school principals were also given a minute questionnaire that covered the school system and the learning environment in some countries and economies optional questionnaires were distributed to parents who were asked to provide information on their perceptions of and involvement in their childs school their support for learning in the home and their childs career expectations particularly in mathematics countries could choose two other optional questionnaires for students one asked students about their familiarity with and use of information and communication technologies and the second sought information about their education to date including any interruptions in their schooling and whether and how they are preparing for a future career