OMB Control No. 1894-0005 (Exp. 03/XX/20XX)

NOTICE TO ALL APPLICANTS

The purpose of this enclosure is to inform you about 

a new provision in the Department of Education's 

General Education Provisions Act (GEPA) that 

applies to applicants for new grant awards under 

Department programs. This provision is Section 427 

of GEPA, enacted as part of the Improving America's 

Schools Act of 1994 (Public Law (P.L.) 103-382).

To Whom Does This Provision Apply?

Section 427 of GEPA affects applicants for new grant 

awards under this program. ALL APPLICANTS 

FOR NEW AWARDS MUST INCLUDE 

INFORMATION IN THEIR APPLICATIONS 

TO ADDRESS THIS NEW PROVISION IN 

ORDER TO RECEIVE FUNDING UNDER THIS 

PROGRAM.

(If this program is a State-formula grant program, a 

State needs to provide this description only for 

projects or activities that it carries out with funds 

reserved for State-level uses. In addition, local 

school districts or other eligible applicants that apply 

to the State for funding need to provide this 

description in their applications to the State for 

funding. The State would be responsible for ensuring 

that the school district or other local entity has 

submitted a sufficient section 427 statement as 

described below.)

What Does This Provision Require?

Section 427 requires each applicant for funds (other 

than an individual person) to include in its 

application a description of the steps the applicant 

proposes to take to ensure equitable access to, and 

participation in, its Federally-assisted program for 

students, teachers, and other program beneficiaries 

with special needs. This provision allows applicants 

discretion in developing the required description. 

The statute highlights six types of barriers that can 

impede equitable access or participation: gender, 

race, national origin, color, disability, or age. Based 

on local circumstances, you should determine 

whether these or other barriers may prevent your 

students, teachers, etc. from such access or 

participation in, the Federally-funded project or 

activity. The description in your application of steps 

to be taken to overcome these barriers need not be 

lengthy; you may provide a clear and succinct 

description of how you plan to address those barriers 

that are applicable to your circumstances. In 

addition, the information may be provided in a single 

narrative, or, if appropriate, may be discussed in 

connection with related topics in the application.

Section 427 is not intended to duplicate the 

requirements of civil rights statutes, but rather to 

ensure that, in designing their projects, applicants for 

Federal funds address equity concerns that may affect 

the ability of certain potential beneficiaries to fully 

participate in the project and to achieve to high 

standards. Consistent with program requirements and 

its approved application, an applicant may use the 

Federal funds awarded to it to eliminate barriers it 

identifies.

What are Examples of How an Applicant Might 

Satisfy the Requirement of This Provision?

The following examples may help illustrate how an 

applicant may comply with Section 427.

(1) An applicant that proposes to carry out an 

adult literacy project serving, among others, 

adults with limited English proficiency, might 

describe in its application how it intends to 

distribute a brochure about the proposed project 

to such potential participants in their native 

language.

(2) An applicant that proposes to develop 

instructional materials for classroom use might 

describe how it will make the materials available 

on audio tape or in braille for students who are 

blind.

(3) An applicant that proposes to carry out a 

model science program for secondary students 

and is concerned that girls may be less likely 

than boys to enroll in the course, might indicate 

how it intends to conduct "outreach" efforts to 

girls, to encourage their enrollment.

We recognize that many applicants may already be 

implementing effective steps to ensure equity of 

access and participation in their grant programs, and 

we appreciate your cooperation in responding to the 

requirements of this provision.

 Estimated Burden Statement for GEPA Requirements

According to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, no persons are required to respond to a 

collection of information unless such collection displays a valid OMB control number. Public 

reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 1.5 hours per 

response, including time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering 

and maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the collection of information. The 

obligation to respond to this collection is required to obtain or retain benefit (Public Law 103-

382. Send comments regarding the burden estimate or any other aspect of this collection of 

information, including suggestions for reducing this burden, to the U.S. Department of Education, 

400 Maryland Ave., SW, Washington, DC 20210-4537 or email ICDocketMgr@ed.gov and reference the OMB 

Control Number 1894-0005.