[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 73 (Thursday, April 16, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 19086-19105]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-10115]



[[Page 19085]]

_______________________________________________________________________

Part III





Department of Education





_______________________________________________________________________



Migrant Education Even Start Program; Notice

Federal Register / Vol. 63, No. 73 / Thursday, April 16, 1998 / 
Notices

[[Page 19086]]



DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

[CFDA No. 84.214A]


Migrant Education Even Start Program; Notice Inviting 
Applications for New Awards for Fiscal Year (FY) 1998

AGENCY: Department of Education.

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), the notice contains all of the 
information, application forms, and instructions needed to apply for a 
grant under this competition.

Purpose of Program

    The Migrant Education Even Start (MEES) Program is designed to help 
break the cycle of poverty and improve the literacy of participating 
migrant families by integrating early childhood education, adult 
literacy or adult basic education, and parenting education into a 
unified family literacy program.

Eligible Applicants

    While any entity is eligible to apply for a grant under the MEES 
program, the Secretary specifically invites applications from State 
educational agencies (SEAs) that administer Migrant Education Programs; 
local educational agencies (LEAs) that have a high percentage of 
migrant students; and non-profit community-based organizations that 
work with migrant families.
    Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: June 1, 1998.
    Deadline for Intergovernmental Review: July 31, 1998.
    Available Funds: For FY 1998, $3,720,000 is available for this 
program.
    The amount of funding available to begin new projects is 
approximately $1,200,000.
    Estimated Range of Awards: $88,000-$270,000.
    Estimated Average Size of Awards: $200,000.
    Estimated Number of Awards: 5.

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

    Project Period: Up to 48 months.
    Maximum Award: The Secretary will not consider an application that 
proposes a budget exceeding $270,000 for each 12-month budget period.

Applicable Regulations

    (a) The Education Department General Administrative Regulations 
(EDGAR) as follows:
    (1) 34 CFR Part 74 (Administration of Grants and Agreements with 
Institutions of Higher Education, Hospitals, and Nonprofit 
Organizations).
    (2) 34 CFR Part 75 (Direct Grant Programs).
    (3) 34 CFR Part 77 (Definitions that Apply to Department 
Regulations).
    (4) 34 CFR Part 79 (Intergovernmental Review of Department of 
Education Programs and Activities).
    (5) 34 CFR Part 80 (Uniform Administrative Requirements for Grants 
and Cooperative Agreements to State and Local Governments).
    (6) 34 CFR Part 81 (General Education Provisions Act--Enforcement).
    (7) 34 CFR Part 82 (New Restrictions on Lobbying).
    (8) 34 CFR Part 85 (Governmentwide Debarment and Suspension (Non-
procurement) and Governmentwide Requirements for Drug-Free Workplace 
(Grants)).
    (b) The definitions of a migratory child, a migratory agricultural 
worker, and a migratory fisher contained in 34 CFR 200.40.

Description of Program

    Under the authority of section 1202(a)(1)(A) of the Elementary and 
Secondary Education Act (ESEA), as amended, the Assistant Secretary of 
Elementary and Secondary Education (Assistant Secretary) awards grants 
to eligible applicants under the MEES Program for projects that--
    (1) Improve the educational opportunities of migrant families by 
integrating early childhood education, adult literacy or adult basic 
education, and parenting education into a unified family literacy 
program;
    (2) Implement cooperative activities that build on existing 
community resources to create a new range of services to migrant 
families;
    (3) Promote achievement of the National Education Goals (section 
102 of the Goals 2000 Educate America Act) especially goals one (school 
readiness), six (adult literacy), and eight (parent involvement and 
participation); and
    (4) Assist children and adults from migrant families to achieve 
challenging State content standards and challenging State student 
performance standards.

Required Program Elements

    (a)(1) Eligible participants. Eligible MEES participants consist of 
migratory children and their parents as defined in Secs. 200.30 and 
200.40 who also meet the following conditions specified in section 
1206(a) of the ESEA:
    (2) The parent or parents--
    (i) Are eligible for participation in an adult basic education 
program under the Adult Education Act; or
    (ii) Are within the State's compulsory school attendance age range, 
so long as a local educational agency provides (or ensures the 
availability of) the basic education component required under this 
part; and
    (3) The child or children must be younger than eight years of age.

    Note: Family members of eligible participants described in 
paragraphs one through three, above, also may participate in MEES 
activities when appropriate to serve Even Start purposes. In 
addition, section 1206(b) of the ESEA permits families to remain 
eligible for MEES services until all family members become 
ineligible to participate. For example, in the case of a family in 
which the parent or parents lose eligibility because of their 
educational advancement, the parent or parents can still participate 
in MEES activities until all children in the family reach age eight. 
In addition, the Department interprets 34 CFR 200.30 together with 
section 1206(b) of ESEA to mean that MEES services can continue to 
be provided to a parent or child who is no longer migratory provided 
that the family has at least one parent or child who is a migratory 
worker or child as defined under 34 CFR 200.40.

    (b) Required program elements. Any MEES project must, at a minimum, 
incorporate the following program elements specified in section 1205 of 
the ESEA:
    <bullet> Identification and recruitment of migrant families most in 
need of MEES services, as indicated by a low level of income, a low 
level of adult literacy or English language proficiency of the eligible 
parent or parents, and other need-related indicators;
    <bullet> Screening and preparation of parents, including teenage 
parents and children, to enable these parents to participate fully in 
program activities and services, including testing, referral to 
counseling, other developmental and support services and related 
services;
    <bullet> The provision of MEES services to those migrant families 
most in need of project services and activities;
    <bullet> High-quality instructional programs that promote adult 
literacy and empower parents to support the educational growth of their 
children, with developmentally appropriate early childhood educational 
services, and the preparation of children for success in the regular 
school programs;
    <bullet> A design for service delivery that accommodates the 
participants' work schedule and other responsibilities, including the 
provision of support services, when such services are unavailable from 
other sources, necessary for participation in project activities, such 
as--
    --Scheduling and locating of services to allow joint participation 
by parents and children;

[[Page 19087]]

    --Child care for the period that parents are involved in the 
project activities; and
    --Transportation for the purpose of enabling parents and their 
children to participate in project activities.
    <bullet> Special training of staff, including child care staff, to 
develop the skills necessary to work with parents and young children in 
the full range of instructional services offered by the project;
    <bullet> Provision of integrated instructional services, and 
monitoring of these services, to participating parents and children 
through home-based activities;
    <bullet> Operation on a year-round basis, including the provision 
of some program services, instructional or enrichment, during the 
summer months;

    Note: Given the mobility of the migrant population to be served 
by the MEES program, the Secretary interprets this requirement to 
operate on a year-round basis to mean that activities must be 
conducted throughout the period in which participating migrant 
families reside in the project area. Applicants are free to 
interpret the requirement in other ways that are consistent with 
section 1205(7) of the ESEA.

    <bullet> Appropriate coordination with other programs funded under 
the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), any relevant 
programs under the Adult Education Act, the Individuals with 
Disabilities Education Act, the Job Training Partnership Act, the Head 
Start program, volunteer literacy programs, and other relevant 
programs; and
    <bullet> An independent evaluation.
    In addition, to promote the kind of strong community collaboration 
needed for effective Even Start Projects, sections 1202(e) and 1207(a) 
of the ESEA require applicants for grants under the basic Even Start 
program administered by SEAs to be ``eligible entities'', i.e., 
partnerships composed of (1) a local educational agency (LEA); and (2) 
a non-profit community-based organization, a public agency other than 
an LEA, an institution of higher education, or a public or private 
nonprofit organization of demonstrated quality other than an LEA. While 
those operating a MEES project do not need to be eligible entities, the 
Secretary strongly encourages those who would operate MEES projects to 
enhance the effectiveness of those projects through formation of 
strong, on-going collaborative relationships among these kinds of local 
entities.
    (c) Federal and local funding. A MEES project's funding is 
comprised of both a Federal portion of funds (Federal share) and a 
portion contributed by the eligible applicant (local share). However, 
the Federal share of the program may not exceed--
    <bullet> Ninety percent of the total cost of the program in the 
first year;
    <bullet> Eighty percent in the second year;
    <bullet> Seventy percent in the third year;
    <bullet> Sixty percent in the fourth year; and
    <bullet> Fifty percent in any subsequent year.
    The Federal share for any MEES grantee receiving a grant for a 
second cycle shall not exceed 50 percent. A grantee may receive funds 
under the MEES program for a period not to exceed eight years. The 
local share of the MEES project may be provided in cash or in kind and 
may be obtained from any source, including other Federal programs 
funded under the ESEA. Federal funds may not be used for indirect costs 
of a MEES project.

Invitational Priorities

    The Secretary is especially interested in funding applications that 
include a plan demonstrating that grant activities will focus on one or 
more of the following priorities. An application that meets one of more 
of these invitational priorities does not receive competitive or 
absolute preference over other applications (34 CFR 75.105(c)(1)).
    The invitation to coordinate services is meant to strengthen the 
delivery of family literacy services to migrant agricultural families. 
Coordination across State education agencies is at the heart of migrant 
education's purpose: to mitigate disruptions in the education of 
qualifying migrant students. Short-term Migrant Education Even Start 
seasonal projects can provide intensity of services to migratory 
families, but those projects may not provide sufficient duration to 
demonstrate long-term gains for students and may be another disruption 
in completing their educational goals. To promote opportunities for 
continuous learning for migrant families, the Secretary is particularly 
interested in funding applications that address the following 
invitational priorities:
    <bullet> Coordinate continuing family literacy services across 
State and local school district boundaries to meet the needs of highly 
mobile migrant agricultural families; or
    <bullet> Coordinate their activities with State and local endeavors 
under the America Reads Challenge initiative, including Federal Work-
Study tutoring programs and America Reads/Read*Write*Now pilot sites 
(information about the America Reads Challenge is available by 
telephone at 1-800-USA-LEARN, or TDD 1-800-437-0833; and through the 
Department's Web site at www.ed.gov/inits/americareads); or
    <bullet> Build networks with agricultural employers and communities 
to coordinate and integrate resources that support English literacy for 
migrant agricultural families with limited English proficiency needs.

Selection Criteria

    The Secretary uses the following selection criteria to evaluate 
applications for grants under this competition.
    (1) The maximum score for all of these criteria is 100 points.
    (2) The maximum score for each criterion is indicated in 
parentheses.
    (a) Meeting the purposes of the authorizing statute (10 points) The 
Secretary reviews each application to determine how well the project 
will--
    (i) Improve the educational opportunities of migrant families by 
integrating early childhood education, adult literacy or adult basic 
education, and parenting education into a unified family literacy 
program;
    (ii) Be implemented through cooperative projects that build on 
existing community resources to create a new range of services to 
migrant families;
    (iii) Promote achievement of the National Education Goals, 
especially the goals that address school readiness, student 
achievement, and parent involvement and participation; and
    (iv) Assist children and adults from migrant families to achieve 
the challenging State content standards and challenging State student 
performance standards.
    (b) Need for project. (20 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 magnitude of the need for the services to be provided or 
the activities to be carried out by the proposed project.
    (ii) The extent to which the proposed project will focus on serving 
or otherwise addressing the needs of disadvantaged individuals (i.e., 
eligible migrant agricultural families).
    (iii) The extent to which specific gaps or weaknesses in services, 
infrastructure, or opportunities have been identified and will be 
addressed by the proposed project, including the nature and magnitude 
of those gaps or weaknesses.

    Note: Applicants may address (b)(iii) in any way that is 
reasonable. Given the purpose of the MEES program, the Secretary 
believes that applicants would want

[[Page 19088]]

particularly to focus on the following key areas:

    (A) The area or areas to be served have high percentages or large 
numbers of migratory children and their parents, guardians, or primary 
caretakers in need of Migrant Education Even Start (MEES).
    (B) The lack of availability of comprehensive family literacy 
services for the migrant population.
    (C) How community resources will be used to benefit project 
participants.

    Note to (C): An applicant could address (C) in any way that is 
reasonable. An applicant might, for example, provide a brief 
description of each of the resources the project intends to include, 
or a list of these resources.

    (D) How the project will integrate child development, adult 
literacy, and parenting activities.
    (E) How the project will assist migrant children and adults to 
achieve the State content standards and student performance standards.
    (c) Quality of the project design. (20 points) The Secretary 
considers the quality of the design of the proposed project. In 
determining the quality of the design of the proposed project, the 
Secretary considers the following factors:
    (i) 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.
    (ii) The extent to which the project is designed to build capacity 
and yield results that will extend beyond the period of Federal 
financial assistance.
    (iii) The extent to which the proposed project will establish 
linkages with other appropriate agencies and organizations providing 
services to the target population.

    Note: An applicant may address criterion (c) in any way that is 
reasonable. However, concerning design of the project, the Secretary 
believes that an effective application would incorporate, at a 
minimum, the various program elements required under section 1205 of 
the ESEA and listed in the Required Program Elements section of this 
notice.

    (d) Quality of project services. (20 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 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.
    (e) Adequacy of resources. (15 points) The Secretary considers the 
adequacy of resources for the proposed project. In determining the 
adequacy of resources for the proposed project, the Secretary considers 
the following factors:
    (i) The relevance and demonstrated commitment of each partner in 
the proposed project to the implementation and success of the project.
    (ii) The extent to which the costs are reasonable in relation to 
the objectives, design, and potential significance of the proposed 
project.
    (iii) The potential for continued support of the project after 
Federal funding ends, including, as appropriate, the demonstrated 
commitment of appropriate entities to such support.
    (f) Quality of the project evaluation. (15 points) The Secretary 
considers the quality of the evaluation to be conducted of the proposed 
project. In determining the quality of the evaluation, the Secretary 
considers of the following factors:
    (i) The extent to which the methods of evaluation provide for 
examining the effectiveness of project implementation strategies.
    (ii) The extent to which the methods of evaluation will provide 
performance feedback and permit periodic assessment of progress toward 
achieving intended outcomes.

    Note: This plan must permit the preparation of an evaluation 
that meets the requirements of 34 CFR 75.590 as well as an annual 
performance report that evaluates whether project objectives are 
being met and, if not, includes the changes in program activities 
that will be adopted (see 34 CFR 75.118 and 75.253). (Instructions 
for the annual performance report are included in the APPENDIX to 
this document.) See also the discussion under National Evaluation.

National Evaluation

    The Department is conducting a national evaluation of Even Start 
Family Literacy projects. Grantees must cooperate with the Department's 
efforts by adopting an evaluation plan that is consistent with the 
national evaluation (as well as with the grantee's responsibilities 
under 34 CFR 75.118, 75.253, and 75.590). It is not expected that the 
application will include a complete evaluation plan because grantees 
will be asked to cooperate with the national evaluation of the Even 
Start Family Literacy Program to be conducted by an independent 
contractor. Grantees may be required to amend their plans, however, to 
conform with the national evaluation.
    The Secretary suggests that each applicant budget for evaluation 
activities as follows: a project with an estimated cost of up to 
$120,000 should designate $10,000 for this purpose. These funds will be 
used for expenditures related to the collection and aggregation of data 
required for the Department's national evaluation. The Secretary also 
recommends that applicants budget for the cost of travel to Washington, 
DC and two nights' lodging for the project director and project 
evaluator, for their participation in annual evaluation meetings. 
Information by project and budget periods. Under 34 CFR 75.112 and 
75.117, an eligible applicant must propose a project period, and 
provide budgetary information for each budget period of that proposed 
project period. The Secretary requests that the budgetary information 
include an amount for all key project components with an accompanying 
breakdown of any subcomponents, along with a written justification for 
all requested amounts. (A form for reporting this information is 
contained in the appendix of this notice.)
    34 CFR 75.112(b) also requires that an applicant describe how and 
when, in each budget period of the project, it plans to meet each 
objective of the project. (NOTE: The Department will use this 
information, in conjunction with the grantee's annual performance 
report required under 34 CFR 75.118(a), to determine whether a 
continuation award for the subsequent budget year should be made. Under 
34 CFR 75.253 a grantee can receive a continuation award only if it 
demonstrates that it either has made substantial progress toward 
meeting the objectives of the approved project, or has received the 
Assistant Secretary's approval of changes in the project to enable it 
to meet the objectives in the succeeding budget periods.)

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.
    The objective of the Executive order is to foster an 
intergovernmental partnership and to strengthen federalism by relying 
on State and local

[[Page 19089]]

processes for State and local government coordination and review of 
proposed Federal financial assistance.
    Applicants must contact the appropriate State Single Point of 
Contact to find out about, and to comply with, the State's process 
under Executive Order 12372. Applicants proposing to perform activities 
in more than one State should immediately contact the Single Point of 
Contact for each of those States and follow the procedure established 
in each State under the Executive order. The addresses of individual 
State Single Point of Contact are in the appendix to this notice.
    In States that have not established a process or chosen a program 
for review, State, areawide, regional, and local entities may submit 
comments directly to the Department.
    Any State Process Recommendation and other comments submitted by a 
State Single Point of Contact and any comments from State, areawide, 
regional, and local entities must be mailed or hand-delivered by the 
date indicated in this notice to the following address: The Secretary, 
E.O. 12372--CFDA# 84.214A, U.S. Department of Education, Room 6213, 600 
Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20202-0124.
    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:
    (a) If an applicant wants to apply for a grant, the applicant 
shall--
    (1) 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 #84.214A), Washington, D.C. 20202-
4725; or
    (2) Hand deliver the original and two copies of the application by 
4:30 p.m. (Washington, D.C. time) on or before the deadline date to: 
U.S. Department of Education, Application Control Center, Attention: 
(CFDA#84.214A), Room #3633, Regional Office Building #3, 7th and D 
Streets, S.W., Washington, D.C.
    (b) An applicant 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.
    (c) If an application is mailed through the U.S. Postal Service, 
the Secretary does 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.

    Notes: (1) The U.S. Postal Service does not uniformly provide a 
dated postmark. Before relying on this method, an applicant should 
check with its local post office.
    (2) The Application Control Center will mail a Grant Application 
Receipt Acknowledgment to each applicant. If an applicant fails to 
receive the notification of application receipt within 15 days from 
the date of mailing the application, the applicant should call the 
U.S. Department of Education Application Control Center at (202) 
708-9494.
    (3) The applicant must indicate on the envelope and--if not 
provided by the Department--in Item 10 of the Application for 
Federal Assistance (Standard Form 424) the CFDA number--and suffix 
letter, if any--of the competition under which the application is 
being submitted.

Application Instructions and Forms

    The appendix to this notice contains the following forms and 
instructions, plus a statement regarding estimated public reporting 
burden, a notice to applicants regarding compliance with section 427 of 
the General Education Provisions Act, various assurances and 
certifications, and required documentation.
    Instructions for the Application Narrative.
    Estimated Public Reporting Burden Statement.
    Notice to All Applicants.
    Application for Federal Assistance (Standard Form 424 (Rev. 4-88)) 
and instructions.
    Budget Information--Non-Construction Programs (ED Form No. 524) and 
instructions.
    Assurances--Non-Construction Programs (Standard Form 424B) and 
instructions.
    Certifications regarding Lobbying; Debarment, Suspension, and Other 
Responsibility Matters; and Drug-Free Workplace Requirements (ED 80-
0013, 6/90).
    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.)
    Disclosure of Lobbying Activities (Standard Form 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.
    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. No grant may be awarded unless a 
completed application form has been received.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: DonnaMarie Marlow, U.S. Department of 
Education, Office of Elementary and Secondary Education, Office of 
Migrant Education, 600 Independence Avenue, S.W., Room 4100, Portals 
Building, Washington, D.C. 20202-6135. Telephone Number: (202) 260-
1164. Individuals who use a telecommunications device for the deaf 
(TDD) may call the Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 1-800-
877-8339 between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m., Eastern time, Monday through 
Friday.
    Individuals with disabilities may obtain this document in an 
alternate format (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, or computer 
diskette) on request to the contact person 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

    Anyone may view this document, as well as all other Department of 
Education documents published in the Federal Register, in text or 
portable document format (pdf) on the World Wide Web at either of the 
following sites:

http://ocfo.ed.gov/fedreg.htm
http://www.ed.gov/news.html

    To use the pdf you must have the Adobe Acrobat Reader Program with 
Search, which is available free at either of the previous sites. If you 
have questions about using the pdf, call the U.S. Government Printing 
Office toll free at 1-888-293-6498.
    Anyone may also view these documents in text copy only on an 
electronic bulletin board of the Department. Telephone (202) 219-1511 
or toll free, 1-800-222-4922. The documents are located under Option G-
Files/Announcements, Bulletins and Press Releases.


[[Page 19090]]


    Note: The official version of a document is the document 
published in the Federal Register.

Program Authority: 20 U.S.C. 6362(a)(1)(A)

    Dated: April 13, 1998.
Gerald N. Tirozzi,
Assistant Secretary for Elementary and Secondary Education.

Instructions for the Application Narrative

    Before preparing the Application Narrative, an applicant should 
read carefully the description of the program and the selection 
criteria the Secretary uses to evaluate applications.
    The narrative should encompass each function or activity for which 
funds are being requested and should--
    1. Begin with an Abstract; that is, a summary of the proposed 
project.
    2. Describe the proposed project in light of each of the selection 
criteria in the order in which the criteria are listed in this 
application package. (NOTE: While applicants can address the criteria 
in any way that is reasonable, given the required emphasis of any MEES 
project on early childhood education, adult literacy or adult basic 
education, and parenting education, the Secretary believes that a 
reasonable plan of operation would address these three objectives. 
Moreover, consistent with 34 CFR 75.112(b), which requires that the 
application describe how and when, in each budget period, the applicant 
plans to meet each project objective, the Secretary believes that 
applicants would want particularly to describe each goal in terms of 
measurable objectives, specific activities that are proposed to meet 
each objective, time lines associated with these activities, the 
resources believed to be needed to achieve each objective, and how each 
objective will be evaluated.)
    3. Provide the following information in response to the attached 
``NOTICE TO ALL APPLICANTS''; (1) a reference to the portion of the 
application in which the applicant has described the steps that the 
applicant proposes to take to remove barriers to equitable access to, 
and equitable participation in, project activities; or (2) a separate 
statement that includes this information.
    4. Include any other pertinent information that might assist the 
Secretary in reviewing the application.
    The Application Narrative must be double-spaced, typed on one side 
only, and must not exceed 50 numbered pages--appendices excepted.

Estimated Public Reporting Burden

    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 1810-0541. (Expiration date: March 31, 1999). 
The time required to complete this information collection is estimated 
to average 60 hours per response including the time for reviewing 
instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and 
maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the 
collection of information. If you have any comments concerning the 
accuracy of the time estimate(s) 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 
Migrant Education, U.S. Department of Education, 600 Independence 
Avenue, S.W., Washington, DC 20202-6135.

Notice to All Applicants

    Thank you for your interest in this program. 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 (Pub. L. 103-382).

To Whom Does This Provision Apply?

    Section 427 of GEPA affects applicants for new discretionary 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.

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 section allows applicants discretion in developing the 
required description. The statute highlights six types of barriers that 
can impede equitable access or participation that you may address: 
gender, race, national origin, color, disability, or age. Based on 
local circumstances, you can determine whether these or other barriers 
may prevent your students, teachers, etc. from equitable access or 
participation. Your description 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

    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 1801-0004 (Exp. 8/31/98).

[[Page 19091]]

The time required to complete this information collection is estimated 
to vary from 1 to 3 hours per response, with an average of 1.5 hours, 
including the time to review instructions, search existing data 
resources, gather and maintain the data needed, and complete and review 
the information collection. If you have any comments concerning the 
accuracy of the time estimate(s) or suggestions for improving this 
form, please write to: U.S. Department of Education, Washington, DC 
20202-4651.

BILLING CODE 4000-01-P

[[Page 19092]]

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN16AP98.015



[[Page 19093]]

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN16AP98.016



[[Page 19094]]

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN16AP98.017



[[Page 19095]]

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN16AP98.018



[[Page 19096]]

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN16AP98.019



[[Page 19097]]

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN16AP98.020



[[Page 19098]]

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN16AP98.021



[[Page 19099]]

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN16AP98.022



[[Page 19100]]

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN16AP98.023



[[Page 19101]]

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN16AP98.024



[[Page 19102]]

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN16AP98.025



[[Page 19103]]

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN16AP98.026


BILLING CODE 4000-01-C

[[Page 19104]]

State Single Points of Contact (as of April 13, 1997)

    Note: In accordance with Executive Order 12372, 
Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs, this listing 
represents the designated State Single Points of Contact (SPOCs). 
Because participation is voluntary, some States and territories no 
longer participate in the process. These include: Alabama, Alaska, 
American Samoa, Colorado, Connecticut, Hawaii, Idaho, Kansas, 
Louisiana, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Jersey, 
Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Tennessee, 
Vermont, Virginia, and Washington.
    The jurisdictions not listed no longer participate in the 
process. However, an applicant is still eligible to apply for a 
grant or grants even if its respective State, Territory, 
Commonwealth, etc. does not have a SPOC.

Arizona

Joni Saad, Arizona State Clearinghouse, 3800 N. Central Avenue, 
Fourteenth Floor, Phoenix, Arizona 85012, Telephone: (602) 280-1315, 
FAX: (602) 280-8144

Arkansas

Mr. Tracy L. Copeland, Manager, State Clearinghouse, Office of 
Intergovernmental Services, Department of Finance and 
Administration, 1515 W. 7th Street, room 412, Little Rock, Arkansas 
72203, Telephone: (501) 682-1074, FAX: (501) 682-5206

California

Grants Coordinator, Office of Planning & Research, 1600 Ninth 
Street, room 250, Sacramento, California 95814, Telephone: (916) 
323-7480, FAX: (916) 323-3018; Block Grants only that pertain to 
Mental Health Substance Abuse; PATH

Delaware

Francine Booth, State Single Point of Contact, Executive Department, 
Office of the Budget, Thomas Collins Building, P.O. Box 1401, Dover, 
Delaware 19903, Telephone: (302) 739-3326, FAX: (302) 739-5661

District of Columbia

Charles Nichols, State Single Point of Contact, Office of Grants 
Management & Development, 717 14th Street, NW., suite 400, 
Washington, D.C. 20005, Telephone: (202) 727-6554, FAX: (202) 727-
1617

Florida

Florida State Clearinghouse, Department of Community Affairs, 2740 
Centerview Drive, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-2100, Telephone: (904) 
922-5438, FAX: (904) 487-2899

Georgia

Tom L. Reid, III, Coordinator, Georgia State Clearinghouse, 270 
Washington Street, S.W.--8th Floor, Atlanta, GA 30334, Telephone: 
(404) 656-3855, FAX: (404) 656-3828

Illinois

Ms. Virginia Bova, Single Point of Contact, Illinois Department of 
Commerce and Community Affairs, James R. Thompson Center, 100 West 
Randolph, Suite 3-400, Chicago, IL 60601, Telephone: (312) 814-6028, 
FAX: (312) 814-1800

Indiana

Frances Williams, State Budget Agency, 212 State House, 
Indianapolis, Indiana 46204-2796, Telephone: (317) 232-5619, FAX: 
(317) 233-3323

Iowa

Steven R. McCann, Division for Community Assistance, Iowa Department 
of Economic Development, 200 East Grand Avenue, Des Moines, Iowa 
50309, Telephone: (515) 242-4719, FAX: (515) 242-4809

Kentucky

Kevin J. Goldsmith, Director, John-Mark Hack, Deputy Director, 
Sandra Brewer, Executive Secretary, Intergovernmental Affairs, 
Office of the Governor, 700 Capitol Avenue, Frankfort, Kentucky 
40601, Telephone: (502) 564-2611, FAX: (502) 564-2849

Maine

Joyce Benson, State Planning Office, 184 State Street, 38 State 
House Station, Augusta, Maine 04333, Telephone: (207) 287-3261, FAX: 
(207) 287-6489

Maryland

William G. Carroll, Manager, Plan & Project Review, Maryland Office 
of Planning, 301 W. Preston Street, room 1104, Baltimore, Maryland 
21201-2365, Staff Contact: Linda Janey, Telephone: (410) 767-4490, 
FAX: (410) 767-4480

Michigan

Richard Pfaff, Southeast Michigan Council of Governments, 660 Plaza 
Drive, suite 1900, Detroit, Michigan 48226, Telephone: (313) 961-
4266, FAX: (313) 961-4869

Mississippi

Cathy Mallette, Clearinghouse Officer, Department of Finance and 
Administration, 455 North Lamar Street, Jackson, Mississippi 39302-
3087, Telephone: (601) 359-6762, FAX: (601) 359-6764

Missouri

Lois Pohl, Federal Assistance Clearinghouse, Office of 
Administration, P.O. Box 809, Room 760, Truman Building, Jefferson 
City, Missouri 65102, Telephone: (314) 751-4834, FAX: (314) 751-7819

Nevada

Department of Administration, State Clearinghouse, Capitol Complex, 
Carson City, Nevada 89710, Telephone: (702) 687-4065, FAX: (702) 
687-3983

New Hampshire

Jeffrey H. Taylor, Director, New Hampshire Office of State Planning, 
Attn: Mike Blake, Intergovernmental Review Process, 2\1/2\ Beacon 
Street, Concord, New Hampshire 03301, Telephone: (603) 271-2155, 
FAX: (603) 271-1728

New Mexico

Robert Peters, State Budget Division, Room 190, Bataan Memorial 
Building, Santa Fe, New Mexico 87503, Telephone: (505) 827-3640

New York

New York State Clearinghouse, Division of the Budget, State Capitol, 
Albany, New York 12224, Telephone: (518) 474-1605, FAX: (518) 486-
5617

North Carolina

Chrys Baggett, Director, N.C. State Clearinghouse, Office of the 
Secretary of Admin., 116 West Jones Street, suite 5106, Raleigh, 
North Carolina 27603-8003, Telephone: (919) 733-7232, FAX: (919) 
733-9571

North Dakota

North Dakota Single Point of Contact, Office of Intergovernmental 
Assistance, 600 East Boulevard Avenue, Bismarck, North Dakota 58505-
0170, Telephone: (701) 224-2094, FAX: (701) 224-2308

Rhode Island

Kevin Nelson, Review Coordinator, Department of Administration, 
Division of Planning, One Capitol Hill, 4th floor, Providence, Rhode 
Island 02908-5870, Telephone: (401) 277-2656, FAX: (401) 277-2083

South Carolina

Rodney Grizzle, State Single Point of Contact, Grant Services, 
Office of the Governor, 1205 Pendleton Street, room 331, Columbia, 
South Carolina 29201, Telephone: (803) 734-0494, FAX: (803) 734-0356

Texas

Tom Adams, Governor's Office, Director, Intergovernmental 
Coordination, P.O. Box 12428, Austin, Texas 78711, Telephone: (512) 
463-1771, FAX: (512) 463-1880

Utah

Carolyn Wright, Utah State Clearinghouse, Office of Planning and 
Budget, Room 116, State Capitol, Salt Lake City, Utah 84114, 
Telephone: (801) 538-1535, FAX: (801) 538-1547

West Virginia

Fred Cutlip, Director, Community Development Division, W. Virginia 
Development Office, Building #6, room 553, Charleston, West Virginia 
25305, Telephone: (304) 558-4010, FAX: (304) 558-3248

Wisconsin

Jeff Smith, Section Chief, State/Federal Relations, Wisconsin 
Department of Administration, 101 East Wilson Street, 6th floor, 
P.O. Box 7868, Madison, Wisconsin 53707, Telephone: (608) 266-0267, 
FAX: (608) 267-6931

Wyoming

Matthew Jones, State Single Point of Contact, Office of the 
Governor, 200 West 24th Street, State Capitol, room 124, Cheyenne, 
Wyoming 82002, Telephone: (307) 777-7446, FAX: (307) 632-3909,

Territories

Guam

Mr. Giovanni T. Sgambelluri, Director, Bureau of Budget and 
Management Research, Office of the Governor, P.O. Box 2950, Agana, 
Guam 96910, Telephone:

[[Page 19105]]

011-671-472-2285, FAX: 011-671-472-2825

Puerto Rico

Norma Burgos/Jose E. Caro, Chairwoman/Director, Puerto Rico Planning 
Board, Federal Proposals Review Office, Minillas Government Center, 
P.O. Box 41119, San Juan, Puerto Rico 00940-1119, Telephone: (809) 
727-4444; (809) 723-6190, FAX: (809) 724-3270; (809) 724-3103

Northern Mariana Islands

Mr. Alvaro A. Santos, Executive Officer, Office of Management and 
Budget, Office of the Governor, Saipan, MP 96950, Telephone: (670) 
664-2256, FAX: (670) 664-2272, Contact person: Ms. Jacoba T. Seman, 
Federal Programs Coordinator, Telephone: (670) 664-2289, FAX: (670) 
664-2272

Virgin Islands

Nellon Bowry, Director, Office of Management and Budget, #41 
Norregade Emancipation Garden Station, Second Floor, Saint Thomas, 
Virgin Islands 00802; Please direct all questions and correspondence 
about intergovernmental review to: Linda Clarke, Telephone: (809) 
774-0750, FAX: (809) 776-0069

    Note: This list is based on the most current information 
provided by the States. Information on any changes or apparent 
errors should be provided to Donna Rivelli (Telephone: (202) 395-
5858) at the Office of Management and Budget and to the State in 
question. Changes to the list will only be made upon formal 
notification by the State. The list is updated every six months and 
is also published biannually in the Catalogue of Federal Domestic 
Assistance. The last changes made were Kentucky (12-2-97) and 
California telephone and FAX numbers (1-29-98).

[FR Doc. 98-10115 Filed 4-15-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4000-01-P