03-2261. Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

AGENCY:

Department of Education.

SUMMARY:

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

DATES:

Interested persons are invited to submit comments on or before March 3, 2003.

ADDRESSES:

Written comments should be addressed to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Attention: Lauren Wittenberg, Desk Officer, Department of Education, Office of Management and Budget, 725 17th Street, NW., Room 10235, New Executive Office Building, Washington, DC 20503 or should be electronically mailed to the Internet address [e-mail].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Section 3506 of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35) requires that the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) provide interested Federal agencies and the public an early opportunity to comment on information collection requests. OMB may amend or waive the requirement for public consultation to the extent that public participation in the approval process would defeat the purpose of the information collection, violate State or Federal law, or substantially interfere with any agency's ability to perform its statutory obligations. The Leader, Regulatory Management Group, Office of the Chief Information Officer, publishes that notice containing proposed information collection requests prior to submission of these requests to OMB. Each proposed information collection, grouped by office, contains the following: (1) Type of review requested, e.g., new, revision, extension, existing or reinstatement; (2) Title; (3) Summary of the collection; (4) Description of the need for, and proposed use of, the information; (5) Respondents and frequency of collection; and (6) Reporting and/or Recordkeeping burden. OMB invites public comment.

Dated: January 27, 2003.

John D. Tressler,

Leader, Regulatory Management Group, Office of the Chief Information Officer.

Office of the Undersecretary

Type of Review: New Collection.

Title: Evaluation of Title I Accountability Systems and School Improvement Efforts (TASSIE) (SC).

Frequency: Annually.

Affected Public: State, Local, or Tribal Gov't, SEAs or LEAs (primary).

Reporting and Recordkeeping Hour Burden:

 Responses: 100.

 Burden Hours: 100.

Abstract: The purpose of the Evaluation of Title I Accountability Systems and School Improvement Efforts (TASSIE) is to examine and evaluate ESEA Title I accountability systems and school improvement efforts in a nationally representative sample of districts and schools. This project addresses both the implementation of accountability practices in 1,300 school districts and 740 schools. The state data collection component of TASSIE will provide data on the impact of state policies that impact district and school responses to accountability requirements.

Written requests for information should be addressed to Vivian Reese, Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW., Room 4050, Regional Office Building 3, Washington, DC 20202-4651 or directed to her e-mail address [e-mail]. Requests may also be faxed to 202-708-9346. Please specify the complete title of the information collection when making your request.

Comments regarding burden and/or the collection activity requirements should be directed to Jackie Montague at her e-mail address [e-mail]. Individuals who use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 1-800-877-8339.

Office of the Chief Financial Officer

Type of Review: Revision of a currently approved collection.

Title: U.S. Department of Education Budget Information—Non-Construction Programs Form and Grant Performance Report Form (SC).

Frequency: Annually Other: Once, only per application for new awards (524).

Affected Public: State, Local, or Tribal Gov't, SEAs or LEAs (primary), Businesses or other for-profit, Not-for-profit institutions.

Reporting and Recordkeeping Hour Burden:

 Responses: 23250.

 Burden Hours: 421875.

Abstract: This collection is necessary for the award and administration of discretionary and formula grants. The collections specific to ED forms are part of the reinvented process ED used for awarding multi-year discretionary grants. The new process substantially increases flexibility of the grant process by enabling all years of multi-year budget to be negotiated in at the time of initial award (Budget Information Non-Construction Programs, ED FORM 524). The U.S. Department of Education Grant Performance Report (ED Form 524B) is one of the tools used by ED staff as a monitoring tool in the Post-Award and Grant Administration functions.

Written requests for information should be addressed to Vivian Reese, Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW., Room 4050, Regional Office Building 3, Washington, DC 20202-4651 or directed to her e-mail address [e-mail]. Requests may also be faxed to 202-708-9346. Please specify the complete title of the information collection when making your request.

Comments regarding burden and/or the collection activity requirements should be directed to Jackie Montague at her e-mail address [e-mail]. Individuals who use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 1-800-877-8339.