BPS FS Cognitive Testing Wave 2 Memo

Memorandum United States Department of Education

Institute of Education Sciences

National Center for Education Statistics

DATE: August 8, 2013

TO: Shelly Martinez, OMB

FROM: Sarah Crissey, NCES

THROUGH: Kashka Kubzdela, NCES

SUBJECT: Beginning Postsecondary Students Longitudinal Study (BPS:12/14) Cognitive Testing Wave 2 (OMB# 1850-0803 v.84)

The following material is being submitted under the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) generic clearance agreement (OMB# 1850-0803) which provides NCES the capability to test and improve data collection methodology, question/response wording, and delivery methods of its surveys and assessment instruments via cognitive interviews.

On May 20, 2013, we received approval (OMB# 1850-0803 v.79) to conduct cognitive interviews in preparation for the 2012/14 Beginning Postsecondary Students Longitudinal Study (BPS:12/14) full-scale data collection (OMB# 1850-0631). We conducted 14 of the 30 approved cognitive interviews and now request approval to conduct the remaining 16 cognitive interviews, beginning in August 2013, using an updated student interview instrument.

The attachment to this memo reflects the updates to the student interview for the second round of cognitive testing. These updates are based on results from the BPS:12/14 field test data collection, information learned from the first round of cognitive testing, and feedback from the Technical Review Panel meeting conducted August 1-2, 2013. There are no changes to the burden estimates or recruitment materials cleared under the initial OMB approval for cognitive testing, and there is no additional cost to the federal government.

Results from cognitive testing will be used to refine the full-scale questionnaire, which will be begin clearance process in early October 2013, as part of the request for the BPS:12/14 full-scale data collection clearance.

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