[Unified Agenda of Federal Regulatory and Deregulatory Actions]
[Department of Education Semiannual Regulatory Agenda]
[From the U.S. Government Printing Office, www.gpo.gov]


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Part VI





Department of Education





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Semiannual Regulatory Agenda

[[Page 22514]]



DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION (ED)






_______________________________________________________________________

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

Office of the Secretary

34 CFR Subtitles A and B

Unified Agenda of Federal Regulatory and Deregulatory Actions

AGENCY: Office of the Secretary, Education.

ACTION: Semiannual regulatory agenda.

_______________________________________________________________________

SUMMARY: The Secretary of Education publishes a semiannual agenda of 
Federal regulatory and deregulatory actions. The agenda is issued under 
the authority of section 4(b) of Executive Order 12866 ``Regulatory 
Planning and Review.'' The purpose of the agenda is to encourage more 
effective public participation in the regulatory process by providing 
the public with early information about pending regulatory activities.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Questions or comments related to 
specific regulations listed in this agenda should be directed to the 
agency contact listed for the regulations. Questions or comments 
related to preparation of this agenda should be directed to Stanley M. 
Cohen, Division of Regulatory Services, Office of the General Counsel, 
Department of Education, Room 6E117, FB-6, 400 Maryland Avenue SW., 
Washington, DC 20202-2241; telephone: (202) 401-8300. Individuals who 
use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal 
Relay Service (FRS) at 1-800-877-8339.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Section 4(b) of Executive Order 12866, dated 
September 30, 1993, requires the Department of Education (ED) to 
publish, at a time and in a manner specified by the Administrator of 
the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management 
and Budget, an agenda of all regulations under development or review. 
The Regulatory Flexibility Act, 5 U.S.C. 602(a), requires ED to 
publish, in October and April of each year, a regulatory flexibility 
agenda.

     The regulatory flexibility agenda may be combined with any 
other agenda that satisfies the statutory requirements (5 U.S.C. 
605(a)). In compliance with the Executive order and the Regulatory 
Flexibility Act, the Secretary publishes this agenda.

     For each set of regulations listed, the agenda provides the 
title of the document, the type of document, a citation to any 
rulemaking or other action taken since publication of the most 
recent agenda, and planned dates of future rulemaking. In addition, 
the agenda provides the following information:

 An abstract that includes a description of the problem to be 
addressed, any principal alternatives being considered, and potential 
costs and benefits of the action.

 An indication of whether the planned action is likely to have 
significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities 
as defined by the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601(6)).

 A reference to where a reader can find the current regulations 
in the Code of Federal Regulations.

 A citation of legal authority.

 The name, address, and telephone number of the contact person 
at ED from whom a reader can obtain additional information regarding 
the planned action.

     In accordance with ED's Principles for Regulating listed in 
its regulatory plan (70 FR 64138, published October 31, 2005), ED 
is committed to regulation that improves the quality and equality 
of services to its customers, learners of all ages. ED will 
regulate only when necessary and then in the most flexible, most 
equitable, least burdensome way possible.

     Interested members of the public are invited to comment on any 
of the items listed in this agenda that they believe are not 
consistent with the Principles for Regulating.

     This publication in the Federal Register does not impose any 
binding obligation on ED with regard to any specific item in the 
agenda. ED may elect not to pursue any of the regulatory actions 
listed here, and regulatory action in addition to the items listed 
is not precluded. Dates of future regulatory actions are subject to 
revision in subsequent agendas.

Electronic Access to This Document

     You may view this document, as well as all other ED documents 
published in the Federal Register, in text or Adobe Portable 
Document Format (PDF), on the Internet at the following site: 
http://www.ed.gov/news/fedregister

     To use PDF, you must have Adobe Acrobat Reader, which is 
available free at this site. If you have questions about using PDF, 
call the U.S. Government Printing Office (GPO), toll free, at 1-
888-293-6498, or in the Washington, DC, area at (202) 512-1530.

     Note: The official version of this document is the document 
published in the Federal Register. Free Internet access to the 
official edition of the Federal Register and the Code of Federal 
Regulations is available on GPO Access at: www.gpoaccess.gov/nara/
index.html

Dated: February 22, 2006.

 Kent D. Talbert,

Acting General Counsel.

                            Office of the Chief Financial Officer--Long-Term Actions
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                                                                                                     Regulation
 Sequence                                           Title                                            Identifier
  Number                                                                                               Number
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762         Protection of Human Subjects (Classified Research)....................................    1890-AA08
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[[Page 22515]]


                                    Office for Civil Rights--Final Rule Stage
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                                                                                                     Regulation
 Sequence                                           Title                                            Identifier
  Number                                                                                               Number
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763         Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Sex in Education Programs or Activities Receiving       1870-AA11
            Federal Financial Assistance..........................................................
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                                   Office for Civil Rights--Completed Actions
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                                                                                                     Regulation
 Sequence                                           Title                                            Identifier
  Number                                                                                               Number
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764         Equal Access to Public School Facilities for the Boy Scouts of America and Other          1870-AA12
            Designated Youth Groups...............................................................
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                         Office of Elementary and Secondary Education--Final Rule Stage
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                                                                                                     Regulation
 Sequence                                           Title                                            Identifier
  Number                                                                                               Number
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765         Title I, Improving the Academic Achievement of the Disadvantaged......................    1810-AA97
766         Title I, Improving the Academic Achievement of the Disadvantaged; Individuals With        1810-AA98
            Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)--Assistance to States for the Education of Children
            With Disabilities.....................................................................
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                    Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services--Final Rule Stage
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                                                                                                     Regulation
 Sequence                                           Title                                            Identifier
  Number                                                                                               Number
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
767         National Instructional Materials Accessibility Standard...............................    1820-AB56
768         Assistance to States for the Education of Children With Disabilities; Preschool Grants    1820-AB57
            for Children With Disabilities; and Service Obligations Under Special Education--
            Personnel Development (Section 610 Review)............................................
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                            Office of Innovation and Improvement--Proposed Rule Stage
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                                                                                                     Regulation
 Sequence                                           Title                                            Identifier
  Number                                                                                               Number
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769         Student Rights in Research, Experimental Programs, and Testing........................    1855-AA03
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_______________________________________________________________________


Department of Education (ED)                          Long-Term Actions


Office of the Chief Financial Officer (OCFO)



_______________________________________________________________________




762. PROTECTION OF HUMAN SUBJECTS (CLASSIFIED RESEARCH)

Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant

CFR Citation: 34 CFR 97

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

Interim Final Rule               To Be                       Determined

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No

Small Entities Affected: No

Government Levels Affected: None

Agency Contact: Helene Deramond
Phone: 202 245-6154

RIN: 1890-AA08

[[Page 22516]]

_______________________________________________________________________


Department of Education (ED)                           Final Rule Stage


Office for Civil Rights (OCR)



_______________________________________________________________________




763. NONDISCRIMINATION ON THE BASIS OF SEX IN EDUCATION PROGRAMS OR 
ACTIVITIES RECEIVING FEDERAL FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE

Priority: Other Significant

Legal Authority: 20 USC 1681 to 1682

CFR Citation: 34 CFR 106

Legal Deadline: None

Abstract: The Department proposed changes to the regulations 
implementing title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972. These 
changes would amend existing regulations to provide more flexibility 
for educators to establish single-sex classes and schools at the 
elementary and secondary levels. The amendments would support efforts 
of school districts to improve educational outcomes for children and to 
provide public school parents with a diverse array of educational 
opportunities that respond to the educational needs of their children, 
while at the same time ensuring appropriate safeguards against 
discrimination. Amendments would be designed to permit appropriate 
latitude for innovative efforts to help children learn and to expand 
the choices parents have for their children's education consistent with 
the purposes of title IX.

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

NPRM                            03/09/04                    69 FR 11276
NPRM Comment Period End         04/23/04
Final Action                    06/00/06

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No

Small Entities Affected: No

Government Levels Affected: None

Agency Contact: Sandra G. Battle, Department of Education, Office for 
Civil Rights, Room 6126, PCP, 400 Maryland Avenue SW, Washington, DC 
20202-1100
Phone: 202 245-6767

RIN: 1870-AA11
_______________________________________________________________________


Department of Education (ED)                          Completed Actions


Office for Civil Rights (OCR)



_______________________________________________________________________




764. EQUAL ACCESS TO PUBLIC SCHOOL FACILITIES FOR THE BOY SCOUTS OF 
AMERICA AND OTHER DESIGNATED YOUTH GROUPS

Priority: Other Significant

CFR Citation: 34 CFR 108

Completed:
________________________________________________________________________

Reason                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

Final Action                    03/24/06                    71 FR 14994

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No

Small Entities Affected: No

Government Levels Affected: None

Agency Contact: Sandra G. Battle
Phone: 202 245-6767

RIN: 1870-AA12
_______________________________________________________________________


Department of Education (ED)                           Final Rule Stage


Office of Elementary and Secondary Education (OESE)



_______________________________________________________________________




765. TITLE I, IMPROVING THE ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT OF THE DISADVANTAGED

Priority: Other Significant

Legal Authority: 20 USC 6301

CFR Citation: 34 CFR 200

Legal Deadline: None

Abstract: These regulations would amend the regulations governing 
programs administered under title I of the Elementary and Secondary 
Education Act of 1965, as amended by the No Child Left Behind Act of 
2001. The regulations would provide States with additional flexibility 
regarding State, local educational agency, and school accountability 
for students with limited English proficiency (LEP) who have recently 
arrived in U.S. schools. The regulations would permit a State to 
exclude these LEP students from its reading/language arts assessment 
for a limited time. The regulations would also permit a State to count 
in the LEP subgroup for 1 or 2 years students who were LEP but who are 
no longer LEP.

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

NPRM                            06/24/04                    69 FR 35462
NPRM Comment Period End         08/09/04
Final Action                    06/00/06

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No

Small Entities Affected: No

Government Levels Affected: None

Agency Contact: Jacquelyn Jackson, Director, Student Achievement and 
School Accountability Programs, Department of Education, Office of 
Elementary and Secondary Education, Room 3W230, 400 Maryland Avenue SW, 
Washington, DC 20202-6132
Phone: 202 260-0826

Related RIN: Previously reported as 1820-AB55
RIN: 1810-AA97
_______________________________________________________________________




766.  TITLE I, IMPROVING THE ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT OF 
THE DISADVANTAGED; INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES EDUCATION ACT (IDEA)--
ASSISTANCE TO STATES FOR THE EDUCATION OF CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES

Priority: Other Significant

Legal Authority: 20 USC 6301; 20 USC 1400 to 1482

CFR Citation: 34 CFR 200; 34 CFR 300

Legal Deadline: None

Abstract: These regulations would amend the regulations governing 
programs administered under title I of the Elementary and Secondary 
Education Act of 1965 (ESEA), as amended by the No Child Left Behind 
Act of 2001, and the regulations governing programs under part B of the 
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. The regulations would 
provide States with additional flexibility regarding the State, local 
educational agency, and school accountability for

[[Page 22517]]

the achievement of a group of students with disabilities who can make 
significant progress but may not reach grade-level achievement 
standards within the same time frame as other students. The regulations 
would permit a State to measure the achievement of this group of 
students based on modified achievement standards.

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

NPRM                            12/15/05                    70 FR 74624
NPRM Comment Period End         02/28/06
Final Action                    06/00/06

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No

Small Entities Affected: No

Government Levels Affected: None

Agency Contact: Jacquelyn Jackson, Director, Student Achievement and 
School Accountability Programs, Department of Education, Office of 
Elementary and Secondary Education, Room 3W230, 400 Maryland Avenue SW, 
Washington, DC 20202-6132
Phone: 202 260-0826

Troy Justesen, Department of Education, Office of Special Education and 
Rehabilitative Services, Room 5138, PCP, 400 Maryland Ave SW, 
Washington, DC 20202-2570
Phone: 202 245-7468

RIN: 1810-AA98
_______________________________________________________________________


Department of Education (ED)                           Final Rule Stage


Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS)



_______________________________________________________________________




767. NATIONAL INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS ACCESSIBILITY STANDARD

Priority: Other Significant

Legal Authority: 20 USC 1411 to 1420

CFR Citation: 34 CFR 300

Legal Deadline: None

Abstract: These regulations would establish the National Instructional 
Materials Accessibility Standard (NIMAS or Standard) as required under 
sections 612(a)(23)(A) and 674(e)(4) of the Individuals With 
Disabilities Education Act, as amended by the Individuals With 
Disabilities Education Improvement Act of 2004. The purpose of the 
NIMAS is to help increase the availability and timely delivery of print 
instructional materials in accessible formats to blind or other persons 
with print disabilities in elementary schools and secondary schools. 
This action would add an appendix to 34 CFR part 300 that would set 
forth the technical elements and specifications for the Standard.

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

NPRM                            06/29/05                    70 FR 37302
NPRM Comment Period End         09/12/05
Final Action                    05/00/06

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No

Small Entities Affected: No

Government Levels Affected: None

Agency Contact: Troy Justesen, Department of Education, Office of 
Special Education and Rehabilitative Services, Room 5138, PCP, 400 
Maryland Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20202-2570
Phone: 202 245-7468

RIN: 1820-AB56
_______________________________________________________________________




768. ASSISTANCE TO STATES FOR THE EDUCATION OF CHILDREN WITH 
DISABILITIES; PRESCHOOL GRANTS FOR CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES; AND 
SERVICE OBLIGATIONS UNDER SPECIAL EDUCATION--PERSONNEL DEVELOPMENT 
(SECTION 610 REVIEW)

Priority: Other Significant

Legal Authority: 20 USC 1221e-3, 1406, 1411 to 1419, 1462(h)

CFR Citation: 34 CFR 300, 301 and 304

Legal Deadline: None

Abstract: These regulations would amend the regulations governing the 
Assistance to States for Education of Children With Disabilities 
Program, the Preschool Grants for Children With Disabilities Program, 
and Service Obligations Under the Special Education Personnel 
Development To Improve Services and Results for Children With 
Disabilities Program. These amendments are needed to implement changes 
to the Individuals With Disabilities Education Act made by the 
Individuals With Disabilities Education Improvement Act of 2004.

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

Notice                          01/10/02                     67 FR 1411
NPRM                            06/21/05                    70 FR 35781
NPRM Comment Period End         09/06/05
Final Action                    05/00/06

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No

Small Entities Affected: No

Government Levels Affected: None

Agency Contact: Troy Justesen, Department of Education, Office of 
Special Education and Rehabilitative Services, Room 5138, PCP, 400 
Maryland Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20202-2570
Phone: 202 245-7468

RIN: 1820-AB57

[[Page 22518]]

_______________________________________________________________________


Department of Education (ED)                        Proposed Rule Stage


Office of Innovation and Improvement (OII)



_______________________________________________________________________




769. STUDENT RIGHTS IN RESEARCH, EXPERIMENTAL PROGRAMS, AND TESTING

Priority: Other Significant

Legal Authority: 20 USC 1232h

CFR Citation: 34 CFR 98

Legal Deadline: None

Abstract: These regulations are needed to implement amendments to the 
Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment (PPRA) resulting from (1) section 
1017 of the Goals 2000 Educate America Act (Pub. L. 103-227; 20 U.S.C. 
1232h) and (2) legislation passed as part of the No Child Left Behind 
Act of 2001 (NCLB) (Pub. L. 107-110). Section 1017 of Goals 2000 
amended PPRA to require schools, in certain instances, to make specific 
educational materials available to parents for inspection. The 
provision also amended PPRA to prohibit schools from requiring students 
to submit to certain surveys, analyses, or evaluations without parental 
consent. Amendments made to PPRA by NCLB specify certain subjects on 
which schools, in conjunction with parents, must develop and adopt 
policies. These amendments also require local educational agencies to 
directly notify parents of these policies and permit parents to opt out 
of certain activities. As our next action, we will issue a new NPRM 
incorporating the amendments resulting from NCLB, as well as the 
earlier amendments resulting from the Goals 2000 Educate America Act.

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

NPRM                            08/28/95                    60 FR 44696
NPRM Comment Period End         10/27/95
Second NPRM                     07/00/06

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No

Small Entities Affected: No

Government Levels Affected: None

Agency Contact: Ellen Campbell, Family Policy Compliance Office, 
Department of Education, Room 2W117, 400 Maryland Avenue SW, 
Washington, DC 20202-4605
Phone: 202 260-3887

Related RIN: Previously reported as 1880-AA66
RIN: 1855-AA03
[FR Doc. 06-2035 Filed 04-21-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4000-01-S
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