[Federal Register: March 24, 2000 (Volume 65, Number 58)]
[Notices]
[Page 16087-16090]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr24mr00-108]
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Part VI
Department of Education
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Office of Elementary and Secondary Education; Safe and Drug-Free
Schools and Communities National Programs--Federal Activities Grants
Program--The Challenge Newsletter; Notices
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DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
Office of Elementary and Secondary Education; Safe and Drug-Free
Schools and Communities National Programs--Federal Activities Grants
Program--The Challenge Newsletter
AGENCY: Department of Education.
ACTION: Notice of final priority and selection criteria for fiscal year
2000 and subsequent years.
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SUMMARY: The Assistant Secretary announces a final priority, eligible
applicants, and selection criteria for fiscal year (FY) 2000 and, at
the discretion of the Assistant Secretary, for subsequent years under
the Safe and Drug-Free Schools and Communities National Programs--
Federal Activities Grants Program. The Assistant Secretary takes this
action to focus Federal financial assistance on an identified national
need--the development and dissemination of a newsletter with
information about effective practices to prevent drug use and violent
behavior among youth. The Challenge newsletter will provide a
communication link on current and future program directions, research-
based activities, and other information related to effective drug and
violence prevention strategies between the U.S. Department of Education
and State and local educational agencies and other public and private
organizations involved with prevention of youth drug use and violent
behavior.
EFFECTIVE DATE: This notice takes effect on April 24, 2000.
Eligible Applicants: Eligible applicants under this competition are
public and private nonprofit organizations and individuals.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Gail Beaumont, Safe and Drug-Free
Schools Program, U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW,
Room 3E310, Washington, DC 20202-6123, (202) 260-3954. Fax: (202) 260-
7767. Internet: gail__beaumont@ed.gov.
An individual who uses a TDD may call the Federal Information Relay
Service (FIRS) at 1-800-877-8339.
Note: This notice of final priority does not solicit
applications. A notice inviting applications under this competition
is published elsewhere in this issue of the Federal Register.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This notice contains the final priority for
fiscal year 2000, and related selection criteria. Under the absolute
priority, the Assistant Secretary intends to award one cooperative
agreement for up to 36 months; this cooperative agreement will support
a means of communicating with the field on current and future program
directions, research-based activities, and other information related to
effective drug and violence prevention practices through The Challenge
newsletter. The primary audience for The Challenge is classroom
teachers.
Applicants must demonstrate extensive knowledge of elements of
effective drug and violence prevention programs and current research in
the area of drug and violence prevention. Funds under the Safe and
Drug-Free Schools Program reach 97 percent of the nation's school
districts. While most school districts have implemented drug and
violence prevention activities in some form, too often these activities
are narrow in scope and are not based on science. Many school districts
lack data on the effects of their drug and violence prevention programs
on student behavior. They need information about programs that have
proven to be effective or promising that they can adopt for their
students. Although research exists on drug and violence prevention
strategies that have positive results, too often this research is not
known to school personnel, and does not get translated into practice.
The Challenge will provide classroom teachers and other professionals
with information about effective or promising drug and violence
prevention programs and strategies, articles by experts in the
prevention field, and other timely information covering a broad range
of topics that comprise the expanding knowledge base on drug and
violence prevention.
With regard to content, the following information describes
examples of topics and types of articles that have been featured in
past issues of The Challenge:
* Information about principles of effective drug and
violence prevention programs.
* Key elements or characteristics of successful drug and
violence prevention programs.
* Research studies and data related to drug and violence
prevention.
* Articles by recognized experts in fields related to safe
and drug-free schools.
* Articles describing model programs.
* Information that describes discretionary grant activities
funded under the Safe and Drug-Free Schools and Communities Program,
National Programs, including resources and products resulting from the
activities.
* Timely information on special topics such as emerging
trends in use of specific drugs, or early warning signs of violent
behavior.
* Resources and helplines for obtaining information and
materials on drug and violence prevention.
While applicants are expected to address in their applications the
topics and types of articles described in the above list, the list is
by no means comprehensive. Applicants are encouraged to offer
suggestions on ways to communicate with the field on a broad range of
key issues, including information on classroom practices, assessments,
and appropriate strategies.
Frequency of past publication of The Challenge has ranged from 6-10
times per year, and the number of pages has ranged from 4-26 pages per
issue. The number of copies has been 50,000 per issue. These numbers
are offered as guides based on past practice, and are not requirements
of the current competition. Applicants are encouraged to offer
suggestions regarding the length and frequency of publication, as well
as number of copies per issue and dissemination plan.
The applicant funded under the absolute priority in this notice
will have the responsibility to design, develop, publish, disseminate,
and manage all aspects of The Challenge consistent with the specific
requirements in the absolute priority below. In submitting their
proposals for funding, applicants are encouraged to offer suggestions
and ideas for The Challenge in addition to those specified in the
absolute priority.
Public Comments
On January 25, 2000, the Assistant Secretary published a notice of
proposed priority, eligible applicants, and selection criteria for this
competition in the Federal Register (65 FR 3948-3950). In response to
the Assistant Secretary's invitation to comment, the Department
received comments from two organizations. In response to the comments
received, the Assistant Secretary made two modifications--one to the
supplementary information section of the notice and one to the
selection criteria--as noted in the analysis of comments and changes
and elsewhere in this notice.
Analysis of Comments and Changes
Highlight More Classroom Practices, Assessments, and Appropriate
Strategies
Comment: One commenter suggested that, in order to benefit
classroom teachers, the content of the newsletter should highlight more
classroom practices, assessments, and appropriate strategies rather
than the items identified in the Federal Register.
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Discussion: The Department agrees that the newsletter should
include information for classroom teachers such as classroom practices,
assessments, and appropriate strategies, but not to the exclusion of
other topics listed in supplementary information.
The supplementary information provided in the Notice of Proposed
Priority includes a list of suggested, but not mandatory, topics and
types of articles that have been featured in past issues of The
Challenge.
Changes: The supplementary information section of this notice is
amended to include a statement that applicants are encouraged to offer
suggestions about communicating information about classroom practices,
assessments, and appropriate strategies.
Definition of ``Newsletter'', Specifications Regarding Length,
Frequency of Publication
Comment: One commenter sought clarification of the meaning of the
term ``newsletter'' in terms of length and frequency of publication
envisioned for 5 The Challenge, expressing the concern that without
more clarification proposals might be very different and difficult to
compare.
Discussion: The dictionary definition for the term ``newsletter''
is ``a printed sheet, pamphlet, or small newspaper containing news or
information of interest chiefly to a special group.'' While a specific
definition of ``newsletter'' is not provided for this priority, the
dictionary definition provides a general frame of reference. The
supplementary information in the Notice of Proposed Priority states
that past publication of The Challenge has ranged from 6--10 times per
year, and the number of pages has ranged from 4--26 pages per issue.
These numbers are offered as guides based on past practice, and are not
requirements. The Department chose not to be prescriptive in terms of
length and frequency of publication, opting instead to encourage
applicants to offer their suggestions. Proposals will be reviewed
individually on their own merits against the selection criteria.
Changes: None.
Selection Criteria--Adequacy of Resources
Comment: One commenter asked if peer reviewers should be
determining whether costs are reasonable, and based on what
qualifications.
Discussion: Peer reviewers for all grant competitions have as one
of their tasks assessing budgets submitted by applicants and
determining if costs are reasonable, based on the design, scope, and
complexity of the proposed projects.
Changes: None.
Comment: One commenter suggested that the adequacy of resources
such as adequate office space, computer hardware and software, database
capabilities for the subscriber database, and established relationships
with graphic designers, printers, and mailing houses are also important
considerations. The commenter suggested also increasing the point value
to ensure that offerors possess the necessary non-staff resources and
capabilities.
Discussion: The Department agrees that it is important to consider
resources such as those described by the commenter, but that
consideration of those resources can be accomplished by adding a factor
to the ``Adequacy of Resources'' selection criterion without increasing
the overall point score for this criterion.
Change: The comment is addressed by adding the following factor
under the ``Adequacy of Resources'' selection criterion: ``The adequacy
of support, including facilities, equipment, supplies, and other
resources, from the applicant organization or the lead applicant
organization'' for 5 points. The overall point score of 10 points for
the ``Adequacy of Resources'' selection criterion remains the same. The
point score for the factor ``the extent to which the costs are
reasonable in relation to the objectives, design, and potential
significance of the proposed project'' is reduced from 10 to 5 points.
Organizational Experience as a Selection Factor
Comment: One commenter stated that organizational experience/
qualifications is nowhere to be found within the proposed selection
criteria, and commented that organizational experience and
qualifications would be an important selection factor.
Discussion: The Department agrees that organizational experience
and qualifications is an important selection factor. Qualifications and
experience of key personnel and other factors for ensuring high-quality
products and services from the proposed project are addressed under the
selection criterion ``Quality of Management Plan''.
Changes: None.
Selection Criteria--Quality of Project Evaluation
Comment: One commenter questioned why so many points (25) are
allocated to the ``Quality of Project Evaluation'' criterion since The
Challenge is not a demonstration project. The commenter stated that
measuring the impact on recipients of reading an article or an entire
issue will be complicated and the validity of those studies can be
questionable. In addition, the commenter stated that the large number
of points (25% of the total possible) seems to imply an expectation of
a sophisticated evaluation plan, which can be costly. Those costs would
likely reduce the number or size or both, of the issues that can be
produced, which would in turn reduce the likelihood of measurable
impact.
Discussion: The Department places high importance on the quality of
the project evaluation, which is reflected in the relatively high point
score assigned to this criterion. Evaluation is also addressed in the
absolute priority, which includes the statement that applicants must
propose projects that: ``evaluate on an ongoing basis the impact of The
Challenge on the intended audience, and use evaluation results for
continuous improvement of the newsletter.'' The evaluation plan and
methods of evaluation will vary, depending on the objectives and design
of The Challenge proposed by each applicant. The Department intends for
the award recipient to solicit customer feedback, and assess customer
satisfaction regarding content, design, format, frequency of
publication, length, and other relevant aspects of the newsletter, and
leaves it to the applicant to develop a suitable plan to collect and
use the information for quality improvement.
Changes: None
Absolute Priority
Under 34 CFR 75.105(c)(3) and the Safe and Drug-Free Schools and
Communities Act of 1994, the Secretary gives an absolute preference to
applications that meet the following priority. The Secretary funds
under this competition only applications that meet this absolute
priority. Under the absolute funding priority for this competition,
applicants must propose projects that:
(1) Design, develop, publish, and disseminate The Challenge, a
newsletter for educators, prevention specialists, and other
professionals in fields related to education and drug and violence
prevention to provide information about effective practices to prevent
drug use and violent behavior among youth.
(2) Manage all aspects of The Challenge, including developing
contents of each issue, writing or soliciting articles for each issue,
preparing artwork, handling all design and pre-production tasks, and
printing and mailing.
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(3) Create, maintain, and expand a subscriber data base for ED.
(4) Evaluate on an ongoing basis the impact of The Challenge on the
intended audience, and use evaluation results for continuous
improvement of the newsletter.
(5) Develop, create, and maintain a Web site to post each issue and
receive reader comments and suggestions.
(6) Agree to have content of the newsletter reviewed and approved
by the Department of Education prior to publication.
Selection Criteria
The following selection criteria will be used to evaluate
applications for one cooperative agreement under this competition. The
maximum score for all these criteria is 100 points. The maximum score
for each criterion or factor under that criterion is indicated in
parentheses.
(1) Significance. (10 points)
In determining the significance of the proposed project, the
following factor is considered: The potential contribution of the
proposed project to increased knowledge or understanding of educational
problems, issues, or effective strategies.
(2) Quality of the project design. (30 points)
In determining the quality of the design of the proposed project,
the following factors are considered:
(a) The extent to which the goals, objectives, and outcomes to be
achieved by the proposed project are clearly specified and measurable.
(10)
(b) The extent to which the design of the proposed project is
appropriate to, and will successfully address, the needs of the target
population or other identified needs. (5)
(c) The extent to which the proposed project represents an
exceptional approach to the priority or priorities established for the
competition. (15)
(3) Adequacy of resources. (10 points)
In determining the adequacy of resources for the proposed project,
the following factors are considered:
(a) The adequacy of support, including facilities, equipment,
supplies, and other resources, from the applicant organization or the
lead applicant organization. (5)
(b) The extent to which the costs are reasonable in relation to the
objectives, design, and potential significance of the proposed project.
(5)
(4) Quality of management plan. (25 points)
In determining the quality of the management plan for the proposed
project, the following factors are considered:
(a) 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. (5)
(b) The adequacy of mechanisms for ensuring high-quality products
and services from the proposed project, including qualifications and
experience of key personnel in writing and editing newsletters for
education, prevention and related fields. (10)
(c) The extent to which the time commitments of the project
director and principal investigator and other key project personnel are
appropriate and adequate to meet the objectives of the proposed
project. (5)
(d) How the applicant will ensure that a diversity of perspectives
are brought to bear in the operation of the proposed project, including
those of students, faculty, parents, the business community, a variety
of disciplinary and professional fields, recipients or beneficiaries of
services, or others, as appropriate. (5)
(5) Quality of project evaluation. (25 points)
In determining the quality of the evaluation, the following factors
are considered:
(a) The extent to which the evaluation plan provides for an ongoing
evaluation of the effectiveness of The Challenge newsletter, and its
impact on the intended audience. (10)
(b) The extent to which the evaluation results will be used for
continuous improvement of The Challenge. (5)
(c) The extent to which the methods of evaluation are appropriate
to the context within which the project operates. (5)
(d ) The extent to which the methods of evaluation will provide
performance feedback and permit periodic assessment of progress toward
achieving intended outcomes. (5)
Intergovernmental Review
This program is 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 government 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
this program.
Electronic Access to This Document
You may view this document, as well as all other Department of
Education documents published in the Federal Register, in text or Adobe
Portable Document Format (PDF) on the Internet 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 (GPO), toll free, at 1-888-293-6498; or in the Washington, DC
area at (202) 512-1530.
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.access.gpo.gov/nara/index.html
Program Authority: 20 U.S.C. 7131
Dated: March 21, 2000.
(Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number 84.184P Office of
Elementary and Secondary Education--Safe and Drug-Free Schools and
Communities National Programs--Federal Activities--The Challenge
Newsletter)
Michael Cohen,
Assistant Secretary for Elementary and Secondary Education.
[FR Doc. 00-7300 Filed 3-23-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4000-01-U