[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 36 (Wednesday, February 23, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-4057]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: February 23, 1994]



 

Instructions for Part III--Application Narrative

    Before preparing the Application Narrative, an applicant should 
read carefully the description of the program, the information 
regarding the priorities, and the selection criteria the Secretary uses 
to evaluate applications.

CFDA No. 84.203A  Star Schools--Distance Education Projects

    The narrative should encompass each function or activity for which 
funds are being requested and should--
    1. Begin with an Abstract that is a summary of the proposed 
project.
    2. Describe how the proposed project will meet one or more of the 
absolute priorities, and the competitive priority, if appropriate, in 
the light of each of the selection criteria in the order in which the 
criteria are listed in this notice.

Requirements--Distance Education Projects

    The legislation authorizing the Star Schools Program requires that 
all applications address each of the following:
    1. Describe the telecommunications facilities and equipment and 
technical assistance for which assistance is sought which may include--
    A. The design, development, construction, and acquisition of State 
or multistate educational telecommunications networks and technology 
resource centers;
    B. Microwave, fiber optics, cable, and satellite transmission 
equipment or any combination thereof;
    C. Reception facilities;
    D. Satellite time;
    E. Production facilities;
    F. Other telecommunications equipment capable of serving a wide 
geographic area;
    G. The provision of training services to instructors who will be 
using the facilities and equipment for which assistance is sought; and 
in using such facilities and equipment, and in integrating programs 
into the class curriculum; and
    H. The development of educational programming for students, or for 
educational personnel, or both, to be used on the telecommunications 
network;
    2. Describe the types of programming that will be acquired or 
developed to enhance instruction and training and provide assurances 
that such programming will be designed in consultation with 
professionals who are experts in the applicable subject matter and 
grade level.
    3. Demonstrate that the eligible telecommunications partnership has 
engaged in sufficient survey and analysis of the area to be served to 
ensure that the services offered by the telecommunications partnership 
will increase the availability of courses of instruction in the 
subjects to be offered.
    4. Describe the manner in which traditionally underserved students 
(such as students who are disadvantaged, limited-English proficient, 
disabled or illiterate) will participate in the benefits of the 
telecommunications facilities, equipment, technical assistance, and 
programming assisted under this proposed project, and the extent to 
which existing telecommunications equipment will be used where 
available.
    5. Describe the training policies for teachers and other school 
personnel to be implemented to ensure the effective use of the 
telecommunications facilities and equipment for which assistance is 
sought.
    6. Describe the activities or services for which assistance is 
sought including activities and services such as--
    A. Providing facilities, equipment, training, services, and 
technical assistance;
    B. Making programs accessible to individuals with disabilities 
through mechanisms such as closed captioning and descriptive video 
services;
    C. Linking networks together, for example, around an issue of 
national importance such as elections;
    D. Sharing curriculum materials among networks;
    E. Providing teacher and student support services;
    F. Incorporating community resources such as libraries and museums 
into instructional programs;
    G. Providing teacher training to early childhood development and 
Head Start teachers and staff;
    H. Providing teacher training to vocational education teachers and 
staff, and
    I. Providing programs for adults at times other than the regular 
school day in order to maximize the use of the telecommunications 
facilities and equipment.

Additional Instructions--Distance Education Projects

    1. The applicant may include other pertinent information that may 
assist the Secretary in reviewing the application, including the scope 
and degree of services to be provided, who will render the 
telecommunications service, and when it will be delivered.
    2. Justifications and specifications for equipment purchases should 
be clearly related to existing facilities and resources as well as to 
distance learning services to be delivered.
    3. Applicants that apply for the production of instructional 
programming should be specific in the scope and sequence of the content 
and the tasks required to produce the proposed courses of instruction.
    4. The application should enable reviewers to make clear linkages 
between the proposed budget and the specific tasks, operations, and 
service delivery.
    The Secretary strongly requests the applicant to limit the 
Application Narrative to no more than 45 double-spaced, typed 8\1/2\'' 
x  11'' pages (on one side only), although the Secretary will consider 
applications of greater length.
    The applicant may include an appendix, also on 8\1/2\''  x  11'' 
paper or any other pertinent information (e.g., letters of support, 
footnotes, resumes, etc.) that might assist the Secretary in reviewing 
the application.
    The applicant may provide a VHS \1/2\ inch videotape, however such 
a tape should be limited to no more than 12 minutes.

CFDA NO: 84.203B  Star Schools--Special Statewide Network

    The narrative should encompass each function or activity for which 
funds are being requested and should--
    1. Begin with an Abstract that is a summary of the proposed 
project.
    2. Describe how the proposed project will use a Statewide fiber 
optics network with two-way full motion video and audio communications 
to meet any or all of the priorities in the light of each of the 
selection criteria in the order in which the criteria are listed in 
this notice.

Requirements--Special Statewide Network

    The legislation authorizing the Star Schools Program requires that 
all applications address each of the following:
    1. Describe the telecommunications facilities and equipment and 
technical assistance for which assistance is sought which may include:
    A. The design, development, construction, and acquisition of 
Statewide educational telecommunications networks and technology 
resource centers;
    B. Reception facilities;
    C. Production facilities;
    D. Other telecommunications equipment capable of serving a wide 
geographic area;
    E. The provision of training services to instructors who will be 
using the facilities and equipment and how to integrate distance 
learning into the classroom curriculum; and
    F. The development of educational programming for students to be 
used on the telecommunications network.
    2. Describe the types of programming which will be developed to 
enhance instruction and training and provide assurances that such 
programming will be designed in consultation with professionals who are 
experts in the applicable subject matter and grade level.
    3. Demonstrate that the eligible telecommunications partnership has 
engaged in sufficient survey and analysis of the area to be served to 
ensure that the services offered by the telecommunications partnership 
will increase the availability of courses of instruction in 
mathematics, science, foreign languages and literacy skills as well as 
other subjects to be offered.
    4. Describe the training policies for teachers and other school 
personnel to be implemented to ensure the effective use of the 
telecommunications facilities and equipment for which assistance is 
sought.
    5. Describe the activities or services for which assistance is 
sought including activities and services such as--
    A. Providing facilities, equipment, training, services, and 
technical assistance;
    B. Making programs accessible to individuals with disabilities 
through mechanisms such as closed captioning and descriptive video 
services;
    C. Linking networks together, for example, around an issue of 
national importance such as elections;
    D. Sharing curriculum materials among networks;
    E. Providing teacher and student support services;
    F. Incorporating community resources such as libraries and museums 
into instructional programs;
    G. Providing teacher training to early childhood development and 
Head Start teachers and staff;
    H. Providing teacher training to vocational education teachers and 
staff, and
    I. Providing programs for adults at times other than the regular 
school day in order to maximize the use of the telecommunications 
facilities and equipment.

Additional Instructions--Special Statewide Network

    1. The applicant may include other pertinent information that may 
assist the Secretary in reviewing the application, including the scope 
and degree of services to be provided, who will render the 
telecommunication service, when it will be delivered, and the role of 
the interactive components.
    2. Justifications and specifications for equipment purchases should 
be clearly related to existing facilities and resources as well as to 
distance learning services to be delivered.
    3. Applicants that apply for the production of instructional 
programming should be specific in the scope and sequence of the content 
and the tasks required to produce the proposed courses of instruction.
    4. The application should enable reviewers to make clear linkages 
between the proposed budget and the specific tasks, operations, and 
service delivery.
    5. The applicant should detail the sources of matching funds and 
how they will be applied to the project. Other Federal funds may not be 
used as matching funds.
    The Secretary strongly requests the applicant to limit the 
Application Narrative to no more than 45 double-spaced, typed pages (on 
one side only), although the Secretary will consider applications of 
greater length.
    The applicant may include an appendix, or any other pertinent 
information (e.g., letters of support, footnotes, resumes, etc.) that 
might assist the Secretary in reviewing the application.
    The applicant may provide a VHS \1/2\ inch videotape, however such 
a tape should be limited to no more than 12 minutes.

CFDA NO: 84.203C  Star Schools--Dissemination Grants

    The narrative should encompass each function or activity for which 
funds are being requested and should--
    1. Begin with an Abstract that is a summary of the proposed 
project.
    2. Describe how the proposed project will conduct the required 
activities described in Part III 84.203C of this notice in light of 
each of the selection criteria, in the order in which the criteria are 
listed in this notice.
    3. Demonstrate that the applicant has engaged in sufficient survey 
and analysis to ensure that the services offered by the proposed 
project will increase the information about and access to distance 
learning technologies and resources for State and local educational 
agencies.
    4. Enable reviewers to make clear linkages between the proposed 
budget and the specific tasks, operations, and service delivery.
    5. Include other pertinent information that may assist the 
Secretary in reviewing the application, including the scope and degree 
of services to be provided.
    The Secretary strongly requests the applicant to limit the 
Application Narrative to no more than 45 double-spaced, typed 8\1/2\'' 
x  11'' pages (on one side only), although the Secretary will consider 
applications of greater length.
    The applicant may include an appendix, also on 8\1/2\'' x 11'' 
paper or any other pertinent information (e.g., letters of support, 
footnotes, resumes, etc.) that might assist the Secretary in reviewing 
the application.

Instructions for Estimated Public Reporting Burden

    Under terms of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1980, as amended, and 
the regulations implementing that Act, the Department of Education 
invites comment on the public reporting burden in this collection of 
information. Public reporting burden for this collection of information 
is estimated to average 100 hours per response, including the time for 
reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and 
maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the 
collection of information. You may send comments regarding this burden 
estimate or any other aspect of this collection of information, 
including suggestions for reducing this burden, to the U.S. Department 
of Education, Information Management and Compliance Division, 
Washington, DC 20202-4651; and to the Office of Management and Budget, 
Paperwork Reduction Project 1850-0623, Washington, DC 20503.

(Information collection approved under OMB control number 1850-0623. 
Expiration date: June 30, 1994)

    Applicants for grants under 84.203A and 84.203B must submit the 
following Star Schools Program Assurances with an application:
    The eligible telecommunications partnership hereby assures and 
certifies as follows:
    1. The eligible telecommunications partnership will protect the 
financial interest of the United States in the telecommunications 
facilities and equipment for the useful life of such facilities and 
equipment. (Estimated at ten years)
    2. The eligible telecommunications partnership will make available 
a significant portion of any facilities and equipment, technical 
assistance, and programming for which assistance is sought to public 
elementary or secondary schools eligible for assistance under Chapter 1 
of Title 1 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965.
    3. The eligible telecommunications partnership will use the funds 
to supplement and not supplant funds otherwise available for the 
purposes of this title.
    4. The eligible telecommunications partnership will design any 
programming that may be developed to enhance instruction and training 
in consultation with professionals who are experts in the applicable 
subject matter and grade level.

----------------------------------------------------------------------
Name and Title of Authorized Representative

----------------------------------------------------------------------
Signature of Authorized Representative

----------------------------------------------------------------------
Agency or Organization

Date-------------------------------------------------------------------
    Applicants for grants under 84.203C must submit the following Star 
Schools Program Assurances with an application:
    1. The eligible telecommunications partnership or other eligible 
entity hereby assures and certifies that the partnership or other 
eligible entity will provide technical assistance to State and local 
educational agencies to plan and implement technology-based systems, 
including--
    (A) information regarding successful distance learning resources 
for States, local educational agencies, and schools;
    (B) assistance in connecting users of distance learning, regional 
educational service centers, colleges and universities, the private 
sector, and other relevant entities;
    (C) assistance and advice in the design and implementation of 
systems to include needs assessments and technology design; and
    (D) support for the identification of possible connections, and 
cost-sharing arrangements for users of such systems.
    2. Grant funds shall be used to supplement and not supplant 
services provided by the partnership under this program in previous 
years.

----------------------------------------------------------------------
Name and Title of Authorized Representative

----------------------------------------------------------------------
Signature of Authorized Representative

----------------------------------------------------------------------
Agency or Organization

Date-------------------------------------------------------------------
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[FR Doc. 94-4057 Filed 2-22-94; 8:45 am]
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