[Federal Register: November 12, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 218)] [Notices] [Page 61614-61615] From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov] [DOCID:fr12no99-65] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 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 24, 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, N.W., Room 10235, New Executive Office Building, Washington, D.C. 20503. 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 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: November 5, 1999. William E. Burrow, Leader, Information Management Group, Office of the Chief Information Officer. Office of the Chief Information Officer Type of Review: New. Title: Post-January 1st, 2000 Evaluation Survey of Education Sector. Abstract: The Department of Education (ED) is actively participating on the President's Council on Year 2000 (Y2K) Conversion and this Post Y2K Evaluation Survey is an ED, as well as, a Council initiative. Previous Y2K assessment surveys have raised major concerns about the Y2K readiness of our nation's schools. ED's most recent surveys, completed in October, show more than one-third of the nation's school districts and postsecondary institutions were not yet fully Y2K compliant and much work remained to be done before the New Year. Additionally, four percent of school districts did not believe they would be ready by January 1st. ED is taking a [[Page 61615]] proactive approach in evaluating the status of the nation's schools after January 1st through a random sample survey of 1,200 elementary/ secondary school districts and 1,950 postsecondary institutions located in the 50 states, Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands, and the District of Columbia. Information obtained from this survey will help assess the status of the nation's schools after the year 2000 transition. Survey results will be reported not only to ED's management, but also to The President's Council on Year 2000 Conversion's Information Coordination Center, Office of Management and Budget, major education associations, and other Year 2000 oversight authorities, as well as the public. Additional Information: This survey is being submitted for emergency clearance, as it is a year 2000 related data collection assessment effort. The year 2000 is less than two months away and recent surveys have raised major concerns about the Y2K readiness of the nation's schools. In order to best prepare the school districts and postsecondary institutions selected in the random sample, notifications and survey instructions need to be mailed in early December to ensure there is sufficient time for the surveys to be completed and results reported in January. Based on these circumstances, we are requesting the 60-day and 30-day waiver for Federal Register Notices. This waiver is requested per emergency clearance of year 2000 surveys under the Paperwork Reduction Act. Clearance is requested no later than November 24, 1999. Frequency: One-time data collection conducted in January 2000. Affected Public: State, local or Tribal government, SEAs or LEAs; business or other for-profit; not-for-profit institutions (elementary/ secondary school districts and postsecondary education institutions). Reporting and Recordkeeping Burden: Responses: 2,520 Burden Hours: 1,470 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, D.C. 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 should be directed to 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. 99-29536 Filed 11-10-99; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4000-1-P