Appendix A PIRLS 2016 Main Study Contact Materials

This letter is to inform you about an important international study of student learning being conducted in our school this spring. The Progress in International Reading Literacy Study (PIRLS) provides important information for benchmarking student performance in reading in the United States against countries around the world. Since 2001, PIRLS has measured worldwide trends in student reading skills at grade 4. The next PIRLS assessment will be in the spring of 2016.

Our school has accepted an invitation from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), part of the U.S. Department of Education, to participate in the PIRLS main study. {Insert number} of our 4th grade classes will take part. {This/One of these} is your child’s class. The enclosed summary sheet provides some background information about PIRLS, explains what is involved for each student selected to participate in the study, and gives a contact phone number and email address where you can find answers to any questions you might have.

To have an accurate picture of what U.S. 4th graders can do in reading, it is important that each student selected take part in the study. In addition to answering reading questions, students will be asked to complete a brief questionnaire about themselves. For the first time PIRLS will also include an innovative assessment of online reading called ePIRLS. Your child’s class will also participate in ePIRLS. I urge you to support this effort by encouraging your child to take part; however, participation in this study is entirely voluntary. Previous experience suggests that students actually enjoy taking part, and participating students will receive a small gift, which we think they will like.

All of the information collected is safeguarded, as required by law. NCES is authorized to conduct this study under the Education Sciences Reform Act of 2002 (ESRA, 2002; 20 U.S.C. § 9543). Under that law, the data provided by schools, staff, and students may be used only for statistical purposes and may not be disclosed, or used, in identifiable form for any other purpose except as required by law (20 U.S.C., § 9573). Students and schools are never identified in any reports. All reported statistics refer to the United States as a whole.

Thank you for taking the time to learn about this important study.

Sincerely,

[School official]

Enclosures:

Facts for Parents about the PIRLS 2016 Main Study

State PIRLS Main Study Letter

[Date]

[Title] [Name First] [Name Last]

[Title/Department]

[State]

[Address 1]

[City], [State] [Zip code]

Dear [Title] [Name Last]:

The United States is participating in an important international study in 2016: the Progress in International Reading Literacy Study (PIRLS). Since 2001, PIRLS has measured trends in reading achievement at grade 4 in countries around the world, including the United States. Results from PIRLS are used by researchers and policymakers to chart national progress against international standards and other countries around the world, informing national discussions about international competitiveness.

Some schools in your state have been randomly selected to participate in PIRLS in spring 2016. For the first time PIRLS will also include an innovative assessment of online reading called ePIRLS. Classrooms selected to participate in PIRLS will also be asked to take part in ePIRLS. I am writing to ask your agency to support the participation of those selected schools.

PIRLS is described in more detail in the enclosed materials. In the United States, PIRLS is conducted by the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), part of the U.S. Department of Education, and the data are being collected by RTI International. The U.S. Office of Management and Budget has approved the data collection under OMB #1850-0645. For information on the confidentiality of the data collected, please see the enclosed FAQ. While participation in this study is voluntary, your support of school participation in your state is invaluable so that the United States has a representative sample of schools across the country.

Within the next few weeks, a representative of RTI International will contact sampled school districts and schools to discuss participating in the assessment. In the meantime, if you have questions about the study, please do not hesitate to call Dr. Patricia Green at (866) 800-9176 or send an email to PIRLS@rti.org. You may also get more information about this study by contacting Dr. Sheila Thompson at NCES at (202) 502-7425 or sheila.thompson@ed.gov, or by visiting the PIRLS website at http://nces.ed.gov/surveys/PIRLS.

Thank you for your time and support of this important international study.

Sincerely,

Peggy G. Carr, Ph.D.

Acting Commissioner, NCES

cc: [State assessment director]

Enclosures

NCES is authorized to conduct PIRLS 2016 by the Education Sciences Reform Act of 2002 (ESRA 2002, 20 U.S.C., § 9543). The data are being collected for NCES by RTI International, a nonprofit research organization based in North Carolina. The collected data may be used only for statistical purposes and may not be disclosed or used, in identifiable form, for any other purpose except as required by law (ESRA 2002, 20 U.S.C., § 9573). The collected information will be combined across respondents to produce statistical reports.

School District PIRLS Main Study Letter

[Date]

[Title] [Name First] [Name Last], [Title/Department]

[School District]

[Address 1]

[City], [State] [Zip code]

Dear [Title] [Name Last]:

One or more schools in your district have been randomly selected to participate in PIRLS in spring 2016. For the first time PIRLS will also include an innovative assessment of online reading called ePIRLS. Classrooms selected to participate in PIRLS will also be asked to take part in ePIRLS. I am writing to ask your agency to support the participation of those selected schools.

Participating schools will receive $200, and each school’s PIRLS school coordinator (the school staff person designated to work with PIRLS staff) will receive $100 as a thank you for his or her time and effort. The school coordinator may also receive an additional monetary token of appreciation of $50 for assistance with ePIRLS. A school administrator and selected teachers will each be asked to complete a questionnaire. Teachers will receive $20 as a thank you for completing the questionnaire. Each student who participates will receive a small gift as a token of appreciation.

PIRLS is described in more detail in the enclosed materials. In the United States, PIRLS is conducted by the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), part of the U.S. Department of Education, and the data are being collected by RTI International. The U.S. Office of Management and Budget has approved the data collection under OMB #1850-0645. For information on the confidentiality of the data collected, please see the enclosed FAQ. While participation in this study is voluntary, your support of school participation in your district is invaluable so that the United States has a representative sample of schools across the country.

Within the next few days, a representative of RTI International will contact the following school or schools in your district that have been selected for the assessment: [LIST SAMPLED SCHOOLS HERE…].

If you have any questions about the study, please do not hesitate to call Dr. Patricia Green at (866) 800-9176 or send an email to PIRLS@rti.org. You may also get more information about this study by contacting Dr. Sheila Thompson at NCES at (202) 502-7425 or sheila.thompson@ed.gov, or by visiting the PIRLS website at http://nces.ed.gov/surveys/PIRLS.

Thank you for your time and support of this important international study.

Peggy G. Carr, Ph.D.

Acting Commissioner, NCES

Enclosures

School PIRLS Main Study Letter

[Date]

[Title] [Name First] [Name Last], [Title/Department]

[School District]

[Address 1]

[City], [State] [Zip code]

Dear [Title] [Name Last]:

Your school has been randomly selected to participate in PIRLS in spring 2016. For the first time PIRLS will also include an innovative assessment of online reading called ePIRLS. Classrooms selected to participate in PIRLS will also be asked to take part in ePIRLS. Participating schools will receive $200, and each school’s PIRLS school coordinator (the school staff person designated to work with PIRLS staff) will receive $100 as a thank you for his or her time and effort. An additional $50 will be given to the coordinator for assisting with ePIRLS. A school administrator and selected teachers will each be asked to complete a questionnaire. Teachers will receive $20 as a thank you for completing the questionnaire. Participating students will receive a small gift as a token of appreciation.

PIRLS is described in more detail in the enclosed materials. In the United States, PIRLS is conducted by the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), part of the U.S. Department of Education, and the data are being collected by RTI International. The U.S. Office of Management and Budget has approved the data collection under OMB #1850-0645. For information on the confidentiality of the data collected, please see the enclosed FAQ. While participation in this study is voluntary, your school’s participation is invaluable so that the United States has a representative sample of schools across the country.

Within the next few days, a representative of RTI International will contact you to discuss your participation. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call Dr. Patricia Green at (866) 800-9176 or send an email to PIRLS@rti.org. You may also get more information about this study by contacting Dr. Sheila Thompson at NCES at (202) 502-7425 or sheila.thompson@ed.gov, or by visiting the PIRLS website at http://nces.ed.gov/surveys/PIRLS.

Your participation in the PIRLS 2016 is very important to its success. Thank you for your time and for supporting this important international study.

Peggy G. Carr, Ph.D.

Acting Commissioner, NCES

Enclosures

PIRLS 2016 Main Study Letter to School Coordinator

[DATE]

[School Name]

[Address 1]

[City], [State] [Zip code]

Dear [Title] [Name Last]:

We are looking forward to working with you and your school this school year on the Progress in International Reading Literacy Study (PIRLS). As the designated school coordinator for PIRLS you play a critical role in assisting us with study preparations. We appreciate your assistance, particularly given the many demands on your time.

The attached document, PIRLS School Coordinator Responsibilities, will provide you with an overview of PIRLS, as well as a list of tasks and timeline needed to prepare for PIRLS data collection. The first step is to provide a list of the 4^th grade classes in your school, so that we may select the classes and students who will be invited to participate. This step is critically important, and we would appreciate your help in completing this task within three weeks of receipt of this letter.

PIRLS is conducted by the U.S. Department of Education’s National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and data are collected by RTI International (RTI). A PIRLS study representative will contact you shortly to answer questions you may have and to begin discussing data collection logistics. In-school data collection is scheduled to take place during March through May 2016. The student data collection will include a reading assessment and background questionnaire. For the first time PIRLS will also include an innovative assessment of online reading called ePIRLS. Classrooms selected to participate in PIRLS will also be asked to take part in ePIRLS.

RTI will provide a trained test administrator (TA) to conduct the student sessions and to assist with the parental permission form process. A school administrator and the teachers of selected classes will also be asked to complete a questionnaire. They will be contacted separately, and their data will be collected through a web-based application or hard-copy survey.

We sincerely appreciate your help in preparing for the session at your school and in ensuring that PIRLS is a success. Each school’s participation is critical to the success of the study, and reports will not identify participating districts, schools, students, or individual staff.

If you have any questions, please contact us at RTI at (866) 800-9176 or by email at PIRLS@rti.org.

Thank you for your support of education through participating in PIRLS.

Sincerely,

Patricia Green

Project Director, Progress in International Reading Literacy Study (PIRLS)

Enclosures

PIRLS School Coordinator Responsibilities

As the PIRLS school coordinator (SC), you play an important role in the success of the study. RTI will provide a trained test administrator (TA) to conduct the student sessions and to assist you as much as possible. But we will need to rely on you to complete certain tasks so that data collection will be successful.

Study Details

PIRLS 2016 consists of the following:

Student Reading Assessment and Questionnaire – Students in selected classrooms will be administered a reading assessment and background questionnaire. Classrooms selected to participate in PIRLS will also be asked to take part in a new, innovative assessment of online reading called ePIRLS. The main assessment will take about 2 hours, and ePIRLS will take about 80 minutes. The TA from RTI will conduct the student session at your school and each participating student will receive a thank you gift.

School Administrator Questionnaire - The school administrator or designee will complete a questionnaire about school characteristics, enrollment, resources, policies, and the learning environment. The questionnaire may be completed online or via hardcopy and will take about 40 minutes to complete. RTI will send information to you to distribute to the person who is designated to answer the school administrator questionnaire.

School Teacher Questionnaire – Teachers of selected classrooms will complete a questionnaire regarding their teaching experience, available resources, and instructional practices. The questionnaire may be completed online or via hardcopy and will take about 40 minutes to complete. RTI will send information to you to distribute to selected teachers.

For additional information, you may visit our website at: https://surveys.nces.ed.gov/PIRLS

Your Responsibilities

You have been asked to complete several tasks prior to the student data collection sessions that will take place in the spring of 2016. These include providing student information, working with RTI on the session logistics, assisting with parental consent form distribution and receipt, and helping to coordinate school staff surveys.

We will use the PIRLS secure website to exchange information, such as class and student lists. Please visit: https://surveys.nces.ed.gov/PIRLS and log-in with the following information:

Study ID: ############

Password: #######

Table 1 shows the activities you will be asked to perform and a timeline for these activities.

Table 1. Activities Timeline

Provide information on 4^th grade classes using the Class Listing Form.	Within 3 weeks of receipt of request
Complete Student Listing Form for selected class(es)	Within one week of selection of classes
Coordinate session logistics (date, time, location, consent type)	Within 3 weeks of receipt of request
Notify teachers, selected students, and parents of the study and benefit of participating	At least 3 weeks prior to scheduled session
Distribute parental consent forms to all selected students	At least 3 weeks prior to scheduled session
Monitor return of consent forms; distribute reminder letters as needed. Collect returned, signed forms and submit to TA.	During the 3 weeks from distribution to data collection day
Run a systems check of the ePIRLS system	At least 2 weeks prior to scheduled session
Notify/remind teachers and students about the data collection sessions	One week prior and one day prior to session
Assist the TA with getting the students to the sessions and setting up the room (if necessary)	On the day of the session
Coordinate completion of the administrator and teachers’ questionnaires.	Two weeks prior to the student session

Providing Student Information

We will select one or two classes per school, depending on the number of classes available at grade 4. Please submit the Class Listing Form (including all classes that account for each student in 4^th grade). The CLF should be uploaded to the secure PIRLS website. The student sample will consist of all students in the selected classes. Classrooms selected to participate in PIRLS may also be asked to take part in ePIRLS.

We will then ask you to complete the Student Listing Form for selected class(es) to provide information on the students in those classes (e.g., name, district ID, class, date of birth, gender). SLF should be uploaded to the secure PIRLS website.

Assisting with Student Session Logistics

In order to minimize disruption at the school on the day of the student data collection, it is crucial that arrangements be made in advance. These arrangements include:

Determine the date for student data collection.

Determine the location and time(s) of the student session(s): will the student sessions take place in the classroom or will a separate room be reserved? If there are multiple classes sampled, will the administration be conducted together or separately?

Determine parental permission type (implied/passive or written/active). Determine the best method of distributing consent forms, tracking returned, signed forms, collecting returned forms and submitting to the PIRLS TA.

Work with the TA to identify students with special needs.

Notify teachers and students in selected classrooms about PIRLS, the importance of participating, and explain test day activities.

Contact parents to encourage them to return the signed consent form (if applicable).

Parental Permission

Parental permission materials will be supplied by RTI a few weeks before the scheduled session. We can either mail them directly to parents or ask that you distribute the parent permission forms to the sampled students.

Most schools use implied/passive permission (which means students only return a form if their parent denies permission to participate), as this option lessens the burden on school staff and results in higher participation rates. If you are using this permission type, please record parent refusals onto the student tracking form (STF) which will be provided with the permission forms.

Some schools require written/active consent. If your school requires active consent, parents are asked to return signed permission forms to the school coordinator. Please keep track of the return of these forms on the STF. Please make sure any returned forms have one “box” checked, a parent/guardian signature (not just a printed name) and the name of the student.

Your TA will be in contact with you to track the return of consent forms, as well as exclusion statuses for students. Reminder forms will be sent home as needed. The TA will check the permission forms on the day of the first session to make sure we do not include anyone whose parents have not granted permission. Please keep the returned parent permission forms in a locked or secure location. Your TA will fax any returned forms from your school at the end of the data collection to a secure fax machine at RTI. Please let him/her know if you need to retain copies.

Assist on Day of Student Sessions

The PIRLS TA will arrive at the school about an hour before the student session. In order to have valid results from the study, we need as many sampled students to participate as possible. We are depending on you to make certain the students and teachers are aware of the date, time, and location for their participation and to generate enthusiasm. This often makes the difference in high student participation. You may want to advertise PIRLS throughout the school and classroom or make a PA announcement about the study the day before and the day of the session to generate interest and encourage participation.

We would also like for you or a teacher to remain in the room during the session administration to help maintain order and assist as needed.

Again, the TA will need to fax any returned permission forms at the end of the session. Please assist him or her in faxing these forms.

Token of Appreciation

As a token of our appreciation for your time and energy with PIRLS, you will receive $100 after the student session has been completed and $50 for assistance with ePIRLS.

THANK YOU

for your help to make PIRLS a success!!

We greatly appreciate

your time and assistance!

PIRLS 2016 Main Study Sample Implicit Consent Letter

SCHOOL LETTERHEAD

Dear Parent or Guardian,

If you have any objection to your child joining in the PIRLS activities, please let us know by completing the attached consent form and returning it to the school.

Thank you for taking the time to learn about this important study.

Sincerely,

[School Official]

Enclosures:

Facts for Parents about the PIRLS 2016 Main Study

Parent/Guardian Consent Form

PIRLS 2016 Main Study Implicit Consent Form:

Progress in Reading Literacy Study (PIRLS)

Main Study

Parent/Guardian Consent Form

Your child has been asked to participate in an international study of student learning called the Progress in International Reading Literacy Study (PIRLS). Your child’s class will also participate in ePIRLS. Each student who participates will receive a small gift.

The student assessment will be administered by a team of researchers from RTI International, on behalf of the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES).

If you grant permission for your child to participate in the 2016 PIRLS, you do not need to return this form.

If you do not consent to your child’s participation in the 2016 PIRLS, please return this form to your child’s school as soon as possible.

I do not grant permission for my child, _______________________________, to participate in the Progress in International Reading Literacy Study Main Study.

__________________________________________________________________

(Signature of parent or guardian)

Date of signature: _______/_______/____________

PLEASE PRINT:

Student name: _____________________________________________

School name: ______________________________________________

FOR OFFICE USE ONLY:

Student ID: ________________________________________________

PIRLS 2016 Main Study Sample Explicit Consent Letter

SCHOOL LETTERHEAD

Dear Parent or Guardian,

Before we can allow your child to join in the PIRLS activities, we must have your written consent. Please let us know by completing the attached form and returning it to the school.

Thank you for taking the time to learn about this important study and to consider your child’s participation in it.

Sincerely,

[School Official]

Enclosures:

Facts for Parents about the PIRLS 2016 Main Study

Parent/Guardian Consent Form

PIRLS 2016 Main Study Explicit Consent Form

Progress in International Reading Literacy Study (PIRLS)

Main Study

Parent/Guardian Consent Form

The student assessment will be administered by a team of researchers from RTI International, on behalf of the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES).

Shape1

Yes I grant permission for my child to participate in the 2016 PIRLS.

Shape2

No, I do not grant permission for my child to participate in the 2016 PIRLS.

__________________________________________________________________

(Signature of parent or guardian)

Date of signature: _______/_______/____________

PLEASE PRINT:

Student name: _____________________________________________

School name: ______________________________________________

FOR OFFICE USE ONLY:

Student ID: ________________________________________________

P IRLS Facts for Parents about the Main Study

Between March and May of this year, your child’s school will be one of about 150 nationwide taking part in the PIRLS 2016 Main Study. The schools were selected randomly to represent the nation’s schools with 4^th grade students. Within each school, 4^th grade classrooms were selected randomly to represent the nation’s 4^th graders. All students from selected classrooms are invited to participate, and your child was among those students selected to take part in the PIRLS main study.

What is PIRLS?

PIRLS (Progress in International Reading Literacy Study) is an international assessment that measures student learning in reading. Every five years since 2001, PIRLS documents worldwide trends in the reading knowledge of 4^th graders. The National Center for Education Statistics within the U.S. Department of Education sponsors U.S. participation in PIRLS. Along with more than 50 other nations, the U.S. will take part in the 2016 PIRLS cycle as we did in 2001, 2006, and 2011. For the first time PIRLS will include an innovative assessment of online reading called ePIRLS.

What is involved?

PIRLS staff will visit the school and administer the main study. The main assessment will take approximately 2 hours and will include a paper and pencil questionnaire that asks students about themselves and their educational experience. Classrooms selected to participate in PIRLS will also be asked to take part in ePIRLS (an online assessment of reading). ePIRLS will take approximately 80 minutes and will include breaks between sections.

What are the benefits?

Who administers PIRLS?

The entire assessment is administered by trained staff from RTI International, a research organization under contract to the U.S. Department of Education’s National Center for Education Statistics.

Where can I find out more about PIRLS?

More information about PIRLS is available at the PIRLS website at http://nces.ed.gov/surveys/pirls/index.asp or the PIRLS International Study Center website at http://pirls.org/ . Or if you like to contact a PIRLS staff member directly, please feel free to call the PIRLS hotline at (866) 800-9176 or email us at PIRLS@rti.org.

Why is PIRLS Different from Other School Assessments?

PIRLS is low stakes –
- the scores are not linked to individual schools, students, or teachers
- schools do not receive or see individual student responses
Participation of schools and students will allow us to see how all students in the U.S. perform as a whole compared to students in more than 50 other countries.
By comparing education in the U.S. to that of other countries, we have the opportunity to learn from other countries and other countries can learn from the U.S. Learning from other countries can help to improve education for all students.
Only 4,500 out of approximately 4,000,000 U.S. students in the fourth grade will be selected to participate. Each student represents many others who do not have the opportunity to participate.
For the first time, PIRLS will include ‘ePIRLS’, a new and innovative assessment of students’ online reading abilities.

Administrator Questionnaire PIRLS Main Study Letter

[Date] Web Address:

[Title] [Name First] [Name Last], [Principal/Administrator] Your Study ID:

[School] Your Password:

[Address 1]

[City], [State] [Zip code]

Dear [Title] [Name Last]:

[School Name] is participating in an important international study in 2016: the Progress in International Reading Literacy Study (PIRLS). Since 2001, PIRLS has measured trends in reading achievement at grade 4 in countries around the world, including the United States. Results from PIRLS are used by researchers and policymakers to chart national progress against international standards and other countries around the world, informing national discussions about international competitiveness.

We are asking you to complete a 40-minute questionnaire to provide insight into the practices and resources at your school. The survey is designed to be completed by you or a staff person you designate who can provide information about the characteristics of the school, its enrollment, resources, policies, and learning environment. The questionnaire may be completed by hardcopy or online using a secure website. To access the questionnaire online, please use the web address and unique study ID and password provided on this letter. If completing the questionnaire by hardcopy, please use the enclosed business reply envelope to return the completed questionnaire to us. You may also give the completed hard copy questionnaire to the PIRLS school coordinator at your school.

In the United States, PIRLS is conducted by the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), part of the U.S. Department of Education, and the data are being collected by RTI International. The U.S. Office of Management and Budget has approved the data collection under OMB #1850-0645. For information on the confidentiality of the data collected, please see the enclosed FAQ. While participation in this questionnaire is voluntary, your participation is invaluable.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call Dr. Patricia Green at (866) 800-9176 or send an email to PIRLS@rti.org. You may also get more information about this study by visiting the PIRLS website at http://nces.ed.gov/surveys/PIRLS. If you have questions about your rights as a study participant, you may call RTI’s Office for Research Protection in Durham, North Carolina, toll-free at 1-866-214-2043.

Your participation in the administrator questionnaire for PIRLS 2016 is very important to its success. Thank you for your time and for supporting this important international study.

Peggy G. Carr, Ph.D.

Acting Commissioner, NCES

Enclosures

Teacher Questionnaire PIRLS Main Study Letter

[Date] Web Address:

[Title] [Name First] [Name Last], [Teacher] Your Study ID:

[School] Your Password:

[Address 1]

[City], [State] [Zip code]

Dear [Title] [Name Last]:

We are asking you to complete a 40-minute questionnaire to provide insight into your teaching experience and available resources and instructional practices at your school. You may complete the questionnaire by hardcopy or online using a secure website. To access the questionnaire online, please use the web address and unique study ID and password provided on this letter. If completing the questionnaire by hardcopy, please use the enclosed business reply envelope to return the completed questionnaire to us. You may also give the completed hard copy questionnaire to the PIRLS school coordinator at your school.

You will receive a check for $20 within a few weeks of completing the questionnaire as a token of our appreciation.

Your participation in the teacher questionnaire for PIRLS 2016 is very important to its success. Thank you for your time and for supporting this important international study.

Peggy G. Carr, Ph.D.

Acting Commissioner, NCES

Enclosures

PIRLS 2016 Study Brochure Content: 8 ½ X 11in Tri-fold

Title page:

PIRLS USA Logo

Map of world

Progress in International Reading Literacy Study (PIRLS) 2016

Inside panels:

What is PIRLS?

The Progress in International Reading Literacy Study (PIRLS) is an international assessment and research project designed to measure reading achievement at the fourth grade, as well as school and teacher practices related to instruction. PIRLS was previously assessed in 2001, 2006, and 2011, with the United State participating previously in all past assessments. In 2016, PIRLS will involve students from more than 40 countries, including the United States. For the first time PIRLS will also include an innovative assessment of online reading called ePIRLS.

PIRLS is sponsored by the International Association for the Evaluation of Educational Achievement (IEA) and conducted in the United States by the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), part of the U.S. Department of Education.

Why is PIRLS important?

PIRLS provides a unique opportunity to compare the reading of U.S. fourth-grade students with that of their peers in countries around the world. PIRLS complements what we learn from national assessments by identifying the strengths and weaknesses of student performance relative to students around the world. The results inform national discussions about education as well as international competitiveness.

PIRLS provides valuable benchmark information on how U.S. students compare to students around the world, allows educators and policymakers to examine other educational systems for practices that could have application to the United States, and contributes to ongoing discussions of ways to improve the quality of education of all students.

What type of assessment is PIRLS?

PIRLS is developed through an international consensus-building process involving input from U.S. and international experts in reading and measurement. In a final step, the assessment is endorsed as suitable by all participating countries. The assessment contains a mix of questions: some require students to select appropriate responses, while others require that students provide written answers. Examples of released PIRLS items are available at http://nces.ed.gov/surveys/pirls/released.asp.

As a new extension to PIRLS in 2016, ePIRLS—an assessment of online reading—makes it possible for schools and countries to understand how successful they are in preparing fourth grade students to read, comprehend, and interpret online information.

Key findings from PIRLS 2011

At grade 4, the U.S. average reading score (556) was higher than the PIRLS average of 500. The U.S. was among the top 7 education systems (5 education systems had higher averages and 7 were not measurably different) and scored higher, on average, than 40 education systems. The U.S. reading average at grade 4 rose 16 points between 2006 and 2011. The U.S. was one of 12 education systems that increased its average score during this time period.

Back panels:

Other information collected by PIRLS

PIRLS is more than an assessment of student knowledge in reading. PIRLS also considers the context in which learning occurs. Students, teachers, and schools are asked about a variety of aspects of the environments in which content is taught, learned, practiced, and applied. In this way, PIRLS provides each country with a rich source of information on the factors influencing reading achievement.

Countries that participated in PIRLS 2011

Argentina

Australia

Austria

Azerbaijan

Bahrain

Belgium

Belize

Botswana

Bulgaria

Canada

Chinese Taipei

Colombia

Croatia

Cyprus

Czech Republic

Denmark

Finland

France

Georgia

Germany

Hong Kong-China

Hungary

Iceland

Indonesia

Iran

Ireland

Israel

Italy

Kuwait

Latvia

Lithuania

Luxembourg

Macedonia

Malta

Moldova

Morocco

The Netherlands

New Zealand

Norway

Poland

Portugal

Qatar

Russian Federation

Saudi Arabia

Singapore

Slovak Republic

Slovenia

South Africa

Spain

Sweden

Trinidad & Tobago

Turkey

United Arab Emirates

United States

NCES is authorized to conduct PIRLS under the Education Sciences Reform Act of 2002 (ESRA 2002; 20 U.S.C. § 9543). Information collected will help the U.S. Department of Education’s ongoing efforts to benchmark student achievement in the United States. Participation is voluntary. By law, data collected may be used only for statistical purposes and may not be disclosed, or used, in identifiable form for any other purpose except as required by law (20 U.S.C. § 9573). The U.S. Office of Management and Budget has approved the data collection under OMB # 1850-0645. Individual responses will be combined with those from other participants to produce summary statistics and reports.

PIRLS USA logo

IES / NCES logo

For questions about PIRLS 2016, contact the PIRLS Information Hotline at (866) 800-9176 or email PIRLS@rti.org.

PIRLS 2016 Main Study FAQ

Progress in International Reading Literacy Study

Frequently Asked Questions

PIRLS 2016 Main Study (Spring 2016)

<<Insert quote from previous PIRLS participating school>>

What is PIRLS?

The Progress in International Reading Literacy Study (PIRLS) is an international assessment and research project designed to measure trends in reading achievement at the fourth-grade level as well as school and teacher practices related to instruction. Since 2001, PIRLS has been administered every 5 years. PIRLS 2016, the fourth study in the series, will involve students from more than 50 countries, including the United States. For the first time PIRLS will include an innovative assessment of online reading called ePIRLS.

Why was my school selected for participation?

Schools of varying demographics and locations were randomly selected so that the overall U.S. sample is representative of the overall U.S. school population. The random selection process is important for ensuring that a country’s sample accurately reflects its schools and, therefore, can be compared fairly with samples of schools from other countries.

Will all our fourth-grade students be asked to participate?

It depends on the number of fourth-grade classrooms in the school. In schools with only one or two such classrooms, all students will be asked to participate. In schools with more than two such classrooms, only students in two randomly selected classrooms will be asked to participate. Classrooms selected to participate in PIRLS will also be asked to take part in ePIRLS. In addition, some students with special needs or limited English proficiency may be excused from the assessment.

Who conducts the PIRLS assessment?

The entire assessment process will be conducted by trained staff from RTI International, a research organization under contract with the National Center for Education Statistics in the U.S. Department of Education. NCES is authorized to conduct this study under the Education Sciences Reform Act of 2002 (ESRA 2002; 20 U.S.C. § 9543) and approval of the U.S. Office of Management and Budget under OMB # 1850-0645.

How are the teacher and school questionnaires administered?

The teacher and school questionnaires are administered either online from a secure website or via a hardcopy form. Teacher questionnaires take about 40 minutes to complete and ask teachers questions about their experience, available resources, and instructional practices. School questionnaires take about 40 minutes to complete and ask about school practices and resources.

Do teachers need to help administer the assessment?

No, RTI International field staff will visit the school on the day of the assessment, bringing with them all the materials required. These field staff will administer the assessments to students.

When will the assessment be conducted?

The assessment will be conducted between March and May, 2016. RTI International will work with schools to identify an assessment date convenient for the school in that time period.

Where will the assessment be conducted?

The assessment will be conducted in the schools that are selected to participate.

How long does the assessment take?

The main assessment session is approximately 2 hours, including time for directions. The ePIRLS session will take 80 minutes and will include breaks between sections.

What will happen with the collected data?

The data from the assessment will be used to evaluate how the knowledge and skills of U.S. students compare to those of their peers in other participating countries. By law, the data provided by schools, staff, and students may be used only for statistical purposes and may not be disclosed or used, in identifiable form for any other purpose except as required by law (Education Science Reform Act of 2002 [ESRA 2002; 20 U.S.C. § 9573]). Reports of the findings from the assessment will not identify participating districts, schools, students, or individual staff. Individual responses will be combined with those of other participants to produce summary statistics and reports.

Are schools required by federal law to participate?

No. School participation is voluntary. However, we hope you will participate in this study so that students like those in your school are accurately and fairly represented.

What are the benefits?

The nation as a whole benefits from PIRLS by having a greater understanding of how the reading knowledge and skills of U.S. 4^th graders compare with 4^th graders from other countries. To thank participating schools and individuals for their time and effort we offer tokens of appreciation: schools that participate in PIRLS will receive $200 and the school coordinator (staff person designated to assist with the study) will receive $100. An additional $50 will be given to the coordinator for assisting with ePIRLS. Teachers who complete a survey will receive $20, and each student who participates will receive a small gift.

Where can I find more information about PIRLS?

Visit the PIRLS website at http://nces.ed.gov/surveys/pirls/index.asp.

For additional information about PIRLS 2016, contact the PIRLS U.S. home office at (866) 800-9176 or email PIRLS@rti.org.

Summary of School Activities: PIRLS 2016 Main Study

Summary of School Activities: PIRLS 2016 Main Study
	October-December 2015	January-March 2016 Prior to assessment day	March-May 2016 Assessment day	Benefits
Principal	Designate a school coordinator	Complete a brief School Questionnaire on the characteristics of the school, its enrollment, resources, policies, and learning environment (available online or hardcopy) Share the importance of participation in the study with school staff	Support assessment day activities Encourage students to participate and do their best on the assessment	Represent other similar U.S. schools Receive a $200 check for the school
School coordinator	Select an assessment date convenient for your school	Arrange the day and location for the PIRLS and ePIRLS sessions. Confirm dates and location with PIRLS assessment staff Provide class lists, student lists, and contact information for grade 4 students Notify teachers, selected students, and students’ parents of the study and benefit of participating Work with assessment staff to identify students with special needs Coordinate the principal’s completion of the School Questionnaire (online or hardcopy) Coordinate the teacher’s completion of the Teacher Questionnaire (online or hardcopy) Collect parental consent forms where required and submit to PIRLS staff Run a systems check of the ePIRLS system	Confirm space for assessment is problem-free Collect complete School and Teacher Questionnaires (if not completed online) and give to assessment staff Ensure all sampled students attend the assessment session Meet with assessment staff and provide feedback about the assessment process	Receive a $100 check Receive an additional $50 for running the ePIRLS system check, and assisting with computer setup. These components may be delegated to a school IT coordinator if necessary.
Teachers of sampled classes		Complete Teacher Questionnaire and return to school coordinator prior to assessment day (if not completed online)		Receive a $20 check Represent the United States in preparations for the international study
Selected Students			Attend the assessment sessions, complete the assessments and Student Questionnaires	Receive a small thank-you gift Represent the United States in preparations for the international study
RTI International assessment staff	Work with the school to set an assessment date Help school coordinator with assessment details and logistics Protect school and student confidentiality	Call the school coordinator to discuss assessment day location(s) and student participation Select classroom sample and notify school of selected classes Provide School and Teacher Questionnaires to the school coordinator for distribution	Conduct assessment from start to finish Furnish all the assessment materials, pencils, and test booklets Conduct a brief debriefing interview with the school coordinator at the end of the assessment Maintain security of all materials	Ensure quality and uniformity of data collected across the United States

For additional information, go to http://nces.ed.gov/surveys/pirls/index.asp.

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Author	Provasnik, Stephen
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File Created	2021-01-24

Appendix A PIRLS 2016 Main Study Contact Materials

Appendix A PIRLS 2016 Main Study Contacting Materials.docx

Progress in International Reading Literacy Study (PIRLS 2016) Main Study