2012-21047. Notice of Submission for OMB Review; Institute of Education Sciences; Education Longitudinal Study 2002 (ELS:2002) Third Follow-Up Postsecondary Transcripts (ELS:2002 PETS) and Financial Aid Feasibility Study (ELS:2002 FAFS)

SUMMARY:

The Education Longitudinal Study of 2002 (ELS:2002) is a nationally representative study of two high school grade cohorts (spring 2002 tenth-graders and spring 2004 twelfth-graders) comprising over 16,000 sample members. The study focuses on achievement growth in mathematics in the high school years and its correlates, the family and school social context of secondary education, transitions from high school to postsecondary education and/or the labor market, and experiences during the postsecondary years. Major topics covered for the postsecondary years include postsecondary education access, choice, and persistence; baccalaureate and sub-baccalaureate attainment; the work experiences of the non-college-bound; and other markers of adult status such as family formation, civic participation, and other young adult life course developments. This collection includes the third follow-up 2012 full scale data collection.

DATES:

Interested persons are invited to submit comments on or before September 26, 2012.

ADDRESSES:

Written comments regarding burden and/or the collection activity requirements should be electronically mailed to [e-mail] or mailed to U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue SW., LBJ, Washington, DC 20202-4537. Copies of the proposed information collection request may be accessed from http://edicsweb.ed.gov,, by selecting the “Browse Pending Collections” link and by clicking on link number 04873. When you access the information collection, click on “Download Attachments” to view. Written requests for information should be addressed to U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue SW., LBJ, Washington, DC 20202-4537. Requests may also be electronically mailed to [e-mail] or faxed to 202-401-0920. Please specify the complete title of the information collection and OMB Control Number when making your request.

Individuals who use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 1-800-877-8339.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Section 3506 of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. chapter 35) requires that Federal agencies provide interested parties an early opportunity to comment on information collection requests. The Director, Information Collection Clearance Division, Privacy, Information and Records Management Services, Office of Management, publishes this notice containing proposed information collection requests at the beginning of the Departmental review of the information collection. The Department of Education 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: Education Longitudinal Study 2002 (ELS:2002) Third Follow-up Postsecondary Transcripts (ELS:2002 PETS) and Financial Aid Feasibility Study (ELS:2002 FAFS).

OMB Control Number: 1850-0652.

Type of Review: Revision.

Total Estimated Number of Annual Responses: 3,084.

Total Estimated Number of Annual Burden Hours: 2,382.

Abstract: The Education Longitudinal Study of 2002 (ELS:2002) is a nationally representative study of two high school grade cohorts (spring 2002 tenth-graders and spring 2004 twelfth-graders) comprising over 16,000 sample members. The study focuses on achievement growth in mathematics in the high school years and its correlates, the family and school social context of secondary education, transitions from high school to postsecondary education and/or the labor market, and experiences during the postsecondary years. Major topics covered for the postsecondary years include postsecondary education access, choice, and persistence; baccalaureate and sub-baccalaureate attainment; the work experiences of the non-college-bound; and other markers of adult status such as family formation, civic participation, and other young adult life course developments. Data collections took place in 2002, 2004, 2006 (two years out of high school), and now will take place in 2012, when most sample members are around 26 years of age. The third follow-up field test was conducted in 2011. This submission requests OMB's approval for the third follow-up 2012 full scale data collection.

Stephanie Valentine,

Acting Director, Information Collection Clearance Division, Privacy, Information and Records Management Services, Office of Management.