The Department administers two formula grant programs under Title V, Part B (Rural Education Achievement Program (REAP)) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA): the Small, Rural School Achievement (SRSA) program, administered by the Department, which makes awards directly to local educational agencies (LEAs); and the Rural and Low-Income School (RLIS) program, awarded by the Department to State Educational Agencies (SEAs), which then make awards to and administer the program for LEAs. The Department may also make RLIS awards directly to LEAs in States that do not submit an approvable RLIS application to the Department. These LEAs that apply directly to the Department for RLIS funding are known as Specially Qualified Agencies (SQAs).
The information provided to the Department enables the Department to make eligibility determinations for LEAs and to calculate formula allocations for each eligible LEA. Form 1 consists of the REAP Eligibility Spreadsheet through which SEAs provide to the Department eligibility and allocation data for both the RLIS and SRSA programs. Form 2 consists of the application package for LEAs under the SRSA program. Form 3 consists of the application package for SQAs under the RLIS program. This is a request for extension of the current information collection package (OMB #1810-0646), updated for the future fiscal years in which the collection would apply.
On behalf of this Federal agency, I certify that the collection of information encompassed by this request complies with 5 CFR 1320.9 and the related provisions of 5 CFR 1320.8(b)(3).
The following is a summary of the topics, regarding the proposed collection of information, that the certification covers:
(i) Why the information is being collected;
(ii) Use of information;
(iii) Burden estimate;
(iv) Nature of response (voluntary, required for a benefit, or mandatory);
(v) Nature and extent of confidentiality; and
(vi) Need to display currently valid OMB control number;
If you are unable to certify compliance with any of these provisions, identify the item by leaving the box unchecked and explain the reason in the Supporting Statement.