On September 23, 2011, the U.S.
Department of Education (ED) invited each State educational agency
(SEA) to voluntarily request flexibility on behalf of itself, its
local educational agencies, and schools, in order to better focus
on improving student learning and increasing the quality of
instruction. Since then, ED has approved 11 SEA requests for
flexibility, and is currently reviewing an additional 27 requests.
ED expects to receive requests from additional SEAs by September 6,
2012. SEAs are invited to request flexibility pursuant to the
authority in section 9401 of the Elementary and Secondary Education
Act of 1965 (ESEA), which allows the Secretary of Education to
waive, with certain exceptions, any statutory or regulatory
requirement of the ESEA for an SEA that receives funds under a
program authorized by the ESEA and requests a waiver. This
clearance request is for the collection of data that may be needed
to ensure that SEAs receiving ESEA flexibility are continuing to
meet the intent and purpose of Title I of ESEA, including meeting
the educational needs of low-achieving students, closing
achievement gaps, and holding schools, LEAs, and SEAs accountable
for improving the academic achievement of all students. This
collection will be applicable to SEAs with approved flexibility
plans. In order to reduce burden on SEAs and maximize the
availability and utility of the data within ED, ED plans to require
states to submit these data electronically through EDFacts, as
allowable under 34 CFR Part 76. Attachment B outlines the 22 new
data groups proposed for collection.
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.