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To help recognize the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr., the U.S. Department of Education will again conduct its Martin Luther King Jr. Scholars Program by offering as many as 10 summer internships at the Education Department's headquarters in Washington.

This marks the second year of the program, unveiled last year by President Bush to pay tribute to the slain civil rights leader's life's work of promoting equality for all.

"We are proud to again offer this opportunity announced last year by President Bush as a means to honor the myriad contributions that Dr. King made to our world," said U.S. Secretary of Education Rod Paige. "Just as Dr. King worked for change, the outstanding students that we select will learn first-hand about public service and our efforts to promote change and excellence in America's schools."

As many as 10 outstanding undergraduate or graduate students with an interest in education policy or public policy and administration will be chosen to participate in the internships this summer.

Selected students will be designated Martin Luther King, Jr. Scholars and receive temporary federal appointments in the excepted service for an eight-week period from June 16 to Aug. 8. They will be hired at federal pay grades GS-4, 5, 7, or 9, depending on qualifications and education level completed, corresponding to $10.86 to $18.40 per hour.

The scholars will be assigned to the Office of the Secretary and the immediate offices of the assistant secretaries of education at the department's D.C. headquarters.

They will assist with a variety of projects designed to offer developmental experiences and exposure to government and public policy in a cabinet-level department.

The program is open to continuing juniors, seniors and graduate students. Students must be enrolled on a full-time basis in an accredited undergraduate or graduate degree program and have plans to register for the fall semester. Graduating baccalaureate, master's, or doctoral students not enrolled or continuing their education in the academic semester following the summer internship are ineligible.

To apply, visit the official posting for these positions on the department's Web site at www.ed.gov/about/jobs/open/edhires/index.html. Click, "ED Job Openings," and then, "Group I." The announcement also appears on U. S. Office of Personnel Management's USAJobs Web site, www.usajobs.opm.gov, and the new www.studentjobs.gov site.

The application deadline is Feb. 21.

Applications:

Students desiring to be Martin Luther King Jr. Scholars must submit:

• A resume or application form (OF-612)
• Proof of continuing enrollment (transcript or letter from the registrar)
• Proof of academic good standing (transcript)
• Two academic references (name, title, contact information)
• Brief essay (500 words -- two pages) on the link they see between the philosophies of Dr. King and education policy or public policy and administration.
• A one-page cover letter on why the student wishes to be a Martin Luther King, Jr. Scholar and accomplishments or goals that embrace King's philosophies.

The U. S. Department of Education's Human Resources Services will review the application packages for legal, regulatory and program requirements.

Applications from eligible students will be referred to a panel that will develop a list of the top 25-30 candidates. Evaluations will be based on academic achievement, quality of thought exemplified in the letter and essay, and the strength of the candidate's interest in education policy or public policy and administration. A second tier panel will convene to make final selections from the top group of candidates.

Scholars will be notified by March 31 of their acceptance to the program.