The Comprehensive Centers Program (CFDA No. 84.283B) Notice of Final Priorities, Requirements, and Selection Criteria and Notice Inviting Applications were published today, June 6, 2012, in the Federal Register. The notices are available at
http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2012-06-06/pdf/2012-13735.pdf and http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2012-06-06/pdf/2012-13739.pdf.
Through the Comprehensive Centers program, Regional Centers and Content Centers provide a national network of technical assistance to support the efforts of State Educational Agencies (SEAs) to improve outcomes for all students. Under this competition, the Centers will provide high-quality technical assistance focused on building the capacity of SEAs to implement, support, scale up, and sustain initiatives statewide and to lead and support their LEAs and schools in improving student outcomes.
Key focus areas include: (1) implementing college- and career-ready standards and aligned, high-quality assessments for all students; (2) identifying, recruiting, developing, and retaining highly effective teachers and leaders; (3) turning around the lowest-performing schools; (4) ensuring the school readiness and success of preschool-age children and their successful transition to kindergarten; (5) building rigorous instructional pathways that support the successful transition of all students from secondary education to college and careers without the need for remediation; (6) identifying and scaling up innovative approaches to teaching and learning that significantly improve student outcomes; and (7) using data-based decision-making to improve instructional practices, policies, and student outcomes.
Applications are due on August 6, 2012.