OMB appreciates that NCES has candidly shared with it the perspective that ÂThere are a number of items on the teacher and principal questionnaires which NCES has argued are of little or no analytic utility. OMB also appreciates that NCES has expressed this sentiment repeatedly in OECD meetings to plan the TALIS field trial, although to little avail. OMB also understands that the condition of any countryÂs participation is to accept the internationally approved questions as a set, without deviation. Nonetheless, the Paperwork Reduction Act does not permit the collection of information with no utility.
Therefore, OMB approves this field test with great reluctance. OMB expects NCES to continue to advocate for including in the full scale study only those questions that have demonstrated validity, reliability and utility. It also expects NCES to elevate such concerns as needed within the Department to ensure that policy officials also are expressing concerns at the appropriate levels at OECD. Finally, NCES should continue to apprise OMBÂs Chief Statistician in order to ensure that concerns can be shared in parallel with OECDÂs Chief Statistician. OMB will not look favorably on a request to approve full scale TALIS questionnaires on which problematic questions remain.
Inventory as of this Action
Requested
Previously Approved
12/31/2014
36 Months From Approved
692
0
0
1,568
0
0
0
0
0
TALIS (Teaching and Learning International Survey) is an international survey of the teaching workforce, teaching as a profession, and the learning environments of schools. Data are collected through questionnaires from individual teachers and their school principals in lower secondary schools (grades 7, 8 and 9) in the United States. TALIS' main objective is to help countries review current policy and develop informed education policy by providing accurate and relevant international indicators on teachers and teaching. TALIS offers an opportunity for teachers and school principals to provide their perspectives on the state of education in their own countries. Both teacher and principal questionnaires include questions about teacher and principal background and characteristics; teacher and principal professional development; school leadership and management; teacher appraisal and feedback; teachers' instructional beliefs and pedagogical practices; school climate and ethos; student characteristics as perceived by the teacher; and teacher efficacy and job satisfaction. TALIS is sponsored by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) and managed in the United States by the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES). This submission requests OMB's clearance for (1) a spring 2012 field trial; (2) a fall 2012 recruitment of schools for the spring 2013 main study data collection; and (3) a 60-day Federal Register notice waiver for the next OMB clearance package to be submitted in September of 2012 for the spring 2013 main data collection.
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.
TALIS 2013 Field Trial Response to OMB Passback.docx
Main Study School Coordinator Recruitment