[Federal Register: April 3, 1997 (Volume 62, Number 64)]
[Notices]
[Page 16009-16011]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr03ap97_dat-122]
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_______________________________________________________________________
Part III
Department of Education
_______________________________________________________________________
Training Personnel for the Education of Individuals With Disabilities--
Grants for Personnel Training; Applications for New Awards for Fiscal
Year 1997; Notice
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DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
[CFDA No.: 84.029G]
Training Personnel for the Education of Individuals With
Disabilities--Grants for Personnel Training; Notice Inviting
Applications for New Awards for Fiscal Year (FY) 1997
Purpose of Program: The purpose of Training Personnel for the
Education of Individuals with Disabilities Program--Grants for
Personnel Training is to increase the quantity and improve the quality
of personnel available to serve infants, toddlers, children, and youth
with disabilities.
Eligible Applicants: Eligible applicants are institutions of higher
education, and appropriate nonprofit agencies.
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 318.
In some instances, the description of the absolute priority
identified below differs from applicable regulatory provisions in 34
CFR 318. These changes, as well as any supplementary information
provided under the priority that is not found in the regulations,
represent interpretative guidance and are provided for purposes of
clarification. These interpretations do not substantively change the
regulations.
Note: The regulations in 34 CFR Part 86 apply to institutions of
higher education only.
Priority: Under 34 CFR 75.105(c)(3), and 34 CFR 318, the Secretary
gives an absolute preference to applications that meet the following
priority. The Secretary funds under this competition only those
applications that meet this absolute priority:
Absolute Priority--Grants for Preservice Personnel Training
(84.029G).
This priority supports projects designed to provide preservice
preparation (leading toward a degree, certification, endorsement, or
licensure) of personnel who serve infants, toddlers, children and youth
with disabilities. Projects must address either:
(1) The development of new programs to establish expanded capacity
for quality preservice training; or
(2) The improvement of existing programs designed to increase the
capacity and quality of preservice training.
In addition, projects must address one or more of the following
training components:
(1) Preparation of Personnel for Careers in Special Education. This
component supports preservice preparation of personnel for careers in
special education. Preservice training includes additional training for
currently employed teachers seeking additional degrees, certifications,
or endorsements. Training may occur at one or more of the following
levels; baccalaureate, master's, or specialist. Under this component,
``personnel'' includes special education teachers, speech-language
pathologists, audiologists, adapted physical education teachers,
vocational educators, and instructive and assistive technology
specialists.
(2) Preparation of Related Services Personnel. This component
supports preservice preparation of individuals to provide
developmental, corrective, and other supportive services that assist
children and youth with disabilities to benefit from special education.
These include paraprofessional personnel, therapeutic recreation
specialists, school social workers, health service providers, physical
therapists, occupational therapists, school psychologists, counselors
(including rehabilitation counselors), interpreters, orientation and
mobility specialists, respite care providers, art therapists,
volunteers, physicians, and other related services personnel. For
purposes of this component, the Department considers the term
``interpreters'' to be limited to interpreters for the deaf.
(i) Projects to train personnel identified as special education
personnel under training component (1) are not appropriate for purposes
of this component, even if those personnel may be considered related
services personnel in other settings (e.g., speech language
pathologists).
(ii) This component is not designed for general training. Projects
must include inducements and preparation to increase the probability
that graduates will direct their efforts toward supportive services to
special education. For example, a project in occupational therapy (OT)
might support a special focus in pediatric or juvenile psychiatric OT;
support those students whose career goal is OT in the school; or
provide for practica and internships in school settings.
(3) Training Early Intervention and Preschool Personnel. This
component supports projects that are designed to provide preservice
preparation of personnel who serve infants, toddlers, and preschool
children with disabilities, and their families. Personnel may be
prepared to provide short-term services or long-term services that
extend into a child's school program. The proposed training program
must have a clear and limited focus on the special needs of children
within the age range from birth through five, and must include
consideration of family involvement in early intervention and preschool
services. Training programs under this priority must have a significant
interdisciplinary focus.
Invitational priority: Within this absolute priority, the Secretary
is particularly interested in applications that meet the following
invitational priority. However, under 34 CFR 75.105(c)(1) an
application that meets this invitational priority does not receive
competitive or absolute preference over other applications:
Preservice personnel preparation projects that prepare special
educators to work collaboratively with regular educators to meet the
needs of children with disabilities in inclusive settings.
Applications Available: April 24, 1997.
Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: June 6, 1997.
Deadline for Intergovernmental Review: August 5, 1997.
Estimated Number of Awards: 40.
Project Period: Up to 36 months.
Available funds: In fiscal year 1997, approximately $8,200,000 will
be available to support this competition.
Maximum Award: The Secretary rejects and does not consider an
application that proposes a budget for any single budget period of 12
months that exceeds: (1) $160,000 for applications addressing a single
component; (2) $320,000 for applications addressing two components; and
(3) $480,000 for applications addressing all three components. However,
because of budgetary considerations contingent upon congressional
action, 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, requires applicants to address the selection criteria that
will be used by reviewers in evaluating individual proposals. For
applications that address a single component, the applicant must limit
the Part III--Application Narrative, to no more than 40 double-spaced
8\1/2\'' x 11'' pages (on one side only) with one inch margins (top,
bottom, and sides). For applications that address two components, the
applicant must limit the Part III--Application Narrative, to no more
than 75 double-spaced 8\1/2\'' x
[[Page 16011]]
11'' pages (on one side only) with one inch margins (top, bottom, and
sides). For applications that address three components, the applicant
must limit the Part III--Application Narrative, to no more that 105
double-spaced 8\1/2\'' by 11'' pages (on one side only) with one inch
margins (top, bottom, and sides). This page limitation applies to all
material presented in the application narrative--including, for
example, any charts, tables, figures, and graphs. The application
narrative page limit does not apply to: Part I--the cover sheet; Part
II--the budget section (including the narrative budget justification);
and Part IV--the assurances and certifications. Also, the one-page
abstract, resumes, bibliography, or letters of support, while
considered part of the application, are not subject to the page
limitation. Applicants should note that reviewers are not required to
review any information provided in addition to the application
information listed above. All sections of text in the application
narrative 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 14
characters per inch. If using a nonproportional font or a typewriter,
do not use more than 12 characters to the inch. Double-spacing and font
requirements do not apply within charts, tables, figures, and graphs,
but the information presented in those formats should be easily
readable. The Secretary rejects and does not consider an application
that does not adhere to these requirements.
Note: The Department of Education is not bound by any estimates
in this notice.
Waiver of Rulemaking
It is the practice of the Secretary to offer interested parties the
opportunity to comment on proposed priorities in accordance with the
Administrative Procedure Act (5 U.S.C. 553). However, this application
notice restates existing priorities in 34 CFR 318. In addition, the
Secretary has determined, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(A), that
rulemaking requirements do not apply to the changes to applicable
regulatory provisions contained in this notice. These changes reflect
the Secretary's interpretation of existing regulations and are provided
solely for purposes of clarification.
FOR INFORMATION OR APPLICATIONS CONTACT: The Grants and Contracts
Services Team, U.S. Department of Education, 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) 205-9860. Individuals with disabilities
may obtain a copy of this notice in an alternate format (e.g. braille,
large print, audiotape, or computer diskette) by contacting the
Department as listed above.
Information about the Department's funding opportunities, including
copies of application notices for discretionary grant competitions, can
be viewed on the Department's electronic bulletin board (ED Board),
telephone (202) 260-9950; on the Internet Gopher Server (at Gopher://
gcs.ed.gov); or on the World Wide Web (at http://gcs.ed.gov). However,
the official application notice for a discretionary grant competition
is the notice published in the Federal Register.
Program Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1431.
Dated: March 27, 1997.
Judith E. Heumann,
Assistant Secretary for Special Education and Rehabilitative Services.
[FR Doc. 97-8477 Filed 4-2-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4000-01-P