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  **ESRA: Statistics**

  **FY 2006 Program Performance Report**

  Strategic Goal 4

  Other

  ESRA, Part C

  Document Year 2006 Appropriation: \$90,022
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  **Program      **To collect, analyze, and disseminate information on
  Goal:**        the condition of education in the United States and to
                 provide comparative international statistics.**

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  ***Objective 1 of 1:***   *Provide timely and useful data that are relevant to
                            policy and educational improvement.*

  ------------------------- --------------------------------------------------------

  ----------------------- ---------------- ------------------ ---------------------------
  **Measure 1.1 of 7:**                                       
  The percentage of                                           
  customer respondents                                        
  satisfied or very                                           
  satisfied with the                                          
  comprehensiveness of                                        
  NCES data files.                                            
    (Desired direction:                                       
  increase)                                                   

  **Year**                **Target**       **Actual\          **Status**
                                           (or date           
                                           expected)**        

  1997                                     82                 Measure not in place

  1999                    85               87                 Target Exceeded

  2001                    90               88                 Made Progress From Prior
                                                              Year

  2004                    90               88                 Made Progress From Prior
                                                              Year

  2006                    90               Not Collected      Not Collected
  ----------------------- ---------------- ------------------ ---------------------------

**Source**. U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education
Statistics, customer satisfaction survey.

**Data Quality**. In 2006, NCES changed its customer service survey data
collection to an on-line random sample survey of NCES customers who
visited the NCES Web-site. From 1997 through 2004 NCES administered a
biennial pen & pencil paper survey with a telephone follow-up to over
3,900 academic researchers, education associations, education
journalists, users of the NCES\'s National Education Data Resource
Center, and Federal, State, and local policymakers. The survey format
using pen and paper with the telephone follow-up was becoming
increasingly expensive vs. the limited costs of conducting on-line
surveys.\
\
When changing to the on-line survey, NCES also modified the questions
asked of respondents. The Department no longer collects information
specifically on the comprehensiveness of NCES data files. Prior year
data was validated by using NCES review procedures and by applying NCES
statistical standards.

  ----------------------- ---------------- ------------------ ---------------------------
  **Measure 1.2 of 7:**                                       
  The percentage of                                           
  customer respondents                                        
  satisfied or very                                           
  satisfied with the                                          
  timeliness of NCES data                                     
  files.   (Desired                                           
  direction: increase)                                        

  **Year**                **Target**       **Actual\          **Status**
                                           (or date           
                                           expected)**        

  1997                                     52                 Measure not in place

  1999                    85               67                 Made Progress From Prior
                                                              Year

  2001                    90               66                 Made Progress From Prior
                                                              Year

  2004                    90               78                 Made Progress From Prior
                                                              Year

  2006                    90               86                 Made Progress From Prior
                                                              Year

  2007                    90               (July 2007)        Pending

  2008                    90               (July 2008)        Pending
  ----------------------- ---------------- ------------------ ---------------------------

**Source**. U. S. Department of Education, National Center for Education
Statistics, customer satisfaction survey.

**Frequency of Data Collection**. Annual

**Data Quality**. In 2006, NCES changed its customer service survey data
collection to an on-line random sample survey of NCES customers who
visited the NCES Web-site. From 1997 through 2004 NCES administered a
biennial pen & pencil paper survey with a telephone follow-up to over
3,900 academic researchers, education associations, education
journalists, users of the NCES\'s National Education Data Resource
Center, and Federal, State, and local policymakers. The survey format
using pen and paper with the telephone follow-up was becoming
increasingly expensive vs. the limited costs of conducting on-line
surveys.\
\
When changing to the on-line survey, NCES also modified the questions
asked of respondents. Given these changes, data collected prior to 2006
are not comparable to those collected in 2006 and future years.\
\
Data will be validated by using NCES review procedures and by applying
NCES statistical standards. The NCES Monitoring System will yield annual
updates on the use and applications of NCES data. 

**Explanation**. 

NCES expects that each year, all user manuals for NCES public-use data
files will be available on the Web, at least 50 percent of its
public-use data files will be available on the Web, and 75 percent of
nonassessment surveys will be administered either through the use of
computerized interviews or directly over the Web. NCES views Web release
of its reports as a source of increased efficiency and is committed to
releasing at least 90 percent of its reports on the Web. These
efficiency steps will facilitate easier, quicker, and wider access to
NCES products.

  ----------------------- ---------------- ------------------ ---------------------------
  **Measure 1.3 of 7:**                                       
  The percentage of                                           
  customer respondents                                        
  satisfied or very                                           
  satisfied with the                                          
  comprehensiveness of                                        
  NCES publications.                                          
    (Desired direction:                                       
  increase)                                                   

  **Year**                **Target**       **Actual\          **Status**
                                           (or date           
                                           expected)**        

  1997                                     88                 Measure not in place

  1999                    85               91                 Target Exceeded

  2001                    90               90                 Target Met

  2004                    90               90                 Target Met

  2006                    90               Not Collected      Not Collected
  ----------------------- ---------------- ------------------ ---------------------------

**Source**. U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education
Statistics, customer satisfaction survey.

**Data Quality**. In 2006, NCES changed its customer service survey data
collection to an on-line random sample survey of NCES customers who
visited the NCES Web-site. From 1997 through 2004 NCES administered a
biennial pen & pencil paper survey with a telephone follow-up to over
3,900 academic researchers, education associations, education
journalists, users of the NCES\'s National Education Data Resource
Center, and Federal, State, and local policymakers. The survey format
using pen and paper with the telephone follow-up was becoming
increasingly expensive vs. the limited costs of conducting on-line
surveys.\
\
When changing to the on-line survey, NCES also modified the questions
asked of respondents. \
\
The Department no longer collects information specifically on the
comprehensiveness of NCES publications. Prior year data was validated by
using NCES review procedures and by applying NCES statistical standards.

  ----------------------- ---------------- ------------------ ---------------------------
  **Measure 1.4 of 7:**                                       
  The percentage of                                           
  customer respondents                                        
  satisfied or very                                           
  satisfied with the                                          
  timeliness of NCES                                          
  publications.                                               
    (Desired direction:                                       
  increase)                                                   

  **Year**                **Target**       **Actual\          **Status**
                                           (or date           
                                           expected)**        

  1997                                     72                 Measure not in place

  1999                    85               77                 Made Progress From Prior
                                                              Year

  2001                    90               74                 Made Progress From Prior
                                                              Year

  2004                    90               78                 Made Progress From Prior
                                                              Year

  2006                    90               85                 Made Progress From Prior
                                                              Year

  2007                    90               (July 2007)        Pending

  2008                    90               (July 2008)        Pending
  ----------------------- ---------------- ------------------ ---------------------------

**Source**. U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education
Statistics, customer satisfaction survey.

**Frequency of Data Collection**. Annual

**Data Quality**. In 2006, NCES changed its customer service survey data
collection to an on-line random sample survey of NCES customers who
visited the NCES Web-site. From 1997 through 2004 NCES administered a
biennial pen & pencil paper survey with a telephone follow-up to over
3,900 academic researchers, education associations, education
journalists, users of the NCES\'s National Education Data Resource
Center, and Federal, State, and local policymakers. The survey format
using pen and paper with the telephone follow-up was becoming
increasingly expensive vs. the limited costs of conducting on-line
surveys.\
\
When changing to the on-line survey, NCES also modified the questions
asked of respondents. Given these changes, data collected prior to 2006
are not comparable to those collected in 2006 and future years.\
\
Data will be validated by using NCES review procedures and by applying
NCES statistical standards. The NCES Monitoring System will yield annual
updates on the use and applications of NCES data.

**Explanation**. NCES expects that each year, all user manuals for NCES
public-use data files will be available on the Web, at least 50 percent
of its public-use data files will be available on the Web, and 75
percent of nonassessment surveys will be administered either through the
use of computerized interviews or directly over the Web. NCES views Web
release of its reports as a source of increased efficiency and is
committed to releasing at least 90 percent of its reports on the Web.
The efficiency steps will facilitate easier, quicker, and wider access
to NCES products.

  ----------------------- ---------------- ------------------ ---------------------------
  **Measure 1.5 of 7:**                                       
  The percentage of                                           
  customer respondents                                        
  satisfied or very                                           
  satisfied with the                                          
  utility of NCES                                             
  publications.                                               
    (Desired direction:                                       
  increase)                                                   

  **Year**                **Target**       **Actual\          **Status**
                                           (or date           
                                           expected)**        

  1997                                     86                 Measure not in place

  1999                    85               89                 Target Exceeded

  2001                    90               90                 Target Met

  2004                    90               90                 Target Met

  2006                    90               Not Collected      Not Collected
  ----------------------- ---------------- ------------------ ---------------------------

**Source**. U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education
Statistics, customer satisfaction survey.

**Data Quality**. In 2006, NCES changed its customer service survey data
collection to an on-line random sample survey of NCES customers who
visited the NCES Web-site. From 1997 through 2004 NCES administered a
biennial pen & pencil paper survey with a telephone follow-up to over
3,900 academic researchers, education associations, education
journalists, users of the NCES\'s National Education Data Resource
Center, and Federal, State, and local policymakers. The survey format
using pen and paper with the telephone follow-up was becoming
increasingly expensive vs. the limited costs of conducting on-line
surveys.\
\
When changing to the on-line survey, NCES also modified the questions
asked of respondents. \
\
The Department no longer collects information specifically on the
utility of NCES publications. Prior year data was validated by using
NCES review procedures and by applying NCES statistical standards. 

  ----------------------- ---------------- ------------------ ---------------------------
  **Measure 1.6 of 7:**                                       
  The percentage of                                           
  customer respondents                                        
  satisfied or very                                           
  satisfied with the                                          
  comprehensiveness of                                        
  NCES services.                                              
    (Desired direction:                                       
  increase)                                                   

  **Year**                **Target**       **Actual\          **Status**
                                           (or date           
                                           expected)**        

  1999                    85               93                 Target Exceeded

  2001                    90               83                 Made Progress From Prior
                                                              Year

  2004                    90               92                 Target Exceeded

  2006                    90               Not Collected      Not Collected
  ----------------------- ---------------- ------------------ ---------------------------

**Source**. U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education
Statistics, customer satisfaction survey.

**Data Quality**. In 2006, NCES changed its customer service survey data
collection to an on-line random sample survey of NCES customers who
visited the NCES Web-site. From 1997 through 2004 NCES administered a
biennial pen & pencil paper survey with a telephone follow-up to over
3,900 academic researchers, education associations, education
journalists, users of the NCES\'s National Education Data Resource
Center, and Federal, State, and local policymakers. The survey format
using pen and paper with the telephone follow-up was becoming
increasingly expensive vs. the limited costs of conducting on-line
surveys.\
\
When changing to the on-line survey, NCES also modified the questions
asked of respondents.\
\
The Department no longer collects information specifically on the
comprehensiveness of NCES services. Prior year data was validated by
using NCES review procedures and by applying NCES statistical
standards. 

  ----------------------- ---------------- ------------------ ---------------------------
  **Measure 1.7 of 7:**                                       
  The percentage of                                           
  customer respondents                                        
  satisfied or very                                           
  satisfied with the                                          
  timeliness of NCES                                          
  services.   (Desired                                        
  direction: increase)                                        

  **Year**                **Target**       **Actual\          **Status**
                                           (or date           
                                           expected)**        

  1997                                     89                 Measure not in place

  1999                    85               93                 Target Exceeded

  2001                    90               88                 Made Progress From Prior
                                                              Year

  2004                    90               84                 Made Progress From Prior
                                                              Year

  2006                    90               92.1               Target Exceeded

  2007                    90               (July 2007)        Pending

  2008                    90               (July 2008)        Pending
  ----------------------- ---------------- ------------------ ---------------------------

**Source**. U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education
Statistics, customer satisfaction survey.

**Frequency of Data Collection**. Annual

**Data Quality**. In 2006, NCES changed its customer service survey data
collection to an on-line random sample survey of NCES customers who
visited the NCES Web-site. From 1997 through 2004 NCES administered a
biennial pen & pencil paper survey with a telephone follow-up to over
3,900 academic researchers, education associations, education
journalists, users of the NCES\'s National Education Data Resource
Center, and Federal, State, and local policymakers. The survey format
using pen and paper with the telephone follow-up was becoming
increasingly expensive vs. the limited costs of conducting on-line
surveys.\
\
When changing to the on-line survey, NCES also modified the questions
asked of respondents. Given these changes, data collected prior to 2006
are not comparable to those collected in 2006 and future years.\
\
Data will be validated by using NCES review procedures and by applying
NCES statistical standards. The NCES Monitoring System will yield annual
updates on the use and applications of NCES data.

**Explanation**. NCES expects that each year, all user manuals for NCES
public-use data files will be available on the Web, at least 50 percent
of its public-use data files will be available on the Web, and 75
percent of nonassessment surveys will be administered either through the
use of computerized interviews or directly over the Web. NCES views Web
release of its reports as a source of increased efficiency and is
committed to releasing at least 90 percent of its reports on the Web.
The efficiency steps will facilitate easier, quicker, and wider access
to NCES products.