open a new charter school, including a Tribally authorized
charter school, such as by developing the charter school concept;
writing a mission statement; defining an educational model;
establishing a governance structure; developing a budget; establishing
curriculum; choosing a location; developing partnerships with key
stakeholders; or developing other materials related to applying for a
charter from the appropriate authorizing entity.
(d) Build TEA capacity necessary to convert a BIE-operated school
to a BIE-funded Tribally-operated school, such as by developing
structures necessary to ensure smooth transition of instruction;
ensuring necessary and appropriate facilities; developing processes and
procedures for oversight of funds and compliance with statute and
regulations; and preparing to hire teachers and staff.
Absolute Priority 2--Established TEAs.
To meet this priority, a TEA must be an established TEA (as defined
in this notice).
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Absolute Priority 3--TEAs with limited prior experience.
To meet this priority, a TEA must have limited prior experience,
which means that the TEA is not an established TEA.
Competitive Preference Priority: For FY 2020 and any subsequent
year in which we make awards from the list of unfunded applications
from this competition, this priority is a competitive preference
priority. Under 34 CFR 75.105(c)(2)(i) we award zero or five points to
an application, depending on whether the application meets this
priority.
This priority is:
New Three-Year STEP Grantee (0 or 5 points).
Any applicant for a STEP grant that did not receive a STEP award
from the Department in the FY 2012 or FY 2015 competitions.
Requirements: We are establishing these application and program
requirements for the FY 2020 grant competition, and any subsequent year
in which we make awards from the list of unfunded applications from
this competition, in accordance with section 437(d)(1) of GEPA, 20
U.S.C. 1232(d)(1). We have indicated the source of the requirement in a
parenthetical following the requirement.
Application Requirements: Each application must contain the
following:
(a) A signed agreement, with the appropriate SEA, one or more LEAs,
or both the SEA and an LEA. (ESEA Section 6132(d)(2)(C)(i))
Note: While an applicant may submit an agreement that includes
multiple SEAs or LEAs, no additional consideration will be given to
a project for doing so.
(b) Evidence of the TEA's existing capacity (as defined in this
notice). (ESEA Section 6132(d)(2)(C)(ii))
(c) A detailed budget, including a budget narrative, adequate to
complete the activities proposed in the STEP application, including
funds requested in this application and specific information related to
any other resources available to support the project. (Section
437(d)(1) of GEPA, 20 U.S.C. 1232(d)(1))
(d) An explanation of how the STEP funds will be used to build on
existing activities or add new activities rather than replace Tribal or
other funds. (Section 437(d)(1) of GEPA, 20 U.S.C. 1232(d)(1))
(e) Evidence that the applicant has consulted with other education
entities, if any, within the territorial jurisdiction of the applicant
that will be affected by the activities to be conducted under the
grant. (ESEA Section 6132(d)(3)(A))
(f) A plan for ongoing consultation with other education entities
regarding the operation and evaluation of the activities conducted
under the grant. (ESEA Section 6132(d)(3)(B))
(g) A description of the method to be used for evaluating the
effectiveness of the activities for which assistance is sought and for
determining whether such objectives are achieved. (ESEA Section
6132(d)(2)(B))
(h) Written assurance that--
(1) The applicant will not use funds to provide direct services
(ESEA Section 6132(e)(2)); and
(2) The applicant does not receive funds from the BIE Tribal
Education Department (TED) grant funds under section 1140 of the
Education Amendments of 1978 (25 U.S.C. 2020). (ESEA Section
6132(e)(1))
Program Requirements: Applicants that receive grants under this
program must meet the following program requirements:
(a) Hire a project director as soon as possible but no later than
60 days after the beginning of the performance period. (Section
437(d)(1) of GEPA, 20 U.S.C. 1232(d)(1))
(b) Finalize and sign any updates to the agreement with the
partnering SEA(s) and LEA(s) within 120 days after the project start
date. (Section 437(d)(1) of GEPA, 20 U.S.C. 1232(d)(1))
(c) Directly administer education programs (as defined in this
notice), which may include formula grant programs under ESEA,
consistent with State law and under a written agreement between the
parties. (ESEA Section 6132(c)(2)(A))
(d) Build capacity to administer and coordinate such education
programs, and to improve the relationship and coordination between the
TEA and the SEA(s) and LEA(s) that educate students from the Tribe.
(ESEA Section 6132(c)(2)(B))
(e) Receive training and support from the SEA(s) and LEA(s), in
areas such as data collection and analysis, grants management and
monitoring, fiscal accountability, and other areas as needed. (ESEA
Section 6132(c)(2)(C))
(f) Train and support the SEA(s) and LEA(s) in areas related to
Tribal history, language, and culture. (ESEA Section 6132(c)(2)(D))
(g) Build on existing activities or resources rather than replacing
other funds. (ESEA Section 6132(c)(2)(E))
(h) Carry out other activities consistent with the purposes of the
program. (ESEA Section 6132(c)(2)(F))
(i) Comply with the Indian Self-Determination and Education
Assistance Act (ISDEAA) hiring preference, which provides that awards
that are primarily for the benefit of Indians \1\ are subject to the
provisions of section 7(b) of the ISDEAA. That section requires that,
to the greatest extent feasible, a grantee give to--
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\1\ For purposes of this paragraph (i), an Indian is a member of
any federally recognized Indian Tribe.
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(1) Indians preferences and opportunities for training and
employment in connection with the administration of the grant; and
(2) Indian organizations and to Indian-owned economic enterprises,
as defined in section 3 of the Indian Financing Act of 1974 (25 U.S.C.
1452(e)), preference in the award of contracts in connection with the
administration of the grant.
Definitions: The definitions of ``Indian Tribe'' and ``Tribal
educational agency'' are from section 6132 of the ESEA. The definitions
of ``project component'' and ``relevant outcome'' are from 34 CFR
77.1(c). We are establishing the definitions of ``agreement,''
``directly administer education programs,'' ``education program,''
``established TEA,'' ``existing capacity,'' ``LEA-type function,'' and
``SEA-type function,'' for the FY 2020 grant competition, and any
subsequent year in which we make awards from the list of unfunded
applications from this competition, in accordance with section
437(d)(1) of GEPA, 20 U.S.C. 1232(d)(1). The following definitions
apply to this competition:
Agreement means a signed written agreement between the TEA and one
SEA; the TEA and one or more LEAs; or the TEA and both an SEA and one
or more LEAs, that documents the commitment of the TEA, SEA, and LEA,
as applicable, to work together. For the purposes of this agreement, a
BIE-funded school is considered an LEA. If a TEA operates a BIE-funded
school, such agreement must include at least one other LEA not run by
the Tribe or an SEA.
The agreement must include--
(1) An explanation of how the parties will work collaboratively to
directly administer education programs, including ESEA formula grant
programs, consistent with State law and under written agreement between
the parties;
(2) A description of the primary SEA-type functions (as defined in
this notice) or LEA-type functions (as defined in this notice) that the
TEA will assume;
(3) The training and other activities that the SEA or LEA, as
appropriate, will provide for the TEA to gain the knowledge and skills
needed to administer education programs in areas such as data
collection and analysis, grants management and monitoring,
[[Page 33145]]
fiscal accountability, and other areas as needed;
(4) The assistance that the TEA will provide to the SEA or LEA, as
appropriate, to facilitate the project, in areas related to Tribal
history, language, and culture; and
(5) A statement concerning student data that commits the parties to
making their best efforts to reach consensus and finalize agreement,
within 90 days after the start of the project, on a provision on data
sharing that is consistent with FERPA, if data sharing is required by
the project design;
(6) The goals, objectives, and outcomes to be achieved by the
proposed project that are clearly specified and measurable;
(7) A timetable for accomplishing each of the objectives and
activities that the applicant will undertake to achieve the program
outcomes in the program requirements; and
(8) An assurance that all relevant parties will participate in each
Tribal consultation required under Federal education programs.
Directly administer education programs means conducting SEA-type
functions or LEA-type functions for education programs, including ESEA
formula grant programs, consistent with State law and under the
agreement.
Education program means any Federal, State, local, or private
education program that supports elementary or secondary students.
Established TEA means a TEA that--
(1) Previously received a STEP grant in 2012 or 2015; or
(2) Has an existing prior relationship with an SEA or LEA as
evidenced by a prior written agreement between the TEA and SEA or LEA,
and meets two or more of the following criteria:
(i) Has an existing Tribal education code.
(ii) Has administered at least one education program within the
past five years.
(iii) Has administered at least one Federal, State, local, or
private grant within the past five years.
Existing capacity means meeting two or more of the following
criteria:
(1) Has an existing Tribal education code.
(2) Has established standard operating procedures related to
elementary or secondary education operations.
(3) Has administered at least one education program within the past
five years.
(4) Has administered at least one Federal, State, local, or private
grant within the past five years, which may include a one-year STEP
Development grant received in 2019.
Indian Tribe means a federally-recognized or a State-recognized
Tribe.
LEA-type function means the type of activity that LEAs typically
conduct, such as direct provision of educational services to students,
grant implementation, school district curriculum development, staff
professional development pursuant to State guidelines, and data
submissions.
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 (as defined in this notice) is designed to
achieve, consistent with the specific goals of the program.
SEA-type function means the type of activity that SEAs typically
conduct, such as overall education policy development, supervision and
monitoring of school districts, provision of technical assistance to
districts, statewide curriculum development, collecting and analyzing
performance data, and evaluating programs.
Tribal educational agency (TEA) means the agency, department, or
instrumentality of an Indian Tribe that is primarily responsible for
supporting Tribal students' elementary and secondary education.
Note: For purposes of this program, this term also includes an
agency, department, or instrumentality of more than one Tribe, if
the Tribes are in close geographic proximity to each other.
Waiver of Proposed Rulemaking: Under the Administrative Procedure
Act (5 U.S.C. 553) the Department generally offers interested parties
the opportunity to comment on proposed priorities, requirements, and
definitions. Section 437(d)(1) of GEPA, however, allows the Secretary
to exempt from rulemaking requirements regulations governing the first
grant competition under a new or substantially revised program
authority. This is the first grant competition for this program under
section 6132 of the ESEA (20 U.S.C. 7452), and, therefore, qualifies
for this exemption. In order to ensure timely grant awards, the
Secretary has decided to forgo public comment on the priorities,
requirements, and definitions under section 437(d)(1) of GEPA. These
priorities, requirements, and definitions will apply to the FY 2020
competition, and any subsequent year in which we make awards from the
list of unfunded applications from this competition.
Program Authority: Section 6132(c)(2) of the ESEA, Grants To Tribes
For Education, Administrative Planning, Development, And Coordination,
20 U.S.C. 7452.
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.
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: $1.5 to $2 million.
Contingent upon the availability of funds and the quality of
applications, we may make additional awards in subsequent years from
the list of unfunded applications from this competition.
Estimated Range of Awards: $300,000 to $500,000.
Estimated Average Size of Awards: $400,000.
Estimated Number of Awards: 4-6.
Note: The Department is not bound by any estimates in this
notice.
Project Period: Up to three years.
III. Eligibility Information
1. Eligible Applicants: TEAs, including a consortium of TEAs. An
Indian Tribe that receives funds from the BIE under section 1140 of the
Education Amendments of 1978 (25 U.S.C. 2020) is not eligible to
receive funds under this program.
2. a. Cost Sharing or Matching: This program does not require cost
sharing or matching.
b. Supplement-Not-Supplant: This program involves supplement-not-
supplant funding requirements.
3. Subgrantees: 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
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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.
Grants.gov has relaxed the requirement for applicants to have an
active registration in the System for Award Management (SAM) in order
to apply for funding during the COVID-19 pandemic. An applicant that
does not have an active SAM registration can still register with
Grants.gov, but must contact the Grants.gov Support Desk, toll-free, at
1-800-518-4726, in order to take advantage of this flexibility.
2. Intergovernmental Review: This program is subject to Executive
Order 12372 and the regulations in 34 CFR part 79. Information about
Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs under Executive Order
12372 is in the application package for this program.
3. Funding Restrictions: Funding restrictions are outlined in
section 6132 (20 U.S.C.7452(3)(e)): (1) An Indian Tribe may not receive
funds under this section if such Tribe receives funds under section
1140 of the Education Amendments of 1978 (20 U.S.C. 2020); and (2) no
funds under this section may be used to provide direct services. We
reference additional 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, references, and captions, as well as all text in
charts, tables, figures, and graphs.
Use a font that is either 12 point or larger or no smaller
than 10 pitch (characters per inch).
Use one of the following fonts: Times New Roman, Courier,
Courier New, or Arial.
The recommended page limit does not apply to the cover sheet; the
budget section, including the narrative budget justification; the
assurances and certifications; or the one-page abstract, the resumes,
the bibliography, or the letters of support. However, the recommended
page limit does apply to all of the application narrative.
5. 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 program are
from 34 CFR 75.210. We will award up to 100 points to an application
under the selection criteria; the total possible points for each
selection criterion are noted in parentheses.
(a) Quality of the Project Design. (Maximum 30 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.
(up to 10 points)
(2) The extent to which the proposed project is designed to build
capacity and yield results that will extend beyond the period of
Federal financial assistance. (up to 10 points)
(3) The extent to which the proposed project will integrate with or
build on similar or related efforts to improve relevant outcomes (as
defined in this notice), using existing funding streams from other
programs or policies supported by community, State, and Federal
resources. (up to 10 points)
(b) Quality of Project Services. (Maximum 20 points). The Secretary
considers the quality of the services to be provided by the proposed
project. In determining the quality of project services of the proposed
project, the Secretary considers the following factors:
(1) 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. (up to 5 points).
(2) The extent to which the services to be provided by the proposed
project involve the collaboration of appropriate partners for
maximizing the effectiveness of project services. (up to 15 points)
(c) Adequacy of Resources. (Maximum 30 points). The Secretary
considers the adequacy of resources for the proposed project. In
determining the adequacy of resources for the proposed project, the
Secretary considers:
(1) The adequacy of support, including facilities, equipment,
supplies, and other resources, from the applicant organization or the
lead applicant organization. (up to 5 points)
(2) The qualifications, including relevant training and experience,
of the project director or principal investigator. (up to 10 points)
(3) The potential for continued support of the project after
Federal funding ends, including, as appropriate, the demonstrated
commitment of appropriate entities to such support. (up to 5 points)
(4) The extent to which the budget is adequate to support the
proposed project. (up to 10 points)
(d) Quality of the Management Plan. (Maximum 20 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 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. (up to 20 points)
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
[[Page 33147]]
or activities receiving Federal financial assistance from the
Department (34 CFR 100.4, 104.5, 106.4, 108.8, and 110.23).
3. Risk Assessment and Specific Conditions: Consistent with 2 CFR
200.205, before awarding grants under this program, the Department
conducts a review of the risks posed by applicants. Under 2 CFR
3474.10, the Secretary may impose specific conditions and, in
appropriate circumstances, high-risk conditions on a grant if the
applicant or grantee is not financially stable; has a history of
unsatisfactory performance; has a financial or other management system
that does not meet the standards in 2 CFR part 200, subpart D; has not
fulfilled the conditions of a prior grant; or is otherwise not
responsible.
4. Integrity and Performance System: If you are selected under this
competition to receive an award that over the course of the project
period may exceed the simplified acquisition threshold (currently
$250,000), under 2 CFR 200.205(a)(2) we must make a judgment about your
integrity, business ethics, and record of performance under Federal
awards--that is, the risk posed by you as an applicant--before we make
an award. In doing so, we must consider any information about you that
is in the integrity and performance system (currently referred to as
the Federal Awardee Performance and Integrity Information System
(FAPIIS)), accessible through the System for Award Management. You may
review and comment on any information about yourself that a Federal
agency previously entered and that is currently in FAPIIS.
Please note that, if the total value of your currently active
grants, cooperative agreements, and procurement contracts from the
Federal Government exceeds $10,000,000, the reporting requirements in 2
CFR part 200, Appendix XII, require you to report certain integrity
information to FAPIIS semiannually. Please review the requirements in 2
CFR part 200, Appendix XII, if this grant plus all the other Federal
funds you receive exceed $10,000,000.
VI. Award Administration Information
1. Award Notices: If your application is successful, we notify your
U.S. Representative and U.S. Senators and send you a Grant Award
Notification (GAN); or we may send you an email containing a link to
access an electronic version of your GAN. We may notify you informally,
also.
If your application is not evaluated or not selected for funding,
we notify you.
2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements: We identify
administrative and national policy requirements in the application
package and reference these and other requirements in the Applicable
Regulations section of this notice.
We reference the regulations outlining the terms and conditions of
an award in the Applicable Regulations section of this notice and
include these and other specific conditions in the GAN. The GAN also
incorporates your approved application as part of your binding
commitments under the grant.
3. Open Licensing Requirements: Unless an exception applies, if you
are awarded a grant under this competition, you will be required to
openly license to the public grant deliverables created in whole, or in
part, with Department grant funds. When the deliverable consists of
modifications to pre-existing works, the license extends only to those
modifications that can be separately identified and only to the extent
that open licensing is permitted under the terms of any licenses or
other legal restrictions on the use of pre-existing works.
Additionally, a grantee or subgrantee that is awarded competitive grant
funds must have a plan to disseminate these public grant deliverables.
This dissemination plan can be developed and submitted after your
application has been reviewed and selected for funding. For additional
information on the open licensing requirements please refer to 2 CFR
3474.20.
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.
(c) Under 34 CFR 75.250(b), the Secretary may provide a grantee
with additional funding for data collection analysis and reporting. In
this case, the Secretary establishes a data collection period.
5. Performance Measures: Note: All grantees will report on measures
a, b and c. A grantee will report on measures d, e, f and g, based on
the part(s) of Absolute Priority 1 addressed in its application.
(a) The number of capacity building activities offered by the TEA
for the SEA or LEA (e.g., trainings, technical assistance in areas
related to tribal history, language, or culture).
(b) The number of capacity building activities offered by the SEA
or LEA for the TEA (e.g., trainings, technical assistance in developing
TEA capacity to administer and coordinate education programs).
(c) The number of education programs grantees directly administer.
(d) The number of teachers recruited or retained to serve students
the TEA serves as a result of the STEP grant.
(e) The number of work-based learning experience programs created
as a result of the capacity built using the STEP grant.
(f) The number of TEA actions taken to build capacity to open a
charter school, such as by developing the charter school concept;
writing a mission statement; defining an educational model;
establishing a governance structure; developing a budget; establishing
curriculum; choosing a location; developing partnerships with key
stakeholders; or developing other materials related to applying for a
charter from the appropriate authorizing entity.
(g) The number of TEA actions taken to build capacity to convert a
BIE-operated school to a BIE-funded Tribally-operated school, such as
by developing structures necessary to ensure smooth transition of
instruction; ensuring necessary and appropriate facilities; developing
processes and procedures for oversight of funds and compliance with
statute and regulations; and preparing to hire teachers and staff.
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
[[Page 33148]]
to Federal civil rights laws that prohibit discrimination in programs
or activities receiving Federal financial assistance from the
Department (34 CFR 100.4, 104.5, 106.4, 108.8, and 110.23).
VII. Other Information
Accessible Format: Individuals with disabilities can obtain this
document and a copy of the application package in an accessible format
(e.g., braille, large print, audiotape, or compact disc) on request to
the program contact person listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
CONTACT.
Electronic Access to This Document: The official version of this
document is the document published in the Federal Register. You may
access the official edition of the Federal Register and the Code of
Federal Regulations at www.govinfo.gov. At this site you can view this
document, as well as all other documents of this Department published
in the Federal Register, in text or Portable Document Format (PDF). To
use PDF you must have Adobe Acrobat Reader, which is available free at
the site.
You may also access documents of the Department published in the
Federal Register by using the article search feature at
www.federalregister.gov. Specifically, through the advanced search
feature at this site, you can limit your search to documents published
by the Department.
Frank T. Brogan,
Assistant Secretary for Elementary and Secondary Education.
[FR Doc. 2020-11729 Filed 5-29-20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4000-01-P