has shown that student autonomy is hard to engender within classrooms and schools, but important to engaging students (Hafen et al., 2012; Peoples, Abbott, & Flanagan, 2015a, 2015b). Table 4 below is a specific example of the item hierarchy from the discipline environment domain. Foundational to a positive discipline environment is the perception that school staff are fair, supportive and consistent in applying school rules related to discipline. Items such as, “School rules are fair for all students” that measure this basic environment were, as expected, easier for students to endorse than items that provide students with a voice in school rules (e.g., “Student have voice in deciding school rules.”) or holding them responsible for their actions (e.g., “Teachers give students a chance to explain their behavior when they do something wrong.”) This ordered pattern of discipline item difficulties confirms developers’ a priori expectations thereby supporting the domain’s substantive validity. 4. Item hierarchy of Discipline Environment items Item code Administered Item Prompt Item Difficulty (logits) 5, 8, 10 Students have a voice in deciding school rules 2.20 DIS_7 10 Teachers give students a chance to explain behavior when they do something wrong 1.38 8 In school, students how to control their behavior. 0.80 DIS_6 10 The consequence for inappropriate behavior are enforced fairly 0.46 DIS_2 5 School rules are fair for all students 0.23 DIS_4 8 School staff are consistent when enforcing rules in school -0.23 DIS_3 5 Adults at my school (for example, my school nurse, my teachers, or my principal) talk with students to help us know how to behave well. -0.67
Appendix B1: Student MCAS Questionnaire - Grade 5 VOCAL form Spring 2017 Student Questionnaire Grade 5 DIRECTIONS Mark your answers to the following questions in the box labeled Student Questionnaire on the inside back of your Student Answer Booklet. Please ask your test administrator for help if you are not sure where or how to mark your answers to these questions. This questionnaire asks about what it’s like to be a student in your school. There are no right or wrong answers. Your teachers and principal will not see your answers; your answers will be combined with those of your classmates. Your school will use these combined answers to better understand what school life is like for students. When you read each statement, think about the last 30 days in your school. Please answer honestly so your school knows how you really feel about the school. Please mark your response to each statement in your Student Answer Booklet. of the last 30 days in school. Always true Mostly true Mostly untrue Never true 1. Teachers support (help) students who come to class upset. A B C D 2. School rules are fair for all students. A B C D 3. I am to be at our school. A B C D 4. My teachers care about me as a person. A B C D 5. In school, I learn how to control my feelings when I am angry or upset. A B C D Think of the last 30 days in school. Always true Mostly true Mostly untrue Never true 6. Teachers at this school accept me for who I am. A B C D
7. I get the chance to take part in school events (for example, science fairs, art, or music shows). A B C D 8. Students respect one another. A B C D 9. Teachers don’t let students pick on other students in class or in the hallways. A B C D PLEASE PROCEED TO THE NEXT PAGE Please mark your response to each statement in your Student Answer Booklet. Think of the last 30 days in school. Always true Mostly true Mostly untrue Never true 10. My teachers are of me when I work hard in school. A B C D 11. At our school, students learn to care about other students’ feelings. A B C D 12. If I heard about a threat to our school or to my classmates, I would report it to an adult. A B C D 13. I feel safe at our school. A B C D 14. Adults working at this school treat all students respectfully. A B C D 15. Students help each learn without having to be asked by the teacher. A B C D of the last 30 days in school. Always true Mostly true Mostly untrue Never true 16. I feel comfortable talking to my teachers about something that is bothering me. A B C D
17. If I tell a teacher or other adult at school that someone is being bullied, the teacher/adult will do something to help. A B C D 18. My teachers help me succeed with my schoolwork when I need help. A B C D 19. Students have a voice in deciding school rules. A B C D 20. Students will help other students, even if they are not close friends. A B C D 21. My teachers use my ideas to help my classmates learn. A B C D 22. Adults at my school (for example, my school nurse, my teachers, or my principal) talk with students to help us know how to behave well. A B C D PLEASE PROCEED TO THE NEXT PAGE Please mark your response to each statement in your Student Answer Booklet. Think of the last 30 days in school. Always true Mostly true Mostly untrue Never true 23. I have been punched or shoved by other students more than once in the school or on the playground. A B C D 24. Students at our school get well with each other. A B C D Thank you for sharing your experiences and opinions through this student questionnaire. The information you provided can help inform your school’s efforts to create safe and supportive learning environments for all students. If you would like to speak with someone about the topics on this questionnaire, we encourage you to reach out to a family member and/or guidance counselor, teacher, principal, or other adult in the school.
with those of your classmates. Your school will use these combined answers to better understand what school life is like for students. When you read each statement, think about the last 30 days in your school. Please answer honestly so your school knows how you really feel about the school. Please mark your response to each statement in your Student Answer Booklet. Think of the last 30 days in school. Always true Mostly true Mostly untrue Never true 4. Teachers support students who come to class upset. A B C D 5. My schoolwork is appropriately challenging. A B C D 6. School staff are consistent when enforcing rules in school. A B C D 7. I have a choice in how I show my learning (e.g., write a paper; prepare a presentation; make a video). A B C D 8. Teachers are available when I need to talk with them. A B C D 9. My teachers inspire confidence in my ability to do well in class. A B C D 10. Students at this school try to stop bullying when they see it happening. A B C D 11. Students respect one another. A B C D 12. My teachers care about my academic success. A B C D 13. My teachers are proud of me when I work hard in school. A B C D 14. I have seen students with weapons at our school. A B C D 15. I am not scared to make mistakes in my teachers’ classes. A B C D PLEASE PROCEED TO THE NEXT PAGE Please mark your response to each statement in your Student Answer Booklet.
10 ENGREL12 At our school, a teacher or some other adult is available to help students who have experienced sexual assault or dating violence. 10 ENGREL13 Adults at our school are respectful to student ideas even if the ideas expressed are different from their own. 10 ENGREL14 My teachers promote respect among students. Participation 5 ENGPAR1 I get the chance to take part in school events (for example, science fairs, art or music shows). 8 ENGPAR2 My parents feel respected when they participate at our school (e.g., at parent-teacher conferences, open houses). 10 ENGPAR3 I feel welcome to participate in extra-curricular activities offered through our school, such as, school clubs or organizations, musical groups, sports teams, student council. Appendix G2: Safety Domain Item code Item prompt Emotional 5, 8, 10 SAFEMO1 Teachers support (help) students who come to class upset. 5 SAFEMO2 At our school, students learn to care about other students' feelings. 5 SAFEMO3 I am happy to be at our school. 8 SAFEMO4 I feel comfortable reaching out to teachers/counselors for emotional support if I need it. 8 SAFEMO5 Teachers and adults are interested in my well-being beyond just my class work. 10 SAFEMO6 I have at one friend who I can count on to support me. 10 SAFEMO7 I feel as though I belong to my school community. Physical 5 SAFPSF1 I feel safe at our school. 5 SAFPSF2 If I heard about a threat to our school or to my classmates, I would report it to an adult. 8 SAFPSF3 Students at this school damage and/or steal other students' property. 8 SAFPSF4 I have seen students with weapons at our school. 10 SAFPSF5 I sometimes stay home because I don’t feel safe at our school. 10 SAFPSF6 Students know what to do if is an emergency at school. Bullying/ bullying 5, 8, 10 SAFBUL1 If I tell a teacher or other adult that someone is being bullied, the teacher/adult will do something to help. 5 SAFBUL2 I have been punched or shoved by students more than once in the school or in the playground.