[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 106 (Monday, June 3, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Pages 38295-38296]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-13775]


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NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION


Agency Information Collection Activities: Comment Request

AGENCY: National Science Foundation.

[[Page 38296]]


ACTION: Submission for OMB review; comment request.

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SUMMARY: Under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13 
(44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), and as part of its continuing effort to 
reduce paperwork and respondent burden, the National Science Foundation 
(NSF) is inviting the general public and other Federal agencies to 
comment on this proposed continuing information collection. This is the 
second notice for public comment; the first was published in the 
Federal Register at 66 FR 57114 and no comments were received. NSF is 
forwarding the proposed submission to the Office of Management and 
Budget (OMB) for clearance simultaneously with the publication of this 
second notice.

DATES: Comments regarding these information collections are best 
assured of having their full effect if received by OMB within 30 days 
of publication in the Federal Register.

ADDRESSES: Written comments regarding (a) whether the collection of 
information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of 
NSF, including whether the information will have practical utility; (b) 
the accuracy of NSF's estimate of burden including the validity of the 
methodology and assumptions used; (c) ways to enhance the quality, 
utility and clarity of the information to be collected; 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 should be addressed to: Office of 
Information and Regulatory Affairs of OMB, Attention: Desk Officer for 
National Science Foundation, 725 17th Street, NW. Room 10235, 
Washington DC 20503, and to Suzanne H. Plimpton, Reports Clearance 
Officer, National Science Foundation, 4201 Wilson Boulevard, Suite 295, 
Arlington, Virginia 22230 or send email to [email protected]. Copies if 
the submission may be obtained by calling (703) 292-7556.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Suzanne H. Plimpton, NSF Reports 
Clearance Officer at (703) 292-7556 or send email to [email protected].
    An agency may not contact or sponsor a collection of information 
unless the collection of information displays a currently valid OMB 
control number and the agency informs potential persons who are to 
respond to the collection of information that such persons are not 
required to respond to the collection of information unless it displays 
a currently valid OMB control number.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title of Collection: Evaluation of the Impact and Use of the 
National Institutes of Health Curriculum Supplements on Students' 
Scientific Knowledge.
    OMB Control No.: 3145-NEW.

1. Abstract

    The National Science Foundation (NSF) has provided funding for 
systematically developed, research-based curriculum materials beginning 
in the 1960s. NSF has the responsibility of coordinating evaluations of 
mathematics and science education programs across government, including 
agencies such as the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Since its 
establishment as part of NIH, the Office of Science Education (OSE) has 
engaged in the development of science curriculum supplements and other 
educational materials related to medicine and research. NSF and NIH 
will partner in this evaluation because both desire information on the 
effectiveness of curriculum materials and the effective means to 
collect this information. Over the years, there have been changes in 
the levels of funding for such instructional materials, reflecting 
changes in public support and concerns for such endeavors. However, 
concerns about student achievement in science have focused attention on 
the need for strong curriculum materials to support ``systemic reform'' 
(O'Day & Smith, 1993). NSF has responded to these needs by increasing 
support to research-based instructional materials that have been 
reviewed by content experts and found to be of high quality and meet 
the demands of the National Science Education Standards (NSES).
    The proposed evaluation's study questions to be addressed are: Do 
the curriculum supplements promote better science education? Do the 
curriculum supplements reduce academic inequity? Do the curriculum 
supplements deepen students' understanding of the importance of basic 
research to advances in medicine and health? Do the curriculum 
supplements foster student analysis of the direct and indirect effects 
of scientific discoveries on their individual and public health? Do the 
curriculum supplements encourage students to take more responsibility 
for their own health?
    The data to address these questions will be gathered using mixed 
methods. In addition to assessing student achievement data and using 
surveys, the mixed-methods evaluation model will include pre-
observation questionnaires, observations, and interviews of teachers. 
Interviews and observations, for example, will enable research 
evaluators to clarify vague responses in surveys or confirm findings. 
As part of the evaluation, pre- and post-assessment will be used for 
NIH Curriculum Supplement Series for Grades 9-12 to compare students' 
learning of scientific concepts and skills when a supplement of NIH 
materials will be used, with students who do not receive the NIH 
materials. Teacher and student surveys, interviews, site visits, 
document reviews, standardized performance measures, and student work 
samples will provide the basis for comparison.

2. Expected Respondents

    The expected respondents and observation subjects are pre-college 
teachers and students.

3. Burden on the Public

    The total annual burden hours for this collection are 6,952 for a 
maximum of 6,132 respondents, assuming an 80-100% response rate. The 
burden on the general public is small because the study is limited to a 
10 percent random sample of the 12,000 teachers who have requested the 
materials being studied, a sample of impacted students, and 60 
treatment and 60 comparison teachers.

    Dated: May 28, 2002.
Suzanne H. Plimpton,
Reports Clearance Officer, National Science Foundation.
[FR Doc. 02-13775 Filed 5-31-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7555-01-M