NonSub Change - HS2K Instruments B & C response options

To: Kelsi Feltz

Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA)

Office of Management and Budget (OMB)

From: Kathleen Dwyer

Office of Planning, Research, and Evaluation

Administration for Children and Families (ACF)

Date: January 29, 2026

Subject: Change Request – Further Understanding Children’s Transitions from Head Start to Kindergarten: A National Descriptive Study (HS2K) Pre-testing of ACF Data Collection Activities (OMB #0970-0355)

This memo requests approval of changes to the approved information collection, Further Understanding Children’s Transitions from Head Start to Kindergarten: A National Descriptive Study (HS2K) Pre-testing of ACF Data Collection Activities, approved under Pre-testing of ACF Data Collection Activities (OMB #0970-0355).

Background

Pre-testing of ACF Data Collection Activities for the HS2K received generic OMB approval on January 22, 2026. Data collection is slated to begin in early-mid February 2026. Upon reviewing the response options for a question included in both Instrument B (HS Center and Elementary School Principal Survey) and Instrument C (HS and Kindergarten Lead Teacher Survey), we noted that the different scales provided (quarters and months) may be difficult for respondents to understand and would not be best for analytic purposes. Given this, we propose changing the response options to this question in both surveys.

Overview of Requested Changes

The initial question and response items submitted for the variables CS_PRA_Timin and T_PRA_Timin were:

Question Text

You indicated that your [Head Start center | elementary school] engages in the kindergarten (K) transition practices listed below with [if ELEMENTARY SCHOOL: Associated Head Start Center | if HEAD START CENTER: Associated Elementary School].

When did each of these practices occur?

Response Options

• The first three quarters of the year before [children | students] enter kindergarten

• The quarter before [children | students] enter kindergarten

• At kindergarten registration

• Between kindergarten registration and when [children | students] enter kindergarten

• The first month after [children | students] enter kindergarten

• The second through third months after [children | students] enter kindergarten

• The last three quarters after [children | students] enter kindergarten

We propose to update the response options to the following with the updated instruction to “Select all that apply”:

• 1^st half of pre-kindergarten year

• 2^nd half of pre-kindergarten year

• At kindergarten registration

• Summer between pre-kindergarten and kindergarten

• 1^st half of kindergarten year

• 2^nd half of kindergarten year

• Don’t know

Time Sensitivities

As mentioned above we would like to begin data collection in early-mid February. Given this, it would be ideal to receive approval for this change as quickly as possible.