Draft 03.04.2015

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

Recruitment	Communication	Materials	for

the	2016	Item	Validation	and Operational	Field	Tests

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 03.04.2015

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	Items34

Appendix	S. MGLS:2017	Student	Rostering	Materials	for	Item	Validation	Field	Test	and	Operational	Field	

Test...................................................................................................................................................................................35
Draft 03.04.2015

1

Appendix 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	

elements	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	prefer,	someone	else	in	your	organization	about	the	importance	of	the	MGLS:2017	and	the	

opportunity	to	endorse	it.

In	the	next	[#]	days,	an	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	

Questions	(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.	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

FAQs
Draft 03.04.2015

2

Appendix 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	cohort	of	6th 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).

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	socioemotional	

wellbeing,	peers,	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	questionnaires.	Each	

of	these	will	require	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	6th graders	from	approximately	

700	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	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 03.04.2015

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	Study	

of	2016-17	(MGLS:2017).	The	study	will	follow	a	cohort	of	6th 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	6th 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	will	also	

be	asked	to	complete	questionnaires	during	the	first	year	of	data	collection.	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	materials	for	

the	MGLS:2017	main	study,	which	will	begin	in	early	2017	with	6th 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	of	American	schools	serving	sixthgrade	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	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 03.04.2015

4

Appendix B.3 State Notification Letter – Item Validation and Operational Field Test in the Same State

[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	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	Statistics	(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.	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	tracing	and	

tracking	individuals	at	this	stage	of	their	educational	careers.		Although	student	mobility	will	be	studied	between	2016	and	2018,	the	

direct	assessment	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	begin	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	reflective	of	

the diverse	group	of	American	schools	serving	students	in	the	middle	grades.	Additionally,	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	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 03.04.2015

5

Appendix 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	national	study:	

the Middle	Grades	Longitudinal	Study	of	2016-17	(MGLS:2017).	The	study	will	follow	a cohort	of	6th 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).

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,	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	6th 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	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 03.04.2015

6

Appendix C.2.a District Notification Letter – Operational Field Test – Sample 1

[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	national	study:	

the Middle	Grades	Longitudinal	Study	of	2016-17	(MGLS:2017).	The	study	will	follow	a cohort	of	6th 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).

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	details	and	

invite	them	to	join.

In	each	school,	the	pilot	study	will	follow	selected	6th 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.	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	materials	for	the	MGLS:2017	main	study,	which	will	begin	in	early	2017	with	6th 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	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 03.04.2015

7

Appendix	C.2.b District	Recruitment	Letter	– Operational	Field	Test	– Sample	2

[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	study	will	follow	a cohort	of	6th 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).

A	special	focus	of	the	study	is	students	with	disabilities.	In	particular,	we	are	interested	in	6th 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 will	follow	the	selected	6th 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	materials	for	

the	MGLS:2017	main	study,	which	will	begin	in	early	2017	with	6th 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	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 03.04.2015

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	6th 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	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	on	students	with	disabilities.	In	particular,	we	are	interested	in	6th 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	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	6th 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	computerbased	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	materials	for	the	MGLS:2017	main	study,	which	

will	begin	in	early	2017	with	20,000	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	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 03.04.2015

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	6th 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	main	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	special	focus	on	students	with	disabilities.	In	particular,	we	are	interested	in	6th 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	

discuss	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	grades	as	well	

as	a	student	survey	on	socioemotional	wellbeing,	peers,	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	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	tracing	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	field	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.	Each	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	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.

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 03.04.2015

10

Appendix 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	6th 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	Education’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	participation	

will	take	about	90	minutes.	A	school	administrator,	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,	and	significantly	inform	the	main	study,	which	will	begin	in	early	2017	with	about	20,000	sixthgraders	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	RELEVANT	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	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 and	Frequently	Asked	Questions	(FAQs)	sheet
Draft 03.04.2015

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	6th 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	Education’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	and	you	cannot	be	replaced.	The	pilot	study	will	follow	selected	6th

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	participation	will	take	about	90	minutes.	A	school	

administrator,	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	materials	for	the	MGLS:2017	main	study,	which	will	begin	in	early	2017	with	about	20,000	sixthgrader	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	RELEVANT	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	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 and	Frequently	Asked	Questions	(FAQs)	sheet
Draft 03.04.2015

12

Appendix 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	6th 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	phase	of	MGLS:2017	includes	a	teacher	survey	of	

approximately	150	[MATH	or	SPECIAL	EDUCATION]	teachers	in	6th,	7th,	or	8th grade	from	around	the	county.	You	are	one	of	the	

teachers	selected	to	participate	in	the	study.

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	learning.	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	include	

several	general	questions	about	your	background	and	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	specific	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	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	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,	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	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	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 03.04.2015

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	6th 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	study	of	MGLS:2017	includes	a	teacher	survey	of	

[MATH	or	SPECIAL	EDUCATION]	teachers	in	6thgrade	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	cannot	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	learning.	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	include	

several	general	questions	about	your	background	and	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	specific	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	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	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,	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	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	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 03.04.2015

14

Appendix F. Parent Recruitment Letters, Implicit Consent

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	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/$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	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.	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

Frequently	Asked	Questions	(FAQs)	sheet
Draft 03.04.2015

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.	Students	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	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.	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

Frequently	Asked	Questions	(FAQs)	sheet
Draft 03.04.2015

16

Appendix 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	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.	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

Frequently	Asked	Questions	(FAQs)	sheet
Draft 03.04.2015

17

Appendix G.1.b MGLS:2017 Child Consent Form – Explicit Consent – 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.	Department	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	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	

instrument,	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 03.04.2015

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.	Students 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.	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

Frequently	Asked	Questions	(FAQs)	sheet
Draft 03.04.2015

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	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.	Department	of	Education. Students	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	participates	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: _________________________________________________	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	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	

instrument,	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 03.04.2015

20

Appendix H. MGLS:2017 Brochure Text

Appendix H.1 MGLS:2017 Brochure Text – 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	conducted	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 collection 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	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 03.04.2015

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	conducted	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	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 03.04.2015

22

Appendix 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	National	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	6th 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	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	2016.	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	schools	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	

approximately	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	screens,	tablets, or	computers	provided	by	the	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	webbased	questionnaires	about	their	background	and	classroom	characteristics	(approximately	20	minutes),	as	well	as	
Draft 03.04.2015

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	webbased	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	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	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	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	confidential?

Under	law,	the	information	provided	by	schools,	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	

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/mgls,	following	us	on	Twitter	at	<Twitter	handle	for	the	

study>,	or	liking	us	on	Facebook	(<FB	name>).
Draft 03.04.2015

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	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	6th 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	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.,	protocols,	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	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	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	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	

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	screens,	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	middle	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	webbased	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	minutes	per	student).	The	

special	education	teacher	for	students	with	an	Individualized	Education	Program	(IEP)	will	be	asked	to	complete	webbased	questionnaires	about	their	background	and	special	education	services	provided	(about	10	minutes),	as	well	as	
Draft 03.04.2015

25

answer	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	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	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	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	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	confidential?

Under	law,	the	information	provided	by	schools,	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	

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/mgls,	following	us	on	Twitter	at	<Twitter	handle	for	the	

study>,	or	liking	us	on	Facebook	(<FB	name>).
Draft 03.04.2015

26

Appendix 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 MGLS:2017 field test data collections later in 2015.
Draft 03.04.2015

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Appendix K. MGLS:2017 Summary of Proposed Mathematics Assessment

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

 understanding	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	inequalities

 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 03.04.2015

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Appendix L. MGLS:2017 Summary of Proposed Reading Assessment

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	decides	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	more	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	than	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	FleschKinkaid	Grade	Level	estimates	of	6th - 7th 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 03.04.2015

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Appendix M.MGLS:2017 Summary of Proposed Executive Function Assessments

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	grades.	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	measures	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	flexibility	(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	increased	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 03.04.2015

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Appendix 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 03.04.2015

31

Appendix 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	telephonebased	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	Special	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

Mobility

 Mobility	(number	of	school	changes)

Parent	Involvement

 Conversation	about	math	courses

 Conversation	about	going	to	college

 Conversation	about	jobs	or	careers

 Academic	expectations	
Draft 03.04.2015

32

Appendix P. MGLS:2017 Summary of the Proposed Math Teacher Survey and Draft 

Survey 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	education)

 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 03.04.2015

33

Appendix Q. MGLS:2017 Summary of the Proposed Special 

Education Teacher Survey and Draft Survey 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	provided	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 03.04.2015

34

Appendix R. MGLS:2017 Summary of the Proposed School 

Administrator Survey and Draft Survey 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	officer	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 03.04.2015

35

Appendix 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	<	5th,	6th,	7th,	or	8th grade	/	6th 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	codes,	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	roster	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	contact	

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.
Draft 03.04.2015

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	participation	

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	6th grade	within	your	district.	From	

this	roster	we	will	select	a	sample	of	students	with	disabilities	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	6th grade	or	6th 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	roster	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	contact	

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.