The 2005 Notice established specific selection criteria by which the Department would evaluate TAH applications (Project Quality, Significance, Quality of Project Evaluation, and Quality of Management Plan) and other application requirements.

After using these specific criteria for the last three years, we have determined that the Department needs greater flexibility in using selection criteria to evaluate TAH program applications. Accordingly, we are proposing in this notice that, in addition to the criteria established for the TAH program in the 2005 Notice, the Secretary also may use selection criteria under Sec. 75.210 and criteria based on the program statute under Sec. 75.209, or any combination of these criteria for the purpose of evaluating grant applications under the TAH program. We believe that by expanding the range of selection criteria that could be used in a specific grant competition, we will be able to administer the TAH program more effectively, better meet the program's statutory purposes and requirements, and better ensure that TAH projects are improving teacher content knowledge of traditional American history and improving student achievement in history.