Proposed Collection; Comment Request; an Evaluation of the National Institute Science Enrichment Program (SEP) Parent Survey

SUMMARY:

In compliance with the requirement of Section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, for opportunity for public comment on proposed data collection projects, the National Cancer Institute (NCI), the National Institutes of Health (NIH) will published periodic summaries of proposed projects to be submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval.

Proposed collection: Title: An Evaluation of the NCI Science Enrichment Program (SEP) Parent Survey. Type of Information Collection Request: Extension of OMB No. 0925-0473, Expiration Date: 09/30/2002. Need and Use of Information Collection: This survey is one component of a larger evaluation that will assess the effectiveness of the NCI SEP in making progress toward its goals of: (1) Encouraging under-represented minority and under-served students who have just completed ninth grade to select careers in science, mathematics, and/or research, and (2) broadening and enriching students' science, research, and sociocultural backgrounds. The program is a 5 to 6-week residential program taking place on two university campuses—University of Kentucky, Lexington and San Diego State University. The 5-year evaluation is designed as a controlled, longitudinal study, consisting of the five SEP cohorts and three cohorts of control group students who do not attend the program. The evaluation will provide NCI with valuable information regarding specific components that promote or limit the program's effectiveness, the extent to which the program has been implemented as planned, how much the two regional programs vary, and how the program can be improved or made more effective. NCI will use this information to make decisions regarding continuation and expansion of the program. Frequency of Response: Annually. Affected Public: Individuals or households and Federal Governments. Type of Respondents: Parents of high school students participating in the program. The total annualized cost to respondents is $200.00. The annual reporting burden is as follows:

There are no Capital Costs, Operating Costs, and/or Maintenance Costs to report.

Request for Comments: Written comments and/or suggestions from the public and affected agencies are invited on one or more of the following points: (1) Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the function of the agency, including whether the information will have practical utility; (2) 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; (3) Ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (4) Ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond, including the use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

To request more information on the proposed project or to obtain a copy of the data collection plans and instruments, contact Mr. Frank Jackson, Office of Special Populations Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, 6116 Executive Boulevard, Room 602, Rockville, MD 20852, or call non-toll-free number (301) 496-8680, or e-mail your request, including your address to: fj12i@nih.gov.

Comments Due Date: Comments regarding this information collection are best assured of having their full effect if received within 60 days of this publication.