[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 1 (Monday, January 4, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 178-179]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-29049]


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DEPARTMENT OF STATE

[Public Notice 11238]


60-Day Notice of Proposed Information Collection: TechGirls 
Evaluation

ACTION: Notice of request for public comment.

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SUMMARY: The Department of State is seeking Office of Management and 
Budget (OMB) approval for the information collection described below. 
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, we are 
requesting comments on this collection from all interested individuals 
and organizations. The purpose of this notice is to allow 60 days for 
public comment preceding submission of the collection to OMB.

DATES: The Department will accept comments from the public up to March 
5, 2021.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by the following method:
     Web: Persons with access to the internet may comment on 
this notice by going to www.Regulations.gov. You can search for the 
document by entering ``Docket Number: DOS-2020-0046'' in the Search 
field. Then click the ``Comment Now'' button and complete the comment 
form.
    You must include the DS form number (if applicable), information 
collection title, and the OMB control number in any correspondence.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Direct requests for additional 
information regarding the collection listed in this notice, including 
requests for copies of the proposed collection instrument and 
supporting documents, may be sent to Natalie Donahue, Chief of 
Evaluation, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, 2200 C Street 
NW, Washington, DC 20037 who may be reached at (202) 632-6193 or 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
     Title of Information Collection: TechGirls Evaluation.
     OMB Control Number: None.
     Type of Request: New collection.
     Originating Office: Bureau of Educational and Cultural 
Affairs (ECA).
     Form Number: No form.
     Respondents: TechGirls program alumnae, their host 
families, their job shadow hosts, and ECA implementing partner program 
staff.
     Estimated Number of Alumnae Survey Respondents: 214.
     Estimated Number of Alumnae Survey Responses: 160.
     Average Time per Alumnae Survey: 46 minutes.

[[Page 179]]

     Total Estimated Alumnae Survey Burden Time: 122.6 hours.
     Estimated Number of Host Family Survey Respondents: 60.
     Estimated Number of Host Family Survey Responses: 30.
     Average Time per Host Family Survey: 29 minutes.
     Total Estimated Host Family Survey Burden Time: 14.5 
hours.
     Estimated Number of Job Shadow Host Survey Respondents: 
41.
     Estimated Number of Job Shadow Host Survey Responses: 21.
     Average Time per Job Shadow Host Survey: 16 minutes.
     Total Estimated Job Shadow Host Survey Burden Time: 5.6 
hours.
     Estimated Number of Implementing Partner Staff 
Respondents: 39.
     Estimated Number of Implementing Partner Staff Responses: 
20.
     Average Time per Implementing Partner Staff Survey: 16 
minutes.
     Total Estimated Implementing Partner Staff Survey Burden 
Time: 5.3 hours.
     Total Estimated Burden Time: 148 annual hours.
     Frequency: Once.
     Obligation to Respond: Voluntary.
    We are soliciting public comments to permit the Department to:
     Evaluate whether the proposed information collection is 
necessary for the proper functions of the Department.
     Evaluate the accuracy of our estimate of time and cost 
burden for this proposed collection, including the validity of the 
methodology and assumptions used.
     Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the 
information to be collected.
     Minimize the reporting burden on those who are to respond, 
including the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of 
information technology.
    Please note that comments submitted in response to this Notice are 
public record. Before including any detailed personal information, you 
should be aware that your comments as submitted, including your 
personal information, will be available for public review.

Abstract of Proposed Collection

    TechGirls enables students aged 15-17 to gain exposure to a range 
of careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) 
through a month-long summer scholarship program in the United States. 
The program includes programming bootcamp, leadership skills 
development, job shadow with women in STEM fields, and a home stay with 
U.S. families. In addition to exposure to career and educational 
pathways, participants gain understanding of the United States and its 
culture and create a network of STEM-focused alumnae upon their return 
home. The authority for the program is the Mutual Educational and 
Cultural Exchange Act of 1961, as amended (22 U.S.C. 2451 et seq.).
    In order to assess the efficacy and impact of TechGirls, the U.S. 
Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) 
intends to conduct an evaluation of the program, which will include 
collection of data from program alumnae between 2012 and 2019, program 
staff, host families in the United States, and job shadow hosts. As the 
TechGirls program has been running for almost 10 years, ECA is 
conducting this evaluation to determine the extent to which the program 
is achieving its long-term goals. In order to do so, ECA has contracted 
Dexis Consulting Group to conduct surveys with alumnae and surveys with 
their host families, program staff, and job shadow hosts.

Methodology

    As baseline information is limited to initial profiles, it is 
necessary to collect information directly from program alumnae to 
assess the outcomes of the TechGirls experience, particularly in the 
areas of educational and career trajectories and networking with 
others. Additional perspectives will be sought from the participants' 
host families and job shadow hosts. All of these groups will receive 
online surveys.

Aleisha Woodward,
Deputy Assistant Secretary for Policy, Bureau of Educational and 
Cultural Affairs, Department of State.
[FR Doc. 2020-29049 Filed 12-31-20; 8:45 am]
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