[Federal Register: September 23, 1997 (Volume 62, Number 184)] [Notices] [Page 49672-49673] From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov] [DOCID:fr23se97-52] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION Notice of Proposed Information Collection Requests AGENCY: Department of Education. ACTION: Notice of Proposed Information Collection Requests. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: The Acting Deputy Chief Information Officer, 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 October 21, 1997. 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: Dan Chenok, Desk Officer: Department of Education, Office of Management and Budget, 725 17th Street, NW., Room 10235, New Executive Office Building, Washington, D.C. 20503. Requests for copies of the proposed information collection request should be addressed to Patrick J. Sherrill, Department of Education, 7th & D Streets, S.W., Room 5624, Regional Office Building 3, Washington, D.C. 20202-4651. Written comments regarding the regular clearance and requests for copies of the proposed information collection requests should be addressed to Patrick J. Sherrill, Department of Education, 600 Independence Avenue, S.W., Room 5624, Regional Office Building 3, Washington, DC 20202-4651, or should be electronic mailed to the internet address #FIRB@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 (c)(2)(A) of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. Chapter 3506 (c)(2)(A) 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 Deputy Chief Information Officer, 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 [[Page 49673]] 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 the respondents, including through the use of information technology. Dated: September 17, 1997. Charles E. Hansen, Acting Deputy Chief Information Officer, Office of the Chief Information Officer. Office of Educational Research and Improvement Type of Review: New. Title: Voluntary National Tests in Reading and Mathematics. Abstract: The American Institutes for Research, under contract with the Office of Educational Research and Improvement, is coordinating the development of the Voluntary National Tests in Reading and Mathematics. Each Fall from 1997 to 2001, a pilot study of developed test items will help detect procedural problems and aid item selection for field tests conducted the following Spring. Additional Information: The Department is requesting an emergency clearance for the Pilot Test of the Voluntary National Tests in Reading and Mathematics by October 21, 1997. If normal clearance procedures were followed, it would prevent the pilot tests from occurring this Fall which, in turn, would prevent the final tests being ready in the Spring, 1999, as called for by the President. Frequency: Annually. Affected Public: Individuals or households; State, local or Tribal Gov't, SEAs or LEAs. Reporting Burden and Recordkeeping: Responses: 46,000. Burden Hours: 53,800. [FR Doc. 97-25158 Filed 9-22-97; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4000-01-P