Archived Information

**U.S. Department of Education**

**Office of Vocational and Adult Education**

**Washington, D.C. 20202-7241**

![](media/image1.wmf){width="2.1805555555555554in" height="2.18125in"}

**FISCAL YEAR 2006**

**National Research Center for Career and Technical Education**

**Application for a Cooperative Agreement**

**CFDA Number 84.051A**

**DATED MATERIAL-OPEN IMMEDIATELY**

**Closing Date: August 10, 2007**

## Dear Colleague:

::: Definition-Term
Thank you for your interest in the National Research Center for Career
and Technical Education (Research Center or Center), administered by the
Office of Vocational and Adult Education of the U.S. Department of
Education. The Research Center competition is authorized under section
114 of the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006
(Act). Section 114(d)(4) of the Act authorizes the Secretary, after
consulting with the States, to establish a national research center for
the purposes of carrying out scientifically based research and
evaluation, dissemination, and training activities consistent with the
purposes of the Act. Further, section 114(d)(5) of the Act authorizes
the Secretary to provide technical assistance, upon request of a State,
for the purpose of developing, improving, and identifying the most
successful methods and techniques for providing career and technical
education programs assisted under the Act. The Secretary will provide
technical assistance through the Research under the authority of section
114(d)(5).
:::

This application package contains the necessary information and the
required forms for potential applicants to apply and be considered for a
FY 2006 award under this competition, including the published Federal
Register notice dated June 11, 2007 located in Part III of this package.
Potential applicants are advised to read the materials carefully,
particularly the information in Part III: Application Notice. The Notice
describes the program requirements, required activities, priorities,
selection criteria, and instructions for completing and submitting
applications.

Applications for a cooperative agreement under this program may be
submitted electronically using the Grants.gov Web site
(http://www.Grants.gov), or in paper format by mail or hand delivery.
Your participation in Grants.gov is voluntary. For information
(including dates and times) concerning how to submit your application
electronically, or by mail or hand delivery, please refer to page 36 of
the Notice in this application package.

The Department will award a cooperative agreement on a competitive basis
for a project period of up to 5 years. The Department, through a peer
review panel of experts, will evaluate each application using the
application selection criteria as well as how the application addresses
the competitive priorities included in Part III of this application
package. The Department will select the applicant for funding based on
the quality of the application including its rank order as determined by
the total score of the application based on the selection criteria and
the awarding of competitive priority points, if any. We expect to award
the cooperative agreement no later than September 2007. If you have any
questions about the program after reviewing the application package,
please contact me at (202) 245-7818, or by email at
ricardo.hernandez@ed.gov.

Again, thank you for your interest. We look forward to receiving your
application and appreciate your efforts to meet the research and
assistance needs of career and technical education providers and
students through this program.

Ricardo Hernandez

Project Officer

National Research Center

for Career and Technical Education

**TABLE OF CONTENTS**

Dear Colleague Letter

Part I: Program Background Information

Part II: Legal and Regulatory Documents

Part III: Application Notice

Part IV: Program Statute

Part V: Forms, Notices, Statements

**PART I: PROGRAM BACKGROUND INFORMATION**

The enactment of the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act
of 2006 continues the commitment to high quality career and technical
education, expands efforts to develop challenging academic and technical
standards and to assist students in meeting such standards, including
preparing for high-skill, high-wage, or high-demand occupations in
current or emerging professions. The Act is fully aligned with the
principles of No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 (NCLB) by promoting the
development of services and activities that integrate rigorous and
challenging academic course work with career and technical education so
that all students be prepared for postsecondary education and careers.
The Department believes the establishment of a national research center
is a critical component of the Department's efforts to provide States
and local programs with the scientifically-based research, methods, and
techniques that are most successful in addressing the education,
employment, and training need of students in career and technical
education programs.

Section 114(d)(4) of the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education
Act of 2006 (the Act), authorizes the Secretary to establish a national
research center for the purposes of carrying out scientifically based
research and evaluation, dissemination, and training activities
consistent with the purposes of the Act. Further, section 114(d)(5) of
the Act authorizes the Secretary to provide technical assistance upon
request of States for the purpose of developing, improving, and
identifying the most successful methods and techniques for providing
career and technical education programs assisted under the Act. The
Secretary will provide technical assistance through the Center under
authority of section 114(d)(5).

Section 114(d)(4) of the Act also requires the Secretary to consult with
States before establishing a national research center. The Department,
therefore, provided several opportunities for States and other
interested parties to provide suggestions regarding the national
research center, including\--

\(a\) Using e-mail to solicit suggestions from State directors of career
and technical education and representatives of professional
organizations and associations;

\(b\) Posting on the Department\'s website an invitation for the public
to provide suggestions on what the Department needs to consider when
establishing a national research center;

\(c\) Inviting State directors, during the September 2006 Conference of
the National Association of State Directors of Career and Technical
Education Consortium, to send the Department suggestions on how the
national research center could best serve their needs; and

\(d\) Holding a meeting with State directors of career and technical
education, representatives of career and technical education
professional organizations and associations, and members of the higher
education community to discuss their needs and to request suggestions on
how the national research center could best serve their needs.

We appreciate the time the various interested parties took to provide us
with suggestions. We carefully considered the suggestions we received as
we considered and determined the focus and activities of the Center.

[Eligible Entities]{.underline}.

(1) Institutions of higher education,

(2) Public or private nonprofit organizations or agencies, or

(3) Consortia of such institutions, organizations, or agencies.

[Type of Award]{.underline}: Cooperative agreement.

### [Estimated Available Funds]{.underline}: OVAE estimates \$2,200,000 will be available for the first 10 months of the project, and \$4,500,000 for funding 12-month budget periods for years two through five. Continuation of the Center award is subject to the availability of funds and to a grantee meeting the requirements of 34 CFR 75.253. FY 2006 funds will be used for the new award under this competition. Note: The Department is not bound by any estimate in this application package.

### [Estimated Range of Award:]{.underline} \$2,200,000 for the first 10 months. 

[Number of Awards]{.underline}: 1.

[Project Period]{.underline}: Up to 60 months.

[Submission Dates and Times]{.underline}: Applications Available: June
11, 2007

[Deadline for Transmittal of Applications]{.underline}: August 10, 2007.
We do not consider an application that does not comply with the deadline
requirements.

[Agency Contact:]{.underline} If you have any questions about the
Research Center after reviewing the application package, please contact
Dr. Ricardo Hernandez, U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland
Avenue, SW., room 11137, Potomac Center Plaza, Washington, DC
20202-7241. Telephone: (202) 245-7818, Fax: (202) 245-7837, or by
e-mail: <Ricardo.Hernandez@ed.gov>.

**PART II: LEGAL AND REGULATORY DOCUMENTS**

### [Program Authority]{.underline} 

The National Research Center for Career and Technical Education is
authorized by section 114(d)(4) of the Carl D. Perkins Career and
Technical Education Act of 2006 (20 U.S.C. 2324(d)(4) and (5)).

### [Applicable Regulations]{.underline}

The Education Department General Administrative Regulations (EDGAR) in
34 CFR parts 74, 75, 77, 80, 81, 82, 84, 85, 86, 97, 98, and 99. Note:
The regulations in 34 CFR part 86 apply to institutions of higher
education only.

### [Statutory Changes Affecting This Competition]{.underline}: 

In the Act, Congress expanded and added elements to the statement of
purpose, most significantly by stating that, among other statutory
purposes, programs should build on the efforts of States and localities
to develop challenging academic and technical standards, and to assist
students in meeting such standards, including student academic
achievement standards, especially in preparation for the high skill,
high wage, or high demand occupations in emerging or established
professions. (20 U.S.C. 2301 (1)) Congress also added to the statement
of purpose the requirement that programs should provide technical
assistance that promotes leadership, initial preparation, and
professional development; improve the quality of career and technical
education teachers, faculty, principals, administrators, and counselors.
(20 U.S. C. 2301 (5)) Additionally, the Act's purpose section was
amended to include supporting partnerships among secondary schools,
postsecondary institutions, baccalaureate degree granting institutions,
area career technical centers, local workforce investment boards,
business and industry, and intermediaries, as well as providing career
and technical education students with opportunities throughout their
lives, in conjunction with other education and training programs, to
attain the knowledge and skills needed to keep the United States
competitive. (20 U.S.C. 2301 (6) and (7))

**PART III: NOTICE INVITING APPLICATIONS**

4000-01-U

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

Office of Vocational and Adult Education

[Overview Information]{.underline}

National Research Center for Career and Technical Education

Notice inviting applications for a new award for fiscal year (FY) 2006.

Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: 84.051A

[Dates]{.underline}:

Applications Available: June 11, 2007.

Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: August 10, 2007.

Full Text of Announcement

I. Funding Opportunity Description

[Purpose of Program]{.underline}: Section 114(d)(4) of the Carl D.
Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006 (Act) authorizes the
Secretary, after consulting with the States, to establish a national
research center (Center) to carry out scientifically based research and
evaluation, and to conduct dissemination and training activities
consistent with the purposes of the Act. Further, section 114(d)(5) of
the Act authorizes the Secretary to provide technical assistance, upon
request of a State, for the purpose of developing, improving, and
identifying the most successful methods and techniques for providing
career and technical education programs assisted under the Act. Under
the authority of section 114(d)(5), the Secretary will provide technical
assistance to States through the Center.

[Background Information]{.underline}

The Act, a reauthorization of the Carl D. Perkins Vocational and
Technical Education Act of 1998 (Perkins III), continues the commitment
to high-quality career and technical education embodied in Perkins III.
The Act continues the previous legislation\'s focus on developing
challenging academic and technical standards and assisting students in
meeting such standards, including through preparation for high-skill,
high-wage, or high-demand occupations in current or emerging professions
and in nontraditional fields. The Act is aligned with the principles of
the Elementary Secondary Education Act of 1965, as amended (20 U.S.C.
6301 [et]{.underline} [seq]{.underline}.) (ESEA) in that it promotes the
development of services and activities that integrate rigorous and
challenging academic course work with career and technical education so
that all students can be prepared for postsecondary education and
careers.

[Consultation Process]{.underline}

Pursuant to section 114(d)(4) of the Act, which requires the Secretary
to consult with States before establishing a Center, we used several
strategies to conduct consultations and provided a number of
opportunities for States and other interested parties to give
suggestions regarding the Center. For example, the Department\--

\(a\) Used e-mail to solicit suggestions from State Directors of career
and technical education and representatives of professional
organizations and associations;

\(b\) Posted on the Department\'s Web site an invitation for the public
to provide suggestions on what the Department needs to consider when
establishing a Center;

\(c\) Invited State Directors, during the September 2006 Conference of
the National Association of State Directors of Career and Technical
Education Consortium, to send the Department suggestions on how the
Center could best serve their needs; and

\(d\) Held a meeting with State Directors of career and technical
education, representatives of career and technical education
professional organizations and associations, and members of the higher
education community to discuss their research, evaluation, and technical
assistance needs and to request suggestions on how the Center could best
serve their respective needs.

We appreciate the time that various interested parties took to provide
us with suggestions. We carefully considered the suggestions we received
as we determined the focus and activities of the Center as described in
this notice.

[Required Project Activities]{.underline}

Through this competition, the Secretary will award a cooperative
agreement to establish a national research center for career and
technical education that implements sections 114(d)(4) and (5) of the
Act to\--

\(a\) Carry out scientifically based research and evaluation for the
purpose of developing, improving, and identifying the most successful
methods for addressing the education, employment, and training needs of
participants, including special populations, in career and technical
education programs, including research and evaluation in activities such
as---

\(1\) The integration of\--

\(i\) Career and technical instruction; and

\(ii\) Academic, secondary, and postsecondary instruction;

\(2\) Education technology and distance learning approaches and
strategies that are effective with respect to career and technical
education;

\(3\) State-adjusted levels of performance and State levels of
performance that serve to improve career and technical education
programs and student achievement;

\(4\) Academic knowledge and career and technical skills required for
employment or participation in postsecondary education; and

\(5\) Preparation for occupations in high-skill, high-wage, or
high-demand business and industry, including examination of\--

\(i\) Collaboration between career and technical education programs and
business and industry; and

\(ii\) Academic and technical skills required for a regional or sectoral
workforce, including small businesses (20 U.S.C. 2324(d)(4)(A)(i));

\(b\) Carry out scientifically based research and evaluation to increase
the effectiveness and improve the implementation of career and technical
education programs that are integrated with coherent and rigorous
content aligned with challenging academic standards, including by
conducting research and development, and studies, that provide
longitudinal information or formative evaluation with respect to career
and technical education programs and student achievement (20 U.S.C.
2324(d)(4)(A)(ii));

\(c\) Carry out scientifically based research and evaluation that can be
used to improve the preparation and professional development of
teachers, faculty, and administrators, and to improve student learning
in the career and technical education classroom including---

\(1\) Effective in-service and preservice teacher and faculty education
that assists career and technical education programs in\--

\(i\) Integrating those programs with academic content standards and
student academic achievement standards, as adopted by States under
section 1111(b)(1) of the ESEA; and

\(ii\) Coordinating career and technical education with
industry-recognized certification requirements;

\(2\) Dissemination and training activities related to the applied
research and demonstration activities described in this section of the
notice, which may also include serving as a repository for information
on career and technical skills, State academic standards, and related
materials; and

\(3\) The recruitment and retention of career and technical education
teachers, faculty, counselors, and administrators, including individuals
in groups underrepresented in the teaching profession (20 U.S.C.
2324(d)(4)(A)(iii));

\(d\) Carry out such other research and evaluation, consistent with the
purposes of the Act, as the Secretary determines appropriate to assist
State and local recipients of funds under the Act (20 U.S.C.
2324(d)(4)(A)(iv));

\(e\) Conduct dissemination and training activities based upon the
research performed by the Center and described in this notice (20 U.S.C.
2324(d)(4)(C)), including\--

\(1\) Developing, for dissemination, information on promising or best
practices for enhancing student achievement and performance that are
based on scientifically based research, conducted by the Center and
others, and that are geared to administrators, teachers, counselors, and
policymakers; and

\(2\) Disseminating information on best practices for the purposes of
developing, improving, and identifying the most successful methods and
techniques for providing career and technical education programs
assisted under the Act (20 U.S.C. 2324(d)(5)); and

\(f\) Provide technical assistance upon request of a State for the
purpose of developing, improving, and identifying the most successful
methods and techniques for providing career and technical education
programs assisted under the Act (20 U.S.C. 2324(d)(5)).

[Cooperative Agreement, Program Requirements, Application Requirements,
Priorities and Definitions]{.underline}

[Cooperative Agreement]{.underline}:

The Secretary plans to make an award to the Center under the terms of a
cooperative agreement. The Secretary expects to have substantial
involvement with the grantee during the performance of the funded
project. Substantial involvement on the part of the Department includes:

\(a\) Direct operational involvement in the review and approval of
project activities.

\(b\) Continuing and regular participation in the project.

\(c\) Halting an activity immediately if detailed performance
specifications or requirements are not met.

\(d\) Reviewing and approving one stage of work before the Center can
begin a subsequent stage during the project period.

\(e\) Collaborating or participating jointly with the Center in the
assisted activities.

[Program Requirements]{.underline}:

To ensure the high quality of the Center and the accomplishment of the
goals and purposes of sections 114(d)(4) and (5) of the Act, the
Secretary establishes the following requirements for this competition:

\(a\) [Center Director]{.underline}. The grantee institution must
appoint a full-time Director for the Center.

\(b\) [Advisory Committee]{.underline}. (1) The grantee institution must
establish an advisory committee to provide the Center with advice and a
diversity of perspectives on the\--

\(i\) Research, evaluation, and technical assistance needs of the career
and technical education community;

\(ii\) Center's scientifically based research;

\(iii\) Center's dissemination activities;

\(iv\) Center's technical assistance activities; and

\(v\) Other activities undertaken and materials published by the Center,
in carrying out the purposes of the Act.

\(2\) Each applicant must budget for, and include in its application,
preliminary plans for an advisory committee. The preliminary plans must
describe the composition of the advisory committee, including the
affiliations, professional qualifications, and proposed length of
service of potential advisory committee members.

\(3\) After the cooperative agreement is awarded, the Center must
provide, for the Department\'s approval, a detailed plan for the
advisory committee, including reasonable assurances that persons
identified as members will serve in the capacity stated in the detailed
plan.

\(c\) [Project meetings]{.underline}. The applicant must plan and budget
for\--

\(1\) The Center Director to attend a two-day meeting in Washington, DC
at least once a year, for each year of the project to review performance
and discuss the Center\'s plans for scientifically based research,
evaluation, dissemination, professional development and technical
assistance;

\(2\) The Center Director and other key staff to attend the following:

\(i\) A two-day post-award conference with program officials in
Washington, DC that will be held within 30 days after the date of the
grant award notice. The purpose of this conference will be to\--

\(A\) Review and discuss the terms of the cooperative agreement between
the Center and the Department;

\(B\) Review and discuss the applicant\'s plans for the scientifically
based research, evaluation, dissemination, professional development, and
technical assistance to be carried out by the Center over the five years
of the project period;

\(C\) Discuss and establish how the grantee institution, the Center and
the Department will work together as partners, under the terms of the
cooperative agreement, to accomplish the purposes of the grant award;
and

\(D\) Establish specific lines of communication and feedback between the
Center and the Department.

\(ii\) A one-day annual performance review with program officials in
Washington, DC at the end of each project year.

\(d\) [Alignment and Consultation]{.underline}. (1) To the extent
possible, the Center must align its professional development activities
with those professional development activities carried out\--

\(i\) By \"eligible agencies\" and \"eligible recipients,\" as those
terms are defined in sections 3(12) and 3(14) of the Act (20 U.S.C.
2302(12) and (14)); and

\(ii\) Under the ESEA and the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C.
1001 [et]{.underline} [seq]{.underline}.).

\(2\) In order to exchange information, avoid duplication of effort,
pool resources, and improve the overall effectiveness of the Center\'s
activities, the Center must, to the extent possible, consult with the
sponsors of activities that are similar or related to its activities,
especially activities of the Department\'s Policy and Program Studies
Service (the lead office for the National Assessment of Career and
Technical Education), Office of Elementary and Secondary Education,
Office of Postsecondary Education, Office of Special Education and
Rehabilitative Services, Comprehensive Centers (particularly the
National High School Center), National Research and Development Centers,
and Regional Educational Labs. In addition, the Center must consult with
the National Science Foundation; national career and technical education
professional associations or organizations; and other similar or related
agencies, organizations, associations, and activities.

\(e\) [Publications]{.underline}. The Center must establish an effective
quality control process for all publications resulting from or used in
the Center\'s research, dissemination, technical assistance, and
professional development activities.

\(f\) [Evaluation and GPRA Measures]{.underline}. (1) The applicant must
budget for and include preliminary plans in the application for an
independent evaluator to\--

\(i\) Conduct an ongoing evaluation of the Center\'s effectiveness; and

\(ii\) Annually measure and report on the GPRA measures identified in
the [Performance Measures]{.underline} section of this notice.

\(2\) The preliminary plans must describe\--

\(i\) The methods of evaluation to be used to measure the effectiveness
of the Center; and

\(ii\) With regard to the GPRA measures, (A) the composition of the
expert panels that the Center will use to assess its performance under
paragraphs (a) and (b) of the [Performance Measures]{.underline} section
of this notice, including the affiliations and professional
qualifications of panel members; (B) how the Center plans to ensure the
objectivity of the expert panels; and (C) the procedures the Center will
use, as required by paragraphs (c) and (d) of the [Performance
Measures]{.underline} section of this notice, to assess the usefulness
and quality of the technical assistance services and professional
development activities the Center provides.

\(3\) After the cooperative agreement is awarded, the Center must
provide, for the Department\'s approval, a detailed plan for conducting
the evaluation and measuring and reporting on the GPRA measures.

\(4\) The results of the evaluation must be submitted to the Secretary
in an interim evaluation report during the third year of the project and
in a final evaluation report during the fifth year of the project.

\(5\) The results of the evaluation must be used to provide feedback for
continuous improvement in the operation of the Center.

\(6\) In determining the overall effectiveness of the Center, the
evaluation must take into account the Center\'s performance on the
Government Performance and Results Act of 1993 (GPRA) measures of
effectiveness identified in the [Performance Measures]{.underline}
section of this notice.

\(g\) [Contingency Plan]{.underline}. During the final year of the
five-year project period, the Center must develop and be prepared to
implement a contingency plan for completing all substantive work by the
end of the eleventh month of the final project year and transferring all
the products, data, services, materials, and research studies to a
successor Center during the twelfth month of the final project year.

[Application Requirements]{.underline}:

Applicants must plan for a 10-month project period for the first year of
the project to enable the Center to establish a July-to-June project
period for the second through the fifth year of the project and to align
the Center\'s activities with the academic year.

Applicants must include, in addition to the items identified in
paragraphs (b)(2), (c), and (f) of the [Program
Requirements]{.underline}, the following in their applications\--

\(a\) [Research Plan]{.underline}. A plan that describes the strategies
and approaches the applicant intends to use to carry out the
scientifically based research and evaluation activities described in
section 114(d)(4) of the Act and in the [Required Project
Activities]{.underline} section of this notice. The plan must be a
focused program of scientifically based research that consists of a set
of tightly linked studies that build on each other;

\(1\) In the research plan, applicants must include\--

\(i\) Research studies that are fully consistent with the standards in
the definition of the term "scientifically based research," contained in
section 3(25) of the Act and in the [Definitions]{.underline} section of
this notice.

\(ii\) Significant research studies that focus on the improvement of
teaching and student outcomes.

\(iii\) Research strands, that is, thematic research areas, including
the specific research studies for each strand or area for the first two
years of the project period, on which the applicant plans to focus
during the five years of the project. The proposed studies\--

\(A\) Must represent a balance of secondary and postsecondary studies;
and

\(B\) Can be a mix of short-term and longitudinal research studies.

\(iv\) Individual research proposals for studies the applicant intends
to initiate during the first two years of the project period. These
research proposals must provide a critical review (i.e., a discussion of
the strengths and weaknesses of studies that are reviewed) of the
relevant literature, the theoretical rationale, clear and specific
research questions, and a description of the methods and procedures,
along with any instrumentation, that will be used. If a proposed
research study builds on one or more existing studies, the applicant
must include enough information for the Secretary to assess whether\--

\(A\) The study was well-designed and implemented, and addressed
research questions of practical and policy importance; and

\(B\) Scientifically based research standards were followed.

\(v\) Areas where further research is most likely to identify highly
effective approaches, methods, programs, models, or strategies.

\(2\) The application must also include information that demonstrates
the applicant\'s performance history in scientifically based research.
As evidence of the applicant\'s performance history, an applicant must
provide in the application the full study reports on two scientifically
based research studies led by key project research personnel. The study
reports must include enough information for the Secretary to be able to
assess whether the studies were well-designed and implemented, and
addressed research questions of practical and policy importance.

\(b\) [Dissemination Activities Plan]{.underline}. A plan that describes
the strategies and approaches the applicant intends to use to carry out
efficiently and effectively the dissemination activities described in
the [Required Project Activities]{.underline} section of this notice,
including:

\(1\) A description of the procedures and methodologies (e.g., expert
panels) the applicant intends to use to identify instructional
approaches, methods, programs, models, or strategies in career and
technical education and related areas that are supported by the
strongest evidence of a meaningful, sustained effect on career and
technical education participants\' education and employment outcomes.
[Note]{.underline}: Applicants are encouraged to refer to: (1) [How to
evaluate whether an intervention is backed by \"strong\" evidence of
effectiveness]{.underline} on the Internet at
http://ies.ed.gov/ncee/pubs/evidence_based/evaluation.asp and (2)
[Identifying and Implementing Educational Practices Supported By
Rigorous Evidence: A User Friendly Guide]{.underline} on the Internet at
http://www.ed.gov/rschstat/research/pubs/rigorousevid/guide.html

\(2\) Strategies and approaches for disseminating to the career and
technical education community (e.g., administrators, teachers,
counselors, and policy-makers) the findings, results, and reports from
the Center\'s research activities in order to increase the knowledge
base of programs and models proven effective in scientifically based
research.

\(3\) Strategies and approaches for identifying and disseminating to the
career and technical education community information from other sources
of relevant research in order to increase the knowledge base of career
and technical education programs and models that have been proven
effective in scientifically based research.

\(c\) [Technical Assistance Plan]{.underline}. A plan that describes the
strategies and approaches the applicant will use to carry out the
technical assistance activities described in the [Required Project
Activities]{.underline} section of this notice in the most
cost-effective and efficient manner, including a description of how the
Center will\--

\(1\) Respond to a need identified by a State, including how the Center
will coordinate with a State on providing the State with appropriate
technical assistance;

\(2\) Provide activities intended to reach a large number or proportion
of career and technical education programs, teachers, and administrators
in a State;

\(3\) Assist a State in implementing, identifying, or improving State
levels of performance that improve career and technical education
programs and student achievement;

\(4\) Assist a State to improve the data quality of its State
accountability systems, including the:

\(i\) Processes that strengthen the reliability, validity, and integrity
of data collection and analysis.

\(ii\) Accessibility of appropriate and timely data.

\(iii\) Accuracy of descriptions of performance.

\(iv\) Collection processes that yield unbiased, unprejudiced, and
impartial data results.

\(v\) Presentation of the data so that the data clearly provide an
accurate assessment of performance; and

\(5\) Provide State and local educational agencies, educators, and other
program providers with technical assistance in replicating instructional
approaches, methods, programs, models, or strategies shown to be
effective using scientifically based research.

\(d\) [Professional Development Plan]{.underline}. A plan that describes
the strategies and approaches the applicant will use to carry out the
professional development activities described in the [Required Project
Activities]{.underline} section of this notice in the most
cost-effective and efficient manner, including strategies and approaches
that\--

\(1\) Provide high-quality professional development that will improve
and increase instructional personnel\'s knowledge, skills, and ability
to help students meet challenging and rigorous academic and career and
technical skill proficiencies;

\(2\) Will advance instructional personnel\'s understanding of effective
instructional strategies that are supported by scientifically based
research; and

\(3\) Are sustained, intensive, and classroom-focused.

[Priorities]{.underline}:

We are establishing these priorities for the FY 2006 grant competition
and any subsequent year in which we make awards from the list of
unfunded applicants from this competition, in accordance with section
437(d)(1) of the General Education Provisions Act (GEPA), 20 U.S.C.
1232(d)(1).

[Competitive Preference Priorities]{.underline}: These priorities are
competitive preference priorities. Under 34 CFR 75.105(c)(2)(i), we
award each application up to an additional 70 points (from 5 to 15
points for each priority, as indicated) depending on how well the
application meets one or more of these priorities. The points awarded
are in addition to any points the application earns under the selection
criteria for this competition, provided elsewhere in this notice.

These priorities are:

\(a\) [Technical Assistance Priorities]{.underline}

1\. [Use of Technical Skills Assessments Priority]{.underline}: We award
up to 5 points to an application that proposes to\--

\(i\) Inform States of the availability of valid and reliable technical
skills assessments; and

\(ii\) Assist States in selecting appropriate, valid, and reliable
technical skills assessments.

2\. [Enhancing Student Academic and Technical Skills Achievement and
Performance Priority]{.underline}: We award up to 15 points to an
application that proposes to provide educational agencies, educators,
and other program providers with technical assistance on replicating
current promising or best practices in instructional approaches,
methods, programs, models, or strategies that are accepted by the field
as effective for the purpose of enhancing student academic and technical
skills achievement and performance, including the academic and technical
skills achievement and performance of students preparing for employment
in nontraditional fields, and that have been shown to be effective using
scientifically based research.

\(b\) [Scientifically Based Research Priorities]{.underline}

1\. [Use of Technical Skills Assessments Priority]{.underline}: We award
up to 10 points to an application that proposes\--

\(i\) Activities that investigate the\--

\(A\) Availability, at the national, State, and local levels, of valid
and reliable technical skills assessments that are aligned with
industry-recognized standards; and

\(B\) Extent to which States and local eligible recipients use valid and
reliable technical skills assessments that are aligned with
industry-recognized standards, to measure the attainment of technical
skills proficiencies by career and technical education students; and

\(ii\) Activities that encourage the development of valid and reliable
technical skills assessments that are aligned with industry-recognized
standards in technical skills areas where none previously existed.

2\. [Student Outcomes Priority]{.underline}: We award up to 15 points to
an application that proposes studies that will examine programs and
practices designed to improve student outcomes in career and technical
education.

3\. [Academic Achievement Priority]{.underline}: We award up to 15
points to an application that proposes studies that investigate and
validate whether curricula that integrate coherent and rigorous content
that is aligned with challenging academic standards (e.g., at the
secondary level, reading and language arts, mathematics, and science)
and challenging career and technical skill proficiencies results in
improvements in the academic achievement of students, including special
populations, enrolled in career and technical education programs.

4\. [Programs of Study Priority]{.underline}: We award up to 10 points
to an application that proposes activities that\--

\(i\) Promote improvements in career and technical education programs of
study (i.e., implementing career and technical education programs that
(A) incorporate secondary education and postsecondary elements, (B)
include coherent and rigorous content aligned with challenging academic
standards and relevant career and technical content in a coordinated,
non-duplicative progression of courses that align secondary education
with postsecondary education to adequately prepare students to succeed
in postsecondary education, (C) may include the opportunity for
secondary education students to participate in dual or concurrent
enrollment programs or other ways to acquire postsecondary education
credits, and (D) lead to an industry-recognized credential or
certificate at the postsecondary level, or an associate or baccalaureate
degree); and

\(ii\) Encourage States to adopt these improvements in career and
technical education programs of study statewide in programs operated by
eligible recipients and postsecondary institutions.

[Definitions]{.underline}

[Career and technical education]{.underline} means organized educational
activities that\--

\(a\) Offer a sequence of courses that\--

\(1\) Provides individuals with coherent and rigorous content aligned
with challenging academic standards and relevant technical knowledge and
skills needed to prepare for further education and careers in current or
emerging professions;

\(2\) Provides technical skills proficiency, an industry-recognized
credential, a certificate, or an associate degree; and

\(3\) May include prerequisite courses (other than remedial courses)
that meet the requirements of this definition; and

\(b\) Include competency-based applied learning that contributes to the
academic knowledge, higher-order reasoning and problem-solving skills,
work attitudes, general employability skills, technical skills, and
occupation-specific skills, and knowledge of all aspects of an industry,
including entrepreneurship, of an individual. (20 U.S.C. 2302(5))

[Coherent sequence of courses]{.underline} means a series of courses in
which career and academic education is integrated, and that directly
relates to, and leads to, both academic and occupational competencies.
The term includes competency-based education and academic education, and
adult training or retraining, including sequential units encompassed
within a single adult retraining course that otherwise meet the
requirements of this definition.

[Institution of higher education]{.underline} means\--

\(a\) An educational institution in any State that\--

\(1\) Admits, as regular students, only persons having a certificate of
graduation from a school providing secondary education or the recognized
equivalent of such a certificate;

\(2\) Is legally authorized within such State to provide a program of
education beyond secondary education;

\(3\) Provides an educational program for which the institution awards a
bachelor's degree or provides not less than a two-year program that is
acceptable for full credit toward such a degree;

\(4\) Is a public or other nonprofit institution; and

\(5\) Is accredited by a nationally recognized accrediting agency or
association or, if not so accredited, is an institution that has been
granted preaccreditation status by such an agency or association that
has been recognized by the Secretary of Education for the granting of
preaccreditation status, and the Secretary of Education has determined
that there is satisfactory assurance that the institution will meet the
accreditation standards of such an agency or association within a
reasonable time.

\(b\) The term also includes\--

\(1\) Any school that provides not less than a one-year program of
training to prepare students for gainful employment in a recognized
occupation and that meets the provisions of paragraphs (a)(1), (2), (4)
and (5) of this definition.

\(2\) A public or nonprofit private educational institution in any State
that, in lieu of the requirement in paragraph (a)(1) of this definition,
admits as regular students, persons who are beyond the age of compulsory
school attendance in the State in which the institution is located. (20
U.S.C. 1001 and 2302(18))

[Scientifically based research]{.underline} means research that is
carried out using scientifically based research standards, as defined in
section 102 of the Education Sciences Reform Act of 2002 (20 U.S.C.
9501). (20 U.S.C. 2302(25))

[Scientifically based research standards]{.underline} means research
standards that\--

\(a\) Apply rigorous, systematic, and objective methodology to obtain
reliable and valid knowledge relevant to education activities and
programs; and

\(b\) Present findings and make claims that are appropriate to, and
supported by, the methods that have been employed.

The term includes, appropriate to the research being conducted\--

\(a\) Employing systematic, empirical methods that draw on observation
or experiment;

\(b\) Involving data analyses that are adequate to support the general
findings;

\(c\) Relying on measurements or observational methods that provide
reliable data;

\(d\) Making claims of causal relationships only in random assignment
experiments or other designs (to the extent such designs substantially
eliminate plausible competing explanations for the obtained results);

\(e\) Ensuring that studies and methods are presented in sufficient
detail and clarity to allow for replication or, at a minimum, to offer
the opportunity to build systematically on the findings of the research;

\(f\) Obtaining acceptance by a peer-reviewed journal or approval by a
panel of independent experts through a comparably rigorous, objective,
and scientific review; and

\(g\) Using research designs and methods appropriate to the research
question posed. (20 U.S.C. 2302(25) and 9501(18))

[Special populations]{.underline} means\--

\(a\) Individuals with disabilities;

\(b\) Individuals from economically disadvantaged families, including
foster children;

\(c\) Individuals preparing for nontraditional training fields;

\(d\) Single parents, including single pregnant women;

\(e\) Displaced homemakers; and

\(f\) Individuals with limited English proficiency. (20 U.S.C. 2302(29))

[Note]{.underline}: Definitions of the terms \"nonprofit,\" \"private,\"
and \"public\" are in 34 CFR 77.1.

Applicants are encouraged to review all applicable definitions in
section 3 of the Act.

[Waiver of Proposed Rulemaking]{.underline}: Under the Administrative
Procedure Act (5 U.S.C. 553), the Department generally offers interested
parties the opportunity to comment on proposed non-statutory
requirements, definitions, and selection criteria. Section 437(d)(1) of
GEPA, however, allows the Secretary to exempt from rulemaking
requirements, non-statutory requirements, definitions, and selection
criteria governing the first grant competition under a new or
substantially revised program authority. This is the first grant
competition for this program under section 114(d)(4) and (5) of the Act
and, therefore, qualifies for this exemption. In order to ensure timely
grant awards, the Secretary has decided to forgo public comment on the
non-statutory requirements, definitions, and selection criteria under
the authority of section 437(d)(1) of GEPA. These non-statutory
requirements, definitions, and selection criteria will apply to the FY
2006 competition only.

[Program Authority]{.underline}: 20 U.S.C. 2324(d)(4) and (5).

[Applicable Regulations]{.underline}: The Education Department General
Administrative Regulations (EDGAR) in 34 CFR parts 74, 75, 77, 80, 81,
82, 84, 85, 86, 97, 98, and 99.

[Note]{.underline}: The regulations in 34 CFR part 86 apply to
institutions of higher education only.

II\. Award Information

[Type of Award]{.underline}: Cooperative agreement.

[Estimated Available Funds]{.underline}: \$2,200,000 for the first 10
months of the project, and \$4,500,000 for funding 12-month project
periods for each successive 12-month budget period for years two through
five. Continuation of funding for the Center is subject to the
availability of funds and to the grantee meeting the requirements of 34
CFR 75.253. FY 2006 funds will be used for new awards under this
competition.

[Estimated Number of Awards]{.underline}: 1.

[Note]{.underline}: The Department is not bound by any estimates in this
notice.

[Project Period]{.underline}: Up to 60 months.

III\. Eligibility Information

1\. [Eligible Applicants]{.underline}: The following entities are
eligible to apply under this competition:

\(a\) Institutions of higher education.

\(b\) Public or private nonprofit organizations or agencies.
([See]{.underline} 34 CFR 75.51, "How to prove nonprofit status.")

\(c\) A consortium of institutions of higher education, or of public or
private nonprofit organizations or agencies. Eligible applicants seeking
to apply for funds as a consortium must comply with the regulations in
34 CFR 75.127-75.129, which address group applications.

2\. [Cost Sharing and Matching]{.underline}. This competition does not
require cost sharing or matching.

IV\. Application and Submission Information

1\. [Address to Request Application Package]{.underline}: Dr. Ricardo
Hernandez, U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW., room
11137, Potomac Center Plaza, Washington, DC 20202-7241. Telephone: (202)
245-7818. Or Fax: (202) 245-7837 or e-mail: Ricardo.Hernandez@ed.gov.

If you use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD), call the
Federal Relay Service (FRS), toll free, at 1-800-877-8339.

Individuals with disabilities may obtain a copy of the application
package in an alternate format (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape,
or computer diskette) by contacting the person listed under [Alternative
Format]{.underline} in section VIII of this notice in this section.

2.  [Content and Form of Application Submission]{.underline}:

Requirements concerning the content of the application, together with
the forms you must submit, are in the application package for this
competition.

Page Limit: The application narrative is where you, the applicant,
address the selection criteria that reviewers use to evaluate your
application. There is no page limit for the application narrative;
however, you must 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 not smaller than 10
    pitch (characters per inch).

3\. [Submission Dates and Times]{.underline}:

Applications Available: June 11, 2007.

Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: August 10, 2007.

Applications for grants under this program may be submitted
electronically using the Grants.gov Apply site (Grants.gov), or in paper
format by mail or hand delivery. For information (including dates and
times) about how to submit your application electronically, or in paper
format by mail or hand delivery, please refer to section IV. 6. [Other
Submission Requirements]{.underline} in this notice.

We do not consider an application that does not comply with the deadline
requirements.

Individuals with disabilities who need an accommodation or auxiliary aid
in connection with the application process should contact the person
listed under [For Further Information Contact]{.underline} in section
VII in this notice. If the Department provides an accommodation or
auxiliary aid to an individual with a disability in connection with the
application process, the individual\'s application remains subject to
all other requirements and limitations in this notice.

4\. [Intergovernmental Review]{.underline}: This program is not subject
to Executive Order 12372 and the regulations in 34 CFR part 79.

5\. [Funding Restrictions]{.underline}: We reference regulations
outlining funding restriction in the [Applicable
Regulations]{.underline} section of this notice.

6\. [Other Submission Requirements]{.underline}:

Applications for grants under this competition may be submitted
electronically or in paper format by mail or hand delivery.

a\. [Electronic Submission of Applications]{.underline}.

To comply with the President's Management Agenda, we are participating
as a partner in the Government wide Grants.gov Apply site. The National
Research Center for Career and Technical Education*,* CFDA Number
84.051A, is included in this project. We request your participation in
Grants.gov.

If you choose to submit your application electronically, you must use
the Government wide Grants.gov Apply site at http://www.Grants.gov.
Through this site, you will be able to download a copy of the
application package, complete it offline, and then upload and submit
your application. You may not e-mail an electronic copy of a grant
application to us.

You may access the electronic grant application for the National
Research Center for Career and Technical Education at
http://www.Grants.gov. You must search for the downloadable application
package for this competition by the CFDA number. Do not include the CFDA
number's alpha suffix in your search (e.g., search for 84.051, not
84.051A).

Please note the following:

• Your participation in Grants.gov is voluntary.

• When you enter the Grants.gov site, you will find information about
submitting an application electronically through the site, as well as
the hours of operation.

•Applications received by Grants.gov are date and time stamped. Your
application must be fully uploaded and submitted and must be date and
time stamped by the Grants.gov system no later than 4:30 p.m.,
Washington, DC time, on the application deadline date. Except as
otherwise noted in this section, we will not consider your application
if it is date and time stamped by the Grants.gov system later than 4:30
p.m., Washington, DC time, on the application deadline date. When we
retrieve your application from Grants.gov, we will notify you if we are
rejecting your application because it was date and time stamped by the
Grants.gov system after 4:30 p.m., Washington, DC time, on the
application deadline date.

• The amount of time it can take to upload an application will vary
depending on a variety of factors, including the size of the application
and the speed of your Internet connection. Therefore, we strongly
recommend that you do not wait until the application deadline date to
begin the submission process through Grants.gov.

• You should review and follow the Education Submission Procedures for
submitting an application through Grants.gov that are included in the
application package for this competition to ensure that you submit your
application in a timely manner to the Grants.gov system. You can also
find the Education Submission Procedures pertaining to Grants.gov at
http://e-Grants.ed.gov/help/GrantsgovSubmissionProcedures.pdf

• To submit your application via Grants.gov, you must complete all steps
in the Grants.gov registration process (see
http://www.grants.gov/applicants/get_registered.jsp). These steps
include (1) registering your organization, a multi-part process that
includes registration with the Central Contractor Registry (CCR); (2)
registering yourself as an Authorized Organization Representative (AOR);
and (3) getting authorized as an AOR by your organization. Details on
these steps are outlined in the Grants.gov 3-Step Registration Guide
(see
http://www.grants.gov/section910/Grants.govRegistrationBrochure.pdf).
You also must provide on your application the same D-U-N-S Number used
with this registration. Please note that the registration process may
take five or more business days to complete, and you must have completed
all registration steps to allow you to submit successfully an
application via Grants.gov. In addition you will need to update your CCR
registration on an annual basis. This may take three or more business
days to complete.

• You will not receive additional point value because you submit your
application in electronic format, nor will we penalize you if you submit
your application in paper format.

If you submit your application electronically, you must submit all
documents electronically, including all information you typically
provide on the following forms: Application for Federal Assistance (SF
424), the Department of Education Supplemental Information for SF 424,
Budget Information\--Non-Construction Programs (ED 524), and all
necessary assurances and certifications. Please note that two of these
forms\--the SF 424 and the Department of Education Supplemental
Information for SF 424\--have replaced the ED 424 (Application for
Federal Education Assistance).

• If you submit your application electronically, you must attach any
narrative sections of your application as files in a .DOC (document),
.RTF (rich text), or .PDF (Portable Document) format. If you upload a
file type other than the three file types specified in this paragraph or
submit a password-protected file, we will not review that material.

• Your electronic application must comply with any page-limit
requirements described in this notice.

• After you electronically submit your application, you will receive
from Grants.gov an automatic notification of receipt that contains a
Grants.gov tracking number. (This notification indicates receipt by
Grants.gov only, not receipt by the Department.) The Department then
will retrieve your application from Grants.gov and send a second
notification to you by e-mail. This second notification indicates that
the Department has received your application and has assigned your
application a PR/Award number (an ED-specified identifying number unique
to your application).

• We may request that you provide us original signatures on forms at a
later date.

[Application Deadline Date Extension in Case of Technical Issues with
the Grants.gov System]{.underline}: If you are experiencing problems
submitting your application through Grants.gov, please contact the
Grants.gov Support Desk, toll free, at 1-800-518-4726. You must obtain a
Grants.gov Support Desk Case Number and must keep a record of it.

If you are prevented from electronically submitting your application on
the application deadline date because of technical problems with the
Grants.gov system, we will grant you an extension until 4:30 p.m.,
Washington, DC time, the following business day to enable you to
transmit your application electronically or by hand delivery. You also
may mail your application by following the mailing instructions
described elsewhere in this notice.

If you submit an application after 4:30 p.m., Washington, DC time, on
the application deadline date, please contact the person listed under
[For Further Information Contact]{.underline} in section VII in this
notice and provide an explanation of the technical problem you
experienced with Grants.gov, along with the Grants.gov Support Desk Case
Number. We will accept your application if we can confirm that a
technical problem occurred with the Grants.gov system and that that
problem affected your ability to submit your application by 4:30 p.m.,
Washington, DC time, on the application deadline date. The Department
will contact you after a determination is made on whether your
application will be accepted.

[Note]{.underline}: The extensions to which we refer in this section
apply only to the unavailability of, or technical problems with, the
Grants.gov system. We will not grant you an extension if you failed to
fully register to submit your application to Grants.gov before the
application deadline date and time or if the technical problem you
experienced is unrelated to the Grants.gov system.

b\. [Submission of Paper Applications by Mail]{.underline}.

If you submit your application in paper format by mail (through the U.S.
Postal Service or a commercial carrier), you must mail the original and
two copies of your application, on or before the application deadline
date, to the Department at the applicable following address:

[By mail through the U.S. Postal Service]{.underline}:

> U.S. Department of Education
>
> Application Control Center
>
> Attention: (CFDA Number 84.051A)
>
> 400 Maryland Avenue, SW

Washington, DC 20202-4260

or

[By mail through a commercial carrier]{.underline}:

> U.S. Department of Education
>
> Application Control Center, Stop 4260
>
> Attention: (CFDA Number 84.051A)
>
> 7100 Old Landover Road
>
> Landover, MD 20785-1506

Regardless of which address you use, you must show proof of mailing
consisting of one of the following:

\(1\) A legibly dated U.S. Postal Service postmark.

\(2\) A legible mail receipt with the date of mailing stamped by the
U.S. Postal Service.

\(3\) A dated shipping label, invoice, or receipt from a commercial
carrier.

\(4\) Any other proof of mailing acceptable to the Secretary of the U.S.
Department of Education.

If you mail your application through the U.S. Postal Service, we do not
accept either of the following as proof of mailing:

\(1\) A private metered postmark.

\(2\) A mail receipt that is not dated by the U.S. Postal Service.

If your application is postmarked after the application deadline date,
we will not consider your application.

[Note]{.underline}: The U.S. Postal Service does not uniformly provide a
dated postmark. Before relying on this method, you should check with
your local post office.

c\. [Submission of Paper Applications by Hand Delivery]{.underline}.

If you submit your application in paper format by hand delivery, you (or
a courier service) must deliver the original and two copies of your
application by hand, on or before the application deadline date, to the
Department at the following address:

> U.S. Department of Education
>
> Application Control Center
>
> Attention: (CFDA Number 84.051A)
>
> 550 12th Street, SW.
>
> Room 7041, Potomac Center Plaza
>
> Washington, DC 20202-4260

The Application Control Center accepts hand deliveries daily between
8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Washington, DC time, except Saturdays, Sundays,
and Federal holidays.

[Note for Mail or Hand Delivery of Paper Applications]{.underline}: If
you mail or hand deliver your application to the Department\--

\(1\) You must indicate on the envelope and\--if not provided by the
Department\--in Item 11 of the SF 424 the CFDA number, including suffix
letter, if any, of the competition under which you are submitting your
application; and

\(2\) The Application Control Center will mail to you a notification of
receipt of your grant application. If you do not receive this
notification within 15 business days from the application deadline date,
you should call the U.S. Department of Education Application Control
Center at (202) 245-6288.

V. Application Review Information

[Selection Criteria]{.underline}: The selection criteria for this
program are as follows. The maximum score for each criterion is
indicated in parentheses. The maximum score for all the criteria is 105
points.

\(a\) [Quality of project design]{.underline} (30 points). The Secretary
considers the quality of the project design.

In determining the quality of the design of the proposed project, the
Secretary considers the following factors:

\(1\) The extent to which the proposed project activities represent a\--

\(i\) Coherent, sustained approach that is exceptional for each of the
required research, evaluation, development, dissemination, professional
development, and technical assistance activities described in the
[Required Project Activities]{.underline} section of this notice; and

\(ii\) Balance between secondary and postsecondary education.

\(2\) The significance or magnitude of the scientifically based research
proposed by the project, especially as it relates to improvement in
teaching and student outcomes.

\(3\) The extent to which the proposed research design includes\--

\(i\) A model in which multiple investigators conduct studies that are
coordinated around the research strands or thematic areas on which the
applicant proposes to focus; and

\(ii\) The use of appropriate theoretical models and scientifically
based research standards that represent the most rigorous designs
appropriate to the research being proposed.

\(4\) The extent to which the proposed dissemination plan includes: (i)
a thorough, high-quality review of the relevant literature to identify
current promising or best practices that are accepted by the field as
effective and are based on scientifically based research; (ii) a
comparably rigorous, objective, and scientific review of instructional
approaches, methods, programs, models, or strategies to be disseminated;
(iii) a high-quality plan for dissemination activities; and (iv) the use
of a variety of effective approaches.

\(5\) The extent to which the project proposes models for dissemination
that incorporate approaches that meet the needs of different communities
of users.

\(6\) The extent to which the professional development activities
proposed by the project are of sufficient quality, intensity, and
duration to lead to improvements in practice among the recipients of
those services.

\(7\) The extent to which the proposed technical assistance plan
reflects in-depth knowledge and understanding of available
scientifically valid, research-based practice, evidence-based practice,
or both, to improve student achievement in academic and career and
technical education, and demonstrates knowledge of, and access to,
reliable sources for obtaining such knowledge on an ongoing basis.

\(8\) The extent to which the proposed project will consult with
sponsors of similar or related efforts, and with other appropriate
community, State, and Federal resources, such as those of the
Department\'s Policy and Program Studies Service, Comprehensive Centers
(particularly the National High School Center), National Research and
Development Centers, and Regional Educational Labs.

\(b\) [Institutional capability]{.underline} (15 points). The Secretary
considers the institutional capability of the applicant or of consortium
members, if the applicant is a consortium. In assessing institutional
capability, the Secretary reviews the application to determine the
extent to which the applicant understands the state of knowledge and
practice related to career and technical education, as evidenced by the
depth and breadth of its documented experience in and capacity for\--

\(1\) Conducting scientifically based research, development, evaluation,
dissemination, professional development, and technical assistance
activities of the type described in the [Required Program
Activities]{.underline} section of this notice; and

\(2\) Delivering technical assistance across a range of urban and rural
educational settings.

\(c\) [Quality of the management plan]{.underline} (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 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 adequacy of the management plan to achieve the objectives of
the proposed project on time and within budget, including clearly
defined responsibilities, timeliness and milestones for accomplishing
project tasks, and a clearly articulated plan for continuous
improvement.

\(3\) The adequacy of procedures for coordination and communication
among staff, subcontractors, members of the consortium, if any, and the
Department, in particular, for the frequent and detailed communication
that will be required under the cooperative agreement between the Center
and the Department\'s Office of Vocational and Adult Education.

\(4\) The adequacy of mechanisms for ensuring high-quality research and
evaluation, dissemination, technical assistance, and professional
development from the proposed project.

\(5\) The adequacy of the plans for an objective independent assessment,
in accordance with the [Program Requirements]{.underline} section of
this notice, of the Center\'s performance on the GPRA measures.

\(d\) [Quality of personnel]{.underline} (20 points). The Secretary
considers the quality of the personnel who will carry out the proposed
project. In determining the quality of project personnel, the Secretary
considers the following:

\(1\) The extent to which the application presents evidence of the
Center Director and key personnel having a history of conducting
high-quality scientifically based research, including whether the
studies described as evidence of the applicant\'s performance history
were well-designed and implemented, and addressed research questions of
practical and policy importance.

\(2\) The extent to which the application presents evidence of
professional preparation and successful prior experience of the
Center\'s director and other key personnel, including contractors, key
consultants, and partners, if any, that indicate that each has the
knowledge, skills, and ability to carry out successfully the
responsibilities they are assigned under the project, including the\--

\(i\) Center Director's and key personnel\'s expertise and demonstrated
successful experience with scientifically based research, effective
technical assistance, and other activities similar to those that are to
be carried out under the project; and

\(ii\) Demonstrated effectiveness of the Center Director and key
personnel in providing technical assistance that utilizes scientifically
based research and improves the academic and technical skill
proficiencies of career and technical education students.

\(3\) The extent to which the time commitments of the Center Director
and key personnel are appropriate and adequate to meet proposed project
objectives.

\(4\) The extent to which the Center Director has prior relevant
experience operating a project of the size and scope required for the
purposes of the Center.

\(5\) The extent to which the applicant encourages applications for
employment from persons who are members of groups that have
traditionally been underrepresented based on race, color, national
origin, gender, age, or disability.

\(e\) [Adequacy of resources]{.underline} (10 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 the following factors:

\(1\) The adequacy of resources for the proposed project, including
facilities, equipment, supplies, and other resources needed to carry out
successfully the purpose and activities of the proposed project.

\(2\) The extent to which the budget is adequate to support the proposed
project.

\(3\) The extent to which the costs are reasonable in relation to the
objectives, design, and significance of the proposed project.

\(f\) [Evaluation]{.underline} (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 thorough,
feasible, and appropriate to the goals, objectives, and outcomes of the
proposed project.

\(2\) The extent to which the methods of evaluation provide for
examining the effectiveness of project implementation strategies.

\(3\) The extent to which the methods of evaluation will provide timely
guidance for quality assurance.

\(4\) The extent to which the methods of evaluation\--

\(i\) Include the use of objective performance measures that are clearly
related to the intended outcomes of the project;

\(ii\) In determining the overall effectiveness of the Center, take into
account the Center\'s performance on the GPRA measures in the
[Performance Measures]{.underline} section of this notice; and

\(iii\) Will produce quantitative and qualitative data, to the extent
possible.

\(5\) The extent to which the methods of evaluation will ensure feedback
on performance and continuous improvement in the operation of the
proposed project.

VI\. Award Administration Information

1\. [Award Notices]{.underline}: If your application is successful, we
notify your U.S. Representative and U.S. Senators and send you a Grant
Award Notice (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]{.underline}: We
identify administrative and national policy requirements in the
application package and reference these and other requirements in the
[Applicable Regulations]{.underline} section in this notice.

We reference the regulations outlining the terms and conditions of an
award in the [Applicable Regulations]{.underline} section in 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 Center grant.

3\. [Reporting]{.underline}. (a) 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 multi-year 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
http://www.ed.gov/fund/grant/apply/appforms/appforms.html

\(b\) In addition, the Center must submit to the Secretary the following
reports:

\(1\) Monthly exception reports that describe\--

\(i\) Any problems, delays, or adverse conditions that materially impair
the ability of the Center to accomplish its purposes, along with an
explanation of any action taken or contemplated to resolve the
difficulties; and

\(ii\) Any favorable developments that will permit the Center to
accomplish its purposes sooner, at less cost, or more effectively than
projected.

\(2\) Semi-annual performance reports.

\(3\) During the first 10 months of the project, financial status
reports within 30 days of the 90th day, 180th day, and 270th day of the
project period.

\(4\) Three printed copies and one electronic copy (pdf) of all
substantive reports and products.

\(5\) An interim evaluation report in the third year of the project
period and a final evaluation report in the fifth year of the project
period.

\(6\) An annual report on the GPRA measures identified in the
[Performance Measures]{.underline} section of this notice.

\(c\) The Center must annually prepare a report of the key research
findings of the Center and submit copies of the report to the Secretary,
the relevant committees of Congress, the Library of Congress, and each
\"eligible agency,\" as defined in section 3(12) of the Act.

4\. [Performance Measures]{.underline}: Under GPRA, Federal departments
and agencies must clearly describe the goals and objectives of programs,
identify resources and actions needed to accomplish goals and
objectives, develop a means of measuring progress made, and regularly
report on achievement. One important source of program information on
successes and lessons learned is the project evaluation conducted under
individual grants. In evaluating the overall effectiveness of the
Center, the Center must also be prepared to measure and report annually
on the following measures of effectiveness:

a\. The percentage of scientifically based research studies conducted by
the Center that are of high relevance to career and technical education
practices as determined by expert panels.

b\. The percentage of products (e.g., instructional approaches, methods,
programs, models, and strategies) disseminated to practitioners by the
Center that are judged by expert panels to be of high quality.

c\. The percentage of technical assistance services that are judged by
target audiences to be of high usefulness to educational policy or
practice.

d*.* The percentage of professional development activities offered by
the Center that are judged by participants to be of high quality.

VII\. Agency Contacts

[For Further Information Contact]{.underline}: Dr. Ricardo Hernandez,
U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW., room 11137,
Potomac Center Plaza, Washington, DC 20202-7241. Telephone: (202)
245-7818, Fax: (202) 245-7837, or by e-mail: Ricardo.Hernandez@ed.gov.

If you use a TDD, call the FRS at 1-800-877-8339.

VIII\. Other Information

[Alternative Format]{.underline}: Individuals with disabilities can
obtain this document and a copy of the application package in an
alternative format (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, or computer
diskette) on request to the program contact person listed under [For
Further Information Contact]{.underline} in section VII in this notice.

# **[Electronic Access to This Document]{.underline}: You may view this document, as well as all other documents of the Department published in the [Federal Register]{.underline}, in text or Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF) on the Internet at the following site: www.ed.gov/news/fedregister**

To use PDF you must have Adobe Acrobat Reader, which is available free
at this site. If you have questions about using PDF, call the U.S.
Government Printing Office (GPO), toll free, at 1-888-293-6498; or in
the Washington, DC, area at (202) 512-1530.

[Note]{.underline}: The official version of this document is the
document published in the [Federal Register]{.underline}. Free Internet

access to the official edition of the [Federal Register]{.underline} and
the Code of Federal Regulations is available on GPO Access at:
www.gpoaccess.gov/nara/index.html

Dated:

> Troy R. Justesen,

## Assistant Secretary for

[Vocational and Adult Education]{.underline}.

**PART IV: PROGRAM STATUTE**

The relevant section of the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical
Education Act of 2006 is included below. The full statute can be found
at
[*http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getdoc.cgi?dbname=109_cong_public_laws&docid=f:publ270.109*](http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getdoc.cgi?dbname=109_cong_public_laws&docid=f:publ270.109).

SEC. 114 (d).

\(4\) RESEARCH-

\(A\) IN GENERAL- From amounts made available under subsection (e), the
Secretary, after consulting with the States, shall award a grant,
contract, or cooperative agreement, on a competitive basis, to an
institution of higher education, a public or private nonprofit
organization or agency, or a consortium of such institutions,
organizations, or agencies to establish a national research center\--

\(i\) to carry out scientifically based research and evaluation for the
purpose of developing, improving, and identifying the most successful
methods for addressing the education, employment, and training needs of
participants, including special populations, in career and technical
education programs, including research and evaluation in such activities
as\--

\(I\) the integration of\--

(aa) career and technical instruction; and

(bb) academic, secondary and postsecondary instruction;

\(II\) education technology and distance learning approaches and
strategies that are effective with respect to career and technical
education;

\(III\) State adjusted levels of performance and State levels of
performance that serve to improve career and technical education
programs and student achievement;

\(IV\) academic knowledge and career and technical skills required for
employment or participation in postsecondary education; and

\(V\) preparation for occupations in high skill, high wage, or high
demand business and industry, including examination of\--

(aa) collaboration between career and technical education programs and
business and industry; and

(bb) academic and technical skills required for a regional or sectoral
workforce, including small business;

\(ii\) to carry out scientifically based research and evaluation to
increase the effectiveness and improve the implementation of career and
technical education programs that are integrated with coherent and
rigorous content aligned with challenging academic standards, including
conducting research and development, and studies, that provide
longitudinal information or formative evaluation with respect to career
and technical education programs and student achievement;

\(iii\) to carry out scientifically based research and evaluation that
can be used to improve the preparation and professional development of
teachers, faculty, and administrators, and to improve student learning
in the career and technical education classroom, including\--

\(I\) effective in-service and preservice teacher and faculty education
that assists career and technical education programs in\--

(aa) integrating those programs with academic content standards and
student academic achievement standards, as adopted by States under
section 1111(b)(1) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of
1965; and

(bb) coordinating technical education with industry-recognized
certification requirements;

\(II\) dissemination and training activities related to the applied
research and demonstration activities described in this subsection,
which may also include serving as a repository for information on career
and technical skills, State academic standards, and related materials;
and

\(III\) the recruitment and retention of career and technical education
teachers, faculty, counselors, and administrators, including individuals
in groups underrepresented in the teaching profession; and

\(iv\) to carry out such other research and evaluation, consistent with
the purposes of this Act, as the Secretary determines appropriate to
assist State and local recipients of funds under this Act.

\(B\) REPORT- The center conducting the activities described in
subparagraph (A) shall annually prepare a report of the key research
findings of such center and shall submit copies of the report to the
Secretary, the relevant committees of Congress, the Library of Congress,
and each eligible agency.

\(C\) DISSEMINATION- The center shall conduct dissemination and training
activities based upon the research described in subparagraph (A).

\(5\) DEMONSTRATIONS AND DISSEMINATION- The Secretary is authorized to
carry out demonstration career and technical education programs, to
replicate model career and technical education programs, to disseminate
best practices information, and to provide technical assistance upon
request of a State, for the purposes of developing, improving, and
identifying the most successful methods and techniques for providing
career and technical education programs assisted under this Act.

\(e\) Authorization of Appropriations- There are authorized to be
appropriated to carry out this section such sums as may be necessary for
each of fiscal years 2007 through 2012.

**PART V: FORMS, NOTICES, STATEMENTS**

In [addition]{.underline} to the requirements in this Part, the
application must meet the following requirements:

1.  **Table of Contents**

> The proposal must include a Table of Contents that shows where and how
> the sections of your proposal are organized.

2.  **Project Abstract**

> The Project Abstract should include no more than two pages summarizing
> each proposed project in the application, including a short
> description of the research questions, research modalities, and
> expected value of the project to the field. Your project abstract
> should be clear, concise, and to the point. The application may
> include supporting documentation as appendices to the project
> abstract. Be sure that this material is concise and pertinent to this
> program competition.

3.  **Program Narrative**

> The Program Narrative is where you, the applicant, address the
> selection criteria that reviewers use to evaluate your application.
> There is no page limit for the application narrative; however, please
> keep your narrative concise and focused. You also must 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 not smaller than 10
    pitch (characters per inch).

4.  Budget Narrative

    -   Budget narrative should be attached to the Budget Attachment
        Form.

5.  **Additional submission requirements**

    -   Please do [not]{.underline} submit your application bound.

    -   All sections of the application and all appendices or
        attachments must be suitable for photocopying in order to be
        included in the materials given to the peer reviewers. Please
        use one side of the page.

**TABLE OF CONTENTS**

> **Section A Transmittal Instructions**
>
> Application Transmittal Instructions
>
> Grants.gov Submission Procedures and Tips for Applicants

**Section B General Applications Instructions and Information**

DUNS Number Instructions

Instructions for ED Supplemental Information for SF 424

Definitions for ED Supplemental Information for SF 424

Instructions for ED524

Instructions for SF-LLL

Instructions for Survey on Ensuring Equal Opportunity

**Section C Forms, Notices, and Statements**

Notice to All Applicants, Section 427 of the General Education
Provisions

> ACT (GEPA)
>
> Burden Statement
>
> Application Checklist
>
> Budget Information -- Non-Construction Programs (ED524)
>
> Standard Assurances for Non-Construction Programs (SF424B)
>
> Grants.gov Lobbying Form Formerly the ED80-0013 Form)
>
> Lobbying Disclosure Form (SF LLL)

[SECTION A]{.underline}

Transmittal Instructions

Application Transmittal Instructions

::: Definition-Term
Applications for a cooperative under this program may be submitted
electronically using the Grants.gov Apply site (Grants.gov) or in paper
format by mail or hand delivery. For information (including dates and
times) about how to submit your application electronically, or by mail
or hand deliver, please refer to the "[Application and Submission
Information](#__RefHeading___Toc163476106)" section. We do not consider
an application that does not comply with the deadline requirements.
:::

Individuals with disabilities who need an accommodation or auxiliary aid
in connection with the application process should contact the persons
listed under For Further Information Contact in the Notice Inviting
Applications.

[Intergovernmental Review]{.underline}: This program is not subject to
Executive Order 12372 and the regulations in 34 CFR Part 49.

**[Applications Sent by Mail]{.underline}**

If you submit your application in paper format by mail (through the U.S.
Postal Service or a commercial carrier), you must mail the original and
two copies of your application, on or before the application deadline
date, to the Department at the following address:

Please mail copies to:

U.S. Department of Education

Application Control Center

Attention: (CFDA Number 84.051A)

400 Maryland Avenue, SW

Washington, DC 20202-4260

**[Applications Delivered by Commercial Carrier:]{.underline}**

**[Special Note]{.underline}: Due to recent disruptions to normal mail
delivery, the Department encourages you to consider using an alternative
delivery method (for example, a commercial carrier, such as Federal
Express or United Parcel Service; or U.S. Postal Service Express Mail)
to transmit your application for this competition to the Department. If
you use an alternative delivery method, please obtain the appropriate
proof of mailing under "Applications Sent by Mail," then follow the
mailing instructions under the appropriate delivery method**.

Applications that are delivered by commercial carrier, such as Federal
Express, United Parcel Service, etc. should be mailed to the:

**U.S. Department of Education**

**Application Control Center, Stop 4260**

**Attention: (CFDA Number 84.051A)**

**7100 Old Landover Road**

**Landover, MD 20785-1506**

Regardless of which address you use, you must show proof of mailing your
application consisting of one of the following methods:

(1) A legibly dated U.S. Postal Service postmark.

(2) A legible mail receipt with the date of mailing stamped by the U.S.
    Postal Service.

(3) A dated shipping label, invoice, or receipt from a commercial
    carrier.

(4) Any other proof of mailing acceptable to the Secretary of the U.S.
    Department of Education.

If you mail your application through the U.S. Postal Service, we do not
accept either of the following as proof of mailing:

(1) A private metered postmark.

(2) A mail receipt that is not dated by the U.S. Postal Service.

If your application is postmarked after the application deadline date,
we will not consider your application.

**[Note]{.underline}: The U.S. Postal Service does not uniformly provide
a dated postmark. Before relying on this method, you should check with
your local post office.**

[Applications Delivered by Hand]{.underline}

If you submit your application in paper format by hand delivery, you (or
a courier service) must deliver the original and two copies of your
application by hand, on or before the application deadline date, to the
Department at the following address:

U.S. Department of Education

Application Control Center

Attention: (CFDA Number **84.051A)**

550 12^th^ Street, SW

Room 7041, Potomac Center Plaza

Washington, DC 20202-4260

The Application Control Center accepts hand deliveries daily between
8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Washington, DC time, except Saturdays, Sundays,
and Federal holidays.

Note: for Mail or Hand Delivery of Paper Applications: If you mail or
hand deliver your application to the Department --

(1) You must indicate on the envelope and - - if not provided by the
    Department - - in Item 11 of the SF424, the CFDA number, including
    suffix letter, if any, of the competition under which you are
    submitting your application; and

(2) The Application Control Center will mail to you a notification of
    receipt of your application. If you do not receive this notification
    within 15 business days from the application deadline date, you
    should call the U.S. Department of Education Application Control
    Center at (202) 245-6288.

**[APPLICATION DEADLINE]{.underline}**

The deadline for submitting an application is August 10, 2007. Please
note that the electronic submission of your cooperative agreement
application must be completed by 4:30 p.m., Washington, DC time on the
application deadline date. The U.S. Department of Education will not
accept an application for this competition after 4:30 p.m. Washington,
D.C. time. Therefore, we strongly encourage that you not wait until the
application deadline date to begin the application process. You may not
e-mail an electronic copy of your application to us.

**[Grants.gov Submission Procedures and Tips for
Applicants]{.underline}**

**[Electronic Submission of Applications]{.underline}**

To comply with the President's Management Agenda, we are participating
as a partner in the Government wide Grants.gov application site. OVAE
requests your participation in Grants.gov**;** however, your
participation in Grants.gov is voluntary.

**[Tips for Applicants Participating in Grants.gov]{.underline}**

Please note that the Grants.gov site works differently than the U.S.
Department of Education's (Department) e-Application system. To
facilitate your use of Grants.gov, this document includes important
submission procedures you need to be aware of in order to ensure your
application is received in a timely manner and accepted by the
Department of Education.

**Submittal Steps**

1.  **REGISTER EARLY** -- Grants.gov registration is a one-time process
    that may take five or more days to complete. You may begin working
    on your application while completing the registration process, but
    you cannot submit an application until all of the Get Started steps
    are complete. For detailed information on the Get Started Steps,
    please go to: <http://www.grants.gov/GetStarted>.

2.  **SUBMIT EARLY** -- **We strongly recommend that you do not wait
    until the last day to submit your application. Grants.gov will put a
    date/time stamp on your application and then process it after it is
    fully uploaded**. The time it takes to upload an application will
    vary depending on a number of factors including the size of the
    application and the speed of your Internet connection, and the time
    it takes Grants.gov to process the application will vary. We agree
    with other ED programs that you may want to submit your application
    3 days prior to the deadline to insure complete and accurate
    uploading of your application. If Grants.gov rejects your
    application (see step three below), you will need to resubmit
    successfully before 4:30 pm on deadline date.

> **Note: To submit successfully, you must provide the DUNS number on
> your application that was used when your organization registered with
> the CCE (Central Contractor Registry).**

3.  **VERIFY SUBMISSION IS OK** -- You will want to verify that
    Grants.gov and the Department of Education receive your Grants.gov
    submission timely and that it was validated successfully. To see the
    date/time your application was received, login to Grants.gov and
    click on the Track My application link. For a successful submission,
    the date/time received should be earlier than 4:30 p.m. on the
    deadline date, AND the application status should be: Validated,
    Received by Agency, or Agency Tracking Number Assigned.

If the date/time received is later than 4:30 p.m. Washington, D.C. time,
on the closing date, your application is late. If your application has a
status of "Received" it is still awaiting validation by Grants.gov. Once
validation is complete, the status will either change to "Validated" or
"Rejected with Errors." If the status is "Rejected with Errors," your
application has not been received successfully. Some of the reasons
Grants.gov may reject an application can be found on the Grants.gov
site:
[http://www.grants.gov.assets.ApplicationErrorTips.doc](http://www.grants.gov.assets.ApplicationErrorTips.doc/).

If you discover your application is late or has been rejected, please
see the instructions below. Note: You will receive a series of
confirmations both online and via e-mail about the status of your
application. Please do not rely solely on email to confirm whether your
application has been received timely and validated successfully.

Submission Problems -- What should you do?

If you have problems submitting your application to Grants.gov before
the closing date, please contact Grants.gov Customer Support at
1-800-518-4726 or use the customer support available on the Web site:
<http://www.grants.gov/CustomerSupport>. The program office does not
directly work within the Grants.gov system and will not be able to
assist you with technical problems.

Helpful Hints When Working with Grants.gov

Please note, once you download an application from Grants.gov, you will
be working offline and saving data on your computer. Please be sure to
note where you save the Grants.gov file on your computer. You will need
to logon to Grants.gov to upload and submit the application using the
Windows-based Pure Edge software. (This is different from e-Application,
where you are working online and saving data to the Department's
database.) **You must provide on your application the DUNS number that
was used when your organization registered with the CCR.**

Please go to [http://www.grants.gov?ForApplicants]() for help with
Grants.gov and click on the links in the lower right corner of the
screen under Applicant Tips and Tools. For additional tips related to
submitting grant or cooperative agreement applications. Please refer to
the *Grants.gov Submit Application Tips* found on the Grants.gov
homepage [http://www.grants.gov](http://www.grants.gov/).

**Dial-Up Internet Connections**

When using a dial up connection to upload and submit your application,
it can take significantly longer than when you are connected to the
Internet with a high-speed connection, e.g., cable modem/DSL/T1. While
times will vary depending upon the size of your application, it can take
a few minutes to a few hours to complete your cooperative agreement
submission using a dial up connection.

MAC Users

If you do not have a Windows operating System, you will need to use a
Windows Emulation program to submit an application using Grants.gov. For
additional information, review the PureEdgeSupport for Macintosh white
paper published by Pure Edge:

<http://www.grants.gov/techlib/MacSupportforPureEdge.pdf>, and/or
contact Grants.gov Customer Support
(<http://www.grants.gov/CustomerSupport>) for more information. **If you
do not have a Windows emulation program and electronic submission is
require, please follow instructions in the Federal Register notice to
obtain an exception to the electronic submission requirement no later
than two weeks before the application deadline date**. (See the Federal
Register notice for detailed instructions.)

Application and Submission Information

[Address to Request Application Package]{.underline}: Ricardo Hernandez,
U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW, Room 11037,
Potomac Center Plaza, Washington, 20202-7241. Telephone: (202) 245-7818.
Fax: (202) 245-7170. E-Mail:
[***ricardo.hernandez@ed.gov***](mailto:ricardo.hernandez@ed.gov). You
may also obtain an application package via Internet from the following
address: [***www.ed.gov/GrantApps/***](http://www.ed.gov/GrantApps/)

If you use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD), you may call
the Federal Relay Service (FRS) at 1-800-877-8339.

Individual with disabilities may obtain this notice in an alternate
format (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, or computer diskette) by
contacting the program contact persons listed in the Notice under [For
Further Information]{.underline} [Contact]{.underline}.

[SECTION B]{.underline}

[General Applications Instructions and Information]{.underline}

[DUNS Number Instructions]{.underline}

Please provide the your DUNS Number. You can obtain your DUNS Number at
no charge by calling 1-866-705-5711 or by completing a DUNS Number
Request Form. The form can be obtained via the Internet at the following
URL:

<http://www.dnb.com/US/duns_update/index.html>

The DUNS Number is a unique nine-digit number that does not convey any
information about the recipient. A built in check digit helps assure the
accuracy of the DUNS Number. The ninth digit of each number is the check
digit, which is mathematically related to the other digits. It lets
computer systems determine if a DUNS Number has been entered correctly.

Dun & Bradstreet, a global information services provider, has assigned
DUNS number to over 43 million companies worldwide. Live help is
available Monday -- Friday 9 a.m. -- 8 p.m. (CST) Dial 1-866-705-5711.

[Instructions for ED Supplemental Information for SF 424]{.underline}

1\. Project Director. Name, address, telephone and fax numbers, and
e-mail address of the person to be contacted on matters involving this
application.

2\. Novice Applicant. Check "Yes" or "No" only if assistance is being
requested under a program that gives special consideration to novice
applicants. Otherwise, leave blank.

Check "Yes" if you meet the requirements for novice applicants specified
in the regulations in 34CFR 75.225 and included on the attached page
entitled "Definitions for Department of Education Supplemental
Information for SF 424." By checking "Yes" the applicant certifies that
it meets these novice applicant requirements. Check "No" if you do not
meet the requirements for novice applicants.

3\. Human Subjects Research. (See I. A. "Definitions" in attached page
entitled "Definitions for Department of Education Supplemental
Information For SF 424.")

If not Human Subjects Research. Check "No" if research activities
involving human subjects are not planned at any time during the proposed
project period. The remaining parts of Item 3 are then not applicable.

If Human Subjects Research. Check "Yes" if research activities involving
human subjects are planned at any time during the proposed project
period, either at the applicant organization or at any other performance
site or collaborating institution. Check "Yes" even if the research is
exempt from the regulations for the protection of human subjects. (See
I.B. "Exemptions" in attached page entitled "Definitions for Department
of Education Supplemental Information For SF 424.")

If Human Subjects Research is Exempt from the Human Subjects
Regulations. Check "Yes" if all the research activities proposed are
designated to be exempt from the regulations. Insert the exemption
number(s) corresponding to one or more of the six exemption categories
listed in I.B. "Exemptions." In addition, follow the instructions in II.
A. "Exempt Research Narrative" in the attached page entitled
"Definitions for Department of Education Supplemental Information For SF
424."

If Human Subjects Research is Not Exempt from Human Subjects
Regulations. Check "No" if some or all of the planned research
activities are covered (not exempt). In addition, follow the
instructions in II.B. "Nonexempt Research Narrative" in the page
entitled "Definitions for Department of Education Supplemental
Information for SF424.

Human Subjects Assurance Number. If the applicant has an approved
Federal Wide (FWA) on file with the Office for Human Research
Protections (OHRP), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, that
covers the specific activity, insert the number in the space provided.
If the applicant does not have an approved assurance on file with OHRP,
enter "None." In this case, the applicant, by signature on the SF-424,
is declaring that it will comply with 34 CFR 97 and proceed to obtain
the human subjects assurance upon request by the designated ED official.
If the application is recommended/selected for funding, the designated
ED official will request that the applicant obtain the assurance within
30 days after the specific formal request.

Note about Institutional Review Board Approval. ED does not require
certification of Institutional Review Board approval with the
application. However, if an application that involves non-exempt human
subjects research is recommended/selected for funding, the designated ED
official will request that the applicant obtain and send the
certification to ED within 30 days after the formal request.

Paperwork Burden Statement. According to the Paperwork Reduction Act of
1995, no persons are required to respond to a collection of information
unless such collection displays a valid OMB control number. The valid
OMB control number for this information collection is 1890-0017. The
time required to complete this information collection is estimated to
average 15 and 45 minutes per response, including the time to review
instructions, search existing data resources, gather the data needed,
and complete and review the information collection. If you have any
comments concerning the accuracy of the estimate(s) or suggestions for
improving this form, please write to: U.S. Department of Education,
Washington, DC 20202-4700. If you have comments or concerns regarding
the status of your individual submission of this form write directly to:
Joyce I. Mays, Application Control Center, U.S. Department of Education,
Potomac Center Plaza, 550 12^th^ Street, S.W. Room 7076, Washington, DC
20202-4260.

Definitions for ED Supplemental Information for SF 424

[Definitions:]{.underline}

> Novice Applicant (See 34 CFR 75.225). For discretionary grant programs
> under which the Secretary gives special consideration to novice
> applications, a novice applicant means any applicant for a grant from
> ED
>
> that -

-   Has never received a grant or sub grant under the program from which
    it seeks funding;

-   Has never been a member of a group application, submitted in
    accordance with 34 CFR 75.127 -- 75.129, that received a grant under
    the program from which it seeks funding; and

-   Has not had an active discretionary grant from the Federal
    government in the five years before the deadline date for
    applications under the program.

> For the purposes of this requirement, a grant is active until the end
> of the grant's project or funding period, including any extensions of
> those periods that extend the grantee's authority to obligate funds.
>
> In the case of a group application submitted in accordance with 34 CFR
> 75.127-75.129, a group includes only parties that meet the
> requirements listed above.

PROTECTION OF HUMAN SUBJECTS IN RESEARCH

I.  Definitions and Exemptions

> A. Definitions.
>
> A research activity involves human subjects if the activity is
> research, as defined in the Department's regulations, and the research
> activity will involve use of human subjects, as defined in the
> regulations.

Research

> The ED Regulations for the Protection of Human Subjects, Title 34,
> Code of Federal Regulations, Part 97, define research as " a
> systematic investigation, including research development, testing and
> evaluation, designed to develop or contribute to generalizable
> knowledge." If an activity follows a deliberate plan whose purpose is
> to develop or contribute to generalizable knowledge it is research.
> Activities, which meet this definition, constitute research whether or
> not they are conducted or supported under a program that is considered
> research for other purposes. For example, some demonstration and
> service programs may include research activities.
>
> Human Subject
>
> The regulations define human subject as "a living individual about
> whom an investigator (whether professional or student) conducting
> research obtains (1) data through intervention or interaction with the
> individual, or (2) identifiable private information." (1) If an
> activity involves obtaining information about a living person by
> manipulating that person or that person's environment, as might occur
> when a new instructional technique is tested, or by communicating or
> interacting with the individual, as occurs with surveys and
> interviews, the definition of human subject is met. (2) If an activity
> involves obtaining private information about a living person in such a
> way that the information can be linked to that individual (the
> identity of the subject is or may be readily determined by the
> investigator or associated with the information), the definition of
> human subject is met. \[Private information includes information about
> behavior that occurs in a context in which an individual can
> reasonably expect that no observation or recording is taking place,
> and information which has been provided for specific purposes by an
> individual and which the individual can reasonably expect will not be
> made public (for example, a school health record).\]
>
> B. Exemptions.
>
> Research activities in which the only involvement of human subjects
> will be in one or more of the following six categories of exemptions
> are not covered by the regulations:
>
> \(1\) Research conducted in established or commonly accepted
> educational settings, involving normal educational practices, such as
> (a) research on regular and special education instructional
> strategies, or research on the effectiveness of or the comparison
> among instructional techniques, curricula, or classroom management
> methods.
>
> \(2\) Research involving the use of educational tests (cognitive,
> diagnostic, aptitude, achievement), survey procedures, interview
> procedures or observation of public behavior, unless: (a) information
> obtained is recorded in such a manner that human subjects can be
> identified, directly or through identifiers linked to the subjects;
> and (b) any disclosure of the human subjects' responses outside the
> research could reasonably place the subjects at risk of criminal or
> civil liability or be damaging to the subjects' financial standing,
> employability, or reputation.
>
> If the subjects are children, exemption 2 applies only to research
> involving educational tests and observations of public behavior when
> the investigator(s) do not participate in the activities being
> observed. Exemption 2 does not apply if children are surveyed or
> interviewed or if the research involves observation of public behavior
> and the investigator(s) participate in the activities being observed.
> \[Children are defined as persons who have not attained the legal age
> for consent to treatments or procedures involved in the research,
> under the applicable law or jurisdiction in which the research will be
> conducted.\]

(3) Research involving the use of educational tests (cognitive,
    diagnostic, aptitude,

> achievement), survey procedures, interview procedures or observation
> of public behavior that is not exempt under section (2) above, if the
> human subjects are elected or appointed public officials or candidates
> for public office; or federal statute(s) require(s) without exception
> that the confidentiality of the personally identifiable information
> will be maintained throughout the research and thereafter.

\(4\) Research involving the collection or study of existing data,
documents, records,

pathological specimens, or diagnostic specimens, if these sources are
publicly

available or if the information is recorded by the investigator in a
manner that

subjects cannot be identified, directly or through identifiers linked to
the subjects.

> \(5\) Research and demonstration projects which are conducted by or
> subject to the
>
> approval of department or agency heads, and which are designed to
> study, evaluate,
>
> or otherwise examine: (a) public benefit or service programs; (b)
> procedures for
>
> obtaining benefits or services under those programs; (c) possible
> changes in or
>
> alternatives to those programs or procedures; or (d) possible changes
> in methods or
>
> levels of payment for benefits or services under those programs.
>
> \(6\) Taste and food quality evaluation and consumer acceptance
> studies, (a) if
>
> wholesome foods without additives are consumed or (b) if a food is
> consumed that
>
> contains a food ingredient at or below the level and for a use found
> to be safe, or
>
> agricultural chemical or environmental contaminant at or below the
> level found to
>
> be safe, by the Food and Drug Administration or approved by the
> Environmental
>
> Protection Agency or the Food Safety and Inspection Service of the
> U.S.
>
> Department of Agriculture.

II\. Instructions for Exempt and Nonexempt Human Subjects Research
Narratives

> If the applicant marked "Yes" for Item 3 of Department of Education
> Supplemental Information for SF 424, the applicant must provide a
> human subjects "exempt research" or "nonexempt research" narrative.
> Insert the narrative(s) in the space provided. If you have multiple
> projects and need to provide more than one narrative, be sure to label
> each set of responses as to the project they address.
>
> A. Exempt Research Narrative.
>
> If you marked "Yes" or item 3 a. and designated exemption number(s),
> provide the "exempt research" narrative. The narrative must contain
> sufficient information about the involvement of human subjects in the
> proposed research to allow a determination by ED that the designated
> exemption(s) are appropriate. The narrative must be succinct.
>
> B. Nonexempt Research Narrative.
>
> If you marked "no" for item 3 a., you must provide the "nonexempt
> research" narrative. The narrative must address the following seven
> points. Although no specific page limitation applies to this section
> of the application, be succinct.
>
> \(1\) Human Subject Involvement and Characteristics: Provide a
> detailed description of the proposed involvement of human subjects.
> Describe the characteristics of the subject population, including
> their anticipated number, age range, and health status. Identify the
> criteria for inclusion or exclusion of any subpopulation. Explain the
> rationale for the involvement of special classes of subjects, such as
> children, children with disabilities, pregnant women, prisoners,
> institutionalized individuals, or others who are likely to be
> vulnerable.
>
> \(2\) Sources of Materials: Identify the sources of research material
> obtained from individually identifiable living human subjects in the
> form of specimens, records, or data. Indicate whether the material or
> data will be obtained specifically for research purposes or whether
> use will be made of existing specimens, records, or data.

\(3\) Recruitment and Informed Consent: Describe plans for the
recruitment of subjects

> and the consent procedures to be followed. Include the circumstances
> under which consent will be sought and obtained, who will seek it, the
> nature of the information to be provided to prospective subjects, and
> the method of documenting consent. State if the Institutional Review
> Board (IRB) has authorized a modification or waiver of the elements of
> consent or the requirement for documentation of consent.
>
> \(4\) Potential Risks: Describe potential risks (physical,
> psychological, social, legal, or other) and assess their likelihood
> and seriousness. Where appropriate, describe alternative treatments
> and procedures that might be advantageous to the subjects.
>
> \(5\) Protection Against Risk: Describe the procedures for protecting
> against or minimizing potential risks, including risks to
> confidentiality, and assess their likely effectiveness. Where
> appropriate, discuss provisions for ensuring necessary medical or
> professional intervention in the event of adverse effects to the
> subjects. Also, where appropriate, describe the provisions for
> monitoring the data collected to ensure the safety of the subjects.
>
> \(6\) Importance of the Knowledge to be Gained: Discuss the importance
> of the knowledge gained or to be gained as a result of the proposed
> research. Discuss why the risks to subjects are reasonable in relation
> to the anticipated benefits to subjects and in relation to the
> importance of the knowledge that may reasonably be expected to result.
>
> \(7\) Collaborating Site(s): If research involving human subjects will
> take place at collaborating site(s) or other performance site(s), name
> the sites and briefly describe their involvement or role in the
> research.
>
> Copies of the Department of Education's Regulations for the Protection
> of Human Subjects, 34 CFR Part 97 and other pertinent materials on the
> protection of human subjects in research are available from the Grants
> Policy and oversight Staff, Office of the Chief Financial Officer,
> U.S. Department of Education, Washington, DC 20202-4250, telephone:
> (202) 245-6120, and on the U.S. Department of Education's Protection
> of Human Subjects in Research Web Site:

<http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocfo/humansub.html>

NOTE: The State Applicant Identifier on the SF 424 is for State Use
only. Please complete it on the OMB Standard 424 in the upper right
corner of the form (if applicable).

[Part 2: Budget Information]{.underline}

ED Budget Information for Non-Construction Programs (ED Form 524)

The budget narrative should explain, justify, and, if needed, clarify
your budget summary. For each line item (personnel, fringe benefits,
travel, etc.) in your budget, explain why it is there and how you
computed the costs. Please limit this section to more than five pages.
Remember to number each page of your application consecutively. Remember
that you must provide all requested budget information for each year of
the proposed project (up to 60 months) in order to be considered for
Federal funding. Please report on any Federal and Non-Federal funds that
will be used.

PROJECT ABSTRACT

The project abstract should include no more than two pages summarizing
each proposed project in the application, including a short description
of the research questions, research modalities, and expected value of
the project to the field.

Your project abstract should be clear, concise, and to the point. The
application may include supporting documentation as appendices to the
project abstract. Be sure that this material is concise and pertinent to
this program competition.

You are advised that the Secretary considers only information contained
in the application in ranking applications for funding consideration.
Letters of support or other documentation, sent separately from the
formal application package, are not considered in the review by the
technical review panels. The technical review panel evaluates each
application solely on the basis of the selection criteria contained in
the Notice.

The panel will review letters of support, included as appendices to an
application, which are of direct relevance to or contain commitments
that pertain to the established selection criteria, such as Adequacy of
Resources.

**INSTRUCTIONS FOR COMPLETION OF SF-LLL, DISCLOSURE OF LOBBYING
ACTIVITIES**

This disclosure form shall be completed by the reporting entity, whether
subawardee or prime Federal recipient, at the initiation or receipt of a
covered Federal action, or a material change to a previous filing,
pursuant to title 31 U.S.C. section 1352. The filing of a form is
required for each payment or agreement to make payment to any lobbying
entity for influencing or attempting to influence an officer or employee
of any agency, a Member of Congress, an officer or employee of Congress,
or an employee of a Member of Congress in connection with a covered
Federal action. Complete all items that apply for both the initial
filing and material change report. Refer to the implementing guidance
published by the Office of Management and Budget for additional
information.

1\. Identify the type of covered Federal action for which lobbying
activity is and/or has been secured to influence the outcome of a
covered Federal action.

2\. Identify the status of the covered Federal action.

3\. Identify the appropriate classification of this report. If this is a
follow up report caused by a material change to the information
previously reported, enter the year and quarter in which the change
occurred. Enter the date of the last previously submitted report by this
reporting entity for this covered Federal action.

4\. Enter the full name, address, city, State and zip code of the
reporting entity. Include Congressional District, if known. Check the
appropriate classification of the reporting entity that designates if it
is, or expects to be, a prime or subaward recipient. Identify the tier
of the subawardee, e.g., the first subawardee of the prime is the 1st
tier. Subawards include but are not limited to subcontracts, subgrants
and contract awards under grants.

5\. If the organization filing the report in item 4 checks "Subawardee,"
then enter the full name, address, city, State and zip code of the prime
Federal recipient. Include Congressional District, if known.

6\. Enter the name of the federal agency making the award or loan
commitment. Include at least one organizational level below agency name,
if known. For example, Department of Transportation, United States Coast
Guard.

7\. Enter the Federal program name or description for the covered
Federal action (item 1). If known, enter the full Catalog of Federal
Domestic Assistance (CFDA) number for grants, cooperative agreements,
loans, and loan commitments.

8\. Enter the most appropriate Federal identifying number available for
the Federal action identified in item 1 (e.g., Request for Proposal
(RFP) number; Invitations for Bid (IFB) number; grant announcement
number; the contract, grant, or loan award number; the
application/proposal control number assigned by the Federal agency).
Included prefixes, e.g., "RFP-DE-90-001."

9\. For a covered Federal action where there has been an award or loan
commitment by the Federal agency, enter the Federal amount of the
award/loan commitment for the prime entity identified in item 4 or 5.

10\. (a) Enter the full name, address, city, State and zip code of the
lobbying registrant under the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 engaged by
the reporting entity identified in item 4 to influence the covered
Federal action.

\(b\) Enter the full names of the individual(s) performing services, and
include full address if different from 10(a). Enter Last Name, First
Name, and Middle Initial (MI).

11\. The certifying official shall sign and date the form, print his/her
name, title, and telephone number.

According to the Paperwork Reduction Act, as amended, no persons are
required to respond to a collection of information unless it displays a
valid OMB control Number. The valid OMB control number for this
information collection is OMB No. 0348-0046. Public reporting burden for
this collection of information is estimated to average 10 minutes per
response, including time for reviewing instructions, searching existing
data sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing
and reviewing the collection of information. Send comments regarding the
burden estimate or any other aspect of this collection of information,
including suggestions for reducing this burden, to the Office of
Management and Budget, Paperwork Reduction Project (0348-0046),
Washington, DC 20503

[SECTION C]{.underline}

OMB Control No. 1890-0007 (Exp. 11/30/2007)

**NOTICE TO ALL APPLICANTS**

The purpose of this enclosure is to inform you about a new provision in
the Department of Education\'s General Education Provisions Act (GEPA)
that applies to applicants for new grant awards under Department
programs. This provision is Section 427 of GEPA, enacted as part of the
Improving America\'s Schools Act of 1994 (Public Law (P.L.) 103-382).

**To Whom Does This Provision Apply?**

Section 427 of GEPA affects applicants for new grant awards under this
program. **ALL APPLICANTS FOR NEW AWARDS MUST INCLUDE INFORMATION IN
THEIR APPLICATIONS TO ADDRESS THIS NEW PROVISION IN ORDER TO RECEIVE
FUNDING UNDER THIS PROGRAM.**

(If this program is a State-formula grant program, a State needs to
provide this description only for projects or activities that it carries
out with funds reserved for State-level uses. In addition, local school
districts or other eligible applicants that apply to the State for
funding need to provide this description in their applications to the
State for funding. The State would be responsible for ensuring that the
school district or other local entity has submitted a sufficient section
427 statement as described below.)

**What Does This Provision Require?**

Section 427 requires each applicant for funds (other than an individual
person) to include in its application a description of the steps the
applicant proposes to take to ensure equitable access to, and
participation in, its Federally-assisted program for students, teachers,
and other program beneficiaries with special needs. This provision
allows applicants discretion in developing the required description. The
statute highlights six types of barriers that can impede equitable
access or participation: gender, race, national origin, color,
disability, or age. Based on local circumstances, you should determine
whether these or other barriers may prevent your students, teachers,
etc. from such access or participation in, the Federally-funded project
or activity. The description in your application of steps to be taken to
overcome these barriers need not be lengthy; you may provide a clear and
succinct description of how you plan to address those barriers that are
applicable to your circumstances. In addition, the information may be
provided in a single narrative, or, if appropriate, may be discussed in
connection with related topics in the application.

Section 427 is not intended to duplicate the requirements of civil
rights statutes, but rather to ensure that, in designing their projects,
applicants for Federal funds address equity concerns that may affect the
ability of certain potential beneficiaries to fully participate in the
project and to achieve to high standards. Consistent with program
requirements and its approved application, an applicant may use the
Federal funds awarded to it to eliminate barriers it identifies.

**What are Examples of How an Applicant Might Satisfy the Requirement of
This Provision?**

The following examples may help illustrate how an applicant may comply
with Section 427.

\(1\) An applicant that proposes to carry out an adult literacy project
serving, among others, adults with limited English proficiency, might
describe in its application how it intends to distribute a brochure
about the proposed project to such potential participants in their
native language.

\(2\) An applicant that proposes to develop instructional materials for
classroom use might describe how it will make the materials available on
audio tape or in braille for students who are blind.

\(3\) An applicant that proposes to carry out a model science program
for secondary students and is concerned that girls may be less likely
than boys to enroll in the course, might indicate how it intends to
conduct \"outreach\" efforts to girls, to encourage their enrollment.

We recognize that many applicants may already be implementing effective
steps to ensure equity of access and participation in their grant
programs, and we appreciate your cooperation in responding to the
requirements of this provision.

**Estimated Burden Statement for GEPA Requirements**

According to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, no persons are
required to respond to a collection of information unless such
collection displays a valid OMB control number. The valid OMB control
number for this information collection is **\[1830-NEW\]** The time
required to complete this information collection is estimated to average
360 hours per response, including the time to review instructions,
search existing data resources, gather the data needed, and complete and
review the information collection. **If you have any comments concerning
the accuracy of the time estimate(s) or suggestions for improving this
form, please write to:** Director, Grants Policy and Oversight Staff,
U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue SW, Washington, DC
20202-4250.

Applicants should use the Application Checklist, below to ensure that
you have included all required items when you submit your application
for consideration.

Application Checklist

\_\_\_ Application for Federal Assistance (SF424)

\_\_\_\_ Department of Education Supplemental Information for SF424

\_\_\_\_ Department of Education Budget Information Non-Construction
Program Form --

Section A & B (ED524)

\_\_\_\_ Project Abstract

\_\_\_\_ Budget Narrative

\_\_\_\_ Program Narrative

> Note: Have you addressed all Application Requirements including
> Selection Criteria

\_\_\_\_ Narrative addressing (GEPA Section 427)

\_\_\_\_ Assurances and Certifications

\_\_\_ Assurances for Non-Construction Programs (SF 424B)

\_\_\_ Lobbying Disclosure Form (SF LLL)

\_\_\_ Grants.gov Lobbying Form

Instructions for completing ED Form 524 Section A:

[Name of Institution/Organization]{.underline}: Enter the name of the
applicant organization or institution in the space provided.

[Personnel (Line 1)]{.underline}: Show salaries and time commitment for
personnel for each budget year.

[Fringe Benefits (Line 2)]{.underline}: Indicate the rate and amount of
fringe benefits for each budget year.

[Travel (Line 3)]{.underline}: Indicate the amount requested both local
and out of State travel of Program Staff for each budget year. Include
funds for the 1^st^ and 3^rd^ year for the project director and staff
members assigned to the project to attend the Project Directors'
Meeting.

[Equipment (Line 4)]{.underline}: Indicate the cost of non-expendable
personal property that has a cost of \$5,000 or more per unit for each
budget year.

[Supplies (Line 5)]{.underline}: Include the cost of consumable supplies
and materials to be used during the project period for each budget year.

[Contractual (Line 6)]{.underline}: Show the amount to be used for: (1)
procurement contracts (except those which belong on other lines, such as
supplies and equipment); and (2) sub-contracts for each budget year.

[Construction (Line 7)]{.underline}: Not Applicable.

[Other (Line 8)]{.underline}: Indicate all direct costs not clearly
covered by lines 1 through 6 above including consultants and capital
expenditures for each budget year.

[Total Direct Costs]{.underline}: Show the total for Lines 1 through 8
for each budget year.

[Indirect Costs]{.underline}: Indicate the rate and amount of indirect
costs for each budget year. [Note: Include a copy of your restricted
indirect cost agreement]{.underline}.

[Training/Stipend Cost]{.underline}: Indicate cost per student and
number of hours of instruction. The amount of a stipend may be the
greater of the minimum hourly wage prescribed by State and local law, or
the minimum hourly wage set under the Fair Labor Standards Act.

[Total Costs]{.underline}: Show total for lines 9 through 11 for each
budget year.

# Assurances: Non-Construction Programs (SF 424B) **OMB Approval No. 0348-0040**

**ASSURANCES - NON-CONSTRUCTION PROGRAMS**

Public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated
to average 15 minutes per response, including time for reviewing
instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining
the data needed, and completing and reviewing the collection of
information. Send comments regarding the burden estimate or any other
aspect of this collection of information, including suggestions for
reducing this burden, to the Office of Management and Budget, Paperwork
Reduction Project (0348-0040), Washington, DC 20503

**PLEASE DO NOT RETURN YOUR COMPLETED FORM TO THE OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT
AND BUDGET. SEND IT TO THE ADDRESS PROVIDED BY THE SPONSORING AGENCY.**

**Note:** Certain of these assurances may not be applicable to your
project or program. If you have questions, please contact the awarding
agency. Further, certain Federal awarding agencies may require
applicants to certify to additional assurances. If such is the case, you
will be notified.

As the duly authorized representative of the applicant I certify that
the applicant:

1\. Has the legal authority to apply for Federal assistance, and the
institutional, managerial and financial capability (including funds
sufficient to pay the non-Federal share of project cost) to ensure
proper planning, management, and completion of the project described in
this application.

2\. Will give the awarding agency, the Comptroller General of the United
States, and if appropriate, the State, through any authorized
representative, access to and the right to examine all records, books,
papers, or documents related to the award; and will establish a proper
accounting system in accordance with generally accepted accounting
standards or agency directives.

3\. Will establish safeguards to prohibit employees from using their
positions for a purpose that constitutes or presents the appearance of
personal or organizational conflict of interest, or personal gain.

4\. Will initiate and complete the work within the applicable time frame
after receipt of approval of the awarding agency.

5\. Will comply with the Intergovernmental Personnel Act of 1970 (42
U.S.C. 4728-4763) relating to prescribed standards for merit systems
for programs funded under one of the 19 statutes or regulations
specified in Appendix A of OPM\'s Standards for a Merit System of
Personnel Administration (5 C.F.R. 900, Subpart F).

6\. Will comply with all Federal statutes relating to nondiscrimination.
These include but are not limited to: (a) Title VI of the Civil Rights
Act of 1964 (P.L. 88-352) which prohibits discrimination on the basis of
race, color or national origin; (b) Title IX of the Education Amendments
of 1972, as amended (20 U.S.C. ****1681-1683, and 1685-1686), which
prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex; (c) Section 504 of the
Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended (29 U.S.C. 794), which prohibits
discrimination on the basis of handicaps; (d) the Age Discrimination Act
of 1975, as amended (42 U.S.C.  6101-6107), which prohibits
discrimination on the basis of age; (e) the Drug Abuse Office and
Treatment Act of 1972 (P.L. 92-255), as amended, relating to
nondiscrimination on the basis of drug abuse; (f) the Comprehensive
Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism Prevention, Treatment and Rehabilitation
Act of 1970 (P.L. 91-616), as amended, relating to nondiscrimination on
the basis of alcohol abuse or alcoholism; (g)  523 and 527 of the
Public Health Service Act of 1912 (42 U.S.C.  290 dd-3 and 290 ee 3),
as amended, relating to confidentiality of alcohol and drug abuse
patient records; (h) Title VIII of the Civil Rights Act of 1968 (42
U.S.C.  3601 et seq.), as amended, relating to nondiscrimination in the
sale, rental or financing of housing; (i) any other nondiscrimination
provisions in the specific statute(s) under which application for
Federal assistance is being made; and (j) the requirements of any other
nondiscrimination statute(s) which may apply to the application.

7\. Will comply, or has already complied, with the requirements of
Titles II and III of the uniform Relocation Assistance and Real Property
Acquisition Policies Act of 1970 (P.L. 91-646) which provide for fair
and equitable treatment of persons displaced or whose property is
acquired as a result of Federal or federally assisted programs. These
requirements apply to all interests in real property acquired for
project purposes regardless of Federal participation in purchases.

8\. Will comply, as applicable, with the provisions of the Hatch Act (5
U.S.C. 1501-1508 and 7324-7328) which limit the political activities
of employees whose principal employment activities are funded in whole
or in part with Federal funds.

9\. Will comply, as applicable, with the provisions of the Davis-Bacon
Act (40 U.S.C. 276a to 276a-7), the Copeland Act (40 U.S.C. 276c and
18 U.S.C. 874) and the Contract Work Hours and Safety Standards Act
(40 U.S.C.  327-333), regarding labor standards for federally assisted
construction sub agreements.

10\. Will comply, if applicable, with flood insurance purchase
requirements of Section 102(a) of the Flood Disaster Protection Act of
1973 (P.L. 93-234) which requires recipients in a special flood hazard
area to participate in the program and to purchase flood insurance if
the total cost of insurable construction and acquisition is \$10,000 or
more.

11\. Will comply with environmental standards which may be prescribed
pursuant to the following: (a) institution of environmental quality
control measures under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969
(P.L. 91-190) and Executive Order (EO) 11514; (b) notification of
violating facilities pursuant to EO 11738; (c) protection of wetlands
pursuant to EO 11990; (d) evaluation of flood hazards in floodplains in
accordance with EO 11988; (e) assurance of project consistency with the
approved State management program developed under the Coastal Zone
Management Act of 1972 (16 U.S.C. 1451 et seq.); (f) conformity of
Federal actions to State (Clear Air) Implementation Plans under Section
176(c) of the Clear Air Act of 1955, as amended (42 U.S.C. 7401 et
seq.); (g) protection of underground sources of drinking water under the
Safe Drinking Water Act of 1974, as amended, (P.L. 93-523); and (h)
protection of endangered species under the Endangered Species Act of
1973, as amended, (P.L. 93-205).

12 Will comply with the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act of 1968 (16 U.S.C.
1721 et seq.) related to protecting components or potential components
of the national wild and scenic rivers system.

13\. Will assist the awarding agency in assuring compliance with Section
106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, as amended (16
U.S.C. 470), EO 11593 (identification and protection of historic
properties), and the Archaeological and Historic Preservation Act of
1974 (16 U.S.C. 469a-1 et seq.).

14\. Will comply with P.L. 93-348 regarding the protection of human
subjects involved in research, development, and related activities
supported by this award of assistance.

15\. Will comply with the Laboratory Animal Welfare Act of 1966 (P.L.
89-544, as amended, 7 U.S.C. 2131 et seq.) pertaining to the care,
handling, and treatment of warm blooded animals held for research,
teaching, or other activities supported by this award of assistance.

16\. Will comply with the Lead-Based Paint Poisoning Prevention Act (42
U.S.C. 4801 et seq.) which prohibits the use of lead- based paint in
construction or rehabilitation of residence structures.

17\. Will cause to be performed the required financial and compliance
audits in accordance with the Single Audit Act Amendments of 1996 and
OMB Circular No. A-133, Audits of States, Local Governments, and
Non-Profit Organizations.

18\. Will comply with all applicable requirements of all other Federal
laws, executive orders, regulations and policies governing this program.

**Instructions for ED 524**

[General Instructions]{.underline}

This form is used to apply to individual U.S. Department of Education
(ED) discretionary grant programs. Unless directed otherwise, provide
the same budget information for each year of the multi-year funding
request. Pay attention to applicable program specific instructions, if
attached. Please consult with your Business Office prior to submitting
this form.

[Section A - Budget Summary]{.underline}

[U.S. Department of Education Funds]{.underline}

All applicants must complete Section A and provide a breakdown by the
applicable budget categories shown in lines 1-11.

Lines 1-11, columns (a)-(e): For each project year for which funding is
requested, show the total amount requested for each applicable budget
category.

Lines 1-11, column (f): Show the multi-year total for each budget
category. If funding is requested for only one project year, leave this
column blank.

Line 12, columns (a)-(e): Show the total budget request for each project
year for which funding is requested.

Line 12, column (f): Show the total amount requested for all project
years. If funding is requested for only one year, leave this space
blank.

Indirect Cost Information:\
If you are requesting reimbursement for indirect costs on line 10, this
information is to be completed by your Business Office. (1): Indicate
whether or not your organization has an Indirect Cost Rate Agreement
that was approved by the Federal government. (2): If you checked "yes"
in (1), indicate in (2) the beginning and ending dates covered by the
Indirect Cost Rate Agreement. In addition, indicate whether ED or
another Federal agency (Other) issued the approved agreement. If you
check "Other," specify the name of the Federal agency that issued the
approved agreement. (3): If you are applying for a grant under a
Restricted Rate Program (34 CFR 75.563 or 76.563), indicate whether you
are using a restricted indirect cost rate that is included on your
approved Indirect Cost Rate Agreement or whether you are using a
restricted indirect cost rate that complies with 34 CFR 76.564(c)(2).
Note: State or Local government agencies may not use the provision for a
restricted indirect cost rate specified in 34 CFR 76.564(c)(2). Check
only one response. Leave blank, if this item is not applicable.

[Section B - Budget Summary]{.underline}

[Non-Federal Funds]{.underline}

If you are required to provide or volunteer to provide matching funds or
other non-Federal resources to the project, these should be shown for
each applicable budget category on lines 1‑11 of Section B.

Lines 1-11, columns (a)-(e): For each project year, for which matching
funds or other contributions are provided, show the total contribution
for each applicable budget category.

Lines 1-11, column (f): Show the multi-year total for each budget
category. If non-Federal contributions are provided for only one year,
leave this column blank.

Line 12, columns (a)-(e): Show the total matching or other contribution
for each project year.

Line 12, column (f): Show the total amount to be contributed for all
years of the multi-year project. If non-Federal contributions are
provided for only one year, leave this space blank.

[Section C - Budget Narrative \[Attach separate sheet(s)\]]{.underline}

[Pay attention to applicable program specific instructions,\
if attached.]{.underline}

1.  Provide an itemized budget breakdown, and justification by project
    year, for each budget category listed in Sections A and B. For grant
    projects that will be divided into two or more separately budgeted
    major activities or sub-projects, show for each budget category of a
    project year the breakdown of the specific expenses attributable to
    each sub-project or activity.

2.  If applicable to this program, provide the rate and base on which
    fringe benefits are calculated.

3.  If you are requesting reimbursement for indirect costs on line 10,
    this information is to be completed by your Business Office. Specify
    the estimated amount of the base to which the indirect cost rate is
    applied and the total indirect expense. Depending on the grant
    program to which you are applying and/or your approved Indirect Cost
    Rate Agreement, some direct cost budget categories in your grant
    application budget may not be included in the base and multiplied by
    your indirect cost rate. For example, you must multiply the indirect
    cost rates of "Training grants\" (34 CFR 75.562) and grants under
    programs with "Supplement not Supplant" requirements (\"Restricted
    Rate\" programs) by a "modified total direct cost" (MTDC) base (34
    CFR 75.563 or 76.563). Please indicate which costs are included and
    which costs are excluded from the base to which the indirect cost
    rate is applied.

> When calculating indirect costs (line 10) for \"Training grants\" or
> grants under \"Restricted Rate\" programs, you must refer to the
> information and examples on ED's website at:
> [http://www.ed.gov/fund/grant/apply/appforms/appforms.html]{.underline}.
>
> You may also contact (202) 377-3838 for additional information
> regarding calculating indirect cost rates or general indirect cost
> rate information.

4\. Provide other explanations or comments you deem necessary.

Paperwork Burden Statement

According to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, no persons are
required to respond to a collection of information unless such
collection displays a valid OMB control number. The valid OMB control
number for this information collection is [\[1830-NEW\]]{.mark}. The
time required to complete this information collection is estimated to
vary from 13 to 22 hours per response, with an average of 17.5 hours per
response, including the time to review instructions, search existing
data sources, gather the data needed, and complete and review the
information collection. If you have any comments concerning the accuracy
of the time estimate(s) or suggestions for improving this form, please
write to: U.S. Department of Education, Washington, D.C. 20202-4651. If
you have comments or concerns regarding the status of your individual
submission of this form, write directly Ricardo Hernandez/OVAE, U.S.
Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C.
20202.

# **OMB Approval No. 0348-0040**

# 

**ASSURANCES - NON-CONSTRUCTION PROGRAMS**

Public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated
to average 15 minutes per response, including time for reviewing
instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining
the data needed, and completing and reviewing the collection of
information. Send comments regarding the burden estimate or any other
aspect of this collection of information, including suggestions for
reducing this burden, to the Office of Management and Budget, Paperwork
Reduction Project (0348-0040), Washington, DC 20503

**PLEASE DO NOT RETURN YOUR COMPLETED FORM TO THE OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT
AND BUDGET. SEND IT TO THE ADDRESS PROVIDED BY THE SPONSORING AGENCY.**

**Note:** Certain of these assurances may not be applicable to your
project or program. If you have questions, please contact the awarding
agency. Further, certain Federal awarding agencies may require
applicants to certify to additional assurances. If such is the case, you
will be notified.

As the duly authorized representative of the applicant I certify that
the applicant:

1\. Has the legal authority to apply for Federal assistance, and the
institutional, managerial and financial capability (including funds
sufficient to pay the non-Federal share of project cost) to ensure
proper planning, management, and completion of the project described in
this application.

2\. Will give the awarding agency, the Comptroller General of the United
States, and if appropriate, the State, through any authorized
representative, access to and the right to examine all records, books,
papers, or documents related to the award; and will establish a proper
accounting system in accordance with generally accepted accounting
standards or agency directives.

3\. Will establish safeguards to prohibit employees from using their
positions for a purpose that constitutes or presents the appearance of
personal or organizational conflict of interest, or personal gain.

4\. Will initiate and complete the work within the applicable time frame
after receipt of approval of the awarding agency.

5\. Will comply with the Intergovernmental Personnel Act of 1970 (42
U.S.C. 4728-4763) relating to prescribed standards for merit systems
for programs funded under one of the 19 statutes or regulations
specified in Appendix A of OPM\'s Standards for a Merit System of
Personnel Administration (5 C.F.R. 900, Subpart F).

6\. Will comply with all Federal statutes relating to nondiscrimination.
These include but are not limited to: (a) Title VI of the Civil Rights
Act of 1964 (P.L. 88-352) which prohibits discrimination on the basis of
race, color or national origin; (b) Title IX of the Education Amendments
of 1972, as amended (20 U.S.C. 1681-1683, and 1685-1686), which
prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex; (c) Section 504 of the
Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended (29 U.S.C. 794), which prohibits
discrimination on the basis of handicaps; (d) the Age Discrimination Act
of 1975, as amended (42 U.S.C.  6101-6107), which prohibits
discrimination on the basis of age; (e) the Drug Abuse Office and
Treatment Act of 1972 (P.L. 92-255), as amended, relating to
nondiscrimination on the basis of drug abuse; (f) the Comprehensive
Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism Prevention, Treatment and Rehabilitation
Act of 1970 (P.L. 91-616), as amended, relating to nondiscrimination on
the basis of alcohol abuse or alcoholism; (g)  523 and 527 of the
Public Health Service Act of 1912 (42 U.S.C.  290 dd-3 and 290 ee 3),
as amended, relating to confidentiality of alcohol and drug abuse
patient records; (h) Title VIII of the Civil Rights Act of 1968 (42
U.S.C.  3601 et seq.), as amended, relating to nondiscrimination in the
sale, rental or financing of housing; (i) any other nondiscrimination
provisions in the specific statute(s) under which application for
Federal assistance is being made; and (j) the requirements of any other
nondiscrimination statute(s) which may apply to the application.

7\. Will comply, or has already complied, with the requirements of
Titles II and III of the uniform Relocation Assistance and Real Property
Acquisition Policies Act of 1970 (P.L. 91-646) which provide for fair
and equitable treatment of persons displaced or whose property is
acquired as a result of Federal or federally assisted programs. These
requirements apply to all interests in real property acquired for
project purposes regardless of Federal participation in purchases.

8\. Will comply, as applicable, with the provisions of the Hatch Act (5
U.S.C. 1501-1508 and 7324-7328) which limit the political activities
of employees whose principal employment activities are funded in whole
or in part with Federal funds.

9\. Will comply, as applicable, with the provisions of the Davis-Bacon
Act (40 U.S.C. 276a to 276a-7), the Copeland Act (40 U.S.C. 276c and
18 U.S.C. 874) and the Contract Work Hours and Safety Standards Act
(40 U.S.C.  327-333), regarding labor standards for federally assisted
construction subagreements.

10\. Will comply, if applicable, with flood insurance purchase
requirements of Section 102(a) of the Flood Disaster Protection Act of
1973 (P.L. 93-234) which requires recipients in a special flood hazard
area to participate in the program and to purchase flood insurance if
the total cost of insurable construction and acquisition is \$10,000 or
more.

11\. Will comply with environmental standards which may be prescribed
pursuant to the following: (a) institution of environmental quality
control measures under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969
(P.L. 91-190) and Executive Order (EO) 11514; (b) notification of
violating facilities pursuant to EO 11738; (c) protection of wetlands
pursuant to EO 11990; (d) evaluation of flood hazards in floodplains in
accordance with EO 11988; (e) assurance of project consistency with the
approved State management program developed under the Coastal Zone
Management Act of 1972 (16 U.S.C. 1451 et seq.); (f) conformity of
Federal actions to State (Clear Air) Implementation Plans under Section
176(c) of the Clear Air Act of 1955, as amended (42 U.S.C. 7401 et
seq.); (g) protection of underground sources of drinking water under the
Safe Drinking Water Act of 1974, as amended, (P.L. 93-523); and (h)
protection of endangered species under the Endangered Species Act of
1973, as amended, (P.L. 93-205).

12 Will comply with the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act of 1968 (16 U.S.C.
1721 et seq.) related to protecting components or potential components
of the national wild and scenic rivers system.

13\. Will assist the awarding agency in assuring compliance with Section
106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, as amended (16
U.S.C. 470), EO 11593 (identification and protection of historic
properties), and the Archaeological and Historic Preservation Act of
1974 (16 U.S.C. 469a-1 et seq.).

14\. Will comply with P.L. 93-348 regarding the protection of human
subjects involved in research, development, and related activities
supported by this award of assistance.

15\. Will comply with the Laboratory Animal Welfare Act of 1966 (P.L.
89-544, as amended, 7 U.S.C. 2131 et seq.) pertaining to the care,
handling, and treatment of warm blooded animals held for research,
teaching, or other activities supported by this award of assistance.

16\. Will comply with the Lead-Based Paint Poisoning Prevention Act (42
U.S.C. 4801 et seq.) which prohibits the use of lead- based paint in
construction or rehabilitation of residence structures.

17\. Will cause to be performed the required financial and compliance
audits in accordance with the Single Audit Act Amendments of 1996 and
OMB Circular No. A-133, Audits of States, Local Governments, and
Non-Profit Organizations.

18\. Will comply with all applicable requirements of all other Federal
laws, executive orders, regulations and policies governing this program.

  ----------------------------------------- -------- ---------------------
  SIGNATURE OF AUTHORIZED CERTIFYING        TITLE    
  OFFICIAL                                           

  APPLICANT ORGANIZATION                             DATE SUBMITTED
  ----------------------------------------- -------- ---------------------

**Standard Form 424B (Rev. 7-97) Back**

**INSTRUCTIONS FOR COMPLETION OF SF-LLL, DISCLOSURE OF LOBBYING
ACTIVITIES**

This disclosure form shall be completed by the reporting entity, whether
subawardee or prime Federal recipient, at the initiation or receipt of a
covered Federal action, or a material change to a previous filing,
pursuant to title 31 U.S.C. section 1352. The filing of a form is
required for each payment or agreement to make payment to any lobbying
entity for influencing or attempting to influence an officer or employee
of any agency, a Member of Congress, an officer or employee of Congress,
or an employee of a Member of Congress in connection with a covered
Federal action. Complete all items that apply for both the initial
filing and material change report. Refer to the implementing guidance
published by the Office of Management and Budget for additional
information.

1\. Identify the type of covered Federal action for which lobbying
activity is and/or has been secured to influence the outcome of a
covered Federal action.

2\. Identify the status of the covered Federal action.

3\. Identify the appropriate classification of this report. If this is a
followup report caused by a material change to the information
previously reported, enter the year and quarter in which the change
occurred. Enter the date of the last previously submitted report by this
reporting entity for this covered Federal action.

4\. Enter the full name, address, city, State and zip code of the
reporting entity. Include Congressional District, if known. Check the
appropriate classification of the reporting entity that designates if it
is, or expects to be, a prime or subaward recipient. Identify the tier
of the subawardee, e.g., the first subawardee of the prime is the 1st
tier. Subawards include but are not limited to subcontracts, subgrants
and contract awards under grants.

5\. If the organization filing the report in item 4 checks "Subawardee,"
then enter the full name, address, city, State and zip code of the prime
Federal recipient. Include Congressional District, if known.

6\. Enter the name of the federal agency making the award or loan
commitment. Include at least one organizational level below agency name,
if known. For example, Department of Transportation, United States Coast
Guard.

7\. Enter the Federal program name or description for the covered
Federal action (item 1). If known, enter the full Catalog of Federal
Domestic Assistance (CFDA) number for grants, cooperative agreements,
loans, and loan commitments.

8\. Enter the most appropriate Federal identifying number available for
the Federal action identified in item 1 (e.g., Request for Proposal
(RFP) number; Invitations for Bid (IFB) number; grant announcement
number; the contract, grant, or loan award number; the
application/proposal control number assigned by the Federal agency).
Included prefixes, e.g., "RFP-DE-90-001."

9\. For a covered Federal action where there has been an award or loan
commitment by the Federal agency, enter the Federal amount of the
award/loan commitment for the prime entity identified in item 4 or 5.

10\. (a) Enter the full name, address, city, State and zip code of the
lobbying registrant under the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 engaged by
the reporting entity identified in item 4 to influence the covered
Federal action.

\(b\) Enter the full names of the individual(s) performing services, and
include full address if different from 10(a). Enter Last Name, First
Name, and Middle Initial (MI).

11\. The certifying official shall sign and date the form, print his/her
name, title, and telephone number.

According to the Paperwork Reduction Act, as amended, no persons are
required to respond to a collection of information unless it displays a
valid OMB control Number. The valid OMB control number for this
information collection is OMB No. 0348-0046. Public reporting burden for
this collection of information is estimated to average 10 minutes per
response, including time for reviewing instructions, searching existing
data sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing
and reviewing the collection of information. Send comments regarding the
burden estimate or any other aspect of this collection of information,
including suggestions for reducing this burden, to the Office of
Management and Budget, Paperwork Reduction Project (0348-0046),
Washington, DC 20503