The Department of State is proposing to amend existing regulations to impose new program administration requirements within the secondary school student exchange program. These regulations govern Department designated exchange visitor programs under which foreign secondary school students (ages 15-18\1/2\) are afforded the opportunity to study in the United States at accredited public or private secondary schools for an academic semester or an academic year while living with American host families or residing at accredited U.S. boarding schools. Specifically, the Department is proposing to amend existing regulations regarding the screening, selection, school enrollment, orientation, and quality assurance monitoring on behalf of student participants; and the screening, selection, orientation, and quality assurance monitoring of host families and field staff. The purpose of this rule is to solicit public comment regarding these proposed changes that are offered to address the need for greater clarity in current existing regulatory language. The Department's objective is to better protect the health, safety, and welfare of these participants though enhanced clarity of existing regulations. Due to the academic calendar and the screening and selection cycle for the conduct of the Secondary School Student program, the comment period of this proposed rule has been set to 30 days from the date of publication. Concerns regarding the safety and welfare of secondary school student population necessitate a shorter comment period. To provide sponsors with sufficient time to prepare for implementation of changes in program administration to be effective in the academic year 2011/2012, the Department would like to accelerate this rulemaking.
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