The Middle Grades Longitudinal Study
of 2016-2017 (MGLS:2017) is the first study sponsored by the
National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), within the
Institute of Education Sciences (IES) of the U.S. Department of
Education (ED), to follow a nationally-representative sample of
students as they enter and move through the middle grades (grades
6-8). The data collected through repeated measures of key
constructs will provide a rich descriptive picture of the academic
experiences and development of students during these critical years
and will allow researchers to examine associations between
contextual factors and student outcomes. The study will focus on
student achievement in mathematics and literacy along with measures
of student socioemotional wellbeing and other outcomes. The study
will also include an oversample of students with different types of
disabilities that will provide descriptive information on their
outcomes, educational experiences, and special education services.
Baseline data for the MGLS:2017 will be collected from a
nationally-representative sample of 6th grade students in spring of
2017 with annual follow-ups in spring 2018 and spring 2019 when
most of the students in the sample will be in grades 7 and 8,
respectively. This request is to contact and recruit public school
districts and public and private schools to participate in the
spring 2015 field test for the MGLS:2017.
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.