To gauge progress in addressing the needs of youth with disabilities, the U.S. Department of Education is sponsoring a five-year longitudinal study focused on the educational and transitional experiences of youth between the ages of 13 and 21 in December 2011. The study focuses on three sets of research questions: What are the characteristics of youth with disabilities? What services and accommodations do they receive and what are their courses of study? What are their transitional experiences as they leave high school and their educational, social, and economic outcomes?
The study will compare this group with three other groups: (1) youth who have no identified disability, (2) youth who do not have an IEP but who have a condition that qualifies them for accommodation under Section 504 of the Vocational Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and (3) similar cohorts of youth with an IEP who were studied in the past.
Districts and youth will be randomly selected to ensure that they are nationally representative. The study sample will include approximately 500 school districts and 15,000 students. Phase I data collection will occur in spring 2012 and spring 2014, when sample members will be ages 13-21 and 15-23, respectively. The study will collect data from parents, youth, principals, teachers, and student school records.
The 83C change results in a burden increase of 10,800 burden hours. Changes that OMB requested were made to the two teacher surveys and the surveys were added back into the collection. Justification for the incentive structure is also included with this change request.
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.