[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 66 (Friday, April 5, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Pages 16454-16455]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-8248]


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NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION


Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; 
Comment Request

AGENCY: National Science Foundation.

ACTION: Notice.

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

[[Page 16455]]

    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; 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.

DATES: Written comments should be received by June 4, 2002 to be 
assured of consideration. Comments received after that date would 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].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Suzanne Plimpton on (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:  
    Title of Collection: Quantitative Evaluation for the National 
Science Foundation's Centers for Learning and Teaching.
    OMB Control No.: 3145-(new).
    Expiration Date of Approval: Not applicable.

1. Abstract

    This document has been prepared to support the clearance of data 
collection instruments to be used in the evaluation of the National 
Science Foundation's (NSF) Centers for Learning and Teaching (CLT). The 
CLT program calls for a systematic approach to the development and 
enhancement of the instructional workforce (kindergarten through 
graduate school) where professionals are educated in an environment of 
research and practice. For science, technology, engineering and 
mathematics (STEM) educators, a Center will provide opportunities to 
enhance content knowledge, develop teaching strategies that lead to 
improved student learning, facilitate the implementation of high 
quality instructional materials and information technology, and develop 
skills in using various strategies for assessing student learning. For 
graduate students, post-doctoral students, and interns, a Center will 
provide study and research opportunities with the goal of improving 
learning, teaching, and assessment across the educational continuum.
    CLT centers are funded as Elementary, Secondary, and Informal 
Education (ESIE) Centers, or Higher Education Centers. The goals of the 
ESIE Centers include (1) Increasing the numbers of K-12 STEM educators 
in both formal and informal settings who have current content 
knowledge, implement standards-based instruction, and use information 
technology as an aid to learning; (2) rebuilding and diversifying the 
human resource base that forms the national infrastructure for STEM, 
including basic and advanced education for graduate and post-doctoral 
students who will specialize in STEM education; and (3) providing 
substantive opportunities for research into the nature of learning, 
teaching, and educational reform. The goals of the Higher Education 
Centers address (1) increasing the numbers of STEM faculty who 
implement effective teaching practice and assessment; (2) providing 
professional development for graduate and post-doctoral student in STEM 
disciplines to develop their skills as educators and to develop 
graduate programs in STEM education in disciplinary departments; and 
(3) providing substantive opportunities for research into the nature of 
learning, teaching, and educational reform in higher education.
    This study addresses the following research questions: In what ways 
and to what extent are CLTs reflecting the models proposed? To what 
extent are the CLT centers meeting the goals of the CLT program? What 
is the value-added of creating CLTs for the achievement of the desired 
educational outcomes? To what extent does the portfolio of CLT 
activities appropriately meet national STEM education needs?
    The data to address these questions will be gathered via surveys of 
the following groups: CLT faculty; CLT graduate students; CLT 
postdoctoral participants: CLT project directors; representatives of 
IHE partners; and participating K-12 teachers. All the surveys will be 
sample surveys with the exception of the project director survey, which 
will be the population. The evaluation surveys will build on the annual 
data collected from projects for the purpose of GPRA.
    In addition to the surveys, a number of small site-specific studies 
will be conducted to examine the outcomes of various Center activities 
(e.g., new teacher preparation programs, new courses and curricula, 
professional development for faculty and K-12 teachers). Meta analysis 
techniques will be employed to calculate effect sizes across similar 
studies.

2. Expected Respondents

    The expected respondents are: CLT faculty; CLT graduate students; 
CLT postdoctoral participants; CLT project directors; representatives 
of IHE partners; and participating K-12 teachers.

3. Burden on the Public

    The total estimate for this collection is 500 burden hours for a 
maximum of 1200 participants assuming an 80-100% response rate. The 
average annual reporting burden is 30 minutes per respondent. The 
burden on the public is negligible; the study is limited to project 
participants that have received funding from the NSF CLT program.

    Dated: April 1, 2002.
Suzanne H. Plimpton,
Reports Clearance Officer, National Science Foundation.
[FR Doc. 02-8248 Filed 4-4-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7555-01-M