[Federal Register: May 24, 1996 (Volume 61, Number 102)] [Notices] [Page 26395-26416] From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov] [[Page 26395]] _______________________________________________________________________ Part VI Department of Education _______________________________________________________________________ Foreign Language Assistance Grants (State Education Agencies); Inviting Applications for New Awards for Fiscal Year 1996; Notice [[Page 26396]] DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION [CFDA No.: 84.293C] Foreign Language Assistance Grants (State Educational Agencies); Notice Inviting Applications for New Awards for Fiscal Year (FY) 1996 Note to Applicants: This notice is a complete application package. Together with the statute authorizing the program and applicable regulations governing the program, including the Education Department General Administrative Regulations (EDGAR), this notice contains all of the information, application forms, and instructions needed to apply for an award under this competition. Purpose of Program: This program provides grants to pay for the Federal share of the cost of innovative model programs providing for the establishment, improvement, or expansion of foreign language study for elementary and secondary school students. In awarding grants under this program, the Secretary supports projects that promote systemic approaches to improving foreign language learning in the State. Eligible Applicants: State educational agencies. Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: June 24, 1996. Deadline for Intergovernmental Review: August 23,1996. Available Funds: $1,500,000. Estimated Range of Awards: $30,000-$70,000. Estimated Average Size of Awards: $50,000. Estimated Number of Awards: 30. Note: The Department is not bound by any estimates in this notice. Project Period: 36 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)). Description of Program: Part B of Title VII of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, as amended (the Act), authorizes the Foreign Language Assistance Grants program. Appropriations for this program are authorized by section 7206 of the Act. Section 7203(c)(3) of the Act provides that at least 75 percent of the funds appropriated under section 7206 shall be used for the expansion of foreign language learning in elementary grades. The Secretary does not fund projects that propose Native American languages. Priorities: Under 34 CFR 75.105(c)(2)(i) the Secretary gives preference to applications that meet the following competitive priority. The Secretary awards five points to an application that meets this competitive priority in a particularly effective way. These points would be in addition to any points the application earns under the selection criteria for the program: Competitive Preference Priority 1--Less Commonly Taught Languages of Major Economic and Political Importance to the United States (5 points). Supplementary Information: The Senate Committee on Appropriations noted that three-fourth's of the world's population, including some major United States trading partners, speak Japanese, Chinese, Russian, Arabic, or Korean. S. REP. No. 318, 103rd Cong. 2nd Sess. 187 (1994). In addition, the Committee pointed out that these languages are seldom offered in our schools and that truly effective language training must begin in the elementary grades. In order to address this important concern, the Secretary gives an additional five points to an application that meets the competitive priority in a particularly effective way. Priority Projects that propose to establish, improve, or expand foreign language learning in the elementary grades and that focus on any of the following languages: Japanese, Chinese, Russian, Arabic, or Korean. Waiver of Proposed Rulemaking In accordance with the Administrative Procedures Act (5 U.S.C. 553), it is the practice of the Department of Education to offer interested parties the opportunity to comment on proposed priorities. Because of the lateness of Congress in passing the fiscal year 1996 budget for this agency, the Department has determined that publication of a proposed priority would interfere with an orderly, responsible grant award process. The Secretary, therefore, has determined, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(B), that publication of a proposed priority is impracticable and contrary to the public interest. Under 34 CFR 75.105(b)(2)(iv) and (c)(2)(i) and section 7204(b) of the Act (20 U.S.C. 7514(b)), the Secretary gives preference to applications that meet the following competitive priority. The Secretary awards three points to an application that meets this competitive priority in a particularly effective way. These points would be in addition to any points the application earns under the selection criteria for the program: Competitive Preference Priority 2--Special Considerations (3 points). Priority Projects that propose to carry out one or more of the following activities: (1) intensive summer foreign language programs for professional development; (2) linking non-native English speakers in the community with the schools in order to promote two-way language learning; or (3) promoting the sequential study of a foreign language, beginning in elementary schools. Selection Criteria (a)(1) The Secretary uses the following selection criteria to evaluate applications for the new grants under this competition. (2) The maximum score for all of these criteria is 100 points. (3) The maximum score for each criterion is indicated in parentheses. (b) The criteria.--(1) Meeting the purposes of the authorizing statute. (37 points) The Secretary reviews each application to determine how well the project will meet the purpose of Part B of Title VII of the Act, including consideration of-- (i) The objectives of the project: and (ii) How the objectives of the project further the purposes of the Act. (2) Extent of need for the project. (20 points) The Secretary reviews each application to determine the extent to which the project meets specific needs recognized in the Act, 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. (20 points) The Secretary reviews each application to [[Page 26397]] 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; (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 handicapping condition; and (vi) For grants under a program that requires the applicant to provide an opportunity for participation of students enrolled in private schools, the quality of the applicant's plan to provide that opportunity. (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 (b)(4)(i) (A) and (B) of this section 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 handicapping condition. (ii) To determine personnel qualifications under paragraphs (b)(4)(i) (A) and (B) of this section, 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 cost 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. (8 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. (Cross-reference: See 34 CFR 75.590 Evaluation by the recipient.) (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 and local processes for State and local government coordination and review of proposed Federal financial assistance. Applicants must contact the appropriate State Single Point of Contact to find out about, and to comply with, the State's process under Executive order 12372. Applicants proposing to perform activities in more than one State should immediately contact the Single Point of Contact for each of those States and follow the procedure established in each State under the Executive order. If you want to know the name and address of any State Single Point of Contact, see the list published in the Federal Register on August 10, 1995 (60 FR 40980 and 40981). In States that have not established a process or chosen a program for review, State, areawide, regional, and local entities may submit comments directly to the Department. Any State Process Recommendation and other comments submitted by a State Single Point of Contact and any comments from State, areawide, regional, and local entities must be mailed or hand-delivered by the date indicated in this notice to the following address: The Secretary, E.O. 12372--CFDA# 84.293C, U.S. Department of Education, Room 6213, 600 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20202-0125. 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. (Eastern 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-- (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# 84.293C), Washington, D.C. 20202-4725 or (2) Hand deliver the original and two copies of the application by 4:30 p.m. (Eastern time) on or before the deadline date to: U.S. Department of Education, Application Control Center, Attention: (CFDA# 84.293C), 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--if not provided by the Department--in Item 10 of the Application for Federal Assistance (Standard Form 424) the CFDA number--and suffix letter, if any--of the competition under which the application is being submitted. Application Instructions and Forms The appendix to this application is divided into three parts plus a statement regarding estimated public reporting burden, guidance on addressing the EDGAR selection criteria, and various assurances, certifications, and required documentation. These parts and additional materials are organized in the same manner that the submitted [[Page 26398]] 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 (ED Form No. 524) and instructions. Part III: Application Narrative. Additional Materials a. Estimated Public Reporting Burden. b. Part B of Title VII of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, as amended (the Act). c. Guidance on Addressing the EDGAR Selection Criteria. d. Additional Non-Regulatory Guidance: Questions and Answers. e. Group Application Certification. f. State Educational Agency Data Form. g. Assurances--Non-Construction Programs (Standard Form 424B) and instructions. h. Certifications Regarding Lobbying; Debarment, Suspension, and Other Responsibility Matters; and Drug-Free Workplace Requirements (ED 80-0013) and instructions. i. 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.) j. 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). k. 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. All applicants must submit ONE original signed application, including ink signatures on all forms and assurances, and TWO copies of the application. Please mark each application as ``original'' or ``copy''. No grant may be awarded unless a completed application form has been received. For Further Information Contact: Harpreet Sandhu, U.S. Department of Education, 600 Independence Avenue, S.W., Room 5090, Switzer Building, Washington, D.C. 20202-6510. Telephone: (202) 205-9808. 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. 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; on the Internet Gopher Server at GOPHER.ED.GOV (under Announcements, Bulletins, and Press Releases); or on the World Wide Web (at http://www.ed.gov/money.html). However, the official application notice for a discretionary grant competition is the notice published in the Federal Register. Program Authority: 20 U.S.C. 7511-7514. Dated: May 20, 1996. Delia Pompa, Director, Office of Bilingual Education and Minority Languages Affairs. BILLING CODE 4000-01-P [[Page 26399]] Appendix [GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN24MY96.128 [[Page 26400]] [GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN24MY96.129 [[Page 26401]] [GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN24MY96.130 [[Page 26402]] [GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN24MY96.131 BILLING CODE 4000-01-C [[Page 26403]] Public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated to vary from 13 to 22 hours per response, with an average of 17.5 hours, including the time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the collection of information. Send comments regarding this burden estimate or any other aspect of this collection of information, including suggestions for reducing this burden, to the U.S. Department of Education, Information Management and Compliance Division, Washington, DC 20202-4651; and the Office of Management and Budget, Paperwork Reduction Project 1875-0102, Washington, DC 20503. Instructions for ED Form No. 524 General Instructions This form is used to apply to individual U.S. Department of Education discretionary grant programs. Unless directed otherwise, provide the same budget information for each year of the multi-year funding request. Pay attention to applicable program specific instructions, if attached. Section A--Budget Summary, U.S. Department of Education Funds All applicants must complete Section A and provide a breakdown by the applicable budget categories shown in lines 1-11. Lines 1-11, columns (a)-(e): For each project year for which funding is requested, show the total amount requested for each applicable budget category. Lines 1-11, column (f): Show the multi-year total for each budget category. If funding is requested for only one project year, leave this column blank. Line 12, columns (a)-(e): Show the total budget request for each project year for which funding is requested. Line 12, column (f): Show the total amount requested for all project years. If funding is requested for only one year, leave this space blank. Section B--Budget Summary, Non-Federal Funds If you are required to provide or volunteer to provide matching funds or other non-Federal resources to the project, these should be shown for each applicable budget category on lines 1-11 of Section B. Lines 1-11, columns (a)-(e): For each project year for which matching funds or other contributions are provided, show the total contribution for each applicable budget category. Lines 1-11, column (f); Show the multi-year total for each budget category. If non-Federal contributions are provided for only one year, leave this column blank. Line 12, columns (a)-(e): Show the total matching or other contribution for each project year. Line 12, column (f): Show the total amount to be contributed for all years of the multi- year project. If non-Federal contributions are provided for only one year, leave this blank. Section C--Other Budget Information, Pay Attention to Applicable Program Specific Instructions, if Attached 1. Provide an itemized budget breakdown, by project year, for each budget category listed in Sections A and B. 2. If applicable to this program, enter the types of indirect rate (provisional, predetermined, final or fixed) that will be in effect during the funding period. In addition, enter the estimated amount of the base to which the rate is applied, and the total indirect expense. 3. If applicable to this program, provide the rate and base on which fringe benefits are calculated. 4. Provide other explanations or comments you deem necessary. Instructions for Application Narrative Before preparing the Application Narrative an applicant should read carefully the description of program, the information regarding priorities, and 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 the proposed project; 2. Describe the proposed project in light of each of the selection criteria in the order in which the criteria are listed in this application package; and 3. Include any other pertinent information that might assist the Secretary in reviewing the application. Applicants should note the non-regulatory guidance provided on subsequent pages in regard to addressing the EDGAR selection criteria. Under the listed EDGAR criteria, selected provisions are quoted from the authorizing statute in order to indicate where applicants may appropriately address these provisions. These provisions are statutory requirements and must be addressed in order to receive a grant. The narrative must be limited to no more than 35 double-spaced, typed pages (on one side only), including appendices. This limit applies to the pages containing the narrative and any accompanying tables, graphs, and charts; regardless of the pagination shown on these pages, the total number of these pages must not exceed 35 sheets. The page limit does not apply to the application forms, assurances, certifications, and attachments to those forms, assurances, and certifications. Applications that exceed the page limit specified above will not be considered for funding. 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 MOB control number. The valid OMB control number for this information collection is 1885-0528. (Expiration date: April 1998). The time required to complete this information collection is estimated to average 120 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 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: Office of Bilingual Education and Minority Languages Affairs, U.S. Department of Education, 600 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington D.C. 20202-6510. BILLING CODE 4000-01-M [[Page 26404]] [GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN24MY96.132 [[Page 26405]] [GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN24MY96.133 BILLING CODE 4000-01-C [[Page 26406]] Guidance on Addressing the EDGAR Selection Criteria 1. Meeting the purposes of the authorizing statute. (See section 75.210(b)(1) of EDGAR) ``IN GENERAL.--The Secretary shall make grants, on a competitive basis, to State educational agencies or local educational agencies to pay the Federal share of the cost of innovative model programs providing for the establishment, improvement or expansion of foreign language study for elementary and secondary school students.'' (20 U.S.C. 7513) 2. Extent of need for the project. (See section 75.210(b)(2) of EDGAR) 3. Plan of operation. (See section 75.210(b)(3) of EDGAR) ``(b) SPECIAL CONSIDERATION.--The Secretary shall give special consideration to applications describing programs that-- ``(1) include intensive summer foreign language programs for professional development; ``(2) Link non-native English speakers in the community with the schools in order to promote two-way language learning; or ``(3) promote the sequential study of a foreign language for students, beginning in elementary schools.'' (20 U.S.C. 7514) ``(1) GRANTS TO STATE EDUCATIONAL AGENCIES.--In awarding a grant under subsection (a) to a State educational agency, the Secretary shall support programs that promote systemic approaches to improving foreign language learning in the State.'' ``(2) GRANTS TO LOCAL EDUCATIONAL AGENCIES.--In awarding a grant under subsection (a) to a local educational agency, the Secretary shall support programs that-- ``(A) show promise of being continued beyond the grant period; ``(B) demonstrate approaches that can be disseminated and duplicated in other local educational agencies; and ``(C) may include a professional development component.'' (20 U.S.C. 7513) 4. Quality of key personnel. (See section 75.210(b)(4) of EDGAR) 5. Budget and cost effectiveness. (See section 75.210(b)(5) of EDGAR) ``(1) IN GENERAL.--The Federal share for each fiscal year shall be 50 percent. ``(2) WAIVER.--The Secretary may waive the requirement of paragraph (1) for any local educational agency which the Secretary determines does not have adequate resources to pay the non-Federal share of the cost of the activities assisted under this part.'' (20 U.S.C. 7513) 6. Evaluation plan. (See section 75.210(b)(6) of EDGAR) 7. Adequacy of resources. (See section 75.210(b)(7) of EDGAR) Foreign Language Assistance Program Grants to State Educational Agencies Additional Non-Regulatory Guidance (Questions and Answers) Q. How can State educational agencies support programs that promote systemic approaches to improving foreign language learning in the States? A. Activities may include staff development, curriculum development, development of State standards and appropriate assessment strategies, and use of instructional technology to improve foreign language learning in the State. Q. How will the Secretary comply with the statutory requirement, set out in Section 7204(b) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, to give special consideration to applications that describe programs that (1) include intensive summer foreign language programs for professional development; (2) link non-native English speakers in the community; or (3) promote the sequential study of a foreign language for students, beginning in elementary schools? A. The Secretary has established a competitive priority to comply with this statutory requirement. Under that priority, the Secretary awards three additional points to applications that propose to carry out one or more of the activities specified in Section 7204(b) of the Act in a particularly effective way. These points would be in addition to any points the application earns under the Selection Criteria. This priority is set out in full in the Application Notice. Q. How can an applicant promote two-way language learning? A. Two-way language learning is promoted through encouraging interaction between non-native English speakers and foreign language learners in an instructional setting for purposes of facilitating foreign language acquisition. Although improvement of the English language skills of non-native English speakers is a desirable ancillary benefit of a project that utilizes two-way language learning, the primary focus of projects funded under the Foreign Language Assistance program must be on foreign language learning. As a consequence, funds received under the Foreign Language Assistance program should not be used to fund English language instruction. Q. What is the definition of ``elementary school''or ``secondary school?'' A. The definitions of these two terms are set out in 34 CFR 77.1(c). The term ``elementary school'' means: ``a day or residential school that provides elementary education, as determined under State law.'' The term ``secondary school'' means: ``a day or residential school that provides secondary education as determined under State law. In the absence of State law, the Secretary may determine, with respect to that State, whether the term includes education beyond the twelfth grade.'' Q. What is the State or Lea's share of costs for the Foreign Language Assistance program for each fiscal year? A. The State or LEA's share is 50 percent. However, a waiver may be granted for an LEA if the Secretary determines that the LEA does not have adequate resources to pay the non-Federal share of the cost of the activities. (Section 7203(c), 20 U.S.C. 7513(c)). The Education Department General Administrative Regulations, at 34 CFR 80.24, also addresses Federal Cost sharing requirements. Q. How will the Secretary give priority to projects that teach Japanese, Chinese, Russian, Arabic or Korean? A. The Secretary awards five points to an application that meets the following competitive priority in a particularly effective way. These points would be in addition to any points the application earns under the Selection Criteria. This priority is set out in full in the Application Notice. Projects that propose to establish, improve or expand foreign language learning in the elementary grades and that focus on any of the following languages: Japanese, Chinese, Russian, Arabic or Korean. Q. What is the ultimate goal of effective foreign language education programs? A. The ultimate goal of effective foreign language education programs is to develop communicative competency in a foreign language. The Secretary interprets ``communicative competency'' to mean the ability to communicate in meaningful and effective ways in a foreign language. BILLING CODE 4000-01-M [[Page 26407]] [GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN24MY96.134 [[Page 26408]] [GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN24MY96.135 [[Page 26409]] [GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN24MY96.136 [[Page 26410]] [GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN24MY96.137 [[Page 26411]] [GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN24MY96.138 [[Page 26412]] [GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN24MY96.139 [[Page 26413]] [GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN24MY96.140 [[Page 26414]] [GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN24MY96.141 [[Page 26415]] [GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN24MY96.142 BILLING CODE 4000-01-C [[Page 26416]] 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. 96-13092 Filed 5-23-96; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4000-01-M