Hi Rachel,

Thank you again for taking the time to discuss this collection with us.  Per our conversation I am sending you the updated documents and memo that outlines the changes.  I am also including the responses to your questions.  Let me know if we need to follow-up with anything additional.

Thank you,

Jennifer

1.  Please explain specifically how this information collection is changing from the previous approval.

Response:  In the reauthorized Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Improvement Act of 2006 (Perkins IV), Congress has expanded and added elements to the statement of purpose, most significantly by stating that, among other statutory purposes, programs should build on the efforts of States and localities to develop challenging academic and technical standards, and to assist students in meeting such standards, including student academic achievement standards, especially in preparation for the high skill, high wage, or high demand occupations in emerging or established professions.  (20 U.S.C. 2301 (1))  Congress has also added to the statement of purpose the requirement that programs should provide technical assistance that promotes leadership, initial preparation, and professional development, improve the quality of career and technical education teachers, faculty, principals, administrators, and counselors.  (20 U.S.C. 2301 (5))  Additionally, the Act's purpose section has been amended to include supporting partnerships among schools, postsecondary institutions, baccalaureate degree granting institutions, area career technical centers, local workforce investment boards, business and industry, professional associations, and intermediaries, as well as providing career and technical education students with opportunities throughout their lives, in conjunction with other education and training programs, to attain the knowledge and skills needed in this competitive National economy.  (20 U.S.C. 2301 (6) and (7)).

As a result of the statutory changes in Perkins IV, OVAE is requesting OMB approval of this collection package, in order to conduct a grant review and publish selection criteria, budget instructions, program narrative and guidelines for the appeals process in the Federal Register.  Additionally, OVAE plans to collect performance/statistical reports, evaluation reports, and Government Performance Results Act (GPRA) data to support continuation awards.

2.  Was information collected in the period of nonapproval for this collection?

Response:  No

3.  Please explain what information grantee will have to submit in the years following the award of the grant (2008 - 2010).  Is there a different form for this?  Is that information also submitted via <http://grants.gov> grants.gov?

Response:  The grantees will submit the narrative goals and objectives, budget information, performance data, GPRA data, and evaluation reports, following the award of the grant.  This information is required, in order to determine if grantees have made substantial progress toward meeting their goals and objectives, so that OVAE can approve the grantee for a continuation award.

This continuation award information will be submitted electronically, through the Department's e-Reports system, using the approved ED-524B form.

4.  Why doesn't this application use the SF-424 (the government wide version)?  What information do you collect that the common government-wide form does not collect?

Response:  The Native American Career and Technical Education Program (NACTEP) will use the SF-424 form and instructions, which will be added to the standard forms and instructions of the NACTEP application package.  Additionally, the ED-424 form will be deleted from the NACTEP application package.  The revised document is attached. 

Please feel free to contact me if you need clarification of any of the responses.

Thanks,
Gwen Washington
U.S. Department of Education
Potomac Center Plaza
550 - 12th Street, SW
Washington, DC 20202-7241
Phone (202) 245-7790
FAX    (202) 245-7170
email address:  [email protected]

<<1830-0542 OMB Memo 3-1-07.pdf>> <<1830-0542 Application Package (tracked changes) 3-7-07.doc>> <<1830-0542 Application Package Forms 2-27-07.doc>>