[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 250 (Wednesday, December 31, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 68271-68272]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-34005]
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DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
National Assessment Governing Board Meeting
ACTION: Notice of public hearings.
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SUMMARY: The National Assessment Governing Board (NAGB), US Department
of Education, is announcing two public hearings on the Voluntary
National Tests (VNT). These hearings are being conducted pursuant to
Public Law 105-78, which gives NAGB ``exclusive authority over all
policies, direction, and guidelines for developing voluntary national
tests.''
Public and private parties and organizations with an interest in
the Voluntary National Tests for 4th grade reading and 8th grade
mathematics are invited to present written and oral testimony. The
purpose of the hearings is to gather recommendations on the test
specifications or blueprint for the proposed VNT based on the National
Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) in 4th grade reading and 8th
grade mathematics. The proposed tests will be individualized versions
of NAEP, and the Board intends to ensure that they are fully consistent
with NAEP's content and performance standards. In carrying out its
responsibilities, the Board plans to consult widely and wishes to
receive a broad range of input and views. We encourage your
participation. Results of the hearings are particularly important as
they will provide broad public input to the Governing Board for on
specifications for the Voluntary National Tests.
DATES: The dates of the public hearings have been set as follows:
January 21, 1998 in Washington, DC.
January 27, 1998 in Chicago, IL.
On each day, the reading hearing will begin at 9:30 a.m. and
adjourn at 12:00 noon, and the mathematics hearing will begin at 1:30
p.m. and adjourn at 4:00 p.m. You are invited to present either oral
and/or written testimony. Oral presentations should not exceed five
minutes. Written testimony should be mailed to the address below no
later than January 31, 1998: Aspen Systems Corporation, 2277 Research
Boulevard, Mail Stop 4-D, Rockville, Maryland 20850, Attn: Munira
Mwalimu.
Please include your name, address, and any organization you may
represent. All testimony will become part of the public record and will
be considered by the Governing Board in deciding on specifications for
the proposed national tests, which will be designed to show whether
individual students can meet NAEP standards for basic, proficient, or
advanced performance. Presenters may also register online at
www.nagb.org or by calling (800) 638-2785 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.
EST.
Locations:
January 21
The Capital Hilton, 16th and K Streets NW, Washington, DC 2036, (202)
393-1000.
January 27
Chicago Hilton and Towers, 720 S. Michigan Avenue, Chicago, IL 60605,
(312) 922-4400.
Written Statements
Written statements may be submitted for the public record in lieu
of oral testimony no later than January 31, 1998. These statements
should be sent directly to Aspen Systems (see aforementioned address)
in the following format:
I. Issues and Questions Addressed: Identify the issue(s) and
question(s) to which the testimony is directed. For example,
``Specifications for 4th grade Voluntary National Test in reading.''
II. Summary: Briefly summarize the major points and recommendations
presented in the testimony.
III. Discussion: The narrative should provide information, points
of view and recommendations that will enable the Governing Board to
consider all factors relevant to the question(s) the testimony
addresses. Respondents are encouraged to limit this section of their
written statements to ten (10) pages. The discussions may be appended
with documents of any length providing further explanation.
[[Page 68272]]
Hearings Objectives and Procedures
The National Assessment Governing Board seeks participation in the
hearings from a wide spectrum of individuals and organizations to
receive recommendations regarding the reading and mathematics
specifications for the Voluntary National Tests at grade 4 in reading
and grade 8 in mathematics. The schedule of speakers shall be such as
to provide a broad spectrum of viewpoints and interests, while being
contained to a practical amount of time. The goal of the hearings is to
provide a medium for maximum input and guidance from the public to
include teachers, principals, school board members, curriculum
specialists, local school administrators, parents, and concerned
citizens.
The Governing Board will provide a brief background to the
hearings, with the majority of the time being devoted to presentations
by scheduled speakers. To assist in appropriately scheduling speakers,
testimony should include the following information:
(1) Name, address, and telephone number of each person to appear.
(2) Affiliation (if any).
(3) A brief statement of the issues and/or concerns that will be
addressed.
(4) Whether a written statement will be submitted for the record.
Individuals who do not register in advance will be permitted to
register and speak at the meeting in order of registration, if time
permits. Speakers should plan to limit their total remarks to no more
than five (5) minutes.
While it is anticipated that all persons desiring to do so will
have an opportunity to speak, time limits may not allow this to occur.
The Governing Board will make the final determination on the selection
and scheduling of speakers.
However, all written statements presented at the hearings will be
accepted and incorporated into the public record. Written statements
received after January 31, 1998 will be accepted; however, inclusion in
the public record cannot be guaranteed. Governing Board members will
preside at each of the hearings. The proceedings will be audiotaped. On
request, the hearings will be signed for the hearing-impaired, and a
bilingual speaker (Spanish-English) can be made available on site.
Additional Information
Additional information on the Voluntary National Tests can be
obtained at by contacting Mary Crovo, National Assessment Governing
Board, 800 North Capitol Street, NW, Suite 825, Washington, DC 20002-
4233, Telephone: 202-357-6938 or NAGB's web site at www.nagb.org.
Steps After Hearing
The Governing Board will review and analyze all comments and
opinions received in response to this announcement. Results of the
testimony will be used by the National Assessment Governing Board to
determine the specifications for the Voluntary National Tests in
reading and mathematics. The Board plans to take action on the
specifications in March 1998. A record of all the proceedings will be
kept at the National Assessment Governing Board offices, 800 North
Capitol Street NW, Suite 825, Washington, DC 20002, and will be
available for public inspection.
Roy Truby,
Executive Director, National Assessment Governing Board.
[FR Doc. 97-34005 Filed 12-30-97; 8:45 am]
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