[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 224 (Friday, November 20, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 64464-64465]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-31014]


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CORPORATION FOR NATIONAL AND COMMUNITY SERVICE


Proposed Information Collection: Comment Request

AGENCY: Corporation for National and Community Service.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Corporation for National and Community Service 
(hereinafter the ``Corporation''), as part of its continuing effort to 
reduce paperwork and respondent burden, conducts a preclearance 
consultation program to provide the general public and Federal agencies 
with an opportunity to comment on proposed and/or continuing 
collections of information in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction 
Act of 1995 (PRA95) (44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)). This program helps to 
ensure that requested data can be provided in the desired format, 
reporting burden (time and financial resources) is minimized, 
collection instruments are clearly understood, and the impact of 
collection requirements on respondents can be properly assessed. 
Currently, the Corporation is soliciting comments concerning its 
proposed Learn and Serve America Project Description Form. This form 
will be used to collect information on program descriptions and 
participation levels in service-learning programs supported by funds 
from the Corporation. The information provided will be used by the 
Corporation to: (1) measure performance of service-learning programs as 
required by the Corporation's annual performance plans prepared in 
response to the Government Performance and Results Act of 1993; (2) 
improve management and administration of the Learn and Serve America 
program; (3) inform grantees through the National Service-Learning 
Clearinghouse about the plans and activities of programs funded by the 
Corporation.
    Copies of the proposed information collection form can be obtained 
by contacting the office listed below in the address section of this 
notice.
    The Corporation is particularly interested in comments which:
     Evaluate whether the proposed collection of information is 
necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the 
Corporation, including whether the information will have practical 
utility;
     Evaluate the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the 
burden of the proposed collection of information, including the 
validity of the methodology and assumptions used;
     Propose ways to enhance the quality, utility and clarity 
of the information to be collected; and
     Propose ways to minimize the burden of the collection of 
information on those who are to respond, including through the use of 
appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological 
collection techniques or other forms of information technology, e.g., 
permitting electronic submissions of responses.

DATES: Written comments must be submitted to the office listed in the 
ADDRESSES section January 19, 1999.

ADDRESSES: Send comments to Corporation for National and Community 
Service, Office of Learn and Serve America, Attn. Brad Lewis, 8th 
Floor, 1201 New York Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20525.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Brad Lewis (202) 606-5000, ext. 113.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

    The Government Performance and Results Act of 1993 requires all 
federal departments and agencies to prepare annual performance plans 
for all budget activities. These plans are to contain performance goals 
and indicators measuring the outcomes and impacts of federal programs. 
The Corporation's initial performance plan, covering fiscal 1999, 
contains performance goals for Learn and Serve America relating to the 
number of student participants and descriptions of service-learning 
programs. This new data collection effort will provide that information 
which will be reported to Congress and the public in an annual 
performance report beginning in March 2000.
    In addition, the Corporation has a commitment to support the 
quality improvement efforts of its grantees through monitoring, 
training, and technical assistance. A major part of this effort is 
carried out through the Learn and Serve America National Service-
Learning Clearinghouse. The Clearinghouse is charged with compiling and 
sharing information with the Corporation's grantees and the public 
concerning how to plan, implement, and manage service-learning programs 
and activities.
    Furthermore, until this new information collection effort is in 
place, the national program office for Learn and Serve America will 
have no systematic means by which to compile quantitative information 
on grantee and sub-grantee performance for all recipients of its 
funding. Presently, grantees' progress reports are narrative texts with 
no means for storing, organizing, and aggregating the data across 
programs.

II. Current Action

    The Corporation seeks approval of the Learn and Serve America 
Project Description Form. The form will ask Learn and Serve America 
grantees and their sub-grantees to : (1) Identify the frequency and 
types of student participants in service-learning programs; (2) 
identify the frequency and types of institutions and organizations 
sponsoring and collaborating with service-learning programs; (3) 
specify the types of services being provided to communities by students 
in service-learning; and (4) describe the local program operations and 
achievements. The information will be used to: (1) measure performance 
in terms set forth in the annual performance plan; (2) prepare 
descriptions of program activities and achievements with support from 
Learn and Serve America; (3) inform the Corporation, grantees, 
educational institutions, and the public concerning the nature, extent, 
and best practices in service-learning programs across the nation.
    Type of Review: New approval.
    Agency: Corporation for National and Community Service.
    Title: Learn and Serve America Project Description Form.
    OMB Number: None.
    Agency Number: None.
    Affected Public: Educators and other institutional personnel whose 
organizations receive grant funds from Learn and Serve America.

[[Page 64465]]

    Total Respondents: 5,600 supervisors of Learn and Serve programs 
(70 percent response rate).
    Frequency: Annually.
    Average Time Per Response: 1 hour.
    Estimated Total Burden Hours: 5,600 hours.
    Total Burden Cost (capital/startup): $123,200 (5,600 respondents @ 
$22 each: $2 for copying, assembly, and mailing plus 1 hour per 
response @ $20/hour).
    Total Burden Cost (operating/maintenance): None.
    Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized 
and/or included in the request for Office of Management and Budget 
approval of the information collection request; they will also become a 
matter of public record.

    Dated: November 16, 1998.
Kenneth L. Klothen,
General Counsel.
[FR Doc. 98-31014 Filed 11-19-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6050-28-P