DA 00-2572

Released: November 15, 2000

**WIRELESS TELECOMMUNICATIONS BUREAU SOLICITS ASSISTANCE IN UPDATING
COMMERCIAL OPERATOR LICENSE EXAMINATION (COLE) QUESTION POOLS FOR
ELEMENTS 1 AND 7, AND SEEKS COMMENT ON DEVELOPMENT OF PROCEDURES TO
UPDATE COLE QUESTION POOLS**

Comment Date: December 15, 2000 Reply Date: January 2, 2001

In furtherance of the Commission's ongoing commitment to improve upon
the content of the Commercial Operator License Examination (COLE), we
hereby solicit private sector assistance in updating the COLE question
pools for Elements 1 (Basic Radio Law) and 7 (Global Maritime Distress
and Safety System (GMDSS) radio operating procedures). The Commission's
goal is to ensure that the questions reflect the current duties and
responsibilities of commercial radio operator licensees and
state-of-the-art technologies.

The National GMDSS Implementation Task Force[^1] has examined the
current question pools and submitted for our review a completely revised
model test pool for Element 7. It has proposed that we adopt this
question pool in its entirety. Accordingly, we seek comment on whether
this question pool should be adopted either partially or in its
entirety, and whether any changes should be made thereto. In addition,
with respect to Element 1 and (in the event the question pool proposed
by the GMDSS Task Force is not accepted) Element 7, we seek suggestions
regarding what current questions should be eliminated and what new
questions should be added. Each proposed new question must be stated as
a complete sentence and include a narrative statement regarding the
question's importance. For each question, the following information must
be included:

1\. Element number associated with the question.

2\. Correct answer and at least three multiple-choice distracters.

3\. Name of source document upon which the question is based, and

4\. A citation for the correct answer.

More broadly, in order to ensure that, at all times, the content of all
COLE question pools is maintained and international requirements are
reflected, we also seek comment on the implementation of a system for
the regular maintenance of question pools. Specifically, we seek
suggestions on procedures for the consistent updating of question pools,
including the frequency with which such updates should occur.

Interested parties may file comments on the question pool submitted by
the GMDSS Task Force, suggestions on topics and questions, and/or
suggestions for the procedure and frequency of question pool updates on
or before December 14, 2000. Parties interested in submitting reply
comments must do so on or before December 29, 2000. All submissions
should reference this *Public Notice*, including the DA number, and
should be filed with the Office of the Secretary, Federal Communications
Commission, 445 Twelfth Street, S.W., TW-325, Washington, D.C. 20554. A
copy of each filing should be sent to International Transcription
Services, Inc. (ITS), 1231 20^th^ Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20036,
(202) 857-3800, and Genevieve Augustin, Federal Communications
Commission, Wireless Telecommunications Bureau, Public Safety and
Private Wireless Division, Policy and Rules Branch, 445 Twelfth Street,
S.W., Room 4-C421, Washington, D.C. 20554.

The current COLE questions and answers, the model theoretical test pool
submitted by the GMDSS Task Force, and all submittals in response to
this *Public Notice* and reply comments will be available for inspection
and duplication during regular business hours in the Reference
Information Center (RIC) of the Consumer Information Bureau (CIB),
Federal Communications Commission, 445 Twelfth Street, S.W., Room
CY-A257. Copies may also be obtained from ITS. For further information
regarding the public reference file, interested persons should contact
Maria Ringold, Chief, Wireless Branch, RIC, (202) 418-1350. The GMDSS
Task Force's proposed question pool is also available on the Internet at
<http://www.uscg.mil/hq/g-m/marpers/examques/achome.htm>.

We believe it would be in the public interest to treat this matter as a
permit-but-disclose proceeding under the *ex parte* rules. *See*
Sections 1.1200(a), 1.1206 of the Commission's Rules, 47 C.F.R. §§ 1,
1200(a), 1,1206. Therefore, subsequent to the release of this *Public
Notice, ex parte* presentations that are made with respect to the issues
involved will be allowed but must be disclosed in accordance with the
requirements of Section 1.1206(b) of the Commission's Rules, 47 C.F.R. §
1.1206(b).

For further information, contact Genevieve Augustin of the Policy and
Rules Branch of the Public Safety and Private Wireless Division of the
Wireless Telecommunications Bureau at (202) 418-0680, TTY (202)
418-7233, or via e-mail to gaugusti@fcc.gov.

By the Chief, Public Safety and Private Wireless Division, Wireless
Telecommunications Bureau.

-FCC-

[^1]: The GMDSS Task Force was chartered by the U.S. Coast Guard to
    supplement government functions in expediting the implementation of
    the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) recently
    introduced by the International Maritime Organization (IMO). The
    Task Force membership includes nearly 1000 representatives of
    government agencies, commercial vessel owners and operators,
    recreational vessel interests, training institutions, service
    agents, manufacturers, trade associations and maritime labor
    organizations.