97-1053. Bilingual EducationSystemwide Improvement Grants; Notice Inviting Applications for New Awards for Fiscal Year (FY) 1997  

  • [Federal Register Volume 62, Number 11 (Thursday, January 16, 1997)]
    [Notices]
    [Pages 2518-2541]
    From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
    [FR Doc No: 97-1053]
    
    
    
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    _______________________________________________________________________
    
    Part III
    
    
    
    
    
    Department of Education
    
    
    
    
    
    _______________________________________________________________________
    
    
    
    Bilingual Education--Systemwide Improvement Grants; Applications 
    Invitation, FY 1997; Notice
    
    Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 11 / Thursday, January 16, 1997 / 
    Notices
    
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    DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
    
    [CFDA No.: 84.291R]
    
    
    Bilingual Education--Systemwide Improvement Grants; Notice 
    Inviting Applications for New Awards for Fiscal Year (FY) 1997
    
        Note to Applicants: This notice is a complete application package. 
    Together with the statute authorizing the program and applicable 
    regulations governing the program, including the Education Department 
    General Administrative Regulations (EDGAR), this notice contains all of 
    the information, application forms, and instructions needed to apply 
    for an award under this program.
        Purpose of Program: This program provides grants to implement 
    districtwide bilingual education programs or special alternative 
    instructional programs to improve, reform, and upgrade relevant 
    programs and operations, within an entire local educational agency 
    (LEA), that serve a significant number of limited English proficient 
    (LEP) children and youth in one or more LEAs with significant 
    concentrations of these children and youth.
        Eligible Applicants: (1) One or more LEAs; or (2) one or more LEAs 
    in collaboration with an institution of higher education, community-
    based organizations, other LEAs, or a State educational agency.
        Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: April 4, 1997.
        Deadline for Intergovernmental Review: June 3, 1997.
        Available Funds: $20 million.
        Estimated Range of Awards: $350,000-$650,000.
        Estimated Average Size of Awards: $500,000.
        Estimated Number of Awards: 40.
    
        Note: The Department is not bound by any estimates in this 
    notice.
    
        Project Period: 60 months.
    
    Applicable Regulations
    
        The Education Department General Administrative Regulations (EDGAR) 
    in 34 CFR Parts 74, 75, 77, 79, 80, 81, 82, 85, and 86.
    
    Description of Program
    
        The statutory authorization for this program, and the application 
    requirements that apply to this competition, are set out in sections 
    7115 and 7116 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, as 
    amended by the Improving America's Schools Act of 1994 (Pub. L. 103-
    382, enacted October 20, 1994 (the Act) (20 U.S.C. 7425 and 7426)).
        Grants under this program may be used during the first 12 months 
    exclusively for activities preparatory to the delivery of services. 
    Grants may be used to improve the education of limited English 
    proficient students and their families by reviewing, restructuring, and 
    upgrading--
        (A) Educational goals, curriculum guidelines and content, standards 
    and assessments;
        (B) Personnel policies and practices including recruitment, 
    certification, staff development, and assignment;
        (C) Student grade-promotion and graduation requirements;
        (D) Student assignment policies and practices;
        (E) Family education programs and parent outreach and training 
    activities designed to assist parents to become active participants in 
    the education of their children;
        (F) The instructional program for limited English proficient 
    students by identifying, acquiring and upgrading curriculum, 
    instructional materials, educational software and assessment procedures 
    and, if appropriate, applying educational technology;
        (G) Tutorials and academic or career counseling for children and 
    youth of limited-English proficiency; and
        (H) Such other activities, related to the purposes of this part, as 
    the Secretary may approve.
    
    Priorities
    
    Absolute Priority
        The priority in the notice of final priority for this program, as 
    published in the Federal Register on October 30, 1995 (60 FR 55246-
    55247) and repeated below, applies to this competition.
        Under 34 CFR 75.105(c)(3) and section 7115(a) of the Act, the 
    Secretary gives an absolute preference to applications that meet the 
    following priority. The Secretary funds under this competition only 
    applications that meet this absolute priority:
        Projects that serve only LEAs in which the number of LEP students, 
    in each LEA served, is at least 1,000 or at least 25 percent of the 
    total student enrollment.
    Invitational Priority
         Within the absolute priority specified in this notice, the 
    Secretary is particularly interested in applications that meet the 
    invitational priority in the next paragraph. However, an application 
    that meets this invitational priority does not receive competitive or 
    absolute preference over other applications (34 CFR 75.105(c)(1)).
        Applicants that consider the Department of Education Professional 
    Development Principles in planning and designing a Systemwide 
    Improvement Grant project.
        Those principles call for educator professional development that 
    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.
    
    Selection Criteria
    
        (a)(1) The Secretary uses the following provisions in sections 7115 
    and 7116 of the Act and 34 CFR 75.210 as selection criteria to evaluate 
    applications for new grants under this competition.
        (2) The maximum score for all of these criteria is 100 points.
        (3) The maximum score for each criterion is indicated in 
    parentheses.
        (b) The criteria--(1) Meeting the purposes of the authorizing 
    statute. (15 points) The Secretary reviews each application to 
    determine how well the project is designed to implement districtwide 
    bilingual education programs or special alternative instruction 
    programs to improve, reform, and upgrade relevant programs and 
    operations, within an entire local educational agency, that serve a 
    significant number of children and youth of limited English proficiency 
    in local educational agencies with significant concentrations of such 
    children and youth.
    
    (Authority: 20 U.S.C. 7425(a))
    
        (2) Extent of need for the project. (15 points) The Secretary 
    reviews each application to determine the extent to which the project 
    meets specific needs recognized in the statute that authorizes the 
    program, including consideration of--
    
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        (i) Data on the number of children and youth of limited-English 
    proficiency in the school district to be served;
        (ii) The characteristics of such children and youth, such as 
    language spoken, dropout rates, proficiency in English and the native 
    language, academic standing in relation to the English-proficient peers 
    of those children and youth, and, where applicable, the recency of 
    immigration;
        (iii) The needs addressed by the project;
        (iv) How the applicant identified those needs;
        (v) How those needs will be met by the project; and
        (vi) The benefits to be gained by meeting those needs.
    
    (Authority: 20 U.S.C. 7426(g)(1)(A); 34 C.F.R. 75.210(b)(2))
    
        (3) Plan of operation. (35 points) The Secretary reviews each 
    application to determine how well the project meets the following 
    requirements:
        (i) How the program is to be implemented and its design--
        (A) Relate to the linguistic and academic needs of the children and 
    youth of limited-English proficiency to be served;
        (B) Are coordinated with other programs under this Act, the Goals 
    2000: Educate America Act and other Acts, as appropriate in accordance 
    with section 14306 of the Act;
        (C) Involve the parents of the children and youth of limited-
    English proficiency to be served;
        (D) Ensure accountability in achieving high academic standards; and
        (E) Promote coordination of services for the children and youth of 
    limited-English proficiency to be served and their families.
    
    (Authority: 20 U.S.C. 7426(g)(1)(B))
    
        (ii) How, if appropriate, the applicant proposes collaborative 
    activities with institutions of higher education, community-based 
    organizations, local or State educational agencies, private schools, 
    nonprofit organizations, or businesses in carrying out the proposed 
    program.
    
    (Authority: 20 U.S.C. 7426(g)(1)(C))
    
        (iii)(A) What current services the applicant provides to children 
    and youth of limited-English proficiency;
        (B) What services children and youth of limited-English proficiency 
    will receive under the grant that such children or youth will not 
    otherwise receive;
        (C) How funds received will be integrated with all other Federal, 
    State, local, and private resources that may be used to serve children 
    and youth of limited-English proficiency;
        (D) Specific achievement and school retention goals for the 
    children and youth to be served by the proposed program and how 
    progress toward achieving such goals will be measured; and
        (E) Current family education programs if applicable.
        (iv) How the applicant's proposed project will be integrated with 
    the applicant's overall educational program.
    
    (Authority: 20 U.S.C. 7426(g)(2)(B)(i))
    
        (v) How training for personnel participating in or preparing to 
    participate in the program will assist those personnel in meeting State 
    and local certification requirements.
    
    (Authority: 20 U.S.C. 7426(i)(5))
    
        (4) Proficiency in English and another language. (5 points) The 
    Secretary reviews each application to determine the extent to which the 
    project will provide for the development of bilingual proficiency both 
    in English and another language for all participating students.
    
    (Authority: 20 U.S.C. 7426(i)(1))
    
        (5) Quality of key personnel. (8 points) The Secretary reviews each 
    application to determine how well the project meets the following 
    requirements:
        (i) How the applicant will employ teachers in the proposed program 
    that, individually or in combination, are proficient in English, 
    including written, as well as oral, communication skills.
        (ii) How the project will use qualified personnel, including 
    personnel who are proficient in the language or languages used in 
    instruction.
    
    (Authority: 20 U.S.C. 7426(g)(1)(E) and (h)(1))
    
        (6) Budget and cost effectiveness. (5 points) The Secretary reviews 
    each application to determine the extent to which--
        (i) The budget is adequate to support the project; and
        (ii) Costs are reasonable in relation to the objectives of the 
    project.
    
        (34 CFR 75.210(b)(5))
    
        (7) Evaluation plan. (13 points) The Secretary reviews each 
    application to determine how well the project's evaluation will meet 
    the following requirements. The evaluation must include--
        (i) How students are achieving the State student performance 
    standards, if any, including data comparing children and youth of 
    limited-English proficiency with nonlimited English proficient children 
    and youth with regard to school retention, academic achievement, and 
    gains in English (and, where applicable, native language) proficiency;
        (ii) Program implementation indicators that provide information for 
    informing and improving program management and effectiveness, including 
    data on appropriateness of curriculum in relationship to grade and 
    course requirements, appropriateness of program management, 
    appropriateness of the program's staff professional development, and 
    appropriateness of the language of instruction; and
        (iii) Program context indicators that describe the relationship of 
    the activities funded under the grant to the overall school program and 
    other Federal, State, or local programs serving children and youth of 
    limited-English proficiency.
    
    (Authority: 20 U.S.C. 7433)
    
        (8) Adequacy of resources. (4 points) The Secretary reviews each 
    application to determine how well the project meets the following 
    requirements:
        (i) Student evaluation and assistance procedures must be valid, 
    reliable, and fair for limited-English proficient students.
        (ii) Limited-English proficient students who are disabled must be 
    identified and served in accordance with the requirements of the 
    Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.
        (iii) The project must contribute toward building the capacity of 
    the applicant to provide a program on a regular basis, similar to that 
    proposed for assistance, which will be of sufficient size, scope, and 
    quality to promise significant improvement in the education of students 
    of limited-English proficiency, and that the applicant will have the 
    resources and commitment to continue the program when assistance is 
    reduced or no longer available.
        (iv) The project must provide for utilization of the State and 
    national dissemination sources for program design and in dissemination 
    of results and products.
    
    (Authority: 20 U.S.C. 7426(h)(3), (5), and (6))
    
    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 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
    
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    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. If you want to know the name and address of any State 
    Single Point of Contact, see the list published in the Federal Register 
    on August 20, 1996 (61 FR 43133 through 43135).
        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# 84.291R, U.S. Department of Education, Room 6213, 600 
    Independence Avenue, SW., 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 specified copies of the application on or 
    before the deadline date to:
    
    U.S. Department of Education, Application Control Center, Attention: 
    (CFDA# 84.291R), Washington, D.C. 20202-4725
    
            or
    
        (2) Hand-deliver the original and specified 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# 84.291R), Room #3633, Regional Office Building #3, 7th and D 
    Streets, SW., 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) 
    708-9495.
        (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 application contains the following forms and 
    instructions, plus a statement regarding estimated public reporting 
    burden, various assurances, a notice to applicants regarding compliance 
    with section 427 of the General Education Provisions Act, 
    certifications, checklist for applicants, and required documentation:
        a. Application for Federal Assistance (Standard Form 424 (Rev. 4-
    88)) and instructions.
        b. Budget Information--Non-Construction Programs (ED Form No. 524) 
    and instructions.
        c. Application Narrative.
        d. Estimated Public Reporting Burden.
        e. Group Application Certification.
        f. Student Data.
        g. Project Documentation.
        h. Program Assurances.
        i. Assurances--Non-Construction Programs (Standard Form 424B) and 
    instructions.
        j. Certifications Regarding Lobbying; Debarment, Suspension and 
    Other Responsibility Matters; and Drug-Free Workplace Requirements (ED 
    80-0013) and instructions.
        k. Certification Regarding Debarment, Suspension, Ineligibility and 
    Voluntary Exclusion--Lower Tier Covered Transactions (ED 80-0014, 9/90) 
    and instructions.
    
        (Note: This form is intended for the use of grantees and should 
    not be transmitted to the Department.)
    
        l. Disclosure of Lobbying Activities (Standard Form LLL) (if 
    applicable) and instructions. The document has been marked to reflect 
    statutory changes. See the notice published by the Office of Management 
    and Budget at 61 FR 1413 (January 19, 1996).
        m. Notice to All Applicants.
        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. All applicants must submit ONE 
    original signed application and TWO copies of the application. The 
    Secretary also requests applicants to send a THIRD copy of the 
    application to assist in the Department's review. Please mark each 
    application as ``original'' or ``copy''. No grant may be awarded unless 
    a completed application has been received.
    
    FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Cecile Kreins, James Lockhart, or 
    Harry Logel, U.S. Department of Education, 600 Independence Avenue, 
    SW., Room 5090, Switzer Building, Washington, D.C. 20202-6510. 
    Telephone: Cecile Kreins (202) 205-5568, James Lockhart (202) 205-5426, 
    Harry Logel (202) 205-5530). 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://
    gcs.ed.gov); or on the World Wide Web (at http://gcs.ed.gov). However, 
    the official application notice for a discretionary grant competition 
    is the notice published in the Federal Register. Note: Some of the 
    forms in the Appendix to this notice may not be available from these 
    electronic sources.
    
        Program Authority: 20 U.S.C. 7425.
    
        Dated: January 7, 1997.
    Delia Pompa,
    Director, Office of Bilingual Education and Minority Languages Affairs.
    
    Instructions for 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
    
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    OMB control number. The valid OMB control number for this information 
    collection is OMB No. 1885-0528, Exp. Date: 4/30/98. The time required 
    to complete this information collection is estimated to average 160 
    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 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, 600 Independence Ave., S.W., Washington, D.C. 20202-6510.
    
    APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS
    
    Mandatory Page Limit for the Application Narrative
    
        The narrative portion of the application must not exceed 75 pages. 
    These pages must be doubled-spaced and printed on one side only. A 
    legible font size and adequate margins should be used. The narrative 
    section must be paginated and should include a one-page abstract. The 
    page limit applies to: (1) the abstract, (2) the proposal narrative, 
    (3) charts, graphs, tables, and graphics, (4) position descriptions 
    (and resumes,if included), and (5) any appendices. The page limit does 
    not apply to: application forms and other forms furnished by the 
    Department, assurances and attachments to those forms, and the table of 
    contents (items 1-13 in the Checklist for Applicants).
    
    Application Narrative
    
        The narrative section should begin with an abstract that includes a 
    short description of the population to be served by the project, 
    project objectives, and planned project activities. 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 send letters of support 
    unless they are critical to the instructional design of the project. Do 
    not send curriculum vitae for key personnel; submit position 
    descriptions instead. APPLICATIONS WITH A NARRATIVE SECTION THAT 
    EXCEEDS THE PAGE LIMIT WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED FOR FUNDING. THE 
    APPLICATION NARRATIVE MUST BE PAGINATED.
    
    Table of Contents
    
        The application should include a table of contents listing the 
    sections in the order required.
    
    Final Application Preparation
    
        Use the checklist included in this application to verify that your 
    application is complete. Prepare an original copy with an original 
    signature. Prepare three additional copies. Do not bind in notebooks, 
    elaborate bindings, or covers. The application package must be mailed 
    or hand-delivered to the address specified in this notice and 
    postmarked by the deadline date.
    
    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 tends 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). 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
    
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    accuracy of the time estimate(s) or suggestions for improving this 
    form, please write to: U.S. Department of Education, Washington, DC 
    20202-4651.
    
    Checklist for Applicants
    
    Systemwide Improvement Grants
    
        The following forms and other items must be included in the 
    application and organized in the same manner listed below:
    
    1. Application for Federal Assistance (SF 424)
    2. Group Application Certification (if applicable)
    3. Budget Information (ED Form No. 524)
    4. Itemized Budget for each year
    5. Student Data
    6. Project Documentation:
        Transmittal Letter to SEA
        Documentation of Consultation with Nonprofit Private School 
    Officials, if applicable
        Box checked in Section C of this form
    7. Program Assurances
    8. Notice to All Applicants (OMB No. 1801-0004)
    9. Assurances--Non-Construction Programs (SF 424B)
    10. Certifications Regarding Lobbying; Debarment, Suspension and Other 
    Responsibility Matters; and Drug-Free Workplace Requirements (ED 80-
    0013)
    11. Certification Regarding Debarment, Suspension, Ineligibility and 
    Voluntary Exclusion--Lower Tier Covered Transactions (ED 80-0014)
    12. Disclosure of Lobbying Activities (SF-LLL)
    13. Table of Contents
    14. Application Narrative, including Abstract (not to exceed 75 pages)
    15. One Original and Three Copies of the Application to be transmitted 
    to the Department at the address specified in this notice.
    
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    [FR Doc. 97-1053 Filed 1-15-97; 8:45 am]
    BILLING CODE 4000-01-C