Mar 4 -- The National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) invites comments to OMB by April 3, 2024 regarding the proposed Q4 revision to the School Pulse Panel 2023–24 Data Collection.
The School Pulse Panel is conducted by the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), part of the Institute of Education Sciences (IES), within the United States Department of Education. Initially, the purpose of the study was to collect extensive real-time data on issues brought to light by the COVID–19 pandemic on students and staff, as well as other important education-related issues that could inform data-driven policy decisions, in U.S. public primary, middle, high, and combined-grade schools and districts. Specifically, this was accomplished by collecting data on, among other things, the percentage of the student body starting the school year behind grade level, the types of learning recovery strategies being implemented and the perceived effectiveness of those strategies, classroom behavioral concerns, mental health services provided, and staffing issues. NCES was able to capture each of these pieces in an expedited fashion and report out findings in a matter of weeks, providing rich information to help tell the full story of what students, staff, and administrators were battling on a daily basis. The success of the quick-turnaround nature of the SPP was a clear indication of the immense value of having a real-time data collection vehicle readily available to capture content on prominent events occurring in the school environment. Therefore, stakeholders and ED leadership have asked NCES to continue this type of data collection methodology for the 2023–24 school year and beyond with content extending beyond COVID–19 pandemic impacts on the education environment.
The preliminary activities package was formally cleared in February 2023 (OMB# 1850–0975 v.1) and the SPP monthly data collection package was formally cleared in June 2023 (OMB# 1850–0975 v.2). A change request (v.3) was cleared in July 2023 to make changes to the September and October instruments and August 2023–January 2024 communication materials. A second quarterly package was formally cleared in October 2023 (OMB# 1850–0975 v.4), which contained the November 2023–January 2024 questionnaires and the February 2024–June 2024 communication materials. A change request (v.5) was cleared in October 2023 to make changes to the December 2023 and January 2024 instruments; content on these surveys was undergoing cognitive testing during the 30-day public comment period. A third quarterly package was formally cleared in January 2024 (OMB# 1850–0975 v.6), which contained the February–April 2024 questionnaires. Content on all three questionnaires was undergoing cognitive testing during the 30-day public comment period. One change request (v.7) was cleared in January 2024 to make changes to the February 2024 questionnaire. A second change request (v.8) was cleared in February 2024 to make changes to the March 2024 and April 2024 questionnaires.
This revision introduces new items for May and June 2024 (within the scope of the research domains previously established), included here in Appendix C4. These items are considered very close to final and will go through minimal testing with school personnel to examine any comprehension concerns with item wording. Feedback from this testing, as well as additional input from SPP stakeholders, will result in modifications and additions that will be reflected in future change requests.
NCES School Pulse Panel:
https://nces.ed.gov/surveys/spp/
Census:
https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/school-pulse-panel.html
NCES submission to OMB:
https://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAViewICR?ref_nbr=202402-1850-007 Click IC List for information collection instrument, View Supporting Statement for technical documentation. Submit comments through this webpage.
FRN:
https://www.federalregister.gov/d/2024-04449
For AEA members wishing to submit comments, "A Primer on How to Respond to Calls for Comment on Federal Data Collections" is available at
https://www.aeaweb.org/content/file?id=5806