National Indian Education Study (NIES) 2009 Reports Focus Groups

Appendix B

PARTICIPATION LETTER

Dear [Prefix]. [First name] [Last name],

On behalf of Kauffman & Associates, Inc. we would like to thank you for agreeing to participate in the National Indian Education Study 2009 Report focus group. As you may recall, the National Indian Education Study has two parts: the first part assesses American Indian/Alaska Native students in Grade 4 and 8 in reading and mathematics, and the second asks the students, teachers, and principals about the integration of the students’ native cultures in their educational experience.

For the purposes of this focus group, you have been assigned to participate in the group that will discuss [INSERT the National Indian Education Study 2009, Part I: Performance of American Indian and Alaska Native Students at Grades 4 and 8 on NAEP 2009 Reading and Mathematics Assessments OR the National Indian Education Study 2009, Part II: The Educational Experiences of American Indian and Alaska Native Students in Grades 4 and 8 Statistical Analysis Report].

In preparation for your participation in the focus group discussion, we ask that you take 60 minutes to review the report online before the conference to familiarize yourself with its content. The information for the report is available for download online at: [INSERT Part I: http://nces.ed.gov/nationsreportcard/pubs/studies/2010462.asp OR Part II: http://nces.ed.gov/nationsreportcard/pubs/studies/2010463.asp] Please keep in mind that we do not expect you to spend any more than an hour to review the report prior to the focus group, and that we are only asking you to review [INSERT Part I or Part II].

Upon registering at the National Indian Education Association’s Annual Convention in San Diego, you will be given physical copy of this report as well. Your input is very important to the future of American Indian and Alaska Native children, and we appreciate the time and effort you are investing by participating in the focus group. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the report, the project, or what your participation will entail, please contact me at 301-588-6800 or at biva.ranjeet@kauffmaninc.com.

Thank you very much and we look forward to seeing you at the NIEA Annual Convention in San Diego, CA.

Sincerely,

Biva Ranjeet