[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 178 (Thursday, September 14, 1995)]
[Notices]
[Pages 47830-47833]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-22875]
[[Page 47829]]
_______________________________________________________________________
Part IV
Department of Education
_______________________________________________________________________
Office of Educational Research and Improvement; National Institutes'
Field-Initiated Studies Grant Program; Notice
Federal Register / Vol. 60, No. 178 / Thursday, September 14, 1995 /
Notices
[[Page 47830]]
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
Office of Educational Research and Improvement; National
Institutes' Field-Initiated Studies Grant Program
AGENCY: Department of Education.
ACTION: Notice inviting applications for new awards for fiscal year
1996.
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SUMMARY: The Secretary invites applications for new awards for fiscal
year 1996 and announces closing dates for the transmittal of
applications under the Field-Initiated Studies Grant Program supported
by five new National Institutes: Student Achievement, Curriculum, and
Assessment; Education of At-Risk Students; Educational Governance,
Finance, Policymaking, and Management; Early Childhood Development and
Education; and Postsecondary Education, Libraries, and Lifelong
Learning. The Field-Initiated Studies Grant Program will support
educational research projects related to the missions of the
Institutes.
DATES: The closing dates for transmitting applications under this
notice are listed in Section I of this notice.
ADDRESSES: For Applications or Further Information: The address and
telephone number for obtaining applications for, or further information
about, individual Institutes are in Section II of this notice.
For Users of TDD or FIRS: 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.
For Electronic Access to Information: 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; or on the Internet Gopher Server at GOPHER.ED.GOV (under
Announcements, Bulletins and Press Releases). However, the official
application notice for a discretionary grant competition is the notice
published in the Federal Register.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Educational Research, Development,
Dissemination, and Improvement Act of 1994 (``Act'') (20 U.S.C. 6002 et
seq.) established five National research institutes within the
Department. Each of the Institutes will support a Field-Initiated
Studies (FIS) Grant program to fund field-initiated research projects
on topics related to the mission of the relevant Institute. The
application announcement for each FIS Grant program, in Section II of
this notice, contains a summary of the mission of each of the five
Institutes. Section 931 of the Act (20 U.S.C. 6031) contains a complete
description of the mission of each Institute.
The Secretary has established invitational priorities for each of
the FIS Grant program competitions. The invitational priorities provide
examples of research projects that the Secretary believes would enhance
the work of each Institute. The invitational priorities are examples
only and applicants may propose education research projects on any
topic within the mission of the relevant Institute.
The Field-Initiated Studies Grant program provides assistance to
institutions of higher education, public and private organizations,
institutions, agencies, and individuals for educational research and
demonstration to improve American education. The Act defines
``educational research'' to include basic and applied research, inquiry
with the purpose of applying tested knowledge gained to specific
educational settings and problems, development, planning, surveys,
assessments, evaluations, investigations, experiments, and
demonstrations in the field of education and other fields relating to
education (20 U.S.C. 6011(l)(6)). The Act also defines the term
``field-initiated research'' to mean education research in which topics
and methods of study are generated by investigators, including teachers
and other practitioners (20 U.S.C. 6011(l)(7)).
Program Information Shared by All National Institutes
Eligible Applicants: Eligible applicants are institutions of higher
education, public and private organizations, institutions, agencies,
and individuals, or a consortium thereof.
Length of Application: The application narrative may not exceed 25
double-spaced, 8\1/2\ x 11'' pages (on one side only). The applicant
must use a non-proportional 12-point or larger font (i.e., no more than
10 characters to the inch). The entire application package, including
all forms, appendices, and attachments may not exceed 45 pages. All
pages must have at least 1-inch margins on all sides. Pursuant to this
Department's authority to establish instructions governing the form of
application, applications which do not follow these specifications will
not be considered for funding.
Project Periods: Research projects may extend from one to three
years.
Applicable Regulations: (a) The Education Department General
Administrative Regulations (EDGAR) in 34 CFR parts 74, 75, 77, 79, 80,
81, 82, 85 and 86 (part 86 applies to IHEs only); and (b) The
regulations in 34 CFR part 700 (Standards for the Conduct and
Evaluation of Activities Carried Out by OERI), as published elsewhere
in this issue of the Federal Register.
Applicable Evaluation Criteria: In accordance with 34 CFR 700.30,
the Secretary applies the following evaluation criteria to the Field-
Initiated Studies Grant program competitions.
(1) National Significance (30 points). (i) The Secretary considers
the national significance of the proposed project.
(ii) In determining the national significance of the proposed
project, the Secretary considers the following factors--
(A) The importance of the problem or issue to be addressed.
(B) The potential contribution of the project to increased
knowledge or understanding of educational problems, issues, or
effective strategies.
(C) The potential contribution of the project to the development
and advancement of theory and knowledge in the field of study.
(2) Quality of the Project Design (30 points). (i) The Secretary
considers the quality of the design of the proposed project.
(ii) In determining the quality of the design of the proposed
project, the Secretary considers the following factors--
(A) Whether the goals, objectives, and outcomes to be achieved by
the project are clearly specified and measurable.
(B) Whether a specific research design has been proposed, and the
quality and appropriateness of that design, including the scientific
rigor of the studies involved.
(3) Quality and potential contributions of personnel (15 points).
(i) The Secretary considers the quality and potential contributions of
personnel for the proposed project.
(ii) In determining the quality and potential contributions of
personnel for the proposed project, the Secretary considers the
following factors--
(A) The qualifications, including training and experience, of the
project director or principal investigator.
(B) The qualifications, including training and experience, of key
project personnel.
(4) Adequacy of Resources (15 points). (i) The Secretary considers
the adequacy of resources for the proposed project.
(ii) In determining the adequacy of resources for the proposed
project, the Secretary considers the following factors--
[[Page 47831]]
(A) Whether the budget is adequate to support the project; and
(B) Whether the costs are reasonable in relation to the objectives,
design, and potential significance of the project.
(5) Quality of the Management Plan (10 points). (i) The Secretary
considers the quality of the management plan of the proposed project.
(ii) In determining the quality of the management plan of a
proposed project, the Secretary considers the following factors--
(A) The adequacy of the management plan to achieve the objectives
of the project, including the specification of staff responsibility,
timelines, and benchmarks for accomplishing project tasks.
(B) Whether time commitments of the project director or principal
investigator and other key personnel are appropriate and adequate to
meet project objectives.
(C) How the applicant will ensure that persons who are otherwise
eligible to participate in the project are selected without regard to
race, color, national origin, gender, age, or disability.
Organization of Notice
This notice contains two sections. Section I includes a chart
listing the common closing date, and other pertinent information about
each competition covered by this notice. Section II consists of the
individual application announcement for each competition under the
Field-Initiated Studies Grant program.
Section I.--Institutes and FIS Grant Closing Dates
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Estimated
Application Estimated average Estimated
Title of program and CFDA number Applications deadline Tentative available Estimated range of size of number of
available date award date funds awards annual awards
awards
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National Institute on Student Achievement,
Curriculum, and Assessment FIS Grant Program
(84.305F)........................................ 10/13/95 01/05/96 06/28/96 $2,580,000 $100,000-300,000 $250,000 10
National Institute on the Education of At-Risk
Students FIS Grant Program (84.306F)............. 10/13/95 01/05/96 06/28/96 2,580,000 100,000-300,000 250,000 10
National Institute on Early Childhood Development
and Education FIS Grant Program (84.307F)........ 10/13/95 01/05/96 06/28/96 1,290,000 100,000-250,000 200,000 6
National Institute on Educational Governance,
Finance, Policymaking, and Management FIS Grant
Program (84.308F)................................ 10/13/95 01/05/96 06/28/96 860,000 50,000-300,000 150,000 6
National Institute on Postsecondary Education,
Libraries, and Lifelong Learning FIS Grant
Program (84.309F)................................ 10/13/95 01/05/96 06/28/96 1,290,000 100,000-400,000 250,000 5
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Section II--Application Notices
CFDA No. 84.305F--The National Institute on Student Achievement,
Curriculum, and Assessment, Field-Initiated Studies Program
Purpose of Program: The purpose of the National Institute on
Student Achievement, Curriculum, and Assessment is to provide
leadership to improve student achievement in core content areas. The
institute is to support research and development to identify and
develop innovative and exemplary methods to improve student knowledge
at all levels in the core content areas.
Priorities: Under 34 CFR 75.105(c)(1) the Secretary is particularly
interested in applications that meet one or more of the following
invitational priorities. However, an application that meets one or more
of these invitational priorities does not receive competitive or
absolute preference over other applications:
Invitational Priority 1. Methods and activities to reduce and
prevent violence in schools.
Invitational Priority 2. Effective use of technology to improve
learning, teaching, and testing.
Invitational Priority 3. Methods of delivering teacher education
and inservice professional training that lead to improved student
achievement.
For Applications or Information Contact: Clara Lawson-Holmes,
National Institute on Student Achievement, Curriculum, and Assessment,
U.S. Department of Education, 555 New Jersey Avenue, NW, Room 510,
Washington, DC 20208-5573. Telephone (202) 219-2079, or
[email protected].
CFDA No. 84.306F--The National Institute on the Education of At-Risk
Students, Field-Initiated Studies Program
Purpose of Program: The purpose of the National Institute for the
Education of At-Risk Students is to expand research-based knowledge and
strategies that will promote excellence and equity in the education of
children and youth placed at risk of educational failure because of
limited-English proficiency, poverty, race or ethnicity, or geographic
location. The Institute will carry out a program of research and
development to identify and assist others to replicate and adapt
programs and models which promote greater achievement and educational
success by at-risk students, including innovative methods of
instruction, student assessments, professional development, and
curricula.
Priorities: Under 34 CFR 75.105(c)(1) the Secretary is particularly
interested in applications that meet one or more of the following
invitational priorities. However, an application that meets one or more
of these invitational priorities does not receive competitive or
absolute preference over other applications:
[[Page 47832]]
Invitational Priority 1. Increasing academic achievement and
reducing the dropout rates of American Indian and Alaska Native
students.
Invitational Priority 2. Improving the success of students at-risk
through coordinated school, community, and family programs, including
programs designed to increase learning time.
Invitational Priority 3. Improving student outcomes in schools
where a majority of students live in poverty.
For Applications or Information Contact: Beth Fine, National
Institute on the Education of At-Risk Students, U.S. Department of
Education, 555 New Jersey Avenue, NW, Room 610, Washington, DC 20208-
5521. Telephone (202) 219-2239, or [email protected].
CFDA 84.307F--The National Institute on Early Childhood Development and
Education, Field Initiated Studies Program
Purpose of Program: The purpose of the National Institute on Early
Childhood Development and Education is to identify, develop, evaluate
and assist others to replicate methods and approaches that improve
early childhood development and education. The Institute is to carry
out a program of research and development in areas such as the social
and educational development of young children; factors relating to
readiness, including prenatal care, health services, and nutrition;
family literacy; the role of parental involvement in their children's
learning; effective learning methods and curriculum for young children;
methods for integrating learning in settings other than the classroom;
the impact of outside influences, such as television, violence, and
drug abuse; and instruction that considers the cultural environment of
children.
Priorities: Under 34 CFR 75.105(c)(1) the Secretary is particularly
interested in applications that meet one or more of the following
invitational priorities. However, an application that meets one or more
of these invitational priorities does not receive competitive or
absolute preference over other applications:
Invitational Priority 1. The development of pre-reading, reading,
and family literacy skills.
Invitational Priority 2. Improving long-term outcomes for teenage
parents and young children.
Invitational Priority 3. Developing programs that use technology to
involve low-income families in the teaching of basic skills to young
children.
Invitational Priority 4. Developing methods that enable early
childhood caregivers to identify behavior problems early in young
children and effectively use interdisciplinary intervention strategies
that will replace those problem behaviors with positive behaviors.
Invitational Priority 5. Determining the effectiveness of programs
or curricula that address the development of motor, language, speech
and other skills needed for young children to be successful in a
variety of settings.
For Applications or Information Contact: Joe Caliguro, National
Institute on Early Childhood Development and Education, U.S. Department
of Education, 555 New Jersey Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20208-5520
Telephone (202) 219-1935.
CFDA 84.308F--The National Institute on Educational Governance,
Finance, Policy-Making, and Management, Field Initiated Studies Program
Purpose of Program: The purpose of the National Institute on
Educational Governance, Finance, Policy-Making, and Management is to
improve student achievement through restructuring and reform of the
education system. The Institute is to carry out a program of research
and development to provide a sound basis from which to identify,
develop, and evaluate approaches in elementary and secondary education
governance, finance, policy-making, and management at the State, local,
tribal, school building, and classroom level which promise to improve
educational equity and excellence.
Priorities: Under 34 CFR 75.105(c)(1) the Secretary is particularly
interested in applications that meet one or more of the following
invitational priorities. However, an application that meets one or more
of these invitational priorities does not receive competitive or
absolute preference over other applications:
Invitational Priority 1. The development and coordination,
integration, and coherence of governance, finance, policymaking and
management strategies that promote and sustain education innovations
and raise levels of learning for all students.
Invitational Priority 2. The costs and effects of particularly
promising approaches for improving the learning of different groups of
students in different settings.
Invitational Priority 3. The impact on student learning of open
enrollment programs, public school choice, magnet schools and other
systems through which parents may select the public schools and
educational programs in which their children enroll.
Invitational Priority 4. The impact on student learning of
improving the context in which learning occurs through professional
development; participatory governance structures; caring, concerned,
and disciplined learning environments; and other innovative or improved
ways to enhance learning.
For Applications or Information Contact: Elizabeth DeBra or Edward
Fuentes, National Institute on Educational Governance, Finance, Policy-
Making, and Management, U.S. Department of Education, 555 New Jersey
Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20208-5510. Telephone (202) 219-2021 or-
2032.
CFDA 84.309F--The National Institute on Postsecondary Education,
Libraries and Lifelong Learning, Field Initiated Studies Program
Purpose of Program: The purpose of the National Institute on
Postsecondary Education, Libraries and Lifelong Learning is to improve
postsecondary education and adult learning so that adults will be
better prepared to compete in a global economy and exercise the rights
and responsibilities of citizenship. The institute will carry out a
program of research and development that will include subjects such as
the development of human capital through postsecondary and adult
education; the role of special mission educational institutions such as
women's colleges and historically black colleges and universities; new
models of service delivery through library systems; effective methods
of adult literacy education; and the uses and application of new
technology to improve teaching and lifelong learning.
Priorities: Under 34 CFR 75.105(c)(1) the Secretary is particularly
interested in applications that meet one or more of the following
invitational priorities. However, an application that meets one or more
of these invitational priorities does not receive competitive or
absolute preference over other applications:
Invitational Priority 1. To examine how public library systems and
other community-based educational institutions can take full advantage
of the potential of new information technologies to expand
opportunities for adult lifelong learners.
Invitational Priority 2. To examine innovative and experimental
approaches used by community-based education providers with respect to:
instruction, the provision of information on self-directed learning,
assessment of learner needs, and collaborative activities with other
community-based education providers. Community-based education
providers include libraries, museums, and local continuing education
programs.
[[Page 47833]]
Invitational Priority 3. To examine the capacities of special
mission institutions to provide access and excellence in higher
education. Special mission institutions include Historically Black
Colleges and Universities, Tribally-Controlled Indian Community
Colleges, women's colleges, Hispanic-serving institutions and
institutions serving students with disabilities.
Invitational Priority 4. To examine the effectiveness of various
model approaches to the provision of family literacy programs.
Invitational Priority 5. To increase our understanding of workplace
education and training approaches to improve workforce productivity and
meet the challenges of the international economy.
For Applications or Information Contact: Delores Monroe, National
Institute on Postsecondary Education, Libraries, and Lifelong Learning,
U.S. Department of Education, 555 New Jersey Avenue, NW, Room 620,
Washington, DC 20208-5531. Telephone (202) 219-2229, or
[email protected].
Program Authority: 20 U.S.C. 6031 (c)(2)(B).
Dated: September 11, 1995.
Sharon P. Robinson,
Assistant Secretary for Educational Research and Improvement.
[FR Doc. 95-22875 Filed 9-13-95; 8:45 am]
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