[Federal Register: March 18, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 52)] [Notices] [Page 13413-13415] From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov] [DOCID:fr18mr99-59] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION Notice of Proposed Information Collection Requests AGENCY: Department of Education. ACTION: Notice of proposed information collection requests. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: The Acting Leader, Information Management Group, Office of the Chief Information Officer, invites [[Page 13414]] 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 March 26, 1999. A regular clearance process is also beginning. Interested persons are invited to submit comments on or before [insert the 60th day after publication of this notice]. 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, N.W., Room 10235, New Executive Office Building, Washington, D.C. 20503. Comments regarding the regular clearance and requests for copies of the proposed information collection request should be addressed to Patrick J. Sherrill, Department of Education, 400 Maryland 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 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 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 Acting 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 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 respondents, including through the use of information technology. Dated: March 12, 1999. Joseph Schubart, Acting Leader, Information Management Group, Office of the Chief Information Officer. Office of Student Financial Assistance Programs Type of Review: New. Title: Federal Direct Stafford/Ford Loan and Federal Direct Unsubsidized Stafford/Ford Loan Master Promissory Note. Abstract: This form is the means by which a Federal Direct Stafford/Ford Loan and/or Federal Direct Unsubsidized Stafford/Ford Loan borrower promises to repay his or her loan. Additional Information: Minor change has been made to reduce potential borrower confusion. This change more clearly reflects the multi-year functionality of the notes. Revised version reminds borrower where to find additional information about reducing or canceling loans. Frequency: On occasion. Affected Public: Individuals or households. Reporting and Recordkeeping burden: Responses: 2,031,360. Burden Hours: 2,031,360. Office of Student Financial Assistance Programs Type of Review: New. Title: Federal Stafford Loan (Subsidized and Unsubsidized) Program Master Promissory Note. Abstract: This promissory note is the means by which a Federal Stafford Program Loan borrower promises to repay his or her loan. Additional Information: Minor change has been made to reduce potential borrower confusion. This change more clearly reflects the multi-year functionality of the notes. Revised version reminds borrower where to find additional information about reducing or canceling loans. Frequency: On occasion. Affected Public: Individuals or households; Businesses or other for-profits; Not-for-profit institutions. Reporting and Recordkeeping burden: Responses: 1,400,000. Burden Hours: 1,400,000. Office of Postsecondary Education Type of Review: New. Title: State Report Card on Teacher Preparation Programs and Candidates--Initial Report. Office of Postsecondary Education Type of Review: New. Title: State Report Card on Teacher Preparation Programs and Candidates--Initial Report. Abstract: There is a Congressionally mandated study of teacher certification and licensure requirements, called for in section 207 of P.L. 105-244, the Higher Education Amendments of 1998 (20 USC 1027). Section 207, subsection, paragraph (1) calls for information in three areas to be submitted by the states to the Secretary of Education within six months of the passage of the legislation (i.e., April 8, 1999). The three areas are: subsection (b), paragraph (1): ``A description of the teacher certification and licensure assessments, and any other certification and licensure requirements, used by the State''; subsection (b), paragraph (5): ``The percentage of teaching candidates who passed each of the assessments used by the State for teacher certification and licensure, disaggregated and ranked, by the teacher preparation program in the State from which the teacher candidate received the candidate's most recent degree, which shall be made available widely and publicly''; subsection (b), paragraph (6): ``Information on the extent to which teachers in the State are given waivers of State certification or licensure requirements, including the proportion of such teachers distributed across high-and low-poverty districts and across subject areas. Additional Information: This information will be used by Congress and the Administration to formulate policy concerning Teacher Preparation. Frequency: One time request for initial report. [[Page 13415]] Affected Public: State, local or Tribal Gov't; SEAs or LEAs. Reporting and Recordkeeping Burden: Responses: 57. Burden Hours: 57. [FR Doc. 99-6570 Filed 3-17-99; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4000-01-P