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KEA Case Studies

PreK Educator Interview Protocol

Introduction and Purpose of Interview

Thank you for your willingness to participate in this interview. We are talking with you and other 

elementary and PreK administrators and teachers in your state and district about the Kindergarten Entry 

Assessment (or KEA), how it is implemented, and how you are using the results. We’d like to learn about 

what is working well in addition to the challenges and how you’re working to overcome them. We 

believe information about your experiences will be valuable for the many other states and districts 

interested in implementing KEAs. It also has the potential to inform federal policy and to help the U.S. 

Department of Education develop technical assistance that is useful for all states tackling this important 

effort. This interview will take approximately 45 minutes.

After interviewing people who have been involved in decisionmaking and administration of the KEA at 

the state level, we now want to learn more from you about on-the-ground implementation and use of 

data. 

Consent Process

Have each respondent read and sign the consent form. Ask permission to audio-record the conversation. 

______________________________________________________________________________

We understand that your state has [selected or modified XX measure or developed its own measure 

XX] as your KEA. First, we want to learn a few details about the [measure] itself and the nuts and bolts 

of administering it.

1. When did you first learn about the [KEA]? (Q11a)

2. What general information did PreK administrators and PreK teachers receive about the KEA 

before it was administered? (Q5)

a. How was the information presented (e.g., in meetings, written reports)?

✪Could you provide me with a sample of the information provided?

3. How does the KEA measure relate to the goals and focus of your PreK program? (Q11a)

4. Do PreK program administrators and teachers receive the results of the KEA? (Q9)

a. What information is received? (Q9a)

b. Are results broken down by the PreK programs students attended? (Q9b)

c. Do you consider the KEA results valid and useful? Why or why not?

✪Could you provide me with a sample report of the results?

5. Please describe any supports and training you received to help you interpret and use KEA 

results. (Q10)

a. Which supports and training were most useful?

b. What other information or supports would have been useful?
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6. Are results discussed across classrooms and grade levels? (Q11a)

a. Were results discussed across teachers in your PreK program? 

i. If yes, please describe the discussion, including what topics were discussed.

b. Did PreK teachers discuss the results with kindergarten teachers?

i. If yes, please describe the discussion, including what issues were discussed and 

the duration of the discussion. 

ii. Is talking with kindergarten teachers about school readiness skills a new 

development?

7. Describe how have you or your PreK program used the results? (Q11a)

After getting a description, probe: Do you use results to:

 Inform your program’s policies

 Inform your PreK curriculum

 Inform the professional development for your PreK teachers

 Inform family engagement in specific school readiness areas

 Align expectations and/or instruction with kindergarten teachers

 Identify larger changes needed across PreK programs throughout your district

 Inform other PreK program components (specify): ______________________________

a. Please give me some specific examples of how you have used the results.

8. What have been the most important factors in supporting the use of KEA results to improve 

students’ educational experience in associated PreK programs? (Q15)

9. What have been the biggest challenges for PreK programs regarding the KEA? (Q15)

a. What solutions have you identified for addressing those challenges? 

This is our final question! In closing, we’d like you to reflect on any lessons learned about the 

implementation, and use of results from the KEA. (Q 14, 15)

10. Are there lessons learned or recommendations you can share with other districts and schools 

about KEA selection, implementation, and use of KEA results to inform policy and practice?

Thank you for your time and thoughtful responses.