Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; Comment Request, 18430-18431 [05-7176]

Agencies

• NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION

[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 68 (Monday, April 11, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 18430-18431]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-7176]


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NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION


Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; 
Comment Request

AGENCY: National Science Foundation.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The National Science Foundation (NSF) is announcing plans to 
request clearance of this collection. In accordance with the 
requirement of section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 
1995, we are providing opportunity for public comment on this action. 
After obtaining and considering public comment, NSF will prepare for 
submission requesting OMB clearance of this collection for no longer 
than 3 years.
    Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed collection of 
information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of 
the Agency, including whether the information shall have practical 
utility; (b) the accuracy of the Agency's estimate of the burden of

[[Page 18431]]

the proposed collection of information; (c) ways to enhance the 
quality, utility, and clarity of the information on respondents, 
including through the use of automated collection techniques or other 
forms of information technology, and (d) ways to minimize the burden of 
the collection of information on respondents, including through the use 
of automated collection techniques or other forms of information 
technology.

DATES: Written comments should be received by June 10, 2005, to be 
assured of consideration. Comments received after that date would be 
considered to the extent practicable.

ADDRESSES: Written comments regarding the information collection and 
requests for copies of the proposed information collection request 
should be addressed to Suzanne Plimpton, Reports Clearance Officer, 
National Science Foundation, 4201 Wilson Blvd., Rm. 295, Arlington, VA 
22230, or by e-mail to splimpto@nsf.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Suzanne Plimpton on (703) 292-7556 or 
send e-mail to splimpto@nsf.gov. Individuals who use a 
telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal 
Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 1-800-877-8339 between 8 a.m. and 8 
p.m., eastern time, Monday through Friday.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title of Collection: Monitoring for the National Science 
Foundation's Math and Science Partnership (MSP) Program.
    OMB Control No.: 3145-0199.
    Expiration Date of Approval: September 30, 2005.

1. Abstract

    This document has been prepared to support the clearance of data 
collection instruments to be used in the evaluation of the Math and 
Science Partnership (MSP) program. The goals for the program are to (1) 
ensure that all K-12 students have access to, are prepared for, and are 
encouraged to participate and succeed in challenging curricula and 
advanced mathematics and science courses; (2) enhance the quality, 
quantity, and diversity of the K-12 mathematics and science teacher 
workforce; and (3) develop evidence-based outcomes that contribute to 
our understanding of how students effectively learn mathematics and 
science. The motivational force for realizing these goals is the 
formation of partnerships between institutions of higher education 
(IHEs) and K-12 school districts. The role of IHE content faculty is 
the cornerstone of this intervention. In fact, it is the rigorous 
involvement of science, mathematics, and engineering faculty--and the 
expectation that both IHEs and K-12 school systems will be 
transformed--that distinguishes MSP from other education reform 
efforts.
    The components of the overall MSP portfolio include active projects 
whose initial awards were made prior MSP competitions: (1) 
Comprehensive Partnerships that implement change in mathematics and/or 
science educational practices in both higher education institutions and 
in schools and school districts, resulting in improved student 
achievement across the K-12 continuum; (2) Targeted Partnerships that 
focus on improved K-12 student achievement in a narrower grade range or 
disciplinary focus within mathematics or science; (3) Institute 
Partnerships: Teacher Institutes for the 21st Century that focus on the 
development of mathematics and science teachers as school--and 
district-based intellectual leaders and master teachers; and (4) 
Research, Evaluation and Technical Assistance (RETA) projects that 
build and enhance large-scale research and evaluation capacity for all 
MSP awardees and provide them with tools and assistance in the 
implementation and evaluation of their work.
    The MSP monitoring information system, comprised of six web-based 
surveys, collects a common core of data about each component of MSP. 
The Web application for MSP has been developed with a modular design 
that incorporates templates and self-contained code modules for rapid 
development and ease of modification. A downloadable version will also 
be available for respondents who prefer a paper version that they can 
mail or fax to the external contractor. Information from the system 
will be used to document the Partnerships' annual progress toward 
meeting the Key Features of MSP projects, i.e., developing partnerships 
between IHEs and local school districts, increasing teacher quality, 
quantity, and diversity, providing challenging courses and curricula, 
utilizing evidence-based design and outcome measures, and implementing 
institutional change and sustainability.

 2. Expected Respondents

    The expected respondents are principle investigators of all 
partnership and RETA projects; STEM and education faculty members and 
administrators who participated in MSP; school districts and IHEs that 
are partners in an MSP project; and teachers participating in Institute 
Partnerships.

3. Burden on the Public

    During the first year of data collection, Cohort 1 projects were 
asked to report two years of project data for the 2002-03 and 2003-04 
school years. Cohort 2 projects were asked to report one year of data 
for the 2003-04 School Year. The total elements for this first year 
collection were estimated to be 43,825 burden hours for a maximum of 
2,384 participants, assuming a 100% response rate. The average annual 
reporting burden was estimated to be approximately 18 hours per 
respondent. In subsequent data collection cycles (2004-05) the burden 
for these existing surveys will decline substantially since each 
project will be familiar with the items and will only report for that 
current year. The surveys have already been shared with Cohort 3 
projects in order to familiarize them with the system. The burden on 
the public is negligible because the study is limited to project 
participants that have received funding from the MSP Program.

    Dated: April 6, 2005.
Suzanne H. Plimpton,
Reports Clearance Officer, National Science Foundation.
[FR Doc. 05-7176 Filed 4-8-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7555-01-M