PIRLS Teacher Questionnaire

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PIRLS 2011

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Teacher
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.

Teacher Questionnaire
Your school has agreed to participate in PIRLS

NCES is authorized to collect information from the

2011 (Progress in International Reading Literacy

questionnaire under the Education Sciences Reform

Study), an educational research project sponsored

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

by the International Association for the Evaluation

do not have to provide the information requested.

of Educational Achievement (IEA). PIRLS measures

However, the information you provide will help the

trends in student achievement in reading and studies

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

differences in national education systems in more than

understand better how the educational system in the

50 countries in order to help improve teaching and

United States compares to that in other countries.

learning worldwide.

There are no penalties should you choose not to

This questionnaire is addressed to teachers of

participate in this study. Your answers may be used only

fourth-grade students, and seeks information about

for statistical purposes and may not be disclosed, or

teachers’ academic and professional backgrounds,

used, in identifiable form for any other purpose (Public

classroom resources, instructional practices, and

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

attitudes toward teaching. Since your class has been

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

selected as part of a nationwide sample, your responses

will be combined with those from other participants to

are very important in helping to describe fourth-grade

produce summary statistics and reports.

education in the United States.
Some of the questions in the questionnaire refer to

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

the “PIRLS class” or “this class”. This is the class that is

and completing and reviewing the collection of

identified on the front of this booklet, and which will

information. An agency may not conduct or sponsor,

be tested as part of PIRLS in your school. If you teach

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

some but not all of the students in the PIRLS class,

of information unless it displays a currently valid

please think only of the students that you teach when

OMB control number. Send comments regarding this

answering these class-specific questions. It is important

burden estimate or any other aspect of this collection

that you answer each question carefully so that the

of information, including suggestions for reducing

information that you provide reflects your situation as

this burden, to: Stephen Provasnik, National Center

accurately as possible.

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

Since PIRLS is an international study and all
countries are using the same questionnaire, you may

1990 K Street NW, Room 9034, Washington, DC 200065650. Do not return the completed form to this address.

find that some of the questions seem unusual or are
not entirely relevant to you or schools in the United
States. Nevertheless, it is important that you do your
best to answer all of the questions so comparisons can

Thank you.

be made across countries in the studies.
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 PIRLS school coordinator.

PIRLS 2011

About You
1

5
By the end of this school year, how many years will
you have been teaching altogether?

A. During your college or university education, what
was your major or main area(s) of study?
Fill in one circle for each line.

_____________ years

Yes

Please round to the nearest whole number.

No

1
b) Education—Secondary ------------------------- 1
c) Mathematics ------------------------------------- 1
d) Science ------------------------------------------- 1
e) English ------------------------------------------- 1
f) Other --------------------------------------------- 1
a) Education—Primary/Elementary --------------

2
Are you female or male?
Fill in one circle only.

1
Male -- 2

Female --

2
2
2
2
2
2

3
How old are you?
Fill in one circle only.

1
25–29 -- 2
30–39 -- 3
40–49 -- 4
50–59 -- 5
60 or more -- 6
Under 25 --

B. If your major or main area of study was
education, did you have a specialization
in any of the following?
Fill in one circle for each line.
Yes
No

1
b) Science ------------------------------------------- 1
c) Language/reading ------------------------------- 1
d) Other subject ------------------------------------ 1
a) Mathematics -------------------------------------

2
2
2
2

4
What is the highest level of formal education you
have completed?
Fill in one circle only.

1
Completed high school --- 2

Did not complete high school ---

Completed a vocational/technical
certificate after high school ---

3

Completed an Associate’s degree (AA) in
vocational/technical program ---

4

Completed an academic Associate’s
degree (AA) or Bachelor’s degree ---

5

Completed an academic Master’s degree,
postgraduate certificate program (e.g.,
teaching) or first professional degree
(e.g., law, medicine, dentistry) ---

6
Completed a doctorate (Ph.D. or Ed.D) --- 7
Grade 4 Teacher Questionnaire

2

About Your School
7

6

Thinking about your current school, indicate the
extent to which you agree or disagree with each of
the following statements.

How would you characterize each of the following
within your school?
Fill in one circle for each line.

Fill in one circle for each line.

Very high

Agree a lot

High

Agree a little

Medium

Disagree a little

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

Disagree
a lot

Very
low

2

3 4

a) This school is located in
a safe neighborhood ---------- 1

5

d) Teachers’ expectations
for student
achievement ------------------- 1

2

3 4

5

e) Parental support for
student achievement ---------- 1

2

3 4

5

f) Parental involvement
in school activities ------------- 1

2

3 4

5

g) Students’ regard for
school property ---------------- 1

2

3 4

5

h) Students’ desire to do
well in school ------------------ 1

2

3 4

5

2
b) I feel safe at this school -------- 1 2

3 4
3 4

c) This school’s security policies
and practices are sufficient ---- 1

2

3 4

d) The students behave in an
orderly manner ---------------- 1

2

3 4

e ) The students are respectful
of the teachers ----------------- 1

2

3 4

8
In your current school, how severe is each problem?
Fill in one circle for each line.
Not a problem
Minor problem
Moderate problem
Serious
problem

a) The school building needs
significant repair -------------- 1

3

Grade 4 Teacher Questionnaire

2
b) Classrooms are overcrowded -- 1 2

3 4
3 4

c) Teachers have too many
teaching hours ----------------- 1

2

3 4

d) Teachers do not have
adequate workspace (e.g., for
preparation, collaboration,
or meeting with students) ---- 1

2

3 4

e) Teachers do not have
adequate instructional
materials and supplies -------- 1

2

3 4

About Being a Teacher
9

10

A. Do you use computers in your teaching in any of
the following ways?
Fill in one circle for each line.

How often do you have the following types of
interactions with other teachers?
Fill in one circle for each line.

Yes

Never or almost never
No

1 2
b) For administration ------------------------------- 1 2
c) In your classroom instruction ------------------- 1 2

2 or 3 times per month
1–3 times
per week

a) For preparation ----------------------------------

If Yes to “classroom instruction”
B. How much do you agree with the following
statements about using computers in your
classroom instruction?
Fill in one circle for each line.
Agree a lot
Agree a little
Disagree a little

Daily or
almost
daily

a) Discuss how to teach
a particular topic -------------- 1

2

3 4

b) Collaborate in planning
and preparing instructional
materials ----------------------- 1

2

3 4

c) Share what I have
learned about my
teaching experiences ---------- 1

2

3 4

d) Visit another classroom
to learn more about teaching - 1

2

3 4

e) Work together to
try out new ideas -------------- 1

2

3 4

Disagree
a lot

a) I feel comfortable using
computers in my teaching ---- 1

2

3 4

b) When I have technical
problems, I have ready
access to computer
support staff in my school ----- 1

2

3 4

c) I receive adequate
support for integrating
computers in my
teaching activities ------------- 1

2

3 4

Grade 4 Teacher Questionnaire

4

About Teaching the
PIRLS Class
11

12
How much do you agree with the following
statements?

A. How many students are in this class?
_____________ students

Fill in one circle for each line.

Write in a number.

Agree a lot
Agree a little
Disagree a little
Disagree
a lot

a) I am content with my profession
as a teacher -------------------- 1

2

3 4

b) I am satisfied with being a
teacher at this school ---------- 1

2

3 4

c) I had more enthusiasm when
I began teaching than I
have now ---------------------- 1

2

3 4

d) I do important work as
a teacher ----------------------- 1

2

3 4

2
f) I am frustrated as a teacher --- 1 2

3 4
3 4

e) I plan to continue as a
teacher for as long as I can ---- 1

B. How many of the students in #12A are in
fourth grade?
_____________ fourth-grade students

Write in a number.

13
How many fourth-grade students experience
difficulties understanding spoken English?
_____________ students in this class

Write in a number.

14
Which of the following subjects do you teach to this
class?
Fill in one circle for each line.
Yes
No

1 2
b) I teach the class mathematics ------------------- 1 2
c) I teach the class science ------------------------- 1 2
a) I teach the class English/reading ----------------

5

Grade 4 Teacher Questionnaire

15

16
How often do you do the following in teaching this
class?
Fill in one circle for each line.

In your view, to what extent do the following limit
how you teach this class?
Fill in one circle for each line.

Every or almost every lesson

Not applicable

About half the lessons

Not at all

Some lessons

Some

Never

a) Summarize what students
should have learned from
the lesson --------------------- 1

2

b) Relate the lesson to
students’ daily lives ----------- 1

A lot

3 4

a) Students lacking
prerequisite knowledge
or skills ------------------------ 1

2

3 4

2

3 4

b) Students suffering from
lack of basic nutrition --------- 1

2

3 4

c) Use questioning to elicit
reasons and explanations ----- 1

2

3 4

c) Students suffering from
not enough sleep -------------- 1

2

3 4

d) Encourage all students to
improve their performance --- 1

2

3 4

e) Praise students for
good effort -------------------- 1

2

3 4

f) Bring interesting materials
to class ------------------------- 1

2

3 4

2
e) Disruptive students ------------ 1 2
f) Uninterested students --------- 1 2

3 4
3 4
3 4

d) Students with special needs
(e.g., physical disabilities,
mental or emotional/
psychological impairment) --- 1

Grade 4 Teacher Questionnaire

6

17
For the typical student in this class, how often do
you do these things?
Fill in one circle for each line.
At least once a week
Once or twice a month
4–6 times a year
1–3 times
a year

7

Never

a) Meet or talk individually
with the student’s parents
to discuss his/her
learning progress -------------- 1

2

3 4

5

b) Send home a progress
report on the student’s
learning ------------------------ 1

2

3 4

5

Grade 4 Teacher Questionnaire

Teaching Reading to the PIRLS
Class
18

Questions 20 - 27 ask about reading instruction
for the fourth-grade students in this class.

A. In a typical week, how much time do you spend on
English language instruction and/or activities with
the students?
Include instruction or activities in reading, writing,
speaking, literature, and other language skills.

20
___________hours and ___________minutes per week

Write in the hours and minutes.

When you have reading instruction and/or do
reading activities, how often do you organize
students in the following ways?

B. What proportion of the time spent on English
language instruction and/or activities is spent on
the following skills?

Fill in one circle for each line.
Always or almost always
Often

Write in the percentage for each.

Sometimes
Never

a) Reading ------------------------------------------------- _____%
b) Grammar and spelling ---------------------------------- _____%
c) Writing composition ------------------------------------ _____%
d) Speaking and listening --------------------------------- _____%
e) Other ---------------------------------------------------- _____%
Total = 100%

19
Regardless of whether or not you have formally
scheduled time for reading instruction, in a typical
week about how much time do you spend on
reading instruction and/or activities with the
students?

a) I teach reading as a
whole-class activity ----------- 1

2
b) I create same-ability groups -- 1 2
c) I create mixed-ability groups -- 1 2

3 4
3 4
3 4

d) I use individualized
instruction for reading -------- 1

2

3 4

e) Students work independently
on an assigned plan or goal --- 1

2

3 4

f) Students work independently
on a goal they choose
themselves -------------------- 1

2

3 4

Include things you do across curriculum areas and
during formally scheduled time for reading instruction.
___________hours and ___________minutes per week
Write in the hours and minutes.

Grade 4 Teacher Questionnaire

8

21

23

A. How many fourth-grade students in this class need
remedial instruction in reading?

When you have reading instruction and/or do
reading activities with the students, how
do you use the following resources?

_____________fourth-grade students in this class

Fill in one circle for each line.

Write in a number.

Basis for instruction
Supplement

B. How many of the students in #21A receive
remedial instruction in reading?
_____________students

Write in a number.

22
Is there any provision for advanced readers to
receive additional or more challenging reading
instruction in your school?
Fill in one circle only.

1
No --- 2

Yes ---

9

Grade 4 Teacher Questionnaire

Not used

a) Textbooks ---------------------- 1

2

3

b) Reading series (e.g.,
basal readers,
graded readers) ---------------- 1

2

3

c) Workbooks or
worksheets -------------------- 1

2

3

d) A variety of children’s books
(e.g., novels, collections of
stories, nonfiction) ------------

1 2

3

e) Materials from different
curricular areas ----------------

1 2

3

f) Children’s newspapers
and/or magazines ------------- 1

2

3

g) Computer software for
reading instruction ------------ 1

2

3

h) Reference materials (e.g.,
encyclopedia, dictionary) ----- 1

2

3

24

25
When you have reading instruction and/or do
reading activities with the students, how often
do you have the students read the following
types of text (in print or electronically)?

When you have reading instruction and/or do
reading activities with the students, how often
do you do the following?
Fill in one circle for each line.

Fill in one circle for each line.

Every day or almost every day

Every day or almost every day

Once or twice a week

Once or twice a week

Once or twice a
month

Once or twice a
month
Never or
almost
never

A. Literary Reading Materials
a) Short stories (e.g., fables,
fairy tales, action stories,
science fiction,
detective stories) -------------- 1

Never or
almost
never

a) Read aloud to the class -------- 1
b) Ask students to read aloud

2

3 4

2
c) Plays --------------------------- 1 2
d) Other --------------------------- 1 2

3 4
3 4
3 4

b) Longer fiction books with
chapters ------------------------ 1

B. Informational Reading
Materials
a) Nonfiction subject area
books or textbooks ------------- 1

2

3 4

b) Longer nonfiction books with
chapters ------------------------ 1

2

3 4

c) Nonfiction articles that
describe and explain about
things, people, events, or
how things work -------------- 1

2

3 4

2
--- 1 2

3 4
3 4

c) Ask students to read silently
on their own ------------------- 1

2

3 4

d) Give students time to read
books of their own choosing -- 1

2

3 4

e) Teach students strategies for
decoding sounds and words -- 1

2

3 4

f) Teach students new
vocabulary systematically ----- 1

2

3 4

g) Teach or model skimming
or scanning strategies --------- 2

2

3 4

Grade 4 Teacher Questionnaire

10

26

27
How often do you ask the students to do the
following things to help develop reading
comprehension skills or strategies?

After students have read something, how often do
you ask them to do the following?
Fill in one circle for each line.

Fill in one circle for each line.

Every day or almost every day

Every day or almost every day

Once or twice a week

Once or twice a week

Once or twice a
month

Once or twice a
month
Never or
almost
never

a) Locate information within
the text ------------------------ 1
b) Identify the main ideas
of what they have read -------- 1
c) Explain or support their
understanding of what they
have read ---------------------- 1

11

2
2
2

3 4
3 4
3 4

d) Compare what they have
read with experiences they
have had ----------------------- 1

2

3 4

e) Compare what they have
read with other things they
have read ---------------------- 1

2

3 4

f) Make predictions about
what will happen next in the
text they are reading ---------- 1

2

3 4

g) Make generalizations and
draw inferences based on
what they have read ----------- 1

2

3 4

h) Describe the style or
structure of the text they
have read ---------------------- 1

2

3 4

i) Determine the author’s
perspective or intention ------- 1

2

3 4

Grade 4 Teacher Questionnaire

Never or
almost
never

a) Write something about or
in response to what they
have read ---------------------- 1

2

3 4

b) Answer oral questions
about or orally summarize
what they have read ----------- 1

2

3 4

c) Talk with each other about
what they have read ----------- 1

2

3 4

d) Take a written quiz or test
about what they have read ---- 1

2

3 4

Computer and Library Resources
28

29

A. Do the fourth-grade students in the PIRLS class
have computer(s) available to use during their
reading lessons?

A. Do you have a library or reading corner in your
classroom?
Fill in one circle only.

Fill in one circle only.

1
No --- 2

1
No --- 2

Yes ---

Yes ---

(If No, go to #30)

(If No, go to #29)

If Yes,

If Yes,

B. Do any of the computers have access to
the Internet?

B. About how many books are in your classroom
library?

Fill in one circle only.

Fill in one circle only.

1
No --- 2

Yes ---

1
26–50 -- 2
51–100 -- 3
More than 100 -- 4
0–25 --

C. How often do you have students do the following
computer activities during their reading lessons?
Fill in one circle for each line.
Every day or almost every day

C. About how many magazines with different titles
are in your classroom library?
Fill in one circle only.

Once or twice a week
Once or twice a
month
Never or
almost
never

a) Look up information ----------- 1

2

3 4

b) Read stories or other texts
on the computer --------------- 1

2

3 4

c) Use instructional software
to develop reading skills
and strategies ----------------- 1

2

3 4

d) Use the computer to
write stories or other texts ---- 1

2

3 4

1
1–2 -- 2
3–5 -- 3
More than 5 -- 4
0 --

D. How often do you give the students in your
class time to use the classroom library or
reading corner?
Fill in one circle only.

1
Once or twice a week --- 2
Once or twice a month --- 3
Never or almost never --- 4

Every day or almost every day --

E. Can the students borrow books from the classroom
library or reading corner to take home?
Fill in one circle only.

1
No --- 2

Yes ---

Grade 4 Teacher Questionnaire

12

Reading Homework
30
Questions 31 - 33 ask about homework for the
fourth-grade students in this class.

How often do you take or send the students to a
library other than your classroom library?
Fill in one circle only.

1
Once or twice a month --- 2
A few times a year --- 3
Never or almost never --- 4

At least once or twice a week ---

31
How often do you assign reading as part of
homework (for any subject)?
Fill in one circle only.

I do not assign reading
for homework ---

1
(If No, go to #34)

2
1 or 2 times a week --- 3
3 or 4 times a week --- 4
Every day --- 5

Less than once a week ---

32
In general, how much time do you expect students
to spend on homework involving reading (for any
subject) each time you assign it?
Fill in one circle only.

1
16–30 minutes --- 2
31–60 minutes --- 3
More than 60 minutes --- 4
15 minutes or less ---

33
How often do you do the following with the reading
homework assignments for this class?
Fill in one circle for each line.
Always or almost always
Sometimes
Never or
almost never

13

Grade 4 Teacher Questionnaire

a) Correct assignments and give
feedback to students ---------- 1

2

3

b) Discuss the homework
in class ------------------------- 1

2

3

c) Monitor whether or not the
homework was completed ---- 1

2

3

Reading Difficulties

Assessing Reading

Questions 34 - 35 ask about how you deal with
reading difficulties of fourth-grade students in
this class.

36
How much emphasis do you place on the
following sources to monitor students’
progress in reading?
Fill in one circle for each line.
Major emphasis
Some emphasis

34
Are the following resources available to you to work
with students who have difficulty with reading?
Fill in one circle for each line.
Always
Sometimes
Never

a) A specialized professional
(e.g., reading specialist,
speech therapist) -------------- 1

2
b) A teacher-aide ----------------- 1 2
c) An adult/parent volunteer ---- 1 2

3
3
3

Little or no
emphasis

a) Evaluation of students’
ongoing work ------------------ 1

2

3

b) Classroom tests (for
example, teacher-made
or textbook tests) -------------- 1

2

3

c) State or district
achievement tests ------------- 1

2

3

35
What do you usually do if a student begins to fall
behind in reading?
Fill in one circle for each line.
Yes
No

a) I have the student work with a specialized
professional (e.g., reading specialist,
speech therapist) --------------------------------

1 2

b) I wait to see if performance improves with
maturation ---------------------------------------

1 2

c) I spend more time working on reading
individually with that student ------------------

1 2

d) I ask the parents to help the student
with reading -------------------------------------

1 2

Grade 4 Teacher Questionnaire

14

Education in Teaching Reading
37

39
As part of your formal education and/or training, to
what extent did you study the following areas?

For your professional development, about how
often do you read children’s books?

Fill in one circle for each line.
Not at all
Overview or introduction
to topic
It was an area
of emphasis

a) English ------------------------- 1

g) Second language learning ---- 1

2
2
2
2
2
2
2

3
3
3
3
3
3
3

h) Assessment methods
in reading ---------------------- 1

2

3

b) Pedagogy/teaching reading -- 1
c) Educational psychology ------- 1
d) Remedial reading -------------- 1
e) Reading theory ---------------- 1
f) Special education -------------- 1

38
In the past two years, how many hours in total have
you spent in in-service/professional development
workshops or seminars that dealt directly with
reading or teaching reading (e.g., reading theory,
instructional methods)?
Fill in one circle only.

1
Less than 6 hours --- 2
6–15 hours --- 3
16–35 hours --- 4
More than 35 hours --- 5
None ---

15

Grade 4 Teacher Questionnaire

Fill in one circle only.

1
Once or twice a month --- 2
Once or twice a year --- 3
Never or almost never --- 4
At least once a week ---

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

THIS PAGE LEFT BLANK ON PURPOSE

THIS PAGE LEFT BLANK ON PURPOSE

timssandpirls.bc.edu

PIRLS 2011
Teacher
Questionnaire
Grade 4

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