34 C.F.R. PART 426—COOPERATIVE DEMONSTRATION PROGRAM
Title 34 - Education
Authority: 20 U.S.C. 2420a, unless otherwise noted.
Source: 57 FR 36805, Aug. 14, 1992, unless otherwise noted.
The Cooperative Demonstration Program provides financial assistance for— (a) Model projects providing improved access to quality vocational education programs for individuals who are members of special populations and for men and women seeking nontraditional occupations; (b) Projects that are examples of successful cooperation between the private sector and public agencies in vocational education; (c) Projects to overcome national skill shortages; (d) Projects that develop consumer and homemaking education programs, including child growth and development centers; (e) Projects that assist disadvantaged youths in preparing for technical and professional health careers; and (f) Model projects providing access to vocational education programs through agriculture action centers. (Authority: 20 U.S.C. 2420a(a)) (a) The following entities are eligible to apply for an award for activities described in §§426.4, 426.5, and 426.7: (1) State educational agencies. (2) Local educational agencies. (3) Postsecondary educational institutions. (4) Institutions of higher education. (5) Other public and private agencies, organizations, and institutions. (b)(1) Awards for activities described in §426.6 are provided to partnerships between— (i) Community-based organizations; and (ii) Local schools, institutions of higher education, and businesses. (2) A partnership formed for the purpose of receiving an award under §426.6 shall include as partners at least one community-based organization and at least one entity from the groups listed in paragraph (b)(1)(ii) of this section, and may include more than one entity from each group. (3) The partners shall apply jointly to the Secretary for an award under this part. (4) The partners shall enter into an agreement, in the form of a single document signed by all partners, designating one member of the partnership as the applicant and the grantee. The agreement must also detail the role each partner plans to perform, and must bind each partner to every statement and assurance made in the application. (Authority: 20 U.S.C. 2420a(a)) (a) The Secretary supports, directly or through grants, cooperative agreements, or contracts, the following types of projects: (1) Demonstration Projects. The Secretary supports model projects providing improved access to high quality vocational education for members of special populations and men and women seeking to enter non-traditional occupations, projects that are models of successful cooperation between the private sector and public agencies in vocational education, and projects to overcome national skill shortages, as described in §426.4. (2) Program for Model Consumer and Homemaking Education Projects. The Secretary supports model projects that improve instruction and curricula related to consumer and homemaking skills, as described in §426.5. (3) Community-Based Organization Projects. The Secretary supports community-based organizations in partnerships with entities listed in §426.2(b)(1)(ii), to operate projects that assist disadvantaged youths in preparing for technical and professional health careers, as described in §426.6. (4) Agriculture Action Centers. The Secretary supports model projects providing improved access to vocational education programs through agriculture action centers, as described in §426.7. (b) All projects assisted under the Cooperative Demonstration Program must be— (1) Of direct service to the individuals enrolled; and (2) Capable of wide replication by service providers. (Authority: 20 U.S.C. 2420a(a)) The Secretary supports the following types of projects: (a) Model projects providing improved access to quality vocational education programs for— (1) Individuals with disabilities; (2) Educationally and economically disadvantaged individuals (including foster children); (3) Individuals of limited English proficiency; (4) Individuals who participate in programs designed to eliminate sex bias; (5) Individuals in correctional institutions; and (6) Men and women seeking to enter nontraditional occupations. (b)(1) Projects that are examples of successful cooperation between the private sector (including employers, consortia of employers, labor organizations, building trade councils, and private agencies, organizations, and institutions) and public agencies in vocational education (including State boards of vocational education and eligible recipients as defined in 34 CFR 400.4). (2) The projects described in paragraph (b)(1) of this section must be designed to demonstrate ways in which vocational education and the private sector of the economy can work together effectively to assist vocational education students to attain the advanced level of skills needed to make the transition from school to productive employment, including— (i) Work experience and apprenticeship projects; (ii) Transitional work site job training for vocational education students that is related to their occupational goals and closely linked to classroom and laboratory instruction provided by an eligible recipient; (iii) Placement services in occupations that the students are preparing to enter; (iv) If practical, projects that will benefit the public, such as the rehabilitation of public schools or housing in inner cities or economically depressed rural areas; or (v) Employment-based learning programs. (3) The projects described in paragraphs (b) (1) and (2) of this section may include institutional and on-the-job training, supportive services authorized by the Act, and other assistance as the Secretary determines to be necessary for the successful completion of the project. (c) Projects to overcome national skill shortages, as designated by the Secretary in cooperation with the Secretary of Labor, Secretary of Defense, and Secretary of Commerce. (Authority: 20 U.S.C. 2420a(a) (1)–(3) and (b)(1)) The Secretary supports model projects that develop programs and improve instruction and curricula related to— (a) Managing individual and family resources; (b) Making consumer choices; (c) Balancing work and family; (d) Improving responses to individual and family crises, including family violence and child abuse; (e) Strengthening parenting skills, especially among teenage parents; (f) Preventing teenage pregnancy; (g) Assisting aged individuals with disabilities, and members of at-risk populations, including the homeless; (h) Conserving limited resources; (i) Improving individual, child, and family nutrition and wellness; (j) Understanding the impact of new technology on life and work; (k) Applying consumer and homemaking education skills to jobs and careers; (l) Other needs to be determined by the State board of vocational education; and (m) Developing child growth and development centers. (Authority: 20 U.S.C. 2420a(4)) (a) The Secretary supports projects that assist disadvantaged youths in preparing for technical and professional health careers. (b) The Secretary may require partnerships described in §426.2(b)(1) to provide in-kind contributions from participating schools, institutions, and businesses and to involve health professionals serving as instructors and counselors. (Authority: 20 U.S.C. 2420a(5)) The Secretary supports model Agriculture Action Centers that provide improved access to vocational education programs and that— (a) Assist individuals— (1) Who are adversely affected by farm and rural economic downturns; (2) Who are dislocated from farming; and (3) Who are dislocated from agriculturally related businesses and industries that are adversely affected by farm and rural economic downturns; (b) Provide services, including— (1) Crisis management counseling and outreach counseling that would include members of the family of the affected individual; (2) Evaluation of vocational skills and counseling on enhancement of these skills; (3) Assistance in obtaining training in basic, remedial, and literacy skills; (4) Assistance in seeking employment and training in employment-seeking skills; and (5) Assistance in obtaining training related to operating a business or enterprise; (c) Provide for formal and on-the-job training to the extent practicable; and (d) Are coordinated with activities and discretionary programs under title III of the Job Training Partnership Act (29 U.S.C. 1651 et seq.). (Authority: 20 U.S.C. 2420a(6)) The following regulations apply to the Cooperative Demonstration Program: (a) The regulations in this part 426. (b) The regulations in 34 CFR part 400. (Authority: 20 U.S.C. 2420a) The definitions in 34 CFR 400.4 apply to this part. (Authority: 20 U.S.C. 2420a) (a) The Secretary evaluates an application on the basis of the criteria in §426.21, §426.22, §426.23, or §426.24. (b) The Secretary may award up to 100 points, including a reserved 15 points to be distributed in accordance with paragraph (d) of this section, based on the criteria in §426.21, §426.22, §426.23, or §426.24. (c) Subject to paragraph (d) of this section, the maximum possible score for each criterion is indicated in parentheses after the heading for each criterion. (d) For each competition, as announced in a notice published in the (Authority: 20 U.S.C. 2420a) The Secretary uses the following criteria to evaluate an application for a demonstration project: (a) Program factors. (10 points) The Secretary reviews the application to assess the quality of the proposed project, including the extent to which the project will provide— (1) Vocational education to meet current and projected occupational needs; and (2) For adequate and appropriate involvement and cooperation of the public and private sectors in the project, including— (i) A clear identification of the public and private sector entities involved in the project; (ii) A description of public and private sector involvement in the planning of the project; and (iii) A description of public and private sector involvement in the operation of the project. (b) Educational significance. (10 points) The Secretary reviews each application to determine the extent to which the applicant— (1) Bases the proposed project on successfully designed, established, and operated model vocational education programs that include components similar to the components required by this program, as evidenced by empirical data from those programs in such factors as— (i) Student performance and achievement; (ii) High school graduation; (iii) Placement of students in jobs, including military service; and (iv) Successful transfer of students to a variety of postsecondary education programs; (2) Proposes project objectives that contribute to the improvement of education; and (3) Proposes to use unique and innovative techniques to produce benefits that address educational problems and needs that are of national significance. (c) Plan of operation. (15 points) The Secretary reviews each application to determine the quality of the plan of operation for the project, including— (1) The quality of the project design, especially the establishment of measurable objectives for the project that are based on the project's overall goals; (2) The extent to which the plan of management is effective and ensures proper and efficient administration of the project over the award period; (3) How well the objectives of the project relate to the purpose of the program; (4) The quality of the applicant's plan to use its resources and personnel to achieve each objective; and (5) How the applicant will ensure that project participants who are otherwise eligible to participate are selected without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, age, or disability. (d) Evaluation plan. (15 points) The Secretary reviews each application to determine the quality of the project's evaluation plan, including the extent to which the plan— (1) Is clearly explained and is appropriate to the project; (2) To the extent possible, is objective and will produce data that are quantifiable; (3) Identifies expected outcomes of the participants and how those outcomes will be measured; (4) Includes activities during the formative stages of the project to help guide and improve the project, as well as a summative evaluation that includes recommendations for replicating project activities and results; (5) Will provide a comparison between intended and observed results, and lead to the demonstration of a clear link between the observed results and the specific treatment of project participants; and (6) Will yield results that can be summarized and submitted to the Secretary for review by the Department's Program Effectiveness Panel as defined in 34 CFR 400.4(b). (e) Demonstration and dissemination. (10 points) The Secretary reviews each application for information to determine the effectiveness and efficiency of the plan for demonstrating and disseminating information about project activities and results throughout the project period, including— (1) High quality in the design of the demonstration and dissemination plan and procedures for evaluating the effectiveness of the dissemination plan; (2) Disseminating the results of the project in a manner that would meet the requirement in §426.31; (3) Identification of target groups and provisions for publicizing the project at the local, State, and national levels by conducting or delivering presentations at conferences, workshops, and other professional meetings and by preparing materials for journal articles, newsletters, and brochures; (4) Provisions for demonstrating the methods and techniques used by the project to others interested in replicating these methods and techniques, such as by inviting them to observe project activities; (5) A description of the types of materials the applicant plans to make available to help others replicate project activities and the methods for making the materials available; and (6) Provisions for assisting others to adopt and successfully implement the project or methods and techniques used by the project. (f) Key personnel. (10 points) (1) The Secretary reviews each application to determine the quality of key personnel the applicant plans to use on the project, including— (i) The qualifications, in relation to project requirements, of the project director; (ii) The qualifications, in relation to project requirements, of each of the other key personnel to be used in the project. For the Community-Based Organization Projects, the Secretary determines the qualifications, in relation to project requirements, of health professionals serving as preceptors and counselors and of each of the other key personnel to be used in the project; (iii) The appropriateness of the time that each person referred to in paragraphs (f)(1) (i) and (ii) of this section will commit to the project; and (iv) How the applicant, as part of its nondiscriminatory employment practices, will ensure that its personnel are selected for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, age, or disability. (2) To determine personnel qualifications under paragraphs (f)(1) (i) and (ii) of this section, the Secretary considers— (i) The experience and training of key personnel in project management and in fields related to the objectives of the project. For the Program for Model Consumer and Homemaking Education Projects, the Secretary also considers the experience and training of key personnel in consumer and homemaking education; and (ii) Any other qualifications of key personnel that pertain to the quality of the project. (g) Budget and cost effectiveness. (10 points) The Secretary reviews each application to determine the extent to which the budget— (1) Is cost effective and adequate to support the project activities; (2) Contains costs that are reasonable and necessary in relation to the objectives of the project; and (3) Proposes using non-Federal resources available from appropriate employment, training, and education agencies in the State to provide project services and activities and to acquire project equipment and facilities. For the Community-Based Organization Projects, the Secretary also determines the extent to which the budget includes in-kind contributions from partnership members. (h) Adequacy of resources and commitment. (5 points) (1) The Secretary reviews each application to determine the extent to which the applicant plans to devote adequate resources to the project. The Secretary considers the extent to which the— (i) Facilities that the applicant plans to use are adequate; and (ii) Equipment and supplies that the applicant plans to use are adequate. (2) The Secretary reviews each application to determine the commitment to the project, including whether the— (i) Uses of non-Federal resources are adequate to provide project services and activities, especially resources of community organizations and State and local educational agencies; and (ii) Applicant has the capacity to continue, expand, and build upon the project when Federal assistance under this part ends. (Authority: 20 U.S.C. 2420a) (a) The Secretary uses the following criteria to evaluate an application for a model consumer and homemaking education project: (1) Program factors. (10 points) The Secretary reviews the quality of the proposed project to assess the extent to which project activities will improve, expand, and update programs that will— (i) Be conducted for residents of economically depressed areas or areas with high rates of unemployment; (ii) Encourage participation of traditionally underserved populations; (iii) Encourage the elimination of sex bias and sex stereotyping; and (iv) Address priorities and emerging concerns at the local, State, and national levels, such as the articulation of secondary and postsecondary consumer and homemaking education programs and the integration of basic skills in consumer and homemaking education programs. (2) Demonstration program design. (10 points) The Secretary reviews each application to determine the extent to which the applicant— (i) Bases the proposed consumer and homemaking education project on successful model education programs that include components similar to the components required by this program, as evidenced by empirical data from those programs in such factors as— (A) Student performance and achievement; (B) Placement of students in jobs, including the preparation of students for the occupation of homemaking; and (C) Successful transfer of students to a wide variety of postsecondary educational programs; (ii) Proposes project objectives that contribute to the improvement of consumer and homemaking education; and (iii) Proposes to use unique and innovative techniques to produce benefits that address educational problems and needs that are of national significance. (b) The Secretary also uses the criteria and points in §426.21 (c) through (h) to evaluate an application. (Authority: 20 U.S.C. 2420a) The Secretary uses the following criteria to evaluate an application for a community-based organization project: (a) Program factors. (10 points) The Secretary reviews the quality of a proposed community-based organization project to assess the extent to which the proposed project— (1) Will assist disadvantaged youths in preparing for technical and professional health careers; (2) Provides for adequate and appropriate involvement of local schools, institutions of higher education, and businesses in the project, including— (i) Clear identification of partnership members; (ii) Involvement of partnership members in the planning of the project; (iii) Involvement of partnership members in the operation of the project; and (3) Will coordinate activities to ensure that the project will help meet current and projected occupational needs in the area. (b) Other criteria. The Secretary also uses the criteria and points in §426.21 (b) through (h) to evaluate an application. (Authority: 20 U.S.C. 2420a) The Secretary uses the following criteria to evaluate an application for an Agriculture Action Center: (a) Program factors. (10 points) The Secretary reviews each application for an Agriculture Action Center to determine the extent to which the proposed center will— (1) Provide vocational education to meet current and projected occupational needs; and (2) Be located in a service area that includes a high concentration of individuals who are— (i) Adversely affected by farm and rural economic downturns; (ii) Dislocated from farming; and (iii) Dislocated from agriculturally-related businesses and industries that are adversely affected by farm and rural economic downturns. (b) Other criteria. The Secretary also uses the criteria and points in §426.21 (b) through (h) to evaluate an application. (Authority: 20 U.S.C. 2420a) After evaluating applications according to criteria in §426.21, §426.22, §426.23, or §426.24, the Secretary may fund other than the most highly rated applications if doing so would improve the geographical distribution of projects funded under this part. (Authority: 20 U.S.C. 2420a) (a) A recipient of an award under this part shall provide not less than 25 percent of the total cost (the sum of the Federal and non-Federal shares) of the project it conducts under this program. (b) In accordance with subpart G of 34 CFR part 74, the non-Federal share may be in the form of cash or in-kind contributions, including the fair market value of facilities, overhead, personnel, and equipment. (Authority: 20 U.S.C. 2420a(b)(2)) Recipients must disseminate the results of projects assisted under this part in a manner designed to improve the training of teachers, other instructional personnel, counselors, and administrators who are needed to carry out the purposes of the Act. (Authority: 20 U.S.C. 2420a(d)) (a) Each grantee shall provide and budget for an independent evaluation of grant activities. (b) The evaluation must be both formative and summative in nature. (c) The evaluation must be based on student achievement, completion, and placement rates and project and product spread and transportability. (d) A proposed project evaluation design must be submitted to the Secretary for review and approval prior to the end of the first year of the project period. (e) A summary of evaluation activities and results that can be reviewed by the Department's Program Effectiveness Panel, as defined in 34 CFR 400.4(b), must be submitted to the Secretary during the last year of the project period. (Authority: 20 U.S.C. 2420a) The Secretary may restrict the amount of Federal funds made available for equipment purchases to a certain percentage of the total grant for a project. The Secretary may announce through a notice published in the (Authority: 20 U.S.C. 2420a)
Title 34: Education
PART 426—COOPERATIVE DEMONSTRATION PROGRAM
Section Contents
§ 426.1 What is the Cooperative Demonstration Program?
§ 426.2 Who is eligible for an award?
§ 426.3 What activities may the Secretary fund?
§ 426.4 What activities does the Secretary fund under the Demonstration Projects?
§ 426.5 What activities does the Secretary fund under the Program for Model Consumer and Homemaking Education Projects?
§ 426.6 What activities does the Secretary fund under the Community-Based Organization Projects?
§ 426.7 What activities does the Secretary fund under the Agriculture Action Centers?
§ 426.8 What regulations apply?
§ 426.9 What definitions apply?
§ 426.20 How does the Secretary evaluate an application?
§ 426.21 What selection criteria does the Secretary use for the Demonstration Projects?
§ 426.22 What selection criteria does the Secretary use for the Program for Model Consumer and Homemaking Education Projects?
§ 426.23 What selection criteria does the Secretary use for the Community-Based Organization Projects?
§ 426.24 What selection criteria does the Secretary use for Agriculture Action Centers?
§ 426.25 What additional factors may the Secretary consider?
§ 426.30 What is the requirement regarding cost-sharing?
§ 426.31 What is the requirement regarding dissemination?
§ 426.32 What are the evaluation requirements?
§ 426.33 May the Secretary restrict the use of funds for equipment?
Subpart A—General
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§ 426.1 What is the Cooperative Demonstration Program?
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§ 426.2 Who is eligible for an award?
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§ 426.3 What activities may the Secretary fund?
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§ 426.4 What activities does the Secretary fund under the Demonstration Projects?
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§ 426.5 What activities does the Secretary fund under the Program for Model Consumer and Homemaking Education Projects?
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§ 426.6 What activities does the Secretary fund under the Community-Based Organization Projects?
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§ 426.7 What activities does the Secretary fund under the Agriculture Action Centers?
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§ 426.8 What regulations apply?
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§ 426.9 What definitions apply?
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Subpart B [Reserved]
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Subpart C—How Does the Secretary Make an Award?
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§ 426.20 How does the Secretary evaluate an application?
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§ 426.21 What selection criteria does the Secretary use for the Demonstration Projects?
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§ 426.22 What selection criteria does the Secretary use for the Program for Model Consumer and Homemaking Education Projects?
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§ 426.23 What selection criteria does the Secretary use for the Community-Based Organization Projects?
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§ 426.24 What selection criteria does the Secretary use for Agriculture Action Centers?
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§ 426.25 What additional factors may the Secretary consider?
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Subpart D—What Conditions Must Be Met After an Award?
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§ 426.30 What is the requirement regarding cost-sharing?
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§ 426.31 What is the requirement regarding dissemination?
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§ 426.32 What are the evaluation requirements?
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§ 426.33 May the Secretary restrict the use of funds for equipment?
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