UNCLASSIFIED (U)

2 FAM 600
OVERSEAS SCHOOLS PROGRAM

2 FAM 610

ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION ABROAD

(CT:GEN-530; 10-12-2018)
(Office of Origin: A/OPR/OS)

2 FAM 611 ASSISTANCE TO SCHOOLS ABROAD

(CT:GEN-399; 10-18-2012)

Assistance is given to schools abroad to enable them to provide educational opportunities to dependents of U.S. citizens under Chief of Mission authority carrying out programs of the U.S. Government abroad and to serve as showcases for U.S. education by helping the schools abroad meet costs arising from their location abroad. The assistance is intended to supplement a schools normal tuition income and fees through the support of specific activities. It cannot be considered a regular source of budgetary support in lieu of tuition, unless because of its location abroad, local laws, and regulations, etc., such assistance can be justified.

2 FAM 611.1 Basic Policies Regarding Assistance to Schools Abroad

2 FAM 611.1-1 The Office of Overseas Schools (A/OPR/OS)

(CT:GEN-457; 07-05-2016)

The Office of Overseas Schools (A/OPR/OS):

(1) Respects and supports the character of U.S. sponsored schools abroad as private institutions serving the public interest abroad, working within the laws and regulations of the countries in which the schools are located;

(2) Encourages and offers the schools assistance toward self-evaluation of their educational and cultural programs and of their efforts to facilitate meeting the Department's dual objectives with regard to schools abroad;

(3) Assists schools during their developmental and expansion stages, expecting that schools in the maintenance stage should finance recurring and capital expenses from their own resources, contributions, or private loans and, therefore, require less assistance;

(4) Conducts liaison activities with other U.S. Government agencies concerning any activities described in these regulations;

(5) Encourages the coordination as well as improvement of curricula among schools abroad to minimize dislocation of or loss of credits for students who transfer to or between such schools;

(6) Encourages the schools to set tuition fees at a level adequate to finance the usual recurring costs (adequate teachers' salaries, educational materials, transportation of students, and rent and maintenance of school buildings) of good educational programs found normally in the United States; and

(7) Normally limits assistance to one school per post; however, it may assist more than one school at post when any of these conditions exist:

(a) It can be demonstrated that a majority of dependents of U.S. citizens under Chief of Mission authority carrying out programs of the U.S. Government abroad attend the school not assisted;

(b) The school usually assisted by the Department is overcrowded and can no longer admit dependents of U.S. citizens under Chief of Mission authority carrying out programs of the U.S. Government; and

(c) Otherwise when conditions at post require such assistance in the best interests of the U.S. Government.

2 FAM 611.1-2 Purposes of Assistance

(CT:GEN-457; 07-05-2016)

Purposes of assistance may include but are not limited to:

(1) Improving the general quality of educational programs;

(2) Aiding in the recruitment and support of qualified U.S.-citizen educational leadership personnel and development of in-service training activities for teaching and administrative personnel;

(3) Providing up-to-date U.S. instructional supplies and equipment, especially for learning centers, libraries and science laboratories;

(4) Supporting educational programs, including educational workshops and seminars, consultation by specialists and other in-service training activities under school-to-school and university-to-school projects; English language and area studies programs;

(5) Carrying out activities so as to better relate the U.S. sponsored school to the local community;

(6) If funding under the Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange Act becomes available, the purposes of assistance may also include: financial aid programs for deserving foreign nationals so as to implement demonstration projects, or for other purposes as provided herein; and/or

(7) If USAID funding becomes available, purposes of assistance may also include capital projects:

(a) Assistance for construction and/or other capital improvements may be made only in special circumstances after receipt by A/OPR/OS of full justification (e.g., lack of other available facilities, unreasonable cost of leased facilities compared with amortized construction costs, move of a national capital, substantial influx of dependents of U.S. citizens under Chief of Mission authority carrying out programs of the U.S. Government abroad, demonstrably unsafe or inadequate facilities, destruction or damage of facilities through fire, flood, or other similar cause, and the like). Post must certify that there is no adequate elementary or secondary school for the grades required at post or within reasonable daily commuting distance; or that there are a sufficient number of U.S. citizen dependent children at post, or anticipated at post, to justify the proposed project; and

(b) Before assistance can be provided for site acquisition, evidence must be presented to A/OPR/OS that specific sites are available, including information about cost and payment terms for construction. Post must submit preliminary architectural/engineering plans, site plans, specifications, and cost estimates to A/OPR/OS and the Bureau of Overseas Buildings Operations (OBO).

2 FAM 611.2 Program Objectives

(CT:GEN-457; 07-05-2016)

Program objectives of A/OPR/OS are:

(1) To provide assistance to elementary and secondary schools abroad to ensure the best possible educational programs for dependents of U.S. citizens under Chief of Mission authority carrying out programs of the U.S. Government abroad;

(2) To increase mutual understanding between the people of the United States and of other countries by:

(a) Financing studies, instruction, and other educational activities of nationals of foreign countries in U.S. sponsored schools abroad; and

(b) Assisting in the establishment, expansion, maintenance and operation of U.S. sponsored schools abroad in order to demonstrate educational methods and practices employed in the United States; and

(3) To assist Foreign Service posts in assessing the quality of educational opportunities for dependent children and in developing educational programs for dependent children when there are no such facilities available.

2 FAM 611.3 Scope

(CT:GEN-299; 05-30-2000)

These regulations apply to the Office of Overseas Schools (A/OPR/OS) and its program, and to posts and to schools abroad during the time they are participating in the Department of States Consolidated Overseas Schools Assistance Program.

2 FAM 611.4 Funding

(CT:GEN-317; 03-08-2005)

Funds for assistance to schools are authorized under three legislative authorities cited in 2 FAM 611.7. Eligibility criteria are outlined under each of the legislative authorities in 2 FAM 614.

2 FAM 611.5 Funds Transfer

(CT:GEN-410; 07-11-2013)

a. To administer funds under the International Cooperative Administrative Support Services (ICASS):

(1) A/OPR/OS prepares budget submissions outlining programs for which awards are to be given and obtains the concurrence of the ICASS Budget Committee (see 2 FAM 612). A/OPR/OS then forwards the budget to CGFS/ICASS. CGFS/ICASS then bills Federal agencies which participate in the Consolidated Overseas Schools Assistance Program and arranges for transfers of funds to the Department of State; and

(2) A/OPR/OS prepares individual award documents and transmits them to the post with authorization for execution by the school.

b. When Educational and Cultural Affairs Program funding is available, such funds will retain a separate identity and will not become part of general ICASS funds under any circumstances.

2 FAM 611.6 Definitions

(CT:GEN-457; 07-05-2016)

a. The following definitions apply to the Overseas Schools Program:

(1) Award is financial assistance provided by a Federal agency to carry out a program;

(2) Grant is the form of assistance given to schools abroad and various U.S. educational institutions by the U.S. Government under one of several programs;

(3) GRASP is the acronym for Grant Request Annual Submissions Program, which is a computerized program used by the schools to provide data to A/OPR/OS on general school information, faculty, students, and budget, and to request grant assistance; and

(4) Overseas school is any U.S. sponsored elementary or secondary school abroad participating in the Department of State's Consolidated Overseas Schools Assistance Program.

b. Other definitions are found within the text of the standard provisions attached to the individual award documents.

2 FAM 611.7 Authorities

(CT:GEN-317; 03-08-2005)

The Overseas Schools Program derives its authority from:

(1) Section 29 of the Department of State Basic Authorities Act of 1956, as amended by the Foreign Service Act of 1980;

(2) The Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, as amended (Sections 636(c) and 636(d)); and

(3) The Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange Act of 1961, as amended (Section 102(b)(3)).

2 FAM 612 DEPARTMENT RESPONSIBILITIES

2 FAM 612.1 Office of Overseas Schools (A/OPR/OS)

(CT:GEN-457; 07-05-2016)

The Office of Overseas Schools (A/OPR/OS) plans and implements the assistance activities for schools abroad of the foreign affairs agencies participating in the Consolidated Overseas Schools Assistance Program, the Overseas Schools Policy Committee (OSPC), and with missions abroad. A/OPR/OS performs the following functions:

(1) Plans and implements the assistance activities for schools abroad to ensure coordination of policies and programs in the schools;

(2) Develops and recommends to the Overseas Schools Policy Committee the policies, criteria and objectives, subject to applicable legislation and regulations, for assisting in the establishment and operations of U.S. schools abroad;

(3) Develops annual and long-range plans for assistance to schools abroad, including the recommendations for regional and functional priorities for presentation to the Overseas Schools Policy Committee;

(4) Prepares an annual budget for the Consolidated Overseas Schools Assistance Program for schools abroad;

(5) Ensures effective implementation of schools assistance programs by working closely with schools abroad, Foreign Service posts and professional educational organizations in the United States;

(6) Plans, coordinates and conducts field surveys and studies on all aspects of the schools abroad program;

(7) Consults and obtains the assistance of the Bureau of Overseas Buildings Operations (OBO) in the planning and construction of schools abroad and related structures;

(8) Prescribes and administers a system for reporting program progress to the Overseas Schools Policy Committee and ICASS Budget Committee;

(9) Consults with the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and other Federal agencies to ensure coordination of activities of schools abroad;

(10) Develops and recommends special programs of assistance, as required;

(11) Provides information to U.S. citizen employees assigned abroad and other interested parties concerning the U.S. sponsored elementary and secondary school facilities and programs;

(12) Assesses the quality of educational opportunities available at Foreign Service posts where there are no U.S. sponsored schools abroad and seeks to provide supplementary programs or otherwise assist parents in providing adequate educational opportunities for their children; and

(13) Advises and assists foreign affairs agency personnel with regard to boarding schools abroad and in the United States, college entrance requirements and procedures, special education requirements and appropriate facilities at posts abroad and in the United States, adequacy of foreign schools for U.S. children, and the like.

2 FAM 612.2 Overseas Schools Policy Committee (OSPC)

2 FAM 612.2-1 Objectives

(CT:GEN-399; 10-18-2012)

Objectives of the Overseas Schools Policy Committee (OSPC) include:

(1) Providing adequately for the educational needs of dependents of U.S. citizens under Chief of Mission authority carrying out programs of the U.S. Government abroad; and

(2) Increasing mutual understanding between the people of the United States and other countries.

2 FAM 612.2-2 Membership

(CT:GEN-410; 07-11-2013)

The OSPC is composed of representatives from agencies with enrollment of dependents in A/OPR/OS-assisted schools and who participate in the Consolidated Overseas Schools Assistance Program. Permanent members are:

(1) Assistant Secretary of State for Administration (Chairperson);

(2) Executive Secretary of the ICASS Working Group; and

(3) Director of the CGFS/ICASS Service Center.

2 FAM 612.2-3 Responsibilities

2 FAM 612.2-3(A) OSPC

(CT:GEN-399; 10-18-2012)

a. The OSPC is subject to applicable legislative authorities and prescribes general policy for elementary and secondary school activities abroad administered by the Department of State. The OSPC coordinates such activities, as appropriate.

b. The OSPC renders policy guidance and direction for the development of a comprehensive schools abroad program that:

(1) Meets current and long-range educational needs of the dependents of U.S. citizens under Chief of Mission authority engaged in carrying out activities of the U.S. Government abroad;

(2) Serves to increase mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other countries;

(3) Considers the adequacy of long-range funding levels for activities of schools abroad to be carried out by the Office of Overseas Schools; and

(4) Ensures a coordinated approach to meeting the most urgent needs of the schools and promoting the best interests of the United States.

2 FAM 612.2-3(B) Committee Executive Secretary

(CT:GEN-317; 03-08-2005)

The committee is assisted by an executive secretary who will report to the chairperson of the committee. In collaboration with the OSPC, the executive secretary:

(1) Schedules meetings of the committee once a year or more often if required by developments;

(2) Prepares the agenda for committee meetings, including preparing policy papers on issues to be brought before the committee for resolution; and

(3) Prepares minutes reporting committee meetings for distribution to Federal agencies associated with ICASS.

2 FAM 612.3 Overseas Schools Advisory Council (OSAC)

(CT:GEN-457; 07-05-2016)

a. The Overseas Schools Advisory Council (the Council) was established by the Department of State to seek the advice of a selected group of U.S. representatives from the business, foundation, and educational communities, with respect to the U.S. sponsored elementary and secondary schools abroad that are assisted by the Department of State.

b. Matters of policy guidance and financial support are the main concerns of the council in addition to the following:

(1) To help the schools abroad become showcases for excellence in education; and

(2) To help make services abroad attractive to U.S. citizens, both in the business community and in the U.S. Government.

2 FAM 612.3-1 Membership

(CT:GEN-457; 07-05-2016)

a. The membership of the Council is composed of U.S. business and professional leaders whose experience and interests enable them to help achieve the purpose as stated in 2 FAM 612.3. The council will meet annually or more often, when necessary, at the call of the Office of Overseas Schools (A/OPR/OS).

b. The Director of A/OPR/OS is the Executive Secretary of the Overseas Schools Advisory Council.

2 FAM 612.3-2 Functions

(CT:GEN-457; 07-05-2016)

Functions include:

(1) Coordinating the efforts of U.S. business firms and foundations with those of the Department of State toward providing needed educational programs for dependents of U.S. citizens abroad;

(2) Facilitating the obtaining of maximum resources (funds, buildings, equipment, and supplies) from private and public agencies to assist those U.S. sponsored, independent community schools abroad that are assisted by the Department of State; and

(3) Advising and consulting with the Department of State on relations between the U.S. Government and private agencies that are concerned with the U.S.-sponsored, independent, community, elementary and secondary schools abroad.

2 FAM 613 POST RESPONSIBILITIES

(CT:GEN-307; 08-14-2003)

The principal officer designates an officer to be responsible for coordinating the posts interest in school activities. If possible, the officer should be a member of the board of the local school receiving assistance. A management officer personally responsible for administration of the award should not be a member of the school board.

2 FAM 613.1 Management Officer

(CT:GEN-490; 11-07-2017)

a. Responsibility for coordination of all school assistance activities under this regulation will be assigned to the post's management officer, unless otherwise designated by the principal officer. The management officer also has a continuing responsibility for the administration of all awards to schools and to ensure that school assistance activities are carried out under the Department of State Basic Authorities Act of 1956, as amended.

b. In the administration of awards, it is the responsibility of the management officer to ensure that payments to the school, including advance payments, are in accordance with the provisions of the award. The management officer is also responsible for monitoring the schools activities with regard to granting funds to ensure that performance is in accordance with provisions of the award. The management officer should make certain that:

(1) The school is advised, in accordance with 2 CFR 200 and/or 2 CFR 600 and/or 22 CFR 135, that if it receives an advance of funds, a blanket fidelity bond or other security acceptable to the post and the Department may be required;

(2) Where practical, the school has adequate insurance coverage to protect its assets from loss through fire, wind, water, theft, public liability, student injury, and other similar occurrences;

(3) The person signing the award(s) on behalf of the school is duly authorized to do so;

(4) Schools receiving more than $500,000 in awards annually shall undergo an annual audit of funds provided under U.S. Government awards. Such an audit will be conducted by a firm of chartered, certified, or otherwise qualified accountants. If a qualified accountant is not available, the audit should be conducted by at least two disinterested U.S. Government employees, preferably persons with accounting experience. In unusual circumstances, the post may ask the Office of Overseas Schools (A/OPR/OS) to consider requesting OIG/AUD to arrange for appropriate audits. A copy of each audit report should be sent to A/OPR/OS; and

(5) The school submits financial reports to the post for review and transmission to A/OPR/OS, as required (see 2 FAM 615, subparagraph b(8)).

2 FAM 613.2 Public Affairs and Cultural Affairs Officers

(CT:GEN-359; 06-23-2009)

Public affairs and cultural affairs officers have a continuing responsibility to ensure that school assistance activities carried out under the Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange Act of 1961 are in consonance with the Act or as may be required by the Department in consultation with the post management officer.

2 FAM 614 ASSISTANCE CRITERIA

2 FAM 614.1 General Criteria

(CT:GEN-463; 11-28-2016)

a. As a precondition to accepting an award, recipients must certify, in accordance with 2 CFR Part 180 Subpart C, that they are in compliance with the suspension and debarment rules and certification requirements.

b. Recipients of awards exceeding $100,000 shall file a certification and a disclosure form, in accordance with 22 CFR Part 138, Appendix A, relative to lobbying activities.

2 FAM 614.2 Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange Act Criteria

(CT:GEN-317; 03-08-2005)

In order to be eligible for funds under the Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange Act:

(1) The school must meet a demonstrated need for U.S.-type educational facilities in the community or region and, in the case of primary and secondary schools, shall be open to the enrollment of qualified U.S. citizen students;

(2) The school must have been founded by or must be operated or sponsored by citizens or nonprofit institutions of the United States with or without the participation of nationals of other countries;

(3) The school must operate without objection from the national government of the host country, and must be nonpolitical in character;

(4) Authority over policy, finances and administration must be vested in a competent board of responsible persons, usually including representation of the appropriate U.S. embassy or consulate, but at a minimum to include representation by U.S. citizens. This will vary from school to school depending on local circumstances and on U.S. policy;

(5) The director or principal of the school, wherever practicable, should be a U.S. citizen;

(6) There should be a sufficient number of teachers from the United States or teachers trained in U.S. educational methods to ensure adequate contact for the students with these methods and corresponding ideals;

(7) The curriculum and instruction of the school should be of good quality and reflect accepted U.S. theory and practice in education to the greatest extent practicable within the framework of local laws and regulations;

(8) Primary and secondary curricula should provide instruction, where practicable, in the language, literature, geography and history of the United States, and of the country where the school is located. Wherever the needs of U.S. citizen students require it, English shall be used as a language of instruction;

(9) The operation of the school should contribute to mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of the host country or other countries through such means as enrollment of foreign nationals, the provision of binational extracurricular and community programs, and English-language classes for special students;

(10) The school enrollment must include a substantial number of foreign national students;

(11) The financial plan of the school should provide for continuing recourse to all feasible means of achieving and maintaining its financial independence through an adequate fee structure, endowment, and other forms of private support; and

(12) Financial aid will not be given to religiously affiliated schools. Nor will it be given to government, company or private profit-earning schools.

2 FAM 614.3 Foreign Service and Foreign Assistance Acts Criteria

(CT:GEN-399; 10-18-2012)

a. The post must substantiate a need to provide educational facilities for dependents of U.S. citizens under Chief of Mission authority stationed outside the United States who are engaged in carrying out U.S. Government activities. There must be a sufficient number of U.S. citizen dependent children at the post, or anticipated at the post, to justify the proposed assistance.

b. The school, to the extent possible, should:

(1) Provide evidence of support from the local community in addition to the U.S. Government community population, U.S. private business, and other national and international elements as well;

(2) Provide evidence of sound policy, finances and other fundamental aspects of administration of a U.S.-type education duly vested in a competent board of responsible persons, including, wherever practicable, appropriate representation by U.S. citizens under Chief of Mission authority from the embassy or consulate on that board;

(3) Offer a program of study in which English is the language of instruction;

(4) Offer, to the extent practicable, a U.S. curriculum with U.S. textbooks and materials. The school must enroll, as a condition to accepting a U.S. Government award, all dependents of U.S. citizens under Chief of Mission authority carrying out programs of the U.S. Government abroad who are able to meet the schools other admission standards;

(5) Maintain teacher and academic standards that are comparable to public elementary or secondary schools in the United States;

(6) Offer the type of curriculum and instruction which reflects U.S. educational methods and practices to the reasonable extent practicable in consideration of:

(a) The location abroad; and

(b) The needs of the student body as a whole;

(7) Provide adequate fiscal and management supervision, and maintain a financial position which gives reasonable certainty that the school is capable of covering recurring operational expenses out of tuition or other school income without continuing direct U.S. Government assistance, unless because of the schools location abroad, local laws and regulations, etc., such assistance can be justified;

(8) Provide evidence that no other feasible means, such as local resources or increase in tuition, are currently available to the school for adequately financing proposed expansion or improvements;

(9) Meet a demonstrated need for U.S.-type educational facilities in the community or region and, in the case of primary and secondary schools, be open to the enrollment of qualified U.S.-citizen students;

(10) Have been founded by or must be operated or sponsored by citizens or nonprofit institutions of the United States with or without the participation of nationals of other countries;

(11) Operate without objection from the national government of the host country, and be nonpolitical in character;

(12) Vest authority over policy, finances, and administration in a competent board of responsible persons, usually including representation of the appropriate U.S. embassy or consulate, but at a minimum to include representation by U.S. citizens. This will vary from school to school depending on local circumstances and on U.S. policy;

(13) Hire a director or principal of the school, wherever practicable, who is a U.S. citizen;

(14) Employ a sufficient number of teachers from the United States or teachers trained in U.S. educational methods to ensure adequate contact for the students with these methods and corresponding ideals;

(15) Use curriculum and instruction of good quality that reflect accepted U.S. theory and practice in education to the greatest extent practicable within the framework of local laws and regulations;

(16) Provide primary and secondary instruction, where practicable, in the language, literature, geography, and history of the United States, and of the country where the school is located. Wherever the needs of U.S. citizen students require it, English shall be used as a language of instruction;

(17) Operate the school to contribute to mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of the host country or other countries through such means as enrollment of foreign nationals, the provision of binational extracurricular and community programs, and English-language classes for special students;

(18) Develop a financial plan that provides for continuing recourse to all feasible means of achieving and maintaining the schools financial independence through an adequate fee structure, endowment, and other forms of private support; and

(19) Not provide financial aid to religiously affiliated schools, government, company or private profit-earning schools.

2 FAM 615 PROCEDURES FOR OBTAINING ASSISTANCE

(CT:GEN-490; 11-07-2017)

a. Schools, which seek assistance under the legislative authorities cited in 2 FAM 611.7, must seek determination of eligibility under the criteria established for assistance (see 2 FAM 614), and annually thereafter (or as frequently as prescribed in these regulations) submit information as outlined in this section.

b. Procedures to be carried out by the school, the post and A/OPR/OS, as appropriate, are as follows:

(1) The school requests the post to provide a copy of these regulations (2 FAM 600) and the school then determines whether it meets the criteria outlined in 2 FAM 614. If the school considers itself eligible for assistance, it seeks the posts concurrence;

(2) If the post concurs that the school qualifies under the criteria, the post may recommend to A/OPR/OS that the school be considered for assistance and transmit to A/OPR/OS copies of the schools constitution, bylaws and/or other pertinent documents for review. If questions arise concerning eligibility, A/OPR/OS submits the documents to the legal counsel of the Department of State for review;

(3) If determined eligible by the Department, the school prepares an application using the Grant Request Automated Submissions Program (GRASP) software and submits a PDF copy to the post for its review and recommendation, and submits the GRASP Power Soft Report (PSR) files to A/OPR/OS. The post then submits its recommendation to A/OPR/OS.  The Debarment and Suspension Certification Statement is included in the GRASP submission and must also be signed by the school prior to issuance of an award. If practicable, a regional education officer from A/OPR/OS visits the post and the school prior to the submission of GRASP in order to provide guidance and counsel regarding the Consolidated Overseas Schools Assistance Program;

(4) A/OPR/OS reviews the information submitted by the school. If it decides to provide an award, A/OPR/OS then determines the amount of financial support;

(5) A/OPR/OS transmits to the post and school Form DS-1909, Federal Assistance Award, with attachments;

(6) The school executes the award documents and transmits a signed copy of Form DS-1909, Federal Assistance Award, to the post and A/OPR/OS as prescribed in the memorandum under which the award documents were sent to the post and school;

(7) Funds are disbursed to the school by the post in accordance with the purposes and the Standard Provisions of the award; and

(8) The school submits to post for review and transmission to A/OPR/OS financial reports as required in the Standard Provisions attached to the Form DS-1909, Federal Assistance Award.

2 FAM 616 FEDERAL ASSISTANCE AWARDS TO SCHOOLS ABROAD

2 FAM 616.1 Funds Assistance to Schools Abroad

2 FAM 616.1-1 Awards

(CT:GEN-490; 11-07-2017)

Funds are made available to a school abroad through a Form DS-1909, Federal Assistance Award, via a grant. Such an award is the culmination of the procedures outlined in 2 FAM 615. There will be no changes to the printed texts of any Form DS-1909, Federal Assistance Award, without the prior written approval of A/OPR/OS.

2 FAM 616.1-2 Purpose Description

(CT:GEN-457; 07-05-2016)

A/OPR/OS will prepare a description of purposes and will include it in the award documents transmitted to the post and school for execution by the school. Generally, assistance may fall into several broad categories:

(1) Salaries of U.S.-citizen professional staff;

(2) U.S. educational materials, supplies, and equipment;

(3) Financial aid programs for host-country nationals;

(4) Construction and equipment;

(5) Staff development and in-service training for professional staff; and

(6) Various other educational programs.

2 FAM 616.1-3 Effective Period

(CT:GEN-317; 03-08-2005)

a. The effective period is limited to that time in which the school can normally be expected to carry out the various purposes outlined in the award.

b. In the event that the time prescribed should prove insufficient for the recipient to perform the purposes outlined in the award, A/OPR/OS may authorize a one-time extension of the agreement up to 12 months as may be deemed advisable and appropriate in accordance with Office of Management and Budget (OMB) guidelines.

2 FAM 616.1-4 Federal Assistance Award Authorized Signers

(CT:GEN-490; 11-07-2017)

The A/OPR/OS grants officer electronically signs the award on behalf of the U.S. Government. The post ensures that the person signing the Form DS-1909, Federal Assistance Award, on behalf of the school is authorized to do so.

2 FAM 616.1-5 Form DS-1909-A, Amendment to the Federal Assistance Award

(CT:GEN-490; 11-07-2017)

When an amendment to the award is necessary, A/OPR/OS completes a Form DS-1909, Federal Assistance Award, to which the OMB guidelines and Standard Provisions attached to the original award also apply. A/OPR/OS must approve in advance any change to the purposes described in the budget/purposes attachment.

2 FAM 616.1-6 Distribution of Copies

(CT:GEN-490; 11-07-2017)

a. The Office of Overseas Schools (A/OPR/OS) transmits to the post and the school the Form DS-1909, Federal Assistance Award, with attachments for the school to execute.

b. The school forwards one copy of the executed award to the post and one copy to A/OPR/OS.

2 FAM 616.1-7 Financial Reports

(CT:GEN-457; 07-05-2016)

As required under the Standard Provisions, the school will submit a final report on Form DS-2028, Overseas Schools Grant Status Report, to the post for review and transmission to A/OPR/OS no later than ninety (90) calendar days after the completion of the award and after the school has been fully reimbursed under the terms of the award.

2 FAM 616.1-8 Refunds

(CT:GEN-490; 11-07-2017)

If the school expends funds provided under a Form DS-1909, Federal Assistance Award for purposes not authorized by the award, the school will promptly refund or pay to the U.S. Government funds equal to the amount of such unauthorized expenditures.

2 FAM 616.2 Assistance in Kind to Schools Abroad

(CT:GEN-317; 03-08-2005)

Under certain circumstances, A/OPR/OS arranges for the provision of assistance in kind that may be in the form of educational materials, equipment, and other school supplies. A/OPR/OS arranges to procure and ship commodities through U.S. channels to the post. Upon receipt, the post provides such materials and equipment to the school as assistance in kind. A/OPR/OS may also forward fiscal data to post in order for post to purchase the assistance in kind.

2 FAM 616.3 Awards to U.S. Educational Organizations

(CT:GEN-299; 05-30-2000)

A/OPR/OS may provide awards to U.S. colleges and universities, regional accrediting associations, and/or other nonprofit educational organizations to provide services to schools abroad.

2 FAM 616.4 Excess Property to Schools Abroad

(CT:GEN-457; 07-05-2016)

Personal property for which there is no requirement at posts and other establishments of the parent agency abroad may be loaned, sold, or donated to schools abroad. For example:

(1) Personal replacement property may be loaned to schools abroad in accordance with 14 FAM 417;

(2) Personal replacement property may be sold to schools abroad in accordance with 14 FAM 417; and

(3) Personal property may be donated to schools abroad in accordance with 14 FAM 417. 

2 FAM 617 APPROVAL OF school-to-school and university-to-school educational pROGRAMS

(CT:GEN-317; 03-08-2005)

As outlined in 2 FAM 611.1-2, subparagraph (4), A/OPR/OS may provide financial assistance to schools abroad for school-to-school and university-to-school educational programs.

2 FAM 617.1 Approval of Activities of School-to-School and University-to-School Educational Programs

(CT:GEN-317; 03-08-2005)

a. Funds for school-to-school and university-to-school educational programs are requested by the school and post in GRASP, the Grant Request Annual Submissions Program. (NOTE: It is expected normally that no costs are to be covered from award funds which would be a regular part of the school budget.)

b. Within the general program objectives outlined in 2 FAM 611.2, the purpose of the school-to-school and university-to-school projects is to effect functional relationships between U.S. citizen-sponsored schools abroad and selected school districts and/or universities and colleges in the United States in order to provide the schools abroad with resources necessary for the improvement of their educational programs.

c. The policy expectation is that the development of relevant programs involving U.S. citizen-sponsored schools abroad and partner schools or universities in the United States will contribute to better understanding of international relationships and, through increased community involvement of local nationals and U.S. citizens, will enhance cultural understanding between the people of the United States and those of the countries in which the schools are located.

d. The policy expectation is that benefits will accrue to the schools or universities in the United States in terms of opportunities for involvement in international educational activities.

2 FAM 617.2 Types of Activities in School-to-School and University-to-School Projects

(CT:GEN-457; 07-05-2016)

When a school-to-school or a university-to-school partnership between a U.S. citizen-sponsored school abroad and a school district or university in the United States is established, it is assumed that, in addition to award funds made available under the Consolidated Overseas Schools Assistance Program, both partner schools will commit personnel and material resources for the implementation of the project. Award funds are intended to help initiate the project and to cover such special costs as are necessary to maintain the relationship between the partner schools. Because of the varying and unique needs of specific schools, as well as the varying resources of partner schools and the conditions under which they may be made available to schools abroad, there can be no pattern regarding specific activities which might develop in any given partnership. Activities which may be funded in full or in part from award funds may include, but are not limited to:

(1) Travel and related expenses for U.S. school administrators, officials, and consultants visiting the school abroad to study the school program, administration, and the like, and in collaboration with the partner from the school abroad to develop a plan for implementation of the program;

(2) Travel and expenses for the administrator of the school abroad or other staff member to visit the school or university in the United States in order to select exchange teachers or consultants, select curricular materials, develop in-service training programs, and the like, and to attend professional meetings which will facilitate mutual planning with involved persons;

(3) Travel, expenses, and salary topping (if necessary under local circumstances) for exchange teachers;

(4) Travel and expenses for personnel conducting in-service training programs and providing consulting services and other special services to the school abroad, as well as costs for relevant instructional materials and related costs;

(5) Travel and expenses for personnel from schools abroad participating in observation and training programs conducted by or in conjunction with the partner school or university;

(6) Purchase and shipment of curriculum guides, administrative bulletins, instructional materials and supplies related to the project; and

(7) Assistance in implementation of student exchange programs and the like.

2 FAM 617.3 Development and Implementation

(CT:GEN-317; 03-08-2005)

The following steps should, normally, be taken in the development and implementation of a school-to-school or university-to-school partnership:

(1) When the school assisted by the Department formally decides that it has the capability of sharing the responsibilities of a school-to-school or university-to-school partnership, the school should request through the post, that A/OPR/OS consider arranging a pairing between the school abroad and a U.S. school system or university;

(2) A/OPR/OS, utilizing the advice of such professional educational organizations as it may consult, approves the school abroad for a school-to-school or university-to-school pairing. It will then take the necessary action to select a suitable partner school or university in the United States satisfactory to A/OPR/OS and to the school abroad, and will inform the administrator and governing board of the U.S. school or the appropriate university officials and school abroad of its concurrence in the pairing;

(3) The governing bodies of the U.S. school and school abroad take necessary steps to approve the partnership and inform A/OPR/OS of this action through transmission of copies of appropriate resolutions recording their agreement to the partnership; and

(4) Following initial planning involving the two partner schools and the A/OPR/OS regional education officer, the school abroad requests assistance in GRASP, providing an outline of the overall plan.

2 FAM 618 AND 619 UNASSIGNED

UNCLASSIFIED (U)