Overview
Title
Agency Information Collection Activities; Comment Request; Migrant Student Information Exchange User Application Form
Agencies
ELI5 AI
The Department of Education wants to know if people have any thoughts about a form used to make sure only the right people can see and share student info from kids who move a lot. They want to make sure the form is still important and easy to use, and they want ideas on how to make it better.
Summary AI
The Department of Education is announcing a request for public comments on the extension of a currently approved information collection, titled "Migrant Student Information Exchange User Application Form." This form is used by state educational agencies to verify and authorize access to the Migrant Student Information Exchange system, which facilitates data sharing about migrant students between states. Comments are due by March 9, 2021, and aim to assess the necessity, efficiency, and burden of the information collection process. The department is particularly interested in feedback on the necessity of the collection, the accuracy of burden estimates, and ways to enhance data quality and reduce collection burdens.
Abstract
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, ED is proposing an extension without change of a currently approved collection.
Keywords AI
Sources
AnalysisAI
The Department of Education (ED) has issued a notice seeking public comments regarding an existing information collection titled the "Migrant Student Information Exchange User Application Form." This form assists state educational agencies in verifying the need for access and authorizing users to engage with the Migrant Student Information Exchange (MSIX) system. The MSIX system plays a crucial role in allowing for the seamless transfer of data concerning migrant students among various states. Interested parties are prompted to provide feedback by March 9, 2021, with a focus on assessing the collection's necessity, burden, and efficiency.
Summary of the Document
The notice falls under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 and proposes continuing an approved data collection process without any changes. The collection primarily engages state, local, and tribal governments and aims to streamline access to migrant student data. With 312 estimated responses annually, the initiative seeks to minimize reporting burdens while ensuring that migratory children’s educational needs are efficiently met.
Significant Issues and Concerns
Several issues emerge from the notice, beginning with the lack of clarity regarding the specific data elements collected through the MSIX User Application Form. This omission could raise privacy concerns, as stakeholders might be unsure what data is handled.
Additionally, the reasoning for requesting an extension without change lacks transparency, raising questions about the effectiveness of past data collection efforts. The term "burden hours" might also be confusing for the general public not familiar with regulatory language, as the document fails to explain its significance and calculation method.
The notice does not address financial aspects, such as budget or cost analyses related to managing and processing the data collection. This lack of transparency may lead to concerns about potential wasteful spending in government operations.
Impact on the Public
For the general public, this notice might seem uneventful unless one is directly involved in state or local education systems. However, the effective collection and sharing of migrant student data can indirectly impact communities by ensuring educational programs for migrant workers' children are uninterrupted and comprehensive.
Impact on Stakeholders
For specific stakeholders such as educational agencies and government entities, the document's continuation can offer continuity in accessing necessary data for program implementation. Nonetheless, without detailed insight into the data elements involved, concerns regarding data privacy and security may persist.
State educational agencies might benefit from a streamlined process for obtaining data access, promoting actionable insights into the needs of migrant students. However, should there be inefficiencies or outdated methods in the current system, an extension "without change" may merely perpetuate existing challenges.
Conclusion
In conclusion, while the Department of Education seeks to maintain the MSIX User Application Form effectively, it is essential that they address the transparency shortcomings in the notice. Clarifying data privacy measures, justifying the unchanged extension, and offering comprehensible explanations regarding calculated burdens could enhance stakeholder trust and engagement. As the comment period progresses, the potential improvements and attention to these concerns could lead to a more effective and responsive data-sharing framework for migratory student education.
Issues
• The document does not specify the specific data elements that will be collected through the MSIX User Application Form, which might lead to ambiguity regarding user data privacy concerns.
• The document does not explain why an extension without change is being requested, which could be perceived as a lack of transparency about whether previous data collection methods and requirements were sufficiently effective.
• The term 'burden hours' is used without an explanation or context, which could be confusing for individuals unfamiliar with regulatory jargon.
• No specific budget or cost analysis is provided for the management and processing of the data collection, leaving potential concerns about wasteful spending unaddressed.
• The 'Total Estimated Number of Annual Burden Hours' and 'Total Estimated Number of Annual Responses' are provided without a detailed explanation of how these estimates were calculated.