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Tuesday,

April 18, 2000

Part IV

Department of
Education
Reading Excellence Program; Notices

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20882 Federal Register / Vol. 65, No. 75 / Tuesday, April 18, 2000 / Notices

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION identified for special education the needs of children at risk of failing
inappropriately. in their classroom programs. The
Reading Excellence Program • Base instruction, including tutoring, primary focus of the REA program is to
on scientifically-based reading research. help disadvantaged schools throughout
AGENCY: Office of Elementary and
Secondary Education, Department of Public Comment the nation improve reading
Education. achievement, with early intervention
In response to the Assistant strategies being a key element of
ACTION: Notice of final priorities, Secretary’s invitation in the notice of instructional support.
application requirements, and selection proposed priorities, two parties Changes: None.
criteria. submitted comments on the proposed
priorities and selection criteria. An Absolute Priority
SUMMARY: The Assistant Secretary for
analysis of the comments and of the Comment: A commenter suggested
the Office of Elementary and Secondary
changes in the priorities since that tutorial activities be defined to
Education announces final priorities,
publication of the notice of proposed include tutorial activities that take place
application requirements, and selection
priorities follows. in the school by certified teachers using
criteria under the Reading Excellence We discuss substantive issues under
Program. The Assistant Secretary is research-based instruction, which is
the priority or criterion to which they documented as being effective over
using these priorities, application pertain. Generally, we do not address
requirements, and selection criteria for many replications of implementations.
technical and other minor changes and Discussion: The Reading Excellence
competitions in fiscal year 2000 and suggested changes the law does not Act legislation requires that additional
may use them for future competitions. authorize the Assistant Secretary to support for children experiencing
Grants are made to State educational make under the applicable statutory reading difficulties be provided by
agencies (SEA) that will, in turn, award authority. supervised individuals, including
subgrants to local educational agencies
Analysis of Comments and Changes tutors, who have been appropriately
(LEAs) for two types of activities: Local
trained using scientifically-based
Reading Improvement subgrants (LRI) General reading research. There is no
and Tutorial Assistance (TAG)
Comment: A commenter disagreed requirement for using certified teachers
subgrants.
with the emphasis the notice places on to provide this additional support.
EFFECTIVE DATE: These priorities, State leadership because there will not Changes: None.
application requirements and selection be adequate funds to carry out State-
criteria are effective May 18, 2000. Application Requirements
level activities including extensive
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: professional development. Comment: A commenter suggested
Nancy Rhett, Reading Excellence Discussion: Although we understand that the required list of eligible districts
Program, U. S. Department of Education, the State’s concerns about insufficient and schools is burdensome and
400 Maryland Avenue, SW, Room funds for State-level activities, the unnecessary because the Department
5C141, Washington, DC 20202–6200. amount available to the State for has made it very clear that it is not the
Telephone: (202) 260–8228. Fax: (202) administrative costs at the State level is intent of the Reading Excellence
260–8969. Internet: set by statute. Program to fund every eligible school
and district.
l
http:// Changes: None.
www.reading excellence@ed.gov Comment: A commenter suggested Discussion: Although we do not wish
If you use a telecommunications device that the notice should be amended to to impose additional burden, the
for the deaf (TDD), you may call the focus on children who, in spite of submission of this information will
Federal Information Relay Service excellent classroom instruction, will enable the panelists to determine the
(FIRS) at 1–800–877–8339. need individualized instruction to likelihood that the requested funding
Individuals with disabilities may supplement the classroom reading amount will sufficiently fund the
obtain this document in an alternate program in order to successfully learn to number of proposed subgrants for two
format (e.g., Braille, large print, read and write by the end of third grade. years and at a level that will make a
audiotape, or computer diskette) on Discussion: We are in full agreement substantive improvement in reading
request to the contact person in the that, in spite of research-based instruction and student outcomes.
preceding paragraph. instruction, some students will need Changes: None.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The additional instructional support. Selection Criterion—Understanding and
Reading Excellence Program is designed However, strategies to address this need Commitment to Effective Reading
to improve reading for children in high (extended learning such as tutoring, Instruction Based on Scientifically
poverty schools and in schools needing summer programs and kindergarten Based Reading Research
improvement by supporting research- transition) are already required by the
based reading instruction and tutoring. Reading Excellence Act. Schools must Comment: A commenter suggested
The Reading Excellence Act was implement them in addition to that we add an additional item under
authorized to carry out the following strategies for changing regular classroom this criterion that the literature review
purposes: instruction. and application of the scientifically
• Teach every child to read by the Changes: None. based reading research include attention
end of third grade. to children at risk by requiring
• Provide children in early childhood Priorities individualized instruction beyond that
with the readiness skills and support Comment: A commenter proposed given in the normal classroom setting.
they need to learn to read once they that the priorities be expanded to Discussion: The Reading Excellence
enter school. include students who are most likely to Act requires schools to serve all
• Expand the number of high quality be unsuccessful in their classroom children, including those that need
family literacy programs. programs. extra support, and schools may use a
• Provide early intervention to Discussion: The Reading Excellence variety of strategies to achieve this. It
children who are at risk of being Act already requires schools to address would be inappropriate to emphasize a

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Federal Register / Vol. 65, No. 75 / Tuesday, April 18, 2000 / Notices 20883

specific approach to meeting the needs Discussion: Applicants are expected list of eligible LEAs and schools at the
of a limited group of children. to show throughout their proposals their time that subgrants are awarded.
Changes: None. ability and intention to serve every
B. Funding Recommendations (Sec.
child and to describe specific
Selection Criterion—Quality of Local 2253(c)(2)(C))
interventions that will be used.
District and School Activities To be considered for funding, an
Changes: None
Comment: A commenter suggested application must receive a majority
Supplementary Information-Discussion recommendation from the panel of
that item (3)(c) be revised to say that the
Of Priorities reviewers. Any applications not
proposed activities to improve reading
instruction will also attend to children Note: This notice does not solicit receiving recommendations to be
whose level of achievement indicates applications. In any year in which the funded from a majority of the review
that they will need individualized Assistant Secretary chooses to use these panel, regardless of the numerical score,
tutorial support to be proficient readers priorities, we invite applications through a will not be considered.
and writers by the end of third grade notice in the Federal Register.
Selection Criteria
along with English language learners Priorities
and children with special needs. The Assistant Secretary announces
Discussion: We agree with the Absolute Priority that the following selection criteria will
clarification added to this criterion by be used to evaluate applications for new
Under this priority the Assistant grants under this competition. The
the commenter, but we do not wish to Secretary gives an absolute preference to
emphasize a specific approach for maximum score for all of these criteria
SEAs that exclusively fund, at the is 100 points. The maximum score for
intervention. subgrant level, activities to improve each criterion is indicated in the
Changes: The comment is addressed kindergarten through grade three parentheses. There are no specific point
by changing item (3)(c) to evaluate the reading instruction and related early totals for the subcategories within each
extent to which the proposed activities childhood, professional development, criterion.
will improve reading instruction for all family literacy, extended learning and (1) Understanding and commitment to
children, including English language tutorial activities. effective reading instruction based on
learners, children with special needs,
Competitive Priority scientifically-based reading research.
and children whose level of
(15 points)
achievement indicates that they will Section 2253(c)(2)(C) of the Reading In determining the State’s
need additional instructional support. Excellence Act requires that priority be understanding and commitment to
Selection Criterion—Quality of the Plan given to SEAs whose States have effective reading instruction based on
for State Leadership, Oversight, and modified, are modifying, or provide an scientifically-based reading research,
Evaluation assurance that they will modify their the Secretary considers the following
elementary school teacher certification factors:
Comment: A commenter suggested requirements within 18 months after (a) The extent to which the proposed
revising item (4)(e) to include the receiving an REA grant. The project incorporates a deep
development of comprehensive early modification must increase the training understanding of the scientifically-
literacy programs in every school in the and the methods of teaching reading based reading research literature and
coordination between REA and current required for certification as an how it applies in their State and local
State and local efforts. elementary school teacher to reflect education systems.
Discussion: We agree with scientifically-based reading research. (b) The extent to which the scientific
highlighting coordination with However, nothing in the REA may be literature on reading is implemented in
comprehensive early literacy programs. construed to establish a national system proposed grant activities.
However, we do not want to limit the of teacher certification. (2) Demonstration of need. (10 points)
coordination to such efforts because of The Assistant Secretary will award up In determining the need for the
the need for states to coordinate with to 5 additional points to applicants that proposed project, the following factors
non-school programs such as family meet this priority. Two points will be are included:
literacy. awarded to applicants that provide an Demographic and social data on the
Changes: The comment is addressed assurance only. To receive the target population for this program
by changing item (4)(e) under selection additional three points, the SEA must (children and families) and State efforts
criterion, Quality of the plan for State include detailed plans or have and initiatives in reading, including
leadership, oversight and evaluation, to implemented changes that describe high current professional development
evaluate the extent to which the quality teacher preparation that reflects activities related to the teaching of
proposed activities coordinate REA with scientifically-based reading research. reading and family literacy, standards
other State initiatives and programs, and assessments, and other related
including how the REA grant will add Application Requirements
activities; and their relation, if any, to
to current State and local efforts such as The Assistant Secretary announces findings from scientifically-based
comprehensive early literacy programs. the following application requirements: reading research.
Collection of Information (3) Quality of local district and school
A. Eligible LEAS and Schools (Sec. 2255
activities. (35 points)
Comment: A commenter and Sec. 2256)
In determining the quality of the
recommended emphasizing ‘‘every To be considered for funding, an services to be provided by local
child’’ so that applicants will be application must include a list of all activities, the Secretary considers the
required to address the children who eligible LEAs and the number of eligible following factors:
will, in spite of excellent classroom schools, and the number of children and (a) How the proposed project would
instruction, still need additional teachers in the eligible schools at the change classroom instruction in schools
instructional support to be successful time the application is submitted. under Local Reading Improvement
readers by the end of third grade. Successful applicants must provide a subgrants. In particular, what

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20884 Federal Register / Vol. 65, No. 75 / Tuesday, April 18, 2000 / Notices

professional development activities to current State and local efforts such as DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
would be implemented. comprehensive early literacy programs.
(b) The extent to which the proposed [CFDA No. 84.338]
(5) Adequacy of resources. (15 points)
activities support research-based In determining the adequacy of Reading Excellence Program
classroom reading instruction resources, the Secretary considers the
(including extended learning such as following factors: ACTION: Notice inviting applications for
tutoring and summer programs, (a) The extent to which the average new awards for Fiscal Year (FY) 2000.
kindergarten transition, and family and range of amounts proposed,
literacy/involvement). including the amounts per school, that Purpose of Program: The Reading
(c) The extent to which the proposed will provide sufficient resources to Excellence Program provides
activities will improve reading accomplish the tasks of Local Reading competitive grants to eligible State
instruction for all children, including Improvement and Tutorial Assistance educational agencies to award
English language learners, children with subgrants. competitive subgrants to local
special needs, and children whose level educational agencies to fund local
(b) The budget provides sufficient
of achievement indicates that they will reading improvement programs and
detail and an appropriate level of
need additional instructional support. tutorial assistance programs.
funding to accomplish the purposes of
(d) The extent to which the Tutorial Eligible Applicants: State educational
this grant.
Assistance subgrant activities of the agencies (SEAs) that were not funded in
proposed project reflect up-to-date Intergovernmental Review FY 1999; the District of Columbia;
knowledge of reading research and Puerto Rico; the Virgin Islands; Guam;
This program is subject to Executive
effective practice. American Samoa; and the
(4) Quality of the plan for State Order 12372 and the regulations in 34
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana
leadership, oversight and evaluation. CFR part 79. One of the objectives of the
Islands.
(25 points) Executive order is to foster an
Applications Available: April 14,
In determining the quality of the plan intergovernmental partnership and a
2000.
for State leadership, oversight and strengthened federalism. The Executive
Deadline for Transmittal of
evaluation, the Secretary considers the order relies on processes developed by
Applications: May 22, 2000.
following factors: State and local governments for
Note: An application for an award may be
(a) The adequacy of procedures for coordination and review of proposed
submitted by electronic mail (email), regular
ensuring success under this grant, Federal financial assistance. mail, or hand delivery.
including how the State will ensure that This document provides early
school activities will use practices based notification of our specific plans and Special Instructions for Applications
on scientifically-based reading research, actions for this program. Submitted by Email
especially professional development Electronic Access to This Document Applications submitted by email
activities for K–3 teachers. should include an electronic return
(b) The adequacy of the management You may view this document, as well receipt and should be emailed to:
plan to achieve the objectives of the as all other Department of Education
documents published in the Federal grantspolicy@ed.gov
proposed project on time and within
budget, including: Register, in text or Adobe Portable Applications submitted by email may be
• Development of the reading and Document Format (PDF) on the Internet submitted in one of the following
literacy partnership for overseeing at either of the following sites: formats: (1) Microsoft Word (Version
proposed grant activities; Word 95 or Word 97) or (2) portable
http://ocfo.ed.gov/fedreg.htm
• Guidance provided to eligible document format (PDF). The preferred
http://www.ed.gov/news.html version is Word 97; however, all
districts and schools for developing
applications; To use the PDF you must have the versions must have text search
• Subgrant processes and criteria; and Adobe Acrobat Reader Program, which capability. The electronic version will
• Leadership, technical assistance, is available free at either of the be the official file copy. To ensure the
and monitoring activities for preceding sites. If you have questions integrity of the program, the Department
subgrantees that ensure continuous about using the PDF, call the U.S. will return a printed version to the
improvement in reading. Government Printing Office (GPO), toll applicant. The returned receipt and
(c) The qualifications, including free at 1–888–293–6498; or in the copy will be considered proof of receipt.
relevant training and experience, of the Washington, DC, area at (202) 512–1530. All forms requiring original signatures
key SEA staff responsible for managing Note: The official version of this document (ED–424, Application for Federal
the grant activities described above. is the document published in the Federal Education Assistance; SF 424B,
(d) The quality of the State’s Register. Free Internet access to the official Assurances: Non-Construction
evaluation design, including student edition of the Federal Register and the Code Programs; ED 80–0013, Certifications
of Federal Regulations is available on GPO Regarding Lobbying, Debarment,
outcome measures or indicators for
Access at:
grades K–3, subgrant (Local Reading Suspension and other Responsibility
http://access.gpo.gov/nara/index.html Matters; and Drug-Free Workplace
Improvement and Tutorial Assistance)
and school implementation measures (Catalog of Federal Assistance Number: Requirements; ED 80–0014, Certification
and indicators, a timeline for data 84.338 Reading Excellence Program Regarding Debarment, Suspension,
collection and reporting, provisions for Program Authority: 20 U.S.C. 6661 et seq. Ineligibility and Voluntary Exclusion-
feedback to districts, and identification Lower Tier Covered Transactions; and
of a qualified evaluator or inclusion of Dated: April 12, 2000. Form LLL, Disclosure of Lobbying
appropriate criteria. Michael Cohen, Activities) must be mailed to the
(e) The extent to which the proposed Assistant Secretary for Office of Elementary Department by the deadline date, as set
activities coordinate REA with other and Secondary Education. out above under the Deadline for
State initiatives and programs, [FR Doc. 00–9641 Filed 4–13–00; 1:32 pm] Transmittal section. Please send a hard
including how the REA grant will add BILLING CODE 4001–01–P copy of your application in addition to

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