[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 200 (Friday, October 16, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 55764-55766]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-27785]
[[Page 55763]]
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Part IV
Department of Education
_______________________________________________________________________
Rehabilitation Training: Rehabilitation Long-Term Training--
Comprehensive System of Personnel Development; Final Priority and
Applications for New Awards for Fiscal Year 1999; Notices
Federal Register / Vol. 63, No. 200 / Friday, October 16, 1998 /
Notices
[[Page 55764]]
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
Rehabilitation Training: Rehabilitation Long-Term Training
AGENCY: Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services,
Department of Education.
ACTION: Notice of final priority for fiscal year 1999 and subsequent
fiscal years.
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SUMMARY: The Secretary announces a final funding priority for fiscal
year 1999 and subsequent fiscal years under the Rehabilitation
Training: Rehabilitation Long-Term Training program. The Secretary
takes this action in order to assist State vocational rehabilitation
(VR) agencies in carrying out their Comprehensive System of Personnel
Development (CSPD) plans.
EFFECTIVE DATE: This priority takes effect on November 16, 1998.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Beverly Steburg, U.S. Department of
Education, 61 Forsyth Street, SW., Room 18T91, Atlanta, Georgia 30303.
Telephone: (404) 562-6336. Individuals who use a telecommunications
device for the deaf (TDD) may call the TDD number at (404) 562-6347.
Internet address: Beverly__S[email protected]
Individuals with disabilities may obtain this document in an
alternate format (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, or computer
diskette) on request to the contact person listed in the preceding
paragraph.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This notice contains a final priority under
the Rehabilitation Training: Rehabilitation Long-Term Training program.
This program provides financial assistance for--
(1) Projects that provide training leading to academic degrees or
academic certificates in areas as identified by the Secretary; and
(2) Projects that provide support for medical residents enrolled in
residency training programs in the specialty of physical medicine and
rehabilitation.
On June 11, 1998 the Secretary published a notice of proposed
priority for this program in the Federal Register (63 FR 32106). This
notice of final priority contains one change from the notice of
proposed priority, adding language to clarify that projects must fund
only academic degree or academic certificate granting programs. The
change is fully explained in the Analysis of Comments and Changes
located elsewhere in this notice.
Note: This notice of final priority does not solicit
applications. In any year in which the Secretary chooses to use this
priority, the Secretary invites applications through a notice in the
Federal Register. A notice inviting applications under this
competition is published elsewhere in this issue of the Federal
Register.
Analysis of Comments and Changes
In response to the invitation in the notice of proposed priority,
14 parties submitted comments. An analysis of the comments and of the
changes in the priority since publication of the notice of proposed
priority follows. Technical and other minor changes--and suggested
changes the Secretary is not legally authorized to make under the
applicable statutory authority--are not addressed.
Comment: Five commenters offered suggestions concerning the format
of the training. Suggestions were made encouraging the support of
programs that will provide an academic certificate in specialty areas
that could be counted toward a Masters degree; be based on adult
learning principles; demonstrate collaboration between State VR
agencies and training programs; accommodate schedules of working staff
(e.g., distance learning programs, competency-based programs, and other
non-traditional approaches), cover tuition as well as non-tuition
costs, such as books, travel, and fees; and allow part-time students.
Discussion: This priority is premised on the concept that
applicants should design the training approach best suited to provide
academic degrees and academic certificates to VR counselors. Many of
these and other approaches were included in the Supplementary
Information section of the proposed priority as examples of possible
approaches. If an applicant proposes to carry out any of these
approaches, the peer review process will be used to evaluate the merits
of the approach. However, the Secretary has no basis for requiring all
applicants to carry out any of these approaches.
Changes: None.
Comment: One commenter suggested that the priority require a
written agreement between the State VR agency or agencies and the
training institution.
Discussion: There must be a strong link between the training
institution and State VR agencies involved in this effort. In fact, the
regulations require an applicant to allow the State VR agency an
opportunity to review and comment upon the application before it is
submitted. The importance of this linkage is also recognized in one of
the selection criteria, which pertains to the ``relevance to the State-
Federal rehabilitation service program.'' While an applicant may enter
into a written agreement with a State VR agency, the Secretary has no
basis for requiring it. For example, an applicant may propose to
include a distance learning training component, which cuts across State
lines. As the distance learning training program develops, it may
become available to students nationwide. This would require a training
institution to have a written agreement with every participating State,
which would not be feasible for the training institution to manage.
Thus, the Secretary believes that the requirement of State agency
review and the review criteria of relevance to the State-Federal
service program will adequately address the concerns of linkage between
the State agency and the training institution.
Changes: None.
Comment: One commenter suggested limiting the competition to
training institutions that are accredited by the Council on
Rehabilitation Education (CORE), as opposed to allowing institutions
that have applied for, but not yet received, CORE accreditation to
compete.
Discussion: Training institutions that have applied for CORE
accreditation are eligible to compete for Rehabilitation Long-Term
Training program grants in the field of rehabilitation counseling.
There is no basis upon which to limit eligibility in this regard.
However, the Secretary notes that the support of those institutions has
been used in the past to foster the growth of accredited programs.
Changes: None.
Comment: Two commenters suggested waiver of the requirement that 75
percent of the project funds be used for student scholarships and
stipends. One commenter suggested that this be done to allow for the
building of educational infrastructure, especially in the first year of
a grant. Another commenter noted that the 75 percent requirement
eliminates a continuing education approach by programs that operate on
``soft money'' (i.e., grant funds).
Discussion: Under the regulations for the Rehabilitation Long-Term
Training program, the Secretary may waive this requirement under
certain circumstances, including the establishment of new training
programs. The 75 percent requirement ensures that training grants
provide a sufficient number of qualified personnel to the public
rehabilitation program (primarily State agencies and providers of
services to State agencies) because the program requires a payback
obligation on scholarship recipients, which requires them either to
work in the public rehabilitation program or to repay the cost of the
scholarship. Waiving the 75 percent requirement would reduce payback
obligations under the grant. While providing waivers in certain
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situations, such as in the first year of a project aimed at building
infrastructure, seems reasonable and may be permitted, the number and
extent of waivers provided under this competition need to be
appropriate in relation to the purpose of the program. In addition,
this priority is established to provide academic degrees and academic
certificates, not to provide general continuing education.
Changes: Language in the priority has been added to clarify that,
consistent with section 302(b)(1) of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as
amended (Act), projects funded under this priority must fund only
academic degree or academic certificate programs.
Comment: One commenter offered specific language for the priority
relating to innovative approaches and increasing professional knowledge
and skills. The commenter referred to activities such as lifelong
learning, participating in dynamic learning environments, enhanced
personal knowledge and skills, and building professional networks.
Discussion: If an applicant proposes to include those activities,
the reviewers of the application will evaluate its merits. However, the
Secretary has no basis for requiring all applicants to carry out any of
these approaches.
Changes: None.
Comment: One commenter suggested that the priority require
curriculum for counselors that includes the various disciplines that
provide services to individuals with disabilities, specifically
communication disorders, such as deafness, hearing loss, and speech and
language disorders.
Discussion: The Secretary agrees with the importance of training in
the various disciplines involved in rehabilitation. However, this is a
curriculum matter that would be addressed by the academic training
institution.
Changes: None.
Comment: One commenter suggested that the priority not be limited
to Masters degree programs, but include undergraduate degrees in cases
in which that degree applies.
Discussion: The priority does not limit efforts to training at the
Master's degree level. Training to provide academic degrees and
academic certificates at the undergraduate level can be provided.
Changes: None.
Comment: One commenter recommended that the priority give
preference to programs that do not require or would waive the
requirement for a Graduate Record Exam (GRE) or other entrance exam as
a condition for acceptance into the program.
Discussion: The Secretary notes that the purpose of this training
is to improve the academic credentials of State VR agency employees.
Giving preference to programs that waive customary academic
requirements, such as GREs, may be counterproductive. Furthermore, the
admissions policies of academic training institutions are not an issue
in which the Department becomes involved.
Changes: None.
Comment: Two commenters raised issues concerning the requirement
that trainees pay back two years of paid employment within the public
rehabilitation system or nonprofit rehabilitation or rehabilitation-
related agencies for every year of support they receive. Three primary
issues were raised. First, one commenter suggested that we allow
payback only at VR agencies. A commenter asked if there is any
difference in the payback obligations if the grantee is a State VR
agency as opposed to a training institution. A commenter also asked
whether, if a State policy requires payback in the State agency, a
State agency may enforce that requirement when using Rehabilitation
Services Administration (RSA) training funds.
Discussion: The Secretary reminds the commenters that the statute
(section 302(b) of the Act) and the regulations governing the
Rehabilitation Long-Term Training program (34 CFR part 386) require
payback at one of the settings identified previously. Neither the
Secretary nor the grantee may impose more stringent requirements. The
Secretary reminds State VR agencies that they may use State Vocational
Rehabilitation Unit In-service Training program funds or VR program
funds for the purposes of CSPD and can impose State payback
requirements.
Change: None.
Comment: One commenter suggested that awards be made only to State
VR agencies, which then could negotiate with training institutions.
Discussion: The program statute does not permit limiting the
competition to State agencies.
Changes: None.
Comment: Two commenters suggested that the Department distribute
funds to States based on need (e.g., number of staff that need to be
trained or training resources available).
Discussion: These competitions are not limited to States. The
awards are competitive and will be judged on factors in the selection
criteria. The Secretary agrees that need is an important factor and
intends for applicants to demonstrate need in their applications. In
addition, other factors will be assessed during the peer review
process.
Changes: None.
Comment: One commenter suggested that the Secretary give preference
to projects that demonstrate collaboration between State VR agencies
and institutions of higher education.
Discussion: Section 302(b)(2) of the Act requires collaboration
with VR agencies for all long-term training grants.
Changes: None.
Priority
Rehabilitation Training: Rehabilitation Long-Term Training
Background
The Secretary has determined that it is in the best interest of the
VR program to support creative, innovative approaches for assisting
State agencies to meet their statutory and regulatory personnel
requirements for VR counselors and to carry out their CSPD plans.
Training approaches proposed by applicants must address the unique
learning needs of currently employed VR counselors, reflect their
learning styles and professional experiences, and be accessible at a
time and in a place that would maximize participation. In an effort to
maximize benefit to the VR program while minimizing costs, potential
applicants may wish to consider collaborative models with, for example,
community rehabilitation programs, other public agencies, or private
entities. The notice of proposed priority published on June 11, 1998 in
the Federal Register (63 FR 32106) included more detail in the
Supplementary Information section of the notice.
Final Priority
Under 34 CFR 75.105(c)(3) and section 302(a)(1) of the
Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended (the Act), 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:
Projects must--
(1) Provide training leading to academic degrees or academic
certificates to current vocational rehabilitation counselors, including
counselors with disabilities, ethnic minorities, and those from diverse
backgrounds, toward meeting designated State unit (DSU) personnel
standards required under section 101(a)(7) of the Act, commonly
referred to as the Comprehensive System of Personnel Development
(CSPD);
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(2) Address the academic degree and academic certificate needs
specified in the CSPD plans of those States with which the project will
be working; and
(3) Develop innovative approaches (e.g., distance learning,
competency-based programs, and other methods) that would maximize
participation in, and the effectiveness of, project training.
Multi-State projects and projects that involve consortia of
institutions and agencies are also authorized, although other projects
will be considered.
The regulations in 34 CFR 386.31(b) require that a minimum of 75
percent of project funds be used to support student scholarships and
stipends. The regulations also provide that the Secretary may waive
this requirement under certain circumstances, including new training
programs.
Finally, the Secretary intends to approve a wide range of
approaches for providing training and different levels of funding,
based on the quality of individual projects. The Secretary takes these
factors into account in making grants under this priority.
Goals 2000: Educate America Act
The Goals 2000: Educate America Act (Goals 2000) focuses the
Nation's education reform efforts on the eight National Education Goals
and provides a framework for meeting them. Goals 2000 promotes new
partnerships to strengthen schools and expands the Department's
capacities for helping communities to exchange ideas and obtain
information needed to achieve the goals.
This final priority would address the National Education Goal that
every adult American will be literate and will possess the knowledge
and skills necessary to compete in a global economy and exercise the
rights and responsibilities of citizenship. The final priority furthers
the objectives of this Goal by focusing available funds on projects
that improve the skills of State VR agency rehabilitation counselors,
which will improve the responsiveness of the VR system to adults with
disabilities and their vocational pursuits.
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 governments 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
Anyone may view this document, as well as all other Department of
Education documents published in the Federal Register, in text or
portable document format (pdf) on the World Wide Web 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 toll free at 1-888-293-6498.
Anyone may also view these documents in text copy only on an
electronic bulletin board of the Department. Telephone: (202) 219-1511
or, toll free, 1-800-222-4922. The documents are located under Option
G--Files/Announcements, Bulletins and Press Releases.
Note: The official version of this document is the document
published in the Federal Register.
Applicable Program Regulations: 34 CFR parts 385 and 386.
Program Authority: 29 U.S.C. 721(b) and (e) and 796(e).
(Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number: 84.129W,
Rehabilitation Training: Rehabilitation Long-Term Training)
Dated: October 9, 1998.
Judith E. Heumann,
Assistant Secretary for Special Education and Rehabilitative Services.
[FR Doc. 98-27785 Filed 10-15-98; 8:45 am]
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