Department of Education September 2005 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

On August 15, 2005, the Department published in the Federal Register (70 FR 47816-47821) a notice inviting applications for new awards for FY 2005 for the Striving Readers program. In the notice inviting applications, we established certain eligibility requirements and two absolute priorities for the Striving Readers competition. We are now modifying the eligibility requirements to expand who may apply for a grant under this competition and modifying Priority Two Comprehensive Reading Initiative Componentsto clarify further the requirements under this priority.

The Leader, Information Management Case Services Team, Regulatory Information Management Services, Office of the Chief Information Officer, invites comments on the proposed information collection requests as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995.

The Secretary of Education announces her intention to establish A National Dialogue: The Secretary of Education's Commission on the Future of Higher Education (Commission). The Federal Advisory Committee Act (Pub. L. 92-463 as amended; 5 U.S.C.A. Appendix 2) will govern the Commission. Purpose: The Secretary has determined that the establishment of this Commission is necessary and in the public's interest. Today, higher education in the United States encompasses a wide array of educational opportunities and programs. Students attend institutions of higher education offering programs that range from baccalaureate and advanced degrees to occupational training of less than one year. The Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended, has benefited millions of students by making higher education more affordable as well as by ensuring its quality. As we look to the future, it is imperative that we maintain a system of higher education that meets the needs of our diverse population, and in particular the needs of traditionally underserved communities; provides enhanced opportunities for lifelong learning; and addresses the economic and workforce needs of the country. In particular, the country is encountering a significant change to its economic structure, resulting in unmet workforce needs. This is particularly true with respect to highly skilled workers and in the fields of mathematics and science. The need is clear and unavoidable: only 68 out of 100 entering 9th graders graduate from high school on time. Yet, 80 percent of our fastest-growing jobs will require some higher education. As the need for highly skilled workers continues to grow, institutions of higher education must assess whether they are providing the necessary coursework and incentives that will enable American students to compete in the new global economy. The purpose of this Commission is to consider how best to improve our system of higher education, to ensure that our graduates are well prepared to meet our future workforce needs and are able to participate fully in the changing economy. To accomplish this purpose, the Commission shall consider Federal, State, local, and institutional roles in higher education and analyze whether the current goals of higher education are appropriate and achievable. By August 1, 2006, the Commission will provide its written recommendations to the Secretary. The Commission will be composed of no more than 20 representatives appointed by the Secretary from the public and private sectors, as well as up to 5 ex officio members from the Department of Education and other Federal agencies. These representatives shall include former or current public and private college presidents, and may also include former elected officials, representatives of Fortune 500 corporations, the financial services industry, for-profit education companies, nonprofit education foundations, higher education researchers, and other such group representatives as the Secretary deems appropriate. As representatives, the members will speak for the groups of persons they represent, drawing on their personal experiences as members of these groups with respect to these issues.

The Leader, Information Management Case Services Team, Regulatory Information Management Services, Office of the Chief Information Officer invites comments on the submission for OMB review as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995.

In accordance with the Privacy Act of 1974, as amended (Privacy Act), the U.S. Department of Education (Department) publishes this notice of an altered system of records entitled ``Education Publications Center'' (ED PUBS) (18-05-18), last published in 64 FR 72384, 72404-05 (December 27, 1999). The Department amends this notice by: (1) Deleting the old numbering of the system, 18-13-05, and renumbering the system as 18-05-18 to reflect that the system is managed by the Department's Office of Management; (2) changing the system location to reflect that the central database is maintained by the Department's contractor, Aspen Systems Corporation; (3) revising the routine use that allows disclosures to labor organizations; (4) updating the paragraphs on storage and retrievability; (5) updating the paragraph on safeguards to reflect current measures; and (6) updating the paragraph on system manager to reflect the location in the Department's Office of Management.

The Leader, Information Management Case Services Team, Regulatory Information Management Services, Office of the Chief Information Officer, invites comments on the proposed information collection requests as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995.

The Leader, Information Management Case Services Team, Regulatory Information Management Services, Office of the Chief Information Officer, invites comments on the proposed information collection requests as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995.

The Leader, Information Management Case Services Team, Regulatory Information Management Services, Office of the Chief Information Officer invites comments on the submission for OMB review as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995.

The Leader, Information Management Case Services Team, Regulatory Information Management Services, Office of the Chief Information Officer invites comments on the submission for OMB review as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995.

The Secretary announces an extension of the deadline dates for specific filing and reporting activities, including those published in the Federal Register on March 22, 2005 (70 FR 14450), April 13, 2005 (70 FR 19423), and June 7, 2005 (70 FR 33134). The Secretary takes this action as a result of the extensive damage and disruption in the southern United States caused by Hurricane Katrina. The new dates apply only to (1) institutions or third-party servicers that are located in a federally-declared disaster area and that were adversely affected by Hurricane Katrina, and (2) applicants that are adversely affected by the hurricane. In addition, the Secretary reminds affected parties that additional guidance and regulatory relief are provided in Dear Colleague Letter GEN-04-04, available at: https://www.ifap.ed.gov/dpcletters/ GEN0404.html.

The Leader, Information Management Case Services Team, Regulatory Information Management Services, Office of the Chief Information Officer invites comments on the submission for OMB review as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995.

The Secretary is publishing the following list pursuant to section 607(d) of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, as amended (IDEA). Under section 607(d) of the IDEA, the Secretary is required, on a quarterly basis, to publish in the Federal Register a list of correspondence from the Department of Education received by individuals during the previous quarter that describes the interpretations of the Department of Education (Department) of the IDEA or the regulations that implement the IDEA.