2006-2007 Original Study AMSTI Teacher Interview Protoco

OMB Number: xxxx-xxxx

Expiration Date: xx/xx/07

Appendix F

AMSTI Teacher Interview Protocol

Name of Teacher: _____________________

AMSTI Lead Teacher: ___ Yes ____ No

Type of Class Observed: _______________

School Name:_________________________

Interviewer Name: ____________________

Date of Interview:_____________________

Did Teacher attend the AMSTI Summer 2006 Summer Institute? ___ Yes ___ No

The collection of information in this study is authorized by Public Law 107-279 Education Sciences Reform Act of 2002, Title I, Part C, Sec. 151(b) and Sec. 153(a). Participation is voluntary. You may skip questions you do not wish to answer; however, we hope that you will answer as many questions as you can. Your responses are protected from disclosure by federal statute (PL 107-279 Title I, Part C, Sec. 183). All responses that relate to or describe identifiable characteristics of individuals may be used only for

statistical purposes and may not be disclosed, or used, in identifiable form for any other purpose, unless otherwise compelled by law. Data will be combined to produce statistical reports. No individual data that links your name, school name, address, telephone number, or identification number with your responses will be included in the statistical reports.

According to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, no persons are required to respond to a collection of information unless it displays a valid OMB control number.  The valid OMB control number for this information collection is XXXX-XXXX (expiration date: XX/XX/07).  The time required to complete this information collection is estimated to average 20 minutes, including the time to review instructions, search existing data resources, gather the data needed, and complete the information collection.  If you have any comments concerning the accuracy of the time estimate or suggestions for improving this form, please contact: the Department of Education 50 North Ripley Street PO Box 302101 Montgomery, AL 36104.  If you have comments or concerns regarding the status of your individual submission, e-mail directly to: rsawyer@aed.org.

INTRODUCTION

Thank you for agreeing to be interviewed. We are conducting brief interviews with teachers who were trained in AMSTI as part of a study of AMSTI. I would like to ask you a few questions about your classroom instruction in (math/science) and your use of the AMSTI program and materials. We would like to offer you a gift card in appreciation for your participation in the interview. Is this a good time for a 15-20 minute interview? If not, when can we reschedule?

The interviews we are conducting are intended to provide us with teachers’ perspectives about their experiences implementing AMSTI, student learning and achievement from AMSTI, and any additional training or assistance needed relevant to using AMSTI.

Your responses to the interview are completely confidential. Your responses will not be disclosed to anyone in this school. Data from the interviews of all teachers we are interviewing in a number of schools will be combined. Your responses will not be connected to you or your school.

Do you have any questions before we begin?

INTERVIEW QUESTIONS

I. Instructional Practices

1. What comments do you have about the lesson you taught that I observed earlier? (Note to Interviewer: Skip this question if teacher’s classroom was not observed).

Probes: Was it a typical lesson? Did my presence alter your instruction in any way? If so, how?

2. How would you describe your overall experience with using the AMSTI materials and instructional strategies?

Probes: What has worked well? What has been challenging?

3. How have you integrated, if at all, AMSTI materials and instructional strategies with other curricula materials?

4. How have you integrated technology into your (math/science) instruction?

Probes: Are there specific AMSTI program tools or technologies that have been particularly useful? Were there ways you increased or enhanced students’ use of the computer or other technological tools?

5. How much opportunity have you had to use AMSTI?

Probes: About what percent of your total instructional time in (math or science) have you used the AMSTI program and materials?

II. Student Response

6. To what extent have your students been engaged (e.g., attentive, interested) in the AMSTI instruction and materials?

Probe: How would you describe their level of engagement? What have students liked? What have students not liked so much? Has student engagement varied among different types of students (e.g., English Language Learners, students with disabilities)?

III. Training and/or Technical Assistance Needs

7. What additional training, if any, in AMSTI or in providing math/science instruction would you like to receive?

Probes: Training in specific math or science content? Instructional strategies? Assessment methods?

8. What types (if any) of support, assistance, or coaching on implementing AMSTI, following participation in the 2006 Summer AMSTI Institute have you received?

Probes: Worked with the AMSTI lead teacher in their school (if interviewee is not the lead)?

9. How has this support, assistance, or coaching been helpful to you?

10. What additional support, assistance, or coaching, if any, would be beneficial to you to maximize your effectiveness to implement AMSTI?

Probes: Mentoring from more experienced teachers? More support from school principal?

IV. Closing

11. What other comments do you have about your experiences with AMSTI?

Thank you very much for participating in this interview. Your responses will assist us in designing and providing future professional development to teachers.

3

R

egional Educational Laboratory