[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 231 (Monday, December 4, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 84134-84135]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-26693]


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DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

[Docket No.: ED-2023-SCC-0161]


Evaluation of the REL Appalachia Teaching Math to Young Children 
Toolkit

AGENCY: Institute of Education Sciences (IES), Department of Education 
(ED).

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995, 
the Department is proposing a new information collection request (ICR).

DATES: Interested persons are invited to submit comments on or before 
January 3, 2024.

ADDRESSES: Written comments and recommendations for proposed 
information collection requests should be submitted within 30 days of 
publication of this notice. Click on this link www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain to access the site. Find this information collection request 
(ICR) by selecting ``Department of Education'' under ``Currently Under 
Review,'' then check the ``Only Show ICR for Public Comment'' checkbox. 
Reginfo.gov provides two links to view documents related to this 
information collection request. Information collection forms and 
instructions may be found by clicking on the ``View Information

[[Page 84135]]

Collection (IC) List'' link. Supporting statements and other supporting 
documentation may be found by clicking on the ``View Supporting 
Statement and Other Documents'' link.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For specific questions related to 
collection activities, please contact Amy Johnson, 202-453-7439.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Department is especially interested in 
public comment addressing the following issues: (1) is this collection 
necessary to the proper functions of the Department; (2) will this 
information be processed and used in a timely manner; (3) is the 
estimate of burden accurate; (4) how might the Department enhance the 
quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and 
(5) how might the Department minimize the burden of this collection on 
the respondents, including through the use of information technology. 
Please note that written comments received in response to this notice 
will be considered public records.
    Title of Collection: Evaluation of the REL Appalachia Teaching Math 
to Young Children Toolkit.
    OMB Control Number: 1850-NEW.
    Type of Review: New ICR.
    Respondents/Affected Public: Individuals or Households.
    Total Estimated Number of Annual Responses: 320.
    Total Estimated Number of Annual Burden Hours: 95.
    Abstract: Mathematics knowledge acquired in early childhood 
provides a critical foundation for long-term student success in math as 
well as reading (Duncan et al., 2007; Watts et al., 2014), but the 
professional development (PD) and curricular support for preschool 
teachers often lack specific content and training on high-quality math 
instruction delivered by math content experts. To address this problem, 
the REL Appalachia toolkit development team is developing a toolkit to 
provide preschool teachers with support in implementing core teaching 
practices essential to promoting early math skills and knowledge in 
children. The toolkit is based on the Teaching Math to Young Children 
IES practice guide (Frye et al., 2013) and is being developed in 
collaboration with state and district partners in Virginia.
    IES requests clearance for activities to support the recruitment of 
schools and districts to participate in an efficacy study of the 
toolkit as part of the REL Appalachia contract. A second OMB package, 
which will be submitted later this year, will request clearance for 
data collection instruments and the collection of district 
administrative data.
    The study will assess the efficacy of the professional development 
resources included in the toolkit. The evaluation will also assess how 
teachers implement the toolkit to provide context for the efficacy 
findings and guidance to improve the toolkit and its future use. The 
evaluation will take place in 50 schools across approximately 10 school 
divisions in Virginia and focus on mathematics teaching practices and 
student mathematics knowledge and skills in preschool classrooms. The 
purpose of this study will be to measure the efficacy and 
implementation of the REL AP-developed toolkit designed to improve 
teacher practice and preschool students' math learning outcomes. The 
toolkit evaluation will produce a report for district and school 
leaders who are considering strategies to improve math learning in 
preschool. The report will be designed to help them decide whether and 
how to use the toolkit to help them implement the practice guide 
recommendations.

    Dated: November 30, 2023.
Juliana Pearson,
PRA Coordinator, Strategic Collections and Clearance, Governance and 
Strategy Division, Office of Chief Data Officer, Office of Planning, 
Evaluation and Policy Development.
[FR Doc. 2023-26693 Filed 12-1-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4000-01-P