Publication Date: August 16, 2012
Posted Date: August 16, 2012
Subject: Secretary's Recognition of Accrediting Agencies
FR Type: Notice
[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 159 (Thursday, August 16, 2012)] [Notices] [Pages 49440-49441] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 2012-20151] ================================================== DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION Notice of Proposed Information Collection Requests; Office of Postsecondary Education; Secretary's Recognition of Accrediting Agencies SUMMARY: The information collected is required to determine if an accrediting agency complies with the Secretary of Education's Criteria for Recognition and is used to allow the Secretary to make determinations on extending and/or continuing recognition. DATES: Interested persons are invited to submit comments on or before October 15, 2012. ADDRESSES: Written comments regarding burden and/or the collection activity requirements should be electronically mailed to ICDocketMgr@ed.gov or mailed to U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue SW., LBJ, Washington, DC 20202-4537. 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 04910. 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., LBJ, Washington, DC 20202-4537. Requests may also be electronically mailed to ICDocketMgr@ed.gov or faxed to 202- 401-0920. Please specify the complete title of the information collection and OMB Control Number when making your request. Individuals who use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 1-800-877- 8339. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Section 3506 of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35) requires that Federal agencies provide interested parties an early opportunity to comment on information collection requests. The Director, Information Collection Clearance Division, Privacy, Information and Records Management Services, Office of Management, publishes this notice containing proposed information collection requests at the beginning of the Departmental review of the [[Page 49441]] information collection. 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. Please note that written comments received in response to this notice will be considered public records. Title of Collection: Title 34 CFR 602: Secretary's Recognition of Accrediting Agencies. OMB Control Number: 1840-0788. Type of Review: Revision. Total Estimated Number of Annual Responses: 167. Total Estimated Number of Annual Burden Hours: 4,885. Abstract: In compliance with Title 34 CFR part 602, the information collected consists of petitions, reports and accreditation notifications. The information collected is required to determine if an accrediting agency complies with the Secretary of Education's Criteria for Recognition and is used to allow the Secretary to make determinations on extending and/or continuing recognition. Only postsecondary institutions accredited by such a recognized accrediting agency obtain Title IV funding for its students. This portion of the new regulation was disclosed but not submitted for public comment when the negotiated rulemaking legislature was originally announced in the Federal Register in 2009. Therefore, this submission is considered a "revision of a currently approved collection." Dated: August 9, 2012. Darrin A. King, Director, Information Collection Clearance Division, Privacy, Information and Records Management Services, Office of Management. [FR Doc. 2012-20151 Filed 8-15-12; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4000-01-P