OPRE Evaluation: Head Start
Family and Child Experiences Survey (FACES) [Nationally
representative studies of HS programs]
No
material or nonsubstantive change to a currently approved
collection
No
Regular
06/29/2022
Requested
Previously Approved
12/31/2023
12/31/2023
10,849
12,459
4,683
5,339
0
0
The Administration for Children and
Families’ FACES study periodically collects nationally
representative information about Head Start programs, their staff,
and the children and families they serve to inform program planning
and technical assistance and enable research. A full request
package specific to the spring 2022 data collection was approved on
December 20, 2021. Two nonsubstantive changes were also approved:
1) describing the cancelation of classroom observations (February
14, 2022), and 2) describing updates to consent collection
procedures in addition to instrument revisions based on OMB and OHS
comments (March 25, 2022). Spring data collection began at the end
of April 2022. Since data collection began, analysis of completed
surveys shows that respondents are taking longer than the estimated
time to complete for seven instruments, and shorter than the
estimated time to complete for two instruments. Changes to the
instruments triggered by low fall response rates (because of COVID)
and a desire to include items related to the proposed Build Back
Better Act were implemented very close to data collection. The
survey length estimates were based on rough changes to item counts
rather than pretesting which was not an option in the time
available. The item count adjustments appear not to fully account
for the cognitive burden of the new items. Because of the critical
importance of the data being collected, we have not attempted to
cut items from the instruments that are longer than
anticipated.
As described in these updated
supporting statements, the FACES spring 2022 data collection plan
was updated to address low response rates during the fall 2021 data
collection as well as discussions with OHS. In addition to the
changes described in A12, which impact burden estimates, we also
updated the parent consent forms to remove references to fall
activities and the cancelled FACES classroom observations and to
allow for verbal consent. Finally, after a review by ACF’s privacy
expert, we also revised the consent forms to provide additional
clarification on how and with whom data will be shared.
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.