October 2007 A-1

Appendix B - IC Data Forms

IC Data Part 1

Please read the instructions before completing this form. For assistance in completing this form, contact ED’s 

Paperwork Clearance Official. Submit electronic copies of this form, the collection instrument to be reviewed, parts A 

and B of the Supporting Statement, and any additional documentation through EDICS.

1. Agency/Subagency Originating Request:

U.S. Department of Education/Institute of 

Education Sciences 

1850-0873

3. Title: 

IES Research Training Program Survey: Annual IES Fellows Survey 

4. Type Of Information Collection (Check One):

New collection

X Revision of a currently approved collection

Extension of a currently approved collection

 Reinstatement, with change of a previously approved collection

Reinstatement, without change of a previously approved collection

Existing collection in use without an OMB control number

4a. Is this a request for a generic clearance?

Yes No X NA

5. Type Of Review Requested:

X Regular (If Streamlined Also Click Here )

Emergency – Approval requested by: MM/DD/YYYY

6. Expiration Date: MM/DD/YYYY

a. X Three Years From Approval Date

b. Six months from approval date (Max for Emergency Review) 

c. Other: MM/DD/YYYY

d. Specify: / or Number of Months from Approval Date: 

7. Does this ICR contain surveys, censuses, or employ statistical methods? X Yes (Attach Part B of Supporting Statement) No

8.Does the Supporting Statement serve as a joint ICR and Privacy Impact Assessment per OMB Memorandum 03-22, Section II.D

(http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/memoranda/m03-22.html)? Yes X No

9. Agency Contact and Phone Number: Dr. Meredith Larson, (202) 219-2025 

10. Abstract:

The surveys are for predoctoral and postdoctoral fellows taking part in the Institute of Education 

Sciences’ three education training grant programs. These programs provide universities support to 

provide predoctoral training in education research, postdoctoral training in education research, or 

postdoctoral training in special education research. The results of the survey will be used both to improve 

the fellowship programs as well as to provide information on the programs to policymakers, practitioners, 

and the public. 

11. Authorizing Statute(s):

a. US 

Code

USC Name 

of 

Law:

US 

Code

USC Name 

of 

Law:

b. PL Pub L 107 27

9

Se

c

15

3

Name of 

Law:

Education Sciences Reform Act of 2002

PL Pub.L. - Se

c

Name of 

Law:

c. Statute 

at 

Large

USC Name of 

Statute:
October 2007 A-2

Statute 

at 

Large

USC Name of 

Statute:

d. EO EO Name 

/Subject of 

EO:

EO EO Name/Subj

ect of EO:

n

12. Associated Rulemaking Information

RIN: Stage of Rulemaking 

(check one):

Federal 

Register 

Citation:

Citation Date: 

− Proposed Rule F

R

(MM/DD/YY

YY)

 Interim Final or 

Final Rule FOR OM/RIMS USE ONLY

 XNot associated with 

rulemaking

For a Proposed Rule, OMB will not consider an ICR complete until the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking has been published.

FOR OM/RIMS USE ONLY

13. Federal Register Notices & Comments

Federal Register 

Citation:

Citation 

Date:

Did ED receive public comments on this ICR?

60-day Notice: F

R

(MM/

DD/Y

YYY)

Yes No NA

30-day Notice: F

R

(MM/

DD/Y

YYY)

Unless submitted as an Emergency or Associated with Rulemaking, OMB will not consider an ICR complete until the 30-day notice 

has been published.

14

.

Annual Cost to the Federal Government: $44,392.00

15

.

Add/Edit Information Collections (See IC Data Part 2: Information Collection Detail)

16. Annual reporting and recordkeeping hour burden:

a. Number of respondents: Average 625 (Year 1 = 600, Year 2 = 625, Year 3 = 650)

b. Total annual responses: Average 625 (Year 1 = 600, Year 2 = 625, Year 3 = 650)

Percentage of these responses collected electronically: 100%

c. Total annual hours requested: Average 218.75 hours annually for 625 people. 

 Year 1 = 210 hours for 600 people, Year 2 = 218.75 for 625, Year 3 = 227.5 for 650

d. Current OMB inventory: 170
October 2007 A-3

e. Difference (+/-): 48.75

f. Explanation of difference

1. Program Change: 48.75

2. Adjustment: 0

17. Frequency of recordkeeping or reporting (check all that apply):

a. Recordkeeping b. Third party disclosure c. X Reporting

1. On occasion 2. Weekly 3. Monthly

4. Quarterly 5. Semiannually6. X Annually

7. Biennially 8. Once 9. Other (describe) 

18. Citations for New Statutory Requirements: (Required if any change in burden is a Program Change Due to New Statute.)

a. US Code: USC Name of Law:

b. PL: Pub.L. - Sec Name of Law:

c. Statute at Large: USC Name of Statute:

d. EO: EO Name /Subject of EO:

19. X Burden increases because of Program Change due to Agency Discretion

Burden decreases because of Program Change due to Agency Discretion

Burden increases because of program change due to statutory changes

Burden decreases because of program change due to statutory changes

Burden increases because of program change due to lapse of OMB approval

Burden decreases because of program change due to lapse of OMB approval

 

Short Statement: (Explain the reasons for any program changes or adjustments reported; provide a short statement on how the 

reduction in burden was achieved or why the increase in burden occurred. (if you need more space, please provide a short statement 

less than 4000 characters here and elaborate in the Supporting Statement.))

The number of individuals trained by the IES programs has increased over time. This survey will be 

sent to all current fellows and former fellows who have completed their training within the past 5 

years. Thus, the total number respondents has grown since the survey was established. The number of 

questions has also increased slightly, so there is a modest increase in the amount of time each 

respondent may spend filling in the survey relative to past years. To help reduce the burden, we have 

taken the following three steps: (1) the survey will be administered online, (2) respondents will receive 

targeted questions based on where they are in their programs (e.g., if they have not completed their 

programs or if they finished years ago, they will receive only the most relevant questions), and (3) 

fellows will be tracked for only 5 years after completing their fellowships. These last three elements all 

reduce the burden. Given these adjustments, the overall burden for a respondent is approximately 20 

minutes.

20. Is this collection related to EDFacts? Yes X No NA
October 2007 A-4

21. Are EDFacts standard definitions for School, LEA, SEA, Children With Disabilities, LEP and Migrant Used? Yes X No NA

22. Please describe the types of reports and analysis to be performed against the data (500 Characters Maximum): 

The Institute of Education Sciences (IES) established its predoctoral and postdoctoral research 

training programs in the education sciences to increase the supply of scientists and researchers in 

education who are prepared to conduct rigorous education research, including carrying out 

rigorous evaluation studies and developing curricula, education technology, and innovative 

instructional approaches that are grounded in a science of learning. The survey will collect data on 

the fellows’ satisfaction with their research training program, their accomplishments within the 

program, and their success in the field of education research after they have completed the 

program. The analyses will sum these responses and document:

(1) fellows’ overall satisfaction with their research training program specifically for 

a) Specific training in relevant [special] education research content

b) Specific training in education research methodology & statistics

c) Opportunities for meaningful independent research in [special] education

d) Opportunities for meaningful interdisciplinary education research outside of your home 

department [ONLY predocs]

e) Opportunities to collaborate with researchers outside of your university

f) Opportunities to collaborate with education policymakers, practitioners, and other 

education stakeholders

g) Opportunities to publish

h) Opportunities to present at conferences

i) Opportunities to learn grant-writing

j) Overall preparation for obtaining future employment in [special] education research

k) Overall satisfaction with quality of mentoring received from primary mentor

l) Overall satisfaction with quality of training received;

(2) the percent of fellows completing their program;

(3) the accomplishments of fellows within their program including the percent of fellows who 

made conference presentations or published a paper;

(4) the positions taken by fellows upon completion of their program including what percent of 

fellows take a position in the field of education research;

(5) fellows’ plans for submitting a grant application to do education research; and 

(6) fellows’ other professional activities during and after their fellowships.

The analyses will help IES assess the effectiveness of the training programs and make 

improvements as needed. The findings will be summarized and posted on the IES website.
U.S. Department Of Education: Regulatory Information Management Services (RIMS) Guide to the Information Collection Process

Version 6.23 

October 2007 A-5

IC Data Part 2

Please prepare this sheet for each Information Collection covered by the ICR.

1. ICR Title: 2. EDICS Tracking Number 3. CFR Citation:

1850-0873 CFR

4. Is this a common form? Yes X No NA

5. Information Collection Instruments

Instrument 

Filename 

 

Document Type 

(Select One) 

Form Name 

and No. 

 

Available 

Electronically? 

Electronic Capability 

(Select One) 

Obligation to 

Respond 

(select one) 

Affected Public 

(check all that apply) 

IC 1 Survey Annual IES 

Fellows 

Survey 

 X Yes No Printable Voluntary Federal Government

X Individuals or 

Households

Private Sector

Business or other forprofit

Not-for-profit 

Institutions

Farms

State, Local or Tribal 

Gov’t

Can Be Submitted 

Electronically? URL: link: 

https://surveys.ies.ed.gov/?IES_Fellows_2012

Note: This link is updated yearly. This is the link for the 

most recent survey. 

X Yes No Electronic Repository:

Percent 

Reporting 

Electronically

100%

6. Federal Enterprise Architecture Business Reference Module Line of Business: Subfunction:

X Education Elementary, Secondary, and Vocational Education

 X Higher Education

Cultural and Historic Preservation

Cultural and Historic Exhibition

None

7. Privacy Act System of Records (if applicable) Federal Register Citation:

Title FR

8. Respondents:
U.S. Department Of Education: Regulatory Information Management Services (RIMS) Guide to the Information Collection Process

Version 6.23 

October 2007 A-6

a. Number of Respondents: 625, 

average 

per year

b. Number of Respondents who are Small 

Entities:

0
U.S. Department Of Education: Regulatory Information Management Services (RIMS) Guide to th 

Version 6.23 

October 2007 
1

SUPPORTING STATEMENT

FOR PAPERWORK REDUCTION ACT SUBMISSION

A. Justification 

1. Explain the circumstances that make the collection of information necessary. Identify any 

legal or administrative requirements that necessitate the collection. Attach a copy of the 

appropriate section of each statute and regulation mandating or authorizing the collection 

of information.

The Institute of Education Sciences (IES) has three education training grant programs that 

provide funds to universities to support three types of training programs in the education 

sciences: 1) Predoctoral Interdisciplinary Research Training Programs, 2) Postdoctoral Research 

Training Program, and 3) Postdoctoral Research Training Program in Special Education. To 

determine the quality and effectiveness of these grants, IES staff survey program participants 

annually as to their satisfaction with their program and their accomplishments. The populations 

of pre- and postdoctoral fellows are small enough to make a census survey manageable and to

make a sample not reliable for subgroup findings.

Participants currently in the program will be surveyed every year until they complete. Participants

who have completed their programs will be surveyed for 5 years following the completion of 

their training (predoctoral fellows will be tracked for 5 years following the completion of their 

fellowship and doctorate program). The purpose of surveying completed fellows is to determine 

whether participants in the pre- and postdoctoral fellows program continue to work in and 

contribute to the field of education research. Therefore, data on their annual status and 

contributions to the field of education research will be collected. However, to decrease burden on 

fellows over time, we will not survey them beyond 5 years. 

The National Center for Education Research (NCER) of the Institute of Education Sciences 

(IES), U.S. Department of Education, is conducting this study, as authorized under Public Law 

107-279, Title I, Part C, Section 131(a) and 131(b) of the Education Sciences Reform Act of 

2002 and U.S. Code Title 20 Section 9543 which states:

(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—There is established in the Institute a National Center for Education 

Research (in this part referred to as the ‘‘Research Center’’).

(b) MISSION.—The mission of the Research Center is—

(1) to sponsor sustained research that will lead to the accumulation of knowledge and 

understanding of education, to—

(A) ensure that all children have access to a high quality education;

(B) improve student academic achievement, including through the use of educational 

technology;

(C) close the achievement gap between high-performing and low-performing students 

through the improvement of teaching and learning of reading, writing, 

mathematics, science, and other academic subjects; and
2

(D)improve access to, and opportunity for, postsecondary education;

(2) to support the synthesis and, as appropriate, the integration of education research;

(3) to promote quality and integrity through the use of accepted practices of scientific inquiry to 

obtain knowledge and understanding of the validity of education theories, practices, or 

conditions; and

(4) to promote scientifically valid research findings that can provide the basis for improving 

academic instruction and lifelong learning.

Furthermore, the Director is to ensure that the activities conducted through IES are meeting the 

needs of the larger community. In particular, Public Law 107-279, Title I, Part C, Section 185 of 

the Education Sciences Reform Act of 2002 and U.S. Code Title 20 Section 9543 states that IES 

must address performance management: 

SEC. 185. PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT.

The Director shall ensure that all activities conducted or supported by the Institute or a National 

Education Center make customer service a priority. The Director shall ensure a high level of 

customer satisfaction through the following methods:

(1) Establishing and improving feedback mechanisms in order to anticipate customer needs.

(2) Disseminating information in a timely fashion and in formats that are easily accessible and 

usable by researchers, practitioners, and the general public.

(3) Utilizing the most modern technology and other methods available, including arrangements to 

use data collected electronically by States and local educational agencies, to ensure the efficient 

collection and timely distribution of information, including data and reports.

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

new collection, indicate the actual use the agency has made of the information received 

from the current collection.

The survey information is used by IES staff to write an annual report that examines how the

grants and their supported programs have contributed to the development of new education 

researchers. IES staff use this information to improve the training programs and to provide 

general feedback to programs about major themes arising from the analysis. 

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

automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or forms 

of information technology, e.g. permitting electronic submission of responses, and the 

basis for the decision of adopting this means of collection. Also describe any 

consideration of using information technology to reduce burden.

The survey will be conducted online so that (1) participants can easily access the survey, (2) all 

responses can be submitted electronically, and (3) participants can save and return to their 

responses. These features will also decrease the amount of IES staff effort by eliminating the 

need for keying data and minimizing respondent errors. We are currently working on making 

previous year’s submissions available to the fellows so that they have prepopulated forms that 

need only to be updated, thereby further decreasing their effort.
3

4. Describe efforts to identify duplication. Show specifically why any similar information 

already available cannot be used or modified for use of the purposes described in Item 2 

above.

The survey collects data from individuals taking part in the education programs that is not 

available from other sources. The information gathered provides important details regarding 

fellows’ satisfaction with the training programs and post-fellowship status.

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

OMB Form 83-I), describe any methods used to minimize burden.

The survey does not impact small businesses or other small entities.

6. Describe the consequences to Federal program or policy activities if the collection is not 

conducted or is conducted less frequently, as well as any technical or legal obstacles to 

reducing burden.

The survey is in compliance with 5 CFR1320.5. Without the survey, IES will not be in a position 

to determine whether its education training grants programs were achieving their purpose and 

will not be able to make adjustments to improve the results of these grant programs. The annual 

nature of the survey is in sync with the annual nature of the training provided by the universities.

7. Explain any special circumstances that would cause an information collection to be 

conducted in a manner: 

 in connection with a statistical survey, that is not designed to produce valid and reliable 

results than can be generalized to the universe of study;

 requiring the use of a statistical data classification that has not been reviewed and 

approved by OMB;

 that includes a pledge of confidentiality that is not supported by authority established in 

statute or regulation, that is not supported by disclosure and data security policies that are 

consistent with the pledge, or which unnecessarily impedes sharing of data with other 

agencies for compatible confidential use; or

 requiring respondents to submit proprietary trade secrets, or other confidential 

information unless the agency can demonstrate that it has instituted procedures to protect 

the information’s confidentiality to the extent permitted by law.

There are no special circumstances that would cause information collection to be conducted in 

any of the manners listed above. 
4

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

Federal Register of the agency’s notice, required by 5 CFR 1320.8(d), soliciting comments 

on the information collection prior to submission to OMB. Summarize public comments 

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

these comments. Specifically address comments received on cost and hour burden.

The public has had the opportunity to comment during both the 60-day and 30-day comment 

period notices. Also, we have received feedback from previous respondents asking if the survey 

could be conducted online and if they could receive prepopulated surveys. We have implemented 

the first recommendation and are piloting the feasibility of the second. We expect that both 

recommendations for improvement will be fully realized by the time of the next survey.

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

of contractors or grantees.

No payments or gifts will be provided to respondents.

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

assurance in statute, regulation, or agency policy.

From a privacy standpoint, the survey cover letter cites the Privacy Act to assure respondents that 

the appropriate safeguards are implemented to avoid unauthorized use or disclosure of 

individually identifying information. The statements below will appear: The data collection 

activities will be conducted in compliance with the Privacy Act of 1974.

The data have been and will continue to be stored electronically. It is retrievable by name, and 

the data are kept after the report is complete. The electronic files are kept in a password protected 

server. The security protections for the content have been identified in the SORN and PIA 

documents. The PIA and SORN are added assurances of confidentiality that IES is establishing 

protections to reasonably safeguard the respondents’ information from improper disclosure,

whether intentional or unintentional. 

The assurance of confidentiality for the survey of participants is as follows:

Information collected for this study come under the confidentiality and data protection 

requirements of the Institute of Education Sciences (The Education Sciences Reform Act 

of 2002, Title I, Part E, Section 183). Information that could identify an individual or 

institution will be separated from the survey responses submitted, kept in secured 

locations, and be destroyed as soon as they are no longer required. Survey responses will 

be used only for research purposes. The reports prepared for the study will summarize 

findings across individuals and institutions and will not associate responses with a 

specific district, school, or person. The data collection activities will be conducted in 

compliance with the Privacy Act of 1974.

The above statement describes the intent to keep information collected on fellows’ opinions on

the quality of the fellowship programs confidential. Such information might be considered 
5

prejudicial by those running the programs or other participants if it was critical of the program. 

For this reason, this information will be kept confidential and reported only in aggregated data.

11. Provide additional justification for any questions of a sensitive nature, such as sexual 

behavior and attitudes, religious beliefs, and other matters that are commonly considered 

private. The justification should include the reasons why the agency considers the questions 

necessary, the specific uses to be made of the information, the explanation to be given to 

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

consent.

No questions of this type are included in the survey.

12. Provide estimates of the hour burden of the collection of information. The statement should:

 Indicate the number of respondents, frequency of response, annual hour burden, and 

an explanation of how the burden was estimated. Unless directed to do so, agencies 

should not conduct special surveys to obtain information on which to base hour 

burden estimates. Consultation with a sample (fewer than 10) of potential 

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

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

hour burden, and explain the reasons for the variance. Generally, estimates should not 

include burden hours for customary and usual business practices.

 Provide estimates of annualized cost to respondents of the hour burdens for 

collections of information, identifying and using appropriate wage rate categories. 

The cost of contracting out or paying outside parties for information collection 

activities should not be included here.

Table 1: Respondents’ Burden from Annual IES Fellows Survey (Predoctoral Fellows)

Year

Estimated 

# of PreDocsCost per hour*

Time to 

Complete 

Survey 

(hours)

Cost per 

respondent

Total time to 

complete survey 

(hours)

Total Respondent 

Burden ($)

1 500 $ 19.40 0.35 $ 6.79 175 $ 3,395.00 

2 520 $ 19.40 0.35 $ 6.79 182 $ 3,531.00 

3 540 $ 19.40 0.35 $ 6.79 189 $ 3,667.00 
6

Table 2: Respondents’ Burden from Annual IES Fellows Survey (Postdoctoral Fellows)

Year

Estimated 

# of 

Postdocs

Cost per 

hour**

Time to 

Complete 

Survey 

(hours)

Cost per 

respondent

Total time to 

complete survey 

(hours)

Total Respondent 

Burden ($)

1 500 $ 28.74 0.35 $ 10.06 35 $1,006 

2 520 $ 28.74 0.35 $ 10.06 36.75 $1,056 

3 540 $ 28.74 0.35 $ 10.06 38.5 $1,106 

The average annual respondents and responses will be 625 and the average annual burden hours 

will be 218.75 burden hours per year. 

*Predocs receive a fellowship in the amount of $60,500 per 12 month year that covers stipend, 

tuition support, and fringe benefits. Using 2,088 working hours per year, this works out to a 

fellowship of $19.40 per hour.

**Postdocs receive a fellowship in the amount of $60,500 per 12 month year that covers stipend 

and fringe benefits. Using 2,088 working hours per year, this works out to a fellowship of $28.74

per hour.

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

resulting from the collection of information. (Do not include the cost of any hour burden 

shown in Items 12 and 14.)

There are no capital costs, no start-up costs, and no costs for operation and maintenance and 

purchase of services.

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

of the method used to estimate cost, which should include quantification of hours, 

operational expenses (such as equipment, overhead, printing, and support staff), and any 

other expense that would not have been incurred without this collection of information. 

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

The survey, data analysis, and report writing will be handled by IES education research analysts. 

Because the survey is conducted online, the analysis is done in house, and the report will be 

published electronically, there are no equipment, printing, and overhead costs. The annual cost 

to the Federal government is determined by the time spent by the education research analysts 

which is described in the table below.

Annual Time and Its Cost Required by IES Education Research Analysts

Task Predoctoral Survey Postdoctoral

Survey

Special Education 

Postdoctoral Survey

Total

Data collection and 

quality control

60 hours 60 hours 60 hours 180
7

Data compilation and 

tabulation

120 hours 60 hours 20 hours 200

Report writing 120 hours 60 hours 60 hours 240

Total Hours 300 180 140 620

Education Research 

Analyst’s salary & 

benefits per hour

$71.60 $71.60 $71.60 $71.60

Annual Cost $21,480 $12,888 $10,024 $44,392

15. Explain the reasons for any program changes or adjustments to #16f of the IC Data Part 1 

Form.

The number of individuals trained by the IES programs has increased over time. This survey will 

be sent to all current fellows and former fellows who have completed their training within the 

past 5 years. Thus, the total number respondents has grown since the survey was established. The 

number of questions has also increased slightly, so there is a modest increase in the amount of 

time each respondent may spend filling in the survey relative to past years. To help reduce the 

burden, we have taken the following three steps: (1) the survey will be administered online, (2) 

respondents will receive targeted questions based on where they are in their programs (e.g., if 

they have not completed their programs or if they finished years ago, they will receive only the 

most relevant questions), and (3) fellows will be tracked for only 5 years after completing their 

fellowships. These last three elements all reduce the burden. Given these adjustments, the overall 

burden for a respondent is approximately 20 minutes.

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

and publication. Address any complex analytical techniques that will be used. Provide the 

time schedule for the entire project, including beginning and ending dates of the collection of 

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

• Links to the survey will be sent out by email in December or January, (pending OMB 

approval).

• Survey responses will be due by February.

• Follow-up data collection for non-respondents will continue to the end of March.

• Data analysis will take place from March through June. This analysis will make use of 

tabulations. No complex analytical techniques will be used.

• The report will be written in August.

• The report will be published in November.

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

collection, explain the reasons that display would be inappropriate.

Approval is not being sought to not display the expiration date for OMB approval of the 

information collection.

18. Explain each exception to the certification statement identified in Item 20, “Certification for 

Paperwork Reduction Act Submissions,” of OMB Form 83-I.
8

No exceptions are being sought for this work.
1

SUPPORTING STATEMENT

 FOR PAPERWORK REDUCTION ACT SUBMISSION

B. Collection of Information Employing Statistical Methods

The agency should be prepared to justify its decision not to use statistical methods in any case 

where such methods might reduce burden or improve accuracy of results. When Item 17 on 

Form 83-I is checked “Yes,” the following documentation should be included in the Supporting 

Statement to the extent that it applies to the methods proposed:

1. Describe the potential respondent universe (including a numerical estimate) and any sampling 

or other respondent selection method to be used. Data on the number of entities (e.g., 

establishments, state and local government units, households, or persons) in the universe 

covered by the collection and in the corresponding sample are to be provided in tabular form 

for the universe as a whole and for each of the strata in the proposed sample. Indicate 

expected response rates for the proposed sample. Indicate expected response rates for the 

collection as a whole. If the collection had been conducted previously, include the actual 

response rate achieved during the last collection.

Estimated Respondents Surveyed 

Year Estimated # 

of Pre-Docs

Estimated # of 

Post-Docs

1 500 100

2 520 105

3 540 110

The survey will be provided to all potential respondents. These respondents include the fellows 

who have been in their programs for at least an academic year but who have not been out of their 

programs for over 5 years. The estimated response rate is 75 percent. The list of fellows and their 

university email addresses will be first obtained from the director of each university pre- or 

postdoctoral program. As fellows leave their programs, they provide their new email address or 

their directors provide them. These emails will be used after the fellows have completed their 

programs and left their training universities.

Actual Response Rate from Most Recent Collection

Pre-Docs Post-Docs

75.5% 78.7%

Please note that some IES predoctoral fellows later became IES postdoctoral fellows. These 

individuals are counted as predoctoral fellows. 

2. Describe the procedures for the collection of information, including:

 Statistical methodology for stratification and sample selection.
2

 Estimation procedure.

 Degree of accuracy needed for the purpose described in the justification.

 Unusual problems requiring specialized sampling procedures, and

 Any use of periodic (less frequent than annual) data collection cycles to reduce burden.

No sampling is done. The survey will be emailed to all potential respondents and will be 

collected once a year. A census is being used because the populations of pre- and postdoctoral 

fellows are small enough to make a census survey manageable and to make a sample not reliable 

for subgroup findings. Fellows will be surveyed throughout their fellowships and for 5 years 

following the completion of their training programs and, for predoctoral fellows, their doctorate 

programs.

3. Describe methods to maximize response and to deal with issues of non-response. The 

accuracy and reliability of information collected must be shown to be adequate for intended 

uses. For collections based on sampling, a special justification must be provided for any 

collection that will not yield “reliable” data that can be generalized to the universe studied.

Response will be maximized through multiple avenues of contact: 

1) multiple emails from IES;

2) direct contact from the on-site director of the fellowship program; and, if needed,

3) phone contact from IES. 

A link to the online survey is sent by email, and responses are collected online.

In the case of non-response, a follow-up email will be sent 3 business days after the deadline of 

the survey and again 2 weeks after that. If there is no response within 2 weeks, an email check 

will be done to determine if the email address is correct. A third email will then be sent to the 

correct address 3 weeks after the second follow-up email. In addition, each pre- and postdoctoral 

program has a director based at the university. When there is non-response among a university’s 

fellows, the director will be asked to send a general reminder to all fellows to complete the 

survey. The director will not be informed which fellows have not responded. In addition, the 

director will not have access to fellows’ responses to the survey.

4. Describe any tests of procedures or methods to be undertaken. Testing is encouraged as an 

effective means of refining collections of information to minimize burden and improve 

utility. Tests must be approved if they call for answers to identical questions from 10 or 

more respondents. A proposed test or set of tests may be submitted for approval separately or 

in combination with the main collection of information.

The questions on the survey are drawn from two fellow satisfaction surveys that had been given 

in 2008 and that OMB determined needed to be converted into a survey. These satisfaction 
3

surveys were done with the same population using the procedure proposed here. The response 

rate was just over 70 percent. There will be no testing of the survey to be used in future years. 

5. Provide the name and telephone number of individuals consulted on statistical aspects of the 

design and the name of the agency unit, contractor(s), grantee(s), or other persons who will 

actually collect and/or analyze the information for the agency.

As the entire population is being surveyed, results are to be simple tabulations, and the persons 

analyzing the data have appropriate backgrounds, no additional consultation was done.

All predoctoral and postdoctoral surveys will be sent and collected by:

Dr. Meredith Larson

IES/NCER

(202) 219-2025

All NCER predoctoral and postdoctoral surveys will analyzed by: 

Dr. Meredith Larson

IES/NCER

(202) 219-2025

All NCSER postdoctoral surveys will analyzed by: 

Dr. Amy Sussman

IES/NCSER

(202) 219-2126
Annual IES Fellows Survey Cover Letter 

[INSERT DATE]

Dear IES [Special] Education Research Training Fellow, 

As part of our ongoing effort to assess the quality of the IES training programs and make 

improvements for future fellows, please following this link and fill in the online survey [INSERT 

LINK]. The survey should take on average 20 minutes to complete, and there is an option to 

save and return to it later. 

The survey is voluntary, and there are no repercussions for not providing any or all of the 

information requested. We request that you follow the link to acknowledge receipt of the 

invitation even if you choose to opt out of the full survey. Please see the Paperwork Reduction 

Act Burden Statement below.

In other words, your responses regarding the quality of the program will be kept confidential. 

All results will be presented at the group level only. Only IES staff will know your individual 

responses. Please see the Privacy Information below for full details.

Privacy Information:

Information collected for this study come under the confidentiality and data protection 

requirements of the Institute of Education Sciences (The Education Sciences Reform Act 

of 2002, Title I, Part E, Section 183). Information that could identify an individual or 

institution will be separated from the survey responses submitted, kept in secured 

locations, and be destroyed as soon as they are no longer required. Survey responses will 

be used only for research purposes. The reports prepared for the study will summarize 

findings across individuals and institutions and will not associate responses with a 

specific district, school, or person. The data collection activities will be conducted in 

compliance with the Privacy Act of 1974.

Paperwork Reduction Act Burden Statement:

According to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, no persons are required to respond 

to a collection of information unless such collection displays a valid OMB control 

number. Public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 

20 minutes per response, including time for reviewing instructions, searching existing 

data sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing 

the collection of information. The obligation to respond to this collection is voluntary. 

Send comments regarding the burden estimate or any other aspect of this collection of 

information, including suggestions for reducing this burden, to 

IESTrainingProgram@ed.gov and reference the OMB Control Number 1850-0873. 
Your responses are extremely important to us as we seek to ensure that the IES Education 

Research training programs are meeting their goals of providing high-quality, rigorous training 

in education research. The results of the survey will be used to both improve the fellowship 

program as well as to provide information on the program to policymakers, practitioners, and the 

public. 

Please complete you survey by [INSERT DATE], and please feel free to call or email me if you 

have any questions, concerns, or additional information that you would like to share. Thanks in 

advance for completing the survey! 

Best regards, 

[INSERT CONTACT] 
Annual IES Fellows Survey

Thank you for taking this survey. Please note that responses are optional and all information is kept 

confidential.

Information collected for this study come under the confidentiality and data protection 

requirements of the Institute of Education Sciences (The Education Sciences Reform Act of 2002, 

Title I, Part E, Section 183). Information that could identify an individual or institution will be 

separated from the survey responses submitted, kept in secured locations, and be destroyed as soon 

as they are no longer required. Survey responses will be used only for research purposes. The 

reports prepared for the study will summarize findings across individuals and institutions and will 

not associate responses with a specific district, school, or person.

I. Respondent Information

1. Name

2. Email address

3. Gender: Female / Male

4. Training site (name of university)

ONLY Predocs (5) to (13)

5. Home department (e.g., psychology, education, sociology)

6. Program/concentration (e.g., cognitive psychology, education policy, curriculum & 

instruction)

7. Dissertation advisor/Primary mentor

8. Date of entry into doctoral program (month/year)

9. Current year in doctoral program, if applicable (e.g., 1st, 2nd, 3rd) 

10. Date of entry into IES Predoctoral [Special] Education Research Training Program 

(month/year)

o Number years of your training that you have been or were supported by the IES 

Training Grant (e.g., 1, 2, 3) 

o Number of years that you were promised support by your training program

o Number of years that you were partially or fully supported by other funds 

(departmental funding, other fellowships, etc.) 

o If you received another fellowship, who was it from (e.g., your department, 

university, private foundation)? 

_______________________________________________

11. Date received or expected to receive doctoral degree (month/year)

12. Degree completed upon leaving or finishing program:

Ph.D. Ed.D. M.A./M.S./M.Ed. Other. Please specify: 

None

ONLY Postdocs (13) to (20)

13. Primary mentor

14. Date of entry into IES Postdoctoral Education Research Training Program (month/year)

15. Current year in program, if applicable (e.g., 1st, 2nd, 3rd)

16. Date left or finished program, if applicable (month/year)
1

17. Where did you complete your doctoral work? 

(Specify university and department)

18. Who was your graduate school dissertation advisor?

19. Degree completed Ph.D. Ed.D. Other. Please specify:

20. Year degree completed

Both Predocs and Postdocs (21) to (24)

Please note that all of these data are used strictly for statistical purposes and will not be used 

otherwise.

21. Do you have any physical, cognitive, developmental, or sensory issues that may impact your 

activities of daily living? No Yes

22. Citizenship status: U.S. Citizen Permanent Resident

23. Are you of Hispanic or Latino origin? No Yes

24. What is your race? (Check one or more)

American Indian or Alaska Native Asian

Black or African American Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander

White

II. Accomplishments During Fellowship Years

[for Predocs AND Posdocs]

1. What is the total number of research publications you have authored or co-authored since 

you began your fellowship? (Please include manuscripts that have been accepted for 

publication or are currently in press.)

Total Number ____

2. [Predocs] Please distinguish between the following:

Number directly related to education research and work you did as part of your training 

curriculum_____

Number related to other research (e.g., research within your primary department, research 

not directly related to education) ___

2. [Postdocs] Please distinguish between the following:

Number that were under review, in press, or being revised prior to your fellowship ____

Number that were revised or written during your fellowship (i.e., fellowship funds 

supported your time for the production of the manuscript) ___

Please attach a list with the citrates for published or in-press papers.

3. Other Notable Awards/Honors Received (Please list)
2

4. Dissertation Topic/Title [ONLY Predoc]

Please attach a one-page abstract of your dissertation to this survey.

III. Activities During the Fellowship Training 

[This entire section is new]

1) Please check the types of professional activities you engaged in as part of your fellowship 

activities. 

 Technical working group participant

 Peer-reviewer for a journal

 Peer-reviewer for a conference

 Editor for publication, including proceedings

 Consultant or advisor on education research project

 Mentor or advisor of graduate or undergraduate student(s)

 Clinical service (e.g., speech therapist)

 Department service (e.g., search committee)

 Teaching a course, seminar, or workshop

 Teaching assistant 

 Key personnel on an education research grant

 Key personnel on a non-education research grant

 Business/marketing activity (e.g., developing or selling educational software or 

curricula)

You may provide a short description of any of these activities or others that you feel were 

valuable professional activities this fellowship provided: [limit to 200 words] 

2) Please check the types of outreach and research activities involving education 

stakeholders (students, teachers, administrators, policymakers) that you participated in as 

part of the normal functions of your fellowship:

 Planning research activities (e.g., scheduling site visits, determining research questions)

 Conducting research (e.g., student focus groups, interviews, other data collection 

activities, data analysis activities)

 Research briefings to policymakers or practitioners

 Preparation, analysis, and translation of administrative data for practitioners or 

policymakers

 Presentation of research to parents, students, or general public

 Delivering content or relaying information through alternative venues, e.g., blogs, 

podcasts, social media (Facebook)

You may provide a short description of any of these activities or others that you feel were 

valuable outreach activities this fellowship provided: [limit to 200 words] 
3

IV. Satisfaction with Training Experience

How satisfied are you with the education research training you received during your IES 

Predoctoral/Postdoctoral [Special] Education Research Training fellowship? Please rate below.

Scale: (1) Very Dissatisfied, (2) Somewhat Dissatisfied, (3) Neither Satisfied nor Dissatisfied, (4) 

Somewhat Satisfied, (5) Very Satisfied

1. Specific training in relevant [special] education research content

2. Specific training in education research methodology & statistics

3. Opportunities for meaningful independent research in [special] education

4. Opportunities for meaningful interdisciplinary education research outside of your home 

department [ONLY predocs]

5. Opportunities to collaborate with researchers outside of your university

6. Opportunities to collaborate with education policymakers, practitioners, and other education 

stakeholders

7. Opportunities to publish

8. Opportunities to present at conferences

9. Opportunities to learn grant-writing

10. Overall preparation for obtaining future employment in [special] education research

11. Overall satisfaction with quality of mentoring received from primary mentor

12. Overall satisfaction with quality of training received

13. What do you feel was the most valuable element of your training program? And why?

[open field]

14. What suggestion(s) do you have for improving your particular training program and/or the 

IES training programs more broadly?

[open field]

V. Postfellowship Information

If you are in your last year of training or have concluded your training, please complete the 

following section:

Employment

1. Have you secured employment that will begin or has begun following completion of your 

IES Predoctoral/Postdoctoral [Special] Education Research Training Program?

No Yes

2. If you have secured employment, what type of institution are/will you be employed in?

University

4-year college

2-year college

Federal agency

State or Local Education Agency or other non-federal government office
4

Nonprofit

Private Research/Business

Practice/Direct service provider (e.g., teacher, administrator) including positions inside 

schools or other education settings

Other

3. If you have secured employment, what type of position do/will you hold?

Full-time faculty

Lecturer

Postdoctoral fellow

Research associate

Practice/Direct service

Other

4. If you have secured employment in which you will be involved in research activities (e.g., 

conducting research, analyzing data), what type of research is the focus on? Select all that 

apply.

Special education research

General education research

Other research (education outcomes are not primary outcomes of interest)

Not Applicable

5. If you have secured employment, please complete the following information regarding the 

positions you have held:

(1) Position Title and Institution

 Dates of Employment

(2) Position Title and Institution

Dates of Employment

(3) Position Title and Institution

Dates of Employment

Professional Activities

6. Please check the types of professional activities you have engaged in as a part of your 

current, position if you have secured employment:

 Technical working group participant

 Peer-reviewer for a journal

 Peer-reviewer for a conference

 Editor for publication, including proceedings

 Consultant or advisor on education research project

 Mentor or advisor of graduate or undergraduate student(s)

 Clinical service (e.g., speech therapist)

 Department service (e.g., search committee)

 Teaching a course, seminar, or workshop
5

 Teaching assistant 

 Key personnel on an education research grant

 Key personnel on a non-education research grant

 Business/marketing activity (e.g., developing or selling educational software or 

curricula)

7. Please check the types of outreach and research activities involving education 

stakeholders (students, teachers, administrators, policymakers) that you participated in as a 

part of your current, position if you have secured employment:

 Planning research activities (e.g., scheduling site visits, determining research questions)

 Conducting research (e.g., student focus groups, interviews, other data collection 

activities, data analysis activities)

 Research briefings to policymakers or practitioners

 Preparation, analysis, and translation of administrative data for practitioners or 

policymakers

 Presentation of research to parents, students, or general public

 Delivering content or relaying information through alternative venues, e.g., blogs, 

podcasts, social media (Facebook)

8. Please rate how frequently you collaborate or work with, or provide information for, the 

following stakeholders as a part of your current position. The Institute appreciates that 

not all types of research will require collaboration with each of the following groups. 

Students

Never __ Rarely __ Occasionally __ Frequently __

Parents

Never __ Rarely __ Occasionally __ Frequently __

Teachers/Practitioners/Other school personnel 

Never __ Rarely __ Occasionally __ Frequently __

Administrators

Never __ Rarely __ Occasionally __ Frequently __

Policymakers

Never __ Rarely __ Occasionally __ Frequently __

Grant Activity 

9. In the past year, have you submitted a proposal for research funding to any government 

agencies, foundations, professional associations, or other organizations?

__ Yes _No

If “yes”, which ones? [OPEN FIELD] 
6

10. If you have received funding for a grant on which you were the P.I. or Co-PI, please 

provide the following information:

Grant title:

Funding agency:

[allow for multiple entries]

11. If you have submitted a grant proposal to IES, please provide the following information. 

List only up to the five most recent applications:

Role: PI, Co-PI, Key Personnel (Specify)

Date of submission:

Title of submission:

Topic and Goal of submission:

Funded (yes/no):

If funded, grant performance dates:

12. If you have not yet submitted a grant proposal to IES as either P.I. or Co-P.I., do you plan to 

submit one? Expected timeframe for submission of proposal:

The IES Requests for Application (RFA) for [Special] Education Research (84.305A/84.324A) 

represent multiple topic areas, which are further divided into project goals 

(http://ies.ed.gov/funding). Please check topic areas and goals to which you have applied or are 

planning to apply. (If none, leave blank.) [NOTE: the names of these may change over time and 

would need to be updated.]

13. Topic:

Have 

applied

Planning 

to apply

Cognition and Student Learning

Early Childhood Programs and Policies

Education Technology

Effective Teachers and Effective Teaching

English Learners

Improving Education Systems: Policies, Organization, Management, 

and Leadership

Mathematics and Science Education

Postsecondary and Adult Education

Reading and Writing Education

Social & Behavioral Context for Academic Learning

Special Education Research

13b. Topic:

Have 

applied

Planning 

to apply

Autism Spectrum Disorders
7

Cognition and Student Learning in Special Education

Early Intervention and Early Childhood Special Education

Families of Children with Disabilities

Mathematics and Science Education

Reading, Writing, and Language Development

Professional Development for Teachers or Related Services Providers

Social and Behavioral Outcomes to Support Learning

Special Education Policy, Finance, and Systems

Teacher Quality

Technology for Special Education

Transition Outcomes for Secondary Students with Disabilities

14. Goal:

Have 

applied

Planning 

to apply

Exploration 

Development and Innovation 

Efficacy and Replication 

Effectiveness

Measurement 

15. Below is a list of other IES research programs. Please check programs to which you have 

applied or are planning to apply. (If none, leave blank.)

[NOTE: the names of these may change over time and would need to be updated.]

Have 

applied

Planning 

to apply

Continuous Improvement Research in Education

Evaluation of State and Local Education Programs and Policies

Methods Training for Education Research

Researcher-Practitioner Partnerships in Education Research

Small Business Innovation and Research 

Statistical and Research Methodology (as competed in 84.305D)

Training in Education Research Use and Practice

V. Accomplishments Since Your Fellowship Ended

1. What is the total number of research publications you have authored or co-authored since 

you completed your fellowship? (Please include manuscripts that have been accepted for 

publication or are currently in press.)

Total Number ____

Please attach a list with the citrates for published or in-press papers.
8

2. Notable Awards/Honors Received (Please list)