[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 56 (Thursday, March 25, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 16008-16009]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-06208]


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DEPARTMENT OF STATE

[Public Notice 11385]


30-Day Notice of Proposed Information Collection: TechGirls 
Evaluation

ACTION: Notice of request for public comment and submission to OMB of 
proposed collection of information.

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SUMMARY: The Department of State has submitted the information 
collection described below to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) 
for approval. 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 
30 days for public comment.

DATES: Submit comments up to April 26, 2021.

ADDRESSES: Written comments and recommendations for the proposed 
information collection should be sent within 30 days of publication of 
this notice to www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain. Find this particular 
information collection by selecting ``Currently under 30-day Review--
Open for Public Comments'' or by using the search function.

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.
     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 the 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

[[Page 16009]]

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.

Kevin E. Bryant,
Deputy Director, Office of Directives Management, Department of State.
[FR Doc. 2021-06208 Filed 3-24-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4710-05-P