**Draft 0 3**  **. 04**  **.2015**



## Middle	Grades	Longitudinal	Study	of	2016 **- 2017	(MGLS:2017)** 

**Recruitment Communication	Materials**  **for the	2016**  **Item	Validation and**  **Operational	Field	Test s** 

OMB#	1850 - 0911	v.3 

## Appendices **A	through S** 

National	Center	for	Education	Statistics U.S.	Department	of	Education Institute	of	Education	Sciences Washington,	DC 

### February	2015**Draft 0 3**  **. 04**  **.2015** 

# Table of Contents

Appendix	A. Endorsement Request	Letter ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ... 1 Appendix	B. State	Notification	Letter
................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ............. 2 Appendix	C. District	Notification	and	Recruitment	Letters
................................ ................................ ................................ . 5 Appendix	D. School	Recruitment	Letters
................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ... 10 Appendix	E. Teacher	Recruitment	Letter
................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ .. 12 Appendix	F. Parent	Recruitment	Letters,	Implicit	Consent ................................ ................................ .............................. 14 Appendix	G. Parent	Recruitment	Letters	and	Child	Consent	Forms,	Explicit	Consent
................................ ......... 16 Appendix	H. MGLS:2017	Brochure	Text
................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ..... 20 Appendix	I. MGLS:2017	FAQs	Text ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ............. 22 Appendix	J. MGLS:2017	Recruitment	Website	Text
................................ ................................ ................................ ............ 26 Appendix	K. MGLS:2017	Summary	of	Proposed	Mathematics	Assessment
................................ .............................. 27 Appendix	L. MGLS:2017	Summary	of	Proposed	Reading	Assessment
................................ ................................ ........ 28 Appendix	M. MGLS:2017	Summary	of	Proposed	Executive	Function	Assessments
................................ ............... 29 Appendix	N. MGLS:2017	Summary	of	Proposed	Student	Survey	and	Draft	Survey	Items
................................ .. 30 Appendix	O. MGLS:2017 Summary	of	the	Proposed	Parent	Survey	and	Draft	Survey	Items
............................. 31 Appendix	P. MGLS:2017	Summary	of	the	Proposed	Math	Teacher	Survey	and	Draft	Survey	Items
.............. 32 Appendix	Q. MGLS:2017	Summary	of	the	Proposed	Special	Education	Teacher	Survey	and	Draft	Survey

Items ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ................ 33 Appendix	R. MGLS:2017	Summary	of	the	Proposed	School	Administrator	Survey	and	Draft	Survey	Items 34 Appendix	S. MGLS:2017	S tudent	Rostering	Materials	for	Item	Validation	Field	Test	and	Operational	Field

Test ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ................... 35**Draft 0 3**  **. 04**  **.2015**



### 1 

# Ap **pendix A .**  **Endorsement Request Letter**  **Appendix A Consortium/Network/Diocese Endorsement Request Letter**  [NCES	Letterhead] [Date] [Director’s	name] [ Consortium/Network/Diocese	name] [Address] [City,	State	Zip] Dear	[Name]: I	am	writing	to	inform	you	about	a	vitally	important	new	national study:	the **Middle	Grades	Longitudinal	Study	of 2016**  **- 17	(MGLS:2017)**  .	The	study	is	the	first	of	its	kind	and	will	provide	invaluable	information	on	students’ mathematics	and	reading	skills,	executive	function,	socioemotional	wellbeing, and to	collect	survey data	on	family	and school	factors	that	may	encourage	success	during	these	important,	yet	generally	understudied,	years	of	education
. The	study	will	involve	multiple	phases,	including	a	field	test,	pilot	study,	and	main	study,	all	of	which	are	essential ele ments	in	learning	about	students	in	these	grades.	In	order	to	encourage	schools	and	parents	to	participate,	we	are asking	esteemed	organizations	from	around	the	nation	to	learn	about	and	then	endorse	the	study.	We	would	like	to speak	with	you	or,	if	you	pr efer,	someone	else	in	your	organization	about	the	importance	of	the	MGLS:2017	and	the opportunity	to	endorse	it. In	the	next	[#]	days,	a n	individual	from	<data	collection	contractor>,	which	is	conducting the MGLS:2017	data collection on	behalf	of	the	U.S. Department	of	Education’s	National	Center	for	Education	Statistics	(NCES),	will	be	following	up with	you	about	endorsing	this	historic	study.	Alternatively,	you	can	sign	up	to	endorse	the	study	by	visiting	our	website at	<recruitment	website	URL>. Should	you	have	any	questions	in	the	meantime,	please	call	the	MGLS:2017	information line,	800 - xxx - xxxx,	or	send	an	email	to	<email	address	here>. Enclosed	you	will	find	an	MGLS:2017	brochure	that	further	explains	the	study	and	a	sheet	of	Frequently	Asked Question s	(FAQs). Thank	you	in	advance	for	your	support	of	the	MGLS:2017,	and	working	together	to	improve	the	quality	of	education	for our	country’s	middle	grade	students. Sincerely, Peggy	Carr NCES	Acting	Commissioner,	National	Center	for	Education	Statistics NCES	is	authorized	to	conduct	this	study	under	the	Education	Sciences	Reform	Act	of	2002	(ESRA	2002),	20	U.S.	Code,	§	9543.	B y	law,	the	data	provided	by schools,	staff,	parents,	and	students	may 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	(20	U.S.	Code,	§	9573).	No	data	identifying	respondents,	or	relating	to	or	describing	individuals, will	be	released.	All	data	will	be combined	across	respondents	to	produce	statistical	reports. Enclosures: MGLS:2017	Brochure FAQs**Draft 0 3**  **. 04**  **.2015**



### 2 

# Ap **pendix B .**  **State Notification Letter Appendix B**  **.1 State Notification Letter** 

**– Item Validation Field Test** 

[NCES/ED	Letterhead] [Date] [Title	First	Name	Last	Name] [State	Department	of	Education	Official’s	Title] [State	Department	of	Education] [Address] [City,	State	Zip] Dear	[Name]: I	am	writing	to	inform	your	state	education	agency	about	an	important	new	national	study:	the **Middle	Grades	Longitudinal	Study of	2016**  **- 17	(MGLS:2017)**  .	The	study	will	follow	a	coh ort	of	6 th grade	students	as	they	progress	through	the	middle	grade	years, making	the	transition	from	elementary	school	and	preparing	for	the	transition	into	high	school.	The	goal	of	the	study	is	to	e xamine the	factors	that	encourage	success	during	these	i mportant	yet	often	understudied	years	of	education.	The MGLS:2017	data	collection will	be	conducted	by	<data	collection	contractor>	on	behalf	of	the	U.S.	Department	of	Education’s	National	Center	for	Educati on Statistics	(NCES). Schools	in	your	state	have been	selected	to	participate	in	the	first	phase	of	the	MGLS:2017.	In	each	school,	this	first	phase	will	include a	math,	reading,	and	executive	function	assessment	of	students	in	the	middle	grades	as	well	as	a	student	survey	on	socioemoti onal wellbeing,	pee rs,	and	schooling	experiences.	Combined,	the	assessment	and	survey	will	require	about	90	minutes.	School administrators,	math	teachers,	special	education	providers,	and	students’	parents	will	also	be	asked	to	complete	questionnair es.	Each of	these	will	req uire	about	30	minutes.	All	data	will	be	collected	through	a	computer - based	application	or	a	telephone	interview.	The results	of	this	first	phase	will	significantly	inform	the	main	study,	which	will	begin	in	early	2017	with	6 th graders	from	approximately 70 0	schools	across	the	country.	Schools	that	participate	in	the	first	phase	of	the	MGLS:2017	are	not	anticipated	to	participate in	any subsequent	years	of	the	study. In <	month	> ,	we	will	begin	contacting	the	school	districts	and	schools	that	have	been	selected	to	participate	in	the	first	phase	of	the study.	Each	school’s	participation	is	important,	because	the	first	phase	of	the	study	needs	an	inclusive	and	diverse	group	of American schools	serving	students	in	the	middle	grades.	A	list	of	school	districts	an d	schools	selected	to	participate	in	your	state	is	attached	to this	letter. Enclosed	you	will	find	an	MGLS:2017	brochure	that	further	explains	the	study.	Should	you	have	any	questions,	please	call	the MGLS:2017	information	number,	800 - xxx- xxxx,	or	send	an email	to	<email	address>.	You	may	also	contact	Carolyn	Fidelman	at	NCES at	202 - 502 - 7312	for	more	information. We	look	forward	to	working	with	your	schools	to	make	MGLS:2017	a	success.	Thank	you	for	your	support. Sincerely, Peggy	Carr NCES	Acting Commissioner, National	Center	for	Education	Statistics NCES	is	authorized	to	conduct	this	study	under	the	Education	Sciences	Reform	Act	of	2002	(ESRA	2002),	20	U.S.	Code,	§	9543.	B y	law,	the	data	provided	by schools,	staff,	parents,	and	students	may 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	(20	U.S.	Code,	§	9573).	No	data	identifying	respondents,	or	relating	to	or	describing	individuals, will	be	released.	All data	will	be combined	across	respondents	to	produce	statistical	reports. Enclosures: MGLS:2017	Brochure List	of	selected	schools	in	[State]**Draft 0 3**  **. 04**  **.2015**



### 3 **Appendix B .2**  **State Notification Letter**

**– Operational Field Test** 

[NCES/ED	Letterhead] [Date] [Title	First	Name Last	Name] [State	Department	of	Education	Official’s	Title] [State	Department	of	Education] [Address] [City,	State	Zip] Dear	[Name]: I	am	writing	to	inform	your	state	education	agency	about	an	important	new	national	study:	the **Middle	Grades	Longitudinal	S tudy**  **of	2016 -**  **17	(MGLS:2017)** .	The	study	will	follow	a	cohort	of	6 th grade	students	as	they	progress	through	the	middle	grade	years, making	the	transition	from	elementary	school	and	preparing	for	the	transition	into	high	school. The goal of the study is to examine the factors that encourage success during these important yet often understudied years of education. The MGLS:2017	data	collection will	be conducted	by	<data	collection	contractor>	on	behalf	of	the	U.S.	Department	of	Education’s	National	Center	for Education	Statistics (NCES). A	few	schools	in	your	state	have	been	selected	to	participate	in	the	pilot	study	of	the	MGLS:2017.	In	each	school,	the	pilot study	will follow	students	for	three	years;	however,	students	are	only	directly	involved	in	the	first year	of	data	collection.	In	the	first	year,	a math,	reading,	and	executive	function	assessment	of	6 th grade	students	is	administered	as	well	as	a	student	survey	on	socioemotional wellbeing,	peers,	and	schooling	experiences.	The	student	assessment	will	take about	70	minutes	to	complete	and	the	student	survey will	require	another	20	minutes.	School	administrators,	math	teachers,	special	education	providers,	and	students’	parents	wil l	also be	asked	to	complete	questionnaires	during	the	first	year	of	data	colle ction.	Each	of	these	will	require	about	30	minutes.	All	data	will be	collected	through	a	computer - based	application	or	a	telephone	interview. After	the	first	year,	no	assessment	or	survey	will	be	given	and	only	information	on	student	mobility	and	tracking will	be	collected. The	results	of	the	pilot	study	will	provide	invaluable	information	about	respondent	mobility,	and	inform	protocols	and	materi als	for the	MGLS:2017	main	study,	which	will	begin	in	early	2017	with	6 th graders	from	approximately	700	schools across	the	country. In <	month	> ,	we	will	begin	contacting	the	school	districts	and	schools	that	have	been	selected	to	participate	in	the	pilot	study.	Each school’s	participation	is	important,	because	the	pilot	study	needs	an	inclusive	and	diverse	group	o f	American	schools	serving	sixth grade	students.	A	list	of	school	districts	and	schools	selected	to	participate	in	your	state	is	attached	to	this	letter. Enclosed	you	will	find	an	MGLS:2017	brochure	that	further	explains	the	study.	Should	you	have	any	ques tions,	please	call	the MGLS:2017	information	number,	800 - xxx- xxxx,	or	send	an	email	to	<email	address>.	You	may	also	contact	Carolyn	Fidelman	at	NCES at	202 - 502 - 7312	for	more	information. We	look	forward	to	working	with	your	schools	to	make	MGLS:2017	a	suc cess.	Thank	you	for	your	support. Sincerely, Peggy	Carr NCES	Acting	Commissioner, National	Center	for	Education	Statistics NCES	is	authorized	to	conduct	this	study	under	the	Education	Sciences	Reform	Act	of	2002	(ESRA	2002),	20	U.S.	Code,	§	9543.	B y	law,	the	data	provided	by schools,	staff,	parents,	and	students	may be	used	only for	statistical	purposes	and	may	not	be	disclose d or	used in	identifiable	form	for	any	other	purpose except	as	required	by	law	(20	U.S.	Code,	§	9573).	No	data	identifying	respondents,	or	relating	to	or	describing	individuals, will	be	released.	All	data	will	be combined	across	respondents	to	produce	statistical	reports. Enclosures: MGLS:2017	Brochure List	of	selected	schools	in	[State]**Draft 0 3**  **. 04**  **.2015**



### 4 **Appendix B .3**  **State Notification Letter**

**– Item Validation and Operational Field Test**  **in the S ame State**  [NCES/ED	Letterhead] [Date] [Title	First	Name	Last	Name] [State	De partment	of	Education	Official’s	Title] [State	Department	of	Education] [Address] [City,	State	Zip] Dear	[Name]: I	am	writing	to	inform	your	state	education	agency	about	an	important	new	national	study:	the **Middle	Grades	Longitudinal	Study of	2016**  **- 17	(MGL**  **S:2017)** .	The	study	will	follow	a	cohort	of	20,000	sixth - grade	students	as	they	progress	through	the	middle	grade years,	making	the	transition	from	elementary	school	and	preparing	for	the	transition	into	high	school.	The	goal	of	the	study is	to examine	the factors	that	encourage	success	during	these	important	yet	often	understudied	years	of	education.	The	MGLS:2017	data collection	will	be	conducted	by	<data	collection	contractor>	on	behalf	of	the	U.S.	Department	of	Education’s	National	Center for Education	S tatistics	(NCES). In	preparation	for	the	main	study	which	will	launch	in	January	2017,	we	are	conducting	a	field	test	in	January	2016.	Schools in	your state	have	been	selected	to	participate	in	this	field	test,	which	will	include	a	math,	reading,	and	executive	function	assessment	of students	in	the	middle	grades	as	well	as	a	student	survey	on	socioemotional	wellbeing,	peers,	and	schooling	experiences.	Comb ined, the	assessment	and	survey	will	require	about	90	minutes.	School	administrators,	math	teachers,	sp ecial	education	providers,	and students’	parents	will	also	be	asked	to	complete	questionnaires.	Each	of	these	will	require	about	30	minutes.	All	data	will	b e	collected through	a	computer - based	application	or	a	telephone	interview. In	addition	to	the	asse ssment	and	survey,	some	students	will	be	followed	for	three	years	to	learn	about	best	practices	for	tracing	and tracking	individuals	at	this	stage	of	their	educational	careers.		Although	student	mobility	will	be	studied	between	2016	and 2018,	the direct	as sessment	and	all	survey	components	will	only	be	administered	during	the	first	year	of	the	field	test.	Schools	that	participate in	the	field	test	of	the	MGLS:2017	are	not	anticipated	to	participate	in	any	subsequent	years	of	the	study. In	[month],	we	will	b egin	contacting	school	districts	and	schools	that	have	been	selected	to	participate	in	the	field	test.	Each	school’s participation	is	important,	because	the	field	test	will	significantly	inform	the	main	study	and	needs	to	be	inclusive	and	ref lective	of the diverse	group	of	American	schools	serving	students	in	the	middle	grades.	Additionally,	part	of	our	pilot	involves	an	experime nt on	school	incentives.	Each	participating	school	will	receive	one	of	the	following	incentives	as	a	thank	you	for	their	help	wi th this phase	of	the	study:	$200,	$400,	or	$400	in	material	or	services. A	list	of	school	districts	and	schools	selected	to	participate	in	your	state	is	attached	to	this	letter. Enclosed	you	will	find	an	MGLS:2017	brochure	that	further	explains	the	study. Should	you	have	any	questions,	please	call	the MGLS:2017	information	number,	800 - xxx- xxxx,	or	send	an	email	to	<email	address>.	You	may	also	contact	Carolyn	Fidelman	at	NCES at	202 - 502 - 7312	for	more	information. We	look	forward	to	working	with	your	schools to	make	MGLS:2017	a	success.	Thank	you	for	your	support. Sincerely, Peggy	Carr NCES	Acting	Commissioner,	National	Center	for	Education	Statistics NCES	is	authorized	to	conduct	this	study	under	the	Education	Sciences	Reform	Act	of	2002	(ESRA	2002),	20	U. S.	Code,	§	9543.	By	law,	the	data	provided	by schools,	staff,	parents,	and	students	may 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	(20	U.S.	Code,	§	9573).	No	data	identifying	respondents,	or	relating	to	or	describing	individuals, will	be	released.	All	data	will	be combined	across	respondents	to	produce	statistical	reports. Enclosures: MGLS:2017	Brochure List	of	selected	schools	in	[State]**Draft 0 3**  **. 04**  **.2015**



### 5 

# Ap **pendix C .**  **District Notification and Recruitment Letters Appendix C**  **.1 District Notification and Recruitment Letter** 

**– Item Validation Field Test**  [MGLS	Letterhead] [Date] [Superintendent’s	Name] Superintendent [District] [Address] [City,	State	Zip] Dear	[Name]: I	am	writing	to	inform	you	that	schools	in	your	district	have	been	selected	to	participate	in	a	vitally	important	new	nationa l	study: the **Middle	Grades	Longitudinal	Study	o f	2016**  **- 17	(MGLS:2017)**  .	The	study	will follow	a cohort	of	6 th grade	students	as	they progress	through	the	middle	grade	years,	making	the	transition	from	elementary	school	and	preparing	for	the	transition	into	h igh school.	The	goals	of	the	study	are	to	assess	students’	mathematics	and	reading	skills,	executive	functi on,	socioemotional	wellbeing, and to	collect survey data	on family	and	school	factors	that may encourage	success	during	these	important,	yet	generally understudied,	years	of	education.	The MGLS:2017	data	collection will	be	conducted	by	<data	collection	contractor>	on	behalf	of	the U.S.	Department	of	Education’s	National	Center	for	Education	Statistics	(NCES). Within	your	district,	the	schools	on	the	attached	list	have	been	selected	to	participate	in	the	first	phase	of	the	MGLS:2017 to	be conducted	in	early 2016.	<data	contractor>	will	contact	these	schools	to	discuss	study	details	and	invite	them	to	join. In	each	school,	the	first	phase	of	the	study	will	include	a	math,	reading,	and	executive	function	assessment	of	students	in	the	middle grades	as	well	as	a student	survey	on	socioemotional	wellbeing,	peers,	and	schooling	experiences.	The	student	assessment	will	take about	70	minutes	to	complete	and	the	student	survey	will	require	another	20	minutes.	School	administrators,	math	teachers,	sp ecial education	providers,	and	students’	parents	will	also	be	asked	to	complete	questionnaires.	Each	of	these	will	require	about	30 minutes.	All	data	will	be	collected	through	a	computer - based	application	or	a	telephone	interview,	and	significantly	inform	the	main study,	which	will	begin	in	early	2017	with	6 th graders	from	approximately	700	schools	around	the	country. We	are	asking	you	to	encourage	your	school(s)	to	participate	in	this	vital	phase	which	will	take	place	in	early	2016. Part	of	our	pilot involves	an	experiment	on school	incentives.	Each	participating	school	will	receive	one	of	the	following	incentives	as	a	thank	you	for their	help	with	this	phase	of	the	study:	$200,	$400	or	$400	in	goods	and/or	services. School	and	student	participation	is	voluntary, but	we	hope	your	district	and	all	selected	schools	will	choose	to	contribute	to	the	study.	A	representative	from	<data	collection contractor>	will	contact	you	in	the	next	few	days	to	answer	any	questions	you	may	have	about	MGLS:2017,	and	address	any outstanding	issues that	might	otherwise	keep	your	district	and	school(s)	from	being	a	part	of	this	unprecedented	study. Enclosed	you	will	find	an	MGLS:2017	brochure	that	further	explains	the	study	and	a	sheet	of	Frequently	Asked	Questions	(FAQs)
. Should	you	have	any	question s,	please	call	the	MGLS:2017	information	line,	800 - xxx- xxxx,	or	send	an	email	to	<email	address	here>. We	look	forward	to	working	with	your	schools	in	this	endeavor	to	advance	the	quality	of	education	for	our	country’s	middle	grade students.	Thank	you	for your	support. Sincerely, Peggy	Carr NCES	Acting	Commissioner, National	Center	for	Education	Statistics NCES	is	authorized	to	conduct	this	study	under	the	Education	Sciences	Reform	Act	of	2002	(ESRA	2002),	20	U.S.	Code,	§	9543.	B y	law,	the	data	provided	b y schools,	staff,	parents,	and	students	may 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	(20	U.S.	Code,	§	9573).	No	data	identifying	respondents,	or	relating	to	or	describing	individuals, will	be	released.	All	data	will	be combined	across	respondents	to	produce	statistical	reports. Enclosures: MGLS:2017	brochure List	of	selected	schools	in	District Frequently	Asked	Questions	(FAQs)	sheet**Draft 0 3**  **. 04**  **.2015**



### 6 **Appendix C .2.a**  **District Notification Letter**

**– Operational Field Test** 

**– Sample 1**  [MGLS	Letterhead] [Date] [Superintendent’s	Name] Superinte ndent [District] [Address] [City,	State	Zip] Dear	[Name]: I	am	writing	to	inform	you	that	schools	in	your	district	have	been	selected	to	participate	in	a	vitally	important	new	nationa l	study: the **Middle	Grades	Longitudinal	Study	of	2016 -**  **17	(MGLS:2017)** .	Th e	study	will follow	a cohort	of	6 th grade	students	as	they progress	through	the	middle	grade	years,	making	the	transition	from	elementary	school	and	preparing	for	the	transition	into	h igh school.	The	goals	of	the	study	are	to	assess	students’	mathematics	a nd	reading	skills,	executive	function,	socioemotional	wellbeing, and to	collect	survey	data	on family	and	school	factors	that may encourage success	during	these	important,	yet	generally understudied,	years	of	education.	The MGLS:2017	data	collection will be	conducted	by	<data	collection	contractor>	on	behalf	of	the U.S.	Department	of	Education’s	National	Center	for	Education	Statistics	(NCES). Within	your	district,	the	schools	on	the	attached	list	have	been	selected	to	participate	in	the	pilot	study	of	the MGLS:2017,	which	will begin	in	early	2016	and	follow	students	for	three	years.	<data	contractor>	will	contact	these	schools	to	discuss	study	detail s	and invite	them	to	join. In	each	school,	the	pilot	study	will	follow	selected	6 th graders	for	three	years, and	include	a	math,	reading,	and	executive	function assessment	as	well	as	a	student	survey	on	socioemotional	wellbeing,	peers,	and	schooling	experiences.	The	student	assessment will take	about	70	minutes	to	complete	and	the	student	survey	will	require	ano ther	20	minutes.	School	administrators,	math	teachers, special	education	providers,	and	students’	parents	will	also	be	asked	to	complete	questionnaires.	Each	of	these	will	require about	30 minutes.	All	data	will	be	collected	through	a	computer - based	applic ation	or	a	telephone	interview.	Although	students	will	be followed	for	three	years,	after	the	first	year	no	assessment	or	survey	will	be	given,	and	only	information	on	student	mobility	and tracking	will	be	collected.	The	results	of	the	pilot	study	will	provide	invaluable	information	about	respondent	mobility,	and	inform protocols	and	materials	for	the	MGLS:2017	main	study,	which	will	begin	in	early	2017	with	6 th graders	from	approximately	700 schools	across	the	country. We	are	asking	you	to	encourage	your	s chool(s)	to	participate	in	this	vital	phase	of	MGLS:2017. Part	of	our	pilot	involves	an experiment	on	school	incentives.	Each	participating	school	will	receive	one	of	the	following	incentives	as	a	thank	you	for	th eir	help with	this	phase	of	the	study:	$200 ,	$400	or	$400	in	goods	and/or	services. School	and	student	participation	is	voluntary,	but	we	hope your	district	and	all	selected	schools	will	choose	to	contribute	to	the	study.	A	representative	from	<data	collection	contractor>	will contact	you	in	the	next	few	days	to	answer	any	questions	you	may	have	about	MGLS:2017,	and	address	any	outstanding	issues	that might	otherwise	keep	your	district	and	school(s)	from	being	a	part	of	this	unprecedented	study. Enclosed	you	will	find	an	MGLS:2017	brochure	that	further	explains	the	study	and	a	sheet	of	Frequently	Asked	Questions	(FAQs). Should	you	have	any	questions,	please	call	the	MGLS:2017	information	line,	800 - xxx- xxxx,	or	send	an	email	to	<email	address	here>. We	look	forward	to	working	with	your	schools	in	this endeavor	to	advance	the	quality	of	education	for	our	country’s	middle	grade students.	Thank	you	for	your	support. Sincerely, Peggy	Carr NCES	Acting	Commissioner, National	Center	for	Education	Statistics NCES	is	authorized	to	conduct	this	study	under	the Education	Sciences	Reform	Act	of	2002	(ESRA	2002),	20	U.S.	Code,	§	9543.	By	law,	the	data	provided	by schools,	staff,	parents,	and	students	may 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	(20	U.S.	Code,	§	9573).	No	data	identifying	respondents,	or	relating	to	or	describing	individuals, will	be	released.	All	data	will	be combined	across	respondents	to	produce	statistical	reports. Enclosures: MGLS:2017	brochure List	of	selected	schools	in	District Frequently	Asked	Questions	(FAQs)	sheet**Draft 0 3**  **. 04**  **.2015**



### 7 **Appendix	C .2.b**  **District	Recruitment	Letter –**  **Operational	Field	Test –**  **Sample	2** [MGLS	Letterhead] [Date] [Superintendent’s	Name] Superinte ndent [District] [Address] [City,	State	Zip] Dear	[Name]: I	am	writing	to	request	your	district’s	participation	in	a	vitally	important	new	national	study:	the **Middle	Grades	Longitudinal Study	of	2016**  **- 17	(MGLS:2017)**  .	The	study	will follow	a cohort	of	6 th grade	students	as	they	progress	through	the	middle	grade years,	making	the	transition	from	elementary	school	and	preparing	for	the	transition	into	high	school.	The	goals	of	the	study are	to assess	students’	mathematics	and	reading	skills,	executive	functi on,	socioemotional	wellbeing, and to	collect	survey	data	on family and	school	factors	that may encourage success	during	these	important,	yet	generally	understudied,	years	of	education.	The MGLS:2017	data	collection will	be	conducted	by	<data	collection	contractor>	on	behalf	of	the	U.S.	Department	of	Education’s	National Center	for	Education	Statistics	(NCES). A	special	focus	of	the	study	is	students	with	disabilities.	In	particular,	we	are	interested	in	6 th grade	students	served	by	an	IEP	for emotional	disturbance	or	autism.	We	would	like	to	use	district	records	to	select [ # ] students	with	emotional	disturbance	and [# ] students	with	autism	for	the	pilot	study	of	the	MGLS:2017.	Students	with	disabilities	can attend	the	same	school	or	multiple	schools in	your	district,	and	once	a	student	has	been	selected,	<data	contractor>	will	contact	their	school	to	discuss	study	details and	invite them	to	join. In	each	school,	the	pilot	study will	begin	in	early	2016 and wi ll	follow	the	selected	6 th graders	for	three	years .	It	will include	a	math, reading,	and	executive	function	assessment	as	well	as	a	student	survey	on	socioemotional	wellbeing,	peers,	and	schooling experiences.	The	student	assessment	will	take	about	70	minutes	to	complete	and	the	student	survey	will	require	another	20	minutes, with	accommodations	offered	to	meet	the	needs	of	this	special	population.	School	administrators,	math	teachers,	special	education providers,	and	students’	parents	will	also	be	asked	to complete	questionnaires.	Each	of	these	will	require	about	30	minutes.	All	data will	be	collected	through	a	computer - based	application	or	a	telephone	interview.	Although	students	will	be	followed	for	three	years, after	the	first	year	no	assessment	or	survey	will	be	given,	and	only	information	on	student	mobility	and	tracking	will	be	collected. The	results	of	the	pilot	study	will	provide	invaluable	information	about	respondent	mobility,	and	inform	protocols	and	materi als	for the	MGLS:2017	main	study,	which	will	begin	in	early	2017	with	6 th graders	from	approximately	700	schools	across	the	country. We	are	asking	you	to	encourage	your	school(s)	to	participate	in	this	vital	phase	of	MGLS:2017. Part	of	our	pilot	involves	an experiment	on	school	incentives.	Each	p articipating	school	will	receive	one	of	the	following	incentives	as	a	thank	you	for	their	help with	this	phase	of	the	study:	$200,	$400	o r	$400	in	goods	and/or	services .	School	and	student	participation	is	voluntary,	but	we	hope your	district	and	all selected	schools	will	choose	to	contribute	to	the	study.	A	representative	from	<data	collection	contractor>	will contact	you	in	the	next	few	days	to	answer	any	questions	you	may	have	about	MGLS:2017,	and	address	any	outstanding	issues	that might	otherwise keep	your	district	and	school(s)	from	being	a	part	of	this	unprecedented	study. Enclosed	you	will	find	an	MGLS:2017	brochure	that	further	explains	the	study	and	a	sheet	of	Frequently	Asked	Questions	(FAQs)
. Should	you	have	any	questions,	please	call	the	MG LS:2017	information	line,	800 - xxx- xxxx,	or	send	an	email	to	<email	address	here>. We	look	forward	to	working	with	your	schools	in	this	endeavor	to	advance	the	quality	of	education	for	our	country’s	middle	grade students.	Thank	you	for	your	support. Sincere ly, Peggy	Carr NCES	Acting	Commissioner, National	Center	for	Education	Statistics NCES	is	authorized	to	conduct	this	study	under	the	Education	Sciences	Reform	Act	of	2002	(ESRA	2002),	20	U.S.	Code,	§	9543.	B y	law,	the	data	provided	by schools,	staff,	parents,	and	students	may 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	(20	U.S.	Code,	§	9573).	No	data	identifying	respondents,	or	relating	to	or	describing	individuals,	will	be	released.	All	data	will	be combined	across	respondents	to	produce	statistical	reports. Enclosures: MGLS:2017	brochure List	of	selected	schools	in	District Frequently	Asked	Questions	(FAQs)	sheet**Draft 0 3**  **. 04**  **.2015**



### 8 **Appendix	C .2.c		District	Recruitment	Letter**  **– Operational	Field	Test**  **– Sample	1	and	2	in	the	Same	District**  [MGLS	Letterhead] [Date] [Superintendent’s	Name] Superintendent [District] [Address] [City,	State	Zip] Dear	[Name]: I	am	writing	to	request	your	district’s	participation	in	a	vitally	important new	national	study:	the **Middle	Grades	Longitudinal Study	of	2016**  **- 17	(MGLS:2017)**  .	The	main	study	will	follow	a	cohort	of	6 th grade	students	as	they	progress	through	the	middle grade	years,	making	the	transition	from	elementary	school	and	preparing	for	the transition	into	high	school.	The	goals	of	the	study are	to	assess	students’	mathematics	and	reading	skills,	executive	function,	socioemotional	wellbeing, and to	collect	survey	data	on family	and	school	factors	that may encourage	success	during	these	important,	yet	generally	understudied,	years	of	education .	The MGLS:2017	data	collection will	be	conducted	by	<data	collection	contractor>	on	behalf	of	the	U.S.	Department	of	Education’s	National Center	for	Education	Statistics	(NCES). In	order	to	successfully	c onduct	the	main	study,	your	district	is	one	of	a	few	from	around	the	country	that	has	been	selected	to participate	in	the	MGLS:2017	pilot	study.	For	the	pilot	study,	we	will	collect	data	from	a	representative	sample	of	sixth - graders,	with a	special	focus	o n	students	with	disabilities.	In	particular,	we	are	interested	in	6 th grade	students	served	by	an	IEP	for	emotional disturbance	or	autism.	We	would	like	to	use	district	records	to	select [ # ] students	with	emotional	disturbance, [ # ] students	with autism,	an d [ # ] of	other	students	in	schools	from	your	district	for	the	pilot	study	of	the	MGLS:2017.	The	pilot	study	will	begin	in	early 2016	and	follow	students	for	three	years.	Students	can	attend	the	same	school	or	multiple	schools	in	your	district,	and	once a	student has	been	selected,	<data	contractor>	will	contact	their	school	to	discuss	study	details	and	invite	them	to	join. In	each	school,	the	pilot	study	will	follow	the	selected	6 th graders	for	three	years,	and	include	a	math,	reading,	and	executive	function assessment	as	well	as	a	student	survey	on	socioemotional	wellbeing,	peers,	and	schooling	experiences.	The	student	assessment will take	about	70	minutes	to	complete	and	the	student	survey	will	require	another	20	minutes,	with	accommodations	offered	to	meet the	needs	of	this	special	population.	School	administrators,	math	teachers,	special	education	providers,	and	students’	parents	will also	be	asked	to	complete	questionnaires.	Each of	these	will	require	about	30	minutes.	All	data	will	be	collected	through	a	computer based	application	or	a	telephone	interview.	Although	students	will	be	followed	for	three	years,	after	the	first	year	no	asses sment	or survey	will	be	given,	and	only	info rmation	on	student	mobility	and	tracking	will	be	collected.	The	results	of	the	pilot	study	will provide	invaluable	information	about	respondent	mobility,	and	inform	protocols	and	materials	for	the	MGLS:2017	main	study,	wh ich will	begin	in	early	2017	with	2 0,000	sixth - graders	from	approximately	700	schools	across	the	country. We	are	asking	you	to	encourage	your	school(s)	to	participate	in	this	vital	phase	of	MGLS:2017.	Part	of	our	pilot	involves	an experiment	on	school	incentives.	Each	participating	school	will	receive	one	of	the	following	incentives	as	a	thank	you	for	their	help with	this	phase	of	the	study:	$200,	$400	or	$400	in	goods	and/or	services.	School	and	student	participation	is	voluntary,	but we	hope your	district	and	all	selected	schools	will	choo se	to	contribute	to	the	study.	A	representative	from	<data	collection	contractor>	will contact	you	in	the	next	few	days	to	answer	any	questions	you	may	have	about	MGLS:2017,	and	address	any	outstanding	issues	that might	otherwise	keep	your	district	and	sch ool(s)	from	being	a	part	of	this	unprecedented	study. Enclosed	you	will	find	an	MGLS:2017	brochure	that	further	explains	the	study	and	a	sheet	of	Frequently	Asked	Questions	(FAQs)
. Should	you	have	any	questions,	please	call	the	MGLS:2017	information	line, 800 - xxx- xxxx,	or	send	an	email	to	<email	address	here>. We	look	forward	to	working	with	your	schools	in	this	endeavor	to	advance	the	quality	of	education	for	our	country’s	middle	grade students.	Thank	you	for	your	support. Sincerely, Peggy	Carr NCES	Actin g	Commissioner, National	Center	for	Education	Statistics NCES	is	authorized	to	conduct	this	study	under	the	Education	Sciences	Reform	Act	of	2002	(ESRA	2002),	20	U.S.	Code,	§	9543.	B y	law,	the	data	provided	by schools,	staff,	parents,	and	students	may 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	(20	U.S.	Code,	§	9573).	No	data	identifying	respondents,	or	relating	to	or	describing	individuals, will	be	released.	All	data	will	be combined	across	respondents	to	produce	statistical	reports. Enclosures: MGLS:2017	brochure List	of	selected	schools	in	District Frequently	Asked	Questions	(FAQs)	sheet**Draft 0 3**  **. 04**  **.2015**



### 9 **Appendix	C .3**  **District	Notification	Letter –**  **Item	Validation	and Operational	Field	Test**  **in	the	Same	District** [MGLS	Letterhead] [Date] [Superintendent’s	Name] Superintendent [District] [Address] [City,	State	Zip] Dear	[Name]: I	am	writing	to	request	your	district’s	participation	in	a	vitally	important	new	national study:	the **Middle	Grades	Longitudinal Study	of	2016**  **- 17	(MGLS:2017)**  .	The	main	study	will	follow	a	cohort	of	6 th grade	students	as	they	progress	through	the	middle grade	years,	making	the	transition	from	elementary	school	and	preparing	for	the	transition	into	high	school.	The	goals	of	the	study are	to	assess	students’	mathematics	and	reading	skills,	executive	function,	socioemotional	wellbeing, and to	collect	survey	data	on family	and	school	factors	that may encourage	success	during	these	important,	yet	generally	understudied,	years	of	education .	The MGLS:2017	data	collection will	be	conducted	by	<data	collection	contractor>	on	behalf	of	the	U.S.	Department	of	Education’s	National Center	for	Education	Statistics	(NCES). In	order	to	successfully	conduct	the	mai n	study,	your	district	is	one	of	a	few	from	around	the	country	that	has	been	selected	to participate	in	the	MGLS:2017	field	test	taking	place	in	early	2016.	For	the	field	test,	we	will	collect	data	from	a	sample	of students	in the	middle	grades,	with	a	spe cial	focus	on	students	with	disabilities.	In	particular,	we	are	interested	in	6 th grade	students	served	by an	IEP	for	emotional	disturbance	or	autism.	We	would	like	to	use	district	records	to	select [ # ] students	with	emotional	disturbance, [ # ] students	with	autism,	and [ # ] of	other	students	in	schools	from	your	district	for	the	MGLS:2017	field	test.	Students	can	attend	the same	school	or	multiple	schools	in	your	district,	and	once	a	student	has	been	selected,	<data	contractor>	will	contact	their school	to d iscuss	study	details	and	invite	them	to	join. In	each	school,	the	field	test	will	include	a	math,	reading,	and	executive	function	assessment	of	students	in	the	middle	grad es	as	well as	a	student	survey	on	socioemotional	wellbeing,	peers,	and	schooling	expe riences.	Combined,	the	assessment	and	survey	will require	about	90	minutes.	School	administrators,	math	teachers,	special	education	providers,	and	students’	parents	will	also be	asked to	complete	questionnaires.	Each	of	these	will	require	about	30	minutes. All	data	will	be	collected	through	a	computer - based application	or	a	telephone	interview. In	addition	to	the	assessment	and	survey,	some	students	will	be	followed	for	three	years	to	learn	about	best	practices	for	tr acing	and tracking	individuals	at	this stage	of	their	educational	careers.		Although	student	mobility	will	be	studied,	the	direct	assessment	and all	survey	components	will	only	be	administered	during	the	first	year	of	the	field	test.	Schools	that	participate	in	the	fiel d	test	of	the MGLS:2017 are	not	anticipated	to	participate	in	any	subsequent	years	of	the	study. In	[month],	we	will	begin	contacting	school	districts	and	schools	that	have	been	selected	to	participate	in	the	field	test.	E ach	school’s participation	is	important,	because	the	field test	will	significantly	inform	the	main	study	and	needs	to	be	inclusive	and	reflective	of the	diverse	group	of	American	schools	serving	these	students.	Part	of	our	pilot	involves	an	experiment	on	school	incentives. Each participating	school	will	receive	o ne	of	the	following	incentives	as	a	thank	you	for	their	help	with	this	phase	of	the	study:	$200,	$400 or	$400	in	goods	and/or	services. Enclosed	you	will	find	an	MGLS:2017	brochure	that	further	explains	the	study	and	a	sheet	of	Frequently	Asked	Questions	( FAQs). Should	you	have	any	questions,	please	call	the	MGLS:2017	information	line,	800 - xxx- xxxx,	or	send	an	email	to	<email	address	here>. We	look	forward	to	working	with	your	schools	in	this	endeavor	to	advance	the	quality	of	education	for	our	country’s	mi ddle	grade students.	Thank	you	for	your	support. Sincerely, Peggy	Carr NCES	Acting	Commissioner, National	Center	for	Education	Statistics NCES	is	authorized	to	conduct	this	study	under	the	Education	Sciences	Reform	Act	of	2002	(ESRA	2002),	20	U.S.	Code,	§	9543.	B y	law,	the	data	provided	by schools,	staff,	parents,	and	students	may be	used	only for	statistical	purposes	and	may	not	be	disclose d or	used in	identifiable	form	for	any	other	purpose except	as	required	by	law	(20	U.S.	Code,	§	9573).	No	data	identifying	respondents,	or	relating	to	or	describing	individuals, will	be	released.	All	data	will	be combined	across	respondents	to	produce	statistical	reports. Enclosures: MGLS:2017	brochure List	of	selected	schools	in	District Frequently	Asked	Questions	(FAQs)	sheet**Draft 0 3**  **. 04**  **.2015**



### 10 

# Ap **pendix D .**  **School Recruitment Letters Appendix D**  **.1 School Recruitment Letter** 

**– Item Validation Field Test**  MGLS	Letterhead [Date] [Principal’s	Name] [Title] [School] [Address] [City,	State	Zip] Dear	[Name]: I	am	writing	to	request	your	school’s	participation	in	a	vitally	important	new	national	study:	the **Middle	Grades	Longitudinal	Study of	2016**  **- 17	(MGLS:2017)**  .	The	study	will focus	on	students’	mathematics,	reading,	and	executive	function	skills	and	follow	a	cohort of	6 th graders	as	they	progress	through	the	middle	grade	years,	making	the	transition	from	elementary	school	and	preparing	for	the transition	into	high	school. The goal of the study is to examine the factors that encourage success during these important yet often understudied years of education. The MGLS:2017	data	collection will	be	conducted	by	<data	collection	contractor>	on	behalf	of	the	U.S. Department	of	Educatio n’s	National	Center	for	Education	Statistics	(NCES). Your	school	is	one	of	only	a	limited	number	of	schools	around	the	country	selected	to	participate	in	the	first	phase	of	MGLS: 2017	to be	conducted	in	early	2016.	The	first	phase	of	MGLS:2017	will	include a	math,	reading,	and	executive	function	assessment	of	students in	the	middle	grades	as	well	as	a	student	survey	on	socioemotional	wellbeing,	peers,	and	schooling	experiences.	Student	parti cipation will	take	about	90	minutes.	A	school	administrator,	math	te achers,	special	education	providers,	and	students’	parents	will	also	be asked	to	complete	questionnaires.	Each	of	these	will	require	about	30	minutes.	All	data	will	be	collected	through	a	computer - based application	or	a	telephone	interview,	and	significantly	inform	the	main	study,	which	will	begin	in	early	2017	with	about	20,000	sixth graders	from	approximately	700	schools. [IF	PUBLIC	AND	GIVEN	SUPPORT	OF	DISTRICT:	The	study	has	been	given	the	support	of	Superintendent	[INSERT	NAME	OF DISTRICT'S	SUPERINTEND ENT]	and	we	encourage	you	to	include	MGLS:2017	on	your	2016	calendar.]	[IF	PRIVATE	AND	ENDORSED: The	study	has	been	endorsed	by	[INSERT	RELEVANT	ENDORSING	ORGANIZATION]	and	we	encourage	you	to	include	MGLS:2017	on your	2016	calendar.]	Your	school	will	rece ive	< **$200/$400/$400	in	goods	and/or	services** >	as	a	thank	you	for	your	help	with	this phase	of	the	study. We	will	also	provide **$150** for	a	school	coordinator	to	serve	as	the	central	point	of	contact	and	manage	the	data collection	at	your	school. Within	the	n ext	few	days,	a	representative	from	<data	collection	contractor>	will	contact	you	to	answer	any	questions	you	may	have, and	address	any	outstanding	issues	that	might	otherwise	keep	your	school	from	being	a	part	of	this	unprecedented	study. Enclosed	please find	an	MGLS:2017	brochure	that	further	explains	the	study	and	a	sheet	of	Frequently	Asked	Questions	(FAQs). Should	you	have	any	questions,	please	call	the	MGLS:2017	information	number,	800 - xxx- xxxx,	or	send	an	email	to	<insert	email address>.	You	can	also learn	more	about	the	study	and	education	research	focused	on	students	in	the	middle	grades	by	visiting	the MGLS:2017	website	at http://nces.ed.gov/surveys/mgls,	following	us	on	Twitter	at	<Twitter	handle	for the	study>,	or	liking	us	on Facebook	(<FB	name>). We	look	forward	to	working	with	your	school	in	this	endeavor	to	advance	the	quality	of	education	for	our	country’s	middle	gra de students.	Thank	you	for	your	support. Sincerely, Peggy	Carr NCES	Acting	Comm issioner, National	Center	for	Education	Statistics NCES	is	authorized	to	conduct	this	study	under	the	Education	Sciences	Reform	Act	of	2002	(ESRA	2002),	20	U.S.	Code,	§	9543.	B y	law,	the	data	provided	by schools,	staff,	parents,	and	students	may 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	(20	U.S.	Code,	§	9573).	No	data	identifying	respondents,	or	relating	to	or	describing	individuals, will	be	released.	All	dat a	will	be combined	across	respondents	to	produce	statistical	reports. Enclosures: MGLS:2017	brochure and Frequently	Asked	Questions	(FAQs)	sheet**Draft 0 3**  **. 04**  **.2015**



### 11 **Appendix D .2**  **School Recruitment Letter**

**– Operational Field Test** 

**– Sample 1 and Sample 2**  MGLS	Letterhead [Date] [Principal’s	Name] [Title] [School] [Address] [City,	State	Zip] Dear	[Name]: I	am	writing	to	request	your	school’s	participation	in	a	vitally	important	new	national	study:	the **Middle	Grades	Longitudinal	Study of	2016**  **- 17	(MGLS:2017)**  .	The	study	will focus	on	students’	mathematics,	reading,	and	executive	function	skills	and	follow	a	cohort of	6 th graders	as	they	progress	through	the	middle	grade	years,	making	the	transition	from	elementary	school	and	preparing	for	the transition	into	high	school. The goal of the study is to examine the factors that encourage success during these important yet often understudied years of education. The MGLS:2017	data	collection will	be	conducted	by	<data	collection	contractor>	on	behalf	of	the	U.S. Department	of	Educati on’s	National	Center	for	Education	Statistics	(NCES). Your	school	is	one	of	only	a	limited	number	of	schools	around	the	country	selected	to	participate	in	the	pilot	study	of	MGLS: 2017. Your	school’s	participation	is	essential	to	the	success	of	the	study	an d	you	cannot	be	replaced.	The	pilot	study	will	follow	selected	6 th graders	for	three	years,	and	include	a	math,	reading,	and	executive	function	assessment	as	well	as	a	student	survey	on socioemotional	wellbeing,	peers,	and	schooling	experiences.	Student	pa rticipation	will	take	about	90	minutes.	A	school administrator,	math	teachers,	special	education	providers,	and	students’	parents	will	also	be	asked	to	complete	questionnaire s.	Each of	these	will	require	about	30	minutes.	All	data	will	be	collected	through a	computer - based	application	or	a	telephone	interview. Although	students	will	be	followed	for	three	years,	after	the	first	year	no	assessment	or	survey	will	be	given,	and	only	info rmation	on student	mobility	and	tracking	will	be	collected.	The	results	of the	pilot	study	will	provide	invaluable	information	about	respondent mobility,	and	inform	protocols	and	materials	for	the	MGLS:2017	main	study,	which	will	begin	in	early	2017	with	about	20,000	s ixth grader	from	approximately	700	schools. [IF	PUBLIC	AND	GIVEN	SUPPORT	OF	DISTRICT:	The	study	has	been	given	the	support	of	Superintendent	[INSERT	NAME	OF DISTRICT'S	SUPERINTENDENT]	and	we	encourage	you	to	include	MGLS:2017	on	your	2016	calendar.]	[IF	PRIVATE	AND	ENDORSED: The	study	has	been	endorsed	by	[INSERT	REL EVANT	ENDORSING	ORGANIZATION]	and	we	encourage	you	to	include	MGLS:2017	on your	2016	calendar.]	Your	school	will	receive	< **$200/$400/$400	in	goods	and/or	services** >	as	a	thank	you	for	your	help	with	this phase	of	the	study. We	will	also	provide **$150** for	a	school	coordinator	to	serve	as	the	central	point	of	contact	and	manage	the	data collection	at	your	school. Within	the	next	few	days,	a	representative	from	<data	collection	contractor>	will	contact	you	to	answer	any	questions	you	may have, and	address	any	outstanding	issues	that	might	otherwise	keep	your	school	from	being	a	part	of	this	unprecedented	study. Enclosed	please	find	an	MGLS:2017	brochure	that	further	explains	the	study	and	a	sheet	of	Frequently	Asked	Questions	(FAQs). Should	you	have	any	questions, please	call	the	MGLS:2017	information	number,	800 - xxx- xxxx,	or	send	an	email	to	<insert	email address>.	You	can	also	learn	more	about	the	study	and	education	research	focused	on	students	in	the	middle	grades	by	visiting the MGLS:2017	website	at http://nces.ed.gov/surveys/mgls,	following	us	on	Twitter	at	<Twitter	handle	for	the	study>,	or	liking	us	on Facebook	(<FB	name>). We	look	forward	to	working	with	your	school	in	this	endeavor	to	advance	the	quality	of	e ducation	for	our	country’s	middle	grade students.	Thank	you	for	your	support. Sincerely, Peggy	Carr NCES	Acting	Commissioner, National	Center	for	Education	Statistics NCES	is	authorized	to	conduct	this	study	under	the	Education	Sciences	Reform	Act	of	2002	(ESRA	2002),	20	U.S.	Code,	§	9543.	B y	law,	the	data	provided	by schools,	staff,	parents,	and	students	may be	used	only for	statistical	purposes	and	may	not	be	disclose d or	used in	identifiable	form	for	any	other	purpose except	as	required	by	law	(20	U.S.	Code,	§	9573).	No	data	identifying	respondents,	or	relating	to	or	describing	individuals, will	be	released.	All	data	will	be combined	across	respondents	to	produce	statistical	reports. Enclosures: MGLS:2017	brochure and Frequently	Asked	Questions	(FAQs)	sheet**Draft 0 3**  **. 04**  **.2015**



### 12 

# Ap **pendix E .**  **Teacher Recruitment Letter Appendix E**  **.1 Teacher Recruitment Letter** 

**– Item Validation Field Test**  MGLS	Letterhead [Date] [TEACHER	NAME] [SCHOOL	NAME] [ADDR1] [ADDR1] [CITY	STATE	ZIP] Dear	[TEACHER	NAME], [SCHOOL	NAME]	has	graciously	agreed	to	participate	in	the	first	phase	of	the	Middle	Grades	Longitudinal	Study	of	2016 - 17 (MGLS:2017),	sponsored	by	the	U.S.	Department	of	Education.	The	study	will	focus on	students’	mathematics,	reading,	and	executive function	skills	and	follow	a	cohort	of	6 th graders	as	they	progress	through	the	middle	grade	years,	making	the	transition	from elementary	school	and	preparing	for	the	transition	into	high	school.	The	first	p hase	of	MGLS:2017	includes	a	teacher	survey	of approximately	150	[MATH	or	SPECIAL	EDUCATION]	teachers	in	6 th,	7 th,	or	8 th grade	from	around	the	county.	You	are	one	of	the teachers	selected	to	participate	in	the	study. As	a	[MATH	or	SPECIAL	EDUCATION]	teach er	at	[SCHOOL	NAME],	you	can	provide	essential	information	about	academic	policies	and programs,	activities	and	curriculum	in	the	classroom,	and	other	school	related	experiences	that	impact	student	learning.	With in	the next	two	weeks,	you	will	receive	an	e mail	from	<data	collection	contractor>	that	will	contain	your	unique	USER	NAME	and PASSWORD,	as	well	as	instructions	for	how	to	complete	the	teacher	survey. [FOR	MATH	TEACHERS	ONLY:	The	survey	will	include several	general	questions	about	your	background	an d	experiences	at	school	and	in	the	classroom,	as	well	as	questions	about	specific students	that	are	part	of	the	study.	The	questions	on	your	background	and	classroom	experiences	will	take	approximately	20 minutes	to	complete,	and	the	questions	about	specif ic	students	will	take	about	10	minutes	per	student	to	complete.]	[FOR	SPECIAL EDUCATION	TEACHERS	ONLY:	The	survey	will	include	several	general	questions	about	your	background	and	the	special	education services	you	provide	at	the	school,	as	well	as	question s	about	specific	students	that	are	part	of	the	study.	The	questions	on	your background	and	special	education	services	provided	will	take	about	10	minutes	to	complete,	and	the	questions	about	specific students	will	take	approximately	25	minutes	per	student to	complete.] As	a	token	of	our	appreciation	you	will	receive **$20** for answering	the	questions	about	your	background,	and **$7** per	student	for	answering	questions	about	specific	students. Enclosed	please	find	an	MGLS:2017	brochure	that	further	explains	the	study,	a	sheet	of	Frequently	Asked	Questions	(FAQs),	and	a	list of	national	organizations	endorsing	the	study.	Should	you	have	any	questions,	please	call	the	MGLS:2017	information	number,	8 00 - xxx- xxxx,	or	send	an	email	to	<insert	email	address>.	You	can	also learn	more	about	the	study	and	education	research	focused	on students	in	the	middle	grades	by	visiting	the	MGLS:2017	website	at http://nces.ed.gov/surveys/mgls,	following	us	on	Twitter	at <Twitter	handle	for the	study>,	or	liking	us	on	Facebook	(<FB	name>). We	thank	you	in	advance	for	your	cooperation	in	making	this	important	research	study	a	success. Sincerely, Peggy	Carr NCES	Acting	Commissioner, National	Center	for	Education	Statistics NCES	is	authorized to	conduct	this	study	under	the	Education	Sciences	Reform	Act	of	2002	(ESRA	2002),	20	U.S.	Code,	§	9543.	By	law,	the	data	pro vided	by schools,	staff,	parents,	and	students	may 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	(20	U.S.	Code,	§	9573).	No	data	identifying	respondents,	or	relating	to	or	describing	individuals, will	be	released.	All	data	will	be combined	across	respondents	to	produce	statistical	reports. Enclosures: MGLS:2017	brochure Frequently	Asked	Questions	(FAQs)	sheet List	of	national	organizations	endorsing	the	study**Draft 0 3**  **. 04**  **.2015**



### 13 **Appendix E .2**  **Teacher Recruitment Letter**

**– Operational Field Test**  MGLS	Letterhead [Date] [TEACHER	NAME] [SCHOOL	NAME] [ADDR1] [ADDR1] [CITY	STATE	ZIP] Dear	[TEACHER	NAME], [SCHOOL	NAME]	has	graciously	agreed	to	participate	in	the	pilot	study	of	the	Middle	Grades	Longitudinal	Study	of	2016 - 17 (MGLS:2017),	sponsored	by	the	U.S.	Department	of	Education.	The	study	will	focus on	students’	mathematics,	reading,	and	executive function	skills	and	follow	a	cohort	of	6 th graders	as	they	progress	through	the	middle	grade	years,	making	the	transition	from elementary	school	and	preparing	for	the	transition	into	high	school.	The	pilot	s tudy	of	MGLS:2017	includes	a	teacher	survey	of [MATH	or	SPECIAL	EDUCATION]	teachers	in	6 thgrade	from	around	the	country.	You	are	one	of	the	teachers	selected	to	participate	in the	study.	Your	participation	is	essential	to	the	success	of	the	study	and	you	c annot	be	replaced. As	a	[MATH	or	SPECIAL	EDUCATION]	teacher	at	[SCHOOL	NAME],	you	can	provide	essential	information	about	academic	policies	and programs,	activities	and	curriculum	in	the	classroom,	and	other	school	related	experiences	that	impact	student	l earning.	Within	the next	two	weeks,	you	will	receive	an	email	from	<data	collection	contractor>	that	will	contain	your	unique	USER	NAME	and PASSWORD,	as	well	as	instructions	for	how	to	complete	the	teacher	survey. [FOR	MATH	TEACHERS	ONLY:	The	survey	will	i nclude several	general	questions	about	your	background	and	experiences	at	school	and	in	the	classroom,	as	well	as	questions	about	sp ecific students	that	are	part	of	the	study.	The	questions	on	your	background	and	classroom	experiences	will	take	approximate ly	20 minutes	to	complete,	and	the	questions	about	specific	students	will	take	about	10	minutes	per	student	to	complete.]	[FOR	SPEC IAL EDUCATION	TEACHERS	ONLY:	The	survey	will	include	several	general	questions	about	your	background	and	the	special	educatio n services	you	provide	at	the	school,	as	well	as	questions	about	specific	students	that	are	part	of	the	study.	The	questions	on your background	and	special	education	services	provided	will	take	about	10	minutes	to	complete,	and	the	questions	about	specific students	will	take	approximately	25	minutes	per	student	to	complete.] As	a	token	of	our	appreciation	you	will	receive **$20** for answering	the	questions	about	your	background,	and **$7** per	student	for	answering	questions	about	specific	students. Enclosed	pleas e	find	an	MGLS:2017	brochure	that	further	explains	the	study,	a	sheet	of	Frequently	Asked	Questions	(FAQs),	and	a	list of	national	organizations	endorsing	the	study.	Should	you	have	any	questions,	please	call	the	MGLS:2017	information	number,	8 00 - xxx- xxxx, or	send	an	email	to	<insert	email	address>.	You	can	also	learn	more	about	the	study	and	education	research	focused	on students	in	the	middle	grades	by	visiting	the	MGLS:2017	website	at http://nces.ed.gov/surveys/mgls,	following	us	on	Twitter	at <Twitter	handle	for	the	study>,	or	liking	us	on	Facebook	(<FB	name>). We	thank	you	in	advance	for	your	cooperation	in	making	this	important	research	study	a	success. Sincerely, Peggy	Carr NCES	Acting	Commissioner, National	Center	for	Education	Statistics NCES	is	authorized	to	conduct	this	study	under	the	Education	Sciences	Reform	Act	of	2002	(ESRA	2002),	20	U.S.	Code,	§	9543.	B y	law,	the	data	provided	by schools,	staff,	parents,	and	students	may 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	(20	U.S.	Code,	§	9573).	No	data	identifying	respondents,	or	relating	to	or	describing	individuals, will	be	released.	All	data	will	be combined	across	respondents	to	produce	statistical	reports. Enclosures: MGLS:2017	brochure Frequently	Asked	Questions	(FAQs)	sheet List	of	national	organizations	endorsing	the	study**Draft 0 3**  **. 04**  **.2015**



### 14 

## Ap **pendix F .**  **Parent Recruitment Letter s**  **, Implicit Con**  **s ent**  **Appendix F .1**  **Parent Recruitment Letter**

**– Implicit Consent** 

**– Item Validation Field Test**  MGLS	Letterhead [ Date] [PARENT	NAME] [PARENT	ADDRESS] [PARENT	CITY,	STATE	ZIP] Dear	[PARENT	FIRST	NAME], Your	child,	[CHILD’S	NAME],	has	been	selected	to	take	part	in	the	first	phase	of	the	new	Middle	Grades	Longitudinal	Study	of 2016 - 17 (MGLS:2017).	Your	child	is	one	of	about 4,200	students	from	50	schools	around	the	country	selected	to	participate.	You	do	n ot	need	to do	anything	in	order	for	your	child	to	be	a	part	of	this	important	study;	however,	if	you	would	prefer	your	child	not	partici pate,	please call	800 -xxx- xxxx. The	family	is	so	important	for	students,	and	you	are	the	best	person	to	tell	us	about	[C HILD’s	NAME]	family.	Therefore,	we would	greatly appreciate	it	if	you	would	complete a	brief online	survey	for	the	study.	[As	a	token	of	our	appreciation	for	being	a	part	of	the	study,	when you	finish	the	30 - minute	online	survey	you	will	immediately	receive	a	gift	card	worth	[ **$20** / **$40** ]]. Being	a	part	of	the	study	is	voluntary	for you	and your	child.	There	are	no	penalties	for	not	participating in	the	study	and	when completing	your	survey,	you	can	skip	any	question	you	do	not	want	to	answer. For	additional	information,	please	see	the	enclosed	brochure	and	sheet	of	Frequently	Asked	Questions	(FAQs).	You	can	also	call	the MGLS:2017	information	number,	800 - xxx- xxxx,	or	send	an	email	to	<insert	email	address>.	Finally,	learn	more	about	the	study	a nd education	research	focused	on	students	in	the	middle	grades	by	visiting	the	MGLS:2017	website	at **http://nces.ed.gov/surveys/mgls**,	following	us	on	Twitter	at	<Twitter	handle	for	the	study>,	or	liking	us	on Facebook	(<FB name>). Taking	part	in	the	MGLS:2017	will	be	taking	part	in	an	unprecedented	study	of	students’	in	the	middle	grades,	providing	data that will	be	used	to	improve	learning	and	education	for	years	to	come.	Thank	you	in	advance	for	joining	us	an d	making	this	study	a success. Sincerely, Carolyn	Fidelman Project	Officer,	MGLS:2017 National	Center	for	Education	Statistics NCES	is	authorized	to	conduct	this	study	under	the	Education	Sciences	Reform	Act	of	2002	(ESRA	2002),	20	U.S.	Code,	§	9543.	B y	law,	the	data	provided	by schools,	staff,	parents,	and	students	may be	used	only for	statistical	purposes	and	may	not	be	disclose d or	used in	identifiable	form	for	any	other	purpose except	as	required	by	law	(20	U.S.	Code,	§	9573).	No	data	identifying	respondents,	or	relating	to	or	describing	individuals, will	be	released.	All	data	will	be combined	across	respondents	to	produce	statistical	reports. Enclosures: MGLS:2017	brochure Frequently	Asked	Questions	(FAQs)	sheet**Draft 0 3**  **. 04**  **.2015**



### 15 **Appendix F .2 Parent Recruitment Letter** 

**– Implicit Consent** 

**– Operational Field Test**  MGLS	Letterhead [Date] [PARENT	NAME] [PARENT	ADDRESS] [PARENT	CITY,	STATE	ZIP] Dear	[PARENT	FIRST	NAME], Your	child,	[CHILD’S	NAME],	has	been	selected	to	take	part	in	the	pilot	study	of	the	new	Middle	Grades	Longitudinal	Study	of 2016 - 17 (MGLS:2017).	Your	child	is	one	of	about 1,200	students	from	50	schools	around	the	country	selected	to	participate. S tudents	will	be followed	for	three	years, however after	the	first year	no	assessment	or	survey	will	be	given,	only	information	about	student’s	school and	home	contact	address	will	be	collected
. You	do	not	need	to	do	anything	in	order for	your	child	to	be	a	part	of	this	important	study; however,	if	you	would	prefer	your	child	not	participate,	please	call	800 -xxx-xxxx. The	family	is	so	important	for	students,	and	you	are	the	best	person	to	tell	us	about	[CHILD’s	NAME]	family.	Therefore, we would	greatly appreciate	it	if	you	would	complete a	brief online	survey	for	the	study.	As	a	token	of	our	appreciation	for	being	a	part	of	the	study,	when you	finish	the	30 - minute	online	survey	you	will	immediately	receive	a	gift	card	worth **$20**
. Being	a part	of	the	study	is	voluntary	for	you	and	your	child.	There	are	no	penalties	for	not	participating	in	the	study	and	when completing	your	survey,	you	can	skip	any	question	you	do	not	want	to	answer. For	additional	information,	please	see	the	enclosed	brochure	and	sheet	of	Frequently	Asked	Questions	(FAQs).	You	can	also	call	the MGLS:2017	information	number,	800 - xxx- xxxx,	or	send	an	email	to	<insert	email	address>.	Finally,	learn	more	about	the	study	a nd education	research	focused	on	students	in	the	middle	grades	by	visiting	the	MGLS:2017	website	at **http://nces.ed.gov/surveys/mgls**,	following	us	on	Twitter	at	<Twitter	handle	for	the	study>,	or	liking	us	on Facebook	(<FB name>). Taking	part	in	the	MGLS:2017	will	be	taking	part	in	an	unprecedented	study	of	students’	in	the	middle	grades,	providing	data that will	be	used	to	improve	learning	and	education	for	years	to	come.	Thank	you	in	advance	for	joining	us	an d	making	this	study	a success. Sincerely, Carolyn	Fidelman Project	Officer,	MGLS:2017 National	Center	for	Education	Statistics NCES	is	authorized	to	conduct	this	study	under	the	Education	Sciences	Reform	Act	of	2002	(ESRA	2002),	20	U.S.	Code,	§	9543.	B y law,	the	data	provided	by schools,	staff,	parents,	and	students	may 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	(20	U.S.	Code,	§	9573).	No	data	identifying	resp ondents,	or	relating	to	or	describing	individuals,	will	be	released.	All	data	will	be combined	across	respondents	to	produce	statistical	reports. Enclosures: MGLS:2017	brochure Frequently	Asked	Questions	(FAQs)	sheet**Draft 0 3**  **. 04**  **.2015**



### 16 

## Ap **pendix G .**  **Parent Recruitment Letters and Child Consent Forms,**  **Explicit Consent Appendix G** **.1. a**  **Parent Recruitment Letter**

**– Explicit Consent** 

**– Item Validation Field Test**  MGLS	Letterhead [Date] [PARENT	NAME] [PARENT	ADDRESS] [PARENT	CITY,	STATE	ZIP] Dear	[PARENT	FIRST	NAME], Your	child,	[CHILD’S	NAME],	has	been	selected	to	take	part	in	the	first	phase	of	the	new	Middle	Grades	Longitudinal	Study	of 2016 - 17 (MGLS:2017).	Your	child	is	one	of	about 4,200	students	from	50	schools	around	the	country	selected	to	participate.	In	order for	your child	to	be	a	part	of	this	important	study,	we	need	your	consent. There	is	a	child	consent	form	included	with	this	letter. **Please [	(hard	copy	contact)**  **sign	the enclosed**  **consent	form	and	return	it to**  **your	child’s	school	in	the	enclosed	envelope	/ (e**  **- mail	contact)	print	and	sign	the	attached	consent	form	and	return	it	to	(fill**  **with	address	of	school	coordinator	or	study	address)] .**  The	family	is	so	important	for	students,	and	you	are	the	best	person	to	tell	us	about	[CHILD’s	NAME]	family.	Therefore, we would	greatly appreciate	it	if	you	would	complete a	brief online	survey	for	the	study.	[As	a	token	of	our	appreciation	for	being	a	part	of	the	study,	when you	finish	the	30 - minute	online	survey	you	will	immediately	receive	a	gift	card	worth	[**$20** / **$40** ]]. Being	a	part	of	the	study	is	voluntary	for	you	and	your	child.	There	are	no	penalties	for	not	participating	in	the	study	and when completing	your	survey,	you	can	skip	any	question	you	do	not	want	to	answer. For	additional	information,	please	see	the	enclosed	brochure	and	sheet	of	Frequently	Asked	Questions	(FAQs).	You	can	also	call	the MGLS:2017	information	number,	800 - xxx- xxxx,	or	send	an	email	to	<insert	email	address>.	Finally,	learn	more	about	the	study	a nd education	research	focused	on	students	in	the	middle	grades	by	visiting	the	MGLS:2017	website	at **http://nces.ed.gov/surveys/mgls**,	following	us	on	Twitter	at	<Twitter	handle	for	the	study>,	or	liking	us	on Facebook	(<FB name>). Taking	part	in	the	MGLS:2017	will	be	taking	part	in	an	unprecedented	study	of	students’	in	the	middle	grades,	providing	data that will	be	used	to	improve	learning	and	education	for	years	to	come.	Thank	you	in	advance	for	joining	us	an d	making	this	study	a success. Sincerely, Carolyn	Fidelman Project	Officer,	MGLS:2017 National	Center	for	Education	Statistics NCES	is	authorized	to	conduct	this	study	under	the	Education	Sciences	Reform	Act	of	2002	(ESRA	2002),	20	U.S.	Code,	§	9543.	B y law,	the	data	provided	by schools,	staff,	parents,	and	students	may 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	(20	U.S.	Code,	§	9573).	No	data	identifying	resp ondents,	or	relating	to	or	describing	individuals,	will	be	released.	All	data	will	be combined	across	respondents	to	produce	statistical	reports. Enclosures: MGLS:2017	brochure Frequently	Asked	Questions	(FAQs)	sheet**Draft 0 3**  **. 04**  **.2015**



### 17 **Appendix G .1.b**  **MGLS:2017 Child Consent Form** 

**– Explicit Consen** **t**
**– Item Validation Field Test**  Your	child	has	been	invited	to	participate	in	the 2016 pilot	study	of	the	Middle Grades	Longitudinal	Study	of	2016 - 17 (MGLS:2017).	Student	data	will	be	collected	in	a	90 - minute	session	during	the	school	day.	Data	will	be	collected	on math	skills,	reading	skills,	executive	function	skills,	and	a	student	survey. This	assessment	will	be	conducted	by	a	team of	researchers	from	[contractor],	who	are	operating	under	contract	on	behalf	of	the	U.	S.	Dep artment	of	Education. The	parent	or	guardian	of each participating	student	will	be	eligible	to	fill	out	a	survey.	[As	a	token	of	our	appreciation for	filling	out	the	survey,	upon	completion	of	the	survey	you	will	immediately	receive	a	gift	card	worth	[$20 /$40].] 

#  **Yes**, I	grant	permission	for	my	child	to	participate	in	the	2016	pilot	study	of	the	MGLS:2017
. 

#  **No**, I	do	not	grant	permission	for	my	child	to	participate	in	the	2016	pilot	study	of	the	MGLS:2017
. I	have	read	this	consent	form	and	understand what	I	am	being	asked	to	do. If	I	checked	“Yes”,	I	agree	to	have	my	child	take	part	in	this	study.	I	also	agree	to	have	MGLS	researchers	collect information	from	my	child’s	school	records. By	law, any information	provided	by	you	and	your	child’s	school	may 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	(20	U.S.	Code,	§	9573). I	may	withdraw	this	consent	at	any	time	without	penalty. **PLEASE	PRINT:** Student	name	_________________________________________________

Parent	name	__________________________________________________ School	name	__________________________________________________ **PLEASE	SIGN:**
_________________________________________________ Date :	____/____/____ (Signature	of	parent	or	guardian) **PLEASE	COMPLETE:** 1.	Your	relationship	to	child:  Mother  Father  Grandparent  Other	guardian 2.	Home	phone (	)___________________ 3.	Cell/other	phone (	)___________________ 4.	Home address_________________________________________________________________________________ Street City State Zip code 5.	Email	address________________________

___________________________ 6.	What	language	would	you	like	to	use	to	complete	your	survey?  English  Spanish  Other

According	to	the	Paperwork	Reduction	Act	of	1995,	no	persons	are	required	to	respond	to	a	collection	of	information	unless	it displays	a	valid	OMB	control number.	The	valid	OMB	control	number	for	this	information	collection	is	1850- 0911.	Approval	expires	X X/XX/2018.	The	time	required	to	complete	this information	collection	is	estimated	to	average 10 minutes	per	response,	including	the	time	to	review	instructions,	gather	the	data	needed,	and	complete and	review	the	information	requested.	If	you	have	any	comm ents	concerning	the	accuracy	of	the	time	estimate,	suggestions	for	improving	the	survey instrument,	or	concerns	regarding	the	status	of	your	individual	response	to	this	information	collection,	please	write	directl y	to:	National	Center	for Education	Statistics,	Middle	Grades	Longitudinal	Study	(MGLS	),	1990	K	Street,	N.W.,	Room	9035,	Washington,	D.C.	20006 - 5650. No	data	identifying respondents,	or	relating	to	or	describing	individuals,	will	be	released.	All	data	will	be	combined	across	respondents	to	produce	statistical	reports.**Draft 0 3**  **. 04**  **.2015**



### 18 **Appendix G .2.**  **a Parent Recruitment Letter** 

**– Explicit Consent** 

**– Operational Field Test**  MGLS	Letterhead [Date] [PARENT	NAME] [PARENT	ADDRESS] [PARENT	CITY,	STATE	ZIP] Dear	[PARENT	FIRST	NAME], Your	child,	[CHILD’S	NAME],	has	been	selected	to	take	part	in	the	pilot	study	of	the	new	Middle	Grades	Longitudinal	Study	of 2016 - 17 (MGLS:2017).	Your	child	is	one	of	about 1,200	students	from	50	schools	around	the	country	selected	to	participate. S tudents will	be followed	for	three	years, however after	the	first year	no	assessment	or	survey	will	be	given,	only	information	about	student’s	school and	home	contact	address	will	be	collected
. In	order	for	your	child	to	be	a	part	of	this	important	study,	we	need your	consent. There	is	a	child	consent	form	included	with	this	letter. **Please [**  **(hard	copy	contact) sign	the**  **enclosed consent	form	and	return	it**  **to your	child’s	school	in	the	enclosed	envelope	/**  **(e -**  **mail	contact) print	and	sign	the**  **attached consent	form	and	return	it	to**  **(fill with	address	of	school	coordinator	or	study	address)**  **] .**  The	family	is	so	important	for	students,	and	you	are	the	best	person	to	tell	us	about	[CHILD’s	NAME]	family.	Therefore,	we would	greatly appreciate	it	if	you	would complete a	brief online	survey	for	the	study.	As	a	token	of	our	appreciation	for	being	a	part	of	the	study,	when you	finish	the	30 - minute	online	survey	you	will	immediately	receive	a	gift	card	worth **$20**
. Being	a	part	of	the	study	is	voluntary	for	you	and your	child.	There	are	no	penalties	for	not	participating	in	the	study	and	when completing	your	survey,	you	can	skip	any	question	you	do	not	want	to	answer. For	additional	information,	please	see	the	enclosed	brochure	and	sheet	of	Frequently	Asked	Questions (FAQs).	You	can	also	call	the MGLS:2017	information	number,	800 - xxx- xxxx,	or	send	an	email	to	<insert	email	address>.	Finally,	learn	more	about	the	study	and education	research	focused	on	students	in	the	middle	grades	by	visiting	the	MGLS:2017	website	at **http://nces.ed.gov/surveys/mgls**,	following	us	on	Twitter	at	<Twitter	handle	for	the	study>,	or	liking	us	on	Facebook	(<FB name>). Taking	part	in	the	MGLS:2017	will	be	taking	part	in	an	unprecedented	study	of students’	in	the	middle	grades,	providing	data	that will	be	used	to	improve	learning	and	education	for	years	to	come.	Thank	you	in	advance	for	joining	us	and	making	this	study	a success. Sincerely, Carolyn	Fidelman Project	Officer,	MGLS:2017 National Center	for	Education	Statistics NCES	is	authorized	to	conduct	this	study	under	the	Education	Sciences	Reform	Act	of	2002	(ESRA	2002),	20	U.S.	Code,	§	9543.	B y	law,	the	data	provided	by schools,	staff,	parents,	and	students	may 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	(20	U.S.	Code,	§	9573).	No	data	identifying	respondents,	or	relating	to	or	describing	individuals, will	be	released.	All	data	will	be combined	across	respondents	to	produce	statistical	reports. Enclosures: MGLS:2017	brochure Frequently	Asked	Questions	(FAQs)	sheet**Draft 0 3**  **. 04**  **.2015**



### 19 **Appendix G .2.b**  **MGLS:2017 Child Consent Form**

**– Explicit Consent** 

**– Operational Field Test**  Your	child	has	been	invited	to	participate	in	the 2016 pilot	study	of	the	Middle	Gra des	Longitudinal	Study	of	2016 - 17 (MGLS:2017).	Student	data	will	be	collected	in	a	90 - minute	session	during	the	school	day.	Data	will	be	collected	on	math	skills, reading	skills,	executive	function	skills,	and	a	student	survey. This	assessment	will	be	cond ucted	by	a	team	of	researchers	from [contractor],	who	are	operating	under	contract	on	behalf	of	the	U.	S.	Department	of	Education. S tudents	will	be	followed	for	three years, however after	the	first year	no	assessment	or	survey	will	be	given,	only information	about	student’s	school	and	home contact	address	will	be	collected
. The	parent	or	guardian	of	each	participating	student	will	be	eligible	to	fill	out	a	survey. As	a	token	of	our	appreciation	for filling	out	the	survey,	upon	completion	of	the	survey	you	will	immediately	receive	a	gift	card	worth **$20**
. Each	student	who	particip ates	will	receive	a	small	gift. 

#  **Yes**, I	grant	permission	for	my	child	to	participate	in	the	2016	pilot	study	of	the	MGLS:2017
. 

#  **No**, I	do	not	grant	permission	for	my child	to	participate	in	the	2016	pilot	study	of	the	MGLS:2017
. I	have	read	this	consent	form	and	understand	what	I	am	being	asked	to	do. If	I	checked	“Yes”,	I	agree	to	have	my	child	take	part	in	this	study.	I	also	agree	to	have	MGLS	researchers	collect information	from	my	child’s	school	records. By	law, any information	provided	by	you	and	your	child’s	school	may 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	(20	U.S.	Code,	§	9573). I	may	withdraw	this	consent	at	any	time	without	penalty. **PLEASE	PRINT:** Student	name	_________________________________________________

Parent	name	__________________________________________________ School	name	__________________________________________________ **PLEASE	SIGN:**
_________________________________________________ D ate :	____/____/____ (Signature	of	parent	or	guardian) **PLEASE	COMPLETE:** 1.	Your	relationship	to	child:  Mother  Father  Grandparent  Other	guardian 2.	Home	phone (	)

_________________ 3.	Cell/other	phone (	)___________________ 4.	Home address_________________________________________________________________________________ Street City State Zip code 5.	Email address___________________________________________________ 6.	What	language	would	you	like	to	use	to	complete	your	survey?  English  Spanish  Other

_____________________

According	to	the	Paperwork	Reduction	Act	of	1995,	no	persons	are	required	to	respond	to a	collection	of	information	unless	it	displays	a	valid	OMB	control number.	The	valid	OMB	control	number	for	this	information	collection	is	1850- 0911.	Approval	expires	XX/XX/2018.	The	time	required	to	complete	this information	collection	is	estimated	to	average 10 minutes	per	response,	including	the	time	to	review	instructions,	gather	the	data	needed,	and	complete and	review	the	information	requested.	If	you	have	any	comments	concerning	the	accuracy	of	the	time	estimate,	suggestions	for improving	the	survey instrum ent,	or	concerns	regarding	the	status	of	your	individual	response	to	this	information	collection,	please	write	directly	to:	National	Center	for Education	Statistics,	Middle	Grades	Longitudinal	Study	(MGLS	),	1990	K	Street,	N.W.,	Room	9035,	Washington,	D.C. 20006- 5650. No	data	identifying respondents,	or	relating	to	or	describing	individuals,	will	be	released.	All	data	will	be	combined	across	respondents	to	produce	statistical	reports.**Draft 0 3**  **. 04**  **.2015**



### 20 

# Ap **pendix H .**  **MGLS:2017 Brochure Text Appendix H**  **.1 MGLS:2017 Brochure T**  **ext**
**– Item Validation Field Test**  **COVER** Middle	Grades	Longitudinal	Study	of	2016 - 17	(MGLS:2017)
– First	Phase Education	quote:	“Education	is	not	preparation	for	life;	education	is	life	itself."	~John	Dewey Study	c onducted by :	National	Center	for	Education Statistics	of	U.S.	Department	of	Education Data	collection by:	<data	collection	contractor> **INTERIOR** The	Study The	Middle	Grades	Longitudinal	Study	of	2016 - 17	(MGLS:2017)	will	be	the	first	study	to	follow	a	nationally- representative sample	of	students	as they	enter	and	move	through	the	middle	grades	(grades	6,	7,	and	8). The	First	Phase Participants in the first phase of the MGLS:2017 will provide invaluable feedback to improve the study. Information from the first phase will be used to improve the data c ollection instruments and practices of the main study. Your	Participation As	part	of	the	first	phase	of	the	MGLS:2017,	you	are	one	of	about	50	schools,	4,200	students,	and	about	150	teachers selected	to	participate	in	all	of	the	U.S. The	first	phase	will be	conducted	in	early	2016. Your	participation	is	essential	to the	success	of	the	study. What	Will	Be	Included?  Mathematics	and	reading	skills  Executive	function	development  Socioemotional	wellbeing  Peer	experiences  Classroom	characteristics	and	students’ learning  Services	to	students	with	disabilities  Family	characteristics	and	students’	success **BACK** For	More	Information If you have questions about MGLS:2017 or would like more information, please contact the study. Its success depends	on	you! Phone	numbe r:	800 - xxx - xxxx E - mail	address:	<study	email	address> Website: http://nces.ed.gov/surveys/mgls Twitter	symbol:	<study	account> Facebook	symbol:	<study	account>**Draft 0 3**  **. 04**  **.2015**



### 21 **Appendix H .2**  **MGLS:2017 Brochure Text**

**– Operational Field Test**  **COVER** Middle	Grades	Longitudinal	Study	of	2016 - 17	(MGLS:2017)
– Pilot	Study Education	quote:	“Education	is	not	preparation	for	life;	education	is	life	itself."	~John	Dewey Study	c onducted by :	National	Center	for	Education	Statistics of	U.S.	Department	of	Education Data	collection by:	<data	collection	contractor>
**INTERIOR** The	Study The	Middle	Grades	Longitudinal	Study	of	2016 - 17	(MGLS:2017)	will	be	the	first	study	to	follow	a	nationally- representative sample	of	students	as	they	ente r	and	move	through	the	middle	grades	(grades	6,	7,	and	8). The	Pilot	Study Participants in the pilot study of the MGLS:2017 will provide invaluable feedback to improve the study. Information from the pilot study will be used to improve the data collection instruments and practices of the main study, as well as shape the ways students are kept in touch with as they advance in school. Your	Participation As	part	of	the	pilot	study	of	the	MGLS:2017,	you	are	one	of	about	50	schools,	1,200	students,	and	about	150	teachers selected	to	participate	in	all	of	the	U.S. The	pilot	study	will	be	conducted	in	early	2016. Your	participation	is	essential	to the	success of	the	study. What	Will	Be	Included?  Mathematics	and	reading	skills  Executive	function	development  Socioemotional	wellbeing  Peer	experiences  Classroom	characteristics	and	students’	learning  Services	to	students	with	disabilities  Family	characteristics	and students’	success **BACK** For	More	Information If you have questions about MGLS:2017 or would like more information, please contact the study. Its success depends	on	you! Phone	number:	800 - xxx - xxxx E - mail	address:	<study	email	address> Website: http://nces.ed.gov/surveys/mgls Twitter	symbol:	<study	account> Facebook	symbol:	<study	account>**Draft 0 3**  **. 04**  **.2015**



### 22 

# Ap **pendix I .**  **MGLS:2017 FAQs Text Appendix I**  **.1 MGLS:2017 FAQs** 

**– Item Validation Field Test** 

MGLS	Letterhead **Middle	Grades Longitudinal	Study	of	2016**  **- 17	(MGLS:2017)**  **– First	Phase**  **– Frequently	Asked	Questions	(FAQs)**  **What	is	MGLS:2017?** The	Middle	Grades	Longitudinal	Study	of	2016 - 17	(MGLS:2017)	is	a	new,	unprecedented	study	of	middle	grade students	being	conducted	by	the	Natio nal	Center	for	Education	Statistics	(NCES)	within	the	U.S.	Department	of Education.	<data	collection	contractor>	is	carrying	out	the	MGLS:2017	data	collection	on	behalf	of	NCES. **What	is	the	focus	of	MGLS:2017?** The	study	will	follow	a	cohort	of	6 th grade	students	as	they	progress	through	the	middle	grade	years,	making	the transition	from	elementary	school	and	preparing	for	the	transition	into	high	school.	The	goals	of	the	study	are	to	assess students’	mathematics	and	reading	skills,	executive	functi on,	socioemotional	wellbeing,	and to	collect	data	on family and	school	factors	that may encourage	success	during	these	important,	yet	generally	understudied,	years	of	education. **When	is	the	study	being	conducted?** The	first	phase	will	take	place	in	early	20 16.	The	main	study	will	begin	in	early	2017. **Why	participate	in	the	first	phase	of	MGLS:2017?** Results	from	the	first	phase	of	the	study	will	significantly	inform	the	creation	and	development	of	the	assessments	and survey	instruments	used	in	the	main	study. For	example,	the	first	phase	will	be	used	to	learn	more	about	how	students respond	to	the	sixth,	seventh,	and	eighth	grade	mathematics	and	reading	assessment	items	planned	for	the	main	study. Surveys	developed	for	school	administrators,	math	teachers, special	education	teachers,	parents,	and	students	will	also	be tested	during	the	first	phase to inform	the	selection	of	items	to	include	in	the	main	study. Participants in	the	first	phase	of the	study	will	provide	essential	feedback	to	improve	data	collection	for	the	main	study,	and	provide	the	basis	upon	which the	remainder	of	the Middle	Grades	Longitudinal	Study	will	be	built. **How	will	MGLS:2017	data	be	used?** MGLS:2017	data	will	allow	researchers,	educators,	and	policy	makers	to	examine	student	development	and achievement	through	this	important	stage	of	students’	educational	career.	More	generally,	MGLS:2017	data	will	allow researchers	to	examine	family	and	schooling	factors	related	to	students’	achievement.	The	study	will	capture	changes	in young	people’s lives	and	their	connections	with	communities,	schools,	teachers,	families,	parents,	and	peers,	including:
 Academic	(especially	in	math	and	reading),	social,	and	interpersonal	growth;
 Transitions	from	elementary	school	and	preparations	for	transitions	into high	school;
 School	connectedness,	belongingness,	and	engagement;
 Characteristics	of	schools	serving	students	in	the	middle	grades	and	their	relationship	to	student	outcomes; and
 School	progress	and	outcomes	of	students’	with	disabilities. **How	many	school s	and	students	will	be	involved	in	the	first	phase	of	the	study?**  A	sample	of	approximately	4,200	students enrolled	in	grades	5,	6,	7,	and	8 from	about	50	schools ,	will	participate	in the	first	phase	of	the	MGLS:2017.	The	main	study	will	involve	a	nationally	representative	sample	of	about	20,000 students	enrolled	in	grade	6	from	about	700	public	and	private	schools. **What	is	involved	for	students?** Students	will	complete	a	direct- assessment	of	their	math,	reading,	and	executive	function	skills	that	will	take a pproximately	70	minutes.	Each	student	will	also	be	asked	to	complete	a	survey	that	will	take	about	20	minutes.	For	the first	phase	of	the	MGLS:2017,	students	will	only	be	asked	to	participate	once.	For	the	main	study,	students	will	be followed	for	the	next two	years	(early	2018	and	early	2019,	respectively).	The	assessments	and	survey	will	be completed	on 

### touch	screen s ,	tablets , or	computers provided	by	the	study. **What	is	involved	for	school	staff?** A	school	administrator	will	be	asked	to	complete	an	approxi mately	30	minute	web - based	questionnaire	about	the school	and	the	school	environment. The	math	teachers	of	students	who	participate	in	the	study	will	complete	web based	questionnaires	about	their	background	and	classroom	characteristics	(approximately	20	m inutes),	as	well	as**Draft 0 3**  **. 04**  **.2015**



### 23 answer	questions	about	the	skills	and	abilities	of	specific	students	in	the	study	(about	10	minutes	per	student).	The special	education	teacher	for	students	with	an	Individualized	Education	Program	(IEP)	will	be	asked	to	complete	web ba sed	questionnaires	about	their	background	and	special	education	services	provided	(about	10	minutes),	as	well	as answer	questions	about	the	skills	and	abilities	of	specific	students	in	the	study	(approximately	25	minutes	per	student). **What	is	involved	for parents?**  One	parent	of	each	student	who	participates	in	the	study	will	complete	a	questionnaire	via	a	web	survey	or	a	telephone interview.	The	questionnaire	will	take	about	30	minutes	to	complete. **Who	will	be	responsible	for	data	collection?** Trained MGLS:2017	staff	will	facilitate	the	student	assessments	and	questionnaires	and	provide	all	required	materials. Schools	will	only	be	asked	to	designate	a	school	contact	to	assist	MGLS:2017	staff	with	in - school	arrangements. **Do	teachers	need	to	help	administ er	the	assessments?**  No,	trained	MGLS:2017	staff	will	visit	the	school,	bringing	all	required	materials	for	administering	the	assessments. Exceptions	will	be	made	for	students	with	IEP	accommodations	that	may	require	the	assistance	of	school	personnel (e.g. ,	if	a	student	works	one - on - one	with	an	aide). **Are	there	incentives	for	participating	schools?** MGLS:2017	recognizes	the	demands	placed	on	schools	from	many	sources	throughout	the	school	year,	and	will	give	a modest	incentive	to	schools	that	agree	to	help	in	the	first	phase	of	the	study. MGLS:2017	will	also	provide **$150** for	a school	coordinator	to	se rve	as	the	central	point	of	contact	and	manage	the	data	collection	at	each	school	. **What	happens	if	a	student	refuses	to	participate?** All	participation	is	voluntary.	There	are	no	penalties	for	not	participating	in	the	study.	When	completing	the questionnai res,	respondents	can	skip	any	question	they	do	not	want	to	answer.	If	individuals	or	schools	are	hesitant	to be	a	part	of	the	study,	please	reach	out	to	MGLS:2017	staff	so	we	can	address	any	concerns	you	may	have. **Will	the	names	of	participants	and	their	r esponses	be	kept	confidential?**  Under	law,	the	information	provided	by	school s ,	staff,	students,	and	parents	may 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	[Education Sciences	Reform	Act	of	2002	(ESRA	2002),	20	U.S.	Code,	Section	9573].	All	field	staff	and	other	staff	working	on	the study	have	signed	an	affidavit	of	non - disclosure	where	they	swear	to	abide	by	this	law.	Field	staff	have	also	undergone	a criminal	background	check	as	a	condition	of	employment. By	law,	everyone	working	on	this	NCES	survey	is	subject	to	a jail	term	of	up	to	5	years,	a	fine	of	up	to	$250,000,	or	both	if	he	or	she willfully	discloses	ANY	identifiable	information about	any	study	participant. **Who	do	I	contact	for	further	information	about	MGLS:2017?** For	additional	information,	call	the	MGLS:2017	information	number,	800 - xxx - xxxx,	or	send	an	email	to	<insert	email addre ss>.	You	may	also	learn	more	about	the	study	and	education	research	focused	on	students	in	the	middle	grades	by visiting	the	MGLS:2017	website	at **http://nces.ed.gov/surveys/m gls** ,	following	us	on	Twitter	at	<Twitter	handle	for	the study>,	or	liking	us	on	Facebook	(<FB	name>).**Draft 0 3**  **. 04**  **.2015**



### 24 **Appendix I .2**  **MGLS:2017 FAQs**

**– Operational Field Test** 

MGLS	Letterhead **Middle	Grades	Longitudinal	Study	of	2016 -**  **17	(MGLS:2017) –**  **Pilot	Study –**  **Frequently	Asked	Questions	(FAQs) What	is**  **MGLS:2017?** The	Middle	Grades	Longitudinal	Study	of	2016 - 17	(MGLS:2017)	is	a	new,	unprecedented	study	of	middle	grade students	being	conducted	by	the	National	Center	for	Education	Statistics	(NCES)	within	the	U.S.	Department	of Education.	<data	collection	c ontractor>	is	carrying	out	the	MGLS:2017	data	collection	on	behalf	of	NCES. **What	is	the	focus	of	MGLS:2017?** The	study	will	follow	a	cohort	of	6 th grade	students	as	they	progress	through	the	middle	grade	years,	making	the transition	from	elementary	school	a nd	preparing	for	the	transition	into	high	school.	The	goals	of	the	study	are	to	assess students’	mathematics	and	reading	skills,	executive	function,	socioemotional	wellbeing,	and to	collect	data	on family and	school	factors	that may encourage	success	during	these	important,	yet	generally	understudied,	years	of	education. **When	is	the	study	being	conducted?** The	pilot	study	will	take	place	in	early	2016.	The	main	study	will	begin	in	early	2017. **Why	participate	in	the	pilot	study	of	MGLS:2017?** Results	from	the pilot	study	will provide	invaluable	information	about	respondent	mobility	and	tracking.	The	pilot	study will	also	inform	protocols	and	materials	for	MGLS:2017	main	study,	which	begins	in	January	of	2017. Specifically,	the pilot	study	will	be	used	to obtain information	on	recruiting	schools	and	students,	particularly	targeted	disability	groups, the	costs	of	tracking	students	across	years	as	a	result	of	respondents’	mobility,	and	the	practices	and	procedures leading	to	successful	study	administration	(e.g.,	p rotocols,	timing,	test	accommodations). Surveys	developed	for	school administrators,	math	teachers,	special	education	teachers,	parents,	and	students	will	also	be	tested	during	the	pilot	study to inform	the	main	study. Participants in	the	pilot	study	will provide	essential	feedback	to	improve	data	collection	for	the main	study,	and	provide	the	basis	upon	which	the	remainder	of	the Middle	Grades	Longitudinal	S tudy	will	be	built. **How	will	MGLS:2017	data	be	used?** MGLS:2017	data	will	allow	researchers,	educators,	and	policy	makers	to	examine	student	development	and achievement	through	this	important	stage	of	students’	educational	career.	More	generally,	MGLS:2017	data	will	allow researchers	to	examine	family	and	schooling	factors	related	to	students’	achievement.	The	study	will	capture	changes	in young	people’s	lives	and	their	connections	with	communities,	schools,	teachers,	families,	parents,	and	peers,	including:  Academic	(especially	in	math	and	reading),	social,	and	interpersonal	growth;  Transitions	from	eleme ntary	school	and	preparations	for	transitions	into	high	school;  School	connectedness,	belongingness,	and	engagement;  Characteristics	of	schools	serving	students	in	the	middle	grades	and	their	relationship	to	student	outcomes; and  School	progress	and outcomes	of	students’	with	disabilities. **How	many	schools	and	students	will	be	involved	in	the	pilot	study?** A	sample	of	approximately	1,200	students enrolled	in	grade	6 from	about	50	schools ,	will	participate	in	the	pilot study	of	the	MGLS:2017.	The	main	s tudy	will	involve	a	nationally	representative	sample	of	about	20,000	students enrolled	in	grade	6	from	about	700	public	and	private	schools. **What	is	involved	for	students?** Students	will	complete	a	direct- assessment	of	their	math,	reading,	and	executive	function	skills	that	will	take approximately	70	minutes.	Each	student	will	also	be	asked	to	complete	a	survey	that	will	take	about	20	minutes. The assessments	and	survey	will be	completed	on 

### touch	screen s ,	tablets , or	computers provided	by	the	study. As	part	of the MGLS:2017 pilot	study,	students	will	be	followed	for	three	years	to	determine	mobility	patterns	and	best- practices for	maintaining	high	response	rates	across	the	mid dle	grade	years	(i.e.,	student	mobility	will	be	tracked	in	2017	and again	in	2018). After	the	first	year,	no	assessment	or	survey	will	be	given, only	information	on	student	mobility	and tracking	will	be	collected to	develop	effective procedures for	how	to stay	in	touch	with	students	in the	main	study. **What	is	involved	for	school	staff?** A	school	administrator	will	be	asked	to	complete	an	approximately	30	minute	web - based	questionnaire	about	the school	and	the	school	environment. The	math	teachers	of	students who	participate	in	the	study	will	complete	web based	questionnaires	about	their	background	and	classroom	characteristics	(approximately	20	minutes),	as	well	as answer	questions	about	the	skills	and	abilities	of	specific	students	in	the	study	(about	10	min utes	per	student).	The special	education	teacher	for	students	with	an	Individualized	Education	Program	(IEP)	will	be	asked	to	complete	web based	questionnaires	about	their	background	and	special	education	services	provided	(about	10	minutes),	as	well	as**Draft 0 3**  **. 04**  **.2015**



### 25 an swer	questions	about	the	skills	and	abilities	of	specific	students	in	the	study	(approximately	25	minutes	per	student). For	the	pilot	study	of	the	MGLS:2017,	schools	may	be	contacted	during	each	of	the	two	follow- up	years	as	students’ mobility	is	tracked, but	the	school	administrator,	math	teacher,	and	special	education	teacher	questionnaires	will	only be	administered	during	the	first	year	of	the	pilot	study. **What	is	involved	for	parents?** One	parent	of	each	student	who	participates	in	the	study	will	complete	a	questionnaire	via	a	web	survey	or	a	telephone interview.	The	questionnaire	will	take	about	30	minutes	to	complete.	For	the	pilot	study	of	the	MGLS:2017,	parents	may be	contacted	during	each	of	the	two	follow- up	years	as	students’	mobility	is	traced,	but	the	parent	questionnaire	will only	be	administered	during	the	first	round	of	the	pilot	study. **Who	will	be	responsible	for	data	collection?** Trained	MGLS:2017	staff	will	facilitate	the	student	assessments	and	questionnaires	and	provide	all	required	materia ls. Schools	will	only	be	asked	to	designate	a	school	contact	to	assist	MGLS:2017	staff	with	in - school	arrangements. **Do	teachers	need	to	help	administer	the	assessments?** No,	trained	MGLS:2017	staff	will	visit	the	school,	bringing	all	required	materials	for administering	the	assessments. Exceptions	will	be	made	for	students	with	IEP	accommodations	that	may	require	the	assistance	of	school	personnel (e.g.,	if	a	student	works	one - on - one	with	an	aide). **Are	there	incentives	for	participating	schools?** MGLS:2017	re cognizes	the	demands	placed	on	schools	from	many	sources	throughout	the	school	year,	and	will	give	a modest	incentive	to	schools	that	agree	to	help	in	the	pilot	study. MGLS:2017	will	also	provide **$150** for	a	school coordinator	to	serve	as	the	central	point of	contact	and	manage	the	data	collection	at	each	school	. **What	happens	if	a	student	refuses	to	participate?** All	participation	is	voluntary.	There	are	no	penalties	for	not	participating	in	the	study.	When	completing	the questionnaires,	respondents	can	skip any	question	they	do	not	want	to	answer.	If	individuals	or	schools	are	hesitant	to be	a	part	of	the	study,	please	reach	out	to	MGLS:2017	staff	so	we	can	address	any	concerns	you	may	have. **Will	the	names	of	participants	and	their	responses	be	kept	confiden tial?**  Under	law,	the	information	provided	by	school s ,	staff,	students,	and	parents	may 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	[Education Sciences	Reform	Act	of	2002	(ESRA	2002),	20	U.S.	Code,	Section	9573].	All	field	staff	and	other	staff	working	on	the study	have	signed	an	affidavit	of	non - disclosure	where	they	swear	to	abide	by	this	law.	Field	staff	have	also	undergone	a criminal	background	check	as	a	cond ition	of	employment. By	law,	everyone	working	on	this	NCES	survey	is	subject	to	a jail	term	of	up	to	5	years,	a	fine	of	up	to	$250,000,	or	both	if	he	or	she	willfully	discloses	ANY	identifiable	information about	any	study	participant. **Who	do	I	contact	for further	information	about	MGLS:2017?**  For	additional	information,	call	the	MGLS:2017	information	number,	800 - xxx - xxxx,	or	send	an	email	to	<insert	email address> .	You	may	also	learn	more	about	the	study	and	education	research	focused	on	students	in	the	middle	grades	by visiting	the	MGLS:2017	website	at **http://nces.ed.gov/surveys/m gls** ,	following	us	on	Twitter	at	<Twitter	handle	for	the study>,	or	liking	us	on	Facebook	(<FB	name>).**Draft 0 3**  **. 04**  **.2015**



### 26 

# Ap **pendix J .**  **MGLS:2017 Recruitment Website Text** The recruitment website has not yet been developed, but will be a very welcoming, interactive website that will allow any

interested party (state, district, school, teacher, parent, or student) to learn more about the field tests as well as the main study
. Content will include, but will not be limited to, information contained in the recruitment brochure, information from the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) sheet, as well as links for contacting the study. The content of the recruitment website will be provided in the request for the MGL S:2017 field test data collections later in 2015.**Draft 0 3**  **. 04**  **.2015**



### 27 

## Ap **pendix K .**  **MGLS:2017 Summary of Proposed Mathematics A** **ssessment** MGLS	Letterhead **Direct	Mathematics	Assessment** Approximate	length Goal	for	main	study 30	minutes (part	of	90	minute	student	assessment	and	survey) Mode	of administration Computerized	administration	using	touch	screen,	tablets , or	computers	that	will	be brought	in	to	the	school	by	the	study Key	constructs (bullets	represent learning progression) **Number	System** 

###  finding	common	factors	and	multiples 

###  comparing	fractions 

###  applying	basic	operations	with	fractions	and	integers	to	word	problems 

###  using	basic	operations 

###  representing	and	understanding	rational	numbers	in	multiple	forms 

###  understandin g	the	relative	size	of	irrational	numbers **Proportional	Relationships** 

###  extending	students’	understanding	of	the	number	system 

###  multiplying	and	dividing	fractions	and	multiplicative	thinking 

###  understanding	basic	concepts	of	ratio,	rate	and	proportional	relationships 

###  using	rational	numbers	to	solve	problems	and	understand	slope	and functions **Expressions	and	Equations** 

###  understanding	the	use	of	expressions	beginning	with	letter	representations of a	single	number 

###  applying	knowledge	of	rational	numbers	and	operations	to	solve	equations 

###  constructing	equations	and	inequalities	to	solve	real - world	problems 

###  recognizing	different	types	of	notation	(such	as	square	root) 

###  reasoning	with	equalities	and	ineq ualities 

###  solving	and	representing	linear	equations	and	inequalities **Functions** 

###  understanding	the	definition	of	a	function 

###  comparing	functions	represented	in	different	ways 

###  distinguishing	between	linear	and	nonlinear	functions 

###  comparing	and	creating representations	of	different	functions 

###  understanding	of	functions	to	context**Draft 0 3**  **. 04**  **.2015**



### 28 

## Ap **pendix L .**  **MGLS:2017 Summary of Proposed Reading A** **ssessment** MGLS	Letterhead **Direct	Reading	Assessment** Approximate	length Goal	for	main	study 30	minutes	(part	of	90 minute	student	assessment	and	survey) Mode	of	administration Two - stage,	computerized	assessment	using	touch	screen,	tablets , or	computers	that	will	be brought	in	to	the	school	by	the	study Key	constructs **Word	Recognition	&	Decoding** Students	read words	(e.g.,	elect),	pronounceable	nonwords	(e.g.,	clort)	and pseudohomophones	(e.g.,	brane)	and	decide	whether	the	stimulus	is	a	word,	not	a	real	word, or	sounds	exactly	like	a	real	word. **Vocabulary** A	single	target	word	is	presented	and	the	student	decid es	which	of	provided	three	words goes	with	the	target	word.	Correct	answers	are	either	synonyms	(e.g.,	data - information)	or meaning	associates	(e.g.,	thermal - heat). **Morphological	Awareness** The	student	completes	a	sentence	by	choosing	from	three	words derived	from	the	same	root word	(e.g.,	She	is	good	at	many	sports,	but	her	_______	is	basketball:	specialty,	specialize, specialist).	The	target	words	vary	in	difficulty	based	on	the	frequency	of	the	derived	forms (i.e.,	lower	frequency	derivations	are	mor e	difficult). **Sentence	Processing** The	student	completes	sentences	of	increasing	length	and	syntactic	complexity	by	choosing from	three	choices	(e.g.,	Shouting	in	a	voice	louder	than	her	friend	Cindy's,	Tonya	asked	Joe	to unlock	the	door,	but	______	didn’t respond:	he,	she,	they).	In	this	task,	frequent	words	used	in everyday	language	are	used	in	the	sentences	to	decrease	the	influence	of	vocabulary knowledge	in	this	task.	Consequently,	the	focus	is	on	understanding	of	sentence	syntax	and meaning	(rather	th an	word	meaning). **Efficiency	of	Basic	Reading	Comprehension	(MAZE	task)** Students	read	short	passages	containing	sentences	that	are	completed	using	a	forced - choice cloze	task	(e.g.,	Agriculture	meant	that	people	stayed	in	one	place	to	grow	their	baskets	/ crops	/	rings.).	These	passages	are	between	250 - 300	words	in	length	and	have	Flesch Kinkaid	Grade	Level	estimates	of	6 th
- 7 th grade.	Students	in	this	block	will	read	approximately 3	paragraphs	in	this	way.	This	task	is	timed	such	that	students	are	given	3 minutes	to complete	a	passage	and	its	corresponding	items,	making	it	a	measure	of	efficiency	as	well	as basic	comprehension. **Reading	Comprehension** Students	answer	questions	about	the	passage	they	read	while	doing	the	MAZE	task.	The passage	presented	in	the	MAZE	task	will	be	presented	again	with	the	correct	completions	for the	items	presented	in	the	MAZE	task.	The	passage	will	appear	on	the	same	screen	as	the questions.	Easier	questions	will	be	selected	for	this	skill - based	block.**Draft 0 3**  **. 04**  **.2015**



### 29 **Ap pendix M**  **. MGLS:2017**  **Summary of Proposed Executive Function As**  **sessments** MGLS	Letterhead **Direct	Executive	Function	Assessment** Approximate	length Goal	for	main	study 10	minutes	(part	of	90	minute	student	assessment	and	survey) Mode	of administration Computerized administration	using	touch	screen,	tablets , or	computers	that	will	be brought	in	to	the	school	by	the	study Key	constructs **Inhibitory	control	(Stop	Signal	task)** Involves	the	ability	to	stop	ongoing	thoughts	or	actions,	particularly	prepotent responses. Development	of	inhibitory	control	occurs	rapidly	in	early	childhood	and advances	more	slowly	during	adolescence.	The	Stop	Signal	task	is	a	measure	of inhibitory	control	that	has	been	positively	correlated	with	achievement	among students	in	the	middle	grad es.	It	distinguishes	children	with	ADHD	from	both typically	developing	children	and	children	with	other	clinical	problems.	The	task revealed	age	effects	for	ages	10	through	14. **Working	memory	(N -**  **back	tasks)** Working	memory	is	considered	a	strong	measure	of reasoning	ability,	and	involves keeping	information	active	in	primary	memory	while	acting	on	it	in	relation	to	other information,	such	as	keeping	a	list	of	words	in	memory	and	then	ordering	the	words alphabetically	or	by	categories.	The	n - back	tasks	are	m easures	of	working	memory often	used	in	research,	particularly	in	neuroscience	studies	that	look	at	the	regions	of the	brain	activated	by	different	types	of	working	memory	(that	is	memory	for	verbal, symbolic,	and	spatial	information). **Cognitive	flexibili ty	(Hearts	and	Flowers	task)**  Shifting	involves	flexibility	in	thinking	and	moving	between	rules,	tasks,	or	mental states.	With	shifting,	each	mental	set	may	involve	several	task	rules.	Several	regions of	the	brain	(cortex	and	the	prefrontal	cortex)	show	in creased	activation	when participants	respond	to	measures	of	shifting.	The	Hearts	and	Flowers	task	(Dots task)	includes	a	congruent	condition,	an	incongruent	condition,	and	a	mixed condition.	The	task	calls	on	working	memory	and	inhibitory	control	as	students remember	the	rule	and	decide	whether	to	inhibit	a	prepotent	response.	The	mixed condition	measures	shifting	(or	cognitive	flexibility)	as	the	task	shifts	between	the congruent	and	incongruent	condition.**Draft 0 3**  **. 04**  **.2015**



### 30 **Ap pendix N**  **. MGLS:2017 Summary of Proposed**  **Student Survey and Draft Survey Items** MGLS	Letterhead **Student	Survey** Approximate	length Goal	for	main	study 20	minutes	(part	of	90	minute	student	assessment	and	survey) Mode	of	administration Computerized	administration	using	touch	screen, tablets , or	computers	that	will	be	brought in	to	the	school	by	the	study Key	constructs Demographics School	experiences  Conversations	with	teachers	about	math	courses,	jobs	or	careers,	and	going	to college  Student	perspective	of	teacher	support  Perceptions	of	school	climate	(e.g.,	safety	and	rule	fairness)  Academic	culture	(e.g.,	high	standards	and	expectations)  Problems	at	school	(e.g.,	student	misconduct	and	bullying) Activities  Time	use - structured	activities:	student	employment;	participating in	activities (sports,	clubs,	etc.)  Time	use - unstructured	or	unsupervised	activities	(e.g.,	watching	television,	doing homework,	or	being	with	friends)  Technology	activities Health  Physical	well - being Peers  Perception	of	peer	social	support  Peer	victimization  Perception	of	peer	values	(importance	of	education,	engagement	in	risky	behaviors, peer	pressure)  Belongingness	(a	sense	of	belonging	in	school)  Risk- taking	(students’	sensation	seeking	behaviors) “Tell	us	about Yourself

”  Academic	engagement	(e.g., persistence)  Identity	formation	(interests	of	students	(“sparks”);	ethnic	and	gender	identity; perceived	social	status)  Socioemotional	well - being Home	Life  Conversations	with	parents	about	math	courses,	jobs	or	careers,	and	going	to	college  Parental	support	to	help	child	achieve  Parent- child	relationships	(autonomy- granting,	disclosure)  Community	perspectives Future  Aspirations	and	expectations	(educational,	career/life	goals)**Draft 0 3**  **. 04**  **.2015**



### 31 **Ap pendix O**  **. MGLS:2017 Summary of the Proposed Parent Survey and Draft Survey**  **Items** MGLS	Letterhead **Parent	Survey** Approximate	length Goal	for	main	study 30	minutes Mode	of administration Web - based	administration	accessible	by	individualized	link,	with	a	telephone based	interview	option	available. Key	constructs Introduction  Student	demographics Family	Roster  Family	demographics  Household	composition Family	and	Parent	Background  Language	(student	uses	most,	family	primary	language)  Parent	education Home	Life  Parent- child	relationship
— monitoring/disclosure  Risk- taking	and	risky	behaviors	(i.e.	students’	sensation	seeking	behaviors and	parents’	report	of	students’	deviant	behaviors)  Community	perspectives	(poverty,	crime,	victimization) Child’s	School	Experiences  Parent	contact/communication	with	school  Disciplinary actions	taken	by	school  Grade	progression	(retention,	early	promotion)  ESL	participation  Student	free - and	reduced - price	lunch	eligibility Child	Health	and	Well - Being  Health	and	physical	well - being  IEP	and	Disability	Details  IEP/Disability - Receipt	of	Spe cial	Education	Services  IEP/Disability - Participation	in	IEP  IEP/Disability - School	Services	and	Programs  IEP/Disability - Outside	Services  IEP/Disability - Satisfaction	with	Services Employment	and	Income  Parent	occupation  Family	income  Family	assets Mo bility  Mobility	(number	of	school	changes) Parent	Involvement  Conversation	about	math	courses  Conversation	about	going	to	college  Conversation	about	jobs	or	careers  Academic	expectations**Draft 0 3**  **. 04**  **.2015**



### 32 **Ap pendix P**  **. MGLS:2017 Summary of the Proposed**  **Math Teacher Survey and Draft**  **Surve y**  **Items** MGLS	Letterhead **Mathematics	Teacher	Survey** Approximate	length Goal	for	main	study 30	minutes Mode	of	administration Web - based	administration	accessible	by	individualized	link. Key	constructs Teacher	background	and classroom	characteristics Student	and	Classroom	Characteristics  Class	size	(number	of	students)  Course	type  Heterogeneity	in	math	ability  Classroom	climate	(e.g.,	misbehavior) Classroom	Mathematics	Instruction  Curriculum/textbook	used  Opportunities	to learn	(length	of	course)  Content	covered	in	course	(Common	Core	&	practice	standards)  Instructional	practice/pedagogy  Availability	and	use	of	classroom	resources Views	on	Teaching	and	School	Environment  Instruction	in	self

- contained	classrooms	or	departmentalized  Factors	for	determining	math	course	(take	a	test,	prerequisite)  Teacher	efficacy  Instructional	leadership  Academic	culture	(high	standards	and	expectations)  Teaching	climate Teacher	Background  Education	and	degree	(courses	in	math	and	math	educatio n)  Years	of	experience  Certification  Demographic	information Teacher	provided	information	on	individual	students Mathematical	Thinking  Math	class	performance Social	Skills  Approaches	to	learning  Externalizing	behaviors  Social	skills	and	positive	behavior Classroom	Behaviors  Academic	engagement	(behavioral	and	cognitive)  Attendance Student	and	Classroom	Information  Math	support	services	(tutoring,	pull - out,	instruction	frequency)**Draft 0 3**  **. 04**  **.2015**



### 33 

# Ap **pendix Q .**  **MGLS:2017 Summar y**  **of the Proposed Special**

**Education Teacher Sur ve** **y and Draft Sur** **ve y**  **Items**

MGLS	Letterhead **Special	Education	Teacher/Provider	Survey** Approximate	length Goal	for	main	study 35	minutes Mode	of administration Web - based	administration	accessible	by	individualized	link. Key	constructs Teacher	background Teacher	Assignment	or	Position 

###  Teaching	Assignment	or	Position 

###  Instruction	and	instructional	environment Teacher	Background	and	Education 

###  Demographic	information 

###  Experiences	and	Training Teacher	Experience 

###  Years	of	experience Teacher	pr ovided	information	on	specific	students Student	Grade	and	IEP	Status 

###  Student	Grade	and	IEP	status Student’s	Disability	and	Services 

###  Primary	disability 

###  Special	education	and	related	services Student’s	Instruction	and	Instructional	Environment 

###  Instruction and	instructional	environment Communication	About	Student 

###  Communication	with	general	education	teacher Student	Goals,	Performance,	and	Expectations 

###  IEP	goals	and	evaluation 

###  Teacher’s	expectations	for	student 

###  Academic	&	life	skills**Draft 0 3**  **. 04**  **.2015**



### 34 

# Ap **pendix R .**  **MGLS:2017 Summar y**  **of the Proposed School**

**Ad ministrator Surv** **ey and Draft Surv** **ey Items** 

MGLS	Letterhead **School	Administrator	Survey** Approximate	length Goal	for	main	study 20	minutes Mode	of administration Web - based	administration	accessible	by	individualized	link. Key	constructs School	Characteristics 

###  School	characteristics	(e.g.,	average	daily	attendance,	tuition) 

###  Student	population	(e.g.,	percent	IEP,	percent	ELL/LEP) 

###  Providing	additional	support	for struggling	students	(tutoring,	extra assistance,	pull - out,	homework	assistance) Services	and	Supports	for	Students	with	Disabilities 

###  IEP/Disability- School	services	and	programs School	Programs	and	Practices 

###  Courses	offered:	for	particular	courses	ask about	the	number	of	slots available 

###  Subject- specific	academic	tracking	practices	(order/progression	of	courses) 

###  School	extended	learning	opportunities:	additional	instruction	time,	Gifted and	Talented,	International	Baccalaureate 

###  Assisting	students	with	transitions	from	elementary	to	middle	grades;	from middle	grades	to	high	school 

###  Health	services	(e.g.,	sex	education	classes) School	Environment 

###  Problems	at	school:	absenteeism,	student	mobility,	student	misconduct, bullying 

###  School - level	security	(police	off icer	on	site,	security	officer	on	site,	metal detectors,	teachers	supervise	hallways	during	transition) 

###  Community	perspectives	(poverty,	crime,	victimization) School’s	Teachers 

###  School’s	teachers:	number,	preparation School	Administrator	Background 

###  Demographic	information 

###  Years	of	experience**Draft 0 3**  **. 04**  **.2015**



### 35 

# Ap **pendix S .**  **MGLS:2017 Student Rostering**  **Materials for Item** 

**Validation Field Test and Operational Field Test Appendix	S**  **.1		Request	for	Student	Roster	Information	from	Schools Item	Validation	Field	Test**  **and Operational	Field	Test,	General	Education	sample**  [MGLS	Letterhead] [Date] [Title]	[Name	First]	[Name	Last] [Title/Department] [State	District] [Address] [City],	[State]	[Zip	code] Dear	[School	Contact	Name]: Thank	you	again	for	participating	in	the	< first	phase	/	pilot	study	>	of	the	Middle	Grades	Longitudinal	Study	of	2017	(MGLS:2017). Your	participation	is	critical	to	the	success	of	the	study. Not	all	students	in	your	school	are	needed	for	participation.	We	will	be	selecting	a	sample.	In	order	to select the sample,	we	are requesting	a	complete	roster	of	the	students	currently	enrolled	in	<	5 th,	6 th,	7 th,	or	8 th grade	/	6 th grade	>	at	your	school.		The	roster should	include	key	characteristics	about	each	student	for	sampling	purposes. The MGLS:2017 roster data	request	conforms	fully	to the	requirements	of	the	Family	Educational	Rights	and	Privacy	Act	of	1974	(FERPA)	(34	CFR	Part	99 .31 ).	Under	FERPA’s	general consent	rule, the U.S.	Department	of	Education’s National	Center	for	Education	Statistics	(NCES) is	authorized	to	obtain	student	level data	from education	entities for	any	study- eligible	student,	without	prior	consent,	if	the	disclosure	is	to	an	organization	conducting studies	for,	or	on	behalf	of,	NCES.	Student	data	are	subject	to	strict	protections	that	are	adhered	to	by	NCES	and	its	contractor organizations. Roster	information	will	be	used	for	sampling	purposes	only	and	will	be	securely	destroyed	once	student	samples	are drawn. The	key	characteristics	of	interest	include:  Name  Student identification	number  Date	of	birth  Grade	level  Gender  Race/ethnicity  IEP	status	(Disability	code s,	if	applicable) After	students	have	been	selected	for	the	sample,	we	will	send	you	a	list	of	their	names	and	a	request	for	additional	information.	The additional	information	will	include:  Students’	parent	and/or	guardians	contact	information  Students’	math	teacher(s)  Students’	special	education	teacher	(if	applicable) We	have	developed	a	two - part	form	to	provide	guidance	for	preparing	a	student	roster. The	sample	of	students	will	be	selected	in	the	next	few	weeks,	but	in	order	to	select	the	sample	we	first	need	the	student	ro ster	with key	characteristics	from	you.	In	the	next	few	days,	a study representative	from	<data	collection	contractor> ,	which	is	co nducting	the MGLS:2017	data	collection	on	behalf	of	NCES, will	contact	you	to	discuss	the	best	way	of	obtaining	student	roster	information .	We	are prepared	to	collect	this	information	in	a	format	convenient	to	you.	This	could	be	electronically	or	through	a paper	and	pencil	form.	If at	any	time	you	should	have	questions	about	the	study,	please	do	not	hesitate	to	contact	me	at	<data	collection	contractor	co ntact information,	both	phone	and	email>. Thank	you	for	your	time	and	participation	in	this	unprecedented	study. Sincerely, <Data	Collection	Contractor	contact	information> NCES	is	authorized	to	conduct	this	study	under	the	Education	Sciences	Reform	Act	of	2002	(ESRA	2002),	20	U.S.	Code,	§	9543.	B y	law,	the	data	provided	by schools,	staff,	parents,	and	s tudents	may 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	(20	U.S.	Code,	§	9573).	No	data	identifying	respondents,	or	relating	to	or	describing	individuals, will be	released.	All	data	will	be combined	across	respondents	to	produce	statistical	reports.**Draft 0 3**  **. 04**  **.2015**



### 36 **Appendix	S .**  **2 Request	for	Student	Roster	Information	from**  **Districts**

**Operational	Field	Test, Students	with	Disabilities** 

[MGLS	Letterhead]
[Date] [Title]	[Name	First] [Name	Last] [Title/Department] [State	District] [Address] [City],	[State]	[Zip	code] Dear	[District	Contact	Name]: Thank	you	again	for	participating	in	the	pilot	study	of	the	Middle	Grades	Longitudinal	Study	of	2017	(MGLS:2017).	Your	partic ipation is	critical	to	the	success	of	the	study. The	inclusion	of	students	with	disabilities	is	a	special	focus	of	the	study.		To make	certain	we	sufficiently	include	students	with disabilities,	we ask	that	you	provide	a	roster	of	all	students	with	disabilities	currently	enrolled	in	6 th grade	within	your	district.	From this	roster	we	will	select	a	sample	of	students	with	disabilitie s	for	potential	inclusion	in	the	pilot	study. The	roster	should	include	key	characteristics	about	each	student	for	sampling	purposes. The MGLS:2017 roster data	request conforms	fully	to	the	requirements	of	the	Family	Educational	Rights	and	Privacy	Act	of 1974	(FERPA)	(34	CFR	Part	99 .31 ).	Under FERPA’s	general	consent	rule, the U.S.	Department	of	Education’s National	Center	for	Education	Statistics	(NCES) is	authorized	to obtain	student	level	data	from education	entities for	any	study- eligible	student,	without	prior	consent,	if	the	disclosure	is	to	an organization	conducting	studies	for,	or	on	behalf	of,	NCES.	Student	data	are	subject	to	strict	protections	that	are	adhered	to	by	NCES and	its	contractor	organizations. Roster	information	will	be	used	for	sampling	purposes	only	and	will	be	securely	destroyed	once student	samples	are	drawn. The	key	characteristics	of	interest	include:  Name  Student	identification	number  Date	of	birth  Grade	level	(they	should	all	be	6 th grade	or	6 th grade	equivalent)  Gender  Race/ethnicity  IEP	status	(Disability	codes)  School	name	and	address After	students	have	been	selected	for	the	sample,	we	will	send	you	a	list	of	their	names	and	a	request	for	additional	information.	The additional	information	will	include:  Students’	parent	and/or	guardians	contact	information We	have	developed	a	two - part form	to	provide	guidance	for	preparing	a	student	roster. The	sample	of	students	will	be	selected	in	the	next	few	weeks,	but	in	order	to	select	the	sample	we	first	need	the	student	ro ster	with key	characteristics	from	you.	In	the	next	few	days,	a study representative	from	<data	collection	contractor>,	which	is	conducting	the MGLS:2017	data	collection	on	behalf	of	NCES,	will	contact	you	to	discuss	the	best	way	of	obtaining	student	roster	information .	We	are prepared	to	collect	this	information	in	a	format convenient	to	you.	This	could	be	electronically	or	through	a	paper	and	pencil	form.	If at	any	time	you	should	have	questions	about	the	study,	please	do	not	hesitate	to	contact	me	at	<data	collection	contractor	co ntact information,	both	phone	and	email>. Thank	you	for	your	time	and	participation	in	this	unprecedented	study. Sincerely, <Data	Collection	Contractor	contact	information> NCES	is	authorized	to	conduct	this	study	under	the	Education	Sciences	Reform	Act	of	2002	(ESRA	2002),	20	U.S.	Code,	§	9543.	By	law,	the	data	provided	by schools,	staff,	parents,	and	students	may 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	(20	U.S.	Code,	§	9573).	No	data	identifying respondents,	or	relating	to	or	describing	individuals,	will	be	released.	All	data	will	be combined	across	respondents	to	produce	statistical	reports.