Agency Information Collection Activities; Comment Request; Targeted Teacher Shortage Areas Data Collection

Agency Information Collection Activities; Comment Request; Targeted Teacher Shortage Areas Data Collection

DATES:

Interested persons are invited to submit comments on or before May 29, 2026.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

The Department, in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA) (44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)), provides the general public and Federal agencies with an opportunity to comment on proposed, revised, and continuing collections of information. This helps the Department assess the impact of its information collection requirements and minimize the public's reporting burden. It also helps the public understand the Department's information collection requirements and provide the requested data in the desired format. The Department is soliciting comments on the proposed information collection request (ICR) that is described below. The Department is especially interested in public comment addressing the following issues: (1) is this collection necessary to the proper functions of the Department; (2) will this information be processed and used in a timely manner; (3) is the estimate of burden accurate; (4) how might the Department enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (5) how might the Department minimize the burden of this collection on the respondents, including through the use of information technology. Please note that written comments received in response to this notice will be considered public records.

Title of Collection: Targeted Teacher Shortage Areas Data Collection.

OMB Control Number: 1840-0595.

Type of Review: A reinstatement without change of a previously approved ICR.

Respondents/Affected Public: State, Local, and Tribal Governments.

Total Estimated Number of Annual Responses: 57.

Total Estimated Number of Annual Burden Hours: 6,612.

Abstract: This request is for approval of reporting requirements that are contained in the Federal Family Education Loan Program (FFELP) regulations (34 CFR 682.210) which address the targeted teacher deferment provision of the Higher Education Act of 1965 as amended by the Higher Education Amendment of 1986 sections 427(a)(2)(C)(vi) 428(b)(1)(M)(vi) and 428(b)(4)(A) which provide for the targeted teacher deferment. The FFELP (34 CFR 682.210(q)) Paul Douglas Teacher Scholarship Program (34 CFR 653.50(a)) TEACH Grant Program and Federal Perkins Loan Program (34 CFR 674.53(c)) regulations contain information collection requirements. The Chief State School Officers of each state provide the Secretary annually with a database of proposed teacher shortage areas for each state.