60D Comment Response

Response to Public Comments

Docket ED-2020-SCC-0033 (OMB 1830-0567)

Comment: One commenter requested that the Office of Career, Technical, and Adult Education (OCTAE) resume its practice to provide test publishers with the opportunity to respond to feedback from OCTAE’s psychometric experts during the National Reporting System’s (NRS) assessment review process. The commenter stated that this practice has allowed for additional communication and clarification between the test publisher and the reviewers.

Discussion: The information collection instrument published in the notice includes the process for test publishers to respond to “questions the Secretary may raise.” The commenter’s request is incorporated in the instrument and no change is needed.

Change: No change.

Comment: One commenter requested that OCTAE establish a specific time frame in which test publishers would receive an approval decision. The commenter wrote that the test publisher and test user need to make decisions regarding test development and implementation, since lead time is needed for test users to make testing decisions for upcoming program years.

Discussion: It is not possible to establish a universal time frame that would apply to all test publisher applications. Because each application is unique and the psychometric issues associated with its content may vary significantly, the time required to address them must vary accordingly. We agree that an appropriate amount of lead time is required to develop and implement tests and have historically accounted for this programmatic requirement by providing commensurate transition periods in the notices we publish in the Federal Register.

Change: No change.

Other

Comments: Several comments were submitted about topics outside of the scope of this information collection. Some of these comments were in reference to the final rule published in Part 462 Subpart B which requires this information collection. For example, one commenter referenced the Standards for Educational and Psychological Testing and requested that test review requirements be removed or revised to align with the purpose and use of adult education tests. Another commenter disagreed with the studies required for certain components of an assessment review application and requested an increase in the frequency with which tests may be submitted for NRS review. One comment was submitted in reference to a different information collection approved under OMB control number 1830-0027. The commenter discussed the educational functioning level descriptors for participants enrolled in the English as a Second Language (ESL) program and requested revisions relevant to the ESL descriptors.

Discussion: Comments about regulations or other information collections cannot be addressed in the context of this information collection.

Change: No change.