NCES is requesting system clearance for the NAEP assessments to be administered in the 2011Â2013 timeframe, similar to the system clearance approval that was granted for the 2005Â2007 and 2008Â2010 NAEP administrations (OMB 1850-0790). The primary reason for the system clearance request is that it enables NAEP to meet its large and complex assessment reporting schedules and deliverables through a more efficient clearance process.
NAEP is a federally authorized survey of student achievement at grades 4, 8, and 12 in various subject areas, such as mathematics, reading, writing, science, U.S. history, civics, geography, economics, and the arts. The No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 (NCLB) requires the assessment to collect data on specified student groups, including race/ethnicity, gender, socio-economic status, disability, and limited English proficiency. It requires fair and accurate presentation of achievement data and permits the collection of background or descriptive information that is related to academic achievement and aids in reporting of results. The intent of the law is to provide representative sample data on student achievement for the nation, the states, and subpopulations of students and to monitor progress over time.
There is an increase in the number of respondents and burden hours from the last system clearance, primarily due to the fact that the last clearance covered two assessment administrations at a national-level only and one state-level administration, while this clearance covers one national- and two state-level administrations. The nature of NAEP is that burden alternates from a relatively low burden in national-level years to a substantial burden in state-level years when the sample has to allow for estimates for states and some large urban districts. In addition, the 2011-2013 NAEP cycle includes increased participation of students with disabilities and English Language Learners.
At the time NCES requested a 3 year generic system clearance for the NAEP assessments to be administered in the 2011Â2013 timeframe (OMB# 1850-0790 v.26), the full details of the sampling plan for the 2011 NAEP administration was not yet fully finalized. The Wave I and Wave II approval requests to OMB (OMB#: 1850-0790 v.27 and v.29) reflect the finalized sampling plans. In the system clearance request, NCES projected 325,583 burden hours for all of the NAEP 2011 data collections subject to OMB approval, but the finalized sampling calls for a 358,801 burden hour total. This is primarily due to the fact that NAEP will collect data on more students with disabilities (SD) and English language learners (ELL), but instead of using one worksheet per students, school staff will now fill out a single worksheet for a number of SD and ELL students. This leads to a decrease in the total number of respondents/responses, but an increase in total burden hours. We thus are requesting OMB approval of the decrease in the number of respondents/responses and an increase in the total burden hours.
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.
NAEP 2011 System Clearance Burden Change Passback Response.doc
Att_Signed Change Request NAEP 2011 System Clearance 4313 6.10.10.pdf
Part B (Sys Cl) Supporting Statement.docx
NAEP 2011 Wave II (Writing and Math Multi-Stage Computer-based, KASA Math and PR, NIES, NAEP-TIMSS Alignment, SD and ELL worksheets)