District Questionnaire

Study of the Implemenation of the Safe and Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act (SDFSCA) State Grants

Att_Appendix A (2 of 4) - District Qx for 2nd OMB (01-23-09)

District Questionnaire

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Study of the Implementation of the
Safe and Drug-Free Schools and
Communities Act Program State Grants
Sponsored by:
The U.S. Department of Education
Conducted by:
Westat

District Questionnaire
We would like to learn more about the programs in place in your district during the 2008-09
school year that included a focus on youth alcohol, tobacco, and other drug (ATOD) use or
school crime. This questionnaire should be completed by the person who is most knowledgeable
about such programs in your district.
You can complete this survey online at https://www.sdfs-evaluation.org. You will need an ID
and password, which can be found on the attached gold Web Information Sheet.
If you prefer, you may complete this paper version. If you complete the paper version, please
provide the following information, keep a copy of the completed survey for your files, and return
the original to Westat at the address shown below. We have enclosed a postage-paid envelope
for your convenience.
Name of person completing form: ____________________ Telephone: _________________
Title/position: ____________________________________ E-Mail: ____________________
Name of School: ______________________________________________________________
Best days and times to reach you (in case of questions): _______________________________
Return form to:
Attn: Debbie Alexander (#8622.09.01)
Westat
1650 Research Boulevard, TA 2100
Rockville, Maryland 20850
According to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, no persons are required to respond to a collection of information
unless it displays a valid OMB control number. The valid OMB control number of this information collection is XXXXXXXX. The time required to complete this information collection is estimated to average 30 minutes per response,
including the time to review instructions, search existing data resources, gather the data needed, and complete and review
the information collected. If you have any comments concerning the accuracy of the time estimate(s) or suggestions for
improving this form, please write to: U.S. Department of Education, Washington, DC 20202-4651. If you have
comments or concerns regarding the status of your individual submission of this form, write directly to: Debbie
Alexander, Westat, 1650 Research Boulevard, TA 2100, Rockville, MD 20850-3129.

Study of the Implementation of the Safe and Drug-Free Schools and
Communities Act Program State Grants
General Instructions and Frequently Asked Questions

General Instructions
This questionnaire asks about district level prevention activities and prevention programs
implemented during the 2008-09 school year that include a focus on youth alcohol, tobacco, and
other drug (ATOD) use or school crime prevention. Please review the following study
definitions before you begin the survey.
ATOD – Includes alcohol, tobacco, illegal drugs, inhalants, and inappropriate use of
prescription and over-the-counter medications.
School crime – Includes illegal, violent, or disruptive behaviors that result in damage,
pain, injury, or fear, or result in disruptions of the school environment. Violent behaviors
include bullying, verbal aggression, physical aggression, possession or use of weapons,
and sexual harassment.
Security practice – An activity or set of activities intended to prevent youth ATOD use
or school crime (e.g., requiring identification cards or badges and visitor check-in; school
resource officer; use of cameras, metal detectors and drug-sniffing dogs; drug testing;
locker searches; etc.). Security practices may or may not be supported by an
implementation manual.
Program – An integrated set of activities intended to achieve one or more goals and
objectives. Only programs that are supported by an implementation manual or other
similar documentation should be considered.

Frequently Asked Questions
Who should complete this questionnaire? This questionnaire should be completed by the
person who is most knowledgeable about your district’s youth ATOD use and school crime
prevention programs for the 2008-09 school year, including those supported by SDFSCA
funding and those that are not supported by SDFSCA.

We want the information provided in this survey to accurately reflect the prevention efforts in
your district. To that end, as needed, the most knowledgeable person should collaborate with
others (e.g. facilities staff, budget office) to ensure data quality.

Will my responses be confidential? Responses to this data collection will be used only for
statistical purposes. The reports prepared for this study will summarize findings across the
sample and will not associate responses with a specific district, school, or individual. We will
not provide information that identifies the district, school, or respondent to anyone outside the
study team, except as required by law.

Who can I contact if I have questions? If you have questions about the completion of this
survey, please contact a Westat study representative, toll-free at 1-888-XXX-XXXX, or by email
at [email protected].

What should I do when I have completed the questionnaire? If you are completing this
survey online at https://www.sdfs-evaluation.org, it will be automatically submitted to
Westat when you select the final “Submit Completed Survey” button. We encourage you to
print out a copy of your completed survey before submitting your completed survey. If you
are completing this paper version of this survey, please make a copy of the completed booklet
for yourself and send the original in the enclosed postage-paid envelope within 3 weeks, or to:
Westat, Attn: Debbie Alexander (#8622.09.01), 1650 Research Boulevard, TA 2100, Rockville,
MD 20850-3195.

A. Planning Prevention Programs

THE QUESTIONS IN THIS SECTION ASK ABOUT YOUR DISTRICT’S OVERALL PLANNING PROCESS FOR YOUTH
ALCOHOL, TOBACCO, AND OTHER DRUG (ATOD) USE AND SCHOOL CRIME PREVENTION PROGRAMS FOR THE
2008-09 SCHOOL YEAR. PLEASE CONSIDER PLANNING RELATED TO BOTH EFFORTS SUPPORTED BY SDFSCA
FUNDS AND THOSE NOT SUPPORTED BY SDFSCA FUNDS.
1.

For the 2008–09 school year, how involved have school staff and parents and community members
been in the activities listed below? (SELECT ONE RESPONSE FOR EACH ITEM.)
Very

School staff have been involved in…
a. Analyzing data on problem behavior..........................................
b. Reviewing prevention goals and objectives ...............................
c. Selecting prevention programs ...................................................

Not very

Not

much

Somewhat

much

at all

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1

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2
2

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3
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4
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Very

Parents and community members have been involved in…
d. Analyzing data on problem behavior..........................................
e. Reviewing prevention goals and objectives ...............................
f. Selecting prevention programs ...................................................

Not very

Not

much

Somewhat

much

at all

1
1
1

2
2
2

3
3
3

4
4
4

During the 2008-09 school year, which of the following activities have been implemented within your
district and have been at least partially funded by SDFSCA? (CHECK ALL THAT APPLY)
If your district did not receive any SDFSCA funding for the 2008-09 school year, check this box , and
go to Question 3.
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.

Needs assessment..................................................................................................
Identification of ATOD or school crime prevention goals and objectives............
ATOD or school crime prevention planning.........................................................
ATOD or school crime prevention programs .......................................................
ATOD or school crime security practices (including security personnel
salaries, and acquisition and installation of security equipment)........................
f. Professional development and training for school personnel regarding ATOD
or school crime prevention....................................................................................
g. Dissemination of ATOD or school crime prevention information to schools.......
h. Reporting criminal offences committed on school property .................................
i. Expanded or improved school-based mental health services related to ATOD
use or school crime ...............................................................................................
j. Emergency intervention services following traumatic crisis events .....................
k. Establishment and maintenance of a school safety hotline ...................................
l. Nationwide background checks of LEA employees .............................................
m. Evaluation of SDFSCA funded activities .............................................................
n. Other activities (Specify) ________________________________________......

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2
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8
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10
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14

Considering both activities that were supported by SDFSCA funds and those not supported by
SDFSCA funds, during the 2008-09 school year, who has had primary responsibility for… (SELECT ONE
RESPONSE FOR EACH ITEM.)
Equally

a. Planning how SDFSCA prevention resources would be used....
b. Planning how non-SDFSCA prevention resources would be
used ............................................................................................
c. Developing or reviewing SDFSCA prevention goals and
objectives ...................................................................................
d. Developing or reviewing non-SDFSCA prevention goals and
objectives ...................................................................................
e. Assessing prevention needs .......................................................
f.

Selecting prevention programs ...................................................

District

School

staff

Not done

shared by

during

district and

2008-09

school staff school year



3

4

1

2

3

4

1

2

3

4

1
1
1

2
2
2

3
3
3

4
4
4

During the 2008-09 school year, which of the following data sources or measures has your district used
or will it use to plan its SDFSCA- and non-SDFSCA-funded prevention programs? (SELECT YES OR NO
FOR EACH ITEM IN COLUMN 1 AND IN COLUMN 2.)

a. School staff impressions of program effectiveness.....................
b. Percentage of students reporting tolerant attitudes toward
ATOD use...................................................................................
c. Percentage of students reporting ATOD use on or off school
property.......................................................................................
d. Number of incidents of youth ATOD use at schools, including
on school property or at school-sponsored events ......................
e. Number of criminal incidents (other than youth ATOD
incidents) or violent incidents at schools, including on school
property or at school-sponsored events.......................................
f. Percentage of students reporting criminal or violent
victimization on school property or at school-sponsored events.
g. Number of suspensions or expulsions.........................................

Column 1.

Column 2.

SDFSCA-funded

Non-SDFSCA-funded

programs

Yes



2

1

2

1

2

1

2

1

2

1

2

1

2

1

2

1

2

1
1

2
2

1
1

2
2

For the 2008-09 school year, how much have the following factors been considered in adding or
dropping youth ATOD use and school crime prevention programs? (SELECT ONE RESPONSE FOR EACH
ITEM.)
If no programs have been added or dropped, check this box , and go to Question 6.
Very

a. Cultural appropriateness.............................................................
b. Relevance to district objectives for youth ATOD use and
school crime prevention programs .............................................
c. Amount of total classroom time required ...................................
d. Fit with regular school operations .............................................
e. Feasibility of implementing program .........................................
f. Capacity of schools to implement programs effectively.............
g. Program cost...............................................................................
h. School staff interest in the program............................................
i.

Research on program effectiveness ............................................

Amount of staff training required...............................................

k. Student interest in the program...................................................
l.

District data on student needs.....................................................

Not

much

Somewhat

Not very
much

at all

1

2

3

4

1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1

2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2

3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3

4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4

For the 2008-09 school year, has the state either required or encouraged your district to select
programs from one or more lists of specific youth ATOD use and school crime prevention programs?
(SELECT ONE RESPONSE.)
Required ............................................................................................
Encouraged........................................................................................
Neither required nor encouraged.......................................................

1
2
3

(Go to Question 8)

What list(s) has the state required or encouraged your district to use for the 2008-09 school year?
(SELECT YES OR NO FOR EACH ITEM.)
Yes

a. Less Hype, More Help: Reducing Juvenile Crime, What Works and What
Doesn’t, prepared for the American Youth Policy Forum by Richard Mendel
(2000) ...................................................................................................................
b. Blueprints for Violence Prevention. Center for the Study of Violence
Prevention (http://www.colorado.edu/cspv/blueprints) .......................................

1

2

1

2

c. Preventing Mental Disorders in School-Aged Children: A Review of
Effectiveness of Prevention Programs, prepared for the Center for Mental
Health Services by MT Greenberg, CE Domitrovich, and B Bumbarger (2000)
(http://www.pde.state.pa.us/svcs_students/lib/svcs_students/Chapter12Preventi
ngMentalHealthDisorders.pdf) .............................................................................
National
Registry of Effective Programs and Practices (NREPP). Substance
d.
Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (Center for Substance
Abuse Prevention). (http://www.nrepp.samhsa.gov) ............................................

1

2

1

2

e. Safe, Disciplined, and Drug-Free Schools (SDDFS) Expert Panel’s Exemplary
and Promising School-based Programs, prepared for the Office of Safe and
Drug-Free Schools, U.S. Department of Education (2001).
(http://www.ed.gov/offices/OERI/ORAD/KAD/expert_panel/drug-free.html)....

1

2

f. Communities That Care® Prevention Strategies Guide (2004).
(http://download.ncadi.samhsa.gov/Prevline/pdfs/ctc/CTC%20Prevention%20S
trategies%20Guide%20_pdf.pdf)..........................................................................

1

2

g. Mihalic, S., & Aultman-Bettridge, T. (2004). A guide to effective school-based
prevention programs: Individually Focused Programs. In William L. Turk (ed.),
School crime and policing, pp. 230-253. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall.

1

2

h. Preventing Drug Use Among Children and Adolescents: A Research-Based
Guide, prepared for the National Institute of Drug Abuse (2003).
(http://www.nida.nih.gov/Prevention/examples.html) ..........................................

1

2

Prevention Crime: What Works, What Doesn’t, What’s Promising, University
of Maryland Department of Criminology and Criminal Justice, prepared for the
U.S. Congress by LW Sherman et al. (1997) (http://www.ncjrs.org/works/) .......

1

2

Strengthening America’s Families: Model Programs. Kumpfer, prepared for the
Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (1999)
(http://www.strengtheningfamilies.org/)...............................................................

1

2

k. Youth Violence: A Report of the Surgeon General (2001)
(http://www.surgeongeneral.gov/library/youthviolence/default.htm)...................

1

2

1

2

1
1
1

2
2
2

OJJDP Model Programs Guide (Title V). Washington, DC: Office of Juvenile
Justice and Delinquency Prevention, Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Dept. of
Justice. (http://www.dsgonline.com/mpg2.5/mpg_index.htm) .............................

m. Helping America’s Youth, prepared for the White House.
(http://www.helpingamericasyouth.gov)...............................................................
n. A list compiled and distributed by the State .........................................................
o. Other lists (Please specify): _________________________________________

B. Implementing Prevention Programs
8.

During the 2008-09 school year, which of the following aspects of SDFSCA- and non-SDFSCA-funded
program implementation has your district monitored? (SELECT YES OR NO FOR EACH ITEM IN COLUMN 1 AND
IN COLUMN 2.)

a. Extent to which planned program “dosage” or exposure was
achieved ......................................................................................
b. Extent to which the content of prevention activities was
changed or modified ...................................................................
c. Number or characteristics of students served..............................
d. Progress toward the achievement of outcome goals or
objectives for prevention activities .............................................

Column 1.

Column 2.

SDFSCA-funded

Non-SDFSCA-funded

programs

Yes

1

2

1

2

1
1

2
2

1
1

2
2

1

2

1

2

During the 2008-09 school year, how much have the following caused problems for program
implementation in your district’s school? (SELECT ONE RESPONSE FOR EACH ITEM.)
Very

a. Inappropriate modifications to the program content or
curriculum...................................................................................
b. Reduction in the number of sessions...........................................
c. Reduction in the amount of time per session ..............................
d. Competing demands for time in the students’ schedules
e. Insufficient level of student engagement in the program ............
f. Competing demands for time in the program providers’ (e.g.,
teachers’) schedules ....................................................................
g. Inability or lack of capacity among program providers to
implement the program ...............................................................
h. Lack of program provider interest in or commitment to the
program.......................................................................................

Not very

Not

much

Somewhat

much

at all

1
1
1
1
1

2
2
2
2
2

3
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3
3
3

4
4
4
4
4

1

2

3

4

1

2

3

4

1

2

3

4

C. Evaluating Prevention Programs
THESE NEXT QUESTIONS FOCUS ON HOW YOUR DISTRICT HAS EVALUATED THE PREVENTION PROGRAMS USED BY SCHOOLS
DURING THE 2008-09 SCHOOL YEAR.
10.

During the 2008-09 school year, who has had primary responsibility for…(SELECT ONE RESPONSE FOR
EACH ITEM.)
Equally
shared

a. Evaluating SDFSCA-supported prevention programs? ........
b. Evaluating prevention programs that were not supported
by SDFSCA?.........................................................................
c. Informing parents about SDFSCA-supported programs and
their progress?.......................................................................
d. Informing parents about programs that were not supported
by SDFSCA and their progress? ...........................................

11.

Not done

district and

during

school

2008-09

District

School

staff

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2

3

4

1

2

3

4

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2

3

4

1

2

3

4

responsibility school year

During the 2008-09 school year, which of the following data sources or measures has your district used
or will it use to evaluate its SDFSCA- and non-SDFSCA-funded prevention programs? (SELECT YES OR
NO FOR EACH ITEM IN COLUMN 1 AND IN COLUMN 2.)

a. School staff impressions of program effectiveness...............
b. Percentage of students reporting tolerant attitudes toward
ATOD use.............................................................................
c. Percentage of students reporting ATOD use on or off
school property .....................................................................
d. Number of incidents of youth ATOD use at schools,
including on school property or at school-sponsored events
e. Number of criminal incidents (other than youth ATOD
incidents) or violent incidents at schools, including on
school property or at school-sponsored events .....................
f. Percentage of students reporting criminal or violent
victimization on school property or at school-sponsored
events ....................................................................................
g. Number of suspensions or expulsions...................................

Column 1.

Column 2.

SDFSCA-funded

Non-SDFSCA-funded

programs

Yes



2

1

2

1

2

1

2

1

2

1

2

1

2

1

2

1

2

1
1

2
2

1
1

2
2

D. District Prevention Program Funding and Other Support
THE QUESTIONS IN THIS SECTION ASK ABOUT DISTRICT RESOURCES FOR YOUTH ATOD USE AND SCHOOL CRIME
PLEASE COLLABORATE WITH OTHERS AS NEEDED TO PROVIDE COMPLETE INFORMATION IN
RESPONSE TO THESE QUESTIONS.

PREVENTION PROGRAMS.

12.

During the 2008-09 school year, has your state provided training or technical assistance in the
following areas? (SELECT ONE RESPONSE FOR EACH ITEM.)

a. Conducting needs assessments....................................................
b. Specifying measurable program goals and objectives ................
c. Selecting programs based on the extent to which they are
supported by research .................................................................
d. Implementing prevention programs ............................................
e. Evaluating programs in terms of making progress toward
specified goals and objectives.....................................................
13.

1
1

2
2

1
1

2
2

1

2

During the 2008-09 school year, have all prevention programs implemented in your school district been
supported at least partially by SDFSCA funding?
Yes ....................................................................................................
No......................................................................................................

14.

Yes

1
2

(Go to Question 15)

Considering only those prevention programs that have received no SDFSCA funding in 2008-09, to
what extent has your district done each of the following? (SELECT ONE RESPONSE FOR EACH ITEM.)

Very

a. Used SDFSCA goals for non-SDFSCA-funded prevention
programs .....................................................................................
b. Considered research on program effectiveness in selecting
non-SDFSCA-funded prevention programs................................
c. Evaluated non-SDFSCA-funded prevention programs as part
of the evaluation of SDFSCA-funded programs .........................
15.

Not very

Not

much

Somewhat

much

at all

1

2

3

4

1

2

3

4

1

2

3

4

For the 2008-09 school year, which of the following funding sources has your district used to support
youth ATOD use and school crime prevention programs? SELECT YES OR NO FOR EACH ITEM.)

a. School district funds ...................................................................
b. State funds (e.g., education, health, justice)................................
c. SDFSCA Program funds (i.e., formula funding or any
SDFSCA grants) .........................................................................
d. Other federal funds .....................................................................
e. Private foundation or grant-making organization funds .............
f. Other (Please specify): ________________________________

Yes

1
1

2
2

1
1
1
1

2
2
2
2

16.

The No Child Left Behind Act allows districts to transfer money between the SDFSCA Program and
other federal education programs. During the 2008-09 school year, has your district transferred
money…(SELECT YES OR NO FOR EACH ITEM.)
If your district is unfamiliar with this element of the No Child Left Behind Act, check this box , and
go to Question 17.

a. Out of the SDFSCA Program?....................................................
b. Into the SDFSCA Program?........................................................

Yes


1

2
2

E. Prevention Programs Reported by Schools
17.

One or more schools in your district completed a questionnaire reporting specific youth ATOD/school
crime prevention programs implemented during the 2008-2009 school year.
For each program listed below by school, please indicate whether the program has received any
funding from the SDFSCA Program for the 2008-09 school year. As needed, please check with other
district staff who may be more familiar with SDFSCA program funding or check your district's
application to the state education agency for information on SDFSCA program funding. (SELECT YES OR
NO FOR EACH ITEM.)
Funded by SDFSCA?
School Name

School A
(imported from Prevalence Survey)

School B
(imported from Prevalence Survey)

School C
(imported from Prevalence Survey)

Programs Implemented
Yes

Don’t
know