Notice of Meeting, 5517-5520 [2024-01683]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 19 / Monday, January 29, 2024 / Notices (PDF). To use PDF, you must have Adobe Acrobat Reader, which is available free at the site. You may also access documents of the Department published in the Federal Register by using the article search feature at www.federalregister.gov. Specifically, through the advanced search feature at this site, you can limit your search to documents published by the Department. Nasser H. Paydar, Assistant Secretary for Postsecondary Education. [FR Doc. 2024–01679 Filed 1–26–24; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4000–01–P DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION [Docket No.: ED–2024–SCC–0018] Agency Information Collection Activities; Comment Request; Formula Grant Electronic Application System for Indian Education (EASIE) Annual Performance Report Office of Elementary and Secondary Education (OESE), Department of Education (ED). ACTION: Notice. AGENCY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995, the Department is proposing a revision of a currently approved information collection request (ICR). DATES: Interested persons are invited to submit comments on or before March 29, 2024. ADDRESSES: To access and review all the documents related to the information collection listed in this notice, please use https://www.regulations.gov by searching the Docket ID number ED– 2024–SCC–0018. Comments submitted in response to this notice should be submitted electronically through the Federal eRulemaking Portal at https:// www.regulations.gov by selecting the Docket ID number or via postal mail, commercial delivery, or hand delivery. If the regulations.gov site is not available to the public for any reason, the Department will temporarily accept comments at ICDocketMgr@ed.gov. Please include the docket ID number and the title of the information collection request when requesting documents or submitting comments. Please note that comments submitted after the comment period will not be accepted. Written requests for information or comments submitted by postal mail or delivery should be addressed to the Manager of the Strategic Collections and Clearance Governance and Strategy Division, U.S. ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with NOTICES1 SUMMARY: VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:33 Jan 26, 2024 Jkt 262001 Department of Education, 400 Maryland Ave. SW, LBJ, Room 6W203, Washington, DC 20202–8240. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For specific questions related to collection activities, please contact Crystal Moore, 202–987–0607. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Department, in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA) (44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)), provides the general public and Federal agencies with an opportunity to comment on proposed, revised, and continuing collections of information. This helps the Department assess the impact of its information collection requirements and minimize the public’s reporting burden. It also helps the public understand the Department’s information collection requirements and provide the requested data in the desired format. The Department is soliciting comments on the proposed information collection request (ICR) that is described below. The Department is especially interested in public comment addressing the following issues: (1) is this collection necessary to the proper functions of the Department; (2) will this information be processed and used in a timely manner; (3) is the estimate of burden accurate; (4) how might the Department enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (5) how might the Department minimize the burden of this collection on the respondents, including through the use of information technology. Please note that written comments received in response to this notice will be considered public records. Title of Collection: Formula Grant EASIE Annual Performance Report. OMB Control Number: 1810–0726. Type of Review: A revision of a currently approved ICR. Respondents/Affected Public: State, local, and Tribal governments. Total Estimated Number of Annual Responses: 1,300. Total Estimated Number of Annual Burden Hours: 14,300. Abstract: The purpose of Indian Education Formula Grant to Local Agencies, as authorized under section 6116 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA), as amended by the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) is to assist grantees to provide Indian students with the opportunity to meet the same challenging state standards as all other students and meet the unique educational and culturally related academic needs of Indian students. The Indian Education Formula Grant (Assistance Listing Number 84.060A), is PO 00000 Frm 00038 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 5517 neither competitive nor discretionary and requires the annual submission of the application from either a local education agency, tribe, Indian organization, or Indian communitybased organization. The amount of the award for each applicant is determined by a formula based on the reported number of Indian students identified in the application, the state per pupil expenditure, and the total appropriation available. The Office of Indian Education (OIE) of The Department of Education (ED) collects annual performance data within the same system that collects the annual application. The application and the annual performance report are both housed in the OMB MAX/Connect.gov Survey. Clearance was granted for the Electronic Application System for Indian Education (EASIE) Annual Performance Report (EASIE Part III) in a revised information collection by OIE. This is a request for revision of this collection. We have removed the fax number fields from this collection. In addition, we propose revisions that will clarify instructions and improve usability. Dated: January 24, 2024. Kun Mullan, PRA Coordinator, Strategic Collections and Clearance, Governance and Strategy Division, Office of Chief Data Officer, Office of Planning, Evaluation and Policy Development. [FR Doc. 2024–01694 Filed 1–26–24; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4000–01–P DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION Notice of Meeting National Advisory Committee on Institutional Quality and Integrity (NACIQI or Committee), Office of Postsecondary Education, Department of Education. AGENCY: Announcement of an open meeting. ACTION: This notice sets forth the agenda, time, and instructions to access or participate in the February 27–28, 2024, hybrid meeting of NACIQI, and provides information to members of the public regarding the meeting, including requesting to make written or oral comments. Committee members will meet in-person while accrediting agency representatives and members of the public will participate virtually. The notice of this meeting is required under section 1009(a)(2) of 5 U.S.C. chapter 10 (Federal Advisory Committees) and section 114(d)(1)(B) of the Higher SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\29JAN1.SGM 29JAN1 5518 Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 19 / Monday, January 29, 2024 / Notices Education Act of 1965, as amended (HEA). ADDRESSES: Lyndon Baines Johnson Department of Education Building, Barnard Auditorium, 400 Maryland Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20202 [Only NACIQI members and Department of Education staff will participate in the meeting at this address]. DATES: The hybrid NACIQI meeting will be held on February 27–28, 2024, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: George Alan Smith, Executive Director/ Designated Federal Official (DFO), NACIQI, U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20202, telephone: (202) 453–7757, or email: George.Alan.Smith@ed.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Statutory Authority and Function: NACIQI is established under Section 114 of the HEA (20 U.S.C. 1011c). NACIQI advises the Secretary of Education with respect to: • The establishment and enforcement of the standards of accrediting agencies or associations under subpart 2, part H, Title IV of the HEA, as amended; • The recognition of specific accrediting agencies or associations; • The preparation and publication of the list of nationally recognized accrediting agencies and associations; • The eligibility and certification process for institutions of higher education under Title IV of the HEA, together with recommendations for improvement in such process; • The relationship between (1) accreditation of institutions of higher education and the certification and eligibility of such institutions, and (2) State licensing responsibilities with respect to such institutions; and • Any other advisory functions relating to accreditation and institutional eligibility that the Secretary of Education may prescribe by regulation. ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with NOTICES1 Meeting Agenda The purpose of the meeting is to conduct a review of the following applications for renewal of recognition, compliance reports, and requests for expansion of scope. Applications for Renewal of Recognition 1. The Kansas State Board of Nursing. Scope of Recognition: state agency for the approval of nurse education. 2. The Missouri State Board of Nursing. Scope of Recognition: state agency for the approval of nurse education. 3. The Oklahoma Board of Career and Technology Education. Scope of VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:33 Jan 26, 2024 Jkt 262001 Recognition: the approval of public postsecondary vocational education offered at institutions in the State of Oklahoma that are not under the jurisdiction of the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education, including the approval of public postsecondary vocational education offered via distance education. 4. New York State Board of Regents (Public Postsecondary Vocational Ed, Practical Nursing). Scope of Recognition: state agency for the approval of public postsecondary vocational education in the field of practical nursing offered by a Board of Cooperative Educational Services, an Educational Opportunity Center, City School Districts, and County Boards of Supervisors to prepare persons for licensed practical nursing careers in the State of New York. 5. The Pennsylvania State Board of Career and Technical Education. Scope of Recognition: state agency for the approval of public postsecondary vocational education. Compliance Reports 1. Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine (ACAHM). Scope of recognition: the accreditation and pre-accreditation (‘‘Candidacy’’) of professional nondegree and graduate degree programs, including professional doctoral programs, in the field of acupuncture and/or Oriental medicine, as well as freestanding institutions and colleges of acupuncture and/or Oriental medicine that offer such programs, including programs offered via distance education. Geographic Area of Accrediting Activities: throughout the United States. Please note, this accrediting agency changed its name from ‘‘Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (ACAOM)’’ effective September 8, 2021. The compliance report must address findings of noncompliance with 34 CFR part 602, as referenced in the senior Department official’s (SDO) decision letter dated October 27, 2021. The SDO also required that the Department staff’s 34 CFR 602.33 inquiry findings concerning the Seldin/Haring-Smith Foundation case study on Sex Trafficking and State Authorized Massage Schools, which involved an ACAHM accredited institution, be produced as part of the ACAHM compliance report. The SDO decision letter may be found under NACIQI meeting date July 27, 2021, available at: https://surveys.ope.ed.gov/erecognition/ #/public-documents. 2. Council on Occupational Education. Scope of recognition: the PO 00000 Frm 00039 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 accreditation and pre-accreditation (‘‘Candidacy Status’’) of postsecondary occupational education institutions offering non-degree and applied associate degree programs in specific career and technical education fields, including institutions that offer programs via distance education. Geographic Area of Accrediting Activities: throughout the United States. The compliance report must address findings of noncompliance with 34 CFR part 602, as referenced in the SDO decision letter dated October 27, 2021. The SDO decision letter may be found under NACIQI meeting date July 27, 2021, available at: https:// surveys.ope.ed.gov/erecognition/#/ public-documents. 3. Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools, Accreditation Commission. Scope of Recognition: the accreditation and preaccreditation (‘‘Candidate’’ status) of Christian postsecondary institutions that offer certificates, diplomas, and associate, baccalaureate, and graduate degrees, including institutions that offer distance education. Geographic Area of Accrediting Activities: throughout the United States. The compliance report must address findings of noncompliance with 34 CFR part 602, as referenced in the SDO decision letter dated October 27, 2021. The SDO decision letter may be found under NACIQI meeting date July 27, 2021, available at: https:// surveys.ope.ed.gov/erecognition/#/ public-documents. Expansion of Scope 1. National Nurse Practitioner Residency and Fellowship Training Consortium. Scope of Recognition: the accreditation of nurse practitioner (NP) postgraduate residency and fellowship training programs. This recognition also extends to the agency’s Appeals Panel. Requested Scope: the accreditation of joint nurse practitioner/physician assistant postgraduate residency and fellowship training programs. This recognition also extends to the agency’s Appeals Panel. Accreditor Dashboards Agency representatives should be prepared to respond to possible questions from committee members about their respective agency’s dashboards, which are located on the NACIQI website: https://sites.ed.gov/ naciqi/. Agency Opening Statements To ensure sufficient time for all agency reviews, including NACIQI questions and discussion, the Department requests that the agencies E:\FR\FM\29JAN1.SGM 29JAN1 Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 19 / Monday, January 29, 2024 / Notices limit their opening statements to 10 minutes (total for one or more statements), and that the agencies avoid extended discussions about agency representatives and their backgrounds. Following the brief opening statement, the agency’s presentation should focus on the regulatory criteria, and in particular, responses to areas where the staff has recommended a finding of noncompliance or substantial compliance, or where other concerns have been raised that the agency would like to address. However, the agency should expect that questions from NACIQI members may focus on other areas. Administration Policy Update A representative of the Administration will discuss higher education policy priorities. Accreditor Dashboards Subcommittee Report The subcommittee will report on information it received from interviews conducted with institutional accreditors. Policy Discussion In addition to its review of accrediting agencies and State approval agencies for Secretarial recognition, there will be time for Committee discussions relevant to any of the functions within NACIQI’s statutory authority. Instructions To Access or Participate in the Meeting Registration Accrediting agency representatives and members of the public can access or participate in the meeting virtually. You may register for the meeting on your computer using the link below. After you register, you will receive a confirmation email containing personalized participation links for each day of the two-day meeting. Registration Link https://cvent.me/lMYY3g. ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with NOTICES1 Public Comment Submission of requests to make an oral comment regarding a specific accrediting agency under review, or to make an oral comment or written statement regarding other issues within the scope of NACIQI’s authority: The opportunity to submit a written statement regarding a specific accrediting agency under review was solicited by a previous Federal Register notice published on November 14, 2022 (87 FR 68144; Document Number 2022– 24637). The period for submission of such statements is now closed. Additional written statements regarding VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:33 Jan 26, 2024 Jkt 262001 a specific accrediting agency or state approval agency under review will not be accepted at this time. However, members of the public may submit written statements regarding other issues within the scope of NACIQI’s authority, as outlined under Section 114 of the HEA (20 U.S.C. 1011c), in the manner described below. Members of the public may make oral comments regarding a specific accrediting agency under review and/or other issues within the scope of NACIQI’s authority. Oral comments may not exceed three minutes. Oral comments about an agency’s recognition when a compliance report has been required by the SDO or the Secretary must relate to the criteria for recognition cited in the SDO’s letter that requested the report, or in the Secretary’s appeal decision, if any. Oral comments about an agency seeking expansion of scope must be directed to the agency’s ability to serve as a recognized accrediting agency with respect to the kinds of institutions or programs requested to be added. Oral comments about the renewal of an agency’s recognition must relate to its compliance with the criteria for the Recognition of Accrediting Agencies, which are available at https:// www.ed.gov/admins/finaid/accred/ index.html. Written statements and oral comments concerning NACIQI’s work outside of a specific accrediting agency under review must be limited to matters within the scope of NACIQI’s authority, as outlined under Section 114 of the HEA (20 U.S.C. 1011c), and written statements of any kind submitted after the deadline will not be considered by the Department or provided to NACIQI for purposes of the current cycle review. Instructions on Requesting To Make Public Comment To make oral comments of three minutes or less during the meeting, please follow either Method One or Method Two below. To submit a written statement concerning NACIQI’s work outside a specific accrediting agency under review, please follow Method One. Method One: Send an email to the ThirdPartyComments@ed.gov mailbox no later than February 20, 2024. Please do not send material directly to NACIQI members. Emails submitting written statements must include the subject line ‘‘Written Statement: (subject)’’ and emails requesting to make oral comment must include the subject line ‘‘Oral Comment Request: (agency name),’’ ‘‘Oral Comment Request: (subject).’’ Emails must include the name(s), title, organization/affiliation, mailing PO 00000 Frm 00040 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 5519 address, email address, and telephone number, of the person(s) submitting a written statement or requesting to speak. All individuals submitting a request to make oral comment in accordance with Method One will be afforded an opportunity to speak. Method Two (Only available to those seeking to make oral comments): Submit a request by email on February 27, 2024, between 7:45 a.m.–8:45 a.m. Eastern Standard Time to the ThirdPartyComments@ed.gov mailbox. The email must include the subject on which the requestor wishes to comment, in addition to his or her name, title, organization/affiliation, mailing address, email address, and telephone number. If you intend to make your comments by dialing into the meeting rather than using a computer, please be sure to include that information in your email request. A total of up to fifteen minutes for each agenda item will be allotted for oral commenters who submit a request in accordance with Method Two. Individuals will be selected on a first-come, first-served basis. If selected, each commenter may not exceed three minutes. Access to Records of the Meeting: The Department will post the official report of the meeting on the NACIQI website https://sites.ed.gov/naciqi/archive-ofmeetings/ within 90 days after the meeting. In addition, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 1009(b), the public may request to inspect records of the meeting at 400 Maryland Avenue SW, Washington, DC, by emailing aslrecordsmanager@ed.gov or by calling (202) 453–7415 to schedule an appointment. The SDO’s (as defined in 34 CFR 602.3) decisions, pursuant to 34 CFR 602.36, associated with all NACIQI meetings can be found at the following website: https:// surveys.ope.ed.gov/erecognition/#/ public-documents. Reasonable Accommodations: The dial-in information and weblink access to the meeting are accessible to individuals with disabilities. If you will need an auxiliary aid or service to participate in the meeting (e.g., interpreting service, assistive listening device, or materials in an alternate format), notify the contact person listed in this notice at least two weeks before the scheduled meeting date. Although we will attempt to meet a request received after that date, we may not be able to make available the requested auxiliary aid or service because of insufficient time to arrange it. Electronic Access to This Document: 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 E:\FR\FM\29JAN1.SGM 29JAN1 5520 Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 19 / Monday, January 29, 2024 / Notices and the Code of Federal Regulations is available via the Federal Digital System at: www.gpo.gov/fdsys. At this site you can view this document, as well as all other documents of the Department published in the Federal Register, in text or Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF). To use PDF, you must have Adobe Acrobat Reader, which is available free at the site. You also may access documents of the Department published in the Federal Register by using the article search feature at: www.federalregister.gov. Specifically, through the advanced search feature at this site, you can limit your search to documents published by the Department. Authority: Section 114 of the HEA of 1964, as amended (20 U.S.C. 1011c). Antoinette Flores, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Policy, Planning and Innovation, Office of Postsecondary Education. [FR Doc. 2024–01683 Filed 1–26–24; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE P DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION [Docket No.: ED–2024–SCC–0016] Agency Information Collection Activities; Comment Request; High School Equivalency Program (HEP) Annual Performance Report Office of Elementary and Secondary Education (OESE), Department of Education (ED). ACTION: Notice. AGENCY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995, the Department is proposing a revision of a currently approved information collection request (ICR). DATES: Interested persons are invited to submit comments on or before March 29, 2024. ADDRESSES: To access and review all the documents related to the information collection listed in this notice, please use https://www.regulations.gov by searching the Docket ID number ED– 2024–SCC–0016. Comments submitted in response to this notice should be submitted electronically through the Federal eRulemaking Portal at https:// www.regulations.gov by selecting the Docket ID number or via postal mail, commercial delivery, or hand delivery. If the regulations.gov site is not available to the public for any reason, the Department will temporarily accept comments at ICDocketMgr@ed.gov. Please include the docket ID number and the title of the information collection request when requesting ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with NOTICES1 SUMMARY: VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:33 Jan 26, 2024 Jkt 262001 documents or submitting comments. Please note that comments submitted after the comment period will not be accepted. Written requests for information or comments submitted by postal mail or delivery should be addressed to the Manager of the Strategic Collections and Clearance Governance and Strategy Division, U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Ave. SW, LBJ, Room 6W203, Washington, DC 20202–8240. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For specific questions related to collection activities, please contact Katrina Ballard, (202) 987–0702. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Department, in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA) (44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)), provides the general public and Federal agencies with an opportunity to comment on proposed, revised, and continuing collections of information. This helps the Department assess the impact of its information collection requirements and minimize the public’s reporting burden. It also helps the public understand the Department’s information collection requirements and provide the requested data in the desired format. The Department is soliciting comments on the proposed information collection request (ICR) that is described below. The Department is especially interested in public comment addressing the following issues: (1) is this collection necessary to the proper functions of the Department; (2) will this information be processed and used in a timely manner; (3) is the estimate of burden accurate; (4) how might the Department enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (5) how might the Department minimize the burden of this collection on the respondents, including through the use of information technology. Please note that written comments received in response to this notice will be considered public records. Title of Collection: High School Equivalency Program (HEP) Annual Performance Report. OMB Control Number: 1810–0684. Type of Review: Revision of a currently approved ICR. Respondents/Affected Public: State, Local, and Tribal Governments. Total Estimated Number of Annual Responses: 54. Total Estimated Number of Annual Burden Hours: 1,242. Abstract: This is a request for a revision of the 1810–0684 High School Equivalency Program (HEP) Annual Performance Report collection. These revisions include language PO 00000 Frm 00041 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 9990 replacements, removals, and additions that are intended to ensure compliance with EDGAR 34 CFR 75.110 and OMB Circular A–110, improve the clarity of instructions and data collection, and remove duplicative language. Substantive changes include the addition of a data element related to mode of instruction. For a complete list of revisions, please see the attached summary, which will be shared with the public and OMB as a supplemental document. The Office of Migrant Education (OME) is collecting information for the High School Equivalency Program (HEP) which is authorized under Title IV, Section 418A of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended by Section 408 of the Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA)(20 U.S.C. 1070d–2) (special programs for students whose families are engaged in migrant and seasonal farm work) and 2 CFR 200.328 which requires that recipients of discretionary grants submit an Annual Performance Report (APR) to best inform improvements in program outcomes and productivity. Although the Education Department continues to use the generic 524B, OME is requesting to continue the use of a customized APR that goes beyond the generic 524B APR to facilitate the collection of more standardized and comprehensive data to inform performance indicators, to improve the overall quality of data collected, and to increase the quality of data that can be used to inform policy decisions. Although the Education Department continues to use the generic 524B, OME is requesting to continue the use of a customized APR that goes beyond the generic 524B APR to facilitate the collection of more standardized and comprehensive data to inform Government Performance Results Act (GPRA) indicators, to improve the overall quality of data collected, and to increase the quality of data that can be used to inform policy decisions. Dated: January 23, 2024. Kun Mullan, PRA Coordinator, Strategic Collections and Clearance, Governance and Strategy Division, Office of Chief Data Officer, Office of Planning, Evaluation and Policy Development. [FR Doc. 2024–01628 Filed 1–26–24; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4000–01–P E:\FR\FM\29JAN1.SGM 29JAN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 19 (Monday, January 29, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 5517-5520]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-01683]


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DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION


Notice of Meeting

AGENCY: National Advisory Committee on Institutional Quality and 
Integrity (NACIQI or Committee), Office of Postsecondary Education, 
Department of Education.

ACTION: Announcement of an open meeting.

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SUMMARY: This notice sets forth the agenda, time, and instructions to 
access or participate in the February 27-28, 2024, hybrid meeting of 
NACIQI, and provides information to members of the public regarding the 
meeting, including requesting to make written or oral comments. 
Committee members will meet in-person while accrediting agency 
representatives and members of the public will participate virtually. 
The notice of this meeting is required under section 1009(a)(2) of 5 
U.S.C. chapter 10 (Federal Advisory Committees) and section 
114(d)(1)(B) of the Higher

[[Page 5518]]

Education Act of 1965, as amended (HEA).

ADDRESSES: Lyndon Baines Johnson Department of Education Building, 
Barnard Auditorium, 400 Maryland Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20202 [Only 
NACIQI members and Department of Education staff will participate in 
the meeting at this address].

DATES: The hybrid NACIQI meeting will be held on February 27-28, 2024, 
from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: George Alan Smith, Executive Director/
Designated Federal Official (DFO), NACIQI, U.S. Department of 
Education, 400 Maryland Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20202, telephone: 
(202) 453-7757, or email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    Statutory Authority and Function: NACIQI is established under 
Section 114 of the HEA (20 U.S.C. 1011c). NACIQI advises the Secretary 
of Education with respect to:
     The establishment and enforcement of the standards of 
accrediting agencies or associations under subpart 2, part H, Title IV 
of the HEA, as amended;
     The recognition of specific accrediting agencies or 
associations;
     The preparation and publication of the list of nationally 
recognized accrediting agencies and associations;
     The eligibility and certification process for institutions 
of higher education under Title IV of the HEA, together with 
recommendations for improvement in such process;
     The relationship between (1) accreditation of institutions 
of higher education and the certification and eligibility of such 
institutions, and (2) State licensing responsibilities with respect to 
such institutions; and
     Any other advisory functions relating to accreditation and 
institutional eligibility that the Secretary of Education may prescribe 
by regulation.

Meeting Agenda

    The purpose of the meeting is to conduct a review of the following 
applications for renewal of recognition, compliance reports, and 
requests for expansion of scope.

Applications for Renewal of Recognition

    1. The Kansas State Board of Nursing. Scope of Recognition: state 
agency for the approval of nurse education.
    2. The Missouri State Board of Nursing. Scope of Recognition: state 
agency for the approval of nurse education.
    3. The Oklahoma Board of Career and Technology Education. Scope of 
Recognition: the approval of public postsecondary vocational education 
offered at institutions in the State of Oklahoma that are not under the 
jurisdiction of the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education, 
including the approval of public postsecondary vocational education 
offered via distance education.
    4. New York State Board of Regents (Public Postsecondary Vocational 
Ed, Practical Nursing). Scope of Recognition: state agency for the 
approval of public postsecondary vocational education in the field of 
practical nursing offered by a Board of Cooperative Educational 
Services, an Educational Opportunity Center, City School Districts, and 
County Boards of Supervisors to prepare persons for licensed practical 
nursing careers in the State of New York.
    5. The Pennsylvania State Board of Career and Technical Education. 
Scope of Recognition: state agency for the approval of public 
postsecondary vocational education.
Compliance Reports
    1. Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine 
(ACAHM). Scope of recognition: the accreditation and pre-accreditation 
(``Candidacy'') of professional non-degree and graduate degree 
programs, including professional doctoral programs, in the field of 
acupuncture and/or Oriental medicine, as well as freestanding 
institutions and colleges of acupuncture and/or Oriental medicine that 
offer such programs, including programs offered via distance education. 
Geographic Area of Accrediting Activities: throughout the United 
States. Please note, this accrediting agency changed its name from 
``Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine 
(ACAOM)'' effective September 8, 2021.
    The compliance report must address findings of noncompliance with 
34 CFR part 602, as referenced in the senior Department official's 
(SDO) decision letter dated October 27, 2021. The SDO also required 
that the Department staff's 34 CFR 602.33 inquiry findings concerning 
the Seldin/Haring-Smith Foundation case study on Sex Trafficking and 
State Authorized Massage Schools, which involved an ACAHM accredited 
institution, be produced as part of the ACAHM compliance report. The 
SDO decision letter may be found under NACIQI meeting date July 27, 
2021, available at: https://surveys.ope.ed.gov/erecognition/#/public-documents.
    2. Council on Occupational Education. Scope of recognition: the 
accreditation and pre-accreditation (``Candidacy Status'') of 
postsecondary occupational education institutions offering non-degree 
and applied associate degree programs in specific career and technical 
education fields, including institutions that offer programs via 
distance education. Geographic Area of Accrediting Activities: 
throughout the United States.
    The compliance report must address findings of noncompliance with 
34 CFR part 602, as referenced in the SDO decision letter dated October 
27, 2021. The SDO decision letter may be found under NACIQI meeting 
date July 27, 2021, available at: https://surveys.ope.ed.gov/erecognition/#/public-documents.
    3. Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools, 
Accreditation Commission. Scope of Recognition: the accreditation and 
pre-accreditation (``Candidate'' status) of Christian postsecondary 
institutions that offer certificates, diplomas, and associate, 
baccalaureate, and graduate degrees, including institutions that offer 
distance education. Geographic Area of Accrediting Activities: 
throughout the United States. The compliance report must address 
findings of noncompliance with 34 CFR part 602, as referenced in the 
SDO decision letter dated October 27, 2021. The SDO decision letter may 
be found under NACIQI meeting date July 27, 2021, available at: https://surveys.ope.ed.gov/erecognition/#/public-documents.
Expansion of Scope
    1. National Nurse Practitioner Residency and Fellowship Training 
Consortium. Scope of Recognition: the accreditation of nurse 
practitioner (NP) postgraduate residency and fellowship training 
programs. This recognition also extends to the agency's Appeals Panel. 
Requested Scope: the accreditation of joint nurse practitioner/
physician assistant postgraduate residency and fellowship training 
programs. This recognition also extends to the agency's Appeals Panel.

Accreditor Dashboards

    Agency representatives should be prepared to respond to possible 
questions from committee members about their respective agency's 
dashboards, which are located on the NACIQI website: https://sites.ed.gov/naciqi/.

Agency Opening Statements

    To ensure sufficient time for all agency reviews, including NACIQI 
questions and discussion, the Department requests that the agencies

[[Page 5519]]

limit their opening statements to 10 minutes (total for one or more 
statements), and that the agencies avoid extended discussions about 
agency representatives and their backgrounds. Following the brief 
opening statement, the agency's presentation should focus on the 
regulatory criteria, and in particular, responses to areas where the 
staff has recommended a finding of noncompliance or substantial 
compliance, or where other concerns have been raised that the agency 
would like to address. However, the agency should expect that questions 
from NACIQI members may focus on other areas.

Administration Policy Update

    A representative of the Administration will discuss higher 
education policy priorities.

Accreditor Dashboards Subcommittee Report

    The subcommittee will report on information it received from 
interviews conducted with institutional accreditors.

Policy Discussion

    In addition to its review of accrediting agencies and State 
approval agencies for Secretarial recognition, there will be time for 
Committee discussions relevant to any of the functions within NACIQI's 
statutory authority.

Instructions To Access or Participate in the Meeting Registration

    Accrediting agency representatives and members of the public can 
access or participate in the meeting virtually. You may register for 
the meeting on your computer using the link below. After you register, 
you will receive a confirmation email containing personalized 
participation links for each day of the two-day meeting.

Registration Link

    https://cvent.me/lMYY3g.

Public Comment

    Submission of requests to make an oral comment regarding a specific 
accrediting agency under review, or to make an oral comment or written 
statement regarding other issues within the scope of NACIQI's 
authority:
    The opportunity to submit a written statement regarding a specific 
accrediting agency under review was solicited by a previous Federal 
Register notice published on November 14, 2022 (87 FR 68144; Document 
Number 2022-24637). The period for submission of such statements is now 
closed. Additional written statements regarding a specific accrediting 
agency or state approval agency under review will not be accepted at 
this time. However, members of the public may submit written statements 
regarding other issues within the scope of NACIQI's authority, as 
outlined under Section 114 of the HEA (20 U.S.C. 1011c), in the manner 
described below.
    Members of the public may make oral comments regarding a specific 
accrediting agency under review and/or other issues within the scope of 
NACIQI's authority. Oral comments may not exceed three minutes. Oral 
comments about an agency's recognition when a compliance report has 
been required by the SDO or the Secretary must relate to the criteria 
for recognition cited in the SDO's letter that requested the report, or 
in the Secretary's appeal decision, if any. Oral comments about an 
agency seeking expansion of scope must be directed to the agency's 
ability to serve as a recognized accrediting agency with respect to the 
kinds of institutions or programs requested to be added. Oral comments 
about the renewal of an agency's recognition must relate to its 
compliance with the criteria for the Recognition of Accrediting 
Agencies, which are available at https://www.ed.gov/admins/finaid/accred/.
    Written statements and oral comments concerning NACIQI's work 
outside of a specific accrediting agency under review must be limited 
to matters within the scope of NACIQI's authority, as outlined under 
Section 114 of the HEA (20 U.S.C. 1011c), and written statements of any 
kind submitted after the deadline will not be considered by the 
Department or provided to NACIQI for purposes of the current cycle 
review.

Instructions on Requesting To Make Public Comment

    To make oral comments of three minutes or less during the meeting, 
please follow either Method One or Method Two below. To submit a 
written statement concerning NACIQI's work outside a specific 
accrediting agency under review, please follow Method One.
    Method One: Send an email to the [email protected] mailbox 
no later than February 20, 2024. Please do not send material directly 
to NACIQI members. Emails submitting written statements must include 
the subject line ``Written Statement: (subject)'' and emails requesting 
to make oral comment must include the subject line ``Oral Comment 
Request: (agency name),'' ``Oral Comment Request: (subject).'' Emails 
must include the name(s), title, organization/affiliation, mailing 
address, email address, and telephone number, of the person(s) 
submitting a written statement or requesting to speak. All individuals 
submitting a request to make oral comment in accordance with Method One 
will be afforded an opportunity to speak.
    Method Two (Only available to those seeking to make oral comments): 
Submit a request by email on February 27, 2024, between 7:45 a.m.-8:45 
a.m. Eastern Standard Time to the [email protected] mailbox. 
The email must include the subject on which the requestor wishes to 
comment, in addition to his or her name, title, organization/
affiliation, mailing address, email address, and telephone number. If 
you intend to make your comments by dialing into the meeting rather 
than using a computer, please be sure to include that information in 
your email request. A total of up to fifteen minutes for each agenda 
item will be allotted for oral commenters who submit a request in 
accordance with Method Two. Individuals will be selected on a first-
come, first-served basis. If selected, each commenter may not exceed 
three minutes.
    Access to Records of the Meeting: The Department will post the 
official report of the meeting on the NACIQI website https://sites.ed.gov/naciqi/archive-of-meetings/ within 90 days after the 
meeting. In addition, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 1009(b), the public may 
request to inspect records of the meeting at 400 Maryland Avenue SW, 
Washington, DC, by emailing [email protected] or by calling 
(202) 453-7415 to schedule an appointment. The SDO's (as defined in 34 
CFR 602.3) decisions, pursuant to 34 CFR 602.36, associated with all 
NACIQI meetings can be found at the following website: https://surveys.ope.ed.gov/erecognition/#/public-documents.
    Reasonable Accommodations: The dial-in information and weblink 
access to the meeting are accessible to individuals with disabilities. 
If you will need an auxiliary aid or service to participate in the 
meeting (e.g., interpreting service, assistive listening device, or 
materials in an alternate format), notify the contact person listed in 
this notice at least two weeks before the scheduled meeting date. 
Although we will attempt to meet a request received after that date, we 
may not be able to make available the requested auxiliary aid or 
service because of insufficient time to arrange it.
    Electronic Access to This Document: 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

[[Page 5520]]

and the Code of Federal Regulations is available via the Federal 
Digital System at: www.gpo.gov/fdsys. At this site you can view this 
document, as well as all other documents of the Department published in 
the Federal Register, in text or Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF). 
To use PDF, you must have Adobe Acrobat Reader, which is available free 
at the site. You also may access documents of the Department published 
in the Federal Register by using the article search feature at: 
www.federalregister.gov. Specifically, through the advanced search 
feature at this site, you can limit your search to documents published 
by the Department.
    Authority: Section 114 of the HEA of 1964, as amended (20 U.S.C. 
1011c).

Antoinette Flores,
Deputy Assistant Secretary for Policy, Planning and Innovation, Office 
of Postsecondary Education.
[FR Doc. 2024-01683 Filed 1-26-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE P


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