2020/25 Beginning Postsecondary Students (BPS:20/25) Full-Scale Study
Revision of a currently approved collection
No
Regular
Approved without change
01/13/2025
11/05/2024
table that charts list comparision
Inventory as of this Action
Requested
Previously Approved
01/31/2028
36 Months From Approved
02/28/2027
26,947
0
6,927
10,289
0
1,279
0
0
0
The 2020/25 Beginning Postsecondary Students Full-Scale Study (BPS:20/25) is conducted by the National Center for Education Statistics, part of the Institute of Education Sciences, within the Department of Education, and is part of the Beginning Postsecondary Students Longitudinal Study data collection program at https://nces.ed.gov/surveys/bps/. BPS is designed to follow a cohort of students who enroll in postsecondary education for the first time during the same academic year, irrespective of the date of high school completion. The study collects data on students' persistence in and completion of postsecondary education programs; their transition to employment; demographic characteristics; and changes over time in their goals, marital status, income, and debt, among other indicators. Data from BPS are used to help researchers and policymakers better understand how financial aid influences persistence and completion, what percentages of students complete various degree programs, what are the early employment and wage outcomes for certificate and degree attainers, and why students leave school.
The BPS:20/25 field test was completed during the 2023-24 academic year and was designed to test items and procedures for the upcoming full-scale study (see Appendix D of this submission with results of the two experiments embedded in the field test). BPS:20/25 will be a nationally-representative sample of approximately 28,650 students who were first-time beginning students during the 2019-20 academic year. These students will be asked to complete a survey and administrative data will also be collected for them. BPS:20/25 and other NCES postsecondary studies include data linkages with many existing sources of valuable data, listed in appendix B, including the Department of Educationâs FAFSA Processing System (FPS), National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS), and National Student Clearinghouse (NSC). These NCES studies also obtain data from postsecondary institution student records, information on military service records from Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA), and admissions test scores from ACT and The College Board. Linkages to additional data providers, such as Experian and the National Directory of New Hires (NDNH), may be explored for BPS:20/25.
As part of the clearance process for the previously submitted and approved Field Test package (OMB# 1850-0631 v.20), NCES published a notice in the Federal Register allowing first a 60- and then a 30-day public comment period. That submission was designed to adequately justify the need for and overall practical utility of the full study, presenting the overarching plan for all phases of the data collection and providing as much detail about the measures to be used as is available at the time of that submission. The materials for the BPS:20/25 full-scale study are based upon the field test materials. In order to clear the final materials for the BPS:20/25 full-scale study, NCES is publishing a notice in the Federal Register allowing an additional 30-day public comment period on the final details and materials of the BPS:20/25 full-scale study.
US Code:
20 USC 9573
Name of Law: Education Sciences Reform Act of 2002
The previous request included burden for all activities associated only with the smaller field test administration, while this submission requests burden for the full-scale national study.
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.
Form - -
BPS2025 Full Scale 1850-0631 v21 Response to 30D Comments.docx
0136 Comment Request.pdf
2020/25 Beginning Postsecondary Students (BPS:20/25) Full Scale