forms of specialized training which precede, and are required or recommended for, employment as a member of a Follow Through project staff.

"Primary grades" means grades 1 through 3 inclusive.

"Project sponsor” means a college, university, regional education laboratory, or other agency, organization or institution which receives a grant or contract to undertake some or all of the activities listed in § 158.51 and which maintains a contractual relationship with one or more local Follow Through projects for the purpose of conducting such activities in conjunction with such projects.

"Project area" means the local community or the smaller geographic area within such community (defined by school attendance zones or other similar neighborhood boundaries) in which a Follow Through project operates.

"Project staff" means all persons who work (full time or part time) directly in the Follow Through project, either on public or private school premises, whether or not such persons are paid with funds made available under the Act.

"Rural" as applied to a geographic area, means an area which is not included within a Standard Metropolitan Statistical Area (as defined by the U.S. Bureau of Census) and which is not within or coterminous with a city, town, borough, or village or other subcounty political unit, the population of which exceeds 2,500.

"State" means a State, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the District of Columbia, Guam, American Samoa, the Virgin Islands, and the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands.

(Economic Opportunity Act, Title V, sec. 571(2) (Pub. L. 93-644 sec. 8(a)))

"State educational agency" means the State board of education or other agency or officer primarily responsible for the State supervision of public elementary and secondary schools, or, if there is no such officer or agency, an officer or agency designated by the Governor or State law.

"Supplementary training" means the training of paraprofessionals and nonprofessionals in programs leading

to college level degrees, particularly in the field of early childhood education. (Economic Opportunity Act, Title V, sec. 551(a); 553(a)(1)(3) (Pub. L. 93-644 sec. 8(a)))

§ 158.3 Planned variation.

(a) Follow Through project grants are made to local educational agencies and other public or non-profit private agencies, organizations, or institutions in order to explore the effects of a number of promising approaches to the education of children from lowincome families in the early elementary grades. Most grantees must agree to carry out the project in cooperation with project sponsors who have developed such approaches in affiliation with the U.S. Office of Education.

(b) In order to assess the effectiveness of each approach, evaluation data is being collected by the U.S. Office of Education. Because the collection of data will continue for a number of years, project and sponsor grantees are required to work together in the development and implementation of the sponsor's approach for the period of their participation in the Follow Through program except if the Commissioner determines otherwise.

(Economic Opportunity Act, Title V, secs. 551, 553(a) (1), (2) (Pub. L. 93-644 sec. 8(a)))

Subpart B-Grants for Local Follow Through Projects

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS AND PROCEDURES

§ 158.11 Eligible applicants.

(a) Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this section, the Commissioner will provide financial assistance under this subpart, in the form of grants, only to local educational agencies.

(b) Whenever the Commissioner determines that (1) a local educational agency receiving assistance under paragraph (a) of this section is unable or unwilling to serve private school children as required by § 158.28 or (2) it is otherwise necessary in order to best fulfill the purposes of Follow Through as set forth in § 158.1, he may provide financial assistance to be used for this purpose to a Head Start

agency or other public or appropriate non-profit private agency, organization, or institution.

(Economic Opportunity Act, Title V, section 551(a) (1), (2) (Pub. L. 93-644 sec. 8(a)))

§ 158.12 Eligible children.

(a) Low-income children. Subject to the provisions of paragraph (b) of this section, only low-income children enrolled in the early elementary grades may participate in projects funded under this subpart. At least 50 percent of the children in each entering class shall be children who have previously participated in a full-year Head Start or similar quality preschool program and who were low-income children at the time of enrollment in such preschool program; except that the Commissioner may reduce this percentage requirement in special cases where he determines that its enforcement would prevent the most effective use of Follow Through funds (e.g., where the grantee is implementing a racial desegregation plan).

(b) Non-low-income children. If the Commissioner determines (1) that participation in the project of children from diverse socio-economic backgrounds would enhance the development of the low-income children to be served and would benefit the community in which the project is located, or (2) that such socio-economic diversity in a particular project will produce evidence concerning how best to fullfill the purposes of Follow Through as set forth in § 158.1, he may require or permit the inclusion of a specified percentage of children other than lowincome children in the project. The inclusion of such other children in a project shall not in any case dilute or interfere with the services designed for low-income children. In order to prevent such dilution, families of such other children may be required to pay (to the extent that the family's financial situation makes payment appropriate), or have payment made in their behalf from some other source, e.g., by the grantee, for all or part of the identifiable costs of the services such children receive.

(c) Procedures for selection. Agencies proposing to operate or continue projects under this subpart shall establish

procedures for identification and selection of eligible children which comply with the requirements of this section and shall set forth such procedures in the project proposal. Such procedures shall assure that every reasonable effort will be made (1) to serve first the poorest children enrolled under paragraph (a) of this section, and (2) to determine an equitable basis on which payment shall be made with respect to children enrolled under paragraph (b) of this section.

(d) Records. Each project shall maintain records establishing that its identification and selection of eligible children complied with the requirements in this section.

(Economic Opportunity Act, Title V, secs. 551(a), 553(a) (1), (2) (Pub. L. 93-644 sec. 8(a)))

§ 158.13 Selection of grantees and application procedures.

(a) In order to provide the necessary continuity for evaluation of the planned variation approaches provided for in § 158.3, grants will be given only to applicants who are successfully conducting Follow Through projects during the current fiscal year and who demonstrate the capability to continue to so operate projects in accordance with the planned variation approach.

(b) Project proposals will be disposed of by the Commissioner in accordance with § 100a.27 of this chapter, and negotiated in a process of consultation with the applicant and low-income parents of Follow Through children as needed.

(Economic Opportunity Act, Title V, secs. 551 (a) (1), (3); 553(a)(1) (Pub. L. 93-644 sec. 8(a)))

§ 158.15 Criteria for refunding of projects.

In accordance with the provisions of § 158.13(b) and the criteria set forth in § 100a.26(b) of this chapter, the Commissioner reviews funding for projects under this subpart on the basis that the applicant has satisfactorily operated a federally-funded Follow Through project in the immediate prior year consistent with the purposes of the program as set forth in § 158.1. In order to determine whether the applicant has satisfactorily operated a Follow Through project in the imme

diate prior year in accordance with the purposes of the program as set forth in § 158.1, the following criteria shall be used (each of the criteria shall be rated on the following scale: unsatisfactory, satisfactory, above average, outstanding):

(a) The proportion of children enrolled in the schools of the project who are low-income according to the official poverty line as defined by the Office of Management and Budget;

(b) The proportion of children enrolled in the schools of the project who are graduates of Head Start or similar preschool programs as required by § 158.12(a);

(c) The provision for parental and community involvement as required by § 158.26(b);

(d) The participation of Follow Through parents in the development and operation of the project as required by § 158.19 (a) and (d);

(e) The role of the Policy Advisory Committee in recommending the filling of staff positions as required by § 158.19 (d) (3) and (4);

(f) The extent to which the membership of the Policy Advisory Committee is composed of low-income parents elected by such parents as required by § 158.19(b);

(g) The extent to which the Policy Advisory Committee participates in the decision-making process in respect to important aspects of the project in accordance with § 158.19(d).

(h) The extent to which priority is given to low-income parents in the employment of nonprofessionals and paraprofessionals as required by § 158.20;

(i) If appropriate, the extent to which the supplementary training program is serving nonprofessional and paraprofessional staff of the project in accordance with § 158.26(h)(3);

(j) The role of the Career Development Committee as required by § 158.19(d)(9);

(k) The provision for staff training as required by § 158.26(g);

(1) The extent to which the instructional component is implemented as required by § 158.26(a);

(m) The provision and coordination of comprehensive services as required by §§ 158.26 and 158.26(b):

(1) Nutrition;

(2) Medical and dental services; (3) Social services;

(4) Psychological services; (5) Career development;

(n) The use or the coordination, or both, of other resources and programs with the project in accordance with § 158.25(b); and

(0) The extent to which the evaluations conducted to date indicate program effectiveness according to criteria such as those defined by § 158.24(b).

(Economic Opportunity Act, Title V, secs. 551(a) (1), (3), 554(a) (Pub. L. 93-644 sec. 8(a)))

§ 158.15a Additional funds for demonstration.

For the purpose of conducting expanded demonstration activities, the Commissioner may make additional funds available to certain applicants which have been selected for funding in accordance with § 158.15 for the same year for which the additional funds are to be made available. These applicants must have received a satisfactory rating with respect to all the funding criteria listed in § 158.15, and must have received an outstanding rating with respect to the funding criteria listed in § 158.15 paragraphs (1) and (o). The following additional criterion will be applied in making awards under this section: the extent to which the applicant has the capability of demonstrating educational practices to large numbers of interested persons. Factors to be used in determining this capability include the following: geographic location, ease of accessibility, availability of transportation and lodging facilities for large numbers of persons, and personnel resources. The requirements imposed by § 158.64 of this part with respect to non-Federal share do not apply to funds made available under this section.

(42 U.S.C. 2929b(a)(1).)

§ 158.16 Financial support of projects.

The grantee shall support project activities conducted under this subpart through the following combination of

resources:

(a) The normal effort (in funds and services) which the grantee is required to maintain under § 158.67 and upon which the project builds;

(b) The Federal funds appropriated under the Act and distributed under this subpart; and

(c) The non-Federal contribution required §§ 158.64 and 158.65.

(42 U.S.C. 2929, 2929a)

PROJECT MANAGEMENT

§ 158.18 Project coordinator.

(a) Position. Each grantee receiving funds under this subpart shall, with the approval of the Policy Advisory Committee described in § 158.19, appoint a project coordinator to be responsible for overall project management. The position of project coordinator shall be a full-time position, unless the Commissioner, in individual cases, specifies otherwise.

(b) Duties. The project coordinator's duties shall include: (1) supervising all project staff; (2) serving as liaison between the project and Federal, regional, State, and local agencies involved in the Follow Through program; (3) working with the program sponsor to implement the program approach selected; (4) attending all relevant Follow Through meetings, workshops, and training sessions sponsored by the Commissioner or by the project's program sponsor; (5) ensuring that project components and activities are interrelated so that children are not served in a fragmented manner; and (6) maintaining communication and cooperation among the program sponsor, Follow Through parents, Policy Advisory Committee members, project staff, administrative and other school staff, and the various community agencies and organizations serve low-income persons.

which

(Economic Opportunity Act, Title V, sec. 551 (1), (2) (Pub. L. 93-644 sec. 8(a)))

§ 158.19 Policy Advisory Committee.

(a) Purpose. Each grantee shall, upon the identification of Follow Through project children, establish a Policy Advisory Committee, selected in accordance with paragraphs (b) and (c) of this section, to assist with the

planning and operation of project activities and to actively participate in decision making concerning such activities.

(b) Membership. (1) More than onehalf of the Policy Advisory Committee members shall be low-income Follow Through parents who are elected (or reelected) by such parents in elections held at least annually.

(2) The remaining members shall be chosen by the parent members, elected under paragraph (b)(1) of this section, from among the various persons and representatives of agencies and organizations in the community who have manifested concern in the interests of low-income persons.

(3) In no case shall an officer of the Policy Advisory Committee serve for more than two consecutive years as an officer.

(c) Advisors. At the request of the Policy Advisory Committee, elected or appointed officials and employees of the local educational agency (including project staff) in whose jurisdiction the project is located and any group contracted to work for such agency may serve in an advisory capacity to the Committee, but shall in no case have the right to vote.

(d) Duties. The Policy Advisory Committee's duties shall include: (1) Developing by-laws which define the purposes and procedures of the Committee; (2) helping to develop all components of the project proposal and approving them in their final form; (3) assisting in the development of criteria for selection of professional staff and recommending the selection of such staff; (4) assisting in the development of criteria for the selection of nonprofessional and paraprofessional staff, exercising primary responsibility in recommending the selection of such staff for participation in the project and for participation in supplementary training programs which the Commissioner may from time to time sponsor; (5) exercising the primary role in developing criteria for selection and recruiting of eligible children which are required by § 158.12; (6) contributing to the continued effectiveness of the project coordinator; (7) establishing and operating a procedure of petition and discussion under which

complaints of parents and other interested persons can be promptly and fairly considered; (8) mobilizing community resources and securing the active participation of Follow Through parents in the projects; (9) supervising a Career Development Committee to provide direction and initiative for the career development component as required by § 158.26(h). The members of the Career Development Committee shall be appointed by the Policy Advisory Committee from among the following groups in numbers adequate to assure their effective representation: (i) the low-income Follow Through parents, including low-income parent members of the Policy Advisory Committee, (ii) paraprofessionals and nonprofessionals working in the project, and (iii) the professional members of the project staff. The Career Development Committee's duties shall include: (i) devising a career development plan in accordance with § 158.26(h), (ii) assisting the Policy Advisory Committee to fulfill its responsibilities under paragraph (d)(4) of this section for selecting paraprofessionals and nonprofessionals to participate in supplementary training programs which the Commissioner may from time to time sponsor.

(e) Funding. (1) In order to facilitate the functioning of the Policy Advisory Committee, (i) the committee shall submit a proposed budget of its projected operational costs for each budget period to the grantee for inclusion in the grantee's application, and on the basis of such budget and the negotiations held pursuant to § 158.13 (b), and in accordance with local laws and regulations, shall at the beginning of each grant period allocate to the Committee a sum sufficient to allow it effectively to fulfill its responsibilities under paragraph (d) of this section.

(2) Funds allocated to the Policy Advisory Committee under paragraph (e) (1) of this section shall not be used for: (i) the purchase of classroom equipment, (ii) classroom instructional purposes, (iii) personal loans or expenditures.

(3) Policy Advisory Committee members may be compensated for attending a negotiation workshop, special

Whenever an opening exists in project staff positions for nonprofessionals or paraprofessionals, the grantee shall actively solicit applications from low-income persons and give preference to such persons in hiring. The highest priority shall be accorded to low-income persons who are parents of Follow Through children. The grantee shall establish hiring procedures which assure that the Policy Advisory Committee will be primarily responsible for recommending the filling of nonprofessional and paraprofessional positions in accordance with § 158.19(d) (4).

(Economic Opportunity Act, Title V, sec. 554 (a) (Pub. L. 93-644 sec. 8(a))

§ 158.22 Parent-implemented projects.

(a) Eligible projects. The Commissioner may designate certain of the projects funded under this subpart as parent-implemented projects. projects. Both projects operated directly by nonprofit, private agencies or organizations constituted by parent groups to whom grants are awarded under § 158.11 (b)(2) and projects operated by other grantees who delegate significant operating authority to a parent group are eligible for such a designation.

(b) Functions of parents. In a parent-implemented project, the parents (as defined in paragraph (c) of this section) shall assume at least the following functions in regard to project management: (1) All functions of the Policy Advisory Committee set forth in § 158.19(d); (2) all functions of the Career Development Committee set forth in § 158.19 (d)(9); (3) primary responsibility and authority for select