**OM B #:**  **Expiration Date:**



# Private School Principal Questionnaire

**Spring 20 13** 

According to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, no persons are required to respond to a collection of information unless such collection displays a valid OMB control number. Public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 20 minutes per response, including time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the collection of information. The obligation to respond to this collection is mandatory (citing authority)/required to obtain or retain benefit (citing authority) or voluntary. Send comments regarding the burden estimate or any other aspect of this collection of information, including suggestions for reducing this burden, to the U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Ave., SW, Washington, DC 20210-4537 or email ICDocketMgr@ed.gov and reference th e OMB Control Number XXXX-XXXX. Note: Please do not return the completed XXXX (cite form or other applicable reporting mechanism) application to this address.Private School Principal Questionnaire- Spring 2013 - DRAFT 1



### To better understand the differences between the public and private schools, this survey asks about policies, practices, and working conditions in your school. It is part of a multi-year study that will examine how public and private school conditions change over time and throughout the District. **Q1. How** **long have you been the principal at this school? (**  **Check one)** ( P revious DC Choice Study survey ) Less than 1 year to 2 years ..................... 

##  1 3 to 4 years ................................ ............. 

##  2 5 years ................................ .................... 

##  3 More than 5 years ................................ ... 

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## Part 1: A**dmissions and A vailable Programs**  **The questions in this section ask about possible requirements for admission and the**  **programs y our school may**  **offer.** Q2 . Wh ich of the following criteria does your school routinely use in admitting students? **(** **Check all that apply)** ( P revious DC Choice Study survey ) a. Interview ................................ ................................ ........ 

##  01 b. Academic performance as measured by a test your school or your school system administers ..................... 

##  02 c. Other indicators of academic performance ................... 

##  03 d. Disciplinary record ................................ ......................... 

##  04 e. Extent of special needs ................................ ................. 

##  05 f. Essay ................................ ................................ ............. 

##  06 g. Religious affiliation ................................ ......................... 

##  07 h. Neighborhood priorities ................................ ................. 

##  08 i. Sibling preferences ................................ ........................ 

##  09 j. Children of faculty or board members ........................... 

##  10 k. School does not have any admissions criteria .............. 

##  11 l. Other (please specify ______________________) ...... 

##  12Private School Principal Questionnaire- Spring 2013 - DRAFT 2

Q3a. What percent of the students in your school are of Latino or Hispanic origin? ( P revious DC Choice Study survey ) ____________ (percent) Q3 b. Please indicate the percentage of students in the school in each of the following racial/ethnic categories. ( P revious DC Choice Study survey ) Percent Am erican Indian or Alaska Native ...................... _________ Asian ................................ ................................ .. _________ Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islanders ....... _________ Black or African American ................................ .. _________ Wh ite ................................ ................................ .. _________ Total 100%Private School Principal Questionnaire- Spring 2013 - DRAFT 3

Q4 . Wh ich of the following programs or facilities are available to students in your school? **(** **Check yes or no on each row)** (Previous DC Choice Study survey) Yes No **Special Instructional Programs** a. Programs with specific instructional approaches (e.g., Success for All, Reading Recovery) ............. 

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##  2 b. A foreign language program ................................ ... 

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##  2 c. Advanced placement (AP) courses (high school only) ................................ ................................ ....... 

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##  2 d. International Baccalaureate (IB) program (high school only) ................................ ........................... 

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##  2 e. I nstructional programs for non- English speakers ... 

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##  2 f. I nstructional programs for students with learning problems ................................ ................................ . 

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##  2 g. I nstructional programs for advanced learners or talented/gifted program ................................ ........... 

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##  2 h. Music program ................................ ........................ 

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##  2 i. Arts program ................................ ........................... 

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##  2 **Extra -** **Curricular Activities**  j. After-school program ................................ .............. 

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##  2 k. Before-school program ................................ ........... 

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##  2 l. Athletics ................................ ................................ .. 

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##  2 m. Academic Clubs ................................ ...................... 

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##  2 n. Performing Arts ................................ ....................... 

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##  2 **Supports for Struggling Learners** o. Individual tutors ................................ ...................... 

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##  2 **School Facilities** p. Nurse ................................ ................................ ...... 

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##  2 q. Lunches prepared at the school ............................. 

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##  2 r. Computer lab ................................ .......................... 

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##  2 s. Library/Media Center ................................ .............. 

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##  2 t. Gym ................................ ................................ ........ 

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##  2 u. Cafeteria ................................ ................................ . 

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##  2 v. Other (please specify ___________________) ..... 

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##  2Private School Principal Questionnaire- Spring 2013 - DRAFT 4

Q5 . How would you rate your school on each of the following aspects? **(** **Check one box on each row)** ( P revious DC Choice Study survey , revised ) Excellent Very

Good Adequate Inadequate Deficient Does not apply to this school **School Facilities:** a. Condition of the building(s) ................ 

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##  6 b. The amount of space available for activities ................................ ............. 

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##  6 c. Quality of science labs available ....... 

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##  6 d. Quality of computer facilities available

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##  6 e. Quality and availability of textbooks and other instructional materials ........ 

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##  6 f. Quality of your library ......................... 

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##  6 g. Access to computers and other educational technology (e.g., calculators) ............................... 

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##  6 h. Transportation for students to and from school ................................ ........ 

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##  6 i. Accessibil ity for students with disabilities ................................ .......... 

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##  6 **Students and Parents:** j. Student attendance and punctuality .... 

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##  6 k. Student preparation in subject areas ... 

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##  6 l. Student motivation to learn .................. 

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##  6 m. Student behavior and/or discipline ...... 

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##  6 n. Parental support for student learning .. 

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##  6 **Teachers and Instruction:** o. Teacher expectations for how well students will learn ................................ 

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##  6 p. Provisions for low-performing students ................................ ............... 

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##  6 q. The amount of instructional time in the school day ................................ ............ 

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##  6 r. Instructional skills and abilities of teachers ................................ ............... 

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##  6 s. Subject area expertise of teachers ...... 

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##  6 t. Teacher attendance and punctuality ... 

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##  6 u. Teaching staff turnover ........................ 

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##  6 v. Teacher compensation ........................ 

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##  6Private School Principal Questionnaire- Spring 2013 - DRAFT 5

Q6 . How much emphasis do you place on the following goals and objectives for your teachers? **(** **Check one box on each row) (**  ECLS- K 8th Grade Administrator Survey**)** No or mi nor em phasis Moderate

em phasis Major

em phasis a. Assisting all students to achieve high standards ............... 

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##  3 b. Using curricula aligned with high standards ...................... 

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##  3 c. Using instructional strategies (e.g., hands-on activities, cooperative learning) al igned with high standards ............. 

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##  3 d. Participation in professional development activities .......... 

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## Part 2: Classroom Instruction and Classroom Testing **This section focuses on the way s classroom instruction is organized at y** **our**

**school and how often t esting occurs.**  Q7 . Schools sometimes organize instruction differently for students with different abilities and interests. Wh ich of the following does your school do for students? **(** **Check one) (**  ECLS- K 8th Grade Administrator Survey**)** 

##  1 Weoffer differentiated courses in our core curriculum but students have open access to any course provided they have take n the required prerequisite(s). 

##  2 Weoffer differentiated courses and do differentiated grouping in our core curriculum. 

##  3 Weoffer a variety of un differentiated courses in our core curriculum, and students have open access to any course provided they have taken the required prerequisite(s). Q8 . For students who have difficulty learning at the same pace as their classmates, what proportion of these students are provided the following types of support? **(** **Check one box on each row)** ( P revious DC Choice Study survey , revised ) All Som e Few None Not Offered a . Rely on teachers to provide extra help during regular class tim es ................................ .............. 

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##  5 b . Counse l students to enroll in other schools ................................ . 

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##  5 c . Use peers as instructors ................ 

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##  5 d . Provide individualized attention from an adult other than the ma in classroom teacher ................ 

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##  5 e . Computer-based instruction .......... 

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##  5 f. U se differentiated instruction techniques ................................ ..... 

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##  5 g. Other (please specify _______________________) ....... 

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##  5Private School Principal Questionnaire- Spring 2013 - DRAFT 6

Q9 . For each grade listed below, please answer the following questions. ( P revious DC Choice Study survey ) If your school has a T HIRD grade, please answer (a) and (b): If your school has a n EIGHTH grade, please answer (a) and (b): If your school has a TENTH grade, please answer (a) and (b): a. How long is the typical full week of school? hours and mi nutes hours and mi nutes hours and mi nutes b. During a typical full week of school, approximately how many minutes do most students spend on these activities at this school? (1) English, reading, or language arts mi nutes per week mi nutes per week mi nutes per week (2) Arithmetic or math mi nutes per week mi nutes per week mi nutes per week (3) Social studies or history mi nutes per week mi nutes per week mi nutes per week (4) Science mi nutes per week mi nutes per week mi nutes per week Q 10 . On average, how often do teachers in your school test the English, reading , or language arts skills of their students? **(**  **Check one)** (Previous DC Choice Study survey) More than once a week ... 

##  1 Weekly ............................. 

##  2 Monthly ............................ 

##  3 Quarterly .......................... 

##  4 Annually ........................... 

##  5 Q 11 . Over the past few years, has the frequency of testing English, reading , or language arts skills at yo ur school **(**  **Check one)** (Previous DC Choice Study survey) Increased ......................... 

##  1 Decreased ....................... 

##  2 Stayed the same .............. 

##  3Private School Principal Questionnaire- Spring 2013 - DRAFT 7

Q 12 . On average, how often do teachers in your school test the Arithmetic or math skills of their students? **(**  **Check one)** (Previous DC Choice Study survey) More than once a week ... 

##  1 Weekly ............................. 

##  2 Monthly ............................ 

##  3 Quarterly .......................... 

##  4 Annually ........................... 

##  5 Q 13 . Over the past few years, has the frequency of testing Arithmetic or math skills at your school ? **(** **Check one)** ( P revious DC Choice Study survey ) Increased ......................... 

##  1 Decreased ....................... 

##  2 Stayed the same .............. 

##  3 Q 14 . What is your policy regarding exceptions to attendance at religious activities? **(** **Check one)** ( P revious DC Choice Study survey ) All students required to participate in all religious activities ................................ ................................ ........ 

##  1 All students required to participate in some religious activities but can be excused from others ..................... 

##  2 Som e students are excused from all religious activities at the request of their parents ................................ ....... 

##  3 Participation in religious activities is voluntary for all students at all times ................................ ...................... 

##  4 This school does not have religious activities ............... 

##  5Private School Principal Questionnaire- Spring 2013 - DRAFT 8 

## Part 3: Paren**tal Involvement This section asks about parental involvement in y** **our school programs.** Q1 5 . Does the school do the following for parents? **(** **Check one on each row)** (Previous DC Choice Study survey , revised ) Yes No a. inform them of their student’s progress halfway through the grading period ................................ ....... 

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##  2 b. notify them when their student is sent to the office for disruptive behavior ................................ .............. 

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##  2 c. provide them with weekly or daily notes about their child’s progress ................................ ................. 

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##  2 d. provide them with a newsletter about what’s going on in their child’s school or school system ............... 

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##  2 e. invite them to attend leadership workshops ............. 

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##  2 Q1 6 . What proportion of parents participate in the following activities in your school? **(** **Check one on each row)** ( P revious DC Choice Study survey , revised ) All Som e Few None Not Offered a. Parents speak to classes about their jobs ................................ .............. 

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##  5 b. Parents participate in instruction .......... 

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##  5 c. Parents attend parent/teacher conferences ................................ ......... 

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##  5 d. Parents accom pany students on class trips ................................ ............. 

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##  5 e. Parents help out with sports activities ................................ ............... 

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##  5 f. Parents attend open-houses or back-to-school nights ........................... 

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##  5 g. Parents 

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##  5Private School Principal Questionnaire- Spring 2013 - DRAFT 9 

## Part 4: Safety

**Measu res**  **This section asks about w hether y** **our school utilizes certain kinds of safety measures.**  Q1 7 . Does your school currently have the following? **(**  **Check yes or no on each row)** ( P revious DC Choice Study survey , revised ) Yes No a. A requirement that visitors sign in or check in .... 

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##  2 b. A process for screen ing students using metal detectors ................................ ............................. 

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##  2 c. A requirement that all or most of the students stay on school grounds during lunch .................. 

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##  2 d. Drug sweeps ................................ ....................... 

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##  2 e. Daily presence of police or security persons ...... 

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##  2 f. Video surveillance ................................ .............. 

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##  2 Q1 8 . During this school year (20 12- 13 ), how many students were: ( P revious DC Choice Study survey ) **Suspended** : ____________ (number) **Expelled:** ____________ (number)Private School Principal Questionnaire- Spring 2013 - DRAFT 10 

## Part 5 **: DC Opportunit y**  **Scholarship Program This se** **ction asks about your know ledge of and experience with the DC**  **Opportunity Scholarship Program, administered by the Trust**  Q19 . How did you hear about the DC Opportunity Scholarship Program, the federally-funded scholarship program for students from low-in come DC families administered by DC Children and Youth Investment Trust Corporation (Trust)? **(**  **Check all that apply)** (Previous DC Choice Study survey) a. I read about the program in the newspaper but do not know the details ................................ ................................ ............................... 

##  01 b. I received informational m aterials in the mail ................................ ... 

##  02 c. I talked to other private school principals about the program ........... 

##  03 d. I talked to the Trust on the phone about the program ...................... 

##  04 e. I attended one informational meeting about the program ................ 

##  05 f. I attended several meetings about the program ............................... 

##  06 g. I discussed the program with the staff of organizations to which the school belongs (e.g., Center City Consortium, Catholic Archdiocese of Washington, Council for American Private Education) ................................ ................................ ......................... 

##  07 h. I have not heard of the program ................................ ....................... 

##  08 i. I have bee n involved with the program since its inception ............... 

##  09 j. Other (please specify _______________________________) ....... 

##  10 Q20 . Has your school participated in the DC Opportunity Scholarship Program )? Please check “Yes” if yo ur school agreed to participate even if your school did not enroll any scholarship students. **(** **Check one)** (Previous DC Choice Study survey) No , never participated ................................ ................. 

##  1 Yes , participated in previous years but not this past school year (20 12- 13 ) ............................... 

##  2 (Go to Question 21 ) Yes, participated every school year since the program’s inception (2004-05 school year) ............. 

##  3 (Go to Question 22 )Private School Principal Questionnaire- Spring 2013 - DRAFT 11

Q2 1 . Why didn’t your school ever participate in the DC Opportunity Scholarship P rogram? **(** **Check all that apply)** (Previous DC Choice Study survey) a. Our school already had a waiting list and had no room or need for the new students from the DC Opportunity Scholarship program ................ 

##  01 b. School officials had concerns about discipline and school safety if DC Opportunity Scholarship students were admitted ................................ ... 

##  02 c. School officials believed that DC Opportunity scholarship students were unlikely to select our school ................................ ........................... 

##  03 d. School officials believed that DC Opportunity Scholarship students were unlikely to pass our admissions tests ................................ ............ 

##  04 e. DC Opportunity Scholarships were being awarded too late in the school’s admissions process ................................ ................................ .. 

##  05 f. DC Opportunity Scholarship amount was not adequate to cover our school’s costs of educating the students ................................ ................ 

##  06 g. School officials had concerns regarding the effect of participation on our school’s independence, distinct character or identity ....................... 

##  07 h. School officials had concerns regarding the effect of participation on our school’s admissions policies ................................ ............................ 

##  08 i. School officials had concerns regarding the effect of participation on our school’s academic standards ................................ ........................... 

##  09 j. School officials had concerns about regulations that might come with participation ................................ ................................ ............................ 

##  10 k. School officials had concerns about the evaluation the U.S. Department of Education is conducting ................................ .................. 

##  11 l. School officials had concerns about the amount of paperwork and reports that are required of participating schools ................................ ... 

##  12 m. School officials had concerns about potential future testing requirements ................................ ................................ ........................... 

##  13 n. Uncertainty regarding whether the program would continue .................. 

##  14 o. Other (please specify_______________________________ __) .......... 

##  15Private School Principal Questionnaire- Spring 2013 - DRAFT 12

Q22 . Why did your school stop participating in the DC Opportunity Scholarship P rogram? **(** **Check all that apply)** (Previous DC Choice Study survey) a. Our school already had a waiting list and had no room or need for the new students from the D C Opportunity Scholarship P rogram ................................ ..... 

##  01 b. School officials had concerns about discipline and school safety if DC Opportunity Scholarship students were admitted ................................ ................. 

##  02 c. School officials believed that DC Opportunity scholarship students were unlikely to select our school ................................ ................................ .................. 

##  03 d. School officials believed that DC Opportunity Scholarship students were unlikely to pass our admissions tests ................................ ................................ ... 

##  04 e. DC Opportunity Scholarships were being awarded too late in the school’s adm issions process ................................ ................................ .............................. 

##  05 f. DC Opportunity Scholarship am ount was not adequate to cover our school’s costs of educating the students ................................ ................................ ............ 

##  06 g. School officials had concerns regarding the effect of participation on our school’s independence, distinct character or identity ................................ ........... 

##  07 h. School officials had concerns regardi ng the effect of participation on our school’s admissions policies ................................ ................................ ................. 

##  08 i. School officials had concerns regarding the effect of participation on our school’s academic standards ................................ ................................ ............... 

##  09 j. School officials had concerns about regulations that might come with participation ................................ ................................ ................................ .......... 

##  10 k. School officials had concerns about the evaluation the U.S. Department of Education is conducting ................................ ................................ ........................ 

##  11 l. School officials had concerns about the amount of paperwork and reports that are required of participating schools ................................ ............................. 

##  12 m. School officials had concerns about potential future testing requirements .......... 

##  13 n. Uncertainty regarding whether the program would continue 

##  14 o. Other ( please specify

__________________________ ____________

___) ........ 

##  15 Q23 . In the past 5 years or since you became principal of this school , have you made any changes specifically to encourage DC Opportunity Scholarship students to enroll in your school or to assist those that do enroll? **(**  **Check one)** (Previous DC Choice Study survey) Yes ................................ ....... 

##  1 No ................................ ......... 

##  2 (Go to END )Private School Principal Questionnaire- Spring 2013 - DRAFT 13

Q24 . W hich of the following changes did you make specifically to encourage DC Opportunity Scholarship students to enroll in your school or to assist those that do enroll? **(** **Check all that apply)** (Previous DC Choice Study survey , revised ) a. Added parent orientation or meeting to describe school offerings and performance ................................ ........... 

##  01 b. Offered additional courses (e.g., introduced a course in computer technology or art) ................................ ................. 

##  02 c. Increased school safety provisions ................................ ......... 

##  03 d. Adjusted disciplinary rules ................................ ....................... 

##  04 e. Altered class sizes ................................ ................................ ... 

##  05 f. Added tutoring or other special services to help im prove academic achievement ................................ .............. 

##  06 g. Participated in one or more Trust school fairs ......................... 

##  07 h. Promoted your school through the use of flyers, radio ads, newspapers ads, or other methods of advertising. ................................ ................................ .............. 

##  08 i. Made efforts to improve the physical appearance of yo ur school ................................ ................................ .............. 

##  09 j. Reduced tuition or provided families with financial aid or tuition assistance ................................ ........................... 

##  10 Q25. Have you done any of the following to encourage DC Opportunity Scholarship students to stay at this school ? **(** **Check all that apply)** (new item) a. Meet with parents to discuss how their child is doing .................. 

##  01 b. Meet with teachers to assess approaches for helping the student succeed academically ................................ ............... 

##  02 c. Meet with the student to discuss issues that may be h indering their progress ................................ ................................ 

##  03 d. .. Identify additional financial aid to meet family needs ................... 

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## END: Thank you for completing this survey.