Private School Universe Survey (PSS) 2025-26 and 2027-28 Data Collections, and 2027-28 PSS Frame Development Activities
Revision of a currently approved collection
No
Regular
Approved with change
05/02/2025
12/17/2024
TERMS OF CLEARANCE
As of today's date, the National Center for Education Statistics is unable to assure confidentiality for the Private School Universe Survey 2025-26/2027-28 (PSS) under the Confidential Information Protection and Statistical Efficiency Act (CIPSEA, 44 U.S.C. §§ 3561-3583). However, its additional confidentiality assurances remain, including the Education Sciences Reform Act (ESRA, 20 U.S.C. §9573). NCES/ED made necessary revisions to the PSS information collection request after the 30-day Federal Register Notice, as required under the Paperwork Reduction Act, due to unforeseen circumstances.
Therefore, OMB approves this request through September 30, 2026 (end of FY26) under the following conditions: To be in compliance with OMB's Statistical Policy Directive No. 4, OMB requires that NCES publicly announce the changes to the planned data collection, e.g., the removal of CIPSEA protections. OMB requires that this announcement be placed alongside information about PSS 2025-26/2027-28 on NCESâs website through the duration of the PSS data lifecycle and, if possible, to provide a Notice of this change in the Federal Register.
table that charts list comparision
Inventory as of this Action
Requested
Previously Approved
09/30/2026
36 Months From Approved
05/31/2025
32,550
0
27,553
5,981
0
3,897
0
0
0
The National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), within the U.S. Department of Education, conducts the Private School Universe Survey (PSS), a national survey of private elementary and secondary schools. The PSS is designed to collect biennial data on the total number of private schools, teachers, and students; and to create an NCES universe frame of private schools that serve as a sampling frame for NCES surveys. This survey is an ongoing project to improve NCES universe and sample data on private schools.
This request is to conduct the 2025-26 and 2027-28 Private School Universe Survey (PSS) data collections, and the 2027-28 PSS frame-development activities.
US Code:
20 USC 9543
Name of Law: NCES is authorized to conduct this survey under the Education Sciences Reform Act of 2002 (ESRA)
The apparent increase in burden in this package (as compared to OMB# 1850-0641 v.15) derives from an increase in the number of respondents. Collecting data involves more burden than frame-building activities. The previous package cleared 2 cycles of frame-building activities and 1 cycle of data collection. The current package clears 1 cycle of frame-building activities and 2 cycles of data collection, so by necessity it is a higher burden request.
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.
PSS 2025-2028 v16 4-30-25 Change Memo.docx
CAPE PSS comments.pdf
Private School Universe Survey (PSS) 2025-26 and 2027-28 Data Collections & 2027-28 PSS Frame Development Activities