The Program for International Student Assessment (PISA) is an international assessment that focuses on 15-year-olds' capabilities in reading, mathematics, and science literacy. It was first implemented by the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) in 2000 and has been administered every 3 years since. This submission is for the fifth cycle in the series, PISA 2012, and requests OMB approval for field test and main study recruitment, field trial data collection, and a waiver of the 60-days federal register notice for the main study clearance in 2012. As in 2003, in PISA 2012, mathematics will be the major subject domain. The field test will also include computer-based assessments in reading, science, and general problem solving, and an assessment of financial literacy in a paper-and-pencil format. The United States may decide to participate in these components in the main study as well, based on the results of the field test. In addition to assessment data, PISA provides background information on school context and student demographics to benchmark performance and inform policy. School recruitment for the field test will begin in September 2010 with data collection beginning in March 2011. Main study recruitment will begin in September 2011 with data collection beginning in September 2012. The PISA 2012 field test sample will include about 35 schools (main study sample about 150) and about 1600 students (4,500 Â 5,700 for the main study, depending on the components administered). In January 2011 NCES will submit the final field trial instruments to OMB; then, following the field test study, in May 2011, NCES will submit to OMB the final main study recruitment materials, design, and burden; and in spring 2012, NCES will submit the final main study instruments.
While Rocis considers this to be both an increase (for this field test/recruitment activities submission) as well as a decrease (reduction since the full scale is over), there is an overall reduction in burden because the last approval was for the full scale PISA 2009 collection while this clearance request is only for field test and recruitment activities.
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.
Att_Appendix B PISA 2012 Recruitment and Field Test.doc.docx
PISA OMB83 C on incentive change.pdf
PISA 2009 OMB Passback Responses.doc
PISA Student Questionnaires