Understanding the Impact of Providing Information to Parents About the Role of Algebra II: An Opportunistic Study

Attachment A-3. School Principal Follow-up Email

Dear [High School Principal],

We recently contacted you regarding REL Southwest’s study examining changes in the mathematics course requirements for high school graduation being implemented under Texas House Bill 5 (the Foundation High School Program).

The study will investigate whether providing the parents of students entering grade 9 during the 2014-15 school year with information about the changes to the mathematics course requirements  (as well as providing a comparison of the admissions requirements for most four-year, public universities and colleges in Texas) has an impact on students’ mathematics course enrollment in high school. Specifically, the study will look at differences in the algebra II enrollment and completion between students whose parents received this information and those students whose parents receive informational materials alerting them to changes in the Texas high school graduation requirements and providing them with information on how to access additional resources describing these changes included on several state and regional websites. Since we did not get a response from you, we wanted to take the time extend the invitation to participate in the study one more time.

Below are some FAQ’s about study procedures. Please read them over to learn more about the study, and how your school can participate.

Who is eligible to participate?

We are looking for high schools that are not requiring incoming grade 9 students to complete the Distinguished Level of Achievement (i.e., requiring students to complete Algebra II) and that are willing to mail informational materials describing the changes to the high school graduation mathematics requirements to parents of students entering grade 9 during the 2014-15 school year. Materials will be distributed during the early spring of 2016.

How will the study be conducted?

The study will be conducted as a randomized controlled trial. At the beginning of the study, one-half of the participating high schools will be randomly assigned to receive information describing changes to the Texas high school graduation requirements, with a specific emphasis on changes to the mathematics requirements and how these changes may impact college access (treatment), while the other half of the participating schools (control group) will provide parents/guardians with information describing changes to the Texas graduation requirements and providing parents with links to additional resources describing these changes included on state and regional websites. Schools will be asked to distribute these materials during the spring of 2016. High schools in the control schools will receive the materials provided to treatment schools at the conclusion of the study, if desired.

What are the study materials and how will they be distributed?

The study materials will consist of information brochures—provided in English and Spanish—to be mailed to students’ homes. Schools will receive a box of prepaid, pre-stuffed envelopes containing the informational brochures, and they will be asked to print and adhere mailing labels containing student addresses to the envelopes and place them in the U.S. Mail. REL Southwest will reimburse schools up to $150 to cover the cost of staff time and address label printing materials. Schools will not be asked to provide any student data to REL Southwest.

How will you benefit?

Participating schools will receive informational brochures in spring 2016 or at the conclusion of the study describing the new mathematics requirements being implemented under the new Foundation High School Program graduation plans and how they compare to the admissions requirements for most four-year, public universities and colleges in Texas to distribute to parents. The brochures will be available in English and Spanish. These brochures are designed to help students in your schools make informed choices about the mathematics courses they complete.

How can I receive more information or sign up for the study?

For more information or to participate in the study, contact Deborah Van Kummer at (512) 391-6551 or deborah.vankummer@sedl.org.

THANK YOU!

According to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, no persons are required to respond to a collection of information unless such collection displays a valid OMB control number.  The valid OMB control number for this information collection is 1850-xxxx.  Public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 15 minutes/hours per response, including time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the collection of information.  The obligation to respond to this collection is voluntary.  If you have comments or concerns regarding the status of your individual submission of this form, application or survey, please contact Deborah Van Kummer at (512) 391-6551 or deborah.vankummer@sedl.org.