December 2013

The SunWise Program

ICR # 1904.08

U. S. Environmental Protection Agency

Office of Air and Radiation
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Part A of the Supporting Statement

1. Identification of the Information Collection

1(a) Title of Information Request

The title of this Information Collection Request (ICR) is The SunWise Program (ICR# 1904.08; 

OMB Control Number 2060-0439).

1(b) Short Characterization/Abstract

The SunWise Program was initiated in 1998 through a statutory mandate under Title IV of the 

Clean Air Act. The long-term objective of the SunWise Program is to reduce the incidence of, 

and morbidity and mortality from skin cancer, cataracts, and other UV-related health effects in 

the United States. Short term objectives include: 1) reducing the risk of childhood overexposure 

to the sun by changing the knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors of elementary school children and 

their care givers; and 2) improving the availability of accurate, timely, and useful UV data 

directly to schools and communities across the United States.

The SunWise Program builds on traditional health education practices through the use of existing 

curricula, learning standards, and evaluation mechanisms. The Program is a collaborative effort 

of schools, communities, health professionals, educators, environmental organizations, 

meteorologists, local governments, and federal agencies.

Participating schools sponsor classroom and school-wide activities to raise children’s awareness 

of stratospheric ozone depletion, UV radiation, the largely preventable health risks from 

overexposure to the sun, and simple sun safety practices. Educators interested in participating are 

asked to register using either the online form (www.epa.gov/sunwise/becoming.html and 

www.epa.gov/sunwise/becoming_partner.html) or a hard copy version distributed by EPA. EPA 

uses the information to maintain a database of participating schools and organizations and a 

mailing list for information distribution. Participating schools and organizations receive a 

classroom “Tool Kit” of games, songs, puzzles, storybooks, videos, and access to online UV 

intensity mapping/graphing tools. The Tool Kit also includes sample sun safety policies and 

guidelines to help expand the sun safety message school-wide.

Teachers are asked to complete a survey at the end of program implementation. Results are used 

to fine-tune existing SunWise materials and develop new ones. Teachers are also asked if they

are interested in administering a brief survey to their students before and after program 

implementation. The surveys are available on the SunWise website for interested teachers. 

Student survey responses are anonymous. The results from the student surveys are used to gauge 

program effectiveness and guide materials development.

SunWise is also seeking qualitative information regarding barriers to the promotion of SunWise 

and adoption of school policies, as well as teachers’ receptiveness to a new recognition program

SunWise is considering developing. The program would recognize levels of SunWise teaching 

for interested educators. The more SunWise teaching and sun safety policy changes 
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implemented by an educator, the higher her/his level of SunWise (similar to a bronze, silver and 

gold level) recognition. This recognition/incentives program would allow EPA to get a better 

grasp on the level of engagement with SunWise, and would allow for future effectiveness studies 

comparing impacts on student knowledge, attitude and behavior with an educator’s level of 

engagement. To gather qualitative information on these issues, the SunWise Program will 

conduct voluntary, individual, semi-structured telephone interviews with willing educators.

In addition, EPA has teamed with other members of the National Council on Skin Cancer 

Prevention, which include the American Cancer Society, the American Academy of Pediatrics, 

and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, to support a national day of sun safety, the 

Don’t Fry Day (DFD) campaign. As part of this campaign, educators are asked to pledge to 

incorporate sun safety into their spring and summer activities. The DFD pledge is available at: 

http://www.epa.gov/sunwise/dfdpledge.html.

Further, SunWise has developed an online interactive SunWise Sun Safety Certification Program 

that enables students, adults, organizations, and employers to develop credentials on sun safety 

awareness and behaviors. In order to gauge the certification program’s effectiveness, EPA will 

collect information on demographics, knowledge, attitudes, intended behavior, and behavior of 

the tutorial users. User types include: outdoor recreation staff at camps, parks, recreation 

programs, sports organizations, lifeguards, etc. The certification program is online at: 

http://www.epa.gov/sunwise/tutorial.html

Finally, EPA will pretest a survey for SunWise non-school partners. While schools are the 

primary programmatic component of SunWise, SunWise is also promoted through registered 

501(c)(3) organizations such as science centers and camps, children's museums, and scouting 

groups, as well as other not-for-profit organizations like local, county and state health, recreation 

and education departments. The partner survey will aim to understand how the SunWise Program 

is being implemented by non-school partners, and how it can be improved. 

PREVIOUS TERMS OF CLEARANCE:

On June 23, 2011, OMB approved ICR #1904.08 with Terms of Clearance that the survey results 

are not generalizable to the larger population.

2. Need for Use of the Collection

2(a) Need/Authority For The Collection

This collection will be used for both program material distribution and to determining program 

effectiveness and participant satisfaction. 

Educators will be asked to fill out a registration form which we use to mail out the program 

materials and keep track of the Program’s:

 geographic reach (Which states/regions have SunWise schools?);
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 grade-level and subject-matter distribution (How many 1st grade teachers are using SunWise? 

How many science teachers are using SunWise? etc.); and

 student participation (How many students is SunWise reaching?).

The surveys to be administered include:

 Teacher online survey for measuring their receptivity to the educational component of the 

Program and experience with the SunWise Tool Kit and educational resources;

 Student survey to identify sun safety knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors among students 

before and after participation in the Program; 

 One-on-one semi-structured telephone interviews with teachers to complement the 

information collected through the self-reported Teacher Survey instrument; related to 

demographic and mailing information and intent for incorporating sun safety activities 

into spring and summer teaching;

 Embedded questions within the SunWise Sun Safety Certification Program measure 

receptivity to sun protection, demographic information, and current practices, attitudes 

and knowledge; and

 Pretest of the partner survey for developing a survey to measure and understand partners’ 

receptivity to and use of the SunWise Tool Kit and other educational resources.

 Teacher online survey for measuring their receptivity to the educational component of the 

Program and experience with the SunWise Tool Kit and educational resources;

 Student survey to identify sun safety knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors among students 

before and after participation in the Program; 

 One-on-one semi-structured telephone interviews with teachers to complement the 

information collected through the self-reported Teacher Survey instrument; related to 

demographic and mailing information and intent for incorporating sun safety activities 

into spring and summer teaching;

 Embedded questions within the SunWise Sun Safety Certification Program measure 

receptivity to sun protection, demographic information, and current practices, attitudes 

and knowledge; and

 Pretest of the partner survey for developing a survey to measure and understand partners’ 

receptivity to and use of the SunWise Tool Kit and other educational resources.

The data will be analyzed and results will indicate the Program’s effect on participants’ sun

safety knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors. Additionally it will help SunWise understand how 

the Program is being implemented and how it can be improved. Responses are voluntary. 

Information remains confidential, and responses to the student survey are anonymous.

The SunWise Program recognizes the challenge of measuring the progress and evaluating the 

effectiveness of an environmental and public health education program where the goal is 

reducing risk and improving public health. Therefore, continual evaluation of program 

effectiveness through data from surveys, tracking and monitoring of classroom activities and 

school policies, and experts, is necessary to monitor progress and refine the program. 

2(b) Practical Utility/Users of the Data
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EPA/SunWise will use the registration forms to track program reach and effectiveness. 

The survey results will provide insight into the program’s messages, approaches, and materials. 

Survey results will also enable SunWise to better meet the needs of its educator and student 

participants, with the long range goal of reducing the incidence and effects of skin cancer and 

other UV-related health problems among children and adults. 

3. Nonduplication, Consultations, and Other Collection Criteria

3(a) Nonduplication

The SunWise Program information that is collected is not duplicative of information otherwise 

available to EPA.

In addition, there is no other sun safety certification available to outdoor recreation staff.

Therefore it is essential that information on the users and use of the certification program be 

collected for program refinement.

Conducting timely process evaluation is also of importance if the SunWise Program is to 

continue providing high-grade and pertinent resources for educators.

3(b) Public Notice Required Prior to ICR Submission to OMB

Official notice of this proposed collection appeared in the Federal Register on _______

3(c) Consultations

EPA will consult with stakeholders following publication of the first Federal Register 

notice.

3 (d) Effects of Less Frequent Collection

SunWise depends on registration information to:

 maintain an accurate list of participants; and 

 ensure timely distribution of program materials and program updates

SunWise depends on survey responses to:

 guide program development; 

 measure participant satisfaction; 

 test new ideas for recognition and incentives; and

 elicit information on attitudes and practices of children and their caregivers relating to 

sun exposure.

SunWise depends on certification program information to:
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 determine the current knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors as well as behavioral 

intentions; 

 determine which tutorial to provide;

 measure how many and what type of users are becoming certified;

 ensure the tutorial does not take too long to complete; and 

 determine whether the tutorial is delivering information in an easy-to-understand manner.

Conducting the surveys and information collection less frequently will slow down the Program’s 

ability to institute participants’ desired changes. 

3(e) General Guidelines

All OMB guidelines will be adhered to by EPA/SunWise Program.

3(f) Confidentiality

Names of participating schools and organizations may be made public. Names of registered 

educators and other participating individuals will remain confidential. Responses to the 

collection of survey information will remain confidential. Student surveys are also completed on 

an anonymous basis. Certification program users will be asked to provide their first and last 

name so they can be given a certificate of completion with their name on it; however, the names 

will not be collected. 

3(g) Sensitive Questions

The survey instruments contain no sensitive questions.

4. The Respondents and the Information Requested

4(a) Respondent/SIC and NAICS Codes

Entities affected by this action are elementary, middle, and high school students and educators 

(SIC Div. I: Group 8211, NAICS code: 61111), as well as recreation workers (NAICS code: 

813400), health educators (NAICS code: 999300), and preschool teachers (NAICS: 624400).

4(b) Information Requested

The registration form (Attachment 1a and 1b, also available at 

www.epa.gov/sunwise/becoming.html and www.epa.gov/sunwise/becoming_partner.html) is a 

10-minute questionnaire that asks teachers to provide: the name and address of the school; school 

grade levels; and what information is of interest. The form ensures that EPA distributes relevant 

education materials.

The survey instruments covered under this ICR are:
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 Teacher Survey (Attachment 2): Educators will be asked to evaluate their own and their 

students’ receptivity to sun safety resources provided by EPA. Additionally, educators 

will be asked about how they implemented the SunWise program in their 

school/classroom and how many students they reached. Finally, educators will be asked 

about areas for program growth, including their receptivity to new resources and an 

updated recognition program. Educator feedback about the usefulness of classroom and 

school materials will be vital to the refinement of program materials. Part B(i) of the 

Supporting Statement provides additional information on the teacher survey design.

 Student Survey (Attachment 3a and 3b): This survey will be administered by teachers to

students before and after implementation of SunWise activities. Pre-test and post-test 

surveys are similar, with the exception of one question in the post-test aimed at verifying 

that the student has participated in SunWise. The 10-minute questionnaire elicits basic 

information on knowledge, attitudes, and practices of children relating to sun exposure. 

The survey is identical to that previously approved by OMB (Control No. 2060-0439).

Part B(i) of the Supporting Statement provides information on the student survey design.

 Teacher Telephone Interviews (Attachment 4): To complement the information 

collected through the self-reported Teacher Survey instrument, some teachers will be 

asked to participate in one-on-one, semi-structured telephone interviews to provide

qualitative information regarding barriers to the promotion of SunWise and adoption of 

school policies, as well as teachers’ receptiveness to a new recognition program that 

SunWise is considering developing. An interview guide with topics for discussion is 

provided in Attachment 4. Part B(ii) of the Supporting Statement provides additional 

information on the teacher survey design.

 SunWise Don’t Fry Day pledge: Embedded questions in the pledge collect demographic 

information and intent to incorporate sun safety activities into spring and summer 

teaching. This information can be submitted online, and the pledge is available at: 

http://www.epa.gov/sunwise/dfdpledge.html

 SunWise Sun Safety Certification Tutorial Questions: Certification program users 

will be asked to provide their first and last name so they can be given a certificate of 

completion. Names will not be collected by EPA. Additionally, users will be asked 

questions to determine their current sun protection knowledge, attitudes and behaviors. 

The questions will also help educate the user by reminding them of their own behavior in 

comparison to the desired behavior (practicing sun safety). Part B(iii) of the Supporting 

Statement provides information on the certification program survey design.

 Pretest of the Partner Survey (Attachment 5): Selected partners will be asked to pretest 

a survey to measure partners’ receptivity to the SunWise Tool Kit and other educational 

resources. Part B(iv) of the Supporting Statement provides information on the pretest

partner survey design.

Registration forms can be submitted electronically or in hard copy form using envelopes 

provided by EPA. The teacher survey is available electronically. Teachers will be given the 

option to return student surveys either by email, fax, or postage-paid envelopes provided by

EPA. Neither the registration nor the surveys require that respondents keep records or maintain 

files.

5. The Information Collected
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5(a) Agency Activities

The Agency activities associated with registration of participants consist of the following:

 Maintain participant database; and

 Maintain mailing list for information distribution

The Agency activities associated with surveying done through the SunWise Program consist of 

the following:

 Develop collection instruments;

 Answer respondent questions;

 Conduct individual telephone interviews with teachers;

 Review data submissions;

 Reformat the data;

 Analyze the data and make program adjustments as needed;

 Store the data.

The Agency activities associated with the certification program done through the SunWise 

Program consists of the following:

 Store and consolidate data, none of which is sensitive or personal; and

 Review consolidated data and make adjustments as needed.

5(b) Collection Methodology and Management

In collecting and analyzing the information associated with this ICR, EPA will use electronic and 

hard-copy registration forms, electronic and hard-copy surveys, and telephone interviews. 

Further details on the collection methodology and management for the surveying done through 

the SunWise Program are provided below.

Registration

EPA routinely promotes the SunWise Program through presentations and exhibits at meetings of 

nurses, teachers, and other educators. Registrants provide their name and contact information, 

including the name of their school, and state whether they are a classroom teacher, health 

teacher, gym teacher, or school nurse on paper copy registration forms. This information is

entered into a registration and tracking system housed on EPA servers. In addition to the paper 

registrations, EPA registers educators through an online registration page on EPA’s SunWise 

program website. The system is registered with the Automated System Security Evaluation and 

Remediation Tracking (ASSERT) program to meet reporting requirements under the Federal 

Information Security Management Act (FISMA). 
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The data is used to send registrants SunWise resources and alert registrants of sun safety-related 

opportunities and new resources. No personally identifiable information is shared outside of EPA 

and its contractors and grantees.

Teacher and Student Surveys

Teacher Surveys are conducted to determine: 

 Students’ satisfaction with SunWise activities and resources;

 Teachers’ satisfaction with SunWise activities and resources;

 How and how often teachers are using the SunWise materials, resources and 

programming;

 How many students are receiving SunWise education;

 If teachers are sharing resources with other teachers;

 If school policies are being changed as a result of SunWise;

 If teachers are changing their own behavior;

 If students are changing their behavior;

 If teachers have suggestions for improving or creating new SunWise resources.

EPA will send a recruitment email in the Spring/Summer each year encouraging all registered 

participants to take the SunWise Teacher Survey (Attachment 2) hosted online. Participants may

also be recruited through additional avenues, such as recruitment letters distributed through the 

SunWise Tool Kit, educator conferences, or direct mailings. Since this survey will be voluntary

and self-selecting, it will not be generalizable to the entire pool of registered SunWise teachers.

However, it will be informative and provide insight into how some teachers utilize SunWise 

materials and how EPA can encourage higher use rates.

Part of the Teacher Survey will be an optional student pre-test and post-test survey using the 

validated student survey used in the previous ICR period (Attachment 3a and 3b). There will be 

no control group for this portion of the survey, and no generalizations will be made from this 

data. It will serve as a useful way to see if students are still getting the same benefit from the 

SunWise Tool Kit as in quasi-experimental study designs testing the same concepts (see previous 

ICR supporting statement for more details). Again, because this portion of the survey will be 

voluntary and self-selecting, the results will not be generalizable to every student that has 

received a SunWise education.

For teachers that choose to participate, they will provide children with a double-sided, one-page 

anonymous survey instrument. After students complete the pre-test in the spring, teachers will 

lead the SunWise lessons. SunWise recommends that participating teachers administer the posttest survey at least one month after teaching the SunWise lessons, and will ask teachers to report 

what the time gap was between SunWise lessons and administration of the survey. 

All student surveys are anonymous. 

Teachers will be instructed to return completed student surveys to EPA by scanning and emailing 

the surveys, faxing the surveys, or by requesting a self-addressed, stamped envelope from EPA.
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EPA will ensure the accuracy and completeness of collected information by having all surveys 

reviewed by a contractor, grantee, or EPA staff. The data collected from the surveys will serve 

to provide information internally to help improve the SunWise Program. Since the results are 

not intended to be generalizable, no statistical approach is needed.

Part B(i) of the Supporting Statement presents more detailed information on the data collection, 

management, and analysis methods for the teacher and student surveys.

Teacher Individual Interviews

To supplement the self-reported Teacher Survey instrument, individual interviews will be 

conducted with selected teachers to gather richer, qualitative information regarding: 

 Teachers’ involvement in the SunWise Program;

 If school policies are being changed as a result of SunWise;

 Which SunWise activities and resources are most effective; 

 How teachers’ approach to teaching SunWise activities has changed over time;

 How the SunWise Program can more effectively disseminate its materials and recruit 

more teachers;

 How the SunWise Program can encourage teachers to increase their involvement in 

SunWise and their promotion of sun safety in schools; and

 Receptiveness to an incentives or “Levels of SunWise” educator recognition program, 

and ideas for making such a program successful.

Interview participants will be recruited via a screening email to all registered SunWise educators 

asking (a) whether they have taught SunWise in the past two years; (b) how many years they

have been teaching SunWise; and (c) whether they are willing to both complete an online teacher 

survey and participate in a one-on-one telephone interview. Teachers responding positively to 

both screening questions (a) and (c) will be grouped by region and length of participation, and 

across these groups, 50 teachers will be randomly selected to participate in the interview process. 

To the extent possible, the selected teachers will represent the geographical and participation 

range of SunWise, though the sample will not necessarily be representative in a statistical sense.

The teachers that are not selected will still be encouraged to take the online survey, but will not 

be part of the group that will be individually interviewed. After the selected participants have 

taken the online survey, EPA will set up a convenient time to interview each of the selected 

teachers. 

Teachers will participate in one online survey and one telephone interview per year over a three 

year period, with slightly different informational goals for each year. In the first year, the 

interview will include discussion about the development of an educator recognition or incentives 

program, while interviews in later years may focus on other areas of interest, such as parental 

involvement. 
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Since participation is both voluntary and self-selecting, the results of this qualitative study will 

not be generalizable to the entire pool of registered SunWise teachers. The data collected from 

the interviews will serve only to provide information internally to help improve the SunWise 

Program and the development of a new recognition program. 

Part B(ii) of the Supporting Statement presents detailed information on the data collection, 

management, and analysis methods for the teacher interviews.

SunWise Don’t Fry Day Pledge

EPA will collect information as educators complete the pledge online. Prior to Don’t Fry Day

each year (the Friday before Memorial Day), EPA will review the information collected and 

summarize participation for promotional efforts. Additionally, EPA will mail a poster and 

stickers to all educators taking the pledge. The pledge is available at: 

http://www.epa.gov/sunwise/dfdpledge.html

Certification Tutorial

EPA will collect information as participants take the tutorial. Many of the questions will help 

instill the information they are learning through the tutorial. Part B(iii) of the Supporting 

Statement presents more detailed information on the data collection, management, and analysis 

methods for the tutorial/certification program.

EPA plans to periodically review data collected from the certification program/tutorial and make 

refinements to the program as necessary. The knowledge gained through this information 

collection will inform programmatic decisions and allow EPA to gain a better understanding of 

the target audience (to determine if additional intervention is needed in the outdoor recreation 

setting). While results cannot be generalized to the general outdoor recreation staff population 

due to the limitation of self-selection, the information will be informative and will be shared with 

partners and the public for improved tailoring of interventions to the outdoor recreation audience. 

Pretest Partner Survey

EPA will undertake pretesting of a survey for non-school partners participating in the SunWise 

Program. These partners may include state and local health departments, childcare centers, 

museums, camps, and science centers. The purpose of the survey will be to better understand 

how non-school partners are interacting with the SunWise Program, as well as to determine:

 How and how often partners are using the SunWise materials, resources and 

programming;

 How many children are receiving SunWise education through non-school partners;

 Children’s satisfaction with SunWise activities and resources;

 Partners’ satisfaction with SunWise activities and resources;

 If partners are sharing resources with other partners;

 If partner organizations’ sun safety policies are being changed as a result of SunWise;

 If partners have suggestions for improving or creating new SunWise resources.
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The pretesting is intended to determine the validity and effectiveness of the survey questions—

e.g., whether questions measure what they are supposed to measure, whether partners understand 

the questions, and whether the questions are the right questions for gaining an understanding of 

how partners are interacting with the SunWise Program.

EPA will send a recruitment email in the Spring/Summer encouraging registered partners to 

participate in the pretesting of the partner survey (Attachment 5). Participants may also be 

recruited through additional avenues, such as recruitment letters distributed through the SunWise 

Tool Kit, educator conferences, or direct mailings. For partners willing to participate, EPA will 

sort the partners into types (e.g., health departments, childcare centers, camps, and educational 

centers such as museums or science centers) and randomly select participants from each group,

for a total of 30 participants. 

Depending on available resources and other constraints, the survey may be self-administered 

with feedback gathered from each participant over the telephone, or the survey may be 

administered in-person either in an individual or group setting, with feedback gathered through 

in-person interviews. In either case, participants will be asked if they understood all questions 

and whether there were questions they would suggest removing or adding to better reflect the 

participation of partners in the Program. Based on this feedback, EPA will revise the partner 

survey. 

Part B(iv) of the Supporting Statement presents detailed information on the data collection, 

management, and analysis methods for pretesting the partner survey.

5(c) Small Entity Flexibility

Not applicable.

5(d) Collection Schedule

Registration: All teachers are required to register for the Program to receive the SunWise Tool 

Kit (www.epa.gov/sunwise/becoming.html and www.epa.gov/sunwise/becoming_partner.html) 

and regular program updates. 

Teacher and Student Surveys: All program participants are invited to take the Teacher Survey

at any time during the year. As noted above, recruitment emails will be sent in the 

Spring/Summer to all registrants encouraging them to take the Teacher Survey, but the survey is

optional. 

Teachers opting for their classrooms to participate in the student pre-test and post-test surveys 

will be asked to administer the pre-tests before teaching the SunWise lessons, and then to 

administer the post-test survey at least one month after teaching the SunWise lessons.
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Teacher Interviews: Participants (as selected using the method described in Part B(ii) of the 

Supporting Statement will complete the online survey and one telephone interview per year over 

the three year period.

Don’t Fry Day Pledge: All educators are invited to take the DFD pledge at any time during the 

year. A recruitment email will be sent in the Spring to all registrants encouraging them to take 

the pledge, but participation is optional. Participants may also be recruited educator conferences.

Certification Tutorial: All outdoor educators are invited to take the certification tutorial at any 

time during the year. 

Partner Survey Pretesting: The partner survey will be pretested once in the three-year ICR 

period.

6. Estimating the Burden and Cost of the Collection

6(a) Estimating Respondent Burden

Registration: EPA developed the SunWise Program Registration Form with the Agency’s 

Internet Support Team in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina. Input from a five-person focus 

group was used to determine average completion time. Teachers are asked to complete the 

registration form only once during their participation in the program for a total registrant burden 

of 10 minutes.

Annual estimated respondent burden: 

Annual Respondent Burden- Registration

Registrant Group Hour Burden

Educator 0.17

Teacher and Student Surveys: During the development of the teacher survey, EPA, in 

consultation with a contractor and fewer than nine educators, reviewed the teacher survey for 

content and completion time. The teacher survey is administered one time each year and takes 

approximately 20 minutes to complete. If the teacher decides to conduct the student pre- and 

post-test surveys, additional burden will be incurred.

During the development phase of the student surveys, EPA, in consultation with a contractor, 

pretested the survey with 9 children to determine appropriate content and survey completion 

time. The student survey will be administered once in years 1 and 3 (i.e., pre-test for Group A 

and post-test for Group B) and twice in year 2 (i.e., post-test from Group A and pre-test for 

Group B). Each survey will take approximately 10 minutes to complete, for an annual per 

student burden of 10 minutes. 

Annual estimated respondent burden: 
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Annual Respondent Burden- Surveys

Survey Group Hour Burden

Student 0.17

Educator – No student survey 0.33

Educator – Yes student survey 0.5

Teacher Interviews: Some selected teachers will both complete the online teacher survey

(estimated at 20 minutes, as discussed above), as well as participate in a 30 minute interview 

with EPA and/or a contractor, for a total annual per teacher burden of 50 minutes.

Annual estimated respondent burden: 

Annual Respondent Burden- Interviews/Surveys

Survey Group Hour Burden

Educator 0.83

Don’t Fry Day Pledge: Educators will be invited to take the Don’t Fry Day pledge at any time 

throughout the year. The pledge can be completed online and requires participants to fill out their 

name, address, school, and commitment to sun protection. The total respondent burden is 

estimated to be 5 minutes per year.

Annual estimated respondent burden: 

Annual Respondent Burden- Pledge

Survey Group Hour Burden

Educator 0.08

Certification Tutorial: Users will be asked a series of questions about sun protection to 

determine their demographics (no personal identifiers will be captured), knowledge, attitudes, 

behavior, perception of others they work with, and the environmental conditions in the place 

where they work. They will also be asked to enter their first and last names for a printable 

certificate. This information will not be saved by EPA. The total respondent burden is estimated 

to be 7 minutes.

Annual estimated respondent burden: 
15

Annual Respondent Burden –Tutorial/Certificate Questions

Survey Group Hour Burden

Student 0.12

Outdoor Educator 0.12

Partner Survey Pretesting: To pretest a new survey for SunWise non-school partners, some 

selected partners will complete the survey (estimated at 20 minutes, based on the survey’s 

similarity to the teacher survey described above), as well as participate in a 30 minute interview 

with EPA and/or a contractor to discuss the survey and ways to improve it. The total respondent 

burden is thus estimated at 50 minutes.

Annual estimated respondent burden: 

Annual Respondent Burden- Partner Survey

Survey Group Hour Burden

Non-school Partner 0.83

6(b) Estimating Respondents Costs

The Bureau of Labor Statistics figures1 were used to determine labor costs for these tables. In 

order to account for benefits and overhead, the average hourly wage rate of $38.82 for a teacher 

and $12.22 for a recreation worker (i.e., outdoor educator) were increased by 110% for a labor 

cost of $81.52 per hour for teachers and $25.66 per hour for outdoor educators. 

For partners, the average of the average hourly wage of $25.53 for a health educator and $14.79

for a preschool teacher was calculated to determine the hourly labor cost, since these occupations 

are considered typical of SunWise’s non-school partners. This averaged hourly labor cost of 

$20.16 was increased by 110% for a labor cost of $42.34 per hour for partners to account for 

benefits and overhead.

Annual Respondent Burden and Cost- Registration

Registrant Group # of responses per 

participant

Hour 

Burden

Labor Cost

Educator 1 0.17 1 * 0.17 * $81.52 = $13.86

Annual Respondent Burden and Cost – Teacher and Student Surveys

 

1

http://www.bls.gov/oes/2012/may/oes_nat.htm and http://stats.bls.gov/news.release/ecec.t02.htm
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Survey Group # of responses per 

participant

Hour 

Burden

Labor Cost

Student 1 0.17 1 * 0.17 * $0 = 0

Educator – No 

student survey

1 0.33 1 * 0.33 * $81.52 = $27.17

Educator – Yes 

student survey

1 0.5 1 * 0.5 * $81.52 = $40.76

Annual Respondent Burden and Cost – Teacher Interviews/Surveys

Survey Group # of responses per 

participant

Hour 

Burden

Labor Cost

Educator 1 0.83 1 * 0.83 * $81.52 = $67.94

Annual Respondent Burden and Cost – Don’t Fry Day Pledge

Survey Group # of responses per 

participant

Hour 

Burden

Labor Cost

Educator 1 0.08 1 * 0.08 * $81.52 = $6.79

Annual Respondent Burden and Cost – Tutorial/Certificate Questions

Survey Group # of responses per 

participant

Hour 

Burden

Labor Cost

Student 1 0.12 1 * (0.12 * 0) = 0

Outdoor Educator 1 0.12 1 * 0.12 * $25.66 = $3.08

Annual Respondent Burden and Cost – Partner Survey Pretesting

Survey Group # of responses per 

participant

Hour 

Burden

Labor Cost

Non-school Partner 1 0.83 1 * 0.83 * $42.34 = $35.28

The respondents will have no capital/startup or O&M costs.

6(c) Estimating Agency Burden and Cost
17

Registration: Registration information collection is done primarily through a website database 

feature. The start-up cost associated with designing the registration web page was approximately

$25,000, but that money has already been spent prior to previous ICRs. Maintenance of the 

website is estimated to involve three types of staff: EPA personnel, Grantees through the Senior 

Environmental Employee (SEE) Program, and contractor staff costing $130 per hour. The EPA 

employees will take 4 hours/month or 48 hours per year. The cost of this labor is calculated 

based on a GS 13 Step 1 pay level living in Washington, DC ($68.26/hour using the salary

associated with this grade and step, multiplied by a benefits factor of 1.6), making the total 

annual cost $3,276.29. The contractor will spend 240 hours per year on the maintenance and 

enhancement of the registration and tracking system at an annual cost of $31,200. 

Finally, EPA will manually input all information received via hard-copy registration form onto 

the database. The costs of this labor are estimated to be 2000 hours per year at a SEE Program 

pay level of $40,000 annually. 

Agency Burden and Costs – Registration

Burden Hours Total Costs ($)

EPA (Annual) 2,288 $74,476.29 

EPA (3-Year ICR) 6,864 $223,428.86 

Teacher and Student Surveys: The contractor assists EPA in data collection and analysis. The 

contractor also provided technical support in the development of the surveys. To perform these 

functions, EPA will contract for a total of 150 professional hours per year. At an average rate of 

$130.00 per hour, the total cost for the contractor is about $19,500 annually. Agency burden to 

manage this contract is estimated at 4 hours/month or 48 hours annually. The cost of this labor 

will be calculated based on a GS 13 Step 1 pay level ($68.26/hour using the salary associated 

with this grade and step, multiplied by a benefits factor of 1.6). Total hours (48) amounts to a 

total agency labor cost of $3,276.29/per annum.

Agency Burden and Costs- Teacher and Student Surveying

Burden Hours Total Costs ($)

EPA (Annual) 198 $22,776.29 

EPA (3-Year ICR) 594 $68,328.86 

Teacher Interviews: The contractor assists EPA in data collection and analysis. The contractor 

also provides technical support in the development and deployment of the surveys and interview 

questions. To perform these functions, EPA will contract for a total of 150 professional hours 

per year. At an average rate of $130.00 per hour, the total cost for the contractor is about 

$19,500 annually. Agency burden to manage this contract is estimated at 4 hours/month or 48 

hours annually. Agency burden associated with the coordination and participation in interviews 

is estimated at 50 hours per year. The cost of this labor will be calculated based on a GS 13 Step 

1 pay level ($68.26/hour using the salary associated with this grade and step, multiplied by a 
18

benefits factor of 1.6). Total hours (98) amounts to a total agency labor cost of $6,689.09/per 

annum.

Agency Burden and Costs- Teacher Interviewing/Surveying

Burden Hours Total Costs ($)

EPA (Annual) 248 $26,189.09 

EPA (3-Year ICR) 744 $78,567.26 

Don’t Fry Day Pledge: To perform the data collection and analysis function, agency burden is 

estimated at 2 hours/month or 24 hours annually. The cost of this labor will be calculated based 

on a GS 13 Step 1 pay level ($68.26/hour using the salary associated with this grade and step, 

multiplied by a benefits factor of 1.6). Total hours (24) amounts to a total agency labor cost of 

$1,638/per annum.

Agency Burden and Costs- Don’t Fry Day Pledge

Burden Hours Total Costs ($)

EPA (Annual) 24 $1,638.14 

EPA (3-Year ICR) 72 $4,914.43 

Certification Tutorial: The contractor will maintain the tutorial, including the data collection 

component. The contractor will also analyze the data every other year (i.e., during year 1 and 

year 3 of the ICR). To perform this task, EPA has contracted for a total of 200 professional 

hours, 100 hours for each year of analysis. In addition, EPA has contracted a total of 12 hours 

each year for maintenance. At an average rate of $130.00 per hour, the total cost for the 

contractor is $13,000 per year for data collection in year 1 and 3, and $1,560 per year for 

maintenance. Agency burden to manage this contract is estimated at 4 hours/month or 48 hours 

annually. The cost of this labor will be calculated based on a GS 13 Step 1 pay level 

($68.26/hour using the salary associated with this grade and step, multiplied by a benefits factor 

of 1.6).

 Agency Burden and Costs – Tutorial/Certification

Burden Hours Total Costs ($)

EPA (Annual) – Year 1 and 3 160 $17,836.29 

EPA (Annual) - Years 2 60 $4,836.29 

EPA (3-Year ICR) 380 $40,508.86

Partner Survey Pretesting: The contractor will assist EPA in the development and deployment 

of the partner surveys and interviews in the pretesting process. To perform these functions, EPA 

will contract for a total of 90 professional hours in year 3. At an average rate of $130.00 per 
19

hour, the total cost for the contractor is about $11,700. Agency burden to manage this contract is 

estimated at 2 hours/month or 24 hours in year 3. Agency burden associated with the 

coordination and participation in pretesting interviews is estimated at 30 hours in year 3. The 

cost of this labor will be calculated based on a GS 13 Step 1 pay level ($68.26/hour using the 

salary associated with this grade and step, multiplied by a benefits factor of 1.6). Total hours 

(54) amounts to a total agency labor cost of $3,685.82 in year 3.

Agency Burden and Costs- Partner Survey

Burden Hours Total Costs ($)

EPA (Annual) – Year 3 144 $15,385.82 

EPA (3-Year ICR) 144 $15,385.82 

6(d) Estimating the Respondent Universe and Total Burden Costs

Registration

(A)

Number to register

(B)

Total Hours

(C)

Rate per hour ($)

(D)

# of 

responses

(E)

Total Cost

E=B*C

3,500 Educators 595 $81.52 3,500 $48,505.59

Total (Annual) 595 3,500 $48,505.59

ICR Total (3 years) 1,785 10,500 $145,516.77

Student and Teacher Surveys

(A)

Number to be 

surveyed

(B)

Total Hours

(C)

Rate per hour ($)

(D)

# of 

responses

(E)

Total Cost

E=B*C

1,000 Students per 

year

170 $0.00 1,000 $0.00 

1,000 Educators –

No student survey

333 $81.52 1,000 $27,174.00 

300 Educators –

Yes student survey

150 $81.52 300 $12,228.30

Average Total 

(Annual) 

653 2,300 $39,402.30

ICR Total (3 years) 1,960 6,900 $118,206.90

Teacher Interviews and Surveys
20

(A)

Number to register

(B)

Total Hours

(C)

Rate per hour ($)

(D)

# of 

responses

(E)

Total Cost

E=B*C

50 Educators 42 $81.52 50 $3,396.75

Total (Annual) 42 50 $3,396.75

ICR Total (3 years) 125 150 $10,190.25

Don’t Fry Day Pledge

(A)

Number to register

(B)

Total Hours

(C)

Rate per hour ($)

(D)

# of 

responses

(E)

Total Cost

E=B*C

1,500 Educators 125 $81.52 1,500 $10,190.25

Total (Annual) 125 1,500 $10,190.25

ICR Total (3 years) 375 4,500 $30,570.75

Tutorial/Certificate

(A)

Number to be 

surveyed

(B)

Total Hours

(C)

Rate per hour ($)

(D)

# of 

responses

(E)

Total Cost

E=B*C

100 Students per 

year

12 $0.00 100 $0.00 

1,500 Outdoor 

Educators 

180 $25.66 1,500 $4,619.16

Average Total 

(Annual) 

192 1,600 $4,619.16

ICR Total (3 years) 576 4,800 $13,857.48

Partner Surveys

(A)

Number to register

(B)

Total Hours

(C)

Rate per hour ($)

(D)

# of 

responses

(E)

Total Cost

E=B*C

30 Partners 25 $42.34 30 $1,058.40

Total (Annual) -

Year 3 

25 30 $1,058.40
21

(A)

Number to register

(B)

Total Hours

(C)

Rate per hour ($)

(D)

# of 

responses

(E)

Total Cost

E=B*C

ICR Total (3 years) 25 30 $1,058.40

Total

ICR TotalRegistration + 

Surveys + Tutorial 

+ Interviews + 

Pledge (average 

annual)* 

1,632 8,980 $107,172.45

ICR TotalRegistration + 

Surveys + Tutorial 

+ Interviews + 

Pledge (3 years) 

4,846 26,880 $319,400.55

*Represents average annual cost, however not all activities will occur during all three years of the ICR, as described 

above.

6(e) Bottom Line Burden Hours and Cost Tables

Bottom Line Burden and Costs (3-Year ICR)

Burden Hours Total Costs ($)

Students 546 $0.00

Educators 3,735 $304,484.67

Outdoor Educators 540 $13,857.48

Non-school Partners 25 $1,058.40

EPA 8,798 $431,134.11

Subtotal (respondents) 4,846 $319,400.55

Subtotal (government) 8,798 $431,134.11

Total 13,644 $750,534.66

Bottom Line Burden and Costs (Average Annual)*

Burden Hours Total Costs ($)
22

Bottom Line Burden and Costs (Average Annual)*

Students 182 $0.00

Educators 1,245 $101,494.89

Outdoor Educators 180 $4,619.16

Partners 25 $1,058.40

EPA 3,062 $158,301.92

Subtotal (respondents) 1,632 $107,142.45

Subtotal (government) 3,062 $158,301.92

Total 4,694 $265,474.37

*Represents average annual cost, however not all activities will occur during all three years of the ICR, as described 

above.

6(f) Reasons for Change in Burden

There is no change in the average annual burden hours currently identified in the OMB Inventory

of Approved ICR Burdens.

6(g) Burden Statement

The annual public reporting and record keeping burden for this collection of information is 

estimated to average 10 minutes per response for the registration, 10 minutes per response for the 

student survey, 20 minutes per response for the educator survey without the student survey, 30 

minutes per response for the educator survey with the student survey, 50 minutes per response 

for the teacher interview with survey, 5 minutes per response for the Don’t Fry Day pledge, 7 

minutes per response for the certification tutorial program, and 50 minutes per response for 

pretesting the partner survey. Burden means the total time, effort, or financial resources 

expended by persons to generate, maintain, retain, disclose, or provide information to or for a 

Federal agency. This includes the time needed to review instructions; develop, acquire, install, 

and utilize technology and systems for the purposes of collecting, validating, and verifying 

information; processing and maintaining information, and disclosing and providing information; 

adjust the existing ways to comply with any previously applicable instructions and requirements; 

train personnel to be able to respond to a collection of information; search data sources; complete 

and review the collection of information; and transmit or otherwise disclose the information. An 

agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to, a collection of 

information unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number. The OMB control 

numbers for EPA’s regulations are listed in 40 CFR Part 9 and 48 CFR Chapter 15.

To comment on the Agency's need for this information, the accuracy of the provided burden 

estimates, and any suggested methods for minimizing respondent burden, including the use of 

automated collection techniques, EPA has established a public docket for this ICR under Docket 

ID Number EPA-HQ-OAR-2007-0069, which is available for online viewing at 

www.regulations.gov, or in person viewing at the Air and Radiation Docker in the EPA Docket 
23

Center (EPA/DC), EPA West, Room 3334, 1301 Constitution Avenue, NW, Washington, D.C. 

The EPA Docket Center Public Reading Room is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday

through Friday, excluding legal holidays. The telephone number for the Reading Room is (202) 

566-1744, and the telephone number for the Air and Radiation Docket is (202) 566-1742. An 

electronic version of the public docket is available at www.regulations.gov. This site can be 

used to submit or view public comments, access the index listing of the contents of the public 

docket, and to access those documents in the public docket that are available electronically. 

When in the system, select “search,” then key in the Docket ID Number identified above. Also, 

you can send comments to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of 

Management and Budget, 725 17th Street, NW, Washington, D.C. 20503, Attention: Desk 

Officer for EPA. Please include the EPA Docket ID Number EPA-HQ-OAR-2007-0069 and 

OMB Control Number 2060-0439 in any correspondence.

Part B(i) of the Supporting Statement – Teacher and Student Surveys

SECTION I – SURVEY OBJECTIVES, KEY VARIABLES, AND OTHER

PRELIMINARIES

1(a) Survey Objectives

EPA’s SunWise Program provides sun protection education via a standardized curriculum to 

school children in grades K-8 in public, parochial, and charter schools. More than 32,000 schools 

and 3,000,000 children have received SunWise education since the 1999-2000 school year. EPA 

proposes to conduct customer satisfaction and process-related evaluative surveys with the 

teachers using the program. The Teacher Survey and Individual Interview will determine:

 Students’ satisfaction with SunWise activities and resources;

 Teachers’ satisfaction with SunWise activities and resources;

 How and how often teachers are using the SunWise materials, resources and 

programming;

 How many students are receiving SunWise education;

 If teachers are sharing resources with other teachers;

 If school policies are being changed as a result of SunWise;

 If teachers are changing their own behavior;

 If students are changing their behavior;

 If teachers have suggestions for improving or creating new SunWise resources.

The data will be analyzed, and results, although not generalizable, will indicate how the Program 

is being implemented and how it can improve.

The primary objective of the optional student surveys is to see if students are getting the same 

benefit from the SunWise Tool Kit as in quasi-experimental study designs testing the same 

concepts (see previous ICR supporting statement for more details). Because this portion of the 

survey will be voluntary and self-selecting, the results will not be generalizable to every student 

that has received SunWise education.
24

1(b) Key Variables

Satisfaction; frequency of use; number of students participating; number and types of activities 

taught; school policy change; student and teacher knowledge, attitudes and behavior; ways to 

improve the program.

1(c) Statistical Approach

The primary objective in conducting the SunWise Teacher Survey is to understand how the 

SunWise program is being implemented and how it can be improved. Since the results are not 

intended to be generalizable to the complete pool of SunWise teachers, no statistical approach is 

needed.

The student surveys will serve as a way to see if students are getting the same benefit from the 

SunWise Tool Kit as in previous years. Because these surveys are optional and self-selecting, 

and the results are not intended to be generalizable, no statistical approach is needed.

1(d) Feasibility

EPA has reviewed the administrative procedures necessary to conduct the SunWise teacher and 

student surveys and has determined that it is feasible to continue with the surveys. The Teacher 

Survey was reviewed by educators and survey specialists to ensure that the questions asked will 

reveal sufficient information to evaluate the implementation of the SunWise Program and how it 

could be improved, especially by adding an incentives or “Levels of SunWise” recognition

program. The student survey was previously pretested as described in Section III below.

In addition, EPA has funding to conduct the survey and provide the necessary analysis of the 

resulting data.

SECTION II – SURVEY DESIGN

2(a) Target Population and Coverage

A self-selected sample from all participating SunWise teachers will be used. SunWise teachers 

are diverse, with some in schools and others in recreation programs and other organizations. 

2(b) Sample Design

School faculty and other educators register for the SunWise program through EPA. Registrants 

provide their name and contact information, including the name of their school/organization, and 

state whether they are a classroom teacher, health teacher, gym teacher, school nurse, or other. 

Recruitment emails will be sent to all registered SunWise schools and partners. Participants may

also be recruited through additional avenues, such as recruitment letters distributed through the 

SunWise Tool Kit, educator conferences, or direct mailings. However, many will not participate 

in the survey. 
25

2(b)ii Sample Size

EPA anticipates sending recruitment emails to more than 35,000 formal and informal educators,

however only 1,300 are expected to actually participate in the survey. This number is based on 

previous survey participation. 

2(b)iii Stratification Variables

None.

2(b)iv Sampling Method

As noted above, recruitment emails will be sent to all teachers who have registered for the 

SunWise Program since the program began in 1999. Because participation in the teacher survey

is voluntary, the sampling method is voluntary self-selection. 

Inclusion criteria: Signed up with the SunWise program.

Exclusion criteria: Incomplete Teacher Survey.

2(b)v Multi-Stage Sampling

None.

2(c) Precision Requirements

2(c)i Precision Targets

N/A

2(c)ii Nonsampling Error

N/A

2(d) Questionnaire Design

The Teacher Survey was derived from a SunWise instrument previously approved by OMB on 

November 2, 2001 and April 15, 2008 (ICR #1904.01 and #1904.04). It is based on the 

instrument approved by OMB in the most recent ICR (ICR #1904.04, April 15, 2008). The 

Teacher Survey was updated based on pretesting with nine teachers.

The student survey is derived from a SunWise instrument previously approved by OMB on 

November 2, 2001, and most recently approved on February 28, 2010. 

SECTION III – PRETESTS AND PILOT TESTS 
26

To pretest the revised SunWise Teacher Survey, fewer than nine teachers attending conferences 

that SunWise attended completed the survey and then participated in an interview with staff from 

EPA. The pretesting focused on the readability and understandability of the Teacher Survey. 

Teachers had no suggestions for revisions to the Teacher Survey. The survey was also timetested to ensure completion in 20 minutes or less.

The pretesting of the student survey was conducted under the previous ICR (1904.04). It focused 

on the readability and understandability of the questions and possible responses; following the 

pretest, the survey was revised to: (1) include instructions for students to turn over the two-page, 

double-sided survey; (2) increase the font of multiple choice instructions; (3) put all questions 

referring to “last summer” together in a box at the end of the survey; (4) delete one question that 

students found difficult; (5) revise the wording of several questions to clarify question meaning; 

(6) add a new response choice for why students do not wear sunscreen; and (7) increase the 

response scale for several questions from a three-point to a five-point scale.

SECTION IV – COLLECTION METHODS AND FOLLOW-UP

4(a) Collection Methods

Teacher Surveys are not anonymous and are administered online. 

All student surveys will be anonymous. Student surveys are administered in the classroom 

setting, and conducted by the teachers; thus, it would not be feasible for the teachers to obtain 

consent from the parents and assent from the children for a classroom teaching tool. In addition, 

all student surveys are anonymous, and thus no specific information on a child can be reported to 

parents or school staff. Student surveys will be returned to EPA by one of several methods: 

scanned and emailed; faxed; or sent through U.S. Postal Service using a self-addressed, postagepaid envelope supplied by EPA.

4(b) Survey Response and Follow-Up

The target response rate is approximately 3 to 4 percent among all teachers registered for the 

SunWise Program, although some of the teachers may no longer be teaching the Program. Actual 

response rate will be measured based on the number of teachers that submit surveys divided by

the number of total teachers signed up for the program. No additional follow-up will occur 

unless there are questions with the survey, or if additional clarification is necessary on suggested 

improvements.

SECTION V – ANALYZING AND REPORTING SURVEY RESULTS

5(a) Data Preparation

Teacher Survey data will be entered into a database hosted on the EPA server.
27

All student survey data will be entered into a database, including surveys with questions that 

have not been completed. A double-entry protocol will be observed throughout data entry to 

ensure accuracy.

5(b) Analysis

The data obtained through this survey will be reviewed and analyzed using descriptive statistical 

methods in the aggregate for the purpose of determining satisfaction; frequency of use; number 

of students participating; number and types of activities taught; school policy change; student 

and teacher knowledge, attitudes and behavior; ways to improve the program. All of this 

information will give EPA insight into how best to improve the program and how the program is 

being used. The results will not be generalizable to the total pool of SunWise teachers or 

students.

5(c) Reporting Results 

The results of the survey will not be written up formally, rather they will be used internally by 

the SunWise program to understand how the SunWise program is being implemented, and how it 

can be improved. The raw survey data will be maintained by EPA. EPA will share the 

information with a contractor, but will remain unavailable to the public. 

Part B(ii) of the Supporting Statement – Teacher Interviews

SECTION I – SURVEY OBJECTIVES, KEY VARIABLES, AND OTHER

PRELIMINARIES

1(a) Survey Objectives

EPA’s SunWise Program provides sun protection education via a standardized curriculum to 

school children in grades K-8 in public, parochial, and charter schools. More than 25,000 schools 

and 3,000,000 children have received SunWise education since the 1999-2000 school year. EPA 

proposes to conduct customer satisfaction and process-related evaluative surveys with the 

teachers using the program. The teacher telephone interviews will gather qualitative information 

regarding:

 Teachers’ involvement in the SunWise Program;

 If school policies are being changed as a result of SunWise and how to overcome barriers 

to those changes;

 SunWise activities and resources teachers feel are most effective; 

 How teachers’ approach to teaching SunWise activities has changed over time;

 How the SunWise Program can more effectively disseminate its materials and recruit 

teachers;

 How the SunWise Program can encourage teachers to increase their involvement in 

SunWise and their promotion of sun safety in schools; and
28

 Receptiveness to an incentives or “Levels of SunWise” educator recognition program, 

and ideas for making such a program successful.

The information will be analyzed and results, although not generalizable, will indicate how the 

Program is being implemented and how it can improve.

1(b) Key Variables

Involvement; school policy change; frequency of use; number and types of activities taught; 

most effective activities and resources; interest in a recognition program; motivation for 

increased participation; effort involved in recognition program.

1(c) Statistical Approach

The primary objective in conducting the SunWise teacher interviews is to gather qualitative 

information on how the SunWise program is being implemented, and how it can be improved. 

Since the results are not intended to be generalizable to the complete pool of SunWise teachers, 

no statistical approach is needed.

1(d) Feasibility

EPA has reviewed the administrative procedures necessary to conduct the SunWise teacher 

interviews and has determined that it is feasible to continue with the interviews. In addition, 

EPA has funding to conduct the interview and provide the necessary analysis of the resulting 

data.

SECTION II – SURVEY DESIGN

2(a) Target Population and Coverage

The target population consists of teachers that have taught the SunWise Program in the past two 

years; these teachers span the United States.

2(b) Sample Design

2(b)i Sampling Frame

The sampling frame consists of all teachers registered for the SunWise Program. Interview 

participants will be recruited via a screening email to registered SunWise educators asking (a) 

whether they have taught SunWise in the past two years; (b) how many years they have been 

teaching SunWise; and (c) whether they are willing to both complete an online teacher survey

and participate in a one-on-one telephone interview. 

2(b)ii Sample Size
29

EPA anticipates 200 teachers will respond positively to both screening questions (a) and (c) 

described in section 2(b)i above; however only 50 will be selected to participate in the interview 

process. 

2(b)iii Stratification Variables

None.

2(b)iv Sampling Method

Interview participants will be recruited via a screening email to registered SunWise educators 

asking (a) whether they have taught SunWise in the past two years; (b) how many years they

have been teaching SunWise; and (c) whether they are willing to both complete an online teacher 

survey and participate in a one-on-one telephone interview. 

Teachers responding positively to both screening questions (a) and (c), will be grouped by region 

and length of participation, and across these groups 50 teachers will be randomly selected to 

participate in the interview process. To the extent possible, the selected teachers will represent 

the geographical and participation range of those teachers responding positively to the screening 

questions (i.e., a sample of a sample), though the sample will not necessarily be representative in 

a statistical sense. The teachers that are not selected will be encouraged to take the online survey, 

but will not be part of the group that will be individually interviewed. 

Inclusion criteria: Registered with the SunWise Program; has taught SunWise in the past two 

years; indicated willingness to participate in an interview through the screening email.

Exclusion criteria: Incomplete Teacher Survey.

2(b)v Multi-Stage Sampling

None.

2(c) Precision Requirements

2(c)i Precision Targets

N/A

2(c)ii Nonsampling Error

N/A

2(d) Questionnaire Design

An interview guide with topics of discussion (Attachment 4) was developed by a team of 

contractors, a grantee, and EPA staff, and reviewed by educational and survey experts. 
30

SECTION III – PRETESTS AND PILOT TESTS 

Given the semi-structured approach to the teacher interviews and the qualitative nature of the 

study, pilot testing is not needed. The interview guide was reviewed by educational and survey

experts to ensure that the questions asked will reveal sufficient information to evaluate the 

implementation of the SunWise Program and how it could be improved, especially by adding an 

incentives or “Levels of SunWise” recognition program.

SECTION IV – COLLECTION METHODS AND FOLLOW-UP

4(a) Collection Methods

Selected participants will be asked to complete the online teacher survey, as provided in 

Attachment 2 and described in Part B(i) of the Supporting Statement. After the participants have 

completed the online survey, EPA will arrange a convenient time to interview each of the 

selected teachers via the telephone. 

Teachers will participate in one online survey and one telephone interview per year over a three 

year period, with slightly different informational goals for each year. In the first year, the 

interview will include discussion about the development of an educator recognition or incentives 

program, while interviews in later years may focus on other areas of interest, such as parental 

involvement. Teachers may receive an annual incentive for their participation in the survey and

interview, such as a $25 gift certificate to a bookstore of their choosing to purchase classroom 

resources.

4(b) Survey Response and Follow-Up

The target response rate is approximately 80 percent, with a total of 50 teachers participating in 

the interviews. Actual response rate will be measured based on the number of teachers that 

participate in the interviews divided by the number of teachers that indicated interest and were 

selected to participate. Follow-up emails and telephone calls will be made to all teachers who 

were selected to participate but have not responded to an initial interview invitation. These 

follow-ups will explain the importance of the interviews and strongly encourage teachers to 

participate. 

In addition, if fewer than 50 positive responses to the initial screening questions are received, 

EPA will follow up with an additional recruitment email encouraging participation and may also 

recruit participants through conferences, direct mailings, and other means.

SECTION V – ANALYZING AND REPORTING SURVEY RESULTS

5(a) Data Preparation

The interviewer and/or assistant will take notes during the interview.

5(b) Analysis
31

The information obtained through these interviews will be analyzed qualitatively through a 

systematic content analysis to identify key findings based on response frequency and emphasis. 

While these findings will give EPA insight into how best to improve the program, and how the 

program is being used, the results will not be generalizable to the total pool of SunWise teachers.

5(c) Reporting Results

The results of the qualitative content analysis will be written up in a summary report, which may

also be shared on the EPA website and with partners and interested parties. The individual 

interview notes will be maintained by EPA and/or an EPA contractor and will remain 

confidential. 

Part B(iii) of the Supporting Statement – Certification Program

SECTION I – SURVEY OBJECTIVES, KEY VARIABLES, AND OTHER 

PRELIMINARIES

1(a) Survey Objectives

To expand the SunWise Program beyond the formal classroom, EPA has developed an online 

tutorial and certification questions to educate outdoor recreation staff who supervise teens and 

pre-teens about the importance of sun safety. By way of this voluntary tutorial/certification 

program, EPA looks to educate outdoor recreation staffers about the importance of sun safety for 

them and the youth in their care. This can be done through a number of ways including smartscheduling, positive role-modeling and other policy changes at individual camps, pools or 

centers. 

Upon completion, each user will be able to email their certificate of accomplishment to their 

supervisor. Whole camps will then be able to state that their staff has taken the EPA Sun Safety

Certification, meaning they understand the importance of sun safety and know how to prevent 

sun damage in children.

Survey questions are included throughout the tutorial and must be answered to advance. EPA 

intends to meet two main objectives. The primary objective is to determine the current sun 

protection knowledge, attitudes, practices, intended practices, and teaching habits of outdoor 

educators, as well as basic demographic information. Responses to the tutorial/certification 

questions will also determine the environmental conditions (i.e., policies) already in place to 

minimize UV damage to the staff and visitors, and the perceived cultural norms of camp staff. 

This information will help inform SunWise program decisions such as framing a sun safety 

message and developing materials for pre-service teachers and outdoor educators to promote sun 

protection outside of the formal classroom.

The secondary objective is to gather feedback on the usefulness of the certification program. 

This will help the Agency determine if online media is an effective method of teaching sun 

safety lessons, and whether additional resources are needed for outdoor recreation facilities.

1(b) Key Variables
32

Key variables considered in this tutorial/certification program are demographic information 

about the educator (e.g., age, gender, education), the age range of children being supervised by 

the educator, the educator’s sun safety practices and intended practices, and policies related to 

sun safety implemented by the educator’s program or organization. 

1(c) Statistical Approach

The primary objective of the tutorial/certification program questions is to measure the sun 

protection attitudes, practices, intended practices, and teaching habits of outdoor educators. 

Every outdoor educator that participates in the tutorial/certification will be asked to respond to 

the questions that are built into the online program. It is not practical, however, to require all 

outdoor educators to participate in the tutorial/certification program, so participation will be 

voluntary and self-selecting. From this group, the Agency will be able to draw conclusions 

about outdoor educators in general. Anecdotal information is not sufficient for this purpose, and 

thus EPA has chosen a standardized questionnaire-based approach for this survey.

The tutorial/certification program asks questions about outdoor educators’ sun protection 

attitudes, practices, intended practices, and teaching habits. EPA intends to have each educator 

only complete the survey once during the period for which this ICR is in effect. An analysis of 

these results will give a snapshot of outdoor educators’ behaviors, and will help the Agency to 

better understand the challenges associated with promoting sun safety in outdoor education 

programs.

1(d) Feasibility

EPA has determined that an online, voluntary, self-selecting tutorial/certification program is a 

feasible way to gather information regarding sun protection in an outdoor education setting. In 

addition, EPA has developed the online tutorial/certification program, and has funding to collect 

and review responses and perform necessary updates to the program.

SECTION II – SURVEY DESIGN

2(a) Target Population and Coverage

The target population consists of outdoor recreation staff members that supervise teens and preteens. Because the tutorial/certification program is self-selecting and voluntary, the coverage of 

this population is not known. 

2(b) Sample Design

2(b)i Sampling Frame

The sampling frame is all U.S. outdoor recreation staff members at programs included in the 

mailing lists from the American Camp Association (ACA) and the National Recreation and Park 

Association (NRPA), which are updated regularly. The sampling frame will be identified by the 

purchase of these e-mail lists. 
33

Survey participants will be recruited via a targeted email to all programs in the ACA and NRPA 

lists, which will direct participants to the EPA website. Advertisements for the 

tutorial/certification program will also be placed on the EPA SunWise Web site and ACA and 

NRPA Web sites. In addition, participants will be recruited at conferences related to sun safety 

and education, and EPA may also reach out to sports coaching associations for participant 

recruiting.

2(b)ii Sample Size

Because the tutorial/certification program is self-selecting and voluntary, it is not possible to predetermine a specific sample size. However, EPA anticipates about 1,000 outdoor recreation staff 

members will complete the tutorial/certification program.

2(b)iii Stratification Variables

None.

2(b)iv Sampling Method

Because participation in the tutorial/certification program is voluntary, the sampling method is 

voluntary self-selection. Because the survey questions must be answered to advance through the 

tutorial, all outdoor educators that elect to participate in the certification program will necessarily

complete the survey. There is sampling bias associated with self-selection on both an individual 

and an organizational level as camps or programs may require all of their educators to take the 

tutorial; however, because participation in the certification program is voluntary, self-selection is 

the only feasible sampling method available to the Agency. 

2(c) Precision Requirements

2(c)i Precision Targets

Based on an assumed sample size of 1,000 participants, the Agency’s precision target is ±3.1 

percentage points at a 95 percent confidence level for aggregated question responses (i.e., the 

estimated percentage of all potential respondents that give a certain answer to a given survey

question). For question responses for sample subsets (e.g., the percentage of male respondents 

that give a certain answer to a given survey question), the uncertainty in the estimated 

percentages will be greater.

2(c)ii Non-sampling Error

It is expected that the largest non-sampling error will be the result of non-response. 

2(d) Questionnaire Design

The tutorial/certification questions were derived from those developed in a 2008 study by Glanz 

et al.

2

 In Glanz et al. (2008), a group of investigators evaluated available questionnaire measures 

 

2 Glanz, K,	Yaroch,	AL,	Dancel,	M,	Saraiya,	M,	Crane,	LA,	Buller,	DB,	Manne,	S,	O’Riordan,	DL,	
34

of sun exposure and protection in order to propose a core set of standardized survey items for a 

range of age groups (adults, adolescents aged 11 to 17, and children 10 years or younger). The 

investigators used these core questions in cognitive testing and found that they had good clarity

and applicability for measuring sun exposure and sun protection behaviors across a broad range 

of populations. In addition, it was determined that these methods are appropriate for studies 

tracking morbidity and/or mortality and evaluating prevention program effects. 

 Based on this study, participants are asked a series of questions throughout the tutorial 

about themselves, their sun protection-related behavior and their experience with the 

tutorial. These questions are meant as a self-assessment tool and must be answered in 

order to complete the tutorial. Participants are encouraged to think about how they can 

improve their current behavior while answering. The questions are incorporated into 

each of the five sections of the on-line tutorial/certification program:Introduction: 

provides a brief overview of the tutorial. 

 UV Basics: emphasizes the importance of knowing the facts about UV radiation.

 Louder than Words: describes sun safe actions and provides information on sun 

protection attire and SPF sunscreen.

 Do As I Do: provides insight to participant’s ability to influence young people, and offers 

suggestions for modeling sun safe behaviors. 

 Before You Go: summarizes information from the tutorial, provides links to additional 

resources, and presents questions about participant’s intentions to follow suggestions 

presented in the tutorial.

The training is expected to take approximately 45 minutes to complete, of which approximately

7 minutes will be for answering the survey questions. 

SECTION III – PRETESTS AND PILOT TESTS

No pilot testing of the tutorial/certification questions is planned.

SECTION IV – COLLECTION METHODS AND FOLLOW-UP

4(a) Collection Methods

Tutorial/certification program participants will complete the tutorial/certification online through 

the EPA SunWise Program website, and responses will be automatically submitted electronically 

upon completion. All tutorials/certifications are anonymous, and no personal information will be 

stored. 

4(b) Survey Response and Follow-Up

 

Heckman, CJ, Hay, J, Robinson, JK. Measures of Sun Exposure and Sun Protection Practices for Behavioral and 

Epidemiologic Research. Archives of Dermatology. 2008; 144 (2); 217-222.
35

Because outdoor educators self-select to complete the tutorial and certification questions, no 

response rate will be specifically measured, although EPA will keep count of the number of 

respondents. No follow-up will be performed with outdoor educators that complete the 

tutorial/certification program.

SECTION V – ANALYZING AND REPORTING SURVEY RESULTS

5(a) Data Preparation

No personal information will be stored. Responses to questions presented in the tutorial will be 

collected and stored automatically upon completion, and will be reviewed by EPA to help 

determine necessary changes to make to the tutorial and program. 

5(b) Analysis

Data obtained through the tutorial/certification will help EPA gain a better understanding of 

adjustments to make to the SunWise tutorial/certification program to better educate outdoor 

recreation staff. In addition, responses will provide EPA with an idea of the types of sun safety 

policies implemented in outdoor education programs, policy effectiveness, as well as possible 

areas of improvement to increase sun protection.

Basic descriptive statistical analyses will be used to describe and present a basic summary of 

responses collected and organize them in a logical manner. Data will be aggregated to calculate, 

for example, the percentage of outdoor educators that practice a certain sun safety behavior, or 

the mean number of times outdoor educators remind teens and pre-teens in their care about sun 

protection, along with 95% confidence intervals. Data will also be parsed for comparison by

different demographic or other categorical variables in order to compare, for example, the 

percentages of male versus female outdoor educators that remind children to protect themselves 

from the sun. Differences in percentages will be calculated together with 95 percent confidence 

intervals and statistical tests to determine whether the differences are statistically significant. 

5(c) Reporting Results

Information from tutorial/certification responses will serve to inform EPA of program areas 

needing improvement to better reach the target audience, as well as increase sun safety 

awareness and practices in informal and outdoor education settings. 

Raw survey data will be kept confidential. EPA plans to share aggregated findings with partners 

and the public to improve sun safety education.

Part B(iv) of the Supporting Statement – Pretesting the Partner Survey

SECTION I – SURVEY OBJECTIVES, KEY VARIABLES, AND OTHER

PRELIMINARIES

1(a) Survey Objectives
36

EPA’s SunWise Program provides sun protection education via a standardized curriculum and 

other resources (i.e., Sun Safety Tutorial) to children in grades K-8 in communities at registered 

501(c)(3) organizations such as science centers and camps, children's museums, and scouting 

groups, as well as other not-for-profit organizations like local, county and state health, recreation 

and education departments. About 4,600 informal education centers have registered with 

SunWise since the 1999-2000 school year.

EPA will undertake pretesting of a survey for non-school partners participating in the SunWise 

Program. These partners may include state and local health departments, childcare centers, 

museums, camps, and science centers. The purpose of the survey will be generally to better 

understand how non-school partners are interacting with the SunWise Program, as well as to 

determine: how and how often partners are using the SunWise materials, resources and 

programming;

 How many children are receiving SunWise education through non-school partners;

 Children’s satisfaction with SunWise activities and resources;

 Partners’ satisfaction with SunWise activities and resources;

 If partners are sharing resources with other partners;

 If partner organizations’ sun safety policies are being changed as a result of SunWise;

 If partners have suggestions for improving or creating new SunWise resources.

The pretesting is intended to determine the validity, reliability, and effectiveness of the survey

questions—e.g., whether questions measure what they are supposed to measure, whether partners 

understand what the questions are asking are asking, and whether the questions are the right 

questions to gain a better understanding of how partners are interacting with the SunWise 

Program.

1(b) Key Variables

Understandability, validity, reliability, and effectiveness of questions; right questions for 

understanding partner participation in SunWise.

1(c) Statistical Approach

The primary objective of the pretesting is to gather information that will help EPA develop a new 

questionnaire for SunWise non-school partners, and to determine the validity, reliability, and 

effectiveness of initial draft questions. No statistical approach is needed.

1(d) Feasibility

EPA has reviewed the administrative procedures necessary to pretest the SunWise partner survey

and has determined that it is feasible to continue with the pretesting. EPA has funding to conduct 

the pretesting and use the resulting input to revise the partner survey.

SECTION II – SURVEY DESIGN
37

2(a) Target Population and Coverage

The target population includes all non-school partners registered with the SunWise Program, or 

approximately 4,600 organizations. These organizations include 501(c)(3) organizations such as 

science centers and camps, children's museums, and scouting groups, as well as other not-forprofit organizations like local, county and state health, recreation and education departments.

2(b) Sample Design

2(b)i Sampling Frame

Partners register for the SunWise program through EPA. Registrants provide their name and 

contact information, including the name of their organization, and state what their role is. EPA 

will send a recruitment email to all registered SunWise partners in the Spring/Summer timeframe 

encouraging them to participate in the pilot testing of the partner survey (Attachment 5). 

Participants may also be recruited through additional avenues, such as recruitment letters 

distributed through the SunWise Tool Kit, educator conferences, or direct mailings. However, 

many may choose not to participate.

2(b)ii Sample Size

EPA anticipates sending a recruitment email to about 4,600 non-school partners, however only 

30 will be selected for participation in the survey pretesting. 

2(b)iii Stratification Variables

None.

2(b)iv Sampling Method

From partners responding positively to the recruitment email, EPA will sort the willing partners 

into types of organizations (e.g., health, recreation, and educational departments; childcare 

centers; camps and scouting groups; and educational centers such as museums or science 

centers) and randomly select participants from each group for a total of 30 participants. The 

number of participants selected from each group will be weighted based on the overall 

composition of SunWise registered partners.

Inclusion criteria: Registered with the SunWise program.

Exclusion criteria: Non-response.

2(b)v Multi-Stage Sampling

None.

2(c) Precision Requirements
38

2(c)i Precision Targets

N/A

2(c)ii Nonsampling Error

N/A

2(d) Questionnaire Design

The partner survey for pretesting derived from a SunWise teacher instrument previously

approved by OMB on November 2, 2001 and April 15, 2008 (ICR #1904.01 and #1904.04). 

Because this information collection consists of pretesting with the goal of developing a new 

survey for SunWise non-school partners, the design of the survey will necessarily change 

through the pretesting process and additional or different questions may be pretested with 

partners. The draft survey for pretesting is provided in Attachment 5.

SECTION III – PRETESTS AND PILOT TESTS

This information collection consists of pretesting for the development of a new survey for 

SunWise non-school partners.

SECTION IV – COLLECTION METHODS AND FOLLOW-UP

4(a) Collection Methods

Depending on available resources and other constraints, the survey may be self-administered 

with feedback gathered from each participant over the telephone, or the survey may be 

administered in-person either in an individual or group setting, with feedback gathered through 

in-person interviews. In either case, participants will be asked if they understood all questions, 

whether the survey was easy to complete, and whether there were questions they would suggest 

removing or adding to better reflect the participation of partners in the Program. Based on this 

feedback, EPA will revise the partner survey. EPA will also measure the time it takes for each 

respondent to complete the survey (estimated at less than 20 minutes).

4(b) Survey Response and Follow-Up

The target response rate is approximately 80 percent. Actual response rate will be measured 

based on the number of partners that participate in the pretesting divided by the number of 

partners that indicated interest and were selected to participate. Follow-up emails and telephone 

calls will be made to all partners who were selected to participate but have not responded to an 

initial invitation. These follow-ups will explain the importance of the pretesting and strongly 

encourage partners to participate. 

SECTION V – ANALYZING AND REPORTING SURVEY RESULTS
39

5(a) Data Preparation

All survey data will be entered into a database. A double-entry protocol will be observed 

throughout data entry to ensure accuracy.

During interviews with partners following pretesting of the survey, the interviewer and/or 

assistant will take detailed notes.

5(b) Analysis

The survey data and qualitative input obtained through the pretesting will be aggregated and 

analyzed for the purpose of determining the validity, reliability, and effectiveness of survey

questions. All of this information will be used by EPA to revise the survey questions. 

5(c) Reporting Results

The results of the pretesting will be used by EPA to revise the partner survey. The raw survey

and interview data will be maintained by EPA and/or an EPA contractor and will remain 

unavailable to the public.