32314 Federal Register / Vol. 61, No. 121 / Friday, June 21, 1996 / Notices

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

[CFDA No.: 84.215Q]

Fund for the Improvement of

Education; Elementary School

Mathematics and Science Equipment

Program; Notice Inviting Applications

For New Awards for Fiscal Years 1996

and 1997

Purpose of Program: The purpose of

the Fund for the Improvement of

Education (FIE) is to support nationally

significant programs to improve the

quality of education, assist all students

to meet challenging State content and

student performance standards, and

contribute to the achievement of the

National Education Goals. The purpose

of this competition is to raise the quality

of instruction in mathematics and

science in the Nation’s elementary

schools by providing equipment and

materials necessary for hands-on

instruction.

Eligible Applicants: Only local

education agencies located within

Empowerment Zones or Enterprise

Communities may apply for awards

under this competition. A list of

Empowerment Zones and Enterprise

Communities is included at the end of

the Notice of Final Priorities published

in this edition of the Federal Register.

Deadline for Transmittal of

Applications: August 2, 1996.

Deadline for Intergovernmental

Review: October 1, 1996.

Applications Available: June 24, 1996

Available Funds: $3,000,000.

Estimated Range of Awards: $35,000–

$350,000.

Estimated Average Size of Awards:

$192,500.

Estimated Number of Awards: 16.

Note: The Department is not bound by any

estimates in this notice.

Maximum Award: The Secretary does

not consider an application that

proposes a budget exceeding $350,000

for a single budget period of 12 months.

Project Period: Up to 12 months.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Awards will be made from fiscal year

1996 funds. If Congress requires the

Department to use fiscal year 1997

funds to make additional awards under

the elementary school mathematics and

science equipment program, the

Secretary intends to elect applications

of sufficiently high quality that remain

unfunded under this competition.

Applicable Regulations: (a) The

Education Department General

Administrative Regulations (EDGAR) 34

CFR Parts 75, 77, 79, 80, 81, 82, and 85;

and (b) the final regulations for

Standards for the Conduct and

Evaluation of Activities Carried Out by

the Office of Educational Research and

Improvement (OERI)—Evaluation of

Applications for Grants and Cooperative

Agreements and Proposals for Contracts,

published on September 14, 1995, in the

Federal Register (60 FR 47808), and to

be codified at 34 CFR Part 700.

Priority: The notice of final priorities

as published in this issue of the Federal

Register applies to this competition.

Limitations on Use of Funds:

Limitations on the use of funds are

defined in the notice of final priorities

as published in this issue of the Federal

Register.

Note: Through the Notice of Final Priority,

the Secretary makes sections 14503 - 14506

of the ESEA (20 U.S.C. 8893–8896)

applicable to awards made to LEAs under

this program. Section 14503 requires an LEA

receiving grant funds under this program to

provide private school children and teachers,

on an equitable basis, special educational

services or other program benefits under this

program. The section further requires LEAs

to consult with private school officials during

the design and development of the proposed

project. Each application should describe the

ways in which the proposed project will

address the needs of private school children

and teachers.

For Applications or Information

Contact: We encourage you to request

an application by facsimile machine:

Jennifer Ryan, (202) 219–2053, or by

mail: Math and Science Equipment

Application, U.S. Department of

Education, 555 New Jersey Avenue,

NW, Room 502K, Washington, DC

20208–5645. However, if that is not

convenient, you may use voicemail:

Jennifer Ryan, (202) 219–2274.

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.

Information about the Department’s

funding opportunities, including copies

of application notices for discretionary

grant competitions, can be viewed on

the Department’s electronic bulletin

board (ED Board), telephone (202) 260–

9950; on the Internet Gopher Server at

GOPHER.ED.GOV (under

Announcements, Bulletins, and Press

Releases); or on the World Wide Web at

(http://www.ed.gov/money.html).

However, the official application notice

for a discretionary grant competition is

the notice published in the Federal

Register.

Program Authority: 20 U.S.C. 8001.

Dated: June 18, 1996.

Sharon P. Robinson,

Assistant Secretary for Research and

Improvement.

[FR Doc. 96–15903 Filed 6–20–96; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4000–01–P

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

Fund for the Improvement of

Education (FIE)

AGENCY: Department of Education.

ACTION: Notice of Final Priority and

Limitation on Use of Funds for Fiscal

Years 1996 and 1997; Elementary

School Mathematics and Science

Equipment Program.

SUMMARY: The Secretary announces an

absolute priority under the Fund for the

Improvement of Education (FIE):

Elementary School Mathematics and

Science Equipment Program. The

Secretary takes this action to focus

Federal financial assistance on raising

the quality of instruction in

mathematics and science in the Nation’s

elementary schools by providing

equipment and materials necessary for

hands-on instruction.

EFFECTIVE DATE: This priority takes effect

July 22, 1996.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Lois

N. Weinberg, U.S. Department of

Education, 555 New Jersey Avenue,

N.W., Room 502H, Washington, D.C.

20208–5645; (202) 219–2147.

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.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The

purpose of the Fund for the

Improvement of Education is to support

nationally significant programs to

improve the quality of education, assist

all students to meet challenging State

content and student performance

standards, and contribute to the

achievement of the National Education

Goals.

The Omnibus Consolidated

Rescissions and Appropriations Act of

1996 (‘‘Act’’), Pub. L. 104–134, requires

the Secretary to use $3,000,000 of FIE

funds for mathematics and science

equipment projects. The report language

accompanying the Act directs the

Secretary to provide assistance, through

State and local educational agencies, to

carry out programs such as those

authorized under Title III, Part E of the

Elementary and Secondary Education

Act of 1965, as amended (20 U.S.C.
Federal Register / Vol. 61, No. 121 / Friday, June 21, 1996 / Notices 32315

6971). Title III, Part E authorizes grant

awards to local educational agencies

(LEA) for the purpose of providing

equipment and materials to public and

private elementary schools to improve

hands-on instruction in mathematics

and science.

To carry out this Congressional

directive, the Secretary establishes an

absolute priority limiting the use of

funds under this FIE competition to

projects that provide equipment and

materials to elementary schools for the

purpose of improving mathematics and

science education through hands-on

instruction. In accordance with Title III,

Part E, the Secretary gives priority to

projects that assist schools which are

seriously underequipped or serve large

numbers or percentages of economically

disadvantaged students. Furthermore, in

accordance with the provisions of Title

III, Part E, the Secretary limits the

definition of ‘‘equipment’’ to prohibit

the use of grant funds for the purchase

of computers, computer peripherals,

software, textbooks, staff development

costs, or for capital improvements.

Eligibility for awards under this

competition is limited to LEAs since

LEAs have primary responsibility for

purchasing equipment and supplies for

elementary schools. However, to ensure

that children in private schools have an

equitable opportunity to benefit from

projects funded under this competition,

the Secretary makes sections 14503–

14506 of the ESEA (20 U.S.C. 8893–

8896) applicable to awards made to

LEAs under this program. Section 14503

requires an LEA receiving grant funds

under this program to provide private

school children and teachers, on an

equitable basis, special educational

services or other program benefits under

this program. The section further

requires LEAs to consult with private

school officials during the design and

development of the proposed project.

Each application should describe the

ways in which the proposed project will

address the needs of private school

children and teachers.

Furthermore, the Secretary directs

financial assistance under this

competition to projects that benefit

elementary schools located in areas that

have been designated as Empowerment

Zones or Enterprise Communities in

accordance with Section 1391 of the

Internal Revenue Code (IRC), as

amended by Title XIII of the Omnibus

Budget Reconciliation Act (OBRA) of

1993.

Background on Empowerment Zone

and Enterprise Community Program—

(EZ/EC)

The Empowerment Zone and

Enterprise Community program is a

critical element of the Administration’s

community revitalization strategy. The

program is the first step in rebuilding

communities in America’s povertystricken inner cities and rural

heartlands. It is designed to empower

people and communities by inspiring

Americans to work together to create

jobs and opportunity.

The Departments of Agriculture

(USDA) and Housing and Urban

Development (HUD) have designated

empowerment zones and enterprise

communities, which are communities

located within the cities and counties

listed in the appendix.

The Empowerment Zones and

Enterprise Communities were

designated based on locally-developed

strategic plans that comprehensively

address how the community will link

economic development with education

and training, as well as how community

development, public safety, human

services, and environmental initiatives

together will support sustainable

communities. Designated areas will

receive Federal grant funds and

substantial tax benefits and will have

access to other Federal programs. (For

additional information on the Urban EZ/

EC program contact HUD at 1–800–998–

9999 and for the rural EZ/EC program

contact USDA at 1–800–645–4712.)

The Department of Education is

supporting the Empowerment Zone and

Enterprise Community initiative in a

variety of ways. It is encouraging zones

to use funds they already receive from

Department of Education programs

(including Title I of the Elementary and

Secondary Education Act, the Safe and

Drug-Free Schools and Communities

Act, the Adult Education Act, and the

Carl D. Perkins Vocational and Applied

Technology Act) to support the

comprehensive vision of their strategic

plans. In addition, the Department of

Education is giving preference to EZ/

ECs in a number of discretionary

programs that are well suited for

inclusion in a comprehensive approach

to economic and community

development.

The Empowerment Zone initiative

and the Elementary School Mathematics

and Science Equipment Program share

some common features. Both programs

address the educational needs of

students in communities and schools

with limited resources. The Elementary

School Mathematics and Science

Equipment Program is specifically

designed to assist schools which are

most seriously lacking mathematics and

science equipment, and which serve

large numbers or percentages of

economically disadvantaged students.

Note: This notice of final priority does not

solicit applications. A notice inviting

applications under this competition is

published in a separate notice in this issue

of the Federal Register.

Absolute Priority: Under 34 CFR

75.105(c)(3) the Secretary gives an

absolute preference to applicants that

meet the following priority. The

Secretary funds under this competition

only applications that meet this absolute

priority:

Projects that serve schools in an

Empowerment Zone or Enterprise

Community and are designed to—

(1) Purchase and provide equipment

for hands-on instruction in mathematics

and science for elementary schools

which—

(A) Are most seriously

underequipped; or

(B) Serve large numbers or

percentages of economically

disadvantaged students, or

underrepresented groups in

mathematics and science, or both; and

(2) Demonstrate how instructional

strategies that use hands-on

mathematics and science equipment

will assist students to work toward the

achievement of challenging student

performance standards.

Limitations on Use of Funds: Funds

provided through grants under this

competition shall be used to purchase

science equipment, science materials, or

mathematical manipulative materials for

elementary schools and shall not be

used for computers, computer

peripherals, software, textbooks, staff

development costs, or for capital

improvements.

For the purpose of this competition,

the word ‘‘equipment’’ includes

supplies and materials that would not

be considered equipment under the

definitions in the Education Department

General Administrative Regulations

(EDGAR) at 34 CFR Sections 74.2, 74.34,

80.3, and 80.32. For example,

equipment purchased under this

competition could include low-cost

manipulatives that students and

teachers would use for hands-on

instruction in mathematics and science.

However, if a grantee uses some of the

funds received under this competition

to purchase equipment as defined at 34

CFR Sections 74.2 or 80.3, that is,

tangible, nonexpendable, personal

property with a useful life of more than

one year, and a cost of $5,000 or more

per unit, the EDGAR regulations
32316 Federal Register / Vol. 61, No. 121 / Friday, June 21, 1996 / Notices

regarding equipment apply. Thus, the

grantee would have to manage and

dispose of the equipment consistent

with the requirements at § 74.34 or

§ 80.32.

Waiver of Proposed Rulemaking: In

accordance with the Administrative

Procedure Act (5 U.S.C. 553), it is the

practice of the Department of Education

to offer interested parties the

opportunity to comment on proposed

priorities that are not taken directly

from statute. Ordinarily, this practice

would have applied to the priorities for

this program. However, the Secretary

waives rulemaking on these rules under

section 553(b)(B) of the Administrative

Procedure Act. This section provides

that rulemaking is not required when

the agency for good cause finds that

notice and public procedure are

impracticable, unnecessary, or contrary

to the public interest. Final

Congressional action, directing the

Secretary to use FY 1996 funds to carry

out the activities specified in these

rules, did not occur until April 26, 1996.

The Secretary believes that, in order to

make timely grant awards using Fiscal

Year (FY) 1996 funds, public comment

on these rules is impracticable.

Furthermore, these priorities, as well

as the restrictions on the use of funds,

are drawn in large part from the statute

authorizing the Elementary Mathematics

and Science Equipment Program (20

U.S.C. 6971). Congress, in its report

accompanying the appropriation of

funds for Fiscal Year 1996, directed the

Department to use the appropriated

funds for activities similar to those

authorized under the Elementary

Mathematics and Science Equipment

Program.

Intergovernmental Review

This program is subject to the

requirements of Executive Order 12372

and the regulations in 34 CFR Part 79.

The objective of the Executive order is

to foster an intergovernmental

partnership and a strengthened

federalism by relying on processes

developed by State and local

governments for coordination and

review of proposed Federal financial

assistance.

In accordance with the order, this

document is intended to provide early

notification of the Department’s specific

plans and actions for this program.

Program Authority: 20 U.S.C. 8001.

Dated: June 18, 1996.

Sharon P. Robinson,

Assistant Secretary for Research and

Improvement.

Appendix—Empowerment Zones and

Enterprise Communities

Empowerment Zones (EZ)

Georgia: Atlanta

Illinois: Chicago

Kentucky: Kentucky Highlands*

Maryland: Baltimore

Michigan: Detroit

Mississippi: Mid Delta*

New York: Harlem, Bronx

Pennsylvania/New Jersey: Philadelphia,

Camden

Texas: Rio Grande Valley*

Supplemental Empowerment Zones (SEZ)

California: Los Angeles

Ohio: Cleveland

Enterprise Communities (EC)

Alabama: Birmingham

Alabama: Chambers County*

Alabama: Greene, Sumter Counties*

Arizona: Phoenix

Arizona: Arizona Border*

Arkansas: East Central*

Arkansas: Mississippi County*

Arkansas: Pulaski County

California: Imperial County*

California: Los Angeles, Huntington Park

California: San Diego

California: San Francisco, Bayview, Hunter’s

Point

California: Watsonville*

Colorado: Denver

Connecticut: Bridgeport

Connecticut: New Haven

Delaware: Wilmington

District of Columbia: Washington

Florida: Jackson County*

Florida: Tampa

Florida: Miami, Dade County

Georgia: Albany

Georgia: Central Savannah*

Georgia: Crisp, Dooley Counties*

Illinois: East St. Louis

Illinois: Springfield

Indiana: Indianapolis

Iowa: Des Moines

Kentucky: Louisville

Louisiana: Northeast Delta*

Louisiana: Macon Ridge*

Louisiana: New Orleans

Louisiana: Ouachita Parish

Massachusetts: Lowell

Massachusetts: Springfield

Michigan: Five Cap*

Michigan: Flint

Michigan: Muskegon

Minnesota: Minneapolis

Minnesota: St. Paul

Mississippi: Jackson

Mississippi: North Delta*

Missouri: East Prairie*

Missouri: St. Louis

Nebraska: Omaha

Nevada: Clarke County, Las Vegas

New Hampshire: Manchester

New Jersey: Newark

New Mexico: Albuquerque

New Mexico: Moro, Rico Arriba, Taos

Counties*

New York: Albany, Schenectady, Troy

New York: Buffalo

New York: Newburgh, Kingston

New York: Rochester

North Carolina: Charlotte

North Carolina: Halifax, Edgecombe, Wilson

Counties*

North Carolina: Robeson County*

Ohio: Akron

Ohio: Columbus

Ohio: Greater Portsmouth*

Oklahoma: Choctaw, McCurtain Counties*

Oklahoma: Oklahoma City

Oregon: Josephine*

Oregon: Portland

Pennsylvania: Harrisburg

Pennsylvania: Lock Haven*

Pennsylvania: Pittsburg

Rhode Island: Providence

South Carolina: Charleston

South Carolina: Williamsburg County*

South Dakota: Beadle, Spink Counties*

Tennessee: Fayette, Haywood Counties*

Tennessee: Memphis

Tennessee: Nashville

Tennessee/Kentucky: Scott, McCreary

Counties*

Texas: Dallas

Texas: El Paso

Texas: San Antonio

Texas: Waco

Utah: Ogden

Vermont: Burlington

Virginia: Accomack*

Virginia: Norfolk

Washington: Lower Yakima*

Washington: Seattle

Washington: Tacoma

West Virginia: West Central*

West Virginia: Huntington

West Virginia: McDowell*

Wisconsin: Milwaukee

* denotes rural designee.

Enhanced Enterprise Communities (EEC)

California: Oakland

Massachusetts: Boston

Missouri/Kansas: Kansas City, Kansas City

Texas: Houston

[FR Doc. 96–15902 Filed 6–20–96; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4000–01–P