[Unified Agenda of Federal Regulatory and Deregulatory Actions] [Department of Education Semiannual Regulatory Agenda] [From the U.S. Government Printing Office, www.gpo.gov] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Part VI Department of Education ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Semiannual Regulatory Agenda [[Page 30184]]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 6E107, 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, OMB, 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, which includes a description of the problem to be addressed, any principal alternatives being considered, and potential costs and benefits of the action. [sbull] An indication of whether the planned action is likely to have significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities as defined by the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601(b)). [sbull] A reference to where a reader can find the current regulations in the Code of Federal Regulations. [sbull] A citation of legal authority. [sbull] The name, address, and telephone number of the contact person at the Department from whom a reader can obtain additional information regarding the planned action. In accordance with the Department's Principles for Regulating listed in its regulatory plan (67 FR 74095; published December 8, 2002), 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 regulations listed in this agenda that are 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 the Department with regard to any specific item in the agenda. The Department 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. Electronic Access to This Document You may view this document, as well as all other Department of Education 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/legislation/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.access.gpo.gov/nara/index.html Dated: March 27, 2003. Brian W. Jones, General Counsel. Office of Management--Proposed Rule Stage ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Regulation Sequence Title Identification Number Number ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 668 Student Rights in Research, Experimental Programs, and Testing...................... 1880-AA66 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- [[Page 30185]] Office of the Chief Financial Officer--Proposed Rule Stage ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Regulation Sequence Title Identification Number Number ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 669 Direct Grant Programs--E-Application Regulations.................................... 1890-AA09 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Office of the Chief Financial Officer--Long-Term Actions ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Regulation Sequence Title Identification Number Number ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 670 Governmentwide Requirement for Drug-Free Workplace (Financial Assistance) and 1890-AA07 Governmentwide Debarment and Suspension (Nonprocurement)............................ 671 Protection of Human Subjects (Classified Research).................................. 1890-AA08 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Office for Civil Rights--Proposed Rule Stage ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Regulation Sequence Title Identification Number Number ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 672 Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Sex in Education Programs or Activities Receiving 1870-AA11 Federal Financial Assistance........................................................ 673 Boy Scouts of America Equal Access Act.............................................. 1870-AA12 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Institute of Education Sciences--Completed Actions ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Regulation Sequence Title Identification Number Number ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 674 Reauthorization of the Educational, Research, Development, Dissemination, and 1850-AA57 Improvement Act of 1994 (Section 610 Review)........................................ ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Office of Elementary and Secondary Education--Proposed Rule Stage ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Regulation Sequence Title Identification Number Number ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 675 Title I--Improving the Academic Achievement of the Disadvantaged.................... 1810-AA95 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Office of Elementary and Secondary Education--Final Rule Stage ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Regulation Sequence Title Identification Number Number ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 676 Indian Education Discretionary Grant Program........................................ 1810-AA93 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Office of Elementary and Secondary Education--Completed Actions ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Regulation Sequence Title Identification Number Number ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 677 Reauthorization of Title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 1810-AA91 (Completion of a Section 610 Review)................................................ ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- [[Page 30186]] Federal Student Aid--Completed Actions ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Regulation Sequence Title Identification Number Number ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 678 Federal Student Aid Programs........................................................ 1845-AA23 679 Institutional Eligibility Under the Higher Education Act of 1965, as Amended; 1845-AA24 Student Assistance General Provisions; General Provisions for the Federal Perkins Loan Program, Federal Work-Study Program............................................ ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services--Prerule Stage ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Regulation Sequence Title Identification Number Number ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 680 Reauthorization of the Individuals With Disabilities Education Act (Section 610 1820-AB54 Review)............................................................................. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Office of Innovation and Improvement--Proposed Rule Stage ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Regulation Sequence Title Identification Number Number ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 681 Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act........................................... 1855-AA00 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- _______________________________________________________________________ Department of Education (ED) Proposed Rule Stage Office of Management (OM) _______________________________________________________________________ 668. 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). That provision 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 05/00/03 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No Small Entities Affected: No Government Levels Affected: None URL For Public Comments: http://www.regulations.gov Agency Contact: Kathleen Wolan, Family Policy Compliance Office, Department of Education, Office of Innovation and Improvement, Room 2W100, 400 Maryland Avenue SW, FB-6, 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) _______________________________________________________________________ 669. [bull] 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: The programs governed by this part are 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 05/00/03 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No Small Entities Affected: No Government Levels Affected: None [[Page 30187]] URL For Public Comments: http://www.regulations.gov Agency Contact: Blanca Rodriguez, Department of Education, Office of the Chief Financial Officer, Room 3652, ROB-3, Washington, DC 20202 Phone: 202 260-0172 RIN: 1890-AA09 _______________________________________________________________________ Department of Education (ED) Long-Term Actions Office of the Chief Financial Officer (OCFO) _______________________________________________________________________ 670. GOVERNMENTWIDE REQUIREMENT FOR DRUG-FREE WORKPLACE (FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE) AND GOVERNMENTWIDE DEBARMENT AND SUSPENSION (NONPROCUREMENT) Priority: Other Significant Legal Authority: EO 12549; EO 12689; 20 USC 1082; 20 USC 1094; 20 USC 1221e-3; 20 USC 3474; sec 2455, PL 103-355, 108 Stat 3243 at 3327 CFR Citation: 34 CFR 84; 34 CFR 85; 34 CFR 668; 34 CFR 682 Legal Deadline: None Abstract: These regulations are part of a common rule amending the Governmentwide nonprocurement common rule for debarment and suspension and the Governmentwide rule implementing the Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1988. These regulations clarify the relationship between debarment and suspension actions and limitation, suspension, and termination actions under title IV of the HEA. Additionally, these regulations set the dollar threshold on prohibited lower-tier procurement transactions with excluded persons at $25,000. These regulations also relocate the Drug- Free Workplace Act regulations in a separate part from the debarment and suspension regulations. Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ NPRM 01/23/02 67 FR 3326 NPRM Comment Period End 03/25/02 Next Action Undetermined Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No Small Entities Affected: No Government Levels Affected: None Agency Contact: Peter Wathen-Dunn, General Attorney, Department of Education, Office of the General Counsel, Room 6E211, 400 Maryland Avenue SW, FB-6, Washington, DC 20202-2243 Phone: 202 401-6700 RIN: 1890-AA07 _______________________________________________________________________ 671. PROTECTION OF HUMAN SUBJECTS (CLASSIFIED RESEARCH) Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant Legal Authority: 5 USC 301; 42 USC 300v-1(b) CFR Citation: 34 CFR 97 Legal Deadline: None Abstract: These amendments would revise existing regulations to eliminate certain waiver and expedited review provisions by adopting additional protection pertaining to human subjects in classified research. Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ Interim Final Rule To Be Determined Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No Small Entities Affected: No Government Levels Affected: None Additional Information: Transferred from RIN 1880-AA79 Agency Contact: Helene Deramond, Department of Education, Office of the Chief Financial Officer, Room 3652, ROB-3, 400 Maryland Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20202 Phone: 202 260-5353 RIN: 1890-AA08 _______________________________________________________________________ Department of Education (ED) Proposed Rule Stage Office for Civil Rights (OCR) _______________________________________________________________________ 672. 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 the title IX statute and the Constitution. Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ NPRM 11/00/03 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Undetermined Small Entities Affected: No Government Levels Affected: None URL For Public Comments: http://www.regulations.gov Agency Contact: Richard Foster, Department of Education, Office for [[Page 30188]] Civil Rights, Room 5048, Switzer Building, 400 Maryland Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20202-1100 Phone: 202 205-8535 RIN: 1870-AA11 _______________________________________________________________________ 673. 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 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 11/00/03 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Undetermined Small Entities Affected: No Government Levels Affected: Undetermined Federalism: Undetermined URL For Public Comments: http://www.regulations.gov Agency Contact: Richard Foster, Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights, Room 5048, Switzer Building, 400 Maryland Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20202-1100 Phone: 202 205-8535 RIN: 1870-AA12 _______________________________________________________________________ Department of Education (ED) Completed Actions Institute of Education Sciences (IES) _______________________________________________________________________ 674. REAUTHORIZATION OF THE EDUCATIONAL, RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT, DISSEMINATION, AND IMPROVEMENT ACT OF 1994 (SECTION 610 REVIEW) Priority: Other Significant. Major status under 5 USC 801 is undetermined. CFR Citation: 34 CFR ch VII Completed: ________________________________________________________________________ Reason Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ Withdrawn 03/12/03 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Undetermined Government Levels Affected: Undetermined Federalism: Undetermined Agency Contact: Elizabeth Payer Phone: 202 219-1385 RIN: 1850-AA57 _______________________________________________________________________ Department of Education (ED) Proposed Rule Stage Office of Elementary and Secondary Education (OESE) _______________________________________________________________________ 675. [bull] 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 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No Small Entities Affected: No Government Levels Affected: None URL For Public Comments: http://www.regulations.gov 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 [[Page 30189]] _______________________________________________________________________ Department of Education (ED) Final Rule Stage Office of Elementary and Secondary Education (OESE) _______________________________________________________________________ 676. INDIAN EDUCATION DISCRETIONARY GRANT PROGRAM Priority: Other Significant Legal Authority: 20 USC 7441; 20 USC 7442 CFR Citation: 34 CFR 263 Legal Deadline: None Abstract: The regulations that govern the competition of new Indian Education Discretionary Grant programs would be revised. The programs governed by this part include grants for the Professional Development Program and the Demonstration Grants for Indian Children Program. These programs are authorized under title VII of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) of 1965, as amended by the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001. These regulations would identify eligible applicants for the program and the specific application and program requirements that must be met in order for applications to be considered for funding. These regulations also would provide the requirements for the payback provisions that apply to the Professional Development Program. These regulations would govern the grant application process under both programs, including the payback provisions for the Professional Development Program. Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ Final Rule With Request for Comments 07/22/02 67 FR 47695 Comment Period End 08/21/02 Final Action 05/00/03 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No Small Entities Affected: No Government Levels Affected: None Agency Contact: Cathie Martin, Department of Education, Office of Elementary and Secondary Education, Room 3W111 FB-6, 400 Maryland Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20202-6335 Phone: 202 260-1683 RIN: 1810-AA93 _______________________________________________________________________ Department of Education (ED) Completed Actions Office of Elementary and Secondary Education (OESE) _______________________________________________________________________ 677. REAUTHORIZATION OF TITLE I OF THE ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION ACT OF 1965 (COMPLETION OF A SECTION 610 REVIEW) Priority: Other Significant Legal Authority: PL 107-110 CFR Citation: 34 CFR 200 Legal Deadline: Final, Statutory, July 8, 2002. Abstract: These regulations implement changes made by the reauthorization of title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, as amended by the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001. This action also results from a review of the existing regulations for this program under section 610 of the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 610). The purpose of this review was to determine if these regulations should be continued without change, or should be amended or rescinded, to minimize any significant economic impact upon a substantial number of small entities. Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ NPRM 08/06/02 67 FR 50986 NPRM Comment Period End 09/05/02 Final Action 12/02/02 67 FR 71710 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes Small Entities Affected: Governmental Jurisdictions Government Levels Affected: Local, State 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-AA91 _______________________________________________________________________ Department of Education (ED) Completed Actions Federal Student Aid (FSA) _______________________________________________________________________ 678. FEDERAL STUDENT AID PROGRAMS Priority: Other Significant CFR Citation: 34 CFR 600; 34 CFR 668; 34 CFR 673; 34 CFR 674; 34 CFR 675; 34 CFR 682; 34 CFR 685; 34 CFR 690; 34 CFR 694 Completed: ________________________________________________________________________ Reason Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ Final Action 11/01/02 67 FR 67048 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No Government Levels Affected: None Agency Contact: Gail McLarnon Phone: 202 219-7048 Related RIN: Related To 1845-AA24 RIN: 1845-AA23 _______________________________________________________________________ 679. INSTITUTIONAL ELIGIBILITY UNDER THE HIGHER EDUCATION ACT OF 1965, AS AMENDED; STUDENT ASSISTANCE GENERAL PROVISIONS; GENERAL PROVISIONS FOR THE FEDERAL PERKINS LOAN PROGRAM, FEDERAL WORK-STUDY PROGRAM Priority: Other Significant CFR Citation: 34 CFR 600; 34 CFR 668; 34 CFR 673; 34 CFR 675; 34 CFR 682; 34 CFR 685; 34 CFR 690; 34 CFR 694; ... [[Page 30190]] Completed: ________________________________________________________________________ Reason Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ Merged With RIN 1845-AA23 11/01/02 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No Government Levels Affected: None Agency Contact: Wendy Macias Phone: 202 502-7526 Related RIN: Merged With 1845-AA23 RIN: 1845-AA24 _______________________________________________________________________ Department of Education (ED) Prerule Stage Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS) _______________________________________________________________________ 680. REAUTHORIZATION OF THE INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES EDUCATION ACT (SECTION 610 REVIEW) Priority: Other Significant. Major status under 5 USC 801 is undetermined. Unfunded Mandates: Undetermined Legal Authority: 20 USC 1400 to 1487 CFR Citation: 34 CFR CH III Legal Deadline: None Abstract: These regulations would implement changes made by the anticipated reauthorization of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. This action is a notice that if regulations are necessary, ED would review the regulations in 34 CFR chapter III under section 610 of the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 610). The purpose of this review would be to determine if these regulations should be continued without change, or should be amended or rescinded, to minimize any significant economic impact upon a substantial number of small entities. We would request comments on the continued need for the regulations; the complexity of the regulations; the extent to which they overlap, duplicate, or conflict with other Federal, State, or local government regulations; and the degree to which technology, economic conditions, or other relevant factors have changed since the regulations were promulgated. Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ ANPRM 12/00/03 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Undetermined Small Entities Affected: No Government Levels Affected: Undetermined Federalism: Undetermined URL For Public Comments: http://www.regulations.gov Agency Contact: JoLeta Reynolds, Department of Education, Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services, Room 3082, Switzer Building, 400 Maryland Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20202-2570 Phone: 202 205-5507 RIN: 1820-AB54 _______________________________________________________________________ Department of Education (ED) Proposed Rule Stage Office of Innovation and Improvement (OII) _______________________________________________________________________ 681. [bull] 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 that permit the acceptance of electronic format records and signatures as ``signed and dated written consent'' required in FERPA. Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ NPRM 05/00/03 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No Small Entities Affected: No Government Levels Affected: None Additional Information: Transferred from RIN 1880-AA80 Agency Contact: Kathleen Wolan, Family Policy Compliance Office, Department of Education, Office of Innovation and Improvement, Room 2W100, 400 Maryland Avenue SW, FB-6, Washington, DC 20202-4605 Phone: 202 260-3887 RIN: 1855-AA00 [FR Doc. 03-8008 Filed 05-23-03; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4000-01-S