[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 185 (Tuesday, September 24, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 77898-77899]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-21845]


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NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION


Agency Information Collection Activities: Comment Request; Louis 
Stokes Alliances for Minority Participation (LSAMP) Program Evaluation

AGENCY: National Science Foundation.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The National Science Foundation (NSF) is announcing plans to 
establish this collection. In accordance with the requirements of the 
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, we are providing the opportunity for 
public comment on this action. After obtaining and considering public 
comment, NSF will prepare the submission requesting Office of 
Management and Budget (OMB) clearance of this collection for no longer 
than 3 years.

DATES: Written comments on this notice must be received by November 25, 
2024 to be assured consideration. Comments received after that date 
will be considered to the extent Practicable. Send comments to the 
address below.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Suzanne H. Plimpton, Reports Clearance 
Officer, National Science Foundation, 2415 Eisenhower Avenue, Suite 
E6447, Alexandria, Virginia 22314; telephone (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).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    Comments: Comments regarding (a) whether the proposed collection of 
information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of 
the NSF, including whether the information shall have practical 
utility; (b) the accuracy of the NSF's estimate of the burden of the 
proposed collection of information; (c) ways to enhance the quality, 
use, and clarity of the information on respondents; 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 should be addressed to the points 
of contact in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section.
    Title of Collection: Louis Stokes Alliances for Minority 
Participation (LSAMP) Program Evaluation.
    OMB Control No.: 3145-NEW.
    Expiration Date of Approval: Not applicable.
    Abstract: This proposed data collection is a core component of a 
larger comprehensive evaluation strategy to assess the effectiveness 
and functioning of the Louis Stokes Alliances for Minority 
Participation (LSAMP) program, funded through grants from the National 
Science Foundation (NSF). LSAMP alliances are entities at member higher 
education institutions that support the learning and development of 
STEM undergraduates from underrepresented backgrounds.
    This current research seeks to consider the experiences of those 
leading and participating in LSAMP since the last full evaluation 
(which

[[Page 77899]]

concluded in 2007), as well as current experiences, at ten select site 
locations. The ten sites were selected by the NSF in collaboration with 
our research partner who will conduct all data collection, NORC at the 
University of Chicago. A key component of the site selection process 
has been to assure variability in site representation, to include sites 
with more remote geographies, differing populations, and alliance 
types.
    This work will enable the program to better understand where 
successes can be modeled and opportunities can be identified to better 
support the underrepresented students in these fields, by encouraging 
greater inclusion in academic and professional development 
opportunities. Currently, we are seeking approval to conduct interviews 
and focus groups with individuals who are affiliated with the LSAMP 
alliances at these pre-identified sites using the procedures discussed 
below.
    As of FY2021, there were 61 LSAMP alliances, 55 of which were led 
by four-year institutions. There are three groups of LSAMP alliances: 
11 STEM Pathways Implementation Only (SPIO) alliances in existence less 
than 10 years, 22 STEM Pathways Research Alliances (SPRA) in existence 
at least 10 years, and 22 alliances that had not yet applied for 
funding under the 2018 solicitation. Ten of the alliances in existence 
at least 10 years also have Bridge to the Doctorate (BD) projects that 
provide additional funding to support students' graduate work. An 
additional 6 alliances are Bridge to the Baccalaureate (B2B) alliances 
led by two-year institutions. Each alliance consists of a lead 
institution and several other affiliated institutions all operating 
towards the same alliance goals. Affiliated institutions typically are 
in the same geographic region and may vary by type (e.g., two-year 
institutions). Participating underrepresented minority (URM) STEM 
students in alliance schools could be defined in three groups: Level 1 
students who receive direct financial support through the alliance for 
activities, Level 2 students who attended activities sponsored by LSAMP 
funds, and Level 3 students who are students at LSAMP institutions who 
did not receive funds or participate in LSAMP activities.
    Research suggests that collaboratives, such as the alliances funded 
by the LSAMP program can improve STEM degree completion rates, but 
long-term success requires sustained change at the institutional level 
(Center for Urban Education, 2019; May & Bridger, 2010). LSAMP has a 
30-year history of increasing the diversity of science, technology, 
engineering, and mathematics (STEM) disciplines and the STEM workforce.
    NORC at the University of Chicago's (NORC) is leading the present 
approach for evaluating the operations, success, and opportunities of 
LSAMP, under the guidance and sponsorship of the NSF Directorate for 
Education and Human Resources (EHR) Division of Human Resource 
Development (HRD). This evaluation aims to identify and characterize 
the organizational structure and institutionalization of LSAMP 
alliances and assess the impact of LSAMP strategies to strengthen 
pathways and increase undergraduate and graduate STEM degrees earned by 
students from populations underrepresented in STEM on all educational 
levels.
    As part of this comprehensive evaluation, and with a focus on fully 
utilizing all preexisting data, NORC has completed a thorough review of 
available data (e.g., annual reports). The LSAMP program anticipates 
using the results of this evaluation (both the review of existing data 
and data from site visits) to identify ``LSAMP best practices'' that 
can be implemented by both LSAMP grantee/alliance institutions and non-
LSAMP grantees/alliance institutions to sustain and grow impacts of the 
LSAMP programming on diversity in STEM and inform the LSAMP program on 
sustainability mechanisms and goals appropriate for LSAMP alliance 
institutions to maintain their successful outcomes.
    Respondents: LSAMP Faculty and Staff (200); LSAMP Students (120).
    Estimated Number of Annual Respondents: 320.
    Burden on the Public: Estimated 1-3 hours to participate in an 
interview or focus group (1 hour for staff and students, 3 hours for 
coordinators/provosts or other leaders). The estimated burden time is 
750 hours.

    Dated: September 19, 2024.
Suzanne H. Plimpton,
Reports Clearance Officer, National Science Foundation.
[FR Doc. 2024-21845 Filed 9-23-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7555-01-P