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###### Department of Education

          - [CFDA No.: 84.195E] 

# FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Mahal May or Elizabeth Judd, U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW., Room 5090, Switzer Building, Washington, D.C. 20202-6510. Telephone: Mahal May: (202)205-8727; Elizabeth Judd: (202)205-9157 E-mail addresses: Mahal_May@ed.gov

Elizabeth_Judd@ed.gov. 

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 notice in an alternative format (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, or computer diskette) on request to the contact persons listed in the preceding paragraph. Please note, however, that the Department is not able to reproduce in an alternative 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 portable document format (PFD) 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 preceding sites. If you have questions about using PDF, call the U.S. Government Printing Office 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                                           ( print page 59281)                                        Register**                                . Free Internet access to the official edition of the                                 **Federal Register**                                 and the Code of Federal Regulations is available at GPO access at: http://www.access.gpo.gov.nara.index.html

Program Authority:20 U.S.C. 7474. 

Art Love, 

Acting Director, Office of Bilingual Education and Minority Languages Affairs. 

## Appendix 

### Estimated Burden Statement 

                                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 information collection is OMB No. 1885-0542, Exp. Date: 12/31/01. We estimate the time required to complete this information collection is estimated to average 120 hours per response, including the time to review instructions, search existing data resources, gather the data needed, and complete and review the information collection.                                 *If you have any comments concerning the accuracy of the time estimate or suggestions for improving this form, please write to:*                                 U.S. Department of Education, Washington, D.C. 20202-4651.                                 *If you have any 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., Washington, D.C. 20202-6510.                             

## Application Instructions 

### 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, planned activities, and invitational priorities the project proposes to address. 

### 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 extensive resumes. Provide position descriptions for key personnel. Do not include bibliographies, letters of support, or appendices in your application. This package includes questions and answers to assist you in preparing the narrative portion of 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 Zone's or Community's 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. 

### 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 be directly applicable to the program design and all other project components. A separate budget summary and cost itemization must be provided on the Budget Information Form (ED 524). Prepare an itemized budget for each year of requested funding. Indirect costs for institutions of higher education which are the fiscal agents for Career Ladder Programs are limited to the lower of either 8% of a modified total direct cost base or the institution for higher education's actual indirect cost agreement. A modified direct cost base is defined as total direct costs less stipends, tuition and related fees and capital expenditures of $5,000 or more. In describing student support costs distinguish costs for tuition and fees from costs for stipends. 

### Submission Of Application To State Educational Agency 

Section 7146(a)(4) of the Act (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. 7476(a)(4)). 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. 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 SEA will not be considered for funding. Applicants are reminded that the requirement for submission to the SEA and the requirements for Executive Order 12372 are two separate requirements. 

## Final Application Preparation 

Use the checklist following the Questions and Answers to verify that all items are addressed. Prepare one original with an original signature, and include two additional copies. Do not use elaborate bindings or covers. The application package must be mailed to the Application Control Center (ACC) and postmarked by the deadline date published in the notice. 

## Questions and Answers

### Does the Career Ladder Program have specific evaluation requirements? 

Yes, the evaluation requirements are described in section 7149 of title VII of ESEA, 20 U.S.C. 7479. 

### What requirements must grantees meet related to teacher certification? 

The Title VII statute requires grantees to assist educational personnel in meeting State and local certification requirements. However, because certification requirements vary among States, applicants are given flexibility in designing activities that lead to meeting State and local certification requirements. 

### May program budgets include costs for items other than student tuition and fees? 

Project budgets should reflect the proposed program activities. In addition to student support costs, budget items may include costs for personnel, supplies or equipment, and other reasonable and necessary costs to support developmental activities. 

### What information may be helpful in preparing the application narrative for a Career Ladder Program? 

In responding to the selection criteria applicants may wish to consider the following questions as a guide for preparing application narrative. 
      - What are the specific responsibilities of districts, schools, institutions of higher education (IHEs) and other partnership organizations in planning, implementing and evaluating the proposed program? How is the program linked to the school district's overall professional development plan?
      - What resources and support will each of the consortia members provide? How will resources be integrated to ensure maximum effectiveness of the program resources and to promote capacity building and long-range collaboration?
      - How will the program collaborate with other teacher preparation programs within the institution, including those funded under the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended?
      - How does the training curricula reflect high standards for pedagogy, content, and proficiency in English and a second language to ensure that participants are effectively prepared to provide instruction and support to LEP students?
      - How will the program assist in systemically reforming policies and practices in the target schools and in the IHEs related to the preparation of new teachers, the induction of new bilingual teachers, clinical experiences for new bilingual teachers and other educational personnel, or professional development opportunities for all teachers?
      - What special selection criteria will the applicant adopt to ensure that individuals selected to participate in the program hold promise for successfully completing program requirements?
      - What special support will be provided to participants by experienced bilingual teachers, higher education faculty, and school administrators to guide them during their period of induction?       ( print page 59282)      
      - How will the instructional responsibilities of participants be balanced with appropriate professional development, support and planning time?
      - How will clinical experiences for preservice participants be structured to ensure that they are well-supervised, of sufficient duration and in a setting which provides opportunities for participants to experience a variety of effective bilingual education instructional methods and approaches?
      - How is the training curriculum based on current research related to effective teaching and learning? What evidence of effectiveness supports the training model?
      - What are the expected outcomes for participant learning, effectiveness in the instructional setting, reform and improvement in the school or the university? What measures will the proposed program use to collect data on the effectiveness of the program in meeting its objectives, such as: field practice assessments, National or State benchmark tests, surveys of graduates, mentor teachers, school administrators, rates of transfer from 2-year to 4-year institutions, graduate rates, placement rates? How are needs, objectives, activities and measures linked?
      - How will the program evaluation incorporate strategies for assessing the progress and performance of participants; communicating meaningful, regular and timely feedback to participants; improving the quality of the training program; documenting and identifying exemplary program features and successful strategies; and reporting on specific data related to the number of participants completing the program and the number of graduates placed in the instructional setting?

In addition, applicants may wish to consider the Department of Education Professional Development Principles in planning a Career Ladder Program 

The following are the professional development principles: 
      - Focuses on teachers as central to student learning, yet includes all other members of the school community;
      - Focuses on individual, collegial and organizational improvement;
      - Respects and nurtures the intellectual and leadership capacity of teachers, principals, and others in the school community;
      - Reflects best available research and practice in teaching, learning, and leadership; enables teachers to develop further expertise in subject content, teaching strategies, uses of technologies, and other essential elements in teaching to high standards;
      - Promotes continuous inquiry and improvement embedded in the daily life of schools;
      - Is planned collaboratively by those who will participate in and facilitate that development;
      - Requires substantial time and other resources;
      - Is driven by a coherent long-term plan;
      - Is evaluated ultimately on the basis of its impact on teacher effectiveness and student learning; and uses this assessment to guide subsequent professional development efforts.

### What Other Information May Be Helpful in Applying for a Career Ladder Program? 

                                For additional technical assistance information on Title VII programs, visit the OBEMLA website at:                                 *www.ed.gov/​offices/​OBEMLA.*                                 Select funding opportunities, then professional development programs. Applicants are reminded that they must submit a copy of their application to the SEA for review and comment. In addition, applicants must submit a copy of their application to the State Single Point of Contact to satisfy the requirements of Executive order 12372. The SEA review requirement and the requirements for Executive order 12372 are two separate requirements.                             

### Checklist for Applicants 

The following forms and other items must be included in the application:

1. Application for Federal Assistance (SF 424) 

2. Group Application Certification (To be signed by authorized Representative of LEA in consortia with the applicant) 

3. Budget Information (ED Form No. 524) 

4. Itemized Budget for each year (attached to ED Form No. 524) 

5. Participant Data—approximate number of participants to be served each year. 

6. Project Documentation 

Section A—Copy of Transmittal Letter to SEA requesting SEA to comment on application 

Section B—Documentation of Empowerment Zone or Enterprise Community—if applicable 

7. Program Assurances 

8. Non-Construction Programs (SF 424B) 

9. Certifications Regarding Lobbying; Debarment, Suspension and Other Responsibility Matters; and Drug-Free Workplace Requirements (ED 80-0013) 

10. Certification Regarding Debarment, Suspension, Ineligibility and Voluntary Exclusion—Lower Tier Covered Transactions (ED 80-0014) 

11. Disclosure of Lobbying Activities (SF-LLL) 

12. Notice to all Applicants (See form provided below) 

13. Table of Contents 

14. One-page single-spaced abstract 

15. Application narrative (Not to exceed 30 double-spaced pages, see instructions below) 

16. One original and two copies of the application to the Department of Education Application Control Center 

17. One copy to the SEA 

18. One copy to the State Single Point of Contact 
      ( print page 59283)          ( print page 59284)          ( print page 59285)          ( print page 59286)          ( print page 59287)          ( print page 59288)          ( print page 59289)          ( print page 59290)          ( print page 59291)          ( print page 59292)          ( print page 59293)          ( print page 59294)          ( print page 59295)          ( print page 59296)          ( print page 59297)          ( print page 59298)          ( print page 59299)          ( print page 59300)          ( print page 59301)          ( print page 59302)          ( print page 59303)          ( print page 59304)          ( print page 59305)          ( print page 59306)          ( print page 59307)    

BILLING CODE 4000-01-P 

[FR Doc. 00-25442  Filed 10-3-00; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4000-01-C