2023-26568. Agency Information Collection Activities; Comment Request; Study of the Impact of English Learner Reclassification Policies

AGENCY:

Institute of Education Sciences (IES), Department of Education (ED).

ACTION:

Notice.

SUMMARY:

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995, the Department is proposing a revision of a currently approved information collection request (ICR).

DATES:

Interested persons are invited to submit comments on or before February 2, 2024.

ADDRESSES:

To access and review all the documents related to the information collection listed in this notice, please use http://www.regulations.gov by searching the Docket ID number ED–2023–SCC–0202. Comments submitted in response to this notice should be submitted electronically through the Federal eRulemaking Portal at http://www.regulations.gov by selecting the Docket ID number or via postal mail, commercial delivery, or hand delivery. If the regulations.gov site is not available to the public for any reason, the Department will temporarily accept comments at [e-mail]. Please include the docket ID number and the title of the information collection request when requesting documents or submitting comments. Please note that comments submitted after the comment period will not be accepted. Written requests for information or comments submitted by postal mail or delivery should be addressed to the Manager of the Strategic Collections and Clearance Governance and Strategy Division, U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Ave. SW, LBJ, Room 6W203, Washington, DC 20202–8240.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

For specific questions related to collection activities, please contact Tracy Rimdzius, 202–453–7403.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

The Department, in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA) (44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)), provides the general public and Federal agencies with an opportunity to comment on proposed, revised, and continuing collections of information. This helps the Department assess the impact of its information collection requirements and minimize the public's reporting burden. It also helps the public understand the Department's information collection requirements and provide the requested data in the desired format. The Department is soliciting comments on the proposed information collection request (ICR) that is described below. The Department is especially interested in public comment addressing the following issues: (1) is this collection necessary to the proper functions of the Department; (2) will this information be processed and used in a timely manner; (3) is the estimate of burden accurate; (4) how might the Department enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (5) how might the Department minimize the burden of this collection on the respondents, including through the use of information technology. Please note that written comments received in response to this notice will be considered public records.

Title of Collection: Study of the Impact of English Learner Reclassification Policies.

OMB Control Number: 1850–0974.

Type of Review: Revision of a currently approved ICR.

Respondents/Affected Public: State, local, and Tribal governments.

Total Estimated Number of Annual Responses: 1,080.

Total Estimated Number of Annual Burden Hours: 1,477.

Abstract: The data collection described in this submission will assist policymakers in understanding the impact of classification and reclassification policies that govern students' English learner (EL) status. Specifically, the study examines (1) whether classification and reclassification was implemented more consistently across districts within states after the start of the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) and (2) whether classification and reclassification at current thresholds helps, harms, or is neutral for ELs' and former ELs' instructional opportunities, experiences, achievement, and attainment. This revision request adds district and school surveys to the approved data collection. The surveys will assess how district-level policies, practices, and procedures influence the impacts of reclassification on ELs as well as provide valuable descriptive information from districts and schools on local implementation of policies and practices that may affect outcomes for ELs. It will complement an existing data collection (#1850–0974) of student information from state longitudinal data systems (SLDSs).

Dated: November 29, 2023.

Juliana Pearson,

PRA Coordinator, Strategic Collections and Clearance, Governance and Strategy Division, Office of Chief Data Officer, Office of Planning, Evaluation and Policy Development.