[Federal Register: April 7, 2006 (Volume 71, Number 67)]
[Notices]
[Page 17928-17929]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr07ap06-108]
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION
Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposed New Data
Collection; Comment Request
AGENCY: National Science Foundation.
ACTION: Notice.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The National Science Foundation (NSF) is announcing plans
[[Page 17929]]
to establish clearance for an evaluation of the Teacher Professional
Continuum (TPC) to assess how well the TPC program is meeting its
intended goals. In accordance with the requirement of Section
3506(c)(2)(A) of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, we are providing
opportunity for public comment on this action. After obtaining and
considering public comment, NSF will prepare the submission requesting
OMB clearance of this collection for no longer than 3 years.
Comments: 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; and (d) ways to
minimize the burden of the collection of information on respondents,
including through the use of automated collection techniques or other
forms of information technology.
DATES: Written comments should be received by June 6, 2006 to be
assured of consideration. Comments received after that date would be
considered to the extent practicable.
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 splimpto@nsf.gov.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Suzanne Plimpton at (703) 292-7556 or
send e-mail to splimpto@nsf.gov. 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 Clearance for Program Evaluation
of the National Science Foundation's (NSF) Teacher Professional
Continuum (TPC).
Title of Collection: Evaluation of the National Science
Foundation's Teacher Professional Continuum (TPC) Program.
OMB Control No.: 3145-NEW.
Expiration Date of Approval: Not applicable.
1. Abstract
The National Science Foundation (NSF) requests a three-year
clearance for research, evaluation and data collection (e.g. surveys
and interviews) from stakeholders in the Teacher Professional Continuum
(TPC) Program. TPC stakeholders typically are limited to faculty and
administrators from universities and not-for-profit institutions (e.g.,
museums, non-degree granting educational or research institutions), K-
12 educators, and former NSF employees and intergovernmental personnel
act (IPA) appointees. This data collection will be the first time the
NSF has evaluated the TPC Program.
K-12 Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM)
teachers and pre-service teacher candidates have inadequate content
knowledge and experience high rates of teacher turnover that threaten
student learning and the STEM teacher workforce. The current STEM
knowledge base and infrastructure is ill equipped to respond to this
crisis. In response, the TPC Program is designed to expand research on
effective STEM teaching and teacher learning; develop professional
resources for STEM teachers and those who educate them; and strengthen
the infrastructure that supports the STEM profession. Recognizing that
teacher professional development is comprised of a sequence of
experiences that spans teachers' professional careers, the TPC program
awards grants to researchers addressing pre-service training, new
teacher induction, and in-service professional development. For
specific details and the most updated information regarding TPC program
operations, please visit the NSF Web site at: http://www. nsf.gov/
funding/pgm --summ.jsp? pims --id=12785 =ESIE &from= home.
Abt Associates Inc. has been awarded a three-year contract to
assess how well the TPC program is meeting its intended goals and to
examine the program's contribution to the knowledge base for each stage
of the teacher professional continuum. This theory-based evaluation
will construct a conceptual model outlining how the TPC Program is
intended to work, and then use a mixed-methods approach to assess
observed program implementation and outcomes against the desired model.
The study will answer the questions: (1) How does the TPC program work?
(2) How are TPC resources allocated and what is the relationship
between allocated resources and project results? (3) To what extent is
the TPC program meeting its stated outcomes of expanding research on
effective STEM teaching and teacher learning, developing professional
resources of STEM teachers and those who educate them, and
strengthening the STEM education infrastructure? (4) What has
facilitated the accomplishment or progress towards outcomes?
A series of surveys and interviews will be employed to answer these
questions, along with the visits. Data sources will include a review of
literature and resources, a review of grantee portfolios (including
proposals, products and annual reports), surveys of TPC Principal
Investigators (PIs), interviews with PIs and other grant staff, and
extend grant documentation.
NSF will use the TPC program evaluation data and analyses to
respond to requests from Committees of Visitors (COV), Congress and the
Office of Management and Budget, particularly as related to the
Government Performance and Results Act (GPRA) and the Program
Effectiveness Rating Tool (PART). NSF will also use the program
evaluation to improve communication with TPC stakeholders and to share
the broader impacts of the TPC program with the general public.
Respondents: Individuals or households, business or other for
profit, and not-for-profit institutions.
Estimated Number of Respondents: 143.
Burden on the Public: 1100 hours.
Dated: April 3, 2006.
Suzanne H. Plimpton,
Reports Clearance Officer, National Science Foundation.
[FR Doc. 06-3334 Filed 4-6-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7555-01-M