Control Teacher Survey

Appendix A.2

CONTROL TEACHER SURVEY (2007-08)
NATIONAL EVALUATION OF READING COMPREHENSION PROGRAMS
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

ATTACH LABEL HERE
Teacher ID Teacher Name
School ID School Name
IF ABOVE INFORMATION IS INCORRECT,
PLEASE MAKE CORRECTIONS DIRECTLY ON LABEL.

This survey is part of the Evaluation of Reading Comprehension Programs, a national
evaluation being conducted for the U.S. Department of Education. The questions ask
about the professional culture at your school, your reflections, and your background. All
information you provide will be kept confidential. While you are not required to respond,
your cooperation is needed to make the results of this survey comprehensive and
accurate. Thank you.

Please return the completed form to:
Mathematica Policy Research, Inc.
315 Enterprise Drive
Plainsboro, NJ 08536
ATTN: Ms. Season Bedell-Boyle

If you have questions, please contact:
Ms. Valerie Williams
Phone: 888.535.0283
FAX: 202.863.1763
E-mail: VWilliams@mathematica-MPR.com

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 1850-0812. The time required to complete this information collection is estimated
to average 20 minutes per response, including the time to review instructions, search existing data
resources, gather the data needed, and complete and review the information collected. If you have any
comments concerning the accuracy of the time estimate(s) or suggestions for improving this form, please
write to: U.S. Department of Education, Washington, D.C. 20202-4651. If you have comments or
concerns regarding the status of your individual submission of this form, write directly to: U.S.
Department of Education, Institute for Education Sciences, Washington, D.C. 20208-5651.
OMB NO.: 1850-0812
EXPIRATION DATE: 03/31/2009

Appendix A.2 (continued)

SECTION I. PROFESSIONAL CULTURE
This section asks about the professional culture within your school.1
1-4. These items are intentionally skipped.
5. CONVERSATIONS ABOUT TEACHING
During the past school year, how often have you had conversations with colleagues about…
LESS THAN
2 OR 3 TIMES
ONCE OR
IN EACH ROW, CHECK ONE BOX ONLY
ONCE A MONTH
A MONTH
TWICE A W EEK
DAILY
a. The goals of this school?................................
1c

2

c

3

c

4

c

b. Development of new curriculum?....................
1c

2

c

3

c

4

c

c. Managing classroom behavior? ......................
1c

2

c

3

c

4

c

d. What helps students learn best?.....................
1c

2

c

3

c

4

c

6. MY GRADE LEVEL
How much do you disagree or agree with each of the following?
STRONGLY
IN EACH ROW, CHECK ONE BOX ONLY
DISAGREE

DISAGREE

AGREE

STRONGLY
AGREE

a. Teachers in this grade level trust each other.......

1

c

2

c

3

c

4

c

b. It’s OK in this grade level to discuss feelings,
worries, and frustrations with other teachers .......

1

c

2

c

3

c

4

c

c. Teachers respect other teachers who take the
lead in grade level improvement efforts...............

1

c

2

c

3

c

4

c

d. Teachers in this grade level respect those
colleagues who are expert at their craft...............

1

c

2

c

3

c

4

c

PLEASE NOTICE DIFFERENT RESPONSE CHOICES FOR THE
ITEM BELOW .

NOT AT
ALL

e. To what extent do you feel respected by other
teachers in this grade level? ..............................

f.

c

2

NONE

SOME

1

PLEASE NOTICE DIFFERENT RESPONSE CHOICES FOR THE
ITEM BELOW .
How many teachers in this grade level really care
about each other? .............................................

A LITTLE

0

c

1

c

SOME

c

3

ABOUT
HALF

2

c

c

4

MOST

3

A GREAT
EXTENT

c

c

NEARLY
ALL

4

c

1

Questions 5 through 10 in this section are from The Consortium on Chicago School Research. (1999). “Improving
Chicago's Schools: The Teachers' Turn, 1999; Elementary School Teacher Survey, 1999.” Chicago, IL. Available
at www.consortium-chicago.org.

Prepared by Mathematica Policy Research

1

Teacher Survey (C) 2007-08

Appendix A.2 (continued)

7. ACCESS TO NEW IDEAS
How often have you…
IN EACH ROW, CHECK ONE BOX ONLY

3 TO 4 5 TO 9 10 OR MORE
NEVER ONCE TWICE TIMES TIMES
TIMES

a. Taken courses at a college or university
relative to improving your school?................

0

c

1

c

2

c

3

c

4

c

5

c

b. Participated in a network with other teachers
outside your school? ...................................

0

c

1

c

2

c

3

c

4

c

5

c

0

c

1

c

2

c

3

c

4

c

5

c

0

c

1

c

2

c

3

c

4

c

5

c

0

c

1

c

2

c

3

c

4

c

5

c

0

c

1

c

2

c

3

c

4

c

5

c

c. Discussed curriculum and instruction
matters with an outside professional group
or organization? ..........................................
d. Attended professional development
activities organized by your school (include
meetings that focus on improving your
teaching)? ...................................................
e. Attended workshops or courses sponsored
by your school district (exclude required inservices)? ...................................................
f.

Attended professional development
activities sponsored by the teachers’
union?.........................................................

8. MY EXPERIENCE OF CHANGE
How much do you disagree or agree with the following?
STRONGLY
IN EACH ROW, CHECK ONE BOX ONLY
DISAGREE

DISAGREE

AGREE

STRONGLY
AGREE

a. Most changes introduced at this school
involve only a few teachers; rarely does the
whole faculty become involved .....................

1

c

2

c

3

c

4

c

b. We receive adequate professional
development support for the changes we
introduce at our school .................................

1

c

2

c

3

c

4

c

c. Most changes introduced at this school gain
little support among teachers........................

1

c

2

c

3

c

4

c

Prepared by Mathematica Policy Research

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Teacher Survey (C) 2007-08

Appendix A.2 (continued)

9. PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
How much do you disagree or agree with the following?
Overall, my professional development experiences
over the past school year…

STRONGLY
DISAGREE DISAGREE AGREE

IN EACH ROW, CHECK ONE BOX ONLY

STRONGLY
AGREE

a. …have included opportunities to work productively
with teachers from other schools .........................

1

c

2

c

3

c

4

c

b. …have included enough time to think carefully
about, to try, and to evaluate new ideas...............

1

c

2

c

3

c

4

c

c. …have deepened my understanding of subject
matter..................................................................

1

c

2

c

3

c

4

c

d. …have helped me understand my students better

1

c

2

c

3

c

4

c

e. …have been sustained and coherently focused,
rather than being short term and unrelated ..........

1

c

2

c

3

c

4

c

1

c

2

c

3

c

4

c

g. …have led me to make changes in my teaching ..

1

c

2

c

3

c

4

c

h. …have been closely connected to my school’s
improvement plan................................................

1

c

2

c

3

c

4

c

f.

…have included opportunities to work productively
with colleagues in my school ...............................

STRONGLY
DISAGREE DISAGREE AGREE

CHECK ONE BOX ONLY
i.

Most of what I learn in professional development
addresses the needs of the students in my
classroom............................................................

Prepared by Mathematica Policy Research

1

3

c

2

c

3

c

STRONGLY
AGREE

4

c

Teacher Survey (C) 2007-08

Appendix A.2 (continued)

10. LEADERSHIP AND SUPPORT
How much do you disagree or agree with the following?
STRONGLY
DISAGREE DISAGREE

IN EACH ROW, CHECK ONE BOX ONLY

AGREE

STRONGLY
AGREE

a. The principal at this school is strongly committed
to shared decision-making...................................

1

c

2

c

3

c

4

c

b. The principal at this school works to create a
sense of community in the school ........................

1

c

2

c

3

c

4

c

c. The principal at this school promotes parent and
community involvement in the school...................

1

c

2

c

3

c

4

c

d. The principal at this school supports and
encourages teachers to take risks .......................

1

c

2

c

3

c

4

c

e. The principal at this school is willing to make
changes ..............................................................

1

c

2

c

3

c

4

c

Most changes introduced at this school receive
strong support from the principal..........................

1

c

2

c

3

c

4

c

g. The principal at this school encourages teachers
to try new methods of instruction .........................

1

c

2

c

3

c

4

c

f.

Prepared by Mathematica Policy Research

4

Teacher Survey (C) 2007-08

Appendix A.2 (continued)

11. THOUGHTS ABOUT TEACHING READING2
How much do you agree or disagree with the following?
STRONGLY
STRONGLY
DISAGREE DISAGREE AGREE
AGREE

IN EACH ROW, CHECK ONE BOX ONLY
a. I feel I need to make changes in the methods I use to teach
children to read and spell..........................................................

1

c

2

c

3

c

4

c

b. I get help from staff members to understand some children’s
difficulties learning to read ........................................................

1

c

2

c

3

c

4

c

c. I have benefited from opportunities to learn more about
methods for teaching reading....................................................

1

c

2

c

3

c

4

c

d. The children in my class are making satisfactory progress in
learning to read.........................................................................

1

c

2

c

3

c

4

c

e. I do not have sufficient materials to teach reading effectively.....

1

c

2

c

3

c

4

c

I do not understand why some children learn to read easily
while other children struggle to learn basic reading skills...........

1

c

2

c

3

c

4

c

g. The literacy coach supports my efforts to teach reading
effectively .................................................................................
IF A LITERACY COACH IS NOT AVAILABLE
FOR 5TH-GRADE STUDENTS, PLEASE SKIP
THIS QUESTION AND CHECK THIS BOX
c1

1

c

2

c

3

c

4

c

h. I have a good understanding of how children acquire language
and literacy skills ......................................................................

1

c

2

c

3

c

4

c

I wish I had more opportunities to discuss how to teach reading
with other teachers ...................................................................

1

c

2

c

3

c

4

c

I feel I am good at teaching reading and writing.........................

1

c

2

c

3

c

4

c

k. The principal of my school supports my efforts to teach reading
effectively .................................................................................

1

c

2

c

3

c

4

c

I would like to learn methods to help children develop their oral
language ..................................................................................

1

c

2

c

3

c

4

c

m. I look for opportunities to learn effective methods to teach
reading and writing ...................................................................

1

c

2

c

3

c

4

c

n. I could do a better job teaching reading if I had more assistance
from aides or volunteers in my class .........................................

1

c

2

c

3

c

4

c

o. I know how to assess the progress of my students in reading....

1

c

2

c

3

c

4

c

p. The parents of children in my class support my efforts to teach
their children to read .................................................................

1

c

2

c

3

c

4

c

q. The school day is organized to maximize instructional time.......

1

c

2

c

3

c

4

c

f.

i.
j.

l.

2

Items on this page were borrowed from Joanne Carlisle’s “Teacher's QUEST: Self-Administered Questionnaire”
(Regents of the University of Michigan: Ann Arbor, MI, 2003), with minor modifications.

Prepared by Mathematica Policy Research

5

Teacher Survey (C) 2007-08

Appendix A.2 (continued)

SECTION II. TEACHER REFLECTIONS
This section asks for your reflections.3
12. TEACHER REFLECTIONS
IN EACH ROW, CHECK ONE BOX ONLY

NOTHING

VERY
LITTLE

QUITE A
BIT

SOME

A GREAT
DEAL

a. How much can you do to control
disruptive behavior in the classroom?.

1

c

2

c

3

c

4

c

5

c

b. How much can you do to motivate
students who show low interest in
school work? ......................................

1

c

2

c

3

c

4

c

5

c

c. How much can you do to get students
to believe they can do well in school
work? .................................................

1

c

2

c

3

c

4

c

5

c

d. How much can you do to help your
students value learning?.....................

1

c

2

c

3

c

4

c

5

c

e. How much can you do to get children
to follow classroom rules? ..................

1

c

2

c

3

c

4

c

5

c

How much can you do to calm a
student who is disruptive or noisy? .....

1

c

2

c

3

c

4

c

5

c

g. How much can you use a variety of
assessment strategies?......................

1

c

2

c

3

c

4

c

5

c

h. How much can you assist families in
helping their children do well in
school? ............................................

1

c

2

c

3

c

4

c

5

c

f.

PLEASE NOTICE DIFFERENT RESPONSE
CHOICES FOR THE ITEMS BELOW .
i.
j.

SMALL
EXTENT

MODERATE
EXTENT

QUITE A
BIT

A GREAT
EXTENT

To what extent can you craft good
questions for your students?...............

1

c

2

c

3

c

4

c

5

c

To what extent can you provide an
alternative explanation or example
when students are confused?.............

1

c

2

c

3

c

4

c

5

c

PLEASE NOTICE DIFFERENT RESPONSE
CHOICES FOR THE ITEMS BELOW .
k. How well can you establish a
classroom management system with
each group of students? .....................
l.

NOT AT
ALL

How well can you implement
alternative strategies in your
classroom? ........................................

NOT AT
ALL

SLIGHTLY MODERATELY

QUITE
W ELL

EXTREMELY
W ELL

1

c

2

c

3

c

4

c

5

c

1

c

2

c

3

c

4

c

5

c

3

Items on this page were borrowed with permission from W.K. Hoy and A.E. Woolfolk’s “Teachers’ Sense of
Efficacy Scale” (Elementary School Journal, 93, 355-372), with minor modifications.

Prepared by Mathematica Policy Research

6

Teacher Survey 2007-08

Appendix A.2 (continued)

SECTION III. BACKGROUND
This section asks about your background.
13. How many years have you taught, either full-time or part-time, at the elementary or secondary
level (not counting the current school year)? Include years teaching in both public and private
schools. Do not include time spent as a student teacher.
.$$$$.$$$$. TOTAL YEARS TEACHING

14. How many years have you been teaching in THIS school (not counting the current school
year)? If you have had a break in service of one year or more, please report the year that you
returned to this school. Do not include time spent as a student teacher. Include years spent teaching
both full- and part-time at this school.
.$$$$.$$$$. TOTAL YEARS TEACHING AT THIS SCHOOL

15. What grade levels have you taught? CHECK ALL THAT APPLY
1 c 1st grade
6 c 6th grade
11 c 11th grade
2 c 2nd grade
7 c 7th grade
12 c 12th grade
3 c 3rd grade
8 c 8th grade
13 c Ungraded
4 c 4th grade
9 c 9th grade
14 c Kindergarten
5 c 5th grade
10 c 10th grade
15 c Prekindergarten
16. Column A: For each degree below, please check YES or NO to indicate if you hold that degree.
Columns B and C: For those degrees you hold, please specify your major field of study and
the year you received the degree.
IN EACH ROW, CHECK ONE BOX IN COLUMN A.
IF YOU ANSWER YES IN COLUMN A, COMPLETE
COLUMNS B AND C FOR THAT ROW..

A. DEGREE
HELD
YES

NO

B. MAJOR

C. YEAR
RECEIVED

a. Associate’s degree.....................................

1

c

0

c

.$$.$$.$$.$$.

b. Bachelor’s degree ......................................

1

c

0

c

.$$.$$.$$.$$.

c. Master’s degree .........................................

1

c

0

c

.$$.$$.$$.$$.

d. Educational specialist or professional
diploma (at least one year beyond a
master’s degree) ........................................

1

c

0

c

.$$.$$.$$.$$.

e. Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies...

1

c

0

c

.$$.$$.$$.$$.

1

c

0

c

.$$.$$.$$.$$.

1

c

0

c

.$$.$$.$$.$$.

7

Teacher Survey 2007-08

f. Doctorate (Ph.D., Ed.D.).............................
g. Professional (M.D., D.D.S., J.D., L.L.B) ......

Prepared by Mathematica Policy Research

Appendix A.2 (continued)

17. Which of the following describes the teaching certificate you currently hold in this state?
CHECK ONE ONLY
1c

Regular or standard state certificate or advanced professional certificate

2c

Probationary certificate (the initial certificate issued after satisfying all requirements except the
completion of a probationary period)

3c

Provisional or other type given to persons who are still participating in an “alternative
certification program”

4c

Temporary certificate (requires some additional college coursework and/or student teaching
before regular certification can be obtained)

5c

Emergency certificate or waiver (issued to teachers who do not have regular certification who
need to complete a regular certification program in order to continue teaching)

18. In what content area does the teaching certificate marked above allow you to teach in this
state (e.g., elementary general, secondary general, special ed., a specific subject matter)?
CONTENT AREA

19. Column A: Please indicate if you participated in any professional development activities
listed below in the past 12 months.
Column B: If you mark “yes” in Column A, please indicate in Column B how many hours you
spent on the activities. Include courses you have taken for recertification or advanced certification,
workshops sponsored by your district, conferences, or other training that is relevant to your teaching.

IN EACH ROW, CHECK ONE BOX IN COLUMN A.
IF YOU ANSWER YES, CHECK ONE BOX IN
COLUMN B.

A. PARTICIPATED?
YES

NO

B. NUMBER OF HOURS
8 OR
FEWER

9-16

17-32

33 OR
MORE

a. Reading instruction..............................

1

c

0

c

1

c

2

c

3

c

4

c

b. Science instruction ..............................

1

c

0

c

1

c

2

c

3

c

4

c

c. Social studies instruction .....................

1

c

0

c

1

c

2

c

3

c

4

c

Prepared by Mathematica Policy Research

8

Teacher Survey 2007-08

Appendix A.2 (continued)

20. Are you male or female?
1c

Male

2c

Female

21. Are you of Hispanic or Latino origin?
1 cYes
0c

No

22. How do you describe yourself? (PLEASE SELECT ONE OR MORE)
1c

American Indian or Alaska Native

2c

Asian

3c

Black or African American

4c

Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander

5c

White

23. What is your year of birth?
.$$$$.$$$$.$$$$.$$$$. YEAR

CONTACT INFORMATION
Please provide your contact information and the best time to reach you in case we have questions about
your responses.
MR./MS.

FIRST NAME

LAST NAME

STREET

APT. NUMBER

CITY

STATE

ZIP

E-MAIL ADDRESS
(
)
PHONE NUMBER (INCLUDE AREA CODE)
BEST TIME TO REACH YOU

THANK YOU FOR COMPLETING THIS SURVEY
FOR THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION.

Prepared by Mathematica Policy Research

9

Teacher Survey 2007-08