The School Pulse Panel is conducted by
the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), part of the
Institute of Education Sciences (IES), within the United States
Department of Education. Initially, the purpose of the study was to
collect extensive real-time data on issues brought to light by the
COVID-19 pandemic on students and staff, as well as other important
education-related issues that could inform data-driven policy
decisions, in U.S. public primary, middle, high, and combined-grade
schools and districts. Specifically, this was accomplished by
collecting data on, among other things, the percentage of the
student body starting the school year behind grade level, the types
of learning recovery strategies being implemented and the perceived
effectiveness of those strategies, classroom behavioral concerns,
mental health services provided, and staffing issues. NCES was able
to capture each of these pieces in an expedited fashion and report
out findings in a matter of weeks, providing rich information to
help tell the full story of what students, staff, and
administrators were battling on a daily basis. The success of the
quick-turnaround nature of the SPP was a clear indication of the
immense value of having a real-time data collection vehicle readily
available to capture content on prominent events occurring in the
school environment. Therefore, stakeholders and ED leadership have
asked NCES to continue this type of data collection methodology for
the 2023-24 school year and beyond with content extending beyond
COVID-19 pandemic impacts on the education environment. The
preliminary activities package was formally cleared in February
2023 (OMB# 1850-0975 v.1) and the SPP monthly data collection
package was formally cleared in June 2023 (OMB# 1850-0975 v.2). A
change request (v.3) was cleared in July 2023 to make changes to
the September and October instruments and August 2023-January 2024
communication materials. A second quarterly package was formally
cleared in October 2023 (OMB# 1850-0975 v.4), which contained the
November 2023-January 2024 questionnaires and the February
2024-June 2024 communication materials. A change request (v.5) was
cleared in October 2023 to make changes to the December 2023 and
January 2024 instruments; content on these surveys was undergoing
cognitive testing during the 30-day public comment period. The
purpose of this memo is to accompany a revision (v.6) and to
describe the changes to the research materials contained in that
revision. The new revision is focused on a 30-day public comment
period on new items (within the scope of the research domains
previously established) to be collected on the February 2024, March
2024, and April 2024 instruments (Appendix C3). These items are
considered very close to final and will go through minimal testing
with school personnel to examine any comprehension concerns with
item wording. Feedback from this testing, as well as additional
input from SPP stakeholders, will result in modifications and
additions that will be reflected in future change
requests.
US Code:
20
USC 9573 Name of Law: Education Sciences Reform Act of 2002
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.
SPP 2023-24 Quarter 3 Revision Memo 0975 v6 (1).docx
School Pulse Panel 2023-24 Data Collection