Secretary for an internship in response to an application notice published by the Secretary in the FEDERAL REG

ISTER.

(b) A student applying for an internship shall

(1) Obtain a recommendation as gifted and talented from a vocational educator at the secondary or postsecondary school the student attends. The recommendation must state why the student is considered gifted and talented. The recommendation must be attached to the student's application;

(2) Submit to the State director of vocational education for the State in which the student attends a vocational education program, a copy of his or her application;

(3) Indicate, in the application, a first and second choice of agencies or organizations where the student would like to be an intern; and

(4) Submit with the application, an agreement to follow the code of conduct of the agency or organization that will sponsor the intern.

(c) The Secretary considers for internships only students recommended by State directors of vocational education. The State director's recommendation must include an assurance that

(1) The student is available to take part in this program during the specified dates;

(2) A parent or guardian of a student who has not reached the age of majority in a State has formally consented for the student to take part in this program; and (3) The secondary or postsecondary school the student attends has provided authorization for the student to participate in this program, if the internship will interfere with school attendance.

(Approved by the Office of Management and Budget under Control No. 1830-0013) (Authority: 20 U.S.C. 2414(d))

§ 419.21 How does the Secretary evaluate an application for an internship?

(a) The Secretary evaluates an application on the basis of the criteria in § 419.22.

(b) The Secretary may award up to 100 points, including a reserved 15 points to be distributed in accordance

$419.22 What selection criteria does the Secretary use?

The Secretary uses the following criteria to evaluate an application:

(a) Goal of the internship. (30 points) ¿ The Secretary reviews each application to determine the extent to which there

(1) Is a clearly stated goal to be achieved during the internship. This goal must be directly related to the present area of study the student is pursuing; and

(2) Are measurable objectives to be met during the internship.

(b) Internship plan. (40 points) The Secretary reviews each application to determine the quality of the internship plan, including

(1) Choice of internship site;

(2) Statement of understanding from the proposed sponsor, including a description of the

(i) Sponsoring agency's internship work plan, including specific assignments and learning experiences; and

(ii) Supervision to be provided to the intern through the sponsoring agency; and

(3) The length and description of the internship.

(c) Budget. (15 points) The Secretary reviews each application to determine the extent to which the intern has identified expenses that are reasonable and adequate to support the proposed internship.

(Approved by the Office of Management and Budget under Control No. 1830-0013) (Authority: 20 U.S.C. 2414(d))

§419.23 What other factors may the Secretary consider?

(a) After evaluating the applications according to the criteria in §419.22, the Secretary determines whether the most highly rated applications are equitably distributed throughout the Nation.

(b) The Secretary may select other applications for funding if doing so would improve the geographical distribution of internships funded under this program.

(Authority: 20 U.S.C. 2301, 2414(d))

$419.24 How does the Secretary assign interns?

(a) In assigning students to internships, the Secretary considers the following:

(1) The opportunities to be provided by approved agencies or organizations. (2) The goals of potential interns. (3) The intern's choice of agencies or organizations.

(4) The availability of interns. (b) In consultation with approved sponsors, the Secretary assigns interns to an agency or organization that will provide the best opportunities for an intern to accomplish his or her goals. (Authority: 20 U.S.C. 2414(d))

$419.25 How is the amount of a stipend determined?

An intern's stipend is based on a subsistence allowance and other expenses of the intern, such as necessary travel expenses related to the internship, consistent with 5 U.S.C. chapter 57.

(Authority: 20 U.S.C. 2414(d))

$419.26 How is a stipend distributed? The Secretary pays an intern's stipend through the agency or organization sponsoring the internship. The sponsoring agency or organization must enter into an agreement with the Secretary to establish a payment schedule.

(Authority: 20 U.S.C. 2414(d))

$419.31 Under what conditions may the Secretary discontinue an internship?

(a) The Secretary may discontinue an internship, if the intern fails to

(1) Comply with the provisions under this part, including failure to obtain an approved leave of absence under §419.30, or with the terms and conditions of the internship award;

(2) Disclose any information that substantially affects his or her financial need for a cost item included in the stipend; or

(3) Report any change in his or her academic status.

(b) The Secretary discontinues an internship only after providing reasonable notice and an opportunity for the intern to rebut, in writing or in an informal meeting with the responsible official in the Department, the basis for the decision.

(Approved by the Office of Management and Budget under Control No. 1830-0013) (Authority: 20 U.S.C. 2414(d))

$419.32 Under what conditions must internship payments be returned? (a) An intern who officially or unofficially withdraws from an internship or is expelled from an agency or organization before completion of an internship shall refund to the Secretary all or a prorated portion of the internship payments that have been received, as determined by the Secretary.

(b) If the individual is no longer eligible for an internship, the intern must return any unexpended funds received during the academic term in which the individual no longer qualifies for par

ticipation under this program. The amount of unexpended funds is determined by prorating the amount received for the internship in proportion to the amount of the internship during which the individual was no longer eligible for an award.

(Authority: 20 U.S.C. 2414(d))

$419.33 What is the repayment schedule?

(a) An intern required to repay all or a portion of internship payments shall begin repayments within one month of the date he or she ceases to be an intern.

(b) An intern must repay the required amount, including interest, in a lump sum or installment payments approved by the Secretary.

(Authority: 20 U.S.C. 2414(d))

§ 419.34 What interest is charged?

(a) The Secretary charges an intern interest on the unpaid balance owed by an intern in accordance with 31 U.S.C. 3717.

(b) No interest is charged for the period of time

(1) That precedes the date on which the intern is required to commence repayment; or

(2) During which repayment has been deferred under § 419.35.

(Authority: 20 U.S.C. 2414(d))

$419.35 Under what circumstance is repayment deferred?

The Secretary may defer repayment if an intern

(a) Resumes an internship;

(b) Is a member of the Armed Forces of the United States on active duty;

(c) Is in service as a volunteer under the Peace Corps Act; or

(d) Demonstrates to the Secretary's satisfaction the existence of extraordinary circumstances that prevents him or her from making a scheduled payment.

(Authority: 20 U.S.C. 2414(d))

§ 419.36 What is the length of the deferment of repayment?

(a) Unless the Secretary determines otherwise, an intern shall renew a deferment on a yearly basis.

(c) National joint apprenticeship committees.

(d) Comparable national organizations, such as educational associations, industry councils, business and industry organizations, and associations of private or national research organizations.

(Authority: 20 U.S.C. 2416)

$421.3 What activities may the Secretary fund?

The Secretary provides grants and cooperative agreements for projects that organize and operate businesslabor-education technical committees that propose national standards for competencies in industries and trades, including standards for—

(a) Major divisions or specialty areas identified within occupations studied; (b) Minimum hours of study to be competent in those divisions or specialty areas;

(c) Minimum tools and equipment required in those divisions or specialty areas;

(d) Minimum qualifications for instructional staff; and

(e) Minimum tasks to be included in any course of study purporting to prepare individuals for work in those divisions or specialty areas.

(Authority: 20 U.S.C. 2416)

$421.4 What regulations apply?

The following regulations apply to the Business and Education Standards Program:

(a) The regulations in this part 421. (b) The regulations in 34 CFR part 400.

(Authority: 20 U.S.C. 2416)

$421.5 What definitions apply?

The definitions in 34 CFR 400.4 apply to this part.

(Authority: 20 U.S.C. 2416)

Subpart B-(Reserved)

Subpart C-How Does the
Secretary Make an Award?

§ 421.20 How does the Secretary evaluate an application?

(a) The Secretary evaluates an application for a grant or cooperation agreement on the basis of the criteria in § 421.21.

(b) The Secretary may award up to 100 points, including a reserved 15 points to be distributed in accordance with paragraph (d) of this section, based on the criteria in § 421.21.

(c) Subject to paragraph (d) of this section, the maximum possible score for each criterion is indicated in parentheses after the heading for each criterion.

(d) For each competition as announced through a notice published in the FEDERAL REGISTER, the Secretary may assign the reserved points among the criteria in §421.21. (Authority: 20 U.S.C. 2416)

§ 421.21 What selection criteria does the Secretary use?

The Secretary uses the following criteria to evaluate an application:

(a) Program factors. (15 points) The Secretary reviews each application to assess the quality and effectiveness of the applicant's approach to developing national standards for competencies in industries and trades, including the extent to which the application proposes

(1) To develop standards for

(i) The competencies required for actual jobs, including the increased competency requirements created by the changing workplace;

(ii) Major divisions or specialty areas identified within the occupations the applicant proposes to study;

(iii) The minimum hours of study needed to be competent in those divisions or specialty areas;

(iv) Minimum tools and equipment required in those divisions or specialty

areas;

(v) Minimum tasks to be included in any course of study purporting to prepare individuals for work in those divisions or specialty areas; and

(vi) Minimum qualifications for instructional staff in those divisions or specialty areas; and

(2) An adequate needs assessment of the program factors described in paragraph (a)(1) of this section as a part of the project.

(b) Extent of need for the project. (15 points) The Secretary reviews each application to determine the extent to which the project meets specific needs, including

(1) The extent of the need for national standards for competencies in the major division or specialty areas identified within the occupations that the applicant proposes to study;

(2) How the applicant identified and documented those needs;

(3) How the standards to be developed Iwill meet those needs, including the need of business for competent entrylevel workers in the occupations to be studied; and

(4) The benefits to business, labor, and education that will result from meeting those needs.

(c) Plan of operation. (15 points) The Secretary reviews each application to determine the quality of the plan of operation for the project, including the extent to which

(1) The plan of management will be effective, will ensure proper and efficient administration of the program, and includes timelines that show starting and ending dates for all tasks;

(2) The specific procedures proposed will accomplish the project's objectives, including how the procedures for selecting the business-labor-education technical committees will ensure that the members are knowledgeable about the occupations to be studied and include representatives of business, labor, and education;

(3) The applicant plans to organize and operate the business-labor-education technical committees effectively in developing national standards for competencies in industries and trades;

(4) The development of proposed competencies for major divisions or specialty areas within occupations will be coordinated with education and industrial trade associations, labor organizations, and businesses;

(5) The methods the applicant proposes to use to select project participants, if applicable, will ensure that project participants who are otherwise eligible to participate are selected without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, age, or disability.

(d) Evaluation plan. (10 points) The Secretary reviews each application to determine the quality of the evaluation plan for the project, including the extent to which the plan includes specific procedures for

(1) A formative evaluation to help assess and improve the accuracy of standards for competencies; and

(2) A summative evaluation conducted by an independent evaluator.

(e) Key personnel. (10 points) (1) The Secretary reviews each application to determine the extent of the applicant's experience in fields related to the objectives of the project.

(2) The Secretary reviews each application to determine the quality of key personnel the applicant plans to use including

(i) The qualifications, in relation to project requirements, of the project director, if one is to be used;

(ii) The qualifications, in relation to project requirements, of each of the other key personnel to be used in the project;

(iii) The appropriateness of the time that each person referred to in paragraphs (e)(2) (i) and (ii) of this section will commit to the project; and

(iv) The experience and training of the project director and key personnel in project management.

(f) Budget and cost effectiveness. (10 points) The Secretary reviews each ap plication to determine the extent to which

(1) The budget is adequate to support the project; and

(2) Costs are reasonable in relation to the objectives of the project.

(g) Dissemination plan. (10 points) The Secretary reviews each application to determine the quality of the dissemination plan for the project, including(1) A clear description of the dissem:nation procedures;

(2) A description of the types of materials the applicant plans to make available;