Demonstration Projects for the Integration of Vocational and Academic Learning Program; Notice Inviting Applications for New Awards for FY 1994

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

[CFDA No.: 84.248]

Demonstration Projects for the Integration of Vocational and

Academic Learning Program; Notice Inviting Applications for New Awards

for Fiscal Year (FY) 1995

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), the notice contains all of

the information, application forms, and instructions needed to apply

for a grant under this competition.

Purpose of Program: The Demonstration Projects for the Integration

of Vocational and Academic Learning Program provides financial

assistance to projects that develop, implement, and operate programs

using different models of curricula that integrate vocational and

academic learning. The Secretary wishes to highlight for potential

applicants that this program can help to further the National Education

Goals. Specifically, the integration of vocational and academic

learning directly supports the National Education Goal that, by the

year 2000, every adult American will be literate and will possess the

knowledge and skills necessary to compete in a global economy and

exercise the rights and responsibilities of citizenship.

Eligible Applicants: Institutions of higher education, area

vocational educational schools, secondary schools funded by the Bureau

of Indian Affairs, State boards of vocational education, public or

private nonprofit organizations, local educational agencies, and

consortia composed of these entities.

Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: September 16, 1994.

Deadline for Intergovernmental Review: November 15, 1994.

Available Funds: $6,000,000 to $7,000,000 for the first 12 months.

Funding for the second, third, and fourth years is subject to the

availability of funds and to a grantee meeting the requirements in 34

CFR 75.253.

Estimated Range of Awards: $300,000-$500,000 (funding for the first

12 months).

Estimated Average Size of Awards: $365,000 (funding for the first

12 months).

Estimated Number of Awards: 15-19.

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

notice.

Project Period: Up to 48 months (four 12-month grant cycles).

Applicable Regulations: (a) The Education Department General

Administrative Regulations (EDGAR) as follows:

(1) 34 CFR 74 (Administration of Grants to Institutions of Higher

Education, Hospitals and Nonprofit Organizations).

(2) 34 CFR Part 75 (Direct Grant Programs).

(3) 34 CFR Part 77 (Definitions that Apply to Department

Regulations).

(4) 34 CFR Part 79 (Intergovernmental Review of Department of

Education Programs and Activities).

(5) 34 CFR Part 80 (Uniform Administrative Requirements for Grants

and Cooperative Agreements to State and Local Governments).

(6) 34 CFR Part 81 (General Education Provisions Act--Enforcement).

(7) 34 CFR Part 82 (New Restrictions on Lobbying).

(8) 34 CFR Part 85 (Governmentwide Debarment and Suspension

(Nonprocurement) and Governmentwide Requirements for Drug-Free

Workplace (Grants)).

(9) 34 CFR Part 86 (Drug-Free Schools and Campuses).

(b) The regulations for this program in 34 CFR Parts 400 and 425.

Invitational Priorities

Under 34 CFR 75.105(c)(1), the Secretary is particularly interested

in applications that focus primarily on one or more of the following

areas. However, an application that meets these invitational priorities

does not receive competitive or absolute preference over the

applications.

(a) Demonstrating strong ties with the State's school-to-work

activities through the integration of academic and vocational skills at

work-based learning sites.

(b) Demonstrating strong ties with the business and industry skill

standards projects funded by the Departments of Education and Labor

through the identification and use of concrete world-of-work examples

to teach abstract concepts and principles.

(c) Including both vocational and academic faculty and employers in

the design of integrated curricula and courses that are targeted at the

secondary and postsecondary levels of instruction.

(d) Involving the education community and employers in providing

inservice training for teachers of vocational education students and

administrators in the planning, implementation, and operation of

integrated curricula or programs.

(e) Disseminating information and materials regarding effective

strategies for integrating vocational and academic learning to national

audiences.

(f) Evaluating programs that integrate vocational and academic

learning through the use of experimental and control group samples.

Selection Criteria

The Secretary uses the following selection criteria to evaluate

applications for new grants under this competition. The maximum score

for all of these criteria is 100 points. The maximum score for each

criterion is indicated in parentheses. For this competition, the

Secretary assigns the fifteen points, reserved in 34 CFR 425.20(b), as

follows:

Program factors (34 CFR 425.21(a). Five points are added to this

criterion for a possible total of 15 points.

Educational significance (34 CFR 425.21(b)). Ten points are added

to this criterion for a possible total of 20 points.

(a) Program factors (15 points) The Secretary reviews each

application to assess the quality of the proposed project, including--

(1) The extent to which the project involves creative or innovative

methods for integrating vocational and academic learning; and

(2) The quality of the services that the project will provide to--

(i) Individuals who are members of special populations;

(ii) Vocational students in secondary schools and at postsecondary

institutions;

(iii) Individuals enrolled in adult programs; or

(iv) Single parents, displaced homemakers, and single pregnant

women.

(b) Educational significance (20 points) The Secretary reviews each

application to determine the extent to which the applicant--

(1) Bases the proposed project on successful model vocational

education programs that include components similar to the components

required by this program, as evidenced by empirical data from those

programs in such factors as--

(i) Student performance and achievement;

(ii) High school graduation;

(iii) Placement of students in jobs, including military service;

and

(iv) Successful transfer of students to a variety of postsecondary

education programs;

(2) Proposes project objectives that contribute to the improvement

of education; and

(3) Proposes to use unique and innovative techniques that address

the need to integrate vocational and academic learning, and produce

benefits that are of national significance.

(c) Plan of operation (15 points) The Secretary reviews each

application to determine the quality of the plan of operation for the

project, including--

(1) The quality of the project design, especially the establishment

of measureable objectives for the project that are based on the

project's overall goals;

(2) The extent to which the plan of management is effective and

ensures proper and efficient administration of the project over the

award period;

(3) How well the objectives of the project relate to the purpose of

the program;

(4) The quality of the applicant's plan to use its resources and

personnel to achieve each objective; and

(5) How the applicant will ensure that project participants who are

otherwise eligible to participate are selected without regard to race,

color, national origin, gender, age, or disability.

(d) Evaluation plan (15 points) The Secretary reviews each

application to determine the quality of the project's evaluation plan,

including the extent to which the plan--

(1) Carries out the requirements in 34 CFR 425.30;

(2) Is clearly explained and is appropriate to the project;

(3) To the extent possible, is objective and will produce data that

are quantifiable;

(4) Includes quality measures to assess the effectiveness of the

curricular developed by the project;

(5) Identifies expected outcomes of the participants and how those

outcomes will be measured;

(6) Includes activities during the formative stages of the project

to help guide and improve the project, as well as a summative

evaluation that includes recommendations for replicating project

activities and results;

(7) Will provide a comparison between intended and observed

results, and lead to the demonstration of a clear link between the

observed results and the specific treatment of project participants;

and

(8) Will yield results that can be summarized and submitted to the

Secretary for review by the Department's Program Effectiveness Panel,

as defined in 34 CFR 400.4(b). NOTE: The Program Effectiveness Panel

(PEP) is a mechanism the Department has developed for validating the

effectiveness of educational programs developed by schools,

universities, and other agencies. The PEP is composed of experts in the

evaluation of educational programs and in other areas of education, at

least two-thirds of whom are non-Federal employees who are appointed by

the Secretary. Regulations governing the PEP are codified in 34 CFR

Parts 785-789. Specific criteria for PEP review are found in 34 CFR

786.12 or 787.121.

(e) Demonstration and dissemination. (10 points) The Secretary

reviews each application for information to determine the effectiveness

and efficiency of the plan for demonstrating and disseminating

information about project activities and results throughout the project

period, including--

(1) High quality in the design of the dissemination plan and

procedures for evaluating the effectiveness of the dissemination plan;

(2) Identification of the audience to which the project activities

will be disseminated and provisions for publicizing the project at the

local, State, and national levels by conducting, or delivering

presentations at, conferences, workshops, and other professional

meetings and by preparing materials for journal articles, newsletters,

and brochures;

(3) Provisions for demonstrating the methods and techniques used by

the project to others interested in replicating these methods and

techniques, such as by inviting them to observe project activities;

(4) A description of the types of materials the applicant plans to

make available to help others replicate project activities and the

methods for making the materials available; and

(5) Provisions for assisting others to adopt and successfully

implement the methods, approaches, and techniques developed by the

project.

(f) Key personnel. (10 points)

(1) The Secretary reviews each application to determine the quality

of key personnel the applicant plans to use on the project, including--

(i) The qualifications, in relation to project requirements, of the

project director;

(ii) The qualifications, in relation to project requirements, of

each of the other key personnel to be used in the project;

(iii) The appropriateness of the time that each person referred to

in paragraphs (f)(1) (i) and (ii) will commit to the project; and

(iv) How the applicant, as part of its nondiscriminatory employment

practices, will ensure that its personnel are selected for employment

without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, age, or

disability.

(2) To determine personnel qualifications under paragraphs (f)(1)

(i) and (ii), the Secretary considers--

(i) The experience and training of key personnel in project

management and in fields related to the objectives of the project; and

(ii) Any other qualifications of key personnel that pertain to the

quality of the project.

(g) Budget and cost effectiveness. (10 points) The Secretary

reviews each application to determine the extent to which the budget--

(1) Is cost effective and adequate to support the project

activities;

(2) Contains costs that are reasonable and necessary in relation to

the objectives of the project; and

(3) Proposes using non-Federal resources available from appropriate

employment, training, and education agencies in the State to provide

services and activities and to acquire project equipment and

facilities, to ensure that funds awarded under this part are used to

provide instructional services.

(h) Adequacy of resources and commitment. (5 points)

(1) The Secretary reviews each application to determine the extent

to which the applicant plans to devote adequate resources to the

project. The Secretary considers the extent to which--

(i) The facilities that the applicant plans to use are adequate;

and

(ii) The equipment and supplies that the applicant plans to use are

adequate.

(2) The Secretary reviews each application to determine the

commitment to the project, including whether the--

(i) Uses of non-Federal resources are adequate to provide project

services and activities, especially resources of community

organizations and State and local educational agencies; and

(ii) Applicant has the capacity to continue, expand, and build upon

the project when Federal assistance under 34 CFR part 425 ends.

Additional Factors

(a) After evaluating the applications according to the selection

criteria, the Secretary determines whether the most highly rated

applications--

(1) Are equitably distributed throughout the Nation;

(2) Offer significantly different approaches to integrating

vocational and academic curricula; and

(3) Serve--

(i) Individuals who are members of special populations;

(ii) Vocational students in secondary schools;

(iii) Vocational students at postsecondary institutions;

(iv) Individuals enrolled in adult programs; or

(v) Single parents, displaced homemakers, and single pregnant

women.

(b) The Secretary may select other applications for funding if

doing so would improve the geographical distribution of, diversity of

approaches in, or the diversity of populations to be served by projects

funded under this program.

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 May 3, 1994 (59 FR 22904-22905).

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# 84.248, U.S. Department of Education, Room 4181, 400

Maryland Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20202-0125.

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, DC 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 six copies of the application on or

before the deadline date to: U.S. Department of Education, Application

Control Center, Attention: (CFDA# 84.248), Washington, DC 20202-4725,

or

(2) Hand deliver the original and six copies of the application by

4:30 p.m. (Washington, DC time) on the deadline date to: U.S.

Department of Education, Application Control Center, Attention: (CFDA#

84.248), Room #3633, Regional Office Building #3, 7th and D Streets

SW., Washington, DC.

(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 Acknowledgement to each applicant. If an applicant fails to

receive the notification of application receipt within 15 days from

the date of mailing the application, the applicant should call the

U.S. Department of Education Application Control Center at (202)

708-9494.

(3) The applicant must indicate on the envelope and--if not

provided by the Department--in Item 10 of the Application for

Federal Assistance (Standard Form 424) the CFDA number--and suffix

letter, if any--of the competition under which the application is

being submitted.

Application Instructions and Forms

To apply for an award under this program competition, your

application must be organized in the following order and include the

following five parts:

Application for Federal Assistance (Standard Form 424 (Rev. 4-88)).

Budget Information (ED Form No. 524).

Budget Narrative.

Program Narrative.

Additional Assurances and Certifications:

a. Assurances--Non-Construction Programs (Standard Form 424B).

b. Certification regarding Lobbying; Debarment, Suspension, and

Other Responsibility Matters; and Drug-Free Workplace Requirements (ED

80-0013) and Instructions.

c. Certification regarding Debarment, Suspension, Ineligibility and

Voluntary Exclusion: Lower Tier Covered Transactions (ED 80-0014, 9/90)

and Instructions.

(Note: ED 80-0014 is intended for the use of grantees and should

not be transmitted to the Department.)

d. Disclosure of Lobbying Activities (Standard Form LLL) (if

applicable) and Instructions, and Disclosure of Lobbying Activities

Continuation Sheet (Standard Form LLL-A).

All forms and instructions are included as Appendix A of this

notice. Questions and answers pertaining to this program are included,

as Appendix B, to assist potential applicants.

An applicant may submit information on a photostatic copy of the

forms in Appendix A. However, each of the pertinent documents must

include an original ink signature. All applicants must submit ONE

original signed application, including ink signatures on all forms and

assurances and SIX copies of the application. Please mark each

application as original or copy. Local or State agencies may choose to

submit two copies with the original. No grant may be awarded unless a

complete application form has been received.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Pariece M. Wilkins, U.S. Department of

Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, S.W. (Room 4512--MES), Washington, D.C.

20202-7242. Telephone (202) 205-9673. Individuals who use a

telecommunication 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; or on the Internet Gopher Server at

GOPHER.ED.GOV (under Announcements, Bulletins, and Press Releases).

However, the official application notice for a discretionary grant

competition is the notice published in the Federal Register.

Program authority: 20 U.S.C. 2420.

Dated: May 18, 1994.

Augusta S. Kappner,

Assistant Secretary, Office of Vocational and Adult Education.

Appendix A

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Public reporting burden for this collection of information is

estimated to vary from 13 to 22 hours per response, with an average

of 17.5 hours, including the time for reviewing instructions,

searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data

needed, and completing and reviewing the collection of information.

Send comments regarding this burden estimate or any other aspect of

this collection of information, including suggestions for reducing

this burden, to the U.S. Department of Education, Information

Management and Compliance Division, Washington, D.C. 20202-4651; and

the Office of Management and Budget, Paperwork Reduction Project

1875-0102, Washington, D.C. 20503

Instructions for ED Form No. 524

General Instructions

This form is used to apply to individual U.S. Department of

Education discretionary grants programs. Unless directed otherwise,

provide the same budget information for each year of the multi-year

funding request. Pay attention to applicable program specific

instructions, if attached.

Section A--Budget Summary U.S. Department of Education Funds

All applicants must complete Section A and provide a breakdown

by the applicable budget categories shown in lines 1-11.

Lines 1-11, columns (a)-(e):

For each project year for which funding is requested, show the

total amount requested for each applicable budget category.

Lines 1-11, column (f):

Show the multi-year total for each budget category. If funding

is requested for only one project year, leave this column blank.

Lines 12, columns (a)-(e):

Show the total budget request for each project year for which

funding is requested.

Lines 12, column (f):

Show the total amount requested for all project years. If

funding is requested for only one year, leave this space blank.

Section B--Budget Summary, Non-Federal Funds

If you are required to provide or volunteer to provide matching

funds or other non-Federal resources to the project, these should be

shown for each applicable budget category on lines 1-11 of Section

B.

Lines 1-11, columns (a)-(e):

For each project year for which matching funds or other

contributions are provided, show the total contribution for each

applicable budget category.

Lines 1-11, column (f):

Show the multi-year total for each budget category. If non-

Federal contributions are provided for only one year, leave this

column blank.

Lines 12, columns (a)-(e):

Show that total matching or other contribution for each project

year.

Lines 12, column (f):

Show the total amount to be contributed for all years of the

multi-year project. If non-Federal contributions are provided for

only one year, leave this space blank.

Section C--Other Budget Information

Pay attention to applicable program specific instructions, if

attached.

1. Provide an itemized budget breakdown, by project year, for

each budget category listed in Sections A and B.

2. If applicable to this program, enter the type of indirect

rate (provisional, predetermined, final or fixed) that will be in

effect during the funding period. In addition, enter the estimated

amount of the base to which the rate is applied, and the total

indirect expense.

3. If applicable to this program, provide the rate and base on

which fringe benefits are calculated.

4. Provide other explanations or comments you deem necessary

Instructions for Budget Categories

1. Personnel: Show salaries to be paid to project personnel.

2. Fringe Benefits: Indicate the rate and amount of fringe

benefits.

3. Travel: Indicate the amount requested for both inter- and

intra-State travel of project staff. Include funds for at least one

trip for two people to attend a project director's meeting in

Washington, D.C.

4. Equipment: Indicate the cost of non-expendable personnel

property that has a useful life of more than one year and a cost of

$300 or more per unit ($5,000 or more if State, Local, or Tribal

Government).

5. Supplies: Include the cost of consumable supplies and

materials to be used during the project.

6. Contractual: Show the amount to be used for (1) procurement

contracts (except those which belong on other lines such as supplies

and equipment); and (2) subcontracts.

7. Construction: Not allowable.

8. Other: Indicate all direct costs not clearly covered by lines

1 through 6 above, including consultants.

9. Total, Direct Cost: Show the total for lines 1 through 7.

10. Indirect Costs: Indicate the rate and amount of indirect

costs. NOTE: For training grants, the indirect cost rate cannot

exceed 8%.

11. Training/Stipend Cost: (if allowable)

Instructions for Budget Narrative

Prepare a detailed Budget Narrative for all four years of the

project that justifies, and/or clarifies the budget figures shown in

the budget summary. The Budget Narrative should explain, justify,

and, if needed, clarify your budget summary. For each line item

(personnel, fringe benefits, travel, etc.) in your budget explain:

1. How personnel costs are calculated--provide yearly and/or

hourly rates; for other than full-time staff, provide hours per day,

week, month, and year.

2. The basis used to estimate certain costs (professional

personnel, consultants, travel, indirect costs) and any other cost

that may appear usual;

3. How the major cost items relate to the proposed project

activities (refer to application page);

4. The costs of the project's evaluation component;

5. What matching occurs in each budget category.

Please limit this section to no more than five pages. Be sure

that each page of your application is numbered consecutively.

Instructions for Program Narrative

The program narrative will comprise the largest portion of your

application. This part is where you spell out the who, what, when,

where, why, and how of your proposed project.

Although you will not have a form to fill out for your

narrative, there is a format. This format is the selection criteria.

Because your application will be reviewed and rated by a review

panel on the basis of the section criteria, your narrative should

follow the order and format of the criteria.

Before preparing your application, you should carefully read the

legislation and regulations of the program, eligibility

requirements, information on any priority set by the Secretary, and

the selection criteria for this competition.

Your program narrative should be clear, concise, and to the

point. Begin the narrative with a one page abstract or summary of

your proposed project. Then describe the project in detail,

addressing each selection criterion in order.

The Secretary strongly requests you limit the program narrative

to no more than 30 double-spaced, typed pages (on one side only),

although the Secretary will consider your application if it is

longer. Be sure to number consecutively ALL pages in your

application.

You may include supporting documentation as appendices. Be sure

that this material is concise and pertinent to this program

competition.

You are advised that:

(a) The Department considers only information contained in the

application in ranking applications for funding consideration.

Letters of support sent separately from the formal application

package are not considered in the review by the technical review

panels. (EGAR Sec. 75.217)

(b) The technical review panel evaluates each application solely

on the basis of the established technical review criteria. Letters

of support contained in the application will strengthen the

application only insofar as they contain commitments which pertain

to the established technical review criteria, such as commitment and

resources.

Estimated Public Reporting Burden

Under terms of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1980, as amended,

and the regulations implementing that Act, the Department of

Education invites comment on the public reporting burden in this

collection of information. Public reporting burden for this

collection of information is estimated to average 90 hours per

response, including the time for reviewing instructions, searching

existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed,

and completing and reviewing the collection of information. You may

send comments regarding this burden to the U.S. Department of

Education, Information Management and Compliance Division,

Washington, D.C. 20202-4651; and to the Office of Management and

Budget, Paperwork Reduction Project, OMB 1830-0013, Washington, D.C.

20503. (Information collection approved under OMB control number

1830-0013. Expiration date: 2/28/95.)

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Appendix B

Potential applicants frequently direct questions to officials of

the Department regarding application notices and programmatic and

administrative regulations governing various direct grant programs. To

assist potential applicants the Department has assembled the following

most commonly asked questions.

Q. Can we get an extension of the deadline?

A. No. A closing date may be changed only under extraordinary

circumstances. Any change must be announced in the Federal Register and

apply to all applications. Waivers for individual applications cannot

be granted regardless of the circumstances.

Q. How many copies of the application should I submit and must they

be bound?

A. Our new policy calls for an original and six copies to be

submitted. The binding of applications is optional.

Q. We just missed the deadline for the XXX competition. May we

submit under another competition?

A. Yes, however, the likelihood of success is not good. A properly

prepared application must meet the requirements of the competition to

which it is submitted.

Q. I'm not sure which competition is most appropriate for my

project. What should I do?

A. We are happy to discuss any questions with you and provide

clarification on the unique elements of the various competitions.

Q. Will you help us prepare our application?

A. We are happy to provide general program information. Clearly, it

would not be appropriate for staff to participate in the actual writing

of an application, but we can respond to specific questions about

application requirements, evaluation criteria, and the priorities.

Applicants should understand that this previous preapplication

consultation is not required, nor will it in any way influence the

success of an application.

Q. When will I find out if I'm going to be funded?

A. You can expect to receive notification within 3 to 4 months of

the application closing date, depending on the number of applications

received and the number of competitions with closing dates at about the

same time.

Q. Once my application has been reviewed by the review panel, can

you tell me the outcome?

A. No. Every year we are called by a number of applicants who have

legitimate reasons for needing to know the outcome of the review prior

to official notification. Some applicants need to make job decisions,

some need to notify a local school district, etc. Regardless of the

reason, because final funding decisions have not been made at that

point, we cannot share information about the review with anyone.

Q. Will my application be returned if I am not funded?

A. We no longer return unsuccessful applications. Thus, applicants

should retain at least one copy of the application.

Q. Can I obtain copies of reviewers' comments?

A. Upon written request, reviewers' comments will be mailed to

unsuccessful applicants.

Q. Is travel allowed under these projects?

A. Travel associated with carrying out the project is allowed.

Because we will request the project directors and evaluators of funded

projects to attend an annual project directors meeting, you should

include annual trips for each to Washington, D.C., in the travel

budget. Travel to conferences is sometimes allowed when it is for

purposes of dissemination.

Q. If my application receives high scores from the reviewers, does

that mean that I will receive funding?

A. Not necessarily. It is often the case that the number of

applications scored highly by the reviewers exceeds the dollars

available for funding projects under a particular competition. The

order of selection, which is based on the scores of all the

applications and other relevant factors, determines the applications

that can be funded.

Q. What happens during negotiations?

A. During negotiations technical and budget issues may be raised.

These are issues that have been identified during the panel and staff

reviews that require clarification. Sometimes issues are stated as

``conditions.'' These are issues that have been identified as so

critical that the award cannot be made unless those conditions are met.

Questions may also be raised about the proposed budget. Generally,

these issues are raised because there is inadequate justification or

explanation of a particular budget item, or because the budget item

seems unimportant to the successful completion of the project. If you

are asked to make changes that you feel could seriously affect the

project's success, you may provide reasons for not making the changes

or provide alternative suggestions. Similarly, if proposed budget

reductions will, in your opinion, seriously affect the project

activities, you may explain why and provide additional justification

for the proposed expenses. An award cannot be made until all

negotiation issues have been resolved.

Q. How do I provide an assurance?

A. Except for SF-424B, ``Assurances--Non-Construction Programs,''

simply state in writing that you are meeting a proscribed requirement.

Q. Where can copies of the Federal Register, program regulations,

and Federal statutes be obtained?

A. Copies of these materials can usually be found at your local

library. If not, they can be obtained from the Government Printing

Office by writing to: Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government

Printing Office, Washington, D.C. 20402. Telephone: (202) 783-3238.

When requesting copies of regulations or statutes, it is helpful to use

the specific name, public law number, or part number. The material

referenced in this notice should be referred to as follows:

(1) Carl D. Perkins Vocational and Applied Technology Education Act

(Perkins Act) (Public Law 101-392, 104 Stat. 753 (1990)).

(2) State Vocational and Applied Technology Education Programs and

National Discretionary Programs of Vocational Education Final

Regulations, 34 CFR Parts 400 and 425.

(3) Education Department General Administrative Regulations, 34 CFR

Parts 74, 75, 77, 79, 80, 81, 82, 85, and 86.

Q. What are the Department of Education's Program Effectiveness

Panel and National Diffusion Network?

A. The Program Effectiveness Panel (PEP) is the Department of

Education's primary mechanism for validating the effectiveness of

educational programs developed by schools, universities, and other

agencies. The National Diffusion Network (NDN) is a Federally funded

dissemination system that helps public and private schools, colleges,

and other educational institutions improve by sharing successful

education programs, products, and processes.

Regulations governing PEP and NDN are codified at 34 CFR Parts 785-

789. For information about PEP, prospective applicants may wish to read

Making the Case: Evidence of Effectiveness in Schools and Classrooms,

which contains criteria and guidelines for submitting project results

to PEP. This publication, as well as information about NDN, is

available from RMC Research Corporation, 1000 Market Street,

Portsmouth, New Hampshire 03801. Telephone 1-800-258-0802. RMC Research

Corporation can also provide information about consultants who have

conducted evaluations that have been approved by PEP.

[FR Doc. 94-18474 Filed 7-29-94; 8:45 am]

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