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Tuesday,

June 3, 2003

Part VII

Department of
Education
Office of Innovation and Improvement;
Parental Information and Resource
Centers Program; Notice Inviting
Applications for New Awards for Fiscal
Year (FY) 2003; Notice

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33332 Federal Register / Vol. 68, No. 106 / Tuesday, June 3, 2003 / Notices

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION based and community organizations are and public school choice afforded to
eligible to apply for funding provided their children under section 1116 of the
[CFDA No. 84.310A]
that they are nonprofit organizations. ESEA. The Secretary believes that this
Office of Innovation and Improvement; For purposes of the PIRC program, the competitive preference will increase the
Parental Information and Resource term ‘‘non-profit organization’’ does not likelihood that the activities of the
Centers Program; Notice Inviting include institutions of higher education, funded PIRCs will improve services to
Applications for New Awards for Fiscal State educational agencies, LEAs, parents of students who are attending
Year (FY) 2003 intermediate school districts, schools, low-performing schools (the schools
government entities, or hospitals. that are not making adequate academic
AGENCY:Department of Education. Applications Available: June 3, 2003. progress), leading to enhancements in
Notice inviting applications for
ACTION: Deadline for Transmittal of student academic achievement.
new awards for fiscal year (FY) 2003. Applications: July 18, 2003. (2) The Secretary will give 10
Deadline for Intergovernmental additional points to each ‘‘novice
Purposes of Program: The Parental Review: September 16, 2003. applicant’’. For the purposes of this
Information and Resource Centers Notification of Intent to Apply for grant competition a novice applicant is
(PIRC) program provides resources that Funding: We will be able to develop a an applicant that (1) has never received
eligible applicants can use in pursuit of more efficient process for reviewing a grant under the PIRC program; (2) has
the objectives of the No Child Left grant applications if we have a better never been a member of group
Behind (NCLB) Act, which provides understanding of the number of entities application (submitted in accordance
resources to enable all elementary and that intend to apply for funding. with 34 CFR 75.127–75.129) that
secondary students to achieve to high Therefore, we strongly encourage each received a grant under the PIRC
standards and holds schools, local potential applicant to send, by June 18, program; and (3) has not had an active
educational agencies, and States 2003, a notification of its intent to apply discretionary grant from the Federal
accountable for ensuring that they do so. for funding to the following address: Government in the five years before July
In particular, this program provides an patricia.kilby-robb@ed.gov. 18, 2003.
opportunity for eligible entities to focus The notification of intent to apply for These points will be in addition to
on assisting the parents of children who funding is optional and should not any points the applicant earns under the
attend schools identified for include information regarding the selection criteria.
improvement, corrective action, or proposed application. Eligible Performance Measures: The Secretary
restructuring under Title I, Part A of the applicants that fail to provide the has established the following key
Elementary and Secondary Education notification may still submit an performance measure for assessing the
Act (ESEA). effectiveness of the PIRC program: the
application by the application deadline.
The PIRC program supports school- number of parents who receive the
Estimated Available Funds: $20.5
based and school-linked parental information necessary for them to
million.
information and resource centers that— understand their State accountability
Estimated Range of Awards: $200,000
(1) Help implement effective parental system and the opportunities for
to $700,000.
involvement policies, programs, and supplemental services and public
Estimated Average Size of Awards:
activities that will improve children’s school choice afforded to their children
$500,000.
academic achievement; under section 1116 of the ESEA. The
Estimated Number of Awards: 40.
(2) Develop and strengthen Secretary has set an overall performance
partnerships among parents (including Note: These estimates are projections for target that calls for the number of
the guidance of potential applicants. The parents receiving such information from
parents of children from birth through
Department is not bound by any estimates in
age five), teachers, principals, PIRC projects to increase by five percent
this notice.
administrators, and other school annually.
personnel in meeting the educational Project Period: Up to 36 months. In applying the selection criteria that
needs of children; Applicable Regulations and Statute: follow for the ‘‘Quality of the project
(3) Develop and strengthen the (a) Regulations. The Education design’’ and the ‘‘Quality of the project
relationship between parents and their Department General Administrative evaluation’’, the Secretary will take into
children’s school; Regulations (EDGAR) in 34 CFR parts consideration the extent to which the
(4) Further the developmental 74, 75, 77, 79, 81, 82, 85, 97, 98, and 99. applicant demonstrates a strong
progress of children assisted under the The regulations in 34 CFR Part 80 also capacity (1) to help achieve this
program; apply to an LEA that is part of a nationwide target, and (2) to provide
(5) Coordinate activities funded under consortium receiving assistance. (b) reliable data to the Department on the
the program with parental involvement Statute. Sections 5561 to 5565 of the project’s impact as measured by the
initiatives funded under section 1118 Elementary and Secondary Education number of parents participating in PIRC
and other provisions of the ESEA; and Act as reauthorized by the No Child Left activities that are designed to provide
(6) Provide a comprehensive approach Behind Act of 2001. parents with the information necessary
to improving student learning, through for them to understand their State
Priority
coordination and integration of Federal, accountability system and the
State, and local services and programs. Under 34 CFR 75.105(c)(2), we have opportunities for supplemental services
Eligible Applicants: Non-profit established the following two and public school choice afforded to
organizations, or consortia of non-profit competitive preferences for the FY 2003 their children under section 1116 of the
organizations and local educational PIRC competition: ESEA.
agencies (LEAs). LEAs alone are not (1) The Secretary will give up to 20 Selection Criteria: We will use the
eligible to apply for funding. additional points to each applicant that following selection criteria and factors
A ‘‘non-profit organization’’ is an proposes specific strategies to assist to evaluate applications under this
organization whose net earnings do not parents in understanding their State competition.
benefit, and cannot lawfully benefit, any accountability system and the The maximum score for all of the
private shareholder or entity. Faith- opportunities for supplemental services selection criteria is 100 points. The total

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Federal Register / Vol. 68, No. 106 / Tuesday, June 3, 2003 / Notices 33333

maximum score of an application is 130 In determining the quality of project requirement those rules where the
points (100 points under the selection personnel, the Secretary considers the Secretary determines it would cause
criteria and an additional 30 points following factors: extreme hardship to the intended
under the competitive preferences). (1) The qualifications, including beneficiaries of the program that would
The Secretary will use the following relevant training and experience, of key be affected by those rules. The
selection criteria to evaluate personnel (including the project Secretary, in accordance with section
applications for PIRC projects under this director); and 437(d)(2) of GEPA, has decided to forgo
competition: (2) The qualifications, including public comment with respect to the
(a) Need for project (15 points). relevant training and experience, of competitive priority in this grant
In determining the need for the project consultants or subcontractors. competition in order to ensure timely
proposed project, the Secretary (e) Adequacy of resources (5 points). and high-quality awards. These rules
considers the following factors: In determining the adequacy of will apply only to the FY 2003 grant
(1) The extent to which the proposed resources for the proposed project, the competition.
project will focus on serving or Secretary considers the following FOR APPLICATIONS AND FURTHER
otherwise addressing the needs of factors: INFORMATION CONTACT: Patricia Kilby-
disadvantaged individuals; and (1) The adequacy of support, Robb, U.S. Department of Education,
(2) The extent to which specific gaps including facilities, equipment, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW., room
or weaknesses in services, supplies, and other resources, from the 3E209, FOB–6, Washington, DC 20202–
infrastructure, or opportunities have applicant organization or the lead 6254. Telephone: (202) 260–2225 or via
been identified and will be addressed by applicant organization; and Internet: patricia.kilby-robb@ed.gov.
the proposed project, including the (2) The extent to which the costs are If you use a telecommunications
nature and magnitude of those gaps or reasonable in relation to the number of device for the deaf (TDD), you may call
weaknesses. persons to be served and to the the Federal Information Relay Service
anticipated results and benefits. (FIRS) at 1–800–877–8339.
(b) Quality of the project design (25
(f) Quality of management plan (10 Individuals with disabilities may
points).
points). obtain this document in an alternative
In determining the quality of the In determining the quality of the
design of the proposed project, the format (e.g., Braille, large print,
management plan for the proposed audiotape, or computer diskette) on
Secretary considers the following project, the Secretary considers the
factors: request to the program contact person
following factors: listed under FOR APPLICATIONS AND
(1) The extent to which the goals, (1) The adequacy of the management
objectives, and outcomes to be achieved FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT.
plan to achieve the objectives of the Individuals with disabilities may
by the proposed project are clearly proposed project on time and within
specified and measurable; obtain a copy of the application package
budget, including clearly defined in an alternative format by contacting
(2) The extent to which the design of responsibilities, timelines, and
the proposed project is appropriate to, that person. However, the Department is
milestones for accomplishing project not able to reproduce in an alternative
and will successfully address, the needs tasks; and
of the target population or other format the standard forms included in
(2) The adequacy of mechanisms for the notice.
identified needs; ensuring high-quality products and
(3) The extent to which the design of services from the proposed project. Electronic Access to This Document
the proposed project reflects up-to-date (g) Quality of the project evaluation You may view this document, as well
knowledge from research and effective (20 points). as all other Department of Education
practice; In determining the quality of the documents published in the Federal
(4) The extent to which the proposed evaluation, the Secretary considers the Register, in text or Adobe Portable
project represents an exceptional following factors: Document Format (PDF) on the Internet
approach to meeting statutory purposes (1) The extent to which the methods at the following site: http://www.ed.gov/
and requirements; and of evaluation include the use of legislation/FedRegister.
(5) The extent to which the proposed objective performance measures that are To use PDF, you must have the Adobe
project will be coordinated with similar clearly related to the intended outcomes Acrobat Reader, which is available free
or related efforts, and with other of the project and will produce at this site. If you have questions about
appropriate community, State, and quantitative and qualitative data to the using PDF, call the U.S. Government
Federal resources. extent possible; and Printing Office (GPO), toll free, at 1–
(c) Quality of project services (15 (2) The extent to which the methods 888–293–6498; or in the Washington,
points). of evaluation will provide for DC, area at (202) 512–1530.
In determining the quality of the performance feedback and permit
Note: The official version of this document
services to be provided by the project, periodic assessment of progress toward is the document published in the Federal
the Secretary considers the following achieving intended outcomes. Waiver of Register. Free Internet access to the official
factors: Proposed Rulemaking: It is the edition of the Federal Register and the Code
(1) The likely impact of the services Secretary’s practice, in accordance with of Federal Regulations is available on GPO
to be provided by the proposed project the Administrative Procedure Act (5 Access at: http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/
on the intended recipients of those U.S.C. 553) to offer interested parties the index.html.
services; and opportunity to comment on proposed
Program Authority: 20 U.S.C. 7273 et seq.
(2) The likelihood that the services to rules that are not taken directly from
be provided by the proposed project statute. Ordinarily, this practice would Dated: May 29, 2003.
will lead to improvements in the have applied to the competitive priority Nina S. Rees,
achievement of students as measured and selection criteria in this notice. Deputy Under Secretary for Innovation and
against rigorous academic standards. Section 437(d)(2) of the General Improvement.
(d) Quality of project personnel (10 Education Provisions Act (GEPA), [FR Doc. 03–13837 Filed 6–2–03; 8:45 am]
points). however, exempts from this rulemaking BILLING CODE 4000–01–P

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