Greetings and Salutations Central California, I received this the other day and I thought some of you might be interested. R. Marmolejo [log in to unmask] ED offers newest UB grantees option to change objectives before August 31st The newest Upward Bound programs, including those funded under the HR2669 and first-time grantees in the 2007 UB, UBMS, and VUB competitions, will have the option to seek changes to their grant objectives if tied to the "needs" sections of their grants, the director of the federal TRIO programs said Friday. The U.S. Department of Education is offering this opportunity to modify grant objectives because, in some cases, there is no other way these projects can be successful, federal TRIO Director Linda Byrd-Johnson told the COE Board of Directors. She estimated that 250 projects fell in this newest UB category and would be eligible to seek the changes before August 31st. In some instances, the new projects have set objectives reflecting 80%-90% student achievement levels while serving schools with only 30% student achievement levels, she said - an apparent recipe for failure. That is why the Department is willing to consider permitting these changes. With regard to the newly-awarded external TRIO monitoring contract, Byrd-Johnson said that projects selected for site visits by the outside monitors (from the American Institutes for Research - AIR) would receive written notice six weeks in advance. Approximately 45 institutions are slated for site visits, beginning as early as July, but more likely September or even later. She also indicated that exact site visit dates may be negotiable, based on local circumstances. The 45 institutions on the Department's TRIO "monitoring index" are based on a number of factors, including overall funding levels, accreditation status, and matching requirements, she told the COE Board at a luncheon meeting at the Washington Hilton Hotel. The monitoring index does not relate to TRIO programs, but to overall funding from the Office of Postsecondary Education. However, all institutions on the index do sponsor TRIO programs. Apparently seeking to reduce anxiety about the external monitoring process, Byrd-Johnson said: * The outside monitors will conduct the site visits "as though TRIO staff" were doing it, and she has found the AIR team "extremely responsive;" * "Monitoring is not necessarily a bad thing," she observed, because it may yield useful information on best practices that the TRIO staff can pass along; * All site visit reports will go through Byrd-Johnson's office and be reviewed by her before being released to ensure consistency and fairness; * ED's TRIO staff will still make some site visits, particularly in response to complaints from "disgruntled parents, students, and former employees." Between 1999 and 2002 the TRIO programs collectively returned $52 million to the U.S. Treasury because those funds lapsed (i.e. were not spent before the end of their grant awards.) Byrd-Johnson said she wants to make sure that does not continue to happen, and urges TRIO directors and staff to draw down their funds appropriately to pay for expenses in a timely fashion. Next year, I don't want to have to refuse to award continuation grants because grant funds were not used on time, she warned. The money should be used to replenish books and supplies or otherwise appropriately support students, she said. The money was allocated to serve TRIO students and should be used for that purpose. Byrd-Johnson was warmly received by the COE Board during the final day of the board's spring meeting. Other comments by Byrd-Johnson: 1. The Training Grants deadline was May 23rd and she hopes to make the awards by June 30. 2. The SSS Competition application will be published soon, and ED will sponsor workshops (dates to be announced). 3. If the Higher Education Act is reauthorized before fall of 2008, it will have an impact on the SSS competition, specifically because it will allow branch campuses to apply for grants. 4. A report from the U.S. Office of Inspector General about the investigation into the 2006 Talent Search and EOC competitions will likely be released by the end of the summer. <http://www.congressweb.com/t/i/?EFEUZLDROK> To no longer receive email from us click here <http://www.congressweb.com/t/u/?EFEUZLDROK> .