Revised Supporting Statement Part B

Formative Data Collection (OMB 0970-0356)

Supporting Statement Part B for OMB Approval

Head Start Family and Child Experiences Survey (FACES 2009)

February 27, 2009

B. STATISTICAL METHODS (USED FOR COLLECTION OF INFORMATION EMPLOYING STATISTICAL METHODS)

B.1. Respondent Universe and Sampling Methods

The sample design for FACES 2009 is essentially the same as the one used for FACES 2006, which was in turn based on the designs of the three prior cohorts. FACES 2009 will use a stratified multi-stage sample design with four stages: (1) Head Start programs, with programs defined as grantees or delegate agencies providing direct services; (2) centers within programs; (3) classes within centers; and (4) children within classes. The frame that will be used to sample programs is the 2007-2008 version of the frame that was used for FACES 2006, the Head Start Program Information Report (PIR). There is no frame of Head Start centers. The center frame will be developed through contacts with the sampled programs. Similarly, the classroom and child frames will be constructed after centers and classroom samples are drawn. These last two stages are not a part of information gathering activities described in this request for clearance.

B.2. Procedures for the Collection of Information

Head Start programs will be selected in late winter 2009.¹ A letter, signed by the Acting Director of the Office of Head Start, will be sent to the director of each sampled program. The letter will describe the study goals, present the importance of the study, and introduce the team who will be doing the study on ACF’s behalf. Following this introductory letter, additional study materials will be sent by MPR.

Program directors will then receive a phone call from MPR staff to answer any of their questions about the study and to review with them our request for information following a prepared script. Programs will be asked for information concerning its centers (names, addresses, estimated enrollment), how services are organized (center-based, home-based, mix; full- vs. half-day program) and the operation of their centers (hours of operation, program year start and end dates). Program directors will also be asked to identify a staff member to serve as an on-site coordinator who will later work with the study team to identify eligible children (those who are in their first year of Head Start), recruit families, and help schedule interviews and site visits.

Also as part of this information collection, on-site coordinators (after receiving a letter) will be called to provide or confirm information about centers in their program following a prepared script.

B.3. Methods to Maximize Response Rates and Deal with Nonresponse

We do not anticipate any problems contacting and gathering information from program directors and on-site coordinators. MPR staff will call program directors and on-site coordinators during business hours and will conduct calls at times that are determined by the schedules of directors and coordinators.

B.4. Test of Procedures or Methods to be Undertaken

The proposed procedures were used successfully in FACES 2006, and there are no plans to test the procedures.

B.5. Individuals Consulted on Statistical Aspects and Individuals Collecting and/or Analyzing Data

The team is lead by Maria Woolverton, project officer; Dr. Jerry West, project director; Dr. Louisa Tarullo, principal investigator; Ms. Cassandra Meagher, survey director; and Ms. Annalee Kelly, deputy survey director. Additional staff consulted on statistical issues at MPR include Mr. John Hall and Ms. Barbara Carlson, senior statisticians, and Dr. Don Rock, a consultant to MPR on psychometric issues.

1 The full sample design for FACES 2006 is described in a separate request that is asking for clearance to extend the FACES 2006 collection to a new cohort (OMB number 0970-0151).