[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 128 (Tuesday, July 7, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Pages 32196-32197]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-15916]


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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.

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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 three 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 September 8, 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 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.: 3145-0200.
    Expiration Date of Approval: June 30, 2009.
    Abstract: The National Science Foundation (NSF) requests a three-
year clearance for an evaluation of the Math and Science Partnership 
(MSP) program. 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 (Pub. 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 and teacher 
institute partnerships, or a universe of approximately 65 discrete 
projects.
    The evaluation's data collection and analysis activities will be 
conducted by COSMOS Corporation, Bethesda, MD, in partnership with 
Brown University 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

[[Page 32197]]

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 2006-2011.
    The evaluation's overall framework consists of several substudies 
each focusing on a different, but essential part of the MSP grantees' 
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 no 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 effected 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 Total Respondents: 216.
    Total Burden on the Public: 456 hours.

    Dated: July 1, 2009.
Suzanne H. Plimpton,
Reports Clearance Officer, National Science Foundation.
[FR Doc. E9-15916 Filed 7-6-09; 8:45 am]
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