83_FR_7533 83 FR 7498 - Notice of Intent To Seek Approval To Establish an Information Collection

83 FR 7498 - Notice of Intent To Seek Approval To Establish an Information Collection

NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION

Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 35 (February 21, 2018)

Page Range7498-7499
FR Document2018-03469

The National Science Foundation (NSF) is announcing plans to request establishment and clearance of this collection. In accordance with the requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, we are providing opportunity for public comment on this action. After obtaining and considering public comment, NSF will prepare the submission requesting that OMB approve clearance of this collection for no longer than three years.

Federal Register, Volume 83 Issue 35 (Wednesday, February 21, 2018) 
[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 35 (Wednesday, February 21, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 7498-7499]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2018-03469]


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NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION


Notice of Intent To Seek Approval To Establish an Information 
Collection

AGENCY: National Science Foundation.

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

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

SUMMARY: The National Science Foundation (NSF) is announcing plans to 
request establishment and clearance of this collection. In accordance 
with the requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, we are 
providing opportunity for public comment on this action. After 
obtaining and considering public comment, NSF will prepare the 
submission requesting that OMB approve clearance of this collection for 
no longer than three years.

DATES: Written comments on this notice must be received by April 23, 
2018 to be assured of consideration. Comments received after that date 
will be considered to the extent practicable.
    For Additional Information, Contact: Suzanne H. Plimpton, Reports 
Clearance Officer, National Science Foundation, 2415 Eisenhower Avenue, 
Room W 18000, Alexandria, Virginia 22314; or send email to 
[email protected].
    Individuals who use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) 
may call the Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 1-800-877-
8339, which is accessible 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a 
year (including federal holidays).
    Instructions: Please submit one copy of your comments by only one 
method. All submissions received must include the agency name and 
collection name identified above for this information collection. 
Commenters are strongly encouraged to transmit their comments 
electronically via email. Comments, including any personal information 
provided become a matter of public record. They will be summarized and/
or included in the request for Office of Management and Budget approval 
of the information collection request.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    Comments: Comments are invited on (a) whether the proposed 
collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of 
the functions of the Agency, including whether the information shall 
have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the Agency's estimate of 
the burden of the proposed collection of information; (c) ways to 
enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information on 
respondents, including through the use of automated collection 
techniques or other forms of information technology; (d) ways to 
minimize the burden of the collection of

[[Page 7499]]

information on those who are to respond, including through the use of 
appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological 
collection techniques or other forms of information technology.
    Title of Collection: Developing an Evaluation Framework and Pilot-
Testing a Longitudinal Tracking System for REU Site Students.
    OMB Number: 3145-NEW.
    Expiration Date of Approval: Not applicable.

Abstract

    The National Science Foundation (NSF) seeks to develop and pilot 
test different approaches to collecting data electronically from one 
cohort of applicants to the Research Experiences for Undergraduates 
(REU) Program and track their program and career outcomes over time. 
The intent is for the pilot tests to provide information for NSF to 
select the most effective and least burdensome approach to collect data 
needed to monitor the Program, report to NSF leadership, and comply 
with a Congressional requirement.
    The REU program was created in 1987 to strengthen the science, 
technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) workforce. Building on 
research experiences as ``one of the most effective avenues for 
attracting students to and retaining them in science and engineering, 
and for preparing them for careers in these fields,'' the program is 
designed to foster student research and promote diversity.
    The main goal of the current study is to pilot test alternative 
approaches to collecting data required by Congress in the America 
COMPETES Reauthorization Act of 2010, which states that students in the 
REU program must ``be tracked, for employment and continued 
matriculation in STEM fields, through receipt of the undergraduate 
degree and for at least three years thereafter'' (Section 514[a][6] of 
Pub. L. 111-358). The legislation also mentions specific demographic 
characteristics of participants that need to be reported, such as 
gender, ethnicity, and enrollment in a two-year college. In addition to 
needing these data to report to Congress, NSF program officers and 
leadership need a more robust data system to enhance their efforts to 
monitor participation in the program and eventually to assess its 
effectiveness.
    In addition to designing the system, the present study will pilot 
test different approaches to collecting data from a sample of REU Sites 
that volunteer to participate. By participating in this study, these 
Sites will have the opportunity to experience the data collections 
first hand and provide feedback that will be used to determine which 
approach will be the most effective, most efficient, and least 
burdensome for possible future implementation across all REU Sites.
    The pilot includes:
    1. Testing a web-based system that includes two approaches to 
obtain basic student background and participation information:
     Registration. The registration will be designed to collect 
the basic demographic and contact information needed for analysis and 
tracking purposes. Students will be asked to register at a website 
through which they will obtain a unique ID. With this unique ID, they 
will then apply directly to the REU Sites using the existing Site 
application processes. Staff at REU Sites will use the IDs provided by 
students to record application decisions and participation status of 
admitted applicants.
     Common Application. The common application will replace 
existing REU Site applications among participating Sites for the 2019 
cycle. It will enable students to apply to multiple Sites through one 
application. Students will first complete the REU Registration 
described above, and then proceed to the common application through 
which they will submit additional information commonly required by 
Sites as part of their applications, such as transcripts. Staff at REU 
Sites will use the system to provide information needed by potential 
applicants, retrieve applicant information, record application 
decisions and participation status among admitted applicants, and 
produce reports and run queries of data submitted by applicants to 
their Sites.
    2. Obtaining and integrating educational and employment 
information. The study will follow the subset of rising seniors who 
participate in the REU program in 2019 (as seniors are the large 
majority of participants) to:
     Obtain educational outcomes information from the National 
Student Clearinghouse (NSC).
     Administer a survey to obtain information on employment 
outcomes (among those not enrolled in graduate school at the time of 
the survey).
    3. Conducting site visits to a few REU Sites participating in the 
pilot to interview principal investigators and program administrators, 
and to conduct focus groups with REU students. The site visits will be 
used to elicit in-depth feedback on the registration and common 
application systems as well as the tools available for PIs to obtain 
data and reports through the REU data system.
    Estimate of Burden: At present, applications to the REU program are 
submitted yearly directly to each Site. For those participating in the 
registration pilot, it is estimated that applicants will spend 2 hours 
submitting basic information through the REU Data System and then 
complete the rest of their applications through the individual REU 
sites. For those participating in the common application pilot, it is 
estimated that each submission will take, on average, 12 hours. 
Reference writers are expected to take 0.5 hours to draft a letter in 
support of students' application to the program. It is estimated that 
REU Principal Investigators will spend 8.9 hours using the system to 
track applications.
    Respondents: Individuals.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 30,455.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 96,130 hours.
    Frequency of Responses: One round of pilot data collection.

    Dated: February 9, 2018.
Suzanne H. Plimpton,
Reports Clearance Officer, National Science Foundation.
[FR Doc. 2018-03469 Filed 2-20-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 7555-01-P

7498 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 35 / Wednesday, February 21, 2018 / Notices ACTION: Notice of information collection. • In writing; NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION SUMMARY: The National Aeronautics and • Specific with regard to the claim(s) that the individual raised in pre- Notice of Intent To Seek Approval To Space Administration, as part of its Establish an Information Collection continuing effort to reduce paperwork complaint counseling and that the and respondent burden, invites the person wishes to pursue; National Science Foundation. AGENCY: general public and other Federal • Must be signed by the individual Notice and request for ACTION: agencies to take this opportunity to and/or his or her representative; and comments. comment on proposed and/or • Must be filed within fifteen (15) SUMMARY: The National Science continuing information collections. calendar days from the date s/he Foundation (NSF) is announcing plans DATES: All comments should be receives the Notice of Right to File a to request establishment and clearance submitted within 60 calendar days from Discrimination Complaint. of this collection. In accordance with the date of this publication. the requirements of the Paperwork Consequently, NASA established NF– ADDRESSES: All comments should be 1355P form to ensure the individual Reduction Act of 1995, we are providing addressed to Lori Parker, National who wishes to utilize the EEO process opportunity for public comment on this Aeronautics and Space Administration, complies with the requirements listed action. After obtaining and considering 300 E Street SW, Washington, DC above. public comment, NSF will prepare the 20546–0001. submission requesting that OMB FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: III. Data approve clearance of this collection for Requests for additional information or no longer than three years. Title: Formal Discrimination copies of the information collection DATES: Written comments on this notice instrument(s) and instructions should Complaint Form. must be received by April 23, 2018 to be directed to Lori Parker, NASA OMB Number: 2700–0163. be assured of consideration. Comments Clearance Officer, NASA Headquarters, Type of Review: Extension of Existing received after that date will be 300 E Street SW, JF0000, Washington, Form. considered to the extent practicable. DC 20546, (202) 358–1351. For Additional Information, Contact: Affected Public: Individuals who wish SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Suzanne H. Plimpton, Reports Clearance to file a formal discrimination Officer, National Science Foundation, I. Abstract complaint against NASA. 2415 Eisenhower Avenue, Room W Federal agencies are required by Estimated Number of Respondents: 18000, Alexandria, Virginia 22314; or statute not to engage in discrimination 60. send email to splimpto@nsf.gov. on the bases of race, color, religion, sex, Estimated Time per Response: 30 Individuals who use a national origin, age, disability, genetic minutes. telecommunications device for the deaf information, or retaliation. A federal (TDD) may call the Federal Information Estimated Total Annual Public Relay Service (FIRS) at 1–800–877– employee, former employee, or job Burden Hours: 30 hours. 8339, which is accessible 24 hours a applicant who believes s/he was discriminated against has a right to file Estimated Total Annual Government day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year a complaint with the agency’s office Cost: $500. (including federal holidays). responsible for its Equal Employment Instructions: Please submit one copy IV. Request for Comments of your comments by only one method. Opportunity (EEO) programs. Federal agencies must offer pre-complaint Comments are invited on: (1) Whether All submissions received must include counseling or EEO alternative dispute the proposed collection of information the agency name and collection name resolution (EEO ADR) to individuals is necessary for the proper performance identified above for this information who allege that they were discriminated of the functions of NASA, including collection. Commenters are strongly against by the agency. If pre-complaint whether the information collected has encouraged to transmit their comments counseling or EEO ADR does not resolve electronically via email. Comments, practical utility; (2) the accuracy of the dispute(s), the individual can file a including any personal information NASA’s estimate of the burden formal discrimination complaint with provided become a matter of public (including hours and cost) of the the agency’s EEO office. record. They will be summarized and/ proposed collection of information; (3) or included in the request for Office of II. Methods of Collection ways to enhance the quality, utility, and Management and Budget approval of the clarity of the information to be information collection request. Title 29 of the Code of Federal collected; and (4) ways to minimize the Regulations (CFR) Part 1614 Section 104 SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: burden of the collection of information requires agencies to establish Comments: Comments are invited on on respondents, including automated (a) whether the proposed collection of procedures for processing individual and class complaints of discrimination collection techniques or the use of other information is necessary for the proper that include the provisions contained in forms of information technology. performance of the functions of the 29 CFR 1614.105 through 1614.110 and Comments submitted in response to Agency, including whether the in § 1614.204, which are consistent with this notice will be summarized and information shall have practical utility; all other applicable Federal EEO included in the request for OMB (b) the accuracy of the Agency’s regulations and complaint processing approval of this information collection. estimate of the burden of the proposed daltland on DSKBBV9HB2PROD with NOTICES requirements contained in the Equal They will also become a matter of collection of information; (c) ways to Employment Opportunity Commission public record. enhance the quality, utility, and clarity (EEOC) Management Directives (MD). of the information on respondents, Lori Parker, When an individual decides to pursue including through the use of automated the formal discrimination complaint NASA PRA Clearance Officer. collection techniques or other forms of process, EEOC MD 110 requires that the [FR Doc. 2018–03466 Filed 2–20–18; 8:45 am] information technology; (d) ways to formal complaint must be: BILLING CODE 7510–13–P minimize the burden of the collection of VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:57 Feb 20, 2018 Jkt 244001 PO 00000 Frm 00049 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\21FEN1.SGM 21FEN1

Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 35 / Wednesday, February 21, 2018 / Notices 7499 information on those who are to opportunity to experience the data and reports through the REU data respond, including through the use of collections first hand and provide system. appropriate automated, electronic, feedback that will be used to determine Estimate of Burden: At present, mechanical, or other technological which approach will be the most applications to the REU program are collection techniques or other forms of effective, most efficient, and least submitted yearly directly to each Site. information technology. burdensome for possible future For those participating in the Title of Collection: Developing an implementation across all REU Sites. registration pilot, it is estimated that Evaluation Framework and Pilot-Testing The pilot includes: applicants will spend 2 hours a Longitudinal Tracking System for REU 1. Testing a web-based system that submitting basic information through Site Students. includes two approaches to obtain basic the REU Data System and then complete OMB Number: 3145–NEW. student background and participation the rest of their applications through the Expiration Date of Approval: Not information: individual REU sites. For those applicable. • Registration. The registration will participating in the common application Abstract be designed to collect the basic pilot, it is estimated that each demographic and contact information submission will take, on average, 12 The National Science Foundation hours. Reference writers are expected to (NSF) seeks to develop and pilot test needed for analysis and tracking purposes. Students will be asked to take 0.5 hours to draft a letter in support different approaches to collecting data of students’ application to the program. electronically from one cohort of register at a website through which they will obtain a unique ID. With this It is estimated that REU Principal applicants to the Research Experiences Investigators will spend 8.9 hours using for Undergraduates (REU) Program and unique ID, they will then apply directly to the REU Sites using the existing Site the system to track applications. track their program and career outcomes Respondents: Individuals. over time. The intent is for the pilot application processes. Staff at REU Sites will use the IDs provided by students to Estimated Number of Respondents: tests to provide information for NSF to 30,455. select the most effective and least record application decisions and Estimated Total Annual Burden on burdensome approach to collect data participation status of admitted Respondents: 96,130 hours. needed to monitor the Program, report applicants. Frequency of Responses: One round of to NSF leadership, and comply with a • Common Application. The common pilot data collection. Congressional requirement. application will replace existing REU Site applications among participating Dated: February 9, 2018. The REU program was created in 1987 Sites for the 2019 cycle. It will enable Suzanne H. Plimpton, to strengthen the science, technology, students to apply to multiple Sites Reports Clearance Officer, National Science engineering, and mathematics (STEM) through one application. Students will Foundation. workforce. Building on research first complete the REU Registration [FR Doc. 2018–03469 Filed 2–20–18; 8:45 am] experiences as ‘‘one of the most effective avenues for attracting students described above, and then proceed to BILLING CODE 7555–01–P to and retaining them in science and the common application through which engineering, and for preparing them for they will submit additional information careers in these fields,’’ the program is commonly required by Sites as part of NATIONAL TRANSPORTATION designed to foster student research and their applications, such as transcripts. SAFETY BOARD promote diversity. Staff at REU Sites will use the system to The main goal of the current study is provide information needed by potential Sunshine Act Meeting to pilot test alternative approaches to applicants, retrieve applicant AGENDA collecting data required by Congress in information, record application the America COMPETES decisions and participation status TIME AND DATE: 9:30 a.m., Tuesday, Reauthorization Act of 2010, which among admitted applicants, and March 13, 2018 states that students in the REU program produce reports and run queries of data PLACE: NTSB Conference Center, 429 must ‘‘be tracked, for employment and submitted by applicants to their Sites. L’Enfant Plaza SW, Washington, DC continued matriculation in STEM fields, 2. Obtaining and integrating 20594. through receipt of the undergraduate educational and employment STATUS: The one item is open to the degree and for at least three years information. The study will follow the public. thereafter’’ (Section 514[a][6] of Pub. L. subset of rising seniors who participate MATTERS TO BE CONSIDERED: 111–358). The legislation also mentions in the REU program in 2019 (as seniors 56526 Railroad Accident Brief— specific demographic characteristics of are the large majority of participants) to: Collision of Two Southwestern participants that need to be reported, • Obtain educational outcomes Railroad Freight Trains, Roswell, such as gender, ethnicity, and information from the National Student New Mexico, April 28, 2015. enrollment in a two-year college. In Clearinghouse (NSC). NEWS MEDIA CONTACT: Telephone: (202) addition to needing these data to report • Administer a survey to obtain 314–6100. to Congress, NSF program officers and information on employment outcomes The press and public may enter the leadership need a more robust data (among those not enrolled in graduate NTSB Conference Center one hour prior system to enhance their efforts to school at the time of the survey). to the meeting for set up and seating. monitor participation in the program 3. Conducting site visits to a few REU Individuals requesting specific and eventually to assess its Sites participating in the pilot to accommodations should contact daltland on DSKBBV9HB2PROD with NOTICES effectiveness. interview principal investigators and Rochelle McCallister at (202) 314–6305 In addition to designing the system, program administrators, and to conduct or by email at Rochelle.McCallister@ the present study will pilot test different focus groups with REU students. The ntsb.gov by Wednesday, March 7, 2018. approaches to collecting data from a site visits will be used to elicit in-depth The public may view the meeting via a sample of REU Sites that volunteer to feedback on the registration and live or archived webcast by accessing a participate. By participating in this common application systems as well as link under ‘‘News & Events’’ on the study, these Sites will have the the tools available for PIs to obtain data NTSB home page at www.ntsb.gov. VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:57 Feb 20, 2018 Jkt 244001 PO 00000 Frm 00050 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\21FEN1.SGM 21FEN1


Document Created: 2018-02-21 01:48:48
Document Modified: 2018-02-21 01:48:48
CategoryRegulatory Information
CollectionFederal Register
sudoc ClassAE 2.7:
GS 4.107:
AE 2.106:
PublisherOffice of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
SectionNotices
ActionNotice and request for comments.
DatesWritten comments on this notice must be received by April 23, 2018 to be assured of consideration. Comments received after that date will be considered to the extent practicable.
FR Citation83 FR 7498 
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