Ameri can Institutes for Research Task Order 18: Study on Sustaining the Positive Effects of Preschool

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## Appendix **G .**  **Preschool Teacher and Program Staff**  **Interview and**  **Focus Group Protocol**Ameri can Institutes for Research Task Order 18: Study on Sustaining the Positive Effects of Preschool

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# Study on Sustaining the **Positive Effects of Preschool Preschool Teacher**  **and Program Staff Interview** 

**and Focus Group Protocol**  Interviewer________

____________________________ Focus Group ID #_________________ Site __________________________________________ Date/Time_______________________ **Introduction** My name is ______, and I work for American Institutes for Research (AIR). We’ve been contracted b y the U.S. Department of Education to conduct case studies on sites that are implementing particular programs to support early elementary students. As y ou may

know, the purpose of the study is to document characteristics of programs and policies in earl y e lementary school that support student growth and development, such as PK

– 3 alignment, differentiated instruction, and other programs designed to sustain the advantages of preschool. We are interested in learning more about the theoretical or practical back ground of these programs, how they are implemented, how they are sustained and supported/funded, and their outcomes. I want to reassure you that your responses to this interview will be used only for research purposes . Though your site ’s name will appear in the final report, we will not provide y our name in any reporting or to anyone outside the study team, except as required by law. Because we are producing case studies of only a small number of named sites, it may be possible for a reader to identify you based on the data that we report, even though your name will not be used. If there is information that you do not want shared directl y in any reporting, please let me know. I will now give you a consent form that provides more details about the study and your rights as a participant. Do y ou have an y questions about the study ? I plan to audio record this session, solely for our note

- taking purposes. Only research staff will use the audio recording, and we’ll destro y it when the project is done. Is that okay with you? **Role and Previous Education -**  **related Experience** 1. I’d like to start b y asking each of you to tell me yo ur name, and what age or grade you teach [or what role you play in the program]? **Connections to Elementary** Our research is focused on making connections between earl y elementary school and earlier preschool experiences.Ameri can Institutes for Research Task Order 18: Study on Sustaining the Positive Effects of Preschool

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2. Do y ou know where the students in y our class will attend elementary school? Do most students attend the same school? **Approach to Program or Strategy and Implementation** My next questions focus very specificall y on [PROGRAM]. 3. I understand this program involves [BRI EFLY DESCRIBE OUR UNDERSTANDING OF THE PROGRAM]. Can you tell me more about all the activities involved? a. What does this look like in y our classroom? 4. Let’s tal k about when the program was first rolled out at y our [school/preschool/center]. For those of you that were at the school then, what changes in staffing, policy , curriculum, or other areas were required? a. What did teachers need to get started, in terms of training, guidance, or extra resources? **PK**

**– 3 Alignment**  I’d like to talk a little more about PK

– 3 alignment efforts in your district. 5. Are assessments aligned, connected, or coordinated across grades? I f so, how? If not mentioned, ask: a. What assessments are used? How often are they given? b. How is the information from assessments used? c. Does your district use a Kindergarten Entry Assessment? I f so, which one? Do y ou receive the results of assessments for children that attended your preschool? 6. How are stand ards, curricula or other materials, and resources in different grades and in preschool related? 7. How do y ou know what other teachers in preschool or kindergarten through Grade 3 are doing in their classrooms? a. Is there time to meet? When? I s it sufficient? b. If they meet: Which teachers do you meet with regularl y? Do you meet only with preschool teachers or also with elementary school teachers? 8. Does your preschool/center have an y other collaborative efforts with elementary schools? a. If these collaborations e xist : What ty

pes of activities does this collaboration involve? 9. How do y ou receive training or support to align instructional practices across Grades PK

– 3? a. Can you describe any ongoing training? b. Do teachers have dedicated time to meet with teachers in oth er grades? c. How is data used and shared across grades? d. How, if at all, are preschool teachers included in this training and support? e. What is helpful about the support, and what would you change?Ameri can Institutes for Research Task Order 18: Study on Sustaining the Positive Effects of Preschool

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**Other Specific Interventions or Supports**  10. Are there an y other programs or supports for earl y elementary students, designed to sustain the effects of preschool or otherwise support their learning and development, that we have not y et talked about? If yes, ask questions 11

- 15: 11. What role do y ou play in the program ? a. Is this a role you applied for? What skills are needed for the position? 12. How do y ou work with other teachers or staff at your center? At the elementary school? 13. What ty

pe of student participates in [PROGRAM]? a. What ty

pe of student is eligible and ineligi ble to participate? b. Are you specificall y providing services to certain subgroups of students? 14. What guidance do you receive from the district about the program’s goals or activities? 15. How much autonom y do you have in implementing program activities? **Outcom es**  16. What effect, if an y, do you think [PROGRAM] has had on student outcomes in kindergarten through third grade? a. If interviewee reports effect : For which outcomes have you seen gains and how are these documented? b. If no effect : What do y ou think are the barr iers to seeing more gains? **Success, Challenges, and Sustainability** 17. Overall, what is working well with this [PROGRAM] at your school? 18. What aspect of [PROGRAM] needs strengthening? Why ? a. What do you know of plans to try to strengthen it? 19. What challenges have yo u had in implementing this program, and what steps did you take or may still be needed to address them? 20. Is this an approach that will or should continue for the long term, in y our opinion? 21. Are there resources you need to continue your work with [PROGRAM]? 22. One purpose of this study is to help other districts and schools potentially begin a similar program. What advice would y ou give to such districts or schools? Are there certain resources, structures, or capabilities that need to be in place for a program like this to succeed?Ameri can Institutes for Research Task Order 18: Study on Sustaining the Positive Effects of Preschool

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23. Those are all the questions Ihave. Is there any thing else yo u’d like to share with me today in regard to [PROGRAM]?