Understanding the diverse educational needs of all students is at the heart of educational equity—and the Asian American and Pacific Islander Data Disaggregation Initiative (D2) is a bold step in that direction. Spearheaded by the U.S. Department of Education, the D2 program empowers State Educational Agencies (SEAs) and Local Educational Agencies (LEAs) to dig deeper into data on English Learners and AAPI subpopulations, going beyond the seven broad racial and ethnic categories used in federal data collection.
🏛️ Who Can Apply? ➤ State Educational Agencies in Partnership
Only State Educational Agencies (SEAs) are eligible to apply, but they must do so in consortia with at least one Local Educational Agency (LEA). These partnerships are crucial to accessing, analyzing, and applying disaggregated data in real-world, local educational settings. For a more detailed understanding, applicants are advised to consult the definitions listed in the Notice Inviting Applications (NIA) and FAQs.
🗓️ Important Dates to Remember for the D2 Competition
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Application Release Date: May 4, 2016
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Intent to Apply Deadline: May 24, 2016
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Send an email with subject line "Intent to Apply" to OELA.D2@ed.gov
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Include: organization name, address, absolute priority, and whether you’ll address the invitational priority
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Application Submission Deadline: August 1, 2016 by 4:30 PM EDT
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Note: This is an extended deadline, offering more time to prepare quality submissions.
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📈 Why Disaggregate? ➤ Closing Gaps with Precise Data
The D2 initiative focuses on acquiring detailed data on AAPI subgroups and English Learners to better identify achievement gaps and opportunities for targeted interventions. Rather than lumping diverse populations into a single “Asian” or “Pacific Islander” category, disaggregated data reveals educational inequities that would otherwise remain hidden.
This nuanced approach enables policymakers and educators to design evidence-based programs tailored to the actual experiences of their students.
🧾 How to Apply ➤ Step-by-Step Resources for Submission
All D2 applications must be submitted electronically via Grants.gov, unless an exemption applies. Here's what you’ll need:
Required Forms:
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ED Form 424 – Application for Federal Education Assistance
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ED Supplemental Form for SF 424
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ED Form 524 – Budget Info for Non-Construction Programs
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Standard Form 424B – Assurances
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Standard Form LLL – Disclosure of Lobbying Activities
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Grants.gov Certification Regarding Lobbying
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GEPA Section 427 Compliance
📝 Be sure to review the full D2 Application Instructions and Notice of Inviting Applications (NIA), which are both downloadable PDFs from the program page.
🖥️ Post-Award Support ➤ Technical Assistance Webinar
To assist grantees after the award, the D2 program hosted a technical assistance webinar focused on grant management, compliance, and reporting requirements.
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Date: November 7, 2016
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Time: 3:00–4:00 PM (EST)
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Materials: Microsoft PowerPoint Presentation (3.56 MB)
This session was critical for ensuring all awarded applicants are aligned with federal expectations and equipped to successfully implement the program.
🌟 Why This Matters: A Milestone for Educational Justice
The AAPI Data Disaggregation Initiative is more than a grant—it’s a step toward recognizing the full diversity of the American student experience. With more granular data, states and districts can make smarter decisions and ensure that no community is left behind due to oversimplified data categories.