[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 163 (Wednesday, August 24, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 49684-49685]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-16825]


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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 for 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.
    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 of respondents, including through the use of 
automated collection techniques or other forms of information 
technology.

DATES: Written comments should be received by October 24, 2005, 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 Boulevard, Room 295, 
Arlington, VA 22230, or by e-mail to [email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Suzanne Plimpton on (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: Evaluation of the National Science 
Foundation's Math and Science Partnership (MSP) Program.
    OMB Control No.: 3145-New.
    Expiration Date of Approval: Not applicable.
    Abstract: The National Science Foundation (NSF) requests a three-
year clearance for an evaluation of the Math and Science Partnership 
(MSP) program. After three years in existence, MSP as a program in its 
entirety has not been evaluated regarding whether it is achieving its 
goals or purposes. The MSP program is a research and development (R&D) 
effort funded by the NSF to integrate the work of higher education, 
especially disciplinary faculty in math, sciences, and engineering, 
with that of K-12 communities in order to strengthen and reform math 
and science education. The program is authorized under the NSF 
Authorization Act of 2002 (P.L. 107-368), December 19, 2002 (to 
authorize appropriations for FY 2003-07 and ``for other purposes''). 
MSP is among 11 programs specifically authorized by the legislation 
(Sec. 11 authorizes a 12th program, the Centers for Research on 
Mathematics and Science Learning and Education Improvement).
    The NSF's MSP program portfolio consists of about 80 awards or 
projects (e.g. design grants, standard or continuing grants or 
cooperative agreements) that initially were funded between 2002 and 
2004. The type of awards subject to study and data collection, however, 
include only the comprehensive MSPs, targeted MSPs, teacher institute 
partnerships, and

[[Page 49685]]

Research, Evaluation, and Technical Assistance (RETAs), or a universe 
of approximately 65 discrete projects.
    The evaluation's data collection and analysis activities will be 
conducted by COSMOS Corporation, Bethesda in partnership with Brown 
University, George Mason University, and The McKenzie Group via a 
contract administered by the NSF's Division of Research, Evaluation and 
Communication (REC). This evaluation involves both quantitative and 
qualitative data, collected from multiple sources using multiple 
methods, including secondary analyses of project-related materials such 
as existing databases (MSP Management Information System--OMB 3145-
0199), annual reports, Web sites, and relevant policy and 
methodological documents and original data collection through one-on-
one interviews with key stakeholders conducted during site visits. For 
the MSP Management Information System, the contract team will analyze 
these data using quantitative statistical models. A second data source 
consists of annual project reports and other reports submitted by the 
MSP grantees to the NSF in accordance with Federal research project 
reporting requirements established at NSF under OMB 3145-0058. A third 
source is U.S. Department of Education's public use files on student 
achievement and school systems' demographic characteristics.
    The fourth source for data is the proposed evaluation's original 
data collection activities. In particular and principally a series of 
site visits will be conducted during 2006, 2007, and 2008. The 
evaluation plan selects a random sample of sites to be the subject of 
the 2006 and 2007 site visits. In this manner, data and lessons derived 
form the earlier site visits can be the basis for generalizing to the 
entire MSP Program portfolio during 2006 and 2007. By 2008, with the 
entire census of study projects covered, such a sampling logic will no 
longer be relevant. The initial random sample will be stratified so 
that every grant site visit occurs before the grant expires.
    The evaluation's overall framework consists of several substudies 
each focusing on a different, but essential part of the MSP grantee's 
work (e.g., partnerships, the role of disciplinary faculty, student 
achievement). The relevant evaluation design under these conditions 
might be considered a meta-analytic rather than singular design--e.g., 
providing a rationale for the selection of substudies as well as some 
guidance for conducting the substudies. Consultations have occurred 
with a team of external experts on the research design during the 
evaluation's design phase and will continue to take place throughout 
the evaluation. The team of external experts represents the nation's 
leading researchers and scholars on methodology and content in the 
field of evaluation and representatives are from top-tier university 
schools of education and departments of mathematics or science; an 
education advocacy group; and an education research council.
    The data collection instruments include face-to-face interviews, 
such as focus groups, and telephone or electronic surveys. An interview 
protocol based on the evaluation framework will be administered during 
the site visits. Expected respondents at site visits are Principal 
Investigators, co-Principal Investigators, administrators, teams of 
external experts, and other stakeholders who participated in MSP. There 
are not costs to respondents other than the time involved in the 
interview or survey process.
    Information from the evaluation's data collections and analysis 
will be used to improve the NSF's program processes and outcomes. It 
will enable NSF to prepare and publish reports, and to respond to 
requests from Committees of Visitors, Congress, and the Office of 
Management and Budget, particularly as related to the Government 
Performance and Results Act (GPRA) and the Program Effectiveness Rating 
Tool (PART).
    The primary evaluation questions include but are not limited to:
    (1) How has the MSP Program affected or influenced the expertise, 
numbers, and diversity of the mathematics and science teaching force, 
K-12 student achievement in mathematics and science, and other presumed 
program outcomes? (2) What factors or attributes have accelerated or 
constrained progress in the MSP Program's achievements? and (3) How 
have institutions of higher education (IHEs) disciplinary faculty 
(mathematics, science, and engineering) participated in the MSP 
Program, and what has been their role in the Program's achievements?
    Respondents: Individuals and not-for-profit institutions.
    Estimated Number of Annual Respondents: 1,200.
    Burden on the Public: 3,000 hours.

    Dated: August 19, 2005.
Suzanne H. Plimpton,
Reports Clearance Officer, National Science Foundation.
[FR Doc. 05-16825 Filed 8-23-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7555-01-M