Learner Background Interview Protocol

Strengthening Adult Reading Instructional Practices	OMB#:	Exp. Date:
	Code # — —

JBL Associates, Inc. / Abt Associates Inc.

Learner Consent for Participation in Research

“Strengthening Adult Reading Instructional Practices”

Instructions to Data Collector: Please read this form aloud to the participant. If participant agrees to participate in this study, ask participant to initial each page at the bottom and sign the form at the end. Please collect all pages that participant has initialed or signed.

Why am I being asked?

JBL Associates, Inc. and Abt Associates Inc. are conducting a study of reading instruction for the U.S. Department of Education. The purpose of the study is to gather information that will help improve the quality of adult education programs. The study has adult education programs that provide reading instruction to adults and all students within the selected classes are being asked to participate. The study is expected to involve the participation of 300 learners.

Your participation in this study is voluntary. Your decision whether or not to participate will not affect your grade or your work in your class. If you decide to participate, you are free to withdraw at any time without affecting your grades or work in your class.

What does this study involve for participants?

Your participation in this study will consist of an interview in which you will be asked questions ask about your reasons for enrolling in the program, your education and job training experience, your work experience, your use of basic skills at home and at work, your literacy activities with children, your general health, what you learned in the reading class, and information about where you were born and the languages you speak. In addition, you will be asked to take several reading tests that last one hour or less. Testing will be arranged at a time that is convenient for you.

The interview and tests will take a total of approximately 2 hours to complete. You will be asked to complete the interview and tests once in the fall and a second time in the winter, for a total of four hours over two time periods.

Some of the reading tests are audio taped to assist the examiner in scoring. The interview is not audio taped.

Are there benefits to taking part in the research?

Students who complete all of the reading tests and the interview will be reimbursed $20 for your transportation. There are two rounds of testing and interviewing– one in the winter and the second one in the spring, so students will be reimbursed $20 for each completed round of data collection.

Students that participate in the study can access the study results by the end of the year 2009 by contacting Gina Shkodriani at 301-654-5154 or Judith Alamprese at 301-634-1830.

What about privacy and confidentiality?

The information that is collected will be held in confidence, and your responses are protected under the Privacy Act. None of the information collected in this study will be included in your class records.

Your name will not appear in any of the research records except for a master class list that will be destroyed once all analyses are completed and reports are written. If you choose to withdraw from the study, your records will be destroyed at that time.

Can I withdraw or be removed from the study?

You can choose whether to be in this study or not. If you volunteer to be in this study, you may withdraw at any time without consequences of any kind. The researchers may withdraw you from the study if circumstances arise which warrant doing so.

Whom should I contact if I have questions?

The researchers conducting this study include Gina Shkodriani at JBL Associates, Inc. and Judith Alamprese at Abt Associates Inc. You may ask any questions you have now. If you have questions later, you may contact the researchers at these numbers – Gina Shkodriani at 301-654-5154; Judith Alamprese at 301-634-1830.

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You will be given a copy of this form for your information and to keep for your records.

Signature of Participant

I have been read the above information. I have been given an opportunity to ask questions and my questions have been answered to my satisfaction. I agree to participate in this research study. I have been given a copy of this form and have initialed the first page.

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Signature Date

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Printed Name

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Signature of Researcher Date

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