Notices. Notice
16,658 words·~76 min read·
/register/2007/06/11/07-2898A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.
BILLING CODE 6351-01-M 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 pre-clearance 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 requirement on respondents can be properly assessed. Currently, the Corporation is soliciting comments concerning the proposed information collection project: “Determining the Prevalence of Disability Among Current Members in the Corporation for National and Community Service AmeriCorps Programs.
” Copies of the information collection requests can be obtained by contacting the office listed in the address section of this notice. DATES: Written comments must be submitted to the individual and office listed in the ADDRESSES section by August 10, 2007. ADDRESSES: You may submit comments, identified by the title of the information collection activity, by any of the following methods:
(1)By mail sent to: Corporation for National and Community Service; Office of Leadership Development and Training, 9th Floor, Attn: Jewel Bazilio-Bellegarde, Sr. Training and Disability Inclusion Officer, 1201 New York Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20525.
(2)By hand delivery or by courier to the Corporation's mailroom at Room 8102C at the mail address given in paragraph
(1)above, between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
(3)By fax to: 202-606-3477, attn: Jewel Bazilio-Bellegarde, Sr. Training & Disability Inclusion Officer, Corporation for National and Community Service.
(4)Electronically through the Corporation's e-mail address system: *jbazilio@cns.gov.* FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jewel Bazilio-Bellegarde,
(202)606-6839, or by e-mail at *jbazilio@cns.gov.* SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Corporation is particularly interested in comments that: • 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; • Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and • Minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are expected to respond, including 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). Background The proposed project will pilot test a survey which seeks to determine the prevalence of disability among current AmeriCorps members serving in Corporation programs. By conducting this pilot test, the Corporation seeks to refine an instrument which can be used in future research to track the prevalence rate of persons with disabilities serving as members. The goals of the study are to:
(1)Test and refine a questionnaire which measures the prevalence of disability;
(2)produce statistically reliable estimates for the prevalence of disability among current members in the Corporation's three AmeriCorps programs (AmeriCorps National Civilian Conservation Corps (NCCC); AmeriCorps State and National; and AmeriCorps VISTA);
(3)produce a report for the Corporation on study methodology and findings and for peer-reviewed manuscripts, as appropriate. The project involves a survey administered under four experimental conditions, to test response rates and disability disclosure rates under different modes of survey administration. These conditions will include:
(1)Mail questionnaire only;
(2)e-mail only, with link to complete web survey;
(3)mailed letter with web option only; and
(4)both a mail questionnaire and web option provided in mailing. Data collection for this effort will be conducted in accordance with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPPA) Privacy rule with the Protection of Human Research Subjects regulations, 45 CFR part 46. In addition, data collected will only be used for the above stated purposes and identifiable data collected from individuals in the study will be kept confidential, using only aggregate level-data in products or reports. Current Action This is an application for a new data collection in support of a pilot study. The pilot study will be conducted via four experimental conditions to test the impact of mode of survey administration on both response rates and rates of disability among the Corporation's three AmeriCorps service programs. The sample will be drawn from the Corporation's master list of 74,689 current AmeriCorps members, stratified by program, to include NCCC, Americorps State and National, and VISTA. We will draw a sample of 2,400 members, with an anticipated response rate of 80 percent across all four experimental conditions. Participation in the survey will be voluntary and there will be no monetary incentives provided for participants. The quantitative data collected through the questionnaire will gather information about members' disability status as it pertains to: learning disabilities; ADD/ADHD; developmental disabilities, cognitive limitations; sensory; mobility; disabling chronic health conditions; psychiatric/mental health; communications; substance abuse; traumatic brain injury; short stature/little person; and perceptions of disability from self or others. The categorical response options will be used to analyze these data and determine how many respondents report a disability of any kind, by service program. *Type of Review:* New Information Collection. *Agency:* Corporation for National and Community Service. *Title:* Determining the Prevalence of Disability Among Current Members in the Corporation for National and Community Service AmeriCorps Programs. *OMB Number:* Not yet available—application being submitted. *Agency Number:* None. *Affected Public:* Members in AmeriCorps NCCC, AmeriCorps State and National, and AmeriCorps Vista. *Total Respondents:* 2400. *Frequency:* One time. *Average Time per Response:* Averages 8 minutes. *Estimated Total Burden Hours:* 320 hours. *Total Burden Cost (capital/startup):* None. *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: June 1, 2007. Gretchen Van der Veer, Director, Office of Leadership Development and Training. [FR Doc. E7-11149 Filed 6-8-07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6050-$$-P DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION Notice of Proposed Information Collection Requests AGENCY: Department of Education SUMMARY: The IC Clearance Official, Regulatory Information Management Services, Office of Management, invites comments on the proposed information collection requests as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. DATES: Interested persons are invited to submit comments on or before August 10, 2007. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Section 3506 of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35) requires that the Office of Management and Budget
(OMB)provide interested Federal agencies and the public an early opportunity to comment on information collection requests. OMB may amend or waive the requirement for public consultation to the extent that public participation in the approval process would defeat the purpose of the information collection, violate State or Federal law, or substantially interfere with any agency's ability to perform its statutory obligations. The IC Clearance Official, Regulatory Information Management Services, Office of Management, publishes that notice containing proposed information collection requests prior to submission of these requests to OMB. Each proposed information collection, grouped by office, contains the following:
(1)Type of review requested, *e.g.* new, revision, extension, existing or reinstatement;
(2)Title;
(3)Summary of the collection;
(4)Description of the need for, and proposed use of, the information;
(5)Respondents and frequency of collection; and
(6)Reporting and/or Recordkeeping burden. OMB invites public comment. The Department of Education is especially interested in public comment addressing the following issues:
(1)Is this collection necessary to the proper functions of the Department;
(2)will this information be processed and used in a timely manner;
(3)is the estimate of burden accurate;
(4)how might the Department enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and
(5)how might the Department minimize the burden of this collection on the respondents, including through the use of information technology. Dated: June 5, 2007. Angela C. Arrington, IC Clearance Official, Regulatory Information Management Services, Office of Management. Office of Elementary and Secondary Education *Type of Review:* New. *Title:* High School Equivalency Program
(HEP)Annual Performance Report. *Frequency:* Annually. *Affected Public:* Not-for-profit institutions; State, Local, or Tribal Gov't, SEAs or LEAs. *Reporting and Recordkeeping Hour Burden:* Responses: 61. Burden Hours: 2,440. *Abstract:* For the Migrant HEP Program, a customized Annual Performance Report
(APR)that goes beyond the generic 524B is requested to facilitate the collection of more standardized and comprehensive data to inform Government Performance and Results Act (GPRA), to improve the overall quality of data collected, and to increase the quality and quantity of data that can be used to inform policy decisions. Requests for copies of the proposed information collection request may be accessed from *http://edicsweb.ed.gov,* by selecting the “Browse Pending Collections” link and by clicking on link number 3379. When you access the information collection, click on “Download Attachments” to view. Written requests for information should be addressed to U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW., Potomac Center, 9th Floor, Washington, DC 20202-4700. Requests may also be electronically mailed to *ICDocketMgr@ed.gov* or faxed to 202-245-6623. Please specify the complete title of the information collection when making your request. Comments regarding burden and/or the collection activity requirements should be electronically mailed to *ICDocketMgr@ed.gov.* Individuals who use a telecommunications device for the deaf
(TDD)may call the Federal Information Relay Service
(FIRS)at 1-800-877-8339. [FR Doc. E7-11155 Filed 6-8-07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4000-01-P DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION Elementary and Secondary Education Act; Implementation; Single-Sex Classes and Schools; Guidelines AGENCY: Office for Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Education. ACTION: Notice. SUMMARY: The Secretary of Education gives notice that “Guidelines on current title IX requirements related to single-sex classes and schools,” published in the **Federal Register** on May 8, 2002 (67 FR 31102), for use by State educational agencies
(SEAs)and local educational agencies
(LEAs)in certain applications for Innovative Programs funds, is withdrawn. The Secretary also gives notice that the new final regulations implementing Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (Title IX), which prohibits sex discrimination in federally assisted education programs and activities, published in the **Federal Register** on October 25, 2006 (71 FR 62530), which expand flexibility for recipients to provide single-sex classes and schools and include a preamble explaining the requirements of these new regulations, are deemed guidelines on Title IX requirements for single-sex classes and schools for the purposes of the requirements of 20 U.S.C. 7215(c) and 20 U.S.C. 7215b(b)(9) with respect to applications for Innovative Programs funds to support single-sex classes and schools. DATES: This notice is effective June 11, 2007. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sandra G. Battle, U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW., room 6125, Potomac Center Plaza, Washington, DC 20202-1100. Telephone:
(202)245-6767. If you use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD), you may call 1-877-521-2172. For additional copies of this document, you may call the Customer Service Team for the Office for Civil Rights
(OCR)at
(202)245-6800 or 1-800-421-3481. Individuals with disabilities may obtain this document in an alternative format (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, or computer diskette) on request to the contact person listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT . SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 (NCLB Act) permits LEAs to use Innovative Programs funds to support, among other things, single-sex schools and classes consistent with applicable law. 20 U.S.C. 7215(a)(23). In this regard the NCLB Act required the Secretary of Education (Secretary) to issue guidelines for LEAs regarding the applicable law on single-sex classes and schools. 20 U.S.C. 7215(c). The NCLB Act provides that LEAs may submit applications for Innovative Programs funds and receive allocations of funds in connection with applications that are certified by the SEA pursuant to NCLB Act requirements. 20 U.S.C. 7215b(a). Among the requirements applicable to SEA certification of LEA applications for Innovative Programs funds is that LEA applications that seek funds for the purpose of supporting single-sex classes and schools contain a description of how the LEA will comply with the guidelines issued by the Secretary on the law applicable to single-sex classes and schools. 20 U.S.C. 7215b(b)(9). On May 8, 2002, in fulfillment of the NCLB Act requirement, the Secretary issued “Guidelines on current title IX requirements related to single-sex classes and schools” (2002 Guidelines). (67 FR 31102). The 2002 Guidelines described certain provisions of Title IX, 20 U.S.C. 1681 *et seq.* , and the Department of Education's (Department) regulations implementing Title IX, 34 CFR part 106, that provide requirements pertaining to nondiscrimination on the basis of sex in single-sex classes and schools in education programs and activities that receive financial assistance from the Department. 1 The 2002 Guidelines focused in major part on 34 CFR 106.34 and 106.35, which provide specific requirements for single-sex classes and schools. 2 On October 25, 2006, the Department published final regulations, which amended 34 CFR 106.34 and 106.35 regarding requirements applicable to single-sex classes, extracurricular activities, and schools. (71 FR 62530). The new regulations took effect on November 24, 2006. 1 Also on May 8, 2002, the Department published a notice of intent to regulate, stating the Department's intent to amend the Title IX regulations to provide more flexibility for single-sex classes and schools at the elementary and secondary education levels and inviting comments from the public. (67 FR 31097). On March 9, 2004, the Department published proposed regulations that proposed to amend 34 CFR 106.34 and 106.35 to provide more flexibility for single-sex classes and schools at the elementary and secondary education levels. (69 FR 11276). 2 The 2002 Guidelines also explained the requirements of 34 CFR 106.3 relative to single-sex classes and schools and 34 CFR 106.15(d) relative to single-sex nonvocational elementary and secondary schools, as well as certain statutory provisions relative to single-sex education. These other regulations were not amended, and this notice does not affect them or the Department's interpretation of them. The new regulations made substantive and technical changes to 34 CFR 106.34 and 106.35. Consequently, the 2002 Guidelines describe former requirements for single-sex classes and schools that have been superseded, in part, by new requirements. In addition, the final regulations published on October 25, 2006 in the **Federal Register** included a preamble explaining the requirements of 34 CFR 106.34 and 106.35. The Department has determined that issuance of a revision of the 2002 Guidelines would be repetitive of the more comprehensive information provided in the 2006 **Federal Register** document. Accordingly, the Department has determined that it would be preferable to withdraw the 2002 Guidelines and to rely on the final regulations published in the **Federal Register** on October 25, 2006 (71 FR 62530), which include a preamble explaining the requirements of the new regulations, 34 CFR 106.34 and 106.35, as guidelines on the current requirements of the Title IX regulations on single-sex classes and schools for the purpose of satisfaction of the NCLB Act requirement that the Secretary provide guidelines on applicable law. Accordingly, by this notice, the Department withdraws the 2002 Guidelines. Electronic Access to This Document You may review this document, as well as all other documents of this Department published in the **Federal Register** , in text or Adobe Portable Document
(PDF)on the Internet at the following site: *http://www.ed.gov/news/fedregister.* To use PDF you must have Adobe Acrobat Reader, which is available free at this site. If you have questions about using PDF, call the U.S. Government Printing Office (GPO), toll free, at 1-888-293-6498; or in the Washington, DC area at
(202)512-1530. This notice also is available on OCR's Web site at: *http://www.ed.gov/ocr.* Note: 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 on GPO Access at: *http://www.gpoaccess.gov/nara/index.html.* Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1681, 1682. Dated: June 5, 2007. Margaret Spellings, Secretary of Education. [FR Doc. E7-11253 Filed 6-8-07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4000-01-P DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION Office of Vocational and Adult Education; Overview Information; National Research Center for Career and Technical Education; Notice Inviting Applications for a New Award for Fiscal Year
(FY)2006 Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance
(CFDA)Number: 84.051A *Dates:* *Applications Available:* June 11, 2007. *Deadline for Transmittal of Applications:* August 10, 2007. Full Text of Announcement I. Funding Opportunity Description *Purpose of Program:* Section 114(d)(4) of the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006
(Act)authorizes the Secretary, after consulting with the States, to establish a national research center (Center) to carry out scientifically based research and evaluation, and to conduct dissemination and training activities consistent with the purposes of the Act. Further, section 114(d)(5) of the Act authorizes the Secretary to provide technical assistance, upon request of a State, for the purpose of developing, improving, and identifying the most successful methods and techniques for providing career and technical education programs assisted under the Act. Under the authority of section 114(d)(5), the Secretary will provide technical assistance to States through the Center. Background Information The Act, a reauthorization of the Carl D. Perkins Vocational and Technical Education Act of 1998 (Perkins III), continues the commitment to high-quality career and technical education embodied in Perkins III. The Act continues the previous legislation's focus on developing challenging academic and technical standards and assisting students in meeting such standards, including through preparation for high-skill, high-wage, or high-demand occupations in current or emerging professions and in nontraditional fields. The Act is aligned with the principles of the Elementary Secondary Education Act of 1965, as amended (20 U.S.C. 6301 *et seq.* )
(ESEA)in that it promotes the development of services and activities that integrate rigorous and challenging academic course work with career and technical education so that all students can be prepared for postsecondary education and careers. Consultation Process Pursuant to section 114(d)(4) of the Act, which requires the Secretary to consult with States before establishing a Center, we used several strategies to conduct consultations and provided a number of opportunities for States and other interested parties to give suggestions regarding the Center. For example, the Department—
(a)Used e-mail to solicit suggestions from State Directors of career and technical education and representatives of professional organizations and associations;
(b)Posted on the Department's Web site an invitation for the public to provide suggestions on what the Department needs to consider when establishing a Center;
(c)Invited State Directors, during the September 2006 Conference of the National Association of State Directors of Career and Technical Education Consortium, to send the Department suggestions on how the Center could best serve their needs; and
(d)Held a meeting with State Directors of career and technical education, representatives of career and technical education professional organizations and associations, and members of the higher education community to discuss their research, evaluation, and technical assistance needs and to request suggestions on how the Center could best serve their respective needs. We appreciate the time that various interested parties took to provide us with suggestions. We carefully considered the suggestions we received as we determined the focus and activities of the Center as described in this notice. Required Project Activities Through this competition, the Secretary will award a cooperative agreement to establish a national research center for career and technical education that implements sections 114(d)(4) and
(5)of the Act to—
(a)Carry out scientifically based research and evaluation for the purpose of developing, improving, and identifying the most successful methods for addressing the education, employment, and training needs of participants, including special populations, in career and technical education programs, including research and evaluation in activities such as—
(1)The integration of—
(i)Career and technical instruction; and
(ii)Academic, secondary, and postsecondary instruction;
(2)Education technology and distance learning approaches and strategies that are effective with respect to career and technical education;
(3)State-adjusted levels of performance and State levels of performance that serve to improve career and technical education programs and student achievement;
(4)Academic knowledge and career and technical skills required for employment or participation in postsecondary education; and
(5)Preparation for occupations in high-skill, high-wage, or high-demand business and industry, including examination of—
(i)Collaboration between career and technical education programs and business and industry; and
(ii)Academic and technical skills required for a regional or sectoral workforce, including small businesses (20 U.S.C. 2324(d)(4)(A)(i));
(b)Carry out scientifically based research and evaluation to increase the effectiveness and improve the implementation of career and technical education programs that are integrated with coherent and rigorous content aligned with challenging academic standards, including by conducting research and development, and studies, that provide longitudinal information or formative evaluation with respect to career and technical education programs and student achievement (20 U.S.C. 2324(d)(4)(A)(ii));
(c)Carry out scientifically based research and evaluation that can be used to improve the preparation and professional development of teachers, faculty, and administrators, and to improve student learning in the career and technical education classroom including—
(1)Effective in-service and preservice teacher and faculty education that assists career and technical education programs in—
(i)Integrating those programs with academic content standards and student academic achievement standards, as adopted by States under section 1111(b)(1) of the ESEA; and
(ii)Coordinating career and technical education with industry-recognized certification requirements;
(2)Dissemination and training activities related to the applied research and demonstration activities described in this section of the notice, which may also include serving as a repository for information on career and technical skills, State academic standards, and related materials; and
(3)The recruitment and retention of career and technical education teachers, faculty, counselors, and administrators, including individuals in groups underrepresented in the teaching profession (20 U.S.C. 2324(d)(4)(A)(iii));
(d)Carry out such other research and evaluation, consistent with the purposes of the Act, as the Secretary determines appropriate to assist State and local recipients of funds under the Act (20 U.S.C. 2324(d)(4)(A)(iv));
(e)Conduct dissemination and training activities based upon the research performed by the Center and described in this notice (20 U.S.C. 2324(d)(4)(C)), including—
(1)Developing, for dissemination, information on promising or best practices for enhancing student achievement and performance that are based on scientifically based research, conducted by the Center and others, and that are geared to administrators, teachers, counselors, and policymakers; and
(2)Disseminating information on best practices for the purposes of developing, improving, and identifying the most successful methods and techniques for providing career and technical education programs assisted under the Act (20 U.S.C. 2324(d)(5)); and
(f)Provide technical assistance upon request of a State for the purpose of developing, improving, and identifying the most successful methods and techniques for providing career and technical education programs assisted under the Act (20 U.S.C. 2324(d)(5)). *Cooperative Agreement, Program Requirements, Application Requirements, Priorities and Definitions Cooperative Agreement:* The Secretary plans to make an award to the Center under the terms of a cooperative agreement. The Secretary expects to have substantial involvement with the grantee during the performance of the funded project. Substantial involvement on the part of the Department includes:
(a)Direct operational involvement in the review and approval of project activities.
(b)Continuing and regular participation in the project.
(c)Halting an activity immediately if detailed performance specifications or requirements are not met.
(d)Reviewing and approving one stage of work before the Center can begin a subsequent stage during the project period.
(e)Collaborating or participating jointly with the Center in the assisted activities. *Program Requirements:* To ensure the high quality of the Center and the accomplishment of the goals and purposes of sections 114(d)(4) and
(5)of the Act, the Secretary establishes the following requirements for this competition:
(a)*Center Director.* The grantee institution must appoint a full-time Director for the Center.
(b)*Advisory Committee.*
(1)The grantee institution must establish an advisory committee to provide the Center with advice and a diversity of perspectives on the—
(i)Research, evaluation, and technical assistance needs of the career and technical education community;
(ii)Center's scientifically based research;
(iii)Center's dissemination activities;
(iv)Center's technical assistance activities; and
(v)Other activities undertaken and materials published by the Center, in carrying out the purposes of the Act.
(2)Each applicant must budget for, and include in its application, preliminary plans for an advisory committee. The preliminary plans must describe the composition of the advisory committee, including the affiliations, professional qualifications, and proposed length of service of potential advisory committee members.
(3)After the cooperative agreement is awarded, the Center must provide, for the Department's approval, a detailed plan for the advisory committee, including reasonable assurances that persons identified as members will serve in the capacity stated in the detailed plan.
(c)*Project meetings.* The applicant must plan and budget for—
(1)The Center Director to attend a two-day meeting in Washington, DC at least once a year, for each year of the project to review performance and discuss the Center's plans for scientifically based research, evaluation, dissemination, professional development and technical assistance;
(2)The Center Director and other key staff to attend the following:
(i)A two-day post-award conference with program officials in Washington, DC that will be held within 30 days after the date of the grant award notice. The purpose of this conference will be to—
(A)Review and discuss the terms of the cooperative agreement between the Center and the Department;
(B)Review and discuss the applicant's plans for the scientifically based research, evaluation, dissemination, professional development, and technical assistance to be carried out by the Center over the five years of the project period;
(C)Discuss and establish how the grantee institution, the Center and the Department will work together as partners, under the terms of the cooperative agreement, to accomplish the purposes of the grant award; and
(D)Establish specific lines of communication and feedback between the Center and the Department.
(ii)A one-day annual performance review with program officials in Washington, DC at the end of each project year.
(d)*Alignment and Consultation.*
(1)To the extent possible, the Center must align its professional development activities with those professional development activities carried out—
(i)By “eligible agencies” and “eligible recipients,” as those terms are defined in sections 3(12) and 3(14) of the Act (20 U.S.C. 2302(12) and (14)); and
(ii)Under the ESEA and the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001 *et seq.* ).
(2)In order to exchange information, avoid duplication of effort, pool resources, and improve the overall effectiveness of the Center's activities, the Center must, to the extent possible, consult with the sponsors of activities that are similar or related to its activities, especially activities of the Department's Policy and Program Studies Service (the lead office for the National Assessment of Career and Technical Education), Office of Elementary and Secondary Education, Office of Postsecondary Education, Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services, Comprehensive Centers (particularly the National High School Center), National Research and Development Centers, and Regional Educational Labs. In addition, the Center must consult with the National Science Foundation; national career and technical education professional associations or organizations; and other similar or related agencies, organizations, associations, and activities.
(e)*Publications.* The Center must establish an effective quality control process for all publications resulting from or used in the Center's research, dissemination, technical assistance, and professional development activities.
(f)*Evaluation and GPRA Measures.*
(1)The applicant must budget for and include preliminary plans in the application for an independent evaluator to—
(i)Conduct an ongoing evaluation of the Center's effectiveness; and
(ii)Annually measure and report on the GPRA measures identified in the *Performance Measures* section of this notice.
(2)The preliminary plans must describe—
(i)The methods of evaluation to be used to measure the effectiveness of the Center; and
(ii)With regard to the GPRA measures,
(A)the composition of the expert panels that the Center's evaluator will use to assess the Center's performance under paragraphs
(a)and
(b)of the *Performance Measures* section of this notice, including the affiliations and professional qualifications of panel members;
(B)how the Center plans to ensure the objectivity of the expert panels; and
(C)the procedures the Center will use, as required by paragraphs
(c)and
(d)of the *Performance Measures* section of this notice, to assess the usefulness and quality of the technical assistance services and professional development activities the Center provides.
(3)After the cooperative agreement is awarded, the Center must provide, for the Department's approval, a detailed plan for conducting the evaluation and measuring and reporting on the GPRA measures.
(4)The results of the evaluation must be submitted to the Secretary in an interim evaluation report during the third year of the project and in a final evaluation report during the fifth year of the project.
(5)The results of the evaluation must be used to provide feedback for continuous improvement in the operation of the Center.
(6)In determining the overall effectiveness of the Center, the evaluation must take into account the Center's performance on the Government Performance and Results Act of 1993
(GPRA)measures of effectiveness identified in the *Performance Measures* section of this notice.
(g)*Contingency Plan.* During the final year of the five-year project period, the Center must develop and be prepared to implement a contingency plan for completing all substantive work by the end of the eleventh month of the final project year and transferring all the products, data, services, materials, and research studies to a successor Center during the twelfth month of the final project year. *Application Requirements:* Applicants must plan for a 10-month project period for the first year of the project to enable the Center to establish a July-to-June project period for the second through the fifth year of the project and to align the Center's activities with the academic year. Applicants must include, in addition to the items identified in paragraphs (b)(2), (c), and
(f)of the * Program Requirements * , the following in their applications—
(a)*Research Plan.* A plan that describes the strategies and approaches the applicant intends to use to carry out the scientifically based research and evaluation activities described in section 114(d)(4) of the Act and in the *Required Project Activities* section of this notice. The plan must be a focused program of scientifically based research that consists of a set of tightly linked studies that build on each other;
(1)In the research plan, applicants must include—
(i)Research studies that are fully consistent with the standards in the definition of the term “scientifically based research,” contained in section 3(25) of the Act and in the *Definitions* section of this notice.
(ii)Significant research studies that focus on the improvement of teaching and student outcomes.
(iii)Research strands, that is, thematic research areas, including the specific research studies for each strand or area for the first two years of the project period, on which the applicant plans to focus during the five years of the project. The proposed studies—
(A)Must represent a balance of secondary and postsecondary studies; and
(B)Can be a mix of short-term and longitudinal research studies.
(iv)Individual research proposals for studies the applicant intends to initiate during the first two years of the project period. These research proposals must provide a critical review (i.e., a discussion of the strengths and weaknesses of studies that are reviewed) of the relevant literature, the theoretical rationale, clear and specific research questions, and a description of the methods and procedures, along with any instrumentation, that will be used. If a proposed research study builds on one or more existing studies, the applicant must include enough information for the Secretary to assess whether—
(A)The study was well-designed and implemented, and addressed research questions of practical and policy importance; and
(B)Scientifically based research standards were followed.
(v)Areas where further research is most likely to identify highly effective approaches, methods, programs, models, or strategies.
(2)The application must also include information that demonstrates the applicant's performance history in scientifically based research. As evidence of the applicant's performance history, an applicant must provide in the application the full study reports on two scientifically based research studies led by key project research personnel. The study reports must include enough information for the Secretary to be able to assess whether the studies were well-designed and implemented, and addressed research questions of practical and policy importance.
(b)*Dissemination Activities Plan.* A plan that describes the strategies and approaches the applicant intends to use to carry out efficiently and effectively the dissemination activities described in the *Required Project Activities* section of this notice, including:
(1)A description of the procedures and methodologies (e.g., expert panels) the applicant intends to use to identify instructional approaches, methods, programs, models, or strategies in career and technical education and related areas that are supported by the strongest evidence of a meaningful, sustained effect on career and technical education participants' education and employment outcomes. Note: Applicants are encouraged to refer to:
(1)*How to evaluate whether an intervention is backed by “strong” evidence of effectiveness* on the Internet at *http://ies.ed.gov/ncee/pubs/evidence_based/evaluation.asp* and
(2)*Identifying and Implementing Educational Practices Supported By Rigorous Evidence: A User Friendly Guide* on the Internet at *http://www.ed.gov/print/rschstat/pubs/rigorousevid/guide.html.*
(2)Strategies and approaches for disseminating to the career and technical education community ( *e.g.* , administrators, teachers, counselors, and policy-makers) the findings, results, and reports from the Center's research activities in order to increase the knowledge base of programs and models proven effective in scientifically based research.
(3)Strategies and approaches for identifying and disseminating to the career and technical education community information from other sources of relevant research in order to increase the knowledge base of career and technical education programs and models that have been proven effective in scientifically based research.
(c)*Technical Assistance Plan.* A plan that describes the strategies and approaches the applicant will use to carry out the technical assistance activities described in the *Required Project Activities* section of this notice in the most cost-effective and efficient manner, including a description of how the Center will—
(1)Respond to a need identified by a State, including how the Center will coordinate with a State on providing the State with appropriate technical assistance;
(2)Provide activities intended to reach a large number or proportion of career and technical education programs, teachers, and administrators in a State;
(3)Assist a State in implementing, identifying, or improving State levels of performance that improve career and technical education programs and student achievement;
(4)Assist a State to improve the data quality of its State accountability systems, including the:
(i)Processes that strengthen the reliability, validity, and integrity of data collection and analysis.
(ii)Accessibility of appropriate and timely data.
(iii)Accuracy of descriptions of performance.
(iv)Collection processes that yield unbiased, unprejudiced, and impartial data results.
(v)Presentation of the data so that the data clearly provide an accurate assessment of performance; and
(5)Provide State and local educational agencies, educators, and other program providers with technical assistance in replicating instructional approaches, methods, programs, models, or strategies shown to be effective using scientifically based research.
(d)*Professional Development Plan.* A plan that describes the strategies and approaches the applicant will use to carry out the professional development activities described in the *Required Project Activities* section of this notice in the most cost-effective and efficient manner, including strategies and approaches that—
(1)Provide high-quality professional development that will improve and increase instructional personnel's knowledge, skills, and ability to help students meet challenging and rigorous academic and career and technical skill proficiencies;
(2)Will advance instructional personnel's understanding of effective instructional strategies that are supported by scientifically based research; and
(3)Are sustained, intensive, and classroom-focused. *Priorities:* We are establishing these priorities for the FY 2006 grant competition and any subsequent year in which we make awards from the list of unfunded applicants from this competition, in accordance with section 437(d)(1) of the General Education Provisions Act (GEPA), 20 U.S.C. 1232(d)(1). *Competitive Preference Priorities:* These priorities are competitive preference priorities. Under 34 CFR 75.105(c)(2)(i), we award each application up to an additional 70 points (from 5 to 15 points for each priority, as indicated) depending on how well the application meets one or more of these priorities. The points awarded are in addition to any points the application earns under the selection criteria for this competition, provided elsewhere in this notice. These priorities are:
(a)*Technical Assistance Priorities* 1. *Use of Technical Skills Assessments Priority:* We award up to 5 points to an application that proposes to—
(i)Inform States of the availability of valid and reliable technical skills assessments; and
(ii)Assist States in selecting appropriate, valid, and reliable technical skills assessments. 2. *Enhancing Student Academic and Technical Skills Achievement and Performance Priority:* We award up to 15 points to an application that proposes to provide educational agencies, educators, and other program providers with technical assistance on replicating current promising or best practices in instructional approaches, methods, programs, models, or strategies, including approaches, methods, programs, models, or strategies that are accepted by the field as effective for the purpose of enhancing student academic and technical skills achievement and performance, including the academic and technical skills achievement and performance of students preparing for employment in nontraditional fields, and those that have been shown to be effective using scientifically based research.
(b)*Scientifically Based Research Priorities* 1. *Use of Technical Skills Assessments Priority:* We award up to 10 points to an application that proposes—
(i)Activities that investigate the—
(A)Availability, at the national, State, and local levels, of valid and reliable technical skills assessments that are aligned with industry-recognized standards; and
(B)Extent to which States and local eligible recipients use valid and reliable technical skills assessments that are aligned with industry-recognized standards, to measure the attainment of technical skills proficiencies by career and technical education students; and
(ii)Activities that encourage the development of valid and reliable technical skills assessments that are aligned with industry-recognized standards in technical skills areas where none previously existed. 2. *Student Outcomes Priority:* We award up to 15 points to an application that proposes studies that will examine programs and practices designed to improve student outcomes in career and technical education. 3. *Academic Achievement Priority:* We award up to 15 points to an application that proposes studies that investigate and validate whether curricula that integrate coherent and rigorous content that is aligned with challenging academic standards (e.g., at the secondary level, reading and language arts, mathematics, and science) and challenging career and technical skill proficiencies results in improvements in the academic achievement of students, including special populations, enrolled in career and technical education programs. 4. *Programs of Study Priority:* We award up to 10 points to an application that proposes activities that—
(i)Promote improvements in career and technical education programs of study (i.e., implementing career and technical education programs that
(A)incorporate secondary education and postsecondary elements,
(B)include coherent and rigorous content aligned with challenging academic standards and relevant career and technical content in a coordinated, non-duplicative progression of courses that align secondary education with postsecondary education to adequately prepare students to succeed in postsecondary education,
(C)may include the opportunity for secondary education students to participate in dual or concurrent enrollment programs or other ways to acquire postsecondary education credits, and
(D)lead to an industry-recognized credential or certificate at the postsecondary level, or an associate or baccalaureate degree); and
(ii)Encourage States to adopt these improvements in career and technical education programs of study statewide in programs operated by eligible recipients and postsecondary institutions. *Definitions:* *Career and technical education* means organized educational activities that—
(a)Offer a sequence of courses that—
(1)Provides individuals with coherent and rigorous content aligned with challenging academic standards and relevant technical knowledge and skills needed to prepare for further education and careers in current or emerging professions;
(2)Provides technical skills proficiency, an industry-recognized credential, a certificate, or an associate degree; and
(3)May include prerequisite courses (other than remedial courses) that meet the requirements of this definition; and
(b)Include competency-based applied learning that contributes to the academic knowledge, higher-order reasoning and problem-solving skills, work attitudes, general employability skills, technical skills, and occupation-specific skills, and knowledge of all aspects of an industry, including entrepreneurship, of an individual. (20 U.S.C. 2302(5)) *Coherent sequence of courses* means a series of courses in which career and academic education is integrated, and that directly relates to, and leads to, both academic and occupational competencies. The term includes competency-based education and academic education, and adult training or retraining, including sequential units encompassed within a single adult retraining course that otherwise meet the requirements of this definition. *Institution of higher education* means—
(a)An educational institution in any State that—
(1)Admits, as regular students, only persons having a certificate of graduation from a school providing secondary education or the recognized equivalent of such a certificate;
(2)Is legally authorized within such State to provide a program of education beyond secondary education;
(3)Provides an educational program for which the institution awards a bachelor's degree or provides not less than a two-year program that is acceptable for full credit toward such a degree;
(4)Is a public or other nonprofit institution; and
(5)Is accredited by a nationally recognized accrediting agency or association or, if not so accredited, is an institution that has been granted preaccreditation status by such an agency or association that has been recognized by the Secretary of Education for the granting of preaccreditation status, and the Secretary of Education has determined that there is satisfactory assurance that the institution will meet the accreditation standards of such an agency or association within a reasonable time.
(b)The term also includes—
(1)Any school that provides not less than a one-year program of training to prepare students for gainful employment in a recognized occupation and that meets the provisions of paragraphs (a)(1), (2),
(4)and
(5)of this definition.
(2)A public or nonprofit private educational institution in any State that, in lieu of the requirement in paragraph (a)(1) of this definition, admits as regular students, persons who are beyond the age of compulsory school attendance in the State in which the institution is located. (20 U.S.C. 1001 and 2302(18)) *Scientifically based research* means research that is carried out using scientifically based research standards, as defined in section 102 of the Education Sciences Reform Act of 2002 (20 U.S.C. 9501). (20 U.S.C. 2302(25)) *Scientifically based research standards* means research standards that—
(a)Apply rigorous, systematic, and objective methodology to obtain reliable and valid knowledge relevant to education activities and programs; and
(b)Present findings and make claims that are appropriate to, and supported by, the methods that have been employed. The term includes, appropriate to the research being conducted—
(a)Employing systematic, empirical methods that draw on observation or experiment;
(b)Involving data analyses that are adequate to support the general findings;
(c)Relying on measurements or observational methods that provide reliable data;
(d)Making claims of causal relationships only in random assignment experiments or other designs (to the extent such designs substantially eliminate plausible competing explanations for the obtained results);
(e)Ensuring that studies and methods are presented in sufficient detail and clarity to allow for replication or, at a minimum, to offer the opportunity to build systematically on the findings of the research;
(f)Obtaining acceptance by a peer-reviewed journal or approval by a panel of independent experts through a comparably rigorous, objective, and scientific review; and
(g)Using research designs and methods appropriate to the research question posed. (20 U.S.C. 2302(25) and 9501(18)) *Special populations* means—
(a)Individuals with disabilities;
(b)Individuals from economically disadvantaged families, including foster children;
(c)Individuals preparing for nontraditional training fields;
(d)Single parents, including single pregnant women;
(e)Displaced homemakers; and
(f)Individuals with limited English proficiency. (20 U.S.C. 2302(29)) Note: Definitions of the terms “nonprofit,” “private,” and “public” are in 34 CFR 77.1. Applicants are encouraged to review all applicable definitions in section 3 of the Act. *Waiver of Proposed Rulemaking:* Under the Administrative Procedure Act (5 U.S.C. 553), the Department generally offers interested parties the opportunity to comment on proposed non-statutory requirements, definitions, and selection criteria. Section 437(d)(1) of GEPA, however, allows the Secretary to exempt from rulemaking requirements, non-statutory requirements, definitions, and selection criteria governing the first grant competition under a new or substantially revised program authority. This is the first grant competition for this program under section 114(d)(4) and
(5)of the Act and, therefore, qualifies for this exemption. In order to ensure timely grant awards, the Secretary has decided to forgo public comment on the non-statutory requirements, definitions, and selection criteria under the authority of section 437(d)(1) of GEPA. These non-statutory requirements, definitions, and selection criteria will apply to the FY 2006 competition only. *Program Authority:* 20 U.S.C. 2324(d)(4) and (5). *Applicable Regulations:* The Education Department General Administrative Regulations (EDGAR) in 34 CFR parts 74, 75, 77, 80, 81, 82, 84, 85, 86, 97, 98, and 99. Note: The regulations in 34 CFR part 86 apply to institutions of higher education only. II. Award Information *Type of Award:* Cooperative agreement. *Estimated Available Funds:* $2,200,000 for the first 10 months of the project, and $4,500,000 for funding 12-month project periods for each successive 12-month budget period for years two through five. Continuation of funding for the Center is subject to the availability of funds and to the grantee meeting the requirements of 34 CFR 75.253. FY 2006 funds will be used for new awards under this competition. *Estimated Number of Awards:* 1. Note: The Department is not bound by any estimates in this notice. *Project Period:* Up to 60 months. III. Eligibility Information *1. Eligible Applicants:* The following entities are eligible to apply under this competition:
(a)Institutions of higher education.
(b)Public or private nonprofit organizations or agencies. ( *See* 34 CFR 75.51, “How to prove nonprofit status.”)
(c)A consortium of institutions of higher education, or of public or private nonprofit organizations or agencies. Eligible applicants seeking to apply for funds as a consortium must comply with the regulations in 34 CFR 75.127-75.129, which address group applications. 2. *Cost Sharing and Matching.* This competition does not require cost sharing or matching. IV. Application and Submission Information 1. *Address to Request Application Package:* Dr. Ricardo Hernandez, U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW., room 11137, Potomac Center Plaza, Washington, DC 20202-7241. *Telephone:*
(202)245-7818. Or *Fax:*
(202)245-7837 or *e-mail: Ricardo.Hernandez@ed.gov.* If you use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD), call the Federal Relay Service (FRS), toll free, at 1-800-877-8339. Individuals with disabilities may obtain a copy of the application package in an alternate format (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, or computer diskette) by contacting the person listed under *Alternative Format* in section VIII of this notice in this section. 2. *Content and Form of Application Submission:* Requirements concerning the content of the application, together with the forms you must submit, are in the application package for this competition. *Page Limit:* The application narrative is where you, the applicant, address the selection criteria that reviewers use to evaluate your application. There is no page limit for the application narrative; however, you must use the following standards: • A “page” is 8.5″ × 11″;, on one side only, with 1″ margins at the top, bottom, and both sides. • Double space (no more than three lines per vertical inch) all text in the application narrative, including titles, headings, footnotes, quotations, references, and captions, as well as all text in charts, tables, figures and graphs. • Use a font that is either 12 point or larger or not smaller than 10 pitch (characters per inch). 3. *Submission Dates and Times:* *Applications Available:* June 11, 2007. *Deadline for Transmittal of Applications:* August 10, 2007. Applications for grants under this program may be submitted electronically using the Grants.gov Apply site (Grants.gov), or in paper format by mail or hand delivery. For information (including dates and times) about how to submit your application electronically, or in paper format by mail or hand delivery, please refer to section IV. 6. *Other Submission Requirements* in this notice. We do not consider an application that does not comply with the deadline requirements. Individuals with disabilities who need an accommodation or auxiliary aid in connection with the application process should contact the person listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT in section VII in this notice. If the Department provides an accommodation or auxiliary aid to an individual with a disability in connection with the application process, the individual's application remains subject to all other requirements and limitations in this notice. 4. *Intergovernmental Review:* This program is not subject to Executive Order 12372 and the regulations in 34 CFR part 79. 5. *Funding Restrictions:* We reference regulations outlining funding restriction in the *Applicable Regulations* section of this notice. 6. *Other Submission Requirements:* Applications for grants under this competition may be submitted electronically or in paper format by mail or hand delivery. a. *Electronic Submission of Applications.* To comply with the President's Management Agenda, we are participating as a partner in the Governmentwide Grants.gov Apply site. The National Research Center for Career and Technical Education, CFDA Number 84.051A, is included in this project. We request your participation in Grants.gov. If you choose to submit your application electronically, you must use the Governmentwide Grants.gov Apply site at *http://www.Grants.gov.* Through this site, you will be able to download a copy of the application package, complete it offline, and then upload and submit your application. You may not e-mail an electronic copy of a grant application to us. You may access the electronic grant application for the National Research Center for Career and Technical Education at *http://www.Grants.gov.* You must search for the downloadable application package for this competition by the CFDA number. Do not include the CFDA number's alpha suffix in your search (e.g., search for 84.051, not 84.051A). *Please note the following:* • Your participation in Grants.gov is voluntary. • When you enter the Grants.gov site, you will find information about submitting an application electronically through the site, as well as the hours of operation. • Applications received by Grants.gov are date and time stamped. Your application must be fully uploaded and submitted and must be date and time stamped by the Grants.gov system no later than 4:30 p.m., Washington, DC time, on the application deadline date. Except as otherwise noted in this section, we will not consider your application if it is date and time stamped by the Grants.gov system later than 4:30 p.m., Washington, DC time, on the application deadline date. When we retrieve your application from Grants.gov, we will notify you if we are rejecting your application because it was date and time stamped by the Grants.gov system after 4:30 p.m., Washington, DC time, on the application deadline date. • The amount of time it can take to upload an application will vary depending on a variety of factors, including the size of the application and the speed of your Internet connection. Therefore, we strongly recommend that you do not wait until the application deadline date to begin the submission process through Grants.gov. • You should review and follow the Education Submission Procedures for submitting an application through Grants.gov that are included in the application package for this competition to ensure that you submit your application in a timely manner to the Grants.gov system. You can also find the Education Submission Procedures pertaining to Grants.gov at *http://e-Grants.ed.gov/help/GrantsgovSubmissionProcedures.pdf.* • To submit your application via Grants.gov, you must complete all steps in the Grants.gov registration process (see *http://www.grants.gov/applicants/get_registered.jsp* ). These steps include
(1)registering your organization, a multi-part process that includes registration with the Central Contractor Registry (CCR);
(2)registering yourself as an Authorized Organization Representative (AOR); and
(3)getting authorized as an AOR by your organization. Details on these steps are outlined in the Grants.gov 3-Step Registration Guide (see *http://www.grants.gov/section910/Grants.govRegistrationBrochure.pdf* ). You also must provide on your application the same D-U-N-S Number used with this registration. Please note that the registration process may take five or more business days to complete, and you must have completed all registration steps to allow you to submit successfully an application via Grants.gov. In addition you will need to update your CCR registration on an annual basis. This may take three or more business days to complete. • You will not receive additional point value because you submit your application in electronic format, nor will we penalize you if you submit your application in paper format. • If you submit your application electronically, you must submit all documents electronically, including all information you typically provide on the following forms: Application for Federal Assistance (SF 424), the Department of Education Supplemental Information for SF 424, Budget Information—Non-Construction Programs (ED 524), and all necessary assurances and certifications. Please note that two of these forms—the SF 424 and the Department of Education Supplemental Information for SF 424—have replaced the ED 424 (Application for Federal Education Assistance). • If you submit your application electronically, you must attach any narrative sections of your application as files in a .DOC (document), .RTF (rich text), or .PDF (Portable Document) format. If you upload a file type other than the three file types specified in this paragraph or submit a password-protected file, we will not review that material. • Your electronic application must comply with any page-limit requirements described in this notice. • After you electronically submit your application, you will receive from Grants.gov an automatic notification of receipt that contains a Grants.gov tracking number. (This notification indicates receipt by Grants.gov only, not receipt by the Department.) The Department then will retrieve your application from Grants.gov and send a second notification to you by e-mail. This second notification indicates that the Department has received your application and has assigned your application a PR/Award number (an ED-specified identifying number unique to your application). • We may request that you provide us original signatures on forms at a later date. *Application Deadline Date Extension in Case of Technical Issues with the Grants.gov System:* If you are experiencing problems submitting your application through Grants.gov, please contact the Grants.gov Support Desk, toll free, at 1-800-518-4726. You must obtain a Grants.gov Support Desk Case Number and must keep a record of it. If you are prevented from electronically submitting your application on the application deadline date because of technical problems with the Grants.gov system, we will grant you an extension until 4:30 p.m., Washington, DC time, the following business day to enable you to transmit your application electronically or by hand delivery. You also may mail your application by following the mailing instructions described elsewhere in this notice. If you submit an application after 4:30 p.m., Washington, DC time, on the application deadline date, please contact the person listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT in section VII in this notice and provide an explanation of the technical problem you experienced with Grants.gov, along with the Grants.gov Support Desk Case Number. We will accept your application if we can confirm that a technical problem occurred with the Grants.gov system and that that problem affected your ability to submit your application by 4:30 p.m., Washington, DC time, on the application deadline date. The Department will contact you after a determination is made on whether your application will be accepted. Note: The extensions to which we refer in this section apply only to the unavailability of, or technical problems with, the Grants.gov system. We will not grant you an extension if you failed to fully register to submit your application to Grants.gov before the application deadline date and time or if the technical problem you experienced is unrelated to the Grants.gov system. b. *Submission of Paper Applications by Mail.* If you submit your application in paper format by mail (through the U.S. Postal Service or a commercial carrier), you must mail the original and two copies of your application, on or before the application deadline date, to the Department at the applicable following address: *By mail through the U.S. Postal Service:* U.S. Department of Education, Application Control Center, *Attention:* (CFDA Number 84.051A), 400 Maryland Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20202-4260; or *By mail through a commercial carrier:* U.S. Department of Education, Application Control Center, Stop 4260, *Attention:* (CFDA Number 84.051A), 7100 Old Landover Road, Landover, MD 20785-1506. Regardless of which address you use, you must show proof of mailing consisting of one of the following:
(1)A legibly dated U.S. Postal Service postmark.
(2)A legible mail receipt with the date of mailing stamped by the U.S. Postal Service.
(3)A dated shipping label, invoice, or receipt from a commercial carrier.
(4)Any other proof of mailing acceptable to the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Education. If you mail your application through the U.S. Postal Service, we do not accept either of the following as proof of mailing:
(1)A private metered postmark.
(2)A mail receipt that is not dated by the U.S. Postal Service. If your application is postmarked after the application deadline date, we will not consider your application. Note: The U.S. Postal Service does not uniformly provide a dated postmark. Before relying on this method, you should check with your local post office. c. *Submission of Paper Applications by Hand Delivery.* If you submit your application in paper format by hand delivery, you (or a courier service) must deliver the original and two copies of your application by hand, on or before the application deadline date, to the Department at the following address: U.S. Department of Education, Application Control Center, *Attention:* (CFDA Number 84.051A), 550 12th Street, SW., Room 7041, Potomac Center Plaza, Washington, DC 20202-4260. The Application Control Center accepts hand deliveries daily between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Washington, DC time, except Saturdays, Sundays, and Federal holidays. Note for Mail or Hand Delivery of Paper Applications: If you mail or hand deliver your application to the Department—
(1)You must indicate on the envelope and—if not provided by the Department—in Item 11 of the SF 424 the CFDA number, including suffix letter, if any, of the competition under which you are submitting your application; and
(2)The Application Control Center will mail to you a notification of receipt of your grant application. If you do not receive this notification within 15 business days from the application deadline date, you should call the U.S. Department of Education Application Control Center at
(202)245-6288. V. Application Review Information *Selection Criteria:* The selection criteria for this program are as follows. The maximum score for each criterion is indicated in parentheses. The maximum score for all the criteria is 105 points.
(a)*Quality of project design* (30 points). The Secretary considers the quality of the project design. In determining the quality of the design of the proposed project, the Secretary considers the following factors:
(1)The extent to which the proposed project activities represent a—
(i)Coherent, sustained approach that is exceptional for each of the required research, evaluation, development, dissemination, professional development, and technical assistance activities described in the *Required Project Activities* section of this notice; and
(ii)Balance between secondary and postsecondary education.
(2)The significance or magnitude of the scientifically based research proposed by the project, especially as it relates to improvement in teaching and student outcomes.
(3)The extent to which the proposed research design includes—
(i)A model in which multiple investigators conduct studies that are coordinated around the research strands or thematic areas on which the applicant proposes to focus; and
(ii)The use of appropriate theoretical models and scientifically based research standards that represent the most rigorous designs appropriate to the research being proposed.
(4)The extent to which the proposed dissemination plan includes:
(i)A thorough, high-quality review of the relevant literature to identify current promising or best practices that are accepted by the field as effective and are based on scientifically based research;
(ii)a comparably rigorous, objective, and scientific review of instructional approaches, methods, programs, models, or strategies to be disseminated;
(iii)a high-quality plan for dissemination activities; and
(iv)the use of a variety of effective approaches.
(5)The extent to which the project proposes models for dissemination that incorporate approaches that meet the needs of different communities of users.
(6)The extent to which the professional development activities proposed by the project are of sufficient quality, intensity, and duration to lead to improvements in practice among the recipients of those services.
(7)The extent to which the proposed technical assistance plan reflects in- depth knowledge and understanding of available scientifically valid, research-based practice, evidence-based practice, or both, to improve student achievement in academic and career and technical education, and demonstrates knowledge of, and access to, reliable sources for obtaining such knowledge on an ongoing basis.
(8)The extent to which the proposed project will consult with sponsors of similar or related efforts, and with other appropriate community, State, and Federal resources, such as those of the Department's Policy and Program Studies Service, Comprehensive Centers (particularly the National High School Center), National Research and Development Centers, and Regional Educational Labs.
(b)*Institutional capability* (15 points). The Secretary considers the institutional capability of the applicant or of consortium members, if the applicant is a consortium. In assessing institutional capability, the Secretary reviews the application to determine the extent to which the applicant understands the state of knowledge and practice related to career and technical education, as evidenced by the depth and breadth of its documented experience in and capacity for—
(1)Conducting scientifically based research, development, evaluation, dissemination, professional development, and technical assistance activities of the type described in the *Required Program Activities* section of this notice; and
(2)Delivering technical assistance across a range of urban and rural educational settings.
(c)*Quality of the management plan* (20 points). The Secretary considers the quality of the management plan for the proposed project. In determining the quality of the management plan for the proposed project, the Secretary considers the following factors:
(1)The extent to which the goals, objectives, and outcomes to be achieved by the proposed project are clearly specified and measurable.
(2)The adequacy of the management plan to achieve the objectives of the proposed project on time and within budget, including clearly defined responsibilities, timeliness and milestones for accomplishing project tasks, and a clearly articulated plan for continuous improvement.
(3)The adequacy of procedures for coordination and communication among staff, subcontractors, members of the consortium, if any, and the Department, in particular, for the frequent and detailed communication that will be required under the cooperative agreement between the Center and the Department's Office of Vocational and Adult Education.
(4)The adequacy of mechanisms for ensuring high-quality research and evaluation, dissemination, technical assistance, and professional development from the proposed project.
(5)The adequacy of the plans for an objective independent assessment, in accordance with the *Program Requirements* section of this notice, of the Center's performance on the GPRA measures.
(d)*Quality of personnel* (20 points). The Secretary considers the quality of the personnel who will carry out the proposed project. In determining the quality of project personnel, the Secretary considers the following:
(1)The extent to which the application presents evidence of the Center Director and key personnel having a history of conducting high-quality scientifically based research, including whether the studies described as evidence of the applicant's performance history were well-designed and implemented, and addressed research questions of practical and policy importance.
(2)The extent to which the application presents evidence of professional preparation and successful prior experience of the Center's director and other key personnel, including contractors, key consultants, and partners, if any, that indicate that each has the knowledge, skills, and ability to carry out successfully the responsibilities they are assigned under the project, including the—
(i)Center Director's and key personnel's expertise and demonstrated successful experience with scientifically based research, effective technical assistance, and other activities similar to those that are to be carried out under the project; and
(ii)Demonstrated effectiveness of the Center Director and key personnel in providing technical assistance that utilizes scientifically based research and improves the academic and technical skill proficiencies of career and technical education students.
(3)The extent to which the time commitments of the Center Director and key personnel are appropriate and adequate to meet proposed project objectives.
(4)The extent to which the Center Director has prior relevant experience operating a project of the size and scope required for the purposes of the Center.
(5)The extent to which the applicant encourages applications for employment from persons who are members of groups that have traditionally been underrepresented based on race, color, national origin, gender, age, or disability.
(e)*Adequacy of resources* (10 points). The Secretary considers the adequacy of resources for the proposed project. In determining the adequacy of resources for the proposed project, the Secretary considers the following factors:
(1)The adequacy of resources for the proposed project, including facilities, equipment, supplies, and other resources needed to carry out successfully the purpose and activities of the proposed project.
(2)The extent to which the budget is adequate to support the proposed project.
(3)The extent to which the costs are reasonable in relation to the objectives, design, and significance of the proposed project.
(f)*Evaluation* (10 points). The Secretary considers the quality of the evaluation to be conducted of the proposed project. In determining the quality of the evaluation, the Secretary considers the following factors:
(1)The extent to which the methods of evaluation are thorough, feasible, and appropriate to the goals, objectives, and outcomes of the proposed project.
(2)The extent to which the methods of evaluation provide for examining the effectiveness of project implementation strategies.
(3)The extent to which the methods of evaluation will provide timely guidance for quality assurance.
(4)The extent to which the methods of evaluation—
(i)Include the use of objective performance measures that are clearly related to the intended outcomes of the project;
(ii)In determining the overall effectiveness of the Center, take into account the Center's performance on the GPRA measures in the *Performance Measures* section of this notice; and
(iii)Will produce quantitative and qualitative data, to the extent possible.
(5)The extent to which the methods of evaluation will ensure feedback on performance and continuous improvement in the operation of the proposed project. VI. Award Administration Information 1. *Award Notices:* If your application is successful, we notify your U.S. Representative and U.S. Senators and send you a Grant Award Notice (GAN). We may notify you informally, also. If your application is not evaluated or not selected for funding, we notify you. 2. *Administrative and National Policy Requirements:* We identify administrative and national policy requirements in the application package and reference these and other requirements in the *Applicable Regulations* section in this notice. We reference the regulations outlining the terms and conditions of an award in the *Applicable Regulations* section in this notice and include these and other specific conditions in the GAN. The GAN also incorporates your approved application as part of your binding commitments under the Center grant. 3. *Reporting.*
(a)At the end of your project period, you must submit a final performance report, including financial information, as directed by the Secretary. If you receive a multi-year award, you must submit an annual performance report that provides the most current performance and financial expenditure information as directed by the Secretary under 34 CFR 75.118. The Secretary may also require more frequent performance reports under 34 CFR 75.720(c). For specific requirements on reporting, please go to *http://www.ed.gov/fund/grant/apply/appforms/appforms.html* .
(b)In addition, the Center must submit to the Secretary the following reports:
(1)Monthly exception reports that describe—
(i)Any problems, delays, or adverse conditions that materially impair the ability of the Center to accomplish its purposes, along with an explanation of any action taken or contemplated to resolve the difficulties; and
(ii)Any favorable developments that will permit the Center to accomplish its purposes sooner, at less cost, or more effectively than projected.
(2)Semi-annual performance reports.
(3)During the first 10 months of the project, financial status reports within 30 days of the 90th day, 180th day, and 270th day of the project period.
(4)Three printed copies and one electronic copy
(pdf)of all substantive reports and products.
(5)An interim evaluation report in the third year of the project period and a final evaluation report in the fifth year of the project period.
(6)An annual report on the GPRA measures identified in the *Performance Measures* section of this notice.
(c)The Center must annually prepare a report of the key research findings of the Center and submit copies of the report to the Secretary, the relevant committees of Congress, the Library of Congress, and each “eligible agency,” as defined in section 3(12) of the Act. 4. *Performance Measures:* Under GPRA, Federal departments and agencies must clearly describe the goals and objectives of programs, identify resources and actions needed to accomplish goals and objectives, develop a means of measuring progress made, and regularly report on achievement. One important source of program information on successes and lessons learned is the project evaluation conducted under individual grants. In evaluating the overall effectiveness of the Center, the Center must also be prepared to measure and report annually on the following measures of effectiveness: a. The percentage of scientifically based research studies conducted by the Center that are of high relevance to career and technical education practices as determined by expert panels. b. The percentage of products (e.g., instructional approaches, methods, programs, models, and strategies) disseminated to practitioners by the Center that are judged by expert panels to be of high quality. c. The percentage of technical assistance services that are judged by target audiences to be of high usefulness to educational policy or practice. d. The percentage of professional development activities offered by the Center that are judged by participants to be of high quality. VII. Agency Contacts *For Further Information Contact:* Dr. Ricardo Hernandez, U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW., room 11137, Potomac Center Plaza, Washington, DC 20202-7241. *Telephone:*
(202)245-7818, *Fax:*
(202)245-7837, or by e-mail: *Ricardo.Hernandez@ed.gov* . If you use a TDD, call the FRS at 1-800-877-8339. VIII. Other Information *Alternative Format:* Individuals with disabilities can obtain this document and a copy of the application package in an alternative format (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, or computer diskette) on request to the program contact person listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT in section VII in this notice. *Electronic Access to This Document:* You may view this document, as well as all other documents of the Department published in the **Federal Register** , in text or Adobe Portable Document Format
(PDF)on the Internet at the following site: *http://www.ed.gov/news/fedregister* . To use PDF you must have Adobe Acrobat Reader, which is available free at this site. If you have questions about using PDF, call the U.S. Government Printing Office (GPO), toll free, at 1-888-293-6498; or in the Washington, DC, area at
(202)512-1530. Note: 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 on GPO Access at: *http://www.gpoaccess.gov/nara/index.html* . Troy R. Justesen, Assistant Secretary for Vocational and Adult Education. [FR Doc. E7-11135 Filed 6-8-07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4000-01-P ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY [EPA-HQ-RCRA-2007-0387, FRL-8324-5] Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposed Collection; Comment Request; Hazardous Waste Specific Unit Requirements, and Special Waste Processes and Types; EPA ICR No. 1572.07, OMB Control No. 2050-0050 AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). ACTION: Notice. SUMMARY: In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act
(PRA)(44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), this document announces that EPA is planning to submit a request to renew an existing approved Information Collection Request
(ICR)to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). This ICR is scheduled to expire on October 31, 2007. Before submitting the ICR to OMB for review and approval, EPA is soliciting comments on specific aspects of the proposed information collection as described below. DATES: Comments must be submitted on or before August 10, 2007. ADDRESSES: Submit your comments, identified by Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-RCRA-2007-0387, by one of the following methods: • *http://www.regulations.gov:* Follow the on-line instructions for submitting comments. • *E-mail: rcra-docket@epa.gov.* • *Fax:* 202-566-0272. • *Mail:* RCRA Docket (5305T), U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20460. • *Hand Delivery:* 1301 Constitution Ave., NW., Room B102, Washington, DC 20460. Such deliveries are only accepted during the Docket's normal hours of operation, and special arrangements should be made for deliveries of boxed information. *Instructions:* Direct your comments to Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-RCRA-2007-0387. EPA's policy is that all comments received will be included in the public docket without change and may be made available online at *http://www.regulations.gov* , including any personal information provided, unless the comment includes information claimed to be Confidential Business Information
(CBI)or other information whose disclosure is restricted by statute. Do not submit information that you consider to be CBI or otherwise protected through www.regulations.gov or e-mail. The www.regulations.gov Web site is an “anonymous access” system, which means EPA will not know your identity or contact information unless you provide it in the body of your comment. If you send an e-mail comment directly to EPA without going through www.regulations.gov your e-mail address will be automatically captured and included as part of the comment that is placed in the public docket and made available on the Internet. If you submit an electronic comment, EPA recommends that you include your name and other contact information in the body of your comment and with any disk or CD-ROM you submit. If EPA cannot read your comment due to technical difficulties and cannot contact you for clarification, EPA may not be able to consider your comment. Electronic files should avoid the use of special characters, any form of encryption, and be free of any defects or viruses. For additional information about EPA's public docket visit the EPA Docket Center homepage at *http://www.epa.gov/epahome/dockets.htm.* FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Norma Abdul-Malik, Office of Solid Waste (5303P), Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20460; telephone number: 703-308-8753; fax number: 703-308-8617; e-mail address: abdul-malik@epa.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: How Can I Access the Docket and/or Submit Comments? EPA has established a public docket for this ICR under Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-RCRA-2007-0387, which is available for online viewing at *http://www.regulations.gov* , or in person viewing at the RCRA Docket in the EPA Docket Center (EPA/DC), EPA West, Room B102, 1301 Constitution Ave., NW., Washington, DC. The EPA/DC Public Reading Room is open from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding legal holidays. The telephone number for the Reading Room is 202-566-1744, and the telephone number for RCRA Docket is
(202)566-0270. Use www.regulations.gov to obtain a copy of the draft collection of information, submit or view public comments, access the index listing of the contents of the docket, and to access those documents in the public docket that are available electronically. Once in the system, select “search,” then key in the docket ID number identified in this document. What Information Is EPA Particularly Interested in? Pursuant to section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the PRA, EPA specifically solicits comments and information to enable it to:
(i)Evaluate whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the Agency, including whether the information will have practical utility;
(ii)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;
(iii)Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and
(iv)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 submission of responses. In particular, EPA is requesting comments from very small businesses (those that employ less than 25) on examples of specific additional efforts that EPA could make to reduce the paperwork burden for very small businesses affected by this collection. What Should I Consider When I Prepare My Comments for EPA? You may find the following suggestions helpful for preparing your comments: 1. Explain your views as clearly as possible and provide specific examples. 2. Describe any assumptions that you used. 3. Provide copies of any technical information and/or data you used that support your views. 4. If you estimate potential burden or costs, explain how you arrived at the estimate that you provide. 5. Offer alternative ways to improve the collection activity. 6. Make sure to submit your comments by the deadline identified under DATES. 7. To ensure proper receipt by EPA, be sure to identify the docket ID number assigned to this action in the subject line on the first page of your response. You may also provide the name, date, and **Federal Register** citation. What Information Collection Activity or ICR Does This Apply to? *Affected entities:* Entities potentially affected by this action are Business; Federal Government; and State, Local, or Tribal Government. *Title:* Hazardous Waste Specific Unit Requirements, and Special Waste Processes and Types. *ICR numbers:* EPA ICR No. 1572.07, OMB Control No. 2050-0050. *ICR status:* This ICR is currently scheduled to expire on October 31, 2007. An Agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to, a collection of information, unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number. The OMB control numbers for EPA's regulations in title 40 of the CFR, after appearing in the **Federal Register** when approved, are listed in 40 CFR part 9, are displayed either by publication in the **Federal Register** or by other appropriate means, such as on the related collection instrument or form, if applicable. The display of OMB control numbers in certain EPA regulations is consolidated in 40 CFR part 9. *Abstract:* This ICR provides a discussion of all of the information collection requirements associated with specific unit standards applicable to owners and operators of facilities that treat, store, or dispose of hazardous wastes as defined by 40 CFR Part 261. It includes a detailed description of the data items and respondent activities associated with each requirement and with each hazardous waste management unit at a facility. The specific units and processes included in this ICR are: Tank systems, Surface impoundments, Waste piles, Land treatment, Landfills, Incinerators, Thermal treatment, Chemical, physical, and biological treatment, Miscellaneous (subpart X), Drip pads, Process vents, Equipment leaks, Containment buildings, Recovery/recycling. With each information collection covered in this ICR, EPA is aiding the goal of complying with its statutory mandate under RCRA to develop standards for hazardous waste treatment, storage, and disposal facilities, to protect human health and the environment. Without the information collection, the agency cannot assure that the facilities are designed and operated properly. *Burden Statement:* The annual public reporting and recordkeeping burden for this collection of information is estimated to average as follows: Unit type Hours per response Subpart I: Containers 73 Subpart J: Tank Systems 77-80 Subpart K: Surface Impoundments 74-80 Subpart L: Waste Piles 19 Subpart M: Land Treatment 0 Subpart N: Landfills 39-43 Subpart O: Incinerators 3-5 Subpart P: Thermal Treatment Units 2 Subpart Q: Chemical, Physical, and Biological Treatment Units 6 Subpart W: Drip Pads 0 Subpart X: Miscellaneous Units 0 Subpart AA: Process Vents 422-660 Subpart BB: Equipment Leaks 47-48 Subpart DD: Containment Buildings 28-32 Part 266 Specific Hazardous Waste Recovery/ Recycling Facilities 4 Burden means the total time, effort, or financial resources expended by persons to generate, maintain, retain, or disclose or provide information to or for a Federal agency. This includes the time needed to review instructions; develop, acquire, install, and utilize technology and systems for the purposes of collecting, validating, and verifying information, processing and maintaining information, and disclosing and providing information; adjust the existing ways to comply with any previously applicable instructions and requirements which have subsequently changed; train personnel to be able to respond to a collection of information; search data sources; complete and review the collection of information; and transmit or otherwise disclose the information. The ICR provides a detailed explanation of the Agency's estimate, which is only briefly summarized here: *Estimated total number of potential respondents:* 8,170. *Frequency of response:* On occasion. *Estimated total average number of responses for each respondent:* 1. *Estimated total annual burden hours:* 668,574 hours. *Estimated total annual costs:* $4,384,000. This includes an estimated burden cost of $4,164,000 for labor, and an estimated cost of $220,000 for capital investment and maintenance and operational costs. What Is the Next Step in the Process for This ICR? EPA will consider the comments received and amend the ICR as appropriate. The final ICR package will then be submitted to OMB for review and approval pursuant to 5 CFR 1320.12. At that time, EPA will issue another **Federal Register** notice pursuant to 5 CFR 1320.5(a)(1)(iv) to announce the submission of the ICR to OMB and the opportunity to submit additional comments to OMB. If you have any questions about this ICR or the approval process, please contact the technical person listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT . Dated: May 8, 2007. Matthew Hale, Director, Office of Solid Waste. [FR Doc. E7-11226 Filed 6-8-07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6560-50-P ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY [EPA-HQ-OAR-2004-0077; FRL-8324-7] Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposed Collection; Comment Request; Significant New Alternatives Policy
(SNAP)Program Final Rulemaking Under Title VI of the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990, EPA ICR Number 1596.06, OMB Control Number 2006-0226 AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency. ACTION: Notice. SUMMARY: In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act
(PRA)(44 U.S.C. 3501 *et seq.* ), this document announces that EPA is planning to submit a request to renew an existing approved Information Collection Request
(ICR)to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). This ICR is scheduled to expire on December 31, 2007. Before submitting the ICR to OMB for review and approval, EPA is soliciting comments on specific aspects of the proposed information collection as described below. DATES: Comments must be submitted on or before August 10, 2007. ADDRESSES: Submit your comments, identified by docket ID number EPA-HQ-OAR-2004-0077, by one of the following methods: • *www.regulations.gov:* Follow the online instructions for submitting comments. • *http://www.regulations.gov:* Follow the on-line instructions for submitting comments. • *E-mail: a-and-r-docket@epamail.epa.gov.* • *Fax:* 202-566-1741. • *Mail:* Attention Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OAR-2004-0077, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, EPA West (Air Docket), 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, Northwest, Mailcode: 6102T, Washington, DC 20460. • *Hand Delivery:* U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, EPA West (Air Docket), 1301 Constitution Avenue, Northwest, Room 3334, Washington, DC 20004, Attention Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OAR-2004-0077. Such deliveries are only accepted during the Docket's normal hours of operation, and special arrangements should be made for deliveries of boxed information. *Instructions:* Direct your comments to Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OAR-2004-0077. EPA's policy is that all comments received will be included in the public docket without change and may be made available online at *http://www.regulations.gov* , including any personal information provided, unless the comment includes information claimed to be Confidential Business Information
(CBI)or other information whose disclosure is restricted by statute. Do not submit information that you consider to be CBI or otherwise protected through www.regulations.gov or e-mail. The www.regulations.gov Web site is an “anonymous access” system, which means EPA will not know your identity or contact information unless you provide it in the body of your comment. If you send an e-mail comment directly to EPA without going through www.regulations.gov your e-mail address will be automatically captured and included as part of the comment that is placed in the public docket and made available on the Internet. If you submit an electronic comment, EPA recommends that you include your name and other contact information in the body of your comment and with any disk or CD-ROM you submit. If EPA cannot read your comment due to technical difficulties and cannot contact you for clarification, EPA may not be able to consider your comment. Electronic files should avoid the use of special characters, any form of encryption, and be free of any defects or viruses. {For additional information about EPA's public docket visit the EPA Docket Center homepage at *http://www.epa.gov/epahome/dockets.htm.* FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Monica Shimamura, Stratospheric Protection Division, Alternatives and Emission Reductions Branch, Mail Code 6205J, Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20460; telephone number:
(202)343-9337; fax number:
(202)343-2362; e-mail address: *shimamura.monica@epa.gov.* SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: How Can I Access the Docket and/or Submit Comments? EPA has established a public docket for this ICR under Docket ID number EPA-HQ-OAR-2004-0077, which is available for online viewing at * http://www.regulations.gov* , or in person at or in person viewing at the Air Docket in the EPA Docket Center (EPA/DC), EPA West, Room 3334, 1301 Constitution Ave., NW., Washington, DC. The EPA/DC Public Reading Room is open from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding legal holidays. The telephone number for the Reading Room is 202-566-1744, and the telephone number for the Docket is 202-566-1752. Use *www.regulations.gov* to obtain a copy of the draft collection of information, submit or view public comments, access the index listing of the contents of the docket, and to access those documents in the public docket that are available electronically. Once in the system, select “search,” then key in the docket ID number identified in this document. What Information Is EPA Particularly Interested in? Pursuant to section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the PRA, EPA specifically solicits comments and information to enable it to:
(i)Evaluate whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the Agency, including whether the information will have practical utility;
(ii)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;
(iii)Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and
(iv)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 submission of responses. What Should I Consider When I Prepare My Comments for EPA? You may find the following suggestions helpful for preparing your comments: 1. Explain your views as clearly as possible and provide specific examples. 2. Describe any assumptions that you used. 3. Provide copies of any technical information and/or data you used that support your views. 4. If you estimate potential burden or costs, explain how you arrived at the estimate that you provide. 5. Offer alternative ways to improve the collection activity. 6. Make sure to submit your comments by the deadline identified under DATES. 7. To ensure proper receipt by EPA, be sure to identify the docket ID number assigned to this action in the subject line on the first page of your response. You may also provide the name, date, and **Federal Register** citation. What Information Collection Activity or ICR Does This Apply to? Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OAR-2004-0077 *Affected entities:* Entities potentially affected by this action are manufacturers, importers, formulators and processors of substitutes for ozone-depleting substances. *Title:* Significant New Alternatives Policy
(SNAP)Program Final Rulemaking Under Title VI of the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990. *ICR numbers:* EPA ICR Number 1596.06, OMB Control Number 2006-0226. *ICR status:* This ICR is scheduled to expire on December 31, 2007. *Abstract:* Information collected under this rulemaking is necessary to implement the requirements of the Significant New Alternatives Policy
(SNAP)program for evaluating and regulating substitutes for ozone-depleting chemicals being phased out under the stratospheric ozone protection provisions of the Clean Air Act (CAA). Under CAA Section 612, EPA is authorized to identify and restrict the use of substitutes for class I and class II ozone-depleting substances where EPA determines other alternatives exist that reduce overall risk to human health and the environment. The SNAP program, based on information collected from the manufacturers, formulators, and/or sellers of such substitutes, identifies acceptable substitutes. Responses to the collection of information are mandatory under Section 612 for anyone who sells or, in certain cases, uses substitutes for an ozone-depleting substance after April 18, 1994, the effective date of the final rule. Under CAA Section 114(c), emissions information may not be claimed as confidential. To develop the lists of acceptable and unacceptable substitutes, the Agency must assess and compare “overall risks to human health and the environment” posed by use of substitutes in the context of particular applications. EPA requires submission of information covering a wide range of health and environmental factors. These include intrinsic properties such as physical and chemical information, ozone depleting potential, global warming potential, toxicity, and flammability, and use-specific data such as substitute applications, process description, environmental release data, environmental fate and transport, and cost information. Once a completed submission has been received, a 90 day review period under the SNAP program will commence. Any substitute which is a new chemical must also be submitted to the Agency under the Premanufacture Notice program under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). Alternatives that will be used in pesticide formulations must be filed jointly with EPA's Office of Pesticide Programs and with SNAP. An agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to, a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number. The OMB control numbers for EPA's regulations in 40 CFR are listed in 40 CFR part 9. The EPA would like to solicit comments to:
(i)Evaluate whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the Agency, including whether the information will have practical utility;
(ii)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;
(iii)Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and
(iv)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 submission of responses. *Burden Statement:* The annual public reporting and recordkeeping burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 6 hours per respondent. Burden means the total time, effort, or financial resources expended by persons to generate, maintain, retain, or disclose or provide information to or for a Federal agency. This includes the time needed to review instructions; develop, acquire, install, and utilize technology and systems for the purposes of collecting, validating, and verifying information, processing and maintaining information, and disclosing and providing information; adjust the existing ways to comply with any previously applicable instructions and requirements which have subsequently changed; train personnel to be able to respond to a collection of information; search data sources; complete and review the collection of information; and transmit or otherwise disclose the information. The ICR provides a detailed explanation of the Agency's estimate, which is only briefly summarized here: *Estimated total number of potential respondents:* 6. *Frequency of response:* Annual. *Estimated total average number of responses for each respondent:* 1. *Estimated total annual burden hours per respondent:* 464.6 hours. *Estimated total average annual costs per respondent:* $12,110.48. This includes an estimated burden cost of $12,110.48 and an estimated cost of $0 for capital investment or maintenance and operational costs. For persons filing a SNAP Information Notice or petition, the reporting burden is estimated to average 252.7 hours per year from each of approximately 6 submitters, with estimated labor costs of roughly $15,162 and average annualized startup costs of $3153 for gathering information from each respondent. For persons filing a TSCA/SNAP Addendum, the reporting burden is estimated to average 46 hours per year from each of two submitters at a labor cost of $2760 each. For persons filing a notification of test marketing activity, the reporting burden is estimated to average 2 hours per year from one submitter at a cost of $120. For persons keeping records supporting use of a substitute subject to narrowed use limits, the recordkeeping burden is estimated to average 27 hours per year from approximately 250 users, at an average cost of $1620 each. For persons keeping records of a small volume use, the recordkeeping burden is estimated to average 12 hours per year from each of approximately ten companies at an average cost of $720 each. The total burden on respondents is estimated at 8204 hours per year at a cost of roughly $511,430. Are There Changes in the Estimates From the Last Approval? For persons filing a SNAP Information Notice or petition, the reporting burden is estimated to average 252.7 hours per year. For persons filing a TSCA/SNAP Addendum, the reporting burden is estimated to average 46 hours per year. For persons filing a notification of test marketing activity, the reporting burden is estimated to average 2 hours per year. For persons keeping records of use of a substitute subject to narrowed use limits, the recordkeeping burden is estimated to average 27 hours per year. For persons keeping records of a small volume use, the recordkeeping burden is estimated to average 12 hours per year. What Is the Next Step in the Process for This ICR? EPA will consider the comments received and amend the ICR as appropriate. The final ICR package will then be submitted to OMB for review and approval pursuant to 5 CFR 1320.12. At that time, EPA will issue another **Federal Register** notice pursuant to 5 CFR 1320.5(a)(1)(iv) to announce the submission of the ICR to OMB and the opportunity to submit additional comments to OMB. If you have any questions about this ICR or the approval process, please contact the technical person listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT . Dated: June 4, 2007. Brian J. McLean, Director, Office of Atmospheric Programs. [FR Doc. E7-11228 Filed 6-8-07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6560-50-P ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY [FRL-8325-2] Request for Nominations to the National and Governmental Advisory Committees to the U.S. Representative to the Commission for Environmental Cooperation AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). ACTION: Notice of request for nominations. SUMMARY: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
(EPA)is inviting nominations of qualified candidates to be considered for appointment to fill vacancies on the National Advisory Committee
(NAC)and the Governmental Advisory Committee
(GAC)to the U.S. Representative to the Commission for Environmental Cooperation (CEC). Vacancies on these two committees are expected to be filled by September, so we encourage nominations to be submitted by July 15, 2007. ADDRESSES: Submit nominations to: Oscar Carrillo, Designated Federal Officer, Office of Cooperative Environmental Management, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (1601-E), 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20004. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Oscar Carrillo, Designated Federal Officer, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (1601-E), Washington, DC 20004; telephone
(202)233-0072; fax
(202)233-0060; e-mail *carrillo.oscar@epa.gov* . SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The National Advisory Committee and the Governmental Advisory Committee advise the EPA Administrator in his capacity as the U.S. Representative to the CEC Council. The Committees are authorized under Articles 17 and 18 of the North American Agreement on Environmental Cooperation (NAAEC), the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) Implementation Act, Public Law 103-182, and as directed by Executive Order 12915, entitled “Federal Implementation of the North American Agreement on Environmental Cooperation.” The Committees are responsible for providing advice to the United States Representative on a wide range of strategic, scientific, technological, regulatory and economic issues related to implementation and further elaboration of the (NAAEC). The National Advisory Committee consists of 12 representatives from environmental non-profit groups, business and industry, and educational institutions. The Governmental Advisory Committee consists of 12 representatives from state, local, and tribal governments. Members are appointed by the EPA Administrator for a two-year term with the possibility of reappointment. The Committees usually meet 3 times per year and the average workload for Committee members is approximately 10 to 15 hours per month. Members serve on the Committees in a voluntary capacity. However, EPA provides reimbursement for travel expenses associated with official government business. The following criteria will be used to evaluate nominees: • Extensive professional knowledge of the subjects the Committees examine, including trade and the environment, the NAFTA, the NAAEC, and the CEC. • Represent a sector or group that is involved in the issues the Committees evaluate. • Senior-level experience that fills a need on the Committees for their particular expertise. • A demonstrated ability to work in a consensus building process with a wide range of representatives from diverse constituencies. Nominees will also be considered with regard to the mandates of the Federal Advisory Committee Act that require the Committees to maintain diversity across a broad range of constituencies, sectors, and groups. Nominations for membership must include a cover letter and a resume describing the professional and educational qualifications of the nominee and the nominee's current business address and daytime telephone number. Dated: May 21, 2007. Oscar Carrillo, Designated Federal Officer. [FR Doc. E7-11211 Filed 6-8-07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6560-50-P ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY [FRL-8326-6] Science Advisory Board Staff Office; Notification of an Upcoming Closed Meeting of the Science Advisory Board's Scientific and Technological Achievement Awards Committee, Sunshine Act Meeting AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). ACTION: Notice. SUMMARY: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA), Science Advisory Board
(SAB)Staff Office announces a closed meeting of the SAB's Scientific and Technological Achievement Awards
(STAA)Committee to recommend to the Administrator the recipients of the Agency's 2007 Scientific and Technological Achievement Awards. DATES: The meeting dates are Monday and Tuesday, August 13 and 14, 2007 from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Wednesday, August 15, 2007, from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. (eastern standard time). ADDRESSES: The closed meeting will be held at the U.S. EPA Science Advisory Board Staff Office Conference Room, 1025 F Street NW., Suite 3700, Washington, DC 20004. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Members of the public who wish to obtain further information regarding this announcement may contact Ms. Vivian Turner, Designated Federal Officer, by telephone:
(202)343-9697 or e-mail at: *turner.vivian@epa.gov* . The SAB Mailing address is: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Science Advisory Board (1400F), 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20460. General information about the SAB as well as any updates concerning the meeting announced in this notice may be found in the SAB Web site at: *http://www.epa.gov/sab/panels/staarp.htm* . SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: *Summary:* Pursuant to Section 10(d) of the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA), 5 U.S.C. App. 2, and section (c)(6) of the Government in the Sunshine Act, 5 U.S.C. 552b(c)(6), EPA has determined that the meeting will be closed to the public. The purpose of the meeting is for the SAB to recommend to the Administrator the recipients of the Agency's 2007 Scientific and Technological Achievement Awards. These awards are established to honor and recognize EPA employees who have made outstanding contributions in the advancement of science and technology through their research and development activities, as exhibited in publication of their results in peer-reviewed journals. This meeting is closed to the public because it is concerned with selecting which employees are deserving of awards, a personnel matter with privacy concerns, which is exempt from public disclosure pursuant to section 10(d) of the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA), 5 U.S.C. App. 2, and section (c)(6) of the Government in the Sunshine Act, 5 U.S.C. 552b(c)(6). In accordance with the provisions of the Federal Advisory Committee Act, minutes of the meeting will be kept for Agency and Congressional review. Dated: June 5, 2007. Stephen L. Johnson, Administrator. [FR Doc. 07-2898 Filed 6-7-07; 1:13 pm]
Connectionstraces to 22
Traces to 22 documents
U.S. Code
CFR
- Access to classes and schools.§ 106.34
- Remedial and affirmative action and self-evaluation.§ 106.3
- Admissions.§ 106.15
- Annual absolute, competitive preference, and invitational priorities.§ 75.105
- Definitions that apply to all Department programs.§ 77.1
- Continuation of a multiyear project after the first budget period.§ 75.253
- How to prove nonprofit status.§ 75.51
- Requirements for a continuation award.§ 75.118
- Financial and performance reports.§ 75.720
14 references not yet in our index
- 45 CFR 46
- 20 USC 7215(c)
- 20 USC 7215b(b)(9)
- 20 USC 7215(a)(23)
- 20 USC 7215b(a)
- 34 CFR 106
- 34 CFR 86
- 34 CFR 75.127-75
- 34 CFR 79
- 40 CFR 9
- 40 CFR 261
- 5 CFR 1320.12
- 5 CFR 1320.5(a)(1)(iv)
- Pub. L. 103-182
Citation graph
cites case law
Notices
Notice
Cite45 CFR 46
Cite20 USC 7215(c)
Cite20 USC 7215b(b)(9)
Cites 36 · showing 12Cited by 0 across 0 sources