[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 30 (Tuesday, February 16, 1999)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 7738-7741]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-3631]



[[Page 7737]]

_______________________________________________________________________

Part VI





Department of Education





_______________________________________________________________________



34 CFR Parts 655, 656, 658, 660, and 669



International Education Programs: General Provisions, National Resource 
Centers Program for Foreign Language and Area Studies or Foreign 
Language and International Studies, Undergraduate International Studies 
and Foreign Language Program; Final Rule

Undergraduate International Studies and Foreign Language Program 
(84.016); International Research and Studies Program (84.017) and 
Language Resource Centers Program (84.229); Inviting Applications for 
New Awards for Fiscal Year (FY) 1999; Notice



The International Research and Studies Program, and Language Resource 
Centers Program; Notice________________________________________________

  Federal Register / Vol. 64, No. 30 / Tuesday, February 16, 1999 / 
Rules and Regulations  

[[Page 7738]]



DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

34 CFR Parts 655, 656, 658, 660, and 669


International Education Programs: General Provisions, National 
Resource Centers Program for Foreign Language and Area Studies or 
Foreign Language and International Studies, Undergraduate International 
Studies and Foreign Language Program, The International Research and 
Studies Program, and Language Resource Centers Program

AGENCY: Office of Postsecondary Education, Department of Education.

ACTION: Final regulations.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Secretary amends the regulations governing the 
International Education Programs to incorporate changes made by the 
Higher Education Amendments of 1998. These final regulations are needed 
to reflect changes made by recently enacted legislation.

EFFECTIVE DATE: These regulations take effect March 18, 1999.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ralph Hines, U.S. Department of 
Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW., Suite 600 Portals Building, 
Washington, DC 20202-5247. Telephone: (202) 401-9798. 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 document in an 
alternate format (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, or computer 
diskette) on request to the contact person listed in the preceding 
paragraph.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: These final regulations incorporate 
statutory changes made by the Higher Education Amendments of 1998 (Pub. 
L. 105-244, enacted October 7, 1998). The changes include, as 
appropriate, revised program descriptions, eligibility criteria, and 
activities. The cost-sharing requirements under the Undergraduate 
International Studies and Foreign Language Program in 34 CFR 658.41 
have also been revised.

Goals 2000: Educate America Act

    The Goals 2000: Educate America Act (Goals 2000) focuses the 
Nation's education reform efforts on the eight National Education Goals 
and provides a framework for meeting them. Goals 2000 promotes new 
partnerships to strengthen schools and expands the Department's 
capacities for helping communities to exchange ideas and obtain 
information needed to achieve the goals.
    These regulations address the National Education Goal that every 
adult American will be literate and will possess the knowledge and 
skills necessary to compete in a global economy and exercise the rights 
and responsibilities of citizenship. The regulations further the 
objectives of this Goal by implementing programs that improve and 
develop foreign language, area and international studies throughout the 
educational structure of the United States.

Waiver of Proposed Rulemaking

    In accordance with the Administrative Procedure Act, 5 U.S.C. 553, 
it is customary for the Secretary to offer interested parties the 
opportunity to comment on proposed regulations. However, the changes in 
this document do not establish any new substantive rules, but simply 
incorporate recent statutory amendments affecting the International 
Education Programs. Therefore, the Secretary has determined that 
publication of a notice of proposed rulemaking is unnecessary and 
contrary to the public interest under 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(B).

Regulatory Flexibility Act

    The Secretary certifies that these regulations will not have a 
significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities. 
The small entities affected are small institutions of higher education 
participating in these programs. However, these regulations incorporate 
only statutory amendments and will not have a significant economic 
impact on any of the entities affected.

Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995

    These regulations have been examined under the Paperwork Reduction 
Act of 1995 and have been found to contain no information collection 
requirements.

Intergovernmental Review

    Except for 34 CFR parts 660 and 669, these programs are 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 
these programs.

Assessment of Educational Impact

    The Department has determined that the regulations in this document 
do not require transmission of information that is being gathered by or 
is available from any other agency or authority of the United States.

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) via the Internet at either of the 
following sites:

http://gcs.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 previous sites. If you 
have questions about using the pdf, call the U.S. Government Printing 
Office at (202) 512-1530 or, 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.

List of Subjects

34 CFR Part 655

    Colleges and universities, Cultural exchange programs, Educational 
research, Educational study programs, Grant programs-education, 
Scholarships and fellowships.

34 CFR Part 656

    Colleges and universities, Cultural exchange programs, Educational 
study programs, Grant programs-education, Reporting and recordkeeping 
requirements.

34 CFR Part 658

    Colleges and universities, Cultural exchange programs, Educational 
study programs, Grant programs-education.

34 CFR Part 660

    Colleges and universities, Cultural exchange programs, Educational 
research, Educational study programs, Grant programs-education.

34 CFR Part 669

    Colleges and universities, Educational research, Educational study 
programs, Grant programs-education, Reporting

[[Page 7739]]

and recordkeeping requirements, Teachers.

    Dated: February 9, 1999.
David A. Longanecker,
Assistant Secretary for Postsecondary Education.

(Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Numbers: 84.015 National 
Resource Centers Program for Foreign Language and Area Studies or 
Foreign Language and International Studies; 84.016 Undergraduate 
International Studies and Foreign Language Program; 84.017 The 
International Research and Studies Program; and 84.229 Language 
Resource Centers Program)

    The Secretary amends title 34 of the Code of Federal Regulations by 
amending parts 655, 656, 658, 660, and 669 as follows:

PART 655--INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS--GENERAL PROVISIONS

    1. The authority citation for part 655 continues to read as 
follows:

    Authority: 20 U.S.C. 112l-1130b, unless otherwise noted.


Sec. 655.1  [Amended]

    2. Section 655.1 is amended by removing ``(section 606);'' in 
paragraph (d), and adding, in its place, ``(section 605); and''; by 
removing paragraph (e); and by redesignating paragraph (f) as paragraph 
(e).


Sec. 655.3  [Amended]

    3. Section 655.3 is amended by adding the word ``and'' at the end 
of paragraph (c)(5); by removing ``; and'' at the end of paragraph 
(c)(6), and adding a period in its place; and by removing paragraph 
(c)(7).


Sec. 655.4  [Amended]

    4. Section 655.4 is amended by adding the word ``and'' before 
``669'' and removing ``, and 671'' in paragraph (a); and by removing 
``1201(a)'' and adding ``101(a)'' in its place wherever it appears in 
paragraph (b).


Sec. 655.10  [Amended]

    5. Section 655.10 is amended by adding the word ``and'' before 
``669'' and removing ``, and 671''.
    6. Section 655.30 is revised to read as follows:


Sec. 655.30  How does the Secretary evaluate an application?

    The Secretary evaluates an applications for International Education 
Programs on the basis of--
    (a) The general criteria in Sec. 655.31; and
    (b) The specific criteria in, as applicable, subpart D of 34 CFR 
parts 658, 660, 661, and 669.

(Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1121-1127)

PART 656--NATIONAL RESOURCE CENTERS PROGRAM FOR FOREIGN LANGUAGE 
AND AREA STUDIES OR FOREIGN LANGUAGE AND INTERNATIONAL STUDIES

    7. The authority citation for part 656 continues to read as 
follows:

    Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1122, unless otherwise noted.
    8. Section 656.1 is amended by revising paragraphs (a), (b), and 
(d) to read as follows:


Sec. 656.1  What is the National Resource Centers Program?

* * * * *
    (a) Teaching of any modern foreign language;
    (b) Instruction in fields needed to provide full understanding of 
areas, regions, or countries in which the modern foreign language is 
commonly used;
* * * * *
    (d) Instruction and research on issues in world affairs that 
concern one or more countries.
    9. Section 656.3 is revised to read as follows:


Sec. 656.3  What activities define a comprehensive or undergraduate 
National Resource Center?

    A comprehensive or undergraduate National Resource Center--
    (a) Teaches at least one modern foreign language;
    (b) Provides--
    (1) Instruction in fields necessary to provide a full understanding 
of the areas, regions, or countries in which the modern foreign 
language taught is commonly used;
    (2) Resources for research and training in international studies, 
and the international and foreign language aspects of professional and 
other fields of study; or
    (3) Instruction and research on issues in world affairs that 
concern one or more countries;
    (c) Provides outreach and consultative services on a national, 
regional, and local basis;
    (d) Maintains linkages with overseas institutions of higher 
education and other organizations that may contribute to the teaching 
and research of the Center;
    (e) Maintains important library collections;
    (f) Employs faculty engaged in training and research that relates 
to the subject area of the Center;
    (g) Conducts projects in cooperation with other centers addressing 
themes of world, regional, cross-regional, international, or global 
importance; and
    (h) Conducts summer institutes in the United States or abroad 
designed to provide language and area training in the Center's field or 
topic.

(Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1122)


Sec. 656.5  [Amended]

    10. Section 656.5 is amended by removing the word ``comprehensive'' 
in the introductory text of paragraph (b); and by adding ``, foreign 
language,'' after ``area'' in paragraph (b)(5).
    11. Section 656.30 is amended by removing the word ``and'' at the 
end of paragraph (a)(5); removing the period at the end of paragraph 
(a)(6), and adding, in its place, a semicolon; and by adding new 
paragraphs (a) (7) and (8) to read as follows:


Sec. 656.30  What are allowable costs and limitations on allowable 
costs?

    (a)* * *
    (7) Projects conducted in cooperation with other centers addressing 
themes of world, regional, cross-regional, international, or global 
importance; and
    (8) Summer institutes in the United States or abroad designed to 
provide language and area training in the Center's field or topic.
* * * * *

PART 658--UNDERGRADUATE INTERNATIONAL STUDIES AND FOREIGN LANGUAGE 
PROGRAM

    12. The authority citation for part 658 continues to read as 
follows:

    Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1124, unless otherwise noted.
    13. Section 658.1 is revised to read as follows:


Sec. 658.1  What is the Undergraduate International Studies and Foreign 
Language Program?

    The Undergraduate International Studies and Foreign Language 
Program is designed to provide assistance to institutions of higher 
education, combinations of those institutions, or partnerships between 
nonprofit educational organizations and institutions of higher 
education, to assist those institutions, combinations, or partnerships 
in planning, developing, and carrying out programs to improve 
undergraduate instruction in international studies and foreign 
languages.

(Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1124)
    14. Section 658.2 is amended by redesignating paragraph (c) as 
paragraph (d); and adding a new paragraph (c) to read as follows:


Sec. 658.2  Who is eligible to apply for assistance under this program?

* * * * *

[[Page 7740]]

    (c) Partnerships between nonprofit educational organizations and 
institutions of higher education.
* * * * *
    15. Section 658.10 is amended by revising paragraphs (a), (b)(1), 
and (c) to read as follows:


Sec. 658.10  For what kinds of projects does the Secretary assist 
institutions of higher education?

    (a) The Secretary may provide assistance to an institution of 
higher education, a combination of institutions of higher education, or 
a partnership between a nonprofit educational organization and an 
institution of higher education to plan, develop, and carry out a 
program to improve undergraduate instruction in international studies 
and foreign languages. Those grants must be awarded to institutions, 
combinations, or partnerships seeking to create new programs or to 
strengthen existing programs in foreign languages, area studies, and 
other international fields.
    (b)* * *
    (1) Initiates new or revised courses in international or area 
studies;
* * * * *
    (c) The program shall focus on--
    (1) International or global studies;
    (2) One or more world areas and their languages; or
    (3) Issues or topics, such as international environmental studies 
or international health.
    16. Section 658.11 is revised to read as follows:


Sec. 658.11  What projects and activities may a grantee conduct under 
this program?

    The Secretary awards grants under this part to assist in carrying 
out projects and activities that are an integral part of a program to 
improve undergraduate instruction in international studies and foreign 
languages. These include projects such as--
    (a) Planning for the development and expansion of undergraduate 
programs in international studies and foreign languages;
    (b) Teaching, research, curriculum development, faculty training in 
the United States or abroad, and other related activities, including--
    (1) Expanding library and teaching resources;
    (2) Conducting faculty workshops, conferences, and special 
lectures;
    (3) Developing and testing new curricular materials, including 
self-instructional materials in foreign languages, or specialized 
language materials dealing with a particular subject (such as health or 
the environment);
    (4) Initiating new and revised courses in international studies or 
area studies and foreign languages; and
    (5) Conducting preservice and inservice teacher training;
    (c) Expanding the opportunities for learning foreign languages, 
including less commonly taught languages;
    (d) Providing opportunities for which foreign faculty and scholars 
may visit institutions as visiting faculty;
    (e) Placing U.S. faculty members in internships with international 
associations or with governmental or nongovernmental organizations in 
the U.S. or abroad to improve their understanding of international 
affairs;
    (f) Developing international education programs designed to develop 
or enhance linkages between 2-and 4-year institutions of higher 
education, or baccalaureate and post-baccalaureate programs or 
institutions;
    (g) Developing undergraduate educational programs--
    (1) In locations abroad where those opportunities are not otherwise 
available or that serve students for whom those opportunities are not 
otherwise available; and
    (2) That provide courses that are closely related to on-campus 
foreign language and international curricula;
    (h) Integrating new and continuing education abroad opportunities 
for undergraduate students into curricula of specific degree programs;
    (i) Developing model programs to enrich or enhance the 
effectiveness of educational programs abroad, including pre-departure 
and post-return programs, and integrating educational programs abroad 
into the curriculum of the home institution;
    (j) Developing programs designed to integrate professional and 
technical education with foreign languages, area studies, and other 
international fields;
    (k) Establishing linkages overseas with institutions of higher 
education and organizations that contribute to the educational programs 
assisted under this part;
    (l) Developing partnerships between--
    (1) Institutions of higher education; and
    (2) The private sector, government, or elementary and secondary 
education institutions in order to enhance international knowledge and 
skills; and
    (m) Using innovative technology to increase access to international 
education programs.

(Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1124)

    17. Section 658.41 is amended by revising paragraphs (a) and (b), 
and by adding a new paragraph (d) to read as follows:


Sec. 658.41  What are the cost-sharing requirements?

    (a) The grantee's share may be derived from cash contributions from 
private sector corporations or foundations in the amount of one-third 
of the total cost of the project.
    (b) The grantee's share may be derived from cash or in-kind 
contributions from institutional and noninstitutional funds, including 
State and private sector corporation or foundation contributions, equal 
to one-half of the total cost of the project.
* * * * *
    (d) The Secretary may waive or reduce the required non-Federal 
share for institutions that--
    (1) Are eligible to receive assistance under part A or B of title 
III or under title V of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended; 
and
    (2) Have submitted a grant application under this part.

PART 660--THE INTERNATIONAL RESEARCH AND STUDIES PROGRAM

    18. The authority citation for part 660 continues to read as 
follows:

    Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1125, unless otherwise noted.

    19. Section 660.1 is amended by adding ``, area studies, or other 
international fields'' before the semicolon at the end of paragraph 
(b); by removing the word ``and'' at the end of paragraph (e); by 
removing the period at the end of paragraph (f), and adding, in its 
place, a semicolon; and by adding new paragraphs (g), (h), and (i) to 
read as follows:


Sec. 660.1  What is the International Research and Studies Program?

* * * * *
    (g) Evaluations of the extent to which programs assisted under 
title VI of the HEA that address national needs would not otherwise be 
offered;
    (h) Studies and surveys of the use of technologies in foreign 
language, area studies, and international studies programs; and
    (i) Studies and evaluations of effective practices in the 
dissemination of international information, materials, research, 
teaching strategies, and testing techniques throughout the educational 
community, including elementary and secondary schools.
    20. Section 660.10 is amended by adding the words ``and achieving 
competency'' after the word ``instruction'' in paragraph (b)(1); and by 
adding new paragraphs (h), (i), and (j) to read as follows:

[[Page 7741]]

Sec. 660.10  What activities does the Secretary assist?

* * * * *
    (h) Evaluations of the extent to which programs assisted under 
title VI of the HEA that address national needs would not otherwise be 
offered.
    (i) Studies and surveys of the uses of technology in foreign 
language, area studies, and international studies programs.
    (j) Studies and evaluations of effective practices in the 
dissemination of international information, materials, research, 
teaching strategies, and testing techniques through the education 
community, including elementary and secondary schools.

PART 669--LANGUAGE RESOURCE CENTERS PROGRAM

    21. The authority citation for part 669 continues to read as 
follows:

    Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1123, unless otherwise noted.

    22. Section 669.3 is revised to read as follows:


Sec. 669.3  What activities may the Secretary fund?

    Centers funded under this part must carry out activities to improve 
the teaching and learning of foreign languages. These activities must 
include effective dissemination efforts, whenever appropriate, and may 
include--
    (a) The conduct and dissemination of research on new and improved 
methods for teaching foreign languages, including the use of advanced 
educational technology;
    (b) The development and dissemination of new materials for teaching 
foreign languages, to reflect the results of research on effective 
teaching strategies;
    (c) The development, application, and dissemination of performance 
testing that is appropriate for use in an educational setting to be 
used as a standard and comparable measurement of skill levels in 
foreign languages;
    (d) The training of teachers in the administration and 
interpretation of foreign language performance tests, the use of 
effective teaching strategies, and the use of new technologies;
    (e) A significant focus on the teaching and learning needs of the 
less commonly taught languages, including an assessment of the 
strategic needs of the United States, the determination of ways to meet 
those needs nationally, and the publication and dissemination of 
instructional materials in the less commonly taught languages;
    (f) The development and dissemination of materials designed to 
serve as a resource for foreign language teachers at the elementary and 
secondary school levels; and
    (g) The operation of intensive summer language institutes to train 
advanced foreign language students, to provide professional 
development, and to improve language instruction through preservice and 
inservice language training for teachers.

(Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1123)

[FR Doc. 99-3631 Filed 2-12-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4000-01-U