[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 189 (Friday, September 29, 1995)]
[Notices]
[Pages 50543-50544]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-24291]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
Bureau of the Census
Notice of Proposal to Submit an Information Collection to the
Office of Management and Budget (OMB)
SUMMARY: The Department of Commerce, as part of its continuing effort
to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, conducts a pre-submission
consultation program to provide the general public and other Federal
agencies with an opportunity to comment on proposed and/or continuing
information collections before they are submitted to OMB for review.
This program helps to ensure that requested data can be provided in the
desired format, reporting burden is minimized, reporting forms are
clearly understood, and the impact of collection requirements on
respondents can be properly assessed. Currently, the Census Bureau,
within the Department of Commerce, is soliciting comments concerning
its plans to submit a revised question series for educational
attainment, which is part of the monthly Current Population Survey
(CPS), to OMB for review.
DATES: Written comments must be submitted on or before November 28,
1995. If you anticipate that you will be submitting comments, but find
it difficult to do so within the period of time allowed by this notice,
you should advise the contact listed below of your intention to do so
as soon as possible.
ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Gerald Tache, Departmental
Forms Clearance Officer, Department of Commerce, Room 5312, 14th and
Constitution Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20230.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information on
these questions should be directed to Gregory Weyland, Bureau of the
Census, FOB 3, Room 3340, Washington, DC 20233-8400, (301) 457-3806.
Proposed Educational Attainment Question Series
SEA1 What is the highest level of school you have completed or the
highest degree you have received?
31 Less than 1st grade
32 1st, 2nd, 3rd, or 4th grade
33 5th or 6th grade
34 7th or 8th grade
35 9th grade
36 10th grade
37 11th grade
38 12th grade NO DIPLOMA
39 HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATE--high school DIPLOMA, or the equivalent
(for example: GED)
40 Some college but no degree
41 Associate degree in college--Occupational/vocational program
42 Associate degree in college--Academic program
43 Bachelor's degree (For example: BA, AB, BS)
44 Master's degree (For example: MA, MS, MEng, MEd, MSW, MBA)
45 Professional School degree (For example: MD, DDS, DVM. LLB, JD)
46 Doctorate degree (For example: PhD, EdD)
SEA1--CK. Check Item
SEA1 is 31-38 (Go to SEA2)
SEA1 is 39 (Go to SEA3A)
SEA1 is 40-42 (Go to SEA4)
[[Page 50544]]
SEA1 is 43 (Go to SEA5A)
SEA1 is 44 (Go to SEA6)
SEA1 is 45-46 (Exit)
SEA2 Did (name/you) ever get a High School diploma by completing High
School OR through a GED or other equivalent?
<1> Yes, completed High School
<2> Yes, GED or other equivalent
<3> No
Exit
SEA3A (People can get a High School diploma in a variety of ways, such
as graduating from a High School or by getting a GED or other
equivalent.) How did (name/you) get (his/her/your) High School diploma?
<1> Graduation from High School
<2> GED or other equivalent
(Exit)
(Ask SEA3B)
SEA3B What was the highest grade of regular school (name/you) completed
before receiving (his/her/your) GED?
<1> Less than 1st grade
<2> 1st, 2nd, 3rd, or 4th grade
<3> 5th or 6th grade
<4> 7th or 8th grade
<5> 9th grade
<6> 10th grade
<7> 11th grade
<8> 12th grade NO DIPLOMA
Exit
SEA4 (Including any time that may have been spent getting an
Associate's Degree, how/How) many years of college CREDIT (has/
have)(name/you) completed? (Has/Have) (he/she/you) COMPLETED
<1> Less than 1 year?
<2> The first, or FRESHMAN year?
<3> The second, or SOPHOMORE year?
<4> The third, or JUNIOR year?
<5> Other (Ask SEA4S)
Exit
SEA4S How many years is that?
===>________
Exit
SEA5A Since completing (his/her/your) Bachelor's degree, (has/have)
(name/you) ever taken any GRADUATE or PROFESSIONAL school courses for
credit?
<1> Yes (Ask SEA5B)
<2> No (Exit)
SEA5B Did (name/you) complete SIX or MORE graduate or professional
school courses?
<1> Yes
<2> No
Exit
SEA6 Was (name's/you) Master's Degree program a 1-year, 2-year, or 3-
year program?
<1> 1-year program
<2> 2-year program
<3> 3-year program
<4> Other (Ask SEA6S)
Exit
SEA6S What is that?
===>________
Exit
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Background
The Bureau of the Census has conducted the CPS monthly for over 50
years. Its primary purpose is to provide monthly statistics on the
labor force status of the American population, including the official
unemployment rate. It is authorized by Title 13, United States Code,
Section 182; and Title 29, United States Code, Sections 1-9. The Bureau
of the Census and the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) sponsor this
survey.
Several years ago (1992), the CPS changed its methodology for
collecting educational attainment from a ``years attended basis'' to a
``degree received basis.'' While this change was embraced by most
analysts as being a more accurate measure of this characteristic, it
did disrupt a number of time series statistics using the ``years
attended'' measure. Given this background, BLS and Census Bureau staff
researched and tested a number of revised questionnaires in an attempt
to devise a series of questions that would collect both measures of
educational attainment, while maintaining consistency with the current
``degree received measure.'' Note that question SEA1 above is the
current ``degree received'' question and will retain its function as
the primary measure of educational attainment.
II. Current Actions
In July 1995, we collected data using the revised series of
questions as a supplement in one-fourth of the CPS sample. The purpose
of this test was to gauge how the new question series performed and, if
necessary, to provide a set of bridge statistics on educational
attainment that would allow a smooth transition to the new question
series. Currently, staff at both the BLS and the Census Bureau are
analyzing the results of this test. If the results are favorable, we
plan to incorporate the new question series into the January 1996 CPS
instrument. This submission to OMB is being made in anticipation of
favorable test results and may be withdrawn if that does not occur.
III. Request for Comments
After reviewing the information collection instrument (see above),
prospective respondents and other interested parties should comment on
the actions discussed in Item II. The following general guidelines are
provided to assist in the preparation of responses. Please include the
name of this information collection, the CPS educational attainment
revision, in your comments.
As a potential data user:
A. Did you use educational attainment data from the CPS prior to
1992?
B. If so, did the switch to ``highest degree received'' cause any
problems with your time series or other analyses?
C. The suggested item series is intended to continue the current
``highest degree received'' concept while reinstituting the ``last year
completed'' concept (used prior to 1992 in the CPS). Do you think this
objective is served by these items?
D. Can you use data at the levels of detail indicated?
E. For what purpose do you or would you use these data? Please be
specific.
F. As a user of these data, can you suggest modifications to the
proposed items that if incorporated, would better serve your analytical
needs? If so, please submit your suggested changes with a short
statement describing the perceived benefits.
As a potential respondent:
A. We estimate that it will take the average respondent about 30
seconds to answer the appropriate questions. Is this a reasonable
burden?
B. Are the questions sensitive in nature? If so, please be specific
in describing why.
C. Are the questions understandable and framed in a sensible
manner? If not, what items are confusing and how should we clarify
them?
D. In your opinion, could a proxy respondent (i.e., one household
member providing information for another household member) provide
complete and accurate answers? If not, why?
E. Do you have any suggestions on ways of reducing the burden
associated with responding to this information collection?
The Census Bureau also is interested in receiving comments from
persons regarding their views on the need for this information
collection.
Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized
and/or included in the request for OMB approval of this information
collection; they also will become a matter of public record.
Dated: September 26, 1995.
Gerald Tache,
Departmental Forms Clearance Officer, Office of Management and
Organization.
[FR Doc. 95-24291 Filed 9-28-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-07-M
