83 FR 8660 - Office of Postsecondary Education; Solicitation of Third-Party Comments Concerning the Performance of Accrediting Agencies; Correction

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 40 (February 28, 2018)

Page Range		8660-8661
FR Document		2018-04192

On January 24, 2018 we published a notice in the Federal Register soliciting comments in connection with, inter alia, the Department's review of the application of the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools (ACICS) for initial recognition and the compliance report submitted by the American Bar Association (ABA), both of which are currently undergoing review for purposes of recognition by the U.S. Secretary of Education. The deadline for comments set forth in that notice was February 16, 2018. On February 22, 2018, we published a notice in the Federal Register extending the public comment period until March 1, 2018 for the submission of comments relating to those two agencies. This notice corrects our earlier statements in those two Federal Register notices about the scope of the public comments.

Federal Register, Volume 83 Issue 40 (Wednesday, February 28, 2018)

[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 40 (Wednesday, February 28, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 8660-8661]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2018-04192]


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DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION


Office of Postsecondary Education; Solicitation of Third-Party 
Comments Concerning the Performance of Accrediting Agencies; Correction

AGENCY: Office of Postsecondary Education, Department of Education.

ACTION: Call for written third-party comments; extension of comment 
period; correction.

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SUMMARY: On January 24, 2018 we published a notice in the Federal 
Register soliciting comments in connection with, inter alia, the 
Department's review of the application of the Accrediting Council for 
Independent Colleges and Schools (ACICS) for initial recognition and 
the compliance report submitted by the American Bar Association (ABA), 
both of which are currently undergoing review for purposes of 
recognition by the U.S. Secretary of Education. The deadline for 
comments set forth in that notice was February 16, 2018. On February 
22, 2018, we published a notice in the Federal Register extending the 
public comment period until March 1, 2018 for the submission of 
comments relating to those two agencies. This notice corrects our 
earlier statements in those two Federal Register notices about the 
scope of the public comments.

DATES: Applicable February 28, 2018.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Herman Bounds, Director, Accreditation 
Group, Office of Postsecondary Education, U.S. Department of Education, 
400 Maryland Avenue SW., room 270-01, Washington, DC 20202, telephone: 
(202) 453-7615, or email: [email protected].
    If you use a telecommunications device for the deaf or a text 
telephone, call the Federal Relay Service, toll free, at 1-800-877-
8339.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background: On January 24, 2018 (83 FR 
3335), we published in the Federal Register a notice of a call for 
written third-party comments. That notice provided information to 
members of the public on submitting written comments with respect to 
accrediting agencies currently undergoing review for purposes of 
recognition by the Secretary of Education. That notice established a 
comment period beginning on January 24, 2018, and closing on February 
16, 2018. On February 15, 2018, the U.S. District Court for the 
Southern District of New York entered an order the effect of which was 
to require the Department of Education to extend the comment period 
relating to ACICS and ABA to March 1, 2018. (See The Century Foundation 
v. Betsy Devos, case number 18-cv-1128). Pursuant to that court order, 
on February 22, 2018 (83 FR 7702), we published a notice in the Federal 
Register extending the public comment period until March 1, 2018, and 
stated that the extension was ``for comments on the initial application 
for recognition of ACICS and the compliance report submitted by the 
ABA.'' Under the Higher Education Act, the Department solicits ``third-
party information concerning the performance of the accrediting 
agency,'' 20 U.S.C. 1099b(n)(1)(A), and accordingly, takes comments 
with regard to ``the agency's compliance with the criteria for 
recognition.'' 34 CFR 602.32(a) (emphasis added). The comment process 
established by 34 CFR 602.32 therefore solicits comments on the 
accrediting agencies' performance and compliance with the criteria for 
recognition, and not on any applications or reports agencies may have 
submitted to the Department. The process does not require the 
commenters to have access to the specific applications or compliance 
reports submitted by the accrediting agencies, and the Department has 
not traditionally provided those materials in advance of the comment 
process.
    This notice corrects certain language related to the comment period 
in both the January 24, 2018, and February 22, 2018, Federal Register 
notices. All other language and requirements from the prior notices, 
not amended by this notice of correction, remain the same.
    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 contact 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. Free 
internet access to the official edition of the Federal Register and the 
Code of Federal Regulations is available 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 Portable Document Format (PDF). To use PDF, you 
must have Adobe Acrobat Reader, which is available free at this 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.

Corrections

    1. In the Federal Register notice of February 22, 2018, on page 
7702 in the second column under the heading Summary, correct the last 
sentence in the Summary to read as follows:
    ``Pursuant to a recent court order, we are extending the public 
comment period until March 1, 2018 for the submission of comments on 
the compliance of Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and 
Schools (ACICS) with the criteria for recognition set forth in Subpart 
B of 34 CFR 602, and for the submission of comments about the 
compliance of the American Bar Association with the criteria for 
recognition cited in the Senior Department Official's September 22, 
2016 letter \1\ following the June 23, 2016 NACIQI meeting available 
at: https://opeweb.ed.gov/aslweb/finalstaffreports.cfm. The review of 
the ABA's compliance is limited to 34 CFR 602.15(a)(1), 602.15(a)(2), 
602.15(a)(3), 602.16(a)(1)(viii), and 602.17(b).''
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    \1\ The January 24, 2018 (83 FR 3335), Federal Register notice 
solicitation for written third-party comments relating to the ABA 
incorrectly identified the letter from the Senior Department 
Official as being dated ``October 28, 2016.'' As noted herein, the 
correct date is ``September 22, 2016.''
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    2. In the Federal Register notice of February 22, 2018, on page 
7702 in the second column under the heading ADDRESSES, correct the 
section to read as follows:

``ADDRESSES: Written comments about ACICS's compliance with the 
criteria for recognition or the ABA's compliance with the criteria for 
recognition cited in the Senior Department Official's September 22, 
2016 letter must be received by March 1, 2018, in the 
[email protected] mailbox and include the subject line `Written 
Comments: (agency name).' ''
    3. In the Federal Register notice of January 24, 2018, on page 3336 
in the

[[Page 8661]]

first column, correct the first full paragraph to read as follows:
    ``2. American Bar Association Compliance report includes the 
following: (1) Findings identified in the September 22, 2016 letter 
from the senior Department official following the June 23, 2016 NACIQI 
meeting available at: http://opeweb.ed.gov/aslweb/finalstaffreports.cfm, (2) Review under 34 CFR 602.15(a)(1), Sec.  
602.15(a)(2), Sec.  602.15(a)(3), Sec.  602.16(a)(1)(viii), and Sec.  
602.17(b).''
    4. In the Federal Register notice of January 24, 2018, on page 3336 
in the second column under the heading Submission of Written Comments 
Regarding a Specific Accrediting Agency or State Approval Agency Under 
Review, correct the fourth sentence to read as follows:
    ``Comments about an agency's recognition after review of a 
compliance report must relate to issues identified in the senior 
Department official's letter that requested the report, or in the 
Secretary's appeal decision, if any.''

    Dated: February 26, 2018.
Lynn B. Mahaffie,
Deputy Assistant Secretary for Policy, Planning, and Innovation, Office 
of Postsecondary Education.
[FR Doc. 2018-04192 Filed 2-26-18; 4:15 pm]
BILLING CODE 4000-01-P

Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 40 / Wednesday, February 28, 2018 / Notices 8661

first column, correct the first full Docket ID number or via postal mail, Opportunity Act the RSA–722 is needed
paragraph to read as follows: commercial delivery, or hand delivery. to meet specific data collection
‘‘2. American Bar Association Please note that comments submitted by requirements on the number of requests
Compliance report includes the fax or email and those submitted after for mediations, hearings, administrative
following: (1) Findings identified in the the comment period will not be reviews and other methods of dispute
September 22, 2016 letter from the accepted. Written requests for resolution requested and the manner in
senior Department official following the information or comments submitted by which they were resolved. The
June 23, 2016 NACIQI meeting available postal mail or delivery should be information collected is used to evaluate
at: http://opeweb.ed.gov/aslweb/ addressed to the Director of the the types of complaints made by
finalstaffreports.cfm, (2) Review under Information Collection Clearance applicants and eligible individuals of
34 CFR 602.15(a)(1), § 602.15(a)(2), Division, U.S. Department of Education, the vocational rehabilitation program
§ 602.15(a)(3), § 602.16(a)(1)(viii), and 400 Maryland Avenue SW, LBJ, Room and the final resolution of appeals filed.
§ 602.17(b).’’ 216–44, Washington, DC 20202–4537. Respondents are State agencies that
4. In the Federal Register notice of FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For administer the Federal/State Program
January 24, 2018, on page 3336 in the specific questions related to collection for Vocational Rehabilition.
second column under the heading activities, please contact Edward West, Dated: February 22, 2018.
Submission of Written Comments 202–245–6145. Tomakie Washington,
Regarding a Specific Accrediting SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Acting Director, Information Collection
Agency or State Approval Agency Under Department of Education (ED), in Clearance Division, Office of the Chief Privacy
Review, correct the fourth sentence to accordance with the Paperwork Officer, Office of Management.
read as follows: Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA) (44 U.S.C. [FR Doc. 2018–04008 Filed 2–27–18; 8:45 am]
‘‘Comments about an agency’s
3506(c)(2)(A)), provides the general BILLING CODE 4000–01–P
recognition after review of a compliance
public and Federal agencies with an
report must relate to issues identified in
opportunity to comment on proposed,
the senior Department official’s letter
revised, and continuing collections of DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
that requested the report, or in the
information. This helps the Department
Secretary’s appeal decision, if any.’’
assess the impact of its information Environmental Management Site-
Dated: February 26, 2018. collection requirements and minimize Specific Advisory Board, Savannah
Lynn B. Mahaffie, the public’s reporting burden. It also River Site
Deputy Assistant Secretary for Policy, helps the public understand the
Planning, and Innovation, Office of Department’s information collection AGENCY: Department of Energy.
Postsecondary Education. requirements and provide the requested ACTION: Notice of open meeting.
[FR Doc. 2018–04192 Filed 2–26–18; 4:15 pm] data in the desired format. ED is
soliciting comments on the proposed SUMMARY: This notice announces a
BILLING CODE 4000–01–P
information collection request (ICR) that meeting of the Environmental
is described below. The Department of Management Site-Specific Advisory
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION Education is especially interested in Board (EM SSAB), Savannah River Site.
public comment addressing the The Federal Advisory Committee Act
[Docket No.: ED–2017–ICCD–0158] requires that public notice of this
following issues: (1) Is this collection
necessary to the proper functions of the meeting be announced in the Federal
Agency Information Collection Register.
Activities; Submission to the Office of Department; (2) will this information be
Management and Budget for Review processed and used in a timely manner; DATES:
and Approval; Comment Request; (3) is the estimate of burden accurate; Monday, March 19, 2018—1:00 p.m.–
Annual Report on Appeals Process (4) how might the Department enhance 4:30 p.m.
RSA–722 the quality, utility, and clarity of the Tuesday, March 20, 2018—9:00 a.m.–
information to be collected; and (5) how 5:00 p.m.
AGENCY: Office of Special Education and might the Department minimize the ADDRESSES: North Augusta Municipal
Rehabilitative Services (OSERS), burden of this collection on the Building, 100 Georgia Avenue, North
Department of Education (ED). respondents, including through the use Augusta, SC 29841.
ACTION: Notice. of information technology. Please note FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
that written comments received in Susan Clizbe, Office of External Affairs,
SUMMARY: In accordance with the
response to this notice will be Department of Energy, Savannah River
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, ED is
considered public records. Operations Office, P.O. Box A, Aiken,
proposing an extension of an existing
Title of Collection: Annual Report on SC 29802; Phone: (803) 952–8281.
information collection.
Appeals Process RSA–722.
DATES: Interested persons are invited to SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
OMB Control Number: 1820–0563.
submit comments on or before March Purpose of the Board: The purpose of
Type of Review: An extension of an
30, 2018. the Board is to make recommendations
existing information collection.
ADDRESSES: To access and review all the Respondents/Affected Public: State, to DOE–EM and site management in the
documents related to the information Local, and Tribal Governments. areas of environmental restoration,
collection listed in this notice, please waste management, and related
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES

Total Estimated Number of Annual
use http://www.regulations.gov by Responses: 79. activities.
searching the Docket ID number ED– Total Estimated Number of Annual Tentative Agenda
2017–ICCD–0158. Comments submitted Burden Hours: 158.
in response to this notice should be Abstract: Pursuant to Subsection Monday, March 19, 2018
submitted electronically through the 102(c)(8)(A) and (B) of the Opening, Chair Update, and Agenda
Federal eRulemaking Portal at http:// Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended Review
www.regulations.gov by selecting the by the Workforce Innovation and Agency Updates

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Document Created: 2018-02-28 03:20:12
Document Modified: 2018-02-28 03:20:12

Category		Regulatory Information
Collection		Federal Register
sudoc Class		AE 2.7: GS 4.107: AE 2.106:
Publisher		Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
Section		Notices
Action		Call for written third-party comments; extension of comment period; correction.
Dates		Applicable February 28, 2018.
Contact		Herman Bounds, Director, Accreditation Group, Office of Postsecondary Education, U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue SW., room 270-01, Washington, DC 20202, telephone: (202) 453-7615, or email: [email protected]
FR Citation		83 FR 8660