83_FR_61572 83 FR 61342 - Title I-Improving the Academic Achievement of the Disadvantaged; Education of Migratory Children

83 FR 61342 - Title I-Improving the Academic Achievement of the Disadvantaged; Education of Migratory Children

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 230 (November 29, 2018)

Page Range61342-61346
FR Document2018-25931

The Department proposes to modify the current requirements related to the responsibilities of State educational agency (SEA) recipients of funds under title I, part C, of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, as amended (ESEA), to conduct annual prospective re-interviews to confirm the eligibility of children under the Migrant Education Program (MEP). Based on input from MEP stakeholders, we propose to clarify who constitutes an independent re- interviewer, and to reduce the costs and burden of prospective re- interviews conducted by independent re-interviewers, while maintaining adequate quality control measures to safeguard the integrity of program eligibility determinations.

Federal Register, Volume 83 Issue 230 (Thursday, November 29, 2018)
[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 230 (Thursday, November 29, 2018)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 61342-61346]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2018-25931]


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DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

34 CFR Part 200

RIN 1810-AB49
[Docket ID ED-2018-OESE-0079]


Title I--Improving the Academic Achievement of the Disadvantaged; 
Education of Migratory Children

AGENCY: Office of Elementary and Secondary Education, Department of 
Education.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking.

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SUMMARY: The Department proposes to modify the current requirements 
related to the responsibilities of State educational agency (SEA) 
recipients of funds under title I, part C, of the Elementary and 
Secondary Education Act of 1965, as amended (ESEA), to conduct annual 
prospective re-interviews to confirm the eligibility of children under 
the Migrant Education Program (MEP). Based on input from MEP 
stakeholders, we propose to clarify who constitutes an independent re-
interviewer, and to reduce the costs and burden of prospective re-
interviews conducted by independent re-interviewers, while maintaining 
adequate quality control measures to safeguard the integrity of program 
eligibility determinations.

DATES: We must receive your comments on or before January 28, 2019.

ADDRESSES: Submit your comments through the Federal eRulemaking Portal 
or via postal mail, commercial delivery, or hand delivery. We will not 
accept comments submitted by fax or by email or those submitted after 
the comment period. To ensure that we do not receive duplicate copies, 
please submit your comments only once. In addition, please include the 
Docket ID at the top of your comments.
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to www.regulations.gov to 
submit your comments electronically. Information on using 
Regulations.gov, including instructions for accessing agency documents, 
submitting comments, and viewing the docket, is available on the site 
under ``Help.''
     Postal Mail, Commercial Delivery, or Hand Delivery: The 
Department strongly encourages commenters to submit their comments 
electronically. However, if you mail or deliver your comments about 
these proposed regulations, address them to Patricia Meyertholen, U.S. 
Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue SW, Room 3E315, 
Washington, DC 20202.
    Privacy Note: The Department's policy is to make all comments 
received from members of the public available for public viewing in 
their entirety on the Federal eRulemaking Portal at 
www.regulations.gov. Therefore, commenters should be careful to include 
in their comments only information that they wish to make publicly 
available.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Patricia Meyertholen, U.S. Department 
of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue SW, Room 3E315, Washington, DC 20202. 
Telephone: (202) 260-1394. Email: [email protected].
    If you use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) or a text 
telephone (TTY), call the Federal Relay Service (FRS), toll free, at 1-
800-877-8339.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: 84.011.
    Invitation to Comment: We invite you to submit comments regarding 
these proposed regulations. To ensure that your comments have maximum 
effect in developing the final regulations, we urge you to identify 
clearly the specific section or sections of the proposed regulations 
that each of your comments addresses and to arrange your comments in 
the same order as the proposed regulations.
    We invite you to assist us in complying with the specific

[[Page 61343]]

requirements of Executive Orders 12866, 13563, and 13771 and their 
overall requirement of reducing regulatory burden that might result 
from these proposed regulations. Please let us know of any further ways 
we could reduce potential costs or increase potential benefits while 
preserving the effective and efficient administration of the 
Department's programs and activities.
    During and after the comment period, you may inspect all public 
comments about these proposed regulations by accessing Regulations.gov. 
You may also inspect the comments in person in room 3E315, 400 Maryland 
Avenue SW, Washington, DC, between 8:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., Eastern 
Time, Monday through Friday of each week except Federal holidays. 
Please contact the person listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT.
    Assistance to Individuals with Disabilities in Reviewing the 
Rulemaking Record: On request, we will provide an appropriate 
accommodation or auxiliary aid to an individual with a disability who 
needs assistance to review the comments or other documents in the 
public rulemaking record for these proposed regulations. If you want to 
schedule an appointment for this type of accommodation or auxiliary 
aid, please contact the person listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION 
CONTACT.

Background and Proposed Regulations

    The Secretary proposes to amend the regulations in 34 CFR 
200.89(b)(2), which pertain to an SEA's responsibilities for conducting 
annual prospective re-interviews for children determined to be eligible 
for the MEP, as part of the SEA's quality control system.
    Final requirements for prospective re-interviewing were published 
in the Federal Register on July 29, 2008 (73 FR 44102), and became 
effective on August 28, 2008. In accordance with these requirements, 
SEAs must, on an annual basis, validate current-year child eligibility 
determinations through re-interviews for a randomly selected sample of 
children previously identified as migratory. Under Sec.  
200.89(b)(2)(i), at least once every three years, the annual 
prospective re-interviews must be conducted by one or more independent 
re-interviewers--that is, interviewers who are neither SEA nor local 
operating agency staff working to administer or operate the State MEP 
nor any other persons who worked on the initial eligibility 
determinations being tested. The current regulations do not specify who 
may conduct the annual prospective re-interviews in the years when an 
independent re-interviewer is not required. However, the Department has 
previously recommended to SEAs through guidance and technical 
assistance \1\ that the independent re-interviewer should not have been 
involved in the initial eligibility determination under review.
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    \1\ See pages 35-36 of U.S. Department of Education, Office of 
Elementary and Secondary Education, Office of Migrant Education, 
Technical Assistance Guide on Re-interviewing: Washington, DC 20202 
(https://results-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/tools/mep-reinterviewing-guide-dec-10.pdf).
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    Prospective re-interviewing is required in order to provide a 
quality control on the accuracy of an SEA's current-year eligibility 
determinations (i.e., migratory children for whom the SEA approved a 
Certificate of Eligibility during the current performance reporting 
period) and to guide any needed corrective actions or improvements in a 
State's migratory child identification and recruitment practices. 
Prospective re-interviewing is one element of an SEA's quality control 
system, which must also include the minimum requirements set forth in 
34 CFR 200.89(d), such as training for recruiters and staff involved in 
making eligibility determinations, and supervision and annual review 
and evaluation of the identification and recruitment practices of 
individual recruiters.
    The 2008 requirements stemmed from the Department's concerns about 
the accuracy and consistency of the processes SEAs had used to 
determine the eligibility of migratory children and the counts of 
children eligible for services that SEAs reported to the Department, 
which were examined in 2004 by the Office of Elementary and Secondary 
Education and the Office of Inspector General. The examination 
uncovered widespread errors in program eligibility determinations. In 
most cases, the errors seemed attributable to the poor training of 
State and local personnel responsible for determining eligibility, weak 
quality control procedures for reviewing child eligibility 
determinations, and a lack of uniformity in the implementation of the 
MEP eligibility requirements.
    Although the accuracy and integrity of program eligibility 
determinations has vastly improved since 2008, we believe prospective 
re-interviews remain an essential part of an SEA's quality control 
system. Maintaining adequate quality control in eligibility 
determinations is essential to ensuring that MEP-funded services are 
provided to children who meet the program eligibility criteria, and 
that the level and quality of those services is not diluted by the 
delivery of services to children who are not eligible to receive them. 
In addition, the number of eligible migratory children, as reported by 
SEAs, is a key factor in determining the amount of MEP funds awarded to 
SEAs.
    We are proposing these amendments to clarify for SEAs that 
individuals conducting annual prospective re-interviews must be 
individuals who were not involved in the initial eligibility 
determination being reviewed, as a quality control measure. This 
proposed change would codify the method the Department has previously 
recommended to SEAs through guidance and technical assistance, and is 
largely consistent with SEAs' current practices. To avoid confusion, 
the proposed regulations also replace the reference to ``current-year'' 
eligibility determinations with the term ``current performance 
reporting period (September 1 to August 31).'' A performance reporting 
period, sometimes referred to as a child count year, is a more specific 
timeframe: September 1 through August 31. This modification to the 
regulatory language is consistent with the Department's technical 
assistance and guidance on prospective re-interviewing, as well as 
SEAs' current re-interviewing practices. By adding these clarifications 
to the regulations, we intend to make this information as transparent 
and accessible as possible.
    We also propose to modify the requirement that SEAs use independent 
re-interviewers at least once every three years. Instead, the 
regulations would require the use of independent re-interviewers at 
least once within the first three full performance reporting periods 
(September 1 through August 31) following the effective date of a major 
statutory or regulatory change, as determined by the Secretary, that 
impacts program eligibility, in order to test eligibility 
determinations made based on the changed eligibility criteria. The 
entire sample of eligibility determinations to be tested by independent 
re-interviewers would be drawn from children determined to be eligible 
after the major statutory or regulatory change takes effect. This 
change would reduce the frequency of the required use of independent 
re-interviewers because after using independent re-interviewers at 
least once within the first three full performance reporting periods 
following a major statutory or regulatory change, SEAs would not be 
required to use independent re-interviewers again until an additional 
major statutory or

[[Page 61344]]

regulatory change is implemented that impacts child eligibility. We 
believe that, by providing an impartial perspective from outside of the 
program, independent re-interviewers continue to be valuable, but that 
their perspective would be most beneficial in periods when changes to 
program eligibility have been recently implemented. We believe that 
independent re-interviewers' distance from the State or local 
administration and operation of the program makes them more likely to 
identify errors or misunderstanding of new or changed eligibility 
criteria--particularly if those issues are systemic or statewide. After 
independent re-interviewers identify eligibility issues and the SEA has 
implemented corrective actions or improvements, as required by current 
regulations in 200.89(b)(2)(vii), we believe sufficient quality control 
can be maintained by the SEA's annual prospective re-interviews, which 
may be conducted by SEA or local staff operating the MEP, as long as 
those staff members did not work on the initial eligibility 
determinations being tested. Finally, we propose to make this 
requirement effective September 1, 2020, to allow SEAs that receive MEP 
funds to complete their independent re-interviews of eligibility 
determinations that were made after the effective date (July 1, 2017) 
of the Every Student Succeeds Act.

Public Participation

    In accordance with Executive Order 13777, ``Enforcing the 
Regulatory Reform Agenda,'' the Department requested input from the 
public and identified stakeholders on existing program regulations. As 
part of that effort, on June 1, 2017, OESE staff contacted two of the 
largest national organizations representing State MEP directors to 
request input on whether, in their area of expertise, there are 
regulations that are unnecessary or in need of revision, and whether 
there are regulations that are particularly important for the 
Department to keep in place. In response to this outreach, we received 
responses from one organization, as well as MEP staff in one SEA. Their 
proposed alternatives to the current prospective re-interviewing 
requirements included modifying the timing, reducing the frequency, or 
reducing the number of re-interviews that SEAs are required to 
complete.
    On June 22, 2017, the Department published in the Federal Register 
a notice of evaluation of existing regulations (82 FR 28431), 
requesting input on regulations that may be appropriate for repeal, 
replacement, or modification. In response to this notice, we received 
comments from the same national organization representing State MEP 
directors that previously responded to the Department's June 1, 2017, 
outreach. That organization again proposed alternatives to the current 
prospective re-interviewing requirements, such as modifying the timing, 
reducing the frequency, or reducing the number of re-interviews that 
SEAs are required to complete.
    In addition, we have received input during ongoing consultation 
with State MEP directors on possible modifications to the prospective 
re-interviewing requirements. Most recently, we received input during a 
November 14, 2017, meeting with the MEP Coordination Work Group, a 
group of nine State MEP directors who represent State MEP directors in 
nine U.S. geographic regions.

Executive Orders 12866, 13563, and 13771

Regulatory Impact Analysis

    Under Executive Order 12866, it must be determined whether this 
regulatory action is ``significant'' and, therefore, subject to the 
requirements of the Executive order and subject to review by the Office 
of Management and Budget (OMB). Section 3(f) of Executive Order 12866 
defines a ``significant regulatory action'' as an action likely to 
result in a rule that may--
    (1) Have an annual effect on the economy of $100 million or more, 
or adversely affect a sector of the economy, productivity, competition, 
jobs, the environment, public health or safety, or State, local, or 
Tribal governments or communities in a material way (also referred to 
as an ``economically significant'' rule);
    (2) Create serious inconsistency or otherwise interfere with an 
action taken or planned by another agency;
    (3) Materially alter the budgetary impacts of entitlement grants, 
user fees, or loan programs or the rights and obligations of recipients 
thereof; or
    (4) Raise novel legal or policy issues arising out of legal 
mandates, the President's priorities, or the principles stated in the 
Executive order.
    This proposed regulatory action is not a significant regulatory 
action subject to review by OMB under section 3(f) of Executive Order 
12866.
    Under Executive Order 13771, for each new regulation that the 
Department proposes for notice and comment or otherwise promulgates 
that is a significant regulatory action under Executive Order 12866 and 
that imposes total costs greater than zero, it must identify two 
deregulatory actions. For Fiscal Year 2019, any new incremental costs 
associated with a new regulation must be fully offset by the 
elimination of existing costs through deregulatory actions. The 
proposed regulations are not a significant regulatory action. 
Therefore, the requirements of Executive Order 13771 do not apply.
    We have also reviewed these regulations under Executive Order 
13563, which supplements and explicitly reaffirms the principles, 
structures, and definitions governing regulatory review established in 
Executive Order 12866. To the extent permitted by law, Executive Order 
13563 requires that an agency--
    (1) Propose or adopt regulations only upon a reasoned determination 
that their benefits justify their costs (recognizing that some benefits 
and costs are difficult to quantify);
    (2) Tailor its regulations to impose the least burden on society, 
consistent with obtaining regulatory objectives and taking into 
account--among other things and to the extent practicable--the costs of 
cumulative regulations;
    (3) In choosing among alternative regulatory approaches, select 
those approaches that maximize net benefits (including potential 
economic, environmental, public health and safety, and other 
advantages; distributive impacts; and equity);
    (4) To the extent feasible, specify performance objectives, rather 
than the behavior or manner of compliance a regulated entity must 
adopt; and
    (5) Identify and assess available alternatives to direct 
regulation, including economic incentives--such as user fees or 
marketable permits--to encourage the desired behavior, or provide 
information that enables the public to make choices.
    Executive Order 13563 also requires an agency ``to use the best 
available techniques to quantify anticipated present and future 
benefits and costs as accurately as possible.'' The Office of 
Information and Regulatory Affairs of OMB has emphasized that these 
techniques may include ``identifying changing future compliance costs 
that might result from technological innovation or anticipated 
behavioral changes.''
    We are issuing these proposed regulations only on a reasoned 
determination that their benefits would justify their costs. In 
choosing among alternative regulatory approaches, we selected those 
approaches that would maximize net benefits. Based on the analysis that 
follows, the Department believes that these proposed regulations are 
consistent with the principles in Executive Order 13563.

[[Page 61345]]

    We also have determined that this regulatory action would not 
unduly interfere with State, local, and Tribal governments in the 
exercise of their governmental functions.
    In accordance with the Executive orders, the Department has 
assessed the potential costs and benefits, both quantitative and 
qualitative, of this regulatory action. The potential costs associated 
with this regulatory action are those resulting from statutory 
requirements and those regulatory requirements that we have determined 
to be necessary for administering the Department's programs and 
activities.
    We anticipate that the proposed changes to these regulations will 
reduce the cost and burden associated with prospective re-interviewing, 
specifically the use of independent re-interviewers, for some SEAs. 
While we believe that SEAs will be required to conduct independent re-
interviews less frequently under the proposed regulations than they are 
required to currently, we cannot predict when statutory changes will 
occur. Under the current and proposed regulations, to qualify as 
``independent,'' the interviewers must be neither SEA nor local 
operating agency staff members working to administer or operate the 
State MEP nor any other persons who worked on the initial eligibility 
determinations being tested. Although there is no Federal requirement 
for SEAs to use a specific funding mechanism to support independent re-
interviewers, such as a contract, or to use out-of-State personnel who 
require travel costs, several SEAs have chosen to use such methods and 
personnel for independent re-interviews. For those SEAs that have 
chosen to use more costly methods for independent re-interviews, we 
anticipate that the reduced frequency of independent re-interviews will 
result in reduced cost and burden. Further, we do not believe that 
burden will be affected by the proposed change to clarify that annual 
prospective re-interviews must not be conducted by individuals who were 
involved in the initial eligibility determination being reviewed, as 
this is consistent with the current practices of most SEAs.
    Elsewhere in this section under Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, we 
identify and explain burdens specifically associated with information 
collection requirements.

Clarity of the Regulations

    Executive Order 12866 and the Presidential memorandum ``Plain 
Language in Government Writing'' require each agency to write 
regulations that are easy to understand.
    The Secretary invites comments on how to make these proposed 
regulations easier to understand, including answers to questions such 
as the following:
     Are the requirements in the proposed regulations clearly 
stated?
     Do the proposed regulations contain technical terms or 
other wording that interferes with their clarity?
     Does the format of the proposed regulations (grouping and 
order of sections, use of headings, paragraphing, etc.) aid or reduce 
their clarity?
     Would the proposed regulations be easier to understand if 
we divided them into more (but shorter) sections? (A ``section'' is 
preceded by the symbol ``Sec.  '' and a numbered heading; for example, 
Sec.  200.89.)
     Could the description of the proposed regulations in the 
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section of this preamble be more helpful in 
making the proposed regulations easier to understand? If so, how?
     What else could we do to make the proposed regulations 
easier to understand?
    To send any comments that concern how the Department could make 
these proposed regulations easier to understand, see the instructions 
in the ADDRESSES section.

Regulatory Flexibility Act Certification

    The Secretary certifies that these proposed regulations would not 
have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small 
entities. Because these proposed regulations would affect only States 
and State agencies, the proposed regulations would not have an impact 
on small entities. State and State agencies are not defined as ``small 
entities'' in the Regulatory Flexibility Act.

Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995

    As part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent 
burden, the Department provides the general public and Federal agencies 
with an opportunity to comment on proposed and continuing collections 
of information in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 
(PRA) (44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)). This helps ensure that the public 
understands the Department's collection instructions, respondents can 
provide the requested data in the desired format, reporting burden 
(time and financial resources) is minimized, collection instruments are 
clearly understood, and the Department can properly assess the impact 
of collection requirements on respondents.
    These proposed regulations contain information collection 
requirements that are approved by OMB under OMB control number 1810-
0662; these proposed regulations do not affect the currently approved 
data collection.
    A Federal agency may not conduct or sponsor a collection of 
information unless OMB approves the collection under the PRA and the 
corresponding information collection instrument displays a currently 
valid OMB control number. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, 
no person is required to comply with, or is subject to penalty for 
failure to comply with, a collection of information if the collection 
instrument does not display a currently valid OMB control number.
    Section 200.89(b)(2) contains an information collection 
requirement. This information collection has been approved by OMB 
Control Number 1810-0662. The currently approved collection includes 
cost and burden estimates based on annual prospective re-interviewing 
which do not vary based on the specific personnel used for re-
interviews, including independent re-interviewers. As SEAs would still 
be required to conduct prospective re-interviews on an annual basis 
under the proposed regulations, our cost and burden estimates are 
unchanged.
    We estimate a standard number of hours to conduct re-interviews--
including multiple attempts to locate the family and travel to their 
location (2 hours/child), analyze the findings (1 hour/child), and 
summarize findings for annual reporting (2 hours/SEA). We estimate 
costs based on a standard hourly rate for staff conducting re-
interviews ($10/hour) and a higher standard hourly rate for staff 
responsible for analysis and reporting ($25/hour). Some SEAs have 
elected to use more costly resources and methods when conducting 
independent re-interviews, such as contracts with private organizations 
and out-of-State personnel. Since these are not Federal requirements, 
under the PRA, any increased costs associated with these resources and 
methods were not factored into the cost and burden estimates in the 
currently approved collection, and, accordingly, any decreased costs 
associated with these resources and methods that would result from 
their less frequent use under the proposed regulations also do not 
affect the cost and burden estimates. Thus, the burden estimated in the 
approved information collection remains unchanged.

[[Page 61346]]

Intergovernmental Review

    This program is subject to Executive Order 12372 and the 
regulations in 34 CFR part 79. One of the objectives of the Executive 
order is to foster an intergovernmental partnership and a strengthened 
federalism. The Executive order relies on processes developed by State 
and local governments for coordination and review of proposed Federal 
financial assistance.
    This document provides early notification of our specific plans and 
actions for this program.

Federalism

    Executive Order 13132 requires us to ensure meaningful and timely 
input by State and local elected officials in the development of 
regulatory policies that have federalism implications. ``Federalism 
implications'' means substantial direct effects on the States, on the 
relationship between the National Government and the States, or on the 
distribution of power and responsibilities among the various levels of 
government. The proposed regulations in Sec.  200.89(b) may have 
federalism implications. We encourage State and local elected officials 
to review and provide comments on these proposed regulations.
    Accessible Format: Individuals with disabilities can obtain this 
document in an accessible format (e.g., braille, large print, 
audiotape, or compact disc) on request to the person listed under FOR 
FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT.
    Electronic Access to This Document: The official version of this 
document is the document published in the Federal Register. You may 
access the official edition of the Federal Register and the Code of 
Federal Regulations via the Federal Digital System at: www.thefederalregister.org/fdsys. At this site you can view this document, as well as all other 
documents of this Department published in the Federal Register, in text 
or Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF). To use PDF you must have Adobe 
Acrobat Reader, which is available free at the site.
    You may also access documents of the Department published in the 
Federal Register by using the article search feature at: 
www.federalregister.gov. Specifically, through the advanced search 
feature at this site, you can limit your search to documents published 
by the Department. (Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance number 
84.011: Education of Migratory Children)

List of Subjects in 34 CFR Part 200

    Education of disadvantaged, Elementary and secondary education, 
Grant programs-education, Indians-education, Infants and children, 
Juvenile delinquency, Migrant labor, Private schools, Reporting and 
recordkeeping requirements.

    Dated: November 23, 2018.
Betsy DeVos,
Secretary of Education.

    For the reasons discussed in the preamble, the Secretary proposes 
to amend part 200 of title 34 of the Code of Federal Regulations as 
follows:

PART 200--TITLE I--IMPROVING THE ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT OF THE 
DISADVANTAGED

0
1. The authority citation for part 200 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 20 U.S.C. 6301 through 6576, unless otherwise noted.

0
2. Section 200.89 is amended by:
0
a. Revising paragraph (b)(2).
0
b. Adding paragraph (b)(3).
0
c. Revising the authority citation.
    The revisions and addition read as follows:


Sec.  200.89  Re-interviewing; Eligibility documentation; and Quality 
control.

* * * * *
    (b) * * *
    (2) Prospective re-interviewing. As part of the system of quality 
controls identified in Sec.  200.89(d), an SEA must annually validate 
child eligibility determinations from the current performance reporting 
period (September 1 to August 31) through re-interviews for a randomly 
selected sample of children identified as migratory during the same 
performance reporting period using re-interviewers, who may be SEA or 
local operating agency staff members working to administer or operate 
the State MEP, or any other person trained to conduct personal 
interviews and who understands program eligibility requirements, but 
who did not work on the initial eligibility determinations being 
tested. In conducting these re-interviews, an SEA must--
    (i) Use one or more independent re-interviewers (i.e., interviewers 
who are neither SEA or local operating agency staff members working to 
administer or operate the State MEP nor any other persons who worked on 
the initial eligibility determinations being tested and who are trained 
to conduct personal interviews and to understand and apply program 
eligibility requirements) at least once every three years until 
September 1, 2020;
* * * * *
    (3) Prospective re-interviewing following a major statutory or 
regulatory change to child eligibility. Beginning September 1, 2020, an 
SEA must use one or more independent re-interviewers (i.e., 
interviewers who are neither SEA nor local operating agency staff 
members working to administer or operate the State MEP, nor any other 
persons who worked on the initial eligibility determinations being 
tested and who are trained to conduct personal interviews and to 
understand and apply program eligibility requirements) to validate 
child eligibility determinations at least once within the first three 
full performance reporting periods (September 1 through August 31) 
following the effective date of a major statutory or regulatory change 
that directly impacts child eligibility (as determined by the 
Secretary), consistent with the prospective re-interview process 
described in paragraph (b)(2)(ii)-(vii) of this section. The entire 
sample of eligibility determinations to be tested by independent re-
interviewers must be drawn from children determined to be eligible 
after the major statutory or regulatory change took effect.
* * * * *

(Authority: 20 U.S.C. 6391-6399, 6571, 18 U.S.C. 1001)


[FR Doc. 2018-25931 Filed 11-28-18; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4000-01-P



                                                 61342               Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 230 / Thursday, November 29, 2018 / Proposed Rules

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                                                                                                         location of such jurisdictional facilities            or Hand Delivery: The Department
                                                 List of Subjects in 18 CFR Part 33
                                                                                                         involved in the transaction, the date on              strongly encourages commenters to
                                                   Electric utilities, Reporting and                     which the transaction was                             submit their comments electronically.
                                                 recordkeeping requirements, Securities.                 consummated, the consideration for the                However, if you mail or deliver your
                                                   By direction of the Commission.                       transaction, and the effect of the                    comments about these proposed
                                                 Commissioner McIntyre is not voting on this             transaction on the ownership and                      regulations, address them to Patricia
                                                 order.                                                  control of such jurisdictional facilities.            Meyertholen, U.S. Department of
                                                   Issued: November 15, 2018.                            [FR Doc. 2018–25369 Filed 11–28–18; 8:45 am]          Education, 400 Maryland Avenue SW,
                                                 Nathaniel J. Davis, Sr.,                                BILLING CODE 6717–01–P                                Room 3E315, Washington, DC 20202.
                                                 Deputy Secretary.                                                                                                Privacy Note: The Department’s
                                                   In consideration of the foregoing, the                                                                      policy is to make all comments received
                                                 Commission proposes to amend part 33,                   DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION                               from members of the public available for
                                                 chapter I, title 18, Code of Federal                                                                          public viewing in their entirety on the
                                                 Regulations, as follows.                                34 CFR Part 200                                       Federal eRulemaking Portal at
                                                                                                                                                               www.regulations.gov. Therefore,
                                                                                                         RIN 1810–AB49
                                                 PART 33—APPLICATIONS UNDER                                                                                    commenters should be careful to
                                                 FEDERAL POWER ACT SECTION 203                           [Docket ID ED–2018–OESE–0079]                         include in their comments only
                                                                                                                                                               information that they wish to make
                                                 ■ 1. The authority citation for part 33                 Title I—Improving the Academic                        publicly available.
                                                 continues to read as follows:                           Achievement of the Disadvantaged;                     FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
                                                   Authority: 16 U.S.C. 791a-825r, 2601–                 Education of Migratory Children                       Patricia Meyertholen, U.S. Department
                                                 2645; 31 U.S.C. 9701; 41 U.S.C. 7101–7352               AGENCY: Office of Elementary and                      of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue
                                                 ■ 2. Amend § 33.1 by revising paragraph                 Secondary Education, Department of                    SW, Room 3E315, Washington, DC
                                                 (a)(1)(ii) to read as follows:                          Education.                                            20202. Telephone: (202) 260–1394.
                                                 § 33.1 Applicability, definitions, and                  ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking.
                                                                                                                                                               Email: patricia.meyertholen@ed.gov.
                                                 blanket authorizations.                                                                                          If you use a telecommunications
                                                                                                         SUMMARY:    The Department proposes to                device for the deaf (TDD) or a text
                                                   (a) * * *
                                                   (1) * * *                                             modify the current requirements related               telephone (TTY), call the Federal Relay
                                                   (ii) Merge or consolidate, directly or                to the responsibilities of State                      Service (FRS), toll free, at 1–800–877–
                                                 indirectly, its facilities subject to the               educational agency (SEA) recipients of                8339.
                                                 jurisdiction of the Commission, or any                  funds under title I, part C, of the                   SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
                                                 part thereof, with the facilities of any                Elementary and Secondary Education                       Catalog of Federal Domestic
                                                 other person, or any part thereof, that                 Act of 1965, as amended (ESEA), to                    Assistance (CFDA) Number: 84.011.
                                                 are subject to the jurisdiction of the                  conduct annual prospective re-                           Invitation to Comment: We invite you
                                                 Commission and have a value in excess                   interviews to confirm the eligibility of              to submit comments regarding these
                                                 of $10 million, by any means                            children under the Migrant Education                  proposed regulations. To ensure that
                                                 whatsoever;                                             Program (MEP). Based on input from                    your comments have maximum effect in
                                                                                                         MEP stakeholders, we propose to clarify               developing the final regulations, we
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                                                 *      *    *      *     *
                                                 ■ 3. Add § 33.12 to read as follows:
                                                                                                         who constitutes an independent re-                    urge you to identify clearly the specific
                                                                                                         interviewer, and to reduce the costs and              section or sections of the proposed
                                                 § 33.12 Notification requirement for certain            burden of prospective re-interviews                   regulations that each of your comments
                                                 transactions.                                           conducted by independent re-                          addresses and to arrange your comments
                                                   (a) Any public utility that is seeking                interviewers, while maintaining                       in the same order as the proposed
                                                 to merge or consolidate, directly or                    adequate quality control measures to                  regulations.
                                                 indirectly, its facilities subject to the               safeguard the integrity of program                       We invite you to assist us in
                                                 jurisdiction of the Commission, or any                  eligibility determinations.                           complying with the specific


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                                                                     Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 230 / Thursday, November 29, 2018 / Proposed Rules                                            61343

                                                 requirements of Executive Orders                        prospective re-interviews in the years                eligibility criteria, and that the level and
                                                 12866, 13563, and 13771 and their                       when an independent re-interviewer is                 quality of those services is not diluted
                                                 overall requirement of reducing                         not required. However, the Department                 by the delivery of services to children
                                                 regulatory burden that might result from                has previously recommended to SEAs                    who are not eligible to receive them. In
                                                 these proposed regulations. Please let us               through guidance and technical                        addition, the number of eligible
                                                 know of any further ways we could                       assistance 1 that the independent re-                 migratory children, as reported by SEAs,
                                                 reduce potential costs or increase                      interviewer should not have been                      is a key factor in determining the
                                                 potential benefits while preserving the                 involved in the initial eligibility                   amount of MEP funds awarded to SEAs.
                                                 effective and efficient administration of               determination under review.                              We are proposing these amendments
                                                 the Department’s programs and                              Prospective re-interviewing is                     to clarify for SEAs that individuals
                                                 activities.                                             required in order to provide a quality                conducting annual prospective re-
                                                    During and after the comment period,                 control on the accuracy of an SEA’s                   interviews must be individuals who
                                                 you may inspect all public comments                     current-year eligibility determinations               were not involved in the initial
                                                 about these proposed regulations by                     (i.e., migratory children for whom the                eligibility determination being
                                                 accessing Regulations.gov. You may also                 SEA approved a Certificate of Eligibility             reviewed, as a quality control measure.
                                                 inspect the comments in person in room                  during the current performance                        This proposed change would codify the
                                                 3E315, 400 Maryland Avenue SW,                          reporting period) and to guide any                    method the Department has previously
                                                 Washington, DC, between 8:30 a.m. and                   needed corrective actions or                          recommended to SEAs through
                                                 4:00 p.m., Eastern Time, Monday                         improvements in a State’s migratory                   guidance and technical assistance, and
                                                 through Friday of each week except                      child identification and recruitment                  is largely consistent with SEAs’ current
                                                 Federal holidays. Please contact the                    practices. Prospective re-interviewing is             practices. To avoid confusion, the
                                                 person listed under FOR FURTHER                         one element of an SEA’s quality control               proposed regulations also replace the
                                                 INFORMATION CONTACT.                                    system, which must also include the                   reference to ‘‘current-year’’ eligibility
                                                    Assistance to Individuals with                       minimum requirements set forth in 34                  determinations with the term ‘‘current
                                                 Disabilities in Reviewing the                           CFR 200.89(d), such as training for                   performance reporting period
                                                 Rulemaking Record: On request, we will                  recruiters and staff involved in making               (September 1 to August 31).’’ A
                                                 provide an appropriate accommodation                    eligibility determinations, and                       performance reporting period,
                                                 or auxiliary aid to an individual with a                supervision and annual review and                     sometimes referred to as a child count
                                                 disability who needs assistance to                      evaluation of the identification and                  year, is a more specific timeframe:
                                                 review the comments or other                            recruitment practices of individual                   September 1 through August 31. This
                                                 documents in the public rulemaking                      recruiters.                                           modification to the regulatory language
                                                 record for these proposed regulations. If                  The 2008 requirements stemmed from                 is consistent with the Department’s
                                                 you want to schedule an appointment                     the Department’s concerns about the                   technical assistance and guidance on
                                                 for this type of accommodation or                       accuracy and consistency of the                       prospective re-interviewing, as well as
                                                 auxiliary aid, please contact the person                processes SEAs had used to determine                  SEAs’ current re-interviewing practices.
                                                 listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION                    the eligibility of migratory children and             By adding these clarifications to the
                                                 CONTACT.                                                the counts of children eligible for                   regulations, we intend to make this
                                                                                                         services that SEAs reported to the                    information as transparent and
                                                 Background and Proposed Regulations
                                                                                                         Department, which were examined in                    accessible as possible.
                                                    The Secretary proposes to amend the                  2004 by the Office of Elementary and                     We also propose to modify the
                                                 regulations in 34 CFR 200.89(b)(2),                     Secondary Education and the Office of                 requirement that SEAs use independent
                                                 which pertain to an SEA’s                               Inspector General. The examination                    re-interviewers at least once every three
                                                 responsibilities for conducting annual                  uncovered widespread errors in                        years. Instead, the regulations would
                                                 prospective re-interviews for children                  program eligibility determinations. In                require the use of independent re-
                                                 determined to be eligible for the MEP,                  most cases, the errors seemed                         interviewers at least once within the
                                                 as part of the SEA’s quality control                    attributable to the poor training of State            first three full performance reporting
                                                 system.                                                 and local personnel responsible for                   periods (September 1 through August
                                                    Final requirements for prospective re-               determining eligibility, weak quality                 31) following the effective date of a
                                                 interviewing were published in the                      control procedures for reviewing child                major statutory or regulatory change, as
                                                 Federal Register on July 29, 2008 (73 FR                eligibility determinations, and a lack of             determined by the Secretary, that
                                                 44102), and became effective on August                  uniformity in the implementation of the               impacts program eligibility, in order to
                                                 28, 2008. In accordance with these                      MEP eligibility requirements.                         test eligibility determinations made
                                                 requirements, SEAs must, on an annual                      Although the accuracy and integrity                based on the changed eligibility criteria.
                                                 basis, validate current-year child                      of program eligibility determinations                 The entire sample of eligibility
                                                 eligibility determinations through re-                  has vastly improved since 2008, we                    determinations to be tested by
                                                 interviews for a randomly selected                      believe prospective re-interviews                     independent re-interviewers would be
                                                 sample of children previously identified                remain an essential part of an SEA’s                  drawn from children determined to be
                                                 as migratory. Under § 200.89(b)(2)(i), at               quality control system. Maintaining                   eligible after the major statutory or
                                                 least once every three years, the annual                adequate quality control in eligibility               regulatory change takes effect. This
                                                 prospective re-interviews must be                       determinations is essential to ensuring               change would reduce the frequency of
                                                 conducted by one or more independent                                                                          the required use of independent re-
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                                                                                                         that MEP-funded services are provided
                                                 re-interviewers—that is, interviewers                   to children who meet the program                      interviewers because after using
                                                 who are neither SEA nor local operating                                                                       independent re-interviewers at least
                                                 agency staff working to administer or                     1 See pages 35–36 of U.S. Department of             once within the first three full
                                                 operate the State MEP nor any other                     Education, Office of Elementary and Secondary         performance reporting periods following
                                                 persons who worked on the initial                       Education, Office of Migrant Education, Technical     a major statutory or regulatory change,
                                                                                                         Assistance Guide on Re-interviewing: Washington,
                                                 eligibility determinations being tested.                DC 20202 (https://results-
                                                                                                                                                               SEAs would not be required to use
                                                 The current regulations do not specify                  assets.s3.amazonaws.com/tools/mep-                    independent re-interviewers again until
                                                 who may conduct the annual                              reinterviewing-guide-dec-10.pdf).                     an additional major statutory or


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                                                 61344               Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 230 / Thursday, November 29, 2018 / Proposed Rules

                                                 regulatory change is implemented that                   we received comments from the same                    Fiscal Year 2019, any new incremental
                                                 impacts child eligibility. We believe                   national organization representing State              costs associated with a new regulation
                                                 that, by providing an impartial                         MEP directors that previously                         must be fully offset by the elimination
                                                 perspective from outside of the program,                responded to the Department’s June 1,                 of existing costs through deregulatory
                                                 independent re-interviewers continue to                 2017, outreach. That organization again               actions. The proposed regulations are
                                                 be valuable, but that their perspective                 proposed alternatives to the current                  not a significant regulatory action.
                                                 would be most beneficial in periods                     prospective re-interviewing                           Therefore, the requirements of
                                                 when changes to program eligibility                     requirements, such as modifying the                   Executive Order 13771 do not apply.
                                                 have been recently implemented. We                      timing, reducing the frequency, or                       We have also reviewed these
                                                 believe that independent re-                            reducing the number of re-interviews                  regulations under Executive Order
                                                 interviewers’ distance from the State or                that SEAs are required to complete.                   13563, which supplements and
                                                 local administration and operation of                     In addition, we have received input                 explicitly reaffirms the principles,
                                                 the program makes them more likely to                   during ongoing consultation with State                structures, and definitions governing
                                                 identify errors or misunderstanding of                  MEP directors on possible modifications               regulatory review established in
                                                 new or changed eligibility criteria—                    to the prospective re-interviewing                    Executive Order 12866. To the extent
                                                 particularly if those issues are systemic               requirements. Most recently, we                       permitted by law, Executive Order
                                                 or statewide. After independent re-                     received input during a November 14,                  13563 requires that an agency—
                                                 interviewers identify eligibility issues                2017, meeting with the MEP                               (1) Propose or adopt regulations only
                                                 and the SEA has implemented                             Coordination Work Group, a group of                   upon a reasoned determination that
                                                 corrective actions or improvements, as                  nine State MEP directors who represent                their benefits justify their costs
                                                 required by current regulations in                      State MEP directors in nine U.S.                      (recognizing that some benefits and
                                                 200.89(b)(2)(vii), we believe sufficient                geographic regions.                                   costs are difficult to quantify);
                                                 quality control can be maintained by the                                                                         (2) Tailor its regulations to impose the
                                                 SEA’s annual prospective re-interviews,                 Executive Orders 12866, 13563, and                    least burden on society, consistent with
                                                 which may be conducted by SEA or                        13771                                                 obtaining regulatory objectives and
                                                 local staff operating the MEP, as long as               Regulatory Impact Analysis                            taking into account—among other things
                                                 those staff members did not work on the                                                                       and to the extent practicable—the costs
                                                 initial eligibility determinations being                   Under Executive Order 12866, it must               of cumulative regulations;
                                                 tested. Finally, we propose to make this                be determined whether this regulatory                    (3) In choosing among alternative
                                                 requirement effective September 1,                      action is ‘‘significant’’ and, therefore,             regulatory approaches, select those
                                                 2020, to allow SEAs that receive MEP                    subject to the requirements of the                    approaches that maximize net benefits
                                                 funds to complete their independent re-                 Executive order and subject to review by              (including potential economic,
                                                 interviews of eligibility determinations                the Office of Management and Budget                   environmental, public health and safety,
                                                 that were made after the effective date                 (OMB). Section 3(f) of Executive Order                and other advantages; distributive
                                                 (July 1, 2017) of the Every Student                     12866 defines a ‘‘significant regulatory              impacts; and equity);
                                                 Succeeds Act.                                           action’’ as an action likely to result in                (4) To the extent feasible, specify
                                                                                                         a rule that may—                                      performance objectives, rather than the
                                                 Public Participation                                       (1) Have an annual effect on the                   behavior or manner of compliance a
                                                    In accordance with Executive Order                   economy of $100 million or more, or                   regulated entity must adopt; and
                                                 13777, ‘‘Enforcing the Regulatory                       adversely affect a sector of the economy,                (5) Identify and assess available
                                                 Reform Agenda,’’ the Department                         productivity, competition, jobs, the                  alternatives to direct regulation,
                                                 requested input from the public and                     environment, public health or safety, or              including economic incentives—such as
                                                 identified stakeholders on existing                     State, local, or Tribal governments or                user fees or marketable permits—to
                                                 program regulations. As part of that                    communities in a material way (also                   encourage the desired behavior, or
                                                 effort, on June 1, 2017, OESE staff                     referred to as an ‘‘economically                      provide information that enables the
                                                 contacted two of the largest national                   significant’’ rule);                                  public to make choices.
                                                 organizations representing State MEP                       (2) Create serious inconsistency or                   Executive Order 13563 also requires
                                                 directors to request input on whether, in               otherwise interfere with an action taken              an agency ‘‘to use the best available
                                                 their area of expertise, there are                      or planned by another agency;                         techniques to quantify anticipated
                                                 regulations that are unnecessary or in                     (3) Materially alter the budgetary                 present and future benefits and costs as
                                                 need of revision, and whether there are                 impacts of entitlement grants, user fees,             accurately as possible.’’ The Office of
                                                 regulations that are particularly                       or loan programs or the rights and                    Information and Regulatory Affairs of
                                                 important for the Department to keep in                 obligations of recipients thereof; or                 OMB has emphasized that these
                                                 place. In response to this outreach, we                    (4) Raise novel legal or policy issues             techniques may include ‘‘identifying
                                                 received responses from one                             arising out of legal mandates, the                    changing future compliance costs that
                                                 organization, as well as MEP staff in one               President’s priorities, or the principles             might result from technological
                                                 SEA. Their proposed alternatives to the                 stated in the Executive order.                        innovation or anticipated behavioral
                                                 current prospective re-interviewing                        This proposed regulatory action is not             changes.’’
                                                 requirements included modifying the                     a significant regulatory action subject to               We are issuing these proposed
                                                 timing, reducing the frequency, or                      review by OMB under section 3(f) of                   regulations only on a reasoned
                                                 reducing the number of re-interviews                    Executive Order 12866.                                determination that their benefits would
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                                                 that SEAs are required to complete.                        Under Executive Order 13771, for                   justify their costs. In choosing among
                                                    On June 22, 2017, the Department                     each new regulation that the                          alternative regulatory approaches, we
                                                 published in the Federal Register a                     Department proposes for notice and                    selected those approaches that would
                                                 notice of evaluation of existing                        comment or otherwise promulgates that                 maximize net benefits. Based on the
                                                 regulations (82 FR 28431), requesting                   is a significant regulatory action under              analysis that follows, the Department
                                                 input on regulations that may be                        Executive Order 12866 and that imposes                believes that these proposed regulations
                                                 appropriate for repeal, replacement, or                 total costs greater than zero, it must                are consistent with the principles in
                                                 modification. In response to this notice,               identify two deregulatory actions. For                Executive Order 13563.


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                                                                     Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 230 / Thursday, November 29, 2018 / Proposed Rules                                          61345

                                                    We also have determined that this                    require each agency to write regulations                 These proposed regulations contain
                                                 regulatory action would not unduly                      that are easy to understand.                          information collection requirements that
                                                 interfere with State, local, and Tribal                    The Secretary invites comments on                  are approved by OMB under OMB
                                                 governments in the exercise of their                    how to make these proposed regulations                control number 1810–0662; these
                                                 governmental functions.                                 easier to understand, including answers               proposed regulations do not affect the
                                                    In accordance with the Executive                     to questions such as the following:                   currently approved data collection.
                                                 orders, the Department has assessed the                    • Are the requirements in the                         A Federal agency may not conduct or
                                                 potential costs and benefits, both                      proposed regulations clearly stated?                  sponsor a collection of information
                                                 quantitative and qualitative, of this                      • Do the proposed regulations contain              unless OMB approves the collection
                                                 regulatory action. The potential costs                  technical terms or other wording that                 under the PRA and the corresponding
                                                 associated with this regulatory action                  interferes with their clarity?                        information collection instrument
                                                 are those resulting from statutory                         • Does the format of the proposed                  displays a currently valid OMB control
                                                 requirements and those regulatory                       regulations (grouping and order of                    number. Notwithstanding any other
                                                 requirements that we have determined                    sections, use of headings, paragraphing,              provision of law, no person is required
                                                 to be necessary for administering the                   etc.) aid or reduce their clarity?                    to comply with, or is subject to penalty
                                                 Department’s programs and activities.                      • Would the proposed regulations be                for failure to comply with, a collection
                                                    We anticipate that the proposed                      easier to understand if we divided them               of information if the collection
                                                 changes to these regulations will reduce                into more (but shorter) sections? (A                  instrument does not display a currently
                                                 the cost and burden associated with                     ‘‘section’’ is preceded by the symbol
                                                                                                                                                               valid OMB control number.
                                                 prospective re-interviewing, specifically               ‘‘§ ’’ and a numbered heading; for
                                                 the use of independent re-interviewers,                 example, § 200.89.)                                      Section 200.89(b)(2) contains an
                                                 for some SEAs. While we believe that                       • Could the description of the                     information collection requirement.
                                                 SEAs will be required to conduct                        proposed regulations in the                           This information collection has been
                                                 independent re-interviews less                          SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section of                  approved by OMB Control Number
                                                 frequently under the proposed                           this preamble be more helpful in                      1810–0662. The currently approved
                                                 regulations than they are required to                   making the proposed regulations easier                collection includes cost and burden
                                                 currently, we cannot predict when                       to understand? If so, how?                            estimates based on annual prospective
                                                 statutory changes will occur. Under the                    • What else could we do to make the                re-interviewing which do not vary based
                                                 current and proposed regulations, to                    proposed regulations easier to                        on the specific personnel used for re-
                                                 qualify as ‘‘independent,’’ the                         understand?                                           interviews, including independent re-
                                                 interviewers must be neither SEA nor                       To send any comments that concern                  interviewers. As SEAs would still be
                                                 local operating agency staff members                    how the Department could make these                   required to conduct prospective re-
                                                 working to administer or operate the                    proposed regulations easier to                        interviews on an annual basis under the
                                                 State MEP nor any other persons who                     understand, see the instructions in the               proposed regulations, our cost and
                                                 worked on the initial eligibility                       ADDRESSES section.                                    burden estimates are unchanged.
                                                 determinations being tested. Although                                                                            We estimate a standard number of
                                                 there is no Federal requirement for                     Regulatory Flexibility Act Certification
                                                                                                                                                               hours to conduct re-interviews—
                                                 SEAs to use a specific funding                            The Secretary certifies that these                  including multiple attempts to locate
                                                 mechanism to support independent re-                    proposed regulations would not have a                 the family and travel to their location (2
                                                 interviewers, such as a contract, or to                 significant economic impact on a                      hours/child), analyze the findings (1
                                                 use out-of-State personnel who require                  substantial number of small entities.                 hour/child), and summarize findings for
                                                 travel costs, several SEAs have chosen                  Because these proposed regulations                    annual reporting (2 hours/SEA). We
                                                 to use such methods and personnel for                   would affect only States and State
                                                 independent re-interviews. For those                                                                          estimate costs based on a standard
                                                                                                         agencies, the proposed regulations
                                                 SEAs that have chosen to use more                                                                             hourly rate for staff conducting re-
                                                                                                         would not have an impact on small
                                                 costly methods for independent re-                                                                            interviews ($10/hour) and a higher
                                                                                                         entities. State and State agencies are not
                                                 interviews, we anticipate that the                                                                            standard hourly rate for staff responsible
                                                                                                         defined as ‘‘small entities’’ in the
                                                 reduced frequency of independent re-                                                                          for analysis and reporting ($25/hour).
                                                                                                         Regulatory Flexibility Act.
                                                 interviews will result in reduced cost                                                                        Some SEAs have elected to use more
                                                 and burden. Further, we do not believe                  Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995                       costly resources and methods when
                                                 that burden will be affected by the                       As part of its continuing effort to                 conducting independent re-interviews,
                                                 proposed change to clarify that annual                  reduce paperwork and respondent                       such as contracts with private
                                                 prospective re-interviews must not be                   burden, the Department provides the                   organizations and out-of-State
                                                 conducted by individuals who were                       general public and Federal agencies                   personnel. Since these are not Federal
                                                 involved in the initial eligibility                     with an opportunity to comment on                     requirements, under the PRA, any
                                                 determination being reviewed, as this is                proposed and continuing collections of                increased costs associated with these
                                                 consistent with the current practices of                information in accordance with the                    resources and methods were not
                                                 most SEAs.                                              Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA)                 factored into the cost and burden
                                                    Elsewhere in this section under                      (44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)). This helps                 estimates in the currently approved
                                                 Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, we                     ensure that the public understands the                collection, and, accordingly, any
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                                                 identify and explain burdens                            Department’s collection instructions,                 decreased costs associated with these
                                                 specifically associated with information                respondents can provide the requested                 resources and methods that would
                                                 collection requirements.                                data in the desired format, reporting                 result from their less frequent use under
                                                                                                         burden (time and financial resources) is              the proposed regulations also do not
                                                 Clarity of the Regulations                                                                                    affect the cost and burden estimates.
                                                                                                         minimized, collection instruments are
                                                   Executive Order 12866 and the                         clearly understood, and the Department                Thus, the burden estimated in the
                                                 Presidential memorandum ‘‘Plain                         can properly assess the impact of                     approved information collection
                                                 Language in Government Writing’’                        collection requirements on respondents.               remains unchanged.


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                                                 61346               Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 230 / Thursday, November 29, 2018 / Proposed Rules

                                                 Intergovernmental Review                                Grant programs-education, Indians-                    change to child eligibility. Beginning
                                                    This program is subject to Executive                 education, Infants and children,                      September 1, 2020, an SEA must use
                                                 Order 12372 and the regulations in 34                   Juvenile delinquency, Migrant labor,                  one or more independent re-
                                                 CFR part 79. One of the objectives of the               Private schools, Reporting and                        interviewers (i.e., interviewers who are
                                                 Executive order is to foster an                         recordkeeping requirements.                           neither SEA nor local operating agency
                                                 intergovernmental partnership and a                       Dated: November 23, 2018.                           staff members working to administer or
                                                 strengthened federalism. The Executive                  Betsy DeVos,
                                                                                                                                                               operate the State MEP, nor any other
                                                 order relies on processes developed by                                                                        persons who worked on the initial
                                                                                                         Secretary of Education.
                                                 State and local governments for                                                                               eligibility determinations being tested
                                                                                                           For the reasons discussed in the                    and who are trained to conduct personal
                                                 coordination and review of proposed                     preamble, the Secretary proposes to
                                                 Federal financial assistance.                                                                                 interviews and to understand and apply
                                                                                                         amend part 200 of title 34 of the Code                program eligibility requirements) to
                                                    This document provides early                         of Federal Regulations as follows:
                                                 notification of our specific plans and                                                                        validate child eligibility determinations
                                                 actions for this program.                                                                                     at least once within the first three full
                                                                                                         PART 200—TITLE I—IMPROVING THE                        performance reporting periods
                                                 Federalism                                              ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT OF THE                           (September 1 through August 31)
                                                                                                         DISADVANTAGED                                         following the effective date of a major
                                                    Executive Order 13132 requires us to
                                                 ensure meaningful and timely input by                   ■ 1. The authority citation for part 200              statutory or regulatory change that
                                                 State and local elected officials in the                continues to read as follows:                         directly impacts child eligibility (as
                                                 development of regulatory policies that                                                                       determined by the Secretary), consistent
                                                                                                           Authority: 20 U.S.C. 6301 through 6576,             with the prospective re-interview
                                                 have federalism implications.                           unless otherwise noted.
                                                 ‘‘Federalism implications’’ means                                                                             process described in paragraph
                                                 substantial direct effects on the States,               ■ 2. Section 200.89 is amended by:                    (b)(2)(ii)–(vii) of this section. The entire
                                                                                                         ■ a. Revising paragraph (b)(2).                       sample of eligibility determinations to
                                                 on the relationship between the                         ■ b. Adding paragraph (b)(3).
                                                 National Government and the States, or                                                                        be tested by independent re-
                                                                                                         ■ c. Revising the authority citation.                 interviewers must be drawn from
                                                 on the distribution of power and                          The revisions and addition read as
                                                 responsibilities among the various                                                                            children determined to be eligible after
                                                                                                         follows:                                              the major statutory or regulatory change
                                                 levels of government. The proposed
                                                 regulations in § 200.89(b) may have                     § 200.89 Re-interviewing; Eligibility                 took effect.
                                                 federalism implications. We encourage                   documentation; and Quality control.                   *     *      *      *     *
                                                 State and local elected officials to                    *      *     *     *     *                            (Authority: 20 U.S.C. 6391–6399, 6571, 18
                                                 review and provide comments on these                       (b) * * *                                          U.S.C. 1001)
                                                 proposed regulations.                                      (2) Prospective re-interviewing. As
                                                                                                                                                               [FR Doc. 2018–25931 Filed 11–28–18; 8:45 am]
                                                    Accessible Format: Individuals with                  part of the system of quality controls
                                                                                                                                                               BILLING CODE 4000–01–P
                                                 disabilities can obtain this document in                identified in § 200.89(d), an SEA must
                                                 an accessible format (e.g., braille, large              annually validate child eligibility
                                                 print, audiotape, or compact disc) on                   determinations from the current
                                                                                                         performance reporting period                          ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
                                                 request to the person listed under FOR
                                                                                                         (September 1 to August 31) through re-                AGENCY
                                                 FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT.
                                                    Electronic Access to This Document:                  interviews for a randomly selected
                                                                                                                                                               40 CFR Part 52
                                                 The official version of this document is                sample of children identified as
                                                 the document published in the Federal                   migratory during the same performance                 [EPA–R09–OAR–2018–0535; FRL–9987–11–
                                                 Register. You may access the official                   reporting period using re-interviewers,               Region 9]
                                                 edition of the Federal Register and the                 who may be SEA or local operating
                                                                                                         agency staff members working to                       Clean Air Plans; 2008 8-Hour Ozone
                                                 Code of Federal Regulations via the                                                                           Nonattainment Area Requirements;
                                                 Federal Digital System at: www.gpo.gov/                 administer or operate the State MEP, or
                                                                                                         any other person trained to conduct                   San Joaquin Valley, California
                                                 fdsys. At this site you can view this
                                                 document, as well as all other                          personal interviews and who                           AGENCY:  Environmental Protection
                                                 documents of this Department                            understands program eligibility                       Agency (EPA).
                                                 published in the Federal Register, in                   requirements, but who did not work on                 ACTION: Proposed rule.
                                                 text or Adobe Portable Document                         the initial eligibility determinations
                                                 Format (PDF). To use PDF you must                       being tested. In conducting these re-                 SUMMARY:    The Environmental Protection
                                                 have Adobe Acrobat Reader, which is                     interviews, an SEA must—                              Agency (EPA) is proposing to approve
                                                 available free at the site.                                (i) Use one or more independent re-                portions of two state implementation
                                                    You may also access documents of the                 interviewers (i.e., interviewers who are              plan (SIP) revisions submitted by the
                                                 Department published in the Federal                     neither SEA or local operating agency                 State of California to meet Clean Air Act
                                                 Register by using the article search                    staff members working to administer or                (CAA or ‘‘the Act’’) requirements for the
                                                 feature at: www.federalregister.gov.                    operate the State MEP nor any other                   2008 8-hour ozone national ambient air
                                                 Specifically, through the advanced                      persons who worked on the initial                     quality standards (NAAQS or
                                                 search feature at this site, you can limit              eligibility determinations being tested               ‘‘standards’’) in the San Joaquin Valley,
khammond on DSK30JT082PROD with PROPOSALS




                                                 your search to documents published by                   and who are trained to conduct personal               California, ozone nonattainment area.
                                                 the Department. (Catalog of Federal                     interviews and to understand and apply                First, the EPA is proposing to approve
                                                 Domestic Assistance number 84.011:                      program eligibility requirements) at                  the portion of the ‘‘2016 Ozone Plan for
                                                 Education of Migratory Children)                        least once every three years until                    the 2008 8-Hour Ozone Standard’’
                                                                                                         September 1, 2020;                                    (‘‘2016 Ozone Plan’’) that addresses the
                                                 List of Subjects in 34 CFR Part 200                                                                           requirement for a base year emissions
                                                                                                         *      *     *     *     *
                                                   Education of disadvantaged,                              (3) Prospective re-interviewing                    inventory. Second, the EPA is proposing
                                                 Elementary and secondary education,                     following a major statutory or regulatory             to approve the portions of the ‘‘2018


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Document Created: 2018-11-28 23:44:18
Document Modified: 2018-11-28 23:44:18
CategoryRegulatory Information
CollectionFederal Register
sudoc ClassAE 2.7:
GS 4.107:
AE 2.106:
PublisherOffice of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
SectionProposed Rules
ActionNotice of proposed rulemaking.
DatesWe must receive your comments on or before January 28, 2019.
ContactPatricia Meyertholen, U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue SW, Room 3E315, Washington, DC 20202. Telephone: (202) 260-1394. Email: [email protected]
FR Citation83 FR 61342 
RIN Number1810-AB49
CFR AssociatedEducation of Disadvantaged; Elementary and Secondary Education; Grant Programs-Education; Indians-Education; Infants and Children; Juvenile Delinquency; Migrant Labor; Private Schools and Reporting and Recordkeeping Requirements

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