[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 72 (Friday, April 13, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 22359-22360]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-8894]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION


Innovative Technology Experiences for Students and Teachers 
(ITEST) Program; Comment Request

AGENCY: National Science Foundation.

ACTION: Notice.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: Under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13 
(44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)), and as part of its continuing effort to 
reduce paperwork and respondent burden, the National Science Foundation 
invites the general public and other Federal agencies to take this 
opportunity to comment on this information collection. This is the 
second notice for public comment; the first was published in the 
Federal Register at 74 FR 68637 and one comment was received regarding 
the materials provided. NSF is forwarding the proposed submission to 
the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for clearance simultaneously 
with the publication of this second notice. The full submission may be 
found at: http://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain.

DATES: Comments regarding these information collections are best 
assured of having their full effect if received by OMB within 30 days 
of publication in the Federal Register.

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

[[Page 22360]]

Foundation, 4201 Wilson Blvd., Rm. 295, Arlington, VA 22230, or by 
email to [email protected]. Copies of the submission may be obtained by 
calling (703) 292-7556.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Contact Suzanne Plimpton, the NSF 
Reports Clearance Officer, phone (703) 292-7556, or send email 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, which is accessible 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 
days a year (including Federal holidays).
    An agency may not conduct or sponsor a collection of information 
unless the collection of information displays a currently valid OMB 
control number and the agency informs potential persons who are to 
respond to the collection of information that such persons are not 
required to respond to the collection of information unless it displays 
a currently valid OMB control number.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    Title of Collection: Innovative Technology Experiences for Students 
and Teachers (ITEST) Program.

Evaluation for the National Science Foundation

    OMB Number: 3145-New.
    Expiration Date of Approval: Not applicable.
    Type of request: Initial clearance.
    Abstract: Innovative Technology Experiences for Students and 
Teachers (ITEST) is a National Science Foundation program that responds 
to current concerns and projections about the growing demand for 
professionals and information technology workers in the U.S. and seeks 
solutions to help ensure the breadth and depth of the STEM workforce. 
Information technologies are integral to both the workplace and 
everyday activities of most Americans. They are part of how people 
learn, how they interact with each other and information, and how they 
represent and understand their world. Attaining a basic understanding 
of these technologies and mastery of essential technical skills is a 
requirement for anyone to benefit from innovation in the modern world. 
The technological growth of the nation depends on a technologically 
literate citizenry. ITEST is designed to increase the opportunities for 
students and teachers to learn about, experience, and use information 
technologies within the context of science, technology, engineering, 
and mathematics (STEM), including Information Technology (IT) courses. 
Supported projects are intended to provide opportunities for K-12 
children and teachers to build the skills and knowledge needed to 
advance their study, and to function and to contribute in a 
technologically rich society. Additionally, exposure to engaging 
applications of IT is a means to stimulate student interest in the 
field and an important precursor to the academic preparation needed to 
pursue IT careers.
    The ITEST program evaluation will characterize the variety of ITEST 
projects, measure the rigor of individual project evaluations, estimate 
outcomes for students and teachers involved in a sample of projects, 
and identify exemplary project models. In order to accomplish these 
tasks, the ITEST program evaluation will employ a mixed-method approach 
including case studies, quasi-experiments, and extensive document 
review. This information collection request will include a series of 
protocols to be used while conducting site visit interviews, a list of 
documents to be requested during visits, and a student-survey 
instrument to measure project outcomes.
    Estimate of Burden:
    Respondents: Individuals.
    Frequency: Annual.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 984.
    Estimated Burden Hours on Respondents: 984 hours.
    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; and (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.
    Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized 
and/or included in the request for OMB approval of this information 
collection; they also will become a matter of public record.

    Dated: April 10, 2012.
Suzanne H. Plimpton,
Reports Clearance Officer, National Science Foundation.
[FR Doc. 2012-8894 Filed 4-12-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7555-01-P