Attachment D Teacher Pilot study

Teacher Information and Informed Consent

Name of Research Study:

Examining evaluator feedback in teacher evaluation systems: Survey Pilot

Protocol Number: RA8.13.1

Sponsor: U.S. Department of Education

Principal Investigator: Trudy L. Cherasaro

Address: Marzano Research Laboratory

9000 East Nichols Ave., Suite 112

Centennial, CO 80112

303-766-9199

This form may have words you do not understand. Please ask the research staff to explain any words or procedures that you do not clearly understand.

Introduction

You are being asked to take part in a research study. Before you agree to take part in this study, please read this consent form and ask as many questions as you need to be sure you understand the possible risks and benefits.

This consent form has important facts to help you decide if it is in your best interest for you to take part in this study. If you have questions that are not answered in this consent form, one of the research staff will be happy to give you more information.

Purpose of the Study

The purpose of this research study is to examine a model of performance feedback to gain a deeper understanding of feedback characteristics that may be necessary for teachers to move from receiving feedback to improved performance in the context of teacher evaluation systems. Specifically, the study will examine the relationship among the usefulness of feedback, accuracy of feedback, credibility of the person providing feedback, learning opportunities related to the feedback, responsiveness to feedback, and teacher performance. The results of the study can be used to inform future training and guidance on providing feedback in teacher evaluation systems. In this first phase of the study, we will be piloting the survey in order to gather data to refine the survey prior to the full study.

Description of the Research Study

The study is funded by the U.S. Department of Education and is being conducted by Marzano Research Laboratory. This study will involve about 600 teachers in about four districts in one of the Central Region states.

If you agree to participate in the study, you will be asked to:

• Complete a survey in the spring of 2014. The survey takes about 30 minutes to complete and asks questions about your experiences with the feedback you received as part of your district’s teacher evaluation system. The survey includes questions about the usefulness and accuracy of the feedback you received, the credibility of the person providing your feedback, the access you had to opportunities related to the feedback, and your responsiveness to the feedback. The survey also includes questions about background information, such as grade level and subject taught.

• Potentially participate in a one-hour interview in which you will be asked to provide feedback on the clarity of the survey.

Risks or Discomforts

There are no foreseeable risks to participants in this study.

New Findings

The research staff will tell you of any information learned during this study that might cause you to change your mind about taking part in this study.

Possible Benefits

Upon completion of the survey you will receive $30 for your efforts. There are no other direct benefits to you from taking part in this study. However, the study has the potential to provide useful information for the development and refinement of teacher evaluation systems. Teachers may ultimately benefit from this study if this information is used to inform future training and guidance on providing feedback in teacher evaluation systems.

Confidentiality

We will protect information about you and your participation in this research study to the best of our ability. All study data (for example, surveys and evaluation ratings) will remain in the possession of the research staff at all times. Each participant will be assigned a unique identification number to match data collected from them. Any identifying information, such as consent forms, will be stored in a locked file in a separate location from the data to be analyzed, and no identifying information will be kept in electronic databases. In reporting the results, no information about individual participants will be reported—only group information. No names will be used in any report.

Contact for Questions

If you have any questions about this study, you may contact Trudy L. Cherasaro at Marzano Research Laboratory, 9000 East Nichols Avenue, Suite 112, Centennial, CO 80112, (303) 766-9199, Trudy.Cherasaro@marzanoresearch.com.

If you have any concerns regarding this project, dissatisfaction with any aspect of this study, or questions about your rights as a research subject, you may contact Liberty IRB at 2024 Larchmont Drive, Deland, FL 32724, (386) 740-9278.

Voluntary Participation

If you decide to take part in this study, it is completely of your own free will. There will not be any penalty or loss of benefits to you if you decide not to take part.

Withdrawal

You have the right to refuse to answer any question(s) in the survey or interview. Also, you may withdraw from the study at any time. If you decide to withdraw from the research study, please notify the research staff. There will be no penalty for withdrawing from the study.

Cost

There are no costs to you associated with your participation in this study.

Subject Consent

I choose to participate in this study. I have read all of the above, or it has been read to me. I have had the chance to ask questions about this study, and my questions have been answered. After I sign this consent form, I will be given a copy of it for my own records. I do not give up any of my legal rights by signing this consent form.

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Signature of Participant Date

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Signature of Person Obtaining Consent Date

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Participant’s Email Address

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Subject Initials