The Magnet Schools Assistance program
provides grants to eligible local educational agencies to establish
and operate magnet schools that are operated under a court-ordered
or federally approved voluntary desegregation plan. These grants
assist in the desegregation of public schools by supporting the
elimination, reduction, and prevention of minority group isolation
in elementary and secondary schools with substantial numbers of
minority group students. In order to meet the statutory purposes of
the program under Title V of the Elementary and Secondary Education
Act, projects also must support the development and implementation
of magnet schools that assist in the achievement of systemic
reforms and provide all students with the opportunity to meet
challenging academic content and student academic achievement
standards. Projects support the development and design of
innovative education methods and practices that promote diversity
and increase choices in public education programs. The program
supports capacity developmentthe ability of a school to help all
its students meet more challenging standardsthrough professional
development and other activities that will enable the continued
operation of the magnet schools at a high performance level after
funding ends. Finally, the program supports the implementation of
courses of instruction in magnet schools that strengthen students
knowledge of academic subjects and their grasp of tangible and
marketable vocational skills.
On behalf of this Federal agency, I certify that
the collection of information encompassed by this request complies
with 5 CFR 1320.9 and the related provisions of 5 CFR
1320.8(b)(3).
The following is a summary of the topics, regarding
the proposed collection of information, that the certification
covers:
(i) Why the information is being collected;
(ii) Use of information;
(iii) Burden estimate;
(iv) Nature of response (voluntary, required for a
benefit, or mandatory);
(v) Nature and extent of confidentiality; and
(vi) Need to display currently valid OMB control
number;
If you are unable to certify compliance with any of
these provisions, identify the item by leaving the box unchecked
and explain the reason in the Supporting Statement.