[Federal Register: April 7, 1998 (Volume 63, Number 66)] [Notices] [Page 16991-16992] From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov] [DOCID:fr07ap98-68] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION Notice of Proposed Information Collection Requests AGENCY: Department of Education. ACTION: Notice of Proposed Information Collection Requests. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: The Deputy Chief Information Officer, 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 May 1, 1998. A regular clearance process is also beginning. Interested persons are invited to submit comments on or before June 8, 1998. 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, D.C. 20503. Requests for copies of the proposed information collection request [[Page 16992]] should be addressed to Patrick J. Sherrill, Department of Education, 7th & D Streets, S.W., Room 5624, Regional Office Building 3, Washington, D.C. 20202-4651. Written comments regarding the regular clearance and requests for copies of the proposed information collection requests should be addressed to Patrick J. Sherrill, Department of Education, 600 Independence Avenue, S.W., Room 5624, Regional Office Building 3, Washington, D.C. 20202-4651, or should be electronically mailed to the internet address Pat--Sherrill@ed.gov, or should be faxed to 202-708-9346. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Patrick J. Sherrill (202) 708-8196. 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: Section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. Chapter 3506(c)(2)(A) requires that the Director of OMB provide interested Federal agencies and the public an early opportunity to comment on information collection requests. The 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 Deputy Chief Information Officer, 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 at the address specified above. Copies of the requests are available from Patrick J. Sherrill at the address specified above. 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. Dated: April 1, 1998. Gloria Parker, Deputy Chief Information Officer, Office of the Chief Information Officer. Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services Type of Review: New. Title: Application for New Grants--State Program Improvement Grants for Children with Disabilities. Abstract: This information collection is necessary to make awards authorized by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, Part D, Subpart 1--State Program Improvement Grants. Eligible grantees are State Departments of Education. This program was newly authorized by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act Amendments of 1997 (Pub. L. 105-17). The purpose of this program is to assist State educational agencies, and their partners in reforming and improving their systems for providing educational, early intervention, and transitional services, including their systems for professional development, technical assistance, and dissemination of knowledge about best practices, to improve results for children with disabilities. Appropriations for the first awards under this program become available for obligation on July 1, 1998. Additional Information: This application package is intended to be made available to potential applicants in May 1998, for submission of applications in August. The impact of not receiving clearance in less than 60 days will be to provide less time for State educational agencies to enter into partnerships with local agencies as required by the Act, and less time for them to collect the information on personnel needs and strategies to address those needs. It is important, in the first year of this program, to make awards on a timely basis, as soon after the availability of funds as possible. Frequency: Annually. Affected Public: State, local or Tribal Gov't, SEAs or LEAs. Annual Reporting and Recordkeeping Hour Burden: Responses: 30. Burden Hours: 2,700. [FR Doc. 98-9024 Filed 4-6-98; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4000-01-P