[December 22, 2003 (Volume 68, Number 245)] [Unified Agenda] From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [frwais.access.gpo.gov] [DOCID: f:ua031006.wais] [Page 72834-72839] Department of Education ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Part VI ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Semiannual Regulatory Agenda [[Page 72834]] DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION (ED) _______________________________________________________________________ DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION Office of the Secretary 34 CFR Subtitles A and B Unified Agenda of Federal Regulatory and Deregulatory Actions AGENCY: Office of the Secretary, Education. ACTION: Semiannual regulatory agenda. _______________________________________________________________________ SUMMARY: The Secretary of Education publishes a semiannual agenda of Federal regulations. The agenda is issued under the authority of section 4(b) of Executive Order 12866 ``Regulatory Planning and Review.'' The purpose of the agenda is to encourage more effective public participation in the regulatory process by providing the public with early information about pending regulatory activities. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Questions or comments related to specific regulations listed in this agenda should be directed to the agency contact listed for the regulations. Questions or comments related to preparation of this agenda should be directed to Sandy Jablonski, Division of Regulatory Services, Office of the General Counsel, Department of Education, Room 6C109, FB-6, 400 Maryland Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20202-2241; telephone: (202) 401-8300. 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 4(b) of Executive Order 12866, dated September 30, 1993, requires the Department of Education (ED) to publish, at a time and in a manner specified by the Administrator of the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget, an agenda of all regulations under development or review. The Regulatory Flexibility Act, 5 U.S.C. 602(a), requires ED to publish, in October and April of each year, a regulatory flexibility agenda. The regulatory flexibility agenda may be combined with any other agenda that satisfies the statutory requirements (5 U.S.C. 605(a)). In compliance with the Executive order and the Regulatory Flexibility Act, the Secretary publishes this agenda. For each set of regulations listed, the agenda provides the title of the document, the type of document, a citation to any rulemaking or other action taken since publication of the most recent agenda, and planned dates of future rulemaking. In addition, the agenda provides the following information: [sbull] An abstract that includes a description of the problemto be addressed, any principal alternatives being considered, andpotential costs and benefits of the action. [sbull] An indication of whether the planned action is likelyto have significant economic impact on a substantial number of smallentities as defined by the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601(6)). [sbull] A reference to where a reader can find the current regulationsin the Code of Federal Regulations. [sbull] A citation of legal authority. [sbull] The name, address, and telephone number of the contactperson at ED from whom a reader can obtain additional informationregarding the planned action. In accordance with ED's Principles for Regulating listed in its regulatory plan, ED is committed to regulation that improves the quality and equality of services to its customers, learners of all ages. ED will regulate only when absolutely necessary and then in the most flexible, most equitable, least burdensome way possible. Interested members of the public are invited to comment on any of the items listed in this agenda that they believe are not consistent with the Principles for Regulating. Members of the public are also invited to comment on the regulation listed in this agenda that is designated for periodic review under the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 610). This publication in the Federal Register does not impose any binding obligation on ED with regard to any specific item in the agenda. ED may elect not to pursue any of the regulatory actions listed here, and regulatory action in addition to the items listed is not precluded. Dates of future regulatory actions are subject to revision in subsequent agendas. For this edition of ED's regulatory agenda, the most important significant regulatory actions are included in The Regulatory Plan, which appears in part II of this issue of the Federal Register.The Regulatory Plan entry is listed in the table of contents below and is denoted by a bracketed bold reference, which directs the reader to the appropriate sequence number in part II. Electronic Access to This Document You may view this document, as well as all other ED documents 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 Dated: August 29, 2003. Brian W. Jones, General Counsel. Office of Management--Proposed Rule Stage ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Regulation Sequence Title Identification Number Number ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 882 Student Rights in Research, Experimental Programs, and Testing...................... 1880-AA66 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- [[Page 72835]] Office of the Chief Financial Officer--Proposed Rule Stage ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Regulation Sequence Title Identification Number Number ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 883 Direct Grant Programs--E-Application Regulations.................................... 1890-AA09 884 Direct Grant Programs and State-Administered Programs............................... 1890-AA11 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Office of the Chief Financial Officer--Long-Term Actions ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Regulation Sequence Title Identification Number Number ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 885 Protection of Human Subjects (Classified Research).................................. 1890-AA08 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Office of the Chief Financial Officer--Completed Actions ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Regulation Sequence Title Identification Number Number ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 886 Governmentwide Requirement for Drug-Free Workplace (Financial Assistance) and 1890-AA07 Governmentwide Debarment and Suspension (Nonprocurement)............................ ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Office for Civil Rights--Proposed Rule Stage ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Regulation Sequence Title Identification Number Number ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 887 Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Sex in Education Programs or Activities Receiving 1870-AA11 Federal Financial Assistance........................................................ 888 Boy Scouts of America Equal Access Act.............................................. 1870-AA12 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Office of Elementary and Secondary Education--Proposed Rule Stage ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Regulation Sequence Title Identification Number Number ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 889 Impact Aid Programs................................................................. 1810-AA96 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Office of Elementary and Secondary Education--Final Rule Stage ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Regulation Sequence Title Identification Number Number ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 890 Title I--Improving the Academic Achievement of the Disadvantaged.................... 1810-AA95 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Office of Elementary and Secondary Education--Completed Actions ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Regulation Sequence Title Identification Number Number ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 891 Indian Education Discretionary Grant Program........................................ 1810-AA93 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- [[Page 72836]] Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services--Prerule Stage ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Regulation Sequence Title Identification Number Number ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 892 Reauthorization of the Individuals With Disabilities Education Act (Section 610 1820-AB54 Review) (Reg Plan Seq No. 34)....................................................... ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- References in boldface appear in the Regulatory Plan in part II of this issue of the Federal Register. Office of Innovation and Improvement--Final Rule Stage ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Regulation Sequence Title Identification Number Number ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 893 Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act........................................... 1855-AA00 894 Magnet Schools Assistance Program................................................... 1855-AA01 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- _______________________________________________________________________ Department of Education (ED) Proposed Rule Stage Office of Management (OM) _______________________________________________________________________ 882. STUDENT RIGHTS IN RESEARCH, EXPERIMENTAL PROGRAMS, AND TESTING Priority: Other Significant Legal Authority: 20 USC 1232h CFR Citation: 34 CFR 98 Legal Deadline: None Abstract: These regulations are needed to implement section 1017 of the Goals 2000: Educate America Act (Pub. L. 103-227, 20 U.S.C. 1232h). This section amends the Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment (PPRA) to require schools, in certain instances, to make specific educational materials available to parents for inspection. The provision also amends the PPRA to prohibit schools from requiring a student to submit to certain surveys, analyses, or evaluations without prior parental consent. The regulations are being developed in accordance with the Department's Principles for Regulating. New legislation amending the PPRA passed as part of the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001. As our next action we will issue a new NPRM based on this legislation. Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ NPRM 08/28/95 60 FR 44696 NPRM Comment Period End 10/27/95 Second NPRM 11/00/03 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No Small Entities Affected: No Government Levels Affected: None URL For Public Comments: www.regulations.gov Agency Contact: Ellen Campbell, Family Policy Compliance Office, Department of Education, Room 2W100, Room 2W117, FB-6, 400 Maryland Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20202-4605 Phone: 202 260-3887 RIN: 1880-AA66 _______________________________________________________________________ Department of Education (ED) Proposed Rule Stage Office of the Chief Financial Officer (OCFO) _______________________________________________________________________ 883. DIRECT GRANT PROGRAMS--E-APPLICATION REGULATIONS Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant Legal Authority: 20 USC 1221e-3 and 3474 CFR Citation: 34 CFR 75 Legal Deadline: None Abstract: These regulations would amend 34 CFR part 75 governing the process for submitting discretionary grant applications for the Direct Grant Programs of the Department of Education. These regulations would revise the regulations governing the deadline date for applications to provide for electronic submission of applications. Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ NPRM 10/30/03 68 FR 61779 NPRM Comment Period End 12/29/03 Final Action 03/00/04 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No Small Entities Affected: No Government Levels Affected: None URL For Public Comments: www.regulations.gov Agency Contact: Blanca Rodriguez, Department of Education, Office of the Chief Financial Officer, Room 3652, Room 3652, ROB-3, 400 Maryland Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20202-4248 Phone: 202 260-0172 RIN: 1890-AA09 _______________________________________________________________________ 884. [bull] DIRECT GRANT PROGRAMS AND STATE-ADMINISTERED PROGRAMS Priority: Other Significant. Major status under 5 USC 801 is undetermined. Legal Authority: 20 USC 1221e-3; 20 USC 3474; 20 USC 6511(a); 20 USC [[Page 72837]] 8065a; 20 USC 1221e-3(a)(1); OMB Circulars A-10 and A-02 CFR Citation: 34 CFR 74; 34 CFR 75; 34 CFR 76; 34 CFR 80 Legal Deadline: None Abstract: The Education Department General Administrative Regulations (EDGAR) governing direct grant programs; State-administered programs; the administration of grants and agreements with institutions of higher education, hospitals, and other nonprofit organizations; and the uniform administrative requirements for grants and cooperative agreements to State and local governments of the Department would be amended. The amendments would clarify that faith-;based organizations are eligible to participate in programs on the same basis as other private organizations, with respect to programs for which such organizations are eligible. Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ NPRM 09/30/03 68 FR 56418 NPRM Comment Period End 12/01/03 Final Action 12/00/03 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No Small Entities Affected: No Government Levels Affected: None URL For Public Comments: www.regulations.gov Agency Contact: John J. Porter, Director, Center for Faith-Based and Community Initiatives, Department of Education, Office of the Secretary, Suite 410, 555 New Jersey Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20208- 8300 Phone: 202 219-1741 RIN: 1890-AA11 _______________________________________________________________________ Department of Education (ED) Long-Term Actions Office of the Chief Financial Officer (OCFO) _______________________________________________________________________ 885. PROTECTION OF HUMAN SUBJECTS (CLASSIFIED RESEARCH) Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant CFR Citation: 34 CFR 97 Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ Interim Final Rule To Be Determined Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No Government Levels Affected: None Agency Contact: Helene Deramond Phone: 202 260-5353 RIN: 1890-AA08 _______________________________________________________________________ Department of Education (ED) Completed Actions Office of the Chief Financial Officer (OCFO) _______________________________________________________________________ 886. GOVERNMENTWIDE REQUIREMENT FOR DRUG-FREE WORKPLACE (FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE) AND GOVERNMENTWIDE DEBARMENT AND SUSPENSION (NONPROCUREMENT) Priority: Other Significant CFR Citation: 34 CFR 84; 34 CFR 85; 34 CFR 668; 34 CFR 682 Completed: ________________________________________________________________________ Reason Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ Final Action 11/26/03 68 FR 66534 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No Government Levels Affected: None Agency Contact: Peter Wathen-Dunn Phone: 202 401-6700 RIN: 1890-AA07 _______________________________________________________________________ Department of Education (ED) Proposed Rule Stage Office for Civil Rights (OCR) _______________________________________________________________________ 887. NONDISCRIMINATION ON THE BASIS OF SEX IN EDUCATION PROGRAMS OR ACTIVITIES RECEIVING FEDERAL FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE Priority: Other Significant Legal Authority: 20 USC 1681; 20 USC 1682 CFR Citation: 34 CFR 106 Legal Deadline: None Abstract: The Department is considering changes to the regulations implementing title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972. In the event changes are made, such changes would amend existing regulations to provide more flexibility for educators to establish single-sex classes and schools at the elementary and secondary levels. The purpose of the amendments would be to support efforts of school districts to improve educational outcomes for children and to provide public school parents with a diverse array of educational options that respond to the educational needs of their children, while at the same time ensuring appropriate safeguards against discrimination. Amendments would be designed to permit appropriate latitude for innovative efforts to help children learn and to expand the choices parents have for their children's education consistent with the purposes of title IX. Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ NPRM 11/00/03 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No [[Page 72838]] Small Entities Affected: No Government Levels Affected: None URL For Public Comments: www.regulations.gov Agency Contact: Sandra G. Battle, Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights, Room 5036, Switzer Building, 400 Maryland Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20202-1100 Phone: 202 205-5526 RIN: 1870-AA11 _______________________________________________________________________ 888. BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA EQUAL ACCESS ACT Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant Legal Authority: 20 USC 7905 CFR Citation: 34 CFR ch I Legal Deadline: None Abstract: These regulations would implement a new law, the Boy Scouts of America Equal Access Act (Boy Scouts Act), which is part of the amendments to the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 enacted as the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001. Under the Boy Scouts Act, no public elementary school, public secondary school, or State or local educational agency that provides an opportunity for one or more outside youth or community groups to meet on school premises or in school facilities before or after school hours shall deny equal access or a fair opportunity to meet to, or discriminate against, any group officially affiliated with the Boy Scouts of America or other specified patriotic youth groups. Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ ANPRM 11/15/02 67 FR 69456 ANPRM Comment Period End 12/16/02 NPRM 12/00/03 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No Small Entities Affected: No Government Levels Affected: None URL For Public Comments: www.regulations.gov Agency Contact: Sandra G. Battle, Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights, Room 5036, Switzer Building, 400 Maryland Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20202-1100 Phone: 202 205-5526 RIN: 1870-AA12 _______________________________________________________________________ Department of Education (ED) Proposed Rule Stage Office of Elementary and Secondary Education (OESE) _______________________________________________________________________ 889. [bull] IMPACT AID PROGRAMS Priority: Other Significant. Major status under 5 USC 801 is undetermined. Legal Authority: 20 USC 7701 to 7714 CFR Citation: 34 CFR 222 Legal Deadline: None Abstract: These regulations would implement the Impact Aid discretionary construction program, which is authorized under section 8007(b) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, as amended by the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001. The program would provide competitive grants for emergency repairs and modernization of school facilities to certain eligible school districts that receive Impact Aid formula funds. These regulations would incorporate statutory requirements and provide guidance for applying and qualifying for, as well as spending, the Federal funds provided under this program. These regulations would apply to the grant competitions after fiscal year 2002. Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ NPRM 10/22/03 68 FR 60598 NPRM Comment Period End 11/21/03 Final Action 12/00/03 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No Small Entities Affected: No Government Levels Affected: None Additional Information: NPRM published erroneously as RIN 1810--AA96. URL For Public Comments: www.regulations.gov Agency Contact: Marilyn Hall, Impact Aid Program, Department of Education, Office of Elementary and Secondary Education, 400 Maryland Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20202-6244 Phone: 202 205-8724 RIN: 1810-AA96 _______________________________________________________________________ Department of Education (ED) Final Rule Stage Office of Elementary and Secondary Education (OESE) _______________________________________________________________________ 890. TITLE I--IMPROVING THE ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT OF THE DISADVANTAGED Priority: Other Significant Legal Authority: PL 107-110 CFR Citation: 34 CFR 200 Legal Deadline: None Abstract: These regulations would clarify statutory provisions regarding State, LEA, and school accountability for the academic achievement of students with the most significant cognitive disabilities and are needed to implement changes to title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, as amended, made by the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001. Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ NPRM 03/20/03 68 FR 13796 NPRM Comment Period End 05/19/03 Final Action 11/00/03 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No Small Entities Affected: No Government Levels Affected: None URL For More Information: www.regulations.gov [[Page 72839]] Agency Contact: Jacquelyn Jackson, Acting Director, Student Achievement and Student Accountability Programs, Department of Education, Office of Elementary and Secondary Education, Room 3W230, 400 Maryland Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20202-6132 Phone: 202 260-0826 RIN: 1810-AA95 _______________________________________________________________________ Department of Education (ED) Completed Actions Office of Elementary and Secondary Education (OESE) _______________________________________________________________________ 891. INDIAN EDUCATION DISCRETIONARY GRANT PROGRAM Priority: Other Significant CFR Citation: 34 CFR 263 Completed: ________________________________________________________________________ Reason Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ Final Action 07/24/03 68 FR 43639 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No Government Levels Affected: None Agency Contact: Cathie Martin Phone: 202 260-1683 RIN: 1810-AA93 _______________________________________________________________________ Department of Education (ED) Prerule Stage Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS) _______________________________________________________________________ 892. REAUTHORIZATION OF THE INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES EDUCATION ACT Regulatory Plan: This entry is Seq. No. 34 in part II of this issue of the Federal Register. RIN: 1820-AB54 _______________________________________________________________________ Department of Education (ED) Final Rule Stage Office of Innovation and Improvement (OII) _______________________________________________________________________ 893. FAMILY EDUCATIONAL RIGHTS AND PRIVACY ACT Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant Legal Authority: 20 USC 1232g CFR Citation: 34 CFR 99 Legal Deadline: None Abstract: These regulations are needed to implement the Department's interpretation of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) identified through administrative experience as necessary for proper program operation. These regulations would provide general guidelines for accepting ``signed and dated written consent'' under FERPA in electronic format. Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ NPRM 07/28/03 68 FR 44420 NPRM Comment Period Ends 09/26/03 Final Action 11/00/03 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No Small Entities Affected: No Government Levels Affected: None Additional Information: Transferred from RIN 1880-AA80 URL For More Information: www.regulations.gov Agency Contact: Kathleen Wolan, Family Policy Compliance Office, Department of Education, Room 2W100, FB-6, 400 Maryland Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20202-4605 Phone: 202 260-3887 RIN: 1855-AA00 _______________________________________________________________________ 894. [bull] MAGNET SCHOOLS ASSISTANCE PROGRAM Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant. Major status under 5 USC 801 is undetermined. Legal Authority: 20 USC 7231 to 7231f CFR Citation: 34 CFR 280 Legal Deadline: None Abstract: These regulations amend the Magnet Schools Assistance Program regulations to reflect changes made to the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, as amended by the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001. Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ Final Action 11/00/03 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No Small Entities Affected: No Government Levels Affected: None URL For Public Comments: www.regulations.gov Agency Contact: Steven L. Brockhouse, Department of Education, Office of Innovation and Improvement, Room 3E122, FB-6, 400 Maryland Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20202-6140 Phone: 202 260-2476 RIN: 1855-AA01 [FR Doc. 03-24020 Filed 12-19-03; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4000-01-S