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[Federal Register: March 23, 2010 (Volume 75, Number 55)]
[Notices]               
[Page 13740-13745]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr23mr10-53]                         

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DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

 
Office of Innovation and Improvement; Overview Information; 
Charter Schools Program (CSP) Grants for National Leadership 
Activities; Notice Inviting Applications for New Awards for Fiscal Year 
(FY) 2010

Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: 84.282N

    Dates:
    Applications Available: March 23, 2010.
    Date of Pre-Application Meeting: April 8, 2010.
    Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: May 14, 2010.
    Deadline for Intergovernmental Review: July 12, 2010.

Full Text of Announcement

I. Funding Opportunity Description

    Purpose of Program: The purpose of the CSP is to increase national 
understanding of the charter school model and to expand the number of 
high-quality charter schools available to students across the Nation by 
providing financial assistance for the planning, program design, and 
initial implementation of charter schools, and to evaluate the effects 
of charter schools, including their effects on students, student 
academic achievement, staff, and parents. Section 5205 of the 
Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, (ESEA) (20 U.S.C. 
7221d), authorizes the Secretary to award grants under the CSP to carry 
out national activities.
    For FY 2010, the Department is holding a grant competition for 
national activities projects listed in section 5205(a) of the ESEA. 
Grants for national activities projects under the CSP are highly 
competitive. Applicants should make a well-reasoned and compelling case 
for the national significance of the problems or issues that will be 
the subject of the proposed project and of the approach the project 
would take to addressing those problems or issues.
    Priority: This notice includes one invitational priority. Under 
this competition we are particularly interested in applications that 
address the following priority.
    Invitational Priority: For FY 2010 this priority is an invitational 
priority. Under 34 CFR 75.105(c)(1), we do not give an application that 
meets an invitational priority a competitive or absolute preference 
over other applications.
    This priority is:
    High-Quality Charter Schools in Urban or Rural Areas.
    The Secretary is particularly interested in projects designed to 
enhance and expand a State's capacity to support high-quality charter 
schools in one or more geographic areas, particularly urban and rural 
areas, in which a large proportion or number of public schools have 
been identified for improvement, corrective action, or restructuring 
under Title I, Part A of the ESEA. A project meeting this priority 
should be based on research evidence and demonstrate effective 
practices through one or more of the following types of activities: (1) 
The dissemination of information on the implementation of school 
turnaround and restart models (as described in the Notice of Final 
Requirements for the School Improvement Grants published in the Federal 
Register on December 10, 2009 (74 FR 65618) (SIG Notice)) in charter 
schools and information on best practices for turning around a State's 
persistently lowest-achieving schools under Title I (also as identified 
by the State under the SIG notice); (2) opening new charter schools in 
the vicinity of schools closed as a consequence of a local educational 
agency (LEA) implementing a restructuring plan under section 1116(b)(8) 
of the ESEA, or schools identified as persistently lowest-achieving, 
provided this is done in coordination with the local educational agency 
(LEA); (3) the identification and replication of high-performing 
charter schools in ``high-need communities'', as this term is

[[Page 13741]]

defined in section 2151(e)(9)(B) of the ESEA (20 U.S.C. 6651(e)(9)(B)); 
(4) the creation and dissemination of models for high-quality 
authorizing practices that hold charter schools accountable for 
increasing student achievement and that provide for their closure if 
they do not raise achievement; (5) activities that improve the academic 
performance of African-American students, Hispanic students, students 
with disabilities, English learners, or children from low-income 
families; (6) recruitment, training, ongoing professional development, 
and retention of highly qualified teachers, including highly qualified 
mid-career professionals and recent college graduates who have not 
majored in education, as teachers in ``high-need'' charter schools 
(charter schools meeting the definition of a high-need school in 
section 2304(d)(3) of the ESEA (20 U.S.C. 6674(d)(3)); or (7) 
increasing public or private funding options for charter school 
facilities and access to existing public school buildings.
    Program Authority: 20 U.S.C. 7221-7221j.
    Applicable Regulations: The Education Department General 
Administrative Regulations (EDGAR) in 34 CFR parts 74, 75, 76, 77, 79, 
80, 81, 82, 84, 85, 86, 97, 98, and 99.

    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 only to 
institutions of higher education.


    Note: The regulations in 34 CFR part 99 apply only to an 
educational agency or institution.

II. Award Information

    Type of Award: Discretionary grants.
    Estimated Available Funds: The FY 2010 appropriation for the 
Charter Schools Program is $256,031,000, of which an estimated 
$3,500,000 will be used for this competition. Contingent upon the 
availability of funds and the quality of the applications received, we 
may make additional awards later in FY 2010 and in FY 2011 from the 
list of unfunded applications from this competition.
    Estimated Range of Awards: $250,000-$750,000 per year.
    Estimated Average Size of Awards: $500,000 per year.
    Estimated Number of Awards: 5-7.

    Note: The Department is not bound by any estimates in this 
notice.

    Project Period: Up to three years.

III. Eligibility Information

    1. Eligible Applicants: State educational agencies (SEAs) and local 
educational agencies (LEAs) in States with a State statute specifically 
authorizing the establishment of charter schools; and public and 
private non-profit organizations, including non-profit charter 
management organizations. Eligible applicants may also apply as a group 
or consortium.
    2. Cost-Sharing or Matching: This competition does not involve cost 
sharing or matching.
    3. Annual Meeting Attendance. Applicants approved for funding under 
this competition must attend a two-day meeting for project directors in 
the Washington, DC area during each year of the project. Applicants are 
encouraged to include the cost of attending this meeting in their 
proposed budgets.

IV. Application and Submission Information

    1. Address to Request Application Package: Richard Payton, U.S. 
Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW., room 4W225, 
Washington, DC 20202-5970. Telephone: (202) 453-7698 or by e-mail: 
richard.payton@ed.gov.
    If you use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD), call the 
Federal Relay Service (FRS), toll free, at 1-800-877-8339.
    Individuals with disabilities 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.
    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. The Secretary strongly 
encourages applicants to limit 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, 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. An application submitted in any other font 
(including Times Roman or Arial Narrow) will not be accepted.
    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, the bibliography, or the letters of support. However, the page 
limit does apply to all of the application narrative section (Part 
III).
    3. Submission Dates and Times:
    Applications Available: March 23, 2010.
    Date of Pre-Application Meeting: The Department will hold a pre-
application meeting for prospective applicants on April 8, 2010, from 
1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the U.S. Department of Education, Barnard 
Auditorium, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW., Washington, DC. Interested 
parties are invited to participate in this meeting to discuss the 
purpose of the program, absolute and competitive priorities, selection 
criteria, application requirements, submission requirements, and 
reporting requirements. Interested parties may participate in this 
meeting either by conference call or in person. This site is accessible 
by Metro on the Blue, Orange, Green, and Yellow lines at the Seventh 
Street and Maryland Avenue exit of the L'Enfant Plaza station. After 
the meeting, program staff will be available from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 
p.m. on that same day to provide information and technical assistance 
through individual consultation.
    Individuals interested in attending this meeting are encouraged to 
pre-register by e-mailing their name, organization, and contact 
information with the subject heading PRE-APPLICATION MEETING to 
CharterSchools@ed.gov. There is no registration fee for attending this 
meeting. For further information contact Richard Payton, U.S. 
Department of Education, Office of Innovation and Improvement, Room 
4W225, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20202. Telephone: (202) 
453-7698 or by e-mail: richard.payton@ed.gov.

Assistance to Individuals With Disabilities at the Pre-Application 
Meeting

    The meeting site is accessible to individuals with disabilities. If 
you will need an auxiliary aid or service to participate in the meeting 
(e.g.,

[[Page 13742]]

interpreting service, assistive listening device, or materials in an 
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 that 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 14, 2010.
    Applications for grants under this program must be submitted 
electronically using the Electronic Grant Application System (e-
Application) accessible through the Department's e-Grants site. 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. 6. Other Submission 
Requirements of 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 
of 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 12, 2010.
    4. Intergovernmental Review: This program is subject to Executive 
Order 12372 and the regulations in 34 CFR part 79. Information about 
Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs under Executive Order 
12372 is in the application package for this program.
    5. Funding Restrictions: An eligible applicant receiving a grant 
under this program may use the grant funds only for--
    (a) Access to Federal Funds. Disseminating information to charter 
schools about Federal funds they are eligible to receive and other 
Federal programs in which they may be eligible to participate; and 
providing assistance to charter schools in applying for Federal 
education funds that are allocated by formula.
    (b) Research. Conducting evaluations or studies on the impact of 
charter schools on student academic achievement and other issues 
concerning charter schools, such as teacher qualifications and 
retention, and the demographic makeup (e.g., age, race, gender, 
disability, English learners, and previous public school enrollment) of 
charter school students.
    (c) Technical Assistance and Planning. Assisting States and charter 
school developers with all aspects of planning, design, and 
implementing a charter school. Some areas in which newly created 
charter schools face challenges include program design, curriculum 
development, defining the school's mission, hiring staff, drafting 
charter applications, student recruitment and admissions, public 
relations and community involvement, governance, acquiring equipment 
and services, budget and finances, facilities, assessment and 
accountability, parental involvement, serving students with 
disabilities and English learners, and collaborating with other 
entities to provide high-quality instruction and services.
    (d) Best or Promising Practices. Disseminating information on best 
or promising practices in charter schools to other public schools, 
including charter schools.
    (e) Facilities. Collecting and disseminating information about 
programs and financial resources available to charter schools for 
facilities, including information about successful programs and how 
charter schools can access private capital.
    (f) Quality Authorizing. Providing technical assistance to 
authorized public chartering agencies in order to increase the number 
of high-performing charter schools, including assisting authorized 
public chartering agencies in designing rigorous application processes; 
developing strong accountability and evaluation systems; building or 
enhancing capacity to authorize, monitor, and hold accountable charter 
schools; and closing persistently low-performing charter schools.
    (g) School Improvement. Assisting LEAs in the planning and startup 
of charter schools as a means of implementing school turnaround or 
restart intervention models, or both, in persistently low-performing 
schools in order to increase student achievement, decrease the 
achievement gaps across student subgroups, and increase the rates at 
which students graduate from high school prepared for college and 
careers.
    Award Basis. In determining whether to approve a grant award and 
the amount of such award, the Department will consider, among other 
things, the amount of any carryover funds the applicant has under an 
existing CSP grant and the applicant's performance and use of funds 
under a previous or existing award under any Department program (34 CFR 
75.217(d)(ii) and 75.233(b)).
    We reference additional regulations outlining funding restrictions 
in the Applicable Regulations section of this notice.
    6. 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 Charter School Programs--CFDA 
number 84.282N--must be submitted electronically using e-Application, 
accessible through the Department's e-Grants Web site at: http://e-grants.ed.gov.
    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.
    While completing your electronic application, you will be entering 
data online that will be saved into a database. You may not e-mail an 
electronic copy of a grant application to us.
    Please note the following:
     You must complete the electronic submission of your grant 
application by 4:30:00 p.m., Washington, DC time, on the application 
deadline date. E-Application will not accept an application for this 
program after 4:30:00 p.m., Washington, DC time, on the application 
deadline date. Therefore, we strongly recommend that you do not wait 
until the application deadline date to begin the application process.
     The hours of operation of the e-Grants Web site are 6:00 
a.m. Monday until 7:00 p.m. Wednesday; and 6:00 a.m. Thursday until 
8:00 p.m. Sunday, Washington, DC time. Please note that, because of 
maintenance, the system is unavailable between 8:00 p.m. on Sundays and 
6:00 a.m. on Mondays, and between 7:00 p.m. on Wednesdays and

[[Page 13743]]

6:00 a.m. on Thursdays, Washington, DC time. Any modifications to these 
hours are posted on the e-Grants Web site.
     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 .DOC (document), .RTF (rich text), or .PDF 
(Portable Document) format. If you upload a file type other than the 
three file types specified in this paragraph or submit a password 
protected file, we will not review that material.
     Your electronic application must comply with any page 
limit requirements described in this notice.
     Prior to submitting your electronic application, you may 
wish to print a copy of it for your records.
     After you electronically submit your application, you will 
receive an automatic acknowledgment that will include a PR/Award number 
(an identifying number unique to your application).
     Within three working days after submitting your electronic 
application, fax a signed copy of the SF 424 to the Application Control 
Center after following these steps:
    (1) Print SF 424 from e-Application.
    (2) The applicant's Authorizing Representative must sign this form.
    (3) Place the PR/Award number in the upper right hand corner of the 
hard-copy signature page of the SF 424.
    (4) Fax the signed SF 424 to the Application Control Center at 
(202) 245-6272.
     We may request that you provide us original signatures on 
other forms at a later date.
    Application Deadline Date Extension in Case of e-Application 
Unavailability: If you are prevented from electronically submitting 
your application on the application deadline date because e-Application 
is unavailable, we will grant you an extension of one business day to 
enable you to transmit your application electronically, by mail, or by 
hand delivery. We will grant this extension if--
    (1) You are a registered user of e-Application and you have 
initiated an electronic application for this competition; and
    (2) (a) E-Application is unavailable for 60 minutes or more between 
the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m., Washington, DC time, on the 
application deadline date; or
    (b) E-Application is unavailable for any period of time between 
3:30 p.m. and 4:30:00 p.m., Washington, DC time, on the application 
deadline date.
    We must acknowledge and confirm these periods of unavailability 
before granting you an extension. To request this extension or to 
confirm our acknowledgment of any system unavailability, you may 
contact either (1) the person listed elsewhere in this notice under FOR 
FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT (see VII. Agency Contact) or (2) the e-
Grants help desk at 1-888-336-8930. If e-Application is unavailable due 
to technical problems with the system and, therefore, the application 
deadline is extended, an e-mail will be sent to all registered users 
who have initiated an e-Application. Extensions referred to in this 
section apply only to the unavailability of e-Application.
    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 e-Application because--
     You do not have access to the Internet; or
     You do not have the capacity to upload large documents to 
e-Application; 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 
prevents 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: Dean Kern, U.S. 
Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW., Room 4W231, 
Washington, DC 20202-5970. FAX: (202) 205-5630.
    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 84.282N, 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:
    (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 84.282N, 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--

[[Page 13744]]

    (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 grant notification within 15 business days from the 
application deadline date, you should call the U.S. Department of 
Education Application Control Center at (202) 245-6288.

V. Application Review Information

    Selection Criteria. The selection criteria for this competition are 
in 34 CFR 75.210 and are as follows.
    In evaluating an application, the Secretary considers the following 
criteria:
    (i) Need for project (20 points). The Secretary considers the need 
for the proposed project. In determining the need for the proposed 
project, the Secretary considers the extent to which specific gaps or 
weaknesses in services, infrastructure, or opportunities have been 
identified and will be addressed by the proposed project, including the 
nature and magnitude of those gaps or weaknesses.
    (ii) Significance (20 points). The Secretary considers the 
significance of the proposed project. In determining the significance 
of the proposed project, the Secretary considers--
    (1) The national significance of the proposed project.
    (2) The extent to which the proposed project is likely to build 
local capacity to provide, improve, or expand services that address the 
needs of the target population.
    (3) The likely utility of the products (such as information, 
materials, processes, or techniques) that will result from the proposed 
project, including the potential for their being used effectively in a 
variety of other settings.
    (iii) Quality of the project design (20 points). The Secretary 
considers the quality of the design of the proposed project. In 
determining the quality of the design of the proposed project, the 
Secretary considers--
    (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 project is designed to build 
capacity and yield results that will extend beyond the period of 
Federal financial assistance.
    (iv) Quality of project services (20 points). The Secretary 
considers the quality of the services to be provided by the proposed 
project. In determining the quality of the services to be provided by 
the proposed project, the Secretary considers the quality and 
sufficiency of strategies for ensuring equal access and treatment for 
eligible applicants who are members of groups that have traditionally 
been underrepresented based on race, color, national origin, gender, 
age, or disability. In addition, the Secretary considers--
    (1) The extent to which the services provided reflect up-to-date 
knowledge from research and effective practice.
    (2) The likelihood that the services to be provided by the proposed 
project will lead to improvements in the achievement of students as 
measured against rigorous academic standards.
    (v) Quality of project personnel (20 points). The Secretary 
considers the quality of the personnel who will carry out the proposed 
project. In determining the quality of the project personnel, the 
Secretary considers 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. In addition, the Secretary 
considers the following factors--
    (1) The qualifications, including relevant training and experience, 
of the project director or principal investigator.
    (2) The qualifications, including relevant training and experience, 
of project consultants or subcontractors.
    (vi) 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 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.
    (vii) Quality of the project evaluation (20 points). The Secretary 
considers the quality of the evaluation to be conducted of the proposed 
project. In determining the quality of the evaluation, the Secretary 
considers the 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.

    Note:  A strong evaluation plan should be included in the 
application narrative and should be used, as appropriate, to shape 
the development of the project from the beginning of the grant 
period. The plan should include benchmarks to monitor progress 
toward specific project objectives and also outcome measures to 
assess the impact on teaching and learning or other important 
outcomes for project participants. More specifically, the plan 
should identify the individual and/or organization that has agreed 
to serve as evaluator for the project and describe the 
qualifications of that evaluator. The plan should describe the 
evaluation design, indicating: (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 of the funded project and to provide accountability 
information both about success at the initial site and about 
effective strategies for replication in other settings. Applicants 
are encouraged to devote an appropriate level of resources to 
project evaluation.

VI. Award Administration Information

    1. Award Notices: If your application is successful, we will notify 
your U.S. Representative and U.S. Senators and send you a Grant Award 
Notification (GAN). We may also 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. Reporting: 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 in 
34 CFR 75.118. The Secretary may also require more

[[Page 13745]]

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 goal of the CSP is to support the 
creation and development of a large number of high-quality charter 
schools that are free from State or local rules that inhibit flexible 
operation, are held accountable for enabling students to reach 
challenging State performance standards, and are open to all students. 
The Secretary has two performance indicators to measure progress toward 
this goal: (1) the number of charter schools in operation around the 
Nation, and (2) the percentage of charter school students who are 
achieving at or above the proficient level on State examinations in 
mathematics and reading/language arts. Additionally, the Secretary has 
established the following measure to examine the efficiency of the CSP: 
Federal cost per student in implementing a successful school (defined 
as a school in operation for three or more consecutive years).
    All grantees will be expected, as applicable, to submit an annual 
performance report documenting their contribution in assisting the 
Department in meeting these performance measures.

VII. Agency Contact

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Richard Payton, U.S. Department of 
Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW., Room 4W225, Washington, DC 20202-
5970. Telephone: (202) 453-7698 or by e-mail: richard.payton@ed.gov.
    If you use a TDD, call the 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 person listed under FOR FURTHER 
INFORMATION CONTACT in Section VII of 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 available on GPO Access at: http://www.gpoaccess.gov/nara/index.html.


    Dated: March 17, 2010.
James H. Shelton, III,
Assistant Deputy Secretary for Innovation and Improvement.
[FR Doc. 2010-6378 Filed 3-22-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P
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