[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 241 (Thursday, December 14, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 78378-78401]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-31810]



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Part IV





Department of Education





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Bilingual Education: Program Development and Implementation Grants 
Program; Notice Inviting Applications for New Awards for Fiscal Year 
(FY) 2001

  Federal Register / Vol. 65, No. 241 / Thursday, December 14, 2000 / 
Notices  

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DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

[CFDA No.: 84.288S]


Bilingual Education: Program Development and Implementation 
Grants Program; Notice Inviting Applications for New Awards for Fiscal 
Year (FY) 2001


    Note to applicants: This notice is a complete application 
package. Together with the statute authorizing the program and 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.

    Purpose of Program: The purpose of this program is to provide 
grants to develop and implement new comprehensive, coherent, and 
successful bilingual education or special alternative instructional 
programs for limited English proficient (LEP) students, including 
programs of early childhood education, kindergarten through twelfth 
grade education, gifted and talented education, and vocational and 
applied technology education.
    Eligible Applicants: (1) One or more local educational agencies 
(LEAs); (2) one or more LEAs in collaboration with an institution of 
higher education (IHE), community-based organization (CBO), or a State 
educational agency (SEA); or (3) a CBO or an IHE that has an 
application approved by the LEA to develop and implement early 
childhood education or family education programs or to conduct an 
instructional program that supplements the educational services 
provided by an LEA.
    Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: January 26, 2001.
    Deadline for Intergovernmental Review: March 26, 2001.
    Available Funds: $7.3 million.
    Estimated Range of Awards: $100,000-$175,000.
    Estimated Average Size of Awards: $150,000.
    Estimated Number of Awards: 50.

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

    Project Period: 36 months.
    Applicable Regulations: (a) The Education Department General 
Administrative yRegulations (EDGAR) in 34 CFR Parts 74, 75, 77, 79, 80, 
81, 82, 85, 86, 97, 98,99; and (b) 34 CFR Part 299.

Description of Program

    The statutory authorization for this program, and the application 
requirements that apply to this competition, are set out in sections 
7112 and 7116 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. 7422 and 7426)).
    The grants awarded under this section are to be used to improve the 
education of limited English proficient students and their families. 
Specifically, grantees are required to serve limited English proficient 
students by: (a) Developing and implementing comprehensive preschool, 
elementary, or secondary bilingual education or special alternative 
instructional programs that are coordinated with other relevant 
programs and services; and (b) providing in-service training to 
classroom teachers, administrators, and other school or community-based 
organizational personnel. Grantees may also implement family education 
programs, improve the instructional program, compensate personnel, and 
provide tutorials and academic or career counseling to limited English 
proficient students.

Priorities

    Competitive Priority: The Secretary under 34 CFR 75.105(c)(2)(i) 
and 34 CFR 299.3(b) gives preference to applications that meet the 
following competitive priority. The Secretary awards 5 points to an 
application that meets this competitive priority. These points are in 
addition to any points the application earns under the selection 
criteria for the program:
    Projects that will contribute to systemic educational reform in an 
Empowerment Zone, including a Supplemental Empowerment Zone, or an 
Enterprise Community designated by the United States Department of 
Housing and Urban Development or the United States Department of 
Agriculture, and are made an integral part of the Zones or Community's 
comprehensive community revitalization strategies.
    A list of areas that have been designated as Empowerment Zones and 
Enterprise Communities is provided at the end of this notice.
    Invitational Priorities: The Secretary is particularly interested 
in applications that meet one or more of the following invitational 
priorities. However, under 34 CFR 75.105(c)(1) an application that 
meets one or more of these invitational priorities does not receive 
competitive or absolute preference over other applications:

Invitational Priority 1--Reading

    Projects that focus on assisting limited English proficient 
students to read independently and well by the end of third grade.

Invitational Priority 2--Mathematics

    Projects that focus on assisting limited English proficient 
students to master challenging mathematics, including the foundations 
of algebra and geometry, by the end of eighth grade.

Invitational Priority 3--Preparation for Postsecondary Education

    Projects that focus on motivating and academically preparing 
limited English proficient students for successful participation in 
college and other postsecondary education.

Invitational Priority 4--Safe and Drug-Free Schools

    Projects that contribute to the creation and maintenance of a safe 
and drug-free learning environment for limited English proficient 
students by being made an integral part of a comprehensive school 
safety plan.
    Information on developing and implementing a comprehensive school 
safety plan is found in the 1998 Annual Report on School Safety 
prepared by the U.S. Departments of Education and Justice.

Selection Criteria

    (a)(1) The Secretary uses the following selection criteria in 34 
CFR 75.210 and sections 7116 and 7123 of the Act 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)(1) Need for the project. (15 points) The Secretary considers 
the need for the proposed project. In determining the need for the 
proposed project, the Secretary considers the following factors:
    (i) The number of children and youth of limited English proficiency 
in the school or school district to be served, and
    (ii) The characteristics of those children and youth, such as--
    (A) Language spoken;
    (B) Dropout rates;
    (C) Proficiency in English and the native language;
    (D) Academic standing in relation to the English proficient peers 
of those children and youth; and
    (E) If applicable, the recency of immigration.

(Authority: 20 U.S.C. 7426(g)(1)(A))

    (2) Quality of the project design. (25 points) The Secretary 
considers the quality of the design of the proposed project.
    (i) In determining the quality of the design of the proposed 
project, the

[[Page 78379]]

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 design of the proposed project is 
appropriate to, and will successfully address, the needs of the target 
population or other identified needs.
    (C) 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.
    (D) The extent to which the proposed project is designed to build 
capacity and yield results that will extend beyond the period of 
Federal financial assistance.
    (E) The extent to which the proposed project will be coordinated 
with similar or related efforts, and with other appropriate community, 
State, and Federal resources.
    (F) The extent to which the proposed project encourages parental 
involvement.

(Authority: 34 CFR 75.210(c)(2) (i), (ii), (xii), (xvi), (xviii), 
and (xix)).

    (3) Quality of project services. (15 points) The Secretary 
considers the quality of the services to be provided by the proposed 
project.
    (i) In determining the quality of the services to be provided by 
the proposed project, the Secretary considers the quality and 
sufficiency of strategies for ensuring equal access and treatment for 
eligible project participants who are members of groups that have 
traditionally been underrepresented based on race, color, national 
origin, gender, age, or disability.
    (ii) In addition, the Secretary considers the following factors:
    (A) The extent to which the services to be provided by the proposed 
project are appropriate to the needs of the intended recipients or 
beneficiaries of those services.
    (B) The extent to which the training or professional development 
services to be provided by the proposed project are of sufficient 
quality, intensity, and duration to lead to improvements in practice 
among the recipients of those services.
    (C) The likelihood that the services to be provided by the proposed 
project will lead to improvements in the achievement of students as 
measured against rigorous academic standards.

(Authority: 34 CFR 75.210 (d), (1), (2), (3), (i), (v) and (vii)).

    (4) Proficiency in English and another language. (3 points) The 
Secretary reviews each application to determine the extent to which the 
proposed project will provide for the development of bilingual 
proficiency both in English and another language for all participating 
students.

(Authority: 20 U.S.C. 7426(i)(1)).

    (5) Quality of project personnel. (7 points) The Secretary 
considers the quality of the personnel who will carry out the proposed 
project.
    (i) In determining the quality of project personnel, the Secretary 
considers the extent to which the 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.
    (ii) 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.

(Authority: 34 CFR 75.210(e)(1)-(3)(i) and (ii)).

    (6) Adequacy of resources. (7 points) The Secretary considers the 
adequacy of resources for the proposed project.
    (i) 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.
    (C) The extent to which the costs are reasonable in relation to the 
number of persons to be served and to the anticipated results and 
benefits.
    (D) The potential for continued support of the project after 
Federal funding ends, including, as appropriate, the demonstrated 
commitment of appropriate entities to such support.

(Authority: 34 CFR 75.210(f)(1),(2),(iv),(v) and (vi)).

    (7) Quality of the management plan. (13 points) The Secretary 
considers the quality of the management plan for the proposed project.
    (i) 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.
    (C) How the applicant will ensure that a diversity of perspectives 
are brought to bear in the operation of the proposed project, including 
those of parents, teachers, the business community, a variety of 
disciplinary and professional fields, recipients or beneficiaries of 
services, or others, as appropriate.

(Authority: 34 CFR 75.210(g)(1),(2)(i),(iv) and (v)).

    (8) Quality of project evaluation plan. (15 points) The Secretary 
reviews each application to determine how well the proposed project's 
evaluation will meet the following requirements:
    (i) Student evaluation and assessment procedures must be valid, 
reliable, and fair for limited English proficient students.
    (ii) The evaluation must include--
    (A) How students are achieving the State student performance 
standards, if any, including data comparing children and youth of 
limited English proficiency with non-limited English proficient 
children and youth with regard to school retention, academic 
achievement, and gains in English (and, if applicable, native language) 
proficiency;
    (B) Program implementation indicators that provide information for 
informing and improving program management and effectiveness, including 
data on appropriateness of curriculum in relationship to grade and 
course requirements, appropriateness of program management, 
appropriateness of the program's staff professional development, and 
appropriateness of the language of instruction; and
    (C) Program context indicators that describe the relationship of 
the activities funded under the grant to the overall school program and 
other Federal, State, or local programs serving children and youth of 
limited English proficiency.

(Authority: 20 U.S.C. 7426(h)(3) and 7433(c)(1)-(3))

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.

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    One of the objectives of the Executive order is to foster an 
intergovernmental partnership and a strengthened federalism. The 
Executive order relies on processes developed by State and local 
governments for coordination and review of proposed Federal financial 
assistance.
    If you are an applicant, you must contact the appropriate State 
Single Point of Contact (SPOC) to find out about, and to comply with, 
the State's process under Executive Order 12372. If you propose to 
perform activities in more than one State, you should immediately 
contact the SPOC 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 SPOC, see the list published in the 
Federal Register on April 29, 1999 (64 FR 22963); or you may view the 
latest SPOC list on the OMB Web site at the following address: http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/grants.
    In States that have not established a process or chosen a program 
for review, State, area-wide, regional and local entities may submit 
comments directly to the Department.
    Any State Process Recommendation and other comments submitted by a 
SPOC and any comments from State, areawide, regional, and local 
entitles must be mailed or hand-delivered by the date indicated in this 
application notice to the following address: The Secretary, E.O. 
12372--CFDA#84.288S, U.S. Department of Education, room 6213, 400 
Maryland Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20202-0125.
    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

    Note: Some of the procedures in these instructions for 
transmitting applications differ from those in the Education 
Department General Administrative Regulations (EDGAR) (34 CFR 
75.102). Under the Administrative Procedure Act (5 U.S.C. 553) the 
Department generally offers interested parties the opportunity to 
comment on proposed regulations. However, these amendments make 
procedural changes only and do not establish new substantive policy. 
Therefore, under 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(A), the Secretary has determined 
that proposed rulemaking is not required.


Pilot Project for Electronic Submission of Applications

    The U.S. Department of Education is expanding its pilot project of 
electronic submission of applications to include certain formula grant 
programs, as well as additional discretionary grant competitions. The 
Program Development and Implementation Grants Program--CFDA #84.288S is 
one of the programs included in the pilot project. If you are an 
applicant under the Program Development and Implementation Grants 
Program, you may submit your application to us in either electronic or 
paper format.
    The pilot project involves the use of the Electronic Grant 
Application System (e-APPLICATION, formerly e-GAPS) portion of the 
Grant Administration and Payment System (GAPS). We request your 
participation in this pilot project. We shall continue to evaluate its 
success and solicit suggestions for improvement.
    If you participate in this e-APPLICATION pilot, please note the 
following:
     Your participation is voluntary.
     You will not receive any additional point value or penalty 
because you submit a grant application in electronic or paper format.
     You can submit all documents electronically, including the 
Application for Federal Assistance (ED 424), Budget Information--Non-
Construction Programs (ED 524), and all necessary assurances and 
certifications.
     Fax a signed copy of the Application for Federal 
Assistance (ED 424) after following these steps:
    1. Print ED 424 from the e-APPLICATION system.
    2. Make sure that the institution's Authorizing Representative 
signs this form.
    3. Before faxing this form, submit your electronic application via 
the e-APPLICATION system. You will receive an automatic 
acknowledgement, which will include a PR/Award number (an identifying 
number unique to your application).
    4. Place the PR/Award number in the upper right hand corner of ED 
424.
    5. Fax ED 424 to the Application Control Center within three 
working days of submitting your electronic application. We will 
indicate a fax number in e-APPLICATION at the time of your submission.
     We may request that you give us original signatures on all 
other forms at a later date.
    You may access the electronic grant application for the Program 
Development and Implementation Grants Programs at: http://e-grants.ed.gov.
    We have included additional information about the e-APPLICATION 
pilot project (see Parity Guidelines between Paper and Electronic 
Applications) elsewhere in this notice.
    If you want to apply for a grant and be considered for funding, you 
must meet the following deadline requirements:
(A) If You Send Your Application by Mail
    You must 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 # 84.288S, Washington, DC 20202-4725.
    You 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.
    If you mail an application through the U.S. Postal Service, we do 
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.
(B) If You Deliver Your Application by Hand
    You or your courier must hand deliver the original and two copies 
of the application by 4:30 p.m. (Washington, DC time) on or before the 
deadline date to: U.S. Department of Education, Application Control 
Center, Attention: CFDA # 84.288S, Room 3633, Regional Office Building 
3, 7th and D Streets, SW., Washington, DC.
    The Application Control Center accepts application deliveries daily 
between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. (Washington, DC time), except 
Saturdays, Sundays, and Federal holidays. The Center accepts 
application deliveries through the D Street entrance only. A person 
delivering an application must show identification to enter the 
building.
(C) If You Submit Your Application Electronically
    You must submit your grant application through the Internet using 
the software provided on the e-Grants Web site (http://e-grants.ed.gov) 
by 4:30 p.m. (Washington, DC time) on the deadline date.

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    The regular hours of operation of the e-Grants Web site are 6:00 
a.m. until 12:00 midnight (Washington, DC time) Monday-Friday and 6:00 
a.m. until 7:00 p.m. Saturdays. The system is unavailable on the second 
Saturday of every month, Sundays, and Federal holidays. Please note 
that on Wednesdays the Web site is closed for maintenance at 7:00 p.m. 
(Washington, DC time).

    Notes:  (1) The U.S. Postal Service does not uniformly provide a 
dated postmark. Before relying on this method, you should check with 
your local post office.

    (2) If you send your application by mail or deliver it by hand or 
by a courier service, the Application Control Center will mail a Grant 
Application Receipt Acknowledgment to you. If you do not receive the 
notification of application receipt within 15 days from the date of 
mailing the application, you should call the U.S. Department of 
Education Application Control Center at (202) 708-9493.
    (3) You must indicate on the envelope and--if not provided by the 
Department--in Item 3 of the Application for Federal Education 
Assistance (ED Form 424; revised November 12, 1999) CFDA #84.288S as 
the competition under which you are submitting your application.
    (4) If you submit your application through the Internet via the e-
Grants Web site, you will receive an automatic acknowledgment when we 
receive your application.

Application Instructions and Forms

    The appendix to this notice contains the following forms and 
instructions, plus a statement regarding estimated public reporting 
burden, a checklist for applicants, various assurances, certifications, 
and required documentation:
    a. Instructions for Application Narrative.
    b. Additional Guidance.
    c. Estimated Public Reporting Burden.
    d. Notice to All Applicants (OMB No. 1801-0004).
    e. Checklist for Applicants.
    f. Application for Federal Education Assistance (ED 424) and 
instructions.
    g. Budget Information--Non-Construction Programs (ED 524) and 
instructions.
    h. Group Application Certification.
    i. Student Data.
    j. Project Documentation.
    k. Assurances--Non-Construction Programs (SF 424B) and 
instructions.
    l. Certifications Regarding Lobbying; Debarment, Suspension and 
Other Responsibility Matters; and Drug-Free Workplace Requirements (ED 
80-0013) and instructions.
    m. Certification Regarding Debarment, Suspension, Ineligibility and 
Voluntary Exclusion: Lower Tier Covered Transactions (ED 80-0014) and 
instructions.


    Note: ED 80-0014 is intended for the use of grantees and should 
not be transmitted to the Department.


    n. Disclosure of Lobbying Activities (SF 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. Notice may 
be accessed through the following Internet address: http://ofco.ed.gov/fedreg.htm.
    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 application as ``original'' or 
``copy.'' No grant may be awarded unless a completed application has 
been received.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: James (Jim) Lockhart, Telephone (202) 
205-5426; Ki Lee, Telephone: 202-205-8730; or Ursula Lord, Telephone: 
202-205-5709. Written inquiries may be addressed to the above at U.S. 
Department of Education, Office of Bilingual Education and Minority 
Languages Affairs, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20202. 
Individuals who use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) may 
call the Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 1-800-877-8339.
    Individuals with disabilities may obtain this notice in an 
alternate format (e.g., Braille, large print, audio tape, or computer 
diskette) on request to one of the contact persons 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

    You may view this document, as well as all other Department of 
Education documents published in the Federal Register, in text or Adobe 
Portable Document Format (PDF) on the Internet at either of the 
following sites: http://ocfo.ed.gov/fedreg.htm; http://www.ed.gov/news.html.
    To use PDF you must have Adobe Acrobat Reader, which is available 
free at either of the previous sites. If you have questions about using 
PDF, call the U.S. Government Printing Office toll free at 1-800-293-
6498; or in the Washington, DC area at (202) 512-1530.


    Note: The official version of this document is the document 
published in the Federal Register. Free Internet access to the 
official edition of the Federal Register and the Code of Federal 
Regulations is available on the GPO Access at: http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/index.html.


    Program Authority: 20 U.S.C. 7422.

    Dated: December 8, 2000.
Art Love,
Acting Director, Office of Bilingual Education and Minority Languages 
Affairs.

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 OMB No. 1885-0538 (Expiration Date: 12/31/
2001). The time required to complete this information collection is 
estimated to average 80 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, DC 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, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW., Room 5622, Switzer Building, 
Washington, DC 20202-6510.

Application Instructions

Parity Guidelines Between Paper and Electronic Applications

    The Department of Education is expanding the pilot project, which 
began in FY 2000, that allows applicants to use an Internet-based 
electronic system for submitting applications. This competition is 
among those that have an electronic submission option available to all 
applicants. The system, called e-APPLICATION, formerly e-GAPS 
(Electronic Grant Application Package System), allows an applicant to 
submit a grant application to us electronically, using a current 
version of the applicant's Internet browser. To see e-

[[Page 78382]]

APPLICATION visit the following address: http://e-grants.ed.gov.
    In an effort to ensure parity and a similar look between 
applications transmitted electronically and applications submitted in 
conventional paper form, e-APPLICATION has an impact on all applicants 
under this competition.
    Users of e-APPLICATION, a data driven system, will be entering data 
on-line while completing their applications. This will be more 
interactive than just e-mailing a soft copy of a grant application to 
us. If you participate in this voluntary pilot project by submitting an 
application electronically, the data you enter on-line will go into a 
database and ultimately will be accessible in electronic form to our 
reviewers.
    This pilot project is another step in the Department's transition 
to an electronic grant award process. In addition to e-APPLICATION, the 
Department is conducting a limited pilot of electronic peer review (e-
READER) and electronic annual performance reporting (e-REPORTS).
    To help ensure parity and a similar look between electronic and 
paper copies of grant applications, we are asking each applicant that 
submits a paper application to adhere to the following guidelines:
     Submit your application on 8\1/2\" by 11" paper.
     Leave a 1-inch margin on all sides.
     Use consistent font throughout your document. You may also 
use boldface type, underlining, and italics. However, please do not use 
colored text.
     Please use black and white, also, for illustrations, 
including charts, tables, graphs and pictures.
     For the narrative component, your application should 
consist of the number and text of each selection criterion followed by 
the narrative. The text of the selection criterion, if included, does 
not count against any page limitation.
     Place a page number at the bottom right of each page 
beginning with 1; and number your pages consecutively throughout your 
document.

Mandatory Page Limit for the Application Narrative

    The narrative is the section of the application where you address 
the selection criteria used by reviewers in evaluating your 
application. You must limit the narrative to the equivalent of no more 
than 35 pages, using the following standards:
    (1) A page is 8.5"  x  11", on one side only with 1" margins at the 
top, bottom, and both sides.
    (2) Double space (no more than three lines per vertical inch) all 
text in the application narrative, including titles, headings, 
footnotes, quotations, references, and captions, as well as all text in 
charts, tables, figures, and graphs.
    Use a font that is either 12-point or larger or no smaller than 10 
pitch (character per inch).
    The page limit does not apply to the Application for Federal 
Education Assistance Form (ED 424); the Budget Information Form (ED 
524) and attached itemization of costs; the other application forms and 
attachments to those forms; the assurances and certifications; the text 
of the selection criteria; or the one-page abstract and table of 
contents described below. The page limit applies only to item 14 in the 
Checklist for Applicants provided below.
    We will reject your application if--
    You apply these standards and exceed the page limit; or
    You apply other standards and exceed the equivalent of the page 
limit.

Abstract

    The narrative section should be preceded by a one-page 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. Do not include bibliographies, letters 
of support, or appendices in your application.

Empowerment Zone/Enterprise Community Priority

    Applicants that wish to be considered under the competitive 
priority for Empowerment Zones and Enterprise Communities, as specified 
in a previous section of this notice, should identify in Section D of 
the Project Documentation Form the applicable Empowerment Zone or 
Enterprise Community. The application narrative should describe the 
extent to which the proposed project will contribute to systemic 
educational reform in the particular Empowerment Zone or Enterprise 
Community and be an integral part of the Zones or Communities 
comprehensive revitalization strategies. A list of areas that have been 
designated as Empowerment Zones and Enterprise Communities is provided 
at the end of this notice.

Additional Guidance

Table of Contents

    The application should include a table of contents listing the 
various parts of the narrative in the order of the selection criteria. 
Be sure that the table includes the page numbers where the parts of the 
narrative are found.

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.

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Checklist for Applicants

    The following forms and other items must be included in the 
application in the order listed below:
    1. Application for Federal Education Assistance Form (ED 424).
    2. Group Application Certification Form (if applicable).
    3. Budget Information Form (ED 524).
    4. Itemization of costs for each budget year.
    5. Student Data Form.
    6. Project Documentation Form, including:
    Section A--Copy of transmittal letter to SEA requesting SEA to 
comment on the application;
    Section B--Documentation of consultation with nonprofit private 
school officials;
    Section C--Appropriate box checked;
    Section D--Empowerment Zone or Enterprise Community identified (if 
applicable).
    7. Assurances--Non-Construction Programs Form (SF 424B).
    8. Certifications Regarding Lobbying; Debarment, Suspension and 
Other Responsibility Matters; and Drug-Free Workplace Requirements Form 
(ED 80-0013).
    9. Certification Regarding Debarment, Suspension, Ineligibility and 
Voluntary Exclusion--Lower Tier Covered Transactions Form (ED 80-0014) 
(if applicable).
    10. Disclosure of Lobbying Activities Form (SF LLL).
    11. Information that addresses section 427 of the General Education 
Provisions Act. (See the form below entitled Notice to All Applicants.)
    12. One-page abstract.
    13. Table of Contents.
    14. Application narrative, not to exceed 35 pages.
    15. One original and two copies of the application for transmittal 
to the Education Department's Application Control Center.
BILLING CODE 4000-01-U

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[FR Doc. 00-31810 Filed 12-13-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4000-01-C