[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 49 (Friday, March 13, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 12586-12602]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-6566]



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_______________________________________________________________________

Part III





Department of Education





_______________________________________________________________________



Bilingual Education: Field-Initiated Research Program; Inviting 
Applications for New Awards for Fiscal Year 1998; Notice

  Federal Register / Vol. 63, No. 49 / Friday, March 13, 1998 / 
Notices  

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DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

[CFDA No.: 84.292B]


Bilingual Education: Field-Initiated Research Program; Notice 
Inviting Applications for New Awards for Fiscal Year (FY) 1998

    Note to Applicants: This notice is a complete application 
package. Together with the statute authorizing the program and 
applicable regulations governing this program, including the 
Education Department General Administrative Regulations (EDGAR), 
this notice contains all of the information, application forms, and 
instructions needed to apply for a grant under this program. The 
statutory authorization for this program is contained in section 
7132 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. 7452)).

    Purpose of Program: The purpose of this program is to provide 
grants for field-initiated research activities related to the 
improvement of bilingual education and special alternative 
instructional programs for limited English proficient children and 
youth.
    Eligible Applicants: Institutions of higher education, nonprofit 
organizations, State educational agencies, and local educational 
agencies that are current or recent recipients of grants under subpart 
1 or 2 of Part A of Title VII of the Elementary and Secondary Education 
Act (ESEA) or under Part A or B of Title VII of the ESEA, (P.L. 100-
297), as in effect prior to October 20, 1994. In order to be eligible 
for a grant under this program, an applicant must have received a grant 
under subpart 1 or 2 of Part A of Title VII or under Part A or B of 
Title VII of Pub. Law 100-297 in previous years.
    Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: April 29, 1998.
    Deadline for Intergovernmental Review: June 28, 1998.
    Available Funds: $400,000.
    Estimated Range of Awards: $50,000-$60,000.
    Estimated Average Size of Awards: $52,500.
    Estimated Number of Awards: 7-8.

    Note: The Department is not bound by any estimates in this 
notice.

    Project Period: 12 months.
    Applicable Regulations: (a) The Education Department General 
Administrative Regulations (EDGAR) in 34 CFR parts 74, 75, 77, 79, 80, 
81, 82, 85, and 86; and (b) The regulations in 34 CFR part 299, General 
Provisions, Elementary and Secondary Education Act.
    Description of Program: Funds under this program are available to 
carry out field-initiated research conducted by current or recent 
recipients of grants under subpart 1 or 2 who have received those 
grants within the previous five years. Research under this program may 
provide for longitudinal studies of students or teachers in bilingual 
education, monitoring the education of those students from entry in 
bilingual education through secondary school completion.

Priority

Invitational Priority

    The Secretary is particularly interested in applications that meet 
the following invitational priority. However, an application that meets 
this invitational priority does not receive competitive or absolute 
preference over other applications (34 CFR 75.105(c)(1)).
    Applications that propose to focus on research that leads to 
answering significant questions on the assessment of language 
acquisition and academic achievement for limited English proficient 
(LEP) students.

    Note: For further information on assessment issues, see ``High 
Stakes Assessment: A Research Agenda for English Language 
Learners,'' which is available from the National Clearinghouse for 
Bilingual Education, telephone--1-800-321-6223 or website--http://
www.ncbe.gwu.edu.

Selection Criteria

    (a)(1) The Secretary uses the following selection criteria in 34 
CFR 75.210 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) Need for project. (15 points) The Secretary 
considers the need for the proposed project. In determining the need 
for the proposed project, the Secretary considers the extent to which 
specific gaps or weaknesses in services, infrastructure, or 
opportunities have been identified and will be addressed by the 
proposed project, including the nature and magnitude of those gaps or 
weaknesses.
    (2) Significance. (20 points) (i) The Secretary considers the 
significance of the proposed project.
    (ii) In determining the significance of the proposed project, the 
Secretary considers the following factors:
    (A) The significance of the problem or issue to be addressed by the 
proposed project.
    (B) The potential contribution of the proposed project to increased 
knowledge or understanding of educational problems, issues, or 
effective strategies.
    (C) The likelihood that the proposed project will result in system 
change or improvement.
    (D) The importance or magnitude of the results or outcomes likely 
to be attained by the proposed project, especially improvements in 
teaching and student achievement.
    (3) Quality of the project design. (20 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) The extent to which the goals, objectives, and outcomes to be 
achieved by the proposed project are clearly specified and measurable.
    (B) The extent to which the proposed activities constitute a 
coherent sustained program of research and development in the field, 
including, as appropriate, a substantial addition to an ongoing line of 
inquiry.
    (C) The extent to which the design of the proposed project includes 
a thorough, high-quality review of the relevant literature, a high-
quality plan for project implementation, and the use of appropriate 
methodological tools to ensure successful achievement of project 
objectives.
    (D) The extent to which the proposed project is part of a 
comprehensive effort to improve teaching and learning and support 
rigorous academic standards for students.
    (4) Quality of the management plan. (25 points) (i) The Secretary 
considers the quality of the management plan for the proposed project.
    (ii) In determining the quality of the management plan for the 
proposed project, the Secretary considers the following factors:
    (A) The adequacy of the management plan to achieve the objectives 
of the proposed project on time and within budget, including clearly 
defined responsibilities, timelines, and milestones for accomplishing 
project tasks.
    (B) The extent to which the time commitments of the project 
director and principal investigator and other key project personnel are 
appropriate and adequate to meet the objectives of the proposed 
project.
    (5) Quality of project personnel. (15 points) (i) The Secretary 
considers the quality of the personnel who will carry out the proposed 
project.
    (ii) In determining the quality of project personnel, the Secretary 
considers the extent to which the

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applicant encourages applications for employment from persons who are 
members of groups that have traditionally been underrepresented based 
on race, color, national origin, gender, age, or disability.
    (iii) In addition, the Secretary considers the following factors:
    (A) The qualifications, including relevant training and experience, 
of the project director or principal investigator.
    (B) The qualifications, including relevant training and experience, 
of key project personnel.
    (6) Adequacy of resources. (5 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:
    (A) The extent to which the budget is adequate to support the 
proposed project.
    (B) The extent to which the costs are reasonable in relation to the 
objectives, design, and potential significance of the proposed project.

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 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 October 7, 1997 (62 FR 52448 
through 52450).
    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# 84.292B, 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 two copies of the application on or 
before the deadline date to: U.S. Department of Education, Application 
Control Center, Attention (CFDA# 84.292B), Washington, D.C. 20202-4725

or

    (2) Hand-deliver the original and two 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# 84.292B), 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 notice contains the following forms and 
instructions, plus a statement regarding estimated public reporting 
burden, a notice to applicants regarding compliance with section 427 of 
the General Education Provisions Act, a checklist for applicants, 
various assurances, certifications, and required documentation:
    a. Instructions for the Application Narrative.
    b. Additional Guidance.
    c. Estimated Public Reporting Burden Statement.
    d. Notice to All Applicants.
    e. Checklist for Applicants.
    f. Application for Federal Assistance (Standard Form 424 (Rev. 4-
88)) and instructions.
    g. Budget Information--Non-Construction Programs (ED Form No. 524) 
and instructions.
    h. Eligibility Certification
    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, 6/90) and instructions.
    k. Certification Regarding Debarment, Suspension, Ineligibility and 
Voluntary Exclusion: Lower Tier Covered Transactions (ED 80-0014, 9/90) 
and instructions.

    (Note: ED 80-0014 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. This document has been marked to reflect 
statutory changes. See the notice published in the Federal Register (61 
FR 1413) by the Office of Management and Budget on January 19, 1996.
    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, 
including ink signatures on all forms and assurances, and TWO copies of 
the application. Please mark each

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application as ``original'' or ``copy.'' No grant may be awarded unless 
a completed application has been received.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Alex Stein, U.S. Department of 
Education, 600 Independence Avenue, SW., Room 5090, Switzer Building, 
Washington, D.C. 20202-6510. Telephone: (202) 205-5713. 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.
    Individuals with disabilities may obtain this notice in an 
alternate format (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, or computer 
diskette) on request to the contact person listed in the preceding 
paragraph. Please note, however, that the Department is not able to 
reproduce in an alternate format the standard forms included in the 
notice.

Electronic Access to This Document

    Anyone may view this document, as well as all other Department of 
Education documents published in the Federal Register, in text or 
portable document format (pdf) on the World Wide Web at either of the 
following sites:

http://ocfo.ed.gov/fedreg.htm
http://www.ed.gov/news.html

To use the pdf you must have the Adobe Acrobat Reader Program with 
Search, which is available free at either of the preceding sites. If 
you have questions about using the pdf, call the U.S. Government 
Printing Office toll free at 1-888-293-6498.
    Anyone may also view these documents in text copy only on an 
electronic bulletin board of the Department. Telephone: (202) 219-1511 
or, toll-free, 1-800-222-4922. The documents are located under Option 
G--Files/Announcements, Bulletins and Press Releases.

    Note: The official version of this document is the document 
published in the Federal Register.

    Program Authority: 20 U.S.C. 7452.

    Dated: March 6, 1998.
Delia Pompa,
Director, Office of Bilingual Education and Minority Languages Affairs.

Estimated Public Reporting 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 OMB No. 1885-0528 (Exp. 4/30/98). The time 
required to complete this information collection is estimated to 
average 120 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 Avenue, SW., Room 5090, Switzer Building, 
Washington, D.C. 20202-6510.

Instructions for the Application Narrative

Mandatory Page Limit for the Application Narrative

    The narrative portion of the application must not exceed 45 pages. 
These pages must be double-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 
45-page limit applies to the abstract, proposal narrative, charts, 
graphs, tables, graphics, position descriptions (and resumes, if 
included), and any appendices. The page limit does not apply to 
application forms, attachments to those forms, assurances, 
certifications, and the table of contents. The page limit applies only 
to item 14 and not to the other items in the Checklist for Applicants. 
Applications with a narrative section that exceeds the page limit will 
not be considered for funding.
    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.

Selection Criteria

    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 
include resumes or curriculum vitae for project personnel; provide 
position descriptions instead.

Additional Guidance

Table of Contents

    The application should include a table of contents listing the 
sections in the order required.

Budget

    Budget line items must support the goals and objectives of the 
proposed project and must be directly related to the instructional 
design and all other project components.

Final Application Preparation

    Use the Checklist for Applicants to verify that your application is 
complete. Submit three copies of the application, including an original 
copy containing an original signature for each form requiring the 
signature of the authorized representative. Do not use elaborate 
bindings or covers. The application package must be mailed or hand-
delivered to the Application Control Center (ACC) and postmarked by the 
deadline date.

Submission of Application to State Educational Agency

    Section 7116(a)(2) of the authorizing statute (Elementary and 
Secondary Education Act of 1965, as amended by the Improving America's 
Schools Act of 1994, Pub. L. 103-382) requires all applicants except 
schools funded by the Bureau of Indian Affairs to submit a copy of 
their application to their State educational agency (SEA) for review 
and comment (20 U.S.C. 7426(a)(2)). Section 75.156 of the Education 
Department General Administrative Regulations (EDGAR) requires these 
applicants to submit their application to the SEA on or before the 
deadline date for submitting their application to the Department of 
Education. This section of EDGAR also requires applicants to attach to 
their application a copy of their letter that requests the SEA to 
comment on the application (34 CFR 75.156). A copy of this letter 
should be attached to the Project Documentation Form contained in this 
application package. Applicants that do not submit a copy of their 
application to their state educational agency in accordance with these 
statutory and regulatory requirements will not be considered for 
funding.

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

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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 intends 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 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

    The following forms and other items must be included in the 
application in the order listed below:
    1. Application for Federal Assistance Form (SF 424).
    2. Budget Information Form (ED Form No. 524).
    3. Itemized budget for each year.
    4. Assurances--Non-Construction Programs Form (SF 424B).
    5. Certifications Regarding Lobbying, Debarment, Suspension and 
Other Responsibility Matters; and Drug-Free Workplace Requirements Form 
(ED 80-0013).
    6. Certification Regarding Debarment, Suspension, Ineligibility and 
Voluntary Exclusion--Lower Tier Covered Transactions Form (ED 80-0014) 
(if applicable).
    7. Disclosure of Lobbying Activities Form (SF-LLL).
    8. Information that addresses section 427 of the General Education 
Provisions Act. (See the above section entitled NOTICE TO ALL 
APPLICANTS (OMB No. 1801-0004)).
    9. Table of Contents.
    10. Application narrative, including abstract (not to exceed 45 
pages).
    11. One original and two copies of the application for transmittal 
to the Education Department's Application Control Center.

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[FR Doc. 98-6566 Filed 3-12-98; 8:45 am]
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