[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 164 (Tuesday, August 25, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 45232-45233]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-22689]


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DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION


National Assessment Governing Board; Meeting

AGENCY: National Assessment Governing Board; Education.

ACTION: Notice of Closed Teleconference Meetings.

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[[Page 45233]]

SUMMARY: This notice sets forth the schedule and proposed agenda of the 
forthcoming meetings by teleconference of the Executive Committee and 
the full membership of the National Assessment Governing Board. This 
notice also describes the functions of the Board. Notice of these 
meetings is required under Section 10(a)(2) of the Federal Advisory 
Committee Act.

    Dates: September 14, September 24, and possibly September 25, 
1998.
    Time: 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
    Location: National Assessment Governing Board, 800 North Capitol 
Street, NW., Washington, DC.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Mary Ann Wilmer, Operations Officer, National Assessment Governing 
Board, Suite 825, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., Washington, DC, 20002-
4233, Telephone: (202) 357-6938.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The National Assessment Governing Board is 
established under section 412 of the National Education Statistics Act 
of 1994 (Title IV of the Improving America's Schools Act of 1994), 
(Pub. L. 103-382).
    The Board is established to formulate policy guidelines for the 
National Assessment of Educational Progress. The Board is responsible 
for selecting subject areas to be assessed, developing assessment 
objectives, identifying appropriate achievement goals for each grade 
and subject tested, and establishing standards and procedures for 
interstate and national comparisons. Under P.L. 105-78, the National 
Assessment Governing Board is also granted exclusive authority over 
developing Voluntary National Tests pursuant to contract number 
RJ97153001.
    On September 14, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., the Executive Committee of 
the National Assessment Governing Board will hold a closed 
teleconference meeting. The Executive Committee will prepare a document 
outlining the conditions for renewal of the Voluntary National Tests 
contract. The information and discussion will relate to the source 
selection criteria by which government contracts may be modified or 
awarded. Not only would the disclosure of such data implicate 
proscriptions set forth in the Federal Acquisition Regulations, but 
also such disclosure would significantly frustrate a proposed agency 
action. Specifically, disclosure of the Executive Committee's 
discussion may affect private decisions made by the contractor. Such 
matters are protected by exemption 9B of Section 552b(c) of Title 5 
U.S.C.
    On September 24, the Executive Committee will meet in closed 
session to review the contractor's response to the Governing Board's 
decisions of the options for renewal of the Voluntary National Tests 
contract. If unable to reach agreement or substantive changes are 
required given the contractor's response to the options for renewal of 
the contract, the Executive Committee will formulate recommendations to 
the Governing Board. This teleconference must be conducted in closed 
session because public disclosure of this information would likely have 
an adverse financial effect on the Voluntary National Tests program. 
The discussion of this information would be likely to significantly 
frustrate implementation of a proposed agency action if conducted in 
open session. Such matters are protected by exemption 9B of Section 
552b(c) of Title 5 U.S.C.
    On September 25, 1998, if needed, the Governing Board will meet in 
a closed teleconference to take final action on substantive changes in 
the Voluntary National Tests contract. This teleconference must be 
conducted in closed session because public disclosure of this 
information would likely have an adverse financial effect on the 
Voluntary National Tests program. The discussion of this information 
would be likely to significantly frustrate implementation of a proposed 
agency action if conducted in open session. Such matters are protected 
by exemption 9B of Section 552b(c) of Title 5 U.S.C.
    Records are kept of all Board proceedings and are available for 
public inspection at the U.S. Department of Education, National 
Assessment Governing Board, Suite 825, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., 
Washington, DC, from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Roy Truby,
Executive Director, National Assessment Governing Board.
[FR Doc. 98-22689 Filed 8-24-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4000-01-M