Approved as
amended by ED's memoranda to OMB of 3/18/96, 4/23/96, and 4/30/96,
which respond to public comments received (see attached). Approval
is granted through June 1998 so that ED may assess the burdens
imposed by the information collection provisions of these
regulations, to weigh those burdens against the practical utility
and public benefit derived from implementation of the rule. ED
shall determine, based on such a review, whether any regulatory
revisions are necessary that would achieve the objectives of the
rule in a less burdensome manner, and develop these revisions in
sufficient time to meet the master calendar HEA deadline of 12/1/97
(publication for rules to take effect 7/1/98). ED shall review, at
a minimum, the following issues raised by public comment: 1)
procedures for certification of test administrators; 2) procedures
for scoring and reporting by assessment centers; and 3) procedures
for processing irregular test pattern studies. ED shall also review
the feasibility and desirability of a performance standard for test
publishers to meet in lieu of the procedural paperwork requirements
of this regulation. ED shall report the results of these activities
to OMB by 5/1/97, to allow enough time for the current rule to be
implemented, the effects observed, and any regulatory revisions
adopted in accord with the master calendar. -- ED has also agreed
that this rule will be implemented in the least burdensome manner
possible, and will work with test publishers to achieve this goal
and assist them in regulatory compliance. To that end, ED will
develop and disseminate appropriate guidance documents as soon as
possible. -- ED shall ensure that the burden estimates for
information collection provisions in this rule, including cost
burdens on the public, fully and accurately reflect the best
estimate for all burdens imposed on all parties. Prior to the
7/1/96 effective date for this rule, ED shall provide any necessary
corrections to the burden estimate in the form of an inventory
correction worksheet.
Inventory as of this Action
Requested
Previously Approved
07/31/1998
07/31/1998
150,180
0
0
79,090
0
0
0
0
0
The Secretary of Education will
publish a list of approved tests which can be used by postsecondary
educational institutions to establish the ability-to-benefit for a
student who does not have a high school diploma or its
equivalent.
On behalf of this Federal agency, I certify that
the collection of information encompassed by this request complies
with 5 CFR 1320.9 and the related provisions of 5 CFR
1320.8(b)(3).
The following is a summary of the topics, regarding
the proposed collection of information, that the certification
covers:
(i) Why the information is being collected;
(ii) Use of information;
(iii) Burden estimate;
(iv) Nature of response (voluntary, required for a
benefit, or mandatory);
(v) Nature and extent of confidentiality; and
(vi) Need to display currently valid OMB control
number;
If you are unable to certify compliance with any of
these provisions, identify the item by leaving the box unchecked
and explain the reason in the Supporting Statement.
Application for Ability-to-Benefit Testing Approval