[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 175 (Friday, September 10, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Pages 54824-54825]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-20525]


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DEPARTMENT OF STATE

[Public Notice: 4827]


60-Day Notice of Proposed Information Collection: Generic 
Clearance Information Collection for ECA Evaluation Program, OMB No. 
1405-XXXX

ACTION: Notice of request for public comments.

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SUMMARY: The Department of State is seeking Office of Management and 
Budget (OMB) approval for the information collection described below. 
The purpose of this notice is to allow 60 days for public comment in 
the Federal Register preceding submission to OMB. We are conducting 
this process in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995.
     Title of Information Collection: Generic Clearance 
Information Collection for ECA Evaluation Program.
     OMB Control Number: 1405-XXXX.
     Type of Request: New Collection.
     Originating Office: Bureau of Educational and Cultural 
Affairs (ECA), Office of Policy and Evaluation (ECA/P).
     Form Number: None.
     Respondents: Respondents of program evaluation and/or 
program monitoring activities under the proposed information collection 
may include U.S. and foreign applicants, current grantee exchange 
visitor participants (J-1 visa holders) and alumni of the Bureau of 
Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) exchange programs, domestic 
grantee organizations and program administrators, foreign partner 
organizations, domestic and foreign hosts of exchange visitor 
participants, and other similar types of respondents associated with 
ECA exchange programs.
     Estimated Number of Respondents: 2,617.
     Estimated Number of Responses: 2,617.
     Average Hours Per Response: 45 minutes.
     Total Estimated Burden: 1,962 hours.
     Frequency: Information may be collected annually, on 
occasion, and per evaluation project.
     Obligation to Respond: Voluntary.

DATES: The Department will accept comments from the public up to 60 
days from September 10, 2004.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by any of the following methods:
     E-mail: [email protected]. You must include the DS form 
number (if applicable), information collection title, and OMB control 
number in the subject line of your message.
     Mail (paper, disk, or CD-ROM submissions): Tamara L. 
Martin, U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural 
Affairs, Office of Policy and Evaluation (ECA/P), 301 4th Street SW, 
Room 336 (SA-44), Washington, DC 20547.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Direct requests for additional 
information regarding the collection listed in this notice, including 
requests for copies of the proposed information collection and 
supporting documents, to Tamara L. Martin, U.S. Department of State, 
Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, Office of Policy and 
Evaluation (ECA/P), 301 4th Street SW., Room 336 (SA-44), Washington, 
DC 20547, who may be reached on (202) 205-1975.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: We are soliciting public comments to permit 
the Department to:
     Evaluate whether the proposed information collection is 
necessary for the proper performance of our functions.
     Evaluate the accuracy of our estimate of the burden of the 
proposed collection, including the validity of the methodology and 
assumptions used.
     Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the 
information to be collected.
     Minimize the reporting burden on those who are to respond, 
including the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of 
technology.
    Abstract of proposed collection: The information collection will 
facilitate the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs' (ECA) 
ability to regularly collect critical and timely feedback data from a 
defined universe of respondents (customer base). The evaluation and 
performance measurement data obtained through the information 
collection will allow ECA to better assess and improve ECA's exchange 
programs, learn more about the results and effectiveness of ECA 
programs, and comply with reporting requirements established by 
Congress and the Office of Management and Budget. ECA's

[[Page 54825]]

exchange programs are critical to the Department of State's foreign 
policy mission and public diplomacy strategy as they are designed to 
help promote a balanced and accurate view of the United States and 
build partnerships around the world.
    Methodology: Data collected through the information collection will 
be derived from customer/ respondent paper and on-line surveys, 
personal interviews and/or focus groups. The customer/respondent base 
includes applicants, participants, alumni, program administrators, 
hosts and grantee organizations involved in ECA exchange programs.

    Dated: August 17, 2004.
Cathy Chikes,
Executive Director, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, 
Department of State.
[FR Doc. 04-20525 Filed 9-9-04; 8:45 am]
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