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 th e circumstances that make the collection of information necessary. Identify any legal or administrative r equirements 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 a ll 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 recogn ized 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 pastfive years and student subgroup performance and high school graduation rates for each subgroup are also at h igh 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 Un ited States and recognize those schools whose students thrive and excel. In 2002, the program was restructured to bring it in line with the No Ch i ld Left Behind Act, which placed a stronger emphasis on assessments and required schoo ls to use data to demonstrate high academic success . Schoo ls must show how they understand and use data and how leadership , curricu l um , instruction, professional development and student support leads to student success. The National Blue Ribbon Schoo ls P rogram was created by the second Secretary of Education , Terrel H. Bell, appo i nted by Pres ident Reagan

. He is best known for commiss ioning 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, ind icat e the actual use the agency has made of the information received from the c urrent collection. The information collected from nomi nees for the National Blue Ribbon Schools award will be used by the Department , State Departments of Education, and the public. The info rmation gathered from the applications will be used to recognize exemplary schools that are achieving at high leve ls and narrowing the achievement gap . The schoo ls 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, electron ic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or forms of information technology, e .g. permitting electro nic submission of responses, and the basis for the decision of adopting this means of collection. Also describe any consideration given to using technology to r educe burden. All applications are submitted e lectronically. The use of information techno logy 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 schoo l board cha i rperson . 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 inform ation already available can not be used or modified for use for the purposes described in It em 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. Ifthese 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 fo r each grade. Number 5 provides insights into the d ifficulties 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 personne l to teachers and teachers to students. Numbe rs 12 and 13 supplies information about attendance and graduation rates including for information on post-grad uation activities for high schools that allowsfor 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. Ifthe 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 Fed eral program or policy activities ifthe collection is not conducted or is conducted less frequently, as well as any technica l 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 -Fu nd for the Improvement of Education, Subpart 1, Sec. 5411 (b)(5)

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### 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; • requiri ng respondents to su b mit more than an ori ginal 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 classifi cation that has not been reviewed and approved by OMB; • that includes a pledge of confidentiali ty that is not supported by authority establ ished 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 agenci es for compatib l e confidential use; or

### • requ i ring 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. 

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. If applicable, provide a copy and identify the date and page number of publication in the Federa l Register of the agency's notice, required by 5 CFR 1320.8(d), soliciting comments on the information collection prior to submission to OMB. Summa rize public comments received i n response to that notice and describe actions taken by the agency in response to these comments. Specifically address comments received on cost and hour b urden

. Describe efforts to consu lt w ith persons outside the agency to obta i n their views o n the availab ility of data, frequency of co llection, the c larity of instruction and record keep i ng, disclosure, or reporting format (if any), and on the data elements to be recorded, disclosed, or reported

. Consultation with representatives of those from whom i nformation is to be obtained or those who must compile records shou ld occur at least once every 3 yea rs - even if the collection of information activity is the same as i n prior periods. There may be circumstances that may preclude consultation in a specific s ituation. These circumstances shou ld be exp lai ned. 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. 

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. Explain any decision to provide a ny payment o r gift to respon dents, other than remunerat ion of co ntractors or grantees. Schools recognized as National B lue 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. 

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. Describe any assurance of co nfidentia lity provided to responde nts and the bas is for the assurance i n 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 conse nt. No information of a sensitive nature is collected. 

### 12. Provide estimates of the hour burden of the collection of information. The statement shou ld :
• 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, agenci es should not conduct specia l surveys to obtain information on which to base hour burden estimates. Consultation with a samp l e (fewe r than 10) of potential respondents is des i rable. If the hour burden on respondents is expected to vary widely because of differences in activity, size, or complexity, show the range of esti mated hour burden, and explain the reasons for the variance. Generally, estimates should not i nclude burden hours for customary and usual business practices. The total number of schools recognized in 2012, 2013, and 2014 were 314, 286 and 340 respect ively. 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 schoo l age popu lat ion and number of schools in the state

. Private schools are ass igned a tota l 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 Mississ ippi 4 Georgia 

### 8 Missouri 

### 8 Hawai i 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 Ve rmont 3 North Ca rol i na 9 Virginia 7 North Dakota 3 Washington 7 Ohio 14 West Virginia 3 Oklahoma 6 Wisconsin 8 Oregon 4 Wyoming 3 Pe nnsylvania 1 3 Puerto Rico 3 Rhode Island 3 Vi rgin Islands 3 South Ca ro li na 5 DoDEA 3 South Dakota 3 B I E 3 Tennessee 6 Private Schools 50
• Ifth is request for approval cover s more than one form, provide separate hour bu rd e n esti mat es for eac h form and aggregate th e hour burdens in item 16 of IC Data Part 1.
• Provide estimates of annualized cost to respondents of the hour burdens for collectio n s of information, identifying and using appropriate wag e rate catego r i es . The cost of contracti ng out or paying outsid e parties for i nformati on collection activiti es should not be included here. Inst ead , th is cost should be i n cluded in Item 14

. It is estimated that it would take the respondents app r oximately 39

.75 hours to complete the school appl ication , including the information section, the test resu lts , and the na rrative section s . The average cost is approxi mate ly $1 ,766 per respondent. Detai ls are as follows: Labor Number Hourly Overhead Fully Total Category of Hours Rate Burden Cost Rate Principal 17

.85 $47 30% $61 $ 1 ,089 Teache r 1 7

.85 $27 30% $35 $ 625 Adm i nistrative 4

.00 $10 30% $30 $ 52 Staff Totals 39

.75 $1,766 Source: http://www.sal ary .com/c at

egory / sal ary 

### 13. Provide an estimate of the total annua l cost burden to respondents o r record keepers resulting from t he collection of informati on . (Do not include th e cost of any hour burd e n shown in Items 12 and 14

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### • The cost esti mate should be split into two components: (a) a tota l cap ital and start- up cost component (annua lized 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, maintain i ng, and disclosing or providing the information. Include descripti o ns of methods used to estimate major cost factors incl uding system and technology acquisition, expected useful life of capital equipment, the discount rate(s), and the time period over which costs will be incurred. Capita l and start-up costs i nclude, among other items, preparations for collecting information such as purchasing computers and software; monitoring, sampling, drilling and testing equipment; and acquiring and maintaining reco rd 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 info r mation collection services shou ld 

### be a part of this cost burden estimate. In developing cost burden estimates, agencies may consult with a sample of respondents (fewer than 10), utilize the 60-day pre-OMB submission public comment process and use existing economic or regu latory impact analysis associated with the rulemaking containing the information collection, as appropriate

. • Genera lly, estimates shou ld not include purchases of equipment or services, or portions thereof, made: (1) prior to October 1, 1995, (2) to achieve regulatory comp liance w ith 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 bus i ness or private practices. Total Annualized Cap ital/Startup Cost: Total Annua l Costs (O&M) Total Annualized Costs Requested There are no costs to the respondents other than the cost of completing the application package

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### 14. Provide estimates of annualized cost to the Federal government

. A lso, provide a description of the method used to estimate cost, which should include quantification of hours, operational expenses (such as equipment, overhead, p r i nting, 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 s ingle table. Based on the FY 2014 budget request, the annua l ized 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. Oth e r 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 info rmation wh ose 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 w inning 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
-pub li c 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. 

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. Ifseeking ap proval to not display t he expiration date for OMB approval of the information collection, expla in the reasons that display would be inappropriate. The expiration date for OMB app rova l will be displayed

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### 18. Explain each exception to the certifi cation 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 Th is collection does not employ statistical methods

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