Note: You MUST contact your state agency for regulations that are specific to your state. The sampling size method you use MUST be approved by your state agency.
There are three sampling methods available. Usually you are required to use the standard sampling method unless you are approved to use one of the alternate methods.
Standard (formally known as Basic)
What is the sample size? The sample size equals the lesser of:
•Three percent (3%) of all applications approved by the LEA as of October 1 of the school year, selected from error prone applications.
•3,000 of all applications approved by the LEA as of October 1 of the school year, selected from error prone applications.
How are the applications selected?
•Selected from error prone applications first.
•If the number of selected error prone applications is less than the required sample size, then additional applications are selected at random from all approved applications (both income-based and categorical) to complete the required sample size.
Alternate 1 (formerly known as Random)
What is the sample size? The sample size equals the lesser of:
•Three percent (3%) of all applications selected at random from all applications approved by the LEA as of October 1 of the school year.
•3,000 of all applications selected at random from all applications approved by the LEA as of October 1 of the school year.
How are the applications selected?
Selected at random from all eligible applications.
Alternate 2 (formally known as Focused)
What is the sample size? The sample size equals the lesser of:
•One percent (1%) of all applications approved by the LEA as of October 1 of the school year, selected from error prone applications.
•1,000 of all applications approved by the LEA as of October 1 of the school year, selected from error prone applications.
PLUS the lessor of:
•One-half of one percent (½%) of applications approved by the LEA as of October 1 of the school year that provide a case number in lieu of income information.
•500 applications approved by the LEA as of October 1 of the school year that provide a case number in lieu of income information.
How are the applications selected?
•Selected from error prone applications and categorical applications to meet individual criteria.
•If any of the requirements for the number of applications is not met, then additional applications are selected at random from all approved applications, excluding error prone and categorical applications, to complete the required sample size.