Overview
Title
Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the Office of Management and Budget for Review and Approval; Comment Request; Program for International Student Assessment 2022 (PISA 2022) Main Study Recruitment and Field Test
Agencies
ELI5 AI
The Department of Education is planning to change how they collect information for a special test called PISA, which checks how good 15-year-olds are at reading, math, and science compared to kids in other countries. They want to hear what people think about these changes because they had to move the test dates and add new rules because of COVID-19.
Summary AI
The Department of Education's Institute of Educational Sciences is proposing changes to the current information collection related to the Program for International Student Assessment 2022 (PISA 2022). This involves gathering public comments as part of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. PISA is a worldwide test that measures the reading, math, and science skills of 15-year-olds, and this collection will help the U.S. compare its students' performances with those from other countries. The changes address pandemic-related delays and adjustments, such as moving the field test from 2020 to 2021 and the main study to 2022, updating materials, and adding COVID-19 protocols.
Abstract
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, ED is proposing a change to a currently existing information collection.
Keywords AI
Sources
AnalysisAI
The document from the Federal Register details proposed changes by the Department of Education's Institute of Educational Sciences related to the Program for International Student Assessment 2022 (PISA 2022). These changes are part of the Department's efforts to gather comments from the public, in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. The PISA evaluates the reading, math, and science skills of 15-year-olds worldwide, allowing the United States to compare its students' performance to those from other nations. The proposed changes primarily address adjustments due to the COVID-19 pandemic, including delays in field tests and updates to preparation materials.
General Overview
The document outlines the Department of Education's need to make specific changes to the PISA 2022 information collection due to the pandemic. It emphasizes soliciting public feedback on whether this data collection is necessary, whether it will be processed timely, and how it may impact those required to submit information. The adjustments include protocols for COVID-19 and updates to questionnaires for better understanding the context of students during the pandemic.
Significant Issues and Concerns
Several issues arise from the document. Notably, it lacks detailed information on the budget or cost associated with the changes, which limits the ability to assess if resources are being used effectively. It also fails to mention how it ensures equitable representation across various demographic groups. This omission could result in biased results if certain groups are underrepresented. Additionally, the document uses technical language, such as "OMB Control Number" and "PRA Coordinator," which might be confusing for the general public and hinder their understanding.
Further clarity on specific changes made due to the pandemic is briefly mentioned. It would be beneficial for stakeholders to have a more comprehensive outline of these pandemic-related changes to better understand how they were accounted for in the study's methodology.
Impact on the Public
The document has important implications for the public, particularly regarding how the United States education system is assessed against international standards. Accurate data collection and analysis are crucial in identifying areas of strength and those needing improvement in the U.S. education system. However, the lack of clarity on budgetary requirements and demographic representation could affect public trust and the perception of the study's validity.
Impact on Specific Stakeholders
For educational stakeholders, such as schools, administrators, and policy-makers, the changes impact planning and resource allocation. Understanding how the pandemic has shifted educational needs and challenges is vital for strategic planning. For students and parents, these assessments could lead to educational reforms that affect curricula, teaching strategies, and resource availability.
In summary, while the document lays out necessary adjustments and seeks public feedback, it could be more effective with greater transparency and clarity in certain areas. Understanding the financial implications and measures for inclusivity and demographic representation would enhance trust and engagement with the process.
Issues
• The document does not specify the budget or cost associated with conducting the PISA 2022 study and related activities. This omission can prevent evaluation of potential wasteful spending.
• The document fails to mention any measures for ensuring equitable participation across diverse demographic groups, which could lead to biased outcomes.
• The language used is technical because it mentions 'OMB Control Number', 'PRA Coordinator' and other administrative terms without explanation for lay readers, which could hinder public understanding.
• Details on the specific changes made in the information collection due to the coronavirus pandemic are mentioned only briefly, which might lead to ambiguity about what adjustments were implemented.