Supporting Statement

Application for Initial Funding under the State Fiscal Stabilization Fund Program:

SUPPORTING STATEMENT

FOR PAPERWORK REDUCTION ACT SUBMISSION

     

A. Justification

A.1. Explain the circumstances that make the collection of information necessary. Identify any legal or administrative requirements that necessitate the collection. Attach a copy of the appropriate section of each statute and regulation mandating or authorizing the collection of information.

On February 17, 2009, President Barack Obama signed into law the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA). This sweeping economic recovery package provides the largest Federal investment in education in our Nation’s history. It is an investment that not only will provide needed aid to States and school districts to keep teachers in the classroom, prevent the cutting of valuable education programs, and help mitigate college tuition increases, but also provide resources that States and districts may use to implement important education reforms.

A major part of the ARRA is the new State Fiscal Stabilization Fund (Stabilization) program¹. The program provides substantial funding—$53,600,000,000—to States in exchange for a commitment to advance education reforms, such as launching strategies that address inequities in the distribution of highly qualified teachers, building robust data systems that allow districts to better track student achievement, raising standards and strengthening student assessments, and turning around failing schools.

Under the Stabilization program, the US Department of Education (Department) will award grants to Governors on the basis of each State’s relative shares of individuals aged 5 to 24 and of total population. This formula grant program has two distinct portions – the Education Fund and the Government Services Fund. By statute, we will award 81.8 percent, or $39,743,348,000, of each State’s total Stabilization allocation under the Education Fund (CFDA No. 84.394) and the remaining 18.2 percent, or $8,842,652,000, under the Government Services Fund (CFDA No. 84.397). The Education Fund provides resources to help restore State support for public elementary, secondary, and postsecondary education, and, as applicable, early childhood education programs and services. The Government Services Fund provides support for public safety and other government services, which may include assistance for public elementary, secondary, and higher education.

In order to provide immediate assistance to help alleviate the substantial budget shortfalls that States are facing, we are committed to providing the initial portion of each State’s Stabilization program allocation within a very short timeframe, necessitating emergency clearance of the Stabilization program application. Specifically, we intend to award each State with 67 percent of the total amount that it is to receive under both the Education Fund and the Government Services Fund within two weeks of our receipt of a complete application.

A.2. Indicate how, by whom, and for what purpose the information is to be used. Except for a new collection, indicate the actual use the agency has made of the information received from the current collection.

The information collected is in the form of a single application submitted by state governors. To receive the initial portion of the State’s allocation under the State Fiscal Stabilization Fund (Stabilization) program, a Governor must submit to the Department an application that provides the following information:

• A completed application cover sheet that includes the signature of the Governor or authorized representative. (Part 1 of the Application)

• Assurances that the State will commit to advancing education reform in four specific areas:

1. achieving equity in teacher distribution;

2. improving collection and use of data;

3. enhancing the quality of standards and assessments; and

4. supporting struggling schools (Part 2 of the Application).

• Confirmation that the baseline data identified in Appendix B of the application is acceptable for purposes of demonstrating the State’s current status in each of the four education reform areas for which the State provides assurances, or submission of alternative baseline data. (Part 3 of the Application)

• The following maintenance-of-effort (MOE) information:

• An assurance that the State will comply with the Stabilization program MOE requirements;

• If applicable, an assurance that the State meets or will meet the eligibility criterion for a waiver of those requirements; and

• MOE baseline data. (Part 4 of the Application)

• A description of how the State intends to use the funds allocated under (1) the Education Stabilization Fund – CFDA No. 84.394; and (2) the Government Services Fund – CFDA No. 84.397. (Part 5 of the Application)

• Accountability, transparency, and reporting assurances. (Part 6 of the Application)

• Other assurances and certifications. (Part 7 of the Application)

This is a new collection. The Department will review the applications for eligibility and will award the funds according to the formula described in the statute.² The Department will use the information collected from this grant application to maintain a record of assurances that are required for the Stabilization fund and to receive confirmation from the Governors that the proposed sources of baseline data are satisfactory. The baseline data will not be collected from Governors unless they voluntarily wish to submit a different source of data. Rather, the Department intends to use existing sources of data that meet the baseline requirements of the Stabilization program while reducing collection burden on the Governors and providing data that are standardized and consistent. The baseline data will be used for monitoring and accountability purposes in determining the impact of the Stabilization funds.

A.3. Describe whether, and to what extent, the collection of information involves the use of automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or forms of information technology, e.g. permitting electronic submission of responses, and the basis for the decision of adopting this means of collection. Also describe any consideration of using information technology to reduce burden.

The information requested under this collection will be gathered by email, fax, or other non-electronic means such as courier or postal service. The Department is not employing electronic means beyond email for this collection due to the very short timeframe of this application process. The employment of electronic means such as an online grants application or data warehouse would require additional time to set up the appropriate structure. The Department expects no more than 52 applications under this collection, and therefore has sufficient capacity to deal with the number of email or paper-based submissions. The information gathered through this process is detailed in A.2.

A.4. Describe efforts to identify duplication. Show specifically why any similar information already available cannot be used or modified for use of the purposes described in Item 2 above.

The assurances and financial information requested under this collection are unique to the Stabilization program, and that the Department has not collected in the past. Even in the event of similar or comparable information for other programs in the past, the assurances are specific to the Stabilization program and the financial information is specific to the present point in time. Therefore, any comparable financial information and assurances that were collected in the past would not satisfy the requirements for this program.

The Department is making every effort to avoid the duplication of effort in the collection of information. In fact, all the non-financial baselines data required under the Stabilization program will be drawn from existing data sources so as to reduce burden on applicants, allowing for fast turnaround in addition to consistent sources of data. The baseline data requirements are matched with the available sources in the following table:

Baseline Data Requirement	Available Baseline Data
Achieving Equity in Teacher Distribution	As part of the annual Consolidated State Performance Report (CSPR), each State provides data on the number and percentage of core academic courses that are taught by highly qualified teachers in high- and low-poverty schools. (See http://www.ed.gov/admins/lead/account/consolidated/sy06-07part1/index.html.) The Department will use data from the most recent CSPR to establish a State’s baseline for achieving equity in teacher distribution.
Improving Collection and Use of Data	In September 2008, the Data Quality Campaign and the National Center for Education Achievement conducted a survey that assessed the status of State educational data systems. (See http://www.dataqualitycampaign.org/survey_results/.) The survey identified ten essential elements of a longitudinal data system. Five of the elements are aligned with the five statutory elements in the America COMPETES Act for “Preschool through grade 12 and postsecondary education” (20 U.S.C. 9871(e)(2)(D)(i)), and the remaining five elements are aligned with the five statutory elements for “Preschool through grade 12 education.” (20 U.S.C. 9871(e)(2)(D)(ii)) The Department will use the results of the survey to establish a State’s baseline for improving the collection and use of data.
Standards and Assessments: Enhancing the Quality of Academic Assessments	In January and February 2009, the Department sent letters to States that contained detailed information on specific components of their assessments and accountability systems. (See http://www.ed.gov/admins/lead/account/cornerstones/index.html.) The State-specific attachments to those letters and the State assessment approval status as reflected in the State Information Chart at http://www.ed.gov/policy/elsec/guid/stateletters/ssc.xls identify the each State’s current baseline for enhancing the quality of assessments. As noted above, if the Department changes a State’s status for its assessment system on or before September 30, 2009, the Department will consider the updated status as the State’s baseline in this area.
Standards and Assessments: Inclusion of Children with Disabilities and Limited English Proficient Students	The Department will use the information in the State-specific letters referenced above (see http://www.ed.gov/admins/lead/account/cornerstones/index.html) and the State Information Chart at http://www.ed.gov/policy/elsec/guid/stateletters/ssc.xls as the State’s current status related to the inclusion of children with disabilities and limited English proficient students in State assessments, the validity and reliability of the assessments for such children, and the provision of accommodations. If the Department changes a State’s status for its assessment system on or before September 30, 2009, the Department will consider the updated status as the State’s baseline in this area.
Standards and Assessments: Improving State Academic Content and Student Achievement Standards	The Department will use Achieve’s 2009 report on “Closing the Expectations Gap” to establish this baseline. (See http://www.achieve.org/closingtheexpectationsgap2009.) The report, based on a survey of States, provides information on State efforts to align their standards, graduation requirements, assessments, and accountability systems with college and career expectations.
Supporting Struggling Schools	The Department currently has preliminary data in the CSPR on the number and names of schools in corrective action and restructuring for the 2008-09 school year (based on assessments in 2007-2008). As part of its application, a State that may provide updated information on the numbers and names of schools in corrective action or restructuring, but is not required to do so. Each State will later submit, as part of its comprehensive plan for meeting the education reform assurances, detailed information on the State’s specific strategies for assisting these struggling schools.

A.5. If the collection of information impacts small businesses or other small entities (Item 5 of OMB Form 83-I), describe any methods used to minimize burden.

The eligible applicants for the Stabilization program are state governors. No small businesses or entities will be impacted by this collection.

A.6. Describe the consequences to Federal program or policy activities if the collection is not conducted or is conducted less frequently, as well as any technical or legal obstacles to reducing burden.

The consequence of not conducting the collection of information under the Stabilization program application process would be that Governors would not be able to receive Stabilization funds and the Stabilization program could not be implemented. The Department must conduct this collection in order to disseminate the first half of the money, which will allow states to make up for cuts to education and other government services, saving jobs and important services. Failure to distribute the funds could result in further job losses and cutbacks in educational and government spending, resulting in bigger class sizes and the withholding of crucial services. The Department would be out of compliance with the Stabilization provision of ARRA if it does not conduct this information collection.

A.7. Explain any special circumstances that would cause an information collection to be conducted in a manner:

• requiring respondents to report information to the agency more often than quarterly;

• requiring respondents to prepare a written response to a collection of information in fewer than 30 days after receipt of it;

• requiring respondents to submit more than an original and two copies of any document;

• requiring respondents to retain records, other than health, medical, government contract, grant-in-aid, or tax records for more than three years;

• in connection with a statistical survey, that is not designed to produce valid and reliable results than can be generalized to the universe of study;

• requiring the use of a statistical data classification that has not been reviewed and approved by OMB;

• that includes a pledge of confidentiality that is not supported by authority established in statute or regulation, that is not supported by disclosure and data security policies that are consistent with the pledge, or which unnecessarily impedes sharing of data with other agencies for compatible confidential use; or

• requiring respondents to submit proprietary trade secrets, or other confidential information unless the agency can demonstrate tht it has instituted procedures to protect the information’s confidentiality to the extent permitted by law.

This collection is consistent with 5 CFR 1320.5.

A.8. If applicable, provide a copy and identify the date and page number of publication in the Federal Register of the agency’s notice, required by 5 CFR 1320.8(d), soliciting comments on the information collection prior to submission to OMB. Summarize public comments received in response to that notice and describe actions taken by the agency in response to these comments. Specifically address comments received on cost and hour burden.

Describe efforts to consult with persons outside the agency to obtain their views on the availability of data, frequency of collection, the clarity of instruction and record keeping, disclosure, or reporting format (if any), and on the data elements to be recorded, disclosed, or reported.

Consultation with representatives of those from whom information is to be obtained or those who must compile records should occur at least once every 3 years – even if the collection of information activity is the same as in prior periods. There may be circumstances that may preclude consultation in a specific situation. These circumstances should be explained.

Although this collection will be submitted under emergency processing, the public will have an opportunity to comment during this emergency processing.

A.9. Explain any decision to provide any payment or gift to respondents, other than remuneration of contractors or grantees.

No payments or gifts to respondents have been made.

A.10. Describe any assurance of confidentiality provided to respondents and the basis for the assurance in statute, regulation, or agency policy.

There is no assurance of confidentiality.

A.11. Provide additional justification for any questions of a sensitive nature, such as sexual behavior and attitudes, religious beliefs, and other matters that are commonly considered private. The justification should include the reasons why the agency considers the questions necessary, the specific uses to be made of the information, the explanation to be given to persons from whom the information is requested, and any steps to be taken to obtain their consent.

There are no questions of a sensitive nature.

A.12. Provide estimates of the hour burden of the collection of information.

A. Burden hours for respondents

The Department estimates that approximately 52 applicants (State governors) will apply. The average burden for the application is estimated to be 17 hours, 20 minutes per applicant, for 894 burden hours total. This is a new collection, with no prior basis for calculation of burden for most portions of the application. An estimate of burden was calculated based on program staff experience that it would take a typical governor’s staff member or team of staff members the following amounts of time to complete each section of the application:

Part	Time burden	Basis for calculation
Part 1	6 minutes	Time taken to fill out form with readily available information
Part 2	3 minutes	Time taken to read and sign the assurance
Part 3	2 minutes	Time taken to read and sign the assurance
Part 4, Section A	3 minutes	Time taken to read and sign the assurance
Part 4, Section B	2 minute	Time taken to read and sign the assurance
Part 4, Section C	2 hours	Time taken to research, discuss, and provide or estimate budget support information, and to describe budget data sources.
Part 5, Section A	12 hours	Time taken to research, discuss, and provide or estimate budget support information, and to describe budget data sources.
Part 5, Section B	3 hours	Time taken to research, discuss, and provide or estimate budget support information.
Part 6	2 minutes	Time taken to read and sign the assurance
Part 7	2 minutes	Time taken to read and sign the assurance
Total burden	17 hours, 18 minutes

B. Cost to Respondents

The Department estimates that the per-hour cost at the Governors office staff level will average $40 per person (GS-13 equivalent) hour for a total of $35,984 (=17.3hrs x $40 x 52 respondents).

A.13. Provide an estimate of the total annual cost burden to respondents or record keepers resulting from the collection of information. (Do not include the cost of any hour burden shown in Items 12 and 14.)

There are no start-up costs for this collection.

A.14. Provide estimates of annualized cost to the Federal government. Also, provide a description of the method used to estimate cost, which should include quantification of hours, operational expenses (such as equipment, overhead, printing, and support staff), and any other expense that would not have been incurred without this collection of information. Agencies also may aggregate cost estimates from Items 12, 13, and 14 in a single table.

The Federal costs will involve reviewing the applications, verifying the requested amounts, and awarding the Stabilization funds to States:

• Grade 13: 120 hours at $43.04/hour = $5,165

• Grade 14: 10 hours at $50.86/hour = $509

• Grade 15: 30 hours at $61.76/hour = $1,853

Estimated Federal cost = $7,527

A.15. Explain the reasons for any program changes or adjustments to #16f of the IC Data Part 1 Form.

This is a new collection related to a new program.

A.16. For collections of information whose results will be published, outline plans for tabulation and publication. Address any complex analytical techniques that will be used. Provide the time schedule for the entire project, including beginning and ending dates of the collection of information, completion of report, publication dates, and other actions.

Some of the information collected in this grant application may be analyzed with performance data and shared on a government website such as recovery.gov or ed.gov.

A.17. If seeking approval to not display the expiration date for OMB approval of the information collection, explain the reasons that display would be inappropriate.

The expiration date will be displayed on the form.

18. Explain each exception to the certification statement identified in Item 20, “Certification for Paperwork Reduction Act Submissions,” of OMB Form 83-I.

The Department is not requesting any exception to the Certification.

B. COLLECTION OF INFORMATION EMPLOYING STATISTICAL METHODS

This information collection does not employ statistical methods.

1 The excerpt from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 relevant to the State Fiscal Stabilization Fund may be accessed at: http://www.ed.gov/policy/gen/leg/recovery/statutory/stabilization-fund.pdf

2 Estimated state allocations for the Education Fund and Government Services Fund are available at: http://www.ed.gov/programs/statestabilization/fy09statestabilizationfund.xls

9