The surveys are for participants in
the fellowship research training programs and the non-fellowship
research training programs funded by Institute of Education
Sciences (IES). IES’s fellowship programs include predoctoral
training under the National Center for Education Research (NCER)
and postdoctoral training under NCER and the National Center for
Special Education Research (NCSER). These programs provide
universities support to provide training in education research and
special education research to graduate students (predoctoral
program) and postdoctoral fellows. IES also supports non-fellowship
research training through its current programs, e.g., NCER’s
Methods Research Training program and NCER’s Undergraduate Pathways
program. IES would like to collect satisfaction information from
the participants in these programs and other similar training
programs funded through NCER or NCSER grant programs. The results
of the surveys will be used both to improve the training programs
as well as to provide information on the programs to the
participants, policymakers, practitioners, and the general public.
All information released to the public will be in aggregate so that
no one program or training group can be distinguished.
The overall burden for a given
respondent is anticipated to be lower, because: (1) The survey will
be online; (2) Respondents will receive targeted questions based on
where they are in their programs (e.g., have not completed the
program, finished 2 years ago, etc.); and (3) Fellows will be
tracked for only 2 years after completing their fellowships, rather
than the previous 5 years. Given these adjustments, the overall
burden on the participants has reduced by 22 hours – from 219 per
year previously to 197.
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.