Appendix A

Respondent Materials: Initial Contact and 

Address Updates

PROGRAM FOR INTERNATIONAL 

STUDENT ASSESSMENT (PISA) 

VALIDATION STUDY

OMB # 1850-NEW v.1

Revised on August 9, 2013

i

CONTENTS

Student: Initial Contact Letter/email........................................................................................................ 2

Student: Brochure and Study Information Contact Letter ....................................................................... 4

Student: Subsequent Requests for Address Updates............................................................................... 5

Student: Statements in Subsequent Contact Letters ............................................................................... 6

Student: Postcard Reminder..................................................................................................................... 7

Student: Text for Address Update Webpage/Postcard ............................................................................ 8

Student: Birthday Card ............................................................................................................................. 9

Text for Study Brochure......................................................................................................................... 10
Appendix A

2

Student: Initial Contact Letter/email

[DATE]

<TEENAGER NAME> Web Address: surveys.nces.ed.gov/<insert>

<ADDR1> Personal ID: <XXXXXXX>

<ADDR2> Password: <XXXXXXXX><PW_ind>

<CITY STATE ZIP>

Dear <Teenager Name>:

In fall 2012, you participated in the Program for International Student Assessment (PISA), an international study of 

15-year-olds’ mathematics, science, and reading skills implemented by the U.S. Department of Education. You 

have been chosen to participate in a follow-up study—the PISA Young Adult Follow-up Study—to be conducted in 

2015. In 2015, we will be asking you to take a survey that will collect information about your education and work 

experiences and your skills as a young adult. Each participant who takes part in the study will receive $50 upon 

completion. Now, we ask your help in updating your contact information, so we can send you more detailed 

information about this study. 

The PISA Young Adult Follow-up Study is sponsored by the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) of the 

U.S. Department of Education’s Institute of Education Sciences. Your participation is voluntary but is very 

important as you are a unique source of information about how high school experiences and skills are related to

experiences and skills in young adulthood, including readiness for college and career and skills needed in daily life. 

To complete the address update, please <<if email: fill out your update address form, using your individualized ID 

and password at the top of this email, here >>. <<if letter: go to surveys.nces.ed.gov/<insert> website and fill out 

the update address form, using your individualized ID and password at the top of this letter. If you prefer to send 

an update of address via a post card, please use the pre-paid postcard in this letter.>>

Data collected are used only for statistical purposes and may not be disclosed, or used, in identifiable form for any 

other purpose except as required by law (ESRA 2002, 20 U.S.C., § 9573). If you have additional questions, you may 

also call the study’s toll-free number (1-xxx-xxx-xxxx), or visit the study’s website at 

http://nces.ed.gov/surveys/xxxxx.

We thank you in advance for your cooperation in this important research.

Sincerely,

Jack Buckley, Commissioner

National Center for Education Statistics

Institute of Education Sciences

U.S. Department of Education

<<Enclosure: ADDRESS UPDATE POSTCARD>>

NCES is authorized to conduct this study under the Education Sciences Reform Act of 2002 (ESRA 2002, 20 U.S.C., § 9543).

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 of this information collection is 1850-XXXX, and the 

study is completely voluntary. The time required to complete this information collection is estimated to average 5 minutes per 
3

response, including the time to review instructions, search existing data resources, gather the data needed, and complete and 

review the information collection. If you have any comments concerning the accuracy of the time estimate, suggestions for 

improving the interview, or any comments or concerns regarding the status of your individual submission for this survey, 

please write to: Program for International Student Assessment (PISA), National Center for Education Statistics, 1990 K Street 

NW, Washington, DC 20006.
Appendix A

4

Student: Brochure and Study Information Contact Letter

[DATE]

<TEENAGER NAME> Web Address: surveys.nces.ed.gov/<insert>

<ADDR1> Personal ID: <XXXXXXX>

<ADDR2> Password: <XXXXXXXX><PW_ind>

<CITY STATE ZIP>

Dear <Teenager Name>:

We are writing today to introduce you to the PISA Young Adult Follow-up Study. But first, we want to thank you 

for the address update that you sent following our letter on <Date>. As a participant in this study, it is crucially 

important that we keep in touch through the actual data collection in 2015. In 2015 we will be asking you to take 

a survey that will collect information about your education and work experiences and your skills as a young adult.

Enclosed is information describing the study and explaining your role as a participant. 

The PISA Young Adult Follow-up Study is sponsored by the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) of the 

U.S. Department of Education’s Institute of Education Sciences and data collection is conducted by Westat in 

Rockville, Maryland. Attached is information about the PISA Young Adult Follow-up Study. Your participation in 

this study is voluntary, but is vital because you are a unique source for this important information that will help 

researchers understand how high school experiences and skills are related to experiences and skills in young 

adulthood. 

If you have additional questions, you may also call the study’s toll-free number (1-xxx-xxx-xxxx), or visit the study’s 

website at http://nces.ed.gov/surveys/xxxxx. 

We thank you in advance for your cooperation in this important research.

Sincerely,

Jack Buckley, Commissioner

National Center for Education Statistics

Institute of Education Sciences

U.S. Department of Education

Enclosure: PISA Young Adult Follow-up Study brochure

NCES is authorized to conduct this study under the Education Sciences Reform Act of 2002 (ESRA 2002, 20 U.S.C., § 9543).

Participation is voluntary. Data collected are used only for statistical purposes and may not be disclosed, or used, in 

identifiable form for any other purpose except as required by law (ESRA 2002, 20 U.S.C., § 9573). Individual responses will 

be combined with those from other participants to produce summary statistics and reports. The U.S. Office of Management 

and Budget approved this data collection under OMB # 1850-XXXX. 
5

Student: Subsequent Requests for Address Updates

[DATE]

<TEENAGER NAME> Web Address: surveys.nces.ed.gov/<insert>

<ADDR1> Personal ID: <XXXXXXX>

<ADDR2> Password: <XXXXXXXX><PW_ind>

<CITY STATE ZIP>

Dear <Teenager Name>:

<<TO BE INSERTED: STATEMENTS A-E ON THE NEXT PAGE AS NEEDED>>

To complete the address update, please <<if email: fill out your update address form, using your individualized ID 

and password at the top of this email, here >>. <<if letter: go to surveys.nces.ed.gov/<insert> website and fill out 

the update address form, using your individualized ID and password at the top of this letter. If you prefer to send 

an update of address via a post card, please use the pre-paid postcard in this letter.>>

Data collected are used only for statistical purposes and may not be disclosed, or used, in identifiable form for any 

other purpose except as required by law (ESRA 2002, 20 U.S.C., § 9573). If you have additional questions, you may 

also call the study’s toll-free number (1-xxx-xxx-xxxx), or visit the study’s website at 

http://nces.ed.gov/surveys/xxxxx.

We thank you in advance for your cooperation in this important research.

Sincerely,

Jack Buckley, Commissioner

National Center for Education Statistics

Institute of Education Sciences

U.S. Department of Education

<<Enclosure: ADDRESS UPDATE POSTCARD>>

NCES is authorized to conduct this study under the Education Sciences Reform Act of 2002 (ESRA 2002, 20 U.S.C., § 9543).

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 of this information collection is 1850-XXXX, and the 

study is completely voluntary. The time required to complete this information collection is estimated to average 5 minutes per 

response, including the time to review instructions, search existing data resources, gather the data needed, and complete and

review the information collection. If you have any comments concerning the accuracy of the time estimate, suggestions for 

improving the interview, or any comments or concerns regarding the status of your individual submission for this survey, 

please write to: Program for International Student Assessment (PISA), National Center for Education Statistics, 1990 K Street 

NW, Washington, DC 20006.
Appendix A

6

Student: Statements in Subsequent Contact Letters

Statement A:

The National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) would like to thank you for your continued participation in the 

PISA Young Adult Follow-up Study. In 2015 we will be asking you to take a survey that will collect information 

about your skills as you transition to further education, employment, and other paths in life. Each participant 

who takes part in the study will receive $50 upon completion. Now, we ask your help in updating your contact 

information.

The PISA Young Adult Follow-up Study is sponsored by the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) of the 

U.S. Department of Education’s Institute of Education Sciences. Your participation is voluntary, but is very 

important because the study will help researchers understand the different paths that teenagers take into higher 

education, the workforce, or the military. 

Statement B:

We at the PISA Young Adult Follow-up Study hope you are <having a good summer/had a good summer/had a 

good winter break/etc.>. We would like to ask you to update your address. Your participation in this study and 

completion of the survey in 2015 will earn you $50. The information you provide will help inform educators, 

researchers, and policymakers about the paths teenagers take and the skills teenagers develop beyond high 

school. Your assistance in this address update is very much appreciated so that we can keep in touch! 

Statement C:

The PISA Young Adult Follow-up Study provides a unique opportunity for researchers and policymakers to 

understand how the United States can create a competitive workforce to meet the challenges of the 21st century. 

The information you provide in 2015 will shape the policies of the future. To express our gratitude for your 

participation in this very important research, we will provide you with $50 when you complete the survey. At 

this time, we need you to update your address information so that we can provide you with the survey in the 

future.

Statement D:

The PISA Young Adult Follow-up Study would like to ask you to complete an address update form. When the data 

collection gets under way in 2015, your unique educational, workforce, and life experiences will influence 

decisions made by educators, researchers, and policymakers to improve education and training in the United 

States. Upon your completion of the study in 2015, we will provide you with $50 as a token of appreciation for 

your time and effort.

Statement E:

You have been chosen to represent many teenagers like you in the country. By participating in the PISA Young 

Adult Follow-up Study, you ensure that your voice and your peers’ voices are heard! The study will help to 

understand the impact of schooling on the future learning, education, and career choices that young adults like 

you take. When you complete the study in 2015, we ask you to accept a gift of $50 as a token of our gratitude.
7

Student: Postcard Reminder

PISA Logo

PISA Young Adult Follow-Up Study 

GREETINGS FROM PISA AND THE NATIONAL CENTER FOR 

EDUCATION STATISTICS!

This is a friendly reminder to please complete your address 

update form. It will take just 5 minutes for you to provide 

valuable information that will be used to ask you about your

education and work experiences and skills in 2015.

To complete the update online, please log-in to our secure 

website, https://surveys.nces.ed.gov/<insert>, using the 

information below:

Personal ID = «userid»

Password = «password»<PW_ind>

If you have any questions or problems completing your 

update of address form, please contact the PISA Young 

Adult Follow-up Study help desk at 1-XXX-XXX-XXXX. 

Thank you!

The PISA Young Adult Follow-up Study Team 
Appendix A

8

Student: Text for Address Update Webpage/Postcard

Personal ID: «caseid»

1. Please review your current address displayed on the left side of the address box below. If your 

address is not correct or is not current, please update it in the space provided on the right side of 

the box. To update your locating information online, visit our secure website at 

//surveys.nces.ed.gov/<insert> and refer to your Personal ID «caseid».

«fname» «mname» «lname» «suffix»

«addr1»

«addr2»

«city», «state» «zip»«zip4»

«sarea1» «sphone1»

Check here if all information preprinted above is 

correct...................................... 

Name:

Address:

Cell 

phone: ( )

Home

phone: ( )

Work

phone: ( )

2. We will send an e-mail to let you know about important dates and information (e.g., when the 2015 

data collection begins). Please provide an e-mail address that we can use to contact you.

Primary e-mail address: @

Alternative e-mail address: @

3. Would you like us to send you a text message on your cell phone with infrequent updates on the 

study? Please check one.........................................................Yes No 

If yes, what cell number should we use?__(______)_-________-_________________________

Thank you for your assistance. 

Please return this postcard in the enclosed postage paid envelope.

NCES is authorized to conduct this study under the Education Sciences Reform Act of 2002 (ESRA 2002, 20 U.S.C., § 9543).

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 of this information collection is 1850-XXXX, and the 

study is completely voluntary. The time required to complete this information collection is estimated to average 5 minutes per 

response, including the time to review instructions, search existing data resources, gather the data needed, and complete and

review the information collection. If you have any comments concerning the accuracy of the time estimate, suggestions for 

improving the interview, or any comments or concerns regarding the status of your individual submission for this survey, 

please write to: Program for International Student Assessment (PISA), National Center for Education Statistics, 1990 K Street 

NW, Washington, DC 20006.
9

Student: Birthday Card

Dear <name>, 

Wishing you a 

very happy 

birthday! 

- PISA Young Adult 

Follow-up Study

Team 
Appendix A

10

Text for Study Brochure

What is PISA? 

PISA is the largest international education study in the world and is conducted every three years. More than 60 

countries, including the United States, participate in PISA. Knowing how U.S. students perform on PISA provides us 

with valuable information on how our education system compares with the education systems of the other 

countries with whom we collaborate and compete in the world economy. PISA assesses 15-year-old students' 

performance in mathematics, reading, and science. PISA is unique because it focuses on how well students can 

apply their knowledge and skills in these areas and it uses problems set in real-life contexts. PISA results have 

been used by researchers and policymakers in the United States and around the world to chart national progress 

against international standards and to identify strengths and weaknesses in countries' education systems. 

What is the PISA Young Adult Follow-up Study and why is it important? 

The PISA Young Adult Follow-up Study will help researchers and policymakers understand how students’ skills and 

experiences by age 15, measured by PISA, relate to education and work experiences and key skills in young 

adulthood. Specifically, this study looks at young adults’ (age 18) reading and math skills, as well as how they use 

computers and the Internet in their daily lives to locate information and solve problems. This study also collects 

information from participants about their background, work and educational experiences, and well-being and 

health. Together, this information will help researchers and policymakers better understand U.S. results on the 

PISA assessment and how well prepared U.S. students are for the global economy. It will inform discussions about 

college and career-readiness and successful transitions from high school to college and the workforce. 

Study participants will complete an online survey of adult skills in the fall of 2015. The survey will take 

approximately two hours to complete. Participants who complete the survey will receive $50 for their time and 

effort.

How was I chosen?

In the fall of 2012 you participated in PISA. Only students who participated in PISA in 2012 and supplied contact 

information are being contacted to participate in the PISA Young Adult Follow-up Study. Participation in the study 

is voluntary, but you are a unique source of this important information so it is essential that you participate.

What Do I need to do? 

The PISA Young Adult Follow-up Study will be conducted in fall 2015. At that time, you will be asked to logon to a 

secure website and complete the survey. Between now and fall 2015, NCES and its data collection contractor, 

Westat, will contact you periodically to make sure we have your most up-to-date contact information. After you

complete the survey in fall 2015, you will receive $50. 

How can I get more information? 

For questions about the PISA Young Adult Follow-up Study, call the study’s toll-free number (1-XXX-xxx-xxxx), or 

visit the study website at http://nces.ed.gov/surveys/xxxxx. You can also send an email to PISAHELP@westat.com. 

NCES is authorized to conduct this study under the Education Sciences Reform Act of 2002 (ESRA 2002, 20 U.S.C., § 9543).

Participation is voluntary. Data collected are used only for statistical purposes and may not be disclosed, or used, in 

identifiable form for any other purpose except as required by law (ESRA 2002, 20 U.S.C., § 9573). Individual responses will 

be combined with those from other participants to produce summary statistics and reports. The U.S. Office of Management 

and Budget approved this data collection under OMB # 1850-XXXX. 

<U.S. Department of Education logo>

<IES/NCES logo>