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



# Public 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 co ntrol 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 the OMB Control Number XXXX-XXXX. Note: Please do not return the completed XXXX (cite form or other applicable reporting mechanism) application to this address.Public School Principal Questionnaire Spring 2013- DRAFT 1



### To better understand the differences between the public and private schools, this survey asks a bout 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 sc hool? (**  **Check one)** ( P revious DC Choice Study survey ) 

### Less than 1 year to 2 years .......... 

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### 3 to 4 years ................................ .. 

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### 5 years ................................ ......... 

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### 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 a nd the**  **programs y our school may**  **offer.** Q2 . Does your school have any criteria that are routinely used in admitting students? **(** **Check one)** ( P revious DC Choice Study survey ) Yes ................................ ....... 

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

##  2 (Go to Question 4) Q3 . 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 ................................ ................................ ........ 

##  0 1 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. Neighborhood priorities ................................ ................. 

##  07 h. Sibling preferences ................................ ........................ 

##  08 i. Children of faculty or board members ........................... 

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

##  10Public School Principal Questionnaire Spring 2013- DRAFT 2

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 program s 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 A ctivities**  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 a rts ................................ ....................... 

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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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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. Accessibility 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. Subj ect 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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##  6Public School Principal Questionnaire Spring 2013- DRAFT 4

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 stan dards ...................... 

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##  3 c. Using instructional strategies (e.g., hands-on activities, cooperative learning) aligned 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 testing occurs.**  Q7 . Schools sometimes organize instruction differently for students with different abilities and interests. W hich 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). 

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ferentiated courses and do differentiated grouping in our core curriculum. 

##  3 Weoffer a variety of undifferentiated 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 proportio n 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. Counsel 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. Use differentiated instruction techniques ................................ ..... 

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

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##  5Public School Principal Questionnaire Spring 2013- DRAFT 5

Q9 . For each grade listed below, please a nswer the following questions. ( P revious DC Choice Study survey ) If your school has a THIRD 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 m ath 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 .............. 

##  3Public School Principal Questionnaire Spring 2013- DRAFT 6

Q12 . 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 ............................ 

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

##  5 Q13 . 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 th e same .............. 

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

## P**art 3: Parental Involvement This section asks about parental involvement in y** **our school programs.** Q1 4 . 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 5 . What proportion of parents participate in the following activities in your school? **(** **Check one o n 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 accompany 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 serve on advisory boards .......... 

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## Part 4: Safety

**Measures This section asks about w** **hether y our school utilizes certain kinds of safety**  **measures.** Q1 6 . 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 screening 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 poli ce or security persons ...... 

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

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##  2 Q1 7 . During this school year (20 12- 13 ), how many students were: ( P revious DC Choice Study survey ) **Suspended** : ____________ (number) **Expelled:** ____________ (number) 

## Part 5 **: DC Opportunit y**  **Sc holarship Program**  **This section asks about your know ledge of and experience with the DC**  **Opportunity Scholarship Program, administered by the Trust**  Q18 . How did you hear about the DC Opportunity Scholarship Program, the federally-funded scholarship program for students from low-income 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 ................................ ................................ ...... 

##  1 b. I talked to other principals about the program ............... 

##  2 c. I have not heard of the program ................................ .... 

##  3 d. The Washington Teachers’ Union provided information about the program ................................ ................................ ... 

##  4 e. Other (please specify

___________________ _ _) ........ 

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

Q 19 . In the past 5 years or since you became principal , have you made any changes specifically to encourage students interested in private schools (or the DC Opportunity Scholarship program) to remain enrolled in your school? **(** **Check one)** (Previous DC Choice Study survey) Yes ................................ 

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

##  2 (Go to Q uestion 24 ) Q20 . Wh ich 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 com puter 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 improve 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 your school ................................ ................................ ...................... 

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

##  10 Q21 . 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 hindering their progress ................................ ................................ ........ 

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

##  04Public School Principal Questionnaire Spring 2013- DRAFT 10

Q22 . Since you have been principal at this school, what is your best estimate of the number of students that have left your school as a result of the DC Opportunity Scholarship Program? **(** **Check one)** (Previous DC Choice Study survey) a. None ................................ 

##  1 b. 1 -6 ................................ .... 

##  2 c. 6- 10 ................................ .. 

##  3 d. 11 -20 ................................ 

##  4 e. 21 -30 ................................ 

##  5 f. More than 30 ................... 

##  6 g. Don’t know ....................... 

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## END: Thank you for completing this survey.