[Federal Register: May 29, 2002 (Volume 67, Number 103)]
[Notices]
[Page 37627-37646]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
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Part VI
Department of Education
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Office of Elementary and Secondary Education; Improving Literacy
Through School Libraries Program Notice Inviting Applications for New
Awards for Fiscal Year (FY) 2002; Notice
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DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
[CFDA No. 84.364]
Office of Elementary and Secondary Education; Improving Literacy
Through School Libraries Program Notice Inviting Applications for New
Awards for Fiscal Year (FY) 2002
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), this notice
contains all of the information, application forms, and instructions
you need to apply for a grant under this competition.
Purpose of Program: The purpose of this program is to improve
student literacy skills and academic achievement by providing students
with increased access to up-to-date school library materials; a well-
equipped, technologically advanced school library media center; and
well-trained, professionally certified school library media
specialists.
This competition focuses on projects designed to meet the priority
described in the PRIORITY section of this notice.
Eligible Applicants: Local educational agencies (LEAs) in which at
least 20 percent of the students served by the LEA are from families
with incomes below the poverty line. (20 U.S.C. 6383)
Deadline for Notification of Intent to Apply for Funding: June 28,
2002.
We will be able to develop a more efficient process for reviewing
grant applications if we have an estimate of the number of entities
that intend to apply for funding under this competition. Therefore, we
strongly encourage each potential applicant to notify us by e-mail of
your intent to submit an application for funding via this Internet
address: literacyandschoollibraries@ed.gov
Please put ``Notice of Intent'' in the subject line. Applicants
that fail to provide this e-mail notification may still apply for
funding.
Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: July 24, 2002.
Deadline for Intergovernmental Review: September 23, 2002.
Estimated Available Funds: $12,125,000.
Estimated Range of Awards: $20,000 to $250,000.
Estimated Average Size of Awards: The size of the awards will be
commensurate with the nature and scope of the work proposed and the
number of schools to be served. The Department estimates the average
amount of each award based on a maximum of $25,000 per school to be
served.
Estimated Number of Awards: 75.
Note: The Department is not bound by any estimates in this
notice.
Project Period: 12 months.
Page Limit: The application must include the following sections:
title page form (ED 424), one-page abstract, program narrative,
individual resumes (up to 3 pages) for project directors and other key
personnel, budget summary form (ED 524) with budget narrative, and
statement of equitable access (GEPA 427). The program narrative must
address the selection criteria that reviewers use to evaluate your
application. Applicants are strongly encouraged to limit the program
narrative (text plus all figures, charts, tables, and diagrams) to the
equivalent of 15 pages, using the following standards:
[sbull] A ``page'' is 8.5'' x 11'', on one side only, with 1''
margins at the top, bottom, and both sides.
[sbull] Double space (no more than three lines per vertical inch)
all text in the program narrative.
[sbull] Use a font that is either 12-point or larger or no smaller
than 10 pitch (characters per inch).
[sbull] Include all critical information in the program narrative,
eliminating the need for appendices.
[sbull] The page limit does not apply to the title page form (ED
424), the one-page abstract, the budget summary form and narrative
budget justification, the resumes, or the assurances and
certifications.
We have found that reviewers are able to conduct the highest
quality review when applications are concise and easy to read, with
pages consecutively numbered.
Applicable Regulations: The Education Department General
Administrative Regulations (EDGAR) in 34 CFR parts 75, 77, 79, 80, 81,
82, 85, 97, 98 and 99.
Description of Program: The Improving Literacy through School
Libraries (LSL) program, subpart 4 of part B of Title I of the
Elementary and Secondary Education Act, as amended, promotes
comprehensive local strategies to improve student reading achievement
by improving school library services and resources. The LSL program is
one component of the Department's commitment to dramatically improving
student reading achievement by focusing available resources, including
those of school library media centers, on ensuring that no child is
left behind. School library media centers have an important role to
play in contributing to the success of local improvement plans,
especially in the literacy area, by increasing collaboration among
instructional and school library media center staff, providing
additional instructional materials and resources, and extending hours
of operation during non-school hours.
Recent studies on the impact of school library media centers on
student achievement show that a well-designed and effective school
library media program includes the following attributes:
[sbull] Book collections and other media resources that are well-
stocked and varied.
[sbull] Increased hours of access, such as during times outside the
regular school day (such as in the morning, afternoon or weekends).
[sbull] Professional development to train school library media
specialists to work closely with teachers in curriculum planning and
with students in using the library.
[sbull] Improved student access via technology within the school.
[sbull] Collaboration to provide computer access to resources from
other libraries, including university and public libraries.
Studies that examined the relation between school library media
centers and student achievement indicated that reading test scores were
higher when--
[sbull] Library media specialists were full time;
[sbull] Library hours of operation were extended; and
[sbull] Library staff spent time planning instructional units with
teachers, teaching students how to access information, and serving on
school-based curriculum and standards committees.
While ongoing research on libraries is expected to provide further
information, studies already demonstrate a positive relationship
between effective school library media centers and student achievement
in reading.
Priorities
Absolute Priority
This competition focuses on projects designed to meet the following
absolute priority. Under 34 CFR 75.105(c)(3) we consider only
applications that meet the priority.
To improve the services of a school library media center and the
achievement of the students it serves, applicants must propose programs
in their districts that incorporate the critical elements of a school
library media center.
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Applicants must propose programs that address two or more of the
following critical elements:
1. Library media specialists will actively collaborate with
teachers and work with students.
2. The applicant's plan for the acquisition of books and other
resources will reflect and support this collaboration.
3. A school library media center will possess the technology
necessary to expand its reach to classrooms or other libraries, or to
both.
4. A school library media center will provide expanded hours to
give students more access.
Invitational Priority
Within the absolute priority, we are particularly interested in
applications that meet the following invitational priority.
The Secretary strongly encourages applicants to focus their efforts
on elementary schools to maximize the impact of the project on
improving reading achievement. Coordination and collaboration among
school library and media staff, teachers, and parents are important to
ensure high-quality projects as well as the sustainability of the
activities.
Under 34 CFR 75.105(c)(1) we do not give an application that meets
the invitational priority a competitive or absolute preference over
other applications.
Waiver of Proposed Rulemaking
Under the Administrative Procedure Act (5 U.S.C. 553) the
Department generally offers interested parties the opportunity to
comment on proposed requirements. However, in order to make timely
grant awards in FY 2002, the Secretary has decided to issue this
application notice without first publishing these proposed requirements
for public comment. These requirements will apply to the FY 2002 grant
competition only. The Secretary takes this action under section
437(d)(1) of the General Education Provisions Act.
Selection Criteria
We use the following selection criteria to evaluate applications
for new grants under this competition.
The maximum score for all of these criteria is 100 points.
The maximum score for each criterion is indicated in parentheses.
We evaluate an application by determining how well the proposed
project meets the following provisions:
(a) Needs Assessment (15 points). Demonstrated need for school
library media improvement, based on the age and condition of book
collections and other school library media resources, access of school
library media centers to advanced technology, the availability of well-
trained, professionally certified school library media specialists in
schools served by the eligible local educational agency, and the
educational achievement of the students to be served.
(b) Use of Funds (25 points). How well the applicant will use the
funds made available through the grant to carry out those of the
following activities that meet its needs and satisfy the Absolute
Priority section of this notice, by proposing programs that address two
or more of the critical elements of a school library media center
identified in that priority.
(1) Acquiring up-to-date books and other school library media
resources.
(2) Acquiring and using advanced technology incorporated into the
curricula of the school to develop and enhance the research and
critical thinking skills of students.
(3) Facilitating Internet links and other resource-sharing networks
among schools and school library media centers, and public and academic
libraries, where possible.
(4) Providing professional development for school library media
specialists that is based on scientifically based reading research, and
includes, to the extent relevant to the project, knowledge of early
language and reading development, and activities that foster increased
collaboration between school library media specialists, teachers, and
administrators.
(5) Providing students with access to school libraries during
nonschool hours, which may include the hours before and after school,
during weekends, and during summer vacation periods.
(c) Use of Scientifically Based Research (10 points). The manner in
which the applicant will carry out the activities described in
paragraph (b) of this section using programs and materials that are
grounded in scientifically based research, as defined by the statute,
including using scientifically based programs and activities that
support the essential components of reading research.
(d) Broad-based Involvement (10 points). How the applicant will
extensively involve school library media specialists, teachers,
administrators, and parents in the proposed project activities.
(e) Coordination (15 points). How the applicant will effectively
coordinate the funds and activities provided under this program with
other literacy, library, technology, and professional development funds
and activities.
(f) Adequacy of Resources (5 points). The potential for continued
support of the project after Federal funding ends, including, as
appropriate, the demonstrated commitment of appropriate entities to
such support; and
(g) Evaluation of Quality and Impact (20 points). How the applicant
will collect and analyze data on the quality and impact of the project
activities, including their impact on student achievement, in a manner
that is rigorous, systematic, objective, and will yield data on program
effectiveness and best practices.
Geographic Distribution
In making funding decisions we will also consider the equitable
distribution of grants across geographic regions and among local
educational agencies serving urban and rural areas.
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.
One of the objectives of the Executive order is to foster an
intergovernmental partnership and a strengthened federalism. The
Executive order relies on processes developed by State and local
governments for coordination and review of proposed Federal financial
assistance.
If you are an applicant, you must contact the appropriate State
Single Point of Contact (SPOC) to find out about, and to comply with,
the State's process under Executive Order 12372. If you propose to
perform activities in more than one State, you should immediately
contact the SPOC 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 SPOC, see the
latest official SPOC list on the Web site of the Office of Management
and Budget at the following address: http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/
grants/spoc.html. 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
SPOC and any comments from State, areawide, regional, and local
entities must be mailed or hand-delivered by the date indicated in this
application notice
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to the following address: The Secretary, E.O. 12372-CFDA No. 84.364,
U.S. Department of Education, room 7E200, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW.,
Washington, DC 20202-0125.
We will determine proof of mailing under 34 CFR 75.102 (deadline
date for applications). Recommendations or comments may be hand-
delivered until 4:30 p.m. (Washington, DC time) on the date indicated
in this notice.
PLEASE NOTE THAT THE ABOVE ADDRESS IS NOT THE SAME ADDRESS AS THE
ONE TO WHICH AN APPLICANT SUBMITS ITS COMPLETED APPLICATION. DO NOT
SEND APPLICATIONS TO THE ABOVE ADDRESS.
Application Instructions and Forms
The Appendix to this notice contains forms and instructions, a
statement regarding estimated public reporting burden, a notice to
applicants regarding compliance with section 427 of the General
Education Provisions Act, and various assurances and certifications.
Please organize the parts and additional materials in the following
order:
[sbull] Application for Federal Education Assistance (ED 424 (Exp.
11/30/2004)) and instructions and definitions.
[sbull] Protection of Human Subjects in Research (Attachment to ED
424).
[sbull] Budget Information--Non-Construction Programs (ED Form No.
524) and instructions. An applicant must provide a budget narrative
that provides budget information for the 12-month budget period of the
proposed project.
[sbull] Application Narrative (including an abstract that
identifies the selected program elements from the Absolute Priority
section of this notice).
[sbull] Assurances--Non-Construction Programs (Standard Form 424B)
(Rev. 7-97).
[sbull] Certifications regarding Lobbying; Debarment, Suspension,
and Other Responsibility Matters; and Drug-Free Workplace Requirements
(ED 80-0013, 12/98) and instructions.
[sbull] 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.
[sbull] Disclosure of Lobbying Activities (Standard Form LLL (Rev.
7-97)) and instructions.
You may submit information on a photocopy 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. We will not award a grant unless we have
received a completed application form.
Individuals with disabilities may obtain this document in an
alternative format (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, or computer
diskette) on request to the program contact person listed under FOR
FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT. However, the Department is not able to
reproduce in an alternative format the standard forms included in this
application notice.
Electronic Access to This Document
You may view this document, as well as all other Department of
Education documents published in the Federal Register, in text or Adobe
Portable Document Format (PDF) on the Internet at the following site:
http://www.ed.gov/legislation/FedRegister.
To use PDF you must have Adobe Acrobat Reader, which is available
free at this site. If you have questions about using PDF, call the U.S.
Government Printing Office (GPO), toll free, at 1-888-293-6498; or in
the Washington, DC area at (202) 512-1530.
Note: The official version of this document is the document
published in the Federal Register. Free Internet access to the
official edition of the Federal Register and the Code of Federal
Regulations is available on GPO Access at: http://
www.access.gpo.gov/nara/index.html
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Margaret McNeely or Beth Fine, U.S.
Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW., room 5C130, FOB-6,
Washington, DC 20202-6200. Telephone: (202) 260-1335 (Margaret McNeely)
or (202) 260-1091 (Beth Fine) or via Internet:
literacyandschoollibraries@ed.gov.
If you use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD), you may
call the Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 1-800-877-8339.
Instructions for Transmitting Applications
If you want to apply for a grant and be considered for funding, you
must meet the following deadline requirements:
(a) If You Send Your Application by Mail
You must mail the original and two copies of the application on or
before the deadline date. To help expedite our review of your
application, we would appreciate your voluntarily including an
additional three copies of your application. We request that you staple
or otherwise secure one of these copies. Mail your application to: U.S.
Department of Education, Application Control Center, Attention: (CFDA
84.364), 7th & D Streets, SW., Room 3671, Regional Office
Building 3, Washington, DC 20202-4725.
You 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.
If you mail an application through the U.S. Postal Service, we do
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.
(b) If You Deliver Your Application by Hand
You or your courier must hand deliver the original and two copies
of the application by 4:30 p.m. (Washington, DC time) on or before the
deadline date. To help expedite our review of your application, we
would appreciate your voluntarily including an additional three copies
of your application. We request that you staple or otherwise secure one
of these copies. Deliver your application to: U.S. Department of
Education, Application Control Center, Attention: (CFDA
84.364), 7th & D Streets, SW., Room 3671, Regional Office
Building 3, Washington, DC 20202-4725
The Application Control Center accepts application deliveries daily
between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. (Washington, DC time), except Saturdays,
Sundays, and Federal holidays. The Center accepts application
deliveries through the D Street entrance only. A person delivering an
application must show identification to enter the building.
Notes
(1) The U.S. Postal Service does not uniformly provide a dated
postmark. Before relying on this method, you should check with your
local post office.
(2) If you send your application by mail or if you or your courier
deliver it by hand, the Application Control Center will mail a Grant
Application Receipt Acknowledgment to you. If you do not receive the
notification of application receipt within 15 days from the date of
mailing the application, you should call the U.S. Department of
Education Application Control Center at (202) 708-9493.
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(3) If your application is late, we will notify you that we will
not consider the application.
(4) You must indicate on the envelope and--if not provided by the
Department--in Item 4 of the Application for Federal Education
Assistance (ED 424 (exp. 11/30/2004)) the CFDA number--and suffix
letter, if any--of the competition under which you are submitting your
application.
Special Note: Due to recent disruptions to normal mail
delivery, the Department encourages you to consider using an
alternative delivery method (for example, a commercial carrier, such
as Federal Express or United Parcel Service; U.S. Postal Service
Express Mail; or a courier service) to transmit your application for
this competition to the Department. If you use an alternative
delivery method, please obtain the appropriate proof of mailing
under (a) ``If You Send Your Application by Mail'', then follow the
instructions for ``(b) If You Deliver Your Application by Hand.''
Program Authority: 20 U.S.C. 6383.
Dated: May 22, 2002.
Susan B. Neuman,
Assistant Secretary for Elementary and Secondary Education.
Appendix
Instructions for Estimated Public Reporting Burden
According to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, you are not
required to respond to a collection of information unless it
displays a valid OMB control number. The valid OMB control number
for this collection of information is [1810-0652]. Expiration date:
May 31, 2005. We estimate the time required to complete this
collection of information to average 30 hours per response,
including the time to review instructions, search existing data
sources, gather the data needed, and complete and review the
collection of information. 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, DC
20202-4651.
If you have comments or concerns regarding the status of your
submission of this form, write directly to: Literacy Through School
Libraries Program, U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland
Avenue, SW., room 5C130, FOB-6, Washington, DC 20202-6200.
Instructions for Application Narrative
Before preparing the Application Narrative you should read
carefully the description of the program, the information regarding
the priority, and the selection criteria we use to evaluate
applications.
The narrative should--
1. Begin with an abstract; that is, a summary of your proposed
project (please remember to identify your selection of program
elements as required by the absolute priority section of this
notice);
2. Describe your proposed project in light of each of the
selection criteria in the order in which we list the criteria in
this notice;
3. List each function or activity for which you are requesting
funds; and
4. Include any other pertinent information that might assist us
in reviewing your application.
Note: The section on PAGE LIMIT elsewhere in this application
notice applies to your application.
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[FR Doc. 02-13313 Filed 5-28-02; 8:45 am]
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