2020-24173. Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the Office of Management and Budget for Review and Approval; Comment Request; Education Stabilization Fund-Governor's Emergency Education Relief Fund (GEER) Recipient Data ...

AGENCY:

Office of Elementary and Secondary Education, Department of Education (ED).

ACTION:

Notice.

SUMMARY:

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, ED is proposing a new information collection.

DATES:

Interested persons are invited to submit comments on or before December 2, 2020.

ADDRESSES:

Written comments and recommendations for proposed information collection requests should be sent within 30 days of publication of this notice to www.reginfo.gov/​public/​do/​PRAMain. Find this particular information collection request by selecting “Department of Education” under “Currently Under Review,” then check “Only Show ICR for Public Comment” checkbox.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

For specific questions related to collection activities, please contact Gloria Tanner, 202-453-5596.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

The Department of Education (ED), 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. ED is soliciting comments on the proposed information collection request (ICR) that is described below. The Department of Education 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: Education Stabilization Fund—Governor's Emergency Education Relief Fund (GEER) Recipient Data Collection Form.

OMB Control Number: 1810-NEW.

Type of Review: A new information collection.

Respondents/Affected Public: State, Local, and Tribal Governments; Private Sector.

Total Estimated Number of Annual Responses: 3,326.

Total Estimated Number of Annual Burden Hours: 13,568.

Abstract: This information collection supports the annual collection of data pertaining to the uses of funds under the Governor's Emergency Education Relief Fund (GEER Fund). The Department awards GEER grants to Governors (states) and analogous grants to Outlying Areas for the purpose of providing local educational agencies (LEAs), institutions of higher education (IHEs), and other education related entities with emergency assistance as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. The Department has awarded these grants—to States (governor's offices) based on a formula stipulated in the legislation. (1) 60% on the basis of the State's relative population of individuals aged 5 through 24. (2) 40% on the basis of the State's relative number of children counted under section 1124(c) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA). The grants are awarded to Outlying Areas based on the same formula. The information will be reviewed by Department employees to ensure that GEER funds are used in accordance with Sec. 18002(c) of the CARES Act, and will be shared with the public to promote transparency regarding the allocation and uses of funds.

Dated: October 27, 2020.

Kate Mullan,

PRA Coordinator, Strategic Collections and Clearance, Governance and Strategy Division, Office of Chief Data Officer, Office of Planning, Evaluation and Policy Development.