FRSS 96 Follow-up District Survey of Alternative Schools and Programs: 2007-08

Attachment 2

Follow-up District Survey

Alternative Schools and Programs: 2007–08

Questionnaire

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION FORM APPROVED

NATIONAL CENTER FOR EDUCATION STATISTICS O.M.B. No.: 1850–0733

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20006–5651 EXPIRATION DATE: 10/2009

FOLLOW-UP DISTRICT SURVEY

ALTERNATIVE SCHOOLS AND PROGRAMS: 2007–08 OMB DRAFT 1/21/2009

FAST RESPONSE SURVEY SYSTEM

This survey is authorized by law (P.L. 103-382). While participation in this survey is voluntary, your cooperation is critical to make the results of this survey comprehensive, accurate, and timely. Your answers may be used only for statistical purposes and may not be disclosed, or used, in identifiable form for any other purpose unless otherwise compelled by law. (Public Law 107-279, Education Sciences Reform Act, Section 183.)

LABEL

IF ABOVE DISTRICT INFORMATION IS INCORRECT, PLEASE UPDATE DIRECTLY ON LABEL.

Name of person completing this form:

Title/position:

Telephone number: E-mail:

Best days and times to reach you (in case of questions):

THANK YOU. PLEASE KEEP A COPY OF THE SURVEY FOR YOUR RECORDS.

PLEASE RETURN COMPLETED FORM TO: IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS, CONTACT:

Mail: Priscilla Carver (8096.16.11) Priscilla Carver at Westat

Westat 800-937-8281, Ext. 4596 or 301-279-4596

1650 Research Boulevard E-mail: priscillacarver@westat.com
Rockville, Maryland 20850-3195

Fax: 800-254-0984

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 for this information collection is 1850-0733. 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 or suggestions for improving this form, please write to: U.S. Department of Education, Washington, DC 20202-4651. If you have any comments or concerns regarding the status of your individual submission of this form, write directly to: National Center for Education Statistics, 1990 K Street, NW, Washington, DC 20006.

FRSS 96a, XX/2009

INSTRUCTIONS AND DEFINITIONS FOR THIS SURVEY

In the District Survey of Alternative Schools and Programs: 2007–08, respondents in some districts indicated that their district used alternative schools and programs administered by entities other than their district to provide alternative education to students at risk of educational failure. Examples of other entities may include

• a public entity such as a regional program, consortium, cooperative, or another school district;

• a private entity contracted by the district;

• 2- or 4-year postsecondary institutions in partnership with or contracted by the district; or

• entities other than those listed here.

This short follow-up survey is designed to find out the extent to which districts use alternative schools and programs administered by entities other than their district. It is designed to be completed by the respondent who completed the initial survey in fall 2008.

Alternative schools and programs are designed to address the needs of students that typically cannot be met in regular schools. The students who attend alternative schools and programs are typically at risk of educational failure (as indicated by poor grades, truancy, disruptive behavior, pregnancy, or similar factors associated with temporary or permanent withdrawal from school).

Alternative schools are usually housed in separate facilities where students are removed from regular schools. Alternative programs are usually housed within regular schools.

For the purposes of this survey, include

• only alternative schools or programs for at-risk students;

• only alternative schools and programs attended by students enrolled in your district;

• only alternative schools and programs administered by entities other than your district; examples may include

• a public entity such as a regional program, consortium, cooperative, or another school district;

• a private entity contracted by the district; or

• 2- or 4-year postsecondary institutions in partnership with or contracted by the district;

• only alternative schools or programs where the majority of students attend for at least half of their instructional time;

• charter schools for students at risk of educational failure;

• alternative schools or programs within criminal detention centers;

• alternative schools or programs that operate during weekday evenings or weekends.

For the purposes of this survey, exclude

• alternative schools or programs administered by your district (information about those administered by your district was previously collected in the District Survey of Alternative Schools and Programs: 2007–08);

• alternative schools or programs that are not for at-risk students (e.g., gifted and talented programs, magnet schools);

• alternative schools or programs where the majority of students attend for less than half of their instructional time;

• schools or programs that exclusively serve special education students;

• career/technical education programs (unless specifically designated for at-risk students);

• child care/day care centers;

• short-term in-school suspension programs (lasting 2 weeks or less), detention, or in-home programs for ill or injured students; and

• charter schools that are not for at-risk students.

The questions in this survey ask about the 2007–08 school year.

In the District Survey of Alternative Schools and Programs: 2007–08, respondents in some districts indicated that their district used alternative schools and programs administered by entities other than their district (for example, regional programs or private entities contracted by the district) to provide alternative education to students at risk of educational failure. The purpose of this short follow-up survey is to find out the extent to which districts use alternative schools and programs administered by entities other than their district. It is designed to be completed by the respondent who completed the initial survey in fall 2008.

If your district did not use an alternative school or program administered by an entity other than the district in 2007–08, answer “no” to question 1, complete the respondent section on the front, and return the questionnaire.

Before you answer the questions in this survey, please carefully review the list of inclusions and exclusions on the instructions page.

1. During the 2007–08 school year, were there any students enrolled in your district who attended an alternative school or program that was administered by an entity other than your district? (For examples of entities, see instructions and definitions.)

Yes 1 (Continue with question 2.)

No 2 (Complete respondent section on front and return questionnaire.)

2. As of October 1, 2007, how many students enrolled in your district attended an alternative school or program administered by an entity other than your district?

3. During the 2007–08 school year, which of the following entities administered these alternative schools and programs attended by students enrolled in your district? (Circle yes or no for each.)

	Yes	No
a. A public entity such as a regional program, consortium, cooperative, or another school district	1	2
b. A private entity contracted by the district	1	2
c. Two- or 4-year postsecondary institutions in partnership with or contracted by the district	1	2
d. Other(specify)	1	2