Teacher (Training Participant) Survey Grade 5 Math

UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA AT GREENSBORO
Teacher Observation and Interview
CONSENT TO ACT AS A HUMAN PARTICIPANT
Project Title: The Evaluation of the Alabama Math, Science and Technology Initiative
Co-PIs: Dr. Denis Newman, Dr. Harold Wenglinsky
Participant's Name: _____________________________
DESCRIPTION AND EXPLANATION OF PROCEDURES: The purpose of the
evaluation is to assess, through a randomized controlled experiment, whether AMSTI has
a positive effect on classroom practice and student test scores. The participant has been
selected to be part of the study from a stratified random sample of 4th through 8th grade
math and science teachers in AMSTI schools. The participant will be involved in two
sets of procedures, a classroom/teacher observation and a teacher interview. The
classroom/teacher observation will involve an observer sitting through a class devoted to
AMSTI math and/or science activities. The content, pedagogical technique, and other
aspects of classroom behavior will be observed and recorded through note taking. The
purpose of the observation is not to evaluate the teacher, but to understand how AMSTI is
implemented in Alabama’s classrooms. The teacher interview will occur following the
classroom/teacher observation and consist of two parts: (1) a mutual debriefing of the
observation and (2) open-ended questions about the teacher’s background, instructional
practices and the impact of AMSTI. The observation will last the length of the
instructional session, estimated to last on average 45 minutes. The follow-up interview
will last no more than 20 minutes.
RISKS AND DISCOMFORTS: The teacher will not be expected to conduct the class in
any way differently than if the observer were not present, but naturally the teacher may
feel some additional stress from being observed. That stress will be minimized through
the researcher’s emphasizing that the observation is not to evaluate the teacher but to gain
a picture of how AMSTI is implemented in classrooms.
POTENTIAL BENEFITS: The teacher will receive a stipend in recognition of his/her
contribution to the study. The debriefing portion of the teacher interview will provide the
teacher the opportunity to reflect on whether he or she met the goals for the lesson. This
increased reflectivity thus may be a positive benefit. Also, a sense that the system cares
enough about what teachers are doing with AMSTI to send an evaluator is probably
reassuring to teachers. And, in general, the observation will permit AMSTI researchers
to understand the nature of AMSTI classroom practices, and fidelity to the policy and
program goals of AMSTI.
COMPENSATION/TREATMENT FOR INJURY: There is no risk of injury as a result of
the observation or interview.

CONSENT: By signing this consent form, the participant agrees that he/she understands
the procedures and any risks and benefits involved in this research. He/she is free to
refuse to participate or to withdraw consent to participate in this research at any time
without penalty or prejudice; participation is entirely voluntary. He/she is also free to ask
any questions, either before or after the observation and interview. His/her privacy will
be protected because his/her identity will not be disclosed, except to researchers involved
in the project, and any reports or publications that result from the study will be written to
prevent his/her being identifiable and his/her school from being identifiable. All
individually identifiable data resulting from this observation and interview will be stored
for a maximum of ten years in a secure location and then destroyed by shredding.
The University of North Carolina at Greensboro Institutional Review Board, which
insures that research involving people follows federal regulations, has approved the
research and this consent form. Questions regarding participant rights in this project can
be answered by calling Mr. Eric Allen at (336) 256-1482. Questions regarding the
research itself will be answered by calling Denis Newman at 1-888-486-8886 x 127 or
Harold Wenglinsky at (212) 367-4615. Any new information that develops during the
project will be provided to the participant if the information might affect his/her
willingness to continue participation in the project.
Signing this form constitutes agreement to participate in the as project described by
_______________.
____________________________________
Participant's Signature*

______________
Date