Change in SCS-1

MEMORANDUM

To: Angela Scarborough

OCIO

From: Katrina Baum

BJS

Date: December 7, 2006

Re: 83-c for the School Crime Supplement to the NCVS

OMB Approval Number 1121-0184, Expiration 10/31/2007

This memo explains adjustments reflected in the 83-c form for the above data collection. Several items in the instrument have changed, but these are wording changes only and do not result in a burden change. All changes between the 2005 and 2007 questionnaires are documented below. One question was added which takes approximately 30 seconds, but it is offset by a smaller sample (11,500 students) compared the number projected for the last time the SCS was fielded in 2005 (12,200 students). As a result, there is a net reduction in burden as shown below.

	2005	2007
Total respondents	12,200	11,500
Minutes per respondent	10.0	10.5
Total minutes	122,280	120,750
Total hours	2,038	2,013
	Difference:	(26)

In addition, the percent of these responses collected electronically has changed between the two versions. The SCS to the NCVS is now a fully automated survey, and all responses will be collected either with computer-assisted personal interviews (CAPI) or computer-assisted telephone interviews (CATI). In the 2005 version, 60% of the responses were collected with paper and pencil personal interviews (PAPI).

Summary of changes between 2005 SCS and 2007 SCS

2005 version	2007 version (changes in bold)
1a. Did you attend school at any time during the last 6 months, that is, any time since _______1st, 2004?	1a. Did you attend school at any time this school year?
7b. Is this your regularly assigned school or a school that you or your family chose?	7b. Is this the regular school that most of the students in your neighborhood attend?
7d. Is your school Catholic?	Question dropped
2005 version	2007 version (changes in bold)
12b. Are MOST students at your school allowed to leave the school grounds to eat lunch?	12b. Are students in your grade level allowed to leave school grounds to eat lunch. (“most” dropped)
13. During the last 6 months, have you participated in any of the following extra-curricular activities sponsored by your school: a. Athletic teams at school b. Spirit groups, for example, Cheerleading or Pep Club c. Performing arts, for example, Band, Orchestra, or Drama d. Academic clubs, for example, Debate Team, Honor Society, Spanish Club, or Math Club e. School government f. Volunteer or community service clubs, for example, Key Club, Americorps, America’s Promise, or other service-oriented groups g. Other school clubs or school activities?	13. During the last 6 months, have you participated in any of the following extra-curricular activities sponsored by your school: a. Athletic teams at school b. Spirit groups, for example, Cheerleading, Dance Team, or Pep Club c. Performing arts, for example, Band, Choir, Orchestra, or Drama d. Academic clubs, for example, Debate Team, Honor Society, Spanish Club, or Math Club e. Student government f. [If grades 6,7,8] Community service or volunteer clubs, for example, Peer Mediators, Ecology Club, or Recycling Club? [If grades 6,7,8] Community service or volunteer clubs, for example, Peer Mediators, Key Club, or Interact? g. Other school clubs or school activities?
	New question inserted between 19e and 20a New 20a 20a. Now I have some questions about what students do that could occur anywhere and that make you feel bad or are hurtful to you. You may include events you told me about already. During the last six months, has another student… Posted information about you on the internet? Made unwanted contact, for example, threatened or insulted you via instant messaging? Made unwanted contact, for example, threatened or insulted you via text (SMS) messaging?
32a. In your classes, how often are you distracted from doing your schoolwork because other students are misbehaving, for example, talking or fighting? (READ CATEGORIES.) 32b. How often do teachers punish students during your classes? (READ CATEGORIES.)	Same questions are moved earlier in the instrument and inserted between 14 and 15a. 15a becomes 15c.

2005 version

2007 version (changes in bold)

17a. The following question refers to the availability of drugs and alcohol at your school. Tell me if you don't know what any of these items are. FIELD REPRESENTATIVE - For “Don’t Know” responses, probe if necessary to determine if respondent means they do not know if the drug is available or if they do not know the drug. FIELD REPRESENTATIVE - For each item ask, Is it possible to get _______________ at your school? a. Alcoholic beverages b. Marijuana c. Crack d. Other forms of cocaine e. Uppers such as ecstasy, crystal meth or other illegal stimulants f. Downers such as GHB or sleeping pills g. LSD or acid h. PCP or angel dust i. Heroin or smack j. Other illegal drugs - If "Yes" is marked, ASK - What drugs? (Exclude tobacco products.) FIELD REPRESENTATIVE - Refer to Drug Slang Card (SCS-2). Reclassify the "other illegal drug(s)" to one of the categories a-i if possible. If able to reclassify the drug(s) mentioned, mark the "No" box in category j, otherwise, mark the "Yes" box in category j and enter the "other illegal drug(s)" mentioned in the Specify space.

17a. The following question refers to the availability of drugs and alcohol at your school. Tell me if you don't know what any of these items are. FIELD REPRESENTATIVE - For “Don’t Know” responses, probe if necessary to determine if respondent means they do not know if the drug is available or if they do not know the drug. FIELD REPRESENTATIVE - For each item ask, Is it possible to get _______________ at your school? a. Alcoholic beverages b. Marijuana c. Crack d. Other forms of cocaine e. Uppers such as ecstasy, crystal meth or other illegal stimulants f. Downers such as GHB or sleeping pills g. LSD or acid h. PCP or angel dust i. Heroin or smack j. Prescription drugs illegally obtained without a prescription, such as Ritalin or Oxycontin k. Other illegal drugs - If "Yes" is marked, ASK - What drugs? (Exclude tobacco products.) FIELD REPRESENTATIVE - Refer to Drug Slang Card (SCS-2). Reclassify the "other illegal drug(s)" to one of the categories a-i if possible. If able to reclassify the drug(s) mentioned, mark the "No" box in category j, otherwise, mark the "Yes" box in category j and enter the "other illegal drug(s)" mentioned in the Specify space. Note: this change can be offset by the deletion of item 7d in 2005.

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