Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection, Comment Request, 49684-49685 [05-16825]
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49684
Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 163 / Wednesday, August 24, 2005 / Notices
NATIONAL FOUNDATION ON THE
ARTS AND HUMANITIES
Submission for OMB Review:
Comment Request
AGENCY: National Endowment for the
Humanities, NFAH.
ACTION: Notice.
SUMMARY: The National Endowment for
the Humanities (NEH) has submitted the
following public information collection
request (ICR) to the Office of
Management and Budget (OMB) for
review and approval as required by the
provisions of the Paperwork Reduction
Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104–13, 44 U.S.C.
Chapter 35). Copies of this ICR, with
applicable supporting documentation,
may be obtained by calling Susan G.
Daisey, Director, Office of Grant
Management, the National Endowment
for the Humanities (202–606–8494) or
may be requested by e-mail to
sdaisey@neh.gov. Comments should be
sent to the Office of Information and
Regulatory Affairs, Attn: OMB Desk
Officer for the National Endowment for
the Humanities, Office of Management
and Budget, Room 10235, Washington,
DC 20503 (202–395–7316), within 30
days from the date of this publication in
the Federal Register.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Office
of Management and Budget (OMB) is
particularly interested in comments
which:
(1) Evaluate whether the proposed
collection of information is necessary
for the proper performance of the
functions of the agency, including
whether the information will have
practical utility; (2) Evaluate the
accuracy of the agency’s estimate of the
burden of the proposed collection of
information, including the validity of
the methodology and assumptions used;
(3) Enhance the quality, utility, and
clarity of the information to be
collected; and (4) 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,
e.g., permitting electronic submissions
of responses.
Agency: National Endowment for the
Humanities.
Title of Proposal: General Clearance
Authority to Develop Evaluation
Instruments for the National
Endowment for the Humanities.
OMB Number: N/A.
Affected Public: NEH grantees.
Total Respondents: 750.
Frequency of Collection: On occasion.
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15:23 Aug 23, 2005
Jkt 205001
Average Time per Response: 30
minutes.
Estimated Total Burden Hours: 375
hours.
Total Annualized capital/startup
costs: 0.
Total annual costs (operating/
maintaining systems or purchasing
services): 0.
Description: The NEH is seeking a
general clearance authority to develop
evaluation instruments for its grant
programs. These evaluation instruments
will be used to collect information from
NEH grantees from one to three years
after the grantee has submitted the final
performance report.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms.
Susan G. Daisey, Director, Office of
Grant Management, National
Endowment for the Humanities, 1100
Pennsylvania Avenue, NW., Room 311,
Washington, DC 20506, or by e-mail to:
sdaisey@neh.gov. Telephone: 202–606–
8494.
Carole M. Watson,
Assistant Chairman.
[FR Doc. 05–16864 Filed 8–23–05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7536–01–P
NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION
Agency Information Collection
Activities: Proposed Collection,
Comment Request
AGENCY: National Science Foundation.
ACTION: Notice.
SUMMARY: The National Science
Foundation (NSF) is announcing plans
to request clearance for 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 the
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
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 of
respondents, including through the use
PO 00000
Frm 00131
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
of automated collection techniques or
other forms of information technology.
DATES: Written comments should be
received by October 24, 2005, to be
assured of consideration. Comments
received after that date will 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 Boulevard,
Room 295, Arlington, VA 22230, or by
e-mail to splimpton@nsf.gov.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Suzanne Plimpton on (703) 292–7556 or
send e-mail to splimpton@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: Evaluation of the
National Science Foundation’s Math
and Science Partnership (MSP) Program.
OMB Control No.: 3145–New.
Expiration Date of Approval: Not
applicable.
Abstract: The National Science
Foundation (NSF) requests a three-year
clearance for an evaluation of the Math
and Science Partnership (MSP) program.
After three years in existence, MSP as a
program in its entirety has not been
evaluated regarding whether it is
achieving its goals or purposes. The
MSP program is a research and
development (R&D) effort funded by the
NSF to integrate the work of higher
education, especially disciplinary
faculty in math, sciences, and
engineering, with that of K–12
communities in order to strengthen and
reform math and science education. The
program is authorized under the NSF
Authorization Act of 2002 (P.L. 107–
368), December 19, 2002 (to authorize
appropriations for FY 2003–07 and ‘‘for
other purposes’’). MSP is among 11
programs specifically authorized by the
legislation (Sec. 11 authorizes a 12th
program, the Centers for Research on
Mathematics and Science Learning and
Education Improvement).
The NSF’s MSP program portfolio
consists of about 80 awards or projects
(e.g. design grants, standard or
continuing grants or cooperative
agreements) that initially were funded
between 2002 and 2004. The type of
awards subject to study and data
collection, however, include only the
comprehensive MSPs, targeted MSPs,
teacher institute partnerships, and
E:\FR\FM\24AUN1.SGM
24AUN1
Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 163 / Wednesday, August 24, 2005 / Notices
Research, Evaluation, and Technical
Assistance (RETAs), or a universe of
approximately 65 discrete projects.
The evaluation’s data collection and
analysis activities will be conducted by
COSMOS Corporation, Bethesda in
partnership with Brown University,
George Mason University, and The
McKenzie Group via a contract
administered by the NSF’s Division of
Research, Evaluation and
Communication (REC). This evaluation
involves both quantitative and
qualitative data, collected from multiple
sources using multiple methods,
including secondary analyses of projectrelated materials such as existing
databases (MSP Management
Information System—OMB 3145–0199),
annual reports, Web sites, and relevant
policy and methodological documents
and original data collection through
one-on-one interviews with key
stakeholders conducted during site
visits. For the MSP Management
Information System, the contract team
will analyze these data using
quantitative statistical models. A second
data source consists of annual project
reports and other reports submitted by
the MSP grantees to the NSF in
accordance with Federal research
project reporting requirements
established at NSF under OMB 3145–
0058. A third source is U.S. Department
of Education’s public use files on
student achievement and school
systems’ demographic characteristics.
The fourth source for data is the
proposed evaluation’s original data
collection activities. In particular and
principally a series of site visits will be
conducted during 2006, 2007, and 2008.
The evaluation plan selects a random
sample of sites to be the subject of the
2006 and 2007 site visits. In this
manner, data and lessons derived form
the earlier site visits can be the basis for
generalizing to the entire MSP Program
portfolio during 2006 and 2007. By
2008, with the entire census of study
projects covered, such a sampling logic
will no longer be relevant. The initial
random sample will be stratified so that
every grant site visit occurs before the
grant expires.
The evaluation’s overall framework
consists of several substudies each
focusing on a different, but essential
part of the MSP grantee’s work (e.g.,
partnerships, the role of disciplinary
faculty, student achievement). The
relevant evaluation design under these
conditions might be considered a metaanalytic rather than singular design—
e.g., providing a rationale for the
selection of substudies as well as some
guidance for conducting the substudies.
Consultations have occurred with a
VerDate jul<14>2003
15:23 Aug 23, 2005
Jkt 205001
team of external experts on the research
design during the evaluation’s design
phase and will continue to take place
throughout the evaluation. The team of
external experts represents the nation’s
leading researchers and scholars on
methodology and content in the field of
evaluation and representatives are from
top-tier university schools of education
and departments of mathematics or
science; an education advocacy group;
and an education research council.
The data collection instruments
include face-to-face interviews, such as
focus groups, and telephone or
electronic surveys. An interview
protocol based on the evaluation
framework will be administered during
the site visits. Expected respondents at
site visits are Principal Investigators, coPrincipal Investigators, administrators,
teams of external experts, and other
stakeholders who participated in MSP.
There are not costs to respondents other
than the time involved in the interview
or survey process.
Information from the evaluation’s data
collections and analysis will be used to
improve the NSF’s program processes
and outcomes. It will enable NSF to
prepare and publish reports, and to
respond to requests from Committees of
Visitors, Congress, and the Office of
Management and Budget, particularly as
related to the Government Performance
and Results Act (GPRA) and the
Program Effectiveness Rating Tool
(PART).
The primary evaluation questions
include but are not limited to:
(1) How has the MSP Program affected
or influenced the expertise, numbers,
and diversity of the mathematics and
science teaching force, K–12 student
achievement in mathematics and
science, and other presumed program
outcomes? (2) What factors or attributes
have accelerated or constrained progress
in the MSP Program’s achievements?
and (3) How have institutions of higher
education (IHEs) disciplinary faculty
(mathematics, science, and engineering)
participated in the MSP Program, and
what has been their role in the
Program’s achievements?
Respondents: Individuals and not-forprofit institutions.
Estimated Number of Annual
Respondents: 1,200.
Burden on the Public: 3,000 hours.
Dated: August 19, 2005.
Suzanne H. Plimpton,
Reports Clearance Officer, National Science
Foundation.
[FR Doc. 05–16825 Filed 8–23–05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7555–01–M
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49685
NUCLEAR REGULATORY
COMMISSION
Agency Information Collection
Activities: Proposed Collection:
Comment Request
AGENCY: Nuclear Regulatory
Commission (NRC).
ACTION: Notice of pending NRC action to
submit an information collection
request to OMB and solicitation of
public comment.
SUMMARY: The NRC is preparing a
submittal to OMB for review of
continued approval of information
collections under the provisions of the
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44
U.S.C. Chapter 35).
Information pertaining to the
requirement to be submitted:
1. The title of the information
collection: 10 CFR Part 30—Rules of
General Applicability to Domestic
Licensing of Byproduct Material.
2. Current OMB approval number:
3150–0017.
3. How often the collection is
required: Required reports are collected
and evaluated on a continuing basis as
events occur. There is a one-time
submittal of information to receive a
license. Renewal applications are
submitted every 10 years. Information
submitted in previous applications may
be referenced without being
resubmitted. In addition, recordkeeping
must be performed on an on-going basis.
4. Who is required or asked to report:
All persons applying for or holding a
license to manufacture, produce,
transfer, receive, acquire, own, possess,
or use radioactive byproduct material.
5. The estimated number of annual
respondents: 20,631 (4,485 NRC
licensees and 16,146 Agreement State
licensees).
6. The number of hours needed
annually to complete the requirement or
request: 248,034 (NRC licensees 53,948
hours [25,983 reporting + 27,965
recordkeeping] and Agreement State
licensees 194,086 hours [93,431
reporting + 100,655 recordkeeping] or
8.2 hours per response and 6.2 hours
her recordkeeper).
7. Abstract: 10 CFR part 30 establishes
requirements that are applicable to all
persons in the United States governing
domestic licensing of radioactive
byproduct material. The application,
reporting and recordkeeping
requirements are necessary to permit the
NRC to make a determination whether
the possession, use, and transfer of
byproduct material is in conformance
with the Commission’s regulations for
protection of the public health and
safety.
E:\FR\FM\24AUN1.SGM
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]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 163 (Wednesday, August 24, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 49684-49685]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-16825]
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION
Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection,
Comment Request
AGENCY: National Science Foundation.
ACTION: Notice.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The National Science Foundation (NSF) is announcing plans to
request clearance for 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 the
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 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 of respondents, including through the use of
automated collection techniques or other forms of information
technology.
DATES: Written comments should be received by October 24, 2005, to be
assured of consideration. Comments received after that date will 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 Boulevard, Room 295,
Arlington, VA 22230, or by e-mail to splimpton@nsf.gov.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Suzanne Plimpton on (703) 292-7556 or
send e-mail to splimpton@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: Evaluation of the National Science
Foundation's Math and Science Partnership (MSP) Program.
OMB Control No.: 3145-New.
Expiration Date of Approval: Not applicable.
Abstract: The National Science Foundation (NSF) requests a three-
year clearance for an evaluation of the Math and Science Partnership
(MSP) program. After three years in existence, MSP as a program in its
entirety has not been evaluated regarding whether it is achieving its
goals or purposes. The MSP program is a research and development (R&D)
effort funded by the NSF to integrate the work of higher education,
especially disciplinary faculty in math, sciences, and engineering,
with that of K-12 communities in order to strengthen and reform math
and science education. The program is authorized under the NSF
Authorization Act of 2002 (P.L. 107-368), December 19, 2002 (to
authorize appropriations for FY 2003-07 and ``for other purposes'').
MSP is among 11 programs specifically authorized by the legislation
(Sec. 11 authorizes a 12th program, the Centers for Research on
Mathematics and Science Learning and Education Improvement).
The NSF's MSP program portfolio consists of about 80 awards or
projects (e.g. design grants, standard or continuing grants or
cooperative agreements) that initially were funded between 2002 and
2004. The type of awards subject to study and data collection, however,
include only the comprehensive MSPs, targeted MSPs, teacher institute
partnerships, and
[[Page 49685]]
Research, Evaluation, and Technical Assistance (RETAs), or a universe
of approximately 65 discrete projects.
The evaluation's data collection and analysis activities will be
conducted by COSMOS Corporation, Bethesda in partnership with Brown
University, George Mason University, and The McKenzie Group via a
contract administered by the NSF's Division of Research, Evaluation and
Communication (REC). This evaluation involves both quantitative and
qualitative data, collected from multiple sources using multiple
methods, including secondary analyses of project-related materials such
as existing databases (MSP Management Information System--OMB 3145-
0199), annual reports, Web sites, and relevant policy and
methodological documents and original data collection through one-on-
one interviews with key stakeholders conducted during site visits. For
the MSP Management Information System, the contract team will analyze
these data using quantitative statistical models. A second data source
consists of annual project reports and other reports submitted by the
MSP grantees to the NSF in accordance with Federal research project
reporting requirements established at NSF under OMB 3145-0058. A third
source is U.S. Department of Education's public use files on student
achievement and school systems' demographic characteristics.
The fourth source for data is the proposed evaluation's original
data collection activities. In particular and principally a series of
site visits will be conducted during 2006, 2007, and 2008. The
evaluation plan selects a random sample of sites to be the subject of
the 2006 and 2007 site visits. In this manner, data and lessons derived
form the earlier site visits can be the basis for generalizing to the
entire MSP Program portfolio during 2006 and 2007. By 2008, with the
entire census of study projects covered, such a sampling logic will no
longer be relevant. The initial random sample will be stratified so
that every grant site visit occurs before the grant expires.
The evaluation's overall framework consists of several substudies
each focusing on a different, but essential part of the MSP grantee's
work (e.g., partnerships, the role of disciplinary faculty, student
achievement). The relevant evaluation design under these conditions
might be considered a meta-analytic rather than singular design--e.g.,
providing a rationale for the selection of substudies as well as some
guidance for conducting the substudies. Consultations have occurred
with a team of external experts on the research design during the
evaluation's design phase and will continue to take place throughout
the evaluation. The team of external experts represents the nation's
leading researchers and scholars on methodology and content in the
field of evaluation and representatives are from top-tier university
schools of education and departments of mathematics or science; an
education advocacy group; and an education research council.
The data collection instruments include face-to-face interviews,
such as focus groups, and telephone or electronic surveys. An interview
protocol based on the evaluation framework will be administered during
the site visits. Expected respondents at site visits are Principal
Investigators, co-Principal Investigators, administrators, teams of
external experts, and other stakeholders who participated in MSP. There
are not costs to respondents other than the time involved in the
interview or survey process.
Information from the evaluation's data collections and analysis
will be used to improve the NSF's program processes and outcomes. It
will enable NSF to prepare and publish reports, and to respond to
requests from Committees of Visitors, Congress, and the Office of
Management and Budget, particularly as related to the Government
Performance and Results Act (GPRA) and the Program Effectiveness Rating
Tool (PART).
The primary evaluation questions include but are not limited to:
(1) How has the MSP Program affected or influenced the expertise,
numbers, and diversity of the mathematics and science teaching force,
K-12 student achievement in mathematics and science, and other presumed
program outcomes? (2) What factors or attributes have accelerated or
constrained progress in the MSP Program's achievements? and (3) How
have institutions of higher education (IHEs) disciplinary faculty
(mathematics, science, and engineering) participated in the MSP
Program, and what has been their role in the Program's achievements?
Respondents: Individuals and not-for-profit institutions.
Estimated Number of Annual Respondents: 1,200.
Burden on the Public: 3,000 hours.
Dated: August 19, 2005.
Suzanne H. Plimpton,
Reports Clearance Officer, National Science Foundation.
[FR Doc. 05-16825 Filed 8-23-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7555-01-M
