NAEP 2011 Wave I (Reading, Math, Science, Economics)

NATIONAL ASSESSMENT OF
EDUCATIONAL PROGRESS

Wave 1 Submittal for 2011
VOLUME II
Part 2h
BACKGROUND QUESTIONS
FOR 2011 ASSESSMENT

School Grade 8 Questions

Part 2h contains:
Grade 8 School Questions
The amount of time estimated to complete this form is 30 minutes.

March 31, 2010

2011 OMB Wave 1
Grade 8 -Part 2 of 3

SCHOOL QUESTIONNAIRES
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2011 OMB Wave 1

School Questionnaire – Grade 8
This questionnaire should be completed by the principal or the head of the school.

Some of the questions that follow ask you to fill in specific numbers.
For those questions, please print the appropriate numbers in the boxes
provided. Please PRINT LEGIBLY. Using one number per box, fill in
every box. Keep all printing within the boxes. Do not make any stray
marks. Use only a No. 2 pencil.

Example:
150 would be written as

,
Examples of numerals are:

H2SQ-SC

Page 3

Part I: School Characteristics and Policies
VB337248

1. What grades are taught in your school? Fill in all ovals that apply.

A Pre-kindergarten
B Kindergarten
C 1st grade
D 2nd grade
E 3rd grade
F 4th grade
G 5th grade
H 6th grade
I 7th grade
J 8th grade
K 9th grade
L 10th grade
M 11th grade
N 12th grade

VB556165

2. Do all students in your school follow the same school calendar?

A Yes ➔ Go to Question 3.
B No ➔ Skip to Question 4.

VC346268

3. Please indicate the number of hours of instruction that eighth-grade students in your school
completed as of February 1, 2011. Fill in the blocks below and then skip to Question 5.

,

H2SQ-SC

hours of instruction as of February 1, 2011

Page 4

VB607887

4. For each group of students following a separate calendar, please indicate the number of hours
of instruction that eighth-grade students in your school completed as of February 1, 2011.

First group:

,

hours of instruction as of February 1, 2011

VB607888

Second group:

,

hours of instruction as of February 1, 2011

VB607889

Third group:

,

hours of instruction as of February 1, 2011

VB607890

VB337250

5. What is the current enrollment in your school?

,

VC189012

6. Approximately what percentage of eighth-graders in your school . . .
(Please be sure your answers sum to 100%.)

a. is new this year?

%

VC189050

b. has been attending your school for 1–2 years?

%

VC189051

c. has been attending your school for 3 or more years?

%

VC189053

TOTAL

H2SQ-SC

Page 5

1 0 0

%

VB337256

7. Of the students currently enrolled in your school, what percentage has been identified as
limited-English proficient?

A 0%
B 1–5%
C 6–10%
D 11–25%
E 26–50%
F 51–75%
G 76–90%
H Over 90%

VC310911

8. Is your school a public charter school?
(A charter school is a public school that, in accordance with an enabling state statute, has
been granted a charter exempting it from selected state or local rules and regulations. A
charter school may be a newly created school or it may previously have been a public or
private school.)

A Yes
B No

H2SQ-SC

Page 6

VC311012

9. What other type of school is this? Fill in one oval on each line.
Yes

No

a. Regular elementary school

A

B

VC311014

b. A regular school with a magnet program

A

B

VC311015

c. A magnet school or a school with a special program
emphasis, e.g., science/math school, performing arts
school, talented/gifted school, foreign language
immersion school

A

B

VC311016

d. Special education: a school that primarily serves
students with disabilities

A

B

VC311017

e. Alternative: a school that offers a curriculum
designed to provide alternative or nontraditional
education, not clearly categorized as regular, or special
education, or vocational

A

B

VC311018

f. Private (independent)

A

B

VC311020

g. Private (religiously affiliated)

A

B

VC311021

h. Privately run public school

A

B

VC311022

i. Other

A

B

VC311024

HE000917

10. About what percentage of your students is absent on an average day? (Include excused and
unexcused absences in calculating this rate.)

A 0–2%
B 3–5%
C 6–10%
D More than 10%

H2SQ-SC

Page 7

LC000488

11. About what percentage of your teachers is absent on an average day? (Include all absences in
calculating this rate.)

A 0–2%
B 3–5%
C 6–10%
D More than 10%

HE000918

12. About what percentage of students who are enrolled at the beginning of the school year is
still enrolled at the end of the school year? (Exclude students who transfer into the school
during the school year in figuring this rate.)

A 98–100%
B 95–97%
C 90–94%
D 80–89%
E 70–79%
F 60–69%
G 50–59%
H Less than 50%
HE002230

13. About what percentage of this year’s eighth-graders was held back and is repeating eighth
grade?

A 0%
B 1–2%
C 3–5%
D 6–10%
E More than 10%

H2SQ-SC

Page 8

HE000920

14. Of the full-time teachers who started in your school last year, what percentage left before the
end of the school year?

A 0%
B 1–2%
C 3–5%
D 6–10%
E 11–15%
F 16–20%
G More than 20%

HE002094

15. Does your school participate in the National School Lunch Program?

A Yes ➔ Go to Question 16.
B No ➔ Skip to Question 19.

VB556173

16. How does the school operate the program?

A Student eligibility is determined individually, and eligible students receive free or
reduced-price lunch. ➔ Skip to Question 18.

B All students in school receive free lunch under special provisions
(e.g., Provision 2 or 3). ➔ Go to Question 17.

H2SQ-SC

Page 9

VE382479

17. If your school distributes free lunch to all students under Provision 2 or 3, what was the
base year during which individual student eligibility was collected?

A This school does not distribute free lunch to all students under Provision 2 or 3—
eligibility is determined annually.

B 2010
C 2009
D 2008
E 2007
F 2006
G 2005 or earlier

VB608487

18. During this school year, about what percentage of students in your school was eligible
to receive a free or reduced-price lunch through the National School Lunch Program?

A 0%
B 1–5%
C 6–10%
D 11–25%
E 26–34%
F 35–50%
G 51–75%
H 76–99%
I 100%

H2SQ-SC

Page 10

VB608488

19. Does your school receive Title I funding? (Title I is a federally funded program that
provides educational services, such as remedial reading or remedial math, to children who
live in areas with high concentrations of low-income families.)

A No
B Yes, our school receives funds, which are targeted to eligible students.
C Yes, our school receives funds, which are used for schoolwide purposes.

VB485284

20. Approximately what percentage of students in your school receives the following services?
Fill in one oval on each line. Students who receive more than one service should be counted
for each service they receive. Please report the percentage of students who receive each of the
following services as of the day you respond to this questionnaire.
26-50%

51-75% 76-90%

Over
90%

D

E

F

G

H

VB610145

C

D

E

F

G

H

VB485286

B

C

D

E

F

G

H

VB485287

A

B

C

D

E

F

G

H

VB485288

A

B

C

D

E

F

G

H

VB485289

None

1-5%

6-10%

a. Targeted Title I services

A

B

C

b. Gifted and talented
program

A

B

c. Instruction provided in
student’s home
language (non-English)

A

d. English-as-a-secondlanguage (not in a
bilingual education
program)
e. Special education

H2SQ-SC

Page 11

11-25%

VE101901

21. During a typical week of school, what is the total number of regularly scheduled volunteers
working in the school?

A 0
B 1–3
C 4–6
D 7–10
E More than 10

VE101552

For all teacher counts entered in item 22:
INCLUDE these types of teachers:
• Regular
• Special area or resource teachers (e.g., special education, Title I, art, music,
physical education)
• Long-term substitute teachers
INCLUDE these types of teachers:
• Itinerant teachers who teach part-time at this school
• Employees reported in other items of this section if they also have a part-time
teaching assignment at this school
DO NOT INCLUDE:
• Student teachers
• Short-term substitute teachers
• Teachers who teach ONLY pre-kindergarten or adult education
22. Around the first of October, how many TEACHERS held full-time or part-time positions or
assignments in this school? If none, mark (0) in the boxes.
a. Full-time
Full-time teachers
b. Part-time
Part-time teachers

H2SQ-SC

Page 12

Part II: Reading
VB380370

1. During the last two years, to what extent have professional development activities offered
to teachers in your school focused on the following? Fill in one oval on each line.
Not
at all

Small
extent

Moderate
extent

Large
extent

a. Use of language arts across the
curriculum

A

B

C

D

VB380371

b. Interpreting and analyzing literature

A

B

C

D

VB380372

c. Understanding the process of reading
or writing

A

B

C

D

VB380373

d. Instructional strategies for teaching
language arts

A

B

C

D

VB380374

VE013859

2. Is there an English/language arts specialist or coach available (full- or part-time) to
eighth-graders at your school?

A Yes, available full-time to my school ➔ Go to Question 3.
B Yes, available part-time to my school ➔ Go to Question 3.
C No ➔ Skip to Question 4.

H2SQ-R

Page 13

VE013861

3. To what extent are any of the following a responsibility of the English/language arts
specialist or coach available to eighth-graders at your school? Fill in one oval on each
line.
Not
at all

Small
extent

Moderate
extent

Large
extent

a. Provide technical assistance/support
to individual teachers about English/
language arts content or the teaching
of English/language arts

A

B

C

D

VE013862

b. Conduct professional development
for groups of teachers about English/
language arts content or the teaching
of English/language arts

A

B

C

D

VE013863

c. Provide English/language arts
instruction to students on various
topics

A

B

C

D

VE013865

d. Provide English/language arts
instruction to students at various
grade levels

A

B

C

D

VE013866

e. Provide English/language arts
enrichment to some student groups

A

B

C

D

VE013870

H2SQ-R

Page 14

VC191175

4. To what extent is your school’s English/language arts program structured according to the
following resources? Fill in one oval on each line.
Not
at all

Small
extent

Moderate
extent

Large
extent

a. State curriculum standards or
frameworks

A

B

C

D

VC191181

b. District curriculum standards or
curriculum guides

A

B

C

D

VC191182

c. Results from state/district
assessments

A

B

C

D

VC191185

d. In-school curriculum frameworks
and standards for learning

A

B

C

D

VC191187

e. Results from school assessments

A

B

C

D

VC191188

f. Recommendations from school
reading/language arts department

A

B

C

D

VC191191

g. Discretion of individual teachers

A

B

C

D

VC191194

h. Commercially designed programs

A

B

C

D

VC191195

VC311761

5. To what extent does your school’s eighth-grade English/language arts curriculum focus on
preparation for the following types of assessments? Fill in one oval on each line.
Not
at all

Small
extent

Moderate
extent

Large
extent

a. Federally mandated assessments

A

B

C

D

VC311764

b. State assessments

A

B

C

D

VC311766

c. District assessments

A

B

C

D

VC311768

d. School assessments

A

B

C

D

VC311770

H2SQ-R

Page 15

VE013871

6. Does your school have the following personnel to assist with English/language arts class
instruction for eighth-grade students with disabilities (SD) and/or English language
learners (ELL)? Fill in one oval for SD and one oval for ELL on each line.
Yes

SD

No

Yes

ELL

No

a. Special Education teachers (and
related service providers)

A

B

C

D

VE013875

b. Reading specialists or coaches

A

B

C

D

VE013876

c. Speech pathologists

A

B

C

D

VE013877

d. Certified ELL/bilingual education
teachers

A

B

C

D

VE013878

e. Other staff not trained in SD or ELL

A

B

C

D

VE013880

f. Parent volunteers

A

B

C

D

VE013881

g. Paraprofessionals or teacher aids
who are trained in SD or ELL

A

B

C

D

VE013882

h. Paraprofessionals or teacher aids
who are not trained in SD or ELL

A

B

C

D

VE013883

H2SQ-R

Page 16

Part III: Mathematics

VB525194

1. What percentage of eighth-grade students in your school enrolls in more than one
mathematics class in a year (including summer school) for the purpose of remediation or
to catch up to grade level? Do not include students who receive additional mathematics
instruction as part of special education or because of IEP provisions.

A None
B 1 to 5 percent
C 6 to 10 percent
D 11 to 20 percent
E More than 20 percent

VB525195

2. What percentage of eighth-grade students in your school enrolls in more than one
mathematics class in a year (including summer school) for the purpose of advancement
or to get ahead of grade level?

A None
B 1 to 5 percent
C 6 to 10 percent
D 11 to 20 percent
E More than 20 percent

H2SQ-M

Page 17

VB525185

3. What percentage of eighth-grade students in your school is enrolled in the following
mathematics classes? Fill in one oval on each line.
None

1–10%

11–25% 26–50% 51–75% 76–90% 91–100%

a. Eighth-grade
mathematics (not algebra
or pre-algebra)

A

B

C

D

E

F

G

VB525186

b. Introduction to algebra
or pre-algebra

A

B

C

D

E

F

G

VB525187

c. Two-year pre-algebra

A

B

C

D

E

F

G

VE013703

d. Algebra I
(one-year course)

A

B

C

D

E

F

G

VB525188

e. Algebra I (first year of
two-year course)

A

B

C

D

E

F

G

VB525189

f. Algebra I (second year
of two-year course)

A

B

C

D

E

F

G

VB517155

g. Geometry

A

B

C

D

E

F

G

VB525190

h. Algebra II

A

B

C

D

E

F

G

VB525191

i. Integrated or sequential
mathematics

A

B

C

D

E

F

G

VB525192

H2SQ-M

Page 18

VC084852

4. Do students who complete a one-year course in Algebra I by the end of eighth-grade
receive high school credit?

A Yes
B No

VE013886

5. Is there a mathematics specialist or coach available (full- or part-time) to eighth-graders
at your school?

A Yes, available full-time to my school ➔ Go to Question 6.
B Yes, available part-time to my school ➔ Go to Question 6.
C No ➔ Skip to Question 7.

H2SQ-M

Page 19

VE013889

6. To what extent are any of the following a responsibility of the mathematics specialist or
coach available to eighth-graders at your school? Fill in one oval on each line.
Not
at all

Small
extent

Moderate
extent

Large
extent

a. Provide technical assistance/
support to individual teachers about
mathematics content or the teaching
of mathematics

A

B

C

D

VE013890

b. Conduct professional development
for groups of teachers about
mathematics content or the teaching
of mathematics

A

B

C

D

VE013891

c. Provide mathematics instruction to
students on various topics

A

B

C

D

VE013894

d. Provide mathematics instruction to
students at various grade levels

A

B

C

D

VE013895

e. Provide mathematics remediation/
intervention to some student groups

A

B

C

D

VE013896

f. Provide mathematics enrichment to
some student groups

A

B

C

D

VE013897

VE013898

7. Are eighth-grade students typically assigned to mathematics classes by ability and/or
achievement levels (so that some instruction groups are higher in average mathematics
ability and/or achievement levels than others)?

A Yes
B No

H2SQ-M

Page 20

VB525197

8. Please estimate the percentage of students that is transferred to a higher ability/
achievement-based placement in mathematics between eighth and ninth grade.

A Less than 1 percent
B 1 to 5 percent
C 6 to 10 percent
D 11 to 25 percent
E More than 25 percent
F Students are not grouped by ability.

VE013902

9. Please estimate the percentage of students that is transferred to a lower ability/
achievement-based placement in mathematics between eighth and ninth grade.

A Less than 1 percent
B 1 to 5 percent
C 6 to 10 percent
D 11 to 25 percent
E More than 25 percent
F Students are not grouped by ability.

H2SQ-M

Page 21

VC 311202

10. To what extent is your school’s mathematics program structured according to the
following resources? Fill in one oval on each line.
Not
at all

Small
extent

Moderate
extent

Large
extent

a. State curriculum standards or
frameworks

A

B

C

D

VC311204

b. District curriculum standards or
curriculum guides

A

B

C

D

VC311209

c. Results from state/district
assessments

A

B

C

D

VC311210

d. In-school curriculum frameworks
and standards for learning

A

B

C

D

VC311211

e. Results from school assessments

A

B

C

D

VC311212

f. Recommendations from school
mathematics department

A

B

C

D

VC311213

g. Discretion of individual teachers

A

B

C

D

VC311214

h. Commercially designed programs

A

B

C

D

VC311215

VC311851

11. To what extent does your school’s eighth-grade mathematics curriculum focus on
preparation for the following types of assessments? Fill in one oval on each line.
Not
at all

Small
extent

Moderate
extent

Large
extent

a. Federally mandated assessments

A

B

C

D

VC311853

b. State assessments

A

B

C

D

VC311854

c. District assessments

A

B

C

D

VC311855

d. School assessments

A

B

C

D

VC311857

H2SQ-M

Page 22

VE013906

12. Approximately what percentage of your school’s classrooms has the following technological
resources for eighth-grade mathematics instruction? Fill in one oval on each line.
0%

1–25%

26–50%

51–75%

76–99%

100%

a. Cable/satellite/
closed-circuit
television

A

B

C

D

E

F

VE013908

b. Videodisc player/
VCR/DVD player

A

B

C

D

E

F

VE013909

c. Digital/video
camera

A

B

C

D

E

F

VE013910

d. Videoconferencing
equipment

A

B

C

D

E

F

VE013914

e. Scanner for images
or text

A

B

C

D

E

F

VE013916

f. Projection device
for projecting
images directly
from a computer

A

B

C

D

E

F

VE013917

g. Computer

A

B

C

D

E

F

VE013919

h. Internet

A

B

C

D

E

F

VE013922

i. Computer printer

A

B

C

D

E

F

VE013923

j. Handheld devices
(e.g., personal
digital assistants)

A

B

C

D

E

F

NEW

H2SQ-M

Page 23

Part IV: Science

VE013964

1. Is there a science specialist or coach available (full- or part-time) to eighth-graders at your
school?

A Yes, available full-time to my school ➔ Go to Question 2.
B Yes, available part-time to my school ➔ Go to Question 2.
C No ➔ Skip to Question 3.

VE013966

2. To what extent are any of the following a responsibility of the science specialist or coach
available to eighth-graders at your school? Fill in one oval on each line.
Not
at all

Small
extent

Moderate
extent

Large
extent

a. Provide technical assistance/support
to individual teachers about science
content or the teaching of science

A

B

C

D

VE013967

b. Conduct professional development
for groups of teachers about science
content or the teaching of science

A

B

C

D

VE013968

c. Provide science instruction to
students on various topics

A

B

C

D

VE013969

d. Provide science instruction to
students at various grade levels

A

B

C

D

VE013970

e. Provide science enrichment to some
student groups

A

B

C

D

VE013971

H2SQ-S

Page 24

VC304219

3. To what extent is your school’s science program structured according to the following
resources? Fill in one oval on each line.
Not
at all

Small
extent

Moderate
extent

Large
extent

a. State curriculum standards or
frameworks

A

B

C

D

VC304220

b. District curriculum standards or
curriculum guides

A

B

C

D

VC304221

c. Results from state/district
assessments

A

B

C

D

VC304222

d. In-school curriculum frameworks
and standards for learning

A

B

C

D

VC304223

e. Results from school assessments

A

B

C

D

VC304224

f. Recommendations from school
science department

A

B

C

D

VC304225

g. Discretion of individual teachers

A

B

C

D

VC304226

h. Commercially designed programs

A

B

C

D

VC304227

H2SQ-S

Page 25

VC304506

4. To what extent does your school’s eighth-grade science curricula focus on preparation for
the following types of assessments? Fill in one oval on each line.
Not
at all

Small
extent

Moderate
extent

Large
extent

a. State assessments

A

B

C

D

VC304508

b. District assessments

A

B

C

D

VC304510

c. School assessments

A

B

C

D

VC304511

VC304465

5. Does your school have laboratory facilities for eighth-grade science instruction?

A Yes ➔ Go to Question 6.
B No ➔ Skip to Question 7.

H2SQ-S

Page 26

VE013981

6. To what extent do your school’s science laboratories that are available for eighth-grade
instruction have the following features? Fill in one oval on each line.
Not
at all

Small
extent

Moderate
extent

Large
extent

a. Demonstration stations

A

B

C

D

VE013983

b. Student lab stations

A

B

C

D

VE013984

c. Storage areas for chemicals and other
supplies

A

B

C

D

VE013985

d. Electricity

A

B

C

D

VE013986

e. Running water

A

B

C

D

VE013990

f. Gas for burners

A

B

C

D

VE013991

g. Hoods or air hoses

A

B

C

D

VE013992

h. Safety equipment

A

B

C

D

VE013993

i. Computers

A

B

C

D

VE013995

j. Internet connection

A

B

C

D

VE013996

H2SQ-S

Page 27

VE014000

7. To what extent are any of the following available to eighth-grade teachers who teach
science? Fill in one oval on each line.
Not
at all

Small
extent

Moderate
extent

Large
extent

a. Science textbooks

A

B

C

D

VE014002

b. Science magazines and books

A

B

C

D

VE014003

c. Supplies or equipment for science
demonstrations

A

B

C

D

VE014005

d. Supplies or equipment for science
labs

A

B

C

D

VE014006

e. Student access to computers in class
for science instruction

A

B

C

D

VE014008

f. Student access to computer labs for
science instruction

A

B

C

D

VE014010

g. Teacher access to computers for
science instruction

A

B

C

D

VE014011

h. Computerized science labs for
classroom use

A

B

C

D

VE014012

i. Audiovisual materials for science
instruction

A

B

C

D

VE014014

j. Science kits

A

B

C

D

VE014015

k. Scientific measurement instruments
(e.g., telescopes, microscopes,
thermometers, or weighing scales)

A

B

C

D

VE014016

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VE014018

8. Approximately what percentage of your school’s classrooms has the following technological
resources for eighth-grade science instruction? Fill in one oval on each line.
0%

1–25%

26–50%

51–75%

76–99%

100%

a. Desktop
computer

A

B

C

D

E

F

VE014020

b. Laptop computer

A

B

C

D

E

F

VE014021

c. Tablet PC
(notebook-like
computer that
allows users to
write or draw
through the use
of a stylus or
touch-screen)

A

B

C

D

E

F

VE014023

d. Digital projector
(device that
connects to
a computer
to display
presentations
or, demonstrate
lessons, such as
an LCD)

A

B

C

D

E

F

VE014024

e. CD-ROM

A

B

C

D

E

F

VE014025

f.

A

B

C

D

E

F

VE014026

g. Digital music
device (pocketsized music
player used to
listen to or create
audio files, such
as an MP3 player)

A

B

C

D

E

F

VE014027

h. Cable/satellite/
closed-circuit
television

A

B

C

D

E

F

VE014029

i.

A

B

C

D

E

F

VE014030

Online software

DVD player and
DVDs

Continued on next page.

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0%

1–25%

26–50%

51–75%

76–99%

100%

A

B

C

D

E

F

VE014033

k. Graphing
calculator

A

B

C

D

E

F

VE014041

l.

Handheld device
(pocket-sized
computing
device, such as
personal digital
assistant or
smartphone)

A

B

C

D

E

F

VE014042

m. Data collection
sensors/probes
(tool that
connects to a
handheld device
or graphing
calculator and
detects motion,
pH, temperature,
light)

A

B

C

D

E

F

VE014043

n. Online course
management
system (webbased software
used to organize
information,
assignments,
grades, and
discussions)

A

B

C

D

E

F

VE014046

o. Digital
whiteboard
(computerized
display panels
that can respond
to fingertip
command and
creates a shared
interactive
space, akin
to traditional
chalkboards)

A

B

C

D

E

F

VE014047

j.

Digital camera

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Part V: Supplemental Charter School Questions
This section should be completed by the principal or the head of the school. If your school
is a charter school, please continue. If your school is not a charter school, you have finished
the survey. Thank you for your time.

VC311248

1. Is your school a public charter school?
(A charter school is a public school that, in accordance with an enabling state statute, has
been granted a charter exempting it from selected state or local rules and regulations. A
charter school may be a newly created school or it may previously have been a public or
private school.)

A Yes ➔ Go to Question 2.
B No ➔ You have finished the survey. Thank you for your time.

VC104697

2. In which year did your school start providing instruction as a charter school?

VC311249

3. How many times has your charter been renewed? (Enter 0 if you have not had to renew
your charter yet.)

Times

If “0 Times” skip to Question 6.

VC104700

4. In which year was your charter most recently renewed?

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VC104701

5. For how many years was your charter renewed?

A 1 to 3 years
B 4 to 5 years
C 6 to 10 years
D 11 or more years

VC104703

6. Who granted your school’s original charter?

A School district
B State board of education (includes State Board of Regents and District of Columbia
Board of Education)

C Postsecondary institution
D State charter-granting agency
E City or state public charter school board
F Other

VC104705

7. Is your charter school a newly created school or was it converted from a pre-existing school?

A Newly created school ➔ Skip to Question 9.
B Converted from a pre-existing school ➔ Go to Question 8.

VC104756

8. Was the pre-existing school a public school or a private school?

A Public school
B Private school

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VC104758

9. Which one of the following best describes your charter school’s primary focus in terms of
program content?

A We have a comprehensive curriculum with no specialized area of focus.
B We have a special curricular focus, for example, the arts, math/science, foreign
language immersion.

C Our curriculum is based on a particular educational theory, for example, Montessori,
open school, Core Knowledge.

D Our curriculum is based on a particular moral philosophy or set of values, for
example, African-centered education, character-based education, Eastern philosophy.

VE013705

10. Among eighth-grade students who are new to your charter school this year, approximately
what percentage performs at or above average on your state assessment?

Percent

HE002094

11. Does your school participate in the National School Lunch Program?

A Yes ➔ Skip to Question 13.
B No ➔ Go to Question 12.

VC104793

12. Why does your school not participate in the National School Lunch Program?

A My school has eligible students but chooses not to participate in the program.
B My school does not have students who qualify for free or reduced-price lunches.
C My school does not have a cafeteria or does not serve lunch.
D Other

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VC104799

13. What is the legal status of your school?

A Officially part of the school district or local education agency (LEA)
B Independent from the school district or local education agency (LEA)
C A separate local education agency (LEA) as stipulated by state law

VC104818

14. Who has primary control or authority over the following aspects of your school? Fill in
one oval on each line.

Your
school

Management
company

District/
chartergranting
agency

a. Total budget

A

B

C

D

E

VC104825

b. Purchase of supplies
and equipment

A

B

C

D

E

VC104832

c. School calendar

A

B

C

D

E

VC104838

d. Student discipline
policies
(e.g., suspension/
expulsion)

A

B

C

D

E

VC104842

e. Curriculum

A

B

C

D

E

VC104844

f. Personnel, including
hiring of teaching staff

A

B

C

D

E

VC104846

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Page 34

Governing
board/
board of
trustees

Other

VC319857

15. In which of the following areas is your school monitored/audited by the state or your
school’s charter-granting agency? Fill in one oval on each line.
Yes, by
state

Yes, by
charter-granting
Not
agency
monitored

a. Curriculum topics taught

A

B

C

VC319867

b. Teaching methods used

A

B

C

VC319869

c. Student achievement

A

B

C

VC319870

d. Student behavior

A

B

C

VC319871

e. Student attendance

A

B

C

VC319873

f. School governance

A

B

C

VC319874

g. School finances

A

B

C

VC319875

h. Compliance with state or federal
regulations

A

B

C

VC319876

i. Special education services

A

B

C

VC319878

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Page 35

VC104905

16. Are you required to report directly to any of the following groups on your school’s
progress? Fill in one oval on each line.
Yes

No

a. Chartering agency

A

B

VC104943

b. Parents

A

B

VC104944

c. Community/general public

A

B

VC104945

d. School governing board

A

B

VC104946

e. Private funders or donors

A

B

VC104947

f. State board of education

A

B

VC104948

g. State department of education (if this is not
the chartering agency)

A

B

VC104949

h. Legislature

A

B

VC104950

VC345938

17. Have you asked parents why they chose to send their children to your school this year?

A No ➔ You have finished the survey. Thank you for your time.
B Yes, we have asked some parents about this. ➔ Go to Question 18.
C Yes, we have asked all or most of the parents. ➔ Go to Question 18.

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Page 36

VC316408

18. Of the parents you asked, about how many indicated that they chose to send their
children to your school for the following reasons? Fill in one oval on each line.

None

Less
than
half

About
half

About
threequarters

All or
almost
all

Did
not
ask

a. Their child was
performing poorly
in another school.

A

B

C

D

E

F

VC316413

b. They wanted a
more rigorous
curriculum for
their child.

A

B

C

D

E

F

VC316414

c. They wanted the
particular
curricular focus
this school has.

A

B

C

D

E

F

VC316416

d. They wanted a
safer environment
for their child.

A

B

C

D

E

F

VC316418

e. They were
seeking greater
parental
involvement in
their child’s
education.

A

B

C

D

E

F

VC316424

f. They wanted
smaller class
sizes.

A

B

C

D

E

F

VC316428

g. Other reason

A

B

C

D

E

F

VC316431

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Page 37