[Federal Register: April 11, 1996 (Volume 61, Number 71)] [Notices] [Page 16179-16202] From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov] [[Page 16179]] _______________________________________________________________________ Part IV Department of Education _______________________________________________________________________ Migrant Education Even Start Program: Fiscal Year 1996 New Award Applications; Notice [[Page 16180]] DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION [CFDA NO.: 84.214A] Migrant Education Even Start Program; Notice Inviting Applications for New Awards for FY 1996 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 forms, and instructions needed to apply for a grant under this competition. PURPOSE OF PROGRAM: The Migrant Education Even Start (MEES) Program is designed to help break the cycle of poverty and improve the literacy of participating migrant families by integrating early childhood education, adult literacy or adult basic education, and parenting education into a unified family literacy program. ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS: While any entity is eligible to apply for a grant under the MEES program, the U.S. Secretary of Education (Secretary) specifically invites applications from State educational agencies (SEAs) that administer Migrant Education Programs; local educational agencies (LEAs) that have a high percentage of migrant students; and non-profit community-based organizations that work with migrant families. DEADLINE FOR TRANSMITTAL OF APPLICATIONS: June 11, 1996. DEADLINE FOR INTERGOVERNMENTAL REVIEW: August 12, 1996. AVAILABLE FUNDS: While final FY 1996 funding for this program is contingent upon final congressional action, the Secretary estimates that approximately $3,000,000 will be available for new awards. ESTIMATED RANGE OF AWARDS: $88,000-$270,000. ESTIMATED AVERAGE SIZE OF AWARDS: $200,000. ESTIMATED NUMBER OF AWARDS: 15 Grants. Note: The Department is not bound by any estimates in this notice. PROJECT PERIOD: Up to 48 months. MAXIMUM AWARD: The Secretary does not consider an application that proposes a budget exceeding $270,000 for each 12-month budget period. APPLICABLE REGULATIONS: (a) The Education Department General Administrative Regulations (EDGAR) as follows: (1) 34 CFR part 74 (Administration of Grants and Agreements with Institutions of Higher Education, Hospitals, and Nonprofit Organizations). (2) 34 CFR part 75 (Direct Grant Programs). (3) 34 CFR part 77 (Definitions that Apply to Department Regulations). (4) 34 CFR part 79 (Intergovernmental Review of Department of Education Programs and Activities). (5) 34 CFR part 80 (Uniform Administrative Requirements for Grants and Cooperative Agreements to State and Local Governments). (6) 34 CFR part 81 (General Education Provisions Act--Enforcement). (7) 34 CFR part 82 (New Restrictions on Lobbying). (8) 34 CFR part 85 (Government-wide Debarment and Suspension (Non- procurement) and Government-wide Requirements for Drug-Free Workplace (Grants)). (b) The definitions of migratory child, migratory agricultural worker and migratory fisher contained in 34 CFR 200.30 and 200.40 Description of the Program Under the authority of section 1202(a)(1)(A) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), as amended, the Secretary awards grants to eligible applicants under the MEES Program for projects that-- (1) Improve the educational opportunities of migrant families by integrating early childhood education, adult literacy or adult basic education, and parenting education into a unified family literacy program; (2) Implement cooperative activities that build on existing community resources to create a new range of services to migrant families; (3) Promote achievement of the National Education Goals (section 102 of the Goals 2000: Educate America Act), especially goals one (school readiness), six (adult literacy), and eight (parent involvement and participation); and (4) Assist children and adults from migrant families to achieve challenging State content standards and challenging State student performance standards. Required Program Elements (a) Eligible participants. Eligible MEES participants consist of migratory children and their parents, as defined in 34 CFR 200.30 and 200.40, who also meet the following conditions specified in section 1206(a) of the ESEA: (1) The parent or parents-- (i) Are eligible for participation in an adult basic education program under the Adult Education Act; or (ii) Are within the State's compulsory school attendance age range, so long as a local educational agency provides (or ensures the availability of) the basic education component required under this part; and (2) The child or children must be younger than eight years of age. Note: Family members of eligible participants also may participate in MEES activities when appropriate to service Even Start purposes. In addition, section 1206(b) of the ESEA permits a family found eligible for MEES services to remain so until all family members become ineligible to participate. For example, in the case of a family in which the parent or parents lose eligibility because of their educational advancement, the parent or parents can still participate in MEES activities until all children in the family reach age eight. In addition, the Department interprets 34 CFR 200.30 together with section 1206(b) or ESEA to mean that MEES services can continue to be provided to a parent or child who is no longer migratory provided that the family has at least one parent or child who is a migratory worker or child as defined under 34 CFR 200.40. (b) Required program elements. Any MEES project must, at a minimum, incorporate the following program elements specified in section 1205 of the ESEA-- * Identification and recruitment of migrant families most in need of MEES services, as indicated by a low level of income, a low level of adult literacy or English language proficiency of the eligible parent or parents, and other need-related indicators: * Screening and preparation of parents, including teenage parents and children, to enable these parents to participate fully in program activities and services, including testing, referral to counseling, other developmental and support services, and related services; * The provision of MEES services to those migrant families most in need of project services and activities; * High-quality instructional programs that promote adult literacy and empower parents to support the educational growth of their children, developmentally appropriate early childhood educational services, and the preparation of children for success in the regular school programs; * A design for service delivery that accommodates the participants' work schedule and other responsibilities, including the provision of support services, when such services are unavailable from other sources, but are necessary for participation in project activities, such as-- --Scheduling and locating of services to allow joint participation by parents and children; --Child care for the period that parents are involved in the project activities; and [[Page 16181]] --Transportation for the purpose of enabling parents and their children to participate in project activities; * Special training of staff, including child care staff, to develop the skills necessary to work with parents and young children in the full range of instructional services offered by the project; * Provision of integrated instructional services, and monitoring of these services, to participating parents and children through home-based activities; * Operation on a year-round basis, including the provision of some program services, instructional or enrichment, during the summer months; Note: Given the mobility of the population to be served by the MEES program, the Secretary interprets the requirement for the project to operate on a year-round basis to mean that activities must be conducted throughout the period in which participating migrant families reside in the project area. Applicants are free to interpret the requirement in other ways that are consistent with section 1205(7) of the ESEA. * Appropriate coordination with other programs funded under ESEA, any relevant programs under the Adult Education Act, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, the Job Training Partnership Act, the Head Start program, volunteer literacy programs, and other relevant programs; and * An independent evaluation. In addition, to promote the kind of strong community collaboration needed for effective Even Start projects, sections 1202(e) and 1207(a) of the ESEA require applicants for grants under the basic Even Start program administered by SEAs to be ``eligible entities'', i.e., partnerships composed of (1) a local educational agency (LEA); and (2) a nonprofit community-based organization, a public agency other than an LEA, an institution of higher education, or a public or private nonprofit organization, of demonstrated quality, other than an LEA. While those operating a MEES project do not need to be eligible entities, the Secretary strongly encourages those who would operate MEES projects to enhance the effectiveness of those projects through formation of strong, on-going collaborative relationships among these kinds of local entities. --(c) Federal and local funding. A MEES project's funding is comprised of both a Federal portion of funds (Federal share) and a portion contributed by the eligible applicant (local share). However, the Federal share of the program may not exceed-- * 90 percent of the total cost of the program in the first year; * 80 percent in the second year; * 70 percent in the third year; * 60 percent in the fourth year; and * 50 percent in any subsequent year. The Federal share of a grant for a second four-year cycle shall not exceed 50 percent. The local share of the MEES project may be provided in cash or in kind and may be obtained from any source, including other Federal programs funded by ESEA. Federal funds may not be used for indirect costs of a MEES project. Note: While section 1204(b)(2) of the ESEA permits SEAs, under certain circumstances, to waive the local share requirement for eligible entities receiving grants under the basic Even Start program administered by SEAs, the program statute contains no comparable provision allowing the Secretary to waive the local share requirement for those receiving MEES grants. Selection Criteria (a) (1) The Secretary uses the following selection criteria to evaluate applications for 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. (20 points) The Secretary reviews each application to determine how well the project will-- (i) Improve the educational opportunities of migrant families by integrating early childhood education, adult literacy or adult basic education, and parenting education into a unified family literacy program; (ii) Implement cooperative projects that build on existing community resources to create a new range of services to migrant families; (iii) Promote achievement of the National Education Goals, especially the goals that address school readiness, student achievement, and parent involvement and participation; and (iv) Assist children and adults from migrant families to achieve challenging State content standards and challenging State student performance standards. (2) Extent of need for the project. (20 points) The Secretary reviews each application to determine the extent to which the project would meet the needs of eligible migratory children and their parents (including guardians and primary caretakers) for the services and activities that the project would provide, including consideration of-- (i) The needs addressed by the project; (ii) How the applicant identifies those needs; (iii) How those needs will be met by the project; and (iv) The benefits gained by meeting those needs. Note: Applicants may address this criterion in any way that is reasonable, given the purpose of the MEES program. Applicants may, for example, address such factors as the following: (A) The area(s) to be served have high percentages or large numbers of migratory children and their parents, guardians, or primary caretakers in need of MEES services; (B) The lack of availability of comprehensive family literacy services for the migrant population; (C) How community resources will be used to benefit project participants. Note: An applicant can address this criterion in any way that is reasonable. An applicant can address this riterior in any way that is reasonable. An applicant might, for example, provide a brief description of each resource the project intends to include, or a list of these resources. (D) How the project will integrate child development, adult literacy, and parenting activities; and (E) How the project will assist migrant children and adults to achieve the State content standards and student performance standards. (3) Plan of operation. (35 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; Note: Applicants may address this criterion in any way that is reasonable. However, concerning design of the project, the Secretary believes that an effective application would incorporate, at a minimum, the various program elements required under section 1205 of the ESEA and listed in the Required program elements section of this notice. (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. (10 points) The Secretary reviews each application to determine the quality of key personnel the applicant plans to use on the project, including-- (i) The qualifications of the project director (if one is to be used); (ii) The qualifications of each of the other key personnel to be used in the project; [[Page 16182]] (iii) The time that the project director and the other key personnel will commit to the project; and (iv) How the applicant, as part if 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. To determine personnel qualifications under paragraphs (i) and (ii) of this criterion, the Secretary will review-- (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. Note: Applicants may address this criterion in any way that is reasonable. Any applicant may, for example, (1) demonstrate that it has the qualified personnel needed to develop, administer, and implement a MEES project, and if not, will provide access to the special training necessary to prepare staff for the project, or (2) include a resume for each proposed project staff member or a position description for each proposed but not-yet-filled position. (5) Budget and cost effectiveness. (2 points) The Secretary reviews each application to determine the extent of which-- (i) The budget is adequate to support the project; and (ii) Costs are reasonable in relation to the goals and objectives of the project. (6) Evaluation plan. (10 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. Note: This plan must permit the preparation of an evaluation that meets the requirements of 34 CFR 75.590, as well as an annual performance report that evaluates whether project objectives are being met and, if not, includes the changes in program activities that will be adopted (see 34 CFR 75.118 and 75.253). (Instructions for the annual performance report are included in the Appendix to this document.) See also the discussion under NATIONAL EVALUATION. (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. National Evaluation The Department is conducting a national evaluation of Even Start Family Literacy projects. Grantees must cooperate with the Department's efforts by adopting an evaluation plan that is consistent with the national evaluation (as well as with the grantee's responsibilities under 34 CFR 75.118, 75.253 and 75.590). It is not expected that the application will include a complete evaluation plan because grantees will be asked to cooperate with the national evaluation of the Even Start Family Literacy Program to be conducted by an independent contractor. Grantees may be required to amend their plans, however, to conform with the national evaluation. The Secretary suggests that each applicant budget for evaluation activities as follows: a project with an estimated cost of up to $120,000 should designate $5,000 for this purpose; a project with an estimated cost of over $120,000 should designate $10,000 for this purpose. These funds will be used for expenditures related to the collection and aggregation of data required for the Department's national evaluation. The Secretary also recommends that applicants budget for the cost of travel to Washington, DC, and two nights' lodging for the project director and project evaluator, for their participation in annual evaluation meetings. Information by Project and Budget Periods Under 34 CFR 75.112 and 75.117, a project application must propose a project period, and include budgetary information for each budget period of the proposed project period. The Secretary requests that the budgetary information include an amount for all key project components with an accompanying breakdown of any subcomponents (a form for reporting this information is contained in the appendix to this notice), along with a written justification for all requested amounts. 34 CFR 75.112(b) also requires that an applicant describe how and when, in each budget period of the project, it plans to meet each objective of the project. Note: The Department will use this information, in conjunction with the grantee's annual performance report required under 34 CFR 75.118(a), to determine whether to make a continuation award for the subsequent budget year. Under 34 CFR 75.253, a grantee can receive a continuation award only if it demonstrates that it either has made substantial progress toward meeting the objectives of the approved project, or has received the Secretary's approval of changes in the project to enable it to meet the objectives in the succeeding budget periods. 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 40956) In States that have not established a process or chosen a program for review, State, area-wide, 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, area-wide, 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# 84.214A, U.S. Department of Education, Room 6213, 600 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 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. (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-- (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, [[Page 16183]] Attention: (CFDA #84.214A), 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 #84.214A), Room #3633, Regional Office Building #3, 7th and D Streets, S.W., Washington, DC. (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 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 (ED Form No. 524) 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, 6/90). 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; and Disclosure of Lobbying Activities Continuation Sheet (Standard Form LLL-A). 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: Martha Chavez, U.S. Department of Education, Office of Elementary and Secondary Education, Office of Migrant Education, 600 Independence Avenue, SW, Room 4100, Portals Building, Washington, DC 20202-6135. Telephone Number: (202) 260-2114. 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; 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: 20 U.S.C. 6362(a)(1)(A). Dated: March 27, 1996. Gerald N. Tipozzi, Assistant Secretary, Office of Elementary and Secondary Education. BILLING CODE 4000-01-P [[Page 16184]] [GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN11AP96.001 [[Page 16185]] [GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN11AP96.002 [[Page 16186]] [GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN11AP96.003 [[Page 16187]] [GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN11AP96.004 [[Page 16188]] [GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN11AP96.005 [[Page 16189]] [GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN11AP96.006 BILLING CODE 4000-01-C [[Page 16190]] Part III Instructions for Part III--Application Narrative Before preparing the Application Narrative, an applicant should read carefully the description of the program 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-- The narrative should encompass each function or activity for which finds 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. [Note: While applicants can address the criteria in any way that is reasonable, given the required emphasis of any MEES project on early childhood education, adult literacy or adult basic education, and parenting education, the Secretary believes that a reasonable plan of operation would address these three objectives. Moreover, consistent with 34 CFR 75.112(b), which requires that the application describe how and when, in each budget period, the applicant plans to meet each project objective, the Secretary believes that applicants would want particularly to describe each goal in terms of measurable objectives, specific activities that are proposed to meet each objective, time lines associated with these activities, the resources believed to be needed to achieve each objective, and how each objective will be evaluated.] 3. Provide the following information in response to the attached ``NOTICE TO ALL APPLICANTS'': (1) a reference to the portion of the application in which the applicant has described the steps that the applicant proposes to take to remove barriers to equitable access to, and equitable participation in, project activities; or (2) a separate statement that contains this information. 4. Include any other pertinent information that might assist the Secretary in reviewing the application. The Application Narrative must be double-spaced, typed on one side only, and must not exceed 50 numbered pages--appendices excepted. 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 1810-0541. (Expiration date: March 31, 1999) The time required to complete this information collection is estimated to average 60 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: Office of Migrant Education, U.S. Department of Education, 600 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C., 20202-4651. BILLING CODE 4000-01-P [[Page 16191]] [GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN11AP96.007 [[Page 16192]] [GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN11AP96.008 [[Page 16193]] [GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN11AP96.009 [[Page 16194]] [GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN11AP96.010 [[Page 16195]] [GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN11AP96.011 [[Page 16196]] [GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN11AP96.012 [[Page 16197]] [GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN11AP96.013 [[Page 16198]] [GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN11AP96.014 BILLING CODE 4000-01-C [[Page 16199]] 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 Provision 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. BILLING CODE 4001-01-P [[Page 16200]] [GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN11AP96.015 BILLING CODE 4000-01-C [[Page 16201]] The time required to complete this information collection is estimated to average 20 hours per response, 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 the form, please write to: U.S. Department of Education, Washington, DC 20202-4651. If you have any comments or concerns regarding the status of your individual submission of this form, write directly to: [insert program sponsor/ official], U.S. Department of Education, 600 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, DC 20202-----. Instructions for the Annual Performance Report To receive a continuation award, recipients of discretionary grants must submit an annual performance report that establishes substantial progress toward meeting their project objectives. The instructions for the annual performance report have been designed to provide the Department with the information that it needs to determine whether recipients have done so. (See sections 75.118, 75.253 and 75.590 of the Education Department General Administrative Regulations (EDGAR).) Do not use these instructions to prepare the final performance report after the project is completed. Parts I-III and V of these instructions request from recipients the information that EDGAR requires to permit the Secretary to make decisions on whether or not to make continuation awards. Part IV of these instructions requests a summary of new information that may bear on the direction of future activities. This information is requested to help the Department to monitor grant activities and provide technical assistance to recipients. For convenience, an optional form for reporting Parts I and V has been provided with these instructions. However, the requested information may be provided in any reasonable format. Recipients will need to submit an original and one copy of the annual performance report. The Department will notify recipients of the due date for submission of the performance report, which will be as late as possible in the project's current budget period. For those programs that operate under statutes or regulations that require additional (or different) reporting for performance or monitoring purposes, the Department also will inform recipients whether any other (or different) reporting is necessary, and when this additional reporting should be made. I. Cover Sheet Please provide the following information: 1. Recipient name and address. Unless changed repeat from Block 1 on your last Notification of Grant Award. 2. PR/Award number (e.g., H158A20021-95). See BLOCK 4 on your last Notification of Grant Award. 3. Project title. This should be identical to the title of the approved application. 4. Contact person--name and title. Please provide the name of the project director or other individual who is most familiar with the content of the performance report. 5. Project telephone number and FAX number. 6. E-Mail address. 7. Performance reporting period. This is the time-frame that is requested in Parts III and IV of the performance report for information on project status and supplementary information/changes. a. For projects that are operating in their first budget period, this period covers the start of the project through 30 days before the due date of this report. b. For projects that are operating in interim budget periods, and that submitted a non-competing continuation grant application in the prior period, this period covers the date of submission of that application (unless the Department establishes another beginning date) through 30 days before the due date of this report. c. For all other projects that are operating in interim budget periods, this period covers the end of the reporting period for the annual performance report that the recipient submitted to receive its previous continuation award, through 30 days before the due date of this report. 8. Current budget period. See Block 5 of your last Notification of Grant Award. The cover sheet also must contain the name, title and signature of the authorized representative of the grantee. II. Project Summary (One or two paragraphs.) III. Project Status* Report your progress in accomplishing the objectives of the project. In doing so, for each project objective, describe the project activities, accomplishments and outcomes since the submission of the last performance report, or, if you are currently in the first budget period, since the start of the project. Also reference the page numbers and sections of the approved application that address the planned activities or anticipated accomplishments and outcomes. Where it is possible to do so, information on current activities, accomplishments and outcomes should be quantified. If a planned objective was not attained, or a planned activity was not conducted as scheduled, explain why, what steps are being taken to address the problem, and the schedule for doing so. If performance indicators for evaluating your project have been established for your program, or were approved as part of a project evaluation plan contained in your project application, provide information on your project's performance using those indicators. IV. Supplemental Information/Changes* As a result of actual performance, recipients often gain additional information (beyond that provided in their initial applications) that affects their future grant activities and/or strategies for accomplishing their approved scope of work. If this is the case for your project, please provide a summary of this information (quantified, where possible) and any change in project strategies, activities, or project outcomes. V. Budget Report* 1. For the current budget period, provide for each approved budget category the total amount of project funds obligated as of 30 days before the due date of the performance report. (See Blocks 9.A--L of the reporting form.) For projects that require recipients to provide matching funds or other non-federal resources, also provide the total of all non-federal contributions as of 30 days before the due date of the performance report. (See Block 10 of the reporting form.) 2. Indicate whether the project expects to have any unobligated grant funds at the end of the current budget period. (See Block 11 of the reporting form.) Remember: Recipients must request authorization to carry over funds that were unobligated in one budget period for use in the following budget period. If unobligated funds are needed to complete activities that were approved for the current budget period, section 75.253 of EDGAR permits the Secretary to add the amount of these funds to funds that will be awarded through a continuation award for use in the following budget period. Conversely, if [[Page 16202]] any unobligated funds are NOT needed to complete activities that were approved for the current budget period, section 75.253 permits the Secretary to deduct the amount of these unobligated funds from the amount of funds that will be awarded for use in the following budget period. *Note for Parts III, IV, and V: Most projects submit with their applications a single budget form, and have a single approved budget, for each budget period. However, if your project has multiple components, and was required to submit for approval a separate budget form for each component, please ensure that the information that you provide in Parts III, IV, and V of the performance report reflects activities or expenditures for each of these components. [FR Doc. 96-8993 Filed 4-10-96; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4000-01-P