80 FR 26957 - Notice of Intent To Seek Approval To Establish an Information Collection

NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION

Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 90 (May 11, 2015)

Page Range		26957-26958
FR Document		2015-11279

The National Science Foundation (NSF) is announcing plans to request approval of this collection. 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.

Federal Register, Volume 80 Issue 90 (Monday, May 11, 2015)

[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 90 (Monday, May 11, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 26957-26958]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2015-11279]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION


Notice of Intent To Seek Approval To Establish an Information 
Collection

AGENCY: National Science Foundation.

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The National Science Foundation (NSF) is announcing plans to 
request approval of this collection. 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.

DATES: Interested persons are invited to send comments regarding the 
burden or any other aspect of this collection of information 
requirements by July 10, 2015.

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. 1265, Arlington, VA 
22230, or by email to [email protected].
    Comments: Written 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; or (d) ways to 
minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are 
to respond, including through the use of appropriate automated, 
electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or 
other forms of information technology.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Suzanne H. Plimpton, Reports Clearance 
Officer, National Science Foundation, 4201 Wilson Boulevard, Suite 
1265, Arlington, Virginia 22230; telephone (703) 292-7556; or send 
email to [email protected]. Individuals who use a telecommunications 
device for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Information Relay 
Service (FIRS) at 1-800-877-8339, which is accessible 24 hours a day, 7 
days a week, 365 days a year (including federal holidays).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    Title: Evaluation of the Science, Technology, Engineering, and 
Mathematics Talent Expansion Program (STEP)
    OMB Approval Number: 3145--NEW.
    Expiration Date: Not applicable.
    Overview of this information collection: The National Science 
Foundation (NSF) is supporting an evaluation of the Science, 
Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Talent Expansion Program 
(STEP). The primary objectives of the evaluation, stated generally, are 
to (a) analyze STEP implementation and outcome data from the 
participating institutions of higher education (IHEs), (b) compare 
these data to baseline data from the IHEs and matched comparison IHEs, 
and (c) produce a clear report of the findings to inform future 
programmatic activities focused on degree attainment in STEM. The 
evaluation will include surveys of principal investigators; extant data 
retrieval from Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS), 
grantee proposals and annual reports, and STEP monitoring system; and 
extant outcome data collection from grantee and comparison IHEs that 
includes aggregate data for key indicators over time (from 2000 to 
2015). These key indicators include (a) number of students who are 
science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) majors; (b) 
STEM retention rates; (c) persistence to a STEM degree; (d) number of 
STEM major transfers from 2-year associate programs into 4-year 
baccalaureate programs; (e) associate and baccalaureate degree 
attainment among STEM majors; and (f) enrollment in STEM courses. 
Additionally, in a subset of 10 IHEs, de-identified student level 
outcomes for participating students and comparison student counterparts 
will be collected (see Graduate 10K+ grants below).
    NSF granted STEP awards to a geographically diverse set of two- and 
four-year IHEs, with the first round of grant awards beginning in the 
2002-2003 school year and new awards granted each year through the 
2013-2014 school year. Over the course of the program, STEP awarded a 
total of 255 grants (129 of which are currently active). STEP supported 
3 types of grants:
    [ssquf] Type 1--Type 1 grants supported the implementation of best 
practices in recruitment, retention, and degree attainment that would 
lead to an increase in the number of students obtaining associate or 
baccalaureate degrees in STEM or completing credits to transfer from 
associate to baccalaureate programs in a STEM discipline. Specific 
strategies implemented were based on an analysis of the needs of the 
undergraduate institution of higher education (IHE).
    [ssquf] Type 2--Type 2 grants supported educational research 
projects that helped identify best practices and further understanding 
of the factors influencing STEM recruitment, retention, and degree 
attainment.
    [ssquf] Graduate 10K+--In support of President Obama's 2012 
initiative calling for ``one million STEM graduates in ten years,'' a 
public-private collaboration among NSF, Intel, and the GE Foundation, 
with a generous personal donation from Mark Gallogly, established the 
Graduate 10K+ special funding focus in FY2013. Graduate 10K+ projects 
strived to improve first and second year retention rates in engineering 
and computer science, especially among women and other groups of 
students who are underrepresented in the attainment of degrees in those 
disciplines.
    NSF is committed to providing stakeholders with information 
regarding the expenditures of taxpayer funds. The evaluation of STEP 
will assess the overall effect of STEP funding across STEP-funded IHEs; 
explore the types and combinations of STEP strategies, practices, and 
characteristics that are most effective at achieving the desired STEP 
outcomes; examine differences in outcomes across targeted disciplines; 
assess the effects of Graduate 10K+ funding on first- and second-year 
retention rates in engineering and computer science; and investigate 
the broad influence of STEP Type 2 projects to the base of quality, 
practical research in STEM education and in preparing new researchers 
to enter the field.
    If NSF cannot collect information from STEP participants and 
comparison IHEs, NSF will have no other means to consistently assess 
the program outcomes and identify strategies, practices, and 
characteristics that are most effective at achieving those desired 
outcomes.

[[Page 26958]]

Background

    The evaluation will involve data from web surveys and extant 
sources. OMB approval is being sought for the new data that will be 
collected for the study. Primary data sources will include web surveys 
of STEP Principal Investigators (PIs) and aggregate level outcome data 
provided by PIs at grantee IHEs and Institutional Research staff at 
comparison IHEs.
    Respondents: Individuals (Principal Investigators, Institutional 
Research staff).
    Number of Type 1 PI Survey Respondents: 325.
    Number of Type 2 PI Survey Respondents: 17.
    Number of Data Request Respondents: 1,031.
    Average Time per Response (Type 1 PI Survey): 15 minutes.
    Average Time per Response (Type 2 PI Survey): 20 minutes.
    Average Time per Data Request (Principal Investigators. 
Institutional Research Staff): 120 minutes.
    Burden on the Public: 2,149 total hours.

    Dated: May 5, 2015.
Suzanne H. Plimpton,
Reports Clearance Officer, National Science Foundation.
[FR Doc. 2015-11279 Filed 5-8-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 7555-01-P

Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 90 / Monday, May 11, 2015 / Notices 26957

Electronic Access and Filing Addresses technological collection techniques or 2003 school year and new awards
You may submit comments other forms of information technology. granted each year through the 2013–
electronically at the public comment FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 2014 school year. Over the course of the
portal at http://www.ncpc.gov/ Suzanne H. Plimpton, Reports Clearance program, STEP awarded a total of 255
urbandesign/comment.html. Officer, National Science Foundation, grants (129 of which are currently
4201 Wilson Boulevard, Suite 1265, active). STEP supported 3 types of
Authority: (40 U.S.C. 8721(e)(2)). grants:
Arlington, Virginia 22230; telephone
Dated: May 6, 2015. (703) 292–7556; or send email to D Type 1—Type 1 grants supported
Anne R. Schuyler, splimpto@nsf.gov. Individuals who use the implementation of best practices in
General Counsel. a telecommunications device for the recruitment, retention, and degree
[FR Doc. 2015–11292 Filed 5–8–15; 8:45 am] deaf (TDD) may call the Federal attainment that would lead to an
Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 1– increase in the number of students
BILLING CODE 7520–01–P
800–877–8339, which is accessible 24 obtaining associate or baccalaureate
hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a degrees in STEM or completing credits
year (including federal holidays). to transfer from associate to
NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION baccalaureate programs in a STEM
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
discipline. Specific strategies
Notice of Intent To Seek Approval To Title: Evaluation of the Science, implemented were based on an analysis
Establish an Information Collection Technology, Engineering, and of the needs of the undergraduate
Mathematics Talent Expansion Program institution of higher education (IHE).
National Science Foundation.
AGENCY:
(STEP) D Type 2—Type 2 grants supported
Notice and request for
ACTION: OMB Approval Number: 3145—NEW.
comments. educational research projects that
Expiration Date: Not applicable. helped identify best practices and
SUMMARY: The National Science Overview of this information further understanding of the factors
Foundation (NSF) is announcing plans collection: The National Science influencing STEM recruitment,
to request approval of this collection. In Foundation (NSF) is supporting an retention, and degree attainment.
accordance with the requirement of evaluation of the Science, Technology, D Graduate 10K+—In support of
section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the Paperwork Engineering, and Mathematics Talent President Obama’s 2012 initiative
Reduction Act of 1995, we are providing Expansion Program (STEP). The primary calling for ‘‘one million STEM graduates
opportunity for public comment on this objectives of the evaluation, stated in ten years,’’ a public-private
action. After obtaining and considering generally, are to (a) analyze STEP collaboration among NSF, Intel, and the
public comment, NSF will prepare the implementation and outcome data from GE Foundation, with a generous
submission requesting OMB clearance the participating institutions of higher personal donation from Mark Gallogly,
of this collection for no longer than 3 education (IHEs), (b) compare these data established the Graduate 10K+ special
years. to baseline data from the IHEs and funding focus in FY2013. Graduate
matched comparison IHEs, and (c) 10K+ projects strived to improve first
DATES: Interested persons are invited to produce a clear report of the findings to and second year retention rates in
send comments regarding the burden or inform future programmatic activities engineering and computer science,
any other aspect of this collection of focused on degree attainment in STEM. especially among women and other
information requirements by July 10, The evaluation will include surveys of groups of students who are
2015. principal investigators; extant data underrepresented in the attainment of
ADDRESSES: Written comments retrieval from Integrated Postsecondary degrees in those disciplines.
regarding the information collection and Education Data System (IPEDS), grantee NSF is committed to providing
requests for copies of the proposed proposals and annual reports, and STEP stakeholders with information regarding
information collection request should be monitoring system; and extant outcome the expenditures of taxpayer funds. The
addressed to Suzanne Plimpton, Reports data collection from grantee and evaluation of STEP will assess the
Clearance Officer, National Science comparison IHEs that includes aggregate overall effect of STEP funding across
Foundation, 4201 Wilson Blvd., Rm. data for key indicators over time (from STEP-funded IHEs; explore the types
1265, Arlington, VA 22230, or by email 2000 to 2015). These key indicators and combinations of STEP strategies,
to splimpto@nsf.gov. include (a) number of students who are practices, and characteristics that are
Comments: Written comments are science, technology, engineering and most effective at achieving the desired
invited on (a) whether the proposed mathematics (STEM) majors; (b) STEM STEP outcomes; examine differences in
collection of information is necessary retention rates; (c) persistence to a outcomes across targeted disciplines;
for the proper performance of the STEM degree; (d) number of STEM assess the effects of Graduate 10K+
functions of the Agency, including major transfers from 2-year associate funding on first- and second-year
whether the information shall have programs into 4-year baccalaureate retention rates in engineering and
practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the programs; (e) associate and computer science; and investigate the
Agency’s estimate of the burden of the baccalaureate degree attainment among broad influence of STEP Type 2 projects
proposed collection of information; (c) STEM majors; and (f) enrollment in to the base of quality, practical research
ways to enhance the quality, utility, and STEM courses. Additionally, in a subset in STEM education and in preparing
clarity of the information on of 10 IHEs, de-identified student level new researchers to enter the field.
respondents, including through the use outcomes for participating students and If NSF cannot collect information
tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES

of automated collection techniques or comparison student counterparts will be from STEP participants and comparison
other forms of information technology; collected (see Graduate 10K+ grants IHEs, NSF will have no other means to
or (d) ways to minimize the burden of below). consistently assess the program
the collection of information on those NSF granted STEP awards to a outcomes and identify strategies,
who are to respond, including through geographically diverse set of two- and practices, and characteristics that are
the use of appropriate automated, four-year IHEs, with the first round of most effective at achieving those desired
electronic, mechanical, or other grant awards beginning in the 2002– outcomes.

VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:00 May 08, 2015 Jkt 235001 PO 00000 Frm 00069 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\11MYN1.SGM 11MYN1

26958 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 90 / Monday, May 11, 2015 / Notices

Background IX. Other External Audit Reports The schedule for Commission
X. Adjournment meetings is subject to change on short
The evaluation will involve data from
web surveys and extant sources. OMB Jeffrey T. Bryson,
notice. For more information or to verify
approval is being sought for the new the status of meetings, contact Glenn
EVP & General Counsel/Corporate Secretary.
data that will be collected for the study. Ellmers at 301–415–0442 or via email at
[FR Doc. 2015–11426 Filed 5–7–15; 4:15 pm]
Primary data sources will include web Glenn.Ellmers@nrc.gov.
BILLING CODE 7570–02–P
surveys of STEP Principal Investigators * * * * *
(PIs) and aggregate level outcome data The NRC Commission Meeting
provided by PIs at grantee IHEs and Schedule can be found on the Internet
NUCLEAR REGULATORY at: http://www.nrc.gov/public-involve/
Institutional Research staff at COMMISSION
comparison IHEs. public-meetings/schedule.html.
Respondents: Individuals (Principal [NRC–2015–0001] * * * * *
Investigators, Institutional Research The NRC provides reasonable
staff). Sunshine Act Meeting Notice accommodation to individuals with
Number of Type 1 PI Survey DATE: May 11, 18, 25, June 1, 8, 15, disabilities where appropriate. If you
Respondents: 325. 2015. need a reasonable accommodation to
Number of Type 2 PI Survey participate in these public meetings, or
PLACE:Commissioners’ Conference need this meeting notice or the
Respondents: 17.
Room, 11555 Rockville Pike, Rockville, transcript or other information from the
Number of Data Request Respondents:
Maryland. public meetings in another format (e.g.
1,031.
STATUS: Public and Closed. braille, large print), please notify
Average Time per Response (Type 1
PI Survey): 15 minutes. Week of May 11, 2015 Kimberly Meyer, NRC Disability
Average Time per Response (Type 2 Program Manager, at 301–287–0727, by
There are no meetings scheduled for
PI Survey): 20 minutes. videophone at 240–428–3217, or by
the week of May 11, 2015.
Average Time per Data Request email at Kimberly.Meyer-Chambers@
(Principal Investigators. Institutional Week of May 18, 2015—Tentative nrc.gov. Determinations on requests for
Research Staff): 120 minutes. Tuesday, May 19, 2015 reasonable accommodation will be
Burden on the Public: 2,149 total made on a case-by-case basis.
hours. 9:00 a.m. Briefing on Cumulative Effects * * * * *
of Regulation and Risk Members of the public may request to
Dated: May 5, 2015.
Prioritization Initiatives (Public receive this information electronically.
Suzanne H. Plimpton, Meeting) (Contact: Steve Ruffin,
Reports Clearance Officer, National Science
If you would like to be added to the
301–415–1985). distribution, please contact the Nuclear
Foundation. This meeting will be webcast live at
[FR Doc. 2015–11279 Filed 5–8–15; 8:45 am]
Regulatory Commission, Office of the
the Web address—http://www.nrc.gov/. Secretary, Washington, DC 20555 (301–
BILLING CODE 7555–01–P
Thursday, May 21, 2015 415–1969), or email
9:00 a.m. Briefing on the Results of the Brenda.Akstulewicz@nrc.gov or
Agency Action Review Meeting Patricia.Jimenez@nrc.gov.
NEIGHBORHOOD REINVESTMENT
CORPORATION (Public Meeting) (Contact: Nathan Dated: May 6, 2015.
Sanfilippo, 301–415–8744). Glenn Ellmers,
Audit Committee Meeting; Sunshine This meeting will be webcast live at Policy Coordinator, Office of the Secretary.
Act the Web address—http://www.nrc.gov/. [FR Doc. 2015–11362 Filed 5–7–15; 11:15 am]

TIME AND DATE: 2:00 p.m., Tuesday, May Week of May 25, 2015—Tentative BILLING CODE 7590–01–P

19, 2015. There are no meetings scheduled for
PLACE: NeighborWorks America— the week of May 25, 2015.
PENSION BENEFIT GUARANTY
Gramlich Boardroom 999 North Capitol Week of June 1, 2015—Tentative CORPORATION
Street NE., Washington, DC 20002.
There are no meetings scheduled for
STATUS: Open (with the exception of the week of June 1, 2015. Proposed Submission of Information
Executive Sessions). Collection for OMB Review; Comment
CONTACT PERSON: Jeffrey Bryson,
Week of June 8, 2015—Tentative Request; Annual Financial and
General Counsel/Secretary (202) 760– Tuesday, June 9, 2015 Actuarial Information Reporting
4101; jbryson@nw.org. 9:30 a.m. Briefing on NRC Insider AGENCY: Pension Benefit Guaranty
AGENDA: Threat Program (Closed–Ex. 1 & 2). Corporation.
I. CALL TO ORDER ACTION: Notice of request for extension
II. Executive Session with the Chief Thursday, June 11, 2015
of OMB approval.
Audit Executive 10:00 a.m. Meeting with the Advisory
III. Executive Session: Pending Committee on Reactor Safeguards SUMMARY: The Pension Benefit Guaranty
Litigation (Public Meeting) (Contact: Edwin Corporation (PBGC) is requesting that
IV. Executive Session: OHTS Watch List Hackett, 301–415–7360). the Office of Management and Budget
tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES

Review This meeting will be webcast live at (OMB) extend approval, under the
V. FY 2016 Risk Assessment & Draft the Web address—http://www.nrc.gov/. Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, of its
Internal Audit Plan collection of information for annual
Week of June 15, 2015
VI. Internal Audit Reports with financial and actuarial reporting under
Management’s Response There are no meetings scheduled for 29 CFR part 4010 (OMB control number
VII. Internal Audit Status Reports the week of June 15, 2015. 1212–0049, expires June 30, 2015). This
VIII. Compliance Update * * * * * notice informs the public of PBGC’s

VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:00 May 08, 2015 Jkt 235001 PO 00000 Frm 00070 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\11MYN1.SGM 11MYN1

Document Created: 2018-02-21 10:26:10
Document Modified: 2018-02-21 10:26:10

Category		Regulatory Information
Collection		Federal Register
sudoc Class		AE 2.7: GS 4.107: AE 2.106:
Publisher		Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
Section		Notices
Action		Notice and request for comments.
Dates		Interested persons are invited to send comments regarding the burden or any other aspect of this collection of information requirements by July 10, 2015.
Contact		Suzanne H. Plimpton, Reports Clearance Officer, National Science Foundation, 4201 Wilson Boulevard, Suite 1265, Arlington, Virginia 22230; telephone (703) 292-7556; or send email to [email protected] Individuals who use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 1-800-877-8339, which is accessible 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year (including federal holidays).
FR Citation		80 FR 26957