School Memorandum

SCHOOL MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING

LESSONS IN CHARACTER STUDY

I understand that the following conditions are necessary for study participation:

• More than half of 2^nd-5^th grade teachers in each grade are interested in participating in this study and agree to be randomly assigned to either receive curricular materials and professional development on how to implement Lessons in Character in summer/fall of 2007 (study group) or after Spring 2009 (control group).

• Teachers in schools randomly assigned to the study group will be released to participate in 8 hours of Lessons in Character training in summer/fall of 2007. The school will coordinate schedules to accommodate the professional development and coaching sessions during the 2007/2008 year.

• During 2007/2008 and 2008/2009, study group teachers will implement Lessons in Character in their classrooms.

• After Spring 2009, teachers in control schools will have the opportunity to implement Lessons in Character in their classrooms.

• Designation of a school staff member or other to act as a site coordinator to facilitate school visits and data collection.

• Teachers will distribute and collect active parent consent forms for students to participate in the study and to follow-up with parents who have not returned the consents at weekly intervals.

• All 1^st-4^th grade teachers will be asked to assist with WestEd’s data collection in spring 2007.

• Participating 2^nd-5^th grade teachers will be asked to assist with data collection during the 2007/08 and 2008/09 academic years.

• A designated site coordinator will assist WestEd in collecting school archival data, such as discipline and behavior referrals, absences, and tardiness and will assist in working with teachers to ensure high levels of parent consent returns.

I understand that for participating my school will receive:

• Lessons in Character training and curricular materials provided to participating teachers at no cost (valued at approximately $380/classroom); and

• Teachers will receive $100 each year ($300 total) upon completion of the survey

• Teachers in schools assigned to the treatment group will be compensated $150 for their attendance at the 1-day Lessons in Character training session if they are not already being paid to do so.

School Name:

Principal’s Signature:

Print Name:

According to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, no persons are required to respond to a collection of information unless such collection displays a valid OMB control number.  The valid OMB control number for this information collection is 1850-0826.  The time required to complete this information collection is estimated to average 10 minutes per response, including the time to review instructions, search existing data resources, gather the data needed, and complete and review the information collection.  If you have any comments concerning the accuracy of the time estimate(s) or suggestions for improving this form, please write to:  U.S. Department of Education, Washington, D.C. 20202-4700.  If you have comments or concerns regarding the status of your individual submission of this form, write directly to:  Ok-Choon Park, U.S. Department of Education, 555 New Jersey Avenue, N.W., Room 506E, Washington, D.C. 20208.

Please return this signed form by fax (562) 799-5151, attention Kristi Harabedian, LIC Study Coordinator, or to the same attention by mail: WestEd, 4665 Lampson Avenue, Los Alamitos, CA 90720.

Version 4 4-12-07