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[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 61 (Wednesday, March 30, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 17629-17636]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-7483]

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DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

Applications for New Awards; Transition to Teaching Grant Program

AGENCY: Office of Innovation and Improvement; Department of Education.

ACTION: Notice.

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Overview Information

Transition to Teaching Grant Program

    Notice inviting applications for new awards for fiscal year (FY) 
2011.
    Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: 84.350A, 
84.350B, and 84.350C.

DATES: 
    Applications Available: March 30, 2011.
    Deadline for Notice of Intent to Apply: April 29, 2011.
    Date of Pre-Application Meeting: April 18, 2011.
    Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: May 31, 2011.
    Deadline for Intergovernmental Review: July 13, 2011.

Full Text of Announcement

I. Funding Opportunity Description

    Purpose of Program: The Transition to Teaching program encourages 
(1) the development and expansion of alternative routes to full State 
teacher certification, as well as (2) the recruitment and retention of 
highly qualified mid-career professionals, recent college graduates, 
and highly qualified paraprofessionals as teachers in high-need schools 
operated by high-need local educational agencies (LEAs), including 
charter schools that operate as high-need LEAs.
    Priorities: This notice contains two competitive preference 
priorities and one invitational priority that are explained in the 
following paragraphs.
    Competitive Preference Priorities: Competitive Preference Priority 
1 is from section 2313(c) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act 
of 1965, as amended (ESEA) (20 U.S.C. 6683(c)). Competitive Preference 
Priority 2 is from the notice of final supplemental priorities and 
definitions for discretionary grant programs, published in the Federal 
Register on December 15, 2010 (75 FR 78486). For FY 2011 and any 
subsequent year in which we make awards from the list of unfunded 
applicants from this competition, these priorities are competitive 
preference priorities. Under 34 CFR 75.105(c)(2)(i), we award up to an 
additional three points to an application that meets Competitive 
Preference Priority 1. Furthermore, we award up to an additional four 
points to an application that meets Competitive Preference Priority 2. 
These points are in addition to any points the application earns under 
the selection criteria. Addressing these priorities is optional and 
applicants may choose to respond to one or both of the competitive 
priorities for this competition.
    These priorities are:

Competitive Preference Priority 1--Partnerships or Consortia That 
Include a High-need LEA or High-need SEA.

    This priority supports projects that are designated and implemented 
in active partnerships or consortia that include at least one high-need 
LEA or high-need SEA.

Competitive Preference Priority 2--Promoting Science, Technology, 
Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Education.

    Projects that are designed to address one or both of the following 
priority areas:
    (a) Increasing the opportunities for high-quality preparation of, 
or professional development for, teachers or other educators of STEM 
subjects.
    (b) Increasing the number of individuals from groups traditionally 
underrepresented in STEM, including minorities, individuals with 
disabilities, and women, who are teachers or educators of STEM subjects 
and have increased opportunities for high-quality preparation or 
professional development.
    Invitational Priority: Under this competition, the Department is 
particularly interested in applications that address the following 
priority. For FY 2011 and any subsequent year in which we make awards 
based on the list of unfunded applicants from this competition, this 
priority is an invitational priority. Under 34 CFR

[[Page 17630]]

75.105(c)(1) we do not give an application that meets this invitational 
priority a competitive or absolute preference over other applications.
    This priority is:
    Projects that develop and implement, enhance, or expand innovative 
projects that address teacher staffing needs in high-need schools in 
rural high-need LEAs, and in high-need schools in high-need LEAs that 
serve American Native or Alaska Native communities. Under this 
priority, eligible applicants are encouraged to submit applications 
under this program that reflect their efforts to--
    (1) Identify the teacher staffing needs of high-need schools in 
rural high-need LEAs, or in high-need schools in high-need LEAs that 
serve American Native or Alaska Native communities, or both;
    (2) Provide strategies for selecting, recruiting, and retaining 
talented individuals who are eligible participants under this program 
to teach in the target area;
    (3) Develop a curriculum for teacher preparation that prepares 
recruited teachers to become certified to teach a high-need subject 
identified for the target area, and if the project would be in high-
need LEAs that serve American Native or Alaska Native communities, is 
culturally relevant to the community; and
    (4) Provide a comprehensive support system for teachers once they 
are placed in high-need schools in rural high-need LEAs, or in high-
need schools in high-need LEAs that serve American Native or Alaska 
Native communities, that will focus on retaining the teachers for at 
least three years.
    Background: On November 5, 2009, President Obama signed a 
memorandum requiring Federal agencies to conduct consultations with 
Tribal officials when developing policies that have implications for 
Tribal communities. In response to the President's memorandum, the 
Department conducted six consultations with Tribal officials during FY 
2010. During these consultations, the Department received numerous 
comments regarding teacher recruitment and retention. Specifically, 
these comments described difficulties that LEAs located on or near 
Tribally controlled lands--which typically operate high-need schools--
face in attracting and retaining highly qualified teachers due to their 
remote location and lack of funding.
    Rural school districts face similar difficulties in recruiting and 
retaining a qualified teacher workforce. According to the U.S. 
Department of Education, Institute of Education Sciences, nearly one-
quarter of American students attend a school in a rural area, and 
almost half of the Nation's school districts are located in rural 
communities. Research indicates that some potential factors in 
recruiting and retaining teachers include collegial isolation, low 
salaries, multiple grade or subject teaching assignments, and lack of 
familiarity with rural schools and communities. Together, these 
challenges can discourage teachers from accepting rural positions or 
cause them to leave rural settings after teaching there for only a 
short time. (Barley, Z. A., and Brigham, N. (2008). Preparing teachers 
to teach in rural schools (Issues & Answers Report, REL 2008-No.045). 
Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Education, Institute of Education 
Sciences, National Center for Education Evaluation and Regional 
Assistance, Regional Educational Laboratory Central. Retrieved from 
http://ies.ed.gov/ncee/edlabs.
    In response to the unique challenges that rural communities, and 
communities that serve American Native and Alaska Native students face, 
the Department establishes this invitational priority to encourage 
applicants to propose projects that will meet the specific teaching 
needs of these communities.

    Program Authority: 20 U.S.C. 6681-6684.

    Applicable Regulations: (a) The Education Department General 
Administrative Regulations (EDGAR) in 34 CFR parts 74, 75, 77, 79, 80, 
81, 82, 84, 85, 86, 97, 98, and 99. (b) The notice of final priorities 
and requirements for this program published in the Federal Register on 
April 30, 2004 (69 FR 24002). (c) The notice of final supplemental 
priorities and definitions for discretionary grant programs, published 
in the Federal Register on December 15, 2010 (75 FR 78486).

    Note: The regulations in 34 CFR part 79 apply to all applicants 
except Federally recognized Indian Tribes.

    Note: The regulations in 34 CFR part 86 apply to institutions of 
higher education (IHEs) only.

II. Award Information

    Type of Award: Discretionary grants.
    Estimated Available Funds: The Administration's FY 2011 budget 
request included no funding for the Transition to Teaching program. In 
place of several, sometimes narrowly targeted programs that serve 
current and prospective teachers and school leaders, the Administration 
has proposed to create a broader Excellent Instructional Teams 
initiative through the reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary 
Education Act of 1965. Strengthening teacher preparation--including 
through high-quality alternative routes to certification or licensure--
will be a key component of this initiative.
    We estimate that $12.6 million will be available for this 
competition. The actual level of funding, if any, depends on final 
congressional action.
    The Department has established separate funding categories for 
projects of different scope. These categories are:
    (1) Local projects (CFDA 84.350A) that serve one or more eligible 
high-need LEAs in a single area of a State;
    (2) Statewide projects (CFDA 84.350B) that serve eligible high-need 
LEAs statewide or eligible high-need LEAs in more than one area of a 
State; and
    (3) National/regional projects (CFDA 84.350C) that serve eligible 
high-need LEAs in more than one State.
    Contingent upon the availability of funds and the quality of 
applications, we may make additional awards in FY 2012 from the list of 
unfunded applicants from this competition.
    Estimated Range of Awards: National/regional projects--$450,000-
$750,000 per year; Statewide projects--$300,000-$650,000 per year; and 
Local projects--$150,000-$450,000 per year.
    Estimated Average Size of Awards: National/regional projects--
$600,000 per year; Statewide projects--$475,000 per year; and Local 
projects--$300,000 per year.
    Estimated Number of Awards: National/regional projects--1-3; 
Statewide projects--3-5; and Local projects--5-16.

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

    Project Period: Up to 60 months. We anticipate that initial awards 
under this competition will be made for a three-year (36 month) period. 
Contingent upon the availability of funds and each grantee's 
substantial progress towards accomplishing the goals and objectives of 
the project as described in its approved application, we may make 
continuation awards to grantees for the remaining 24 months of the 
program. Review of each grantee's progress may include consideration of 
evidence of promising practices and a strong evaluation design.

III. Eligibility Information

    1. Eligible Applicants: A State educational agency (SEA); a high-
need LEA; a for-profit or nonprofit organization that has a proven 
record of effectively recruiting and retaining highly qualified 
teachers, in partnership with a high-need LEA or an SEA; an IHE in 
partnership with a high-need LEA or

[[Page 17631]]

an SEA; a regional consortium of SEAs; or a consortium of high-need 
LEAs.
    Each application must identify participating LEAs that meet the 
definition of ``high-need LEA'' in section 2102(3) of the Elementary 
and Secondary Education Act of 1965, as amended (20 U.S.C. 6301 et 
seq.).

    Note: Section 2102(3) of the ESEA defines a high-need LEA as an 
LEA--
    (a) That serves not fewer than 10,000 children from families 
with incomes below the poverty line (as that term is defined in 
section 9101(33) of the ESEA), or for which not less than 20 percent 
of the children served by the LEA are from families with incomes 
below the poverty line; and
    (b) For which there is (1) a high percentage of teachers not 
teaching in the academic subjects or grade levels that the teachers 
were trained to teach, or (2) a high percentage of teachers with 
emergency, provisional, or temporary certification or licensing.

    The notice of final priorities and requirements (NFP) published in 
the Federal Register on April 30, 2004 (69 FR 24002) describes how 
applicants must demonstrate that a participating LEA meets the 
statutory definition of a ``high-need LEA'' (69 FR 24002, 24006). 
Additionally, as described in the NFP, a high-need SEA is defined as a 
SEA of a State that includes at least one high-need LEA (69 FR 24006). 
Pursuant to the NFP, we provide the following supplementary information 
regarding the data an applicant uses to demonstrate eligibility as a 
``high-need LEA'' under this competition:
    As described in the NFP, absent a showing of alternative LEA data 
that reliably show the number of children from families with incomes 
below the poverty line that are served by the LEA, the eligibility of 
an LEA as a ``high-need LEA'' under component (a) of the definition 
must be determined on the basis of the most recent U.S. Census Bureau 
data. The most recent U.S. Census Bureau data for 2009 can be found in 
the charts on the Internet at: http://www.census.gov/hhes/www/saipe/district.html. The Department examines the eligibility of any LEA not 
listed on these charts on a case-by-case basis.
    As discussed in the NFP, with respect to component (b)(1) of the 
definition of ``high-need LEA,'' whether an LEA has a ``high percentage 
of teachers not teaching in the academic subjects or grade levels that 
the teachers were trained to teach'' is determined on a case-by-case 
basis.
    In addition, as discussed in the NFP, with respect to component 
(b)(2) of the definition of ``high-need LEA,'' an LEA has a ``high 
percentage'' of teachers with emergency, provisional, or temporary 
certification or licensing if the percentage of teachers on waivers, as 
the LEA reported to the State for purposes of the State's latest report 
to the Secretary under section 207 of the Higher Education Act of 1965, 
as amended by the Higher Education Amendments of 1998 (HEA), was higher 
than the national average percentage of teachers on waivers of State 
certification for all LEAs. As discussed in the April 30, 2004 NFP, the 
Secretary determines the national average percentage of teachers on 
waivers based on data contained in the most currently available HEA 
section 207 State reports. At the time of publication of this notice, 
the latest and last waiver data collected are from 2007-2008 State 
reports, which are not yet published in a final report. These waiver 
data from the State 2007-2008 reports reveal a national average 
percentage of teachers on waivers of State certification for all LEAs 
of 1.36 percent. Thus, for purposes of component (b)(2) of the 
definition of ``high-need LEA,'' an LEA has a ``high percentage'' of 
teachers with emergency, provisional, or temporary certification of 
licensing if the percentage of teachers on waivers, as the LEA reported 
to the State for purpose of the State's latest report to the Secretary 
under section 207 of the HEA is greater than 1.36 percent. The 
eligibility of LEAs not required to report these data, such as newly 
formed LEAs or BIE-funded schools, would be determined on a case-by-
case basis based on the best available data the applicant includes with 
its application.
    2. a. Cost Sharing or Matching: This program does not require cost 
sharing or matching.
    b. Supplement-Not-Supplant: This program includes supplement-not-
supplant funding requirements. In accordance with section 2313(h)(2) of 
the ESEA, funds made available under this program must be used to 
supplement, and not supplant, State and local public funds expended for 
teacher recruitment and retention programs, including programs to 
recruit teachers through alternative routes to certification.

IV. Application and Submission Information

    1. Address to Request Application Package: Beatriz Ceja, U.S. 
Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW., room 4C111, 
Washington, DC 20202-5960 or by e-mail: [email protected].
    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 can obtain a copy of the application 
package in an accessible format (e.g., braille, large print, audiotape, 
or computer diskette) by contacting the program contact person listed 
in this section.
    2. Content and Form of Application Submission: Requirements 
concerning the content of an application, together with the forms you 
must submit, are in the application package for this competition.
    Notice of Intent to Apply: April 29, 2011. The Department will be 
able to develop a more efficient process for reviewing grant 
applications if it has a better understanding of the number of entities 
that intend to apply for funding under this competition. Therefore, the 
Secretary strongly encourages each potential applicant to notify the 
Department by sending a short e-mail message indicating the applicant's 
intent to submit an application for funding. The e-mail need not 
include information regarding the content of the proposed application, 
only the applicant's intent to submit it. The Secretary requests that 
this e-mail notification be sent to Beatriz Ceja at: [email protected].
    Applicants that fail to provide this e-mail notification may still 
apply for funding.
    Page Limit: The application narrative (Part III of the application) 
is where you, the applicant, address the selection criteria that 
reviewers use to evaluate your application. We suggest you limit the 
application narrative Part III to the equivalent of no more than 50 
pages, using 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, except for titles, headings, 
footnotes, quotations, references, captions, charts, tables, figures, 
and graphs.
     Use a font that is either 12 point or larger or no smaller 
than 10 pitch (characters per inch).
     Use one of the following fonts: Times New Roman, Courier, 
Courier New, or Arial.
    The page limit does not apply to Part I, the cover sheet; Part II, 
the budget section, including the narrative budget justification; Part 
IV, the assurances and certifications; or the one-page abstract, the 
resumes, or letters of support.
    3. Submission Dates and Times:
    Applications Available: March 30, 2011.
    Deadline for Notice of Intent to Apply: April 29, 2011.

[[Page 17632]]

    Date of Pre-Application Meeting: April 18, 2011, from 2:30 p.m. to 
4:30 p.m. in the LBJ Auditorium at the U.S. Department of Education 
headquarters, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW., Washington, DC. The Department 
is accessible by Metro on the Blue, Orange, Green, and Yellow lines at 
the 7th Street and Maryland Avenue exit of the L'Enfant Plaza Metro 
station. Please contact the U.S. Department of Education contact 
persons listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT if you have any 
questions about the details of the pre-application meeting.
    Individuals interested in attending this pre-application meeting 
are encouraged to pre-register by e-mailing their name, organization, 
and contact information to [email protected]. There is no 
registration fee for this pre-application meeting. We encourage 
attendance from those who will be responsible for submitting the 
application or otherwise providing technical support for submitting the 
application electronically using the Department's Grants.gov Apply site 
(Grants.gov).

Assistance to Individuals With Disabilities at the Pre-Application 
Meeting

    The meeting site is accessible to individuals with disabilities, 
and a sign language interpreter will be available. If you will need an 
auxiliary aid or service other than a sign language interpreter in 
order to participate in the meeting (e.g., other interpreting service 
such as oral, cued speech, or tactile interpreter; assistive listening 
device; or materials in alternate format), notify the contact person 
listed in this notice at least two weeks before the scheduled meeting 
date. Although we will attempt to meet a request we receive after this 
date, we may not be able to make available the requested auxiliary aid 
or service because of insufficient time to arrange it.
    Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: May 31, 2011.
    Applications for grants under this competition must be submitted 
electronically using the Grant.gov Apply site (Grants.gov). For 
information (including dates and times) about how to submit your 
application electronically, or in paper format by mail or hand delivery 
if you qualify for an exception to the electronic submission 
requirement, please refer to section IV. 7. Other Submission 
Requirements 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 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.
    Deadline for Intergovernmental Review: July 13, 2011.
    4. Intergovernmental Review: This competition is subject to 
Executive Order 12372 and the regulations in 34 CFR part 79. 
Information about Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs under 
Executive Order 12372 is in the application package for this 
competition.
    5. Funding Restrictions: We reference regulations outlining funding 
restrictions in the Applicable Regulations section in this notice and 
in the April 30, 2004 NFP.
    6. Data Universal Numbering System Number, Taxpayer Identification 
Number, and Central Contractor Registry: To do business with the 
Department of Education, you must--
    a. Have a Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number and a 
Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN);
    b. Register both your DUNS number and TIN with the Central 
Contractor Registry (CCR), the Government's primary registrant 
database;
    c. Provide your DUNS number and TIN on your application; and
    d. Maintain an active CCR registration with current information 
while your application is under review by the Department and, if you 
are awarded a grant, during the project period.
    You can obtain a DUNS number from Dun and Bradstreet. A DUNS number 
can be created within one business day.
    If you are a corporate entity, agency, institution, or 
organization, you can obtain a TIN from the Internal Revenue Service. 
If you are an individual, you can obtain a TIN from the Internal 
Revenue Service or the Social Security Administration. If you need a 
new TIN, please allow 2-5 weeks for your TIN to become active.
    The CCR registration process may take five or more business days to 
complete. If you are currently registered with the CCR, you may not 
need to make any changes. However, please make certain that the TIN 
associated with your DUNS number is correct. Also note that you will 
need to update your CCR registration on an annual basis. This may take 
three or more business days to complete.
    In addition, if you are submitting your application via Grants.gov, 
you must (1) be designated by your organization as an Authorized 
Organization Representative (AOR); and (2) register yourself with 
Grants.gov as an AOR. Details on these steps are outlined in the 
Grants.gov 3-Step Registration Guide (see http://www.grants.gov/section910/Grants.govRegistrationBrochure.pdf).
    7. Other Submission Requirements: Applications for grants under 
this program must be submitted electronically unless you qualify for an 
exception to this requirement in accordance with the instructions in 
this section.
    a. Electronic Submission of Applications. Applications for grants 
under the Transition to Teaching program, CFDA number 84.350A, 84.350B, 
and 84.350C must be submitted electronically using the Governmentwide 
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.
    We will reject your application if you submit it in paper format 
unless, as described elsewhere in this section, you qualify for one of 
the exceptions to the electronic submission requirement and submit, no 
later than two weeks before the application deadline date, a written 
statement to the Department that you qualify for one of these 
exceptions. Further information regarding calculation of the date that 
is two weeks before the application deadline date is provided later in 
this section under Exception to Electronic Submission Requirement.
    You may access the electronic grant application for Transition to 
Teaching program at http://www.Grants.gov. You must search for the 
downloadable application package for this program by the CFDA number. 
Do not include the CFDA number's alpha suffix in your search (e.g., 
search for 84.350, not 84.350A).
    Please note the following:
     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

[[Page 17633]]

time, on the application deadline date. Except as otherwise noted in 
this section, we will not accept your application if it is received--
that is, date and time stamped by the Grants.gov system--after 4:30 
p.m., Washington, DC time, on the application deadline date. We do not 
consider an application that does not comply with the deadline 
requirements. 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 program 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 under News and Events on the Department's G5 system home 
page at http://www.G5.gov.
     You will not receive additional point value because you 
submit your application in electronic format, nor will we penalize you 
if you qualify for an exception to the electronic submission 
requirement, as described elsewhere in this section, and submit your 
application in paper format.
     You must submit all documents electronically, including 
all information you typically provide on the following forms: the 
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.
     You must attach any narrative sections of your application 
as files in a .PDF (Portable Document) format only. If you upload a 
file type other than a .PDF 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: 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 in section VII of 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: 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.

    Exception to Electronic Submission Requirement: You qualify for an 
exception to the electronic submission requirement, and may submit your 
application in paper format, if you are unable to submit an application 
through the Grants.gov system because--
     You do not have access to the Internet; or
     You do not have the capacity to upload large documents to 
the Grants.gov system; and
     No later than two weeks before the application deadline 
date (14 calendar days or, if the fourteenth calendar day before the 
application deadline date falls on a Federal holiday, the next business 
day following the Federal holiday), you mail or fax a written statement 
to the Department, explaining which of the two grounds for an exception 
prevent you from using the Internet to submit your application.
    If you mail your written statement to the Department, it must be 
postmarked no later than two weeks before the application deadline 
date. If you fax your written statement to the Department, we must 
receive the faxed statement no later than two weeks before the 
application deadline date.
    Address and mail or fax your statement to: Beatriz Ceja, U.S. 
Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW., room 4C111, 
Washington, DC 20202-5960. FAX: (202) 401-8466.
    Your paper application must be submitted in accordance with the 
mail or hand delivery instructions described in this notice.

b. Submission of Paper Applications by Mail

    If you qualify for an exception to the electronic submission 
requirement, you may mail (through the U.S. Postal Service or a 
commercial carrier) your application to the Department. 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:

U.S. Department of Education, Application Control Center, Attention: 
(CFDA Number 84.350A; 84.350B; 84.350C), LBJ Basement Level 1, 400 
Maryland Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20202-4260.

    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:

[[Page 17634]]

    (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: 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.
    If you qualify for an exception to the electronic submission 
requirement, you (or a courier service) may deliver your paper 
application to the Department by hand. You 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 84.350A; 84.350B; 84.350C), 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 4:30:00 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 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

    1. Selection Criteria: The selection criteria for this competition 
are from section 34 CFR 75.210 of EDGAR (34 CFR 75.210). The maximum 
score for all the selection criteria is 100 points. The maximum score 
for each criterion is indicated in parentheses. In addressing each 
criterion, applicants are encouraged to make explicit connections to 
relevant aspects of responses to other selection criteria.
    The notes we have included after each criterion are guidance to 
assist applicants in understanding the criterion as they prepare their 
applications and are not required by statute or regulation.
    A. Quality of the Project Design (40 points). The Secretary 
considers the quality of the project design for the proposed project. 
In determining the quality of the design of the proposed project, the 
Secretary considers the following factors:
    (1) The extent to which the goals, objectives, and outcomes to be 
achieved by the proposed project are clearly specified and measurable.
    (2) The extent to which the design for implementing and evaluating 
the proposed project will result in information to guide possible 
replication of project activities or strategies, including information 
about the effectiveness of the approach or strategies employed by the 
project.
    (3) The extent to which the proposed activities constitute a 
coherent, sustained program of training in the field.
    (4) The extent to which the proposed project is designed to build 
capacity and yield results that will extend beyond the period of 
Federal financial assistance.
    (5) The extent to which the program project is part of a 
comprehensive effort to improve teaching and learning and support 
rigorous academic standards for students.

    Note: The Secretary encourages applicants to address this 
criterion by discussing the overall project design and its key 
components, and the degree to which the design's key components are 
based on sound research and practice. Applicants are also encouraged 
to address this criterion by connecting the project design to the 
needs of the partner districts and identifying the specific teacher-
shortage areas faced by the participating high-need LEAs on which 
their proposed project would focus. Applicants should understand 
that a project's strategy for helping participating high-need LEAs 
to identify and hire highly qualified individuals to fill teaching 
positions in high-need subjects may rely on existing alternative 
routes to certification, the expansion of alternative routes to 
certification into new areas, or the creation of wholly new 
alternative routes.

    Additionally, applicants are encouraged to address such key 
components of project design related to the Transition to Teaching 
program as:
    (1) Recruitment and selection, including by identifying the target 
group(s) on which the program will focus and why and how the project is 
designed to rigorously select participants with the requisite content 
knowledge, skills, and commitment to teach in high-need schools in 
high-need LEAs.
    (2) Preparation, including how the project will provide a route to 
certification that is accelerated, integrates coursework and field 
experience, is adapted to participants' learning needs, and will yield 
effective teachers who are well prepared to teach in high-need schools 
in high-need LEAs.
    (3) Teacher placement, including evidence that the proposed project 
will meet the needs of high-need LEAs, is being developed in 
coordination with appropriate partners, and will include a system of 
tracking to meet statutory requirements.
    (4) Support services, including mentoring, that are designed to 
retain participants and meet their needs in terms of length, content, 
and means of delivery in order to be successful in high-need schools in 
high-need LEAs.
    (5) Teacher certification, including consideration of how the 
timeline for achieving certification will meet the needs of 
participants, LEAs, and partners, as well as the ``Highly Qualified 
Teacher'' requirements established in section 9101(23) of the ESEA and 
34 CFR 200.56.
    In addition, applicants are encouraged to clarify the means by 
which the project's specified outcomes and benefits may be sustained 
once Federal funding has ended.
    B. Quality of the Project Evaluation (20 points). The Secretary 
considers the quality of the evaluation to be conducted by the proposed 
project. In determining the quality of the evaluation to be conducted, 
the Secretary considers the following factors:
    (1) The extent to which the methods of evaluation include the use 
of objective performance measures that are clearly related to the 
intended outcomes of the project and will produce quantitative and 
qualitative data to the extent possible.
    (2) The extent to which the methods of evaluation will provide 
performance feedback and permit periodic assessment of progress toward 
achieving intended outcomes.

    Note: The Secretary encourages applicants to address this 
criterion by including benchmarks to monitor progress toward 
specific and measurable program and project objectives, as well as 
performance measures to assess the impact on teaching and learning 
or other important outcomes for project participants. Applicants are 
also encouraged to consider the use of a logic model in determining 
intended short-term, intermediate, and long-term outcomes. (The 
specific performance measures the Department established for the 
overall Transition to Teaching program are discussed under 
Performance Measures in section VI of this notice.)

    Moreover, with respect to the implementation of the project and 
monitoring progress toward achieving

[[Page 17635]]

project objectives, applicants are encouraged to describe the 
following: (1) What types of data will be collected; (2) when various 
types of data will be collected; (3) what methods will be used; (4) 
what instruments will be developed and when; (5) how the data will be 
analyzed; (6) when reports of results and outcomes will be available; 
and (7) how the applicant will use the information collected through 
the evaluation to monitor progress and improve implementation of the 
funded project and to provide accountability information about project 
success. Additionally, applicants are encouraged to design an 
evaluation that provides data for annual as well as midpoint and final 
reporting. Applicants also are encouraged to devote an appropriate 
level of resources to project evaluation.
    Finally, section 2314 of the ESEA also requires grantees to submit 
both an interim evaluation of the first three years of the grant and a 
final evaluation at the end of the grant. The Secretary encourages 
applicants to consider this reporting requirement when addressing the 
Quality of the Project Evaluation.
    C. Quality of Project Services (20 points).
    In determining the quality of the services to be provided by the 
proposed project, the Secretary considers the following factors:
    (1) The quality and sufficiency of strategies for ensuring equal 
access and treatment for eligible project participants who are members 
of groups that have traditionally been underrepresented based on race, 
color, national origin, gender, age, or disability.
    (2) The extent to which the services to be provided by the proposed 
project are appropriate to the needs of the intended recipients or 
beneficiaries of those services.
    (3) The extent to which the training or professional development 
services to be provided by the proposed project are of sufficient 
quality, intensity, and duration to lead to improvements in practice 
among the recipients of those services.
    (4) The extent to which the training or professional development 
services to be provided by the proposed project are likely to alleviate 
the personnel shortages that have been identified or are the focus of 
the proposed project.
    (5) The extent to which the services to be provided by the proposed 
project involve the collaboration of appropriate partners for 
maximizing the effectiveness of project services.

    Note: The Secretary encourages applicants to address this 
criterion by discussing how the proposed project services will meet 
the needs of both the high-need LEAs identified in the application 
and the project participants they would recruit to become teachers. 
In describing the specific services to be delivered to recruit, 
prepare, and retain participants that will increase the number of 
highly qualified teachers in high-need schools in high-need LEAs, 
applicants are encouraged to consult the program statute for 
allowable uses of Transition to Teaching program funds (section 
2313(g) of the ESEA). Applicants are also encouraged to describe how 
the proposed project will:
    (1) Provide preparation that meets the learning needs of the 
participants and makes use of appropriate media (such as through 
face-to-face instruction, Web-based instruction, and distance 
learning) in order to provide them with the knowledge and skills 
needed to be highly qualified and effective teachers in the 
identified high-need subject areas and high-need schools in high-
need LEAs.
    (2) Support project participants' success in high-need schools 
in high-need LEAs during the period of their service obligation, 
through individual mentoring, support of participants as a group, 
use of technology, or other appropriate means.
    (3) Encourage the participation of all project partners, 
including school leaders, in providing services related to the 
recruitment, preparation, and retention of project participants and 
ensuring lasting benefits or outcomes. Applicants are encouraged to 
clarify the roles of partners in each phase of the project and the 
extent of coordination that will occur with similar efforts at the 
State and district levels. In addition, applicants are encouraged to 
consider how they might demonstrate (e.g., through narrative 
discussion, letters of support, or formal memoranda of 
understanding) the commitment of partners to the project and the 
partners' understanding of responsibilities they have agreed to 
assume in service delivery.
    Applicants are encouraged to link their description of project 
services to be provided by the project to the overall project design 
described in the Quality of Project Design criterion.

    D. Quality of the Management Plan (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 adequacy of the management plan to achieve the objectives 
of the proposed project on time and within budget, including clearly 
defined responsibilities, timelines, and milestones for accomplishing 
project tasks.
    (2) The adequacy of procedures for ensuring feedback and continuous 
improvement in the operation of the proposed project.
    (3) The extent to which the time commitments of the project 
director and principal investigator and other key project personnel are 
appropriate and adequate to meet the objectives of the proposed 
project.

    Note: Section 75.112 of EDGAR (34 CFR 75.112) requires an 
applicant for a multi-year grant to include a narrative that 
describes how and when, in each budget period of the project, the 
applicant plans to meet each project objective. The Secretary 
encourages applicants to address this criterion by including in this 
narrative a clear, well-thought-out implementation plan that 
includes annual timelines, key project milestones, and a schedule of 
activities with sufficient time for developing an adequate 
implementation plan, as well as specific timelines for providing 
project participants the direct support they need in their initial 
year(s) as teachers.

    2. Review and Selection Process: We remind potential applicants 
that in reviewing applications in any discretionary grant competition, 
the Secretary may consider, under 34 CFR 75.217(d)(3), the past 
performance of the applicant in carrying out a previous award, such as 
the applicant's use of funds, achievement of project objectives, and 
compliance with grant conditions. The Secretary may also consider 
whether the applicant failed to submit a timely performance report or 
submitted a report of unacceptable quality.
    In addition, in making a competitive grant award, the Secretary 
also requires various assurances including those applicable to Federal 
civil rights laws that prohibit discrimination in programs or 
activities receiving Federal financial assistance from the Department 
of Education (34 CFR 100.4, 104.5, 106.4, 108.8, and 110.23).
    3. Additional Factors: Section 2313(f) of the ESEA provides that to 
the extent practicable, the Secretary shall ensure an equitable 
geographic distribution of grants under this program among the regions 
of the United States. Accordingly, the Secretary may take geographic 
distribution of awards into account in making grant awards under this 
competition.
    4. Special Conditions: Under 34 CFR 74.14 and 80.12, the Secretary 
may impose special conditions on a grant if the applicant or grantee is 
not financially stable, has a history of unsatisfactory performance, 
has a financial or other management system that does not meet the 
standards in 34 CFR parts 74 or 80, as applicable, has not fulfilled 
the conditions of a prior grant, or is otherwise not responsible.

VI. Award Administration Information

    1. Award Notices: If your application is successful, we notify your 
U.S. Representative and U.S. Senators and send you a Grant Award 
Notification

[[Page 17636]]

(GAN). We may notify you informally, also.
    If your application is not evaluated or not selected for funding, 
we notify you.
    2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements: We identify 
administrative and national policy requirements in the application 
package and reference these and other requirements in the Applicable 
Regulations section in this notice.
    We reference the regulations outlining the terms and conditions of 
an award in the Applicable Regulations 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 grant.
    3. Reporting: (a) If you apply for a grant under this competition, 
you must ensure that you have in place the necessary processes and 
systems to comply with the reporting requirements in 2 CFR part 170 
should you receive funding under the competition. This does not apply 
if you have an exception under 2 CFR 170.110(b).
    (b) At the end of your project period, you must submit a final 
performance report, including financial information, as directed by the 
Secretary. If you receive a 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.
    4. Performance Measures: The Secretary has established three 
performance measures to track the performance of this program. We will 
gather the data for these measures from each grantee. Therefore, when 
responding to the selection criteria grantees should address the 
following measures in the appropriate section.
    Measure One: The percentage of all Transition to Teaching 
participants who become teachers of record in high-need schools in 
high-need LEAs. For this measure we will collect data on the number of 
participants and the number of teachers of record in high-need schools 
in high-need LEAs.
    Measure Two: The percentage of Transition to Teaching participants 
who, within three years, receive the same State certification or 
licensure as teachers not participating in the alternative route 
program. For this measure, we will collect data on the number of 
participants who meet this measure.
    Measure Three: The percentage of Transition to Teaching teachers of 
record who teach in high-need schools in high-need LEAs for three 
years. For this measure, we will collect data on the number of 
participants who become teachers of record who have been teaching in 
high-need schools in high-need LEAs for at least three years.
    5. Continuation Awards: In making a continuation award, the 
Secretary may consider, under 34 CFR 75.253, the extent to which a 
grantee has made ``substantial progress toward meeting the objectives 
in its approved application.'' This consideration includes the review 
of a grantee's progress in meeting the targets and projected outcomes 
in its approved application, and whether the grantee has expended funds 
in a manner that is consistent with its approved application and 
budget. In making a continuation grant, the Secretary also considers 
whether the grantee is operating in compliance with the assurances in 
its approved application, including those applicable to Federal civil 
rights laws that prohibit discrimination in programs or activities 
receiving Federal financial assistance from the Department (34 CFR 
100.4, 104.5, 106.4, 108.8, and 110.23).

VII. Agency Contacts

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Patricia Barrett, Beatriz Ceja, or 
Salimah Shabazz, U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, 
SW., room 4C111, Washington, DC 20202-5960. Telephone: (202) 260-7350 
(Patricia Barrett), (202) 205-5009 (Beatriz Ceja), or (202) 260-2434 
(Salimah Shabazz), or by e-mail: [email protected].
    If you use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD), call the 
Federal Relay Service (FRS), toll free, at 1-800-877-8339.

VIII. Other Information

    Accessible Format: Individuals with disabilities can obtain this 
document and a copy of the application package in an accessible format 
(e.g., braille, large print, audiotape, or computer diskette) on 
request to the program contact persons listed under FOR FURTHER 
INFORMATION CONTACT in section VII in this notice.
    Electronic Access to This Document: You can view this document, as 
well as all other documents of this Department published in the Federal 
Register, in text or Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF) on the 
Internet at the following site: http://www.ed.gov/news/fedregister. To 
use PDF you must have Adobe Acrobat Reader, which is available free at 
this site.

    Note: The official version of this document is the document 
published in the Federal Register. Free Internet access to the 
official edition of the Federal Register and the Code of Federal 
Regulations is now available via the Federal Digital System at 
http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys.

    Dated: March 25, 2011.
James H. Shelton, III,
Assistant Deputy Secretary for Innovation and Improvement.
[FR Doc. 2011-7483 Filed 3-29-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4000-01-P
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