[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 54 (Monday, March 23, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Pages 12153-12154]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-6180]


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NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION


Notice of Intent To Seek Approval To Reinstate With Revision an 
Information Collection

AGENCY: National Science Foundation.

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

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SUMMARY: The National Science Foundation (NSF) is announcing plans to 
request reinstatement of 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 approve clearance 
of this collection for no longer than 3 years.

DATES: Written comments on this notice must be received by May 22, 2009 
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].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 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: Persons with Disabilities Majoring in Science, 
Engineering, Math and Technology.
    OMB Approval Number: 3145-0164.
    Expiration Date of Approval: Not applicable.
    Type of Request: Intent to seek approval to reinstate an 
information collection for three years.
    Abstract: The National Science Foundation (NSF) requests a 
reinstatement of the information collection for the Program for Persons 
with Disabilities, now called the Research in Disabilities Education 
(RDE) program. This on-line, annual data collection will describe and 
track the impact of RDE program funding on Nation's science, 
technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education and STEM 
workforce.
    NSF funds grants, contracts, and cooperative agreements to 
colleges, universities, and other eligible institutions, and provides 
graduate research fellowships to individuals in all parts of the United 
States and internationally. The Directorate for Education and Human 
Resources (EHR), a unit within NSF, promotes rigor and vitality within 
the Nation's STEM education enterprise to further the development of 
the 21st century's STEM workforce and public scientific literacy. EHR 
does this through diverse projects and programs that support research, 
extension, outreach, and hands-on activities serving STEM learning and 
research at all institutional (e.g. pre-school through postdoctoral) 
levels in formal and informal settings; and individuals of all ages 
(birth and beyond). The RDE program focuses specifically on broadening 
the participation and achievement of people with disabilities in all 
fields of STEM education and associated professional careers. The RDE 
program has been funding this objective since 1994 under the prior name 
Program for Persons with Disabilities. Particular emphasis is placed on 
contributing to the knowledge base by addressing disability related 
differences in secondary and post-secondary STEM learning and in the 
educational, social and pre-professional experiences that influence 
student interest, academic performance, retention in STEM degree 
programs, STEM degree completion, and career choices. Research and 
demonstration projects also investigate effective practices for 
transitioning students with disabilities across critical academic 
junctures, retaining students in undergraduate and graduate STEM degree 
programs, and graduating students with STEM associate, baccalaureate 
and graduate degrees. Research, demonstration, and enrichment project 
results inform the delivery of innovative, transformative and 
successful practices employed by the Alliances for Students with 
Disabilities in STEM to increase the number of students with 
disabilities completing associate, undergraduate and graduate degrees 
in STEM and to increase the number of students with disabilities 
entering our nation's science and engineering workforce. RDE projects 
contribute to closing the gaps occurring for people with disabilities 
in STEM fields by successfully disseminating findings, project 
evaluation results, and proven good practices and products to the 
public.
    The original information collection, approved by OMB in 1996, 
surveyed three groups of students: Students with disabilities in STEM 
fields, students with disabilities in other fields, and students 
without disabilities in STEM fields. These data allowed NSFD to 
understand more fully the population of students with disabilities in 
STEM fields and the issues they faced. The collection that will be 
submitted for

[[Page 12154]]

reinstatement focuses more specifically on the outcomes of the RDE 
program, and how alliances and researchers receiving NSF RDE funding 
have improved the academic environment for students with disabilities. 
This information collection will consist of an on-line data instrument 
that RDE awardees will use to submit annual data on their project 
activities and participants, as well as future evaluation activities.
    Use of the Information: This information is required for effective 
administration, communication, program and project monitoring and 
evaluation, and for measuring attainment of NSF's program, project and 
strategic goals, as required by the President's Management agenda as 
represented by the Office of Management and Budget's (OMB) Program 
Assessment Rating Tool (PART) and the NSF's Strategic Plan. The 
Foundation's FY 2006-2011 Strategic Plan describes four strategic 
outcome goals of Discovery, Learning, Research Infrastructure, and 
Stewardship. NSF's complete strategic plan may be found at: http://www.nsf.gov/publications/pub_summ.jsp?ods_key=nsf0648. Data collected 
will be used for accountability purposes, including responding from 
queries from Committees of Visitors and other scientific experts, and 
for separate research and evaluation studies.

Estimate of Burden

    Respondents: Principal Investigators and/or project staff receiving 
NSF RDE awards.
    Number of respondents: 45.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 1220 hours.
    Frequency of Responses: Data will be collected from awardees 
annually, and on an as-needed basis for future evaluation work.
    Comments: 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.

    Dated: March 17, 2009.
Suzanne H. Plimpton,
Reports Clearance Officer, National Science Foundation.
 [FR Doc. E9-6180 Filed 3-20-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7555-01-P