[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 111 (Thursday, June 10, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 31352-31356]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-14774]
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UNITED STATES INFORMATION AGENCY
South Africa Teacher Training Program; Notice; Request for
Proposals
SUMMARY: The Advising, Teaching and Specialized Programs Division of
the Office of Academic Programs of the United States Information
Agency's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs announces an open
competition for a training program for primary school teachers of math
and science in South Africa. The program will target the upper primary
level which comprises grades seven through nine. Public and private
non-profit organizations meeting the provisions described in IRS
regulation 26 CFR 1.501 (C) may submit proposals to design, implement,
monitor, and evaluate a primary teacher training program for teachers
of math and science in South Africa. The program will comprise three
phases: (1) Preliminary consultations in South Africa to discuss a
detailed implementation strategy; (2) the development and execution of
South Africa-based teacher training workshops; and (3) the development
and execution of U.S.-based teacher-training summer institutes. The
grant award will be up to $300,000 for year one, and may be renewed for
two additional years pending availability of funds and successful
implementation.
Program Information
Overview
In response to President Mandela's efforts to raise the level of
math and science education, and in support of the United States-South
Africa Binational Commission, USIA and grantee organization will
develop, in collaboration with the South Africa Department of Education
(DOE), a primary school teacher training project for teachers of math
and science. The grantee will work with the DOE, its respective
entities, and supporting ministries and organizations that are directly
responsible for national education and teacher training.
The project will span a three-year period and will consist of
yearly two-week in-country skills development workshops for 100
teachers, followed by
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yearly one-month U.S.-based summer institutes for up to 25 master
teacher trainers (initial grant for one year only; see ``Summary''). At
the conclusion of the program approximately three hundred primary
school teachers will have participated. Participants will be selected
from all 9 provinces and two provinces will host the training
workshops.
USIA solicits detailed proposals from U.S. educational institutions
and public and private non-profit organizations to develop and
administer this program. The Grantee organization will consult
regularly with USIA and the South Africa DOE with regard to program
development and management. Proposals should demonstrate an
understanding of the issues confronting teacher training in South
Africa as well as a broad understanding of teacher training models and
practices.
The goal of the program is to assist the South Africa DOE in
identifying, developing, and implementing a teacher training program
for primary school teachers of math and science. The program objectives
are to:
(1) Increase the professional competence of primary school teachers
by conducting in-country training workshops and U.S.-based summer
institutes;
(2) Develop a corps of South African educators who will serve as
resource facilitators and teacher trainers;
(3) Expand and/or establish school to school, teacher to teacher
partnerships in South Africa at the primary level in order to foster
school linkages and enhance teacher training, technology linkages where
applicable, and cross fertilization of ideas.
Primary teachers throughout South Africa provide basic academic and
life skills development for the students. As in other countries, the
development and enhancement of teacher training skills and in-service
workshops for primary teachers remains critical to their success and
the success of their students. The rationale for the program is that
improved math and science instruction at the primary level will
increase the abilities of South African primary teachers to provide
quality instruction resulting in the improvement of student's academic
and life skills.
Guidelines
Program Planning and Implementation
The program will consist of three phases: a review of primary
education in South Africa in general, and math and science
specifically, and the refinement of a project implementation plan, an
in-country training workshop, and a U.S.-based summer institute. It is
anticipated that the grantee will begin phase I of the program no later
than August, 1999 and that the grantee, USIA, and DOE, will define a
timetable for the remainder of the program as part of discussions in
phase I.
Phase I
The grantee organization will work with USIA and the DOE to
undertake preliminary work in South Africa to refine a comprehensive
project plan for yearly two-week in-service training workshops for
approximately 100 teachers of math and science at the primary level. It
is anticipated that the DOE will provide the following assistance as
part of the overall program:
(1) Identify and provide training site(s);
(2) Assist grantee in developing program strategies;
(3) Provide lodging, meals, and transportation costs for all in-
service trainees.
Additional in-kind, or cash contributions, on the part of the DOE
may be negotiated as part of phase I.
The project plan should include, but not be limited to:
(1) Delineation of program responsibility between DOE, USIA, and
grantee;
(2) Country needs assessment and project goals and objectives;
(3) The development of materials and resources that will enhance
current learning programs and reflect practical, inquiry, and
experiential learning concepts;
(4) A mutually agreed upon protocol for selection of participants;
(5) Monitoring and evaluation components.
(6) A plan for on-going communications and contact with program
participants which emphasizes resource and master teacher trainer
linkages.
Phase II
The in-country training workshops will be conducted over a two-week
period at appropriate sites selected in conjunction with the DOE. A
total of four U.S. and four South African trainers who have
demonstrated expertise in professional development, training, and/or
content areas will conduct the training workshops. It is anticipated
that the trainers will work in pairs sharing their expertise and
insights.
The workshop schedule should incorporate time for both individual
and group work as well as intensive training on specific approaches to
the teaching of math and science education. The workshop could include
field experience or a model school component in order to provide
participants with hands-on experience using new teaching techniques and
materials. Specific areas that may be addressed in the in-country
workshops are:
(1) A review of present attitudes and approaches to teaching math
and science, and the introduction of new/current math and science
teaching methodologies and approaches that integrate various content
areas and continuous assessment techniques;
(2) The design of appropriate lesson plans and learning programs;
(3) The development of teaching materials appropriate for primary
classes in South Africa.
Appropriate training materials will be developed by the grantee
organization and will be provided to each participant for use during
the training and in the classroom after they return to their respective
schools. A selection component should be built into an on-going
assessment process to identify up to 25 participants who will attend
the summer institute to be held in the United States. Those selected
should possess leadership potential and a full grasp of the content
areas of the workshop.
Phase III
The U.S.-based summer institute for up to 25 primary master teacher
trainers should put emphasis on developing the capacities of teacher
trainers/educators to assess, train, and mentor teachers of math and
science. The program should include a variety of formats, such as
discussion sessions, lectures, workshops, and practical application.
The emphasis should be on learning math and science through an inquiry
model and should integrate knowledge of content areas with knowledge of
learning strategies and students. All instruction and materials should
include pedagogically and culturally appropriate materials and
references relevant to South Africa. The workshop could include field
experience or a model school component in order to provide participants
with hands-on experience using new teaching techniques and materials.
The curriculum for the summer institutes should partially build upon
the successes of the previous in-country workshops held in South Africa
and promote an understanding of life-long learning. Close communication
will be needed among the grantee organization, USIA, participants, and
U.S. host.
Specific areas that may be addressed in the summer institutes are:
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(1) New/current math and science teaching methodologies and
approaches (putting theory into practice);
(2) Professional teacher development and evaluation;
(3) The design and implementation of in-service training programs
and workshops for teachers;
(4) Leadership training;
(5) A review of existing South African math and science content
areas.
(6) The introduction and/or adaptation of existing math and science
materials and practices pertinent to local conditions in South Africa.
Appropriate training materials will be developed by the grantee
organization and will be provided to each participant for use during
the training and in the classroom after they return to their respective
schools.
Programs must comply with J-1 visa regulations (post will issue
IAP-66 forms). Please refer to Solicitation Package for further
information.
Budget Guidelines
Grants awarded to eligible organizations with less than four years
of experience in conducting international exchange programs will be
limited to $60,000.
Applicants must submit a comprehensive budget for the entire
program. Awards may not exceed $300,000. There must be a summary budget
as well as breakdowns reflecting both administrative and program
budgets. Applicant may provide separate sub-budgets for each program
component, phase, location, or activity to provide clarification. The
total allowable costs for the program include the following:
(1) Costs necessary for the effective administration of the program
including salaries for grant organization employees, benefits, and
other direct and indirect costs are described in the detailed
instructions in the application package. While this announcement does
not prescribe a rigid ratio of administrative to program cost, in
general, priority will be given to proposals whose administrative costs
are less than twenty-five (25) percent of the total requested from
USIA. Proposals should show cost-sharing, including both contributions
from the applicant and from other sources.
(2) Program costs, including general program costs and program
costs for each South African participant in the U.S.-based summer
institutes and South African-based training workshops.
(3) International and domestic airfare; visas; transit costs;
ground transportation costs.
(4) Per Diem. For the U.S. program, organizations have the option
of using a flat $160/day for program participants or the published U.S.
Federal per diem rates for individual U.S. cities. For activities
outside of the U.S., the published Federal per diem rates must be used.
Note: U.S. escorting staff must use the published Federal per diem
rates, not the flat rate. Per diem rates may be accessed at Http://
www.policyworks.gov/.
(5) Walk-around and book allowance. Participants are entitled to a
walk-around allowance of $10 per day, plus a participant book allowance
of $150. U.S. staff do not receive these benefits.
(6) Consultants. Consultants may be used to provide specialized
expertise or to make presentations. Daily honoraria generally do not
exceed $250 per day. Subcontracting organizations may also be used, in
which case the written agreement between the prospective grantee and
subcontractor should be included in the proposal.
(7) Room rental. Room rental for group activities should not exceed
$250 per day.
(8) Materials development. Proposals may contain costs to purchase
and develop appropriate materials for participants.
(9) One working meal for the program is allowed. Per capita costs
may not exceed $5-$8 for a lunch and $14-$20 per a dinner, excluding
room rental. The number of invited guests may not exceed participants
by more than a factor of two-to-one.
(10) An international travel allowance of $100 may be provided to
each participant to be used for incidental expenditures during
international travel.
(11) All summer institute participants will be covered under the
terms of USIA-sponsored health insurance policy. The premium is paid by
USIA directly to the insurance company. Administrative costs. Please
refer to the Solicitation Package for complete budget guidelines and
formatting instructions.
Announcement Title and Number: All correspondence with USIA
concerning this RFP should reference the above title and number E/ASX-
99-03.
For Further Information Contact: The Office of Academic Programs,
Advising, Teaching, and Specialized Programs Division, Fulbright
Teacher Exchange Branch, E/ASX, Room 349, U.S. Information Agency, 301
4th Street, SW., Washington, DC 20547, Telephone number (202) 619-4556,
fax number (202) 401-1433, and e-mail address jtcox@usia.gov to request
a Solicitation Package. The Solicitation Package contains detailed
award criteria, required application forms, specific budget
instructions, and standard guidelines for proposal preparation. Please
specify USIA Program Officer John Cox on all other inquiries and
correspondence.
Please read the complete Federal Register announcement before
sending inquiries or submitting proposals. Once the RFP deadline has
passed. Agency staff may not discuss this competition with applicants
until the proposal review process has been completed.
To Download a Solicitation Package Via Internet: The entire
Solicitation Package may be downloaded from USIA's website at http://
e.usia.gov/education/rfps. Please read all information before
downloading.
To Receive a Solicitation Package Via Fax on Demand: The entire
Solicitation Package may be requested from the Bureau's ``Grants
Information Fax on Demand System'', which is accessed by calling 202/
401-7616. The ``Table of Contents'' listing available documents and
order numbers should be the first order when entering the system.
Deadline for Proposals: All proposals copies must be received at
the U.S. Information Agency by 5 p.m. Washington, DC time on Friday,
July 9, 1999. Faxed documents will not be accepted at any time.
Documents postmarked the due date but received on a later date will not
be accepted. Each applicant must ensure that the proposals are received
by the above deadline.
Applicants must follow all instructions in the Solicitation
Package. The original and 10 copies of the application should be sent
to: U.S. Information Agency, Ref.: E/ASX-99-03, Office of Grants
Management, E/EX, Room 326, 301 4th Street, SW, Washington, DC 20547.
Applicants must also submit the ``Executive Summary'' and
``Proposal Narrative'' sections of the proposal on a 3.5'' diskette,
formatted for DOS. These documents must be provided in ASCII text (DOS)
format with a maximum line length of 65 characters. USIA will transmit
these files electronically to USIA posts overseas for their review,
with the goal of reducing the time it takes to get posts' comments for
the Agency's grants review process.
Diversity, Freedom and Democracy Guidelines
Pursuant to the Bureau's authorizing legislation, programs must
maintain a non-political character and should be balanced and
representative of the diversity of American political, social, and
cultural life. ``Diversity'' should be
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interpreted in the broadest sense and encompass differences including,
but not limited to ethnicity, race, gender, religion, geographic
location, socio-economic status, and physical challenges. Applicants
are strongly encouraged to adhere to the advancement of this principle
both in program administration and in program content. Please refer to
the review criteria under the `Support for Diversity' section for
specific suggestions on incorporating diversity into the total
proposal. Public Law 104-319 provides that ``in carrying out programs
of educational and cultural exchange in countries whose people do not
fully enjoy freedom and democracy,'' USIA ``shall take appropriate
steps to provide opportunities for participation in such programs to
human rights and democracy leaders of such countries.'' Proposals
should reflect advancement of this goal in their program contents, to
the full extent deemed feasible.
Year 2000 Compliance Requirement (Y2K Requirement)
The Year 2000 (Y2K) issue is a broad operational and accounting
problem that could potentially prohibit organizations from processing
information in accordance with Federal management and program specific
requirements including data exchange with USIA. The inability to
process information in accordance with Federal requirements could
result in grantees' being required to return funds that have not been
accounted for properly.
USIA therefore requires all organizations use Y2K compliant systems
including hardware, software, and firmware. Systems must accurately
process data and dates (calculating, comparing and sequencing) both
before and after the beginning of the year 2000 and correctly adjust
for leap years.
Additional information addressing the Y2K issue may be found at the
General Services Administration's Office of Information Technology
website at http://www.itpolicy.gsa.gov.
Review Process
USIA will acknowledge receipt of all proposals and will review them
for technical eligibility. Proposals will be deemed ineligible if they
do not fully adhere to the guidelines stated herein and in the
Solicitation Package. All eligible proposals will be reviewed by the
program office, as well as the USIA Office of African Affairs and the
USIA post overseas, where appropriate. Eligible proposals will be
forwarded to panels of USIA officers for advisory review. Proposals may
also be reviewed by the Office of the General Counsel or by other
Agency elements. Final funding decisions are at the discretion of
USIA's Associate Director for Educational and Cultural Affairs. Final
technical authority for assistance awards (grants or cooperative
agreements) resides with the USIA Grants Officer.
Review Criteria
Technically eligible applications will be competitively reviewed
according to the criteria stated below. These criteria are not rank
ordered and all carry equal weight in the proposal evaluation:
1. Quality of the program idea: Proposals should exhibit
originality, substance, precision, and relevance to the Agency's
mission.
2. Program planning: Detailed agenda and relevant work plan should
demonstrate substantive undertakings and logistical capacity. Agenda
and plan should adhere to the program overview and guidelines described
above.
3. Ability to achieve program objectives: Objectives should be
reasonable, feasible, and flexible. Proposals should clearly
demonstrate how the institution will meet the program's objectives and
plan.
4. Multiplier effect/impact: Proposed programs should strengthen
long-term mutual understanding, including maximum sharing of
information and establishment of long-term institutional and individual
linkages.
5. Support of Diversity: Proposals should demonstrate substantive
support of the Bureau's policy on diversity. Achievable and relevant
features should be cited in both program administration (selection of
participants, program venue and program evaluation) and program content
(orientation and wrap-up sessions, program meetings, resource materials
and follow-up activities).
6. Institutional Capacity: Proposed personnel and institutional
resources should be adequate and appropriate to achieve the program or
project's goals.
7. Institution's Record/Ability: Proposals should demonstrate an
institutional record of successful training programs, including
responsible fiscal management and full compliance with all reporting
requirements for past Agency grants as determined by USIA's Office of
Contracts. The Agency will consider the past performance of prior
recipients and the demonstrated potential of new applicants.
8. Follow-on Activities: Proposals should provide a plan for
continued follow-on activity without USIA support ensuring that the
USIA Teacher Training Program is successfully sustained.
9. Project Evaluation: Proposals should include a plan to evaluate
the activity's success, both as the activities unfold and at the end of
the program. A draft survey questionnaire or other technique plus
description of a methodology to use to link outcomes to original
project objectives is recommended. Successful applicants will be
expected to submit intermediate reports after each project component is
concluded or quarterly, whichever is less frequent.
10. Cost-effectiveness: The overhead and administrative components
of the proposal, including salaries and honoraria, should be kept as
low as possible. All other items should be necessary and appropriate.
11. Cost-sharing: Proposals should maximize cost-sharing through
other private sector support as well as institutional direct funding
contributions.
12. Value to U.S.-Partner Country Relations: Proposed projects
should receive positive assessments by USIA's geographic area desk and
overseas officers of program need, potential impact, and significance
in the partner country(ies).
Authority
Overall grant making authority for this program is contained in the
Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange Act of 1961, Public Law 87-
256, as amended, also known as the Fulbright-Hays Act. The purpose of
the Act is ``to enable the Government of the United States to increase
mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the
people of other countries * * *; to strengthen the ties which unite us
with other nations by demonstrating the educational and cultural
interests, developments, and achievements of the people of the United
States and other nations * * * and thus to assist in the development of
friendly, sympathetic and peaceful relations between the United States
and the other countries of the world.'' The funding authority for the
program above is provided through legislation.
Notice
The terms and conditions published in this RFP are binding and may
not be modified by any USIA representative. Explanatory information
provided by the Agency that contradicts published language will not be
binding. Issuance of the RFP does not constitute an award commitment on
the part of the Government. The Agency reserves the right to reduce,
revise, or increase proposal budgets in accordance with the needs of
the program and the
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availability of funds. Awards made will be subject to periodic
reporting and evaluation requirements.
Notification
Final awards cannot be made until funds have been appropriated by
Congress, allocated and committed through internal USIA procedures.
Dated: June 4, 1999.
Judith Siegel,
Deputy Associate Director for Educational and Cultural Affairs.
[FR Doc. 99-14774 Filed 6-9-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8230-01-M
