01-28050. Emergency Clearance; Public Information Collection Requirements Submitted to the Office of Management and Budget; Notice

AGENCY:

National Science Foundation.

ACTION:

Emergency Clearance: Public Information Collection Requirements Submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB).

SUMMARY:

The National Science Foundation (NSF) is announcing plans to request reinstatement and approval of this collection. In accordance with the requirement of section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104-13), we are providing an opportunity for public comment on this action. After obtaining and considering public comment, NSF will prepare the submission requesting that OMB approve clearance of this collection for no longer than 3 years.

DATES:

Interested parsons are invited to send comments regarding the burden of any other aspect of these collections of information requirements. However, as noted below, comments on these information collection and record keeping requirements must be received by the designees referenced below by November 13, 2001.

ADDRESSES:

Written comments regarding the information collection and requests for copies of the proposed information collection request should be addressed to Suzanne Plimpton, Reports Clearance Officer, National Science Foundation, 4201 Wilson Blvd., Rm. 295, Arlington, VA 22230, or by e-mail to [e-mail], and

Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget, Room 10235, New Executive Office Building, Washington, DC 20503. Attn: Lauren Wittenberg, NSF Desk Officer.

Comments: Written comments are invited on (a) whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the Agency, including whether the information shall have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the Agency's estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of information; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information on respondents, including through the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology; or (d) 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.

We are, however, requesting an emergency review of the information collection referenced below. In compliance with the requirement of section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, we have submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) the following requirements for emergency review. We are requesting an emergency review because the collection of this information is needed before the expiration of the normal time limits under OMB's regulations at 5 CFR part 1320.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Suzanne H. Plimpton, Reports Clearance Officer, National Science Foundation, 4201 Wilson Boulevard, Suite 295, Arlington, Virginia 22230; telephone [phone]; or send e-mail to [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 between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m., Eastern time, Monday through Friday.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Request for Emergency Clearance for Data Collection in Support of a Cross-Site Evaluation of National Science Foundation's Directorate for Education and Human Resources the Cross-Project Evaluation of the National Science Foundation's Local Systemic Change Through Teacher Enhancement Program (LSC)

OMB Approval Number: OMB 3145-0161.

Expiration Date: Not applicable.

Abstract: The National Science Foundation (NSF) requests a six-month extension for surveys in the Local Systemic Change (LSC) through Teacher Enhancement Program which was previously approved through September 2001 (OMB No. 3145-0136). The surveys are part of the ongoing data collection for the program-wide evaluation of the LSC. Each of the 72 currently funded projects administers teacher and principal questionnaires and conducts teacher interviews at appropriate times during the school year based on the program evaluation design. A disruption in the data collection process would jeopardize the completion of the annual report NSF needs in order to provide programmatic impact information to Congress as well as planned longitudinal analyses.

These surveys have been ongoing for a number of years in LSC projects funded by NSF. The LSC program is a large-scale effort to modify the nature of teacher in-service training (or professional development) provided to mathematics and science teachers in a large number of school districts across the country. Currently there are 72 projects funded at up to $6 million each. The database maintained by Horizon Research, Inc. for LSC is designed to provide information on the total system, both for accountability and for judging effectiveness. For example, NSF is required to report for GPRA the number of teachers receiving NSF in-service and development support. This information is gathered through this recurring study of the LSC projects.

Respondents: Individuals or households, and not-for-profit institutions.

Number of Respondents: 14,760.

Burden on the Public: 4,950 hours.

Dated: November 2, 2001.

Suzanne H. Plimpton,

NSF Reports Clearance Officer.