TIMSS School Questionnaire - Grade 8

Identification Label

DRAFT

School ID:
School Name:
OMB # to go here

TIMSS 2011
Field Test Version

School
Questionnaire

National Center for Education Statistics

U.S. Department
of Education

1990
K
St.,
NW

Washington, DC 20006

School Questionnaire
Your school has agreed to participate in TIMSS 2011

NCES is authorized to collect information from

(Trends in International Mathematics and Science

this questionnaire under the Education Sciences

Study), an educational research project sponsored

Reform Act of 2002 (Public Law 107-279, Section

by the International Association for the Evaluation

153). You do not have to provide the information

of Educational Achievement (IEA). TIMSS measures

requested. However, the information you provide

trends in student achievement in mathematics and

will help the U.S. Department of Education’s ongoing

science, and studies di erences in national education
systems in more than 60 countries in order to help

system in the United States compares to that in other

improve teaching and learning worldwide.

countries. There are no penalties should you choose

This questionnaire is addressed to school
principals and department heads who are asked to

not to participate in this study. Your answers may be
used only for statistical purposes and may not be

supply information about their schools. Since your
school has been selected as part of a nationwide

purpose (Public Law 107-279, Section 183 and Title V,

sample, your responses are very important in helping

subtitle A of the E-Government Act of 2002 (P.L.

to describe secondary education in the United States.

107-347)). Your responses will be combined with

It is important that you answer each question
carefully so that the information provided reflects
the situation in your school as accurately as possible.

those from other participants to produce summary
statistics and reports.
This survey is estimated to take an average of 30

Some of the questions will require that you look up

minutes, including time for reviewing instructions,

school records, so you may wish to arrange for the

and completing and reviewing the collection of

assistanc

information. An agency may not conduct or sponsor,

to help provide

this information.
Since TIMSS is an international study and all

and a person is not required to respond to, a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid

countries are using the same questionnaire, you may

OMB control number. Send comments regarding this

find that some of the questions seem unusual or are

burden estimate or any other aspect of this collection

not entirely relevant to you or schools in the United

of information, including suggestions for reducing

States. Nevertheless, it is important that you do your

this burden, to: Stephen Provasnik, National Center

best to answer all of the questions so comparisons

for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Educa-

can be made across countries in the study.

tion, 1990 K Street NW, Room 9034, Washington, DC

It is estimated that you will need approximately
30 minutes to complete this questionnaire. We
appreciate the time and e ort that this takes and

20006-5650. Do not return the completed form to
this address.
Thank you.

thank you for your cooperation and contribution.
When you have completed the questionnaire,
please place it in the accompanying envelope and
return it to the school coordinator.

TIMSS 2011

School Enrollment
and Characteristics

4

1

Approximately what percentage of students in your
school have the following backgrounds?

What is the total enrollment of students in your
school as of March 1, 2010.

Check one circle for each line.
0 to 10%

_____________ students

11 to 25%

Write in a number.

26 to 50%
More than
50%

2
What is the total enrollment of eighth-grade
students in your school as of March 1, 2010.

_____________ students
Write in a number.

a) Come from economically
disadvantaged homes --------- O

O

O O

b) Come from economically
affluent homes ---------------- O

O

O O

5

3
A. Which best describes the immediate area in which
your school is located?
Check one circle only.

Urban–Densely populated ---

O

Suburban–On fringe or
outskirts of urban area ---

O
Medium size city or large town --- O
Small town or village --- O
Remote rural --- O

Approximately what percentage of students in
your school have English as their native
language?
Check one circle only.

O
76 to 90% --- O
51 to 75% --- O
26 to 50% --- O
25% or less --- O

More than 90% ---

B. Which best characterizes the average income level
of the school’s immediate area?
Check one circle only.

O
Medium --- O
Low --- O
High ---

DRAFT

Grade 8 School Questionnaire

2

Instructional Time

6

Resources and Technology

7
For the eighth-grade students in your school:

What is the total number of computers that can be
used for instructional purposes by eighth-grade
students?

A. How many days per year is your school open for
instruction?

___________computers

__________days

Write in the number.

Write in the number.

B. What is the total instructional time, excluding
breaks, in a typical day?
_________hours and __________minutes

Write in the number of hours and minutes.

8
A. Does your school have a science laboratory that
can be used by eighth-grade students?
Check one circle only.

O
No --- O

Yes---

C. In one calendar week, how many days is the school
open for instruction?
Check one circle only.

O
5 1/2 days --- O
5 days --- O
4 1/2 days --- O
4 days --- O
Other --- O

(If No, go to #9)

6 days ---

B. Do teachers usually have assistance available when
students are conducting science experiments?
Check one circle only.

O
No --- O

Yes---

Please specify __________

9
Is anyone available to help your teachers use
information and communication technology for
teaching and learning?
Check one circle only.

O
No --- O

Yes ---

3

Grade 8 School Questionnaire

DRAFT

10
How much is your school’s capacity to provide instruction affected by a shortage or inadequacy
of the following?
Check one circle for each line.

Check one circle for each line.

Not at all

Not at all
A little

A little
Some

Some
A lot

A. General School Resources
a) Second language teachers ----- O

O

O O

b) Instructional materials (e.g.,
textbooks) ---------------------- O

O

O O

c) Supplies (e.g., papers,
pencils) ------------------------- O

O

O O

d) School buildings and
grounds ------------------------ O

O

O O

e) Heating/cooling and lighting
systems ------------------------- O

O

O O

f) Instructional space (e.g.,
classrooms)--------------------- O

O

O O

g) Technologically competent
staff----------------------------- O

O

O O

h) Special equipment for
physically disabled students --- O

O

O O

a) Teachers with a specialization
in mathematics ---------------- O

O

O O

b) Computers for mathematics
instruction---------------------- O

O

O O

c) Computer software for
mathematicsi nstruction------- O

O

O O

d) Library materials relevant
to mathematics instruction ---- O

O

O O

e) Audio-visual resources for
mathematicsi nstruction------- O

O

O O

f) Calculators for mathematics
instruction---------------------- O

O

O O

A lot

C. Resources for Science
Instruction
a) Teachers with a
specialization in science ------- O

O

O O

b) Computers for science
instruction---------------------- O

O

O O

c) Computer software for
science instruction ------------- O

O

O O

d) Library materials relevant
to science instruction ---------- O

O

O O

e) Audio-visual resources for
science instruction ------------- O

O

O O

f) Calculators for science
instruction---------------------- O

O

O O

g) Science equipment and
materials ----------------------- O

O

O O

B. Resources for Mathematics
Instruction

DRAFT

Grade 8 School Questionnaire

4

Involving Parents in Your School

11
A. How often does your school do the following for
parents concerning individual students?

C. How often does your school do the following for
parents in general?

Check one circle for each line.

Check one circle for each line.

Never

Never
Once a year

Once a year

2-3 times a year

2-3 times a year

More than
3 times a
year

a) Inform parents about their
child’s learning progress ------- O

O

O O

b) Inform parents about the
behavior and well-being of
their child at school ------------ O

O

O O

c) Discuss parents’ concerns or
wishes about their child’s
learning ------------------------ O

O

O O

d) Support individual parents
in helping their child with
schoolwork --------------------- O

O

O O

B. How often does your school ask parents to do the
following?
Check one circle for each line.
Never
Once a year
2-3 times a year
More than
3 times a
year

a) Ask parents to raise funds
for the school------------------- O

5

O

O O

b) Ask parents to volunteer for
school projects, programs,
and trips ------------------------ O

O

O O

c) Ask parents to serve on
school committees ------------- O

O

O O

Grade 8 School Questionnaire

More than
3 times a
year

a) Inform parents about the
overall academic achievement
of the school (e.g., results of
national tests, results of
inspections of learning)-------- O

O

O O

b) Inform parents about school
accomplishments (e.g.,
tournament results, facility
improvements)----------------- O

O

O O

c) Inform parents about the
educational goals and
pedagogic principles of
the school ---------------------- O

O

O O

d) Inform parents about the
rules of the school ------------- O

O

O O

e) Discuss parents’ concerns or
wishes about the school’s
organization (e.g., rules and
regulations, time tables,
safety measures) -------------- O

O

O O

f) Provide parents with
additional learning materials
(e.g., books, computer
software) for their child to
use at home ------------------- O

O

O O

g) Organize workshops or
seminars for parents on
learning or pedagogical
issues --------------------------- O

O

O O

DRAFT

School Climate

12

13
How would you characterize each of the following
within your school?

A. To what degree is each of the following a problem
among eighth-grade students in your school?
Check one circle for each line.

Check one circle for each line.

Not a problem

Very high

Minor problem

High

Moderate problem

Medium

Serious
problem

Low
Very
low

O

O O

g) Theft ---------------------------- O

O
O
O
O
O
O

O
O
O
O
O
O

O

h) Intimidation or verbal abuse
among students (including
texting, emailing, etc.) -------- O

O

O O

O O

O

i) Physical injury to other
students ------------------------ O

O

O O

O

O O

O

j) Intimidation or verbal abuse
of teachers or staff (including
texting, emailing, etc.)--------- O

O

O O

O

O O

O

k) Physical injury to teachers
or staff -------------------------- O

O

O O

a) Teachers’ job
satisfaction --------------------- O

O

O O

O

b) Teachers’ understanding
of the school’s curricular
goals---------------------------- O

O

O O

O

c) Teachers’ degree of
success in implementing
the school’s curriculum -------- O

O

O O

O

d) Teachers’ expectations
for student
achievement ------------------- O

O

O O

O

e) Parental support for
student achievement ---------- O

O

O O

f) Parental involvement
in school activities ------------- O

O

g) Students’ regard for
school property ---------------- O
h) Students’ desire to do
well in school------------------- O

a) Arriving late at school ---------- O
b) Absenteeism (i.e.,
unjustified absences) ---------- O
c) Classroom disturbance --------- O
d) Cheating------------------------ O
e) Profanity ----------------------- O
f) Vandalism ---------------------- O

O
O
O
O
O
O

B. To what degree is each of the following a problem
among teachers in your school?
Check one circle for each line.
Not a problem
Minor problem
Moderate problem
Serious
problem

a) Arriving late or leaving early--- O

O
b) Absenteeism ------------------- O O

DRAFT

Grade 8 School Questionnaire

O O
O O

6

Teachers in Your School

14

16
In your school, are any of the following used
to evaluate the practice of eighth-grade
mathematics teachers?

Do eighth-grade teachers in your school have an
opportunity to participate in a mentoring program?
Check one circle only.

Check one circle for each line.

O
No -- O

Yes --

Yes
No

a) Observations by the
principal or senior staff --------------------------

O O

b) Observations by inspectors
or other persons external
to the school -------------------------------------

17
How difficult was it to fill eighth-grade teaching
vacancies for this school year for the following
subjects?

O O
c) Student achievement ---------------------------- O O
d) Teacher peer review ------------------------------ O O

Check one circle for each line.
Were no vacancies in this subject
Easy to fill vacancies
Somewhat difficult
Very
difficult

15

a) Mathematics ------------------- O

O
b) Science ------------------------- O O

In your school, are any of the following used to
evaluate the practice of eighth-grade science
teachers?

O O
O O

Check one circle for each line.
Yes
No

a) Observations by the
principal or senior staff --------------------------

O O

b) Observations by inspectors
or other persons external
to the school -------------------------------------

O O
c) Student achievement ---------------------------- O O
d) Teacher peer review ------------------------------ O O

18
Does your school currently use any incentives
(e.g., pay, housing, signing bonus, smaller classes)
to recruit or retain eighth-grade teachers in the
following fields?
Check one circle for each line.
Yes
No

O O
b) Science ------------------------------------------- O O
c) Other --------------------------------------------- O O
a) Mathematics -------------------------------------

7

Grade 8 School Questionnaire

DRAFT

Your Role as Principal

19
During the past year, approximately how much time have you spent on the following school leadership activities
in your role as a school principal?
Check one circle for each line.

Check one circle for each line.

No time

No time
Some time

Some time

A lot of time

a) Promoting the school’s
educational vision or goals ---- O
b) Developing the school’s
curricular and educational
goals --------------------------- O

O
O

O

l) Visiting other schools or
attending educational
conferences for new ideas ----- O

O

O

O

m) Initiating educational
projects or improvements ---- O

O

O

n) Participating in professional
development activities
specifically for school
principals ---------------------- O

O

O

c) Monitoring teachers’
implementation of the
school’s educational goals
in their teaching --------------- O

O

O

d) Monitoring students’
learning progress to ensure
that the school’s educational
goals are reached -------------- O

O

O

e) Teaching some classes
to understand your students
and their problems ------------ O

O

O

f) Keeping an orderly
atmosphere in the school ----- O

O

O

g) Ensuring that there are clear
rules for student behavior ----- O

O

O

h) Addressing disruptive
student behavior -------------- O

O

O

i) Creating a climate of trust
among teachers --------------- O

O

O

j) Initiating a discussion to help
teachers who have problems
in the classroom --------------- O

O

O

k) Advising teachers who have
questions or problems with
theirt eaching ------------------ O

O

O

DRAFT

A lot of time

Grade 8 School Questionnaire

8

[The following questions are national options that will
be added to the questionnaire. They will be formatted
and appropriately placed among the existing items.]

1. Measure of school poverty
Around the first of October 2010, what percentage of
students at this school were eligible to receive free or
reduced-price lunches through the National School
Lunch Program?
_________ ,percentage of students

2. Percentage of students who are LEP or ELLs
Of the students currently enrolled in your school,
what percentage has been identified as limitedEnglish proficient/English language learners?
0% ------------------------------------------------------------------ O
1-5% --------------------------------------------------------------- O
6-10%-------------------------------------------------------------- O
11-25% ------------------------------------------------------------ O
26-50% ------------------------------------------------------------ O
51-75% ------------------------------------------------------------ O
76-90% ------------------------------------------------------------ O
Over 90% --------------------------------------------------------- O

3. Type of school (school control)
What type of school is this?
Regular public elementary, middle school -------------- O
A regular public school with a magnet program ------ O
A magnet school or school with a special program
emphasis e.g ., science/math school, performing
arts school, talented/gifted school, foreign language
immersion school, etc. ---------------------------------------- O
Special education: a school that primarily serves
students with disabilities------------------------------------- O
Alternative: a school that offers a curriculum designed
to provide alternative or nontraditional education, not
clearly categorized as regular or special education --- O
Vocational -------------------------------------------------------- O
Charter school -------------------------------------------------- O
Private (independent)----------------------------------------- O
Private (religiously affiliated) -------------------------------- O
Other -------------------------------------------------------------- O

Thank You
Thank you for the thought, time, and effort you have
put into completing this questionnaire.

TIMSS & PIRLS International Study Center
Lynch School of Education, Boston College
timssandpirls.bc.edu

DRAFT

TIMSS 2011
Field Test Version

School
Questionnaire
Grade 8

©2010
International Association
for the Evaluation of
Educational Achievement