Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the Office of Management and Budget for Review and Approval; Comment Request; ARP ESSER Rule Collection Activities

AGENCY:

Office of Elementary and Secondary Education (OESE), Department of Education (ED).

ACTION:

Notice.

SUMMARY:

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, ED is proposing an extension without change of a currently approved collection.

DATES:

Interested persons are invited to submit comments on or before September 27, 2021.

ADDRESSES:

Written comments and recommendations for proposed information collection requests should be sent within 30 days of publication of this notice to www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain. Find this information collection request by selecting “Department of Education” under “Currently Under Review,” then check “Only Show ICR for Public Comment” checkbox. Comments may also be sent to ICDocketmgr@ed.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

For specific questions related to collection activities, please contact Britt Jung, 202-453-6046.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

The Department of Education (ED), in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA) (44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)), provides the general public and Federal agencies with an opportunity to comment on proposed, revised, and continuing collections of information. This helps the Department assess the impact of its information collection requirements and minimize the public's reporting burden. It also helps the public understand the Department's information collection requirements and provide the requested data in the desired format. ED is soliciting comments on the proposed information collection request (ICR) that is described below. 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: ARP ESSER Rule Collection Activities.

OMB Control Number: 1810-0755.

Type of Review: An extension without change of a currently approved collection.

Respondents/Affected Public: State, Local, and Tribal Governments.

Total Estimated Number of Annual Responses: 80,104.

Total Estimated Number of Annual Burden Hours: 2,037,956.

Abstract: This is a request for extension of an approved information collection by the Office of State and Grantee Relations (SGR) in the Office of Elementary and Secondary Education (OESE) at the U.S. Department of Education (ED) for the interim final requirements for the American Rescue Plan Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (“ARP ESSER”) Fund, under section 2001 of the American Rescue Plan (“ARP”) Act of 2021, Public Law 117-2 (ARP). The interim final requirements create information collection requirements for SEAs and LEAs such as the requirement for an SEA to meaningfully consult with various stakeholder groups on its ARP ESSER plan and to give the public an opportunity to provide input on the development of the plan. The interim final requirements also require an LEA receiving ARP ESSER funds to develop and make publicly available a plan for the use of those funds; meaningfully consult with stakeholders and consider public input in developing its plan; and make its plan accessible, including to parents with limited English proficiency and individuals with disability. Finally, with respect to the LEA plan for the safe return to in-person instruction and continuity of services required under section 2001(i) of the ARP Act, this action specifies what the plan must address; requires periodic review and, when needed, revision of the plan, with consideration of public input in each case, to ensure it meets statutory and regulatory requirements and remains relevant to the needs of schools; and requires that the plan be accessible, including to parents with limited English proficiency and individuals with disabilities.