OMB appreciates
that NCES is attempting to develop a new model of longitudinal
study in launching the HSLS:09 and that many issues remain to be
addressed as NCES moves forward. Therefore, it is critically
important to keep OMB informed of design considerations that would
affect the study's purpose, utility, public burden, cost, and
overall success. Specifically, OMB requests that NCES reports
results immediately after the technology pilot study this year. In
addition, OMB requests that NCES report on the overall results of
the field test, including results of each incentives experiment as
soon as they are available. In addition, we request that NCES
provide results of the distribution of incentive payments to
teachers. Finally, we understand that late-breaking estimates on
the number of cases needed to validate the math assessment items
raise new concerns about response rates, particularly among 12th
graders, in the Field Test. Therefore, if NCES ultimately believes
it more useful, OMB agrees to allow NCES to drop the student
incentive experiment and to incentivize all students at $10 for the
Field Test.
Inventory as of this Action
Requested
Previously Approved
08/31/2008
6 Months From Approved
4,138
0
0
1,593
0
0
0
0
0
This is a request for emergency
clearance for field test sampling. The High School Longitudinal
Study of 2009 (HSLS:09) is the most recent installment in the
series of NCES nationally representative longitudinal studies of
high school students. The HSLS:09 will assess students in math and
science during the fall of their 9th grade year and again in the
spring of most participating students 11th grade year. The study
will also survey students, their parents, teachers, guidance
counselors, and school administrators twice during the secondary
school years and follow students into their postsecondary years.
The study will focus on how students navigate the transition
between high school and the postsecondary world; what courses,
majors (or first job), and careers students decide to pursue, when,
why, and how.
The High School
Longitudinal Study of 2009 (HSLS:09) is the most recent installment
in the series of NCES nationally representative longitudinal
studies of high school students. The HSLS:09 will assess students
in math and science during the fall of their 9th grade year and
again in the spring of most participating students 11th grade
year. The study will also survey students, their parents, teachers,
guidance counselors, and school administrators twice during the
secondary school years and follow students into their postsecondary
years. Unfortunately, the timeline for HSLS:09 is quite truncated
due to an unanticipated event. The call for proposals was released
in mid-December 2006, but the contract was not awarded to RTI until
July 6, 2007, four months late. The field test is slated to begin
in Fall of 2008, which is less than a year from now. To ensure that
the study remains on track and on time, sampling must be completed
in January 2008 and school recruiting for the field test must begin
by February 2008 at the very latest. Thus we are seeking approval
to submit the clearance request for the sampling for the field test
as an emergency clearance. We request OMB emergency clearance by
the week of January 7, 2008 if possible. On a parallel track, we
will submit the clearance package for the field test and full-scale
activities as a regular submission in February 2008.
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:
(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;
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.
HSLS09_Appendix_A_recruitment_letters_revised.doc
Field Test Sampling