[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