[Federal Register: October 13, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 197)]
[Notices]
[Page 55462-55463]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr13oc99-37]
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
Notice of Proposed Information Collection Requests
AGENCY: Department of Education.
ACTION: Notice of Proposed Information Collection Requests.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The Leader, Information Management Group, Office of the Chief
Information Officer, invites comments on the proposed information
collection requests as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995.
DATES: An emergency review has been requested in accordance with the
Act (44 U.S.C. Chapter 3507 (j)), since public harm is reasonably
likely to result if normal clearance procedures are followed. Approval
by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has been requested by
November 4, 1999. A regular clearance process is also beginning.
Interested persons are invited to submit comments on or before December
13, 1999.
ADDRESSES: Written comments regarding the emergency review should be
addressed to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs,
Attention: Danny Werfel, 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 DWERFEL@OMB.EOP.GOV.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Section 3506 of the Paperwork Reduction Act
of 1995 (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35) requires that the Director of OMB
provide interested Federal agencies and the public an early opportunity
to comment on information collection requests. The
[[Page 55463]]
Office of Management and Budget (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, Information Management Group, Office of the
Chief Information Officer, publishes this notice containing proposed
information collection requests at the beginning of the Departmental
review of the information collection. 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. ED invites public comment. 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 respondents, including
through the use of information technology.
Dated: October 6, 1999.
William E. Burrow,
Leader, Information Management Group, Office of the Chief Information
Officer.
Office of Elementary and Secondary Education
Title: Ed-Flex Application Guidance.
Abstract: P.L. 106-25, the Education Flexibility Partnership Act of
1999, permits States, which do not currently have Ed-Flex authority, to
submit an application to the Secretary of Education to request Ed-Flex
authority. Thirty-eight states, plus the outlying areas, will
voluntarily apply for the authority to waive Federal regulations for
seven USDE programs, as delineated under the law. In the application,
the State must demonstrate that the eligible State has adopted an
educational flexibility plan for the State that includes: a description
of the process the State will use to evaluate applications from school
districts or schools requesting waivers, how the State has met the
eligibility requirements, a description of the State's evaluation
process, and how the Ed-Flex plan will assist in implementing the
State's reform plan.
Additional Information: Timely preparation and approval of an Ed-
Flex application is needed if a State is to use Ed-Flex waiver
authority effectively during the 1999-2000 school year. Once a State is
granted Ed-Flex authority, the SEA must establish its procedures to
review and approve waiver requests from school districts and schools.
If normal procedures were to be followed, it would cause public harm to
the schools who participate in these waivers.
Frequency: On occasion.
Affected Public: State, local or Tribal Gov't, SEAs or LEAs.
Reporting and Recordkeeping Hour Burden: Responses--45; Burden
Hours--800.
Requests for copies of the proposed information collection request
should be addressed to Vivian Reese, Department of Education, 400
Maryland Avenue, SW, Room 5624, Regional Office Building 3, Washington,
DC 20202-4651, or should be electronically mailed to the internet
address OCIO__IMG__Issues@ed.gov, or should be faxed to 202-708-9346.
Written comments or questions regarding burden and/or the
collection activity requirements, contact Kathy Axt at 703-426-9692 or
by e-mail at kathy__axt@ed.gov. Individuals who use a
telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal
Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 1-800-877-8339.
[FR Doc. 99-26617 Filed 10-12-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4000-01-P