[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 215 (Tuesday, November 6, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Pages 56137-56138]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-27852]


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NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION


Emergency Clearance; Public Information Collection Requirements 
Submitted to the Office of Management and Budget; Notice

AGENCY: National Science Foundation.

ACTION: Emergency Clearance: Public Information Collection Requirements 
Submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB).

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SUMMARY: The National Science Foundation (NSF) is announcing plans to 
request approval of this collection. In accordance with the requirement 
of section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (Pub. 
L. 104-13), we are providing an opportunity for public comment on this 
action. After obtaining and considering public comment, NSF will 
prepare the submission requesting that OMB approve clearance of this 
collection for no longer than 3 years.

DATES: Interested persons are invited to send comments regarding the 
burden or any other aspect of these collections of information 
requirements. However, as noted below, comments on these information 
collection and record keeping requirements must be received by the 
designees referenced below by November 13, 2001.

ADDRESSES: Written comments regarding the information collection and 
requests for copies of the proposed information collection request 
should be addressed to Suzanne Plimpton, Reports Clearance Officer, 
National Science Foundation, 4201 Wilson Blvd., Rm. 295, Arlington, VA 
22230, or by e-mail to [email protected], and
    Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management 
and Budget, Room 10235, New Executive Office Building, Washington, DC 
20503. Attn: Lauren Wittenberg, NSF Desk Officer.
    Comments: Written comments are invited on (a) whether the proposed 
collection of information is necessary for the proper performance 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 of the proposed collection of information; (c) ways to 
enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information on 
respondents, including through the use of automated collection 
techniques or other forms of information technology; or (d) 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.
    We are, however, requesting an emergency review of the information 
collection referenced below. In compliance with the requirement of 
section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, we have 
submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) the following 
requirements for emergency review. We are requesting an emergency 
review because the collection of this information is needed before the 
expiration of the normal time limits under OMB's regulations at 5 CFR 
part 1320.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Suzanne H. Plimpton, Reports Clearance 
Officer, National Science Foundation, 4201 Wilson Boulevard, Suite 295, 
Arlington, Virginia 22230; telephone (703) 292-7556; or send email to 
[email protected]. Individuals who use a telecommunications device for 
the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 
1-800-877-8339 between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m., Eastern time, Monday through 
Friday.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:   

Request For Emergency Clearance for Data Collection in Support of a 
Cross-Site Evaluation of National Science Foundation's Directorate 
For Education and Human Resources The Urban Systemic Program

    OMB Approval Number: OMB 3145-(new).
    Expiration Date: Not applicable.
    Abstract: The National Science Foundation (NSF) requests a six-
month (180 days) emergency clearance for the Evaluation of the Urban 
Systemic Program (USP), a study that has been on-going since October 
1999 under OMB 3145-0136. Due to a change in OMB terms of clearance for 
OMB 3145-0136, NSF is seeking to establish an independent clearance for 
the USP study. A four-month delay (for standard OMB clearance) would 
negatively impact the baseline data collection by placing the 
resumption of scheduling of data collection at the end of the 2001-2002 
school year. Participating school districts (respondents) work on a 
nine-month schedule. Scheduling evaluator's visits at the height of 
end-of-year events and on the eve of summer vacation is inconvenient 
for the respondents. Furthermore, when the school year ends key 
interviewees including teachers are unavailable.
    As part of the study, four site visits have been scheduled for fall 
of 2001. The inconvenience to these districts

[[Page 56138]]

represented by a delay or suspension of data collection activities 
would harm the overall evaluation effort. Finally, given the turnover 
in leadership in urban school districts, a time lapse in data 
collection will result in an increased risk of the departure of key USP 
staff, further delaying timely and reliable data collection. As part of 
multiple data collection activities over time, opportunities to 
supplement baseline data through observations of normal USP operations 
will be compromised, possibly leading to inconsistent data across 
sites.
    USP began in 1999 when NSF made competitive awards of up to $3 
million, for each of 5 years, to five urban school districts. The USP 
represents NSF's major current investment in improving science and 
mathematics education in urban school systems across the country, and 
having a third-party evaluative documentation will be important in 
interpreting the worthiness of the investment.
    NSF uses the data to: (1) Determine whether to modify or extend the 
USP concepts and (2) share best practices and lessons learned about 
systemic reform with school, district, and state educators.
    Specifically, during the first two years of the USP Cross-Site 
Evaluation First, the third-party has produced reports for others at 
NSF (e.g., the National Science Board). Though there are other sources 
of such documentation, the information provided by the Cross-Site team 
is valued because the team is conducting an evaluation and is not 
associated in any other way with the program sites. Second, the 
Division of Educational System Reform uses the information to 
supplement its annual program monitoring. Third, NSF will use the 
information as a program evaluation, both assessing its investment in 
the USP program and potentially helping to guide the design of future 
programs.
    Respondents: State, local or tribal governments.
    Number of Respondents: 378.
    Burden on the Public: 270 hours.

    Dated: November 1, 2001.
Suzanne H. Plimpton,
NSF Reports Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. 01-27852 Filed 11-6-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7555-01-M