[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 48 (Monday, March 13, 1995)]
[Notices]
[Pages 13598-13599]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-6133]



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DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION


Fund for the Improvement of Education (FIE)

AGENCY: Department of Education.

ACTION: Notice of Final Priorities for Fiscal Year (FY) 1995: 
Demonstration Programs: (1) Elementary School Counseling Partnerships; 
(2) Middle School-Workplace-Community Partnerships.

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SUMMARY: The Secretary announces the final priorities for the FIE 
Demonstration Programs for Elementary School Counseling Partnerships 
and Middle School-Workplace-Community Partnerships.

EFFECTIVE DATE: These priorities take effect April 12, 1995.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Stephen O'Brien, U.S. Department of 
Education, Office of Educational Research and Improvement, 555 New 
Jersey Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20208-5645. Telephone 202-219-2141. 
Individuals who use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) may 
call the Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 1-800-877-8339 
between 8:00 a.m. and 8 p.m., Eastern time, Monday through Friday.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The purpose of the Fund for the Improvement 
of Education is to support nationally significant programs to improve 
the quality of education, assist all students to meet challenging State 
[[Page 13599]] content standards, and contribute to the achievement of 
the National Education Goals. The priorities announced in this notice 
will support demonstration projects as a way to address the broader FIE 
objectives.
    The Secretary recognizes that successful well-articulated programs 
that provide for continuous improvement of professional educators and 
improvement of services to students will require educators to work 
together across traditionally separated roles and organizations. 
Therefore, projects must be carried out by partnerships consisting of 
educational organizations and other public and private sector 
organizations.
    Section 10101(b)(1)(A) of the FIE statute authorizes the Secretary 
to fund activities that will promote systemic education reform at the 
State and local levels. The Secretary believes that professional 
development, not only for teachers, but also for pupil services 
personnel and guidance counselors, is an essential element of effective 
systemic reform efforts.
    In recent years, school-community-business partnerships have become 
an effective strategy for school improvement. Many communities have 
developed effective school and workplace experiences for students at 
the junior high and high school levels. The Secretary believes that 
school-workplace-community programs can be equally effective for middle 
school students, and can help younger students begin to think of the 
opportunities they will have in the future.

Absolute Priorities

    Under 34 CFR 75.105(c)(3) the Secretary gives an absolute 
preference to applications that meet one of the following priorities. 
The Secretary funds under this competition only applications that meet 
one of the following absolute priorities.

Absolute Priority 1--Elementary School Counseling Partnerships

    Applicants must propose activities to develop, implement, and 
evaluate strategies for supporting elementary school counseling. 
Projects must include professional development to improve the skills of 
pupil services personnel and guidance counselors for working with 
students from diverse populations, and activities promoting school-
linked services integration. Projects must involve collaborative 
efforts among local education agencies, institutions of higher 
education, businesses, labor organizations, community groups, social 
service agencies, or other public or private entities to design and 
carry out the program.

Absolute Priority 2--Middle School-Workplace-Community Partnerships

    Applicants must propose activities designed to make school relevant 
to the workplace and the community for middle school students. Projects 
must be built upon partnerships developed among middle schools, 
employers, and the community. Projects must emphasize the integration 
of high quality academic and vocational learning, stress excellence and 
high expectations for success in academic subjects, instill 
responsibility, decision making, problem solving, interpersonal skills, 
and other competencies in students.

Waiver of Proposed Rulemaking

    In accordance with the Administrative Procedure Act (5 U.S.C. 553), 
it is the practice of the Department of Education to offer interested 
parties the opportunity to comment on proposed priorities that are not 
taken directly from statute. Ordinarily, this practice would have 
applied to the absolute priority in this notice. However, in order to 
make timely grant awards in FY 1995, the Assistant Secretary, in 
accordance with section 437(d)(1) of the General Education Provisions 
Act, has decided to issue the absolute priority as final requirements 
that will apply only to the FY 1995 grant competition.

Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs

    This program is subject to the requirements of Executive Order 
12372 and the regulations in 34 CFR Part 79. The objective of the 
Executive Order is to foster an intergovernmental partnership and a 
strengthened federalism by relying on processes developed by State and 
local governments for coordination and review of proposed Federal 
financial assistance.
    In accordance with the order, this document is intended to provide 
early notification of the Department's specific plans and actions for 
this program.

    Note: This action is not an application notice. You may request 
an application by Voice mail: 202-219-2158; Facsimile machine: 202-
219-1407; Mail: OERI/FIE Application, 555 New Jersey Avenue, NW, 
Washington, DC 20208-5644.

    Program Authority: 20 U.S.C. 8001.

(Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number 84.215S: Fund for the 
Improvement of Education)

    Dated: March 8, 1995.
Sharon P. Robinson,
Assistant Secretary for Research and Improvement.
[FR Doc. 95-6133 Filed 3-10-95; 8:45 am]
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