Supporting_Statement_Part_B_(60D_FRN)5.4.16

SUPPORTING STATEMENT PART B

FOR PAPERWORK REDUCTION ACT SUBMISSION

Transition and Postsecondary Programs for Students with Intellectual Disabilities (TPSID) Evaluation System

B. Collection of Information Employing Statistical Methods

The agency should be prepared to justify its decision not to use statistical methods in any case where such methods might reduce burden or improve accuracy of results. The following documentation should be provided with the Supporting Statement Part A to the extent that it applies to the methods proposed. For further information, please consult OMB’s Standards and Guidelines for Statistical Surveys.

1. Describe the potential respondent universe (including a numerical estimate) and any sampling or other respondent selection method to be used. Data on the number of entities (e.g., establishments, state and local government units, households, or persons) in the universe covered by the collection and in the corresponding sample are to be provided in tabular form for the universe as a whole and for each of the strata in the proposed sample. Indicate expected response rates for the proposed sample. Indicate expected response rates for the collection as a whole. If the collection had been conducted previously, include the actual response rate achieved during the last collection.

The respondent universe is all Transition Programs for Students with Intellectual Disabilities (TPSIDs) and project partners receiving TPSID model demonstration funds from OPE. A total of 48 institutions of higher education (the 25 OPE grantees plus 23 partner sites) will enter data in the system annually. The previous response rate from the 2010-2015 TPSID cohort was 100%. Data are being collected from the full universe as all respondents are required by statute and by their grant funding agreements to submit these data to the Coordinating Center. The collection is designed to facilitate management of data that programs are required to report.

Data on the number of entities (e.g., establishments, state and local government units, households, or persons) in the universe covered by the collection and in the corresponding sample are to be provided in tabular form for the universe as a whole and for each of the strata in the proposed sample.

Since collecting these data is a statutory requirement of the grant program, we expect a 100% response rate. This data collection does not involve any sampling.

2. Describe the procedures for the collection of information, including:

• Statistical methodology for stratification and sample selection.

• Estimation procedure.

• Degree of accuracy needed for the purpose described in the justification.

• Unusual problems requiring specialized sampling procedures, and

• Any use of periodic (less frequent than annual) data collection cycles to reduce burden.

The Coordinating Center will collect data from 48 TPSIDs and partners via an online, secure data management system. All TPSIDs will be asked to provide answers to the same questions. We are not sampling but rather collecting data from the entire universe of TPSIDs and partners. Data collection is conducted annually; however, data can be entered into the system in real-time, therefore reducing burden of a limited response time. The system is available for data entry in September of each program year and is open through June 30. TPSIDs and partners are provided with instructions via multiple formats, including online training, webinars, and video tutorials, as well as in print format. Just-in-time technical assistance is also available to all respondents.

3. Describe methods to maximize response and to deal with issues of non-response. The accuracy and reliability of information collected must be shown to be adequate for intended uses. For collections based on sampling, a special justification must be provided for any collection that will not yield “reliable” data that can be generalized to the universe studied.

Evaluation project staff will work closely with respondents to ensure complete, accurate, and reliable data collection. Specifically, staff will:

• conduct regular training of TPSID and partner site staff on how to use the data system;

• be available by email, web form, and telephone to provide technical assistance;

• follow up with TPSID and partner sites who do not provide data in a timely manner; and

• review all data and contact TPSID and partner sites regarding any unclear or missing data points.

In addition, the electronic data collection system has features designed to improve accuracy, including limiting response choices and providing summaries to respondents indicating which parts of the dataset are incomplete.

4. Describe any tests of procedures or methods to be undertaken. Testing is encouraged as an effective means of refining collections of information to minimize burden and improve utility. Tests must be approved if they call for answers to identical questions from 10 or more respondents. A proposed test or set of tests may be submitted for approval separately or in combination with the main collection of information.

This previously approved tool has been used for 3 years with a prior cohort of grantees. The current version reflects minor improvements that were made to minimize burden on respondents (described in Supporting Statement Part A). No testing will be conducted.

5. Provide the name and telephone number of individuals consulted on statistical aspects of the design and the name of the agency unit, contractor(s), grantee(s), or other persons who will actually collect and/or analyze the information for the agency.

Frank A. Smith
Senior Research Associate
Institute for Community Inclusion
617-287-4332
frank.smith@umb.edu

Meg Grigal, Ph.D.

Senior Research Fellow

Institute for Community Inclusion

410-419-4345

meg.grigal@umb.edu

The following people will be responsible for the data collection and analysis:

Frank A. Smith
Senior Research Associate
Institute for Community Inclusion
617-287-4332
frank.smith@umb.edu

Daria Domin
Research Associate
Institute for Community Inclusion
617-287-4277
daria.domin@umb.edu

3