TIMSS and PIRLS School Questionnaire

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Label Here

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TIMSS & PIRLS 2011

Checksum

School
Questionnaire
Grade 4
National Center for Education Statistics
U.S. Department of Education
1990 K St., NW
Washington, DC 20006

© IEA, 2011
According to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, no persons are required to respond to a collection of information unless such collection displays a valid OMB control number. The valid OMB control number
for this information collection is 1850-0645. Approval expires XX/XX/2011. 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 collection. If you have any comments concerning the accuracy of the time estimate(s) or suggestions
for improving the survey instrument, please write to: U.S. Department of Education, Washington, D.C. 20202-4537. If you have any comments or concerns regarding the status of your individual response to
this survey, write directly to: National Center for Education Statistics, 1990 K Street, N.W., Room 9034, Washington, D.C. 20006.

School Questionnaire
Your school has agreed to participate in TIMSS 2011

NCES is authorized to collect information from the

(Trends in International Mathematics and Science

questionnaire under the Education Sciences Reform

Study) and PIRLS 2011 (Progress in International

Act of 2002 (Public Law 107-279, Section 153). You

Reading Literacy Study), which are educational research

do not have to provide the information requested.

projects sponsored by the International Association for

However, the information you provide will help the

the Evaluation of Educational Achievement (IEA). TIMSS

U.S. Department of Education’s ongoing efforts to

and PIRLS are measuring trends in student achievement

understand better how the educational system in the

in mathematics, science, and reading, and studying

United States compares to that in other countries.

differences in national education systems in more than

There are no penalties should you choose not to

60 countries in order to help improve teaching and

participate in this study. Your answers may be used only

learning worldwide.

for statistical purposes and may not be disclosed, or

This questionnaire is addressed to school principals

used, in identifiable form for any other purpose (Public

and department heads who are asked to supply

Law 107-279, Section 183 and Title V, subtitle A of the

information about their schools. Since your school has

E-Government Act of 2002 (P.L. 107-347)). Your response

been selected as part of a nationwide sample, your

will be combined with those from other participants to

responses are very important in helping to describe

produce summary statistics and reports.

fourth-grade education in the United States.
It is important that you answer each question

This survey is estimated to take an average of 30
minutes, including time for reviewing instructions,

carefully so that the information provided reflects

and completing and reviewing the collection of

the situation in your school as accurately as possible.

information. An agency may not conduct or sponsor,

Some of the questions will require that you look up

and a person is not required to respond to, a collection

school records, so you may wish to arrange for the

of information unless it displays a currently valid

assistance of another staff member to help provide this

OMB control number. Send comments regarding this

information.

burden estimate or any other aspect of this collection

Since TIMSS and PIRLS are international studies and

of information, including suggestions for reducing

all countries are using the same questionnaire, you

this burden, to: Stephen Provasnik, National Center

may find that some of the questions seem unusual or

for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education,

are not entirely relevant to you or schools in the United

1990 K Street NW, Room 9034, Washington, DC 20006-

States. Nevertheless, it is important that you do your

5650. Do not return the completed form to this address.

best to answer all of the questions so comparisons can
be made across countries in the study.

Thank you.

It is estimated that you will need approximately 30
minutes to complete this questionnaire. We appreciate
the time and effort that this takes and thank you for
your cooperation and contribution.
When you have completed the questionnaire,
please return it to the TIMSS & PIRLS school coordinator.

TIMSS & PIRLS 2011

School Enrollment
and Characteristics

1

5
What is the total enrollment of students in your
school as of April 4, 2011?

A. How many people live in the city, town, or area
where your school is located?
Fill in one circle only.

_____________ students
Write in a number.

2
What is the total enrollment of fourth-grade
students in your school as of April 4, 2011?
_____________ students

More than 500,000 people -- 1

100,001 to 500,000 people -- 2

50,001 to 100,000 people -- 3

15,001 to 50,000 people -- 4

3,001 to 15,000 people -- 5

3,000 people or fewer -- 6

Write in a number.

B. Which best describes the immediate area in which
your school is located?
Fill in one circle only.

3
Approximately what percentage of students in your
school have the following backgrounds?
Fill in one circle for each line.
0 to 10%

11 to 25%

26 to 50%

More than
50%

a) Come from economically
disadvantaged homes --------- 1 2 3 4
b) Come from economically
affl uent homes ----------------- 1 2 3 4

4

Urban–Densely populated --- 1

Suburban–On fringe or
outskirts of urban area --- 2

Medium size city or large town --- 3

Small town or village --- 4

Remote rural --- 5

C. Which best characterizes the average income level
of the school’s immediate area?
Fill in one circle only.

High --- 1

Medium --- 2

Low --- 3

Around the first of October 2010, what percentage
of students at this school were eligible to receive
free or reduced-price lunches through the National
School Lunch Program?
_____________ percentage of students
Write in a number.

Grade 4 School Questionnaire

2

6

7
What type of school is this?

Fill in one circle only.

Regular public school -- 1

A regular public school with
a magnet program -- 2

A magnet school or school with a special program
emphasis (e.g ., Montessori, science/math school,
performing arts school, talented/gifted school,

foreign language immersion school, etc.) - 3

Special education: a school that primarily
serves students with disabilities -- 4

Alternative: a school designed to address the
needs of students, typically at risk of educational
failure, which cannot be met in regular schools -- 5

A. Approximately what percentage of students in
your school have English as their native language?
Fill in one circle only.

More than 90% --- 1

76 to 90% --- 2

51 to 75% --- 3

26 to 50% --- 4

25% or less --- 5

B. Of the students currently enrolled in your school,
what percentage has been identified as limitedEnglish proficient (LEP)/English language learners
(ELL)?
Fill in one circle only.

Vocational -- 6

0% --- 1

Charter School -- 7

1-5% --- 2

Private (independent) -- 8

6-10% --- 3

Private (religiously affi liated) -- 9

11-25% --- 4

26-50% --- 5

51-75% --- 6

76-90% --- 7

Over 90% --- 8

Other -- 0

3

Grade 4 School Questionnaire

Resources and Technology

Instructional Time

8

9
For the fourth-grade students in your school:

What is the total number of computers that can be
used for instructional purposes by fourth-grade
students?

A. How many days per year is your school open for
instruction?

___________computers

__________days

Write in the number.

10

Does your school have a science laboratory that can
be used by fourth-grade students?

B. What is the total instructional time, excluding
breaks, in a typical day?

Fill in one circle only.

_________hours and __________minutes
Write in the number of hours and minutes.

C. In one calendar week, how many days is the school
open for instruction?

Write in the number.

Yes --- 1

No --- 2

11
Does your school have a school library?
Fill in one circle only.

Fill in one circle only.

6 days --- 1

Yes --- 1

5 1/2 days --- 2

5 days --- 3

No --- 2
(If No, go to #12)

4 1/2 days --- 4

4 days --- 5

Other --- 6

If Yes,
A. Approximately how many books with different
titles does your school library have (exclude
magazines and periodicals)?
Fill in one circle only.

250 or fewer --- 1

251–500 --- 2

501–2,000 --- 3

2,001–5,000 --- 4

5,001–10,000 --- 5

More than 10,000 --- 6

B. Approximately how many titles of magazines and
other periodicals does your school library have?
Fill in one circle only.

0 --- 1

1–5 --- 2

6–10 --- 3

11–30 --- 4

31 or more --- 5

Grade 4 School Questionnaire

4

12
How much is your school’s capacity to provide instruction affected by a shortage or inadequacy
of the following?
Fill in one circle for each line.

Fill in one circle for each line.

Not at all

Not at all

A little

Some

A lot

A. General School Resources
a) Instructional materials (e.g.,
textbooks) ---------------------- 1 2 3 4
b) Supplies (e.g., papers,
pencils) ------------------------- 1 2 3 4
c) School buildings and
grounds ------------------------ 1 2 3 4
d) Heating/cooling and lighting
systems ------------------------- 1 2 3 4
e) Instructional space (e.g.,
classrooms) --------------------- 1 2 3 4
f) Technologically competent
staff ----------------------------- 1 2 3 4
g) Computers for instruction ----- 1 2 3 4
B. Resources for Reading
Instruction
a) Teachers with a
specialization in reading ------- 1 2 3 4
b) Computer software for
reading instruction ------------- 1 2 3 4

5

A little

Some

A lot

C. Resources for Mathematics
Instruction
a) Teachers with a specialization
in mathematics ---------------- 1 2 3 4
b) Computer software for
mathematics instruction ------- 1 2 3 4
c) Library materials relevant
to mathematics instruction ---- 1 2 3 4
d) Audio-visual resources for
mathematics instruction ------- 1 2 3 4
e) Calculators for mathematics
instruction ---------------------- 1 2 3 4
D. Resources for Science
Instruction
a) Teachers with a
specialization in science ------- 1 2 3 4
b) Computer software for
science instruction ------------- 1 2 3 4
c) Library materials relevant
to science instruction ---------- 1 2 3 4

c) Library books ------------------- 1 2 3 4

d) Audio-visual resources for
science instruction ------------- 1 2 3 4

d) Audio-visual resources for
reading instruction ------------- 1 2 3 4

e) Science equipment and
materials ----------------------- 1 2 3 4

Grade 4 School Questionnaire

Involving Parents in Your School

13
A. How often does your school do the following for
parents concerning individual students?

C. How often does your school do the following for
parents in general?

Fill in one circle for each line.

Fill in one circle for each line.

Never

Never

Once a year

Once a year

2–3 times a year

2–3 times a year

More than
3 times a
year

a) Inform parents about their
child’s learning progress ------- 1 2 3 4
b) Inform parents about the
behavior and well-being of
their child at school ------------ 1 2 3 4
c) Discuss parents’ concerns or
wishes about their child’s
learning ------------------------ 1 2 3 4
d) Support individual parents
in helping their child with
schoolwork --------------------- 1 2 3 4
B. How often does your school ask parents to do the
following?
Fill in one circle for each line.
Never

Once a year

2–3 times a year

More than
3 times a
year

a) Volunteer for school projects,
programs, and trips ------------ 1 2 3 4
b) Serve on school
committees -------------------- 1 2 3 4

More than
3 times a
year

a) Inform parents about the
overall academic achievement
of the school (e.g., results of
national tests, results of
inspections of learning) -------- 1 2 3 4
b) Inform parents about school
accomplishments (e.g.,
tournament results, facility
improvements) ----------------- 1 2 3 4
c) Inform parents about the
educational goals and
pedagogic principles of
the school ---------------------- 1 2 3 4
d) Inform parents about the
rules of the school ------------- 1 2 3 4
e) Discuss parents’ concerns or
wishes about the school’s
organization (e.g., rules and
regulations, time tables,
safety measures) -------------- 1 2 3 4
f) Provide parents with
additional learning materials
(e.g., books, computer
software) for their child to
use at home ------------------- 1 2 3 4
g) Organize workshops or
seminars for parents on
learning or pedagogical
issues --------------------------- 1 2 3 4

Grade 4 School Questionnaire

6

School Climate

14

15
How would you characterize each of the following
within your school?

A. To what degree is each of the following a problem
among fourth-grade students in your school?
Fill in one circle for each line.

Fill in one circle for each line.
Very high

Not a problem

High

Medium

Low

Very
low

a) Teachers’ job
satisfaction --------------------- 1 2 3 4 5
b) Teachers’ understanding
of the school’s curricular
goals ---------------------------- 1 2 3 4 5
c) Teachers’ degree of
success in implementing
the school’s curriculum -------- 1 2 3 4 5
d) Teachers’ expectations
for student
achievement ------------------- 1 2 3 4 5

Minor problem

Moderate problem

Serious
problem

a) Arriving late at school ---------- 1 2 3 4
b) Absenteeism (i.e.,
unjustifi ed absences) ---------- 1 2 3 4
c) Classroom disturbance --------- 1 2 3 4
d) Cheating ------------------------ 1 2 3 4
e) Profanity ----------------------- 1 2 3 4
f) Vandalism ---------------------- 1 2 3 4
g) Theft ---------------------------- 1 2 3 4

e) Parental support for
student achievement ---------- 1 2 3 4 5

h) Intimidation or verbal abuse
among students (including
texting, emailing, etc.) -------- 1 2 3 4

f) Parental involvement
in school activities ------------- 1 2 3 4 5

i) Physical fi ghts among
students ------------------------ 1 2 3 4

g) Students’ regard for
school property ---------------- 1 2 3 4 5

j) Intimidation or verbal abuse
of teachers or staff (including
texting, emailing, etc.) --------- 1 2 3 4

h) Students’ desire to do
well in school ------------------- 1 2 3 4 5

B. To what degree is each of the following a problem
among teachers in your school?
Fill in one circle for each line.
Not a problem

Minor problem

Moderate problem

Serious
problem

a) Arriving late or leaving early --- 1 2 3 4
b) Absenteeism ------------------- 1 2 3 4

7

Grade 4 School Questionnaire

Teachers in Your School

Leadership Activities

16

17
In your school, are any of the following used to
evaluate the practice of fourth-grade teachers?
Fill in one circle for each line.

Yes

During the past year, approximately how much time
have you spent on the following school
leadership activities in your role as a school
principal?
Fill in one circle for each line.

No

a) Observations by the
principal or senior staff -------------------------- 1 2

No time

Some time

A lot of time

b) Observations by inspectors
or other persons external
to the school ------------------------------------- 1 2

a) Promoting the school’s
educational vision or goals ------------ 1 2 3

c) Student achievement --------------------------- 1 2

b) Developing the school’s
curricular and educational goals ------ 1 2 3

d) Teacher peer review ----------------------------- 1 2

c) Monitoring teachers’
implementation of the
school’s educational goals
in their teaching ----------------------- 1 2 3
d) Monitoring students’ learning
progress to ensure that the school’s
educational goals are reached -------- 1 2 3
e) Keeping an orderly
atmosphere in the school ------------- 1 2 3
f) Ensuring that there are clear
rules for student behavior ------------- 1 2 3
g) Addressing disruptive
student behavior ---------------------- 1 2 3
h) Creating a climate of trust
among teachers ----------------------- 1 2 3
i) Initiating a discussion to help
teachers who have problems
in the classroom ----------------------- 1 2 3
j) Advising teachers who have
questions or problems with
their teaching -------------------------- 1 2 3
k) Visiting other schools or
attending educational
conferences for new ideas ------------- 1 2 3
l) Initiating educational
projects or improvements ------------- 1 2 3
m) Participating in professional
development activities specifi cally
for school principals ------------------- 1 2 3

Grade 4 School Questionnaire

8

School Readiness

Reading in Your School

18

19
About how many of the students in your school
can do the following when they begin primary/
elementary school?

At which grade do the following reading skills
and strategies first receive a major emphasis in
instruction in your school?

Fill in one circle for each line.

Fill in one circle for each line.

Less than 25%

First grade or earlier

25–50%

51–75%

More than
75%

a) Recognize most of the
letters of the alphabet --------- 1 2 3 4
b) Read some words -------------- 1 2 3 4
c) Read sentences ---------------- 1 2 3 4
d) Write letters of the alphabet -- 1 2 3 4
e) Write some words ------------- 1 2 3 4
f) Count up to 100 or higher ----- 1 2 3 4
g) Recognize all 10 written
numbers from 1–10 ----------- 1 2 3 4
h) Write all 10 numbers
from 1–10 --------------------- 1 2 3 4

Second grade

Third grade

Fourth
grade

Not in
these
grades

a) Knowing letters of the
alphabet ----------------------- 1 2 3 4 5
b) Knowing letter-sound
relationships ------------------- 1 2 3 4 5
c) Reading words ----------------- 1 2 3 4 5
d) Reading isolated sentences --- 1 2 3 4 5
e) Reading connected text ------- 1 2 3 4 5
f) Locating information within
the text ------------------------ 1 2 3 4 5
g) Identifying the main idea
of a text ------------------------ 1 2 3 4 5
h) Explaining or supporting
understanding of a text ------- 1 2 3 4 5
i) Comparing a text with
personal experience ----------- 1 2 3 4 5
j) Comparing diff erent texts ----- 1 2 3 4 5
k) Making predictions about
what will happen next in
a text --------------------------- 1 2 3 4 5
l) Making generalizations and
drawing inferences based
on a text ----------------------- 1 2 3 4 5
m) Describing the style or
structure of a text ------------- 1 2 3 4 5
n) Determining the author’s
perspective or intention ------- 1 2 3 4 5

9

Grade 4 School Questionnaire

20
Compared with other areas of the curriculum (e.g.,
mathematics and science), how much emphasis
does your school place on teaching the following
language and literacy skills to students in grades 1
to 4?
Fill one circle for each line.
More emphasis

Same emphasis

Less emphasis

a) Reading ------------------------- 1 2 3
b) Writing (not handwriting) ----- 1 2 3
c) Speaking/listening
(oral language) ----------------- 1 2 3

21
For students in fourth-grade and below, does your
school make provisions for reading instruction in
mother tongue for students whose mother tongue
is not English?
Fill one circle only.

Yes---- 1

No---- 2

Thank You
Thank you for the thought, time, and effort you have
put into completing this questionnaire.

Grade 4 School Questionnaire

10

timssandpirls.bc.edu

TIMSS & PIRLS 2011
School
Questionnaire
Grade 4

© IEA, 2011
International Association
for the Evaluation of
Educational Achievement