Response to OMB Questions

Response to OMB: Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship Program – Addendum: Master Teacher Fellows (MTF)

03.2012

Response to OMB Questions about Addendum (Master Teacher Fellows) to

NSF’s Evaluation of the Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship Program

March 2012

1. NSF uses the term confidentiality in A10, but does not cite any confidentiality statute.

The NSF confidentiality statute is 42 U.S.C. § 1873(i).

2. What is their estimated response rate? NSF does not mention one in B3 though they do contend that getting all 152 members of the universe to respond will be a challenge. In the burden tables in A12 (Exhibit 2) they seem to be assuming a 100% response rate.

The estimated response rate for Master Teaching Fellows (MTFs) is at least 85 percent. Among all recipient types, it is expected that MTFs will have among the highest response rates, as they are all currently active and receiving support from the program, based on information from the Noyce Program Monitoring System. Thus, the study will have current contact information for them, and they may feel more inclined to participate in the program evaluation than other recipients who are no longer receiving support.

The study team will field online surveys for Noyce Master Teaching Fellows. The online survey will allow us to easily identify non-respondents for follow-up emails and phone contact to encourage participation, thus substantially increasing response rates. In an effort to increase overall survey response rate, follow-up with respondents will be multi-modal. Telephone and email follow-up will be used for non-respondents.

Exhibit 2 in Section A12 estimates the maximum burden for this group of recipients.

3. Letters –

   1. The OMB/PRA statement needs to be included in all the letters and emails.

   2. The letter from Abt doesn’t seem to be specifically about the MFTs. Is this the correct letter?

1. NSF will insert the following OMB/PRA statement in all letters and emails.

Pursuant to 5 CFR 1320.5(b), an agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to an information collection unless it displays a valid OMB control number.  The OMB control number for this collection is 3145-0217.  Public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 30 minutes per response, including the time for reviewing instructions.  Send comments regarding this burden estimate and any other aspect of this collection of information, including suggestions for reducing this burden, to:  Suzanne Plimpton, Reports Clearance Officer, Facilities and Operations Branch, Division of Administrative Services, National Science Foundation, Arlington, VA  22230.

2. The attached letter is the correct letter for the MFTs. In addition, NSF’s letter inviting participation in the study is also attached.