The Early Childhood Longitudinal Study
(ECLS) program, conducted by the National Center for Education
Statistics (NCES) within the Institute of Education Sciences (IES)
of the U.S. Department of Education (ED), draws together
information from multiple sources to provide rich, descriptive data
on child development, early learning, and school progress. The ECLS
program studies deliver national data on children’s status at birth
and at various points thereafter; children’s transitions to
nonparental care, early care and education programs, and school;
and children’s experiences and growth through the elementary
grades. The Early Childhood Longitudinal Study, Kindergarten Class
of 2022-23 (ECLS-K:2023) is the fourth cohort in the series of
early childhood longitudinal studies. The study will advance
research in child development and early learning by providing a
detailed and comprehensive source of current information on
children’s early learning and development, transitions into
kindergarten and beyond, and progress through school. The
ECLS-K:2023 will provide data about the population of children who
will be kindergartners in the 2022-23 school year, and will go
beyond its predecessor kindergarten cohort studies by adding a
round of data collection in the spring prior to children’s
kindergarten year, known as the “preschool round.” Collecting
parent data beginning in preschool will enable the study to measure
influences on children’s development before entry into formal
schooling, including children’s home environments and access to
early care and education. The ECLS-K:2023 will focus on children’s
early school experiences continuing through the fifth grade, and
will include collection of data from parents, teachers, and school
administrators, as well as direct child assessments. This request
is to conduct a field test of the ECLS-K:2023 preschool data
collection activities from January through October 2020, to field
test the preschool data collection materials and procedures. This
ECLS-K:2023 preschool field test will be followed by the
kindergarten-first grade field test (planned for August-December
2021), the spring preschool national data collection (January-June
2022), and the fall (August-December 2022) and spring (March-July
2023) kindergarten national data collections – which will be
requested under separate clearance submissions.
US Code:
20
USC 9543 Name of Law: Education Sciences Reform Act
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.