[Federal Register: May 28, 1996 (Volume 61, Number 103)] [Notices] [Page 26729-26747] From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov] [[Page 26729]] _______________________________________________________________________ Part IV Department of Education _______________________________________________________________________ Comprehensive Local Reform Assistance; Notice Inviting Applications for New Awards with Fiscal Year (FY) 1995 Funds; Notice [[Page 26730]] DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION [CFDA No.: 84.317] Comprehensive Local Reform Assistance; Notice Inviting Applications for New Awards With Fiscal Year (FY) 1995 Funds Note to Applicants: This notice is a complete application package. Together with the statute authorizing the program and the Education Department General Administrative Regulations (EDGAR), the notice contains all of the information, application requirements, and instructions needed to apply for a grant under these competitions. Purpose of Program: To assist local educational agencies (LEAs) in the development and implementation of comprehensive local improvement plans directed at enabling all children to reach challenging academic standards. Eligible Applicants: LEAs in Montana and Oklahoma are eligible to apply for grants. The Secretary is especially interested in receiving applications from consortia of LEAs in these States. Note: By statute, the Secretary may award direct grants to LEAs in a State that was not participating in Goals 2000 as of October 20, 1995, if the State educational agency (SEA) approves LEA participation in the program. Five States--Alabama, Montana, New Hampshire, Oklahoma, and Virginia--were not participating in Goals 2000 as of October 20, 1995. By the date this application notice was submitted to the Federal Register, the Montana and Oklahoma SEAs had approved LEA participation in this direct grant program. If timely approval is received from one or more of the other SEAs, the Secretary will publish in the Federal Register a notice inviting applications for FY 1995 funds from LEAs in the other State(s). Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: July 15, 1996. Deadline for Intergovernmental Review: August 1, 1996. Available Funds: The amount of funds available to LEAs in Montana is $1,560,150. The amount of funds available to LEAs in Oklahoma is $4,396,613. These amounts are based on each State's FY 1995 Goals 2000 allotment. In accordance with section 402 of the Department of Education Organization Act, 20 USC 3462, the Secretary may use up to 1% of the funds from each State's allotment to pay the expenses and fees of non- Federal experts necessary to review the applications submitted in response to this notice. In the event that there are an insufficient number of funded applications from LEAs in either State to use all of the State's allotment, the Secretary may reallot the remaining funds consistent with the Act. The Secretary does not intend to conduct competitions for FY 1996 funds. Instead, pursuant to 34 CFR 75.253, the Secretary intends to make continuation awards from each State's FY 1996 allotment to successful applicants under this notice. The Secretary expects to conduct new competitions when FY 1997 funds become available. Estimated Range of Awards: $20,000-$100,000 annually. (The Secretary estimates that both the initial FY 1995 awards and the continuation awards from the FY 1996 allotments will fall within this range.) Estimated Average Size of Awards: $40,000 annually. (The Secretary estimates that both the initial FY 1995 awards and the continuation awards from the FY 1996 allotments will average $40,000.) Estimated Numbers of Awards: The estimated number of awards to LEAs in Montana is 39. The estimated number of awards to LEAs in Oklahoma is 110. (Note: These estimates are projections for the guidance of potential applicants. The Department of Education and applicants are not bound by any estimates in this notice.) Project Period: Up to 24 months. Applicable Regulations: The Education Department General Administrative Regulations (EDGAR) as follows: (1) 34 CFR Part 75 (Direct Grant Programs). (2) 34 CFR Part 77 (Definitions that Apply to Department Regulations). (3) 34 CFR Part 79 (Intergovernmental Review of Department of Education Programs and Activities). (4) 34 CFR Part 80 (Uniform Administrative Requirements for Grants and Cooperative Agreements to State and Local Governments). (5) 34 CFR Part 81 (General Education Provisions Act--Enforcement). (6) 34 CFR Part 82 (New Restrictions on Lobbying). (7) 34 CFR Part 85 (Governmentwide Debarment and Suspension (Nonprocurement) and Governmentwide Requirements for Drug-Free Workplace (Grants)). SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: (a) Background Section 304(e) of the Goals 2000: Educate America Act (Pub. L. 103- 227) (20 USC 5801 et seq.) (the Act), which was added to the Act as part of the Omnibus Consolidated Rescissions and Appropriations Act of 1996, authorizes the Secretary to award direct grants to LEAs in States that were not participating in Goals 2000 as of October 20, 1995, if the applicable SEA approves the LEAs' participation in the program. Alabama, Montana, New Hampshire, Oklahoma and Virginia were not participating in Goals 2000 as of that date. By the date this application notice was submitted to the Federal Register, the Montana and Oklahoma SEAs had approved LEA participation in this direct grant program. Under Section 304(e), the Secretary may award grants for purposes consistent with the provisions of the Act. The Goals 2000 Act is designed to help States and communities develop and implement their own education reforms focused on challenging academic standards in order to increase student academic achievement. With broad-based, grassroots involvement, LEAs participating in Goals 2000 develop comprehensive strategies for helping all students reach challenging academic standards, such as through upgrading assessments and curriculum to reflect high standards, improving the quality of teaching, expanding the use of technology, strengthening accountability for teaching and learning, and building strong partnerships among schools and families, employers, and others in the community. The Secretary has determined that grants awarded under Section 304(e) will be used to support the development and implementation of comprehensive local improvement plans designed to help all children reach challenging academic standards. In particular, the Secretary encourages LEAs to address in their applications how their reform strategies might include enhanced preservice teacher education and professional development activities of educators that are directly connected to challenging standards. Where appropriate, LEAs should use funds awarded under this notice to build upon comprehensive reform strategies that have already been initiated. An LEA that has not yet developed or completed a comprehensive local improvement plan consistent with the statutory provisions referenced in this notice may seek FY 1995 funds to do so. An LEA that has already developed such a plan may seek funds to implement the plan. LEAs are not required or expected to submit their local improvement plans to the U.S. Department of Education for review and approval, whether or not those plans are developed or implemented with funds awarded under this notice. Local plans that have been or are being developed pursuant to State requirements, and that also receive funding under Goals 2000, would only remain subject to any State review processes that may exist. [[Page 26731]] Pursuant to 34 CFR 75.253, the Secretary intends to make available to successful applicants continuation awards from their States' FY 1996 allotments. Application Requirements: The authorizing statute--section 304(e) of the Act--permits the Secretary to fund LEA applications that are consistent with the provisions of Goals 2000. The Secretary has determined that grants under this competition must be used for the development or implementation of comprehensive local improvement plans to help all students reach challenging academic standards. In particular, a local improvement plan that is developed or implemented with funds awarded under section 304(e) must be consistent with the requirements in sections 309(a)(3)(B) through (E) of the Act. Adapted to this direct grant program, these requirements specify that local plans-- (1) Describe a process of broad-based community participation in the development, implementation, and evaluation of the local improvement plan; (2) Address districtwide education improvement, directed at enabling all students to meet the State content standards and State student performance standards (or local standards, if there are no State standards), including specific goals and benchmarks; reflect the priority of the State improvement plan (if there is a comprehensive State improvement plan) and include a strategy for-- (a) Improving teaching and learning, with strategies such as enhanced professional development and preservice education activities aligned to the standards; (b) Improving governance, management, and accountability for performance; and (c) Generating, maintaining, and strengthening parental and community involvement. (3) Promote the flexibility of local schools in developing plans that address the particular needs of their school and community and are consistent with the local improvement plan; and (4) Describe how the LEA will encourage and assist schools to develop and implement comprehensive school improvement plans that focus on helping all students reach State (or local) content standards and student performance standards. Selection Criteria: The Secretary will use the following selection criteria in 34 CFR 75.210 to evaluate applications under this competition. The maximum score for all of the criteria is 100 points. The maximum score for each criterion is indicated in parenthesis with the criterion. (1) Meeting the purposes of the authorizing statute. (30 points) The Secretary reviews each application to determine how well the project will meet the purposes of the authorizing statute, including consideration of: (i) The objectives of the project; and (ii) How the objectives of the project further the purposes of the authorizing statute. (2) Extent of need for the project. (24 points) The Secretary reviews each application to determine the extent to which the project meets specific needs recognized in the statute that authorizes the program, including consideration of: (i) The needs addressed by the project; (ii) How the applicant identified those needs; (iii) How those needs will be met by the project; and (iv) The benefits to be gained by meeting those needs. (3) Plan of operation. (18 points) The Secretary reviews each application to determine the quality of the plan of operation for the project, including: (i) The quality of the design of the project; (ii) The extent to which the plan of management is effective and ensures proper and efficient administration of the project; (iii) How well the objectives of the project relate to the purpose of the program; (iv) The quality of the applicant's plan to use its resources and personnel to achieve each objective; and (v) 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. (4) Quality of key personnel. (7 points) (i) The Secretary reviews each application to determine the quality of key personnel the applicant plans to use on the project, including: (A) The qualifications of the project director (if one is to be used); (B) The qualifications of each of the other key personnel to be used in the project; (C) The time that each person referred to in paragraphs (4)(i)(A) and (B) will commit to the project; and (D) 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. (ii) To determine personnel qualifications under paragraphs (4)(i)(A) and (B), the Secretary considers: (A) Experience and training in fields related to the objectives of the project; and (B) Any other qualifications that pertain to the quality of the project. (5) Budget and effectiveness. (5 points) The Secretary reviews each application to determine the extent to which: (i) The budget is adequate to support the project; and (ii) Costs are reasonable in relation to the objectives of the project. (6) Evaluation plan. (13 points) The Secretary reviews each application to determine the quality of the evaluation plan for the project, including the extent to which the applicant's methods of evaluation: (i) Are appropriate to the project; and (ii) To the extent possible, are objective and produce data that are quantifiable. (7) Adequacy of resources. (3 points) The Secretary reviews each application to determine the adequacy of the resources that the applicant plans to devote to the project, including facilities, equipment, and supplies. Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs: This program is subject to the requirements of Executive Order 12372 (Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs) and the regulations in 34 CFR Part 79. The objective of the Executive Order is to foster an intergovernmental partnership and to strengthen federalism by relying on State processes and on State, areawide, regional, and local coordination for review of proposed Federal financial assistance. Montana and Oklahoma have not adopted State intergovernmental review processes. Therefore, State, areawide, regional, and local entities may submit comments directly to the Department. Any comments submitted pursuant to the executive order must be mailed or hand-delivered by the date indicated in this notice to the following address: The Secretary, E.O. 12372--CFDA# 84.317, U.S. Department of Education, Room 6300, 600 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20202. Proof of mailing will be determined on the same basis as applications (see 34 CFR 75.102). Recommendations or comments may be hand-delivered until 4:30 p.m. (Washington, D.C. time) on the date indicated in this notice. Please note that the above address is not the same address as the one to which the applicant submits its completed application. Do not send applications to the above address. Instructions for transmittal of applications: (a) If an applicant wants to apply for a grant, the applicant shall-- [[Page 26732]] (1) Mail the original and two copies of the application on or before the deadline date to: U.S. Department of Education, Application Control Center, Attention: (CFDA # 84.317), Washington, D.C. 20202- 4725, or (2) Hand deliver the original and two copies of the application by 4:30 p.m. (Washington, D.C. time) on the deadline date to: U.S. Department of Education, Application Control Center, Attention: (CFDA# 84.317), Room #3633, Regional Office Building #3, 7th and D Streets, S.W., Washington, D.C. (b) An applicant must show one of the following as proof of mailing: (1) A legibly dated U.S. Postal Service postmark. (2) A legible mail receipt with the date of mailing stamped by the U.S. Postal Service. (3) A dated shipping label, invoice, or receipt from a commercial carrier. (4) Any other proof of mailing acceptable to the Secretary. (c) If an application is mailed through the U.S. Postal Service, the Secretary does not accept either of the following as proof of mailing: (1) A private metered postmark. (2) A mail receipt that is not dated by the U.S. Postal Service. Notes: (1) The U.S. Postal Service does not uniformly provide a dated postmark. Before relying on this method, an applicant should check with its local post office. (2) The Application Control Center will mail a Grant Application Receipt Acknowledgment to each applicant. If an applicant fails to receive the notification of application receipt within 15 days from the date of mailing the application, the applicant should call the U.S. Department of Education Application Control Center at (202) 708-9494. (3) The applicant must indicate on the envelope and in Item 10 of the Application for Federal Assistance (Standard Form 424) the CFDA number of the competition under which the application is being submitted (CFDA# 84.317). Application Instructions and Forms: The appendix to this application is divided into three parts, plus a statement regarding estimated public reporting burden and various assurances and certifications. These parts and additional materials are organized in the same manner that the submitted application should be organized. The parts and additional materials are as follows: Part I: Application for Federal Assistance (Standard Form 424 (Rev. 4-88)) and instructions. Part II: Budget Information--Non-Construction Programs (Standard Form 524A) and instructions. Part III: Application Narrative. Additional Materials: Estimated Public Reporting Burden; Assurances--Non-Construction Programs (Standard Form 424B); Certifications regarding Lobbying; Debarment, Suspension, and Other Responsibility Matters; and Drug-Free Workplace Requirements (ED 80- 0013). Certification regarding Debarment, Suspension, Ineligibility and Voluntary Exclusion: Lower Tier Covered Transactions (ED 80-0014, 9/90) and instructions. (NOTE: ED 80-0014 is intended for the use of grantees and should not be transmitted to the Department.) Disclosure of Lobbying Activities (Standard Form LLL) (if applicable) and instructions. This document has been marked to reflect statutory changes. See the notice published by the Office of Management and Budget at 61 FR 1413 (January 19, 1996). Notice to All Applicants An applicant may submit information on a photostatic copy of the application and budget forms, the assurances, and the certifications. However, the application form, the assurances, and the certifications must each have an original signature. No grant may be awarded unless a completed application form has been received. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Thomas Fagan, U.S. Department of Education, 600 Independence Avenue, S.W., Portals Building, Room 4000, Washington, D.C. 20202-2110, Telephone: (202) 401-0039, FAX: (202) 205- 0303. Individuals who use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 1-800- 877-8339 between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m., Eastern time. Information about the Department's funding opportunities, including copies of application notices for discretionary grant competitions, can be viewed on the Department's electronic bulletin board (ED Board), telephone (202) 260-9950; or on the Internet Gopher Server at GOPHER.ED.GOV (under Announcements, Bulletins, and Press Releases). However, the official application notice for a discretionary grant competition is the notice published in the Federal Register. Program Authority: Section 304(e) of the Goals 2000: Educate America Act, 20 U.S.C. 5884(b). Dated: May 21, 1996. Gerald N. Tirozzi, Assistant Secretary Elementary and Secondary Education. BILLING CODE 4000-01-P [[Page 26733]] Appendix [GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN28MY96.002 [[Page 26734]] [GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN28MY96.003 [[Page 26735]] [GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN28MY96.004 [[Page 26736]] [GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN28MY96.005 [[Page 26737]] [GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN28MY96.006 [[Page 26738]] [GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN28MY96.007 BILLING CODE 4000-01-C [[Page 26739]] Instructions for Part III Application Narrative Before preparing the Application Narrative an applicant should read the information in this notice, including the selection criteria the Secretary uses to evaluate applications. The narrative should encompass each function or activity for which funds are being requested and should-- 1. Begin with an Abstract; that is, a summary of your proposal; 2. Describe the proposal in light of each of the selection criteria in the order in which the criteria are listed in this application; and 3. Include any other pertinent information that might assist the Secretary in reviewing the application. The Secretary strongly requests the applicant to limit the Application Narrative to no more than 20 double-spaced, typed pages (on one side only), although the Secretary will consider applications of greater length. The Department has found that successful applications for similar programs generally meet this page limit. Instructions for Estimated Public Reporting Burden According to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, no persons are required to respond to a collection of information unless it displays a valid OMB control number. The valid OMB control number for this information collection is 1810-0594 (Expiration date: August 31, 1996). The time required to complete this information collection is estimated to average 50 hours per response, including the time to review instructions, search existing data resources, gather the data needed, and complete and review the information collection. If you have any comments concerning the accuracy of the time estimate(s) or suggestions for improving this form, please write to: U.S. Department of Education, Washington, D.C. 20202-4651. If you have comments or concerns regarding the status of your individual submission of this form, write directly to: Thomas Fagan, U.S. Department of Education, 600 Independence Avenue, S.W., Portals Building, Room 4000, Washington, D.C. 20202-2110. BILLING CODE 4000-01-P [[Page 26740]] [GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN28MY96.008 [[Page 26741]] [GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN28MY96.009 [[Page 26742]] [GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN28MY96.010 [[Page 26743]] [GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN28MY96.011 [[Page 26744]] [GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN28MY96.012 [[Page 26745]] [GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN28MY96.013 [[Page 26746]] [GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN28MY96.014 BILLING CODE 4000-01-C [[Page 26747]] Notice to All Applicants Thank you for your interest in this program. The purpose of this enclosure is to inform you about a new provision in the Department of Education's General Education Provisions Act (GEPA) that applies to applicants for new grant awards under Department programs. This provision is section 427 of GEPA, enacted as part of the Improving America's Schools Act of 1994 (Pub. L. 103-382). To Whom Does This Provision Apply? Section 427 of GEPA affects applicants for new discretionary grant awards under this program. ALL APPLICANTS FOR NEW AWARDS MUST INCLUDE INFORMATION IN THEIR APPLICATIONS TO ADDRESS THIS NEW PROVISION IN ORDER TO RECEIVE FUNDING UNDER THIS PROGRAM. What Does This Provision Require? Section 427 requires each applicant for funds (other than an individual person) to include in its application a description of the steps the applicant proposes to take to ensure equitable access to, and participation in, its federally-assisted program for students, teachers, and other program beneficiaries with special needs. This section allows applicants discretion in developing the required description. The statute highlights six types of barriers that can impede equitable access or participation that you may address: gender, race, national origin, color, disability, or age. Based on local circumstances, you can determine whether these or other barriers may prevent your students, teachers, etc. from equitable access or participation. Your description need not be lengthy; you may provide a clear and succinct description of how you plan to address those barriers that are applicable to your circumstances. In addition, the information may be provided in a single narrative, or, if appropriate, may be discussed in connection with related topics in the application. Section 427 is not intended to duplicate the requirements of civil rights statutes, but rather to ensure that, in designing their projects, applicants for Federal funds address equity concerns that may affect the ability of certain potential beneficiaries to fully participate in the project and to achieve to high standards. Consistent with program requirements and its approved application, an applicant may use the Federal funds awarded to it to eliminate barriers it identifies. What Are Examples of How an Applicant Might Satisfy the Requirement of This Provision? The following examples may help illustrate how an applicant may comply with section 427. (1) An applicant that proposes to carry out an adult literacy project serving, among others, adults with limited English proficiency, might describe in its application how it intends to distribute a brochure about the proposed project to such potential participants in their native language. (2) An applicant that proposes to develop instructional materials for classroom use might describe how it will make the materials available on audio tape or in braille for students who are blind. (3) An applicant that proposes to carry out a model science program for secondary students and is concerned that girls may be less likely than boys to enroll in the course, might indicate how it tends to conduct ``outreach'' efforts to girls, to encourage their enrollment. We recognize that many applicants may already be implementing effective steps to ensure equity of access and participation in their grant programs, and we appreciate your cooperation in responding to the requirements of this provision. Estimated Burden Statement According to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, no persons are required to respond to a collection of information unless it displays a valid OMB control number. The valid OMB control number for this information collection is 1801-0004 (Exp. 8/31/98). The time required to complete this information collection is estimated to vary from 1 to 3 hours per response, with an average of 1.5 hours, including the time to review instructions, search existing data resources, gather and maintain the data needed, and complete and review the information collection. If you have any comments concerning the accuracy of the time estimate(s) or suggestions for improving this form, please write to: U.S. Department of Education, Washington, DC 20202-4651. [FR Doc. 96-13291 Filed 5-24-96; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4000-01-P