SUPPORTING STATEMENT
FOR PAPERWORK REDUCTION ACT SUBMISSION
A. Justification
Explain the circumstances that make the collection of information necessary. Identify any legal or administrative requirements that necessitate the collection. Attach a hard copy of the appropriate section of each statute and regulation mandating or authorizing the collection of information, or you may provide a valid URL link or paste the applicable section1. Specify the review type of the collection (new, revision, extension, reinstatement with change, reinstatement without change). If revised, briefly specify the changes. If a rulemaking is involved, make note of the sections or changed sections, if applicable.
The Comprehensive Centers program awards no less than 20 grants to provide demonstrated expertise in technical assistance, professional development, and training to State educational agencies and local educational agencies regarding the administration and implementation of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965. The collection of information is necessary for eligible applicants to apply and receive grants under the Comprehensive Centers program. The information collection for fiscal year 2012 will solicit new information for the Comprehensive Centers competition.
The Comprehensive Centers program is a discretionary grant program authorized under the Education Technical Assistance Act of 2002 (ETAA).
SEC. 203. COMPREHENSIVE CENTERS.
(a) AUTHORIZATION.—
(1) IN GENERAL.—Subject to paragraph (2), beginning in fiscal year 2004, the Secretary is authorized to award not less than 20 grants to local entities, or consortia of such entities, with demonstrated expertise in providing technical assistance and professional development in reading, mathematics, science, and technology, especially to low-performing schools and districts, to establish comprehensive centers.
(2) REGIONS.—In awarding grants under paragraph (1), the Secretary—
(A) shall ensure that not less than 1 comprehensive center is established in each of the 10 geographic regions served by the regional educational laboratories established under section 941(h) of the Educational Research, Development, Dissemination, and Improvement Act of 1994 (as H. R. 3801—37
such provision existed on the day before the date of enactment of this Act); and
(B) after meeting the requirements of subparagraph (A), shall consider, in awarding the remainder of the grants, the school-age population, proportion of economically disadvantaged students, the increased cost burdens of service delivery in areas of sparse population, and the number of schools identified for school improvement (as described in section 1116(b) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6316(b)) in the population served by the local entity or consortium of such entities.
(b) ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS.—
(1) IN GENERAL.—Grants under this section may be made with research organizations, institutions, agencies, institutions of higher education, or partnerships among such entities, or individuals, with the demonstrated ability or capacity to carry out the activities described in subsection (f), including regional
entities that carried out activities under the Educational Research, Development, Dissemination, and Improvement Act of 1994 (as such Act existed on the day before the date of enactment of this Act) and title XIII of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (as such title existed on the day before the date of enactment of the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 (Public Law 107–110)).
(2) OUTREACH.—In conducting competitions for grants under this section, the Secretary shall actively encourage potential applicants to compete for such awards by making widely available information and technical assistance relating to the competition.
(3) OBJECTIVES AND INDICATORS.—Before awarding a grant under this section, the Secretary shall design specific objectives and measurable indicators, using the results of the assessment conducted under section 206, to be used to assess the particular programs or initiatives, and ongoing progress and performance,
of the regional entities, in order to ensure that the educational needs of the region are being met and that the latest and best research and proven practices are being carried out as part of school improvement efforts.
(c) APPLICATION.—
(1) SUBMISSION.—Each local entity, or consortium of such entities, seeking a grant under this section shall submit an application at such time, in such manner, and containing such additional information as the Secretary may reasonably require.
(2) PLAN.—Each application submitted under paragraph (1) shall contain a 5-year plan for carrying out the activities described in this section in a manner that addresses the priorities established under section 207 and addresses the needs of all States (and to the extent practicable, of local educational agencies) within the region to be served by the comprehensive center, on an ongoing basis.
(d) ALLOCATION.—Each comprehensive center established under this section shall allocate such center’s resources to and within each State in a manner which reflects the need for assistance, taking into account such factors as the proportion of economically disadvantaged students, the increased cost burden of service
delivery in areas of sparse populations, and any special initiatives being undertaken by State, intermediate, local educational agencies, H. R. 3801—38 or Bureau-funded schools, as appropriate, which may require special assistance from the center.
(e) SCOPE OF WORK.—Each comprehensive center established under this section shall work with State educational agencies, local educational agencies, regional educational agencies, and schools in the region where such center is located on school improvement activities that take into account factors such as the proportion of economically disadvantaged students in the region, and give priority to—
(1) schools in the region with high percentages or numbers of students from low-income families, as determined under section 1113(a)(5) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6313(a)(5)), including such schools in rural and urban areas, and schools receiving assistance under Title I of that Act (20 U.S.C. 6301 et seq.);
(2) local educational agencies in the region in which high percentages or numbers of school-age children are from low income families, as determined under section 1124(c)(1)(A) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6333(c)(1)(A)), including such local educational agencies in rural and urban areas; and
(3) schools in the region that have been identified for school improvement under section 1116(b) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6316(b)).
(f) ACTIVITIES.—
(1) IN GENERAL.—A comprehensive center established under this section shall support dissemination and technical assistance activities by—
(A) providing training, professional development, and technical assistance regarding, at a minimum—
(i) the administration and implementation of programs under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6301 et seq.);
(ii) the use of scientifically valid teaching methods and assessment tools for use by teachers and administrators in, at a minimum—
(I) the core academic subjects of mathematics, science, and reading or language arts;
(II) English language acquisition; and
(III) education technology; and
(iii) the facilitation of communication between education experts, school officials, teachers, parents, and librarians, as appropriate; and
(B) disseminating and providing information, reports, and publications that are usable for improving academic achievement, closing achievement gaps, and encouraging and sustaining school improvement (as described in section 1116(b) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6316(b))), to schools, educators, parents, and policymakers within the region in which the center is located; and
(C) developing teacher and school leader inservice and preservice training models that illustrate best practices in the use of technology in different content areas.
(2) COORDINATION AND COLLABORATION.—Each comprehensive center established under this section shall coordinate its activities, collaborate, and regularly exchange information with H. R. 3801—39 the regional educational laboratory in the region in which the center is located, the National Center for Education Evaluation and Regional Assistance, the Office of the Secretary, the State service agency, and other technical assistance providers in the region.
(g) COMPREHENSIVE CENTER ADVISORY BOARD.—
(1) ESTABLISHMENT.—Each comprehensive center established under this section shall have an advisory board that shall support the priorities of such center.
(2) DUTIES.—Each advisory board established under paragraph
(1) shall advise the comprehensive center—
(A) concerning the activities described in subsection (d);
(B) on strategies for monitoring and addressing the educational needs of the region, on an ongoing basis;
(C) on maintaining a high standard of quality in the performance of the center’s activities; and
(D) on carrying out the center’s duties in a manner that promotes progress toward improving student academic achievement.
(3) COMPOSITION.—
(A) IN GENERAL.—Each advisory board shall be composed of—
(i) the chief State school officers, or such officers’ designees or other State officials, in each State served by the comprehensive center who have primary responsibility under State law for elementary and secondary education in the State; and
(ii) not more than 15 other members who are representative of the educational interests in the region served by the comprehensive center and are selected jointly by the officials specified in clause (i) and the chief executive officer of each State served by the comprehensive center, including the following:
(I) Representatives of local educational agencies and regional educational agencies, including representatives of local educational agencies serving urban and rural areas.
(II) Representatives of institutions of higher education.
(III) Parents.
(IV) Practicing educators, including classroom teachers, principals, and administrators.
(V) Representatives of business.
(VI) Policymakers, expert practitioners, and researchers with knowledge of, and experience using, the results of research, evaluation, and statistics.
(B) SPECIAL RULE.—In the case of a State in which the chief executive officer has the primary responsibility under State law for elementary and secondary education in the State, the chief executive officer shall consult, to the extent permitted by State law, with the State educational agency in selecting additional members of the board under subparagraph (A)(i).
(h) REPORT TO SECRETARY.—Each comprehensive center established under this section shall submit to the Secretary an annual H. R. 3801—40 report, at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may require, which shall include the following:
(1) A summary of the comprehensive center’s activities during the preceding year.
(2) A listing of the States, local educational agencies, and schools the comprehensive center assisted during the preceding year.
SEC. 204. EVALUATIONS.
The Secretary shall provide for ongoing independent evaluations by the National Center for Education Evaluation and Regional Assistance of the comprehensive centers receiving assistance under this title, the results of which shall be transmitted to the appropriate congressional committees and the Director of the Institute of Education Sciences. Such evaluations shall include an analysis of the services provided under this title, the extent to which each of the comprehensive centers meets the objectives of its respective plan, and whether such services meet the educational needs of State educational agencies, local educational agencies, and schools in the region.
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 Department of Education (Department) will use the information collected to conduct a new Comprehensive Centers grant competition and award up to 16 regional comprehensive centers to support specific states and school districts within a geographical region and up to seven content centers. The last time this information was collected was in 2005; the collection resulted in the award of 21 comprehensive centers.
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 given to using technology to reduce burden.
The Comprehensive Centers program requires the electronic submission of applications. Applicants must submit their application electronically to the Governmentwide site Grants.gov. The Department will reject paper submissions unless an applicant qualifies for and requests one of the exceptions to the electronic submission requirements. All Department discretionary grants must submit applications through the Grants.gov portal.
4. Describe efforts to identify duplication. Show specifically why any similar information already available cannot be used or modified for use for the purposes described in Item 2 above.
In 2005 the Department awarded 16 Regional Comprehensive Centers and 5 Content Comprehensive Centers. Each awarded Center received a 5-year grant, which was extended for two additional years. The information collected in 2005 cannot be used or modified for the upcoming competition in fiscal year 2012. New priorities, requirements, and selection criteria will be published in the Notice of Final Priorities and Notice Inviting Applications.
5. If the collection of information impacts small businesses or other small entities, describe any methods used to minimize burden. A small entity may be (1) a small business which is deemed to be one that is independently owned and operated and that is not dominant in its field of operation; (2) a small organization that is any not-for-profit enterprise that is independently owned and operated and is not dominant in its field; or (3) a small government jurisdiction, which is a government of a city, county, town, township, school district, or special district with a population of less than 50,000.
The proposed priorities, requirements, and selection criteria impose no unique burden on small entities or small businesses. An eligible entity would evaluate the requirements of preparing an application and implementing a Comprehensive Center, including any associated costs, and weigh them against the benefits likely to be achieved by implementing a Center. An eligible entity would probably apply only if it determines that the likely benefits exceed the costs of preparing an application and implementing a project.
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 collecting information for the Comprehensive Centers program would be that eligible entities would be unable to apply and receive up to 60 months of funding under this program and the Department would not fulfill its Congressional obligation. The information collection for new award recipients is conducted as infrequently as possible.
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 that 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 that it has instituted procedures to protect the information’s confidentiality to the extent permitted by law.
None of the special circumstances listed above apply. This collection is consistent with 5 CFR 1320.5.
As applicable, state that the Department has published the 60 and 30 Federal Register notices as 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.
This collection will be published for a 30-day public comment period. The public will have an opportunity to provide feedback on the availability of data, frequency of collection, the clarity of the instructions and record-keeping requirements, disclosure, the reporting format, and the data elements to be recorded, disclosed, or reported.
9. Explain any decision to provide any payment or gift to respondents, other than remuneration of contractors or grantees with meaningful justification.
No payments or gifts will be made to respondents.
10. Describe any assurance of confidentiality provided to respondents and the basis for the assurance in statute, regulation, or agency policy. If personally identifiable information (PII) is being collected, a Privacy Act statement should be included on the instrument. Please provide a citation for the Systems of Record Notice and the date a Privacy Impact Assessment was completed as indicated on the IC Data Form. A confidentiality statement with a legal citation that authorizes the pledge of confidentiality should be provided.2 If the collection is subject to the Privacy Act, the Privacy Act statement is deemed sufficient with respect to confidentiality. If there is no expectation of confidentiality, simply state that the Department makes no pledge about the confidentially of the data.
There are no assurances of confidentiality.
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.
This collection does not include questions of a sensitive nature.
12. Provide estimates of the hour burden of the collection of information. The statement should:
Indicate the number of respondents, frequency of response, annual hour burden, and an explanation of how the burden was estimated. Unless directed to do so, agencies should not conduct special surveys to obtain information on which to base hour burden estimates. Consultation with a sample (fewer than 10) of potential respondents is desirable. If the hour burden on respondents is expected to vary widely because of differences in activity, size, or complexity, show the range of estimated hour burden, and explain the reasons for the variance. Generally, estimates should not include burden hours for customary and usual business practices.
In estimating the burden in this collection, the Department consulted with three previous grantees of the Comprehensive Centers program to determine the estimated time to complete an application. We estimate that each applicant would spend approximately 176 hours of staff time to address the proposed priorities, requirements, and selection criteria; prepare the application; and obtain necessary clearances. Based on the number of applications the Department received in the last competition it held under this program (in FY 2005), we expect to receive approximately 65 applications for these funds. The total number of hours for all expected applicants is an estimated 11,440 hours.
If this request for approval covers more than one form, provide separate hour burden estimates for each form and aggregate the hour burdens in Item 16 of IC Data Part 1.
The request for approval does not cover more than one form.
Provide estimates of annualized cost to respondents of the hour burdens for collections of information, identifying and using appropriate wage rate categories. The cost of contracting out or paying outside parties for information collection activities should not be included here. Instead, this cost should be included in Item 14.
The table below illustrates the estimates of annualized cost to respondents of the hour burdens for collections of information based on the GS hourly rates from the OPM Salary Table (2011-DCB).
|
Number of Employees |
Comparable GS-Grade |
Hourly Rate |
Number of Hours |
Total Cost |
|
2 |
GS-15 |
$59.30 |
121 |
$14,351 |
|
4 |
GS-12 |
$35.88 |
40 |
$5,741 |
|
1 |
GS-7 |
$20.22 |
15 |
$303 |
Total |
7 |
|
|
176 |
$20,395 |
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.)
The cost estimate should be split into two components: (a) a total capital and start-up cost component (annualized over its expected useful life); and (b) a total operation and maintenance and purchase of services component. The estimates should take into account costs associated with generating, maintaining, and disclosing or providing the information. Include descriptions of methods used to estimate major cost factors including system and technology acquisition, expected useful life of capital equipment, the discount rate(s), and the time period over which costs will be incurred. Capital and start-up costs include, among other items, preparations for collecting information such as purchasing computers and software; monitoring, sampling, drilling and testing equipment; and record storage facilities.
If cost estimates are expected to vary widely, agencies should present ranges of cost burdens and explain the reasons for the variance. The cost of contracting out information collection services should be a part of this cost burden estimate. In developing cost burden estimates, agencies may consult with a sample of respondents (fewer than 10), utilize the 60-day pre-OMB submission public comment process and use existing economic or regulatory impact analysis associated with the rulemaking containing the information collection, as appropriate.
Generally, estimates should not include purchases of equipment or services, or portions thereof, made: (1) prior to October 1, 1995, (2) to achieve regulatory compliance with requirements not associated with the information collection, (3) for reasons other than to provide information or keep records for the government, or (4) as part of customary and usual business or private practices.
There are no costs that (a) meet the criteria for inclusion under this item; and (b) have not been addressed in either item #12 or item #14.
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 table below illustrates the estimates of annualized cost to the Federal government. A description of the method used to estimate cost is included below the related table. The estimate of the annualized cost to the Federal government is $238,954.
ED Staff Time to update application and prepare clearance package
The estimate for staff time was calculated based on twenty (20) total hours for staff to update and prepare clearance packages. The estimates are the hourly burdens for collections of information based on the GS hourly rates from the OPM Salary Table (2011-DCB). The calculation was based on the twenty hours of total staff time multiplied by the hourly rate of each respective staff member.
ED Staff time to review applications
The estimate for staff time was calculated based on 300 total hours for staff to review applications. The estimates are the hourly burdens for collections of information based on the GS hourly rates from the OPM Salary Table (2011-DCB). The calculation was based on the number of hours multiplied by the hourly rate per staff member. Review Process of Applications
The estimates reflect a projection of 75 reviewers for the competition. Each reviewer will receive an honorarium of $1,050 for the review. Panel chairs will receive an additional $150/day for each day of the review. The additional payment to the panel chair was based on previous competitions. Lodging and per diem costs were calculated based on FY 2012 rates for the District of Columbia. Roundtrip travel is based on the maximum possible amount for airfare. Estimated total cost to the Federal government: $310, 952 |
15. Explain the reasons for any program changes or adjustments reported in Item 16 of IC Data Part 1.
There are no significant program changes or adjustments.
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.
There are no plans to publish the results of this data collection.
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 Department is not seeking this approval.
18. Explain each exception to the certification statement identified in the "Certification for Paperwork Reduction Act Submissions" Form.
There are no exceptions to the referenced certification statement.
1 Please limit pasted text to no longer than 3 paragraphs.
2 Requests for this information are in accordance with the following ED and OMB policies: Privacy Act of 1974, OMB Circular A-108 – Privacy Act Implementation – Guidelines and Responsibilities, OMB Circular A-130 Appendix I – Federal Agency Responsibilities for Maintaining Records About Individuals, OMB M-03-22 – OMB Guidance for Implementing the Privacy Provisions of the E-Government Act of 2002, OMB M-06-15 – Safeguarding Personally Identifiable Information, OM:6-104 – Privacy Act of 1974 (Collection, Use and Protection of Personally Identifiable Information)
| File Type | application/msword |
| Author | Fran Walter |
| Last Modified By | Authorised User |
| File Modified | 2012-01-23 |
| File Created | 2012-01-23 |