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Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance

Program Descriptions

84.215:  Fund for the Improvement of Education

Popular Name:  FIE

Objectives:  To conduct nationally significant programs to improve the quality of education, assist all students to meet challenging State content standards, and contribute to the achievement of the National Education Goals.

PROGRAM AND AWARD	FINANCIAL AND INFORMATION CONTACTS
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS	FINANCIAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFO.
APPLICATION AND AWARD PROCESS	INFORMATION CONTACTS
RELATED PROGRAMS	ASSISTANCE CONSIDERATIONS
PROGRAM ACCOMPLISHMENTS	POST ASSISTANCE REQUIREMENTS

84.215 ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:

Applicant Eligibility:  State educational agencies, local educational agencies, institutions of higher education, public and private organizations and institutions may apply.

Beneficiary Eligibility:  State educational agencies, local educational agencies, institutions of higher education, public and private organizations and institutions will benefit.

Credentials/Documentation:  None.

84.215 APPLICATION AND AWARD PROCESS:

Preapplication Coordination:  Preapplications are not required for this program. This program is eligible for coverage under E.O. 12372, "Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs." An applicant should consult the office or official designated as the single point of contact in his or her State for more information on the process that State requires to be followed in applying for assistance, if the State has selected the program for review.

Application Procedure:  Described in application notices published annually in the Federal Register. Contact the headquarters office listed below for application packages containing the announcement, application, and assurance forms and for further information about the Fund for the Improvement of Education programs.

Award Procedure:  Awards are competitively selected following review by nonfederal experts and by program staff in accordance with 34 CFR 700, Evaluation of Applications for Grants and Cooperative Agreements. The Assistant Secretary of the Office of Educational Research and Improvement approves the selection.

Deadlines:  Announced in notices published in the Federal Register. Contact the headquarters office for further information about the Fund for the Improvement of Education programs.

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time:  About 120 days.

Appeals:  None.

Renewals:  As required by the Education Department General Administrative Regulations (EDGAR) for direct grant program (see 34 CFR 75.253). Generally, for multiple-year awards, continuation awards after the first budget period are made if: sufficient funds have been appropriated; the recipient has either made substantial progress in the meeting of the goals of the project or obtained approval for changes in the project; the recipient has submitted all required reports; and continuation is in the best interest of the government.

Criteria for Selecting Proposals:  The criteria for selecting proposals under this program are contained in 34 CFR 700, Evaluation of Applications for Grants Cooperative Agreements. The specific criteria to be used for particular grant competition are selected from among those in 34 CFR 700, and announced in the application package or application notice in the Federal Register.

Examples of Funded Projects:  In fiscal year 1997, under the specific FIE authority for the Partnerships in Character Education Pilot Project, four new Character Education Projects were funded in four States: Kentucky, Missouri, New Jersey, and South Carolina. In South Carolina, the State Department of Education has formed a partnership with four school districts to serve as pilot sites for the statewide transformation of South Carolina's schools. These four represent urban, small rural, and large rural districts. The districts plan to provide extensive professional development opportunities for teachers, use published character education materials innovatively, and have technology play a major role in facilitating the exchange of information among the districts. In New Jersey, the State Department of Education is working with the Newark School District and the Newark Do Something Fund, a community development agency, to develop an urban pilot project in character education. The program intends to infuse character education into the curriculum renewal process in the 62 Newark schools that have any combination of grades K-8. The project also plans to establish the New Jersey Character Education Network that will provide public and private schools a range of character education strategies, procedures, and program designs.

Range and Average of Financial Assistance:  The anticipated range is between $100,000 to $250,000, depending on availability of funds.

84.215 RELATED PROGRAMS:

84.215 PROGRAM ACCOMPLISHMENTS:

84.215 FINANCIAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFO:

Federal Agency:  OFFICE OF ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR EDUCATIONAL RESEARCH AND IMPROVEMENT, DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

Type of Assistance:  Project Grants.

Obligations:  FY 99 $139,000,000; FY 00 est $243,864,000; and FY 01 est $137,150,000.

Budget Account Number:  91-1100-2-1-503.

Authorization:  Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965; Title X, Part A, as amended, 20 U.S.C. 8001-8007.

Regulations, Guidelines, and Literature:  Education Department General Administrative Regulations, 34 CFR 74, 75, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 85, and 86.

84.215 INFO CONTACTS:

Regional or Local Office:  Not applicable.

Headquarters Office:  Office of Educational Research and Improvement, Department of Education, 555 New Jersey Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20208-5645. Contact: Pat Knight. Phone: (202) 219-1768.

(See Appendix IV for more contact info.)

84.215 ASSISTANCE CONSIDERATIONS:

Formula and Matching Requirements:  None.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance:  Awards are made annually. Following an initial, competitively selected award, additional non-competing continuation awards may be made. The possible length of the project is announced in the application notice in the Federal Register. Renewals are subject to the availability of appropriations.

Uses and Use Restrictions:  Funds may be used to support a wide range of projects under the FIE general authority for programs, and additional specific program authorities. Each year competitions are announced in the Federal Register. Specific limitations and restrictions for each competition are provided in the Federal Register notice.

84.215 POST ASSISTANCE REQUIREMENTS:

Reports:  As required by the Education Department General Administrative Regulations (EDGAR) for direct grant programs (34 CFR 75). Generally, annual performance and financial reports are required.

Audits:  See 34 CFR 74.26. Institutions of higher education and nonprofit organizations are subject to the audit requirements of OMB Circular No. A-133. State and local governments are subject to the requirements in the Single Audit Act and the ED regulations implementing OMB Circular No. A-133.

Records:  As required by EDGAR for direct grant programs (34 CFR part 75). Generally, records related to grant funds, compliance, and performance must be maintained for a period of 5 years after completion.