This information collection requests clearance approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for the collection of data under the Evaluation of the Effectiveness of the Scholarships for Opportunity and Results (SOAR) Act Program. In particular, they are requesting approval for: (1) parent, student, and principal surveys, and (2) records abstraction from DC Public School (DCPS), from the District of Columbia Public Charter School Board, and private school administrative files. The study design, data collection plan, instruments, and levels of burden are consistent with forms clearance packages approved by OMB for the previous evaluation of this program (#1850-0800).
The Scholarships and Opportunities for Results (SOAR) Act H.R. 1473 (P.L.112-10), signed into law on April 15, 2011, reauthorized the DC School Choice Incentive Act and provided for a five-year continuation of a school choice program for low-income residents of Washington, DC. The program, still titled the Opportunity Scholarship Program or OSP, now provides scholarships to enable low-income elementary and secondary students to attend private schools in the District of Columbia in lieu of the public schools already available to them. The OSP is operated under a grant from the U.S. Department of Education (ED) to the DC Children and Youth Investment Corporation (the Trust).
The reauthorization once again stipulated that an evaluation of the program be conducted using the strongest possible research design for determining the effectiveness of the program. ED awarded a contract to Westat, and its research partners, Pemberton Research and the University of California at San Diego to: (1) provide technical assistance to the program operator, particularly with respect to the design and conduct of the lotteries of applicants, and (2) conduct an evaluation of the impacts of the program.
The foundation of the evaluation will be a randomized control trial (RCT) comparing outcomes of eligible applicants (students and their parents) assigned by lottery to receive or not receive a scholarship. This design is consistent with the requirement for a rigorous evaluation as well as the need to fairly allocate the scholarships if the program is oversubscribed. Because the law also specified other kinds of comparisons and analyses, the planned evaluation study includes both quantitative and qualitative components.
This is a reinstatement (with change) of a previously discontinued information collection request. This results in an increase in burden and responses of 1,009 hours and 3,057 responses.
The collection was initially submitted as an 1850-NEW (ICR No. 1953.02) but ED realized during review that it is associated with the discontinued collection #1850-0800. A decision was made to submit it as a reinstatement with change of #1850-0800. (The 60 day FR notice was published as 1850-NEW on 11/21/12.)
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.
Att_ 1850-0800 Change Sheet (OSP).doc
MSOMB Part B 10 22 12 FINAL.docx
FRN_30D_1850-0800.pdf
Parent Survey and Letter