Modifications Memo

MEMORANDUM

TO: OMB Desk Officer

FROM: Enid Marshall

CSPR Coordinator

SUBJECT: Transmittal – OMB 83C Package for the SY 2007-08 Consolidated State Performance Report (#1810-0614), Part I and Part II,

I am forwarding under OMB 83C proposed technical modifications to the Consolidated State Performance Report (CSPR) for the SY 2007-08 collection. The current CSPR was approved (OMB #1810-0614) in October 2007 and will expire October 31, 2010.

Part I of the SY 2007-08 CSPR will be due to the Department on or before December 19, 2008. Part II will be due on or before February 27, 2009.

We are requesting technical modifications to the CSPR to: (1) improve the quality and validity of the data the Department receives by improving the clarity and intent of questions; and (2) eliminate questions (partially or fully) that are no longer needed or that are duplicative. The proposed technical modifications result from questions and feedback we received from States during the SY 2006-07 CSPR submission periods, data quality issues program offices identified during data quality reviews of State submissions, and question-by-question reviews program offices conducted in conjunction with the Office of General Counsel (OGC) to ensure that the wording of each question was clear and consistent with the intent of the governing statute, and that each question was yielding useful and/or necessary information.

We are pleased with the pro-active steps program offices are taking to refine the CSPR as they take greater ownership of CSPR results and incorporate use of CSPR data as integral part of program monitoring and technical assistance to States.

Summary of Proposed Technical Modifications

Section 1.1: Standards and Assessment Development

• Combines questions 1.1.2 with 1.1.3 and 1.1.4 with 1.1.5.

• Clarifies questions concerning changes to content standards approved by the Department.

Section 1.3: Student Academic Achievement

• Clarifies the definition of LEP.

Section 1.4: School and District Accountability

• Clarifies questions based on feedback from the 2006-07 data collection. On the SY 2006-07 CSPR, several States appear to have misinterpreted the year for which data are requested.

• Requires respondents to actively affirm Title I status of schools identified for improvement, corrective action, or restructuring in those instances where States choose to submit lists of all schools, not just Title I schools.

Section 1.6: Title III and Language Instructional Programs

• Modifies wording and instructions throughout the section for greater clarity and consistency to improve data quality.

• Eliminates questions (partially or fully) that are no longer needed or that duplicate other items.

Section 2.1: Improving Basic Programs Operated by Local Educational Agencies (Title I, Part A)

• Modifies wording and instructions of existing items for greater clarity and consistency.

Section 2.2: W. F. Goodling Even Start Family Literacy Programs (Title I, Part B, Subpart 3)

• Modifies wording and instructions of existing items for greater clarity and consistency to improve data quality.

All Sections

Adds comment boxes throughout the word version of CSPR consistent with the online reporting tool.

The technical modifications requested will not increase the estimated burden hours for respondents. The specific modifications requested are detailed in Attachment A.