ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:

Applicant Eligibility:   Eligible telecommunications partnerships must be organized on a statewide or multistate basis. Two types of partnerships are eligible: (1) A public agency or corporation established for the purpose of developing and operating telecommunications networks to enhance educational opportunities provided by educational institutions, teacher training centers, and other entities, provided that the agency or corporation represents the interests of elementary and secondary schools eligible to participate under Title 1 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965; or (2) a partnership that will provide telecommunications services and includes three or more of the following entities, at least one of which shall be State or local educational agency: (a) A local educational agency, that serves a significant number of elementary and secondary schools that are eligible for assistance under Part A, of Title 1 or elementary and secondary schools operated or funded for Indian children by the Department of the Interior; (b) A State educational agency; (c) adult and family education programs; (d) an institution of higher education or a State higher education agency; (e) a teacher training center or academy; (f) a public or private entity with experience and expertise in the planning and operation of a telecommunications network, including entities involved in telecommunications through satellite, cable, telephone, or computer; or a public broadcasting entity with such experience; or (g) a public or private elementary or secondary school.

Beneficiary Eligibility:   Elementary and secondary school students and teacher benefits.

Credentials/Documentation:   None.

Pre-application Coordination:   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 the State requires to be followed in applying for assistance, if the State has selected the program for review. The standard application forms as furnished by the Federal agency and required by OMB Circular No. A-102 must be used for this program.

Application Procedure:   Described in the application notice published in the Federal Register. Contact the headquarters office listed below for application packages containing the application notice and application assurance forms.

Award Procedure:   The Assistant Secretary for Educational Research and Improvement approves the selection of applications for negotiation. The selection of applications is competitive, based on staff and nonfederal review according to the selection criteria contained in the Education Department General Administrative Regulations (EDGAR) at 34 CFR 74.210 and the application notice published in the Federal Register.

Deadlines:   Announced in the application notice published in the Federal Register. Contact the headquarters office listed below for further information.

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time:   Approximately 120 days following the application deadline.

Appeals:   Not applicable.

Renewals:   As required by the Education Department General Administrative Regulations (EDGAR) for direct grant programs (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 meeting 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.

ASSISTANCE CONSIDERATIONS:

Formula and Matching Requirements:   The Federal share for the first and second fiscal years shall be 75 percent; for the third and fourth years 60 percent; and for the fifth year 50 percent. All resources must be used to supplement and not supplant resources otherwise available for the purposes of the grant. Other regulations in 34 CFR 74, Subpart G (cost-sharing or matching), apply. The Secretary of Education will consider requests to reduce or waive matching requirements if financial hardship is demonstrated.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance:   Following a competitively selected award of up to twelve months, awards may be made for up to 4 subsequent years; subject to the availability of funds.

POST ASSISTANCE REQUIREMENTS:

Reports:   As required by the Education Department General Administrative Relations (EDGAR) for direct grant programs (see 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 requirement of OMB Circular No. A-133. In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular No. A-133 (Revised, June 24, 1997), "Audits of States, Local Governments, and Nonprofit Organizations," nonfederal entities that expend financial assistance of $300,000 or more in Federal awards will have a single or a program-specific audit conducted for that year. Nonfederal entities that expend less than $300,000 a year in Federal awards are exempt from Federal audit requirements for that year, except as noted in Circular No. A-133.

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

FINANCIAL INFORMATION:

Account Identification:   91-1000-0-1-501.

Obligations:   (Grants) FY 01 $59,318,000; FY 02 est $27,520,000; and FY 03 est $0.

Range and Average of Financial Assistance:   Not applicable.

In fiscal year 2001, 20 awards were granted.

REGULATIONS, GUIDELINES, AND LITERATURE:

The Department of Education General Administrative Regulations (EDGAR) 34 CFR 74, 75, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 85, and 86.

INFORMATION CONTACTS:

Regional or Local Office:   Not applicable.

Headquarters Office:  
THIS PROGRAM HAS BEEN DISCONTINUED*

Web Site Address:   http://www.ed.gov/prog_info/StarSchools

EXAMPLES OF FUNDED PROJECTS:

TEAMS (Telecommunications Education for Advances in Mathematics and Science Education) is the project operated by the Los Angeles County Office of Education. This was the first Star Schools Project to specifically address the needs of large urban districts. The partners in the project include the Los Angeles County Educational Telecommunications Network, the Los Angeles Unified School District, District of Columbia Public Schools, Boston Public Schools, Atlanta Public Schools and Salt Lake City public schools. Science and technology experiences have been developed for grades four and five, multicultural mathematics and problem solving were the focus for grades seven through ten, and student-to-student teleconferences and career exploration were emphasized for grades seven through twelve. Special programs were also developed for students with limited English proficiency. A parent education component and staff development teleconference are key to enriching the educational opportunities of students in these major cities. Since its first award in 1990, TEAMS has added Charlotte-Mecklenburg, and the States of Arizona, Missouri, Georgia, Detroit Public Schools, Eastern New Mexico University, Georgia Public Broadcasting, Louisiana Public Broadcasting, Mississippi Educational Television, Missouri Success Link, KOCE TV and New Mexico to its partnership.

CRITERIA FOR SELECTING PROPOSALS:

Contained in EDGAR (34 CFR 75.210).