SUPPORTING STATEMENT FOR REQUEST FOR APPROVAL FOR SUBMISSIONS 

UNDER PAPERWORK REDUCTION ACT AND 5CFR1320.5(a)(i)(iv) 

NATIONAL BLUE RIBBON SCHOOLS PROGRAM 

A. JUSTIFICATION 

1. Explain the circumstances that make the collection of information 

necessary. Identify any legal or administrative requirements that 

necessitate the collection. Attach a copy of the appropriate section of each 

statute and regulation mandating or authorizing the collection of 

information. 

The National Blue Ribbon Schools Program honors public and private 

elementary, middle and high schools based on their overall academic excellence 

or their progress in closing achievement gaps among student subgroups. Every 

year the U. S. Department of Education seeks out and celebrates great American 

schools, schools demonstrating that all students can achieve to high levels 

The Program, part of a larger ED effort to identify and disseminate knowledge 

about best school leadership and teaching practices, is authorized by Public Law 

107-110 (January 8, 2002), Part D-Fund for the Improvement of Education, 

Subpart 1, Sec. 5411 (b )(5) and administered in the U. S. Department of 

Education by the Office of Communications and Outreach's Recognition 

Programs unit. 

Before selecting National Blue Ribbon Schools, the Department invites Chief 

State School Officers (CSSOs) for all states and the District of Columbia, the 

territories, the Bureau of Indian Education (BIE), and the Department of Defense 

Education Activity (DoDEA) to nominate schools for recognition as National Blue 

Ribbon Schools. In submitting nominated schools, the CSSO of each state and 

these entities must certify that the nominated schools meet the minimum 

requirements established by the Department for nomination. A total of 420 

schools nationwide are nominated, based on the number of K-12 students and 

the number of schools in each jurisdiction. The schools are invited by the 

Secretary of Education to submit an application for possible recognition as a 

National Blue Ribbon School. 

Public and private schools are recognized based on one of two criteria: 1) 

Schools may be recognized as exemplary high performing if they are among their 

state's highest performing schools as measured by state assessments or 

nationally normed tests and student subgroup performance and high school 

graduation rates are also at the highest levels, or 2) as exemplary achievement 

gap closing if they are among their state's highest performing schools in closing 

achievement gaps between a school's subgroups and all students over the past 
five years and student subgroup performance and high school graduation rates 

for each subgroup are also at high levels. At least one-third of nominated 

schools in a state must serve populations of more than 40% of students from 

disadvantaged backgrounds. 

The National Blue Ribbon Schools Award is designed to bring public attention to 

the best schools in the United States and recognize those schools whose 

students thrive and excel. In 2002, the program was restructured to bring it in line 

with the No Child Left Behind Act, which placed a stronger emphasis on 

assessments and required schools to use data to demonstrate high academic 

success. Schools must show how they understand and use data and how 

leadership, curriculum, instruction, professional development and student support 

leads to student success. 

The National Blue Ribbon Schools Program was created by the second 

Secretary of Education, Terrel H. Bell, appointed by President Reagan. He is 

best known for commissioning the study on American education that resulted in 

the report, A Nation at Risk. 

2. Indicate how, by whom, and for what purpose the information is to be used. 

Except for a new collection, indicate the actual use the agency has made of 

the information received from the current collection. 

The information collected from nominees for the National Blue Ribbon Schools 

award will be used by the Department, State Departments of Education, and the 

public. The information gathered from the applications will be used to recognize 

exemplary schools that are achieving at high levels and narrowing the 

achievement gap. The schools are recognized by the Secretary of Education 

and presented as models for other schools. 

3. Describe whether, and to what extent, the collection of information involves 

the use of automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological 

collection techniques or forms of information technology, e.g. permitting 

electronic submission of responses, and the basis for the decision of 

adopting this means of collection. Also describe any consideration given 

to using technology to reduce burden. 

All applications are submitted electronically. The use of information technology 

has a minimal impact on the nominees and does not increase the burden for the 

nominees. The Department requests only one paper copy of the cover sheet 

because it contains the signatures of the principal, superintendent and school 

board chairperson. This is to ensure the above mentioned personnel understand 

and support the nomination of the school. 
4. Describe efforts to identify duplication. Show specifically why any similar 

information already available cannot be used or modified for use for the 

purposes described in Item 2 above. 

The instructions are designed to seek only information necessary to identify 

those schools that will receive the award. 

On page 7 of the application (cover sheet), the request for information is not 

duplicative. Since the Department's available data are at least one year old, it is 

important for the program to know the names, phone and fax numbers, e-mail 

address, and WEB page URL of the applicants. It is also important for the 

program to know the district telephone number. This information is necessary for 

communicating with the schools and for answering questions from the Congress 

and the press about the awardees. 

On page 8, numbers 1 through 10 allow the Chief State School Officers 

(CSSOs), schools and districts to be aware of the eligibility requirements for 

schools prior to receiving recognition by the Secretary of Education. 

On pages 9 to 12, the questions have been designed to make the smallest 

demands possible on the schools preparing an application. If these schools will 

serve as models, it is important for people in other schools to know of a school's 

demographics. 

Number 1 places the school in the context of the district. Number 2 is important 

because presents basic data on the demographic composition of the area in 

which the school is located. Congress routinely requests such data. 

Number 3 gives insights into the continuity of leadership within the school. 

Number 4 provides the enrollment for each grade. 

Number 5 provides insights into the difficulties or opportunities a school may 

have because of the numbers of students from different racial/ethnic 

backgrounds. 

Numbers 6 through 9 serves the same basic purpose concerning student 

turnover, limited English proficient students, the socioeconomic background of 

the school's students, and the numbers of students receiving special education 

services. 

Numbers 10 and 11 ask for numbers that allow for a determination of the ratios of 

administrators and support personnel to teachers and teachers to students. 

Numbers 12 and 13 supplies information about attendance and graduation rates 

including for information on post-graduation activities for high schools that allows 
for studies concerning the relationship of these data as well as comparisons of 

these data to student outcomes. 

Number 14 seeks to identify the number of times a school has been recognized 

and Number 15 gives insights into a school's mission and vision of reaching all 

students. 

5. If the collection of information impacts small businesses or other small 

entities (Item 8b of IC Data Part 2), describe any methods used to minimize 

burden. 

The collection of information does not involve or impact small business or other 

small entities. 

6. Describe the consequences to Federal program or policy activities if the 

collection is not conducted or is conducted less frequently, as well as any 

technical or legal obstacles to reducing burden. 

The information collection is necessary to conduct the annual recognition of 

National Blue Ribbon Schools. If information is not collected, the Department will 

not be able to fulfill the requirements of Public Law 107-110 (January 8, 2002), 

Part 0-Fund for the Improvement of Education, Subpart 1, Sec. 5411 (b)(5). 

7. Explain any special circumstances that would cause an information 

collection to be conducted in a manner: 

• requiring respondents to report information to the agency more often 

than quarterly; 

• requiring respondents to prepare a written response to a collection 

of information in fewer than 30 days after receipt of it; 

• requiring respondents to submit more than an original and two 

copies of any document; 

• requiring respondents to retain records, other than health, medical, 

government contract, grant-in-aid, or tax records for more than three 

years; 

• in connection with a statistical survey, that is not designed to 

produce valid and reliable results than can be generalized to the 

universe of study; 

• requiring the use of a statistical data classification that has not been 

reviewed and approved by OMB; 

• that includes a pledge of confidentiality that is not supported by 

authority established in statute or regulation, that is not supported 

by disclosure and data security policies that are consistent with the 

pledge, or that unnecessarily impedes sharing of data with other 

agencies for compatible confidential use; or 
• requiring respondents to submit proprietary trade secrets, or other 

confidential information unless the agency can demonstrate that it 

has instituted procedures to protect the information's confidentiality 

to the extent permitted by law. 

This collection will be conducted in a manner consistent with the guidelines in 

5 CFR 1320.5. 

8. If applicable, provide a copy and identify the date and page number of 

publication in the Federal Register of the agency's notice, required by 5 

CFR 1320.8(d), soliciting comments on the information collection prior to 

submission to OMB. Summarize public comments received in response to 

that notice and describe actions taken by the agency in response to these 

comments. Specifically address comments received on cost and hour 

burden. 

Describe efforts to consult with persons outside the agency to obtain their 

views on the availability of data, frequency of collection, the clarity of 

instruction and record keeping, disclosure, or reporting format (if any), and 

on the data elements to be recorded, disclosed, or reported. 

Consultation with representatives of those from whom information is to be 

obtained or those who must compile records should occur at least once 

every 3 years - even if the collection of information activity is the same as 

in prior periods. There may be circumstances that may preclude 

consultation in a specific situation. These circumstances should be 

explained. 

The current National Blue Ribbon Schools Program application was modified and 

simplified from a previously approved application for the National Blue Ribbon 

Schools Program. The Department consults extensively each year with the 

states, with the Council for American Private Education (CAPE) and with the 

schools that receive the award concerning the program and application. 

9. Explain any decision to provide any payment or gift to respondents, other 

than remuneration of contractors or grantees. 

Schools recognized as National Blue Ribbon Schools by the U.S. Secretary of 

Education receive a plaque and a flag as symbols of their designation. They are 

non-monetary awards and symbols that rewards excellence in schools. 

10.Describe any assurance of confidentiality provided to respondents and the 

basis for the assurance in statute, regulation, or agency policy. 

No assurance of confidentiality is provided. 
11. Provide additional justification for any questions of a sensitive nature, 

such as sexual behavior and attitudes, religious beliefs, and other matters 

that are commonly considered private. The justification should include the 

reasons why the agency considers the questions necessary, the specific 

uses to be made of the information, the explanation to be given to persons 

from whom the information is requested, and any steps to be taken to 

obtain their consent. 

No information of a sensitive nature is collected. 

12. Provide estimates of the hour burden of the collection of information. The 

statement should : 

• Indicate the number of respondents, frequency of response, annual 

hour burden, and an explanation of how the burden was estimated. 

Unless directed to do so, agencies should not conduct special surveys 

to obtain information on which to base hour burden estimates. 

Consultation with a sample (fewer than 1 0) of potential respondents is 

desirable. If the hour burden on respondents is expected to vary widely 

because of differences in activity, size, or complexity, show the range of 

estimated hour burden, and explain the reasons for the variance. 

Generally, estimates should not include burden hours for customary 

and usual business practices. 

The total number of schools recognized in 2012, 2013, and 2014 were 314, 

286 and 340 respectively. The maximum number of respondents annually is 

420. Each state, DC, US territories, DoDEA and BIE is assigned a number of 

nominees based on the school age population and number of schools in the 

state. Private schools are assigned a total of 50 schools. The table below 

shows the number of nominations allowed for each state: 

Alabama 5 Iowa 5 

Alaska 3 Kansas 5 

Arizona 5 Kentucky 5 

Arkansas 4 Louisiana 6 

California 35 Maine 3 

Colorado 5 Maryland 6 

Connecticut 4 Massachusetts 7 

Delaware 3 Michigan 13 

District of Columbia 3 Minnesota 8 

Florida 13 Mississippi 4 

Georgia 8 Missouri 8 

Hawaii 3 Montana 3 

Idaho 3 Nebraska 4 

Illinois 16 Nevada 3 

Indiana 8 New Hampshire 3 
New Jersey 9 Texas 26 

New Mexico 3 Utah 3 

New York 19 Vermont 3 

North Carolina 9 Virginia 7 

North Dakota 3 Washington 7 

Ohio 14 West Virginia 3 

Oklahoma 6 Wisconsin 8 

Oregon 4 Wyoming 3 

Pennsylvania 13 Puerto Rico 3 

Rhode Island 3 Virgin Islands 3 

South Carolina 5 DoDEA 3 

South Dakota 3 BIE 3 

Tennessee 6 Private Schools 50 

• If this request for approval covers more than one form, provide separate 

hour burden estimates for each form and aggregate the hour burdens in 

item 16 of IC Data Part 1. 

• Provide estimates of annualized cost to respondents of the hour 

burdens for collections of information, identifying and using appropriate 

wage rate categories . The cost of contracting out or paying outside 

parties for information collection activities should not be included here. 

Instead, this cost should be included in Item 14. 

It is estimated that it would take the respondents approximately 39.75 hours 

to complete the school application, including the information section, the test 

results, and the narrative sections. 

The average cost is approximately $1 ,766 per respondent. Details are as 

follows: 

Labor Number Hourly Overhead Fully Total 

Category of Hours Rate Burden Cost 

Rate 

Principal 17.85 $47 30% $61 $1,089 

Teacher 17.85 $27 30% $35 $ 625 

Administrative 4.00 $10 30% $30 $ 52 

Staff 

Totals 39.75 $1,766 

Source: http://www.salary.com/category/salary 

13. Provide an estimate of the total annual cost burden to respondents or 

record keepers resulting from the collection of information. (Do not 

include the cost of any hour burden shown in Items 12 and 14.) 

• The cost estimate should be split into two components: (a) a total 

capital and start-up cost component (annualized over its expected 
useful life); and (b) a total operation and maintenance and purchase of 

services component. The estimates should take into account costs 

associated with generating, maintaining, and disclosing or providing the 

information. Include descriptions of methods used to estimate major 

cost factors including system and technology acquisition, expected 

useful life of capital equipment, the discount rate(s), and the time period 

over which costs will be incurred. Capital and start-up costs include, 

among other items, preparations for collecting information such as 

purchasing computers and software; monitoring, sampling, drilling and 

testing equipment; and acquiring and maintaining record storage 

facilities. 

• If cost estimates are expected to vary widely, agencies should present 

ranges of cost burdens and explain the reasons for the variance. The 

cost of contracting out information collection services should be a part 

of this cost burden estimate. In developing cost burden estimates, 

agencies may consult with a sample of respondents (fewer than 1 0), 

utilize the 60-day pre-OMB submission public comment process and 

use existing economic or regulatory impact analysis associated with the 

rulemaking containing the information collection, as appropriate. 

• Generally, estimates should not include purchases of equipment or 

services, or portions thereof, made: (1) prior to October 1, 1995, (2) to 

achieve regulatory compliance with requirements not associated with 

the information collection, (3) for reasons other than to provide 

information or keep records for the government, or (4) as part of 

customary and usual business or private practices. 

Total Annualized Capital/Startup Cost: 

Total Annual Costs (O&M) 

Total Annualized Costs Requested 

There are no costs to the respondents other than the cost of completing the 

application package. 

14. Provide estimates of annualized cost to the Federal government. Also, 

provide a description of the method used to estimate cost, which should 

include quantification of hours, operational expenses (such as equipment, 

overhead, printing, and support staff), and any other expense that would 

not have been incurred without this collection of information. Agencies 

also may aggregate cost estimates from Items 12, 13, and 14 in a single 

table. 

Based on the FY 2014 budget request, the annualized cost to the Federal 

government for operating the National Blue Ribbon Schools Program is 
$944,053.55. A majority of the costs are contained in the technical assistance 

and support services contract. Other costs to the government, including mailings 

and printing are less than $5,000. 

15, Explain the reasons for any program changes or adjustments to #16f of the 

IC Data Part 1 Form. 

There is no change in burden. 

16. For collections of information whose results will be published, outline 

plans for tabulation and publication. Address any complex analytical 

techniques that will be used. Provide the time schedule for the entire 

project, including beginning and ending dates of the collection of 

information, completion of report, publication dates, and other actions. 

The names of the award winning schools and their applications are posted on the 

U.S. Department of Education's website at 

http://www.ed.gov/nationalblueribbonschools immediately following the 

designation by the U.S. Secretary of Education. The general schedule for the 

2014-2015 cycle of the program is as follows: 

September 25, 2014 

November 21, 2014 

December, 2014 

December 12, 2014 

January 12, 2015 

January 15, 2015 

January 30, 2015 

The Secretary sends a letter of invitation to the 

CSSOs of all states, including DC, the Virgin Islands, 

Puerto Rico, the BIE, the DoDEA, and CAPE 

requesting nomination of schools. 

State plans for public school nominations from 

CSSOs, BIE, and the DoDEA and a plan for nonpublic school nominations from CAPE are due to the 

Department. 

State plans are reviewed for alignment with NBRS 

eligibility criteria. 

Non-public school applications are due to CAPE. 

Public school nominations are due to the Department. 

The Department invites all nominated public schools 

to apply for recognition as National Blue Ribbon 

Schools. 

CAPE selects its nominations. 
March 20, 2015 

April-May, 2015 

August 29, 2015 

September, 2015 

November, 2015 

Completed public and non-public school applications 

are due to the Department. 

Applications are reviewed for completeness, quality 

and accuracy. 

States certify that nominated public schools have met 

all eligibility requirements. 

The Secretary announces the 2015 National Blue 

Ribbon Schools. 

Two representatives from each school, often the 

principal and a teacher, attend the recognition 

ceremony in Washington, DC. 

17 .If seeking approval to not display the expiration date for OMB approval of 

the information collection, explain the reasons that display would be 

inappropriate. 

The expiration date for OMB approval will be displayed. 

18.Explain each exception to the certification statement identified in the 

Certification of Paperwork Reduction Act. 

No exceptions are sought. 

SUPPORTING STATEMENT PART B 

FOR PAPERWORK REDUCTION ACT SUBMISSION 

B. Collections of Information Employing Statistical Methods 

This collection does not employ statistical methods.