[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 11 (Thursday, January 16, 1997)] [Notices] [Pages 2518-2541] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 97-1053] [[Page 2517]] _______________________________________________________________________ Part III Department of Education _______________________________________________________________________ Bilingual Education--Systemwide Improvement Grants; Applications Invitation, FY 1997; Notice Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 11 / Thursday, January 16, 1997 / Notices [[Page 2518]] DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION [CFDA No.: 84.291R] Bilingual Education--Systemwide Improvement Grants; Notice Inviting Applications for New Awards for Fiscal Year (FY) 1997 Note to Applicants: This notice is a complete application package. Together with the statute authorizing the program and applicable regulations governing the program, including the Education Department General Administrative Regulations (EDGAR), this notice contains all of the information, application forms, and instructions needed to apply for an award under this program. Purpose of Program: This program provides grants to implement districtwide bilingual education programs or special alternative instructional programs to improve, reform, and upgrade relevant programs and operations, within an entire local educational agency (LEA), that serve a significant number of limited English proficient (LEP) children and youth in one or more LEAs with significant concentrations of these children and youth. Eligible Applicants: (1) One or more LEAs; or (2) one or more LEAs in collaboration with an institution of higher education, community- based organizations, other LEAs, or a State educational agency. Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: April 4, 1997. Deadline for Intergovernmental Review: June 3, 1997. Available Funds: $20 million. Estimated Range of Awards: $350,000-$650,000. Estimated Average Size of Awards: $500,000. Estimated Number of Awards: 40. Note: The Department is not bound by any estimates in this notice. Project Period: 60 months. Applicable Regulations The Education Department General Administrative Regulations (EDGAR) in 34 CFR Parts 74, 75, 77, 79, 80, 81, 82, 85, and 86. Description of Program The statutory authorization for this program, and the application requirements that apply to this competition, are set out in sections 7115 and 7116 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. 7425 and 7426)). Grants under this program may be used during the first 12 months exclusively for activities preparatory to the delivery of services. Grants may be used to improve the education of limited English proficient students and their families by reviewing, restructuring, and upgrading-- (A) Educational goals, curriculum guidelines and content, standards and assessments; (B) Personnel policies and practices including recruitment, certification, staff development, and assignment; (C) Student grade-promotion and graduation requirements; (D) Student assignment policies and practices; (E) Family education programs and parent outreach and training activities designed to assist parents to become active participants in the education of their children; (F) The instructional program for limited English proficient students by identifying, acquiring and upgrading curriculum, instructional materials, educational software and assessment procedures and, if appropriate, applying educational technology; (G) Tutorials and academic or career counseling for children and youth of limited-English proficiency; and (H) Such other activities, related to the purposes of this part, as the Secretary may approve. Priorities Absolute Priority The priority in the notice of final priority for this program, as published in the Federal Register on October 30, 1995 (60 FR 55246- 55247) and repeated below, applies to this competition. Under 34 CFR 75.105(c)(3) and section 7115(a) of the Act, the Secretary gives an absolute preference to applications that meet the following priority. The Secretary funds under this competition only applications that meet this absolute priority: Projects that serve only LEAs in which the number of LEP students, in each LEA served, is at least 1,000 or at least 25 percent of the total student enrollment. Invitational Priority Within the absolute priority specified in this notice, the Secretary is particularly interested in applications that meet the invitational priority in the next paragraph. However, an application that meets this invitational priority does not receive competitive or absolute preference over other applications (34 CFR 75.105(c)(1)). Applicants that consider the Department of Education Professional Development Principles in planning and designing a Systemwide Improvement Grant project. Those principles call for educator professional development that focuses on teachers as central to student learning, yet includes all other members of the school community; focuses on individual, collegial, and organizational improvement; respects and nurtures the intellectual and leadership capacity of teachers, principals, and others in the school community; reflects best available research and practice in teaching, learning, and leadership; enables teachers to develop further expertise in subject content, teaching strategies, uses of technologies, and other essential elements in teaching to high standards; promotes continuous inquiry and improvement embedded in the daily life of schools; is planned collaboratively by those who will participate in and facilitate that development; requires substantial time and other resources; is driven by a coherent long-term plan; is evaluated ultimately on the basis of its impact on teacher effectiveness and student learning; and uses this assessment to guide subsequent professional development efforts. Selection Criteria (a)(1) The Secretary uses the following provisions in sections 7115 and 7116 of the Act and 34 CFR 75.210 as 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. (15 points) The Secretary reviews each application to determine how well the project is designed to implement districtwide bilingual education programs or special alternative instruction programs to improve, reform, and upgrade relevant programs and operations, within an entire local educational agency, that serve a significant number of children and youth of limited English proficiency in local educational agencies with significant concentrations of such children and youth. (Authority: 20 U.S.C. 7425(a)) (2) Extent of need for the project. (15 points) The Secretary reviews each application to determine the extent to which the project meets specific needs recognized in the statute that authorizes the program, including consideration of-- [[Page 2519]] (i) Data on the number of children and youth of limited-English proficiency in the school district to be served; (ii) The characteristics of such children and youth, such as language spoken, dropout rates, proficiency in English and the native language, academic standing in relation to the English-proficient peers of those children and youth, and, where applicable, the recency of immigration; (iii) The needs addressed by the project; (iv) How the applicant identified those needs; (v) How those needs will be met by the project; and (vi) The benefits to be gained by meeting those needs. (Authority: 20 U.S.C. 7426(g)(1)(A); 34 C.F.R. 75.210(b)(2)) (3) Plan of operation. (35 points) The Secretary reviews each application to determine how well the project meets the following requirements: (i) How the program is to be implemented and its design-- (A) Relate to the linguistic and academic needs of the children and youth of limited-English proficiency to be served; (B) Are coordinated with other programs under this Act, the Goals 2000: Educate America Act and other Acts, as appropriate in accordance with section 14306 of the Act; (C) Involve the parents of the children and youth of limited- English proficiency to be served; (D) Ensure accountability in achieving high academic standards; and (E) Promote coordination of services for the children and youth of limited-English proficiency to be served and their families. (Authority: 20 U.S.C. 7426(g)(1)(B)) (ii) How, if appropriate, the applicant proposes collaborative activities with institutions of higher education, community-based organizations, local or State educational agencies, private schools, nonprofit organizations, or businesses in carrying out the proposed program. (Authority: 20 U.S.C. 7426(g)(1)(C)) (iii)(A) What current services the applicant provides to children and youth of limited-English proficiency; (B) What services children and youth of limited-English proficiency will receive under the grant that such children or youth will not otherwise receive; (C) How funds received will be integrated with all other Federal, State, local, and private resources that may be used to serve children and youth of limited-English proficiency; (D) Specific achievement and school retention goals for the children and youth to be served by the proposed program and how progress toward achieving such goals will be measured; and (E) Current family education programs if applicable. (iv) How the applicant's proposed project will be integrated with the applicant's overall educational program. (Authority: 20 U.S.C. 7426(g)(2)(B)(i)) (v) How training for personnel participating in or preparing to participate in the program will assist those personnel in meeting State and local certification requirements. (Authority: 20 U.S.C. 7426(i)(5)) (4) Proficiency in English and another language. (5 points) The Secretary reviews each application to determine the extent to which the project will provide for the development of bilingual proficiency both in English and another language for all participating students. (Authority: 20 U.S.C. 7426(i)(1)) (5) Quality of key personnel. (8 points) The Secretary reviews each application to determine how well the project meets the following requirements: (i) How the applicant will employ teachers in the proposed program that, individually or in combination, are proficient in English, including written, as well as oral, communication skills. (ii) How the project will use qualified personnel, including personnel who are proficient in the language or languages used in instruction. (Authority: 20 U.S.C. 7426(g)(1)(E) and (h)(1)) (6) Budget and cost effectiveness. (5 points) The Secretary reviews each application to determine the extent to which-- (i) The budget is adequate to support the project; and (ii) Costs are reasonable in relation to the objectives of the project. (34 CFR 75.210(b)(5)) (7) Evaluation plan. (13 points) The Secretary reviews each application to determine how well the project's evaluation will meet the following requirements. The evaluation must include-- (i) How students are achieving the State student performance standards, if any, including data comparing children and youth of limited-English proficiency with nonlimited English proficient children and youth with regard to school retention, academic achievement, and gains in English (and, where applicable, native language) proficiency; (ii) Program implementation indicators that provide information for informing and improving program management and effectiveness, including data on appropriateness of curriculum in relationship to grade and course requirements, appropriateness of program management, appropriateness of the program's staff professional development, and appropriateness of the language of instruction; and (iii) Program context indicators that describe the relationship of the activities funded under the grant to the overall school program and other Federal, State, or local programs serving children and youth of limited-English proficiency. (Authority: 20 U.S.C. 7433) (8) Adequacy of resources. (4 points) The Secretary reviews each application to determine how well the project meets the following requirements: (i) Student evaluation and assistance procedures must be valid, reliable, and fair for limited-English proficient students. (ii) Limited-English proficient students who are disabled must be identified and served in accordance with the requirements of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. (iii) The project must contribute toward building the capacity of the applicant to provide a program on a regular basis, similar to that proposed for assistance, which will be of sufficient size, scope, and quality to promise significant improvement in the education of students of limited-English proficiency, and that the applicant will have the resources and commitment to continue the program when assistance is reduced or no longer available. (iv) The project must provide for utilization of the State and national dissemination sources for program design and in dissemination of results and products. (Authority: 20 U.S.C. 7426(h)(3), (5), and (6)) 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 [[Page 2520]] 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 20, 1996 (61 FR 43133 through 43135). 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# 84.291R, 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 specified copies of the application on or before the deadline date to: U.S. Department of Education, Application Control Center, Attention: (CFDA# 84.291R), Washington, D.C. 20202-4725 or (2) Hand-deliver the original and specified 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# 84.291R), 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 application contains the following forms and instructions, plus a statement regarding estimated public reporting burden, various assurances, a notice to applicants regarding compliance with section 427 of the General Education Provisions Act, certifications, checklist for applicants, and required documentation: a. Application for Federal Assistance (Standard Form 424 (Rev. 4- 88)) and instructions. b. Budget Information--Non-Construction Programs (ED Form No. 524) and instructions. c. Application Narrative. d. Estimated Public Reporting Burden. e. Group Application Certification. f. Student Data. g. Project Documentation. h. Program Assurances. 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) and instructions. k. Certification Regarding Debarment, Suspension, Ineligibility and Voluntary Exclusion--Lower Tier Covered Transactions (ED 80-0014, 9/90) and instructions. (Note: This form 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. The document has been marked to reflect statutory changes. See the notice published by the Office of Management and Budget at 61 FR 1413 (January 19, 1996). m. Notice to All Applicants. An applicant may submit information on a photostatic copy of the application and budget forms, the assurances, and the certifications. However, the application form, the assurances, and the certifications must each have an original signature. All applicants must submit ONE original signed application and TWO copies of the application. The Secretary also requests applicants to send a THIRD copy of the application to assist in the Department's review. Please mark each application as ``original'' or ``copy''. No grant may be awarded unless a completed application has been received. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Cecile Kreins, James Lockhart, or Harry Logel, U.S. Department of Education, 600 Independence Avenue, SW., Room 5090, Switzer Building, Washington, D.C. 20202-6510. Telephone: Cecile Kreins (202) 205-5568, James Lockhart (202) 205-5426, Harry Logel (202) 205-5530). Individuals who use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Information Relay Service(FIRS) at 1-800-877-8339 between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m., Eastern time, Monday through Friday. Information about the Department's funding opportunities, including copies of application notices for discretionary grant competitions, can be viewed on the Department's electronic bulletin board (ED Board), telephone (202) 260-9950; on the Internet Gopher Server (at gopher:// gcs.ed.gov); or on the World Wide Web (at http://gcs.ed.gov). However, the official application notice for a discretionary grant competition is the notice published in the Federal Register. Note: Some of the forms in the Appendix to this notice may not be available from these electronic sources. Program Authority: 20 U.S.C. 7425. Dated: January 7, 1997. Delia Pompa, Director, Office of Bilingual Education and Minority Languages Affairs. 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 [[Page 2521]] OMB control number. The valid OMB control number for this information collection is OMB No. 1885-0528, Exp. Date: 4/30/98. The time required to complete this information collection is estimated to average 160 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 Ave., S.W., Washington, D.C. 20202-6510. APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS Mandatory Page Limit for the Application Narrative The narrative portion of the application must not exceed 75 pages. These pages must be doubled-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 page limit applies to: (1) the abstract, (2) the proposal narrative, (3) charts, graphs, tables, and graphics, (4) position descriptions (and resumes,if included), and (5) any appendices. The page limit does not apply to: application forms and other forms furnished by the Department, assurances and attachments to those forms, and the table of contents (items 1-13 in the Checklist for Applicants). Application Narrative 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. 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 send letters of support unless they are critical to the instructional design of the project. Do not send curriculum vitae for key personnel; submit position descriptions instead. APPLICATIONS WITH A NARRATIVE SECTION THAT EXCEEDS THE PAGE LIMIT WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED FOR FUNDING. THE APPLICATION NARRATIVE MUST BE PAGINATED. Table of Contents The application should include a table of contents listing the sections in the order required. Final Application Preparation Use the checklist included in this application to verify that your application is complete. Prepare an original copy with an original signature. Prepare three additional copies. Do not bind in notebooks, elaborate bindings, or covers. The application package must be mailed or hand-delivered to the address specified in this notice and postmarked by the deadline date. Notice to All Applicants Thank you for your interest in this program. The purpose of this enclosure is to inform you about a new provision in the Department of Education's General Education Provisions Act (GEPA) that applies to applicants for new grant awards under Department programs. This provision is section 427 of GEPA, enacted as part of the Improving America's Schools Act of 1994 (Pub. L. 103-382). To Whom Does This Provision Apply? Section 427 of GEPA affects applicants for new discretionary grant awards under this program. ALL APPLICANTS FOR NEW AWARDS MUST INCLUDE INFORMATION IN THEIR APPLICATIONS TO ADDRESS THIS NEW PROVISION IN ORDER TO RECEIVE FUNDING UNDER THIS PROGRAM. What Does This Provision Require? Section 427 requires each applicant for funds (other than an individual person) to include in its application a description of the steps the applicant proposes to take to ensure equitable access to, and participation in, its federally-assisted program for students, teachers, and other program beneficiaries with special needs. This section allows applicants discretion in developing the required description. The statute highlights six types of barriers that can impede equitable access or participation that you may address: gender, race, national origin, color, disability, or age. Based on local circumstances, you can determine whether these or other barriers may prevent your students, teachers, etc. from equitable access or participation. Your description need not be lengthy; you may provide a clear and succinct description of how you plan to address those barriers that are applicable to your circumstances. In addition, the information may be provided in a single narrative, or, if appropriate, may be discussed in connection with related topics in the application. Section 427 is not intended to duplicate the requirements of civil rights statutes, but rather to ensure that, in designing their projects, applicants for Federal funds address equity concerns that may affect the ability of certain potential beneficiaries to fully participate in the project and to achieve to high standards. Consistent with program requirements and its approved application, an applicant may use the Federal funds awarded to it to eliminate barriers it identifies. What are Examples of How an Applicant Might Satisfy the Requirement of This Provision? The following examples may help illustrate how an applicant may comply with section 427. (1) An applicant that proposes to carry out an adult literacy project serving, among others, adults with limited English proficiency, might describe in its application how it intends to distribute a brochure about the proposed project to such potential participants in their native language. (2) An applicant that proposes to develop instructional materials for classroom use might describe how it will make the materials available on audio tape or in braille for students who are blind. (3) An applicant that proposes to carry out a model science program for secondary students and is concerned that girls may be less likely than boys to enroll in the course, might indicate how it tends to conduct ``outreach'' efforts to girls, to encourage their enrollment. We recognize that many applicants may already be implementing effective steps to ensure equity of access and participation in their grant programs, and we appreciate your cooperation in responding to the requirements of this provision. Estimated Burden Statement According to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, no persons are required to respond to a collection of information unless it displays a valid OMB control number. The valid OMB control number for this information collection is 1801-0004 (Exp. 8/31/98). The time required to complete this information collection is estimated to vary from 1 to 3 hours per response, with an average of 1.5 hours, including the time to review instructions, search existing data resources, gather and maintain the data needed, and complete and review the information collection. If you have any comments concerning the [[Page 2522]] 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 Systemwide Improvement Grants The following forms and other items must be included in the application and organized in the same manner listed below: 1. Application for Federal Assistance (SF 424) 2. Group Application Certification (if applicable) 3. Budget Information (ED Form No. 524) 4. Itemized Budget for each year 5. Student Data 6. Project Documentation: Transmittal Letter to SEA Documentation of Consultation with Nonprofit Private School Officials, if applicable Box checked in Section C of this form 7. Program Assurances 8. Notice to All Applicants (OMB No. 1801-0004) 9. Assurances--Non-Construction Programs (SF 424B) 10. Certifications Regarding Lobbying; Debarment, Suspension and Other Responsibility Matters; and Drug-Free Workplace Requirements (ED 80- 0013) 11. Certification Regarding Debarment, Suspension, Ineligibility and Voluntary Exclusion--Lower Tier Covered Transactions (ED 80-0014) 12. Disclosure of Lobbying Activities (SF-LLL) 13. Table of Contents 14. Application Narrative, including Abstract (not to exceed 75 pages) 15. One Original and Three Copies of the Application to be transmitted to the Department at the address specified in this notice. BILLING CODE 4000-01-P [[Page 2523]] [GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN16JA97.000 [[Page 2524]] [GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN16JA97.001 [[Page 2525]] [GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN16JA97.002 [[Page 2526]] [GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN16JA97.003 [[Page 2527]] [GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN16JA97.004 [[Page 2528]] [GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN16JA97.005 [[Page 2529]] [GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN16JA97.006 [[Page 2530]] [GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN16JA97.007 [[Page 2531]] [GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN16JA97.008 [[Page 2532]] [GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN16JA97.009 [[Page 2533]] [GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN16JA97.010 [[Page 2534]] [GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN16JA97.011 [[Page 2535]] [GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN16JA97.012 [[Page 2536]] [GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN16JA97.013 [[Page 2537]] [GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN16JA97.014 [[Page 2538]] [GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN16JA97.015 [[Page 2539]] [GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN16JA97.016 [[Page 2540]] [GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN16JA97.017 [[Page 2541]] [GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN16JA97.018 [FR Doc. 97-1053 Filed 1-15-97; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4000-01-C