Overview
Title
Agency Information Collection Activities; Comment Request; Privacy Act Request Form
Agencies
ELI5 AI
The Department of Education is asking people to say what they think about keeping a form that helps collect personal information. They want to know if the form is useful, easy to fill out, and if it takes too much time to complete.
Summary AI
The Department of Education is seeking public comments on the extension of a currently approved data collection known as the Privacy Act Request Form. This form is used to gather information from individuals asking for documents under the Privacy Act. The Department is particularly interested in feedback on whether the data collection is essential, its timeliness, burden estimates, and ways to improve its quality and lessen the burden on respondents. The deadline for submitting comments is April 6, 2021.
Abstract
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, ED is proposing an extension without change of a currently approved collection.
Keywords AI
Sources
AnalysisAI
The document from the Federal Register outlines a request for public comments by the Department of Education (ED) concerning the Privacy Act Request Form. This form facilitates the collection of information from individuals seeking access to documents under the Privacy Act. The public is encouraged to provide feedback on several aspects of this data collection, including its necessity, efficiency, and potential ways to lower the burden on respondents. The ED has set a deadline for submitting comments, which is April 6, 2021.
General Summary
The Department of Education is proposing an extension of the Privacy Act Request Form, a currently approved information collection. The extension does not involve any modifications to the existing collection. The primary objective of this request is to gather opinions from the public and federal agencies about the continuance of this data collection effort. Public comments are being sought to guide potential improvements concerning the form's relevance, burden on respondents, and the overall effectiveness of its information gathering.
Significant Issues
Several issues emerge from this notice, starting with the lack of clarity regarding the necessity for extending the current collection without modifications. Without clear justification, questions might arise as to why this data collection needs to continue unchanged. Moreover, the document's wording, particularly in the supplementary information section, may be too complex for those not familiar with legislative and bureaucratic language, such as the Paperwork Reduction Act. Simplifying this language could facilitate broader public understanding and engagement.
The concerns over the burden this collection imposes on respondents are inadequately addressed. The absence of specific steps or strategies to reduce this burden might result in skepticism regarding whether such considerations have been actualized. Additionally, the estimated 65 annual burden hours appear minimal for 130 expected annual responses, leading to potential confusion on how these figures were calculated.
Impact on the Public
Broadly speaking, this document could impact the general public by maintaining their ability to request information under the Privacy Act, thereby promoting transparency and access to government-held data. However, any complexity or lack of clarity in the process might discourage participation or feedback from individuals or households unfamiliar with such procedures.
Impact on Specific Stakeholders
The stakeholders most directly affected by this document include individuals or households requesting information from the Department of Education. If the requirements for submitting Privacy Act requests are perceived as burdensome or unclear, these groups might experience inconveniences in accessing needed information. Conversely, by soliciting public feedback, the Department of Education displays an openness to addressing public concerns, potentially leading to reforms beneficial to users of the form. Without explicit mention of how different groups might be impacted, concerns around equity and accessibility could arise, particularly for those less familiar with navigating bureaucratic systems.
In summary, while the document signifies a continuation of current practice, several areas, such as necessary justifications and clear language, could benefit from further refinement to ensure clarity and reduce undue burden, fostering greater public participation and understanding.
Issues
• The document does not provide a clear explanation for why the extension without change of the currently approved collection is necessary. This could lead to questions about the justification for maintaining the collection.
• The language in the 'Supplementary Information' section is somewhat complex, especially for individuals unfamiliar with the Paperwork Reduction Act. Simplifying the language could make it more accessible to the general public.
• The potential impact of the information collection on the respondents is not clearly outlined, particularly in terms of practical effects on Individuals or Households.
• There is no mention of any steps or processes taken to ensure the minimization of the public's reporting burden, despite soliciting comments on this matter.
• The estimated annual burden hours (65 hours) seem low considering the total estimated number of annual responses (130), and it might be unclear to respondents how this calculation was derived.
• The document does not specify if any particular groups, organizations, or areas might benefit or be disadvantaged by the collection of this information, which could raise concerns about equity.