Current Population Survey (CPS) School Enrollment Supplement

AGENCY:

Census Bureau, Department of Commerce.

ACTION:

Proposed collection; comment request.

SUMMARY:

The Department of Commerce, as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, invites the general public and other federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on proposed and/or continuing information collections, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13 (44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)).

DATES:

Written comments must be submitted on or before July 26, 2004.

ADDRESSES:

Direct all written comments to Diana Hynek, Departmental Paperwork Clearance Officer, Department of Commerce, Room 6625, 14th and Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20230 (or via the Internet DHynek@doc.gov).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Requests for additional information or copies of the information collection instrument(s) and instructions should be directed to Karen Woods, Census Bureau, FOB 3, Room 3340, Washington, DC 20233-8400, (301) 763-3806.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

The Census Bureau plans to request clearance for the collection of data concerning the School Enrollment Supplement to be conducted in conjunction with the October 2004 CPS. Title 13, United States Code, Section 182, and Title 29, United States Code, Sections 1-9, authorize the collection of the CPS information. The Census Bureau and the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) sponsor the basic annual school enrollment questions, which have been collected annually in the CPS for 40 years.

This survey provides information on public/private elementary school, secondary school, and college enrollment, and on characteristics of private school students and their families, which is used for tracking historical trends, policy planning, and support. This year's supplement will also contain questions that were last asked in October 1999. These questions concern language proficiency, disabilities, and grade retention for persons 3-24 years of age. This survey is the only source of national data on the age distribution and family characteristics of college students and the only source of demographic data on preprimary school enrollment. As part of the federal government's efforts to collect data and provide timely information to local governments for policymaking decisions, the survey provides national trends in enrollment and progress in school.

II. Method of Collection

The school enrollment information will be collected by both personal visit and telephone interviews in conjunction with the regular October CPS interviewing. All interviews are conducted using computer-assisted interviewing.

III. Data

OMB Number: 0607-0464.

Form Number: There are no forms. We conduct all interviews on computers.

Type of Review: Regular.

Affected Public: Households.

Estimated Number of Respondents: 57,000.

Estimated Time Per Response: 8 minutes.

Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 7,600.

Estimated Total Annual Cost: The only cost to respondents is that of their time.

Respondent's Obligation: Voluntary.

Legal Authority: Title 13, U.S.C., Section 182, and Title 29, U.S.C., Sections 1-9.

IV. Request for Comments

Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information shall have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden (including hours and cost) of the proposed collection of information; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on respondents, including through the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology.

Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized and/or included in the request for the Office of Management and Budget approval of this information collection; they also will become a matter of public record.