The School Survey on Crime and Safety
(SSOCS) is a nationally representative survey of elementary and
secondary school principals that serves as the primary source of
school-level data on crime and safety in public schools. SSOCS is
the only recurring federal survey collecting detailed information
on the incidence, frequency, seriousness, and nature of violence
affecting students and school personnel from the school's
perspective. Data are also collected on frequency and types of
disciplinary actions taken for select offenses; perceptions of
other disciplinary problems, such as bullying, verbal abuse and
disorder in the classroom; the presence and role of school security
staff; parent and community involvement; staff training; mental
health services available to students; and, school policies and
programs concerning crime and safety. Prior administrations of
SSOCS were conducted in 2000, 2004, 2006, 2008, and 2010. This
request is to conduct the 2016 and 2018 administrations of
SSOCS.
This is a reinstatement of a
previously approved collection (OMB# 1850-0761 v.6). To collect
in-depth information about the mental health services available to
students and the roles and responsibilities of mental health
professionals and law enforcement officers working in schools, some
of the existing items have been expanded and new items have been
added to SSOCS:2016, increasing the estimated burden time for
completing the SSOCS survey from 45 minutes in 2011-12 to 52
minutes in 2015-16.
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.