Overview
Title
Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the Office of Management and Budget for Review and Approval; Comment Request; Consolidated Annual Report (CAR) for the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006
Agencies
ELI5 AI
The government wants to know how schools teach job skills, so they ask for a report every year. They're trying to make this report better and easier to fill out, and they want people to share ideas on how to do that.
Summary AI
The Department of Education's Office of Career, Technical, and Adult Education is proposing changes to an information collection process. This process, called the Consolidated Annual Report, collects data from state, local, and tribal governments about their career and technical education programs under the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006. The Department is seeking public input on whether the collection is necessary, accurate, and how it might be improved. They are also revising the collection requirements to extend the current reporting through fiscal year 2025 and propose changes for fiscal year 2026.
Abstract
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995, the Department is proposing a revision of a currently approved information collection request (ICR).
Keywords AI
Sources
AnalysisAI
The document originates from the Department of Education's Office of Career, Technical, and Adult Education and involves proposed changes to an information collection process entitled the Consolidated Annual Report (CAR). This process is integral to collecting data from state, local, and tribal governments regarding their career and technical education programs. These programs fall under the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006. The Department is inviting public feedback to evaluate the necessity and accuracy of this data collection, and if possible, suggest methods for its improvement. Notably, the Department intends to extend reporting requirements through fiscal year 2025 and incorporate changes for 2026.
Significant Issues and Concerns
The document notes a publishing error concerning the proposed revisions, which resulted in an extension of the public comment period. This incident potentially highlights inefficiencies within the document preparation or review process that might warrant further scrutiny or procedural changes.
A substantial concern pertains to the complexity and technical nature of the document. The language and intricate details about the Perkins Act could alienate or confuse individuals who are not well-versed in this field, thereby impacting the quality and extent of feedback received from the public.
Additionally, the lack of clear information on how the collected data will be processed, and its intended use, might raise questions about transparency and accountability. Public stakeholders might be concerned about how the Department plans to leverage this data towards improving career and technical education.
Broader Public Impact
For the broader public, the document signifies a potential refinement in how educational data is collected and analyzed, which might indirectly influence the quality of career and technical education nationwide. Ensuring accurate and streamlined data collection can aid in better policy-making and resource allocation within the education sector.
However, the lack of a straightforward process description might hinder public engagement. Without a clear understanding of how their input can result in tangible changes, individuals and organizations may feel their efforts to provide feedback are undervalued, subsequently reducing participation.
Impact on Specific Stakeholders
For state, local, and tribal governments involved in supplying this data, the proposed changes might have significant implications. While the document suggests potential revisions and extensions, it does not adequately address how these stakeholders can efficiently meet new data demands. Addressing this could mitigate feelings of being overburdened and encourage more insightful contributions that lead to a fruitful data collection initiative.
The absence of guidance on managing and simplifying complex data requirements—coupled with no mention of technological solutions—may increase the perceived burden. Exploring technological innovations could alleviate some of this stress, enabling stakeholders to focus more on the qualitative aspects of data rather than the logistics of its collection.
In conclusion, while the proposed changes to the information collection process aim to improve the efficiency and scope of data collected under the Perkins Act, several concerns about complexity, transparency, and stakeholder impact remain unaddressed. These factors could influence both public engagement and the practical implementation of the revised requirements.
Issues
• The document mentions an error in the publication of the proposed revised instrument for the CAR, requiring an extension of the public comment period and this might indicate inefficiencies in the process that could be further examined.
• There is a lack of specificity about how the data will be processed and used, which could raise concerns about transparency and accountability.
• The abstract includes a large amount of technical information and legalese that might be difficult for those unfamiliar with the specifics of the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act to fully understand.
• The document does not provide guidance on how the complexity of the data to be collected might be managed or simplified, which could pose a burden to respondents.
• There is no information on how potential technology solutions could minimize the burden on respondents, despite being a stated interest of the department.