An Evaluation of the Effectiveness of Online Learning Courses for Secondary Students: North Carolina Virtual Public School (NCVPS) Study

Forms and Documents

Forms and supporting documents for this ICR

Document	Type	Status	Availability
1875-NEW (4629) revOLLC NCVPS OMB Supplemental Docs 12-19-11.docx	Supplementary Document	Uploaded 2011-12-21	Repair queued
1875-NEw 4629 rev SS part B.docx	Supporting Statement B	Uploaded 2011-12-21	Repair queued
1875-NEW 4629 rev OLLC NCVPS OMB Supporting Statement A 12-19-11.docx	Supporting Statement A	Uploaded 2011-12-21	Repair queued
1875-NEW 4629 OLLC NCVPS Piloting Results Memo 12-19-11 (2).docx	Supplementary Document	Uploaded 2011-12-21	Repair queued

IC Document Collections

Information collection document groups

IC ID	Collection	Type	Status	Form
200480	Survey for On-line Students	Other-survey	New
200478	Survey for Traditional Teachers	Other-survey	New
200477	Survey for On-line Teachers	Other-survey	New

ICR Details

OMB Control No:	ICR Reference No: 201106-1875-001
Status: Historical Inactive	Previous ICR Reference No:
Agency/Subagency: ED/OPEPD	Agency Tracking No: 4629
Title: An Evaluation of the Effectiveness of Online Learning Courses for Secondary Students: North Carolina Virtual Public School (NCVPS) Study
Type of Information Collection: New collection (Request for a new OMB Control Number)	Common Form ICR:  No
Type of Review Request: Regular
OIRA Conclusion Action: Withdrawn	Conclusion Date: 04/10/2012
	Date Received in OIRA: 01/03/2012
Terms of Clearance:

table that charts list comparision

	Inventory as of this Action	Requested	Previously Approved
Expiration Date		36 Months From Approved
Responses	0	0	0
Time Burden (Hours)	0	0	0
Cost Burden (Dollars)	0	0	0

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Abstract: Given the considerable scale at which online learning is being used in schools today, it is particularly important that policymakers have research-based guidance available about how best to deploy online learning activities. However, few rigorous studies have been completed that compare K-12 student achievement in online learning to traditional, classroom-based education. Similarly, while many articles provide advice regarding the "best" ways to implement online learning, few report an empirical basis for recommended practices. To fill this critical gap in knowledge, this research will provide rigorous empirical data on the effectiveness of online learning for secondary students. A set of empirical studies will be conducted under this research. This OMB package pertains only to a study of courses offered by North Carolina Virtual Public School (NCVPS), a large-scale, statewide online learning provider. In this study, the impact of online learning for secondary students enrolled in five different courses offered by NCVPS will be compared with peers enrolled in similar courses in face-to-face instruction. The study will use a quasi-experimental design using propensity score matching. State end-of-course exams for each course and the scores on the Advanced Placement U.S. History exam will be used as the primary outcome measures. In addition to the surveys of online teachers and students, a sample of North Carolina teachers teaching similar courses in face-to-face instruction will be administered a survey to collect information on instructional practices in the comparison face-to-face courses.

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Authorizing Statute(s): PL: Pub.L. 107 - 110 Title II Part D Name of Law: Elementary and Secondary Education Act
  

Citations for New Statutory Requirements: None

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Associated Rulemaking Information
RIN:	Stage of Rulemaking:	Federal Register Citation:	Date:
	Not associated with rulemaking

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Federal Register Notices & Comments
60-day Notice:	Federal Register Citation:	Citation Date:
	76 FR 30926	05/27/2011
30-day Notice:	Federal Register Citation:	Citation Date:
	76 FR 81486	12/28/2011
Did the Agency receive public comments on this ICR? Yes

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Number of Information Collection (IC) in this ICR: 3

table that charts list of burden

IC Title	Form No.	Form Name
Survey for On-line Teachers
Survey for Traditional Teachers
Survey for On-line Students

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Burden increases because of Program Change due to Agency Discretion: Yes

Burden Increase Due to: Miscellaneous Actions

Burden decreases because of Program Change due to Agency Discretion: No

Burden Reduction Due to:

Short Statement: This is a new collection.

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Annual Cost to Federal Government: $1,156,976

Does this IC contain surveys, censuses, or employ statistical methods? Yes Part B of Supporting Statement

Is the Supporting Statement intended to be a Privacy Impact Assessment required by the E-Government Act of 2002? No

Is this ICR related to the Affordable Care Act [Pub. L. 111-148 & 111-152]? No

Is this ICR related to the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, [Pub. L. 111-203]? No

Is this ICR related to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA)? No

Is this ICR related to the Pandemic Response? Uncollected

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Common Form ICR:  No

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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:

(a) It is necessary for the proper performance of agency functions;

(b) It avoids unnecessary duplication;

(c) It reduces burden on small entities;

(d) It uses plain, coherent, and unambiguous language that is understandable to respondents;

(e) Its implementation will be consistent and compatible with current reporting and recordkeeping practices;

(f) It indicates the retention periods for recordkeeping requirements;

(g) It informs respondents of the information called for under 5 CFR 1320.8 (b)(3) about:

(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;

(h) It was developed by an office that has planned and allocated resources for the efficient and effective management and use of the information to be collected.

(i) It uses effective and efficient statistical survey methodology (if applicable); and

(j) It makes appropriate use of information technology.

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.

Certification Date: 01/03/2012

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