SASS 2011-12 School Materials and Questionnaires

OMB No. 1850-0598: Approval Expires xx/xx/201X
Conducted by:
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
Economics and Statistics Administration
U.S. CENSUS BUREAU

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
National Center for Education Statistics

PRINCIPAL QUESTIONNAIRE
SCHOOLS AND STAFFING SURVEY
2011-12 SCHOOL YEAR

(Please correct any errors in name, address, and ZIP Code.)

THIS SURVEY HAS BEEN ENDORSED BY:
TO BE DETERMINED

NOTICE> This survey is authorized by the Education Sciences Reform Act of 2002, 20
U.S.C . §9541(b) and §9543(a).
1

DEAR PRINCIPAL:
The Schools and Staffing Survey is the largest sample survey of America's elementary and secondary schools. Your
participation is important. Below are answers to some general questions.
WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF THIS SURVEY?
The purpose of this survey is to obtain information about principals, such as principals' experience and training,
hours worked, and instructional priorities.
WHO IS CONDUCTING THIS SURVEY?
The U.S. Census Bureau is conducting this survey for the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) of
the U.S. Department of Education.
WHY SHOULD YOU PARTICIPATE IN THIS SURVEY?
Policymakers and educational leaders rely on data from this survey to inform their decisions concerning K-12
schools. Because it is a sample survey, your responses represent the responses of many. Higher response rates give
us confidence that the findings are accurate.
WILL YOUR RESPONSES BE KEPT CONFIDENTIAL?
Your responses are protected from disclosure by federal statute (20 U.S.C., § 9573). All responses that relate to or
describe identifiable characteristics of individuals may be used only for statistical purposes and may not be
disclosed, or used, in identifiable form for any other purpose, unless otherwise compelled by law.
HOW WILL YOUR INFORMATION BE REPORTED?
The information you provide will be combined with the information provided by others in statistical reports.
No individually-identifiable data will be included in the statistical reports.
WHERE SHOULD YOU MAIL YOUR COMPLETED QUESTIONNAIRE?
Please return your completed questionnaire in the enclosed pre-addressed, postage-paid envelope or mail it to:
U.S. CENSUS BUREAU
ATTN: DCB 60A
1201 E. 10th STREET
JEFFERSONVILLE, IN 47132-0001
WE HOPE YOU WILL PARTICIPATE IN THIS VOLUNTARY SURVEY.
SINCERELY,
JACK BUCKLEY
COMMISSIONER FOR EDUCATION STATISTICS
NATIONAL CENTER FOR EDUCATION STATISTICS

Paperwork Burden Statement
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 1850-0598. The time required to complete this information collection is estimated to
average 45 minutes per response, including the time spent 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 this form, please write to: U.S. Department of
Education, Washington, DC 20202-4537. If you have comments or concerns about the contents of this
questionnaire, e-mail: [email protected], or write directly to: Schools and Staffing Survey, National Center for
Education Statistics, 1990 K Street, N.W., #9018, Washington, DC 20006.

2

INSTRUCTIONS
The data you enter on this form will be captured through the use of imaging technology. Please print
all information clearly in ordinary characters, using a black ballpoint pen.

Correct marking
example – (Use care to
keep characters in their
designated spaces.)

Incorrect marking
example –

a.

It is important that this questionnaire be completed by the school PRINCIPAL, not by
anyone else.

b.

Please do not write any comments by the answer boxes.

c.

If you are unsure about how to answer a question, please give the best answer you can rather
than leaving it blank.

d.

If you have any questions, call the U.S. Census Bureau at 1-800-221-1204. Someone will be
available to take your call Monday through Friday, between 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. (Eastern
Time). The U.S. Census Bureau is also available to answer your questions via e-mail at:
[email protected].

YOUR COMMENTS
_____Write In_____

I PRINCIPAL EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING
3

1. PRIOR to this school year, how many years did you serve as the principal of THIS OR
ANY OTHER school?
Count part of a year as 1 year.
If none, please mark (X) the box.
__ None or __ __ Year(s) as principal of this or any other school
2. PRIOR to this school year, how many years did you serve as the principal of THIS
school?
Count part of a year as 1 year.
If none, please mark (X) the box.
__ None or __ __ Year(s) as principal of this school
3. Before you became a principal, how many years of elementary or secondary teaching
experience did you have?
Count part of a year as 1 year.
If none, please mark (X) the box.
__ None or __ __ Year(s) of teaching before becoming a principal
4. SINCE becoming a principal, how many years of elementary or secondary teaching
experience have you had?
Count part of a year as 1 year.
If none, please mark (X) the box.
__ None GO TO item 6 below.
__ __ Year(s) of teaching since becoming a principal
5. In addition to serving as principal, are you currently teaching in this school?
__ Yes
__ No
6. BEFORE you became a principal, did you hold the following school positions?
Include temporary positions.
a. Department head
__ Yes
__ No
b. Curriculum specialist or coordinator
__ Yes
__ No
c. Assistant principal or program director
__ Yes
__ No
d. Guidance counselor
__ Yes
__ No
6. Continued – BEFORE you became a principal, did you hold the following school
4

positions?
e. Library media specialist/Librarian
__ Yes
__ No
f. Athletic coach/Athletic director
__ Yes
__ No
g. Sponsor for student clubs, debate teams
__ Yes
__ No
7. Before you became a principal, did you participate in any district or school training or
development program for ASPIRING school principals?
__ Yes
__ No
8. Do you currently hold a license/certificate in “school administration”?
__ Yes
__ No
9. Before you became a principal, did you have any management experience outside of the
field of education?
__ Yes
__ No

Table 1. Major Fields of Study Codes
5

For Questions 10c, 10e, and 11c
General Education
Elementary Education
101
Early childhood or pre-K, general
102
Elementary grades, general
Secondary Education
103
Middle grades, general
104
Secondary grades, general
Special Education
110
Special education, any

Other Education
131
Administration
132
Counseling and guidance
133
Educational psychology
134
Policy studies
135
School psychology
136
Other non-subject-matter-specific education

Subject-matter Specific
Arts and Music
141
Art or arts and crafts
142
Art history
143
Dance
144
Drama or theater
145
Music
English and Language Arts
151
Communications
152
Composition
153
English
154
Journalism
155
Language arts
156
Linguistics
157
Literature or literary criticism
158
Reading
159
Speech
English as a Second Language (ESL)
160
ESL or bilingual education: General
161
ESL or bilingual education: Spanish
162
ESL or bilingual education: Other
languages
Foreign Languages
171
French
172
German
173
Latin
174
Spanish
175
Other foreign language
Health Education
181
Health education
182
Physical education
Mathematics and Computer Science
190
Mathematics
197
Computer science
Natural Sciences
211
Biology or life sciences
212
Chemistry
213
Earth sciences
214
Engineering
217
Physics
218
Other natural sciences

Social Sciences
220
Social studies, general
221
Anthropology
222
Area or ethnic studies (excluding Native
American Studies)
223
Criminal justice
224
Cultural studies
225
Economics
226
Geography
227
Government or civics
228
History
229
International studies
230
Law
231
Native American studies
232
Political science
233
Psychology
234
Sociology
235
Other social sciences
Career or Technical Education
241
Agriculture and natural resources
242
Business management
243
Business support
244
Marketing and distribution
245
Healthcare occupations
246
Construction trades, engineering, or science
technologies (including CADD and drafting)
247
Mechanics and repair
249
Manufacturing or precision production
(electronics, metalwork, textiles, etc.)
250
Communications and related technologies (including
design, graphics, or printing; not including computer
science)
253
Personal and public services (including
culinary arts, cosmetology, child care,
social work, protective services, custodial services, and
interior design)
254
Family and consumer sciences education
255
Industrial arts or technology education
256
Other career or technical education
Miscellaneous
261
Architecture
263
Humanities or liberal studies
264
Library or information science
265
Military science or ROTC
266
Philosophy
267
Religious studies, theology, or divinity
Other
268
Other

6

II PRINCIPAL EDUCATION AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
10a. Do you have a bachelor’s degree?
__ Yes
__ NoGO TO item 12 below.
b. Was this degree awarded by a university’s Department or College of Education, or a college’s
Department or School of Education?
__ Yes
__ No
c. What was your major field of study?
Record the field of study code and the field name from Table 1 on page 6.
__ __ __Code
_____(Write In)_____ Major
d. Did you have a second major field of study?
Do not report academic minors or concentrations.
__ Yes
__ NoGO TO item 11a below.
e. What was your second major field of study?
Record the field of study code and the field name from Table 1 on page 6.
Do not report academic minors or concentrations.
__ __ __Code
_____(Write In)_____ Major
11a. Do you have a master’s degree?
__ Yes
__ NoGO TO item 12 below.
b. Was this degree awarded by a university’s Department or College of Education, or a college’s
Department or School of Education?
__ Yes
__ No
c. What was your major field of study?
Record the field of study code and the field name from Table 1 on page 6.
__ __ __Code
_____(Write In)_____ Major
12. What is the highest degree you have earned?
Mark (X) only one box.
__ Do not have a degree
__ Associate degree
__ Bachelor’s degree (B.A., B.S., etc.)
__ Master’s degree (M.A., M.A.T., M.B.A., M.Ed., M.S., etc.)
__ Educational specialist or professional diploma (at least one year beyond master’s level)
__ Doctorate or first professional degree (Ph.D., Ed.D., M.D., L.L.B., J.D., D.D.S.)

7

13. In the past 12 months, have you participated in any professional development activities related to
your role as a principal?
__ Yes
__ No
14. In the past 12 months, have YOU participated in the following kinds of professional development?
a. University course(s) related to your role as principal
__ Yes
__ No
b. Visits to other schools designed to improve your own work as principal
__ Yes
__ No
c. Individual or collaborative research on a topic of interest to you professionally
__ Yes
__ No
d. Mentoring and/or peer observation and coaching of principals, as part of a formal arrangement that
is recognized or supported by the school or district?
__ Yes
__ No
e. Participating in a principal network (e.g., a group of principals organized by an outside agency or
through the Internet)
__ Yes
__ No
f. Workshops, conferences, or training in which you were a presenter
__ Yes
__ No
g. Other workshops or conferences in which you were not a presenter
__ Yes
__ No

YOUR COMMENTS
_____Write In_____

8

III GOALS AND DECISION MAKING
15. We are interested in the importance you place on various educational goals. From the following ten
goals, which do you consider the most important, the second most important, and the third most
important?
1- Building basic literacy skills (reading, math, writing, speaking)
2- Encouraging academic excellence
3- Preparing students for postsecondary education
4- Promoting occupational or vocational skills
5- Promoting good work habits and self-discipline
6- Promoting personal growth (self-esteem, self-knowledge, etc.)
7- Promoting human relations skills
8- Promoting specific moral values
9- Promoting multicultural awareness or understanding
10- Fostering religious or spiritual development
__ __ Most important
__ __ Second most important
__ __ Third most important

16. How much ACTUAL influence do you think you have as a principal on decisions concerning the
following activities?
Mark (X) one box on each line.
No
Minor
Moderate
Major
Not
influence
influence
influence
influence
applicable
a. Setting performance standards
__
__
__
__
__
for students of this school
b. Establishing curriculum at this
__
__
__
__
__
school
c. Determining the content of in__
__
__
__
__
service professional development
programs for teachers of this
school
d. Evaluating teachers of this
__
__
__
__
__
school
e. Hiring new full-time teachers of
__
__
__
__
__
this school
f. Setting discipline policy at this
__
__
__
__
__
school
g. Deciding how your school budget
__
__
__
__
__
will be spent

9

IV TEACHER AND AIDE PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
17. Does this school provide TEACHERS with time for professional development during regular
contract hours?
__ Yes
__ NoGO TO item 19 on page 11.
18. Are the following used to provide teachers in this school with time for professional development
during regular contract hours?
a. Substitute teachers to cover teachers’ classes
__ Yes
__ No
b. Early dismissal or late start for students
__ Yes
__ No
c. Professional days built in before the beginning of the students’ school year
__ Yes
__ No
d. Professional days built in during the students’ school year
__ Yes
__ No
e. Professional days built in after the students’ school year
__ Yes
__ No
f. Common planning time for teachers for professional development
__ Yes
__ No
g. Reduced teacher work loads (less time in the classroom with students or less time on assigned noninstructional duties) for professional development
__ Yes
__ No

10

19. How often is professional development for teachers at this school –
Mark (X) one box on each line.
Never Rarely Sometimes Frequently Always
a. Designed or chosen to support the school’s
__
__
__
__
__
improvement goals?
b. Designed or chosen to support the district’s
__
__
__
__
__
improvement goals?
c. Designed or chosen to support the implementation
__
__
__
__
__
of state or local standards?
d. Evaluated for evidence of improvement in student
__
__
__
__
__
achievement?
e. Considered part of teachers’ regular work?
__
__
__
__
__
f. Planned by teachers in this school or district?

__

__

__

__

__

g. Presented by teachers in this school or district?

__

__

__

__

__

h. Accompanied by the resources that teachers need
(e.g., time and materials) to make changes in the
classroom?

__

__

__

__

__

20. Does this school provide INSTRUCTIONAL AIDES with time for professional development during
regular contract hours?
(Instructional aides assist teachers in the classroom and are sometimes called paraprofessionals.)
__ Yes
__ No
__ No instructional aides in this school
YOUR COMMENTS
_____Write In_____

11

V SCHOOL CLIMATE AND SAFETY
21. LAST school year (2010-11), how many students were expelled from this school, that is, removed or
transferred for at least the remainder of the school year?
If none, please mark (X) the box.
__ None or __ __ __ Students
22. What was the total number of suspensions during the LAST school year (2010-11)?
(Out-of-school suspensions include student removal from the school for disciplinary purposes temporarily, for
the remainder of the school year, or longer according to policy.)
Include in-school and out-of-school suspensions.
If none, please mark (X) the box.
__ None or __, __ __ __ Suspensions
23. THIS school year (2011-12), is it the practice of this school to do the following?
a. Control access to school buildings during school hours (e.g., locked or monitored doors)
__ Yes
__ No
b. Control access to school grounds during school hours (e.g., locked or monitored gates)
__ Yes
__ No
c. Require students to pass through metal detectors each day
__ Yes
__ No
d. Perform one or more random metal detector checks on students
__ Yes
__ No
e. Close the campus for most or all students during lunch
__ Yes
__ No
f. Use one or more random dog sniffs to check for drugs
__ Yes
__ No
g. Perform one or more random sweeps for contraband (e.g., drugs or weapons), but not including dog
sniffs
__ Yes
__ No
h. Require students to wear uniforms
__ Yes
__ No
12

23. Continued – THIS school year (2011-12), is it the practice of this school to do the following?
i. Enforce a strict dress code
__ Yes
__ No
j. Require clear book bags or ban book bags on school grounds
__ Yes
__ No
k. Require students to wear badges or picture IDs
__ Yes
__ No
l. Use one or more security cameras to monitor the school
__ Yes
__ No
m. Maintain a daily presence of police or security personnel
__ Yes
__ No
24. THIS school year (2011-12), does this school have any of the following?
a. Programs or activities where students participate in the community during or after normal school
hours (e.g., service learning and community service projects)
__ Yes
__ No
b. Programs to acknowledge student achievement (e.g., assemblies, principal list/honor roll, or student
of the week/month)
__ Yes
__ No
c. An incentive/reward program that encourages students’ academic success (e.g., pizza parties, cash
for grades)
__ Yes
__ No
d. A program designed to help students prepare for the next grade or college
__ Yes
__ No

13

25. To the best of your knowledge, how often do the following types of problems occur at this school?
Mark (X) one box on each line.
Happens at Happens at Happens
Happens
Never
least once a least once a
on
daily
happens
week
month
occasion
a. Physical conflicts among students
__
__
__
__
__
b. Robbery or theft

__

__

__

__

__

c. Vandalism

__

__

__

__

__

d. Student use of alcohol

__

__

__

__

__

e. Student use of illegal drugs

__

__

__

__

__

f. Student possession of weapons

__

__

__

__

__

g. Physical abuse of teachers

__

__

__

__

__

h. Student racial tensions

__

__

__

__

__

i. Student bullying

__

__

__

__

__

j. Student verbal abuse of teachers

__

__

__

__

__

k. Widespread disorder in classrooms

__

__

__

__

__

l. Student acts of disrespect for teachers

__

__

__

__

__

m. Gang activities

__

__

__

__

__

14

26. LAST SCHOOL YEAR (2010-11), what percentage of students had at least one parent or guardian
participating in the following events?
Mark (X) one box on each line.
0-25%

26-50%

51-75%

76-100%

a. Open house or back-to-school night

__

__

__

__

Not
applicable
__

b. All regularly scheduled schoolwide
parent-teacher conferences
c. Special subject-area events (e.g.,
science fair, concerts)
d. Parent education workshops or
courses

__

__

__

__

__

__

__

__

__

__

__

__

__

__

__

e. Signing of a school-parent compact
(This is an agreement between school
community members [e.g., parents,
principals, teachers, and students] that
acknowledges the shared responsibility
for student learning and/or the school’s
policies)
f. Volunteer in the school as needed or
on a regular basis
g. Involvement in school instructional
issues (e.g., planning classroom
learning activities, providing feedback
on curriculum)
h. Involvement in governance (e.g.,
PTA or PTO meetings, school board,
parent booster clubs)
i. Involvement in budget decisions

__

__

__

__

__

__

__

__

__

__

__

__

__

__

__

__

__

__

__

__

__

__

__

__

__

27. THIS school year (2011-12), does this school have the following?
a. A staff member assigned to work on parent involvement
__ Yes
__ No
b. Workshops or courses for parents or guardians
__ Yes
__ No
c. Services to support parent participation, such as providing child care or transportation
__ Yes
__ No

15

27. Continued – THIS school year (2011-12), does this school have the following?
d. A parent drop-in center or lounge
__ Yes
__ No

16

VI INSTRUCTIONAL TIME
28. Does this school have students enrolled in the THIRD GRADE?
__ Yes
__ NoGO TO item 31 on page 18.
29. How long is the TYPICAL FULL WEEK of school for THIRD GRADE students?
Report BOTH hours and minutes, e.g., 30 hours and 0 minutes, 32 hours and 54 minutes, etc.
__ __ Hours per week AND __ __ Minutes per week
30. During a TYPICAL FULL WEEK of school, approximately how many minutes do most THIRD
GRADE students spend on the following activities at this school?
Please use your best estimate for the planned time spent for most regular students in the typical third grade
classroom.
If most third grade students have courses taught on a rotational schedule, calculate typical course time based
on the following example: For a course taught 60 minutes a week for half the year, respond with 30 minutes
per week.
Do not include time spent on additional tutoring or remedial instruction for students receiving special
services.
Total should not exceed the number of minutes calculated from your response to question 29. For example, if
the typical school week is 35 hours, the total should not exceed 2100 minutes (35 hours x 60 minutes).
If your school does not offer a particular activity for third grade students during the typical week, mark (X)
the "None" box.
a. Combined TOTAL of English, reading, or language arts
__ None or __, __ __ __ Minutes per week1. Of these minutes, how many were designated for reading
instruction?
Record response, then GO TO item 30b below.
__ None or __, __ __ __ Minutes per week
b. Arithmetic or mathematics
__ None or __, __ __ __ Minutes per week
c. Social studies or history
__ None or __, __ __ __ Minutes per week
d. Science
__ None or __, __ __ __ Minutes per week
e. Foreign language (Not English as a Second Language [ESL])
__ None or __, __ __ __ Minutes per week
f. Physical education
__ None or __, __ __ __ Minutes per week
g. Music
__ None or __, __ __ __ Minutes per week

17

30. Continued – During a TYPICAL FULL WEEK of school, approximately how many minutes do most
THIRD GRADE students spend on the following activities at this school?
h. Art
__ None or __, __ __ __ Minutes per week
i. Recess
Do not include time allocated for lunch.
__ None or __, __ __ __ Minutes per week
31. Does this school have students enrolled in the EIGHTH GRADE?
__ Yes
__ NoGO TO section VII on page 19.
32. How long is the TYPICAL FULL WEEK of school for EIGHTH GRADE students?
Report BOTH hours and minutes, e.g., 30 hours and 0 minutes, 32 hours and 54 minutes, etc.
__ __ Hours per week AND __ __ Minutes per week
33. During a TYPICAL FULL WEEK of school, approximately how many minutes do most EIGHTH
GRADE students spend on the following activities at this school?
Please use your best estimate for the planned time spent for most regular students in the typical eighth grade
classroom.
If most eighth grade students have courses taught on a rotational schedule, calculate typical course time
based on the following example: For a course taught 60 minutes a week for half the year, respond with 30
minutes per week.
Do not include time spent on additional tutoring or remedial instruction for students receiving special
services.
Total should not exceed the number of minutes calculated from your response to question 32. For example, if
the typical school week is 35 hours, the total should not exceed 2100 minutes (35 hours x 60 minutes).
If your school does not offer a particular activity for eighth grade students during the typical week, mark (X)
the "None" box.
a. Combined TOTAL of English, reading, or language arts
__ None or __, __ __ __ Minutes per week1. Of these minutes, how many were designated for reading
instruction only?
Record response, then GO TO item 33b below.
__ None or __, __ __ __ Minutes per week
b. Arithmetic or mathematics
__ None or __, __ __ __ Minutes per week
c. Social studies or history
__ None or __, __ __ __ Minutes per week
d. Science
__ None or __, __ __ __ Minutes per week

18

VII. WORKING CONDITIONS AND PRINCIPAL PERCEPTIONS
34. Including hours spent during the school day, before and after school, and on the weekends, how
many hours do you spend on ALL school-related activities during a typical FULL WEEK at THIS
school?
__ __ __ Total WEEKLY hours spent on school-related activities
35. How many total hours do you spend interacting with students during a typical FULL WEEK at this
school?
Include both formal and informal interactions.
__ __ __ Total WEEKLY hours
36. On average throughout the school year, what percentage of time do you estimate that you spend on
the following tasks in this school?
Rough estimates are sufficient.
Please write a percentage in each row. Write 0 if none.
Responses should add up to 100%.
a. __ __ __ % Internal administrative tasks, including human resource/personnel issues, regulations, reports,
school budget
b. __ __ __ % Curriculum and teaching-related tasks, including teaching, lesson preparation, classroom
observations, mentoring teachers
c. __ __ __ % Student interactions, including discipline and academic guidance
d. __ __ __ % Parent interactions, including formal and informal interactions
f. __ __ __ % Other  please specify ____________________________
100% Total
37. How many days per year are you required to work under your current contract?
Include professional development, student contact days, and any other days covered by your contract.
__ __ __ Days per contract year
38. Are you represented under a meet-and-confer agreement or a collective bargaining agreement?
("Meet-and-confer" discussions are for the purpose of reaching non-legally-binding agreements. Collective
bargaining agreements are legally-binding agreements.)
Mark (X) only one box.
__ Yes, meet-and-confer
__ Yes, collective bargaining
__ No
39. How long do you plan to remain a principal?
Mark (X) only one box.
__As long as I am able
__Until I am eligible for retirement benefits from this job
__Until I am eligible for retirement benefits from a previous job
__Until I am eligible for Social Security benefits
__Until a specific life event occurs (e.g., children graduate from college, relocation)
__Until a more desirable job opportunity comes along
__Definitely plan to leave as soon as I can
__Undecided at this time
19

40a. Were you, or are you going to be, rated in a formal evaluation this school year?
40b.

Yes -- GO TO 40b
No -- GO TO 41
Are student test scores or test score growth included in your formal evaluation?

Yes
No
41. How often are you evaluated formally?
Twice or more times per year
Once a year
Once every 2 years
Once every 3 or more years

20

VIII TEACHER AND SCHOOL PERFORMANCE
42. In your opinion, are the following considered barriers to the dismissal of poor-performing or
incompetent teachers in this school?
a. Personnel policies
__ Yes
__ No
b. Termination decisions not upheld
__ Yes
__ No
c. Length of time required for termination process
__ Yes
__ No
d. Effort required for documentation
__ Yes
__ No
e. Tight deadlines for completing documentation
__ Yes
__ No
f. Tenure
__ Yes
__ No
g. Teacher associations or unions
__ Yes
__ No
h. Dismissal is too stressful and/or uncomfortable for you
__ Yes
__ No
i. Difficulty in obtaining suitable replacements
__ Yes
__ No
j. Resistance from parents
__ Yes
__ No

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43a. How frequently are INFORMAL classroom observations typically conducted on tenured or
experienced teachers of grades K-12 or comparable ungraded levels?
Mark (X) only one box.
__ At least once a week
__ Once or twice a month
__ A few times a year
__ No informal observations are typically conducted
b. How frequently are INFORMAL classroom observations typically conducted on non-tenured or new
teachers of grades K-12 or comparable ungraded levels?
Mark (X) only one box.
__ At least once a week
__ Once or twice a month
__ A few times a year
__ No informal observations are typically conducted
44a. How many FORMAL classroom observations are typically conducted prior to completing an
evaluation on a tenured or experienced teacher of grades K-12 or comparable ungraded levels?
If none, please mark (X) the box.
__ None or __ __ Total observations
b. How many FORMAL classroom observations are typically conducted prior to completing an
evaluation on a non-tenured or new teacher of grades K-12 or comparable ungraded levels?
If none, please mark (X) the box.
__ None or __ __ Total observations
45a. How long is the typical FORMAL classroom observation that occurs prior to completing an
evaluation on a tenured or experienced teacher of grades K-12 or comparable ungraded levels?
If none, please mark (X) the box.
__ None or __ __ __ Minutes per classroom observation
b. How long is the typical FORMAL classroom observation that occurs prior to completing an
evaluation on a non-tenured or new teacher of grades K-12 or comparable ungraded levels?
If none, please mark (X) the box.
__ None or __ __ __ Minutes per classroom observation
46a. For tenured or experienced K-12 teachers, how frequently are teachers rated in FORMAL
evaluations?
Consider only formal evaluations in your answer to this question, not informal evaluations or number of times
observations are conducted. If tenured or experienced K-12 teachers in your school do not receive formal
evaluations, select “No formal evaluations are required.”
Mark (X) only one box.
__ Twice or more per year
__ Once a year
__ Once every 2 years
__ Once every 3 – 4 years
__ Once every 5 or more years
__ No formal evaluations are required
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b. For non-tenured or new K-12 teachers, how frequently are teachers rated in FORMAL evaluations?
Consider only formal evaluations in your answer to this question, not informal evaluations or number of times
observations are conducted. If non-tenured K-12 teachers in your school do not receive formal evaluations,
select “No formal evaluations are required.”
Mark (X) only one box.
__ Twice or more per year
__ Once a year
__ Once every 2 years
__ Once every 3 or more years
__ No formal evaluations are required
47. Did you answer “No formal evaluations are required” to both item 44a AND 44b?
__ Yes  GO TO item 50 on page 24.
__ No  GO TO item 48 below.
48. Are any of the following types of information included in the formal evaluation of any regular
classroom teachers of grades K-12 and comparable ungraded levels?
a. Evaluation by the principal
__ Yes

(1) Which best describes the type of evaluation:
__ Checklist evaluation (Evaluation is based on satisfactory or
unsatisfactory ratings of teacher competencies and behaviors.)
__ Standards-based evaluation (Evaluation is based on a certain standard
that is established by district or school policy-makers as being essential
to effective teaching.)
__ Both
__ No  GO TO item 48b below.
b. Evaluation by peers
__ Yes

(1) Which best describes the type of evaluation:
__ Checklist evaluation (Evaluation is based on satisfactory or
unsatisfactory ratings of teacher competencies and behaviors.)
__ Standards-based evaluation (Evaluation is based on a certain standard
that is established by district or school policy-makers as being essential
to effective teaching.)
__ Both
.
__ No  GO TO item 48c below.
c. Evaluation by the vice principal or assistant principal
__ Yes
__ No
d. Evaluation by an outside group (e.g., consultant)
__ Yes
__ No

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48. Continued – Are any of the following types of information included in the formal evaluation of any
regular classroom teachers of grades K-12 and comparable ungraded levels?
e. Conference with the principal
__ Yes
__ No
f. Teacher self-evaluation
__ Yes
__ No
g. Students’ test scores or test score growth
__ Yes
__ No
h. Student ratings of the teacher
__ Yes
__ No
i. Teacher’s portfolio of examples of student learning (e.g., student essays, lab reports)
__ Yes
__ No
j. Completion of professional development activities
__ Yes
__ No
k. Other  please specify ______________________
49. Are teachers’ evaluations used, at least in part, to determine a teacher’s compensation?
__ Yes
__ No
50. At the end of the LAST school year (2010-11), did this school make Adequate Yearly Progress
(AYP)?
(Adequate Yearly Progress is your state’s measure of yearly progress toward achieving state academic
standards.)
__ YesGO TO item 52 on page 25.
__ No
51. At the end of the LAST school year (2010-11), was this school identified for improvement due to
Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) requirements?
(A school is identified for improvement if it does not make Adequate Yearly Progress for two consecutive
years or more in the same content area.)
__ Yes
__ No

24

IX DEMOGRAPHIC INFORMATION
52. Are you male or female?
__ Male
__ Female
53. Are you of Hispanic or Latino origin?
__ Yes
__ No
54a. What is your race?
Mark (X) one or more races to indicate what you consider yourself to be.
__ White
 GO TO item 55below.
__ Black or African-American
 GO TO item 55 below.
__ Asian
 GO TO item 55 below.
__ Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander
 GO TO item 55 below.
__ American Indian or Alaska Native
 GO TO item 54b below.
b. Are you enrolled in a state- or federally-recognized tribe?
__ Yes
__ No
55. What is your year of birth?
19 __ __
56. What is your current ANNUAL salary for your position in this school before taxes and deductions?
If your position includes multiple duties (e.g., you teach a class and serve as principal at this school), please
include your entire salary before taxes and deductions.
Please report in whole dollars.
$__ __ __, __ __ __.00 per year

25

X CONTACT INFORMATION
57. The survey you have completed may involve a brief follow-up next school year in order to gain
information on principals’ movements in the labor force. The following information would assist us in
contacting you if you have moved or changed jobs. Please keep in mind that all information provided
here is strictly confidential and will only be used in the event that we need to contact you for follow-up.
Your responses are protected from disclosure by federal statute (P.L. 107-279, Title I, Part C, Sec. 183).
All responses that relate to or describe identifiable characteristics of individuals may be used only for
statistical purposes and may not be disclosed, or used, in identifiable form for any other purpose, unless
otherwise compelled by law.
Please PRINT your name, your home address, your telephone number, the most convenient time to
reach you, and your work and home e-mail addresses.
a. First Name
__ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __
Middle Name
__ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __
Last Name
__ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __

Suffix
__ __ __ __ __

b. Street address
__ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __

c. City
__ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __
d. State
__ __
e. ZIP Code + 4
__ __ __ __ __-__ __ __ __
f. Work telephone
AREA CODE TELEPHONE NUMBER
__ __ __ - __ __ __ - __ __ __ __
g. Mobile telephone
AREA CODE TELEPHONE NUMBER
__ __ __ - __ __ __ - __ __ __ __
h. Home telephone
AREA CODE TELEPHONE NUMBER
__ __ __ - __ __ __ - __ __ __ __

26

57. Continued –
i. Work e-mail address
_______________________________________
j. Home e-mail address
_______________________________________
58. Please enter the date you completed this questionnaire.
Report month as a number, that is, 01 for January, 02 for February, etc.
Month
Day
Year
__ __
__ __
201__

27

Thank you very much for your participation
in this survey. If you have any questions,
please contact us, toll-free, at: 1-800-221-1204
or by e-mail at: [email protected].
To learn more about this survey and to
access reports from earlier collections, see
the Schools and Staffing Survey (SASS) website at:
http://nces.ed.gov/surveys/sass
Additional data collected by the National
Center for Education Statistics (NCES) on
a variety of topics in elementary,
secondary, postsecondary, and
international education are available
from NCES’ website at:
http://nces.ed.gov
For additional data collected by various
Federal agencies, including the
Department of Education, visit the
Federal Statistics clearinghouse at:
http://www.fedstats.gov

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