[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 106 (Wednesday, June 3, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 30296-30299]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-14629]



[[Page 30295]]

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Part II





Department of Education





_______________________________________________________________________



Individual With Disabilities Education Act (IDEA): Special Education--
Technology and Media Services for Individuals With Disabilities; New 
Awards Applications Invitation (FY 1998); Notice

Federal Register / Vol. 63, No. 106 / Wednesday, June 3, 1998 / 
Notices

[[Page 30296]]



DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION


Notice Inviting Applications for New Awards for Fiscal Year 1998

AGENCY: Department of Education.

SUMMARY: On June 4, 1997, the President signed into law Public Law 105-
17, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act Amendments of 1997, 
amending the Individual with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).
    This notice provides closing dates and other information regarding 
the transmittal of applications for fiscal year 1998 competitions under 
Special Education--Technology and Media Services for Individuals with 
Disabilities program authorized by IDEA, as amended.
    This notice supports the National Education Goals by helping to 
improve results for children with disabilities.

Waiver of Rulemaking

    It is generally the practice of the Secretary to offer interested 
parties the opportunity to comment on proposed priorities. However, 
section 661(e)(2) of IDEA makes the Administrative Procedure Act (5 
U.S.C. 553) inapplicable to the priorities in this notice. In order to 
make awards on a timely basis, the Secretary has decided to publish 
these priorities in final under the authority of section 661(e)(2).

General Requirements

    (a) Projects funded under this notice must make positive efforts to 
employ and advance in employment qualified individuals with 
disabilities in project activities (see Section 606 of IDEA);
    (b) Applicants and grant recipients funded under this notice must 
involve individuals with disabilities or parents of individuals with 
disabilities in planning, implementing, and evaluating the projects 
(see Section 661(f)(1)(A) of IDEA);
    (c) Projects funded under these priorities must budget for a two-
day Project Directors' meeting in Washington, D.C. during each year of 
the project; and
    (d) In a single application, an applicant is required to address 
only one absolute priority in this notice.

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

Special Education--Technology and Media Services for Individuals With 
Disabilities [CFDA No. 84.327]

    Purpose of Program: The purpose of this program is to promote the 
development, demonstration, and utilization of technology and to 
support educational media activities designed to be of educational 
value to children with disabilities. This program also provides support 
for some captioning, video description, and cultural activities.
    Eligible Applicants: State and local educational agencies; 
institutions of higher education; other public agencies; private 
nonprofit organizations; outlying areas; freely associated States; and 
Indian tribes or tribal 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 selection criteria included in 
regulations for these programs in 34 CFR 332.32 for the Closed 
Captioned Educational Programming priority; and in 34 CFR 333.21 for 
the Using Research to Help Children Learn to Read, and the Accessible 
Formats for Educational Materials priorities.

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

    Priority: Under section 687 of IDEA and 34 CFR 75.105(c)(3), the 
Secretary gives an absolute preference to applications that meet any 
one of the following priorities. The Secretary funds under these 
competitions only those applications that meet these absolute 
priorities:
Absolute Priority 1--Using Research to Help Children Learn to Read 
(CFDA 84.327B)
    The purpose of this priority is to demonstrate the use of existing 
publicly funded telecommunication systems to provide the public, 
families, and teachers with research-based information and on early 
diagnosis of, intervention for, and effective strategies for teaching 
reading to young children with disabilities who demonstrate 
difficulties learning to read. For the purposes of this priority, the 
term ``young'' children refers to children through grade four.
    Priority: The Secretary establishes an absolute priority to enhance 
and expand the capabilities of an existing entity to disseminate 
research findings on early diagnosis, intervention, and effective 
strategies for teaching reading to young children with disabilities who 
demonstrate difficulties learning to read. To receive a grant under 
this priority applicants must demonstrate a proven track record for 
dissemination of information on effective research to practice efforts 
through electronic formats.
    Activities conducted by this project should:
    (1) Create awareness in parents and teachers about the teaching and 
learning problems of young children that have been addressed through 
research;
    (2) Create awareness in parents and teachers about how to design an 
effective teaching strategy to improve reading results of children with 
disabilities such as developmental disabilities, learning disabilities, 
and sensory disabilities;
    (3) Create awareness in the general public about the 
accomplishments and contributions made by persons who demonstrate 
difficulties learning to read despite the significant challenges that 
these individuals faced as young children in schools; and
    (4) Include dissemination of research-based solutions that can be 
used to address these challenges.
    The project funded under this priority must--
    (a) Establish a panel of expert research advisors: from the 
Department of Education's Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP); 
from other Federal agencies such as the Department of Health and Human 
Services' National Institute of Child Health and Human Development 
(NICHD) and National Institute on Mental Health; and from foundations 
such as the National Academy of Science (NAS) and the National Science 
Foundation (NSF). The panel also shall include practitioners, family 
members of students who demonstrate difficulties learning to read, and 
individuals who experience difficulties learning to read in their 
youth. The panel will advise the work of the project and assist the 
project in identifying effective, research-based practices to improve 
reading results of young children with disabilities who demonstrate 
difficulties learning to read. The final membership of the panel shall 
be discussed with, and approved by, OSEP.
    (b) Use innovative strategies to interest parents and practitioners 
in the research-based findings in a way that promotes the use of this 
information in their homes and classrooms. To accomplish this, the 
program must--
    (1) Develop strategies for information exchange and dissemination 
to match identified parent and practitioner needs with existing 
research-based solutions. The vehicles for this information exchange 
could include, but are not limited to: web sites, chat rooms, 
listservers, and bulletin boards.
    (2) Provide information to families and practitioners that 
describes effective strategies for diagnosing, teaching, and working 
with young children with disabilities who demonstrate difficulties 
learning to read. The topics of such products could include, but are 
not limited to: early interventions; class-

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wide peer tutoring; learning, study and organization strategies; using 
technology to improve content learning; facilitating language 
development in young children with disabilities; and vocabulary and 
comprehension interventions for children with disabilities who 
demonstrate difficulties learning to read.
    (c) Develop a national public awareness campaign that--
    (1) Disseminates its products through publicly funded 
telecommunications systems;
    (2) Highlights the accomplishments and contributions of persons who 
demonstrate difficulties learning to read who have benefitted from 
early diagnosis, interventions, and effective teaching strategies, and 
move the general public from a basic understanding of disabilities 
related to difficulties learning to read to an understanding of the 
significant contributions that persons who demonstrate difficulties 
learning to read make to our society;
    (3) Features research-based solutions to the challenges that young 
children with disabilities who demonstrate difficulties learning to 
read encounter in schools and information on how these disabilities 
affect other areas of learning, such as mathematics and language 
acquisition.
    (d) Provide an independent evaluation to determine if the project 
is reaching its intended audiences.
    (e) Create partnerships within the existing OSEP technical 
assistance infrastructure, such as the National Information Center for 
Children and Youth with Disabilities (NICHCY) and the Technical 
Assistance Alliance for Parent Centers (the Alliance), to avoid 
duplication of efforts.
    (f) Implement an external review process in which experts review 
products for technical accuracy and clarity. The expert review process 
shall be discussed with, and approved by, OSEP.
    Project Period: 36 months.
    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 the application. An applicant must 
limit Part III to the equivalent of no more than 60 double-spaced 
pages, using the following standards: (1) A ``page'' is 8\1/2\'' x 11'' 
(on one side only) with one-inch margins (top, bottom, and sides). (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.
Absolute Priority 2--Closed Captioned Educational Programming (CFDA 
84.327E)
    Background: The Congress has expressed concern that hundreds of 
hours of non-commercial educational programming are being produced for 
classroom use, but that the programming is not fully accessible through 
closed captions. This priority supports cooperative agreements to 
continue and expand the closed captioning of widely available 
educational and instructional programming that is shown on national 
broadcast, DBS (Direct Broadcast Satellite), or basic cable television 
networks, and that is suitable for use in the classroom. Captioning 
provides a visual representation of the audio portion of the 
programming and enables students who are deaf or hard of hearing to 
participate in this educational experience with their non-disabled 
peers.
    Priority: To be considered for funding under this competition, a 
project must--
    (1) Include criteria that takes into account the preference of 
educators, students, and parents for particular educational programs, 
the diversity of this type of programming available, and the 
contribution of programs to the general educational experiences of 
students who are deaf or hard of hearing;
    (2) Identify the extent to which the commercial-free programming to 
be captioned under this project may be taped for later classroom use;
    (3) Identify the extent to which the programming is widely 
available;
    (4) Identify the total number of hours captioned and the cost per 
hour for each of the programs captioned;
    (5) Identify for each program to be captioned the source of private 
or other public support and the projected dollar amount of that 
support, if any;
    (6) Identify the method of captioning to be used for each program 
and identify the cost per hour for each method used;
    (7) Demonstrate the willingness of program providers or owners of 
programs to permit captioning of their programs;
    (8) Provide assurances from program providers or owners of programs 
stating the extent to which programs captioned under this project will 
air, and will continue to air, without re-captioning;
    (9) Implement procedures for monitoring the extent to which the 
project provides full and accurate captioning and uses this information 
to make refinements in captioning operations; and
    (10) Make captions available at no cost to providers or owners of 
programming, who may use, reformat, or otherwise adapt these captions 
for future airings or other distributions.
    Project Period: Up to 36 months.
    Maximum Award: The Secretary rejects and does not consider an 
application that proposes a budget exceeding $125,000 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 the application. An applicant must 
limit Part III to the equivalent of no more than 40 double-spaced 
pages, using the following standards: (1) A ``page'' is 8\1/2\''  x  
11'' (on one side only) with one-inch margins (top, bottom, and sides). 
(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

[[Page 30298]]

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.
Absolute Priority 3--Accessible Formats for Educational Materials (CFDA 
84.327R)
    Background: The purpose of this priority is to provide textbooks 
and other educational materials in accessible formats for students at 
all educational levels who are visually or print disabled. These 
materials will help provide equal educational opportunities to these 
students and lessen some of the barriers they face in the classroom.
    Priorty: To be considered for funding under this priority, the 
projects must--
    (1) Handle all requests for educational materials from students who 
are visually or print disabled at all educational levels at no cost;
    (2) Obtain statements of eligibility by disability for each 
requestor;
    (3) If access to materials is provided through section 121 of the 
Copyright Act, as amended, provide publishers rights to copies of any 
master tapes or disks and rights to market the cassettes or disks as 
they see fit;
    (4) Apply new technology for producing and distributing educational 
materials in accessible formats for individuals who are blind or 
otherwise print disabled, such as electronic text or digital audio 
sychronization;
    (5) Distribute the materials that are produced through means such 
as audio tapes, diskettes, CD-ROMs, or the Internet;
    (6) Handle associated administrative and circulation functions such 
as any returned cassettes, disks, CD-ROMs, or preservative re-
recording;
    (7) To the extent that funds are not sufficient to meet the demand 
for free materials, place a priority on providing materials, such as 
supplemental reading textbooks and workbooks, that are not otherwise 
required to be provided by educational agencies or institutions; and
    (8) Coordinate and collaborate with publishers, software 
developers, other manufacturers of accessible materials for individuals 
who are visually impaired or otherwise print disabled, disability and 
educational organizations, and government agencies to ensure effective 
coordination and nonduplication of effort.
    Project Period: Up to 36 months.
    Maximum Award: The Secretary rejects and does not consider an 
application that proposes a budget exceeding $1,500,000 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 the application. An applicant must 
limit Part III to the equivalent of no more than 40 double-spaced 
pages, using the following standards: (1) A ``page'' is 8\1/2\'' x 11'' 
(on one side only) with one-inch margins (top, bottom, and sides). (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.
    For Applications and General Information Contact: Requests for 
applications and general information should be addressed to the Grants 
and Contracts Services Team, 600 Independence Avenue, S.W., room 3317, 
Switzer Building, Washington, D.C. 20202-2641. The preferred method for 
requesting information is to FAX your request to: (202) 205-8717. 
Telephone: (202) 260-9182.
    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 or 
the application packages referred to in this notice in an alternate 
format (e.g. Braille, large print, audiotape, or computer diskette) by 
contacting the Department as listed above. However, the Department is 
not able to reproduce in an alternate format the standard forms 
included in the application package.

Intergovernmental Review

    All programs in this notice (except for Research and Innovation 
Projects) 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 financial 
assistance.
    In accordance with the order, this document is intended to provide 
early notification of the Department's specific plans and actions for 
those programs.

                                  Individuals With Disabilities Education Act--Application Notice for Fiscal Year 1998                                  
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                   Application     Deadline for      Maximum                  Estimated 
                         CFDA No. and name                           Applications    deadline   intergovernmental   award (per      Page      number of 
                                                                       available       date           review          year)*      limit**       awards  
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
84.327B Using Research to Help Children Learn to Read..............       6/12/98      7/24/98         9/22/98        $500,000           60            1
84.327E Closed Captioned Educational Programming...................       6/12/98      7/24/98         9/22/98         125,000           40            5
84.327R Accessible Formats for Educational Materials...............       6/12/98      7/24/98         9/22/98       1,500,000           40           1 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
*The Secretary rejects and does not consider an application that proposes a budget exceeding the amount listed for each priority for any single budget  
  period of 12 months.                                                                                                                                  
**Applicants must limit the Application Narrative, Part III of the Application, to the page limits noted above. Please refer to the ``Page Limit''      
  section of this notice for the specific requirements. The Secretary rejects and does not consider an application that does not adhere to this         
  requirement.                                                                                                                                          


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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 at (202) 512-1530 or, 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: May 28, 1998.
Judith E. Heumann,
Assistant Secretary for Special Education and Rehabilitative Services.
[FR Doc. 98-14629 Filed 6-2-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4000-01-P