The collection, use, and reporting of education data is an integral component of the mission of the U.S. Department of Education (ED). EDFacts, an ED initiative to put performance data at the center of EDEUR(TM)s policy, management, and budget decision-making processes for all K-12 educational programs, has transformed the way in which ED collects and uses data. EDFacts provides an electronic submission system for SEAs, and centralizes within ED the availability of the performance data supplied by state education agencies (SEAs) to enable better analysis and use in policy development, planning, and management. ED is currently in the process of collecting data for the 2010-11, 2011-12, and 2012-13 school years as approved by OMB (1875-0240). ED seeks another three-year approval for this collection. The proposed collection includes the 2013-14, 2014-15, and 2015-16 school years. (As part of this approval, it should be understood that ED is authorized to collect the data about these school years over whatever time is required to secure complete and accurate data from each state education agency.) ED seeks OMB approval under the Paperwork Reduction Act to collect the elementary and secondary education data from state education agencies as described in the five sections of Attachment B that document all of the data groups. ED encourages the public to review, at a minimum, Attachment C, which outlines the changes between what is currently collected and what is newly proposed for collection. To the extent that any of these proposed new data groups are not available as of the 2013-14 school year, ED seeks to know from the SEA data providers if those data will be available in future years. If information for a data group is not currently available, please provide information beyond the fact that it is not available. Are there specific impediments to providing this data that you can describe? Is the definition for the data group unclear or ambiguous? Do the requested permitted values align with the way your state collects the data? This is very important information because the collection of these data is mandatory. ED also seeks to know if the SEA data definitions are consistent and compatible with the EDFacts definitions and accurately reflect the way data is stored and used for education by state education agencies. The answers to these questions by the data providers will influence the timing and content of the final EDFacts proposal for the collection of these data. In addition, ED requests that SEAs and other stakeholders respond to the directed questions found in Attachment D.
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.