[Federal Register: October 7, 1998 (Volume 63, Number 194)] [Notices] [Page 53885] From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov] [DOCID:fr07oc98-1026] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION National Assessment Governing Board; Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request AGENCY: National Assessment Governing Board. AGENCY: Submission for OMB review; comment request. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: The Executive Director, National Assessment Governing Board invites comments on the submission for OMB review as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. DATES: Interested persons are invited to submit comments on or before November 5, 1998. ADDRESSES: Written comments 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. Requests for copies of the proposed information collection requests should be addressed to Ray Fields, National Assessment Governing Board, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., Suite 825, Washington, DC 20002-4233. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ray Fields at 202-357-0395 by telephone, Ray__Fields@ED.GOV by electronic mail, or Ray Fields, National Assessment Governing Board, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., Suite 825, Washington, DC 20002-4233 by regular mail. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Section 3506 of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35) requires that the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) provide interested Federal agencies and the public an early opportunity to comment on information collection requests. 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 Executive Director, National Assessment Governing Board, publishes this notice containing proposed information collection requests prior to submission of this request to OMB. The proposed information collection 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. OMB invites public comment at the address specified above. Copies of the requests are available from Ray Fields at the address specified above. Type of Review: New. Title: Voluntary National Tests in Reading and Mathematics--Pilot Tests. Frequency: Annual. Affected Public: State, local, or Tribal Government SEAs or LEAs; Not-for-profit Institutions. Reporting and Record-Keeping Hour Burden: Responses: 50,244. Burden hours: 99,444. Abstract: Public Law 105-78 assigned to the National Assessment Governing Board exclusive authority over all policies, guidelines, and direction for the development of voluntary national tests in reading in grade 4 and in mathematics in grade 8 pursuant to contract RJ97153001, with the American Institutes for Research. While permitting test development, Public Law 105-78 prohibits during FY 1998 the pilot testing, field testing, administration, or dissemination of any voluntary national tests, except the National Assessment of Educational Progress or the Third International Mathematics and Science Study. If pilot testing is not prohibited in FY 1999, pilot tests of test questions developed for the voluntary national tests will be conducted in March 1999. The purpose of the pilot test is to ensure that the test items are of high quality and free from bias. In addition, a limited number of background questions will be included, in order to conduct certain statistical tests related to the test questions. Dated: October 2, 1998. Roy Truby, Executive Director, National Assessment Governing Board. [FR Doc. 98-26916 Filed 10-6-98; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4000-01-M