80 FR 76677 - Agency Information Collection Activities; Comment Request; Evaluation of Effectiveness of the Scholarships for Opportunity and Results (SOAR) Program

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 237 (December 10, 2015)

Page Range		76677-76678
FR Document		2015-31082

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. chapter 3501 et seq.), ED is proposing an extension of an existing information collection.

Federal Register, Volume 80 Issue 237 (Thursday, December 10, 2015)

[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 237 (Thursday, December 10, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 76677-76678]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2015-31082]


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DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

[Docket No.: ED-2015-ICCD-0137]


Agency Information Collection Activities; Comment Request; 
Evaluation of Effectiveness of the Scholarships for Opportunity and 
Results (SOAR) Program

AGENCY: Institute of Education Sciences (IES), Department of Education 
(ED).

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 
U.S.C. chapter 3501 et seq.), ED is proposing an extension of an 
existing information collection.

DATES: Interested persons are invited to submit comments on or before 
February 8, 2016.

ADDRESSES: To access and review all the documents related to the 
information collection listed in this notice, please use http://www.regulations.gov by searching the Docket ID number ED-2015-ICCD-
0137. Comments submitted in response to this notice should be submitted 
electronically through the Federal eRulemaking Portal at http://www.regulations.gov by selecting the Docket ID number or via postal 
mail, commercial delivery, or hand delivery. Please note that comments 
submitted by fax or email and those submitted after the comment period 
will not be accepted. Written requests for information or comments 
submitted by postal mail or delivery should be addressed to the 
Director of the Information Collection Clearance Division, U.S. 
Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue SW., LBJ, Room 2E115, 
Washington, DC 20202-4537.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For specific questions related to 
collection activities, please contact Meredith Bachman, 202-219-2014.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Department of Education (ED), in 
accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA) (44 U.S.C. 
3506(c)(2)(A)), provides the general public and Federal agencies with 
an opportunity to comment on proposed, revised, and continuing 
collections of information. This helps the Department assess the impact 
of its information collection requirements and minimize the public's 
reporting burden. It also helps the public understand the Department's 
information collection requirements and provide the requested data in 
the desired format. ED is soliciting comments on the proposed 
information collection request (ICR) that is described below. 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 the respondents, 
including through the use of information technology. Please note that 
written comments received in response to this notice will be considered 
public records.
    Title of Collection: Evaluation of Effectiveness of the 
Scholarships for Opportunity and Results (SOAR) Program.
    OMB Control Number: 1850-0800.
    Type of Review: An extension of an existing information collection.

[[Page 76678]]

    Respondents/Affected Public: Individuals or households.
    Total Estimated Number of Annual Responses: 3,666.
    Total Estimated Number of Annual Burden Hours: 867.
    Abstract: The foundation of this evaluation is a randomized control 
trial (RCT) comparing outcomes of eligible applicants (students and 
their parents) assigned by lottery to receive or not receive a 
scholarship. This design is consistent with the requirement for a 
rigorous evaluation as well as the need to fairly allocate the 
scholarships if the program is oversubscribed. Because the law also 
specified other kinds of comparisons and analyses, the planned 
evaluation study includes both quantitative and qualitative components.
    In order for the evaluation to have sufficient statistical power to 
detect policy relevant impacts, the sample consists of 1,771 eligible 
program applicants in spring 2012 (cohort 1; n=536), spring 2013 
(cohort 2; n=718), and in spring 2014 (cohort 3, n=517. This is an 
extension of an approved information collection. The extension is 
requested to cover follow up data collection for cohort 2 as well as 
the addition of cohort 3 needed to obtain the sample size needed for 
the evaluation. There are no changes to the study design, data 
collection plans and instruments from what is approved by OMB in the 
current collection.
    Evaluation data will be collected for the three cohorts of program 
applicants from a variety of sources listed below. Each cohort will 
have baseline data as well as three years of follow up (post-lottery) 
data collection; 2013-2015 for cohort 1, 2014-2016 for cohort 2, and 
2015-2017 for cohort 3. In addition to estimating program impact, we 
will use this experimental study to conducted research about interim 
outcomes.
    Data sources include:

--Student assessments: The Terra Nova assessment will be administered 
each spring following the lotteries for 3 years (spring 2013-2015 for 
the 2012 cohort, spring 2014-2016 for the 2013 cohort, and spring 2015-
2017 for the 2014 cohort). The follow up assessments will be 
administered in students' school and will provide the primary outcome 
measure for the impact evaluation. School records Administrative 
records will be collected from DCPS, the District of Columbia Public 
Charter School Board and participating private schools in the fall of 
each year to obtain data on prior year attendance, persistence, 
disciplinary actions, and grades for members of the treatment and 
control groups.
--Parent surveys: Annual surveys of evaluation sample members' parents 
in each follow up year. These surveys will examine such issues as 
reasons for continued participation or withdrawal, involvement in 
school, satisfaction with school choices, and perceptions of school 
safety, leadership, and offerings. The survey will be mixed mode. (Web 
with phone or paper follow up).

    Student surveys: The surveys will be administered to each 
evaluation sample student in grades four and above in each of the 
follow up years at the same time (and place) as the student 
assessments.

--Principal surveys: Surveys to be administered to principals in the DC 
traditional public school, charter school, and private school systems 
in 2013-2017. Data from principals of students in the treatment and 
control groups will provide information about school organization and 
offerings for descriptive analyses of students' school environments and 
for use as mediators in the impact analysis. The web-based principal 
surveys will also be used to examine how aware public and private 
schools are of the DC Opportunity Scholarship Program and whether they 
are making any changes in response to it.

    Dated: December 4, 2015.
Tomakie Washington,
Acting Director, Information Collection Clearance Division, Office of 
the Chief Privacy Officer, Office of Management.
[FR Doc. 2015-31082 Filed 12-9-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4000-01-P

Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 237 / Thursday, December 10, 2015 / Notices 76677

DISPOSITION OF DOE COMMENTS ON DRAFT RECOMMENDATION 2015–1
DOE comment Board response Revised wording

The draft Recommendation’s risk assessment states: ‘‘it is not Upon review of Draft Rec- Original wording of last sentence in first para-
possible to do a quantitative assessment of the risk of these ommendation 2015–1, in the graph of the text of the Recommendation:
[the Pantex Emergency Management Program] elements to noted phrase the word ‘‘pro- ‘‘We believe that DOE and National Nuclear
provide adequate protection of the workers and the public.’’ vide’’ was used, whereas, in Security Administration (NNSA) must ad-
As a point of clarification, the Department of Energy (DOE) similar references to ade- dress these concerns in order to provide an
demonstrates adequate protection of workers, the public and quate protection in other adequate protection to the public and the
the environment as an integral part of operating a nuclear parts of Draft Recommenda- workers at the Pantex Plant.’’
facility like that situated at the Pantex Plant. To this end, the tion 2015–1, the word ‘‘en- Revised wording:
Department has put in place a system of requirements, sure’’ was used. The Board ‘‘We believe that DOE and the National Nu-
standards, policies and guidance that, when effectively im- voted to amend the lan- clear Security Administration (NNSA) must
plemented, not only provide reasonable assurance of ade- guage to reflect that the address these concerns in order to ensure
quate protection, but takes a very conservative approach to Recommendation is in- the adequate protection of the public and
ensure such protection. Functions such as emergency man- tended to ensure adequate the workers at the Pantex Plant.’’
agement provide that additional conservatism and margin of protection.
protection. We are confident that, even with deficiencies
identified by the DNFSB, the Pantex Emergency Manage-
ment Program can perform its role to ensure this protection.
Accordingly, DOE recommends removing the phrase: ‘‘in
order to provide an adequate protection to the public and
the workers’’ in justifying the need for the draft rec-
ommendation.
To increase protection assurances and drive improvement in As noted in the ‘‘Findings, No change.
an effective and efficient manner, I suggest that the best ap- Supporting Data, and Anal-
proach to address the concerns identified in your Draft Rec- ysis’’ document of Draft
ommendation is to incorporate ongoing NNSA performance Recommendation 2015–1,
improvement initiatives and enhancements into the existing the problems identified in
implementation plans for Recommendation 2014–1. This ap- Draft Recommendation
proach would enable the Department to take a holistic, inte- 2015–1 will not be ade-
grated approach to making the needed improvements at quately addressed by the
Pantex. Board’s Recommendation
2014–1, Emergency Pre-
paredness and Response.

Dated: December 4, 2015. 2015–ICCD–0137. Comments submitted the public’s reporting burden. It also
Joyce L. Connery, in response to this notice should be helps the public understand the
Chairman. submitted electronically through the Department’s information collection
[FR Doc. 2015–31093 Filed 12–9–15; 8:45 am] Federal eRulemaking Portal at http:// requirements and provide the requested
BILLING CODE 3670–01–P
www.regulations.gov by selecting the data in the desired format. ED is
Docket ID number or via postal mail, soliciting comments on the proposed
commercial delivery, or hand delivery. information collection request (ICR) that
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION Please note that comments submitted by is described below. The Department of
fax or email and those submitted after Education is especially interested in
[Docket No.: ED–2015–ICCD–0137] the comment period will not be public comment addressing the
accepted. Written requests for following issues: (1) Is this collection
Agency Information Collection information or comments submitted by necessary to the proper functions of the
Activities; Comment Request; postal mail or delivery should be Department; (2) will this information be
Evaluation of Effectiveness of the addressed to the Director of the processed and used in a timely manner;
Scholarships for Opportunity and Information Collection Clearance (3) is the estimate of burden accurate;
Results (SOAR) Program Division, U.S. Department of Education, (4) how might the Department enhance
AGENCY: Institute of Education Sciences 400 Maryland Avenue SW., LBJ, Room the quality, utility, and clarity of the
(IES), Department of Education (ED). 2E115, Washington, DC 20202–4537. information to be collected; and (5) how
ACTION: Notice. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For might the Department minimize the
specific questions related to collection burden of this collection on the
SUMMARY: In accordance with the activities, please contact Meredith respondents, including through the use
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 Bachman, 202–219–2014. of information technology. Please note
U.S.C. chapter 3501 et seq.), ED is SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The that written comments received in
proposing an extension of an existing Department of Education (ED), in response to this notice will be
information collection. accordance with the Paperwork considered public records.
DATES: Interested persons are invited to
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES

Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA) (44 U.S.C. Title of Collection: Evaluation of
submit comments on or before February 3506(c)(2)(A)), provides the general Effectiveness of the Scholarships for
8, 2016. public and Federal agencies with an Opportunity and Results (SOAR)
ADDRESSES: To access and review all the opportunity to comment on proposed, Program.
documents related to the information revised, and continuing collections of
collection listed in this notice, please information. This helps the Department OMB Control Number: 1850–0800.
use http://www.regulations.gov by assess the impact of its information Type of Review: An extension of an
searching the Docket ID number ED– collection requirements and minimize existing information collection.

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76678 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 237 / Thursday, December 10, 2015 / Notices

Respondents/Affected Public: grades for members of the treatment in response to this notice should be
Individuals or households. and control groups. submitted electronically through the
Total Estimated Number of Annual —Parent surveys: Annual surveys of Federal eRulemaking Portal at http://
Responses: 3,666. evaluation sample members’ parents www.regulations.gov by selecting the
Total Estimated Number of Annual in each follow up year. These surveys Docket ID number or via postal mail,
Burden Hours: 867. will examine such issues as reasons commercial delivery, or hand delivery.
Abstract: The foundation of this for continued participation or Please note that comments submitted by
evaluation is a randomized control trial withdrawal, involvement in school, fax or email and those submitted after
(RCT) comparing outcomes of eligible satisfaction with school choices, and the comment period will not be
applicants (students and their parents) perceptions of school safety, accepted. Written requests for
assigned by lottery to receive or not leadership, and offerings. The survey information or comments submitted by
receive a scholarship. This design is will be mixed mode. (Web with phone postal mail or delivery should be
consistent with the requirement for a or paper follow up). addressed to the Director of the
rigorous evaluation as well as the need Student surveys: The surveys will be Information Collection Clearance
to fairly allocate the scholarships if the administered to each evaluation sample Division, U.S. Department of Education,
program is oversubscribed. Because the student in grades four and above in each 400 Maryland Avenue SW., LBJ, Room
law also specified other kinds of of the follow up years at the same time 2E103, Washington, DC 20202–4537.
comparisons and analyses, the planned (and place) as the student assessments. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For
evaluation study includes both —Principal surveys: Surveys to be specific questions related to collection
quantitative and qualitative administered to principals in the DC activities, please contact Beth
components. traditional public school, charter Grebeldinger, 202–377–4018.
In order for the evaluation to have school, and private school systems in SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The
sufficient statistical power to detect 2013–2017. Data from principals of Department of Education (ED), in
policy relevant impacts, the sample students in the treatment and control accordance with the Paperwork
consists of 1,771 eligible program groups will provide information about Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA) (44 U.S.C.
applicants in spring 2012 (cohort 1; school organization and offerings for 3506(c)(2)(A)), provides the general
n=536), spring 2013 (cohort 2; n=718), descriptive analyses of students’ public and Federal agencies with an
and in spring 2014 (cohort 3, n=517. school environments and for use as opportunity to comment on proposed,
This is an extension of an approved mediators in the impact analysis. The revised, and continuing collections of
information collection. The extension is web-based principal surveys will also information. This helps the Department
requested to cover follow up data be used to examine how aware public assess the impact of its information
collection for cohort 2 as well as the and private schools are of the DC collection requirements and minimize
addition of cohort 3 needed to obtain Opportunity Scholarship Program and the public’s reporting burden. It also
the sample size needed for the whether they are making any changes helps the public understand the
evaluation. There are no changes to the in response to it. Department’s information collection
study design, data collection plans and requirements and provide the requested
Dated: December 4, 2015.
instruments from what is approved by data in the desired format. ED is
Tomakie Washington,
OMB in the current collection. soliciting comments on the proposed
Evaluation data will be collected for Acting Director, Information Collection
Clearance Division, Office of the Chief Privacy information collection request (ICR) that
the three cohorts of program applicants Officer, Office of Management. is described below. The Department of
from a variety of sources listed below. Education is especially interested in
[FR Doc. 2015–31082 Filed 12–9–15; 8:45 am]
Each cohort will have baseline data as public comment addressing the
BILLING CODE 4000–01–P
well as three years of follow up (post- following issues: (1) Is this collection
lottery) data collection; 2013–2015 for necessary to the proper functions of the
cohort 1, 2014–2016 for cohort 2, and DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION Department; (2) will this information be
2015–2017 for cohort 3. In addition to processed and used in a timely manner;
estimating program impact, we will use [Docket No.: ED–2015–ICCD–0138]
(3) is the estimate of burden accurate;
this experimental study to conducted (4) how might the Department enhance
research about interim outcomes. Agency Information Collection
Activities; Comment Request; the quality, utility, and clarity of the
Data sources include: information to be collected; and (5) how
Enterprise Complaint System
—Student assessments: The Terra Nova might the Department minimize the
assessment will be administered each AGENCY: Federal Student Aid (FSA), burden of this collection on the
spring following the lotteries for 3 Department of Education (ED). respondents, including through the use
years (spring 2013–2015 for the 2012 ACTION: Notice. of information technology. Please note
cohort, spring 2014–2016 for the 2013 that written comments received in
cohort, and spring 2015–2017 for the SUMMARY: In accordance with the response to this notice will be
2014 cohort). The follow up Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 considered public records.
assessments will be administered in U.S.C. chapter 3501 et seq.), ED is Title of Collection: Enterprise
students’ school and will provide the proposing a new information collection. Complaint System.
primary outcome measure for the DATES: Interested persons are invited to OMB Control Number: 1845–NEW.
submit comments on or before February
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES

impact evaluation. School records Type of Review: A new information
Administrative records will be 8, 2016. collection.
collected from DCPS, the District of ADDRESSES: To access and review all the Respondents/Affected Public:
Columbia Public Charter School documents related to the information Individuals or Households.
Board and participating private collection listed in this notice, please Total Estimated Number of Annual
schools in the fall of each year to use http://www.regulations.gov by Responses: 43,200.
obtain data on prior year attendance, searching the Docket ID number ED– Total Estimated Number of Annual
persistence, disciplinary actions, and 2015–ICCD–0138. Comments submitted Burden Hours: 7,344.

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Document Created: 2015-12-14 13:29:34
Document Modified: 2015-12-14 13:29:34

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.
Dates		Interested persons are invited to submit comments on or before February 8, 2016.
Contact		For specific questions related to collection activities, please contact Meredith Bachman, 202-219-2014.
FR Citation		80 FR 76677