FR 2021-00317

The document is a notice from the Bureau of Indian Affairs, part of the Interior Department, regarding a proposed renewal of an information collection process for nominations to the Advisory Board for Exceptional Children. In conformity with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice seeks to gather feedback from the public on proposed revisions to this process. The Bureau of Indian Education (BIE) is responsible for collecting this information, which will serve to evaluate the qualifications of individuals interested in being nominated to the board. Stakeholders and the general public have the opportunity to provide comments and suggestions until February 10, 2021.

General Overview

The primary purpose of this document is to solicit public comments on a process designed to gather information from individuals who wish to be considered for a federal advisory board dedicated to exceptional children. The Advisory Board for Exceptional Children, established under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act (IDEA) of 2004, is responsible for giving guidance in matters related to special education. The information collection involves participants providing their professional and personal qualifications and allows them to nominate themselves.

Issues and Concerns

One significant issue with this notice is that it received no public comments during an initial 60-day comment period. This lack of response might indicate a general unawareness or engagement deficit among the public regarding this collection process. Another potential concern is the complexity of the procedures outlined for submitting comments and information requests, which may deter participation, especially among those unfamiliar with regulatory processes.

Additionally, the document states that personal identifying information included in comments might become public, which could discourage individuals from participating due to privacy concerns. While the notice mentions that there are no non-hour burden costs involved, there may be hidden costs for individuals, such as internet access fees or postal charges for submitting documents.

Public Impact

Broadly, the document presents an opportunity for public participation in the nomination process for a board that influences educational policy for exceptional children. By collecting public feedback, the BIE aims to refine and optimize the process of nominating individuals who serve vital roles in advising on education for children with disabilities.

Impact on Stakeholders

For individuals interested in serving on the Advisory Board for Exceptional Children, this notice provides a clear pathway to put forth their candidacy, including newly incorporated features like self-nomination. However, the lack of a guaranteed mechanism to protect the privacy of information submitted may deter potential candidates.

For the broader community involved with special education, especially educators, parents, and advocates of children with disabilities, this document serves as an appeal for input that could ultimately impact the composition and effectiveness of an advisory board with significant influence over educational practices. Engaging more stakeholders in commenting could potentially lead to refinements that make it easier for qualified individuals to participate, thereby enhancing the quality of the board’s guidance. However, without broader involvement and greater clarity on privacy and procedural simplicity, these potential benefits may not be fully realized.

In the review of the document from the Federal Register regarding the Bureau of Indian Education's information collection activities, there are very minimal financial references. The central money-related statement in the document is the "Total Estimated Annual Nonhour Burden Cost: $0." This indicates that there are no direct financial costs to those who are submitting their information for consideration to serve on the Advisory Board for Exceptional Children.

Summary of Financial References

The primary financial reference provided in the document is the indication that the process incurs no direct monetary costs for respondents. This implies that individuals who are filling out the necessary forms or providing personal information do not have to pay any fees directly associated with their participation in the nomination process.

Relation to Identified Issues

The mention of a zero dollar nonhour burden cost might address concerns about financial barriers directly involved with the submission of nominations. However, it is important to contextualize this within broader concerns found in the document's issues. The document does not clarify any potential hidden costs associated with participation, such as expenses related to internet access for submitting the information electronically or possible mailing fees if submissions are sent via post. These could be considered indirect costs that are not accounted for in the "Nonhour Burden Cost."

Moreover, while the stated financial aspect minimizes overt costs directly linked to submission, it does not address whether the respondents could encounter logistical or opportunity costs as a result of participating, especially if they have limited access to communication channels or need assistance to understand and complete the application process thoroughly.

This financial reference thereby aligns with the issue that while there are no upfront expenses reported, concerns remain regarding the complexity of the submission process and possible indirect expenses that might burden individuals, potentially deterring participation. The absence of direct costs may facilitate broader participation, yet any associated non-financial burdens could still impact engagement negatively, as already indicated by the lack of comments during the previous notice period.