[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 217 (Thursday, November 8, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Page 56579]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-28050]


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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 reinstatement and 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 parsons are invited to send comments regarding the 
burden of 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 e-mail 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 Cross-Project Evaluation of 
the National Science Foundation's Local Systemic Change Through 
Teacher Enhancement Program (LSC)

    OMB Approval Number: OMB 3145-0161.
    Expiration Date: Not applicable.
    Abstract: The National Science Foundation (NSF) requests a six-
month extension for surveys in the Local Systemic Change (LSC) through 
Teacher Enhancement Program which was previously approved through 
September 2001 (OMB No. 3145-0136). The surveys are part of the ongoing 
data collection for the program-wide evaluation of the LSC. Each of the 
72 currently funded projects administers teacher and principal 
questionnaires and conducts teacher interviews at appropriate times 
during the school year based on the program evaluation design. A 
disruption in the data collection process would jeopardize the 
completion of the annual report NSF needs in order to provide 
programmatic impact information to Congress as well as planned 
longitudinal analyses.
    These surveys have been ongoing for a number of years in LSC 
projects funded by NSF. The LSC program is a large-scale effort to 
modify the nature of teacher in-service training (or professional 
development) provided to mathematics and science teachers in a large 
number of school districts across the country. Currently there are 72 
projects funded at up to $6 million each. The database maintained by 
Horizon Research, Inc. for LSC is designed to provide information on 
the total system, both for accountability and for judging 
effectiveness. For example, NSF is required to report for GPRA the 
number of teachers receiving NSF in-service and development support. 
This information is gathered through this recurring study of the LSC 
projects.
    Respondents: Individuals or households, and not-for-profit 
institutions.
    Number of Respondents: 14,760.
    Burden on the Public: 4,950 hours.

    Dated: November 2, 2001.
Suzanne H. Plimpton,
NSF Reports Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. 01-28050 Filed 11-7-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7555-01-M