Notice2026-02127
Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the Office of Management and Budget for Review and Approval; Comment Request; Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS 2027) Main Study International Questionnaire
Primary source
Metadata and text below are from the Federal Register, a public-domain U.S. government work. Always verify the official published version before relying on it for any legal matter.
Published
February 3, 2026
Issuing agencies
Education Department
Abstract
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995, the Department is proposing a revision of a currently approved information collection request (ICR).
Full Text
<html>
<head>
<title>Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 22 (Tuesday, February 3, 2026)</title>
</head>
<body><pre>
[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 22 (Tuesday, February 3, 2026)]
[Notices]
[Pages 4908-4909]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-02127]
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
[Docket No.: ED-2025-SCC-0910]
Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the
Office of Management and Budget for Review and Approval; Comment
Request; Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS
2027) Main Study International Questionnaire
AGENCY: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), Institute of
Education Sciences (IES), Department of Education (ED).
ACTION: Notice.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995,
the Department is proposing a revision of a currently approved
information collection request (ICR).
DATES: Interested persons are invited to submit comments on or before
March 5, 2026.
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 <a href="http://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain">www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain</a> 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.
<a href="http://Reginfo.gov">Reginfo.gov</a> 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
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 Matt Soldner, 202-453-7441.
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
[[Page 4909]]
response to this notice will be considered public records.
Title of Collection: Trends in International Mathematics and
Science Study (TIMSS 2027) Main Study International Questionnaire.
OMB Control Number: 1850-0695.
Type of Review: A revision of a currently approved ICR.
Respondents/Affected Public: Individuals; State, Local, and Tribal
Governments.
Total Estimated Number of Annual Responses: 19,236.
Total Estimated Number of Annual Burden Hours: 8,047.
Abstract: The Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study
(TIMSS), conducted by the National Center for Education Statistics
(NCES), within the U.S. Department of Education (ED), is an
international assessment of fourth and eighth grade students'
achievement in mathematics and science. Since its inception in 1995,
TIMSS has continued to assess students every 4 years. The next TIMSS
assessment, TIMSS 2027, will be the ninth iteration of the study. The
United States will participate in TIMSS 2027 to continue to monitor the
progress of its students compared to that of other nations and to
provide data on factors that may influence student achievement.
TIMSS is led by the International Association for the Evaluation of
Educational Achievement (IEA), an international collective of research
organizations and government agencies that create the frameworks used
to develop the assessment, the survey instruments, and the study
timeline. IEA decides and agrees upon a common set of standards,
procedures, and timelines for collecting and reporting data, all of
which must be followed by all participating countries. As a result,
TIMSS can provide a reliable and comparable measure of student skills
in participating countries. In the U.S., NCES conducts this study in
collaboration with the IEA and contractors to ensure proper
implementation of the study and adoption of practices in adherence to
the IEA's standards. Participation in TIMSS is consistent with NCES's
mandate of acquiring and disseminating data on educational activities
and student achievement in the United States compared with foreign
nations [The Educational Sciences Reform Act of 2002 (ESRA 2002, 20
U.S.C. 9543)].
Because TIMSS is a collaborative effort among many parties, the
United States must adhere to the international schedule set forth by
the IEA, including the availability of final field test and main study
plans as well as draft and final questionnaires. Recruitment activities
for the main study are expected to begin in May 2026, with the data
collection activities currently scheduled to begin in March 2027.
This package solicits 30 days of public comment and requests OMB
approval for the final international version of the main study
questionnaires. Adaptation activities to fit the questionnaire text
into the U.S. education context are currently underway. The U.S.
questionnaires for the main study will be submitted via non-substantive
change request in January 2027.
Ross Santy,
Chief Data Officer, Office of Planning, Evaluation and Policy
Development.
[FR Doc. 2026-02127 Filed 2-2-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4000-01-P
</pre></body>
</html>Indexed from Federal Register on February 3, 2026.
This is legal information, not legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and change frequently. Always verify current law with official sources and consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction for advice on your specific situation.