Cover Letter

attachment 1

Follow-up District Survey

Alternative Schools and Programs: 2007-08

Cover Letter

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION INSTITUTE OF EDUCATION SCIENCES NATIONAL CENTER FOR EDUCATION STATISTICS

March 2009

Dear Respondent:

On behalf of the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), U.S. Department of Education, I want to thank you for participating in the national District Survey of Alternative Schools and Programs: 2007–08. The information that you provided, in conjunction with the information from other public school districts, is giving us valuable insight into alternative schools and programs. Surveys already have shown that some public school districts use alternative schools and programs administered by entities other than their district. To find out more about this, we are conducting a short follow-up survey.

We are asking for your assistance with a few additional questions. These questions are designed to be completed in about 5 minutes by the respondent who completed the initial survey in fall 2008. This information will yield a more complete picture of alternative schools and programs provided to students in public school districts. Even if your district does not use alternative schools and programs administered by other entities, please respond to question 1 and return the survey. Westat, a research firm in Rockville, Maryland, is conducting the study for NCES using the Fast Response Survey System (FRSS).

The federal Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has approved the survey (OMB No. 1850-0733). Your district’s participation, while voluntary, is important to the development of national statistics. 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).

Please return the completed questionnaire to Westat in the enclosed postage-paid envelope within 3 weeks and keep a copy of the completed survey for your files.

If you have any questions about this survey, please contact Priscilla Carver, the Westat survey manager, at 800-937-8281, ext. 4596 (toll-free) or 301-279-4596, or by e-mail at priscillacarver@westat.com. You may also call Peter Tice, the NCES Project Officer, at 202-502-7497. Thank you for your assistance.

Sincerely,

Stuart Kerachsky

Acting Commissioner

Enclosures