[Federal Register: April 24, 1996 (Volume 61, Number 80)] [Notices] [Page 18214-18217] From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION Jacob K. Javits Gifted and Talented Students Education Program AGENCY: Department of Education. ACTION: Notice of final priorities. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: The Secretary announces an absolute priority and a competitive preference priority under the Jacob K. Javits Gifted and Talented Students Education Program. The Secretary takes this action to focus Federal financial assistance on specific approaches to identifying and serving gifted and talented students. The Secretary may use these priorities in FY 1996 and subsequent years. EFFECTIVE DATE: These priorities take effect May 24, 1966. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Janet Williams, U.S. Department of Education, 555 New Jersey Avenue, N.W., Room 504, Washington, D.C. 20208-5645. Fax: (202) 219-2053; Telephone: (202) 219-1674. 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, Monday through Friday. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Jacob K. Javits Gifted and Talented Students Education Program is designed to build nationwide capability in gifted and talented education and encourage rich and challenging curricula for all children. The Secretary seeks to improve the education of gifted and talented children, and to promote the use of strategies developed in gifted and talented education programs to help improve the education of all students. The Secretary believes that improving the education of gifted and talented students is an integral part of achieving the National Education Goals, which require that every student attain higher standards of academic excellence. The Secretary is particularly concerned that the educational needs of gifted and talented students from populations historically underserved by gifted and talented education programs be addressed. In addition, the Secretary wants to see gifted and talented education programs contribute to systemic education reform by modeling coordinated systems of challenging standards and assessments, curricula, and teacher preparation aligned with those standards to improve education. The Secretary believes that the use of challenging content and performance standards is the most promising way to raise students' achievement. Therefore, the Secretary announces an absolute priority that would support the development of model demonstration programs that focus on economically disadvantaged children, children with limited English proficiency, or children with disabilities. Each project would be required to involve a school or schools that serve at least 50 percent low-income children and to incorporate professional development of staff and training of parents into the program. In addition, the program must be based on challenging content and performance standards in one or more of the core subject areas, and include a comprehensive improvement plan for each school involved in the project. The Secretary announces a competitive priority to direct financial assistance to projects that primarily benefit areas that have been designated as Empowerment Zones or Enterprise Communities in accordance with Section 1391 of the Internal Revenue Code (IRC), as amended by Title XIII of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (OBRA) of 1993. [[Page 18215]] Background on Empowerment Zone and Enterprise Community Program--(EZ/ EC) The Empowerment Zone and Enterprise Community program is a critical element of the Administration's community revitalization strategy. The program is the first step in rebuilding communities in America's poverty-stricken inner cities and rural heartlands. It is designed to empower people and communities by inspiring Americans to work together to create jobs and opportunity. The Departments of Agriculture (USDA) and Housing and Urban Development (HUD) have designated empowerment zones and enterprise communities, which are communities located within the cities and counties listed in the appendix. The Empowerment Zones and Enterprise Communities were designated based on locally-developed strategic plans that comprehensively address how the community will link economic development with education and training, as well as how community development, public safety, human services, and environmental initiatives together will support sustainable communities. Designated areas will receive Federal grant funds and substantial tax benefits and will have access to other Federal programs. (For additional information on the Urban EZ/EC program contact HUD at 1-800-998-9999 and for the rural EZ/EC program contact USDA at 1-800-645-4712.) The Department of Education is supporting the Empowerment Zone and the Enterprise Community initiative in a variety of ways. It is encouraging zones to use funds they already receive from Department of Education programs (including Title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, the Safe and Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act, the Adult Education Act, and the Carl D. Perkins Vocational and Applied Technology Education Act) to support the comprehensive vision of their strategic plans. In addition, the Department of Education is giving preferences to EZ/ECs in a number of discretionary grant programs that are well suited for inclusion in a comprehensive approach to economic and community development. The Empowerment Zone initiative and the Jacob K. Javits Gifted and Talented Students Education Program share some common features. Both programs are concerned with the educational advancement of students caught in high-poverty communities. Under the Javits Gifted and Talented Education Program, at least one-half of the grants in any given year must serve students who are economically disadvantaged, limited English proficient or who have disabilities. Communities that have been designated as Empowerment Zones or Enterprise Communities have demonstrated a capacity for the type of planning that allows communities to use, where appropriate, methods and materials developed in gifted and talented programs to improve the educational opportunities for all children. On February 23, 1996, the Secretary published a notice of proposed priorities for this program in the Federal Register (61 FR 6980). The Secretary has made no changes in these priorities since publication of the notice of proposed priorities. Note: This notice of final priorities does not solicit applications. A notice inviting applications under these priorities for fiscal year 1996 is published elsewhere in this issue of the Federal Register. Analysis of the Comments and Changes In response to the Secretary's invitation on the notice of proposed priorities, four of the 10 parties submitting comments made recommendations. Two of the commenters expressed support for the priorities without making recommendations for change. Five of the commenters asked for more information about the Javits Gifted and Talented Students Education Program, or the Program's future, or the application for the competition. An analysis of the recommendations submitted by four commenters follows. Comments: Two commenters objected to the requirement that the school must serve at least 50 percent low-income children. One commenter questioned his school's eligibility for funding or whether funding would be based solely on economic needs and standards. The other commenter expressed concern that every solicitation, with which he is familiar, from the U.S. Department of Education, the National Science Foundation, as well as from his own State Education Department is narrowed in such a way that only specific kinds of enterprises can compete. Discussion: The legislation creating the Jacob K. Javits Gifted and Talented Students Education Program requires the Secretary to give highest priority to programs serving economically disadvantaged, limited English proficient, and disabled students who are gifted and talented. The Secretary believes that there are many gifted and talented students who come from disadvantaged backgrounds, and who are not recognized or served by traditional gifted and talented education programs. He believes that these projects will serve as models for ways to identify and serve these students more effectively. Changes: None. Comments: One commenter expressed concern that the Competitive Preference Priority for Empowerment Zones and Enterprise Communities (EZ/EC) excluded some of the most needy socioeconomic and geographic areas, such as the rural communities in his State. Discussion: The list of EZ/ECs, which were designated by the Departments of Agriculture and Housing and Urban Development, contains some rural areas. These EZ/ECs have great need and have already established comprehensive community development plans. The Secretary believes that the limited resources available would have the greatest impact if the funds are directed to these communities. Awarding five (5) additional points to applications from EZ/ECs will not preclude consideration of applications that address the needs of students in other needy geographic areas. Changes: None. Comments: Another commenter objected to the use of the Competitive Preference Priority for EZ/ECs because it would eliminate the possibility of projects from his State being seriously considered for funding. This commenter recommended the priorities focus on the research that is needed to improve services to gifted students. Discussion: The legislation creating the Jacob K. Javits Gifted and Talented Students Education Program contains provisions for a National Center for Research and Development in the Education of Gifted and Talented Children and Youth. The Center is responsible for carrying out the research on methods and techniques for identifying and teaching gifted and talented students. The legislation restricts the amount of funding available for this activity to no more than 30% of the total amount available for the Program. The Secretary believes the remainder of the funds are best used to support demonstration projects to serve the needs of the target audience. Changes: None. Priorities Under 34 CFR 75.105(c)(3) the Secretary gives an absolute preference to applications that meet the following priority. The Secretary funds under this competition only applications that meet this absolute priority: [[Page 18216]] Absolute Priority--Model Programs Projects that establish and operate model programs to serve gifted and talented students in schools in which at least 50 percent of the students enrolled are from low-income families. Projects must include students who may not be served by traditional gifted and talented programs, including economically disadvantaged students, limited English proficient students, and students with disabilities. The projects must incorporate high-level content and performance standards in one or more of the core subject areas as well as utilize innovative teaching strategies. The projects must provide comprehensive ongoing professional development opportunities for staff. The projects must incorporate training for parents in ways to support their children's educational progress. There must also be comprehensive evaluation of the projects' activities. The Secretary believes that the limited resources available under the Jacob K. Javits Gifted and Talented Students Education Program will have the greatest impact if the funds are directed to communities that have the greatest need and have already established comprehensive community development plans. Therefore, the Secretary establishes the following competitive priority to focus Federal funds on gifted and talented projects that would address the needs of Empowerment Zones or Enterprise Communities. Competitive Preference Priority--Empowerment Zone or Enterprise Community Within this absolute priority concerning model projects, the Secretary, under 34 CFR 75.105(c)(2)(i), gives preference to applications that meet the following competitive priority. The Secretary awards five (5) points to an application that meets this competitive priority. These points would be in addition to any points the application earns under the evaluation criteria for the program: Projects that implement model programs in one or more schools in an Empowerment Zone or Enterprise Community or that primarily serve students who reside in the EZ or EC. Applicants must ensure that the proposed program relates to the strategic plan and will be an integral part of the Empowerment Zone or Enterprise Community program. Intergovernmental Review This program is subject to the requirements of Executive Order 12372 and the regulations in 34 CFR Part 79. The objective of the Executive order is to foster an intergovernmental partnership and a strengthened federalism by relying on processes developed by State and local governments for coordination and review of proposed Federal financial assistance. In accordance with the order, this document is intended to provide early notification of the Department's specific plans and actions for this program. Applicable Regulations: (a) 34 CFR Parts 74, 75, 77, 79, 80, 81, 85 and 86; and (b) the final regulations for Standards for the Conduct and Evaluation of Activities Carried Out by the Office of Educational Research and Improvement (OERI)--Evaluation of Applications for Grants and Cooperative Agreements and Proposals for Contracts, published on September 14, 1995 in the Federal Register (60 FR 47808) and to be codified at 34 CFR Part 700. Note: The regulations in 34 CFR Part 791 previously applicable to this program will no longer apply to this program. Program Authority: 20 U.S.C 8032-8036. (Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number 84.206A, Jacob K. Javits Gifted and Talented Students Education Program). Dated: April 18, 1996. Sharon P. Robinson, Assistant Secretary for Educational Research and Improvement. Appendix--Empowerment Zones and Enterprise Communities Empowerment Zones (EZ) Georgia: Atlanta Illinois: Chicago Kentucky: Kentucky Highlands* Maryland: Baltimore Michigan: Detroit Mississippi: Mid Delta* New York: Harlem, Bronx Pennsylvania/New Jersey: Philadelphia, Camden Texas: Rio Grande Valley* Supplemental Empowerment Zones (SEZ) California: Los Angeles Ohio: Cleveland Enterprise Communities (EC) Alabama: Birmingham Alabama: Chambers County* Alabama: Greene, Sumter Counties* Arizona: Phoenix Arizona: Arizona Border* Arkansas: East Central* Arkansas: Mississippi County* Arkansas: Pulaski County California: Imperial County* California: Los Angeles, Huntington Park California: San Diego California: San Francisco, Bayview, Hunter's Point California: Watsonville* Colorado: Denver Connecticut: Bridgeport Connecticut: New Haven Delaware: Wilmington District of Columbia: Washington Florida: Jackson County* Florida: Tampa Florida: Miami, Dade County Georgia: Albany Georgia: Central Savannah* Georgia: Crisp, Dooley Counties* Illinois: East St. Louis Illinois: Springfield Indiana: Indianapolis Iowa: Des Moines Kentucky: Louisville Louisiana: Northeast Delta* Louisiana: Macon Ridge* Louisiana: New Orleans Louisiana: Ouachita Parish Massachusetts: Lowell Massachusetts: Springfield Michigan: Five Cap* Michigan: Flint Michigan: Muskegon Minnesota: Minneapolis Minnesota: St. Paul Mississippi: Jackson Mississippi: North Delta* Missouri: East Prairie* Missouri: St. Louis Nebraska: Omaha Nevada: Clarke County, Las Vegas New Hampshire: Manchester New Jersey: Newark New Mexico: Albuquerque New Mexico: Moro, Rico Arriba, Taos Counties* New York: Albany, Schenectady, Troy New York: Buffalo New York: Newburgh, Kingston New York: Rochester North Carolina: Charlotte North Carolina: Halifax, Edgecombe, Wilson Counties* North Carolina: Robeson County* Ohio: Akron Ohio: Columbus Ohio: Greater Portsmouth* Oklahoma: Choctaw, McCurtain Counties* Oklahoma: Oklahoma City Oregon: Josephine* Oregon: Portland Pennsylvania: Harrisburg Pennsylvania: Lock Haven* Pennsylvania: Pittsburg Rhode Island: Providence South Carolina: Charleston South Carolina: Williamsburg County* South Dakota: Beadle, Spink Counties* Tennessee: Fayette, Haywood Counties* Tennessee: Memphis Tennessee: Nashville Tennessee/Kentucky: Scott, McCreary Counties* Texas: Dallas Texas: El Paso Texas: San Antonio Texas: Waco Utah: Ogden Vermont: Burlington Virginia: Accomack* Virginia: Norfolk Washington: Lower Yakima* Washington: Seattle Washington: Tacoma West Virginia: West Central* West Virginia: Huntington [[Page 18217]] West Virginia: McDowell* Wisconsin: Milwaukee *denotes rural designee Enhanced Enterprise Communities (EEC) California: Oakland Massachusetts: Boston Missouri/ Kansas: Kansas City, Kansas City Texas: Houston [FR Doc. 96-10012 Filed 4-23-96; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4000-01-P