SCIENCE CLUBS Purpose To strengthen future scientific accomplishment in the Nation by assisting in the development of a body of boys and girls with a special interest in science by: a. Encouraging, fostering, and assisting in the establishment in localities throughout the Nation of clubs composed of boys and girls having an interest in science. b. Ultimately having an organization chartered by the Congress as a corporation to develop interest in science on the part of young people, provide opportunity for exchange of scientific information and ideas among members of clubs, encourage the promotion of science fairs where they may display their scientific works and projects, and develop an awareness of the satisfactions to be derived through a career devoted to science. 1/ Public Law 85-875 authorizes "such sums, not in excess of $50,000 as may be necessary.........." 2/ Public Law 85-875 specifies that the U.S. Commissioner of Education "may utilize any of the personnel and facilities of the Office of Education in carrying out this Act." Funds are allotted from the appropriation for "Salaries and Expenses" of the Office. Method of Distribution A panel of specialists in science education reviews proposals for pilot youth programs in science. This panel makes recommendations to the U.S. Commissioner of Education. Upon his favorable action, contracts are made by the Office of Education to cover approved projects. Who May Receive Federal Aid State departments of education and other nonprofit educational institutions in the Nation. Application Procedure With the enabling legislation as a guide, interested eligible participants draft and then forward to the Office of Education such proposals as they deem to be appropriate to their needs for pilot youth programs in science. Developments During the Past Year There were 1 regional science congresses for youth which were held under the program in a total of 11 States during fiscal year 1965, compared with 12 in a total of 9 States in fiscal year 1964. Six States which received funds under earlier contracts, continued their programs without further financial assistance through the Office of Education in fiscal year 1965. Legal Basis Public Law 85-875, September 2, 1958--20 U.S.C. 2 note. Additional information may be obtained from: Director, Division of Plans and Supplementary Centers, Bureau of Elementary and Secondary Education, Office of Education, U.S. Department of Health, Education, and Welfare, Washington, D. C. 20202. Purpose IMPROVEMENT OF STATISTICAL SERVICES OF STATE EDUCATION AGENCIES 1. To improve and strengthen the adequacy and reliability of educational statistics provided by State and local reports and records. 2. To improve methods and techniques for collecting and processing education data and disseminating information about the condition and progress of education in the States. The program was authorized by the National Defense Education Act of 1958 for fiscal years 1959 through 1962. Public Law 87-344 extended the authorization through fiscal year 1964. Public Law 88-10 authorized the program for another year. The National Defense Education Act Amendments, 1964 extended the authorization for three additional years; namely, through fiscal year 1968. For purposes of the program, the term "State" is defined to include any of the 50 States and five territories and the Canal Zone. 1/ Matching figures reflect minimum rather than actual amounts of State expenditures. In fiscal year 1965, for example, Florida reported $424,425 in State expenditures "matching" the $50,000 Federal grant, while some States reported only the amount of their total expenditures for the program which represents the matching of Federal funds. Method of Distribution Payments may be made only for new programs or additions to or expansions of existing programs, and only if the State plan approved by the U.S. Commissioner of Education includes such a program. Payments are made by letter of credit on the basis of annual estimates submitted by the States and approved by the Office of Education. This letter of credit is a commitment, certified by the Office of Education, of a monthly availability of cash from a Federal Reserve Bank in favor of the State grantee agency. Authorized State officials then may draw funds from a local commercial bank or branch to cover the Federal share of disbursements. Source of Data: Regulations: 24 F.R. 11097, December 31, 1959--45 C.F.R. 140 (with enabling legislation authorizing the program through fiscal year 1968). Matching Requirements Dollar for dollar. Who May Receive Federal Aid State education agencies or officers primarily responsible for State supervision of public elementary and secondary schools. Application Procedure Prior to the beginning of the fiscal year, the State education agency files with the Office of Education its "Annual Estimate and Description of Specific Activities Under State Plan" (on Form OE 2094) and indicates the amount of Federal funds required. Developments During the Past Year On the basis of annual requests from States of the Union other than Nevada and Wyoming, and from Guam, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands, $1,995,947 in Federal funds were obligated for the program in fiscal year 1965, including the maximum of $50,000 for each of 21 States. Federal funds made available on a monthly basis actually totaled $1,896,934 with 18 States receiving maximum grants of $50,000 each. The 51 participating agencies.actually used $1,808,312 in Federal funds, including $50,000 each for 15 States. The other three States receiving maximum grants used most of the sum. State education agencies employed 514 persons under the program. Federal funds contributed to continuing improvement of systems and procedures for verification, processing, storage, and retrieval of statistical information. Of the 56 agencies eligible to participate in the program, 53 were using automatic data processing equipment extensively for statistical services in fiscal year 1965; namely, all except American Samoa, the Virgin Islands, and the Canal Zone. Legal Basis Public Law 85-864 (National Defense Education Act of 1958), September 2, 1958, title X, section 1009 (72 Stat. 1605) as amended by Public Laws 87-344, October 3, 1961, section 208 (75 Stat. 761); 88-210, December 18, 1963, part 3, section 28 (b) (77 Stat. 419); and 88-665 (National Defense Education Act Amendments, 1964), October 16, 1964, section 802 (78 Stat. 1107)--20 U.S.C. 589. Additional information may be obtained from Field Programs Branch, Division of Data Sources and Standards, National Center for Educational Statistics, Office of Education, U.S. Department of Health, Education, and Welfare, Washington, D.C. 20202. STRENGTHENING STATE DEPARTMENTS OF EDUCATION Purpose 1. To provide a program of basic grants, special project grants, and interchanges of personnel to: Stimulate and assist States in strengthening leadership resources of their State departments of education. b. Assist State departments of education in establishing and improving programs to identify and meet the education needs of the States. The Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 authorizes this proThis law defines the term "State" to mean any of the 50 States of the Union, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, or the Virgin Islands. Basic grants may be used for such activities as statewide educational planning, data collection and dissemination, educational research and demonstration projects, publishing and distributing materials, improving the quality of teacher preparation, studies concerning the financing of public education in the State, statewide measurement of the educational achievement of pupils, staff improvement (sabbatical leave programs, fellowships and traineeships, and conferences, institutes, and workshops), and provision of consultative and technical assistance to local education agencies. Special project grants may be used to pay part of the cost of experimental projects for developing State leadership and for establishing special services having promise of substantial contribution toward solution of problems common to several or all the States. Interchanges of personnel between the Office of Education and State departments of education or other State-level education agencies may be arranged when of aid to the Office in more effective discharge of its statutory responsibilities, including cooperation with States and provision of technical or other assistance. The period of assignment under such arrangements may not exceed two years. 1/ The entire $17,000,000 appropriation was obligated during fiscal year 1966, with expenditures scheduled to extend over a longer period. |