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###### Department of Education

# AGENCY:

Office of Elementary and Secondary Education, Department of Education.

# ACTION:

Notice.

# SUMMARY:

The Department of Education is issuing a notice inviting applications for fiscal year (FY) 2021 for the Equity Assistance Centers, Assistance Listing Number 84.004D. This notice relates to the approved information collection under OMB control number 1894-0006.

# DATES:

 

*Applications Available:*                         January 13, 2021.                    

*Deadline for Transmittal of Applications:*                         March 29, 2021.                    

*Deadline for Intergovernmental Review:*                         May 28, 2021.                    

# ADDRESSES:

                        For the addresses for obtaining and submitting an application, please refer to our Common Instructions for Applicants to Department of Education Discretionary Grant Programs, published in the                         **Federal Register**                         on February 13, 2019 (84 FR 3768) and available at                         *www.govinfo.gov/​content/​pkg/​FR-2019-02-13/​pdf/​2019-02206.pdf.*

# FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

                        Ed Vitelli, U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue SW, room 3E106, Washington, DC 20202. Telephone: (202) 453-6203. Email:                         *Edward.Vitelli@ed.gov.*

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

# SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

## Full Text of Announcement

## I. Funding Opportunity Description

*Purpose of Program:*                     The Equity Assistance Centers (EAC) program is authorized under title IV of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, 42 U.S.C. 2000c-2000c-2, 2000c-5, and the implementing regulations in 34 CFR part 270. This program awards grants through cooperative agreements to operate regional EACs that provide technical assistance (including training) at the request of school boards and other responsible governmental agencies in the preparation, adoption, and implementation of plans for the desegregation of public schools—which in this context means plans for equity (including desegregation based on race, national origin, sex, and religion)—and in the development of effective methods of coping with special educational problems occasioned by desegregation. Desegregation assistance, per 34 CFR 270.4, may include, among other activities: (1) Dissemination of information regarding effective methods of coping with special educational problems occasioned by desegregation; (2) assistance and advice in coping with these problems; and (3) training designed to improve the ability of teachers, supervisors, counselors, parents, community members, community organizations, and other elementary or secondary school personnel to deal effectively with special educational problems occasioned by desegregation. A project must provide technical assistance in all four of the desegregation assistance areas: race, sex, national origin, and religion desegregation. Additionally, EACs provide critical support to help ensure that all students have access to                           ( print page 2654)                        positive and safe learning environments that meet their needs and are free of bullying, violence, and disruptive actions.                

                    Desegregation assistance services provided by EACs may also help to alleviate the adverse educational effects of the extraordinary circumstances caused by the novel coronavirus of 2019 (COVID-19). These circumstances have highlighted inequity with respect to a local educational agency's (LEA) ability to leverage remote learning to support all students. Inadequate support for continuity of learning is disproportionately affecting students who already faced special educational problems occasioned by desegregation pre-pandemic (                    *e.g.,*                     English learners). EACs may, where requested, assist clients in responding to special educational problems occasioned by desegregation related to remote learning, including, for example, online bullying or exposure to harassment.                

                    Where requested to assist in the development of desegregation plans, EACs can help eligible entities develop strategies for incorporating equitable access to educational opportunities to best meet individual student needs into voluntary desegregation plans consistent with applicable Federal, State, and local laws. Such strategies could include use of public magnet schools; remote learning; work-based learning opportunities (                    *e.g.,*                     apprenticeships); dual or concurrent enrollment programs, early college high schools, or other programs that enable secondary school students to begin earning credit toward a postsecondary degree or credential; access to services or programs for students aspiring to postsecondary education; credit recovery, accelerated learning, or tutoring in instances to help create a pipeline for participation of students who have not had access to these programs based on race, national origin, sex, or religion.                

*Priority:*                     This notice contains one competitive preference priority. This priority is from the Department's Administrative Priorities for Discretionary Grant Programs, published in the                     **Federal Register**                     on March 9, 2020 (85 FR 13640) (the Administrative Priorities).                

*Competitive Preference Priority:*                     For FY 2021 and any subsequent year in which we make awards from the list of unfunded applications from this competition, this priority is a competitive preference priority. Under 34 CFR 75.105(c)(2)(i), we award an additional three points to an application that meets this priority.                

This priority is:

*New Potential Grantees.*

(a) Under this priority, an applicant must demonstrate that:

(i) The applicant has not had an active discretionary grant under the program from which it seeks funds, including through membership in a group application submitted in accordance with 34 CFR 75.127-75.129, in the seven years before the deadline date for submission of applications under the program; and

(ii) The applicant has not had an active discretionary grant from the Department, including through membership in a group application submitted in accordance with 34 CFR 75.127-75.129, in the one year before the deadline date for submission of applications under the program.

(b) For the purpose of this priority, a grant or contract is active until the end of the grant's or contract's project or funding period, including any extensions of those periods that extend the grantee's or contractor's authority to obligate funds.

# Note: 

                        For new potential grantees unfamiliar with grantmaking at the Department, please consult our funding basics resource at                         *www2.ed.gov/​documents/​funding-101/​funding-101-basics.pdf*                         or a more detailed resource at                         *www2.ed.gov/​documents/​funding-101/​funding-101.pdf.*

*Definitions:*                     For the convenience of the applicant, we are highlighting the following definitions, for this competition. They include definitions from the regulations for the EAC program in 34 CFR part 270.7, and the definitions of “demonstrates a rationale” and “logic model,” which are from 34 CFR 77.1.                

*Demonstrates a rationale*                     means a key project component included in the project's logic model is informed by research or evaluation findings that suggest the project component is likely to improve relevant outcomes.                

*Desegregation assistance*                     means the provision of technical assistance (including training) in the areas of race, sex, national origin, and religion desegregation of public elementary and secondary schools.                

*Desegregation assistance areas*                     mean the areas of race, sex, national origin, and religion desegregation.                

*English learner*                     has the same meaning as defined in section 8101(20) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, as amended.                

*Equity Assistance Center*                     means a regional desegregation technical assistance and training center funded under this part.                

*Logic model*                     (also referred to as a theory of action) means a framework that identifies key project components of the proposed project (                    *i.e.,*                     the active “ingredients” that are hypothesized to be critical to achieving the relevant outcomes) and describes the theoretical and operational relationships among the key project components and relevant outcomes.                

*National origin desegregation*                     means the assignment of students to public schools and within those schools without regard to their national origin, including providing students such as those who are English learners with a full opportunity for participation in all educational programs regardless of their national origin.                

*Public school*                     means any elementary or secondary educational institution operated by a State, subdivision of a State, or governmental agency within a State, or operated wholly or predominantly from or through the use of governmental funds or property, or funds or property derived from governmental sources.                

*Public school personnel*                     means school board members and persons who are employed by or who work in the schools of a responsible governmental agency, as that term is defined in this section.                

*Race desegregation*                     means the assignment of students to public schools and within those schools without regard to their race, including providing students with a full opportunity for participation in all educational programs regardless of their race. “Race desegregation” does not mean the assignment of students to public schools to correct conditions of racial separation that are not the result of State or local law or official action.                

*Religion desegregation*                     means the assignment of students to public schools and within those schools without regard to their religion, including providing students with a full opportunity for participation in all educational programs regardless of their religion.                

*Responsible governmental agency*                     means any school board, State, municipality, LEA, or other governmental unit legally responsible for operating a public school or schools.                

*School board*                     means any agency or agencies that administer a system of one or more public schools and any other agency that is responsible for the assignment of students to or within that system.                

*Sex desegregation*                     means the assignment of students to public schools and within those schools without regard to their sex (including transgender status; gender identity; sex stereotypes, such as treating a person differently because he or she does not conform to sex-role expectations because he or she                           ( print page 2655)                        is attracted to or is in a relationship with a person of the same sex; and pregnancy and related conditions), including providing students with a full opportunity for participation in all educational programs regardless of their sex.                

*Special educational problems occasioned by desegregation*                     means those issues that arise in classrooms, schools, and communities in the course of desegregation efforts based on race, national origin, sex, or religion. The phrase does not refer to the provision of special education and related services for students with disabilities as defined under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (20 U.S.C. 1400*et seq.*).                

*Program Authority:*42 U.S.C. 2000c-2000c-2, 2000c-5.                

# Note: 

Projects must be awarded and operated in a manner consistent with the nondiscrimination requirements contained in the U.S. Constitution and the Federal civil rights laws.

*Applicable Regulations:*                     (a) The Education Department General Administrative Regulations (EDGAR) in 34 CFR parts 75, 77, 79, 81, 82, 84, 86, 97, 98, and 99. (b) The OMB Guidelines to Agencies on Governmentwide Debarment and Suspension (Nonprocurement) in 2 CFR part 180, as adopted and amended as regulations of the Department in 2 CFR part 3485. (c) The Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards in 2 CFR part 200, as adopted and amended as regulations of the Department in 2 CFR part 3474. (d) The regulations for the EAC program in 34 CFR part 270. (e) The Administrative Priorities.                

# 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 only. 

## II. Award Information

*Type of Award:*                     Cooperative agreement.                

*Estimated Available Funds:*                     The Administration has requested $6,475,000 for new awards for this program. The actual level of funding, if any, depends on final congressional action. However, we are inviting applications to allow enough time to complete the grant process before the end of the current fiscal year, if Congress appropriates funds for this program.                

*Estimated Range of Awards:*                     $1,400,000-$1,700,000.                

*Estimated Average Size of Awards:*                     $1,618,750.                

*Maximum Award:*                     We will not make an award exceeding $1,700,000 for a single budget period of 12 months. Under 34 CFR 75.104(b), the Secretary may reject without consideration or evaluation any application that proposes a project funding level that exceeds the stated maximum award amount.                

*Estimated Number of Awards:*                     4.                

# Note: 

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

*Project Period:*                         Up to 60 months.                     

## III. Eligibility Information

                    1.                     *Eligible Applicants:*                     A public agency (other than a State educational agency or a school board) or a private, non-profit organization.                

# Note: 

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

                    2. a.                     *Cost Sharing or Matching:*                     This program does not require cost sharing or matching.                

                    b.                     *Indirect Cost Rate Information:*                     This program uses an unrestricted indirect cost rate. For more information regarding indirect costs, or to obtain a negotiated indirect cost rate, please see                     *www2.ed.gov/​about/​offices/​list/​ocfo/​intro.html.*

                    c.                     *Administrative Cost Limitation:*                     This program does not include any program-specific limitation on administrative expenses. All administrative expenses must be reasonable and necessary and conform to Cost Principles described in 2 CFR part 200 subpart E of the Uniform Guidance.                

                    3.                     *Subgrantees:*                     A grantee under this competition may not award subgrants to entities to directly carry out project activities described in its application.                

                    4.                     *Geographical Regions:*                     Four EACs will be funded under this grant program in four geographical regions, in accordance with 34 CFR 270.5. One award will be made in each region to the highest-ranking proposal for that region. If an applicant wishes to apply to serve more than one region, such an applicant must submit an application for each region it wishes to serve.                

# Note: 

The Department intends to create four separate funding slates, one for each geographic region. As a result, the Department will fund applications in rank order for each of the four funding slates rather than the overall rank order of all applications received. 

The geographic regions served by the EACs are:

Region I: Connecticut, Delaware, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virgin Islands, West Virginia.

Region II: Alabama, Arkansas, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia.

Region III: Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Wisconsin.

Region IV: Alaska, American Samoa, Arizona, California, Colorado, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington, Wyoming.

## IV. Application and Submission Information

                    1.                     *Application Submission Instructions:*                     Applicants are required to follow the Common Instructions for Applicants to Department of Education Discretionary Grant Programs, published in the                     **Federal Register**                     on February 13, 2019 (84 FR 3768) and available at                     *www.govinfo.gov/​content/​pkg/​FR-2019-02-13/​pdf/​2019-02206.pdf,*                     which contain requirements and information on how to submit an application.                

                    2.                     *Submission of Proprietary Information:*                     Given the types of projects that may be proposed in applications for the EAC program, your application may include business information that you consider proprietary. In 34 CFR 5.11 we define “business information” and describe the process we use in determining whether any of that information is proprietary and, thus, protected from disclosure under Exemption 4 of the Freedom of Information Act (5 U.S.C. 552, as amended).                

                    Because we plan to make successful applications available to the public, you may wish to request confidentiality of business information.                          ( print page 2656)    

Consistent with Executive Order 12600, please designate in your application any information that you believe is exempt from disclosure under Exemption 4. In the appropriate Appendix section of your application, under “Other Attachments Form,” please list the page number or numbers on which we can find this information. For additional information please see 34 CFR 5.11(c).

                    3.                     *Intergovernmental Review:*                     This program is subject to Executive Order 12372 and the regulations in 34 CFR part 79.                

                    4.                     *Funding Restrictions:*                     We reference regulations outlining funding restrictions in the                     *Applicable Regulations*                     section of this notice.                

                    5.                     *Recommended Page Limit:*                     The application narrative is where you, the applicant, address the selection criteria that reviewers use to evaluate your application. We recommend that you (1) limit the application narrative to no more than 50 pages and (2) use the following standards:                
    - A “page” is 8.5″ × 11″, on one side only, with 1″ margins at the top, bottom, and both sides.
    - Double space (no more than three lines per vertical inch) all text in the application narrative, including titles, headings, footnotes, quotations, references, and captions, as well as all text in charts, tables, figures, and graphs.
    - Use a font that is either 12 point or larger or no smaller than 10 pitch (characters per inch).
    - Use one of the following fonts: Times New Roman, Courier, Courier New, or Arial.

The recommended page limit does not apply to the cover sheet; the budget section, including the narrative budget justification; the assurances and certifications; or the one-page abstract, the resumes, the bibliography, or the letters of support. However, the recommended page limit does apply to all of the application narrative.

## V. Application Review Information

                    1.                     *Selection Criteria:*                     The selection criteria for this competition are from 34 CFR 75.210. The maximum score for addressing all of these criteria is 100 points. The maximum score for addressing each criterion is indicated in parentheses. The Secretary uses the following criteria to evaluate applications for EAC grants:                

                    (a)                     *Quality of Project Services.*                     (Up to 35 points) The Secretary considers the quality of the services to be provided by the proposed project. In determining the quality of the services to be provided by the proposed project, the Secretary considers:                

(1) The quality and sufficiency of strategies for ensuring equal access and treatment for eligible project participants who are members of groups that have traditionally been underrepresented based on race, color, national origin, gender, age, or disability. (Up to 5 points)

# Note: 

 For this competition, “eligible project participants” refers to those eligible to receive services from an Equity Assistance Center. 

(2) In addition, the Secretary considers:

(i) The extent to which the training or professional development services to be provided by the proposed project are of sufficient quality, intensity, and duration to lead to improvements in practice among the recipients of those services. (Up to 15 points)

(ii) The extent to which the results of the proposed project are to be disseminated in ways that will enable others to use the information or strategies. (Up to 10 points)

(iii) The extent to which the budget is adequate to support the proposed project. (Up to 5 points)

                    (b)                     *Quality of the Project Design.*                     (Up to 40 points) The Secretary considers the quality of the design of the proposed project. In determining the quality of the design of the proposed project, the Secretary considers:                

(1) The extent to which the proposed project demonstrates a rationale (as defined in this notice). (Up to 10 points)

(2) The extent to which the design of the proposed project includes a thorough, high-quality review of the relevant literature, a high-quality plan for project implementation, and the use of appropriate methodological tools to ensure successful achievement of project objectives. (Up to 20 points)

(3) The extent to which the methods of evaluation will provide performance feedback and permit periodic assessment of progress toward achieving intended outcomes. (Up to 10 points)

                    (c)                     *Quality of Project Personnel.*                     (Up to 25 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:                

(1) 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. (Up to 10 points)

(2) The qualifications, including relevant training and experience, of key project personnel. (Up to 15 points)

                    2.                     *Review and Selection Process:*                     We remind potential applicants that in reviewing applications in any discretionary grant competition, the Secretary may consider, under 34 CFR 75.217(d)(3), the past performance of the applicant in carrying out a previous award, such as the applicant's use of funds, achievement of project objectives, and compliance with grant conditions. The Secretary may also consider whether the applicant failed to submit a timely performance report or submitted a report of unacceptable quality.                

In addition, in making a competitive grant award, the Secretary 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 (34 CFR 100.4, 104.5, 106.4, 108.8, and 110.23).

                    3.                     *Risk Assessment and Special Conditions:*                     Consistent with 2 CFR 200.205, before awarding grants under this program the Department conducts a review of the risks posed by applicants. Under 2 CFR 3474.10, the Secretary may impose special conditions and, in appropriate circumstances, high-risk conditions on a grant if the applicant or grantee is not financially stable; has a history of unsatisfactory performance; has a financial or other management system that does not meet the standards in 2 CFR part 200, subpart D; has not fulfilled the conditions of a prior grant; or is otherwise not responsible.                

                    4.                     *Integrity and Performance System:*                     If you are selected under this competition to receive an award that over the course of the project period may exceed the simplified acquisition threshold (currently $250,000), under 2 CFR 200.206(a)(2) we must make a judgment about your integrity, business ethics, and record of performance under Federal awards—that is, the risk posed by you as an applicant—before we make an award. In doing so, we must consider any information about you that is in the integrity and performance system (currently referred to as the Federal Awardee Performance and Integrity Information System (FAPIIS)), accessible through the System for Award Management. You may review and comment on any information about yourself that a Federal agency previously entered and that is currently in FAPIIS.                

                    Please note that, if the total value of your currently active grants, cooperative agreements, and procurement contracts from the Federal Government exceeds $10,000,000, the reporting requirements in 2 CFR part 200, Appendix XII, require you to report certain integrity                           ( print page 2657)                        information to FAPIIS semiannually. Please review the requirements in 2 CFR part 200, Appendix XII, if this grant plus all the other Federal funds you receive exceed $10,000,000.                

                    5.                     *In General:*                     In accordance with the Office of Management and Budget's guidance located at 2 CFR part 200, all applicable Federal laws, and relevant Executive guidance, the Department will review and consider applications for funding pursuant to this notice inviting applications in accordance with—                

(a) Selecting recipients most likely to be successful in delivering results based on the program objectives through an objective process of evaluating Federal award applications (2 CFR 200.205);

(b) Prohibiting the purchase of certain telecommunication and video surveillance services or equipment in alignment with section 889 of the National Defense Authorization Act of 2019 (Pub. L. 115-232) (2 CFR 200.216);

                    (c) Promoting the freedom of speech and religious liberty in alignment with                     *Promoting Free Speech and Religious Liberty*                     (E.O. 13798) and                     *Improving Free Inquiry, Transparency, and Accountability at Colleges and Universities*                     (E.O. 13864) (2 CFR 200.300, 200.303, 200.339, and 200.341);                

(d) Providing a preference, to the extent permitted by law, to maximize use of goods, products, and materials produced in the United States (2 CFR 200.322); and

(e) Terminating agreements in whole or in part to the greatest extent authorized by law if an award no longer effectuates the program goals or agency priorities (2 CFR 200.340).

## VI. Award Administration Information

                    1.                     *Award Notices:*                     If your application is successful, we notify your U.S. Representative and U.S. Senators and send you a Grant Award Notification (GAN); or we may send you an email containing a link to access an electronic version of your GAN. We may notify you informally, also.                

If your application is not evaluated or not selected for funding, we notify you.

                    2.                     *Administrative and National Policy Requirements:*                     We identify administrative and national policy requirements in the application package and reference these and other requirements in the                     *Applicable Regulations*                     section of this notice.                

                    We reference the regulations outlining the terms and conditions of an award in the                     *Applicable Regulations*                     section of this notice and include these and other specific conditions in the GAN. The GAN also incorporates your approved application as part of your binding commitments under the grant.                

                    3.                     *Open Licensing Requirements:*                     Unless an exception applies, if you are awarded a grant under this competition, you will be required to openly license to the public grant deliverables created in whole, or in part, with Department grant funds. When the deliverable consists of modifications to pre-existing works, the license extends only to those modifications that can be separately identified and only to the extent that open licensing is permitted under the terms of any licenses or other legal restrictions on the use of pre-existing works. Additionally, a grantee or subgrantee that is awarded competitive grant funds must have a plan to disseminate these public grant deliverables. This dissemination plan can be developed and submitted after your application has been reviewed and selected for funding. For additional information on the open licensing requirements please refer to 2 CFR 3474.20.                

                    4.                     *Reporting:*                     (a) If you apply for a grant under this competition, you must ensure that you have in place the necessary processes and systems to comply with the reporting requirements in 2 CFR part 170 should you receive funding under the competition. This does not apply if you have an exception under 2 CFR 170.110(b).                

                    (b) At the end of your project period, you must submit a final performance report, including financial information, as directed by the Secretary. If you receive a multiyear award, you must submit an annual performance report that provides the most current performance and financial expenditure information as directed by the Secretary under 34 CFR 75.118. The Secretary may also require more frequent performance reports under 34 CFR 75.720(c). For specific requirements on reporting, please go to                     *www.ed.gov/​fund/​grant/​apply/​appforms/​appforms.html.*

(c) Under 34 CFR 75.250(b), the Secretary may provide a grantee with additional funding for data collection analysis and reporting. In this case the Secretary establishes a data collection period.

                    5.                     *Performance Measures:*                     The Department has established the following Government Performance and Results Act of 1993 performance measures for the EAC program, adapted from a set of common measures developed to help assess performance across the Department's technical assistance programs:                

Measure 1: The percentage of clients reporting an increase in awareness or knowledge resulting from technical assistance provided.

Measure 2: The percentage of clients who report changed policies or practices related to providing students with a full opportunity for participation in all educational programs regardless of their sex, race, religion, and national origin.

Measure 3: The percentage of clients reporting an increase in capacity resulting from technical assistance provided.

Measure 4: The percentage of clients who report outcomes, as documented in memoranda of understanding with EACs, were met as a result of the technical assistance provided.

All grantees will be expected to submit, as part of their annual and final performance reports, quantitative data documenting their progress with regard to these performance measures.

Project Measures: The Department has established the following project measures for the EAC program:

Measure 1: The percentage of technical assistance requests received from organizations that were accepted during the performance period.

Measure 2: The percentage of clients willing to request additional technical assistance or refer another organization to an EAC for technical assistance during the performance period.

All grantees will be expected to submit, as part of their annual and final performance reports, quantitative data documenting their progress with regard to these project measures. An applicant may propose additional project measures specific to that applicant's proposed project. If an applicant chooses to propose such project measures, the application must provide the following information as directed under 34 CFR 75.110(b): How each proposed project measure would accurately measure the performance of the project and how the proposed project measure would be consistent with the performance measures established for this program.

                    6.                     *Continuation Awards:*                     In making a continuation award under 34 CFR 75.253, the Secretary considers, among other things: whether a grantee has made substantial progress in achieving the goals and objectives of the project; whether the grantee has expended funds in a manner that is consistent with its approved application and budget; and, if the Secretary has established performance measurement requirements, the performance targets in the grantee's approved application.                

                    In making a continuation award, the Secretary also considers whether the grantee is operating in compliance with the assurances in its approved                           ( print page 2658)                        application, including those applicable to Federal civil rights laws that prohibit discrimination in programs or activities receiving Federal financial assistance from the Department (34 CFR 100.4, 104.5, 106.4, 108.8, and 110.23).                

## VII. Other Information

*Accessible Format:*                     On request to the program contact person listed under                     **FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT**                    , individuals with disabilities can obtain this document and a copy of the application package in an accessible format. The Department will provide the requestor with an accessible format that may include Rich Text Format (RTF) or text format (txt), a thumb drive, an MP3 file, braille, large print, audiotape, or compact disc, or other accessible format.                

*Electronic Access to This Document:*                     The official version of this document is the document published in the                     **Federal Register**                    . You may access the official edition of the                     **Federal Register**                     and the Code of Federal Regulations at                     *www.govinfo.gov.*                     At this site you can view this document, as well as all other documents of this Department published in the                     **Federal Register***,*                     in text or Portable Document Format (PDF). To use PDF you must have Adobe Acrobat Reader, which is available free at the site.                

                    You may also access documents of the Department published in the                     **Federal Register**                     by using the article search feature at                     *www.federalregister.gov.*                     Specifically, through the advanced search feature at this site, you can limit your search to documents published by the Department.                

Frank T. Brogan,

Assistant Secretary for Elementary and Secondary Education.

[FR Doc. 2021-00540 Filed 1-11-21; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4000-01-P