Terms of the previous clearances remain in effect. In accordance with 5 C.F.R. 1320, the information collection is not approved at this time. Prior to publication of the final rule, the agency should provide to OMB a summary of all comments received on the proposed information collection and identify any changes made in response to these comments.
table that charts list comparision
Inventory as of this Action
Requested
Previously Approved
08/31/2016
36 Months From Approved
01/31/2017
41,440
0
41,440
1,737,618
0
1,737,618
0
0
0
Head Start Performance Standards are the result of a legislative mandate to administer a high quality comprehensive child development program that serves low-income pregnant women, infants and toddlers, preschoolers and their families. The information collection aspects of the Performance Standards are a part of the many actions that local agencies must take to ensure they administer quality programs for Head Start children and families. It is important to note that the information collection items included in the Performance Standards are mostly record-keeping requirements for local Head Start programs; these records are intended to act as a tool for grantees and delegate agencies to be used in their day-to-day operations. Such records are maintained by the grantees and delegate agencies and are not information items that must be collected and forwarded to the Federal government. Of course, programs are monitored for overall compliance with the Performance Standards, including the record-keeping aspects.
In the Improving Head Start for School Readiness Act of 2007, Congress instructed the Office of Head Start to update its performance standards by regulation and "ensure that any such revisions in the standards do not result in the elimination of or any reduction in quality, scope, or types of health, educational, parental involvement, nutritional, social, or other services." This NPRM revises the Head Start program performance standards, last revised in 1998, to meet Congress's requirements and improve the quality of Head Start. The proposed program performance standards will improve the quality of services, reduce bureaucratic burden on programs, and improve regulatory clarity and transparency. They provide a clear road map for current and prospective grantees to provide high quality Head Start services and to strengthen the outcomes of the children and families they serve.
The following collections are new information collections proposed within the NPRM:
⢠Section 1303.20-24, in paragraph (b), we propose information collections related to the protection for the privacy of child records. Programs must collect parental written consent before disclosing personally identifiable information from child records, must provide an annual notice that notify parents of their rights described in §1303.20 through 1303.24, applicable definitions in 1305, and a description of PII that may be disclosed without parental consent, and programs must maintain, with each child's record, a list of all individuals, agencies, or organizations that have requested or obtained access to PII from child records and their expressed interests.
⢠Section 1302.33, in paragraph (c)(2), we propose a new requirement to codify best practice in assessing dual language learners. Specifically, we require programs to assess dual language learners in the language or languages that best capture their skill level that in some cases requires programs to administer language assessments to dual language learners in both their home language and English, utilizing an interpreter as needed. This proposal reflects best practice already used by many Head Start programs and research that demonstrates that children who are dual language learners have different learning experiences across their two languages.
⢠Section 1302.90, we propose to strengthen background check procedures by requiring both state/local/tribal and federal criminal background checks, as well as clearance through available child abuse and neglect and sex offender registries. Making this requirement consistent with the Office of Child Care's requirement will minimize burden on programs that operate with both Head Start and Child Care Development Funds. Additionally, we propose to require programs perform background checks every five years for current staff. This will increase the record-keeping burden related to criminal record checks.
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.
Supporting statement 0970-0148 5-19-15.docx
42 C.F.R. 1304 Head Start Program Performance Standards