Evaluation of the DC Opportunity 

Scholarship Program

High School (Grades 9-12)

Student Questionnaire

Spring 2013

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 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. 

OMB #: 

Expiration Date: 
High School Student Questionnaire - Spring 2013 1

Please answer all the questions.

Part 1: About You

This first section asks questions about you.

Q1. What is your gender

( Check one) (Previous DC Choice Study survey, revised)

Male or .............................................

1

Female? ............................................

2

Q2. How often do you read books that are not assigned by your teacher? 

( Check one) (Previous DC Choice Study survey)

Every day ..........................................

1

Most days..........................................

2

Some days ........................................

3

Never.................................................

4

Q3. How far do you expect to go in school?

( Check one) (Question is from Previous DC Choice Study survey; 

response categorie s are from HSLS, 2009: First Follow-up)

Less than high school completion.................................................................................

1

Complete a high school diploma, GED or alternative high school credential ...............

2

Complete a certificate or diploma from a school that provides occupational training ..

3

Complete an Associate’s degree ..................................................................................

4

Complete a Bachelor’s degree......................................................................................

5

Complete a Master’s degree.........................................................................................

6

Complete a Ph.D., M.D., law degree, or other high level professional degree.............

7

Q4. How far in school do you want to go?

( Check one) (HSLS, 2009: First Follow-up)

Less than high school completion.................................................................................

1

Complete a high school diploma, GED or alternative high school credential ...............

2

Complete a certificate or diploma from a school that provides occupational training ..

3

Complete an Associate’s degree ..................................................................................

4

Complete a Bachelor’s degree......................................................................................

5

Complete a Master’s degree.........................................................................................

6

Complete a Ph.D., M.D., law degree, or other high level professional degree.............

7
High School Student Questionnaire - Spring 2013 2

Q5. During this year, have you done any of the following?

( Check yes or no on each row)

(Previous DC Choice Study survey)

Yes No

a. Participated in girl scouts or boy scouts ........ 

1 2

b. Participated in groups at your church............ 

1 2

c. Played on team sports (like Little League) .... 

1 2

d. Gone to religious services ............................. 

1 2

e. Participated in a community service activity or 

volunteer work at your school or in your 

community ..................................................... 

1 2

Q6. On a regular school day, how long are you at home after school with no adult there?

( Check one) (Previous DC Choice Study survey)

None....................................................................

0

Less than 1 hour .................................................

1

1-2 hours .............................................................

2

2-3 hours .............................................................

3

More than 3 hours ...............................................

4

Q7. Do you work hard at school?

( Check one) (new item)

Yes ......................................................................

1

No........................................................................

2

Q8. How important are each of the following in causing you to want to work harder in school?

( Check one box on each row) (Bishop, CAHRS WP03-06 Item 15, revised)

Very 

important

Somewhat 

important

Not too 

important

Not at all 

important

Pressure from my parents................................

1 2 3 4

Pleasing my parents by getting good 

grades ................................................................

1 2 3 4

Teacher expectations.........................................

1 2 3 4

Pleasing my teacher...........................................

1 2 3 4

Encouragement from my teachers.....................

1 2 3 4

Learning the material .........................................

1 2 3 4

Interest in the subject.........................................

1 2 3 4

Keeping up with my friends................................

1 2 3 4

Getting a better job.............................................

1 2 3 4

Getting into college ............................................

1 2 3 4

Pressure from my friends ................................ 

1 2 3 4

Not embarrassing my family ..............................

1 2 3 4
High School Student Questionnaire - Spring 2013 3

Q9. Who has had the most influence on your thinking about careers, if anyone? 

( Check one) (HSLS, 2009: First Follow-up)

A high school counselor.............................

01

A teacher....................................................

02

Your parents...............................................

03

Another family member..............................

04

Your friends................................................

05

Your employer............................................

06

A military recruiter ......................................

07

A coach or scout ........................................

08

Yourself ......................................................

09

No one in particular....................................

10

Q10. Have you ever done any of the following activities [to prepare for life after high school]?

( Check one box on each row) (HSLS, 2009: First follow-up)

Yes No

a. Attended a career day or job fair? ......................... 

1 2

b. Attended a program at, or taken a tour of a 

college campus?.................................................... 

1 2

c. Sat in on or taken a college class?........................ 

1 2

d. Participated in an internship or 

apprenticeship related to your career goals? ........ 

1 2

e. Worked or volunteered in a job related to 

your career goals?* ............................................... 

1 2

f. Searched the Internet for college options or 

read college guides? ............................................. 

1 2

g. Talked about your options for life after high 

school with a counselor hired by your 

family? ................................................................... 

1 2

* An internship is a work-related learning experience for individuals who wish to develop hands on work experience in a certain 

occupational field. Apprenticeship programs provide formal training in specific occupations; the apprentice/participant learns a trade 

through on-the-job training and other related instruction, often under the supervision of a journey-level craft person or trade 

professional.

Q11. Have you ever taken any of the following tests?

( Check one box on each row) (NLTS 2012, Baseline Interview for Youth)

Never Once Twice

Three

or more 

times

Don’t 

know what 

this is

a. Preliminary SAT (PSAT) ........................

b. SAT ........................................................

c. PLAN ......................................................



1 2 3 4 5

d. ACT......................................................... 

1 2 3 4 5

e. Any Advanced Placement (AP) test ....... 

1 2 3 4 5

f. Any International Baccalaureate (IB) 

test .......................................................... 

1 2 3 4 5
High School Student Questionnaire - Spring 2013 4

Q12. Do you agree or disagree with the following statements:

( Check one box on each row) (Bishop, CAHRS WP03-06 Item 19)

Agree 

strongly Agree Disagree

Disagree 

strongly

Even if you study, you will not be able to 

get into college ................................................... 

1 2 3 4

Even if you study, your family cannot afford 

to pay for you to attend college.......................... 

1 2 3 4

Working is more important for you than 

attending college ................................................ 

1 2 3 4

Studying in school rarely pays off later with 

good jobs............................................................ 

1 2 3 4

Part 2: About Your School

This section asks questions about the overall climate at your school, support 

from teachers and other adults in the school and other students’ attitudes.

This section asks questions about the overall climate at your school, support 

from teachers and other adults in the school and other students’ attitudes.

Q13. Do you agree or disagree with these statements about your school?

( Check one box on each row) (Previous DC Choice Study survey)

Agree 

strongly Agree Disagree

Disagree 

strongly

Students are proud to go to this school .......... 

1 2 3 4

Students at this school have a lot of 

opportunities to learn.......................................



1 2 3 4

Rules of behavior are strict ............................. 

1 2 3 4

I don’t feel safe................................................ 

1 2 3 4

People at my school are supportive................ 

1 2 3 4

I feel isolated at my school.............................. 

1 2 3 4

I enjoy going to school .................................... 

1 2 3 4
High School Student Questionnaire - Spring 2013 5

Q14. Did the following ever happen to you at school this year?

( Check one box on each row) (Previous DC Choice Study survey)

Never

Once or 

twice

3 times or 

more

a. Had something stolen from your desk, 

locker, or other place ............................................... 

1 2 3

b. Been forced by other kids to give them 

money or my stuff .................................................... 

1 2 3

c. Been offered drugs .................................................. 

1 2 3

d. Been physically hurt by another student ................. 

1 2 3

e. Been threatened with physical harm ....................... 

1 2 3

f. Seen anyone with a real or toy gun or knife 

at school .................................................................. 

1 2 3

g. Been bullied at school ............................................. 

1 2 3

h. Been called a bad name.......................................... 

1 2 3

Q15. Do you agree or disagree with these statements about the teachers and other adults at your 

school?

( Check one box on each row) (Previous DC Choice Study survey)

Agree 

strongly Agree Disagree

Disagree 

strongly

At my school, there is a teacher or 

some other adult who...

a. listens to me when I have something to 

say ................................................................ 

1 2 3 4

b. really cares about me ...................................... 

1 2 3 4

c. believes I will be a success ............................. 

1 2 3 4

d. always wants me to do my best....................... 

1 2 3 4

e. tells me when I do a good job.......................... 

1 2 3 4

f. notices when I’m not there............................... 

1 2 3 4

g. talks to me about problems I have at 

home or with my friends ................................ 

1 2 3 4

h. motivates me to work hard .............................. 

1 2 3 4
High School Student Questionnaire - Spring 2013 6

Q16. During the current school year (2012-2013), have teachers and other school staff provided you 

with support? Did it help you stay in school or prepare for life after school? 

( Check two boxes on each row)

(NLTS 2012, Baseline Interview for Youth)

Yes No Very 

Helpful

Somewhat 

Helpful

Not 

Helpful

a. Extra help before or after school 

in academic subjects? ................................

1 2 1 2 3

b. Academic instruction on 

weekends?............................................................. 

1 2 1 2 3

c. Help completing college 

applications?.......................................................... 

1 2 1 2 3

d. Guidance about which courses to 

take?................................................................ 

1 2 1 2 3

e. Help reviewing college entrance 

test results and suggesting retesting if necessary?................................ 

1 2 1 2 3

f. Help arranging or taking you on 

visits to colleges or college fairs?.......................... 

1 2 1 2 3

g. Help identifying possible career 

options? ................................................................ 

1 2 1 2 3

h. Talked with a high school 

counselor about your options for 

life after high school?................................ 

1 2 1 2 3

Q17. Do you agree or disagree with these statements about the students at your school?

( Check one box on each row) (Previous DC Choice Study survey)

Agree 

strongly Agree Disagree

Disagree 

strongly

At my school, students...

a. behave well with the teachers .................... 

1 2 3 4

b. neglect their homework .............................. 

1 2 3 4

c. often make fun of each other...................... 

1 2 3 4

d. often disrupt class ...................................... 

1 2 3 4

e. who misbehave often get away with it........ 

1 2 3 4

Q18. What overall grade would you give your school?

( Check one)

(Previous DC Choice Study survey)

A-Excellent .................................

1

B-Good.......................................

2

C-Fair .........................................

3

D-Unsatisfactory.........................

4

F-Failing .....................................

5
High School Student Questionnaire - Spring 2013 7

Part 3: About Your Math and English Classes

This next section asks questions about the classes you are taking at school.

Q19. During this year, have you taken classes in?

( Check yes or no on each row)

(Previous DC Choice Study survey)

Yes No

a. Art, music, or dance lessons ................ 

1 2

a. Foreign language classes..................... 

1 2

b. Religion................................................. 

1 2

c. Sports exercise or gymnastics ............. 

1 2

Q20. How much do you agree or disagree with the following statements about your math teacher?

Remember, none of your teachers or your principal will see any of the answers you provide. Your 

math teacher...( Check one box on each row) (HSLS, 2009 – Baseline)

Agree 

strongly Agree Disagree

Disagree 

strongly

a. Values and listens to students’ ideas ............

1 2 3 4

b. Treats students with respect..........................

1 2 3 4

c. Treats every student fairly .............................

1 2 3 4

d. Thinks every student can be 

successful......................................................

1 2 3 4

e. Thinks mistakes are okay as long as 

all students learn ...........................................

1 2 3 4

f. Treats some kids better than other 

kids ................................................................

1 2 3 4

g. Makes math interesting ................................

1 2 3 4

h. Treats males and females differently ............

1 2 3 4

i. Makes math easy to understand ...................

1 2 3 4
High School Student Questionnaire - Spring 2013 8

Q21. How much do you agree or disagree with the following statements about your English teacher? 

Remember, none of your teachers or your principal will see any of the answers you provide. Your 

English teacher...( Check one box on each row) (HSLS, 2009 – Baseline)

Agree 

strongly Agree Disagree

Disagree 

strongly

a. Values and listens to students’ ideas ............

b. Treats students with respect..........................



1 2 3 4

c. Treats every student fairly .............................

1 2 3 4

d. Thinks every student can be 

successful......................................................

1 2 3 4

e. Thinks mistakes are okay as long as 

all students learn ...........................................

1 2 3 4

f. Treats some kids better than other 

kids ................................................................

1 2 3 4

g. Makes English interesting..............................

1 2 3 4

h. Treats males and females differently ............

1 2 3 4

i. Makes English easy to understand ...............

1 2 3 4

Q22. On average, how many minutes do you spend doing math or English homework per week?

( Check one) (Adapted Bishop, CAHRS WP03-06 Item 9)

Math English

Zero to 5 hours..................................

0 0

5 to 10 hours ....................................

1 1

More than 10 hours ..........................

2 2

Part 4: About Your Friends 

This section asks questions about your friends.

Q23. How many of your close friends do your parents know by name?

( Check one) (Previous DC Choice Study survey)

All of them ........................................

1

Most of them .....................................

2

Some of them....................................

3

None of them.....................................

4
High School Student Questionnaire - Spring 2013 9

Q24. Think about your close friends. How many of them do the following?

( Check one box on each row) (Previous DC Choice Study survey)

All of 

them

Some 

of them

A few of 

them None

Use bad language regularly ............................... 

1 2 3 4

Smoke cigarettes regularly ................................ 

1 2 3 4

Drink beer or alcohol regularly ........................... 

1 2 3 4

Use illegal drugs regularly................................ 

1 2 3 4

Talk about college and careers.......................... 

1 2 3 4

Talk about classes in school and what they 

are learning ........................................................ 

1 2 3 4

Talk about what could be done to improve 

the neighborhoods and the city.......................... 

1 2 3 4

Q25. Do you agree or disagree with the following statements:

( Check one box on each row) (Bishop, CAHRS WP03-06 Item 19)

Agree 

strongly Agree Disagree

Disagree 

strongly

My friends make fun of people who try 

to do real well in school......................................



1 2 3 4

My friends joke around and annoy the 

teacher ............................................................... 

1 2 3 4

To keep up with my friends, I have to 

work hard at my school work ............................. 

1 2 3 4

My friends think kids who study a lot are

less popular........................................................ 

1 2 3 4

Q26. How important do your friends think it is to:

( Check one box on each row) (Bishop, CAHRS WP03-06 Item 23)

Very 

important

Somewhat 

important

Not too 

important

Not at all 

important

Study hard to get good grades........................... 

1 2 3 4

Talk/hang out with friends ................................ 

1 2 3 4

Participate in class ............................................. 

1 2 3 4

Go to parties....................................................... 

1 2 3 4

Go to college ...................................................... 

1 2 3 4

Go to one of the best colleges ........................... 

1 2 3 4
High School Student Questionnaire - Spring 2013 10

Q27. How many of your close friends...

( Check one box on each row) (adapted from HSLS, 2009: First follow-up)

None 

of them

Less 

than half About half

More 

than half

All 

of them

a. Get good grades?....................................... 

0 1 2 3 4

b. Have ever dropped out of high 

school? .......................................................



0 1 2 3 4

c. Have taken the PSAT, SAT, PLAN or 

ACT?........................................................... 

0 1 2 3 4

d. Plan to attend a school that provides 

occupational training (usually less 

than 2 years)?............................................. 

0 1 2 3 4

e. Plan to attend a 2-year community 

college? ...................................................... 

0 1 2 3 4

f. Plan to attend a 4-year college?................. 

0 1 2 3 4

g. Plan to have a full-time job instead of 

continuing their education?......................... 

0 1 2 3 4

h. Plan to join the military? ............................ 

0 1 2 3 4

i. Plan to attend a trade or vocational 

(VoTech) school? ....................................... 

0 1 2 3 4

Q28. Which group of friends has the biggest influence on how you think about school?

( Check one box) (new item)

Friends from your neighborhood....................................

1

Friends from school........................................................

2

My neighborhood friends are the same 

as my school friends ......................................................

3

Thank you, please hand in your survey.