Amer Ind Parent Involve_Supporting Stmt_Part B_05-07-07

Contract #ED-06-CO-0023

SUPPORTING STATEMENT

REQUEST FOR OMB APPROVAL OF

American Indian parent involvement

data collection

Part B: Collections of Information Employing Statistical Methods

Final Updated Version

May 7, 2007

Jean M. Williams, Ph.D.
Mid-continent Research for Education and Learning

Submitted to:		Submitted by:
	Institute of Education Sciences U.S. Department of Education 555 New Jersey Ave., N.W. Washington, DC 20208		Mid-continent Research for Education and Learning 4601 DTC Blvd., #500 Denver, CO 80237 Phone: 303-337-0990 Fax: 303-337-3005
Project Officer		Project Director:
	Sandra Garcia, Ph.D.		Louis F. Cicchinelli, Ph.D.

Collections of Information Employing Statistical Methods

This design calls for data collection using focus group methodology. Focus group data are qualitative in nature and will be analyzed through content analysis according to the research questions. No statistical methods will be used in the data collection of this study.

1. Respondent universe and sampling methods
   
   We have chosen to recruit participants from North Dakota and South Dakota because these Central Region states have the highest percentages of K–12 American Indian students in the region (8.5% and 10.8% respectively). A random sample of parent participants with maximum variation in their level of involvement will be the target for recruitment to participate in the study. Given the random selection of parents from within the school the tribe/nation representation of the parents from each school will be represented among the participants.

2. Statistical methods for sample selection and analysis
   
   The “list of potential participants” which we will obtain from the principal of each school will include all parents of American Indian students in that school. Parent names will be assigned to numbers and names will be selected randomly by number. The randomly selected sample should therefore represent a full range of parent involvement, from unengaged to very involved, among these parents.

3. Methods to maximize response rates and deal with non-response
   
   A difficult task is successfully encouraging the majority of parents contacted to participate. Our goal is an 80% acceptance rate for parents contacted to participate in the study. We will ask refusals to rate themselves on a simple engagement rating scale. The recruiter will not identify the parent on the rating form. We will then ask focus group participants to rate themselves using the same scale, with all replies remaining anonymous. For each school/focus group we will compare the distribution of engagement among participants to the degree of engagement among refusals. If the distributions vary, this will be included in the findings and the potential introduction of bias will be discussed.

4. Test of procedures or methods
   
   The focus group protocol to be used for data collection (Exhibit C) has undergone extensive internal quality assurance procedures and review by the study’s American Indian consultant. No additional test of the protocol is planned.

5. Individuals consulted on statistical aspects of the design
   
   This study will use focus group methodology that does not involve any statistical methods or analysis. Consultations on the research design, instrument development, data sources and needs, and study reports have occurred during the design phase of the study and will continue to take place throughout the study. For purposes of quality assurance, consultations have been conducted internally at McREL and included an external American Indian consultant. Consultants for this study include:

• Dr. Zoe Barley, Senior Research Fellow, Mid-continent Research for Education and Learning, Denver, Colorado

• Dr. Jean Williams, Vice-President for Research and Evaluation, Mid-continent Research for Education and Learning, Denver, Colorado

• Ms. Dolores M. Riley, Educational Consultant, Prairie Riley Group,
  Midvale, UT, a American Indian consultant, will facilitate the focus groups sessions and will help analyze the data and revise the research report to ensure an accurate interpretation of the American Indian participants.

American Indian Parent Involvement

Supporting Statement/Part B: Collections of Information Employing Statistical Methods Page 3