97-33950. Bilingual Education: Career Ladder Program; Notice Inviting Applications for New Awards for Fiscal Year (FY) 1998  

  • [Federal Register Volume 62, Number 249 (Tuesday, December 30, 1997)]
    [Notices]
    [Pages 68088-68109]
    From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
    [FR Doc No: 97-33950]
    
    
    
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    _______________________________________________________________________
    
    Part VIII
    
    
    
    
    
    Department of Education
    
    
    
    
    
    _______________________________________________________________________
    
    
    
    Bilingual Education: Career Ladder Program; FY 1998 New Awards 
    Applications; Notice
    
    Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 249 / Tuesday, December 30, 1997 / 
    Notices
    
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    DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
    
    [CFDA No.: 84.195E]
    
    
    Bilingual Education: Career Ladder Program; Notice Inviting 
    Applications for New Awards for Fiscal Year (FY) 1998
    
        Note to Applicants: This notice is a complete application package. 
    Together with the statute authorizing the program and the applicable 
    regulations governing this program, including the Education Department 
    General Administrative Regulations (EDGAR), this notice contains all of 
    the information, application forms, and instructions needed to apply 
    for a grant under this program.
        Purpose of Program: This program provides grants to upgrade the 
    qualifications and skills of noncertified educational personnel, 
    especially educational paraprofessionals, to meet high professional 
    standards, including certification and licensure as bilingual teachers 
    and other educational personnel who serve limited English proficient 
    students, and to help recruit and train secondary students as bilingual 
    education teachers and other educational personnel to serve limited 
    English proficient students.
        Eligible Applicants: (1) One or more institutions of higher 
    education (IHEs) that have entered into consortia arrangements with 
    local educational agencies (LEAs) or State educational agencies (SEAs), 
    to achieve the purposes of those sections. Consortia may include 
    community-based organizations or professional education organizations.
        Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: February 23, 1998
        Deadline for Intergovernmental Review: April 23, 1998
        Available Funds: $7.2 million.
        Estimated Range of Awards: $150,000-$250,000.
        Estimated Average Size of Awards: $200,000.
        Estimated Number of Awards: 36.
    
        Note: The Department of Education is not bound by any estimates 
    in this notice.
    
        Project Period: Up to 60 months.
        Applicable Regulations:
        (a) The Education Department General Administrative Regulations 
    (EDGAR) in 34 CFR Parts 74, 75, 77, 79, 80, 81, 82, 85, and 86.
        (b) The regulations in 34 CFR Part 299, General Provisions, 
    Elementary and Secondary Education Act.
        Description of Program: The statutory authorization for this 
    program, and the application requirements that apply to this 
    competition, are set out in sections 7144 and 7146-7150 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. 7474 and 7476-7480). Funds under 
    this program may be used to provide for the development of bilingual 
    education career ladder program curricula appropriate to the needs of 
    consortia participants; assistance for stipends and costs related to 
    tuition fees and books for coursework required to complete degree and 
    certification requirements for bilingual education teachers; and 
    programs to introduce secondary school students to careers in bilingual 
    education teaching that are coordinated with other activities assisted 
    under this program. Activities conducted under this program must assist 
    educational personnel in meeting State and local certification 
    requirements for bilingual education and, wherever possible, must lead 
    to the awarding of college or university credit.
        Priorities: Competitive Priority 1. The Secretary, under 34 CFR 
    75.105(c)(2)(i) and 34 CFR 299.3(b), gives preference to applications 
    that meet the following competitive priority. The Secretary awards up 
    to 3 points for an application that meets this competitive priority. 
    These points are in addition to any points the application earns under 
    the selection criteria for the program:
        Projects that will contribute to a systemic educational reform in 
    an Empowerment Zone, including a Supplemental Empowerment Zone, or an 
    Enterprise Community designated by the United States Department of 
    Housing and Urban Development or the United States Department of 
    Agriculture, and are made an integral part of the Zone's or Community's 
    comprehensive community revitalization strategies.
    
        Note: A list of areas that have been designated as Empowerment 
    Zones and Enterprise Communities is provided in the appendix to this 
    notice.
    
        Competitive Priority 2. Under 34 CFR 75.105 (c)(2)(ii) and section 
    7144(d) of the Act, the Secretary gives a competitive preference to 
    applications that meet the following priority:
        Applications that propose to provide for participant completion of 
    baccalaureate and master's degree teacher education programs, and 
    certification requirements and may include effective employment 
    placement activities; the development of teacher proficiency in English 
    as a second language, including demonstrating proficiency in the 
    instructional use of English and, as appropriate, a second language in 
    classroom contexts; coordination with programs for the recruitment and 
    retention of bilingual students in secondary and postsecondary programs 
    training to become bilingual educators; and the applicant's 
    contribution of additional student financial aid to participating 
    students.
        The Secretary selects applications that meet this priority over 
    applications of comparable merit that do not meet the priority.
        Invitational Priorities. The Secretary is particularly interested 
    in applications that meet the following invitational priority. However, 
    an application that meets this invitational priority receives no 
    competitive or absolute preference over other applications (34 CFR 
    75.105(c)(1)).
        Applicants that propose to collaborate with 2-year institutions of 
    higher education to develop or improve teacher preparation programs for 
    bilingual paraprofessionals.
        Selection Criteria. (a)(1) The Secretary uses the following 
    selection criteria in 34 CFR 75.210 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.
        (a) Need for project. (10 points) (1) The Secretary considers the 
    need for the proposed project.
        (2) In determining the need for the proposed project, the Secretary 
    considers the following factors:
        (i) The magnitude or severity of the problem to be addressed by the 
    proposed project.
        (ii) 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 the 
    magnitude of those gaps or weaknesses.
    
    (Authority: 34 CFR 75.210 (a)(2)(i) and (v))
    
        (b) Quality of the project design. (50 points) (1) The Secretary 
    considers the quality of the design of the proposed project.
        (2) In determining the quality of the design of the proposed 
    project, the Secretary considers the following factors:
        (i) The extent to which the goals, objectives, and outcomes to be 
    achieved by the proposed project are clearly specified and measurable.
        (ii) 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.
        (iii) The extent to which the proposed project is designed to build 
    capacity and
    
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    yield results that will extend beyond the period of Federal financial 
    assistance.
        (iv) The extent to which the proposed activities constitute a 
    coherent, sustained program of training in the field.
        (v) The extent to which the design of the proposed project reflects 
    up-to-date knowledge from research and effective practice.
        (vi) The extent to which the proposed project will be coordinated 
    with similar or related efforts, and with other appropriate community, 
    State, and Federal resources.
        (vii) The extent to which the proposed project is part of a 
    comprehensive effort to improve teaching and learning and support 
    rigorous academic standards for students.
        (viii) The extent to which fellowship recipients or other project 
    participants are to be selected on the basis of academic excellence.
    
    (Authority: 34 CFR 75.210(c)(2)(i), (ii), (iv), (xii), (xiii), 
    (xvi), (xviii), and (xxiii))
    
        (c) Quality of project services. (15 points) (1) The Secretary 
    considers the quality of the services to be provided by the proposed 
    project.
        (2) 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 under-represented based on race, color, national 
    origin, gender, age, or disability.
        (3) In addition, the Secretary considers the following factors:
        (i) 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.
        (ii) The extent to which the training or professional development 
    services to be provided by the proposed project are likely to alleviate 
    the personnel shortages that have been identified or are the focus of 
    the proposed project.
        (iii) The extent to which the services to be provided by the 
    proposed project are focused on those with greatest need.
    
    (Authority: 34 CFR 75.210(d)(2) and (3)(v), (vi), and (xi))
    
        (d) Quality of project personnel. (5 points) (1) The Secretary 
    considers the quality of the personnel who will carry out the proposed 
    project.
        (2) In determining the quality of project personnel, the Secretary 
    considers the extent to which the applicant encourages applications for 
    employment from persons who are members of groups that have 
    traditionally been underrepresented based on race, color, national 
    origin, gender, age, or disability.
        (3) In addition, the Secretary considers the following factor: The 
    qualifications, including relevant training and experience, of key 
    project personnel.
    
    (Authority: 34 CFR 75.210(e)(2) and (3)(ii))
    
        (e) Quality of the management plan. (5 points) (1) The Secretary 
    considers the quality of the management plan for the proposed project.
        (2) In determining the quality of the management plan for the 
    proposed project, the Secretary considers the following factor: The 
    adequacy of the management plan to achieve the objectives of the 
    proposed project on time and within budget, including clearly defined 
    responsibilities, timelines, and milestones for accomplishing project 
    tasks.
    
    (Authority: 34 CFR 75.210(g)(2)(i)))
    
        (f) Quality of the project evaluation. (15 points) (1) The 
    Secretary considers the quality of the evaluation to be conducted of 
    the proposed project.
        (2) In determining the quality of the evaluation, the Secretary 
    considers 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 include the use 
    of objective performance measures that are clearly related to the 
    intended outcomes of the project and will produce quantitative and 
    qualitative data to the extent possible.
        (iii) The extent to which the methods of evaluation will provide 
    performance feedback and permit periodic assessment of progress toward 
    achieving intended outcomes.
    
    (Authority: 34 CFR 75.210(h)(2)(iii), (iv), and (vi)).
    
        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 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 October 7, 1997 (62 FR 52448 
    through 52450).
        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 #84.195A, 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 three copies of the application on or 
    before the deadline date to: U.S. Department of Education, Application 
    Control Center, Attention: (CFDA #84.195E), Washington, D.C. 20202-
    4725.
        (2) Hand-deliver the original and three 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 #84.195E), 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.
    
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        (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 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, a checklist for applicants, various assurances, 
    certifications, and required documentation. These parts and additional 
    materials are organized in the same manner that the submitted 
    application should be organized. The parts and additional materials are 
    as follows:
        Part I: Application for Federal Assistance (Standard Form 424 (Rev. 
    4-88)) and instructions.
        Part II: Budget Information--Non-Construction Programs (ED Form No. 
    524) and instructions.
        Part III: Application Narrative.
        Additional Materials:
        a. Estimated Public Reporting Burden.
        b. Group Application Certification.
        c. Participant Data.
        d. Project Documentation.
        e. Program Assurances.
        f. Assurances--Non-Construction Programs (Standard Form 424B) and 
    instructions.
        g. Certifications Regarding Lobbying; Debarment, Suspension, and 
    Other Responsibility Matters; and Drug-Free Workplace Requirements (ED 
    80-0013) and instructions.
        h. 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.)
        i. 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 in the Federal Register (61 FR 1413) 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. All applicants must submit ONE 
    original signed application, including ink signatures on all forms and 
    assurances, and THREE copies of the application. Please mark each 
    application as ``original'' or ``copy''. No grant may be awarded unless 
    a completed application has been received.
    
    For Further Information Contact: Cynthia Ryan (202) 205-8842 or 
    Petraine Johnson (202) 205-8766 (for applicants located in Western 
    States); Mahal May (202) 205-8727 or Steve Van Pelt (202) 205-8732 (for 
    applicants located in Eastern States); and Carol Manitaras (202) 205-
    9729 (for applicants located in Midwestern States), U.S. Department of 
    Education, 600 Independence Avenue, SW., Room 5090, Switzer Building, 
    Washington, D.C. 20202-6510. 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 notice in an 
    alternate format (e.g., braille, large print, audiotape, or computer 
    diskette) on request to the contact persons listed in the preceding 
    paragraph. Please note, however, that the Department is not able to 
    reproduce in an 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 preceding 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.
    
        Note: The official version of this document is the document 
    published in the Federal Register.
    
        Program Authority: 20 U.S.C. 7474.
    
        Dated: December 23, 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 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 80 hours per response, including the time to review 
    instructions, search existing data resources, gather the data needed, 
    and complete and review the information collection. If you have any 
    comments concerning the accuracy of the time estimate or suggestions 
    for improving this form, please write to: U.S. Department of Education, 
    Washington, D.C. 20202-4651. If you have any comments or concerns 
    regarding the status of your individual submission of this form, write 
    directly to: Office of Bilingual Education and Minority Languages 
    Affairs, U.S. Department of Education, 600 Independence Avenue, SW., 
    Washington, D.C. 20202-6510.
        The following forms and other items must be included in the 
    application:
        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. Participant Data.
        6. Project Documentation: Section A--Copy of Transmittal Letter to 
    SEA requesting SEA to comment on application; Section B--Documentation 
    of Empowerment Zone or Enterprise Community--if applicable.
    
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        7. Program Assurances.
        8. Non-Construction Programs (SF 424B).
        9. Certifications Regarding Lobbying; Debarment Suspension and 
    Other Responsibility Matters; and Drug-Free Workplace Requirements (ED 
    80-0013).
        10. Certification Regarding Debarment, Suspension, Ineligibility 
    and Voluntary Exclusion--Lower Tier Covered Transactions (ED 80-0014).
        11. Disclosure of Lobbying Activities (SF-LLL).
        12. Table of Contents.
        13. Application Narrative (not to exceed 30 pages including 
    abstract, see instructions below).
        14. One original and three copies of the application for 
    transmittal to the Department's Application Control Center.
    
    Mandatory Page Limits for the Application Narrative
    
        The application narrative must not exceed the equivalent of 30 
    pages, using the following standards: (1) These pages must be double-
    spaced and printed on one side only. (2) A legible font size and 
    adequate margins should be used. (3) The narrative must be paginated. 
    (4) The narrative portion of the application package, including 
    abstract, charts, graphs, tables, position descriptions, illustrations, 
    and appendices, must not exceed the 30-page limit. The narrative 
    section should begin with an abstract that includes a short description 
    of the population to be served by the project, project objectives, 
    planned project activities, and priorities addressed. The page limit 
    applies only to item 13 and not to the other items in the checklist. 
    APPLICATIONS WITH A NARRATIVE SECTION THAT EXCEEDS THE PAGE LIMIT WILL 
    NOT BE CONSIDERED FOR FUNDING.
    
    Application Narrative
    
        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. 
    Provide position descriptions, not resumes.
    
    Budget
    
        Budget line items must support the goals and objectives of the 
    proposed project and be directly applicable to the program design and 
    all other project components.
    
    Final Application Preparation
    
        Use the above checklist to verify that all items are addressed. 
    Prepare one original with an original signature, and include three 
    additional copies. Do not use elaborate bindings or covers. The 
    application package must be mailed to the Application Control Center 
    (ACC) and postmarked by the deadline date of February 23, 1998.
    
    Submission of Application to State Educational Agency
    
        Section 7146(a)(4) of the Act (Elementary and Secondary Education 
    Act of 1965, as amended by the Improving America's Schools Act of 1994, 
    Public Law 103-382) requires all applicants except schools funded by 
    the Bureau of Indian Affairs to submit a copy of their application to 
    their State educational agency (SEA) for review and comment (20 U.S.C. 
    7476(a)(4)). Section 75.156 of the Education Department General 
    Administrative Regulations (EDGAR) requires these applicants to submit 
    their application to the SEA on or before the deadline date for 
    submitting their application to the Department of Education. This 
    section of EDGAR also requires applicants to attach to their 
    application a copy of their letter that requests the SEA to comment on 
    the application (34 CFR 75.156). A copy of this letter should be 
    attached to the Project Documentation Form contained in this 
    application package.
        Applicants that do not submit a copy of their application to their 
    SEA will not be considered for funding.
    
    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 Requirements 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 its 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
    
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    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 accuracy of the 
    time estimate(s) or suggestions for improving this form, please write 
    to: U.S. Department of Education, Washington, DC 20202-4651.
    
    Empowerment Zones and Enterprise Communities
    
    Empowerment Zone (EZ)
    
    California: Los Angeles
    California: Oakland
    Georgia: Atlanta
    Illinois: Chicago
    Kentucky: Kentucky Highlands*
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    
        *Denotes rural designee
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    
    Maryland: Baltimore
    Massachusetts: Boston
    Michigan: Detroit
    Mississippi: Mid Delta*
    Missouri/Kansas: Kansas City, Kansas City
    New York: Harlem, Bronx
    Ohio: Cleveland
    Pennsylvania/New Jersey: Philadelphia, Camden
    Texas: Houston
    Texas: Rio Grande Valley
    
    Enterprise Community (EC)
    
    Alabama: Birmingham
    Alabama: Chambers County*
    Alabama: Greene, Sumter Counties*
    Arizona: Phoenix
    Arizona: Arizona Border*
    Arkansas: East Central*
    Arkansas: Mississippi County*
    California: L.A., 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
    
    Enterprise Community (EC)
    
    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, Rio 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: Grater Portsmouth *
    Oklahoma: Choctaw, McCurtain Counties*
    Oklahoma: Oklahoma City
    Oregon: Josephine*
    Oregon: Portland
    Pennsylvania: Harrisburg
    Pennsylvania: Lock Haven*
    Pennsylvania: Pittsburgh
    Rhode Island: Providence
    South Dakota: Deadle, Spink Counties*
    South Carolina: Charleston
    South Carolina: Williamsburg County*
    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
    Virginia: Lower Yakima*
    Washington: Seattle
    Washington: Tacoma
    West Virginia: West Central*
    West Virginia: Huntington
    West Virginia: McDowell*
    Wisconsin: Milwaukee
    
    Questions and Answers
    
    Does the Career Ladder Program have specific evaluation requirements?
        Yes, the evaluation requirements are described in Section 7149 of 
    Title VII of ESEA, 20 U.S.C. 7479.
    What requirements must grantees meet related to teacher certification?
        The Title VII statute requires grantees to assist educational 
    personnel in meeting State and local certification requirements. 20 
    U.S.C. 7477. However, because certification requirements vary among 
    States, applicants are given flexibility in designing activities that 
    lead to meeting State and local certification requirements.
    May program budgets include costs for items other than student tuition 
    and fees?
        Project budgets should reflect the proposed program activities. In 
    addition to student support costs, budget items may include costs for 
    personnel, supplies or equipment, and other reasonable and necessary 
    costs to support developmental activities.
    What information may be helpful in preparing the application narrative 
    for a Career Ladder Program?
        In responding to the selection criteria applicants may wish to 
    consider the following questions as a guide for preparing application 
    narrative.
         What are the specific responsibilities of districts, 
    schools, institutions of higher education and other partnership 
    organizations in planning, implementing and evaluating the proposed 
    program? How is the program linked to the school district's overall 
    professional development plan? What resources and support will each of 
    the consortia members provide? How will resources be integrated to 
    ensure maximum effectiveness of the program and to promote capacity 
    building and long-range collaboration?
         How does the training curricula reflect high standards for 
    pedagogy, content, and proficiency in English and a second language to 
    ensure that participants are effectively prepared to provide 
    instruction and support to LEP students?
         How will the program assist in systemically reforming 
    policies and practices in the target schools and in the
    
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    IHE related to the preparation of new teachers, the induction of new 
    bilingual teachers, clinical experiences for new bilingual teachers and 
    other educational personnel, or professional development opportunities 
    for all teachers?
         What special selection criteria will the applicant adopt 
    to ensure that individuals selected to participate in the program hold 
    promise for successfully completing program requirements?
         What special support will be provided to participants by 
    experienced bilingual teachers, higher education faculty, and school 
    administrators to guide them during their period of induction?
         How will the instructional responsibilities of 
    participants be balanced with appropriate professional development, 
    support and planning time?
         How will clinical experiences for preservice participants 
    be structured to ensure that they are well-supervised, of sufficient 
    duration and in a setting which provides opportunities for participants 
    to experience a variety of effective bilingual education instructional 
    methods and approaches?
         How is the training curriculum based on current research 
    related to effective teaching and learning? What evidence of 
    effectiveness supports the training model?
         What performance indicators will the proposed program use 
    to support the effectiveness of the program related to, for example: 
    improved teaching practices; participants' effectiveness in the 
    instructional setting; improved performance on National or State 
    benchmark tests; reduction in the number of new bilingual teachers 
    leaving the profession; improvement of graduation rates?
         How will the program evaluation incorporate strategies for 
    assessing the progress and performance of participants; communicating 
    meaningful, regular and timely feedback to participants; improving the 
    quality of the training program; documenting and identifying exemplary 
    program features and successful strategies; and reporting on specific 
    data related to the number of participants completing the program and 
    the number of graduates placed in the instructional setting?
    In addition, applicants may wish to consider the Department of 
    Education Professional Development Principles in planning a Career 
    Ladder Program
        The following are the professional development principles: Focuses 
    on teachers as central to student learning, yet includes all other 
    members of the school community; focuses on individual, collegial and 
    organizational improvement; respects and nurtures the intellectual and 
    leadership capacity of teachers, principals, and others in the school 
    community; reflects best available research and practice in teaching, 
    learning, and leadership; enables teachers to develop further expertise 
    in subject content, teaching strategies, uses of technologies, and 
    other essential elements in teaching to high standards; promotes 
    continuous inquiry and improvement embedded in the daily life of 
    schools; is planned collaboratively by those who will participate in 
    and facilitate that development; requires substantial time and other 
    resources; is driven by a coherent long-term plan; is evaluated 
    ultimately on the basis of its impact on teacher effectiveness and 
    student learning; and uses this assessment to guide subsequent 
    professional development efforts.
    What other information may be helpful in applying for a Career Ladder 
    Program?
        Applicants are reminded that they must submit a copy of their 
    application to the SEA for review and comment. In addition, applicants 
    must submit a copy of their application to the State Single Point of 
    Contact to satisfy the requirements of Executive Order 12372.
    
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    [FR Doc. 97-33950 Filed 12-29-97; 8:45 am]
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