[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 212 (Friday, November 1, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 65715-65716]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-26099]


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

NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION


Request for Comments on the Program Solicitation for the Advanced 
Technological Education Program (ATE)

AGENCY: National Science Foundation.

ACTION: Request for Comments.

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

[[Page 65716]]

SUMMARY: This notice announces the intent of the Advanced Technological 
Education (ATE) Program at the National Science Foundation (NSF) to 
change some emphases in the program's solicitation.
    As part of this information collection effort, the Division of 
Undergraduate Education in the Directorate for Education and Human 
Resources is requesting comments on possible changes to the current 
program solicitation, that could include: (1) Adding specific emerging 
areas to expand the pool of skilled technicians in strategic advanced-
technology fields; (2) increasing focus on or highlighting gaps in the 
program solicitation that need to be addressed; (3) developing new 
types of partnerships (e.g., NIST Manufacturing Extension Partnerships, 
partnerships with Discipline-Based Educational Researchers, 
partnerships with learning scientists, educational researchers and 
evaluators); and (4) adding Research & Development (R&D) on innovations 
in curricular, learning materials, tools, assessments, and faculty and 
student professional development.

DATES: Send your written comments by December 2, 2013.

ADDRESSES: Send your written comments to Advanced Technological 
Education Program, Division of Undergraduate Education, National 
Science Foundation, 4201 Wilson Blvd., Room 835, Arlington, VA 22230. 
Send email comments to [email protected] by December 2, 2013.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: [email protected]by December 
2, 2013.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

A. Background

    The National Science Foundation (NSF) Advanced Technological 
Education (ATE) program was established by the Scientific and Advanced 
Technology Act of 1992 to utilize the resources of the Nation's two-
year associate-degree granting colleges. With an emphasis on two-year 
institutions, the Advanced Technological Education (ATE) program 
focuses on the education of technicians for the high technology fields 
that drive our nation's economy. The program involves partnerships 
between academic institutions and industry to promote improvement in 
the education of science and engineering technicians at the 
undergraduate and secondary school levels. The ATE program supports 
curriculum development; professional development of college faculty and 
secondary school teachers; career pathways to two-year colleges from 
secondary schools and from two-year colleges to four-year institutions; 
career pathways that lead to entry-level technician positions in STEM 
that require less than a baccalaureate degree, and other activities The 
program also invites proposals focusing on research to advance practice 
and the knowledge base related to technician education.
    Program goals are to
    1. Educate highly qualified science and engineering technicians to 
meet workforce demands in strategic advanced technology fields;
    2. Improve the technical skills and general science, technology, 
engineering, and mathematics (STEM) preparation of these technicians 
and the educators who prepare them at the secondary (grades 7-12) and 
undergraduate levels; and
    3. Increase the capacity of institutions to effectively partner 
with industry to develop and implement advanced technician education 
programs that supply the workforce for industry and enhance the 
economic vitality of the region and the Nation.
    ATE is a workforce program that is located in the Division of 
Undergraduate Education (DUE) in the Directorate for Education and 
Human Resources.
    The National Science Foundation (NSF) is an independent federal 
agency established by Congress in 1950 ``to promote the progress of 
science; to advance the national health, prosperity, and welfare; to 
secure the national defense; and for other purposes'' (http://www.nsf.gov/about/)
    The NSF Directorate for Education and Human Resources (EHR) ``makes 
investments toward a vision of a healthy and vital national science, 
technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) enterprise. The 
Directorate works toward that vision through its mission, which is to 
support the preparation of a diverse, globally competent STEM workforce 
and a STEM-literate citizenry through investments in research and 
development on STEM education and learning. Opportunities to learn STEM 
effectively--for people of all ages, from all corners of the Nation, 
and in many venues (e.g., classrooms and living rooms; science centers 
and virtual centers)--are the foundation for that scientifically 
literate society and strong scientific workforce. These, in turn, are 
the basis for keeping our Nation globally competitive, prosperous, and 
secure. EHR provides the focus for NSF's investments to advance STEM 
learning, scientific literacy, and a globally competitive science and 
engineering workforce'' (http://www.nsf.gov/about/budget/fy2014/pdf/25_fy2014.pdf).

B. Request for Comments

    The Advanced Technological Education (ATE) Program is seeking 
information from the public and program stakeholders. Governmental 
policy makers, academic researchers, evaluators, industry, professional 
societies, and other interested parties are encouraged to participate 
by submitting comments. These comments will be used to inform changes 
to the solicitation and may be made publicly available. The ATE Program 
will not respond to individual comments. Official address, contact, and 
due date for submitting comments are stated above.

    Dated: October 29, 2013.
Suzanne H. Plimpton,
Reports Clearance Officer, National Science Foundation.
[FR Doc. 2013-26099 Filed 10-31-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7555-01-P