The Early Childhood Longitudinal Study, Kindergarten Class of 2022-23 (ECLS-K:2023) Focus Groups with School Administrators,Teachers, and Parents

The Early Childhood Longitudinal Study,
Kindergarten Class of 2022-23 (ECLS-K:2023)
Focus Groups with Elementary School Administrators,
Kindergarten Teachers, and Parents

Attachments 22-26
Attachment 22: Elementary School Administrators Focus Group ECLS Frequently Asked Questions Fact
Sheet .................................................................................................................................................................. 2
Attachment 23: Kindergarten Teachers Focus Group ECLS Study Overview Fact Sheet........................ 5
Attachment 24: Kindergarten Teachers Focus Group ECLS Alternative Study Overview Fact Sheet ... 8
Attachment 25: Parents Focus Group ECLS Study Overview Fact Sheet ................................................ 11
Attachment 26: Parents Focus Group ECLS Alternative Study Overview Fact Sheet ............................ 14

OMB #1850-0803 v.264

Submitted by
National Center for Education Statistics
U.S. Department of Education

March 2020

Attachment 22
Elementary School Administrators Focus Group
ECLS Frequently Asked Questions Fact Sheet

2

Early Childhood Longitudinal Study, Kindergarten Class of 2022-23

Study Overview for
School Administrators
What is the Early Childhood
Longitudinal Study (ECLS)?

How often will the study
activities be conducted?

The ECLS is a national study program that provides important
information about children’s knowledge, skills, and socioemotional
development from preschool through elementary school. It gathers
information from children, parents/guardians, teachers, and school
administrators to provide a complete picture of children’s learning
experiences. The upcoming study - the ECLS-K:2023 - will focus
on the kindergarten class of 2022-23.

Study activities will occur in several phases.

The ECLS is conducted by the National Center for Education
Statistics (NCES), within the U.S. Department of Education’s
Institute for Education Sciences.

Why is the ECLS important?
The ECLS explores how different factors—at home and at
school—relate to children’s development and learning throughout
elementary school. It provides information that can help schools,
teachers, families, researchers, and policymakers make informed
decisions about what is best for today’s children, by answering
questions such as:
• What math and literacy skills do children have
when they start school?
• How well do kindergartners behave, pay
attention to teachers, and cooperate with
other children?
• How well do kindergarten programs prepare
children for later grades?

Why should my school and
students participate in the study?
The ECLS-K:2023 will provide information that
can be used at the local, state, and national
levels to guide policies that increase every
child’s chances of doing well in school. It is
important that all selected children, parents,
teachers, and schools participate to ensure the
results are accurate.

Fall of 2022, when children are in kindergarten
Spring of 2023, when children are in kindergarten

Spring of 2024, when children are in first grade

Spring of 2026, when children are in third grade

Spring of 2028, when children are fifth grade

“The ECLS provides valuable information
to policymakers as they work to improve
education. In Minnesota, we used the
study’s findings to help pass a bill that fully
funds all-day kindergarten for students
across the state.”
– Former Policy Advisor, Minnesota State Senate

Are there incentives for
participants?
Yes. NCES will provide incentives to participants during each
phase of the study, including:
• $300 for schools
• $65 for school coordinators who serve as the point of contact for
each school in the initial phase, and $35 for each additional phase
• $15 for each participating family
• $15 for each participating teacher along with $10 for each survey
they complete for participating students

How was my school selected
for participation?
Your school was selected as part of a nationally
representative sample of U.S. public and private
schools. Approximately 20,000 students, from about
1,000 schools across the country, will be
asked to participate.

What is involved for
teachers and parents/
guardians?
Teachers and parents/guardians of participating
students will be asked to complete a survey or
participate in a telephone interview.
• Teachers will be asked about their professional background,
teaching practices, and the skills and abilities of individual
students. The survey will take approximately 15 minutes,
depending on how many surveys are completed about
participating students.
• Parents will be asked questions about their family, their child’s
experiences in school, and learning activities that the child
participates in outside of school. The survey or interview will
last 30-45 minutes.

What results will be reported?
The U.S. Department of Education will report results about the
nation’s students overall. The study will not report results for
individual children or schools.

Will all of our kindergarten
students be asked to participate?

Will the names of participants and
their responses be confidential?

Approximately 24 students will be randomly selected to take part
in the study from each participating school. In very small schools,
all kindergarten students may be asked to participate.

Individual children’s performance will not be shared
with teachers, the school, or the district in any way.
All of the information provided by school staff,
students, and parents 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 and 6 U.S.C. §151). All staff
working on the study have signed an affidavit of non-disclosure
where they swear to abide by this law.

When and where will the
study be conducted?
The ECLS team will conduct the study with children in your school
during school hours. They will ask your school for a small area that
can be used to conduct one-on-one sessions with participating
students. School administrators, teachers, and parents can complete
their surveys at a time and place that is convenient for them.

What is involved for students?
Children will be asked to complete a variety of activities, such as
answering math and literacy-related questions, during a one-on-one
session with a trained ECLS team member. The team member will
read and show illustrated tasks to the children, who can respond
verbally or by pointing to the answer of their choice. Children can
skip any question they do not want to answer. The session will last
approximately 45-60 minutes. The ECLS team will work with your
school to ensure students do not miss important school activities
to participate in the study.

Where can I find more information?
For additional information, call the ECLS information number,
1-888-204-4864, or send an email to ECLSKHELP@westat.com.
You can learn more about the ECLS and see a list of 25+ endorsing
organizations at https://nces.ed.gov/ecls/

Attachment 23
Kindergarten Teachers Focus Group
ECLS Study Overview Fact Sheet

3

The Early Childhood
Longitudinal Study (ECLS)
Information for Teachers

The ECLS program provides important
information about children’s knowledge,
skills, and socioemotional development
from preschool through elementary school.
Educators, families, and policymakers can
use the ECLS results to better understand
children’s development and learning and
improve students’ educational experiences.

Why do we need
teachers like you to
participate in the ECLS?
The ECLS explores how different factors—at home and
at school—relate to children’s development and learning
over time. The study allows us to answer the following
types of questions:

“The ECLS provides valuable information
to policymakers as they work to improve
education. In Minnesota, we used the study’s
findings to help pass a bill that fully funds allday kindergarten for students across the state.”
– Former Policy Advisor, Minnesota State Senate

What knowledge and skills
do children have when
they start school?

How well can kindergartners
pay attention and control
their behaviors?

How do educators help make
the transition into kindergarten
less difficult for children?

How well do kindergarten
programs prepare children
for later grades?

Kindergartners’
Social Skills
Results from the ECLS can help educators understand how
children, on average, are developing, academically, socially,
and emotionally as they progress through elementary school.
During a previous ECLS study, for example, we learned the
following from teachers about first-time kindergartners’
social skills.1

77%

were adept at
forming friendships

“We believe the ECLS will provide rich
and comprehensive insight into children’s
early learning and development. Making
informed policy decisions that improve
education require the kind of useful data
the study will provide.”
– President, National Council of Teachers
of Mathematics

The ECLS is endorsed by more than
25 education organizations.
Parent, Teacher, and Principal Organizations
• American Federation of Teachers
• Association for Middle Level Education
• Council for Exceptional Children
• International Literacy Association

74%

were adept at
accepting peer ideas

• National Association of Elementary School Principals
• National Council of Teachers of Mathematics
• National Parent Teacher Association
• National Science Teaching Association
• Texas State Teachers Association
Private and Religious Education Organizations
• Association of Christian Schools International
• Association of Christian Teachers and Schools

51%

often comforted other
children in school

• Christian Schools International
• Council of Islamic Schools in North America
• Islamic Schools League of America
• Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod
• National Alliance of Christian Schools
• National Association of Independent Schools
• National Catholic Educational Association

11%

often argued with others
and easily became angry

• National Christian School Association
• U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops
• WELS Commission on Lutheran Schools
Education Policy Organizations
• Alliance for Excellent Education
• Council of Chief State School Officers
• National School Boards Association

10%

often fought with others

• The School Superintendents Association
Early Childhood Education Organizations
• American Montessori Society
• Association Montessori International/USA
• National Institute for Early Education Research

1*From America’s Kindergartners, page 27 and 30 (https://nces.ed.gov/pubs2000/2000070.pdf )

The ECLS is conducted by the National Center for Education Statistics, within
the U.S. Department of Education’s Institute for Education Sciences.
https://nces.ed.gov/ecls/

Attachment 24
Kindergarten Teachers Focus Group
ECLS Alternative Study Overview Fact Sheet

4

The Early Childhood
Longitudinal Study (ECLS)
Information for Teachers

The ECLS program provides important
information about children’s knowledge,
skills, and socioemotional development
from preschool through elementary school.
Educators, families, and policymakers can
use the ECLS results to better understand
children’s development and learning and
improve students’ educational experiences.

Why do we need
teachers like you to
participate in the ECLS?
The ECLS explores how different factors—at home and
at school—relate to children’s development and learning
over time. The study allows us to answer the following
types of questions:

“The ECLS provides valuable information
to policymakers as they work to improve
education. In Minnesota, we used the study’s
findings to help pass a bill that fully funds allday kindergarten for students across the state.”
– Former Policy Advisor, Minnesota State Senate

What knowledge and skills
do children have when
they start school?

How well can kindergartners
pay attention and control
their behaviors?

How do educators help make
the transition into kindergarten
less difficult for children?

How well do kindergarten
programs prepare children
for later grades?

Kindergartners’
Social Skills
Results from the ECLS can help educators understand
how children, on average, are developing, academically,
socially, and emotionally as they progress through
elementary school.
During a previous ECLS study, for example, we
learned the following from teachers about first-time
kindergartners’ social skills.

were adept
at forming
friendships

often
comforted
other children
in school

1

*From America’s Kindergartners,

page 27 and 30 (https://nces.ed.gov/
pubs2000/2000070.pdf)

The ECLS is conducted by the
National Center for Education
Statistics, within the U.S.
Department of Education’s
Institute for Education Sciences.
https://nces.ed.gov/ecls/

– President, National Council of Teachers of Mathematics

74%

77%
51%

“We believe the ECLS will provide rich and
comprehensive insight into children’s early learning
and development. Making informed policy decisions
that improve education require the kind of useful
data the study will provide.”

were adept
at accepting
peer ideas

11%

often argued
with others
and easily
became angry

10%
often
fought
with others

The ECLS is endorsed by more than
25 education organizations.

Private and Religious Education Organizations

Parent, Teacher, and Principal Organizations

• Association of Christian Teachers and Schools

• American Federation of Teachers
• Association for Middle Level Education
• Council for Exceptional Children
• International Literacy Association
• National Association of Elementary School Principals
• National Council of Teachers of Mathematics
• National Parent Teacher Association
• National Science Teaching Association
• Texas State Teachers Association
Education Policy Organizations
• Alliance for Excellent Education
• Council of Chief State School Officers
• National School Boards Association
• The School Superintendents Association

• Association of Christian Schools International
• Christian Schools International
• Council of Islamic Schools in North America
• Islamic Schools League of America
• Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod
• National Alliance of Christian Schools
• National Association of Independent Schools
• National Catholic Educational Association
• National Christian School Association
• U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops
• WELS Commission on Lutheran Schools
Early Childhood Education Organizations
• American Montessori Society
• Association Montessori International/USA
• National Institute for Early Education Research

Attachment 25
Parents Focus Group
ECLS Study Overview Fact Sheet

5

The Early Childhood
Longitudinal Study (ECLS)
Information for Parents and Guardians

The ECLS program provides important
information about children’s knowledge and
skills, from preschool through elementary
school. Families, educators, and policymakers
can use the ECLS results to better understand
children’s development and learning and
improve students’ educational experiences.

Why do we need
families like yours
to participate in
the ECLS?
The ECLS explores how different factors—at home and
at school—relate to children’s development and learning
over time. The study allows us to answer the following
types of questions:

“I feel strongly that more parents should
get involved to help improve the education
system in this country. I am very excited and
happy to be a part of this landmark study.”
– Previous Parent Participant, Boston, MA

What knowledge and skills
do children have when
they start school?

What support do parents
and families need to be
more involved in their
child’s education?

What educational activities
do kindergartners do
at home and with
their families?

How well do kindergarten
programs prepare children
for later grades?

What Kindergartners
Know and Can Do
Results from the ECLS can help parents and families
understand what children, on average, know and can do
during the elementary school years.
During a previous ECLS study, for example, we learned
the following from teachers about the skills of
first-time kindergartners.1

66%

easily
recognized letters

“The ECLS provides valuable information
to policymakers as they work to improve
education. In Minnesota, we used the
study’s findings to help pass a bill that
fully funds all-day kindergarten for
students across the state.”
– Former Policy Advisor, Minnesota State Senate

The ECLS is endorsed by more than
25 education organizations.
Parent, Teacher, and Principal Organizations
• American Federation of Teachers
• Association for Middle Level Education
• Council for Exceptional Children
• International Literacy Association
• National Association of Elementary School Principals

29%

easily knew
the first sounds
of words

• National Council of Teachers of Mathematics
• National Parent Teacher Association
• National Science Teaching Association
• Texas State Teachers Association
Private and Religious Education Organizations
• Association of Christian Schools International
• Association of Christian Teachers and Schools
• Christian Schools International
• Council of Islamic Schools in North America

94%

easily recognized
numbers and shapes
and counting to 10

• Islamic Schools League of America
• Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod
• National Alliance of Christian Schools
• National Association of Independent Schools
• National Catholic Educational Association
• National Christian School Association
• U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops
• WELS Commission on Lutheran Schools
Education Policy Organizations

58%

easily understood
size comparisons,
such as big, bigger,
and biggest

• Alliance for Excellent Education
• Council of Chief State School Officers
• National School Boards Association
• The School Superintendents Association
Early Childhood Education Organizations
• American Montessori Society
• Association Montessori International/USA
• National Institute for Early Education Research

1*From America’s Kindergartners, page 27 and 30 (https://nces.ed.gov/pubs2000/2000070.pdf )

The ECLS is conducted by the National Center for Education Statistics, within
the U.S. Department of Education’s Institute for Education Sciences.
https://nces.ed.gov/ecls/

Attachment 26
Parents Focus Group
ECLS Alternative Study Overview Fact Sheet

6

The Early Childhood
Longitudinal Study (ECLS)
Information for Parents and Guardians

The ECLS program provides important
information about children’s knowledge and
skills, from preschool through elementary
school. Families, educators, and policymakers
can use the ECLS results to better understand
children’s development and learning and
improve students’ educational experiences.

Why do we need
families like yours
to participate in
the ECLS?
The ECLS explores how different factors—at home and
at school—relate to children’s development and learning
over time. The study allows us to answer the following
types of questions:

“I feel strongly that more parents should
get involved to help improve the education
system in this country. I am very excited and
happy to be a part of this landmark study.”
– Previous Parent Participant, Boston, MA

What knowledge and skills
do children have when
they start school?

What support do parents
and families need to be
more involved in their
child’s education?

What educational activities
do kindergartners do
at home and with
their families?

How well do kindergarten
programs prepare children
for later grades?

What Kindergartners
Know and Can Do
Results from the ECLS can help parents and families
understand what children, on average, know and can do
during the elementary school years.
During a previous ECLS study, for example, we learned
the following from teachers about the skills of
first-time kindergartners.1

“The ECLS provides valuable information to policymakers
as they work to improve education. In Minnesota, we used
the study’s findings to help pass a bill that fully funds
all-day kindergarten for students across the state.”
– Former Policy Advisor, Minnesota State Senate

29%

66%

easily knew
the first sounds
of words

easily
recognized
letters

58%

94%

easily understood
size comparisons,
such as big, bigger,
and biggest

The ECLS is conducted by the
National Center for Education
Statistics, within the U.S.
Department of Education’s
Institute for Education Sciences.

easily recognized
numbers and shapes
and counting to 10

The ECLS is endorsed by more than
25 education organizations.

Private and Religious Education Organizations

Parent, Teacher, and Principal Organizations

• Association of Christian Teachers and Schools

• American Federation of Teachers

• Christian Schools International

• Association for Middle Level Education

• Council of Islamic Schools in North America

• Council for Exceptional Children

• Islamic Schools League of America

• International Literacy Association

• Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod

• National Association of Elementary School Principals

• National Alliance of Christian Schools

• National Council of Teachers of Mathematics

• National Association of Independent Schools

• National Parent Teacher Association

• National Catholic Educational Association

• National Science Teaching Association

• National Christian School Association

• Texas State Teachers Association

• U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops

Education Policy Organizations

• Association of Christian Schools International

• WELS Commission on Lutheran Schools

• Alliance for Excellent Education

Early Childhood Education Organizations

• Council of Chief State School Officers

• American Montessori Society

• National School Boards Association

• Association Montessori International/USA

• The School Superintendents Association

• National Institute for Early Education Research

*From America’s Kindergartners, page 27 and 30 (https://nces.ed.gov/pubs2000/2000070.pdf)

1