US government - revisions to Title VI funding & objects

selected highlights from http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/E9-16953.htm
 
...Regulatory Change: In the NRC Program regulations, we have expanded
Sec.  656.3 to include the activities added to section 602(a)(2) of the
HEA by the HEOA. As amended, Sec.  656.3 now states that a
comprehensive or undergraduate National Resource Center (i) supports
instructors of the less commonly taught languages, and (ii) encourages
projects that support students in the science, technology, engineering,
and mathematics fields to achieve foreign language proficiency.
    Statute: Section 602(1)(C) of the HEOA expanded section 602(a)(4)
of the HEA, which describes the outreach and summer institute grants
that the Secretary may make to centers and programs under the NRC
Program.

    Regulatory Change: We have amended Sec.  656.5 to incorporate the
new activities that may be funded by an outreach or summer institute
grant under section 602(a)(4) of the HEA. Consistent with the statutory
changes made, we have added a new Sec.  656.5(b)(3) to clarify that the
Secretary may support a center for the purpose of linkage or outreach
between or among postsecondary programs or departments in foreign
language, area studies, or other international fields, and State
educational agencies and local educational agencies.
    Statute: Section 607(2) of the HEOA amended section 607(b) of the
HEA to add two factors to be considered by the Secretary when awarding
grants under section 602 of the HEA, governing the NRC and FLAS
programs. Specifically, section 607(2) directs the Secretary to (1)
take into account the degree to which activities of centers, programs,
and fellowships at institutions of higher education address national
needs, and generate information for and disseminate information to the
public and (2) consider an applicant's record of placing students into
post-graduate employment, education, or training in areas of national
need and an applicant's stated efforts to increase the number of such
students that go into such placements.
 
...IRS Program
    Statute: Section 605 of the HEOA amended section 605(a) of the HEA
by expanding the activities authorized under the IRS Program. Research
and studies supported under the IRS Program now include: (i)
Evaluations of the extent to which programs assisted under title VI of
the HEA reflect diverse perspectives and a wide range of views and
generate debate on world regions and international affairs, as
described in the grantee's application; (ii) the systematic collection,
analysis, and dissemination of data that contribute to achieving the
purposes of title VI, part A of the HEA; and (iii) support for programs
or activities to make data collected, analyzed, or disseminated under
this part publicly available and easy to understand.
    Regulatory Change: We have amended Sec. Sec.  660.1 and 660.10 to
include these newly authorized activities. The new activities are
listed in paragraphs (j), (k), and (l) of Sec.  660.1 (What is the
International Research and Studies Program?) and in paragraphs (k),
(l), and (m) of Sec.  660.10 (What activities does the Secretary
assist?).