Progress in International Reading Literacy Study (PIRLS 2016) Main Study

APPENDIX C
PIRLS Background Questionnaires

Table of Contents
School Questionnaire ................................................................................................................................... 2
Teacher Questionnaire ............................................................................................................................... 14
Student Questionnaire ............................................................................................................................... 30
ePIRLS Student Questionnaire ................................................................................................................... 54

Identification Label

PROGRESS IN INTERNATIONAL READING LITERACY STUDY

School
Questionnaire
Grade 4
National Center for Education Statistics
U.S. Department of Education
550 12th St., SW, 4th floor
Washington, DC 20024

© IEA, 2015

The National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), within the U.S. Department
of Education, is authorized to conduct this study under the Education Sciences
Reform Act of 2002 (ESRA 2002, 20 U.S.C., § 9543). The data are being collected
for NCES by RTI International, a nonprofit research organization based in North
Carolina. The collected data may be used only for statistical purposes and may not
be disclosed or used, in identifiable form, for any other purpose except as required
by law (ESRA 2002, 20 U.S.C., § 9573). The collected information will be combined
across respondents to produce statistical reports.

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 voluntary survey is 1850-0645. The time required to complete this survey 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 survey. If you have any
comments or concerns regarding the accuracy of the time estimate(s), suggestions for improving the form, or the status of your individual submission of this form,
write directly to: Progress in International Reading Literacy Study (PIRLS), National Center for Education Statistics, PCP, 550 12th St., SW, 4th floor, Washington, DC
20024.
OMB No. 1850-0645, Approval Expires 11/30/2017.

School Questionnaire
Your school has agreed to participate in

Since PIRLS is an international study and all

PIRLS 2016 (Progress in International Reading

countries are using the same questionnaire, you may

Literacy Study), an educational research project

find that some of the questions seem unusual or are

sponsored by the International Association for the

not entirely relevant to you or schools in the United

Evaluation of Educational Achievement (IEA). PIRLS

States. Nevertheless, it is important that you do your

measures trends in student achievement in reading

best to answer all of the questions so comparisons

and studies differences in national education

can be made across countries in the study.

systems in more than 50 countries in order to help
improve teaching and learning worldwide.
This questionnaire is addressed to school

It is estimated that you will need approximately
30 minutes to complete this questionnaire. We
appreciate the time and effort that this takes and

principals and department heads who are asked to

thank you for your cooperation and contribution.

supply information about their schools. Since your

When you have completed the questionnaire,

school has been selected as part of a nationwide

please place it in the accompanying envelope and

sample, your responses are very important in helping

return it to the PIRLS school coordinator.

to describe primary/elementary education in the
United States.
It is important that you answer each question

Your responses will be combined with those from
other participants to produce summary statistics and
reports.

carefully so that the information provided reflects
the situation in your school as accurately as possible.
Some of the questions will require that you look up
school records, so you may wish to arrange for the
assistance of another staff member to help provide
this information.

PIRLS 2016

Thank you.

School Enrollment and Characteristics

1

4
What is the total enrollment of students in your
school as of March 1, 2016?

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

_____________ students

_Check one circle only.

Write in the number.

2
What is the total enrollment of fourth grade
students in your school as of March 1, 2016?

More than 90%---- A

76 to 90%---- A

51 to 75%---- A

26 to 50%---- A

25% or less---- A

_____________ students
Write in the number.

B. Of the students currently enrolled in your school,
what percentage have been identified as limitedEnglish proficient (LEP)/English Language Learners
(ELL)?

3

_Check one circle only.

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

11 to 25%

26 to 50%

More than
50%

a) Come from economically
disadvantaged homes---------- A A A A
b) Come from economically
affluent homes------------------ A A A A

0%---- A

1 to 5%---- A

6 to 10%---- A

11 to 25%---- A

26 to 50%---- A

51 to 75%---- A

76 to 90%---- A

Over 90%---- A

School Questionnaire

2

 5

6

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

What type of school is this?
Check one circle only.

_Check one circle only.

More than 500,000 people---- A

100,001 to 500,000 people---- A

50,001 to 100,000 people---- A

30,001 to 50,000 people---- A

15,001 to 30,000 people---- A

3,001 to 15,000 people---- A

3,000 people or fewer---- A

Regular public school--- A

A regular public school with a magnet program--- A

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.)--- A

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

Alternative: a school designed to address the needs of
students, typically at risk of educational failure, which

cannot be met in regular schools--- A
Vocational--- A

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

Urban–Densely populated---- A

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

Medium size city or large town---- A

Small town or village---- A

Remote rural---- A

Charter School--- A

Private (independent)--- A

Private (religiously affiliated)--- A

Other--- A

7
Does your school provide free meals for
students?
_Check one circle for each line.
Yes, for all students

C. Which best characterizes the average income level
of the population in the school’s immediate area?

Yes, for some students

No

a) Breakfast ------------------------ A A A

_Check one circle only.

b) Lunch---------------------------- A A A

High---- A
Medium---- A
Low---- A

8
Around the first of October 2015, 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 the number.

3

School Questionnaire

Instructional Time

9

10
For the fourth grade students in your school:

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

A. Does your school provide a place where students
can work on their schoolwork before or after
school?
_Check one circle only.

Yes---- A

__________ days
Write in the number.

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

Write in the number of minutes per day.
Please convert the number of hours into minutes.

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

No---- A
(If No, go to #11)
If Yes,
B. Is someone available to assist them with their
schoolwork?
_Check one circle only.

Yes---- A
No---- A

_Check one circle only.

6 days---- A

5 1/2 days---- A

5 days---- A

4 1/2 days---- A

4 days---- A

Other---- A

School Questionnaire

4

Resources and Technology

12

11

Does the school provide access to digital books?

Does your school have a school library?

_Check one circle only.

_Check one circle only.

Yes---- A

Yes---- A

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

No---- A

13

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

250 or fewer---- A

251–500---- A
501–2,000---- A
2,001–5,000---- A
5,001–10,000---- A

More than 10,000---- A

B. Approximately how many titles of magazines and
other periodicals (print) does your school library
have?
_Check one circle only.

0---- A
1–5---- A
6–10---- A
11–30---- A

31 or more---- A

C. Can students borrow print materials from the
library to take home?
_Check one circle only.

Yes---- A
No---- A

5

School Questionnaire

How many computers (including tablets) does your
school have for use by fourth grade students?
___________ computers
Write in the number.

School Emphasis
on Academic Success

14

15
How much is your school’s capacity to provide
instruction affected by a shortage or inadequacy
of the following?

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

Check one circle for each line.

Very high

Not at all

Medium

A little

High

Some

Low

A lot

Very

low

A. General School Resources

a) Instructional materials (e.g.,
textbooks) ---------------------- A A A A

a) Teachers’ understanding of
the school’s curricular goals---- A A A A A

b) Supplies (e.g., papers,
pencils, materials)-------------- A A A A

b) Teachers’ degree of
success in implementing
the school’s curriculum--------- A A A A A

c) School buildings and
grounds------------------------- A A A A
d) Heating/cooling and lighting
systems ------------------------- A A A A
e) Instructional space (e.g.,
classrooms) --------------------- A A A A
f) Technologically competent
staff ----------------------------- A A A A
g) Audio-visual resources
for delivery of instruction
(e.g., interactive white
boards, digital projectors)------ A A A A
h) Computer technology for
teaching and learning
(e.g., computers or tablets
for student use)----------------- A A A A

c) Teachers’ expectations
for student achievement ------- A A A A A
d) Teachers’ ability to
inspire students----------------- A A A A A
e) Collaboration between
school leadership (including
master teachers) and
teachers to plan instruction---- A A A A A
f) Parental involvement
in school activities-------------- A A A A A
g) Parental commitment to
ensure that students are
ready to learn------------------- A A A A A
h) Parental expectations for
student achievement----------- A A A A A

i) Resources for students with
disabilities----------------------- A A A A

i) Parental support for
student achievement----------- A A A A A

B. Resources for Reading
Instruction

j) Students’ desire to do
well in school ------------------- A A A A A

a) Teachers with a specialization
in reading----------------------- A A A A

k) Students’ ability to reach
school’s academic goals -------- A A A A A

b) Computer software/
applications for reading
instruction ---------------------- A A A A

l) Students’ respect for
classmates who excel
academically -------------------- A A A A A

c) Library resources (books,
ebooks, magazines, etc.) ------- A A A A
d) Instructional materials for
reading (e.g., reading series,
textbooks) ---------------------- A A A A
School Questionnaire

6

School Discipline and Safety

16

18
To what degree is each of the following a problem
among fourth grade students in your school?
Check one circle for each line.

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

Not a problem

Check one circle for each line.

Less than 25%

Minor problem

Moderate problem

Serious
problem

a) Arriving late at school ---------- A A A A
b) Absenteeism (i.e.,
unjustified absences)----------- A A A A
c) Classroom disturbance --------- A A A A
d) Cheating ------------------------ A A A A
e) Profanity------------------------ A A A A
f) Vandalism----------------------- A A A A
g) Theft ---------------------------- A A A A
h) Intimidation or verbal abuse
among students (including
texting, emailing, etc.) --------- A A A A
i) Physical fights among
students------------------------- A A A A
j) Intimidation or verbal abuse
of teachers or staff (including
texting, emailing, etc.) --------- A A A A

17
To what degree is each of the following a problem
among teachers in your school?
Check one circle for each line.
Not a problem

Minor problem

Moderate problem
Serious
problem

a) Arriving late or
leaving early -------------------- A A A A
b) Absenteeism-------------------- A A A A
c) Failure to complete
the curriculum------------------ A A A A

7

Students’ Literacy Readiness

School Questionnaire

25–50%

51–75%
More than
75%

a) Recognize most of the
letters of the alphabet --------- A A A A
b) Read some words--------------- A A A A
c) Read sentences ----------------- A A A A
d) Read a story--------------------- A A A A
e) Write letters of the alphabet --- A A A A
f) Write some words -------------- A A A A

Principal Experience and
Education

Reading in Your School

19

20
At which grade do the following reading skills
and strategies first receive a major emphasis in
instruction in your school?

By the end of this school year, how many years will
you have been a principal altogether?
_____________ years

Check one circle for each line.

Please round to the nearest whole number.

First grade or earlier

Second grade

Third grade
Fourth
grade

21
By the end of this school year, how many years will
you have been a principal at this school?

Not in
these
grades

_____________ years

a) Knowing letters of the
alphabet ------------------------ A A A A A
b) Knowing letter-sound
relationships -------------------- A A A A A

Please round to the nearest whole number.

22
What is the highest level of formal education you
have completed?

c) Reading words ------------------ A A A A A
d) Reading isolated sentences ---- A A A A A

_

e) Reading connected text -------- A A A A A

Did not complete a 4-year college or
university degree (i.e., Bachelor’s degree) --- A

f) Locating information within
the text ------------------------- A A A A A

g) Identifying the main idea
of a text ------------------------- A A A A A

i) Comparing a text with
personal experience ------------ A A A A A

k) Making predictions about
what will happen next in
a text---------------------------- A A A A A

Completed a 4-year college or university
degree (i.e., Bachelor’s degree) --- A
Completed a Master’s degree,
postgraduate certificate program
(e.g., teaching), or professional degree
(e.g., law, medicine, dentistry) --- A

h) Explaining or supporting
understanding of a text -------- A A A A A

j) Comparing different texts ------ A A A A A

Completed a doctorate (Ph.D. or Ed.D.) --- A

23
Do you hold any of the following professional
qualifications in educational leadership?
Check one circle for each line.

l) Making generalizations and
drawing inferences based
on a text ------------------------ A A A A A
m) Describing the style or
structure of a text -------------- A A A A A
n) Determining the author’s
perspective or intention -------- A A A A A

Check one circle only.

Yes
No

a) Certificate or license------------------------------- A
A
b) A Master’s degree, postgraduate
certificate program (e.g., teaching), or
professional degree (e.g., law, medicine,
dentistry)------------------------------------------ A
A
c) A doctorate (Ph.D. or Ed.D.)------------------------ A
A

School Questionnaire

8

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

PROGRESS IN INTERNATIONAL READING LITERACY STUDY

School
Questionnaire
Grade 4

© IEA, 2015
International Association
for the Evaluation of
Educational Achievement

pirls.bc.edu

Identification Label

PROGRESS IN INTERNATIONAL READING LITERACY STUDY

Teacher Questionnaire
Grade 4
National Center for Education Statistics
U.S. Department of Education
550 12th St., SW, 4th floor
Washington, DC 20024

© IEA, 2015

The National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), within the U.S. Department
of Education, is authorized to conduct this study under the Education Sciences
Reform Act of 2002 (ESRA 2002, 20 U.S.C., § 9543). The data are being collected
for NCES by RTI International, a nonprofit research organization based in North
Carolina. The collected data may be used only for statistical purposes and may not
be disclosed or used, in identifiable form, for any other purpose except as required
by law (ESRA 2002, 20 U.S.C., § 9573). The collected information will be combined
across respondents to produce statistical reports.

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 voluntary survey is 1850-0645. The time required to complete this survey is estimated to average 35 minutes
per response, including the time to review instructions, search existing data resources, gather the data needed, and complete and review the survey. If you have any
comments or concerns regarding the accuracy of the time estimate(s), suggestions for improving the form, or the status of your individual submission of this form,
write directly to: Progress in International Reading Literacy Study (PIRLS), National Center for Education Statistics, PCP, 550 12th St., SW, 4th floor, Washington, DC
20024.
OMB No. 1850-0645, Approval Expires 11/30/2017.

Teacher Questionnaire
Your school has agreed to participate in

Since PIRLS is an international study and all

PIRLS 2016 (Progress in International Reading

countries are using the same questionnaire, you may

Literacy Study), an educational research project

find that some of the questions seem unusual or are

sponsored by the International Association for

not entirely relevant to you or schools in the United

the Evaluation of Educational Achievement (IEA).

States. Nevertheless, it is important that you do your

PIRLS measures trends in student achievement in

best to answer all of the questions so comparisons

reading and studies differences in national education

can be made across countries in the study.

systems in more than 50 countries in order to help
improve teaching and learning worldwide.

It is estimated that you will need approximately
35 minutes to complete this questionnaire. We

This questionnaire is addressed to teachers of

appreciate the time and effort that this takes and

fourth grade students, and seeks information about

thank you for your cooperation and contribution.

teachers’ academic and professional backgrounds,

When you have completed the questionnaire,

classroom resources, instructional practices, and

please place it in the accompanying envelope and

attitudes toward teaching. Since your class has

return it to the PIRLS school coordinator.

been selected as part of a nationwide sample, your

Your responses will be combined with those from

responses are very important in helping to describe

other participants to produce summary statistics and

primary/elementary education in the United States.

reports

Some of the questions in the questionnaire refer
to the “PIRLS class” or “this class.” This is the class
that is identified on the front of this booklet, and
which will be tested as part of PIRLS in your school.
If you teach some but not all of the students in the
PIRLS class, please think only of the students that you
teach when answering these class-specific questions.
It is important that you answer each question
carefully so that the information that you provide
reflects your situation as accurately as possible.

PIRLS 2016

Thank you.

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?
Check one circle for each line.

_____________ years

Yes

Please round to the nearest whole number.

2

No

a) Education—Primary/Elementary --------------- A A

Are you female or male?
Check one circle only.

Female ---- A
Male ---- A

b) Education—Secondary -------------------------- A A
c) English -------------------------------------------- A A
d) Other ---------------------------------------------- A A
B. As part of your formal education and/or training,
to what extent did you study the following areas?

3
How old are you?

Check one circle for each line.

Check one circle only.

Not at all

Under 25 ---- A

25–29 ---- A
30–39 ---- A
40–49 ---- A
50–59 ---- A

60 or more ---- A

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

It was an area
of emphasis

a) English -------------------------- A
b) Literature ----------------------- A
c) Pedagogy/teaching reading --- A
d) Educational psychology -------- A
e) Remedial reading --------------- A
f) Reading theory ----------------- A
g) Special education --------------- A

Did not complete high school---- A

h) Second language learning ----- A

Completed high school --- A

i) Assessment methods
in reading ----------------------- A

Completed a 2-year college
or university degree
(i.e., Associate’s degree) --- A

Overview or introduction
to topic

A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A

A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A

A A
j) Early childhood education------ A A A

Completed a 4-year college or
university degree
(i.e., Bachelor’s degree) ---- A
Completed a Master’s degree,
postgraduate certificate program
(e.g., teaching), or professional
degree (e.g., law, medicine, dentistry) --- A
Completed a doctorate
(Ph.D. or Ed.D) --- A

Teacher Questionnaire

2

School Emphasis on
Academic Success

6

7
In the past two years, how many hours in total have
you spent in formal professional development (e.g.,
workshops, seminars, lesson studies, etc.) that dealt
directly with reading or teaching reading (e.g.,
reading theory, instructional methods)?
Check one circle only.

None ---- A

3

Less than 6 hours ---- A

6–15 hours ---- A

16–35 hours ---- A

More than 35 hours ---- A

Teacher Questionnaire

How would you characterize each of the following
within your school?
Check one circle for each line.
Very high

High

Medium
Low
Very
low

a) Teachers’ understanding of
the school’s curricular goals---- A

A A A A

b) Teachers’ degree of
success in implementing
the school’s curriculum--------- A

A A A A

c) Teachers’ expectations
for student achievement ------- A

A A A A

d) Teachers’ ability to
inspire students----------------- A

A A A A

e) Collaboration between school
leadership (including master
teachers) and teachers to
plan instruction----------------- A

A A A A

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

A A A A

g) Parental commitment to
ensure that students are
ready to learn------------------- A

A A A A

h) Parental expectations for
student achievement----------- A

A A A A

i) Parental support for
student achievement----------- A

A A A A

j) Students’ desire to do
well in school ------------------- A

A A A A

k) Students’ ability to reach
school’s academic goals -------- A

A A A A

l) Students’ respect for
classmates who excel
academically -------------------- A

A A A A

School Environment

About Being a Teacher

8

9
Thinking about your current school, indicate the
extent to which you agree or disagree with each of
the following statements.

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

Check one circle for each line.

Very often

Agree a lot

Sometimes

Agree a little

Disagree a little

Never or
almost never

Disagree
a lot

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

A A A
b) I feel safe at this school --------- A A A A
c) This school’s security policies
and practices are sufficient ----- A

A A A

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

A A A

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

A A A

f) The students respect
school property ----------------- A

A A A

g) This school has clear rules
about student conduct --------- A

A A A

h) This school's rules are
enforced in a fair and
consistent manner -------------- A

A A A

Often

a) Share what I have
learned about my
teaching experiences ----------- A

A A A

b) Observe another classroom
to learn more about teaching -- A

A A A

c) Work together to
improve how to teach a
particular topic ----------------- A

A A A

d) Work with teachers from
other schools on the
curriculum ---------------------- A

A A A

e) Work with teachers from
other grades to ensure
continuity in learning ---------- A

A A A

10
How often do you feel the following way
about being a teacher?
Check one circle for each line.
Very often

Often

Sometimes
Never or
almost never

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

A A A

b) I find my work full of
meaning and purpose ---------- A

A A A

c) I am enthusiastic
about my job-------------------- A

A A A
d) My work inspires me------------ A A A A
e) I am proud of the work I do ---- A A A A

Teacher Questionnaire

4

About Teaching Reading to the PIRLS Class

11

15

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

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

Write in the number.

Not at all

B. How many of the students in #11A are in
fourth grade?
_____________ fourth grade students
Write in the number.

12

Some

A lot

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

A A

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

A A

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

f) Uninterested students---------- A

A
A
A
A

13

g) Students with mental,
emotional, or psychological
impairment --------------------- A

A A

A. How many students need remedial instruction
in reading?

h) Lack of support for using
information technology -------- A

A A

How many fourth grade students experience
difficulties understanding spoken English?
_____________ students in this class
Write in the number.

_____________ fourth grade students in this class
Write in the number.

B. How many of the students in #13A receive
remedial instruction in reading?
_____________ students
Write in the number.

14
How many students in the class are advanced
readers?
_____________ fourth grade students in this class
Write in the number.

5

Teacher Questionnaire

d) Students absent from class----- A
e) Disruptive students ------------- A

A
A
A
A

16

18
In a typical week, how much time do you spend on
English language instruction and/or activities with
the students?

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

Include instruction or activities in reading, writing,
speaking, literature, and other language skills.

Check one circle for each line.
Always or almost always

_____________ minutes per week

Often

Sometimes

Write in the number of minutes per week.
Please convert the number of hours into minutes.

Never

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

17
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?
Include things you do across curriculum areas and
during formally scheduled time for reading instruction.

A A A
b) I create same-ability groups --- A A A A
c) I create mixed-ability groups --- A
A A A
d) I use individualized
instruction for reading---------- A

A A A

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

A A A

_____________ minutes per week

Write in the number of minutes per week.
Please convert the number of hours into minutes.

Teacher Questionnaire

6

About Teaching Reading to the PIRLS Class

19

20
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 digitally)?

Check one circle for each line.

Check one circle for each line.

Every day or almost every day

Every day or almost every day

Once or twice a
month

Once or twice a week

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) ------- A

A A A

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

A A A
c) Plays ---------------------------- A A A A
B. Informational Reading
Materials

7

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

a) Nonfiction subject area
books or textbooks ------------- A

A A A

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

A A A

c) Nonfiction articles that
describe and explain about
things, people, events, or
how things work
(e.g., newspaper articles,
brochures)----------------------- A

A A A

Teacher Questionnaire

Once or twice a week

Never or
almost never

a) Read aloud to students --------- A

A A A
b) Ask students to read aloud ---- A A A A
c) Ask students to read silently
on their own -------------------- A

A A A

d) Teach students strategies for
decoding sounds and words --- A

A A A

e) Teach students new
vocabulary systematically ------ A

A A A

f) Teach students how to
summarize the main ideas ----- A

A A A

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

A A A

21

22
How often do you do the following in teaching
reading to this class?
Check one circle for each line.

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

Every or almost every lesson

Check one circle for each line.

Every day or almost every day

About half the lessons

Some lessons

Never

Once or twice a
month

a) Provide reading materials
that match the
students’ interests--------------- A

A A A

b) Provide materials that are
appropriate for the reading
levels of individual students---- A

Once or twice a week

Never or
almost never

a) Locate information within
the text ------------------------- A

A A A

A A A

c) Link new content to
students’ prior knowledge------ A

b) Identify the main ideas
of what they have read --------- A

A A A

A A A

d) Encourage students to
develop their understandings
of the text----------------------- A

c) Explain or support their
understanding of what they
have read ----------------------- A

A A A

A A A

e) Encourage student discussions
of texts-------------------------- A

A A A

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

A A A

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

A A A

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

A A A

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

A A A

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

A A A

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

A A A

f) Encourage students to
challenge the opinion
expressed in the text ----------- A

A A A

g) Use multiple perspectives
(among students and texts)
to enrich understanding-------- A

A A A

h) Give students time to read
books of their own choosing --- A

A A A

i) Give individualized feedback
to each student ----------------- A

A A A

Teacher Questionnaire

8

Computer and Library Resources

24

23
After students have read something, how often do
you ask them to do the following?
Check one circle for each line.
Every day or almost every day

Once or twice a week

Once or twice a
month
Never or
almost never

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

A A A

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

A A A

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

A A A

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

A A A

A. Do the students in this class have computers
(including tablets) available to use for their
reading lessons?
_Check one circle only.

Yes ---- A
No ---- A
(If No, go to #25)
If Yes,
B. What access do the students have to computers?
Check one circle for each line.
Yes
No

a) Each student has a computer -------------------- A

A

b) The class has computers that students
can share------------------------------------------ A

A

c) The school has computers that the class
can use sometimes ------------------------------- A

A

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

Once or twice a week

Once or twice a
month
Never or
almost
never

9

Teacher Questionnaire

a) Ask students to read
digital texts --------------------- A

A A A

b) Teach students strategies
for reading digital texts -------- A

A A A

c) Teach students to be
critical when reading on
the Internet--------------------- A

A A A

d) Ask students to look up
information (e.g., facts,
definitions, etc.) ---------------- A

A A A

e) Ask students to research
a particular topic
or problem---------------------- A

A A A

f) Ask students to write
stories or other texts ----------- A

A A A

26

25
A. Do you have a library or reading corner in your
classroom?

How often do you take or send the students to a
library other than your classroom library?

Check one circle only.

Check one circle only.

Yes---- A

At least once or twice a week---- A

No---- A
(If No, go to #26 )

Once or twice a month---- A

A few times a year---- A

Never or almost never---- A

If Yes,
B. About how many books are in your classroom
library?
Check one circle only.

0–25 ---- A
26–50 ---- A
51–100 ---- A

More than 100 ---- A

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

0 ---- A
1–2 ---- A
3–5 ---- A

More than 5 ---- A

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

Every day or almost every day ---- A

Once or twice a week ---- A

Once or twice a month ---- A

Never or almost never ---- A

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

Yes---- A
No---- A

Teacher Questionnaire

10

Reading Difficulties

Reading Homework

27

30
How often do you assign reading as part of
homework (for any subject)?

Are the following resources available to you to work
with students who have difficulty with reading?

Check one circle only.

Always

I do not assign reading
for homework---- A
(Go to #30)

Less than once a week---- A

1 or 2 times a week---- A

3 or 4 times a week---- A

Every day---- A

Check one circle only.

15 minutes or less---- A

16–30 minutes---- A

31–60 minutes---- A

More than 60 minutes---- A

31
What do you usually do if a student begins to fall
behind in reading?
Check one circle for each line.
Yes
No

29
How often do you do the following with the reading
homework assignments for this class?
Check one circle for each line.
Always or almost always

Sometimes

Never

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

In general, how much time do you expect students
to spend on homework involving reading (for any
subject) each time you assign it?

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

28

Sometimes

Never or
almost never

11

Check one circle for each line.

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

A A

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

A A

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

A A

Teacher Questionnaire

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

A

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

A

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

A

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

A

e) I recommend that the student be
enrolled in a special reading program ----------- A

A

Assessing Reading

32
How much emphasis do you place on the
following sources to monitor students’
progress in reading?
Check one circle for each line.
Major emphasis

Some emphasis

Little or no
emphasis

a) Assessment of students’
ongoing work ------------------- A

A A

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

A A

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

A A

Teacher Questionnaire

12

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

PROGRESS IN INTERNATIONAL READING LITERACY STUDY

Teacher Questionnaire
Grade 4

© IEA, 2015
International Association
for the Evaluation of
Educational Achievement

pirls.bc.edu

Identification Label

PROGRESS IN INTERNATIONAL READING LITERACY STUDY

Student
Questionnaire
Grade 4
National Center for Education Statistics
U.S. Department of Education
550 12th St., SW, 4th floor
Washington, DC 20024

© IEA, 2015

The National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), within the U.S. Department
of Education, is authorized to conduct this study under the Education Sciences
Reform Act of 2002 (ESRA 2002, 20 U.S.C., § 9543). The data are being collected
for NCES by RTI International, a nonprofit research organization based in North
Carolina. The collected data may be used only for statistical purposes and may not
be disclosed or used, in identifiable form, for any other purpose except as required
by law (ESRA 2002, 20 U.S.C., § 9573). The collected information will be combined
across respondents to produce statistical reports.

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 voluntary survey is 1850-0645. The time required to complete this survey 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 survey. If you have any comments or
concerns regarding the accuracy of the time estimate(s), suggestions for improving the form, or the status of your individual submission of this form, write directly to:
Progress in International Reading Literacy Study (PIRLS), National Center for Education Statistics, PCP, 550 12th St., SW, 4th floor, Washington, DC 20024.
OMB No. 1850-0645, Approval Expires 11/30/2017.

Directions
In this booklet, you will find questions about you and what you think. For each
question, you should choose the answer you think is best.
Let us take a few minutes to practice the kinds of questions you will answer in this
booklet.
Example 1 is one kind of question you will find in this booklet.

Example 1

Do you go to school?

Fill one circle only.

Yes--- A
No--- A

Example 2 is another kind of question you will find in this booklet.

Example 2

How often do you do these things?
Fill one circle for each line.
Every day
or almost
every day

1

Once or
twice a
week

Once or
twice a
month

Never or
almost
never

a) I talk with my friends ------------------ A

A

A

A

b) I play sports -------------------------------- A

A

A

A

c) I ride a skateboard ----------------------- A

A

A

A

Student Questionnaire

Example 3 is another kind of question you will find in this booklet.

Example 3

What do you think? Tell how much you agree with these
statements.
Fill one circle for each line.
Agree
a lot

Agree
a little

Disagree Disagree
a little
a lot

a) Watching movies is fun ---------------- A

A

A

A

b) I like eating ice cream ------------------ A

A

A

A

c) I do not like waking up early --------- A

A

A

A

d) I enjoy doing chores --------------------- A

A

A

A

• Read each question carefully, and pick the answer you think is best.
• Fill in the circle next to or under your answer.
decide to change your answer, draw an
through your first answer,
• Iflikeyouthis:
.
Then,
fill
in
the
circle
next
to
or
under
your new answer.
A
for help if you do not understand something or are not sure how to
• Ask
answer.

Student Questionnaire

2

About you
1

A. Are you a girl or a boy?
Fill one circle only.

Girl--- A

Boy--- A

B. Are you Hispanic or Latino?
Fill one circle only.

Yes, I am Hispanic or Latino--- A

No, I am not Hispanic or Latino--- A

C. Which of the following best describes you?
Fill one or more circles.

3

White--- A

Black or African American--- A

Asian--- A

American Indian or Alaska Native--- A

Native Hawaiian or other
Pacific Islander--- A

Student Questionnaire

2

When were you born?
Fill the circles next to the month and year you were born.

a) Month

b) Year

January--- A

2003--- A

February--- A

2004--- A

March--- A

2005--- A

April--- A

2006--- A

May--- A

2007--- A

June--- A

2008--- A

July--- A

2009--- A

August--- A

September--- A

October--- A

November--- A

December--- A

Other--- A

Student Questionnaire

4

 3

A. How often do you speak English at home?

Fill one circle only.

I always speak
English at home--- A If always, please go to question 4

I almost always speak
English at home--- A

I sometimes speak English
and sometimes speak
another language at home--- A

I never speak English at home--- A

If almost always, sometimes, or never, please go to question 3B

B. What language do you speak at home (other than
English)?
Fill one circle only.

Spanish--- A

5

Other--- A Please Specify_________________

Student Questionnaire

 4

A. Was your mother (or stepmother or female legal
guardian) born in the United States?

(“United States” includes the 50 states, its territories, the District of
Columbia, and U.S. military bases abroad.)

Fill one circle only.

Yes--- A
No--- A

I don’t know--- A

B. Was your father (or stepfather or male legal guardian)
born in the United States?

Fill one circle only.

Yes--- A
No--- A

I don’t know--- A

C. Were you born in the United States?
Fill one circle only.

Yes--- A
No--- A

I don’t know--- A

Student Questionnaire

6

5

About how many books are there in your home? (Do not
count magazines, newspapers, or your school books.)
Fill one circle only.

None or very few (0–10 books)--- A

This shows 10 books

Enough to fill one shelf (11–25 books)--- A

This shows 25 books

Enough to fill one bookcase
(26–100 books)--- A

This shows 100 books

Enough to fill two bookcases
(101–200 books)--- A

This shows 200 books

nough to fill three or more bookcases
E

(more than 200)--- A

7

Student Questionnaire

This shows more than 200 books

6

Do you have any of these things at your home?
Fill one circle for each line.
Yes No

a) A computer or tablet--------------------- A

A

b) Study desk/table for your use--------- A

A

c) Your own room ---------------------------- A

A

d) Internet connection ---------------------- A

A

e) Your own cell phone --------------------- A

A

f) A gaming system
(e.g., PlayStation®, Wii®, XBox®)----- A

A

g) VCR, DVD, or Blu-ray player--------- A

A

Student Questionnaire

8

7

About how often are you absent from school?
Fill one circle only.

8

Once a week--- A

Once every two weeks--- A

Once a month--- A

Never or almost never--- A

How often do you feel this way when you arrive at
school?
Fill one circle for each line.

Every Almost
day
every day Sometimes Never

9

a) I feel tired----------------------------------- A

A

A

A

b) I feel hungry-------------------------------- A

A

A

A

Student Questionnaire

9

How often do you eat breakfast on school days?
Fill one circle only.

Every day--- A

Most days--- A

Sometimes--- A

Never or almost never--- A

10

How often do you use a computer or tablet in each of
these places for schoolwork (including classroom tasks,
homework, or studying outside of class)?
Fill one circle for each line.
Every day
or almost
every day

Once or
twice a
week

Once or
twice a
month

Never or
almost
never

a) At home-------------------------------------- A

A

A

A

b) At school------------------------------------- A

A

A

A

c) Some other place ------------------------- A

A

A

A

Student Questionnaire

10

11

How much time do you spend using a computer or tablet
to do these activities for your schoolwork on a normal
school day?
Fill one circle for each line.

No time

30 minutes More than
or less
30 minutes

a) Finding and reading
information -------------------------------- A

A

A

b) Preparing reports and
presentations ------------------------------ A

A

A

12

How much time do you spend each day using a computer
or tablet for any of the following activities?
Fill one circle for each line.

No time

11

Less than
30 minutes

30 minutes
up to 1 hour

From 1 hour
up to 2 hours

2 hours
or more

a) Playing games ---------- A

A

A

A

A

b) Watching videos ------- A

A

A

A

A

c) Chatting ----------------- A

A

A

A

A

d) Surfing the Internet -- A

A

A

A

A

Student Questionnaire

Your School
13

What do you think about your school? Tell how much
you agree with these statements.
Fill one circle for each line.
Agree
a lot

Agree
a little

Disagree Disagree
a little
a lot

a) I like being in school--------------------- A

A

A

A

b) I feel safe when I am at school ------- A

A

A

A

c) I feel like I belong at this school ----- A

A

A

A

d) Teachers at my school are
fair to me ----------------------------------- A

A

A

A

e) I am proud to go to this school-------- A

A

A

A

Student Questionnaire

12

14

During this year, how often have other students from
your school done any of the following things to you
(including through texting or the Internet)?
Fill one circle for each line.
At least
Once or
A few
once a
twice a
times a
week month year

13

Never

a) Made fun of me or called
me names ----------------------------------- A

A

A

A

b) Left me out of their
games or activities ----------------------- A

A

A

A

c) Spread lies about me -------------------- A

A

A

A

d) Stole something from me--------------- A

A

A

A

e) Hit or hurt me
(e.g., shoving, hitting, kicking)-------- A

A

A

A

f) Made me do things
I didn’t want to do------------------------ A

A

A

A

g) Shared embarrassing
information about me ------------------- A

A

A

A

h) Threatened me ---------------------------- A

A

A

A

Student Questionnaire

Lessons about reading
15

Think about the reading you do for school. How much
do you agree with these statements about your reading
lessons?
Fill one circle for each line.
Agree
a lot

Agree
a little

Disagree Disagree
a little
a lot

a) I like what I read about in school---- A

A

A

A

b) My teacher gives me interesting
things to read ------------------------------ A

A

A

A

c) I know what my teacher
expects me to do -------------------------- A

A

A

A

d) My teacher is easy to understand --- A

A

A

A

e) I am interested in what my
teacher says -------------------------------- A

A

A

A

f) My teacher encourages me to
say what I think about what
I have read --------------------------------- A

A

A

A

g) My teacher lets me show what I
have learned-------------------------------- A

A

A

A

h) My teacher does a variety of
things to help us learn------------------ A

A

A

A

i) My teacher tells me how to do
better when I make a mistake-------- A

A

A

A

Student Questionnaire

14

Reading in school
16

In school, how often do these things happen?
Fill one circle for each line.
Every day
or almost
every day

15

Once or
twice a
week

Once or
twice a
month

Never or
almost
never

a) I read silently on my own -------------- A

A

A

A

b) I read things that I choose myself--- A

A

A

A

c) My teacher asks us in class to
talk about what we have read-------- A

A

A

A

Student Questionnaire

Using the library
17

How often do you borrow books (including ebooks)
from your school or local library?
Fill one circle only.

At least once a week--- A

Once or twice a month--- A

A few times a year--- A

Never or almost never--- A

Student Questionnaire

16

Reading outside of school
18

How much time do you spend reading outside of school
on a normal school day?
Fill one circle only.

Less than 30 minutes--- A

30 minutes up to 1 hour--- A

From 1 hour up to 2 hours--- A

2 hours or more--- A

19

How often do you do these things outside of school?
Fill one circle for each line.
Every day
or almost
every day

17

Once or
twice a
week

Once or
twice a
month

Never or
almost
never

a) I read for fun ------------------------------ A

A

A

A

b) I read to find out about things I
want to learn ------------------------------ A

A

A

A

Student Questionnaire

What you think about reading
20

What do you think about reading? Tell how much you
agree with each of these statements.
Fill one circle for each line.
Agree
a lot

Agree
a little

Disagree Disagree
a little
a lot

a) I like talking about what I read
with other people ------------------------- A

A

A

A

b) I would be happy if someone gave
me a book as a present ----------------- A

A

A

A

c) I think reading is boring --------------- A

A

A

A

d) I would like to have more
time for reading -------------------------- A

A

A

A

e) I enjoy reading ---------------------------- A

A

A

A

f) I learn a lot from reading -------------- A

A

A

A

g) I like to read things that
make me think ---------------------------- A

A

A

A

h) I like it when a book helps
me imagine other worlds -------------- A

A

A

A

Student Questionnaire

18

 21

How well do you read? Tell how much you agree with
each of these statements.
Fill one circle for each line.
Agree
a lot

19

Agree
a little

Disagree Disagree
a little
a lot

a) I usually do well in reading ----------- A

A

A

A

b) Reading is easy for me ------------------ A

A

A

A

c) I have trouble reading
stories with difficult words ------------ A

A

A

A

d) Reading is harder for me than
for many of my classmates ------------ A

A

A

A

e) Reading is harder for me than
any other subject ------------------------- A

A

A

A

f) I am just not good at reading --------- A

A

A

A

Student Questionnaire

Activities outside of school
22

The following questions ask about activities you do
outside of school.
Fill one circle for each line.
Yes No

a) Do you play on a sports team
outside of school? ------------------------- A

A

b) Do you often play a musical
instrument outside of school?--------- A

A

c) Are you studying something
in a class outside of school? ----------- A

A

d) Do you belong to a club outside of
school (like Girl Scouts, Cub Scouts,
4-H, or Boys and Girls Club)? -------- A

A

Student Questionnaire

20

Thank You!
Thank you for filling out the questionnaire!

PROGRESS IN INTERNATIONAL READING LITERACY STUDY

Student
Questionnaire
Grade 4

© IEA, 2015
International Association
for the Evaluation of
Educational Achievement

pirls.bc.edu

ePIRLS Online Reading 2016

ePIRLS 2016 Student Questionnaire

1.

About how much time do you spend using a computer each day?

Less than 30 minutes
30 minutes up to 1 hour
From 1 hour up to 2 hours
2 hours or more

Next 

ePIRLS Online Reading 2016

ePIRLS 2016 Student Questionnaire

2.

About how much time do you spend each day finding and reading information on
the internet?

Less than 30 minutes
30 minutes up to 1 hour
From 1 hour up to 2 hours
2 hours or more

 Back

Next 

ePIRLS Online Reading 2016

ePIRLS 2016 Student Questionnaire

3.

How much do you agree with these statements?
Click on one button for each row.

Agree a
lot

Agree a
little

a) I am good at using a computer
b) I am good at typing
c) It is easy for me to find information
on the Internet

 Back

Next 

Disagree
a little

Disagree
a lot

ePIRLS Online Reading 2016

ePIRLS 2016 Student Questionnaire

4.

Who mainly taught you the following things?
Click on one button for each row.

I mainly taught
myself

My teachers

My family

a) Using a computer
b) Typing
c) Finding information on the
Internet

 Back

Next 

My friends

I have never
learned this