[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 6 (Monday, January 10, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 1405-1408]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-236]
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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Office of the Secretary
DoDEA FY 2011 Grant Program
AGENCY: Department of Defense Education Activity, DoD.
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: The Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) seeks
requests for consideration (RFC) from eligible local educational
agencies (LEA).
DATES:
1. Deadline for Transmittal of RFCs: 21 Feb 11.
2. Full Applications Available (invitation only): On or about 18
Mar 11.
3. Deadline for Transmittal of Full Applications: 29 Apr 11.
4. Grants Awarded: 01-30 Jun 11.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Brian Pritchard, Contracts and
Grants Liaison, DoDEA, e-mail: [email protected], telephone:
703-588-3345.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Funding Opportunity Description: DoDEA announces the FY 2011 grant
program and seeks requests for consideration (RFC) from eligible local
educational agencies (LEAs). Approximately $30 million is expected to
be awarded, depending on the availability of funding. Projected period
of performance is 01 Jun 11 to 31 Aug 14. Awards will be based on
military dependent student enrollment and will range in size from
$100,000 to $2,500,000. DoDEA estimates that 25-35 grants will be
awarded.
The Department's aim is to improve student achievement, increase
educational opportunities, ensure student preparation for success in
college and careers, and ease the challenges that transitions and
deployments have on military dependent students.
To be eligible to apply an LEA must have a military dependent
student population of at least five percent AND have one or more
schools that have a military dependent student population of at least
15 percent. LEAs will certify the numbers and percentages of students,
using their Federal Impact Aid data.
The RFC may be found at http://www.militaryk12partners.dodea.edu.
The RFC is due on February 21, 2011. After being reviewed, the highest
scoring LEAs will be invited to submit full proposals. Awards are
expected to be made June 1-30, 2011.
Authorization: Section 574(d) of Public Law 109-364, as amended;
Title 10 U.S.C. 2192(b) and Title 10 U.S.C. 2193a
CFDA Number
CFDA 12.556: Competitive Grants: Promoting K-12 Student
Achievement at Military-Connected Schools, or
CFDA 12.557: Invitational Grants for Military-Connected
Schools.
PK-12 Education: The Department of Defense considers the education
of the dependents of members of the Armed Forces to be a critical
quality of life and readiness concern. The quality of K-12 education is
an important criterion for military families as they make career
decisions on assignments and is linked to retention in the Military
Services. A significant element of family readiness is an educational
system that recognizes and responds to the unique needs of the children
of military families by not only providing a quality education but also
easing the challenges military dependent students face due to
transitions and deployments.
Eligibility: Eligibility is determined through a two-step process.
The first step is that the LEA must have a military dependent student
population of at least five percent. The second step is based on the
size and percentage of the military dependent student population
measured at the school, not district level, and on whether or not the
school has previously received DoDEA grant funds.
School Level: LEAs may only apply to receive funds for
school(s) with a military dependent student population of at least 15
percent. Each LEA will certify the numbers and percentages it reports,
using Federal Impact Aid data.
Definition: The term, military dependent student, is
defined as an elementary or secondary school student who is a dependent
of a member of the
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Armed Forces or a civilian employee of the Department of Defense who is
employed on Federal property.
Current Awardees: Current awardees of DoDEA grant funds
are eligible to apply for FY11 funds if they meet the aforementioned
criteria and are applying for schools that have not already been
targeted/listed in their current grant awards.
Award Information
Project Period: 01 Jun 11 to 31 Aug 14.
Estimated Available Funds: $30,000,000.
Estimated Range of Awards: $100,000 to $2,500,000.
Estimated Average Award Size: $1,000,000.
Estimated Number of Awards: 25-35.
Minimum Award: $100,000 (80 or fewer military dependent students).
Maximum Award: $2,500,000 (2,000 or more military dependent
students).
Expected Dates
RFC Applications Available: on or about 07 Jan 11.
RFC Information Posted: On or about 07 Jan 11.
Live Technical Assistance #1: 14 Jan 11, 1 p.m. to 2:30
p.m. EST.
Deadline for Intent to Apply (optional): 24 Jan 11.
Live Technical Assistance #2: 02 Feb 11, 1 p.m. to 2:30
p.m. EST.
Deadline for Transmittal of RFCs: 21 Feb 11, 5 p.m. EST.
Deadline for Intergovernmental Review: 07 Mar 11.
Full Applications Available (by invitation only): On or
about 18 Mar 11.
Deadline for Transmittal of Full Applications: 29 Apr 11,
5 p.m. EST.
Grants Awarded: 01-30 Jun 11.
RFC Contents and Selection Criteria: The RFC consists of a cover
page, introduction, needs assessment, project synopsis, and appendices
(optional). The introduction, needs assessment, and project synopsis
are limited to a maximum of three pages. The appendix is limited to a
maximum of two pages of charts/graphs/tables that support the needs
assessment. The selection criteria are shown below:
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Maximum
RFC categories (points)
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Needs Assessment/Analysis................................... 80
Project Synopsis............................................ 20
Preference Priority......................................... 5\*\
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Total................................................... 100-105
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* See Preference Priority (below).
RFC Introduction (0 points): The introduction should orient the
reviewer who may not be familiar with your area/schools. It should
provide an overview of your LEA, including the relationship with the
military installation(s) being served by the target schools. Although
ungraded, it is part of the 3-page application. It must include
enrollment data from the targeted schools or school groups in chart
form, using one of the examples below. Recommended length: 0.5 page.
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Enrollment, SY10-11
Target schools Grades Number of --------------------------------- Percentage of
schools Military Other Total military
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ABC elementary................. K-5............... 1 500 100 600 83.3
DEF elementary................. K-5............... 1 500 300 800 62.5
XYZ High School................ 9-12.............. 1 300 1,700 2,000 15.0
Target Total................... K-5/9-12.......... 3 1,300 2,100 3,400 38.2
LEA Totals..................... K-12.............. 40 1,800 20,200 22,000 8.2
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Enrollment, SY10-11
Target schools Grades Number of --------------------------------- Percentage of
schools Military Other Total military
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Elementary..................... K-5............... 6 1,000 200 1,200 83.3
Middle......................... 6-8............... 2 1,000 600 1,600 62.5
High........................... 9-12.............. 2 600 3,400 4,000 15.0
Target Total................... K-12.............. 10 2,600 4,200 6,800 38.2
LEA Totals..................... K-12.............. 60 3,600 40,400 44,000 8.2
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RFC Needs Assessment (up to 80 points): The needs assessment is the
primary factor in determining which LEAs will be invited to submit a
full application. Recommended length: 1.5-2.0 pages.
An effective needs assessment clearly:
1. States the problem, showing who is affected by the problem, when
and where the problem exists, and what has caused it.
2. Presents multiple sources of data to confirm the existence of
the problem, Data may include:
Quantitative (e.g., test scores, absentee rates).
Qualitative in support of quantitative data (e.g., results
from interviews, focus groups).
Multiple methods (e.g., surveys, analysis of school
records, previous studies, focus groups) and multiple sources (e.g.,
teachers, students, parents).
Comparisons, if applicable, comparisons to neighboring
LEAs' data, State data, and/or national data.
3. Briefly discusses current or past efforts to address the problem
and why those efforts failed or are inadequate to address the total
need and the consequences of not dealing with the problem.
4. Presents the need LEA staff have for professional development in
the selected program area.
5. Up to two pages of tables, charts, or graphs may be appended to
the Request for Consideration.
RFC Project Synopsis (up to 20 points): The LEA must state the
program area(s) it will address. The synopsis should briefly describe
what will be accomplished, who will implement it, and the key
strategies that are expected to be used. The program area(s) selected
must address the needs documented in the needs assessment. See the
comments below regarding the full application to better understand the
parameters that may be used in developing a project. Recommended
length: 0.5-1.0 page.
RFC Preference Priorities: An LEA will receive additional
preference points if it meets one or both of the following priorities:
Three points: The LEA experienced ten percent or more
growth in the district's military dependent student population between
the 2008-09 school years and 2009-10 school years.
Two points: The LEA's target schools for this project have
a military
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student population that equals or exceeds 40 percent.
RFC Rubrics:
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RFC categories Points
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Introduction................................................ ..........
Needs Assessment............................................ 80
1. Clearly stated problem................................... (20)
2. Multiple data sources.................................... (40)
3. Past efforts and consequences............................ (10)
4. Related training needs................................... (10)
Project Synopsis............................................ 20
1. Responds to documented needs............................. (10)
2. Presents a reasonable plan............................... (10)
Preference Priorities....................................... Up to 5
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Total Points............................................ 100-105
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RFC Review: A team of peer reviewers will rate each RFC. The
highest scoring RFCs will be invited to submit a full application.
RFC Submission Requirements: Specific submission instructions are
provided in the RFC application.
FY 2011 DoDEA Grant Program Parameters
The following information on DoDEA's FY 2011 grant program is aimed
at helping LEAs design an appropriate program synopsis.
Serving All Students
Although grant funding is calculated on the basis of military
student enrollment, it is expected that proposed programs will serve
all students military and non-military at the target schools. The
exception is the Support Program which must focus solely on military
dependent students.
Application Focus
DoDEA seeks proposals that use research-based practices to enhance
student learning opportunities, student achievement, and/or educator
professional development. The five program areas (in alphabetical
order) are Early Learning, K-12 Academic, Online Education, Special
Education, and Support Program.
Anticipated Awards
The range of awards is based on the following numbers of military
dependent students at the target school(s). It is anticipated that LEAs
will receive official award documentation on or about June 1, 2010.
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Total military dependent students at
target school(s) Minimum award Maximum award
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100 or fewer............................ $100,000 $135,000
101-200................................. 135,000 270,000
201-300................................. 270,000 405,000
501-400................................. 405,000 540,000
401-500................................. 540,000 675,000
501-600................................. 675,000 810,000
601-700................................. 810,000 945,000
701-800................................. 945,000 1,080,000
801-900................................. 1,080,000 1,215,000
901-1,000............................... 1,215,000 1,350,000
1,001-1,100............................. 1,350,000 1,485,000
1,101-1,200............................. 1,485,000 1,620,000
1,201-1,300............................. 1,620,000 1,755,000
1,301-1,400............................. 1,755,000 1,890,000
1,401-1,500............................. 1,890,000 2,025,000
1,501-1,600............................. 2,025,000 2,160,000
1,601-1,700............................. 2,160,000 2,295,000
Above 1,700............................. 2,295,000 2,500,000
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Budget Definitions, Restrictions, and Requirements
For budgeting purposes, the grant years will be as
follows:
Year 1: 01 Jun 11 to 31 Aug 12
Year 2: 01 Sep 12 to 31 Aug 13
Year 3: 01 Sep 13 to 31 Aug 14
The term, full-time equivalent (FTE), usually refers to
fully benefitted positions.
For all program areas, except Support Program, up to 25
percent of Federal funds may be allocated to fulltime equivalent (FTE)
positions. For Support Programs, discussed below, LEAs may propose a
higher percentage of Federal funds for FTE positions.
Examples of non-FTE personnel costs include stipends for
teachers, wages to afterschool tutors, and costs for substitute
teachers.
Although fringe benefits for grant-funded FTE positions
are an allowable cost, no grants funds may be allocated for
administrative or indirect costs.
Fringe benefits are defined as costs in the form of
employer contributions or expenses for employee benefits such as:
social security; employee life, health, unemployment, and worker's
compensation insurance (except as indicated in OMB Circular A-87,
Attachment B, No. 22), and other similar benefits for employees
expected to work solely on this grant.
Six Key Programmatic Considerations
1. Absolute Priorities: The full application must comprehensively
address one or two of the five program areas detailed below. It must
provide evidence of sufficient commitment to successfully implement/
achieve the goals in its plans and to sustain the program after grant
funding ends.
2. Research-Based Strategies: DoDEA requires the use of strategies
that have demonstrated effectiveness. Commercial and/or non-commercial
research-based strategies may be proposed.
3. Capacity Building: Projects should build capacity to sustain the
program after grant funding ends.
4. Serving Subsets of Students: LEAs may focus their projects on a
subset of students at the target school(s). For example, an elementary
program may focus on grades 3-5.
5. Evaluation: During the grant period, student data must be
disaggregated at the school level for the military dependent student
population. DoDEA requires at least three percent of grant funds be
spent on an external (third-party) evaluator.
6. Program Areas: Based on the needs assessment, LEAs will select
one or two of the following five program areas on which to focus their
projects.
[cir] Early Learning: To meet this priority, the application must
address the need to offer a rigorous course of study aligned to the
prekindergarten reading, writing, mathematics, science, and/or social
studies curricula. Selected
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programs must be based on research-based practices and include a
sustained professional development component.
[cir] K-12 Academic Program: To meet this priority, the application
must have a high quality plan to address one of the following three
areas:
[dec221] English/Reading: The application must address the need to
offer a rigorous course of study in English language arts and/or
reading. Selected programs must be based on research-based practices
and include a sustained professional development component.
[dec221] Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM):
The application must address the need to (1) offer a rigorous course of
study in mathematics, the sciences, technology, and/or engineering; (2)
cooperate with industry experts, museums, universities, research
centers, or other STEM-capable community partners to prepare and assist
teachers in integrating STEM content across grades and disciplines, in
promoting effective and relevant instruction, and in offering applied
learning opportunities for students; and (3) prepare more students for
advanced study and STEM careers. Selected programs must be based on
research-based practices and include a sustained professional
development component.
[dec221] Other Curricular Areas: The application must address the
need to offer a rigorous course of study in one curricular area, such
as social studies, foreign language, or the fine arts. Selected
programs must be based on research-based practices and include a
sustained professional development component.
[dec221] Student achievement in the academic program area must
include measurements of performance on State norm- and/or criterion-
referenced assessments.
[cir] Online Education: To meet this priority, the application must
have a high-quality plan to address the need to (1) offer a rigorous
course of study at the secondary level; (2) enable transitioning high
school students to continue their course of study; (3) provide credit
recovery for students who failed a course, (4) provide students who
received a low grade in a course to improve that grade by retaking the
course; and (5) prepare students for postsecondary placements in a
career or institute of higher education. Online education may occur
throughout the year.
[cir] Special Education: To meet this priority, the application
must have a high-quality plan to address the needs of students with
special needs. Selected programs must be based on best practices and
include a sustained professional development component.
[cir] Support Program: To meet this priority, the application must
have a high-quality plan to address the needs of the military dependent
students at the target school(s) and in the LEA. The emphasis of the
program must be to ease the challenges that military dependent students
face due to transitions/deployments. In recent years some Support
Programs have focused primarily on socio-emotional issues, and others
have focused primarily on academic issues. As with the other program
areas, the project design must address identified needs.
Proposal Compliance
Failure to adhere to deadlines to be specified in the forthcoming
application may result in proposal rejection. Any proposal received
after the exact time and date specified for receipt will not be
considered. DoDEA, at its sole discretion, may accept a late proposal
if it determines that no advantage has been conferred and that the
integrity of the grants process will not be compromised.
Dated: January 4, 2011.
Morgan F. Park,
Alternate OSD Federal Register Liaison Officer, Department of Defense.
[FR Doc. 2011-236 Filed 1-7-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 5001-06-P