Enviro Scan - Supporting Statement B - revised

Supporting Statement B

2. Collection of Information Employing Statistical Methods

Statistical methods are not used in the collection of information.

1. Respondent Universe and Sampling Methods

Following consultation with the U.S. Department of Education, RTI will interview 100 schools selected from the Common Core of Data using the following selection methodology. First, RTI will interview principals or designees of 22 NTN schools that include a 12th grade. RTI will also attempt to interview principals or designees of 61 NAF magnet schools that include a 12th grade. The remaining 17 schools will be randomly selected CCASN magnet schools that include a 12th grade, excluding any schools that are also part of the NAF network. If RTI is unable to interview all of the 22 NTN or 61 NAF schools, the research team will randomly select as many CCASN schools as needed to reach a total of 100 interviews.

1. Statistical Methods for Sample Selection and Degree of Accuracy Needed

At least 17 magnet schools that include a 12th grade in the Career Academy Support Network will be randomly selected to reach 100 total school interviews (after attempting to interview 22 NTN and 61 NAF schools). Depending upon how many successful interviews RTI holds with the NTN and NAF, the number of randomly sampled CCASN schools may be higher than 17.

2. Methods to Maximize Response Rates and Deal with Nonresponse

The goal is to complete 100 interviews with leaders of college- and career-focused schools that may be promising candidates for a national evaluation and we expect a response rate of at least 80 percent. RTI will send a list of selected schools to the network leaders, who will then invite the leaders of selected schools in their network to participate (see sample in Appendix X). RTI will send a follow-up email to the selected school leaders referencing the network letter along with a signed letter from the U.S. Department of Education (see Appendix X). The research team will then contact the leaders of selected schools via phone and email to schedule phone interviews. In the event that the research team is unable to contact a potential interviewee after a reasonable number of attempts (approximately three), an invitation will be extended to complete the interview via email, in an effort to increase participation of non-responders.

3. Tests of Procedures or Methods to be Undertaken

This data collection will not include a pilot study. The questions asked of schools are guided by consultations with U.S. Department of Education staff and leaders of national networks of college- and career-focused schools

4. Individuals Consulted on Statistical Aspects and Individuals Collecting and/or Analyzing Data

Exhibit 4. Individuals consulted and individuals collecting and analyzing data

Name	Organization, Title	Telephone
Marsha Silverberg	IES, Education Research Analyst	202-208-7178
Carolyn Lee	USDOE, Contract’s Office Representative	202-245-7817
Jeff Rosen, PhD	RTI, Research Education Analyst	312-456-5242
Terri Dempsey, MAEd	RTI, Research Education Analyst	919-541-6886
Lisa McCaskill, BA	RTI, Education Analyst	919-541-8019
Stacey Cataylo, BA	RTI, Project Associate	510-665-8234
Justine Hufford, BA	RTI, Education Analyst	510-647-4301