Justification for Change

JUSTIFICATION FOR CHANGE

Educational Partnership Program (EPP) and Ernest F. Hollings Undergraduate Scholarship Program

OMB Control No. 0648-0568

Background

The student tracker database system is a database with a Web interface that facilitates the collection of student data and information for those students that receive support under the Educational Partnership Program, and the Ernest F. Hollings Undergraduate Scholarship Program. Each student who participates in the NOAA programs has a student record in the database for tracking and reporting purposes. This data collection facilitates reporting of summary data for several purposes including the creation of program reports, Office of Science and Technology Policy data requests, and Balanced Score Card data requests. Users of the database are grantee institutions and Office of Education staff.

Reason for the changes

The reason for the proposed changes is to increase the system capability by enhancing the search capability, enhancing the reporting capability; and collecting additional data for reporting purposes:

• The existing database system allows for searching one student at a time. The redesigned database system allows for capability to search the database based on selected criteria.

• The existing database system allows for the reporting of numbers based on limited criteria. The redesigned database system allows for the generation of reports based on search criteria and the exporting of this data in various file formats (e.g., Word, Excel, and PDF).

• The additional data fields are required to enhance the reporting capability and to electronically collect data for program performance measures. Based on a review of requested programmatic data, by both program staff and grantees, data fields were added to collect and enhance the ability to report on the two programs cited above. The system also computes the percentage of funds directed to student support, which are required to be at least 30%.

• Additional specifics: The outreach section for the student was deleted and a section for program-level reporting was added (thus eliminating grantee burden for outreach activities per each student). A performance metrics section was added, also for the program level.

Please refer to the CHANGES document in the Instruments section of the Student Tracker IC, for a detailed list of changes.