Supporting Statement for Paperwork Reduction Act Submission
Part B
Transition and Postsecondary Programs for Students with Intellectual Disabilities (TPSID) Evaluation System
July 13, 2011
Revised
April 18, 2012
Revised
June 20, 2012
Submitted to:
Office of Postsecondary Education
U.S. Department of Education
1990 K Street
Washington, D.C. 20006-8524
Project Officer: Shedita Alston
Submitted by:
Institute for Community Inclusion
University of Massachusetts Boston
100 Morrissey Blvd.
Boston, MA 02125
Project Director: Debra Hart
Contents
B. Collection of Information Employing Statistical Methods 3
1. Respondent Universe and Sampling Methods 3
2. Statistical Methods for Sample Selection and Degree of Accuracy Needed 3
3. Methods to Maximize Response Rates and Deal with Nonresponse 3
4. Tests of Procedures and Methods to be Undertaken 4
5. Individuals Consulted on Statistical Aspects of the Design 4
The U.S. Department of Education (ED) is requesting Office of Management and Budget (OMB) clearance for the Transition and Postsecondary Programs for Students with Intellectual Disabilities (TPSID) Evaluation System. This system will be used to evaluate the implementation and outcomes of the five-year Transition Programs for Students with Intellectual Disabilities (TPSIDs) model demonstration projects. This evaluation is being conducted by the Institute for Community Inclusion, University of Massachusetts Boston, under contract with the Department of Education (contract number P407B100002).
The main objectives of this project are: (1) Establishment of a uniform dataset for collection of required program data from 27 TPSID demonstration project grantees and their partner sites across the country; and (2) use of these program data to detail program attributes and characteristics for a national picture of the TPSID program.
This request seeks clearance for establishment of a uniform dataset across all TPSID sites (including both grantees and partner sites) to ensure consistency in collection of information.
The respondent universe is all Transition Programs for Students with Intellectual Disabilities (TPSIDs) and project partners receiving TPSID model demonstrations funds from OPE. Twenty-seven TPSID grantees and 29 partner sites are expected to participate over the next three years.
Data are being collected from the full universe because the system is designed to facilitate collection and management of data that all TPSIDs are already required to report. Since collecting these data is a requirement of the grant program, we expect a 100% response rate.
As described above, we are not sampling but rather collecting data from the entire universe of TPSIDs and partners. Data collection will take place annually.
Evaluation project staff will work closely with respondents to ensure complete and accurate data collection. Specifically, staff will:
conduct regular training of TPSID and partner site staff on how to use the data system;
be available by email, web form, and telephone to provide technical assistance;
follow up with TPSID and partner sites who do not provide data in a timely manner; and
review all data and contact TPSID and partner sites regarding any unclear or missing data points.
In addition, the electronic data collection system has features designed to improve accuracy, including limiting response choices and providing summaries to respondents indicating which parts of the dataset are incomplete.
Three phases of pilot testing occurred, with nine TPSIDs participating in each phase. In each phase, selected TPSIDs were asked to pilot the evaluation system and provide feedback on any technical difficulties they encountered with the system, make recommendations to improve the user interface, and ask questions on any data elements for which they needed further clarification. Prior to piloting the system, each TPSID had numerous opportunities to provide feedback on all of the variables and the number of questions that the evaluation covers and its alignment with the 11 GPRA requirements that the TPSIDs are required to report on to OPE.
The following people were consulted on the statistical aspects of the design:
Frank A. Smith
Research Associate
Institute for Community
Inclusion
617-287-4332
[email protected]
Jennifer Sullivan Sulewski, Ph.D.
Research Associate
Institute
for Community Inclusion
617-287-4356
[email protected]
John Butterworth, Ph.D.
Coordinator of Employment Systems Change
and Evaluation
Institute for Community
Inclusion
617-287-4357
[email protected]
In addition, the following people will be responsible for the data collection and analysis:
Frank A. Smith
Research Associate
Institute for Community
Inclusion
617-287-4332
[email protected]
Jennifer Sullivan Sulewski, Ph.D.
Research Associate
Institute
for Community Inclusion
617-287-4356
[email protected]
Daria Domin
Research Study Coordinator
Institute for
Community Inclusion
617-287-4277
[email protected]
| File Type | application/msword |
| File Title | SUPPORTING STATEMENT |
| Author | Kenneth Smith |
| Last Modified By | Meg |
| File Modified | 2012-06-21 |
| File Created | 2012-06-21 |