[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 48 (Tuesday, March 12, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Pages 11146-11147]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-5870]


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NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION


Request for Clearance; Public Information Collection Requirements 
To Be Submitted to the Office of Management and Budget; Notice

AGENCY: National Science Foundation.

ACTION: Request for clearance: Public information collection 
requirements to be submitted to the Office of Management and Budget 
(OMB).

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SUMMARY: The National Science Foundation (NSF) is announcing plans to 
request extension of approval for 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 extend clearance of 
this collection for at least 3 years.

DATES: Written comments should be received by May 13, 2002, to be 
assured of consideration. Comments received after that date will be 
considered to the extent practicable.

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.

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:
    Title of Collection: Cross-Site Evaluation of the National Science 
Foundation's Directorate for Education and Human Resources' Urban 
Systemic Program.
    OMB Approval Number: 3145-0186.
    Expiration Date of Approval: July 31, 2002.
    Abstract:
    The National Science Foundation (NSF) requests a three-year 
clearance for an evaluation of the Urban Systemic Program (USP), a 
study that has been on-going since October 1999 first under OMB 3145-
0136 and now under OMB 3145-0186. Due to a change in OMB terms of 
clearance for OMB 3145-0136, NSF established an independent clearance 
for the USP study under the terms of an emergency clearance.
    USP began in 1999 when NSF made competitive awards of up to $3 
million per year, for up to 5 years, to 5 urban school districts. Since 
then, the program has made awards to 13 additional districts in 2000, 
and another 9 districts in 2001. The USP represents one of NSF's major 
investments in improving science and mathematics education in

[[Page 11147]]

urban school systems across the country, and having third-party 
evaluation is important in order for the agency to interpret 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 
reform in mathematics and science education for K-12 schools.
    Specifically, during the first two years of the USP Cross-Site 
Evaluation, the third-party, COSMOS Corporation of Bethesda, MD, 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 not 
associated in any 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, both to assess 
its investment in the USP program and potentially to help to guide the 
design of future programs, such as the Mathematics and Science 
Partnerships.
    During the extended period of clearance, the cross-site evaluation 
will conduct site visits to the first 18 districts that received USP 
awards and will collect student achievement data in mathematics and 
science from all of the districts. This data collection complements 
earlier efforts already undertaken by the Cross-Site team under earlier 
OMB clearance.
    Respondents: State, local or tribal governments.
    Number of Respondents: 378.
    Burden on the Public: 270 hours.

    Dated: March 7, 2002.
Suzanne H. Plimpton,
Reports Clearance Officer, National Science Foundation.
[FR Doc. 02-5870 Filed 3-11-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7555-01-M