Information Technology Skill Certification Case Study

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Information collection document groups

IC ID	Collection	Type	Status	Form
22750	Information Technology Skill Certification Case Study		Migrated

ICR Details

OMB Control No:	ICR Reference No: 200109-1875-001
Status: Historical Inactive	Previous ICR Reference No:
Agency/Subagency: ED/OPEPD	Agency Tracking No:
Title: Information Technology Skill Certification Case Study
Type of Information Collection: New collection (Request for a new OMB Control Number)	Common Form ICR:  No
Type of Review Request: Regular
OIRA Conclusion Action: Disapproved	Conclusion Date: 10/16/2001
	Date Received in OIRA: 09/10/2001
Terms of Clearance: The study as currently proposed is disapproved because it fails to meet the standards for practical utility in 5 CFR 1320 (d) (1) (iii) due to major flaws in the methodology stemming from the use of a case study approach without a supporting representative study. These issues have been discussed at legnth with the Department of Education (ED) during the OMB review process, and written passbacks as well as an appeal memo from ED are available in the OMB docket library. Specifically, the reasons for disapproval are as follows: 1) Even as revised, the IT certification case study has a broad purpose of informing policy decision making without the necessary statistical foundation. ED's desire to conduct the study as designed and simply limit the generalizability of the findings is not viable because of the methodological limitations of the study and its lack of practical utility. 2) Education has appealed the initial decision and referenced the NAVE research program as a relevant large-scale, representative study that these case studies can be tied to; however, the NAVE program of research does not contain adequate components that address IT certification or related programs. Thus, this does not meet the guidelines for case studies that OMB has shared with ED in the policy memo on case studies dated 1991. OMB recognizes that an evaluation of IT certification programs may be warranted, and has no concerns with the Department developing such a study, so long as the study collects representative data and is statistically sound. ED can conduct pilot studies for the larger scale study, if necessary (with OMB approval for the pilot study), if the pilot study is conducted in the broader context of developing a representative study of IT certification programs.

table that charts list comparision

	Inventory as of this Action	Requested	Previously Approved
Expiration Date
Responses	0	0	0
Time Burden (Hours)	0	0	0
Cost Burden (Dollars)	0	0	0

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Abstract: Shortages of skilled workers in information technology has encouraged such leading firms as Microsoft, Oracle, Cisco and Novell to develop job standards and exams to certify qualified workers in various technical jobs. Increasingly, community colleges and even high schools are establishing programs of study to prepare students to pass these certification exams. Students and colleges may view certification as a passport into a high wage occupation, and in some cases as an alternative to an associate degree. Despite the popularity of these programs, little is known about what types of students are attracted to....

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Authorizing Statute(s): None

Citations for New Statutory Requirements: None

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Associated Rulemaking Information
RIN:	Stage of Rulemaking:	Federal Register Citation:	Date:

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Federal Register Notices & Comments

Did the Agency receive public comments on this ICR? No

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Number of Information Collection (IC) in this ICR: 1

table that charts list of burden

IC Title	Form No.	Form Name
Information Technology Skill Certification Case Study

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Burden increases because of Program Change due to Agency Discretion: No

Burden Increase Due to:

Burden decreases because of Program Change due to Agency Discretion: No

Burden Reduction Due to:

Short Statement:

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Annual Cost to Federal Government: $0

Does this IC contain surveys, censuses, or employ statistical methods? No

Is the Supporting Statement intended to be a Privacy Impact Assessment required by the E-Government Act of 2002? No

Is this ICR related to the Affordable Care Act [Pub. L. 111-148 & 111-152]? Uncollected

Is this ICR related to the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, [Pub. L. 111-203]? Uncollected

Is this ICR related to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA)? Uncollected

Is this ICR related to the Pandemic Response? Uncollected

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Common Form ICR:  No

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On behalf of this Federal agency, I certify that the collection of information encompassed by this request complies with 5 CFR 1320.9 and the related provisions of 5 CFR 1320.8(b)(3).

The following is a summary of the topics, regarding the proposed collection of information, that the certification covers:

(a) It is necessary for the proper performance of agency functions;

(b) It avoids unnecessary duplication;

(c) It reduces burden on small entities;

(d) It uses plain, coherent, and unambiguous language that is understandable to respondents;

(e) Its implementation will be consistent and compatible with current reporting and recordkeeping practices;

(f) It indicates the retention periods for recordkeeping requirements;

(g) It informs respondents of the information called for under 5 CFR 1320.8 (b)(3) about:

(i) Why the information is being collected;

(ii) Use of information;

(iii) Burden estimate;

(iv) Nature of response (voluntary, required for a benefit, or mandatory);

(v) Nature and extent of confidentiality; and

(vi) Need to display currently valid OMB control number;

(h) It was developed by an office that has planned and allocated resources for the efficient and effective management and use of the information to be collected.

(i) It uses effective and efficient statistical survey methodology (if applicable); and

(j) It makes appropriate use of information technology.

If you are unable to certify compliance with any of these provisions, identify the item by leaving the box unchecked and explain the reason in the Supporting Statement.

Certification Date: 09/10/2001

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