Overview
Title
60-Day Notice of Proposed Information Collection: TechGirls Evaluation
Agencies
ELI5 AI
The Department of State wants to learn what people think about how well a program for teen girls interested in science and technology is working. They are asking people to give their thoughts before they send their plan to collect information to the government for approval.
Summary AI
The Department of State is asking for public comments on a new information collection related to the TechGirls program, which is a summer scholarship for girls aged 15-17 to explore STEM careers in the U.S. The Department aims to evaluate how well the program has met its goals over roughly ten years, with feedback from alumnae, their host families, job shadow hosts, and program staff. They have hired Dexis Consulting Group to conduct online surveys, and the public can comment on this effort until March 5, 2021.
Abstract
The Department of State is seeking Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approval for the information collection described below. In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, we are requesting comments on this collection from all interested individuals and organizations. The purpose of this notice is to allow 60 days for public comment preceding submission of the collection to OMB.
Keywords AI
Sources
AnalysisAI
The document is a notice from the Department of State requesting public comments on a proposed information collection aimed at evaluating the TechGirls program. This initiative is a summer scholarship program that provides girls aged 15-17 an opportunity to explore careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) in the United States. The proposed evaluation encompasses feedback from program alumnae, their host families, job shadow hosts, and program staff to determine the efficacy and impact of the program over its near ten-year span.
Summary of the Document
The Department of State is aiming to gather information through surveys administered by Dexis Consulting Group. These surveys will involve various stakeholders associated with the TechGirls program, with the goal of evaluating whether the program has achieved its long-term objectives. The public is invited to comment on this information collection until March 5, 2021. The document outlines details about the survey process, including the estimated hours required for completion by different respondent groups.
Significant Issues and Concerns
One notable issue is the absence of a detailed budget or cost analysis for the information collection. The omission of financial details raises potential concerns regarding the allocation and efficiency of public funds for the evaluation process. Furthermore, the document provides limited information on how the collected data will be used beyond assessing the program's efficacy. Such ambiguity may lead to concerns about future uses of personal data provided by respondents.
Additionally, while the document mentions the estimated survey burden time, it does not address potential costs or offer compensation for respondents, despite participation being voluntary. This could imply a lack of consideration for the participants' time and effort. Privacy protocols or security measures to protect respondents' personal information are also not specified, raising questions about data confidentiality and safety.
The use of Dexis Consulting Group to conduct the surveys is mentioned without explanation of the selection process. Lack of transparency in contracting practices could invite skepticism regarding impartiality and fairness.
Public Impact
Overall, this document may broadly impact the public by potentially enhancing the quality and effectiveness of programs similar to TechGirls. By evaluating the program's outcomes, the Department of State could refine and improve future iterations, fostering more effective opportunities for young women interested in STEM fields.
Impact on Specific Stakeholders
The document's implementation could offer positive impacts for stakeholders directly involved with TechGirls, such as the participants and the broader STEM community. A successful evaluation might validate the program's benefits, encouraging continued or expanded support for similar initiatives. However, burdening respondents without compensation or adequate consideration of their input might negatively affect stakeholder perceptions and willingness to engage in the evaluation process.
While the intent of this information gathering is to enhance program effectiveness, ensuring transparency, proper privacy measures, and responsiveness to public concerns are crucial components to gain trust and maximize the initiative's positive impact.
Issues
• The document does not specify the exact budget or cost associated with the collection of information, which could raise questions about potential wasteful spending.
• There is no mention of how the data collected will be used beyond assessing the efficacy and impact of the TechGirls program. This could lead to ambiguity about the future use of personal data.
• Although the survey burden time is calculated and provided, the document does not discuss potential costs or compensation for respondents, especially given that it is voluntary. This oversight could be seen as not considering respondent burden comprehensively.
• The document lacks explicit details about any security measures or privacy protocols in place to protect the personal information of the survey respondents.
• The methodology and reasons for contracting Dexis Consulting Group are not detailed, which might lead some to suspect favoritism or lack of transparency in the selection process.