Justification for nonsubstantive change

Request for Non-Substantive Change

The U.S. Census Bureau requests a revision to a previously approved data collection through the October 2007 School Enrolment Supplement to the Current Population Survey (CPS). The data collection was previously approved by OMB on August 23, 2006 (OMB # 0607-0464, expires 08/31/2009). The revision consists of an additional four questions asked of the household respondent, regarding use of Internet technology. As a result of these additional questions, the respondent burden can be expected to increase by 458 hours (30 seconds per household for the universe of 55,000 households). The additional questions appear in the attachment.

The Internet Use questions will provide a source of national and state level data on the demographic, social, and economic characteristics of Internet users and non-users. The development of statistical profiles of disadvantaged groups will permit public-private partnerships to target assistance to those that are most in need. It will provide information on access of Internet technology in and outside of the home, and whether or not the connection at home is a broadband connection.

The data from this collection will provide policy-relevant information on the U.S. population’s access to, and use of, Internet technology. Such information is essential for tracking the rapidly changing trends, understanding the nature of the changes, and planning policies and programs that will help make information technologies even more accessible across demographic groups and geographic regions.

These data will add to a series of tabulated information on the penetration of Internet access in households. Similar data on Internet use were collected in earlier supplements to the CPS in 1994, 1997, 1998, 2000, 2001 and 2003.

Attachment