Appendix A

Respondent Communications Materials
Draft District Letter

LETTERHEAD

Date

Name

Address

Dear [superintendent],

In an ongoing effort to ensure college and career readiness, the National Center for Innovation in Career 

and Technical Education (NCICTE) is working with stakeholders and providers in North Dakota to 

implement the Roads to Success (RTS) program. RTS offers after-school programs, workforce and leadership 

development programs, and a college and career planning curriculum designed to enhance the academic and 

career readiness of students from 7th grade through high school. 

As part of this effort, NCICTE will conduct a randomized controlled trial (RCT) study involving the 

random assignment of schools to the 11th and 12th grade components of RTS. North Dakota has passed 

legislation requiring students to develop college and career plans and is already implementing the RTS 

program in select schools around the state. RTS is not being implemented everywhere in the state, providing 

NCICTE with the opportunity to randomize additional participation. RTI International and FHI 360 have 

been contracted to conduct the study.

We would like to invite <NAME OF SCHOOL(S)> to participate in this study. Project staff from RTI 

will soon contact you to describe the study in greater detail and seek your approval to contact the schools. 

Once district approval for the study is received, RTI will contact the schools and invite them to participate. 

After all participating schools have been identified, half will be assigned (by lottery) to implement the RTS 

curriculum, while the other half will serve as the control group. Data from students, teachers, and other staff 

from both groups of schools will be collected in order to compare the impact of the program.

In treatment schools, juniors and seniors will be provided with the 11th and 12th grade curriculum during 

the 2015-2016 school year. Students in both treatment and control schools will be administered a baseline and 

an end-of-year survey (post-intervention in treatment schools). Instructors of the RTS curriculum will be 

asked to complete a log at the end of each semester to track topics covered and assess the fidelity of 

implementation. Principal surveys will provide context for the school’s college and career preparation agenda. 

In addition, the study will conduct site visits to select treatment and control schools to conduct interviews 

and focus groups to gain a thorough understanding of how the curriculum is being implemented; the 

successes and challenges faced by instructors and students in learning from the RTS material; and the 

differences between schools implementing the curriculum and those not.

Treatment schools will receive the RTS curriculum, along with teacher training and follow-up technical 

assistance at no cost. Control schools will receive $1000 for participation in data collection activities. Study 

participants (RTS instructors, school coordinators, survey respondents, and interview participants) will receive 

a monetary incentive corresponding to their level of involvement.

The North Dakota Department of Education supports this important study as a key step in promoting 

methods to ensure student readiness for college and career. If you have any questions about participating in 

the study, please feel free to contact _____ at ph# or via email at xxx@xxx.org.

I strongly encourage your participation. Thank you for your consideration.

Xxx

Title, agency

Enclosures
Draft School Letter

LETTERHEAD

Date

Name

Address

Dear Principal <name>,

In an ongoing effort to ensure college and career readiness, the National Center for Innovation in Career 

and Technical Education (NCICTE) is working with stakeholders and providers in North Dakota to 

implement the Roads to Success (RTS) program. RTS offers after-school programs, workforce and leadership 

development programs, and a college and career planning curriculum designed to enhance the academic and 

career readiness of students from 7th grade through high school. 

As part of this effort, NCICTE will conduct a randomized controlled trial (RCT) study involving the 

random assignment of schools to the 11th and 12th grade components of RTS. North Dakota has passed 

legislation requiring students to develop college and career plans and is already implementing the RTS 

program in select schools around the state. RTS is not being implemented everywhere in the state, providing 

NCICTE with the opportunity to randomize additional participation. RTI International and FHI 360 have 

been contracted to conduct the study.

We invite you to take part in this study and ask you to review the enclosed materials. Your district has 

approved the school’s participation, and project staff from RTI will soon contact you to describe the study in 

greater detail. After all participating schools have been identified, half will be assigned (by lottery) to 

implement the RTS curriculum, while the other half will serve as the control group. Data from students, 

teachers, and other staff from both groups of schools will be collected in order to compare the impact of the 

program.

In treatment schools, juniors and seniors will be provided with the 11th and 12th grade curriculum during 

the 2015-2016 school year. Students in both treatment and control schools will be administered a baseline and 

an end-of-year survey (post-intervention in treatment schools). Instructors of the RTS curriculum will be 

asked to complete a log at the end of each semester to track topics covered and assess the fidelity of 

implementation. Principal surveys will provide context for the school’s college and career preparation agenda. 

In addition, the study will conduct site visits to select treatment and control schools to conduct interviews 

and focus groups to gain a thorough understanding of how the curriculum is being implemented; the 

successes and challenges faced by instructors and students in learning from the RTS material; and the 

differences between schools implementing the curriculum and those not.

Treatment schools will receive the RTS curriculum, along with teacher training and follow-up technical 

assistance at no cost. Control schools will receive $1000 for participation in data collection activities. Study 

participants (RTS instructors, school coordinator, survey respondents, and interview participants) will receive 

a monetary incentive corresponding to their level of involvement.

The North Dakota Department of Education supports this important study as a key step in promoting 

methods to ensure student readiness for college and career. If you have any questions about participating in 

the study, please feel free to contact _____ at ph# or via email at xxx@xxx.org.

I strongly encourage your participation. Thank you for your consideration.

Xxx

Title, agency

Enclosures
Draft Counselor Letter

LETTERHEAD

Date

Name

Address

Dear Counselor <name>,

In an ongoing effort to ensure college and career readiness, the National Center for Innovation in Career 

and Technical Education (NCICTE) is working with stakeholders and providers in North Dakota to 

implement the Roads to Success (RTS) program. RTS offers after-school programs, workforce and leadership 

development programs, and a college and career planning curriculum designed to enhance the academic and 

career readiness of students from 7th grade through high school. 

As part of this effort, NCICTE will conduct a randomized controlled trial (RCT) study involving the 

random assignment of schools to the 11th and 12th grade components of RTS. North Dakota has passed 

legislation requiring students to develop college and career plans and is already implementing the RTS 

program in select schools around the state. RTS is not being implemented everywhere in the state, providing 

NCICTE with the opportunity to randomize additional participation. RTI International and FHI 360 have 

been contracted to conduct the study.

We invite your school to take part in this study and ask you to review the enclosed materials. Your 

district has approved the study, and project staff from RTI will soon contact your principal to describe the 

study in greater detail. After all participating schools have been identified, half will be assigned (by lottery) to 

implement the RTS curriculum, while the other half will serve as the control group. Data from students, 

teachers, and other staff from both groups of schools will be collected in order to compare the impact of the 

program.

In treatment schools, juniors and seniors will be provided with the 11th and 12th grade curriculum during 

the 2015-2016 school year. Students in both treatment and control schools will be administered a baseline and 

an end-of-year survey (post-intervention in treatment schools). Instructors of the RTS curriculum will be 

asked to complete a log at the end of each semester to track topics covered and assess the fidelity of 

implementation. Principal surveys will provide context for the school’s college and career preparation agenda. 

In addition, the study will conduct site visits to select treatment and control schools to conduct interviews 

and focus groups to gain a thorough understanding of how the curriculum is being implemented; the 

successes and challenges faced by instructors and students in learning from the RTS material; and the 

differences between schools implementing the curriculum and those not.

Treatment schools will receive the RTS curriculum, along with teacher training and follow-up technical 

assistance at no cost. Control schools will receive $1000 for participation in data collection activities. Study 

participants (RTS instructors, school coordinator, survey respondents, and interview participants) will receive 

a monetary incentive corresponding to their level of involvement.

The North Dakota Department of Education supports this important study as a key step in promoting 

methods to ensure student readiness for college and career. If you have any questions about participating in 

the study, please feel free to contact _____ at ph# or via email at xxx@xxx.org.

I strongly encourage your school’s participation and would appreciate your support of this effort. 

Xxx

Title, agency

Enclosures
Draft School Coordinator Letter and Responsibilities

DATE

«sch_entity_name»

«sch_address»

«sch_citystzip»

Dear «sch_coord_name»,

We are looking forward to working with you and your school this school year on the Roads to Success (RTS) 

Study. As the designated school coordinator for RTS, you play a critical role in assisting us with study 

preparations. We appreciate your assistance, particularly given the many demands on your time.

The attached document, RTS School Coordinator Responsibilities, will provide you with an overview of RTS, 

as well as a list of tasks and timeline needed to prepare for RTS data collection. Your school has been 

assigned to the <TREATMENT or CONTROL> cohort. 

RTS is sponsored by the National Center for Innovation in Career and Technical Education. The study will 

be conducted by RTI International and FHI 360, with support from the North Dakota Department of

Career and Technical Education and the Department of Education. An RTS study representative will contact 

you shortly to answer questions you may have and to begin discussing data collection logistics. In-school data 

collection will take place throughout the 2015-2016 school year.

We ask you to conduct the student survey sessions, the parental permission process for student components, 

and assist with coordinating interviews and focus groups. A school administrator and teachers implementing 

the RTS curriculum will also be asked to complete a questionnaire. They will be contacted separately, and 

their data will be collected through a web-based application or hard-copy survey. 

We sincerely appreciate your help in coordinating data collection activities at your school and in ensuring that 

RTS is a success. Each school’s participation is critical to the success of the study!

If you have any questions, please contact us at RTI (###) ###-#### or by email at xxx@rti.org.

Thank you for your support through participating in RTS.

Sincerely,

Ben Dalton, PhD Ivan Charner

RTI, Co-Principal Investigator FHI 360 Co-Principal Investigator

Enclosures
A-1

RTS	School	Coordinator	Responsibilities

As the RTS school coordinator (SC), you play an important role in ensuring the success of the study. We will assist you 

as much as possible, but we will need to rely on you to complete certain tasks so that data collection will be 

successful. 

Study Details

RTS data collection activities will include:

 Student Surveys – 11th and 12th grade students will be asked to complete two surveys, a baseline survey within the 

first month of the school year and an outcome survey at the end. The survey asks about behaviors related to 

college applications, college enrollment (if accepted, name of school, living arrangements, etc.), financial aid, and 

immediate plans for work (jobs applied for, offers), in addition to long-term career goals. Surveys will be 

administered online using existing school computers, and will take 30-35 minutes to complete.

 Teacher Surveys – Teachers (or other RTS instructors) implementing the RTS curriculum will be asked to complete 

two surveys to track topics covered to assess the fidelity of RTS implementation. The surveys can be completed 

online and should take 30 minutes to complete.

 Principal Survey – The principal survey will provide context for the school’s college and career preparation agenda. 

The survey can be completed online and should take 15 minutes to complete.

Case Study Site Visits

Case studies will provide background and context for survey findings, as well as gauge the fidelity of implementation 

of the intervention. Some study schools will be selected to participate (10 treatment schools will receive two visits 

and 5 control schools will receive one visit). Case study data collection activities will include: 

 Student focus groups – with 11th and 12th grade students to learn about the impact of RTS on planning and 

preparing for college and career. 

 RTS teachers – Teachers (or others) implementing the RTS curriculum will be asked to participate in an interview

to discuss their experiences with RTS.

 Principals – The school principal (or designee) will be interviewed to learn about the implementation and 

impact of RTS, as well as supports for RTS implementation.

 Counselors – School counselors will be interviewed to learn what college and career planning assistance 

students received prior to RTS, changes in students after participating in RTS, and how RTS has impacted 

counselors’ practices and strategies.

For additional information, you may visit our website at: http://xxx.xxx.xxx

Your Responsibilities

You have been asked to complete several tasks related to data collection activities that will take place during the 

2015-2016 school year. These include providing student information, working with RTI on student session logistics, 

assisting with parental consent form distribution and receipt, conducting the student survey sessions, and helping 

to coordinate interviews and focus groups.

We will use the RTS secure website to exchange information, such as class and student lists. Please visit: 

https://xxx.xxx.xxx and log-in with the following information:

Study ID: ############

Password: #######

Table 1 shows the activities you will be asked to perform and a timeline for these activities. 
C-2

Table 1. Activities Timeline

Task Timeline

Provide enrollment list of 

11th and 12th grade 

students.

Within 3 weeks of 

receipt of request

Provide names of staff 

participants (teachers, 

counselor and 

administrator) 

Within one week 

of selection of 

classes

Coordinate logistics for the 

student survey (dates, 

times, locations, consent 

type) 

Within 3 weeks of 

receipt of request

Notify teachers, selected 

students, and parents of 

the study and benefits of 

participating

At least 3 weeks 

prior to scheduled 

session

Distribute parental consent 

forms to all selected 

students 

At least 3 weeks 

prior to scheduled 

session

Monitor return of consent 

forms; distribute reminder 

letters as needed. Collect 

returned, signed forms and 

submit to RTI.

During the 3 weeks 

from distribution 

to survey day

Notify/remind teachers 

and students about the 

data collection sessions

One week prior 

and one day prior 

to session

Administer the student 

survey session, to include 

setting up the survey room 

and getting the students to 

the survey sessions 

On the day of the 

session 

Coordinate student focus 

groups

Three weeks prior 

to scheduled day

Providing Student Lists

All 11th and 12th grade students will be asked to complete the RTS survey. We ask you to provide a complete list of

all 11th and 12th grade students enrolled at the school. The list should include: name, district ID, class, date of birth, 

gender. Enrollment lists should be uploaded to the secure RTS website.

Assisting with Student Survey Logistics

In order to minimize disruption at the school on the day of the student data collection, it is crucial that 

arrangements be made in advance. These arrangements include:

 Determine the date(s) for the student survey.

 Determine the location and time(s) of the student session(s): will the student survey session(s) take place in a 

computer lab or classroom. Will surveys be completed in one or multiple sessions?

 Determine best method of distributing consent forms, tracking returned, signed forms, collecting returned 

forms and submitting to RTI.

 Work with RTI to identify students with special needs.
C-3

 Notify students of the RTS study, the importance of participating, and explain test day activities.

 Contact parents to encourage them to return the signed consent form (if applicable).

Parental Permission

Parental permission materials will be supplied by RTI a few weeks before the scheduled student survey session. 

We can either mail them directly to parents or ask that you distribute the parent permission forms to the students.

 RTI encourages the use of implicit/passive permission (which means students only return a form if their parent 

denies permission to participate), as this option lessens the burden on school staff and results in higher 

participation rates. If you are using this permission type, please record parent refusals onto the student tracking 

form (STF) which will be provided with the permission forms.

 Some schools require explicit/active consent. If your school requires active consent, parents are asked to return 

signed permission forms to the school coordinator. Please keep track of the return of these forms on the STF. 

Please make sure any returned forms have one “box” checked, a parent/guardian signature (not just a printed 

name) and the name of the student.

Day of the Student Survey

 In order to have valid results from the study, we need as many students to participate as possible. We are

depending on you to make certain the students and teachers are aware of the date, time, and location for their 

participation and to generate enthusiasm. This often makes the difference in high student participation. You 

may want to advertise RTS throughout the school and classroom or make a PA announcement about the study 

the day before and the day of the session to generate interest and encourage participation.

 Gather participating students in the survey location and administer the RTS student survey.

 Complete survey tracking form to indicate which students complete the survey and which ones should be 

captured in a make-up session.

 After completion of the first round of surveys, determine if make-up sessions are needed so that students who 

were absent have an opportunity to participate.

 Once all students have completed the survey, return all related materials (tracking forms, consent forms, etc.) to 

RTI.

Assisting with Case Study Site Visits

We will ask for your assistance with scheduling the student focus groups and staff interviews that will be 

conducted for the case study site visits.

RTI will be in contact with you to track the return of consent forms, as well as exclusion statuses for students. 

Reminder forms will be sent home as needed. Check the permission forms on the day of the first session to make 

sure we do not include anyone whose parents have not granted permission. Please keep the returned parent

permission forms in a locked or secure location and fax any returned forms from your school at the end of the data 

collection to a secure fax machine at RTI. 

Token of Appreciation

As a token of our appreciation for your time and energy with RTS, you will receive <$100 FOR SITE VISIT or $75 NO 

SITE VISIT> at the completion of the study. 

THANK YOU for your help to make RTS a success!! We greatly appreciate your time and 

assistance!
C-4

Draft Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Roads to Success: A Randomized Study of College and Career Preparation Curriculum in North Dakota

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Roads to Success (RTS)?

Roads to Success (RTS) is a guided curriculum designed to integrate college- and career-planning resources within classroom 

lessons. RTS offers innovative strategies to help young people forge connections between their school experiences and their 

aspirations for adulthood.

What is the purpose of this study?

To study the effectiveness of part of a college and career preparation curriculum – provided as part of the Roads to Success 

program – in enhancing 11th and 12th graders’ college and career aspirations, planning for postsecondary transitions and life, 

and attitudes toward education and careers. As part of this study, we will specifically examine the college access and career 

development curriculum to 11th and 12th graders.

Who is participating in this study?

North Dakota public high schools and Bureau of Indian Education (BIE) schools with both an 11th and 12th grade will be asked 

to participate. Schools will be randomly assigned to the treatment or control conditions and all 11th and 12th grade students 

in a treatment school will be provided with RTS instruction.

Who is sponsoring Roads to Success, and who is conducting it?

The National Career for Innovation in Career and Technical Education (NCICTE) is working with the North Dakota Department 

of Career and Technical Education, RTI International, and FHI 360 on this study.

The National Center for Innovation in Career and Technical Education (NCICTE), funded by the US Department of Education, 

performs scientifically based research and evaluation to expand the understanding, increase the effectiveness, and improve 

the delivery of career and technical education (CTE). RTI International is one of the world’s leading research institutes, 

dedicated to improving the human condition by turning knowledge into practice. FHI 360 is a nonprofit human development 

organization dedicated to improving lives in lasting ways by advancing integrated, locally driven solutions.

What is the outcome of participation?

The intervention planned as part of this study will be for one academic year and examine the end-of-year outcomes of 11th-

and 12th-graders. Given this time horizon, the research questions for this study focus on concrete activities or specific student 

interests that are the target of each grade’s intervention. 

At the 11th grade, does one year of RTS instruction increase the percentage of students: 

 With specific senior-year coursetaking plans?

 Having visited a college or university? Does RTS increase the number of visits?

 Having taken or registered for workforce development assessments such as the Test of Adult Basic Education (TABE), 

the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB), and the ACT WorkKeys Foundational and Personal 

Assessments?

 Reporting preparation of a resume?

 Reporting career exploration activities such as job shadowing, attendance at career fairs, internships, or 

apprenticeships?

 With any interest in one or more specific careers?

 With high interest in a specific career?

At the 12th grade, does one year of RTS instruction increase the percentage of students: 
C-5

 Applying to college, overall and by level (technical or trade school, two-year community college, or four-year 

college)? Does RTS increase the number of college applications, overall and by level?

 Completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)? 

 Accepted to or registered at college for the fall semester, overall and by level? Does RTS increase the number of 

acceptances?

 Reporting preparation of a resume?

 Applying for a job?

 With a job offer?

 With any interest in one or more specific careers?

 With high interest in a specific career?

 Planning to major in an area related to career interests?

What does participation in Roads to Success involve?

Treatment schools will implement the RTS curriculum to all their 11th and 12th graders during the 2015-16 school year. 

Instruction will be delivered by teachers, guidance counselors, or hired career advisors. In addition, teachers and students in 

the treatment schools will be asked to complete surveys. Principals in both treatment and control schools will be ask to 

complete a survey. Site visits will be conducted in select treatment and control schools. All data collection procedures will be 

fully in accord with pertinent regulations of both the U.S. Department of Education and the school district, and will be 

approved by RTI’s credentialed Human Subjects Committee.

What are the benefits to participating in the study?

Schools that implement RTS will receive the prescribed RTS curriculum for 11th and 12th graders and key models from earlier 

grades. Instructors will receive training from Regional Education Association (REA) coordinators or one of the four career 

resource coordinators (CRC) in the state. ND Department of CTE, along with REA coordinators, will provide support for the 

instruction throughout the year. School coordinators and principals in both treatment and control schools will receive a small 

honorarium. Each control school will receive $1000.
C-6

Implied Parent Permission Letter and Form

Dear Parent/Guardian: 

In an ongoing effort to ensure college and career readiness, the National Center for Innovation in Career and Technical 

Education (NCICTE) is working with stakeholders and providers in North Dakota to implement the Roads to Success 

(RTS) program. RTS offers after-school programs, workforce and leadership development programs, and a college and 

career planning curriculum designed to enhance the academic and career readiness of students from 7th grade through 

high school. The study is being conducted under contract by RTI International, a nonprofit research organization 

based in North Carolina.

After all participating schools were identified, half were assigned (by lottery) to implement the RTS curriculum, while 

the other half will serve as the control group. Your teenager’s school was selected to serve as a [INSERT 

TREATMENT OR CONTROL] school. In treatment schools, juniors and seniors will be provided with the 11th and 

12th grade curriculum during the 2015-2016 school year. Data from students, teachers, and other staff from both 

groups of schools will be collected in order to compare the impact of the program. This baseline survey will link survey 

and participation data to North Dakota’s statewide longitudinal data system (SLEDS). In addition, the study will 

conduct site visits to select treatment and control schools to conduct interviews and focus groups to gain a thorough 

understanding of how the curriculum is being implemented; the successes and challenges faced by instructors and 

students in learning from the RTS material; and the differences between schools implementing the curriculum and 

those not.

The U.S. Department of Education is authorized by federal law (Public Law 107-279) to conduct Roads to Success. 

Data will be used only for statistical purposes and may not be disclosed or used, in identifiable form for any 

other purpose except as required by law (Public Law 107-279, Section 183). No individual data (such as names or 

addresses) will be reported. Participation is voluntary and there is no penalty if you or your teenager decides not to 

participate. Your teenager may choose not to answer any question. There are no risks to your teenager from taking part 

in the study. The data collected will be used in analyses to understand students’ behaviors related to college 

application (including two-year and technical/trade schools), college enrollment if accepted (including name 

of school, living arrangements, and costs), financial aid, and immediate plans for work (including jobs 

applied for, job offers), in addition to long-term career and educational goals.

If you allow your teenager to participate, you do not need to return this form. If for any reason you object to his or her 

participation, please fill out the enclosed form and return it to his/her school as soon as possible. 

The enclosed Frequently Asked Questions sheet provides more information about Roads to Success. If you have questions about the 

study please call Mr. Ben Dalton at RTI, toll free at 800-334-8571 ext. 27228 between 9 AM and 5 PM Eastern time, 

Monday through Friday. RTI is a non-profit research organization in North Carolina that has been contracted to collect the data. 

If you have questions about your rights as a study participant, you may call RTI’s Office for Research Protection toll-free at 1-866-

214-2043. Both Mr. Dalton and staff from the Office for Research Protection can be reached at: RTI, P.O. Box 12194, 

Research Triangle Park, NC 27709.

We thank you in advance for your cooperation in this important research.

Sincerely,
C-7

Roads	to	Success	– North	Dakota

PARENT	PERMISSION	FORM

IF YOU GRANT YOUR PERMISSION FOR YOUR TEENAGER TO PARTICIPATE IN THE STUDY, 

YOU DO NOT NEED TO RETURN THIS FORM.

IF YOU DO NOT CONSENT TO YOUR TEENAGER’S PARTICIPATION IN Roads to Success, PLEASE 

COMPLETE AND RETURN THIS FORM TO YOUR TEENAGER’S SCHOOL AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. 

I DO NOT GRANT PERMISSION for my teenager, _______________________________, to participate 

in the Roads to Success Study. (print student name)

Please sign and return only if you do not grant permission for your teenager to participate.

_____________________________________________________________________________________

(Signature of parent or guardian) 

AND

Print parent/guardian name: _______________________________________________________

Date of signature: _______________________________________________________

(___________) _________________________________________________________

Area code Telephone number

__________________________________________________________________________

Email address

PLEASE PRINT:

Student	name:	 ________________________________________________________________________________________

School name: __________________________________________________________

FOR OFFICE USE ONLY:

Student ID: _______________________________
C-8

Principal Survey Letter (Treatment and Control Schools)

[Date]

«adminname»

«schoolname»

«addr1»«addr2»

«citystzip»

Web Address:

Your Study ID: «caseID»

Your Password: «passwd»

Dear «adminname»:

In an ongoing effort to ensure college and career readiness, the National Center for Innovation in Career and Technical 

Education (NCICTE) is working with stakeholders and providers in North Dakota to implement the Roads to Success 

(RTS) program. RTS offers after-school programs, workforce and leadership development programs, and a college and 

career planning curriculum designed to enhance the academic and career readiness of students from 7th grade through 

high school. 

As part of this effort, NCICTE is conducting a randomized controlled trial (RCT) study involving the random 

assignment of schools to the 11th and 12th grade components of RTS. RTI International and FHI 360 have been 

contracted to conduct the study. After all participating schools were identified, half were assigned (by lottery) to 

implement the RTS curriculum, while the other half are serving as the control group. As you know, your school is in the 

[TREATMENT OR CONTROL] group. Data from students, teachers, and other staff from both groups of schools 

are being collected in order to compare the impact of the program. 

We are asking you to complete a 30-minute web-based survey to provide information on your school’s college and 

career planning activities offered to students. To access the survey, please use the web address and your unique study 

ID and password provided above. 

Data collected are used only for statistical purposes and may not be disclosed or used, in identifiable form for 

any other purpose except as required by law (Public Law 107-279, Section 183). The North Dakota Department of 

Education supports this important study as a key step in promoting methods to ensure student readiness for college and 

career. The enclosed Frequently Asked Questions sheet provides more information about Roads to Success.

If you have questions about the study please call Dr. Ben Dalton at RTI, toll free at 800-334-8571 ext. 27228 between 9 

AM and 5 PM Eastern time, Monday through Friday. If you have questions about your rights as a study participant, you 

may call RTI’s Office for Research Protection toll-free at 1-866-214-2043. Both Dr. Dalton and staff from the Office 

for Research Protection can be reached at: RTI, P.O. Box 12194, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709. We thank you in 

advance for your cooperation in this important research.

Sincerely,

Enclosure
C-9

Student Baseline Survey Letter (Treatment and Control Schools)

[DATE]

<Student_fname> <Student_lname> Web Address: <student_website>

<ADDR1> Your STUDY ID: <XXXXXXX>

<ADDR2> Your PASSWORD: <XXXXXXX>n

<CITY STATE ZIP>

Dear <Student_fname>:

In an ongoing effort to ensure college and career readiness, the National Center for Innovation in Career and Technical 

Education (NCICTE) is working with stakeholders and providers in North Dakota to implement the Roads to Success 

(RTS) program. RTS offers after-school programs, workforce and leadership development programs, and a college and 

career planning curriculum designed to enhance the academic and career readiness of students from 7th grade through 

high school. The study is being conducted under contract by RTI International, a nonprofit research organization 

based in North Carolina.

After all participating schools were identified, half were assigned (by lottery) to implement the RTS curriculum, while 

the other half will serve as the control group. Your school has been selected to serve as a [INSERT TREATMENT OR 

CONTROL] school. In treatment schools, juniors and seniors will be provided with the 11th and 12th grade 

curriculum during the 2015-2016 school year. Data from students, teachers, and other staff from both groups of 

schools will be collected in order to compare the impact of the program. 

We are asking you to complete a 30-minute web-based survey to provide information on potential college applications, 

college enrollment, financial aid, and plans for work. The survey will also ask about your long-term career and 

educational goals. To access the survey, please use the web address and your unique study ID and password provided 

above. 

Data collected are used only for statistical purposes and may not be disclosed or used, in identifiable form for any other 

purpose except as required by law (Public Law 107-279, Section 183). The North Dakota Department of Education 

supports this important study as a key step in promoting methods to ensure student readiness for college and career. 

The enclosed Frequently Asked Questions sheet provides more information about Roads to Success.

If you have questions about the study please call Dr. Ben Dalton at RTI, toll free at 800-334-8571 ext. 27228 between 9 

AM and 5 PM Eastern time, Monday through Friday. If you have questions about your rights as a study participant, you 

may call RTI’s Office for Research Protection toll-free at 1-866-214-2043. Both Dr. Dalton and staff from the Office 

for Research Protection can be reached at: RTI, P.O. Box 12194, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709. We thank you in 

advance for your cooperation in this important research.

Sincerely,
C-10

Student End-of-Year Survey Letter (Treatment and Control Schools)

[DATE]

<Student_fname> <Student_lname> Web Address: <student_website>

<ADDR1> Your STUDY ID: <XXXXXXX>

<ADDR2> Your PASSWORD: <XXXXXXX>n

<CITY STATE ZIP>

Dear <Student_fname>:

As you may remember, the National Center for Innovation in Career and Technical Education (NCICTE) is working 

with stakeholders and providers in North Dakota to implement the Roads to Success (RTS) program. RTS offers afterschool programs, workforce and leadership development programs, and a college and career planning curriculum 

designed to enhance the academic and career readiness of students from 7th grade through high school. The study is 

being conducted under contract by RTI International, a nonprofit research organization based in North Carolina.

After all participating schools were identified, half were assigned (by lottery) to implement the RTS curriculum, while 

the other half will serve as the control group. Your school was selected to serve as a [INSERT TREATMENT OR 

CONTROL] school. In treatment schools, juniors and seniors were provided with the 11th and 12th grade curriculum 

during the 2015-2016 school year. Data from students, teachers, and other staff from both groups of schools are being 

collected in order to compare the impact of the program. 

We are asking you to again complete a 30-minute web-based survey to provide information on potential college 

applications, college enrollment, financial aid, and plans for work. The survey will also ask about your long-term career 

and educational goals. 

To access the survey, please use the web address and your unique study ID and password provided above. 

Data collected are used only for statistical purposes and may not be disclosed or used, in identifiable form for any other 

purpose except as required by law (Public Law 107-279, Section 183). The North Dakota Department of Education 

supports this important study as a key step in promoting methods to ensure student readiness for college and career. 

The enclosed Frequently Asked Questions sheet provides more information about Roads to Success.

If you have questions about the study please call Dr. Ben Dalton at RTI, toll free at 800-334-8571 ext. 27228 between 9 

AM and 5 PM Eastern time, Monday through Friday. If you have questions about your rights as a study participant, you 

may call RTI’s Office for Research Protection toll-free at 1-866-214-2043. Both Dr. Dalton and staff from the Office 

for Research Protection can be reached at: RTI, P.O. Box 12194, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709. We thank you in 

advance for your cooperation in this important research.

Sincerely,
C-11

Teacher Survey Letter (Treatment Schools Only)

[Date]

<TEACHER NAME>

<SCHOOL NAME> Web Address: www.xxx.xxx.gov

<ADDR1> Your STUDY ID: <XXXXXXX>

<ADDR1> Your PASSWORD: <XXXXXXX>m

<CITY STATE ZIP>

Dear <Teacher Name>:

As you are aware, your school is participating in the Roads to Success (RTS) study. We appreciate your work with the 

RTS curriculum this semester. As part of the study, we are asking you to complete a 30-minute web-based survey that 

provides information about RTS topics covered and activities completed during the past semester. To access the 

survey, please use the web address and your unique study ID and password provided above. You will receive a check 

for <$25> within a few weeks of completing the survey as a token of our appreciation.

Data collected are used only for statistical purposes and may not be disclosed or used, in identifiable form for any other 

purpose except as required by law (Public Law 107-279, Section 183). 

The North Dakota Department of Education supports this important study as a key step in promoting methods to 

ensure student readiness for college and career. If you have questions about the study please call Dr. Ben Dalton at 

RTI, toll free at 800-334-8571 ext. 27228 between 9 AM and 5 PM Eastern time, Monday through Friday. If you have 

questions about your rights as a study participant, you may call RTI’s Office for Research Protection toll-free at 1-866-

214-2043. Both Dr. Dalton and staff from the Office for Research Protection can be reached at: RTI, P.O. Box 12194, 

Research Triangle Park, NC 27709. 

We thank you in advance for your cooperation in this important research.

Sincerely,