TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE & DISSEMINATION: MODEL DEMONSTRATION PROJECTS TO IMPROVE ADOLESCENT LITERACY FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES IN GRADES 6 – 12 (84.326M) Understanding the Application April 16, 2015

Agenda: I. Overview of the Application A. Timelines B. Award Information C. Purpose/Outcomes II. Evaluation Criteria III. Submission Requirements IV. Criteria for Ineligibility V. Tips for Applicants VI. Resources and Assistance VII. Questions 2 Model Demonstrations to Improve Adolescent Literacy for Students with Disabilities in Grades 6-12 (84.326M)

Application Timelines: Application Available March 18, 2015 Pre-Application Teleconference April 16, :00 PM (Washington, DC Time) Deadline for Transmittal of Applications May 4, :30 PM (Washington, DC Time) 3 Model Demonstrations to Improve Adolescent Literacy for Students with Disabilities in Grades 6-12 (84.326M)

Award Information: 4 See page A-14 in the Application Package. Model Demonstrations to Improve Adolescent Literacy for Students with Disabilities in Grades 6-12 (84.326M) Type of Award: Cooperative Agreement(s) Estimated Number of Awards: Up to 3 Award(s) Estimated Available Funds: $1.2M. Contingent upon the availability of funds and the quality of applications. Estimated Average Size: $400,000 Maximum Award: We will reject any application that proposes a budget exceeding $400,000 for a single budget period of 12 months. Project Period: Up to 48 months

Purpose of Program: Promote academic achievement and improve results for children with disabilities by providing technical assistance (TA), in order to: Support model demonstration projects Disseminate useful information Implement activities that are supported by scientifically based research 5 Model Demonstrations to Improve Adolescent Literacy for Students with Disabilities in Grades 6-12 (84.326M)

Purpose of Priority: 6 Funding for up to 3 cooperative agreements to establish and operate model demonstration projects designed to: Improve adolescent literacy for students with disabilities in middle and high school grades 6-12, who: 1. Score below grade level in reading, or 2. Have identified reading goals and objectives on their individualized education program (IEP) Model Demonstrations to Improve Adolescent Literacy for Students with Disabilities in Grades 6-12 (84.326M)

Definition of Adolescent Literacy For purposes of this priority: Adolescent Literacy refers to the skills needed by individuals with disabilities to locate, read, understand, interpret, evaluate and use written information across multiple content areas 7 Model Demonstrations to Improve Adolescent Literacy for Students with Disabilities in Grades 6-12 (84.326M)c

Project Outcomes: Model Demonstration Projects Must Include: 1. Directed efforts at improving adolescent literacy interventions in content areas using effective whole-class and small group instructional approaches for students with disabilities; 2. A professional development component to teach educators how to implement the interventions with fidelity across a variety of content areas; 3. Strategies for replicating interventions used by educators so they are effective when brought to scale across multiple classrooms within participating local education agencies; 8 See page A-8 & A-9 in the Application Package. Model Demonstrations to Improve Adolescent Literacy for Students with Disabilities in Grades 6-12 (84.326M)

Project Outcomes (continued): 9 Model Demonstrations to Improve Adolescent Literacy for Students with Disabilities in Grades 6-12 (84.326M) Model Demonstration Projects Must Include: 4. A plan to implement at least one evidence-based adolescent literacy intervention that applies strong theory or evidence of promise across multiple school sites 5. Professional development for all content area teachers at all middle and high school grades targeted to receive the intervention See page A-8 & A-9 in the Application Package.

Eligibility Information State education agencies (SEAs) Local education agencies (LEAs); including public charter schools that are considered LEAs under State law; Institutions of Higher Education (IHEs); Other public agencies; Private nonprofit organizations; Outlying areas; Freely associated States; Indian tribes or tribal organizations; and For-profit organizations. 10 Model Demonstrations to Improve Adolescent Literacy for Students with Disabilities in Grades 6-12 (84.326M) Eligible Applicants Include: See pages A-15 in the Application Package.

Evaluation Criteria: Applications will be evaluated based on the following selection criteria established for these Model Demonstrations: 1. Significance (10 points); 2. Quality of project design(35 points); 3. Adequacy of resources (15 points); 4. Quality of the management plan (20 points); and 5. Quality of project evaluation (20 points). 11 See pages B-11 – B-13 in the Application Package. Model Demonstrations to Improve Adolescent Literacy for Students with Disabilities in Grades 6-12 (84.326M)

Significance: In determining the significance of the proposed project the Secretary considers the following: i. The potential contribution of the proposed project to increase knowledge or understanding of problems, issues, or effective strategies in improving results for children with disabilities. ii. The extent to which the proposed project is likely to build local capacity to provide, improve, or expand services that address the needs of the target population iii. The extent to which the proposed project involves the demonstration of promising strategies that build on, or are alternatives to, existing strategies that address the needs of the target population. 12 See page B-11 in the Application Package. Model Demonstrations to Improve Adolescent Literacy for Students with Disabilities in Grades 6-12 (84.326M)

Quality of Project Design: In determining the quality of the design of the proposed project the Secretary considers the following : i. The extent to which the goals, objectives and outcomes to be achieved by the proposed project are clearly specified and measurable ii. The extent to which a coherent, evidenced-based model and its conceptual framework is clearly articulated iii. The extent to which the design of the proposed project includes a thorough, high-quality review of the relevant literature, a high- quality plan for project implementation, and the use of appropriate methodological tools to ensure successful achievement of project objectives. 13 See pages B11-B12 in the Application Package. Model Demonstrations to Improve Adolescent Literacy for Students with Disabilities in Grades 6-12 (84.326M)

14 Model Demonstrations to Improve Adolescent Literacy for Students with Disabilities in Grades 6-12 (84.326M) Quality of Project Design (continued) : See pages B11-B12 in the Application Package. In determining the quality of the design of the proposed project the Secretary considers the following: iv. The quality of the proposed demonstration design and procedures for documenting project activities, model implementation and results. v. The extent to which the results of the proposed project are to be disseminated in ways that will enable others to use the information or strategies vi. The likelihood that the proposed project will results in system change or improvement through an articulated plan to sustain implementation beyond the end date of the project.

Adequacy of Resources: In determining the adequacy of resources, the Secretary considers the extent to which the applicant encourages applications for employment from persons who are members of groups that have traditionally been underrepresented based on race, color, national origin, gender, age, or disability. In addition, the Secretary considers the following: i. The qualifications, including relevant training and experience, of key project personnel (i.e. project director, project staff, and project consultants or subcontractors) ii. The adequacy of support, including facilities, equipment, supplies, and other resources, from the applicant organization and key partners. iii. The extent to which the costs are reasonable in relation to the anticipated results and benefits. 15 See pages B12 in the Application Package. Model Demonstrations to Improve Adolescent Literacy for Students with Disabilities in Grades 6-12 (84.326M)

Quality of Management Plan: In determining the quality of the management plan for the proposed project, the Secretary considers the following: i. The adequacy of the management plan to achieve the objectives of the proposed model on time and within budget, including clearly defined responsibilities, timelines, and milestones for accomplishing project tasks. ii. The adequacy of procedures for ensuring feedback and continuous improvement in the operation of the proposed model. iii. The adequacy of mechanisms for ensuring high-quality products and service from the proposed project. iv. The extent to which the time commitments of the project director, project staff and project consultants or subcontractors are appropriate and adequate to meet the objectives of the proposed model. 16 See page B-12 & B13 in the Application Package. Model Demonstrations to Improve Adolescent Literacy for Students with Disabilities in Grades 6-12 (84.326M)

Quality of the Project Evaluation: In determining the quality of the evaluation, the Secretary considers the following: i. The extent to which the methods of evaluation are thorough, feasible, and appropriate to the goals, objectives, and outcomes of the proposed model. ii. The extent to which the methods of evaluation provide for examining the effectiveness of model implementation strategies iii. The extent to which the methods of evaluation will provide performance feedback and permit periodic assessment of progress toward achieving intended child and system outcomes iv. The extent to which the evaluation will provide guidance about effective strategies suitable for replication or testing in other settings. 17 See page B-13 in the Application Package. Model Demonstrations to Improve Adolescent Literacy for Students with Disabilities in Grades 6-12 (84.326M)

Submission Requirements: The application narrative is where you, the applicants, address the selection criteria that reviewers use to evaluate your application. The application narrative must be limited to the equivalent of no more than 50 pages, using the following standards: A “page” is 8.5” x 11”, on one side only, with 1” margins at top, bottom, and both sides. Double space all text in the application narrative, including titles, headings, footnotes, quotations, references, and captions, as well as all text in charts, tables, figures, graphs. Use a font either 12 point or larger. Use one of the following fonts: Times New Roman, Courier, Courier New, or Arial. Page limit only applies to the application narrative section. 18 See pages A-16 - A-17 in the Application Package. Model Demonstrations to Improve Adolescent Literacy for Students with Disabilities in Grades 6-12 (84.326M)

Submission Requirements (continued): Applications must be submitted electronically using the Grants.gov Apply site ( Applications may not be submitted via . Applications must be submitted no later than 4:30:00 p.m., Washington, DC time, on the application deadline date. Application narrative sections and all other attachments to the application must be uploaded as files in a PDF read-only, non- modifiable format. Note: If you upload a file type other than a.pdf file, or submit a password-protected file, we will not review the material. Applications submitted to Grants.gov will now be posted using Adobe forms. Note: The compatible version of Adobe Reader is required for viewing, editing and submitting a complete grant application package. Applicants should confirm the compatibility of their Adobe Reader version before downloading the application..Grants.gov 19 See pages D-2 – D-4 in the Application Package. Model Demonstrations to Improve Adolescent Literacy for Students with Disabilities in Grades 6-12 (84.326M)

Criteria for Ineligibility: Applications received after the deadline (May 4, 2015 at 4:30:00 p.m., Washington, DC time). Applications not addressing the published priority content. Applications exceeding the maximum award size as published in the application package. 20 Model Demonstrations to Improve Adolescent Literacy for Students with Disabilities in Grades 6-12 (84.326M)

Criteria for Ineligibility (continued): Applications exceeding the page limit in the narrative. Narrative sections and all other attachments to the application submitted as file types other than a read-only, non-modifiable PDF (e.g., interactive or fillable PDF, password-protected file) will not be reviewed. Applications submitted in paper format (unless applicant qualifies for exception to electronic submission requirement). 21 Model Demonstrations to Improve Adolescent Literacy for Students with Disabilities in Grades 6-12 (84.326M)

Tips for Applicants: 1. Register early. Grants.gov registration takes several steps and may take five or more business days to complete. Be sure that your registration with is current. 2. Submit early. We strongly recommend that you do not wait until the last day to submit your application. Grants.gov will put a date/time stamp on your application and then process it after it is fully uploaded. 3. Verify submission is ok. Verify that Grants.gov received your submission on time and that it was validated successfully. For successful submission, the time/date received should be earlier than 4:30:00 pm Washington DC time, on the deadline date. 22 See pages A-32 – A-36 in the Application Package. Model Demonstrations to Improve Adolescent Literacy for Students with Disabilities in Grades 6-12 (84.326M)

Resources and Assistance: Applicants are encouraged to contact: Gregory Knollman PH: (202) To obtain the application via the Internet, use the following address: To obtain the application in an accessible format, contact ED’s Grants and Contracts Services Team ( , TDD/TTY ). For problems submitting an application through Grants.gov, contact the Grants.gov Support Desk ( ; obtain a Grants.gov Support Desk Case Number and keep record of it). 23 Model Demonstrations to Improve Adolescent Literacy for Students with Disabilities in Grades 6-12 (84.326M)