### September 22 , 201 4 

# U.S. Department of Education

**PPSS TO 13. High School Reform Study**  **Information Collection**

### September 22, 201 4 

# OMB Clearance Package PPSS Task Order 13. High School Reform Study Contract Number GS - 10F - 05 5 4N, Order # ED - PEP - 11 - O - 0090/TO13 SRI Project #P21496

**Submitted to:** Joanne Bogart Policy and Program Studies Service U.S. Department of Education 400 Maryland Avenue, SW Washington, DC 20202 **Prepared by:** Christine Padilla, Ellen Schiller, and Rebecca Schmidt, SRI International Deborah Herget, RT I InternationalHSRS OMB Package 3



### Appendix **: Notification**  **Letter s and Fact Sheet** HSRS OMB Package 4

District Letter #1 (No research application) [Date] <SUPERINTENDENT NAME> Web Address: <DISTRICT NAME> Your STUDY ID: <XXXXXXX> <ADDR1> Your PASSWORD: <XXXXXXX>a <ADDR2> <CITY STATE ZIP> Dear <Superintendent>: We are writing to request your district’s participation in the High School Reform Study (HSRS). One or more schools in your district have been selected for this important national study to understand the strategies used by schools to prevent dropping out from school and to help students at risk for dropping out. The study is being conducted by SRI International and its partner RTI International on behalf of the U.S. Department of Education and its High School Graduation Initiative (HSGI). HSGI provides grant funds to states and school districts in support of dropout p revention and reentry efforts. One school administrator from each sampled school will be asked to complete an online survey during fall 2014. HSRS will ask about the policies and strategies at each school and will take approximately 30 minutes for most r espondents. The survey is designed to be completed by the school principal or a designee who is able to provide information about school policies and strategies. We are asking you to encourage the school(s) selected in your district to participate in HSR S. Participation is voluntary. All responses will be protected from disclosure and no schools or individuals will be identified by name , except as required by law . The data collected will be used in analyses to understand what services and supports are ava ilable through schools, what services and supports are most prevalent across the country, and the nature of participation in these services and supports. Information collected from school administrators will help to inform and shape efforts to improve the quality of the high school experience, especially for those students at risk for not graduating high school. We plan to begin contacting selected schools in about a week. If your district has special research requirements, or if you have any questions ab out the study, please call XXX -XXX- XXXX . If you have questions about your rights as a study participant, you may call RTI’s Office for Research Protection in Durham, North Carolina, toll -free at 1 - 866 - 214 - 2043. We thank you in advance for your cooperation in this important research. Sincerely,
Office of Planning, Evaluation and Policy Development U.S. Department of Education High School Graduation Initiative U.S. Department of Education Office of Elementary and Secondary Education U.S. Department of Education
Enclosure: HSRS Fact SheetHSRS OMB Package 5

According to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, no persons are required to respond to a collection of information unless su ch a collection displays a valid OMB control number. The valid OMB control number for this information collection is xxxx -xxxx. The time required to complete this information collection is estimated to average 30 minutes per response, including the time to review instructions, search existing data resources, gather the data needed, and complete and review the information collection. I f you have any comments concerning the accuracy of the time estimate or suggestions for improving the interview, please write: U.S. Depa rtment of Education, Washington D.C. 20202 -4651. If you have comments or concerns regarding the status of your individua l interview, write directly to: H igh School Reform Study (HSRS), Office of Planning, Evaluation and Policy Development, 400 Maryland Ave, SW, Washington, DC 20202.HSRS OMB Package 6

District Letter #2 (With Research Application) [Date] <SUPERINTENDENT NAME> Web Address: <DISTRICT NAME> Your STUDY ID: <XXXXXXX> <ADDR1> Your PASSWORD: <XXXXXXX>a <ADDR2> <CITY STATE ZIP> Dear <Superintendent>: We are writing to request your district’s participation in the High School Reform Study (HSRS). One or more schools in your district have been selected for this important national study. HSRS seeks to understand the strategies used by schools to prevent dr opping out from school and to help students at risk for dropping out. The study is being conducted by SRI International and its partner RTI International on behalf of the U.S. Department of Education and its High School Graduation Initiative (HSGI). HSGI p rovides grant funds to states and school districts in support of dropout prevention and reentry efforts. One school administrator from each sampled school will be asked to complete an online survey during fall 2014. HSRS will ask about the policies and st rategies at each school and will take approximately 30 minutes for most respondents. The survey is designed to be completed by the school principal or a designee who is able to provide information about school policies and strategies. A research applicati on has been sent to your district’s research department. No contact will be made with the selected school(s) until we receive approval from the school district. Participation is voluntary. All responses will be protected from disclosure and no schools or i ndividuals will be identified by name, except as required by law. The data collected will be used in analyses to understand what services and supports are available through schools, what services and supports are most prevalent across the country, and the nature of participation in these services and supports. Information collected from school administrators will help to inform and shape efforts to improve the quality of the high school experience, especially for those students at risk for not graduating hi gh school. We plan to begin contacting selected schools in about a week. If you have any questions about the study, please call XXX XXX -XXXX. If you have q uestions about your rights as a study participant, you may call RTI’s Office for Research Protection in Durham, North Carolina, toll -free at 1 - 866 - 214 - 2043. We thank you in advance for your cooperation in this important research. Sincerely,

Elizabeth Eisner Office of Planning, Evaluation and Policy Development U.S. Department of Education High School Graduation Initiative U.S. Department of Education Office of Elementary and Secondary Education U.S. Department of Education Enclosure: HSRS Fact Sheet According to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 199 5, no persons are required to respond to a collection of information unless such aHSRS OMB Package 7

collection displays a valid OMB control number. The valid OMB control number for this information collection is xxxx -xxxx. The time required to complete this information col lection is estimated to average 30 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 or suggestions for improving the interview, please write: U.S. Department of Education, Washington D.C. 20202 -4651. If you have comments or concerns regarding the status of your individual interview, write directly to: H igh School Reform Study (HSRS), Office of Planning, Evaluation and Policy Development, 400 Maryland Ave, SW, Washington, DC 20202.HSRS OMB Package 8



### School Initial Contact Letter [Date] <SCHOOL ADMIN NAME> Web Address: <SCHOOL NAME> Your STUDY ID: <XXXXXXX> <ADDR1> Your PASSWORD: <XXXXXXX>a <ADDR2> <CITY STATE ZIP> Dear <School Administrator>: You have been selected to participate in the High School Reform Study (HSRS). Thank you in advance for your school’s participation which is crucial to the success of this important research. HSRS seeks to understand the strategies used by high schools to h elp prevent students from dropping out. The study is being conducted by SRI International and its partner, RTI International, on behalf of the U.S. Department of Education and its High School Graduation Initiative (HSGI). HSGI provides grant funds to state s and school districts in support of dropout prevention and reentry efforts. We ask you to complete a 30 - minute online survey about the policies and strategies at your school. The survey is designed to be completed by you or a staff person you designate w ho can provide information about school policies and strategies. Please use the web link, study ID and password provided above to access the survey. Your school district has been notified that we are contacting you about the study. All responses will be p rotected from disclosure , except as required by law . No individuals, other than research staff, will see any individually identifying data (for example, names or addresses). Participation is voluntary. The data collected will be used in analyses to unders tand what services and supports are available through schools, what services and supports are most prevalent across the country, and the nature of participation in these services and supports. Information collected from school administrators like you will help to inform and shape efforts to improve the quality of the high school experience, especially for those students at risk for not graduating high school. If you have any questions about the study, please call XXX -XXX- XXXX. If you have questions about your rights as a study participant, you may call RTI’s Office for Research Protection in Durham, North Carolina, toll -f ree at 1 - 866 - 214 - 2043. We thank you in advance for your cooperation in thi s important research. Sincerely,
Office of Planning, Evaluation and Policy Development U.S. Department of Education High School Graduation Initiative U.S. Department of Education Office of Elementary and Secondary Education U.S. Department of Education
Enclosure: HSRS Fact SheetHSRS OMB Package 9

According to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, no persons are required to respond to a collection of information unless su ch a collection displays a valid OMB control numbe r. The valid OMB control number for this information collection is xxxx-xxxx. The time required to complete this information collection is estimated to average 30 minutes per response, including the time to review instructions, search existing data resourc es, gather the data needed, and complete and review the information collection. If you have any comments concerning the accuracy of the time estimate or suggestions for improving the interview, please write: U.S. Depa rtment of Education, Washington D.C. 20 202 -4651. If you have comments or concerns regarding the status of your individual interview, write directly to: H igh School Reform Study (HSRS), Office of Planning, Evaluation and Policy Development, 400 Maryland Ave, SW, Washington, DC 20202.HSRS OMB Package 10



### School Reminder Letter #1 [Date] <SCHOOL ADMIN NAME> Web Address: <SCHOOL NAME> Your STUDY ID: <XXXXXXX> <ADDR1> Your PASSWORD: <XXXXXXX>a <ADDR2> <CITY STATE ZIP> Dear <School Administrator>: We recently sent you a letter a bout participation in the High School Reform Study (HSRS). Thank you in advance for your school’s participation, which is crucial to the success of this important research. HSRS seeks to understand the strategies u sed by schools to prevent dropping out fro m school and to help students at risk for dropping out. The study is being conducted by SRI International and its partner RTI International on behalf of the U.S. Department of Education and its High School Graduation Initiative (HSGI). HSGI provides grant funds to states and school districts in support of dropout prevention and reentry efforts. Either you or a designee who is able to provide information about school policies and strategies may complete the 30 - minute survey. Please use the Web link, study I D, and password provided above to access the survey at your earliest convenience. Your school district has been notified that we are contacting you about the study. All responses will be protected from disclosure and no schools or individuals will be identified by nam e, except as required by law . Participation is voluntary. If you have any questions about your participation in the survey, please call XXX -XXX- XXXX . If you have questions about your rights as a study participant, you may call RTI’s Office for Research Protection in Durham, North Carolina, toll -free at 1 - 866 - 214 - 2043. We thank you in advance for your cooperation in this important research. Sincerely,

Office of Planning, Evaluation and Policy Development U.S. Department of Education High School Graduation Initiative U.S. Department of Education Office of Elementary and Secondary Education U.S. Department of Education
Enclosure: HSRS Fact SheetHSRS OMB Package 11

According to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, no persons are required to respond to a collection of information unless su ch a collection displays a valid OMB control number. The valid OMB control number for this information collection is xxxx -xxxx. The time required to complete this information collection is estimated to average 30 minutes per response, including the time to review instructions, search existing data resources, gather the data needed, and complete and review the information collection. I f you have any comments concerning the accuracy of the time estimate or suggestions for improving the interview, please write: U.S. Depa rtment of Education, Washington D.C. 20202 -4651. If you have comments or concerns regarding the status of your individua l interview, write directly to: H igh School Reform Study (HSRS), Office of Planning, Evaluation and Policy Development, 400 Maryland Ave, SW, Washington, DC 20202.HSRS OMB Package 12



### School Reminder Letter #2 [Date] <SCHOOL ADMIN NAME> Web Address: <SCHOOL NAME> Your STUDY ID: <XXXXXXX> <ADDR1> Your PASSWORD: <XXXXXXX>a <ADDR2> <CITY STATE ZIP> Dear <School Administrator>: Your school’s participation in the H igh S chool R eform S tudy is crucial to the success of this important research. Please consider completing an online 30 - minute survey about the policies and strategies at your school. If you would prefer, you may designate someone at your school to complete the survey on your beha lf. To access the survey, use the Web link, study ID, and password provided above at your earliest convenience. The data collected will be used in analyses to understand what services and supports are available through schools, what services and supports a re most prevalent across the country, and the nature of participation in these services and supports. Information collected from school administrators will help to inform and shape efforts to improve the quality of the high school experience, especially fo r those students at risk for not graduating high school. The study is being conducted by SRI International and its partner RTI International on behalf of the U.S. Department of Education and its High School Graduation Initiative (HSGI). HSGI provides gran t funds to states and school districts in support of dropout prevention and reentry efforts. Your school district has been notified that we are contacting you about the study. Participation is voluntary. All responses will be protected from disclosure and n o schools or individuals will be identified by name , except as required by law . If you have any questions about your participation in the survey, please call XXX - XXX -XXXX. If you have questions about your rights as a study participant, you may call RTI’ s Office for Research Protection in Durham, North Carolina, toll -free at 1 - 866 - 214 - 2043. We thank you in advance for your cooperation in this important research. Sincerely,

Office of Planning, Evaluation and Policy Development U.S. Departme nt of Education High School Graduation Initiative U.S. Department of Education Office of Elementary and Secondary Education U.S. Department of Education
Enclosure: HSRS Fact SheetHSRS OMB Package 13

According to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, no persons are required to respond to a collection of information unless su ch a collection displays a valid OMB control number. The valid OMB control number for this information collection is xxxx -xxxx. The time required to complete this information collection is estimated to average 30 minutes per response, including the time to review instructions, search existing data resources, gather the data needed, and complete and review the information collection. I f you have any comments concerning the accuracy of the time estimate or suggestions for improving the interview, please write: U.S. Depa rtment of Education, Washington D.C. 20202 -4651. If you have comments or concerns regarding the status of your individua l interview, write directly to: H igh School Reform Study (HSRS), Office of Planning, Evaluation and Policy Development, 400 Maryland Ave, SW, Washington, DC 20202.HSRS OMB Package 14