[Federal Register: September 20, 1996 (Volume 61, Number 184)] [Notices] [Page 49441-49442] From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION Notice Establishing Deadlines for the Submission of Waiver Requests SUMMARY: In this notice, the Acting Deputy Secretary establishes deadlines for the submission of waiver requests under sections 14401 and 1113(a)(7) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA), section 311(a) of the Goals 2000: Educate America Act, and section 502 of the School-to-Work Opportunities Act of 1994. DEADLINES: Requests for waivers that would be implemented in the semester immediately following January 1, 1997 must be submitted no later than November 1, 1996. Requests for waivers that would be implemented in the beginning of the 1997-98 school year must be submitted no later than May 1, 1997. Waiver applicants are encouraged to submit their waiver requests as early as possible and not wait until these deadlines to seek waivers. The requests will be reviewed upon receipt. For purposes of this notice, the submission date is the date that the waiver request is received by the U.S. Department of Education (Department) in substantially approvable form. A waiver request is considered to be in substantially approvable form when it has adequately addressed the statutory criteria as described in the Department's waiver guidance. Exceptions to the deadlines will be considered only if the applicant demonstrates that the requested waiver would not disrupt ongoing school-level activities. BACKGROUND: The reauthorized ESEA, the Goals 2000: Educate America Act, and the School-to-Work Opportunities Act provide State educational agencies, school districts, and other eligible applicants with opportunities to seek waivers of certain requirements of Federal education programs in order to improve school effectiveness and academic achievement. Waivers granted under these authorities should be part of overall school improvement efforts and promote improved teaching and learning. As of September 9, 1996, 129 waiver requests had been approved by the Department. The provisions waived have included requirements governing the statutory poverty threshold for implementing schoolwide programs under Title I of the ESEA; within-district allocations of Title I, Part A funds; the proportion of funds devoted to professional development in mathematics and science and other core subject areas under Title II of the ESEA; the consolidation of administrative funds under Title XIV of the ESEA; and the formation of consortia under the Perkins Vocational and Applied Technology Education Act. During the period a waiver is under review by the Department, a waiver applicant must continue to comply with the requirement that is the subject of the waiver request. If a request is submitted close to the date an applicant desires to implement the waiver, the Department may be unable to review the request before the desired implementation date and/or the applicant may have insufficient time to make the adjustments necessary to effectively implement the waiver if one is granted. Thus, the Department has found it necessary to establish specific deadlines for the submission of waiver requests. [[Page 49442]] FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Collette Roney at the Department's Waiver Assistance Line, (202) 401-7801. Copies of the Department's updated waiver guidance are available at this number. The guidance and other information on flexibility is also available at the Department's World Wide Web site at http://www.ed.gov/flexibility. 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. Dated: September 16, 1996. Marshall S. Smith, Acting Deputy Secretary. [FR Doc. 96-24109 Filed 9-19-96; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4000-01-M