Overview
Title
Agency Information Collection Activities; Education Reservation Request Form
Agencies
ELI5 AI
The National Park Service wants to use a new online form to help schools and groups sign up for learning trips to parks, and they want people's thoughts on it by March. They need your input to make sure it's easy to use and figure out who needs a fee discount.
Summary AI
The National Park Service (NPS) is proposing a new information collection as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995. They are introducing the Education Reservation Request Form, which will be used to manage educational program requests from school groups and other educational audiences. The form will be electronic, requiring details about the program, dates, technology available, and fee waiver eligibility. The public is invited to comment on this proposal by March 22, 2021.
Abstract
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995, we, the National Park Service (NPS) are proposing a new information collection.
Keywords AI
Sources
AnalysisAI
The document in question is a notice released by the National Park Service (NPS), part of the U.S. Department of the Interior, proposing a new electronic form, the Education Reservation Request Form. This form is designed to streamline the process of managing requests for educational programs within various national parks. The form will be particularly used by educators from public and private schools, as well as homeschool and school-age clubs, to make reservations for either in-park educational visits or online distance learning programs.
Summary of the Document
The purpose of the document is to comply with the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995, an effort focused on minimizing paperwork and the associated burdens on the public. The NPS is opening the floor for public comments until March 22, 2021, regarding this new proposed information collection. The goal is to collect necessary details such as the type of educational program requested, the number of students involved, and the technology available to facilitate any distance learning component. Additionally, the form aims to determine eligibility for any academic fee waivers associated with the programs.
Significant Issues and Concerns
One of the document's more challenging aspects is its reliance on specific bureaucratic terminology, such as "OMB Control Number" and "PRA," which may not be readily understood by all members of the public. This might hinder individuals from fully grasping the notice's intent and therefore participating in the feedback process.
Moreover, the document mentions that personal information submitted as part of public comments may become publicly available. This could deter individuals from providing valuable feedback, especially if they have privacy concerns.
There is also no mention of security measures for electronic submissions, which could be critical for ensuring the safety of respondents’ personal information. Additionally, it lacks clarity on how the NPS will measure the effectiveness of the collected data in improving its educational programs.
Impact on the Public and Stakeholders
For the general public, the introduction of the Education Reservation Request Form may streamline and simplify the process of participating in educational programs at national parks. The move to electronic submissions is generally in keeping with broader trends towards digital government services, potentially increasing convenience and efficiency.
Specific stakeholders, especially educators and school groups, could either benefit or face challenges due to this new collection method. On the positive side, easy access and streamlined requests could facilitate more educational opportunities and engagement with national parks. Conversely, confusion over terms like "academic fee waiver eligibility" without clear criteria might lead to misunderstanding and inconsistent access.
In terms of impacting the broader public, especially those who rely heavily on public lands for educational purposes, this initiative shows a commitment to modernizing and potentially enhancing how the NPS serves educational groups. However, unless public feedback is effectively harnessed and implemented, the form may not completely meet the diverse needs or address the specific barriers faced by all educational stakeholders.
In conclusion, while the NPS’s initiative to improve service access through electronic forms can be beneficial, clarity, security, and the practical application of public feedback will be critical factors for successful implementation.
Issues
• The document contains technical jargon and references, such as 'OMB Control Number' and 'PRA,' which may not be immediately clear to the general public. It could benefit from more straightforward explanations.
• The section on public comments mentions that personal identifying information may be made publicly available, which might discourage some individuals from providing feedback.
• There is no description of specific measures or technology that will be used to ensure that the electronic submission of responses is secure, which might be a concern for respondents providing personal information.
• There is no mention of how the effectiveness of the data collection will be evaluated, such as criteria for determining the quality and utility of the collected data.
• The abstract mentions academic fee waiver eligibility but does not specify what criteria qualify for the waiver, which might lead to confusion among respondents.
• The document lacks information on how feedback or comments from the public will be utilized to improve the Education Reservation Request Form or its implementation.