The purpose of this study is to
investigate how districts vary in their implementation of weighted
student funding (WSF) and school-based budgeting (SBB); outcomes in
terms of levels of principal autonomy, transparency of resource
allocation, and extent to which resources are distributed based on
student needs; interactions of WSF and SBB systems with school
choice policies; and challenges that districts may have faced in
transitioning to and implementing these systems. Data collection
will include: a) nationally representative surveys of districts and
principals, and b) case studies of nine districts that are
implementing WSF systems, including site visits, in-person
interviews with district officials and school staff, and analysis
of relevant extant data such as descriptive documents, budgets, and
audited expenditure files.
This is a new collection. It is
for the study instruments. (Due to time constraints, the
recruitment and study design phase of this collection was submitted
earlier under a separate new 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.