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  **APEB: American Printing House for the Blind**

  **FY 2008 Program Performance Plan**

  Strategic Goal 1

  Direct Appropriation

  APEB, Title 20, Section 101 et seq.
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  -------------- --------------------------------------------------------
  **Program      **Pre-college-level blind students will receive
  Goal:**        appropriate educational materials that result in
                 improved educational outcomes.**

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

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  ------------------------- --------------------------------------------------------
  ***Objective 1 of 3:***   *Appropriate, timely, high-quality educational materials
                            are provided to pre-college-level blind students to
                            allow them to benefit more fully from their educational
                            programs.*

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

  ----------------------- ---------------- ------------------- ---------------------------
  **Measure 1.1 of 6:**                                        
  The percentage of APH                                        
  trustees who agree that                                      
  the APH\'s educational                                       
  materials are                                                
  appropriate, timely,                                         
  and high quality and                                         
  allow blind students to                                      
  benefit more fully from                                      
  their educational                                            
  programs.   (Desired                                         
  direction: increase)                                         
    1344                                                       

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

  1998                                     95                  Measure not in place

  1999                    95               96                  Target Exceeded

  2000                    96               96.5                Target Exceeded

  2001                    96               97                  Target Exceeded

  2002                    96               99                  Target Exceeded

  2003                    96               98.75               Target Exceeded

  2004                    96               99.5                Target Exceeded

  2005                    98               100                 Target Exceeded

  2006                    98               99                  Target Exceeded

  2007                    98               100                 Target Exceeded

  2008                    98               (October 2008)      Pending

  2009                    98               (October 2009)      Pending
  ----------------------- ---------------- ------------------- ---------------------------

**Source**. American Printing House for the Blind, survey of ex officio
trustees.

**Frequency of Data Collection**. Annual

**Explanation**. The survey instrument used by APH was constructed with
the input of an external research firm and was designed to measure the
levels of customer/consumer satisfaction with each of the factors. The
survey is distributed to all ex officio trustees. Additionally, the
survey was available on the APH Web site. This makes it easily available
for response by individuals who are not on a specific mailing list, but
who were encouraged to respond through invitations on listservs and in
various newsletters and announcements. The web-based format also
provides accessibility to visually impaired individuals who require
alternate media.

  ----------------------- ---------------- ------------------- --------------------------
  **Measure 1.2 of 6:**                                        
  The percentage of APH                                        
  advisory committee                                           
  members who agree                                            
  that APHs educational                                        
  materials are                                                
  appropriate, timely,                                         
  and high quality and                                         
  allow blind students to                                      
  benefit more fully from                                      
  their educational                                            
  programs.   (Desired                                         
  direction: increase)                                         
    1345                                                       

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

  1999                    100              100                 Target Met

  2000                    100              100                 Target Met

  2001                    100              100                 Target Met

  2002                    100              100                 Target Met

  2003                    100              100                 Target Met

  2004                    100              100                 Target Met

  2005                    100              100                 Target Met

  2006                    100              96                  Did Not Meet Target

  2007                    100              100                 Target Met

  2008                    100              (October 2008)      Pending

  2009                    100              (October 2009)      Pending
  ----------------------- ---------------- ------------------- --------------------------

**Source**. American Printing House for the Blind, survey of advisory
committees members.

**Frequency of Data Collection**. Annual

**Explanation**. The survey instrument used by APH was constructed with
the input of an external research firm and was designed to measure the
levels of customer/consumer satisfaction with each of the factors. The
survey was available on the APH Web site. This makes it easily available
for response by individuals who are not on a specific mailing list, but
who were encouraged to respond through invitations on listservs and in
various newsletters and announcements. The web-based format also
provides accessibility to visually impaired individuals who require
alternate media.

  ----------------------- ---------------- ------------------- ---------------------------
  **Measure 1.3 of 6:**                                        
  The percentage of                                            
  consumers who agree                                          
  that APH\'s educational                                      
  materials are                                                
  appropriate, timely,                                         
  and high quality and                                         
  allow blind students to                                      
  benefit more fully from                                      
  their educational                                            
  programs.   (Desired                                         
  direction: increase)                                         
    1346                                                       

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

  1999                                     90                  Measure not in place

  2000                    95               100                 Target Exceeded

  2001                    95               97                  Target Exceeded

  2002                    95               96                  Target Exceeded

  2003                    95               100                 Target Exceeded

  2004                    95               99                  Target Exceeded

  2005                    95               96                  Target Exceeded

  2006                    96               98                  Target Exceeded

  2007                    96               99                  Target Exceeded

  2008                    96               (October 2008)      Pending

  2009                    96               (October 2009)      Pending
  ----------------------- ---------------- ------------------- ---------------------------

**Source**. American Printing House for the Blind, survey of consumers.

**Frequency of Data Collection**. Annual

**Explanation**. The survey instrument used by APH was constructed with
the input of an external research firm and was designed to measure the
levels of customer/consumer satisfaction with each of the factors. The
survey was available on the APH Web site. This makes it easily available
for response by individuals who are not on a specific mailing list, but
who were encouraged to respond through invitations on listservs and in
various newsletters and announcements. The web-based format also
provides accessibility to visually impaired individuals who require
alternate media.

  ----------------------- ---------------- ------------------- ---------------------------
  **Measure 1.4 of 6:**                                        
  The percentage of                                            
  teachers who agree                                           
  that APH\'s educational                                      
  materials are                                                
  appropriate, timely,                                         
  and high quality and                                         
  allow blind students to                                      
  benefit more fully from                                      
  their educational                                            
  programs.   (Desired                                         
  direction: increase)                                         
    1347                                                       

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

  2002                                     96                  Measure not in place

  2003                    96               97                  Target Exceeded

  2004                    96               98                  Target Exceeded

  2005                    96               99                  Target Exceeded

  2006                    97               100                 Target Exceeded

  2007                    97               99                  Target Exceeded

  2008                    97               (October 2008)      Pending

  2009                    97               (October 2009)      Pending
  ----------------------- ---------------- ------------------- ---------------------------

**Source**. American Printing House for the Blind, survey of teachers of
students who are visually impaired.

**Frequency of Data Collection**. Annual

**Explanation**. The survey instrument used by APH was constructed with
the input of an external research firm and was designed to measure the
levels of customer/consumer satisfaction with each of the factors. The
survey was available on the APH Web site. This makes it easily available
for response by individuals who are not on a specific mailing list, but
who were encouraged to respond through invitations on listservs and in
various newsletters and announcements. The web-based format also
provides accessibility to visually impaired individuals who require
alternate media.

  ----------------------- ---------------- ------------------- ---------------------------
  **Measure 1.5 of 6:**                                        
  The percentage of APH                                        
  trustees who agree that                                      
  the performance of                                           
  students and their                                           
  participation in                                             
  educational programs                                         
  improves as result of                                        
  the availability of                                          
  educational materials                                        
  provided by APH.                                             
    (Desired direction:                                        
  increase)   1348                                             

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

  1998                                     98                  Measure not in place

  1999                    98               98                  Target Met

  2000                    99               97                  Did Not Meet Target

  2001                    99               97                  Did Not Meet Target

  2002                    99               100                 Target Exceeded

  2003                    99               99.5                Target Exceeded

  2004                    99               100                 Target Exceeded

  2005                    99               99.5                Target Exceeded

  2006                    99               99                  Target Met

  2007                    99               100                 Target Exceeded

  2008                    99               (October 2008)      Pending

  2009                    99               (October 2009)      Pending
  ----------------------- ---------------- ------------------- ---------------------------

**Source**. American Printing House for the Blind, survey of ex officio
trustees.

**Frequency of Data Collection**. Annual

**Explanation**. The survey instrument used by APH was constructed with
the input of an external research firm and was designed to measure the
levels of customer/consumer satisfaction with each of the factors. The
survey was available on the APH Web site. This makes it easily available
for response by individuals who are not on a specific mailing list, but
who were encouraged to respond through invitations on listservs and in
various newsletters and announcements. The web-based format also
provides accessibility to visually impaired individuals who require
alternate media.

  ----------------------- ---------------- ------------------- --------------------------
  **Measure 1.6 of 6:**                                        
  The percentage of                                            
  teachers (of students                                        
  who are visually                                             
  impaired) who agree                                          
  that the performance of                                      
  students and their                                           
  participation in                                             
  educational programs                                         
  improves as a result of                                      
  the availability of                                          
  educational materials                                        
  provided by the APH.                                         
    (Desired direction:                                        
  increase)   1349                                             

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

  2002                                     93                  Measure not in place

  2003                    95               95                  Target Met

  2004                    95               98.5                Target Exceeded

  2005                    95               98.5                Target Exceeded

  2006                    96               100                 Target Exceeded

  2007                    96               99                  Target Exceeded

  2008                    96               (October 2008)      Pending

  2009                    96               (October 2009)      Pending
  ----------------------- ---------------- ------------------- --------------------------

**Source**. American Printing House for the Blind, survey of teachers.

**Frequency of Data Collection**. Annual

**Explanation**. The survey instrument used by APH was constructed with
the input of an external research firm and was designed to measure the
levels of customer/consumer satisfaction with each of the factors. The
survey was available on the APH Web site. This makes it easily available
for response by individuals who are not on a specific mailing list, but
who were encouraged to respond through invitations on listservs and in
various newsletters and announcements. The web-based format also
provides accessibility to visually impaired individuals who require
alternate media.

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  ------------------------- --------------------------------------------------------
  ***Objective 2 of 3:***   *Improve the quality of APH research and product
                            usefulness.*

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

  ----------------------- ----------------- ------------------- --------------------------
  **Measure 2.1 of 4:**                                         
  The percentage of                                             
  American Printing House                                       
  for the Blind products                                        
  deemed to be of high                                          
  relevance by an                                               
  independent review                                            
  panel of qualified                                            
  experts or individuals                                        
  with appropriate                                              
  expertise related to                                          
  the target audience.                                          
    (Desired direction:                                         
  increase)   89a085                                            

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

  2007                                      59                  Measure not in place

  2009                    Set a Baseline    (October 2009)      Pending
  ----------------------- ----------------- ------------------- --------------------------

**Source**. U.S. Department of Education, expert panel review.

**Frequency of Data Collection**. Annual

**Target Context**. The relevance of the randomly selected sample of
seven products is rated through a seven point rating scale that is
defined as follows:   \
   1 = Does not meet criteria (14%)\
   4 = Meets criteria (57%)\
   7 = Exceeds criteria (100%)\
\
In FY 2007 the mean of the scores given by the seven reviewers on the
relevance of the seven products was 4.11 or 59%.

**Explanation**. 

A panel of experts proposed by APH and approved by the Department will
annually review a random sample of new products to assess whether: (1)
there is evidence of need for the product; (2) there is evidence that
APH sought the opinions of knowledgeable individuals on the need for the
product; (3) APH made the decision to produce the product based on a
standardized process for product selection; (4) the product addresses an
identified need for individuals who are visually impaired; and (5) the
product is fully accessible for the intended population.\
\
APH held its first expert panel review in November 2006 to review a
random sample of seven products.

  ----------------------- ----------------- ------------------- -------------------------
  **Measure 2.2 of 4:**                                         
  The percentage of                                             
  American Printing House                                       
  for the Blind product                                         
  research deemed to be                                         
  of high quality by an                                         
  independent review                                            
  panel of qualified                                            
  experts or individuals                                        
  with appropriate                                              
  expertise to review the                                       
  substantive content of                                        
  the research projects.                                        
    (Desired direction:                                         
  increase)   1909                                              

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

  2007                    Set a Baseline    53                  Target Met

  2009                    Set a Baseline    (October 2009)      Pending

  2010                    Maintain a        (October 2010)      Pending
                          Baseline                              
  ----------------------- ----------------- ------------------- -------------------------

**Source**. U.S. Department of Education, expert panel review.

**Frequency of Data Collection**. Annual

**Target Context**. The quality of research related to the randomly
selected sample of seven products is rated through a seven point rating
scale that is defined as follows:\
   1 = Does not meet criteria (14%)\
   4 = Meets criteria (57%)\
   7 = Exceeds criteria (100%)\
\
In FY 2007 the mean of the scores given by the seven reviewers on the
quality of research, used to develop the seven products, was 3.73 or
53%.

**Explanation**. 

A panel of experts proposed by APH and approved by the Department will
annually review the underlying research related to a random sample of
new products to assess whether: (1) appropriate research methodologies
are being used consistent with the type of product being developed; (2)
data is gathered from a geographically diverse U.S. population and a
variety of potential user groups; (3) evaluation data is gathered from
appropriately qualified individuals; (4) development demonstrates use of
field-reviewed data for modification to the product prior to final
development; and (6) data is gathered on student and consumer outcomes
related to the use of the proposed product.\
\
APH held its first expert panel review in November 2006 to review a
random sample of seven products. 

  ----------------------- ----------------- ------------------- -------------------------
  **Measure 2.3 of 4:**                                         
  The percentage of new                                         
  American Printing House                                       
  for the Blind products                                        
  deemed to be of                                               
  high utility by an                                            
  independent review                                            
  panel of qualified                                            
  experts or individuals                                        
  with appropriate                                              
  expertise related to                                          
  the target audience.                                          
    (Desired direction:                                         
  increase)   1910                                              

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

  2007                    Set a Baseline    63                  Target Met

  2009                    Set a Baseline    (October 2009)      Pending

  2010                    Maintain a        (October 2010)      Pending
                          Baseline                              
  ----------------------- ----------------- ------------------- -------------------------

**Source**. U.S. Department of Education, expert panel review.

**Frequency of Data Collection**. Annual

**Target Context**. The utility of the randomly selected sample of seven
products is rated through a seven point rating scale that is defined as
follows:   \
   1 = Does not meet criteria (14%)\
   4 = Meets criteria (57%)\
   7 = Exceeds criteria (100%)\
\
In FY 2007 the mean of the scores given by the seven reviewers on the
utility of the seven products was 4.43 or 63%.

**Explanation**. 

A panel of experts proposed by APH and approved by the Department will
annually review a random sample of new products to assess whether: (1)
sales of the new products indicate demand; (2) new product indicators,
such as field evaluations and other feedback, substantiate that the new
product is meeting a need; and (3) the products are considered high
useful for individuals with visual impairments.\
\
APH held its first expert panel review in November 2006 to review a
random sample of seven products.

+-----+---------------+----------------+-----------------------------+
| **M |               |                |                             |
| eas |               |                |                             |
| ure |               |                |                             |
|  2. |               |                |                             |
| 4 o |               |                |                             |
| f 4 |               |                |                             |
| :** |               |                |                             |
|     |               |                |                             |
| The |               |                |                             |
| p   |               |                |                             |
| erc |               |                |                             |
| ent |               |                |                             |
| age |               |                |                             |
| of  |               |                |                             |
| the |               |                |                             |
| Am  |               |                |                             |
| eri |               |                |                             |
| can |               |                |                             |
| Pr  |               |                |                             |
| int |               |                |                             |
| ing |               |                |                             |
| Ho  |               |                |                             |
| use |               |                |                             |
| pr  |               |                |                             |
| odu |               |                |                             |
| cts |               |                |                             |
| s   |               |                |                             |
| old |               |                |                             |
| t   |               |                |                             |
| hat |               |                |                             |
| are |               |                |                             |
| new |               |                |                             |
| pro |               |                |                             |
| duc |               |                |                             |
| ts. |               |                |                             |
|     |               |                |                             |
|     |               |                |                             |
|  (D |               |                |                             |
| esi |               |                |                             |
| red |               |                |                             |
| d   |               |                |                             |
| ire |               |                |                             |
| cti |               |                |                             |
| on: |               |                |                             |
| inc |               |                |                             |
| rea |               |                |                             |
| se) |               |                |                             |
|   1 |               |                |                             |
| 351 |               |                |                             |
+-----+---------------+----------------+-----------------------------+
| **  | **Target**    | **Actual\      | **Status**                  |
| Yea |               | (or date       |                             |
| r** |               | expected)**    |                             |
+-----+---------------+----------------+-----------------------------+
| 2   |               | 10.7           | Measure not in place        |
| 001 |               |                |                             |
+-----+---------------+----------------+-----------------------------+
| 2   |               | 11.8           | Measure not in place        |
| 002 |               |                |                             |
+-----+---------------+----------------+-----------------------------+
| 2   |               | 6.5            | Measure not in place        |
| 003 |               |                |                             |
+-----+---------------+----------------+-----------------------------+
| 2   |               | 18.3           | Measure not in place        |
| 004 |               |                |                             |
+-----+---------------+----------------+-----------------------------+
| 2   |               | 15.4           | Measure not in place        |
| 005 |               |                |                             |
+-----+---------------+----------------+-----------------------------+
| 2   | 3             | 15.2           | Target Exceeded             |
| 006 |               |                |                             |
+-----+---------------+----------------+-----------------------------+
| 2   | 12            | 22             | Target Exceeded             |
| 007 |               |                |                             |
+-----+---------------+----------------+-----------------------------+
| 2   | 12            | (October 2008) | Pending                     |
| 008 |               |                |                             |
+-----+---------------+----------------+-----------------------------+
| 2   | 15            | (October 2009) | Pending                     |
| 009 |               |                |                             |
+-----+---------------+----------------+-----------------------------+

**Source**. U.S. Department of Education, American Printing House for
the Blind, annual report.

**Frequency of Data Collection**. Annual

**Data Quality**. All \"made-to stock\" product sales, including the
Federal Quota and non-Federal Quota products, are included in the ratio
measuring the successful sales of new products and ongoing products.\
\
Braille and large print textbooks that are \"made-to-order\" are not
included with this calculation.

**Target Context**. The target (of 3%) for FY 2006 was originally the
absolute value of the difference between the percentages of APH products
sold that are new products. Starting FY 2007, the target was changed to
the percentage of sales of new products as compared to the total product
sales (that is, 12% of total product sales).\
\
For FY 2009, APH has requested that the target for the percentage of
sales of new sales as compared to the total product sales be revised to
15%.

**Explanation**. In FY 2007, the percentage of new products accounted
for 22% of total sales.\
\
This indicator was instituted in FY 2006 to help determine the efficacy
of new products developed by APH, by determining the balance between the
percentage of APH products sold that are new products and products
previously developed. The intent of this measure is to maintain a
minimum percentage of sales of new products as an indication that
consumers are responding to and buying new products developed by APH.

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  ------------------------- --------------------------------------------------------
  ***Objective 3 of 3:***   *Improve the efficiency of operations at APH as defined
                            by the cost to produce products.*

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

  ----------------------- ---------------- ------------------ ----------------------------
  **Measure 3.1 of 2:**                                       
  The percentage in                                           
  reduced cost for APH to                                     
  produce color large                                         
  type textbooks.                                             
    (Desired direction:                                       
  decrease)   00001l                                          

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

  2006                                     14.5               Measure not in place

  2007                    14.21            14.74              Did Not Meet Target

  2008                    13.92            (October 2008)     Pending

  2009                    13.63            (October 2009)     Pending

  2010                    13.34            (October 2010)     Pending

  2011                    13.05            (October 2011)     Pending
  ----------------------- ---------------- ------------------ ----------------------------

**Source**. U.S. Department of Education, American Printing House for
the Blind, annual report

**Data Quality**. 

In determining the cost to produce all color large type textbooks, APH
includes the cost of direct labor, direct overhead and indirect costs. 

APH does not include the costs of the materials (paper and bookbinding)
to produce the books and the tactile graphics.

**Target Context**. The FY 2006 budgeted production cost to produce
color large type is determined to be 14.5 cent (\$0.145) per page . The
objective is to reach 14.5 cents less 10%; that is 2% per year by the
end of FY 2011.\
\
By end of FY 2007: 14.5 cents X 98% = 14.21 cents\
By end of FY 2008: 14.5 cents X 96% = 13.92 cents\
By end of FY 2009: 14.5 cents X 94% = 13.63 cents\
By end of FY 2010: 14.5 cents X 92% = 13.34 cents\
By end of FY 2011: 14.5 cents X 90% = 13.05 cents

**Explanation**. This indicator will measure the cost for APH to produce
color large type textbooks as an efficiency indicator. Much of what APH
produces are large type textbooks (in addition to Braille textbooks).
This efficiency measure will determine if production costs for color
large type textbooks can be reduced by 10% over a 5-year period.\
\
In FY 2007, APH printed 7,300,000 pages of large print at a cost of
\$1,771,000, which includes the cost of large print production, binding,
and covers.

  ----------------------- ---------------- ------------------ ----------------------------
  **Measure 3.2 of 2:**                                       
  The percentage in                                           
  reduced cost for APH to                                     
  produce braille                                             
  textbooks.   (Desired                                       
  direction: decrease)                                        
    00001m                                                    

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

  2006                                     9.5                Measure not in place

  2007                    9.31             11.1               Did Not Meet Target

  2008                    9.12             (October 2008)     Pending

  2009                    8.93             (October 2009)     Pending

  2010                    8.74             (October 2010)     Pending

  2011                    8.55             (October 2011)     Pending
  ----------------------- ---------------- ------------------ ----------------------------

**Source**. U.S. Department of Education, American Printing House for
the Blind, annual report

**Frequency of Data Collection**. Annual

**Data Quality**. In determining the cost to produce brailled textbooks,
APH includes the cost of direct labor, direct overhead and indirect
costs.\
\
APH does not include the costs of the materials (paper and bookbinding)
to produce the books and the tactile graphics.

**Target Context**. The FY 2006 budgeted production cost to produce
braille (on the braille or similar computerized embosser) is determined
to be 9.5 cents (\$.095) per page. The objective is to reach 9.5 cents
less 10%; that is 2% per year by the end of FY 2011.\
\
By end of FY 2007: 9.5 cents X 98% = 9.31 cents\
By end of FY 2008: 9.5 cents X 96% = 9.12 cents\
By end of FY 2009: 9.5 cents X 94% = 8.93 cents\
By end of FY 2010: 9.5 cents X 92% = 8.74 cents\
By end of FY 2011: 9.5 cents X 90% = 8.55 cents

**Explanation**. This indicator will measure the cost for APH to produce
braille textbooks as an efficiency indicator. Much of what APH produces
are braille textbooks (in addition to large print textbooks). This
efficiency measure will determine if production costs for braille
textbooks can be reduced by 10% over a 5-year period.\
\
In FY 2005, APH printed 18,617,000 pages of braille, at the cost of
\$1,769,000, and which represented 12.2% of total sales.  In FY 2007,
APH printed 4,100,000 pages of braille at a cost of \$750,000.