[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 224 (Friday, November 20, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 64464-64465]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-31014]
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CORPORATION FOR NATIONAL AND COMMUNITY SERVICE
Proposed Information Collection: Comment Request
AGENCY: Corporation for National and Community Service.
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: The Corporation for National and Community Service
(hereinafter the ``Corporation''), as part of its continuing effort to
reduce paperwork and respondent burden, conducts a preclearance
consultation program to provide the general public and Federal agencies
with an opportunity to comment on proposed and/or continuing
collections of information in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction
Act of 1995 (PRA95) (44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)). This program helps to
ensure that requested data can be provided in the desired format,
reporting burden (time and financial resources) is minimized,
collection instruments are clearly understood, and the impact of
collection requirements on respondents can be properly assessed.
Currently, the Corporation is soliciting comments concerning its
proposed Learn and Serve America Project Description Form. This form
will be used to collect information on program descriptions and
participation levels in service-learning programs supported by funds
from the Corporation. The information provided will be used by the
Corporation to: (1) measure performance of service-learning programs as
required by the Corporation's annual performance plans prepared in
response to the Government Performance and Results Act of 1993; (2)
improve management and administration of the Learn and Serve America
program; (3) inform grantees through the National Service-Learning
Clearinghouse about the plans and activities of programs funded by the
Corporation.
Copies of the proposed information collection form can be obtained
by contacting the office listed below in the address section of this
notice.
The Corporation is particularly interested in comments which:
Evaluate whether the proposed collection of information is
necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the
Corporation, including whether the information will have practical
utility;
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;
Propose ways to enhance the quality, utility and clarity
of the information to be collected; and
Propose ways to 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.
DATES: Written comments must be submitted to the office listed in the
ADDRESSES section January 19, 1999.
ADDRESSES: Send comments to Corporation for National and Community
Service, Office of Learn and Serve America, Attn. Brad Lewis, 8th
Floor, 1201 New York Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20525.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Brad Lewis (202) 606-5000, ext. 113.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Background
The Government Performance and Results Act of 1993 requires all
federal departments and agencies to prepare annual performance plans
for all budget activities. These plans are to contain performance goals
and indicators measuring the outcomes and impacts of federal programs.
The Corporation's initial performance plan, covering fiscal 1999,
contains performance goals for Learn and Serve America relating to the
number of student participants and descriptions of service-learning
programs. This new data collection effort will provide that information
which will be reported to Congress and the public in an annual
performance report beginning in March 2000.
In addition, the Corporation has a commitment to support the
quality improvement efforts of its grantees through monitoring,
training, and technical assistance. A major part of this effort is
carried out through the Learn and Serve America National Service-
Learning Clearinghouse. The Clearinghouse is charged with compiling and
sharing information with the Corporation's grantees and the public
concerning how to plan, implement, and manage service-learning programs
and activities.
Furthermore, until this new information collection effort is in
place, the national program office for Learn and Serve America will
have no systematic means by which to compile quantitative information
on grantee and sub-grantee performance for all recipients of its
funding. Presently, grantees' progress reports are narrative texts with
no means for storing, organizing, and aggregating the data across
programs.
II. Current Action
The Corporation seeks approval of the Learn and Serve America
Project Description Form. The form will ask Learn and Serve America
grantees and their sub-grantees to : (1) Identify the frequency and
types of student participants in service-learning programs; (2)
identify the frequency and types of institutions and organizations
sponsoring and collaborating with service-learning programs; (3)
specify the types of services being provided to communities by students
in service-learning; and (4) describe the local program operations and
achievements. The information will be used to: (1) measure performance
in terms set forth in the annual performance plan; (2) prepare
descriptions of program activities and achievements with support from
Learn and Serve America; (3) inform the Corporation, grantees,
educational institutions, and the public concerning the nature, extent,
and best practices in service-learning programs across the nation.
Type of Review: New approval.
Agency: Corporation for National and Community Service.
Title: Learn and Serve America Project Description Form.
OMB Number: None.
Agency Number: None.
Affected Public: Educators and other institutional personnel whose
organizations receive grant funds from Learn and Serve America.
[[Page 64465]]
Total Respondents: 5,600 supervisors of Learn and Serve programs
(70 percent response rate).
Frequency: Annually.
Average Time Per Response: 1 hour.
Estimated Total Burden Hours: 5,600 hours.
Total Burden Cost (capital/startup): $123,200 (5,600 respondents @
$22 each: $2 for copying, assembly, and mailing plus 1 hour per
response @ $20/hour).
Total Burden Cost (operating/maintenance): None.
Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized
and/or included in the request for Office of Management and Budget
approval of the information collection request; they will also become a
matter of public record.
Dated: November 16, 1998.
Kenneth L. Klothen,
General Counsel.
[FR Doc. 98-31014 Filed 11-19-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6050-28-P
