[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 244 (Tuesday, December 21, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 71410-71411]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-33072]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

Census Bureau


Evaluation of the Census 2000 Census in Schools Program

ACTION: Proposed collection; comment request.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Commerce, as part of its continuing effort 
to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, invites the general public 
and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on 
proposed and/or continuing information collections, as required by the 
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13 (44 U.S.C. 
3506(c)(2)(A)).

DATES: Written comments must be submitted on or before February 22, 
2000.

ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Linda Engelmeier, 
Departmental Forms Clearance Officer, Department of Commerce, Room 
5027, 14th and Constitution Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20230 (or via 
the Internet at LE[email protected]).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or 
copies of the information collection instrument(s) and instructions 
should be directed to Sherri Norris, Bureau of the Census, Room BH-120-
2, Washington, DC 20233; (301) 457-8081.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

    The Census in Schools Program provides teachers with interactive, 
engaging, and colorful lesson plans that meet national and state 
curriculum standards and that: help students understand the importance 
and benefits of the census; promote awareness and encourage greater 
participation in the census; and strive to increase the mailback 
response rate for the census.
    Census in Schools materials have been made available to schools 
nationwide. This includes a Spring 1999 mailing to all teachers in the 
40 percent of the nation's schools in the hardest to enumerate areas, 
and a Fall 1999 mailing to the principals and selected school officials 
in the remaining 60 percent of schools.
    For the evaluation, a contractor will be hired to conduct the data 
collection. Self-administered mail questionnaires will be sent to a 
sample of teachers and principals in the United States. The 
questionnaire will ask the teachers and principals about their 
involvement in Census in Schools, about the materials they may have 
received, and about their recommendations for improving the Program. 
The results will be used to evaluate the program, for 2010 planning 
purposes and to improve future census operations.

II. Method of Collection

    Mailed self-administered questionnaire with appropriate follow-up 
reminders.

III. Data

    OMB Number: Not available.
    Form Number: Forthcoming.
    Type of Review: Regular Submission.
    Affected Public: Individuals, K-12 school teachers and principals 
in the United States.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 4,000.
    Estimated Time Per Response: 10 minutes.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 667.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost: There is no cost to the respondent 
other than the time taken to complete the survey.
    Respondent's Obligation: Voluntary.
    Legal Authority: Title 13, United States Code, Sections 141 and 
193.

IV. Request for Comments

    Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed collection of 
information is necessary for the proper performance

[[Page 71411]]

of the functions of the agency, including whether the information shall 
have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of 
the burden (including hours and cost) of the proposed collection of 
information; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of 
the information to be collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of 
the collection of information on respondents, including through the use 
of automated collection techniques or other forms of information 
technology.
    Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized 
and/or included in the request for OMB approval of this information 
collection; they also will become a matter of public record.

    Dated: December 16, 1999.
Linda Engelmeier,
Departmental Forms Clearance Officer, Office of the Chief Information 
Officer.
[FR Doc. 99-33072 Filed 12-20-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-07-P