[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 65 (Monday, April 5, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Pages 17895-17898]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-7635]


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DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

Office of Elementary and Secondary Education


Improving Literacy Through School Libraries Program Overview 
Information; Notice Inviting Applications for New Awards for Fiscal 
Year (FY) 2004

Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: 84.364A

DATES: Applications Available: April 5, 2004.
    Deadline for Notice of Intent to Apply: April 27, 2004.
    Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: May 20, 2004.
    Deadline for Intergovernmental Review: July 19, 2004.
    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. A list of LEAs with their family 
poverty rates is posted on our Web site at: http://www.ed.gov/programs/lsl/eligibility.html.
    Estimated Available Funds: $19.8 million.
    Estimated Range of Awards: $30,000 to $350,000.

    Note: Actual award amounts will be based on the number of 
schools and students served by the project.

    Estimated Average Size of Awards: $100,000.
    Estimated Number of Awards: 200.

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

    Project Period: 12 months.

FULL TEXT OF ANNOUNCEMENT

I. Funding Opportunity Description

    Purpose of Program: The purpose of this program is to improve 
student reading skills and academic achievement by providing students 
with increased access to up-to-date school library materials; well-
equipped, technologically advanced school library media centers; and 
well-trained, professionally certified school library media 
specialists.
    Clarification of Eligible Local Activities: Applicants may propose 
professional development activities for school library media 
specialists that further the purposes of the program not only as 
related to preschool education, but also as related to education 
benefiting children in grades K-3. (See the notice of final 
clarification of eligible local activities for this program, published 
elsewhere in this issue of the Federal Register.)
    Under this competition we are particularly interested in 
applications that address the following priority. Invitational 
Priority: For FY 2004 this priority is an invitational priority. Under 
34 CFR 75.105(c)(1) we do not give an application that meets this 
invitational priority a competitive or absolute preference over other 
applications.
    Under this priority the Secretary strongly encourages applicants to 
focus their efforts on elementary schools to maximize the impact of the 
project on improving reading achievement.
    Program Authority: 20 U.S.C. 6383.
    Applicable Regulations: (a) The Education Department General 
Administrative Regulations (EDGAR) in 34 CFR parts 75, 77, 79, 80, 81, 
82, 84, 85, 97, 98 and 99. (b) The notice of final clarification of 
eligible local activities, published elsewhere in this issue of the 
Federal Register.

II. Award Information

    Type of Award: Discretionary grants.
    Estimated Available Funds: $19.8 million.
    Estimated Range of Awards: $30,000 to $350,000.
    Estimated Average Size of Awards: $100,000.

    Note: Actual award amounts will be based on the number of 
schools and students served by the project.

    Estimated Number of Awards: 200.

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

    Project Period: 12 months.

III. Eligibility Information

    1. Eligible Applicants: LEAs in which at least 20 percent of the 
students served by the LEA are from families with incomes below the 
poverty line. A list of LEAs with their family poverty rates is posted 
on our Web site at:  http://www.ed.gov/programs/lsl/eligibility.html.
    2. Cost Sharing or Matching: This program does not involve cost 
sharing or matching, but does involve supplement-not-supplant funding 
provisions. Funds made available under this program shall be used to 
supplement, and not supplant, other Federal, State, and local funds 
expended to carry out activities relating to library, technology, or 
professional development activities (20 U.S.C. 6383(i)).

IV. Application and Submission Information

    1. Address to Request Application Package: Education Publications 
Center (ED Pubs), P.O. Box 1398, Jessup, MD

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20794-1398. Telephone (toll free): 1-877-433-7827. FAX: (301) 470-1244. 
If you use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD), you may call 
(toll free): 1-877-576-7734.
    You may also contact ED Pubs at its Web site: http://www.ed.gov/pubs/edpubs.html or you may contact ED Pubs at its e-mail address: 
[email protected]. If you request an application from ED Pubs, be sure 
to identify this competition as follows: CFDA number 84.364A.
    Individuals with disabilities may obtain a copy of the application 
package in an alternative format (e.g., Braille, large print, 
audiotape, or computer diskette) by contacting the program contact 
person listed under section VII of this notice.
    You may obtain an application package for this program via the 
Internet at the following address: http://www.ed.gov/programs/lsl/applicant.html
    2. Content and Form of Application Submission: Requirements 
concerning the content of an application, together with the forms you 
must submit, are in the application package for this program.
    Notice of Intent to Apply: We strongly encourage each potential 
applicant to notify us by April 27, 2004 of your intent to submit an 
application for funding. 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. Notifications should be sent by e-mail to the following 
Internet address: [email protected].
    Please put ``Notice of Intent'' in the subject line. Applicants 
that do not provide this e-mail notification may still apply for 
funding.
    Page Limit: The application narrative is where you, the applicant, 
address the selection criteria that reviewers use to evaluate your 
application. Applicants are strongly encouraged to limit the 
application narrative (text plus all figures, charts, tables, and 
diagrams) to the equivalent of no more than 15 pages, using the 
following standards:
     A ``page'' is 8.5 x 11, on 
one side only, with 1 margins at the top, bottom, and both 
sides.
     Double space (no more than three lines per 
vertical inch) all text in the application narrative, including titles 
and headings, but excluding 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 (characters per inch).
    The page limit does not apply to the cover sheet; the budget 
section, including the budget narrative justification; the assurances 
and certifications; or the one-page abstract and the resumes.
    3. Submission Dates and Times: Applications Available: April 5, 
2004.
    Deadline for Notice of Intent to Apply: April 27, 2004.
    Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: May 20, 2004.
    The dates and times for the transmittal of applications by mail or 
by hand (including a courier service or commercial carrier) are in the 
application package for this program. The application package also 
specifies the hours of operation of the e-Application Web site.
    We do not consider an application that does not comply with the 
deadline requirements.
    Deadline for Intergovernmental Review: July 19, 2004.
    4. Intergovernmental Review: This program is subject to Executive 
Order 12372 and the regulations in 34 CFR part 79. Information about 
Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs under Executive Order 
12372 is in the application package for this program.
    5. Funding Restrictions: We reference regulations outlining funding 
restrictions in the Applicable Regulations section of this notice.
    6. Other Submission Requirements: Instructions and requirements for 
the transmittal of applications by mail or by hand (including a courier 
service or commercial carrier) are in the application package for this 
program.
    Application Procedures:

    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: We are 
continuing to expand our pilot project for electronic submission of 
applications to include additional formula grant programs and 
additional discretionary grant competitions. Improving Literacy Through 
School Libraries Program--CFDA Number 84.364A is one of the programs 
included in the pilot project. If you are an applicant under the 
Improving Literacy Through School Libraries 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). If you use e-Application, you will 
be entering data online while completing your application. You may not 
e-mail an electronic copy of a grant application to us. If you 
participate in this voluntary pilot project by submitting an 
application electronically, the data you enter online will be saved 
into a database. We request your participation in e-Application. We 
shall continue to evaluate its success and solicit suggestions for its 
improvement.
    If you participate in e-Application, please note the following:
     Your participation is voluntary.
     When you enter the e-Application system, you 
will find information about its hours of operation. We strongly 
recommend that you do not wait until the application deadline date to 
initiate an e-Application package.
     You will not receive additional point value 
because you submit a grant application in electronic format, nor will 
we penalize you if you submit an application in paper format.
     You may submit all documents electronically, 
including the Application for Federal Education Assistance (ED 424), 
Budget Information--Non-Construction Programs (ED 524), and all 
necessary assurances and certifications.
     Your e-Application must comply with any page 
limit requirements described in this notice.
     After you electronically submit your 
application, you will receive an automatic acknowledgement, which will 
include a PR/Award number (an identifying number unique to your 
application).
     Within three working days after submitting your 
electronic application, fax a signed copy of the Application for 
Federal Education Assistance (ED 424) to the Application Control Center 
after following these steps:
    1. Print ED 424 from e-Application.
    2. The institution's Authorizing Representative must sign this 
form.
    3. Place the PR/Award number in the upper right hand corner of the 
hard copy signature page of the ED 424.
    4. Fax the signed ED 424 to the Application Control Center at (202) 
260-1349.
     We may request that you give us original 
signatures on other forms at a later date.
    Application Deadline Date Extension in Case of System 
Unavailability: If you

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elect to participate in the e-Application pilot for the Improving 
Literacy Through School Libraries Program and you are prevented from 
submitting your application on the application deadline date because 
the e-Application system is unavailable, we will grant you an extension 
of one business day in order to transmit your application 
electronically, by mail, or by hand delivery. We will grant this 
extension if--
    1. You are a registered user of e-Application, and you have 
initiated an e-Application for this competition; and
    2. (a) The e-Application system is unavailable for 60 minutes or 
more between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m., Washington, DC time, 
on the application deadline date; or
    (b) The e-Application system is unavailable for any period of time 
during the last hour of operation (that is, for any period of time 
between 3:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m., Washington, DC time) on the 
application deadline date.
    We must acknowledge and confirm these periods of unavailability 
before granting you an extension. To request this extension or to 
confirm our acknowledgement of any system unavailability, you may 
contact either (1) the persons listed elsewhere in this notice under 
For Further Information Contact (see VII. Agency Contact) or (2) the e-
GRANTS help desk at 1-888-336-8930.
    You may access the electronic grant application for The Improving 
Literacy Through School Libraries Program at: http://e-grants.ed.gov.

V. Application Review Information

    1. 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 criteria:
    (a) Meeting the purpose of the statute (10 points). How well the 
proposed project addresses the intended outcome of the statute to 
improve student reading 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.
    (b) Need for school library resources (10 points). How well the 
applicant demonstrates the need for school library media improvement, 
based on the age and condition of school library media resources, 
including: book collections; access of school library media centers to 
advanced technology; and the availability of well-trained, 
professionally certified school library media specialists, in schools 
served by the applicant.
    (c) Use of funds (50 points). How well the applicant will use the 
funds made available through the grant to carry out one or more of the 
following activities that meet its demonstrated needs--
    (1) Acquiring up-to-date school library media resources, including 
books.
    (2) Acquiring and using advanced technology, incorporated into the 
curricula of the school, to develop and enhance the information 
literacy, information retrieval, 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 improves literacy in grades K-3 as well as 
professional development for school library media specialists as 
described in section 1222(d)(2) of the ESEA (as described in the 
clarification of eligible local activities as published in the notice 
of final clarification of eligible local activities published elsewhere 
in this issue of the Federal Register) and providing activities that 
foster increased collaboration between school library media 
specialists, teachers, and administrators.
    (5) Providing students with access to school libraries during non-
school hours, including the hours before and after school, during 
weekends, and during summer vacation periods.
    (d) Use of scientifically based research (10 points). How well the 
applicant will use programs and materials that are grounded in 
scientifically based research, as defined in section 9101(37) of the 
ESEA, in carrying out one or more of the activities described under 
criterion (c).
    (e) Broad-based involvement and coordination (10 points). How well 
the applicant will extensively involve school library media 
specialists, teachers, administrators, and parents in the proposed 
project activities and effectively coordinate the funds and activities 
provided under this program with other literacy, library, technology, 
and professional development funds and activities.
    (f) Evaluation of quality and impact (10 points).
    How well the applicant will collect and analyze data on the quality 
and impact of the proposed project activities, including the extent to 
which the availability of, the access to, and the use of up-to-date 
school library media resources in the elementary schools and secondary 
schools served by the applicant were increased; and the impact on 
improving the reading skills of students.
    2. Review and Selection Process: An additional factor we consider 
in selecting an application for an award is the equitable distribution 
of grants across geographic regions and among LEAs serving urban and 
rural areas. Contingent upon the availability of funds and the receipt 
of a sufficient number of high quality applications, we may make 
additional awards in FY 2005 from the rank-ordered list of unfunded 
applications from this competition.

VI. Award Administration Information

    1. Award Notices: If your application is successful, we notify your 
U.S. Representative and U.S. Senators and send you a Grant Award 
Notification (GAN). We may also notify you informally.
    If your application is not evaluated or not selected for funding, 
we notify you.
    2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements: We identify 
administrative and national policy requirements in the application 
package and reference these and other requirements in the Applicable 
Regulations section of this notice.
    We reference the regulations outlining the terms and conditions of 
an award in the Applicable Regulations section of this notice and 
include these and other specific conditions in the GAN. The GAN also 
incorporates your approved application as part of your binding 
commitments under the grant.
    3. Reporting: At the end of your project period, you must submit a 
final performance report, including financial information, as directed 
by the Secretary.
    4. Performance Measures: In response to the Government Performance 
and Results Act(GPRA), the Department developed two measures for 
evaluating the overall effectiveness of the Improving Literacy Through 
School Libraries Program. These measures gauge improvement in student 
achievement and resources in the schools and districts served by the 
Improving Literacy Through School Libraries Program by assessing 
increases in: (1) The percentage of participating schools and districts 
that exceed state targets for reading achievement for all students; and 
(2) the school library

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media collections at participating schools, compared to schools not 
participating in the program.
    The Department will collect data for these measures from grantees' 
annual performance reports and other existing data sources.

VII. Agency Contact

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Irene Harwarth or Beth Fine, U.S. 
Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW., room 2W104, 
Washington, DC, 20202-6200. Telephone: (202) 401-3751 (Irene Harwarth) 
or (202) 260-1091 (Beth Fine) or by e-mail: [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.
    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 persons listed in this 
section.

VIII. Other Information

    Electronic Access to This Document: You may view this document, as 
well as all other documents of this Department published in the Federal 
Register, in text or Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF) on the 
Internet at the following site: http://www.ed.gov/news/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.gpoaccess.gov/nara/index.html.


    Dated: March 31, 2004.
Raymond J. Simon,
Assistant Secretary for Elementary and Secondary , Education.
[FR Doc. 04-7635 Filed 4-2-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4000-01-P