The Trends in Mathematics and Science
Study (TIMSS) is an international assessment of fourth and eighth
grade students’ achievement in mathematics and science. Since its
inception in 1995, TIMSS has continued to assess students every 4
years. The United States will participate in TIMSS 2019 to continue
to monitor the progress of its students compared to that of other
nations and to provide data on factors that may influence student
achievement. New in 2019, TIMSS will be a technology-based
assessment conducted in an electronic format. TIMSS is designed by
the International Association for the Evaluation of Educational
Achievement (IEA), and is conducted in the U.S. by the National
Center for Education Statistics (NCES). In preparation for the
TIMSS 2019 main study, in April 2017, U.S. will participate in a
pilot study to assist in the development of eTIMSS and, in March
through April 2018, in a field test to evaluate new assessment
items and background questions. The TIMSS 2019 Main Study data
collection will take place from April through May 2019. This
submission is to conduct the TIMSS 2019 pilot test and to begin
recruitment of schools, teachers, and students for the field test
study. The pilot test data collection will begin in April 2017 and
the recruitment for the field test in May 2017. Recruitment for the
main study will begin in May of 2018 In May 2017, NCES will submit
a request to conduct the 2018 field test and recruit schools for
TIMSS 2019 Main Study.
US Code:
20
USC 9543 Name of Law: Education Sciences Reform Act
The apparent increase in burden
from the last approval is due to the fact that the last request was
only to recruit schools and communicate with districts and parents
in preparation for the 2017 eTIMSS pilot study, while this request
includes the additional burden to conduct the TIMSS 2019 pilot test
and to recruit schools and communicate with districts and parents
in preparation for the 2018 TIMSS 2019 field test.
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.