[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 103 (Wednesday, May 29, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Pages 37628-37646]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-13313]



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Part VI





Department of Education





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Office of Elementary and Secondary Education; Improving Literacy 
Through School Libraries Program Notice Inviting Applications for New 
Awards for Fiscal Year (FY) 2002; Notice

  Federal Register / Vol. 67, No. 103 / Wednesday, May 29, 2002 / 
Notices  

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DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

[CFDA No. 84.364]


Office of Elementary and Secondary Education; Improving Literacy 
Through School Libraries Program Notice Inviting Applications for New 
Awards for Fiscal Year (FY) 2002

    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 
you need to apply for a grant under this competition.
    Purpose of Program: The purpose of this program is to improve 
student literacy skills and academic achievement by providing students 
with increased access to up-to-date school library materials; a well-
equipped, technologically advanced school library media center; and 
well-trained, professionally certified school library media 
specialists.
    This competition focuses on projects designed to meet the priority 
described in the PRIORITY section of this notice.
    Eligible Applicants: Local educational agencies (LEAs) in which at 
least 20 percent of the students served by the LEA are from families 
with incomes below the poverty line. (20 U.S.C. 6383)
    Deadline for Notification of Intent to Apply for Funding: June 28, 
2002.
    We will be able to develop a more efficient process for reviewing 
grant applications if we have an estimate of the number of entities 
that intend to apply for funding under this competition. Therefore, we 
strongly encourage each potential applicant to notify us by e-mail of 
your intent to submit an application for funding via this Internet 
address: [email protected]
    Please put ``Notice of Intent'' in the subject line. Applicants 
that fail to provide this e-mail notification may still apply for 
funding.
    Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: July 24, 2002.
    Deadline for Intergovernmental Review: September 23, 2002.
    Estimated Available Funds: $12,125,000.
    Estimated Range of Awards: $20,000 to $250,000.
    Estimated Average Size of Awards: The size of the awards will be 
commensurate with the nature and scope of the work proposed and the 
number of schools to be served. The Department estimates the average 
amount of each award based on a maximum of $25,000 per school to be 
served.
    Estimated Number of Awards: 75.

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

    Project Period: 12 months.
    Page Limit: The application must include the following sections: 
title page form (ED 424), one-page abstract, program narrative, 
individual resumes (up to 3 pages) for project directors and other key 
personnel, budget summary form (ED 524) with budget narrative, and 
statement of equitable access (GEPA 427). The program narrative must 
address the selection criteria that reviewers use to evaluate your 
application. Applicants are strongly encouraged to limit the program 
narrative (text plus all figures, charts, tables, and diagrams) to the 
equivalent of 15 pages, using the following standards:
    [sbull] A ``page'' is 8.5'' x 11'', on one side only, with 1'' 
margins at the top, bottom, and both sides.
    [sbull] Double space (no more than three lines per vertical inch) 
all text in the program narrative.
    [sbull] Use a font that is either 12-point or larger or no smaller 
than 10 pitch (characters per inch).
    [sbull] Include all critical information in the program narrative, 
eliminating the need for appendices.
    [sbull] The page limit does not apply to the title page form (ED 
424), the one-page abstract, the budget summary form and narrative 
budget justification, the resumes, or the assurances and 
certifications.
    We have found that reviewers are able to conduct the highest 
quality review when applications are concise and easy to read, with 
pages consecutively numbered.
    Applicable Regulations: The Education Department General 
Administrative Regulations (EDGAR) in 34 CFR parts 75, 77, 79, 80, 81, 
82, 85, 97, 98 and 99.
    Description of Program: The Improving Literacy through School 
Libraries (LSL) program, subpart 4 of part B of Title I of the 
Elementary and Secondary Education Act, as amended, promotes 
comprehensive local strategies to improve student reading achievement 
by improving school library services and resources. The LSL program is 
one component of the Department's commitment to dramatically improving 
student reading achievement by focusing available resources, including 
those of school library media centers, on ensuring that no child is 
left behind. School library media centers have an important role to 
play in contributing to the success of local improvement plans, 
especially in the literacy area, by increasing collaboration among 
instructional and school library media center staff, providing 
additional instructional materials and resources, and extending hours 
of operation during non-school hours.
    Recent studies on the impact of school library media centers on 
student achievement show that a well-designed and effective school 
library media program includes the following attributes:
    [sbull] Book collections and other media resources that are well-
stocked and varied.
    [sbull] Increased hours of access, such as during times outside the 
regular school day (such as in the morning, afternoon or weekends).
    [sbull] Professional development to train school library media 
specialists to work closely with teachers in curriculum planning and 
with students in using the library.
    [sbull] Improved student access via technology within the school.
    [sbull] Collaboration to provide computer access to resources from 
other libraries, including university and public libraries.
    Studies that examined the relation between school library media 
centers and student achievement indicated that reading test scores were 
higher when--
    [sbull] Library media specialists were full time;
    [sbull] Library hours of operation were extended; and
    [sbull] Library staff spent time planning instructional units with 
teachers, teaching students how to access information, and serving on 
school-based curriculum and standards committees.
    While ongoing research on libraries is expected to provide further 
information, studies already demonstrate a positive relationship 
between effective school library media centers and student achievement 
in reading.

Priorities

Absolute Priority

    This competition focuses on projects designed to meet the following 
absolute priority. Under 34 CFR 75.105(c)(3) we consider only 
applications that meet the priority.
    To improve the services of a school library media center and the 
achievement of the students it serves, applicants must propose programs 
in their districts that incorporate the critical elements of a school 
library media center.

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    Applicants must propose programs that address two or more of the 
following critical elements:
    1. Library media specialists will actively collaborate with 
teachers and work with students.
    2. The applicant's plan for the acquisition of books and other 
resources will reflect and support this collaboration.
    3. A school library media center will possess the technology 
necessary to expand its reach to classrooms or other libraries, or to 
both.
    4. A school library media center will provide expanded hours to 
give students more access.

Invitational Priority

    Within the absolute priority, we are particularly interested in 
applications that meet the following invitational priority.
    The Secretary strongly encourages applicants to focus their efforts 
on elementary schools to maximize the impact of the project on 
improving reading achievement. Coordination and collaboration among 
school library and media staff, teachers, and parents are important to 
ensure high-quality projects as well as the sustainability of the 
activities.
    Under 34 CFR 75.105(c)(1) we do not give an application that meets 
the invitational priority a competitive or absolute preference over 
other applications.

Waiver of Proposed Rulemaking

    Under the Administrative Procedure Act (5 U.S.C. 553) the 
Department generally offers interested parties the opportunity to 
comment on proposed requirements. However, in order to make timely 
grant awards in FY 2002, the Secretary has decided to issue this 
application notice without first publishing these proposed requirements 
for public comment. These requirements will apply to the FY 2002 grant 
competition only. The Secretary takes this action under section 
437(d)(1) of the General Education Provisions Act.

Selection Criteria

    We use the following selection criteria to evaluate applications 
for new grants under this competition.
    The maximum score for all of these criteria is 100 points.
    The maximum score for each criterion is indicated in parentheses.
    We evaluate an application by determining how well the proposed 
project meets the following provisions:
    (a) Needs Assessment (15 points). Demonstrated need for school 
library media improvement, based on the age and condition of book 
collections and other school library media resources, access of school 
library media centers to advanced technology, the availability of well-
trained, professionally certified school library media specialists in 
schools served by the eligible local educational agency, and the 
educational achievement of the students to be served.
    (b) Use of Funds (25 points). How well the applicant will use the 
funds made available through the grant to carry out those of the 
following activities that meet its needs and satisfy the Absolute 
Priority section of this notice, by proposing programs that address two 
or more of the critical elements of a school library media center 
identified in that priority.
    (1) Acquiring up-to-date books and other school library media 
resources.
    (2) Acquiring and using advanced technology incorporated into the 
curricula of the school to develop and enhance the research and 
critical thinking skills of students.
    (3) Facilitating Internet links and other resource-sharing networks 
among schools and school library media centers, and public and academic 
libraries, where possible.
    (4) Providing professional development for school library media 
specialists that is based on scientifically based reading research, and 
includes, to the extent relevant to the project, knowledge of early 
language and reading development, and activities that foster increased 
collaboration between school library media specialists, teachers, and 
administrators.
    (5) Providing students with access to school libraries during 
nonschool hours, which may include the hours before and after school, 
during weekends, and during summer vacation periods.
    (c) Use of Scientifically Based Research (10 points). The manner in 
which the applicant will carry out the activities described in 
paragraph (b) of this section using programs and materials that are 
grounded in scientifically based research, as defined by the statute, 
including using scientifically based programs and activities that 
support the essential components of reading research.
    (d) Broad-based Involvement (10 points). How the applicant will 
extensively involve school library media specialists, teachers, 
administrators, and parents in the proposed project activities.
    (e) Coordination (15 points). How the applicant will effectively 
coordinate the funds and activities provided under this program with 
other literacy, library, technology, and professional development funds 
and activities.
    (f) Adequacy of Resources (5 points). The potential for continued 
support of the project after Federal funding ends, including, as 
appropriate, the demonstrated commitment of appropriate entities to 
such support; and
    (g) Evaluation of Quality and Impact (20 points). How the applicant 
will collect and analyze data on the quality and impact of the project 
activities, including their impact on student achievement, in a manner 
that is rigorous, systematic, objective, and will yield data on program 
effectiveness and best practices.

Geographic Distribution

    In making funding decisions we will also consider the equitable 
distribution of grants across geographic regions and among local 
educational agencies serving urban and rural areas.

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.
    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 
latest official SPOC list on the Web site of the Office of Management 
and Budget at the following address: http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/grants/spoc.html. 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 
entities must be mailed or hand-delivered by the date indicated in this 
application notice

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to the following address: The Secretary, E.O. 12372-CFDA No. 84.364, 
U.S. Department of Education, room 7E200, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW., 
Washington, DC 20202-0125.
    We will determine proof of mailing under 34 CFR 75.102 (deadline 
date for applications). Recommendations or comments may be hand-
delivered until 4:30 p.m. (Washington, DC time) on the date indicated 
in this notice.
    PLEASE NOTE THAT THE ABOVE ADDRESS IS NOT THE SAME ADDRESS AS THE 
ONE TO WHICH AN APPLICANT SUBMITS ITS COMPLETED APPLICATION. DO NOT 
SEND APPLICATIONS TO THE ABOVE ADDRESS.

Application Instructions and Forms

    The Appendix to this notice contains forms and instructions, a 
statement regarding estimated public reporting burden, a notice to 
applicants regarding compliance with section 427 of the General 
Education Provisions Act, and various assurances and certifications. 
Please organize the parts and additional materials in the following 
order:
    [sbull] Application for Federal Education Assistance (ED 424 (Exp. 
11/30/2004)) and instructions and definitions.
    [sbull] Protection of Human Subjects in Research (Attachment to ED 
424).
    [sbull] Budget Information--Non-Construction Programs (ED Form No. 
524) and instructions. An applicant must provide a budget narrative 
that provides budget information for the 12-month budget period of the 
proposed project.
    [sbull] Application Narrative (including an abstract that 
identifies the selected program elements from the Absolute Priority 
section of this notice).
    [sbull] Assurances--Non-Construction Programs (Standard Form 424B) 
(Rev. 7-97).
    [sbull] Certifications regarding Lobbying; Debarment, Suspension, 
and Other Responsibility Matters; and Drug-Free Workplace Requirements 
(ED 80-0013, 12/98) and instructions.
    [sbull] 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.

    [sbull] Disclosure of Lobbying Activities (Standard Form LLL (Rev. 
7-97)) and instructions.
    You may submit information on a photocopy 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. We will not award a grant unless we have 
received a completed application form.
    Individuals with disabilities may obtain this document in an 
alternative format (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, or computer 
diskette) on request to the program contact person listed under FOR 
FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT. However, the Department is not able to 
reproduce in an alternative format the standard forms included in this 
application 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 the following site: 
http://www.ed.gov/legislation/FedRegister.
    To use PDF you must have Adobe Acrobat Reader, which is available 
free at this site. If you have questions about using PDF, call the U.S. 
Government Printing Office (GPO), toll free, at 1-888-293-6498; 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 GPO Access at: http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/index.html


FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Margaret McNeely or Beth Fine, U.S. 
Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW., room 5C130, FOB-6, 
Washington, DC 20202-6200. Telephone: (202) 260-1335 (Margaret McNeely) 
or (202) 260-1091 (Beth Fine) or via Internet: 
[email protected].
    If you use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD), you may 
call the Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 1-800-877-8339.

Instructions for Transmitting Applications

    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 help expedite our review of your 
application, we would appreciate your voluntarily including an 
additional three copies of your application. We request that you staple 
or otherwise secure one of these copies. Mail your application to: U.S. 
Department of Education, Application Control Center, Attention: (CFDA 
84.364), 7th & D Streets, SW., Room 3671, Regional Office 
Building 3, 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 help expedite our review of your application, we 
would appreciate your voluntarily including an additional three copies 
of your application. We request that you staple or otherwise secure one 
of these copies. Deliver your application to: U.S. Department of 
Education, Application Control Center, Attention: (CFDA 
84.364), 7th & D Streets, SW., Room 3671, Regional Office 
Building 3, Washington, DC 20202-4725
    The Application Control Center accepts application deliveries daily 
between 8 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.

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 if you or your courier 
deliver it by hand, 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.

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    (3) If your application is late, we will notify you that we will 
not consider the application.
    (4) You must indicate on the envelope and--if not provided by the 
Department--in Item 4 of the Application for Federal Education 
Assistance (ED 424 (exp. 11/30/2004)) the CFDA number--and suffix 
letter, if any--of the competition under which you are submitting your 
application.

    Special Note:  Due to recent disruptions to normal mail 
delivery, the Department encourages you to consider using an 
alternative delivery method (for example, a commercial carrier, such 
as Federal Express or United Parcel Service; U.S. Postal Service 
Express Mail; or a courier service) to transmit your application for 
this competition to the Department. If you use an alternative 
delivery method, please obtain the appropriate proof of mailing 
under (a) ``If You Send Your Application by Mail'', then follow the 
instructions for ``(b) If You Deliver Your Application by Hand.''


    Program Authority: 20 U.S.C. 6383.

    Dated: May 22, 2002.
Susan B. Neuman,
Assistant Secretary for Elementary and Secondary Education.

Appendix

Instructions for Estimated Public Reporting Burden

    According to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, you are not 
required to respond to a collection of information unless it 
displays a valid OMB control number. The valid OMB control number 
for this collection of information is [1810-0652]. Expiration date: 
May 31, 2005. We estimate the time required to complete this 
collection of information to average 30 hours per response, 
including the time to review instructions, search existing data 
sources, gather the data needed, and complete and review the 
collection of information. 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 
submission of this form, write directly to: Literacy Through School 
Libraries Program, U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland 
Avenue, SW., room 5C130, FOB-6, Washington, DC 20202-6200.

Instructions for Application Narrative

    Before preparing the Application Narrative you should read 
carefully the description of the program, the information regarding 
the priority, and the selection criteria we use to evaluate 
applications.
    The narrative should--
    1. Begin with an abstract; that is, a summary of your proposed 
project (please remember to identify your selection of program 
elements as required by the absolute priority section of this 
notice);
    2. Describe your proposed project in light of each of the 
selection criteria in the order in which we list the criteria in 
this notice;
    3. List each function or activity for which you are requesting 
funds; and
    4. Include any other pertinent information that might assist us 
in reviewing your application.

    Note: The section on PAGE LIMIT elsewhere in this application 
notice applies to your application.

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[FR Doc. 02-13313 Filed 5-28-02; 8:45 am]
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