The purpose of the Impact Evaluation
of Academic Language Intervention is to assess the impact of a
promising academic language intervention on teachers' instructional
practice and students’ language and reading skills, with a
particular focus on students who are English Learners (ELs) and
disadvantaged non-EL students. Although prior studies of academic
language instruction provide some initial evidence of the efficacy
of instructional practices, confirmation of large-scale
effectiveness is needed. This evaluation will contribute to the
knowledge base of the instructional practices that improve language
and literacy outcomes for these high need populations. This
submission covers data collection for the baseline period prior to
implementing the selected academic language intervention, during
the implementation year (the 2017-18 school year), and a follow-up
year (spring 2019). The evaluation will examine the implementation
and impact of an academic language program, using a random
assignment design in which participating schools in each district
are randomly assigned to a treatment group whose 4th and 5th grade
teachers receive training and materials to implement the program or
to a control group whose teachers do not. This submission covers
the following data collection activities: teacher surveys, teacher
and student rosters, and school district records data.
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.