[Federal Register: March 13, 1998 (Volume 63, Number 49)]
[Notices]
[Page 12585-12602]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr13mr98-159]
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_______________________________________________________________________
Part III
Department of Education
_______________________________________________________________________
Bilingual Education: Field-Initiated Research Program; Inviting
Applications for New Awards for Fiscal Year 1998; Notice
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DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
[CFDA No.: 84.292B]
Bilingual Education: Field-Initiated Research Program; Notice
Inviting Applications for New Awards for Fiscal Year (FY) 1998
Note to Applicants: This notice is a complete application
package. Together with the statute authorizing the program and
applicable regulations governing this program, including the
Education Department General Administrative Regulations (EDGAR),
this notice contains all of the information, application forms, and
instructions needed to apply for a grant under this program. The
statutory authorization for this program is contained in section
7132 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, as
amended by the Improving America's Schools Act of 1994 (Pub. L. 103-
382, enacted October 20, 1994 (the Act) (20 U.S.C. 7452)).
Purpose of Program: The purpose of this program is to provide
grants for field-initiated research activities related to the
improvement of bilingual education and special alternative
instructional programs for limited English proficient children and
youth.
Eligible Applicants: Institutions of higher education, nonprofit
organizations, State educational agencies, and local educational
agencies that are current or recent recipients of grants under subpart
1 or 2 of Part A of Title VII of the Elementary and Secondary Education
Act (ESEA) or under Part A or B of Title VII of the ESEA, (P.L. 100-
297), as in effect prior to October 20, 1994. In order to be eligible
for a grant under this program, an applicant must have received a grant
under subpart 1 or 2 of Part A of Title VII or under Part A or B of
Title VII of Pub. Law 100-297 in previous years.
Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: April 29, 1998.
Deadline for Intergovernmental Review: June 28, 1998.
Available Funds: $400,000.
Estimated Range of Awards: $50,000-$60,000.
Estimated Average Size of Awards: $52,500.
Estimated Number of Awards: 7-8.
Note: The Department is not bound by any estimates in this
notice.
Project Period: 12 months.
Applicable Regulations: (a) The Education Department General
Administrative Regulations (EDGAR) in 34 CFR parts 74, 75, 77, 79, 80,
81, 82, 85, and 86; and (b) The regulations in 34 CFR part 299, General
Provisions, Elementary and Secondary Education Act.
Description of Program: Funds under this program are available to
carry out field-initiated research conducted by current or recent
recipients of grants under subpart 1 or 2 who have received those
grants within the previous five years. Research under this program may
provide for longitudinal studies of students or teachers in bilingual
education, monitoring the education of those students from entry in
bilingual education through secondary school completion.
Priority
Invitational Priority
The Secretary is particularly interested in applications that meet
the following invitational priority. However, an application that meets
this invitational priority does not receive competitive or absolute
preference over other applications (34 CFR 75.105(c)(1)).
Applications that propose to focus on research that leads to
answering significant questions on the assessment of language
acquisition and academic achievement for limited English proficient
(LEP) students.
Note: For further information on assessment issues, see ``High
Stakes Assessment: A Research Agenda for English Language
Learners,'' which is available from the National Clearinghouse for
Bilingual Education, telephone--1-800-321-6223 or website--http://
www.ncbe.gwu.edu.
Selection Criteria
(a)(1) The Secretary uses the following selection criteria in 34
CFR 75.210 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) Need for project. (15 points) The Secretary
considers the need for the proposed project. In determining the need
for the proposed project, the Secretary considers the extent to which
specific gaps or weaknesses in services, infrastructure, or
opportunities have been identified and will be addressed by the
proposed project, including the nature and magnitude of those gaps or
weaknesses.
(2) Significance. (20 points) (i) The Secretary considers the
significance of the proposed project.
(ii) In determining the significance of the proposed project, the
Secretary considers the following factors:
(A) The significance of the problem or issue to be addressed by the
proposed project.
(B) The potential contribution of the proposed project to increased
knowledge or understanding of educational problems, issues, or
effective strategies.
(C) The likelihood that the proposed project will result in system
change or improvement.
(D) The importance or magnitude of the results or outcomes likely
to be attained by the proposed project, especially improvements in
teaching and student achievement.
(3) Quality of the project design. (20 points) (i) The Secretary
considers the quality of the design of the proposed project.
(ii) In determining the quality of the design of the proposed
project, the Secretary considers the following factors:
(A) The extent to which the goals, objectives, and outcomes to be
achieved by the proposed project are clearly specified and measurable.
(B) The extent to which the proposed activities constitute a
coherent sustained program of research and development in the field,
including, as appropriate, a substantial addition to an ongoing line of
inquiry.
(C) The extent to which the design of the proposed project includes
a thorough, high-quality review of the relevant literature, a high-
quality plan for project implementation, and the use of appropriate
methodological tools to ensure successful achievement of project
objectives.
(D) The extent to which the proposed project is part of a
comprehensive effort to improve teaching and learning and support
rigorous academic standards for students.
(4) Quality of the management plan. (25 points) (i) The Secretary
considers the quality of the management plan for the proposed project.
(ii) In determining the quality of the management plan for the
proposed project, the Secretary considers the following factors:
(A) The adequacy of the management plan to achieve the objectives
of the proposed project on time and within budget, including clearly
defined responsibilities, timelines, and milestones for accomplishing
project tasks.
(B) The extent to which the time commitments of the project
director and principal investigator and other key project personnel are
appropriate and adequate to meet the objectives of the proposed
project.
(5) Quality of project personnel. (15 points) (i) The Secretary
considers the quality of the personnel who will carry out the proposed
project.
(ii) In determining the quality of project personnel, the Secretary
considers the extent to which the
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applicant encourages applications for employment from persons who are
members of groups that have traditionally been underrepresented based
on race, color, national origin, gender, age, or disability.
(iii) In addition, the Secretary considers the following factors:
(A) The qualifications, including relevant training and experience,
of the project director or principal investigator.
(B) The qualifications, including relevant training and experience,
of key project personnel.
(6) Adequacy of resources. (5 points) (i) The Secretary considers
the adequacy of resources for the proposed project.
(ii) In determining the adequacy of resources for the proposed
project, the Secretary considers the following factors:
(A) The extent to which the budget is adequate to support the
proposed project.
(B) The extent to which the costs are reasonable in relation to the
objectives, design, and potential significance of the proposed project.
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 October 7, 1997 (62 FR 52448
through 52450).
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# 84.292B, U.S. Department of Education, Room 6213, 600
Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, D.C. 20202-0124.
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, Attention (CFDA# 84.292B), 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 or before the deadline date to:
U.S. Department of Education, Application Control Center, Attention:
(CFDA# 84.292B), Room #3633, Regional Office Building #3, 7th and D
Streets, SW., 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)
708-9495.
(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 notice contains the following forms and
instructions, plus a statement regarding estimated public reporting
burden, a notice to applicants regarding compliance with section 427 of
the General Education Provisions Act, a checklist for applicants,
various assurances, certifications, and required documentation:
a. Instructions for the Application Narrative.
b. Additional Guidance.
c. Estimated Public Reporting Burden Statement.
d. Notice to All Applicants.
e. Checklist for Applicants.
f. Application for Federal Assistance (Standard Form 424 (Rev. 4-
88)) and instructions.
g. Budget Information--Non-Construction Programs (ED Form No. 524)
and instructions.
h. Eligibility Certification
i. Assurances--Non-Construction Programs (Standard Form 424B) and
instructions.
j. Certifications Regarding Lobbying; Debarment, Suspension and
Other Responsibility Matters; and Drug-Free Workplace Requirements (ED
80-0013, 6/90) and instructions.
k. 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.)
l. Disclosure of Lobbying Activities (Standard Form LLL) (if
applicable) and instructions. This document has been marked to reflect
statutory changes. See the notice published in the Federal Register (61
FR 1413) by the Office of Management and Budget on January 19, 1996.
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
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application as ``original'' or ``copy.'' No grant may be awarded unless
a completed application has been received.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Alex Stein, U.S. Department of
Education, 600 Independence Avenue, SW., Room 5090, Switzer Building,
Washington, D.C. 20202-6510. Telephone: (202) 205-5713. 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.
Individuals with disabilities may obtain this notice in an
alternate format (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, or computer
diskette) on request to the contact person listed in the preceding
paragraph. Please note, however, that the Department is not able to
reproduce in an alternate format the standard forms included in the
notice.
Electronic Access to This Document
Anyone may view this document, as well as all other Department of
Education documents published in the Federal Register, in text or
portable document format (pdf) on the World Wide Web at either of the
following sites:
http://ocfo.ed.gov/fedreg.htm
http://www.ed.gov/news.html
To use the pdf you must have the Adobe Acrobat Reader Program with
Search, which is available free at either of the preceding sites. If
you have questions about using the pdf, call the U.S. Government
Printing Office toll free at 1-888-293-6498.
Anyone may also view these documents in text copy only on an
electronic bulletin board of the Department. Telephone: (202) 219-1511
or, toll-free, 1-800-222-4922. The documents are located under Option
G--Files/Announcements, Bulletins and Press Releases.
Note: The official version of this document is the document
published in the Federal Register.
Program Authority: 20 U.S.C. 7452.
Dated: March 6, 1998.
Delia Pompa,
Director, Office of Bilingual Education and Minority Languages Affairs.
Estimated Public Reporting 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 OMB No. 1885-0528 (Exp. 4/30/98). 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, SW., Room 5090, Switzer Building,
Washington, D.C. 20202-6510.
Instructions for the Application Narrative
Mandatory Page Limit for the Application Narrative
The narrative portion of the application must not exceed 45 pages.
These pages must be double-spaced and printed on one side only. A
legible font size and adequate margins should be used. The narrative
section must be paginated and should include a one-page abstract. The
45-page limit applies to the abstract, proposal narrative, charts,
graphs, tables, graphics, position descriptions (and resumes, if
included), and any appendices. The page limit does not apply to
application forms, attachments to those forms, assurances,
certifications, and the table of contents. The page limit applies only
to item 14 and not to the other items in the Checklist for Applicants.
Applications with a narrative section that exceeds the page limit will
not be considered for funding.
The narrative section should begin with an abstract that includes a
short description of the population to be served by the project,
project objectives, and planned project activities.
Selection Criteria
The narrative should address fully all aspects of the selection
criteria in the order listed and should give detailed information
regarding each criterion. Do not simply paraphrase the criteria. Do not
include resumes or curriculum vitae for project personnel; provide
position descriptions instead.
Additional Guidance
Table of Contents
The application should include a table of contents listing the
sections in the order required.
Budget
Budget line items must support the goals and objectives of the
proposed project and must be directly related to the instructional
design and all other project components.
Final Application Preparation
Use the Checklist for Applicants to verify that your application is
complete. Submit three copies of the application, including an original
copy containing an original signature for each form requiring the
signature of the authorized representative. Do not use elaborate
bindings or covers. The application package must be mailed or hand-
delivered to the Application Control Center (ACC) and postmarked by the
deadline date.
Submission of Application to State Educational Agency
Section 7116(a)(2) of the authorizing statute (Elementary and
Secondary Education Act of 1965, as amended by the Improving America's
Schools Act of 1994, Pub. L. 103-382) requires all applicants except
schools funded by the Bureau of Indian Affairs to submit a copy of
their application to their State educational agency (SEA) for review
and comment (20 U.S.C. 7426(a)(2)). Section 75.156 of the Education
Department General Administrative Regulations (EDGAR) requires these
applicants to submit their application to the SEA on or before the
deadline date for submitting their application to the Department of
Education. This section of EDGAR also requires applicants to attach to
their application a copy of their letter that requests the SEA to
comment on the application (34 CFR 75.156). A copy of this letter
should be attached to the Project Documentation Form contained in this
application package. Applicants that do not submit a copy of their
application to their state educational agency in accordance with these
statutory and regulatory requirements will not be considered for
funding.
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
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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 intends 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.
Checklist for Applicants
The following forms and other items must be included in the
application in the order listed below:
1. Application for Federal Assistance Form (SF 424).
2. Budget Information Form (ED Form No. 524).
3. Itemized budget for each year.
4. Assurances--Non-Construction Programs Form (SF 424B).
5. Certifications Regarding Lobbying, Debarment, Suspension and
Other Responsibility Matters; and Drug-Free Workplace Requirements Form
(ED 80-0013).
6. Certification Regarding Debarment, Suspension, Ineligibility and
Voluntary Exclusion--Lower Tier Covered Transactions Form (ED 80-0014)
(if applicable).
7. Disclosure of Lobbying Activities Form (SF-LLL).
8. Information that addresses section 427 of the General Education
Provisions Act. (See the above section entitled NOTICE TO ALL
APPLICANTS (OMB No. 1801-0004)).
9. Table of Contents.
10. Application narrative, including abstract (not to exceed 45
pages).
11. One original and two copies of the application for transmittal
to the Education Department's Application Control Center.
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[FR Doc. 98-6566 Filed 3-12-98; 8:45 am]
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