[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 128 (Tuesday, July 5, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 39128-39129]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-16733]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR


Comment Request for Information Collection for the Trade 
Adjustment Assistance Community College and Career Training (TAACCCT) 
Grant Program, New Collection

AGENCY: Employment and Training Administration, Labor.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Labor, as part of its continuing effort to 
reduce paperwork and respondent burden, conducts a preclearance 
consultation

[[Page 39129]]

program to provide the general public and federal agencies with an 
opportunity to comment on proposed and/or continuing collections of 
information in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 
(PRA95) [44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)]. This program helps to ensure that 
requested data can be provided in the desired format, reporting burden 
(time and financial resources) is minimized, collection instruments are 
clearly understood, and the impact of collection requirements on 
respondents can be properly assessed. Currently, the Employment and 
Training Administration is soliciting comments concerning the 
collection of data about the Trade Adjustment Assistance Community 
College and Career Training (TAACCCT) grant program.
    A copy of the proposed information collection request (ICR) can be 
obtained by contacting the office listed below in the addressee section 
of this notice.

DATES: Written comments must be submitted to the office listed in the 
addressee's section below on or before September 6, 2011.

ADDRESSES: Submit written comments to Brad Wiggins, Room N-4643, 
Employment and Training Administration, 200 Constitution Avenue, NW., 
Washington, DC 20210. Telephone number: 202-693-3949 (this is not a 
toll-free number). Fax: 202-693-3890. E-mail: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    I. Background: Grantees that are awarded Trade Adjustment 
Assistance Community College and Career Training (TAACCCT) grants will 
be required to submit standardized quarterly progress reports and 
annual performance reports summarizing participant characteristics, 
progress and implementation measures, and performance outcomes. 
Progress and implementation measures will be provided in narrative form 
on a quarterly basis using conclusions drawn from both self-assessments 
and data to ensure programs are on track toward meeting performance 
goals and continuously improve grant-funded programs. Outcome measures 
will be provided annually for both program participants and a 
comparison cohort for the following measures: Entered employment rate, 
employment retention rate, average earnings, attainment of credits 
toward degree(s), attainment of industry-recognized certificates (less 
than one year), attainment of industry-recognized certificates (more 
than one year), and graduation number and rate for degree programs.
    The collection of this data helps ETA report the impact of these 
funds and provides ETA with more comprehensive information on the 
status of individual grants and individuals that receive services and 
find employment through these grants. The accuracy, reliability, and 
comparability of program reports submitted by grantees using federal 
funds are fundamental elements of good public administration and are 
necessary tools for maintaining and demonstrating system integrity. The 
use of a standard set of data elements, definitions, and specifications 
at all levels of the workforce system, including the TAACCCT grants, 
helps improve the quality of performance information that is received 
by ETA. This data also helps ETA provide more targeted technical 
assistance to support improvement of grantee outcomes. ETA will provide 
TAACCCT grantees with a reporting system which will support the 
submission of quarterly progress and annual performance reports to ETA, 
which include both quarterly narrative reports (ETA-9159 Form) and an 
annual performance report (ETA-9160 Form).
    II. Review Focus: The Department of Labor is particularly 
interested in comments which:
     Evaluate whether the proposed collection of information is 
necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, 
including whether the information will have practical utility;
     Evaluate the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the 
burden of the proposed collection of information, including the 
validity of the methodology and assumptions used;
     Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the 
information to be collected; and
     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, e.g., permitting 
electronic submissions of responses.
    III. Current Actions:
    Type of Review: New collection.
    Title: Trade Adjustment Assistance Community College and Career 
Training Grants: Quarterly Progress and Annual Performance Reporting 
Forms & Instructions.
    OMB Number: 1205-0NEW.
    Affected Public: TACT Grantees and program participants.
    Form(s): ETA-9159 and ETA-9160.
    Total Annual Respondents: 100.
    Annual Frequency: Quarterly.
    Total Annual Responses: 168,197.
    Average Time per Response: 136.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 30,420.
    Total Annual Burden Cost for Respondents: 0.
    Comments submitted in response to this comment request will be 
summarized and/or included in the request for Office of Management and 
Budget approval of the information collection request; they will also 
become a matter of public record.

    Dated: June 24, 2011.
Jane Oates,
Assistant Secretary, Employment and Training Administration.
[FR Doc. 2011-16733 Filed 7-1-11; 8:45 am]
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