On September 23, 2011, the U.S. Department of Education (ED) invited each State educational agency (SEA) to voluntarily request flexibility on behalf of itself, its local educational agencies, and schools, in order to better focus on improving student learning and increasing the quality of instruction. Since then, ED has approved 11 SEA requests for flexibility, and is currently reviewing an additional 27 requests. ED expects to receive requests from additional SEAs by September 6, 2012. SEAs are invited to request flexibility pursuant to the authority in section 9401 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA), which allows the Secretary of Education to waive, with certain exceptions, any statutory or regulatory requirement of the ESEA for an SEA that receives funds under a program authorized by the ESEA and requests a waiver. This clearance request is for the collection of data that may be needed to ensure that SEAs receiving ESEA flexibility are continuing to meet the intent and purpose of Title I of ESEA, including meeting the educational needs of low-achieving students, closing achievement gaps, and holding schools, LEAs, and SEAs accountable for improving the academic achievement of all students. This collection will be applicable to SEAs with approved flexibility plans. In order to reduce burden on SEAs and maximize the availability and utility of the data within ED, ED plans to require states to submit these data electronically through EDFacts, as allowable under 34 CFR Part 76. Attachment B outlines the 22 new data groups proposed for collection.
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.