The Program for International Student
Assessment (PISA) is an international assessment that focuses on
15-year-olds' capabilities in reading, mathematics, and science
literacy. It was first implemented by the National Center for
Education Statistics (NCES) in 2000 and has been administered every
3 years since. This submission is for the fifth cycle in the
series, PISA 2012, and requests OMB approval for field test and
main study recruitment, field trial data collection, and a waiver
of the 60-days federal register notice for the main study clearance
in 2012. As in 2003, in PISA 2012, mathematics will be the major
subject domain. The field test will also include computer-based
assessments in reading, science, and general problem solving, and
an assessment of financial literacy in a paper-and-pencil format.
The United States may decide to participate in these components in
the main study as well, based on the results of the field test. In
addition to assessment data, PISA provides background information
on school context and student demographics to benchmark performance
and inform policy. School recruitment for the field test will begin
in September 2010 with data collection beginning in March 2011.
Main study recruitment will begin in September 2011 with data
collection beginning in September 2012. The PISA 2012 field test
sample will include about 35 schools (main study sample about 150)
and about 1600 students (4,500 5,700 for the main study,
depending on the components administered). In January 2011 NCES
will submit the final field trial instruments to OMB; then,
following the field test study, in May 2011, NCES will submit to
OMB the final main study recruitment materials, design, and burden;
and in spring 2012, NCES will submit the final main study
instruments.
While Rocis considers this to
be both an increase (for this field test/recruitment activities
submission) as well as a decrease (reduction since the full scale
is over), there is an overall reduction in burden because the last
approval was for the full scale PISA 2009 collection while this
clearance request is only for field test and recruitment
activities.
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.