Federal Register / Vol. 63, No. 85 / Monday, May 4, 1998 / Notices 24731

settings to meet the needs of students

with disabilities and other diverse

learners; (3) how standards established

for all children and authentic

assessment practices are implemented

for students with disabilities, and (4)

social support strategies, including peer

mediated strategies, that promote

positive interactions among students

with disabilities and their same-aged

peers to foster cohesive school and

classroom communities.

To be considered for funding under

Focus 8, a research project must—

(a) Identify specific interventions or

strategies to be investigated;

(b) Design the research activities in a

manner that is likely to improve

services for all students in inclusive

classrooms, including students with

severe disabilities;

(c) Conduct the research in schools

pursuing systemic education reform and

school inclusion; and

(d) Use methodological procedures

designed to produce findings useful to

program implementers and policy

makers regarding the impact and

interaction effects of systemic reform

and school inclusion strategies in State

and local contexts and demonstrate the

benefits to students including the

reciprocal benefits of inclusive

schooling for all students.

Program Authority: Section 672 of

IDEA.

Requirements for All Directed

Research Projects:

In addition to addressing one of the

above mentioned focus areas, projects

must—

(a) Apply rigorous research methods

(qualitative or quantitative, or both) to

identify approaches contributing to

improved results for children with

disabilities;

(b) Provide a conceptual framework,

based on extant research and theory to

serve as a basis for the issues to be

studied, the research design, and the

target population;

(c) Prepare dissemination materials

for both researcher and practitioner

audiences and develop linkages with

U.S. Department of Education

dissemination and technical assistance

providers, in particular those supported

under the Individuals with Disabilities

Education Act, to communicate research

findings and distribute products; and

(d) Budget for two trips annually to

Washington, D.C., for: (1) a two-day

Research to Practice Division Project

Directors’ meeting; and (2) another

meeting to collaborate with the Research

to Practice Division project officer and

the other projects funded under this

priority, and to share information and

discuss findings and methods of

dissemination.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

For further information on the priority

under the Research and Innovation to

Improve Services and Results for

Children with Disabilities Program

contact the U.S. Department of

Education, 600 Independence Avenue,

SW., room 3527, Switzer Building,

Washington, DC 20202–4641.

Telephone: (202) 205–8038. FAX: (202)

205–8105. Internet: Debra l

Sturdivant@ed.gov

Individuals who use a

telecommunications device for the deaf

(TDD) may call the TDD number: (202)

205–8953. Individuals with disabilities

may obtain a copy of this notice in an

alternate format (e.g. Braille, large print,

audiotape, or computer diskette) by

calling (202) 205–8113.

Electronic Access to This Document

Anyone may view this document, as

well as all other Department of

Education documents published in the

Federal Register, in text or portable

document format (pdf) on the World

Wide Web at either of the following

sites:

http://ocfo.ed.gov/fedreg.htm

http://www.ed.gov/news.html

To use the pdf you must have the

Adobe Acrobat Reader Program with

Search, which is available free at either

of the previous sites. If you have

questions about using the pdf, call the

U.S. Government Printing Office toll

free at 1–888–293–6498.

Anyone may also view these

documents in text copy only on an

electronic bulletin board of the

Department. Telephone: (202) 219–1511

or, toll free, 1–800–222–4922. The

documents are located under Option

G—Files/Announcements, Bulletins,

and Press Releases.

Note: The official version of a document is

the document published in the Federal

Register.

Intergovernmental Review

The programs (except for the Research

and Innovation Projects) included in

this notice are subject to the

requirements of Executive Order 12372

and the regulations in 34 CFR Part 79.

The objective of the Executive Order is

to foster an intergovernmental

partnership and a strengthened

federalism by relying on processes

developed by State and local

governments for coordination and

review of proposed Federal assistance.

In accordance with the order, this

document is intended to provide early

notification of the Department’s specific

plans and actions for this program.

Dated: April 28, 1998.

(Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance

Numbers: Research and Innovation to

Improve Services and Results for Children

with Disabilities, 84.324; and Technical

Assistance and Dissemination to Improve

Services and Results for Children with

Disabilities, 84.326)

Judith E. Heumann,

Assistant Secretary for Special Education and

Rehabilitative Services.

[FR Doc. 98–11720 Filed 5–1–98; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4000–01–P

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

Office of Special Education and

Rehabilitative Services; Notice Inviting

Applications for New Awards for Fiscal

Year 1998

SUMMARY: This notice provides closing

dates and other information regarding

the transmittal of applications for fiscal

year 1998 competitions under two

programs authorized by the Individuals

with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA),

as amended. This notice supports the

National Education Goals by improving

understanding of how to enable

children and youth with disabilities to

reach higher levels of academic

achievement.

Note: The Department of Education is not

bound by any estimates in this notice.

Special Education—Technical

Assistance and Dissemination to

Improve Services and Results for

Children With Disabilities [CFDA No.

84.326]

Purpose of Program

The purpose of this program is to

provide technical assistance and

information through such mechanisms

as institutes, regional resource centers,

clearinghouses, and programs that

support States and local entities in

building capacity, to improve early

intervention, educational, and

transitional services and results for

children with disabilities and their

families, and to address systemicchange goals and priorities.

Eligible Applicants: State and local

educational agencies; institutions of

higher education; other public agencies;

private nonprofit organizations; outlying

areas; freely associated States; Indian

tribes or tribal organizations; and forprofit organizations.

Applicable Regulations: (a) The

Education Department General

Administrative Regulations (EDGAR) in

34 CFR parts 74, 75, 76, 77, 79, 80, 81,

82, 85, and 86; and (b) the selection

criteria included in regulations for these

programs in 34 CFR 320.30.
24732 Federal Register / Vol. 63, No. 85 / Monday, May 4, 1998 / Notices

Note: The regulations in 34 CFR part 86

apply to institutions of higher education

only.

Absolute Priority 1—Center for Positive

Behavioral Interventions and Supports

(84.326S)

The priority for the Center for Positive

Behavioral Interventions and Supports

in the notice of final priority for this

program, published elsewhere in this

issue of the Federal Register, applies to

this competition.

Applications Available: May 12, 1998.

Deadline for Transmittal of

Applications: July 2, 1998.

Deadline for Intergovernmental

Review: August 31, 1998.

Estimated Number of Awards: 1.

Maximum Award: The Secretary

rejects and does not consider an

application that proposes a budget

exceeding $650,000 for any single

budget period of 12 months. The

Secretary may change the maximum

amount through a notice published in

the Federal Register.

Page Limits: Part III of the application,

the application narrative, is where an

applicant addresses the selection

criteria that are used by reviewers in

evaluating an application. An applicant

must limit Part III to the equivalent of

no more than 70 double-spaced pages

using the following standards: (1) A

‘‘page’’ is 81⁄2′′ × 11′′ (on one side only)

with one-inch margins (top, bottom, and

sides); and (2) 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, must be

double-spaced (no more than 3 lines per

vertical inch). If using a proportional

computer font, use no smaller than a 12-

point font, and an average character

density no greater than 18 characters per

inch. If using a nonproportional font or

a typewriter, do not use more than 12

characters to the inch.

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, resumes, bibliography, and

letters of support. However, all of the

application narrative must be included

in Part III. If an application narrative

uses a smaller print size, spacing, or

margin that would make the narrative

exceed the equivalent of the page limit,

the application will not be considered

for funding.

Project Period: Up to 60 months.

Absolute Priority 2—National Center on

Dispute Resolution (84.326D)

The priority for the National Center

on Dispute Resolution in the notice of

final priority for this program,

published elsewhere in this issue of the

Federal Register, applies to this

competition.

Applications Available: May 12, 1998.

Deadline for Transmittal of

Applications: July 2, 1998.

Deadline for Intergovernmental

Review: August 31, 1998.

Estimated Number of Awards: 1.

Maximum Award: The Secretary

rejects and does not consider an

application that proposes a budget

exceeding $500,000 for any single

budget period of 12 months. The

Secretary may change the maximum

amount through a notice published in

the Federal Register.

Page Limits: Part III of the application,

the application narrative, is where an

applicant addresses the selection

criteria that are used by reviewers in

evaluating an application. An applicant

must limit Part III to the equivalent of

no more than 70 double-spaced pages

using the following standards: (1) A

‘‘page’’ is 81⁄2′′ x 11′′ (on one side only)

with one-inch margins (top, bottom, and

sides); and (2) 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, must be

double-spaced (no more than 3 lines per

vertical inch). If using a proportional

computer font, use no smaller than a 12-

point font, and an average character

density no greater than 18 characters per

inch. If using a nonproportional font or

a typewriter, do not use more than 12

characters to the inch.

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, resumes, bibliography, and

letters of support. However, all of the

application narrative must be included

in Part III. If an application narrative

uses a smaller print size, spacing, or

margin that would make the narrative

exceed the equivalent of the page limit,

the application will not be considered

for funding.

Project Period: Up to 60 months.

Program Authority: Section 685 of

IDEA.

Special Education—Research and

Innovation To Improve Services and

Results for Children With Disabilities

[CFDA No. 84.324]

Purpose of Program: To produce, and

advance the use of, knowledge to: (1)

improve services provided under IDEA,

including the practices of professionals

and others involved in providing those

services to children with disabilities;

and (2) improve educational and early

intervention results for infants, toddlers,

and children with disabilities.

Eligible Applicants: State and local

educational agencies; institutions of

higher education; other public agencies;

private nonprofit organizations; outlying

areas; freely associated States; Indian

tribes or tribal organizations; and forprofit organizations.

Applicable Regulations: (a) The

Education Department General

Administrative Regulations (EDGAR) in

34 CFR Parts 74, 75, 77, 79, 80, 81, 82,

85, and 86; and (b) The regulations for

this program in 34 CFR Part 324.

Note: The regulations in 34 CFR Part 86

apply to institutions of higher education

only.

Absolute Priority: Directed Research

Projects (84.324D). The priority for

Directed Research Projects in the notice

of final priority for this program,

published elsewhere in this issue of the

Federal Register, applies to this

competition.

Under this Directed Research Projects

priority, a research project must address

one of the eight focus areas. Following

is the pertinent information for each

focus area:

Applications Available: May 12, 1998.

Deadline for Transmittal of

Applications: June 19, 1998.

Deadline for Intergovernmental

Review: August 20, 1998.

Focus 1—Beacons of Excellence

Estimated Number of Awards: 3.

Project Period: Up to 36 months.

Following the second year of the

project, the Secretary may fund an

optional six-month period for additional

dissemination activities.

Focus 2—The Sustainability of

Promising Innovations

Estimated Number of Awards: 3.

Project Period: Up to 48 months.

Focus 3—Research on Improving

Reading Comprehension Results for

Children with Learning Disabilities

Estimated Number of Awards: 3.

Project Period: Up to 36 months.

Focus 4—Studying Models That Bridge

the Gap Between Research and Practice

Estimated Number of Awards: 3.

Project Period: Up to 48 months.

Focus 5—Inclusion of Students with

Disabilities in Large-Scale Assessment

Programs

Estimated Number of Awards: 3.

Project Period: Up to 36 months.
Federal Register / Vol. 63, No. 85 / Monday, May 4, 1998 / Notices 24733

Focus 6—Synthesize and Communicate

a Professional Knowledge

Base: Contributions to Research to

Practice.

Estimated Number of Awards: 3.

Project Period: Up to 24 months.

During the second year of the project,

the Secretary may fund an optional sixmonth period for additional

dissemination activities.

Focus 7—Improving the Delivery of

Special Education and Related Services

or Early Intervention Services to

Children Who Are English Language

Learners

Estimated Number of Awards: 3.

Project Period: Up to 36 months.

Focus 8—Educating Children with

Disabilities in Inclusive Settings

Estimated Number of Awards: 3.

Project Period: Up to 36 months.

Maximum Award for All Focus Areas:

The Secretary rejects and does not

consider an application that proposes a

budget exceeding $200,000 for any

single budget period of 12 months. This

maximum award applies to any

application for any Focus area. The

Secretary may change the maximum

amount through a notice published in

the Federal Register.

Page Limits for All Focus Areas: Part

III of the application, the application

narrative, is where an applicant

addresses the selection criteria that are

used by reviewers in evaluating an

application. An applicant must limit

Part III to the equivalent of no more than

50 double-spaced pages using the

following standards: (1) A ‘‘page’’ is 8’’

x 11’’ (on one side only) with one-inch

margins (top, bottom, and sides); and (2)

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, must be double-spaced (no

more than 3 lines per vertical inch). If

using a proportional computer font, use

no smaller than a 12-point font, and an

average character density no greater

than 18 characters per inch. If using a

nonproportional font or a typewriter, do

not use more than 12 characters to the

inch.

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, resumes, bibliography, and

letters of support. However, all of the

application narrative must be included

in Part III. If an application narrative

uses a smaller print size, spacing, or

margin that would make the narrative

exceed the equivalent of the page limit,

the application will not be considered

for funding.

Program Authority: Section 672 of

IDEA.

For Application Information Contact:

For the priorities under the Special

Education—Technical Assistance and

Dissemination to Improve Services and

Results for Children with Disabilities

and the Special Education—Research

and Innovation to Improve Results for

Children with Disabilities, contact the

U.S. Department of Education, 600

Independence Avenue, S.W., room

3527, Switzer Building, Washington,

D.C. 20202–2734. Telephone: (202) 205-

8038. FAX: (202) 205–8105. Internet:

DebralSturdivant@ed.gov

Individuals who use a

telecommunications device for the deaf

(TDD) may call the TDD number: (202)

205–8953.

Individuals with disabilities may

obtain a copy of this notice in an

alternate format (e.g. Braille, large print,

audiotape, or computer diskette) by

calling (202) 205–8113.

Electronic Access to This Document

Anyone may view this document, as

well as all other Department of

Education documents published in the

Federal Register, in text or portable

document format (pdf) on the World

Wide Web at either of the following

sites:

http://ocfo.ed.gov/fedreg.htm

http://www.ed.gov/news.html

To use the pdf you must have the

Adobe Acrobat Reader Program with

Search, which is available free at either

of the previous sites. If you have

questions about using the pdf, call the

U.S. Government Printing Office toll

free at 1–888–293–6498.

Anyone may also view these

documents in text copy only on an

electronic bulletin board of the

Department. Telephone: (202) 219–1511

or, toll free, 1–800–222–4922. The

documents are located under Option

G—Files/Announcements, Bulletins,

and Press Releases.

Note: The official version of a document is

the document published in the Federal

Register.

Dated: April 28, 1998.

(Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance

Numbers: Special Education—Research and

Innovation to Improve Services and Results

for Children with Disabilities, 84.324; and

Special Education—Technical Assistance

and Dissemination to Improve Services and

Results for Children with Disabilities, 84.326)

Judith E. Heumann,

Assistant Secretary for Special Education and

Rehabilitative Services.

[FR Doc. 98–11721 Filed 5–1–98; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4000–01–P