2010 National Assessment of Education Progress (NAEP) Wave 1

THE NATIONAL ASSESSMENT OF
EDUCATIONAL PROGRESS

Wave 1 Submittal for 2010
VOLUME II
Part 2g
BACKGROUND QUESTIONS
FOR 2010 ASSESSMENT

Teacher Grade 8 Writing
Part I-BET (Background, Education, and Training) Questions
Part II- Writing Questions

Part 2g contains:
Teacher Grade 8 Writing Questions
The amount of time estimated to complete this form is 20 minutes.

Updated June 11, 2009

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TEACHER QUESTIONNAIRES
OMB Information on Teacher Questionnaire
Cover Page
Paperwork Burden Statement
According to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, no persons are
required to respond to a collection of information unless such collection
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suggestions for improving this form, please write to: U.S. Department
of Education, Washington, D.C. 20202-4537. If you have comments or
concerns regarding the status of your individual submission of this
form, write directly to: NAEP/NCES, U.S. Department of Education,
1990 K Street N.W., Washington, D.C. 20006-5651.
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OMB No. 1850-0790 Approval Expires 05/31/2010

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Teacher BET (Background, Education, and Training) Questionnaire
Grade 8
Section 3

This section has 17 questions. Mark you answers in your booklet. Fill in only one oval
for each question except where instructed otherwise.
VB331330

1. Are you Hispanic or Latino? Fill in one or more ovals. [4/8]
A

No, I am not Hispanic or Latino.

B Yes, I am Mexican, Mexican American, or Chicano.
C Yes, I am Puerto Rican or Puerto Rican American.
D Yes, I am Cuban or Cuban American.
E Yes, I am from some other Hispanic or Latino background.

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2. Which of the following best describes you? Fill in one or more ovals. [4/8]
A White
B Black or African American
C Asian
D American Indian or Alaska Native
E Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander

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VB337243

3. Counting this year, how many years have you worked as an elementary or
secondary teacher? If less than 4 months total experience, enter “00.” [8]
___ ___ Years

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4. Counting this year, how many years have you taught reading, writing, or
language arts in grades 6 through 12? If less than 4 months total experience, enter
“00.” [8]
___ ___ Years

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5. Did you enter teaching through an alternative certification program? [4/8]
(An alternative program is a program that was designed to expedite the transition
of non-teachers to a teaching career, for example, a state, district, or university
alternative certification program.)
A Yes
B No

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VC309874

6. What type of teaching certificate do you hold in the state where you currently
teach? [4/8]
A Regular or standard state certificate or advanced professional certificate
Æ Skip to Question 8.
B Certificate issued after satisfying all requirements except the completion
of a probationary period Æ Go to Question 7.
C Certificate that requires some additional coursework, student teaching,
or passage of a test before regular certification can be obtained Æ Go to
Question 7.
D Certificate issued to persons who must complete a certification program
in order to continue teaching Æ Go to Question 7.
E I do not hold any of the above certificates in the state where I currently
teach Æ Go to Question 7.
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7. Do you hold a currently valid regular or standard certification from a state other
than the one in which you are currently teaching? [4/8]
A Yes
B No

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8. This school year, are you a Highly Qualified Teacher (HQT) according to your
state’s requirements? [4/8]
(Generally, to be Highly Qualified, teachers must meet requirements related to 1)
a bachelor’s degree, 2) full state certification, and 3) demonstrate competency in
the subject area(s) taught. The HQT requirement is a provision under the No
Child Left Behind (NCLB) Act.)
A Yes
B I meet my state’s requirements for a Highly Qualified Teacher in at least
one subject that I teach.
C No

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VC309891

9. Are you certified by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards in at
least one content area? [4/8]
(The National Board for Professional Teaching Standards is a nongovernmental
organization that administers National Board certification, a voluntary national
assessment program that certifies teachers who meet high professional standards.
In order to gain certification, the candidate must at least complete a portfolio of
classroom practice and pass one or more tests of content knowledge.)
A Yes, I am fully certified by the National Board for Professional Teaching
Standards.
B I am working towards my National Board certification.
C No
HE001012

10. What is the highest academic degree you hold? [4/8]
A High-school diploma
B Associate’s degree/vocational certification
C Bachelor’s degree
D Master’s degree
E Education specialist’s or professional diploma based on at least one year’s
work past master’s degree
F Doctorate
G Professional degree (e.g., M.D., LL.B., J.D., D.D.S.)

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VB333658

11. Did you have a major, minor, or special emphasis in any of the following subjects
as part of your undergraduate coursework? Fill in one oval on each line. [4/8]
Yes, a
major

Yes, a minor or
special emphasis

No

a. Reading, language arts, or
literacy education

A

B

C

b. English

A

B

C

c. Other language arts-related
subject

A

B

C

d. Elementary or secondary
education

A

B

C

e. Special education (including
students with disabilities)

A

B

C

f. English-language learning

A

B

C

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Grade 8 -Part 2 of 3

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VB378391

VB378392
VB378394

VB595189

NEW

NEW

VB345619

12. Did you have a major, minor, or special emphasis in any of the following subjects
as part of your graduate coursework? Fill in one oval on each line. [4/8]

a. Reading, language arts, or
literacy education
b. English
c. Other language arts-related
subject
d. Elementary or secondary
education
e. Special education (including
students with disabilities)
f. English-language learning

2010 OMB Wave 1
Grade 8 -Part 2 of 3

Yes, a
major
A

Yes, a minor or
special emphasis
B

C

A
A

B
B

C
C

A

B

C

A

B

C

A

B

C

57

No
VB378395
VB378396
VB378398
VB595190
NEW
NEW

VC310636

13. Consider all of the professional development activities you participated in during
the last two years. To what extent did you learn about each of the following
topics? Fill in one oval on each line. [8]
Not at
all

Small
extent

Moderate
extent

Large
extent

a. How students learn
English/language arts

A

B

C

D

b. Content standards in
English/language arts

A

B

C

D

A

B

C

D

A

B

C

D

A

B

C

D

A

B

C

D

A

B

C

D

c. Curricular materials available
in English/language arts
(units, texts)
d. Instructional methods for
teaching English/language
arts
e. Methods for assessing
students in English/language
arts
f. Preparation of students for
district and state assessments
g. Strategies for teaching
English/language arts to
students from diverse
backgrounds (including
English language learners)

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VC310661

VC310705

VC310706

VC310707

VC310708

VC310710

VC310711

VB482598

14. During the last two years, did you participate in or lead any of the following
professional development activities related to the teaching of reading, writing,
or literature? Fill in one oval on each line. [8]
Yes

No

a. College course taken after your first certification

A

B

b. Workshop or training session

A

B

c. Conference or professional association meeting

A

B

d. Observational visit to another school

A

B

e. Mentoring and/or peer observation and coaching as part
of a formal arrangement

A

B

f. Committee or task force focusing on curriculum,
instruction, or student assessment

A

B

g. Regularly scheduled discussion or study group

A

B

h. Teacher collaborative or network (such as one organized
by an outside agency or over the Internet)

A

B

i. Individual or collaborative research

A

B

j. Independent reading on a regular basis (for example,
educational journals, books, or the Internet)

A

B

k. Co-teaching/team teaching

A

B

l. Consultation with language arts specialist

A

B

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VB482599
VB482600
VB482601
VB482642
VB482643

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VB482645
VB482646

VB482647
VB482648

VB482649
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VC191232

15. During the past two years, have you received training from any source in any of
the following areas? Fill in one oval on each line. [4/8]
No, I am
already
proficient.

No, I have
not.

Yes

a. Basic computer training

A

B

C

b. Software applications

A

B

C

c. Use of the Internet

A

B

C

A

B

C

A

B

C

d. Use of other technology—for
example, satellite access, wireless
Web, interactive video,
closed-circuit television,
videoconferencing
e. Integration of computers and
other technology into classroom
instruction

VC191233
VC191234
VC191235
VC191237

VC191238

VB595191

16. Do you have special leadership responsibilities for reading or language arts
education at your school (for example, responsibilities as a mentor teacher, lead
teacher, resource specialist, departmental chair, or master teacher)? [8]
A Yes
B No

VC304724

17. During the last two years have you participated in activities associated with
school improvement efforts directed at issues such as adequate yearly progress
and state accountability standards? [4/8]
A Yes
B No

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Teacher Questionnaire
Writing — Grade 8
This section has 15 questions. Mark your answers in your booklet. Fill in only one oval
for each question except where instructed otherwise.
1. To what extent do you use each of the following technological resources for writing
instruction? Fill in one oval on each line. (New) [4/8]

a. Desktop computer
b. Laptop computer
c. Tablet PC (notebook-like
computer that allows users to
write or draw through the use of
a stylus or touch-screen
d. Hand-held computer (e.g.,
personal digital assistant)
e. Digital projector (device that
connects to a computer to
display presentations, or
demonstrate lessons, such as an
LCD)
f. CD-ROM, DVD-ROM
g. Online software
h. Digital music device (pocketsized music player used to listen
to or create audio files, such as
an MP3 player)
i. Cable/satellite/closed-circuit
television
j. Online content (e.g., Podcasts, or
Streaming Videos)

2010 OMB Wave 1
Grade 8 -Part 2 of 3

Not at
all

Small
extent

Moderate
extent

Large
extent

A
A
A

B
B
B

C
C
C

D
D
D

NEW

A

B

C

D

NEW

A

B

C

D

NEW

A
A
A

B
B
B

C
C
C

D
D
D

NEW

A

B

C

D

NEW

A

B

C

D

NEW

61

NEW
NEW

NEW
NEW

2. Which statement best describes computer availability for your writing
instruction? (New) [4/8]
A There is no computer for student use.
B There is one computer shared by all students.
C More than three students share one computer.
D Two or three students share one computer.
D Each student has a computer.

3. Do you have access to the Internet when you teach writing to your students?
(New) [4/8]
A Yes, always
B Yes, sometimes
C No

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4. How often do you ask your students to do the following when you ask them to
write about something? Fill in one oval on each line. [4/8]

a. Explain (for
example, provide
information about a
topic or steps in a
process)
b. Persuade (for
example, convince
someone to do
something)
c. Convey experience
(for example, write
about personal or
imagined
experiences)

2010 OMB Wave 1
Grade 8 -Part 2 of 3

Never or
hardly ever

Sometimes

Very often

Always or
almost always

A

B

C

D

A

B

C

D

A

B

C

D

62

NEW

NEW

NEW

5. How often do you ask your students to write to each of the following audiences?
Fill in one oval on each line. (New) [4/8]

a. Family
members
b. School officials
c. Other students
d. Community
organizations
e. Government
officials
f. Businesses
g. Other (please
specify):
____________
____________

Never or hardly
ever

A few times a
year

Once or
twice a
month

At least once a
week

A

B

C

D

A
A
A

B
B
B

C
C
C

D
D
D

A

B

C

D

A
A

B
B

C
C

D
D

NEW
NEW
NEW
NEW
NEW
NEW
NEW

6. How often do you ask your students to write the following? Fill in one oval on
each line. (New) [4/8]

a. Informational
essays
b. Letters
c. Speeches
d. Personal essays
e. Stories
f. Poems
g. Journal entries
h. Editorials
i. Book reviews
j. Multi-step
instructions
k. Song lyrics

2010 OMB Wave 1
Grade 8 -Part 2 of 3

Never or hardly
ever

A few times a
year

Once or
twice a
month

At least once a
week

A

B

C

D

A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A

B
B
B
B
B
B
B
B
B

C
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
C

D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D

A

B

C

D

63

NEW
NEW
NEW
NEW
NEW
NEW
NEW
NEW
NEW
NEW
NEW

7. How often do you allow your students to choose the form (e.g., stories, poems,
essays, etc.) they use in a writing assignment? (New) [4/8]
A Never
B Less than half of the time
C About half of the time
D More than half of the time

8. Overall, what percentage of your instructional time teaching writing is spent on
each of the following? Fill in one oval on each line. (New) [4/8]

a. Development of
ideas
b. Organization of
ideas
c. Effectiveness of
expression (e.g.,
sentence variety,
word choice, and
tone)
d. Mechanics and
conventions (e.g.,
spelling, grammar,
and punctuation)
e. Other (please
specify):
_______________
_______________

2010 OMB Wave 1
Grade 8 -Part 2 of 3

0%

1-5%

6-10%

11-25%

26-50%

51-75%

76-90%

Over
90%

A

B

C

D

E

F

G

H

NEW

A

B

C

D

E

F

G

H

NEW

A

B

C

D

E

F

G

H

NEW

A

B

C

D

E

F

G

H

NEW

A

B

C

D

E

F

G

H

NEW

64

9. During the past two years, how often did you participate in any of the following
professional development activities related to the teaching of writing? Fill in one
oval on each line. (New) [4/8]

a. College course taken
after your first
certification
b. Conference or
professional
association meeting
c. Observational visit to
another school or
classroom
d. Mentoring and/or
peer observation and
coaching
e. Writing activities that
are a part of national
writing initiatives

Never or hardly
ever

A few
times a
year

Once or
twice
a month

At least once
a week

A

B

C

D

NEW

A

B

C

D

NEW

A

B

C

D

NEW

A

B

C

D

NEW

A

B

C

D

NEW

10. During the past two years, which describes your participation in workshops or
training sessions on writing? (New) [4/8]
A I did not attend any workshops about writing.
B I attended workshops that met for less than a day.
C I attended workshops that met for a full day.
D I attended workshops that met for more than one day.

VE032921

11. During the past two years, have you written outside of school for publication or
public presentation? [4/8]
A Yes
B No

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12. How often do you ask your students to do the following when you ask them to
write about something? Fill in one oval on each line. (New) [4/8]

a. Use a computer for
drafting and revising
their writing
b. Use a computer to
complete writing that is
usually started by hand
c. Use word processing
tools to check spelling
or use a dictionary or
thesaurus
d. Use the Internet to get
information for their
writing
e. Assess their own
writing by using a
specific rubric
f. Assess the writing of
other students by using
rubrics

Never or
hardly ever

Sometimes

Very
often

Always or
almost always

A

B

C

D

NEW

A

B

C

D

NEW

A

B

C

D

NEW

A

B

C

D

NEW

A

B

C

D

NEW

A

B

C

D

NEW

13. How often do you use computers as part of your delivery of classroom instruction
to your students (excluding planning)? (New) [4/8]
A Never or hardly ever
B Sometimes
C Very often
D Always or almost always

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14. Based on keyboarding instruction at your school, which of the following best
describes the keyboarding skills expected of students at the grade level you
teach? (New) [4/8]
A No typing skill is expected because we do not give formal keyboarding
instruction.
B Two-finger typing
C Basic touch-typing
D Rapid and accurate touch-typing

15. When evaluating/grading your students’ writing, approximately what percentage
of the grade/evaluation is based on each of the following? Fill in one oval on
each line. (New) [4/8]

a. Development of
ideas
b. Organization of
ideas
c. Effectiveness of
expression (e.g.,
sentence variety,
word choice, and
tone)
d. Mechanics and
conventions (e.g.,
spelling, grammar,
and punctuation)
e. Other (please
specify):
_______________
_______________

2010 OMB Wave 1
Grade 8 -Part 2 of 3

0%

1-5%

6-10%

11-25%

26-50%

51-75%

76-90%

Over
90%

A

B

C

D

E

F

G

H

NEW

A

B

C

D

E

F

G

H

NEW

A

B

C

D

E

F

G

H

NEW

A

B

C

D

E

F

G

H

NEW

A

B

C

D

E

F

G

H

NEW

67