Special Education-Individual
Reporting on Regulatory Compliance Related to the Personnel
Development Program's Service Obligation
Revision of a currently approved collection
No
Regular
08/30/2023
Requested
Previously Approved
36 Months From Approved
08/31/2023
73,368
34,262
10,874
8,328
0
0
The Office of Special Education
Program’s Personnel Development Program aims to increase the supply
of qualified personnel in the field of special education. The
program awards competitive grants to Institutions of Higher
Education to support scholars who are preparing to provide special
education and related services to children and youth with
disabilities. Scholars who receive funding agree to work in the
field of special education or related services for two years for
each year of support they receive. The Personnel Development
Program Data Collection System collects data from grantees,
scholars, and employers who verify that scholars are employed in
the field of special education or related services. This data
collection serves three program needs. First, data from grantees,
scholars, and employers are necessary to assess the performance of
the Personnel Development Program on its performance measures.
Second, data from all three sources are necessary to determine if
scholars comply with the service obligation requirements. Finally,
project-specific performance data are collected from grantees for
project monitoring and program improvement.
The overall burden has
increased due to an increase in program size and updated
requirements for scholars and employers but decreased in terms of
burden hours per respondent due to the implementation of electronic
forms. The number of active grantees and scholars has grown, which
has increased the number of respondents. Additionally, PDPDCS
requests that scholars and employers complete the Scholar
Employment Form every 6 months, rather than every year, to improve
data quality and understanding and avoid referral for cash
repayment. While this has increased the number of responses, the
burden hours have decreased because scholars and employers are
simply verifying information that is already in the system.
Implementing the electronic forms also led to a reduction in burden
hours, and has significantly deceased the system security risk,
improved data quality and timely submissions, and allowed grantees
and scholars to complete the agreements virtually. The optional use
of electronic forms created a need to update the burden calculation
process, which is described in more detail in the supporting
statement.
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.
Employers: Special Education-Individual Reporting on Regulatory Compliance Related to the Personnel Development Program's Service Obligation
60d1820-0686 Supporting Statement Part A_08282023.docx
Employers: Special Education-Individual Reporting on Regulatory Compliance Related to the Personnel Development Program's Service Obligation