[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 224 (Friday, November 20, 1998)] [Notices] [Pages 64464-64465] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 98-31014] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- CORPORATION FOR NATIONAL AND COMMUNITY SERVICE Proposed Information Collection: Comment Request
Agency
Corporation for National and Community Service.
Action
Notice.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Summary
The Corporation for National and Community Service (hereinafter the ``Corporation''), as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, conducts a preclearance consultation program to provide the general public and Federal agencies with an opportunity to comment on proposed and/or continuing collections of information in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA95) (44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)). This program helps to ensure that requested data can be provided in the desired format, reporting burden (time and financial resources) is minimized, collection instruments are clearly understood, and the impact of collection requirements on respondents can be properly assessed. Currently, the Corporation is soliciting comments concerning its proposed Learn and Serve America Project Description Form. This form will be used to collect information on program descriptions and participation levels in service-learning programs supported by funds from the Corporation. The information provided will be used by the Corporation to: (1) measure performance of service-learning programs as required by the Corporation's annual performance plans prepared in response to the Government Performance and Results Act of 1993; (2) improve management and administration of the Learn and Serve America program; (3) inform grantees through the National Service-Learning Clearinghouse about the plans and activities of programs funded by the Corporation. Copies of the proposed information collection form can be obtained by contacting the office listed below in the address section of this notice. The Corporation is particularly interested in comments which: • Evaluate whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the Corporation, including whether the information will have practical utility; • Evaluate the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of information, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; • Propose ways to enhance the quality, utility and clarity of the information to be collected; and • Propose ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond, including through the use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology, e.g., permitting electronic submissions of responses.
Dates
Written comments must be submitted to the office listed in the ADDRESSES section January 19, 1999.
Addresses
Send comments to Corporation for National and Community Service, Office of Learn and Serve America, Attn. Brad Lewis, 8th Floor, 1201 New York Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20525.
For Further Information Contact
Brad Lewis (202) 606-5000, ext. 113.
Supplementary Information
I. Background
The Government Performance and Results Act of 1993 requires all federal departments and agencies to prepare annual performance plans for all budget activities. These plans are to contain performance goals and indicators measuring the outcomes and impacts of federal programs. The Corporation's initial performance plan, covering fiscal 1999, contains performance goals for Learn and Serve America relating to the number of student participants and descriptions of service-learning programs. This new data collection effort will provide that information which will be reported to Congress and the public in an annual performance report beginning in March 2000. In addition, the Corporation has a commitment to support the quality improvement efforts of its grantees through monitoring, training, and technical assistance. A major part of this effort is carried out through the Learn and Serve America National Service- Learning Clearinghouse. The Clearinghouse is charged with compiling and sharing information with the Corporation's grantees and the public concerning how to plan, implement, and manage service-learning programs and activities. Furthermore, until this new information collection effort is in place, the national program office for Learn and Serve America will have no systematic means by which to compile quantitative information on grantee and sub-grantee performance for all recipients of its funding. Presently, grantees' progress reports are narrative texts with no means for storing, organizing, and aggregating the data across programs.
II. Current Action
The Corporation seeks approval of the Learn and Serve America Project Description Form. The form will ask Learn and Serve America grantees and their sub-grantees to : (1) Identify the frequency and types of student participants in service-learning programs; (2) identify the frequency and types of institutions and organizations sponsoring and collaborating with service-learning programs; (3) specify the types of services being provided to communities by students in service-learning; and (4) describe the local program operations and achievements. The information will be used to: (1) measure performance in terms set forth in the annual performance plan; (2) prepare descriptions of program activities and achievements with support from Learn and Serve America; (3) inform the Corporation, grantees, educational institutions, and the public concerning the nature, extent, and best practices in service-learning programs across the nation. Type of Review: New approval. Agency: Corporation for National and Community Service. Title: Learn and Serve America Project Description Form. OMB Number: None. Agency Number: None. Affected Public: Educators and other institutional personnel whose organizations receive grant funds from Learn and Serve America.
Total Respondents: 5,600 supervisors of Learn and Serve programs (70 percent response rate). Frequency: Annually. Average Time Per Response: 1 hour. Estimated Total Burden Hours: 5,600 hours. Total Burden Cost (capital/startup): $123,200 (5,600 respondents @ $22 each: $2 for copying, assembly, and mailing plus 1 hour per response @ $20/hour). Total Burden Cost (operating/maintenance): None. Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized and/or included in the request for Office of Management and Budget approval of the information collection request; they will also become a matter of public record.
Dated: November 16, 1998. Kenneth L. Klothen, General Counsel. [FR Doc. 98-31014 Filed 11-19-98; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6050-28-P