High School and Beyond 2021 (HS&B:21) Base-Year Full-Scale Study Data Collection

Appendix A HSB21 BYFS Communication Materials

High School and Beyond 2021 (HS&B:21) Base-Year Full-Scale Study Data Collection

OMB: 1850-0944

⚠️ Notice: This form may be outdated. More recent filings and information on OMB 1850-0944 can be found here:

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High School and Beyond 2021 (HS&B:21)

Base-Year Full-Scale Study Recruitment and Data Collection

OMB# 1850-0944 v.7

Appendix A – Communication Materials

Submitted by

National Center for Education Statistics

U.S. Department of Education

March 2019

revised August 2020

Table of Contents

**Materials in this appendix have been marked as previously approved or new (as compared to OMB# 1850-0944 v.5) to facilitate review. Materials changed only due to study name and date due to the one-year delay of data collection are marked “previously approved” as opposed to “modified”. Each item’s approval status is noted next to its title in the Table of Contents**

Appendix A1. Endorsement Request Letter (modified) 3

Appendix A2. State Letter and Sample Endorsement Letter (modified) 2

Appendix A3. District Notification and Recruitment Letter (modified) 4

Appendix A3a. HS&B:21 District Notification Letter – District Post-Delay Recontact Letter (new) 6

Appendix A4a. School Recruitment Letter (modified) 8

Appendix A4a1. HS&B:21 School Notification Letter – School Post-Delay Recontact Letter (new) 9

Appendix A4b. School Coordinator Role Overview (previously approved) 11

Appendix A4b1. School Coordinator Letter Accompanying Permission Materials (previously approved) 14

Appendix A4b2. School Coordinator Role Overview Virtual School (New) 15

Appendix A4c. School Thank You Letter (modified) 17

Appendix A4d. School Participation Reminder Emails (modified) 18

Appendix A5a. Parent Notification Letter (modified) 23

Appendix A5b. Parent Notification Letter – Spanish (modified) 24

Appendix A5c. Parent Permission Letter – Implicit (modified) 25

Appendix A5d. Parent Permission Letter - Implicit – Spanish (modified) 26

Appendix A5e. Parent Permission Letter – Explicit (modified) 27

Appendix A5f. Parent Permission Letter – Explicit – Spanish (modified) 28

Appendix A5g. Student Assent Form (previously approved) 29

Appendix A5h. Student Script (previously approved) 30

Appendix A6a. Study Information Sheet (modified) 31

Appendix A6b. Frequently Asked Questions (modified) 32

Appendix A6c. Brochure Text (previously approved) 36

Appendix A6d. HS&B:21 Newsletter (previously approved) 37

Appendix A6e. Video Script (previously approved) 41

Appendix A7a. Recruitment Website Text (modified) 43

Appendix A8a. Out-of-School Data Collection – Parent Letter (previously approved) 51

Appendix A8a.1 Out-of-School Data Collection – Parent Letter Reminder (previously approved) 53

Appendix A8a.2 Out-of-School Data Collection – Parent Email Initial (previously approved) 54

Appendix A8a.3 Out-of-School Data Collection – Parent Email Reminder (previously approved) 55

Appendix A8b. Out-of-school Data Collection – Student Letter (previously approved) 56

Appendix A8b.1 Out-of-school Data Collection – Student Letter Reminder (previously approved) 57

Appendix A8b.2 Out-of-School Data Collection – Student Email Initial (previously approved) 58

Appendix A8b.3 Out-of-School Data Collection – Student Email Reminder (previously approved) 59

Appendix A8b.4 Out-of-School Data Collection – Student Postcard (New) 60

Appendix A8b.4 Out-of-School Data Collection: Sorry I Missed You Card (New) 61

Appendix A8c. Hybrid Out-of-School Data Collection – Student Postcard (previously approved) 62

Appendix A8d. Hybrid Out-of-School Data Collection – Parent Letter (previously approved) 63

Appendix A8d.1 Hybrid Out-of-School Data Collection – Parent Letter Reminder (previously approved) 64

Appendix A8d.2 Hybrid Out-of-School Data Collection – Parent Email Initial (previously approved) 65

Appendix A8d.3 Hybrid Out-of-School Data Collection – Parent Email Reminder (previously approved) 66

Appendix A8e. Hybrid Out-of-school Data Collection – Student Letter (previously approved) 67

Appendix A8e.1 Hybrid Out-of-school Data Collection – Student Letter Reminder (previously approved) 68

Appendix A8e.2 Hybrid Out-of-School Data Collection – Student Email Initial (previously approved) 69

Appendix A8e.3 Hybrid Out-of-School Data Collection – Student Email Reminder (previously approved) 70

Appendix A9a. Summary of Mathematics Questions (modified) 71

Appendix A9b. Summary of Reading Questions (previously approved) 72

Appendix A9c. Summary of Student Survey (modified) 73

Appendix A9d. Summary of Parent Survey (modified) 74

Appendix A9e. Summary of Mathematics Teacher Survey (modified) 75

Appendix A9f. Summary of School Counselor Survey (modified) 76

Appendix A9g. Summary of School Administrator Survey (modified) 77

Appendix A10. Student Rostering Materials (modified) 78

Appendix A11. Parent Data Collection Letter (previously approved) 81

Appendix A11.1 Parent Data Collection Letter Reminder (previously approved) 82

Appendix A11.1a Parent Data Collection Reminder Postcard (New) 83

Appendix A11.1b Parent Data Collection Abbreviated Survey Postcard (New) 84

Appendix A11.2 Parent Data Collection Email (previously approved) 85

Appendix A11.3a Parent Data Collection Email Reminder (previously approved) 86

Appendix A11.3b Parent Data Collection Email Reminder (previously approved) 87

Appendix A11.4a Parent Data Collection Reinterview Email – Web (previously approved) 88

Appendix A11.4b Parent Data Collection Reinterview Email – CATI (previously approved) 89

Appendix A12a. Staff Data Collection Letters – Math Teacher Letter (modified) 90

Appendix A12a.1 Staff Data Collection Letters – Math Teacher Reminder (modified) 91

Appendix A12a.2 Staff Data Collection Letters – Math Teacher Email (modified) 92

Appendix A12a.3 Staff Data Collection Letters – Math Teacher Email Reminder (modified) 93

Appendix A12b. Staff Data Collection Letters – Guidance Counselor (modified) 94

Appendix A12b.1. Staff Data Collection Letters Reminder – Guidance Counselor (modified) 95

Appendix A12b.2. Staff Data Collection Email– Guidance Counselor (modified) 96

Appendix A12b.3. Staff Data Collection Email Reminder – Guidance Counselor (previously approved) 97

Appendix A12c. Staff Data Collection Letters – School Administrator (modified) 98

Appendix A12c.1. Staff Data Collection Letters Reminder– School Administrator (modified) 99

Appendix A12c.2. Staff Data Collection Email – School Administrator (modified) 100

Appendix A12c.3. Staff Data Collection Email Reminder– School Administrator (modified) 101

Appendix A13a. School Staff Participation Certificate (previously approved) 102

Appendix A13b. Parent/Student Incentive Receipt Form (previously approved) 103

Appendix A14a. Lead Postcards (new) 104

Appendix A14b. Informational Materials (new) 107

Appendix A14c. Virtual Session PowerPoint(new) 110

Appendix A1. Endorsement Request Letter (modified)

<City, State Zip>

Dear <Name>:

Shape1

How a student does in 9^th grade is more predictive of their odds of graduating high school than all other factors, including race, gender, socioeconomic status, and prior academic achievement, combined.

We are writing to request support from your organization for the U.S. Department of Education’s High School & Beyond Longitudinal Study of 2021 (HS&B:21). Educational success is crucial to individual and societal outcomes. Understanding what factors propel some students to successful completion of high school and entry into work or college while leaving others behind is a critical function of this National Center for Education Statistics’ (NCES) research study.

HS&B:21 will give policymakers and educators information they need to improve the high-school experience and outcomes for ALL students. It will offer the opportunity to explore students transitions into and out of high-school and create a big picture view of K-12 education and trends as it follows the elementary and middle grades longitudinal studies.

We are hoping you will partner with us by learning more about HS&B:21 and encouraging participation of schools that are selected to represent the U.S. Educational experience in this study. Your support and a letter of endorsement can show how important this study is and increase participation and success of the study. Without school participation, the validity of national estimates is at risk.

Shape2

If the 1.3 million dropouts from the Class of 2010 had graduated, the nation would have seen $337 billion more in earnings over the course of the students’ lifetimes.²

Next steps: Support HS&B:21 by lending your logo and name, providing a letter of endorsement, and sharing information about the study with your members and partners.

You may contact Jen Krause at RTI International with questions at (919) 541-1287 or [email protected]. You may also contact HS&B:21 Project Officer Elise Christopher at NCES at (202) 245-7098. We are confident that you will see the value and importance of this research and will want to partner with us to advance the quality of education for high school students.

Sincerely,

James L. Woodworth

NCES Commissioner

NCES is authorized to conduct the High School and Beyond Longitudinal Study of 2021 (HS&B:21) by the Education Sciences Reform Act of 2002 (ESRA 2002, 20 U.S.C. §9543) and to collect students’ education records from education agencies or institutions for the purposes of evaluating federally supported education programs under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA, 34 CFR §§ 99.31(a)(3)(iii) and 99.35). The data are being collected for NCES by RTI International, a U.S.-based nonprofit research organization. All of the information students, parents, and staff provide 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 (20 U.S.C. §9573 and 6 U.S.C. §151). The collected information will be combined across respondents to produce statistical reports.

Allensworth, E., & Easton, J.Q. (2007). What matters for staying on-track and graduating in Chicago public high schools: A close look at course grades, failures, and attendance in the freshman year. University of Chicago Consortium on School Research.

² Campaign for CHSE High School Equity. "Plan for Success: Communities of Color Define Policy Priorities for High School Reform." Campaign for CHSE High School Equity. Accessed February 18, 2015.5.

Appendix A2. State Letter and Sample Endorsement Letter (modified)

Dear <Name>:

Shape3

Understanding what factors propel some students to successful completion of high school and entry into work or college while leaving others behind is a critical function of the National Center for Education Statistics’ (NCES) High School and Beyond Longitudinal Study of 2021 (HS&B:21).

<Thank you for partnering> <We are hoping you will partner> with us by learning more about HS&B:21 and encouraging participation of schools that are selected to represent the U.S. Educational experience in this study. Your support and a letter of endorsement can show how important this study is and increase participation and success of the study.

High School has changed immensely over the last decade and even more so in recent months. HS&B:21 will give policymakers and educators important information they need to improve the high school experience and outcomes for ALL students. It will offer the opportunity to explore students transitions into and out of high school, equity in education, family factors, and student attitudes. HS&B:21 will create a big picture view of K-12 education and trends, rounding out the elementary and middle grades longitudinal studies.

Shape4

If the 1.3 million dropouts from the Class of 2010 had graduated, the nation would have seen $337 billion more in earnings over the course of the students’ lifetimes.²

Next steps: <Continue to encourage Superintendents and Principals to participate if they are selected. You can also provide a letter of support if you have not done so already.> <Support your state’s participation in this research by providing a letter of endorsement. A representative of RTI International will contact you to discuss the possibility of receiving such a letter.>

You may contact RTI International with questions at (855) 500-1439 or [email protected]. You may also contact HS&B:21 Project Officer Elise Christopher at NCES at (202) 245-7098. We are confident that you will see the value and importance of this research and will want to partner with us to advance the quality of education for our country’s high school students.

Sincerely,

James L. Woodworth

NCES Commissioner

² Campaign for CHSE High School Equity. "Plan for Success: Communities of Color Define Policy Priorities for High School Reform." Campaign for CHSE High School Equity. Accessed February 18, 2015.

<City, State Zip>

Sample Letter of Support

<Date>

<Title>

<City, State Zip>

Dear School District and School Administrators:

The <INSERT STATE EDUCATION AGENCY NAME> is pleased to support the High School and Beyond Longitudinal Study of 2021 (HS&B:21), conducted by the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) within the U.S. Department of Education. The study complements our <vision/mission/goal; here an SEA administrator enters district- or school-specific visions, missions, or goals to which HS&B:21 contributes>

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________.

The data your school, students, staff, and parents provide to NCES and its contractor, RTI International, will help policymakers and educators understand the factors associated with successful transitions to high school and allow for examination of trends over time. These data are critical for making decisions related to policy and practice and the collection of these data is not possible without the participation of selected school districts and schools. By participating in the study, you are providing much needed information to help understand what factors propel some students to successful completion of high school and entry into work or postsecondary education and identify key risk factors during this critical stage of education.

We strongly encourage your participation in HS&B:21. We are confident that <schools in our state /our members and partners, along with state and local education leadership> will understand the importance of this national study and will accept the invitation to participate.

Should you have any questions, please call the HS&B:21 information number, (855) 500-1439, or send an email to [email protected]. You may also contact Project Officer Elise Christopher, PhD at NCES at (202) 245-7098 for more information.

Thank you for dedication to education research and your help in making HS&B:21 a success.

Sincerely,

<Name>

Chief State School Officer

Appendix A3. District Notification and Recruitment Letter (modified)

Shape5 [DATE]

[DistrictName]

[Address]

[CitySTZip]

Dear <Superintendent>,

Education in the United States is at a pivotal juncture – rapidly changing, as district and school leaders forge new and innovative ways to manage an evolving situation and to ensure continuous learning and support for our nation’s youth. Now more than ever, it is vital that we capture a national picture of the high school experience, so we can learn from these efforts and help shape policy, practice, programs, and funding priorities going forward.

One or more schools (please see enclosure for list) in your district have been selected for the High School and Beyond Longitudinal Study of 2021 (HS&B:21). Your support and partnership are vital to advancing the quality of education for our country’s high school students.

Benefits of HS&B:21 include:

Schools may select from a menu of incentive options for schools, school coordinators, teachers, and students.
Eligible district and school staff may register for a no-cost interactive, interactive webinar on timely topics such as social and emotional learning, project-based learning, or STEM.
Receive school-level reports to compare school-level measures to the national averages and similar schools.
Participating students and staff also receive a service certificate from the U.S. Department of Education.

Within a few days study materials will be sent to selected schools in your district, and our contractor RTI International will contact them to participate. Please contact us with questions at: 855-500-1439 or [email protected]

While it may never be the best time for research, we feel it is always the right time for important research that will improve education and support successful outcomes for all students. We look forward to working with your school in the 2021-22 school year to make the study a success.

Sincerely,

James L. Woodworth

NCES Commissioner

Enclosures: HS&B:21 Brochure, Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) sheet, State Letter of Endorsement (if provided)

HS&B:21 is sponsored by the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES). NCES is a division within the Institute of Education Sciences (IES), a part of the U.S. Department of Education. IES is the nation's leading source for rigorous, independent education research, evaluation and statistics. School and student participation are voluntary. Learn more about HS&B:21 by visiting: https://surveys.nces.ed.gov/hsb21. Please contact us with questions at (855) 500-1439 or [email protected].

The schools listed below have been selected for the study. We would appreciate it if you would notify these schools that they will be contacted in the next few weeks by the study team. Thank you for your support.

<School 1>	<School 2>
<School 3>	<School 4>

*list of selected schools as enclosure*

Appendix A3a. HS&B:21 District Notification Letter – District Post-Delay Recontact Letter (new)

[DATE]

[DistSuptName]

[DistrictName]

[Address]

[CitySTZip]

Dear Superintendent,

Education in the United States is at a pivotal juncture – rapidly changing, as district and school leaders forge new and innovative ways to manage an evolving situation and to ensure continuous learning and support for our nation’s youth. Now more than ever, it is vital that we capture a national picture of the high school experience and student outcomes, so we can learn from these efforts and help shape policy, practice, programs, and funding priorities going forward.

Shape6

¹^.

<FOR DISTRICTS THAT PREVIOUSLY APPROVED: We appreciate your continued> <FOR DISTRICTS THAT HAVE NOT YET APPROVED: We previously contacted you requesting your> support for the High School and Beyond Longitudinal Study of 2021 (HS&B:21). As you may recall, the study was delayed by one year, to be sensitive to disruptions faced by many school systems in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. I am writing to inform you that we are proceeding with the study, now planned for the 2021-22 school year.

Please refer to the enclosed list of schools in your district that were selected for HS&B:21. We will contact all selected schools this school year to begin planning and preparing for data collection Fall 2021. The study’s follow-up data collection will occur Spring 2025.

This is not just a research study. HS&B:21 presents an opportunity for your students, parents, and school staff to share their experiences and opinions and help improve education today and in the future. It is extremely important to have the participation of all schools selected for the study. Participation is voluntary yet needed to represent the broad diversity of schools and students across the nation. Your <FOR DISTRICTS THAT PREVIOUSLY APPROVED: continued> support and partnership are vital to advancing the quality of education for our country’s high school students.

You can learn more about HS&B:21, including the benefits of participation, by reviewing the enclosed brochure and FAQs. You can also get more information by watching a short video on our website https://surveys.nces.ed.gov/hsb21.

Please contact us with questions at 855-500-1439 or [email protected].

While it may never be the best time for research, we feel it is always the right time for important research that will improve education and support successful outcomes for all students. We look forward to working with your school(s) in the 2021-2022 school year to make the study a success.

Sincerely,

James L. Woodworth

NCES Commissioner

Enclosures: HS&B:21 Brochure, Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) sheet, State Letter of Endorsement (if provided)

HS&B:21 is sponsored by the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES). NCES is a division within the Institute of Education Sciences (IES), a part of the U.S. Department of Education. IES is the nation's leading source for rigorous, independent education research, evaluation and statistics. School and student participation are voluntary. Learn more about HS&B:21 by visiting: https://surveys.nces.ed.gov/hsb21. Please contact us with questions at (855) 500-1439 or [email protected].

https://www.brookings.edu/research/federally-supported-education-research-doesnt-need-a-do-over/

Appendix A4a. School Recruitment Letter (modified)

<<date>

Shape7 <Principal name>

Dear <Principal Name>:

Your school has been selected to participate in the High School and Beyond Longitudinal Study of 2021 (HS&B:21) <FILL supported by DISTRICT NAME>. Your support and partnership are vital to advancing the quality of education for our country’s high school students.

To meet the rigorous standard of HS&B:21 data, each selected school needs to do their part and participate. To ensure participation is feasible for your school, NCES has developed a highly flexible study design so schools are excited to contribute. We will reach out to you in the next few days to answer any questions and obtain the name of your school coordinator who will serve as the study liaison.

Next Steps:

Review the FAQ and study brochure inside your purple envelope
Write down the name and email address of your school coordinator on this envelope
You will receive a call in the next few days to discuss the study and provide the name of your SC.
If you prefer to contact us first, we can be reached at 855-500-1439 OR [email protected]

Sincerely,

James L. Woodworth

NCES Commissioner

Enclosures: HS&B:21 Brochure, Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) sheet, State Letter of Endorsement (if provided)

Appendix A4a1. HS&B:21 School Notification Letter – School Post-Delay Recontact Letter (new)

<date>

< city> <state> <zip>

Dear <Principal Name>:

Education in the United States is at a pivotal juncture – rapidly changing, as district and school leaders forge new and innovative ways to manage an evolving situation and to ensure continuous learning and support for our nation’s youth. Now more than ever, it is vital that we capture a national picture of the high school experience and student outcomes, so we can learn from these efforts and help shape policy, practice, programs, and funding priorities going forward.

<FOR SCHOOLS THAT PREVIOUSLY APPROVED: Your school graciously agreed to participate> <FOR SCHOOLS THAT HAVE NOT YET APPROVED: We previously contacted you requesting your participation> in the High School and Beyond Longitudinal Study of 2021 (HS&B:21). The study was delayed by one year, to be sensitive to disruptions faced by many schools responding to the COVID-19 pandemic. I am writing to <FOR SCHOOLS THAT PREVIOUSLY APPROVED: thank you for your partnership and to> inform you that we are proceeding with the study, now known as High School and Beyond Longitudinal Study of 2021 (HS&B:21) and planned for the 2021-22 school year.

We are contacting all selected schools in the 2021-21 school year begin planning and preparing for data collection Fall 2021. The study’s follow-up data collection will occur Spring 2025. Our contractor, RTI International, will contact you soon to discuss the details of your school’s participation.

This is not just a research study. HS&B:21 presents an opportunity for your students, parents, and school staff to share their experiences and opinions and help improve education today and in the future. It is extremely important to have the participation of all schools selected for the study. Participation is voluntary yet needed to represent the broad diversity of schools and students across the nation. Your support and partnership are vital to advancing the quality of education for our country’s high school students.

<Your district has been notified of the research> <The study has been given the support of Superintendent (insert name)> Learn more about HS&B:21, including the benefits of participation, by reviewing the enclosed brochure and FAQs. You can also get more information by watching a short video on our website https://surveys.nces.ed.gov/hsb21. <FOR SCHOOLS THAT HAVE NOT YET APPROVED: Reserve your school’s participation NOW by contacting HS&B:21 at (855) 500-1439 or [email protected].> Our contractor, RTI International, will contact you soon to confirm your School Coordinator (primary contact for the study) and discuss the details of participation.

Sincerely,

James L. Woodworth

NCES Commissioner

Enclosures: HS&B:21 Brochure, Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) sheet, State Letter of Endorsement (if provided)

HS&B:21 is sponsored by the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES). NCES is a division within the Institute of Education Sciences (IES), a part of the U.S. Department of Education. IES is the nation's leading source for rigorous, independent education research, evaluation and statistics. School and student participation are voluntary. Learn more about HS&B:21 by visiting: https://surveys.nces.ed.gov/hsb21. Please contact us with questions at (855) 500-1439 or [email protected].

Appendix A4b. School Coordinator Role Overview (modified)

Welcome, colleague, to the exciting role of School Coordinator (SC) for the High School and Beyond Longitudinal Study of 2021 (HS&B:21) study conducted by the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES). By helping with HS&B:21, you are contributing to the success of a study that will help educators, parents, and researchers learn how to best support student socioemotional and academic growth and learning during these extremely important years. We need your help and we thank you in advance.

Shape8

Study Activities

Student Session- About 35 students in grade 9 will be invited to participate in an online survey about their life in high school: class selections, grades, and social topics. It will be conducted at your school and HS&B:21 session facilitators (SFs) will set up a mobile Chromebook lab including internet connectivity.

Students will also complete a vision and hearing evaluation as part of the student in-school session. Parents will receive follow-up information based on the results. Student participants will receive an incentive selected by the school and receive a service certificate from the U.S. Department of Education.

Counselor and Administrator Survey- The principal and one counselor will complete surveys about school characteristics, staffing, the student population, and the academic environment. The surveys are completed online, and login credentials will be sent to each participant. If allowed, counselors and administrators may receive <incentive> and a U.S. Department of Education certificate of service for their participation.

Math Teacher Survey- Math teachers of selected students in grade 9 will complete a survey about their professional background. Teachers will also respond to questions about students participating in HS&B:21. If allowed, teachers will receive <incentive> for their time.

Parent Survey- The parent survey will ask about students’ education experiences, parents’ involvement in and expectations for their children’s academic attainment, and family characteristics. Their survey is online or via telephone interview.

Shape9

Permission Forms: Determine which type of form to use for your school. RTI will mail forms to you several weeks before the session. Please send these forms home with the students selected for the study when they arrive.

Shape10

Roster- Provide a roster of your entire 9^th grade enrollment so that we can select the students. If your school is small, we may select all your 9^th students to participate.

Upload the 9^th grade student roster to the secure HS&B:21 website.
Receive list of selected students and submit parent and teacher information for each student.

Logistics-

Select date, time, and location for the student session.
Send home the permission forms and reminders if needed. You may be asked to call parents for outstanding forms.
Work with your Session Facilitator (SF) to identify any students with special needs who may need accommodations.
Notify teachers, parents, and students and explain activities coming up.

Session Day- Session facilitators will arrive about 1.5 hours before the session to set up the mobile Chromebook lab including internet connectivity. Please be available before the session to locate and bring any students that did not arrive on time. If you are unable to be there, designate another staff member to fill in for you that day.

Token of Appreciation-If allowed: As a token of our appreciation for your time and effort with HS&B:21, you will be mailed a $100 check once the student session is completed. The person who completes the upload of the 9^th grade roster, will receive $50. Your school will receive $200; students receive a 2-hour service certificate from the U.S. Department of Education plus a token of appreciation selected by your school. Staff will also receive <incentive> and service certificate.

THANK YOU for doing your part to improve the excellence of high school education for this generation and beyond!

School Coordinator Checklist

Task	Activity	Timeline	Completed
1	Upload 9th grade roster to <insert URL>	Within 2 weeks of receiving upload instructions
2	After students are selected, log back into <insert URL> and provide teacher and parent info	Within 1 week of receiving sample list
3	Select day and time for student session	During logistics call
4	Reserve the media center or empty classroom for the student session	During logistics call
5	Determine parental consent type (notified, implicit, explicit)	During logistics call
6	Communicate to parents, teachers, and students about upcoming activities	4-6 weeks prior to student session
7	Send home parental permission forms	As soon as they arrive from RTI
8	Remind parents to sign and return forms as needed	Weekly after forms are sent home
9	Communicate to your HS&B:21 SF when permission forms are returned and be willing to call parents to encourage participation	Weekly after forms are sent home
10	Determine if any students need accommodations	1-2 weeks prior to student session
11	Meet in person with your SF for a pre-session visit	1 week prior to student session
12	Receive Chromebook Shipment	1-2 days prior to student session
13	Meet the SF at school	1.5 hours before the session begins
14	Assist as needed to set-up and locate any students who did not arrive for the session	During the session day
15	Return all permission forms to the SF and allow them to use the school fax machine	During the session day
16	If needed, schedule a make-up session for students unable to attend	After the session day

Appendix A4b1. School Coordinator Letter Accompanying Permission Materials (previously approved)

Dear <SC name>:

Thank you for your school’s participation in the High School and Beyond Longitudinal Study of 2021 (HS&B:21) and for all you have done to prepare for the data collection thus far. We look forward to coming to your school on <session date> to conduct the student session(s).

In this mailing, we have provided the student tracking form (STF) which lists the 9^th grade students selected to participate at your school and parental permission materials for each selected student. In anticipation of the in-school session, we ask that you:

distribute the parental <notification letters/permission forms> to the students listed on the STF<s>; and
work with RTI’s session facilitator (SF) to finalize the logistics of the session(s), determine the eligibility of the students listed on the STF<s> to participate in the study, and discuss any accommodations that may be needed for students.

RTI’s session facilitator (SF) will contact you in the next few days to confirm the session logistics and to assist you in completing the activities listed above. Should you have questions in the meantime, you may contact us at 1-855-500-1439 or [email protected].

Thank you again for serving as the school coordinator and for your help to make HS&B:21 successful at your school.

Sincerely,

Dan Pratt

Project Director, HS&B:21

Appendix A4b2. School Coordinator Role Overview Virtual School (New)

Welcome colleague to the exciting role of School Coordinator (SC) for the High School and Beyond Longitudinal Study of 2021 (HS&B:21) study conducted by the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES). By helping with HS&B:21, you are contributing to the success of a study that will help educators, parents, and researchers learn how to best support student socioemotional and academic growth and learning during these extremely important years. We need your help and we thank you in advance.

Shape11

Study Activities

Student Session- About 35 students in grade 9 will be invited to participate in an online survey about their life in high school: class selections, grades, and social topics. Students will participate virtually using a home computer.

Student participants will receive <incentive> and a service certificate from the U.S. Department of Education.

Teacher Survey- Teachers of students in grade 9 will complete a survey about their professional background. Teachers will also respond to questions about students participating in HS&B:21. If allowed, teachers will receive <incentive> for their time.

Shape12

Power Point Presentation: We will email you a power point slide deck for students. To maximize participation, we encourage you to hold a virtual meeting with the selected students. At the end of the presentation, students can click on the link and participate.

Roster- Provide a roster of your entire 9^th grade enrollment so that we can select the students. If your school is small, we may select all your 9^th students to participate.

Upload the 9^th grade student roster to the secure HS&B:21 website.
Receive list of selected students and submit parent and teacher information for each student.

Login Credentials: An envelope will be sent home to each family with a selected 9^th grade student. Inside the envelope will contain the student and parent login credentials. If the envelope is lost or misplaced, the family may email [email protected] or call 855-500-1439 to request the login credentials.

Token of Appreciation- If allowed: As a token of our appreciation for your time and effort with HS&B:21, the person who completes the upload of the 9^th grade roster, will receive $50 plus a 2-hour service certificate from the U.S. Department of Education.

THANK YOU for doing your part to improve the excellence of high school education for this generation and beyond!

Appendix A4c. School Thank You Letter (modified)

<DATE>

<Address 2}

<City, state, zip>

We are writing to thank you for your school’s participation in the High School and Beyond Longitudinal Study of 2021 (HS&B:21) this fall. The contributions of schools like yours provides invaluable feedback on the current high school experience, and we are grateful for your partnership. We would like to extend a special thank you to <School Coordinator name> <IF LP DIFFERENT FROM SC: and <List provider name>> for working with us to coordinate the student session(s) and ensure the study’s success at your school. <if applicable: We have enclosed <incentive> as a token of our appreciation for the school’s participation.>

We will contact you again in the summer or fall of <2023/2024> to plan for the study’s follow-up round, which will be conducted spring semester <2024/2025>. If you have any questions, please call us at (855) 500-1439 or email us at [email protected].

Thank you for helping to make HS&B:21 a success!

Sincerely,

Dan Pratt

Project Director, HS&B:21

Appendix A4d. School Participation Reminder Emails (modified)

Templates 1-4 will be sent to schools at times throughout the recruitment period. Template 5 will be sent once to states and districts after allowing contact with their districts and schools.

-------------------------------------------“THANK YOU” EMAIL TEMPLATE 1-------------------------------------------

We are writing to say, “Thank you!” By participating in research studies like the High School & Beyond Longitudinal Study of 2021 (HS&B:21) you are contributing information that will help us make important decisions about what works best for our students. This knowledge will inform policymakers, researchers, and educators at all levels to improve outcomes for youth today and for years to come.

Here are some helpful education tools we thought you might be interested in: NCES DataLab includes user-friendly analysis tools, training, and access to over 30 federal datasets offering a wealth of information on American education: https://nces.ed.gov/datalab/index.aspx

NCES strives to bridge the research to practice gap and make the data available, useable, and meaningful for educators at all levels. Online training is available to learn how to use the NCES datasets in relation to local interests and contexts.

We look forward to working with you in the fall of 2021 and will be contacting you soon!

The HS&B:21 Team

High School & Beyond Longitudinal Study of 2021 (HS&B:21)

855-500-1439

Email: [email protected]

The High School & Beyond Longitudinal Study of 2021 (HS&B:21) is sponsored by the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES). NCES is a division within The Institute of Education Sciences (IES). IES, a part of the U.S. Department of Education, is the nation's leading source for rigorous, independent education research, evaluation and statistics.

-------------------------------------------“THANK YOU” EMAIL TEMPLATE 2-------------------------------------------

We are writing to say THANK YOU! By participating in research studies like the High School & Beyond Longitudinal Study of 2021 (HS&B:21) you are contributing information that will help us make important decisions about what works best for our students. This knowledge will inform policymakers, researchers, and educators at all levels to improve outcomes for youth today and for years to come.

Did you know…

School climate is key to improving student outcomes. “By promoting a positive climate, schools can facilitate greater equality in educational opportunities, decrease socioeconomic inequalities, and enable more social mobility.” ¹

Here are some School Climate Improvement Resources you may be interested in.

C
heck out: https://safesupportivelearning.ed.gov/edscls and https://safesupportivelearning.ed.gov/SCIRP/Quick-Guide

We look forward to partnering with you in the fall of 2021 and will be contacting you soon!

The HS&B:21 Team

High School & Beyond Longitudinal Study of 2021 (HS&B:21)

855-500-1439

Email: [email protected]

-------------------------------------------“THANK YOU” EMAIL TEMPLATE 3-------------------------------------------

This is just a quick email to say THANK YOU! By participating in research studies like the High School & Beyond Longitudinal Study of 2021 (HS&B:21) in the fall of 2021, you are helping to improve the condition of education for high school students today and for years to come. To learn more about the current condition of education, check out the link below.

Here is “The Condition of Education” 2021 report:

https://nces.ed.gov/programs/coe/

We look forward to talking to you again soon!

The HS&B:21 Team

High School & Beyond Longitudinal Study of 2021 (HS&B:21)

855-500-1439

Email: [email protected]

-------------------------------------------“THANK YOU” EMAIL TEMPLATE 4-------------------------------------------

We thought you might be interested in some recent articles using data from NCES’s longitudinal studies series:

Reasons High School Students Change Their Education Setting, 11/18, From HSLS:09
Factors that Influence Student College Choice, 11/18, From HSLS:09
Public School Principals’ Three Most Important Education Goals, by Community Type and School Level, 4/20, 2015-16 NTPS
Participation in High School Career and Technical Education and Postsecondary Enrollment, 11/17, ELS:2002

Thank you for your time and contribution.

The HS&B:21 Team

High School & Beyond Longitudinal Study of 2021 (HS&B:21)

855-500-1439

Email: [email protected]

DISTRICT & STATE EAs ONLY

-------------------------------------------“THANK YOU” EMAIL TEMPLATE 5-------------------------------------------

Thank you for your support of the High School & Beyond Longitudinal Study of 2021 (HS&B:21)! Data collected from HS&B:21 will be compiled into a public data set and used to improve policy and practice in high schools across the United States.

NCES strives to bridge the research to practice gap and make the data available, useable, and meaningful for educators at all levels. Here is a helpful resource we thought you might be interested in:

The Distance Learning Dataset Training (DLDT) system is an online, interactive tool that allows you to learn about the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) data products across the education spectrum and evaluate them for your particular purposes. The DLDT modules are designed to introduce you to many NCES datasets, their design, and special considerations for analysis to facilitate effective use. https://nces.ed.gov/training/datauser/#/

Thank you for your time and contribution.

The HS&B:21 Team

High School & Beyond Longitudinal Study of 2021 (HS&B:21)

855-500-1439

Email: [email protected]

Appendix A5a. Parent Notification Letter (modified)

WHO: About 35 ninth grade students from your child’s school. Your child will represent other ninth graders like them. About 920 schools across the country will be participating.

WHAT: Students will complete a survey and do some math and reading questions on a Chromebook. A hearing and vision evaluation will also be completed and you will receive the results. Participation is voluntary.

WHEN: In the fall, at a convenient time chosen by your school, students will spend <FILL> minutes in school. <If 45-minutes: Students will be asked to complete another <FILL> minutes outside of school and will receive $15 when the out-of-school session is finished.> Students will participate again in winter/spring 2025, and then high school transcripts will be collected in the fall of 2025.

Shape13

IMPORTANT: This is not a test, and it is not graded. We follow very strict laws to protect personal information and any data collected. All information collected is securely maintained. All reports will use aggregate information for all students who participate; no names will be published in the data files or reports.

Your child’s school is participating in the High School and Beyond Longitudinal Study of 2021 (HS&B:21)!

Your child will receive a certificate for 2 hours of community service from the U.S. Department of Education, and a small gift as a “thank you” for participating. Schools and staff may also receive an incentive for participating.

WHERE: The school will choose the best location for the session, typically a classroom or media center.

WHY: The study will help us learn more about students’ academic and social growth during high school and ways we can support them. Together, this information helps us learn how to give all high schoolers the experience and skills they need to thrive in high school, and beyond.

To learn more: Watch a short video to see what participation will look like by visiting the study website at https://surveys.nces.ed.gov/hsb21/.
If you have questions, please call us at (855) 500-1439 or send an email to [email protected].

Appendix A5b. Parent Notification Letter – Spanish (modified)

¿QUIÉNES?: Se les pedirá a aproximadamente 35 estudiantes de noveno grado de la escuela de su estudiante que participen. Más o menos entre 920 escuelas de todo el país participarán.

¿QUÉ?: Los estudiantes completarán una encuesta sobre sí mismos y sus experiencias y contestarán algunas preguntas de matemáticas y de lectura. Esto se hará usando una computadora portátil Chromebook. También se les hará una evaluación de audición y visión y usted recibirá los resultados. La participación es voluntaria.

¿CUÁNDO?: La escuela de su estudiante elegirá un día y hora que considere convenientes en el otoño, para que los estudiantes puedan dedicar tan solo [FILL] minutos en la sesión para estudiantes del proyecto HS&B:21. <If 45-minutes:> Se les pedirá a los estudiantes que completen otros <FILL> minutos fuera de la escuela y ellos recibirán $15 cuando hayan terminado la sesión de fuera de la escuela. Los estudiantes participarán nuevamente en la primavera del 2025 y obtendremos los certificados finales de calificaciones en el otoño del 2025.

Shape14

INFORMACIÓN IMPORTANTE: Esto no es un examen y tampoco se califica. Seguimos leyes muy estrictas para proteger la información personal de los participantes y cualquier información que se obtenga. Toda la información se mantendrá de manera segura y el nombre de su estudiante nunca se guardará junto con sus respuestas. Todos los reportes usarán información agregada de todos los estudiantes que participen.

NCES está autorizado a hacer el estudio HS&B:21 por el Acta de la Reforma de Educación de 2002 (ESRA 2002, 20 U.S.C. §9543) y a obtener expedientes escolares de los estudiantes, de agencias o instituciones educativas con el propósito de evaluar programas educativos que cuentan con apoyo a nivel federal bajo la Ley de Derechos Educativos y Privacidad Familiar (FERPA, 34 CFR §§ 99.31(a)(3)(iii) y 99.35). La recolección de datos la está llevando a cabo en nombre de NCES la firma RTI International, una organización sin fines de lucro que realiza estudios y está basada en los Estados Unidos. Toda la información que los estudiantes, los padres, y el personal proporcione podrán usarse solamente para propósitos estadísticos y no podrán divulgarse ni usarse de manera que permita identificar a los participantes para ningún otro propósito a menos que lo exija alguna ley (20 U.S.C. §9573 y 6 U.S.C. §151). La información que se obtenga se combinará con la de otros participantes para producir reportes estadísticos.

La escuela de su estudiante está participando en el estudio Durante y Después de High School 2021 (HS&B:21)!

Su estudiante recibirá un certificado de parte del Departamento de Educación de los Estados Unidos que lo/la acredita por 2 horas de servicio comunitario, así como también un pequeño regalo como muestra de agradecimiento por su participación. Las escuelas y el personal también pueden recibir un incentivo por participar.

¿DÓNDE?: La escuela elegirá el lugar más adecuado para llevar a cabo la sesión. Generalmente, ese hace en un salón de clases o la biblioteca.

¿POR QUÉ?: El estudio nos ayudará a conocer más sobre el crecimiento académico y social de los estudiantes durante high school, así como sobre las diferentes maneras en que podemos darles apoyo. Esta información, de manera conjunta, nos ayuda a conocer la forma en que debemos darles a todos los estudiantes de high school la experiencia y las habilidades necesarias para florecer en high school y en el futuro.

Para conocer más sobre el estudio: Por favor, mire un video breve en el que se muestra cómo sería la participación de su estudiante visite la página de Internet https://surveys.nces.ed.gov/hsb21/. Si usted tiene alguna pregunta, por favor llámenos al (855) 500-1439 o envíenos un correo electrónico a la dirección [email protected].

Appendix A5c. Parent Permission Letter – Implicit (modified)

Shape15

HS&B:21 is conducted by the National Center for Education Statistics in the U.S. Department of Education. HS&B:21 gives you and your student the opportunity to share your experiences and opinions to help improve education for your student and students in the future.

WHO: About 35 ninth grade students from your child’s school. Your child will represent other ninth graders like them. About 920 schools across the country will be participating.

Shape16

Your child’s school is participating in the High School and Beyond Longitudinal Study of 2021 (HS&B:21)!

WHERE: The school will choose the best location for the session, typically a classroom or media center.

To learn more: Watch a short video to see what participation will look like by visiting the study website at https://surveys.nces.ed.gov/hsb21/. If you have questions, please call us at (855) 500-1439 or send an email to [email protected].

Thank you for taking the time to learn about this important study and how you can help.

Shape17 You only need to return the attached form if you do not want your student to participate.

Appendix A5d. Parent Permission Letter - Implicit – Spanish (modified)

Shape18

HS&B:21 que está llevando a cabo el Centro Nacional para Estadísticas de Educación del Departamento de Educación de los Estados Unidos. HS&B:21 les brinda a usted y a su estudiante la oportunidad única de compartir sus experiencias y opiniones para ayudar a mejorar la educación de su estudiante y la de otros estudiantes en el futuro.

¿QUIÉNES?: Se les pedirá a aproximadamente 35 estudiantes de noveno grado de la escuela de su estudiante que participen. Más o menos entre 920 escuelas de todo el país participarán.

Shape19

La escuela de su estudiante está participando en el estudio Durante y Después de High School 2021 (HS&B:21)!

¿DÓNDE?: La escuela elegirá el lugar más adecuado para llevar a cabo la sesión. Generalmente, ese hace en un salón de clases o la biblioteca.

Gracias por dedicar tiempo a conocer sobre este estudio tan importante y la manera en que usted puede contribuir.

Si usted no desea que su estudiante participe, lo único que tiene que hacer es devolver el formulario incluido.

Appendix A5e. Parent Permission Letter – Explicit (modified)

Shape20

WHO: About 35 ninth grade students from your child’s school. Your child will represent other ninth graders like them. About 920 schools across the country will be participating.

Shape21

Your child’s school is participating in the High School and Beyond Longitudinal Study of 2021 (HS&B:21)!

WHERE: The school will choose the best location for the session, typically a classroom or media center.

To learn more: Watch a short video to see what participation will look like by visiting the study website at https://surveys.nces.ed.gov/hsb21/. If you have questions, please call us at (855) 500-1439 or send an email to [email protected].

Thank you for taking the time to learn about this important study and how you can help.

Please sign and return the attached form <OR submit an online signature> for your student to participate <by visiting the study website>.

Appendix A5f. Parent Permission Letter – Explicit – Spanish (modified)

Shape23

¿QUIÉNES?: Se les pedirá a aproximadamente 35 estudiantes de noveno grado de la escuela de su estudiante que participen. Más o menos entre 920 escuelas de todo el país participarán.

Shape24

La escuela de su estudiante está participando en el estudio Durante y Después de High School 2021 (HS&B:21)!

¿DÓNDE?: La escuela elegirá el lugar más adecuado para llevar a cabo la sesión. Generalmente, ese hace en un salón de clases o la biblioteca.

Gracias por dedicar tiempo a conocer sobre este estudio tan importante y la manera en que usted puede contribuir.

Por favor firme y devuelva el formulario incluido. <O, visite la página del estudio en Internet para enviar su firma electrónica.>

Appendix A5g. Student Assent Form (previously approved)

High School and Beyond Longitudinal Study of 2021 (HS&B:21)

Student Assent Form (used only when required by the school)

You are being asked to participate in a national study called the High School and Beyond Longitudinal Study of 2021 (HS&B:21). This study is conducted by the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) within the U.S. Department of Education.

Your participation in HS&B:21 is voluntary. The information you provide will be combined with the information received from thousands of other students, parents, and school staff. No names of schools or individuals will be published in study reports. Each student who participates will receive a certificate of community service [if allowed by district: and a token of appreciation valued at $10].

Please check only one option below to indicate your decision to participate in the study.

Shape25

Yes, I will participate in HS&B:21.

Shape26 No, I will not participate in HS&B:21.

PRINT your name here:

__________________________________________________________________

SIGN your name here:

__________________________________________________________________

Date: _______/_______/____________

FOR OFFICE USE ONLY:

Student ID: ________________________________________________

School name: ________________________________________________

Appendix A5h. Student Script (previously approved)

INSTRUCTION TO SF: READ THE FOLLOWING SCRIPT VERBATIM TO THE STUDENTS PRIOR TO STARTING THE STUDENT SESSION.

Welcome, my name is [SF1 name] and this is [SF2 name]. You are here today because you were selected to represent high school students in an important study called the High School and Beyond Study of 2021, or HS&B:21 for short. We are very excited that you are able to join us today. For the next [45/90] minutes or so, you will be using a Chromebook to answer questions about yourself and may answer math and/or reading questions. Please do the best that you can. If you do not know an answer or do not want to answer a question, you may skip it. This is not a test and you will not be graded on how you answer the questions. You can touch the screen or use the touchpad to answer the questions. You can also have the questions read aloud to you if you like by clicking on the “read aloud” button.

[If hearing and vision: You will have your hearing and vision measured, so when you see the screen that says you should log out and have your hearing and vision measured, please go to the hearing and vision station [point out where students should go]. After you are done with hearing and vision, you will return to your Chromebook. Make sure to log back in and finish up your session on the Chromebook.]

Your participation in HS&B:21 is voluntary, and all of the information you provide will be combined with all of the other information we collect. No names of schools or individuals will be included in any study reports.

When you are all done you will see a screen that says “Congratulations.” When you see that screen, raise your hand, and I will come over and log you out and collect your student login card. You may keep the earbuds and the pencil. And you will receive a certification of community service [if allowed: and a token of appreciation valued at $10]. Please meet me here [point out where student should go] to check out. Next, [please sit quietly until the end of the session/please go back to your class after you get a hall pass]. Any questions?

When you are all done you will see a screen that says “Congratulations.” When you see that screen, raise your hand, and I will come over and log you out and collect your student login card. You may keep the earbuds and the pencil. Please meet me here [point out where student should go] to check out. Next, [please sit quietly until the end of the session/please go back to your class after you get a hall pass]. Any questions?

[If students are part of 45-minute session: Don’t forget to finish up the remainder of the session on your own. Remember, you’ll receive $15 once you complete the rest!]

Okay, let’s get started. Go ahead and enter the username and password on the card at your desk. Then click “start” on the screen and follow the instructions.

[If hardcopy student assent is required, distribute student assent forms and say: If you agree to participate in HS&B:21, please check “Yes, I will participate in HS&B:21” if you would like to participate, or “No, I will not participate in HS&B:21” if you decide you do not want to participate. If you check “no” please raise your hand.]

Appendix A6a. Study Information Sheet (modified)

HS&B:21 Study Information Sheet

HS&B:21 data collection takes place between September 15, 2021 – January 31, 2022

Appendix A6b. Frequently Asked Questions (modified)

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is HS&B:21 and why is it important?	The High School and Beyond Longitudinal Study of 2021 (HS&B:21) is sponsored by the National Center of Education (NCES) within the U.S. Department of Education. Studies like this occur once a decade. HS&B:21 will take place next school year (Fall 2021), and one follow-up will occur Spring 2025. Selected students, their families, and school staff all have an important role in helping us learn more about the high school experience, students’ academic and social growth, and ways we can support students in gaining the knowledge and skills they need to thrive in high school and beyond.
Why did my school get selected?	Study schools were randomly selected by geographic region, locale, and type: public and private, including charter, magnet, and virtual schools. Approximately 920 schools and 21,000 students will be invited to participate. Your school represents schools like yours across the country and cannot be replaced!
Why should my school participate?	High school is rapidly changing. What worked in schools 10 years ago may not be relevant today. Educators at all levels rely on scientific data from studies such as HS&B:21 to make decisions about policies, funding, programs, and practices. HS&B:21 needs the participation of all selected schools to capture an accurate picture of high school students and their environment. If you have been selected, your participation is crucial.
How will this study benefit my school?	Schools will receive $200 as a thank you. Eligible staff may also register for a no-cost, interactive webinar on timely topics, such as social and emotional learning, project-based learning, or STEM. You will receive a report with results comparing your school to schools like yours nationwide. Based on survey results, you will also receive relevant resources and action items aligned with district priorities and specific school needs. All schools ultimately benefit from research findings that will inform policies and practices that will advance education at the high school level for generations.
How is privacy and confidentiality protected?	As a federal study, HS&B:21 complies with all laws and regulations and we have a rigorous set of standards and procedures to safeguard the privacy of participants and the confidentiality of data. Results are never reported for individual respondents. No schools, staff, students, or families will ever be identified.
How many students and how are they selected?	We will request a list of all 9^th grade students and randomly select about 35 per school. All students will have a chance to be selected regardless of race, gender, disability, or ELL status. Accommodations will be made for those students with special needs.
What is involved for students?	Students will complete a survey and answer some math and reading questions. They will also participate in a hearing and vision evaluation, with feedback provided to parents. The student session will take 90 minutes or less, on a date selected by the school. If allowed, students will receive a $10 gift card and 2 hours of community service credit from the U.S. Department of Education.
Who conducts the student session?	RTI International, a not-for-profit research organization in North Carolina, is conducting HS&B:21 for NCES. RTI staff will facilitate the student session at your school. We will provide Chromebooks and a mobile computer lab. Your school’s internet is not needed.
What is involved for school staff?	A school administrator, one counselor, and the math teacher of each selected student (average 2-4 teachers) will be asked to complete a questionnaire. School staff input is voluntary but also critical! Staff can complete the online survey at their convenience, at once or in increments. They will be offered <incentive> for their time.
Are parents involved in HS&B:21?	Parents provide information on the home environment and family involvement in their student’s education. The parent/guardian of selected students will be invited to complete a web-based (or telephone) questionnaire at a convenient time. Their input is extremely important and an essential part of this study!
What should my school do now?	Please select a staff member to serve as a School Coordinator (SC)—a primary contact to help with scheduling, providing the list of students, and distributing parent permission forms. If permitted, the SC receives $50 for the student roster and an additional $100 at the end of data collection.
Is HS&B:21 mandatory?	All participation is voluntary, and participants can skip any question they do not wish to answer. There will be no penalties for not participating.
How will the information HS&B:21 collects be used?	HS&B:21 data will allow us to examine student, school, and family factors that impact successful outcomes. The study will capture unique experiences in high school and can provide insight to: Student transitions into high school and preparations for postsecondary education and/or work plans; Academic achievement, reducing achievement gaps, and equal access to educational opportunities; Career and technical education opportunities available to students; and Use of technology for innovations such as online learning and effects on student outcomes. Many education policies, programs, and practices currently in use are based on research that used NCES’s longitudinal data.
I am ready to get started, how do I contact the HS&B:21 team?	Phone: 855-500-1439 Email: [email protected] Website: <INSERT URL>

Appendix A6b. Frequently Asked Questions Virtual Schools (modified)

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS VIRTUAL SCHOOLS

What is HS&B:21 and why is it important?	The High School and Beyond Longitudinal Study of 2021 (HS&B:21) is sponsored by the National Center of Education (NCES) within the U.S. Department of Education. Studies like this occur once a decade. HS&B:21 will take place next school year (Fall 2021), and one follow-up will occur Spring 2025. Selected students, their families, and school staff all have an important role in helping us learn more about the high school experience, students’ academic and social growth, and ways we can support students in gaining the knowledge and skills they need to thrive in high school and beyond.
Why did my school get selected?	Study schools were randomly selected by geographic region, locale, and type: public and private, including charter, magnet, and virtual schools. Approximately 920 schools and 21,000 students will be invited to participate. Your school represents schools like yours across the country and cannot be replaced!
Why should my school participate?	High school is rapidly changing. What worked in schools 10 years ago may not be relevant today. Educators at all levels rely on scientific data from studies such as HS&B:21 to make decisions about policies, funding, programs, and practices. HS&B:21 needs the participation of all selected schools to capture an accurate picture of high school students and their environment. If you have been selected, your participation is crucial.
How will this study benefit my school?	Schools will receive $200 as a thank you. Eligible staff may also register for a no-cost, interactive webinar on timely topics, such as social and emotional learning, project-based learning, or STEM. You will receive a report with results comparing your school to schools like yours nationwide. Based on survey results, you will also receive relevant resources and action items aligned with district priorities and specific school needs. All schools ultimately benefit from research findings that will inform policies and practices that will advance education at the high school level for generations.
How is privacy and confidentiality protected?	As a federal study, HS&B:21 complies with all laws and regulations and we have a rigorous set of standards and procedures to safeguard the privacy of participants and the confidentiality of data. Responses are always kept confidential. Results are never reported for individual respondents. No schools, staff, students, or families will ever be identified.
How many students and how are they selected?	We will request a list of all 9^th grade students and randomly select about 35 per school. All students will have a chance to be selected regardless of race, gender, disability, or ELL status. Accommodations will be made for those students with special needs.
What is involved for students?	Students will complete a survey and answer some math and reading questions. The student session will take 90 minutes or less and students will participate virtually. If allowed, students will receive a $10 gift card and 2 hours of community service credit from the U.S. Department of Education.
Who conducts the study?	RTI International, a not-for-profit research organization in North Carolina, is conducting HS&B:21 for NCES.
What is involved for school staff?	A school administrator, one counselor, and the math teacher of each selected student (average 2-4 teachers) will be asked to complete a questionnaire. School staff input is voluntary but also critical! Staff can complete the online survey at their convenience, at once or in increments. They will be offered <incentive> for their time.
Are parents involved in HS&B:21?	Parents provide information on the home environment and family involvement in their student’s education. The parent/guardian of selected students will be invited to complete a web-based (or telephone) questionnaire at a convenient time. Their input is extremely important and an essential part of this study!
What should my school do now?	Please select a staff member to serve as a School Coordinator (SC)—a primary contact to help with providing the list of 9^th grade students and can send reminders as needed to encourage participation. If permitted, the SC receives $50 for their assistance.
Is HS&B:21 mandatory?	All participation is voluntary, and participants can skip any question they do not wish to answer. There will be no penalties for not participating.
How will the information HS&B:21 collects be used?	HS&B:21 data will allow us to examine student, school, and family factors that impact successful outcomes. The study will capture unique experiences in high school and can provide insight to: Student transitions into high school and preparations for postsecondary education and/or work plans; Academic achievement, reducing achievement gaps, and equal access to educational opportunities; Career and technical education opportunities available to students; and Use of technology for innovations such as online learning and effects on student outcomes. Many education policies, programs, and practices currently in use are based on research that used NCES’s longitudinal data.
I am ready to get started, how do I contact the HS&B:21 team?	Phone: 855-500-1439 Email: [email protected] Website: <INSERT URL>

Appendix A6c. Brochure Text (previously approved)

High School and Beyond Longitudinal Study of 2021 (HS&B:21) Study Brochure

What is HS&B:21?

The High School and Beyond Longitudinal Study of 2021 (HS&B:21) is a research study that will build on decades of research (since 1972) to understand what makes students successful as they enter high school and progress to postsecondary education, the military, or early careers.

Why participate in HS&B:21?

You have been given an opportunity to share your experiences and opinions. While your name will never be used in any reports, your input will be used to improve education now and in the future. We want to hear from you!

What does participation involve?

Students will respond to a survey, answer math and reading questions, and complete a brief hearing and vision evaluation. Questionnaires will be completed by school administrators about the school and its environment; math teachers on their background, teaching approaches, and student engagement in class; counselors on counseling practices at the school; and parents about the home environment and their experiences with their child’s school.

Who is conducting the study?

HS&B:21 is conducted by the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) part of the U.S. Department of Education. NCES collects, analyzes, and reports statistics on the condition of education in the United States. Our mission is to provide scientific evidence on which to ground education practice and policy and to share this information in formats that are useful and accessible to educators, parents, policymakers, researchers, and the public. NCES has contracted RTI International, an independent, not-for-profit research institute, to collect the data for HS&B:21.

Did you know?

How a student does in 9^th grade has more influence on graduating from high school than all other factors, including race/ethnicity, gender, socioeconomic status, and prior academic achievement, combined.

https://tinyurl.com/y773hksf

Attendance contributes more than any other factor to course failure and low grades.

https://tinyurl.com/ybn22dew

Nearly half of students who begin college do not graduate within six years.

https://tinyurl.com/y74xz2zu

If the 1.3 million dropouts from the Class of 2010 had graduated, the nation would have seen $337 billion more in earnings over the course of the students’ lifetimes.

https://tinyurl.com/jgesdzp

Schools & school staff: (855) 500-1439 or [email protected]

Parents: (855) 500-1439 or [email protected]

https://surveys.nces.ed.gov/hsb21

Appendix A6d. HS&B:21 Newsletter (previously approved)

Appendix A6e. Video Script (previously approved)

N CES High School and Beyond Study Video Script

Voiceover: Imagine being part of something bigger than yourself.

You can. But we all have to work together to make our voices heard.

(images of students populate screen)

T he National Center for Education Statistics wants to hear from everyone involved with the high school experience. (Scan of classroom)

We need schools to participate in our High School and Beyond Study.

(Shot of students walking through hallway)

W e’re gathering data from students, along with their parents, teachers, counselors, and principals, too.

(Multiple shots of students walking, talking with school staff,

Administrators in a school setting)

W e want to know what people think about high school.

What works? What doesn’t? (Image of student participating

in HS&B on Chromebook)

How can we improve education today, and in the future?

(Image of science class)

We all have an integral part to play. (image of volunteering

community service, Habitat for Humanity)

Now is the time to make your voice heard.

(video of Malala speaking)

ON-SCREEN TEXT: We’re listening

ON-SCREEN TEXT: When you are contacted, please participate in the High School and Beyond study https://surveys.nces.ed.gov/hsb21

ON-SCREEN LOGOS: U.S. Department of Education, HS&B:21

Appendix A7a. Recruitment Website Text (modified)

The recruitment website is used to provide information to school staff and parents about the study. The website also serves as a portal to securely upload student list information and complete the parent and school staff questionnaires.

HS&B:21 Website Content

Landing Page

Sign-In
Welcome to HS&B:21! High School and Beyond Longitudinal Study of 2021(HS&B:21) is a national study of 9^th-graders as they progress through high school and beyond. This site is for school staff, parents, and students who are participating in HS&B:21. Log in to begin.

The National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) is authorized to conduct the High School and Beyond Longitudinal Study of 2021(HS&B:21) by the Education Sciences Reform Act of 2002 (ESRA 2002, 20 U.S.C. §9543) and to collect students’ education records from education agencies or institutions for the purposes of evaluating federally supported education programs under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA, 34 CFR §§ 99.31(a)(3)(iii) and 99.35). The data are being collected for NCES by RTI International, a U.S.-based nonprofit research organization. All of the information respondents may provide 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 (20 U.S.C. §9573 and 6 U.S.C. §151). The collected information will be combined across respondents to produce statistical reports.

Contact info: website, phone, email

About HS&B:21

High School and Beyond Longitudinal Study of 2021(HS&B:21) is a national longitudinal study conducted by the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) within the U.S. Department of Education. Study participants include 9th-grade students and their families, teachers, school administrators, and guidance counselors. HS&B:21 will help educators, parents, researchers, and policymakers better understand the factors that contribute to student success. Information collected through the study also can be used to improve high school educational experiences for this generation and beyond.
NCES Info: The National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) collects, analyzes, and report statistics on the condition of education in the United States. Our mission is to provide scientific evidence on which to ground education practice and policy and to share this information in formats that are useful and accessible to educators, parents, policymakers, researchers, and the public.
- Longitudinal Series info: Have timeline with links to information about each study
RTI Info: RTI is an independent, nonprofit institute that provides research, development, and technical services to government and commercial clients worldwide. Our mission is to improve the human condition by turning knowledge into practice.
Link to Video

Why Should I Participate?

You have been given an opportunity to share your experiences and opinions. While your name will never be used in any reports, your input will be used to improve education for our children and those in the future. We want to hear from you!
What can you contribute by participating in HS&B:21?
- Districts can learn about HS&B:21 and how the collected data can be used to improve policies that support student success. They can support participation among peers and educators.
- Counselors can share information about supports they offer to students in their schools.
- Teachers can share information about their unique learning environments, background, and individual students' classroom experiences.
- Principals can provide valuable information about their school’s unique structure and environment.
- Parents can encourage their children to participate and to tell researchers about their transition to high school, their social and academic experiences, and how their school environment and culture impact their growth.
- Students can join with peers across the U.S. to participate in student sessions where they will have the opportunity to share information about their high school experiences.

How will my school benefit?

This is a unique opportunity for schools and educators to contribute in a way that will impact student outcomes for generations to come. Schools that participate in the High School and Beyond Longitudinal Study of 2021will join national research that will be used to improve the high school experience for all students. Schools may receive a report that shows how their students compare with students nationwide and to schools like theirs. Schools will also receive $200 for participating. HS&B:21 will give $150 to the school coordinator. Students will receive a token of appreciation if allowed by the school.

Why is this study important?
- Providing national-level information that is needed to better understand what factors lead students to successful completion of high school and entry into work or postsecondary education, as well as those factors that are barriers to success, is a critical function of high school longitudinal studies such as HS&B:21. Research has long shown that increases in education attainment are associated with a wide range of important civic and life outcomes, including stronger employment prospects and earning potential, lower incarceration rates, higher voting rates, and better health and life expectancy (Cutler & Lleras-Muney, 2006; Julian & Kominski, 2011; Milligan, Moretti, & Oreopoulos, 2004; Oreopoulos & Petronijevic, 2013; Sum, Khatiwada, & McLaughlin, 2009).
- Data from HS&B:21 can also contribute to improved educational experiences by documenting opportunity and achievement gaps and how well schools address inequity. Finally, HS&B:21 and its predecessor studies offer an extraordinary opportunity to study trends in students’ high school experiences and education outcomes. By maintaining linkages with NCES’s previous high school longitudinal studies, HS&B:21 data can be used to examine changes over time and shed light on the effects of various policies, demographic shifts, and school practices on student achievement, growth, and education attainment.

HS&B:21 has been endorsed by the following organizations:

Council of Chief State School Officers

National School Boards Association

National Parent Teacher Association

National Indian Education Association

National Education Association

National Charter Schools Institute

National Catholic Educational Association

The Institute for Excellence in Education

Council of Islamic Schools in North America

Council for American Private Education

Instrument Content

Student	Parent	Administrator	Counselor	Teacher
Background Information	Background Information	School characteristics	Counseling program characteristics	Teacher characteristics
Family structure	Family Structure	School calendar	Discipline and safety	Teacher communication
Neighborhood	Neighborhood	Coursework	School characteristics	Class-level characteristics
Native Language	Native Language	Graduation requirements	Transitions	Coursework
Academic Expectations	Parental Academic Expectations	School performance	Coursework	Student-level characteristics
Parental Academic Expectations	Guidance	Parent engagement	Graduation requirements	Programs and services
Guidance	Attendance Information	Programs and services	Evaluation of staff	School climate
Attendance Information	Academic Experiences	Special education services	Programs and services - offered	School policies
Academic Experiences	Math and Science Experiences	Technology	Programs and services - participation	Teacher attitudes
Math and Science Experiences	School Safety and Climate	Transition to high school	School performance	Evaluation of staff
School Library	Parent Attitudes	Student characteristics	Counselor-level characteristics	Technology usage
School Safety and Climate	Student Behavior	Personnel
Student Attitudes about School	Out-of-School Activities	Interdisciplinary teaching
Student Attitudes about Self	Home life	School climate
Student Behavior	Student Health	Discipline and safety
Student Employment	Student's Peers	Admissions
Out-of-school Activities	Technology Usage	Principal characteristics
Home life	Postsecondary
Student Health	Parent Employment
Student's Peers	Parent Education
Technology Usage	Parent Income/wealth
Postsecondary	Parental Involvement
Parent Employment	High school educational expenses
Parent Education	Locating Information
Parental Involvement
Hearing/Vision
Locating Information

HS&B:21 Student Roster Instructions

Not all students in your school will be asked to participate. We will be selecting a sample. In order to select the sample, we are requesting a complete roster of all students currently enrolled in ninth <and twelfth grade> at your school.

The roster should include key characteristics about each student for sampling purposes. The HS&B:21 roster data request conforms fully to the requirements of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA) (20 U.S.C. §1232g; 34 CFR Part 99). For the purposes of this collection of data, FERPA permits education agencies and institutions to disclose personally identifiable information from students’ education records, without consent, to authorized representatives of the Secretary of Education in connection with an evaluation of federally supported education programs (34 CFR §§ 99.31(a)(3)(iii) and 99.35). Student data are subject to strict protections that are adhered to by NCES and its contractor organizations. Roster information will be securely destroyed when no longer needed for the purposes specified in 34 CFR §99.35.

Below are instructions for preparing and uploading your student roster. The upload process is similar to attaching a file to an e-mail.

Website Upload Instructions

Go to https://surveys.nces.ed.gov/hsb21
Enter the study ID and Password provided in the cover letter.
If this is your first time entering your login credentials, you will be prompted to change your Password to something that you can remember.
Click “Provide Your Student Roster.”
Fill out the required contact information.
Prepare your document containing the requested information. You have two options for preparing a data file:
1. Click on the link provided (Download Student Roster Template) to download an Excel spreadsheet or;
2. Upload a pre-prepared file from your data system.
If you used our excel file template, once you have filled in the requested data fields, please save this file to your desktop, or some other location on your computer.
If you have a file already prepared, please save your file to your desktop, or some other location on your computer.
Go back to the HS&B:21 website (https://surveys.nces.ed.gov/hsb21) and click the “Upload” button.
Click the "Browse" button and navigate to the completed data file stored on your computer and select that file.
Click the "Upload" button. You will receive a message alerting you to the status of your upload.

NCES is authorized to conduct the High School and Beyond Longitudinal Study of 2021 (HS&B:21) by 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 U.S.-based nonprofit research organization. All of the information you provide 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 (20 U.S.C. §9573 and 6 U.S.C. §151).

According to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, no persons are required to respond to a collection of information unless it displays a valid OMB control number. The valid OMB control number for this voluntary information collection is 1850-0944. Approval expires 12/31/2021. The time required to complete this information collection is estimated to average approximately <x> minutes per response, including the time to review instructions, gather the data needed, and complete and review the information collection. If you have any comments concerning the accuracy of the time estimate, suggestions for improving this information collection, or any comments or concerns regarding the status of your individual submission, please write directly to: The High School and Beyond Longitudinal Study of 2021 (HS&B:21), National Center for Education Statistics, PCP, 550 12th St., SW, 4^th floor, Washington, DC 20212.

Data Files Requested

Please note that just the student information can be submitted initially. Once the sample is drawn, you can submit the parent and teacher information for those sampled students separately.

Data Elements Requested (*denotes element required for sampling)

Name
District/School Student identification number
Date of birth*
Grade level * (9<, 12,> or U=ungraded)
Sex
Race/ethnicity*
ELL status

Parent contact information
- Name (last, first)
- Parent Street address, City, State, Zip
- Home phone number
- Cell phone number
- E-mail address
Student’s Math Teacher Name (last, first)
Student’s Math Teacher Email Address
Student’s Math Course Name
Student’s Math Course Period/Section

If you need assistance, please call the HS&B:21 Help Desk at (855) 500-1439.

Endorsements

B lurb about Endorsements page: The following organizations have partnered with NCES to support High School and Beyond 2021. When you see the following symbol, you can view their letter of support and endorsement.
Include symbol to show when there is a letter of support to view:
Support letters from universities/colleges
Include regional endorsement letters (maybe map of U.S. and links to letters?)

Resources

Link to video
Materials
- Brochure, FAQ, Survey Information Sheet, newsletter
Link to usable data from ED (ECLS-K, ECLS-K:2011, HSLS:09, etc.)
Parent Permission Forms
Publications related to study

Appendix A8a. Out-of-School Data Collection – Parent Letter (previously approved)

Shape27

<ADDR1>

<ADDR2>

Dear <Parent or Guardian Name>:

The U.S. Department of Education’s National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) is conducting the High School and Beyond Longitudinal Study of 2021 (HS&B:21) study. We want to hear from you <both> about what works for you with the high school experience and what doesn’t work. We are listening!

Students will be asked to spend about <FILL> minutes taking a survey and answering math and reading questions on the computer. In return, we will send them a certificate for 2 hours of community service from the U.S. Department of Education and <incentive>. We will then ask them to participate again in Spring 2025 to see how things change during high school and then we will collect their high school transcripts in Fall 2025.

Participation is easy! Please give your child the enclosed envelope so that he/she can participate. The envelope contains the information that needs to be entered into the computer to log in and complete the session.

Shape28

If the 1.3 million dropouts from the Class of 2010 had graduated, the nation would have seen $337 billion more in earnings over the course of the students’ lifetimes.

https://www.dosomething.org/us/facts/11-facts-about-education-america

The enclosed brochure provides more information about the study. If you have questions, please call (855) 500-1439 or email us at [email protected]. You can also get more information by watching a short video on our website https://surveys.nces.ed.gov/hsb21..

We thank you in advance for your cooperation in this important research.

Sincerely,

James L. Woodworth

NCES Commissioner

IMPORTANT: This is not a test, and it is not graded. We follow very strict laws to protect personal information and any data collected. All information collected is securely maintained. All reports will use aggregate information for all students who participate; no names will be published in the data files or reports.

Appendix A8a.1 Out-of-School Data Collection – Parent Letter Reminder (modified)

<ADDR1>

<ADDR2>

Dear <Parent or Guardian Name>:

We recently sent you information about The U.S. Department of Education’s National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) High School and Beyond Longitudinal Study of 2021 (HS&B:21) study. If your child has already submitted responses, we thank you both.

If your child has not participated yet, please give them a reminder. <CHILD_NAME> is asked to spend about <FILL> minutes taking a survey and answering math and reading questions on the computer. In return, we will send them <incentive> and a certificate for 2 hours of community service from the U.S. Department of Education. We will then ask <him/her> to participate again in Spring 2025 to see how things change during high school and then we will collect their high school transcripts in Fall 2025.

Please give your child the enclosed envelope so that he/she can participate. The envelope contains the information that needs to be entered into the computer to log in and complete the session.

You will also be asked to complete a survey and will receive a separate letter about your participation.

If you have questions, please call (855) 500-1439 or email us at [email protected]. You can also get more information by watching a short video on our website https://surveys.nces.ed.gov/hsb21.

We thank you in advance for your cooperation in this important research.

Sincerely,

James L. Woodworth

NCES Commissioner

Appendix A8a.2 Out-of-School Data Collection – Parent Email Initial (modified)

Dear <Parent or Guardian Name>:

<CHILD’S NAME> was selected to take part in the High School and Beyond Longitudinal Study of 2021 (HS&B:21) study. Your child has an opportunity to help improve education for themselves and other students in the future.

We are asking <CHILD_NAME> to spend about <FILL> minutes taking a survey and answering math and reading questions on the computer.

Once we have received <CHILD’S_NAME> response, we will send <him/her> a certificate for 2 hours of community service from the U.S. Department of Education and <incentive>.

Please give your child the login information below that needs to be entered into the computer to log in and complete the session.

Web Address: https://surveys.nces.ed.gov/hsb21

Student Study ID: <XXXXXXXX>

Parent Password: <XXXXXXXX><PW_ind>

You will also be asked to complete a survey and will receive a separate email about your participation. We will ask <CHILD’s NAME> to participate again in Spring 2025 to see how things change during high school and then we will collect their high school transcripts in Fall 2025.

If you have questions, please call (855) 500-1439 or email us at [email protected]. You can also get more information by watching a short video on our website https://surveys.nces.ed.gov/hsb21.

We thank you in advance for your cooperation in this important research.

Sincerely,

James L. Woodworth

NCES Commissioner

Appendix A8a.3 Out-of-School Data Collection – Parent Email Reminder (modified)

Dear <Parent or Guardian Name>:

We noticed that we have not received <CHILD’S_NAME> response to the HS&B:21 study, and we wanted to make sure your child had the opportunity to receive <incentive> and 2 hours of community service from the U.S. Department of Education. All <CHILD_NAME> has to do is spend about <FILL> minutes on the computer completing a survey and answering math and reading questions.

Participation is easy! Please give your child the login information below that needs to be entered into the computer to log in and complete the session.

Web Address: https://surveys.nces.ed.gov/hsb21

Student Study ID: <XXXXXXXX>

Parent Password: <XXXXXXXX><PW_ind>

You will also be asked to complete a survey and will receive a separate email about your participation.

If you have questions, please call or email us at [email protected]. You can also get more information by watching a short video on our website https://surveys.nces.ed.gov/hsb21.

We thank you in advance for your cooperation in this important research.

Sincerely,

James L. Woodworth

NCES Commissioner

Appendix A8b. Out-of-school Data Collection – Student Letter (modified)

<DATE>

<STUDENT NAME> Web Address: https://surveys.nces.ed.gov/hsb21

<ADDR1> Student Study ID: <XXXXXXXX>

<CITY STATE ZIP> Student Password: <XXXXXXXX><PW_ind>

Shape29

YOU can make a difference!

Dear <Student Name>:

Congratulations! You have been selected to share about your high school experiences and opinions. Your input will help to improve education for students now and in the future.

The High School and Beyond Longitudinal Study of 2021 (HS&B:21) is conducted by the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) in the U.S. Department of Education. We will ask for your input now, and then we will contact you again in the first half of 2025 to see how things went in high school and to see what may have changed.

This is your chance to provide information that could lead to important changes in education.

Your participation is voluntary, but we can’t do this without you. The study will take about <45-90> minutes and will include a short survey and math and reading questions. Your answers will never be shared with your parents, teachers, or school staff.

Shape30

‘Believe you can and you’re halfway there’

-Theodore Roosevelt-

We will send you a certificate for two hours of volunteer service from the U.S. Department of Education and <incentive> after you have completed the session. To participate, please use the web link and the unique student study ID and Password provided above.

RTI International will collect the data for HS&B:21 on behalf of NCES. We hope that you will take part in this important research. Participation is easy and we really value your responses! The enclosed brochure provides more information about the study. If you have questions, please call (855) 500-1439 or email us at [email protected].

We thank you in advance for your cooperation in this important research.

Sincerely,

James L. Woodworth

NCES Commissioner

Appendix A8b.1 Out-of-school Data Collection – Student Letter Reminder (modified)

<DATE>

<STUDENT NAME> Web Address: https://surveys.nces.ed.gov/hsb21

<ADDR1> Student Study ID: <XXXXXXXX>

<CITY STATE ZIP> Student Password: <XXXXXXXX><PW_ind>

Dear <Student Name>:

We recently sent you information about your selection in an exciting new study, the High School and Beyond Longitudinal Study 2021 or HS&B:21 and we didn’t want you to miss out on an opportunity to earn two hours of volunteer service from the U.S. Department of Education and <incentive>. All you have to do is spend about <45-90> minutes answering a short survey, and math and reading questions. We would really appreciate it if you would share your high school experiences and opinions to help improve education for you and other students now and in the future.

HS&B:21 is conducted by the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) in the U.S. Department of Education, and RTI International is collecting the data for HS&B:21. We will contact you again in the first half of 2025 to see how things went in high school and to see what may have changed.

It is your decision to participate or not, but we hope that you will decide to join fellow students taking part in this important research. We will never share your responses with your parents, teachers, or school staff. Participation is easy! Just use the web link and the unique student study ID and Password provided above.

If you have any questions, please call (855) 500-1439 or email us at [email protected]. You can also get more information by watching a short video on our website https://surveys.nces.ed.gov/hsb21.

Thank you so much for your cooperation in this important research.

Sincerely,

James L. Woodworth

NCES Commissioner

Appendix A8b.2 Out-of-School Data Collection – Student Email Initial (modified)

Dear <Student Name>:

Congratulations! You have been selected to participate in the High School and Beyond Longitudinal Study of 2021 (HS&B:21). This is your chance to not only improve education for yourself and other students, but you will also earn <incentive> and 2 hours of volunteer service from the U.S. Department of Education.

All we are asking you to do is to take about <45-90> minutes to complete a short survey and answer some reading and math questions.

Here’s the information you need to participate:

Web Address: https://surveys.nces.ed.gov/hsb21

Student Study ID: <XXXXXXXX>

Student Password: <XXXXXXXX><PW_ind>

If you have questions, please call (855) 500-1439 or email us at [email protected]. You can also get more information on our website by watching a short video on our website https://surveys.nces.ed.gov/hsb21.

We thank you in advance for your cooperation in this important research.

Sincerely,

James L. Woodworth

NCES Commissioner

Appendix A8b.3 Out-of-School Data Collection – Student Email Reminder (previously approved)

Dear <Student Name>:

We wanted to remind you that it’s not too late to earn <incentive> and 2 hours of volunteer service from the U.S. Department of Education! All you have to do is spend about <45-90> minutes completing a short survey and math and reading questions. Students nationwide are participating in the High School and Beyond Longitudinal Study of 2021 (HS&B:21), and we need your input too!

This is your chance to provide information that could lead to important changes in education.

Your participation is voluntary, but we can’t do this without you. Your answers will never be shared with your parents, teachers, or school staff. To participate, please use the web link and the unique student study ID and Password provided below.

Web Address: https://surveys.nces.ed.gov/hsb21

Student Study ID: <XXXXXXXX>

Student Password: <XXXXXXXX><PW_ind>

If you have questions, please call (855) 500-1439 or email us at [email protected]. You can also get more information on our website by watching this short video at https://surveys.nces.ed.gov/hsb21.

We thank you in advance for your cooperation in this important research.

Sincerely,

James L. Woodworth

NCES Commissioner

Appendix A8b.4 Out-of-School Data Collection – Student Postcard (New)

We’re sorry we missed you at the HS&B:21 student session at your school! We would still like for you to participate at home. Please complete the session on your computer. You can log in at:

Web Address: surveys.nces.ed.gov/hsb21

Student Study ID: <XXXXXXXX>

Student Password: <XXXXXXXX><PW_ind>

When you have finished, we will send you a certificate for 2 hours of community service and <incentive>.

Appendix A8b.4 Out-of-School Data Collection: Sorry I Missed You Card (New)

Shape31

Sorry I Missed You…

Appendix A8c. Hybrid Out-of-School Data Collection – Student Postcard (previously approved)

Thank you for your participation today. Please complete the rest of the session on your computer. You can log in at:

Web Address: surveys.nces.ed.gov/hsb21

Student Study ID: <XXXXXXXX>

Student Password: <XXXXXXXX><PW_ind>

When you have finished, we will send you a certificate for 2 hours of community service and <incentive>.

Appendix A8d. Hybrid Out-of-School Data Collection – Parent Letter (previously approved)

<DATE>

<ADDR1>

<ADDR2>

Dear <Parent or Guardian Name>:

Your child recently participated in the High School & Beyond Longitudinal study of 2021 (HS&B:21) in school. We would like him/her to complete the rest at home.

By participating in HS&B:21, <student name> can share his/her experiences and opinions to help improve education for them and other students in the future.

The remaining portion of the session should take about {XX} minutes and will consist of <a survey and answering math and reading questions> on the computer. In return, we will send your child a certificate for 2 hours of community service from the U.S. Department of Education and <incentive>.

We will then ask your child to participate again in the Spring of 2025 to see how things change during high school and then we will collect their high school transcript in Fall 2025.

Please give your child the enclosed envelope so that he/she can participate. The envelope contains the information that needs to be entered into the computer to log in and complete the session.

You will also be asked to complete a survey and will receive a separate letter about your participation.

The enclosed brochure provides more information about the study. If you have questions, please call (855) 500-1439 or email us at [email protected]. You can also get more information on our website by watching a short video at https://surveys.nces.ed.gov/hsb21.

Shape32

We thank you in advance for your cooperation in this important research.

Sincerely,

James L. Woodworth

NCES Commissioner

Appendix A8d.1 Hybrid Out-of-School Data Collection – Parent Letter Reminder (previously approved)

<DATE>

<ADDR1>

<ADDR2>

Dear <Parent or Guardian Name>:

<Child_name> recently participated in the High School & Beyond Longitudinal Study of 2021 (HS&B:21) at school, and only has to complete about {XX} minutes of the < survey and math and reading questions> on the computer to receive a certificate for 2 hours of community service from the U.S. Department of Education and <incentive>.

Participating is easy! The enclosed envelope contains the information <CHILD_NAME> needs to log in to the computer and complete the session.

You will also be asked to complete a survey and will receive a separate letter about your participation.

The enclosed brochure provides more information about the study. If you have questions, please call (855) 500-1439 or email us at [email protected]. You can also get more information on our website by watching a short video at https://surveys.nces.ed.gov/hsb21.

We thank you in advance for your cooperation in this important research.

Sincerely,

James L. Woodworth

NCES Commissioner

Appendix A8d.2 Hybrid Out-of-School Data Collection – Parent Email Initial (previously approved)

Dear <Parent or Guardian Name>:

<CHILD_NAME> recently participated in the High School &Beyond Longitudinal study of 2021 (HS&B:21) in school and has about {XX} minutes left to complete <the survey and math and reading questions>. We wanted to be sure your child gets credit for participating and receives <his/her> certificate for 2 hours of community service from the U.S. Department of Education and <incentive>.

Please give your child the login information below to complete the session.

Web Address: surveys.nces.ed.gov/hsb21

Student Study ID: <XXXXXXXX>

Student Password: <XXXXXXXX><PW_ind>

You will also be asked to complete a survey and will receive a separate email about your participation.

We will ask your child to participate again in the Spring of 2025 to see how things change during high school and then we will collect their high school transcript in Fall 2025.

If you have questions, please call (855) 500-1439 or email us at [email protected]. You can also get more information by watching a short video on our website at https://surveys.nces.ed.gov/hsb21.

We thank you in advance for your cooperation in this important research.

Sincerely,

James L. Woodworth

NCES Commissioner

Appendix A8d.3 Hybrid Out-of-School Data Collection – Parent Email Reminder (previously approved)

Dear <Parent or Guardian Name>:

There is still time for <CHILD_NAME> to login and complete the remaining portion of the High School and Beyond Longitudinal Study of 2021 (HS&B:21) session at home. It should take about {XX} minutes and will consist of <a survey and answering math and reading questions> on the computer. In return, we will send <CHILD_NAME> a certificate for 2 hours of community service from the U.S. Department of Education and <incentive>.

Please give your child the login information below that needs to be entered into the computer to log in and complete the session.

Web Address: surveys.nces.ed.gov/hsb21

Student Study ID: <XXXXXXXX>

Student Password: <XXXXXXXX><PW_ind>

We will then ask your child to participate again in the Spring of 2025 to see how things change during high school and then we will collect their high school transcript in Fall 2025.

You will also be asked to complete a survey and will receive a separate email about your participation.

If you have questions, please call (855) 500-1439 or email us at [email protected]. You can also get more information on our website by watching a short video at https://surveys.nces.ed.gov/hsb21.

We thank you in advance for your cooperation in this important research.

Sincerely,

James L. Woodworth

NCES Commissioner

Appendix A8e. Hybrid Out-of-school Data Collection – Student Letter (modified)

<DATE>

<STUDENT NAME> Web Address: surveys.nces.ed.gov/hsb21

<ADDR1> Student Study ID: <XXXXXXXX>

<CITY STATE ZIP> Student Password: <XXXXXXXX><PW_ind>

Dear <Student Name>:

Thank you for participating in the first part of the High School and Beyond Longitudinal Study of 2021 (HS&B:21) at your school. By sharing your school experiences and opinions, you can help to improve education for students now and in the future.

Please take <##> minutes to complete the rest of the session. Your participation is voluntary, but we can’t do this without you. Your answers will never be shared with your parents, teachers, or school staff. We will send you a certificate for two hours of volunteer service from the U.S. Department of Education and <incentive> after you have completed the session. To participate, please use the web link and the unique student study ID and Password provided above.

NCES has asked RTI International, a not-for-profit research organization, to collect the data for HS&B:21. We hope that you will participate in this important research. We value and appreciate your input! The enclosed brochure provides more information about the study. If you have questions, please call (855) 500-1439 or email us at [email protected].

We thank you in advance for your cooperation in this important research.

Sincerely,

James L. Woodworth

NCES Commissioner

Appendix A8e.1 Hybrid Out-of-school Data Collection – Student Letter Reminder (previously approved)

<DATE>

<STUDENT NAME> Web Address: surveys.nces.ed.gov/hsb21

<ADDR1> Student Study ID: <XXXXXXXX>

<CITY STATE ZIP> Student Password: <XXXXXXXX><PW_ind>

Dear <Student Name>:

Thank you again for completing the first part of the High School and Beyond Longitudinal Study of 2021 (HS&B:21) at your school! As a reminder, we would still like you to log in and complete the rest of the session, which should take about <###> minutes. Participating is easy and will earn you <incentive> and two hours of volunteer service from the U.S. Department of Education.

The information you need to login in is provided above.

We thank you in advance for your cooperation in this important research.

Sincerely,

James L. Woodworth

NCES Commissioner

Appendix A8e.2 Hybrid Out-of-School Data Collection – Student Email Initial (previously approved)

Dear <Student Name>:

Thank you for participating in the first part of the High School and Beyond Longitudinal Study of 2021 (HS&B:21) at your school.

We want to make sure you get credit for participating, and the <incentive> and two hours of volunteer service from the U.S. Department of Education. Please take <##> minutes to complete the rest of the session. To participate, please use the web link and the unique student study ID and Password provided below.

Web Address: surveys.nces.ed.gov/hsb21

Student Study ID: <XXXXXXXX>

Student Password: <XXXXXXXX><PW_ind>

If you have questions, please call (855) 500-1439 or email us at [email protected]. You can also get more information by watching a short video on our website at surveys.nces.ed.gov/hsb21.

Thank you so much for your cooperation in this important research.

Sincerely,

James L. Woodworth

NCES Commissioner

Appendix A8e.3 Hybrid Out-of-School Data Collection – Student Email Reminder (previously approved)

Dear <Student Name>:

It’s not too late to log in and complete the HS&B:21 session, which should take about <###> minutes.

Once you complete the session, we will send you a certificate for two hours of volunteer service from the U.S. Department of Education and <incentive>. Participating is easy! Just use the web link and the unique student study ID and Password provided below.

Web Address: surveys.nces.ed.gov/hsb21

Student Study ID: <XXXXXXXX>

Student Password: <XXXXXXXX><PW_ind>

If you have questions, please call (855) 500-1439 or email us at [email protected]. You can also get more information by watching a short video on our website at surveys.nces.ed.gov/hsb21.

We thank you in advance for your cooperation in this important research.

Sincerely,

James L. Woodworth

NCES Commissioner

Appendix A9a. Summary of Mathematics Questions (modified)

Approximate length Goal for Main Study	30 minutes (part of a 45 min or 90 min session including math, reading, and a student survey)

Mode of administration	In school computerized administration using Chromebooks, tablet-like computers with touchscreen capability and an attached keyboard, that will be brought in to the school by the study Out of school computerized administration using students’ personal computers with or without touchscreen capability

Key constructs	Number Systems and Arithmetic Number sense applying basic operations with fractions and integers to word problems representing and understanding rational numbers in multiple forms understanding the relative size of irrational numbers understanding basic concepts of ratio, rate, and proportional relationships using rational numbers to solve problems and understand slope and functions Algebra and Functions understanding the use of expressions beginning with letter representations of a single number solving and representing linear equations and inequalities understanding functions comparing functions represented in different ways distinguishing between linear and nonlinear functions comparing and creating representations of different functions Geometry and Measurement analyzing geometric figures in one, two, or three dimensions measuring physical attributes systems of measurement understanding transformations Data, Probability, and Statistics understanding how to represent and interpret data calculating and interpreting descriptive statistics demonstrating a general conceptual understanding of data distribution shapes and properties using basic probability rules and counting techniques

Appendix A9b. Summary of Reading Questions (previously approved)



Approximate length Goal for Main Study	25 minutes (part of a 45 min or 90 min session including math, reading, and a student survey)

Mode of administration	Two-stage, in school computerized session using Chromebooks, tablet-like computers with touchscreen capability and an attached keyboard, that will be brought in to the school by the study Out of school computerized administration using students’ personal computers with or without touchscreen capability

Key constructs	Word Recognition & Decoding Students read words (e.g., elect), pronounceable nonwords (e.g., clort) and pseudohomophones (e.g., brane) and decide whether the stimulus is a word, not a real word, or sounds exactly like a real word. Vocabulary A single target word is presented and the student decides which of provided three words goes with the target word. Correct answers are either synonyms (e.g., data - information) or meaning associates (e.g., thermal - heat). Morphological Awareness The student completes a sentence by choosing from three words derived from the same root word (e.g., She is good at many sports, but her _______ is basketball: specialty, specialize, specialist). The target words vary in difficulty based on the frequency of the derived forms (i.e., lower frequency derivations are more difficult). Sentence Processing The student completes sentences of increasing length and syntactic complexity by choosing from three choices (e.g., Shouting in a voice louder than her friend Cindy's, Tonya asked Joe to unlock the door, but ______ didn’t respond: he, she, they). In this task, frequent words used in everyday language are used in the sentences to decrease the influence of vocabulary knowledge in this task. Consequently, the focus is on understanding of sentence syntax and meaning (rather than word meaning). Efficiency of Basic Reading Comprehension (MAZE task) Students read short passages containing sentences that are completed using a forced-choice cloze task (e.g., Agriculture meant that people stayed in one place to grow their baskets / crops / rings.). These passages are between 250-300 words in length and have Flesch-Kinkaid Grade Level estimates of grades 6 and 7. Students in this block will read approximately 3 paragraphs in this way. This task is timed such that students are given 3 minutes to complete a passage and its corresponding items, making it a measure of efficiency as well as basic comprehension. Reading Comprehension Students answer questions about the passage they read while doing the MAZE task. The passage presented in the MAZE task will be presented again with the correct completions for the items presented in the MAZE task. The passage will appear on the same screen as the questions. Easier questions will be selected for this skill-based block.

Appendix A9c. Summary of Student Survey (modified)

	Student Survey

Approximate length Goal for Main Study	25 minutes (part of a 45 min or 90 min session including math, reading, and a student survey)

Mode of administration	In school computerized administration using Chromebooks, tablet-like computers with touchscreen capability and an attached keyboard, that will be brought into the school by the study. Out of school computerized administration using students’ personal computers with or without touchscreen capability.

Key constructs	Student Background Demographics (i.e., sex, race/ethnicity, date of birth) Language characteristics (e.g., first language, how often speaks non-English language at home and with friends, preferred language, English fluency) School Experiences School and grade level attended last year Ever repeated a grade Math coursework (i.e., 8th-grade and current math course(s), most advanced math course expects to take) Confidence in math abilities Participation in ELL program Preparedness for class School climate (e.g., safety, supportive teachers/staff, sense of belonging, and bullying) School activities Frequency of and difficulty with internet usage for homework Family Family structure (e.g., number/types of parents or guardians) Parent(s)/guardian(s) employment status and educational attainment Relationship between parent/guardian and student (e.g., autonomy, monitoring, school-related discussions) Guidance and Future Plans Academic guidance received (e.g., academic courses, going to college) Educational attainment expectations and confidence College affordability and financial literacy Attitudes, Behavior, and Wellness Growth mindset (e.g., general and math-specific) Sleep (e.g., time student wakes up and goes to sleep, sleep issues) and exercise patterns Hearing (e.g., use of hearing device, hearing issues, noise exposure) Vision (e.g., use of glasses or contact lenses, vision issues) Recreational technology usage Conscientious behavior, persistence, and optimism Racial/ethnic inclusion Peers (e.g., social support, school-related values) Participation in activities outside of school including employment Locating Information for Future Follow-Up

Appendix A9d. Summary of Parent Survey (modified)

	Parent Survey

Approximate length	25 minutes

Mode of administration	Web-based administration accessible by individualized link, with a telephone-based interview option available.

Key constructs	School Experiences School assigned or chosen, number of times changed schools Grades student repeated or skipped Ever participated in gifted and talented program Special education services (e.g., 504 plan and IEP/ISP) Participation in ELL program Suspension or expulsion (e.g., number of times and length, type, reason) Ever dropped out Availability of place to do homework, digital devices and internet at home Family Family composition (e.g., number/types of parents or guardians and marital status, number of people in household, and number of siblings) Student’s amount of time spent living with parent/guardian Student’s contact with nonresident parent Siblings’ educational experience (e.g., number in high school, graduated from high school, and continued education after high school) Background Information Student’s demographics (i.e., sex, race/ethnicity, date of birth) Parent/guardian demographics (i.e., race/ethnicity, birth year) Language characteristics (e.g., language(s) spoken at home, parent’s language as a barrier to school involvement) Guidance and Future Plans Educational guidance received (e.g., influence on course selection, participation by nonresident parent, parents’/guardians’ educational and occupational advice, talk with counselor or teacher about postsecondary admission) Educational expectations (e.g., desired and expected) Family’s plans for financing postsecondary education and savings Parental Education, Employment and Socioeconomic Status Parental educational attainment Parental employment status and job characteristics (e.g., number of jobs, hours worked, job stability, and occupation) Parental active duty status Economic status (e.g., household income, number of dependents, home ownership, student receives free or reduced-price lunch) Home Life and Wellness Residential stability (e.g., time at current residence and number of residences) Relationship between parent and student (e.g., frequency eating meals together, number of student’s friends known, and communication with parents of student’s friends, regulation of technology use) Student’s activities outside of school, tutoring and summer school Student’s wellness (e.g., last dental and health care visit, overall health, number of sick days, experience of asthma, ADD/ADHD medication, evaluation/formal diagnosis, hearing issues, use of hearing device, noise exposure)

Locating Information for Future Follow-up

Appendix A9e. Summary of Mathematics Teacher Survey (modified)

	Mathematics Teacher Survey

Approximate length	15 minutes for teacher background and classroom characteristics; 3 minutes per student report

Mode of administration	Web-based administration accessible by individualized link.

Key constructs

Teacher background and classroom characteristics

Classroom Characteristics

Math course subject
Class size (number of students)
Class rigor
Classroom behavior
Achievement level of class

Classroom Mathematics Instruction

Taught course before or first time
Source of course curriculum used (e.g., local, state, national)
Mathematics teaching objectives
Sources of teaching materials (e.g., textbook, open educational resources)

Teacher Experience and Background

Highest degree and major field(s) of study
Type of certification
Years and grades of math and other teaching experience
Employment status in school (e.g., full-time, part-time, long-term substitute)
Professional development in math
Demographic information (i.e., sex, race/ethnicity, year born)

School Climate and Teaching Practices

School climate
Teaching climate
Growth mindset
Availability and use of classroom technology

Teacher provided information on individual students

Mathematical Thinking

Appropriate level for student
Demonstrated mathematics abilities

Observations/Impressions

Positive behavior
Attendance/tardiness
Preparedness
Future expectations for college attendance

Student Characteristics

Taught student since beginning of school year
IEP/ISP status

Appendix A9f. Summary of School Counselor Survey (modified)

	School Counselor Survey

Approximate length	25 minutes

Mode of administration	Web-based administration accessible by individualized link.

Key constructs	School and Counseling Program Characteristics Enrollment practices Number of counselors by full-time and part-time status Number of counselors certified Caseload by full-time and part-time status Practices for assigning students to counselors Counseling program priorities Counseling services offered to students Assisting students with transitions from middle grades to high school School Courses and Academic Programs Course placement practices Course offerings (e.g., Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, dual enrollment, CTE) Instructional modalities (e.g., distance learning, online, blended learning, work-based) TRiO program offerings Counseling and Support Services School extended learning opportunities Academic assistance, enrichment, and remediation opportunities Credit recovery program Supports for disadvantaged students General Education Development (GED) offerings Use of early warning systems School Graduation Requirements and Transitions after High School Graduation requirements (e.g., credits required by subject, proficiency test, math coursetaking requirements) Career and education plan requirements Assistance with graduation, postsecondary, and workforce preparation School’s network with employers Tracking of students’ pathways after high school

Appendix A9g. Summary of School Administrator Survey (modified)

	School Administrator Survey

Approximate length Goal for Main Study	40 minutes

Mode of administration	Web-based administration accessible by individualized link.

Key constructs	School Characteristics School characteristics (e.g., public/private, grades served, special type/focus, enrollment, average daily attendance) School calendar, start time, and number of hours of instruction Availability of technology for use during lessons Admission criteria, acceptance rate, tuition, and financial assistance Student population (e.g., racial/ethnic composition, percent free- and reduced-price lunch, percent ELL, special education, repeating 9th grade) Student attrition, transfers to alternative program or school Pathways of students after high school Teaching Staff Number of teachers by full-time and part-time status Teaching faculty’s racial/ethnic composition Teachers’ certification status (e.g., number certified, type of certification, certified in subject teaches) Number of new teachers Teacher absenteeism and attrition Teaching staff salary information Math teaching staff preparedness School Programs and Coursework Advanced Placement (AP) offering and enrollment Vocational/technical/business program offering and enrollment Competency-based advancement Common academic curriculum Cooperative learning Assistance for parents Extracurricular activities Special education offerings (e.g., IEP/ISP) English Language Learner (ELL) offerings Discipline and Safety Safety and school-level security practices (e.g., visitor sign-ins, metal detector checks) Types of disciplinary actions and emphasis on discipline Parental engagement in disciplinary actions School Administrator Background Highest degree and major field of study Certification Years of school administrator experience overall and at current school Years, grades, and main subject of teaching experience Factors affecting school administrator’s evaluation Demographic information (e.g., sex, race/ethnicity) School Climate Student and teaching staff attitudes (e.g., morale, school press, attitudes towards learning) Problems at school (e.g., student misconduct) School relationships with stakeholders

Appendix A10. Student Rostering Materials (modified)

Request for Student Roster Information from Schools

Study ID: «username»

Password: «passwd»

HS&B:21 website: https://surveys.nces.ed.gov/HSB21/

<<date>>

«listprovidername»

«schoolname»

«schooladdress»

«schoolcitystzip»

Dear «listprovidername»:

We are looking forward to working with your students on the High School and Beyond Longitudinal Study of 2021 (HS&B:21). Your school’s participation is important to the success of the study and we appreciate it! To select the student sample, we are asking you to provide information about each student enrolled in your school in grade 9. About 35 students, on average will be selected. If your school is small, we may invite all of your students in grades 9 to participate.

Please go to the HS&B:21 website (URL provided above) to provide your roster once your enrollment is stable for the 2021-2022 school year. Instructions are included with this letter. You will receive $50 after student, parent, and teacher data are provided. We appreciate your timely response to this request.

This information request conforms to the requirements of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA) (20 U.S.C. §1232g; 34 CFR Part 99). For the purposes of this collection of data, FERPA permits education agencies and institutions to disclose personally identifiable information from students’ education records, without consent, to authorized representatives of the Secretary of Education in connection with an evaluation of federally supported education programs (34 CFR §§ 99.31(a)(3)(iii) and 99.35). Student data are subject to strict protections that are adhered to by NCES and its contractor organizations. Roster information will be securely destroyed when no longer needed for the purposes specified in 34 CFR §99.35.

If you have any questions, please contact us toll-free: 855-500-1439 or via email [email protected]

Sincerely,

Dan Pratt, Project Director

Below are instructions for preparing and uploading your 9^th grade student roster.

Website Upload Instructions

Go to https://surveys.nces.ed.gov/hsb21
Enter the study ID and password provided in the cover letter.
If this is your first time entering your login credentials, you will be prompted to change your password to something that you can remember.
Click “Provide Your Student Roster.”
Fill out the required contact information.
Prepare your document containing the requested information. You have two options for preparing a data file:
1. Click on the link provided (Download Student Roster Template) to download an Excel spreadsheet or;
2. Upload a pre-prepared file from your data system.
If you use our excel file template, once you have filled in the requested data fields, please save this file to your desktop, or some other location on your computer.
If you have a file already prepared, please save your file to your desktop, or some other location on your computer.
Go back to the HS&B:21 website (https://surveys.nces.ed.gov/hsb21) and click the “Upload” button.
Click the "Browse" button and navigate to the completed data file stored on your computer and select that file.
Click the "Upload" button. You will receive a message alerting you to the status of your upload.

Data Elements Requested

You may submit ALL information for the entire 9^th grade population or, only the 9^th grade student data elements can be submitted initially. Once the sample is drawn, if you prefer, you can submit the parent and teacher information and IEP/504 status for only those sampled students.

The data elements needed for student sampling include:

Student Name (First, Middle, Last) and/or,
District/School Student Identification Number
Date of Birth mm/dd/year
Grade Level = 9^th
Sex
Race/Ethnicity
ELL Status (yes or no)

If not provided on initial roster, once we notify you of the list of sampled students, please return to the website to provide the following for those students:

STUDENT IEP/504 STATUS- YES OR NO Once the students have been selected, we will ask for an indicator if students have an IEP/504 plan (yes/no). This will ensure the data collection staff can provide any accommodations needed during the student session.

Parent Contact Information for Sampled Students
- Parent Name (last, first)
- Parent Street address, City, State, Zip
- Home phone number
- Cell phone number
- E-mail address

Math Teacher Information- FOR SAMPLED 9^TH GRADE STUDENTS If no math class taken by 9^TH grade student during fall 2021 semester, please indicate by NA (not applicable) in Math Course Name Column. PLEASE DO NOT LEAVE BLANK.

9^th grade Student’s Math Teacher Name (last, first) **(if math class taken during fall semester)
9^th grade Student’s Math Teacher Email Address
9^th grade Student’s Math Course Name
9^th grade Student’s Math Course Period/Section

Instructions: Please provide the information below for each student currently enrolled in the ninth <and twelfth> grade<s> at your school. This information will be used to select an average of 35 ninth grade <and 35 twelfth grade> students from your school for the study.

General Student information

Race
(Y/N all that apply)

Ethnicity
(Y/N)

ELL

IEP/504 (Yes or No) sampled students only

Parent Contact information

Student's 9^th grd. Math Teacher/Class information **if math class taken Fall 2021

StudentID

FirstName

LastName

Suffix

Grade 9

Date of birth
MM/DD/YY

Sex(M/F)

White

Black or African American

Asian

Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander

American Indian or Alaska Native

Hispanic

Yes/No

Parent's First Name

Parent's Last Name

Parent's Address

Parent City

Parent State

Parent Zip

Parent's Email

Parent's Home Phone

Parent's Cell Phone

MathTeacherFirstName

MathTeacherLastName

MathTeacherEmail

Math Course Name

Math Course Period/Section

According to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, no persons are required to respond to a collection of information unless it displays a valid OMB control number. The valid OMB control number for this voluntary information collection is 1850-0944. Approval expires 08/31/2022. The time required to complete this information collection is estimated to average approximately 5 minutes per row, including the time to review instructions, gather the data needed, and complete and review the information collection. If you have any comments concerning the accuracy of the time estimate, suggestions for improving this information collection, or any comments or concerns regarding the status of your individual submission, please write directly to: The High School and Beyond Longitudinal Study of 2021 (HS&B:21), National Center for Education Statistics, PCP, 550 12th St., SW, 4th floor, Washington, DC 20212.

Appendix A11. Parent Data Collection Letter (previously approved)

Dear Parent or Guardian,

We are thrilled that your child’s school is participating in the High School and Beyond Longitudinal Study of 2021 (HS&B:21). Here at the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) in the U.S. Department of Education, we are reaching out to schools, students, parents, school counselors, math teachers, and school administrators to understand the high school experience. The information that is provided will contribute to improving education for students now and in the future.

We would greatly appreciate it if the person most knowledgeable about <student_firstname>’s school and home life would complete a <##>-minute online survey for the study. We have enclosed $5 to thank you in advance for your participation. As a token of our appreciation for being a part of the study, when you finish the survey either online or over the phone, you will receive <incentive>. You may have already received a letter inviting your child to participate in HS&B:21, or that letter will be coming to you in the next few weeks.

Shape34

American students are outperforming one group: their grandparents. In fact, Millennials are on track to be the most educated generation in history compared with older generations when they were the same age.

http://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2015/08/10/5-facts-about-americas-students/

To access the parent survey, please log into:

surveys.nces.ed.gov/hsb21

Study ID: xxxxxxxx

Password: xxxxxxxx.

Your participation will directly benefit your child’s school. Teachers will earn incentives and continuing education credits during this research, and we need everyone to do their part. Please log in today and complete your survey!

To learn more, watch a short video at the study website at https://surveys.nces.ed.gov/hsb21/. If you have questions, please call us at (855) 500-1439 or send email to [email protected]. Thank you for supporting education by participating in this important study!

Shape35

Sincerely,

James L. Woodworth

NCES Commissioner

Enclosures: Study Information Sheet, Brochure and Flyer

The study is conducted by the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), part of the U.S. Department of Education. All of the information collected is protected, as required by law. NCES is authorized to conduct HS&B:21 by the Education Sciences Reform Act of 2002 (ESRA 2002, 20 U.S.C. §9543) and to collect students’ education records from education agencies or institutions for the purposes of evaluating federally supported education programs under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA, 34 CFR §§ 99.31(a)(3)(iii) and 99.35). The data are being collected for NCES by RTI International, a U.S.-based nonprofit research organization. All of the information you and your child provide 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 (20 U.S.C. §9573 and 6 U.S.C. §151). The collected information will be combined across respondents to produce statistical reports. Completing the survey is voluntary for you and your child and there are no penalties for not participating. You may also skip any question you do not want to answer if you choose to participate.

Appendix A11.1 Parent Data Collection Letter Reminder (previously approved)

Dear <Parent or Guardian>,

We recently sent you information about the High School and Beyond Longitudinal study of 2021 (HS&B:21). It is not too late to participate in this exciting study that schools, students, parents, school counselors, math teachers, and school administrators are participating in nationwide. Your contributions will help improve education for students now and in the future.

Participating is easy and should only take about <###> minutes. Your participation will directly benefit your child’s school. As a token of our appreciation, you will receive <incentive> when you finish the survey. You may have already received a letter inviting your child to participate in HS&B:21, or that letter will be coming to you in the next few weeks.

Shape36

http://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2015/08/10/5-facts-about-americas-students/

To access the parent survey, please log into:

surveys.nces.ed.gov/hsb21

Study ID: xxxxxxxx

Password: xxxxxxxx.

Shape37

Sincerely,

James L. Woodworth

NCES Commissioner

Enclosures: Study Information Sheet, Brochure and Flyer

Appendix A11.1a Parent Data Collection Reminder Postcard (New)

<FirstName>,

The High School and Beyond Longitudinal Study of 2021 (HS&B:21) is happening now! Nationwide, schools, students, parents, school counselors, math teachers, and school administrators are participating in this study!

The information you provide will help improve education for students now and in the future.

It only takes <xx> minutes, and we’ll send you <incentive>.

Go to https://surveys.nces.ed.gov/hsb21

Study ID: <xxxxxxxx>

Password: <xxxxxxxx>

Or call the HS&B:21 Help Desk at (855) 500-1439 or send email to [email protected].

Thank you for supporting education by participating in this important study.

The High School and Beyond Longitudinal Study of 2021 (HS&B:21) is being conducted by the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) with the U.S. Department of Education. RTI International is carrying out the HS&B:21 data collection on behalf of NCES.

Appendix A11.1b Parent Data Collection Abbreviated Survey Postcard (New)

Why participate in HS&B:21?

We need YOUR input so the study can represent the experiences of all high school students across the U.S.

<FNAME>, your participation will now take only <xx> minutes of your time.

Complete online: https://surveys.nces.ed.gov/hsb21

Study ID: <xxxxxxxx>

Password: <xxxxxxxx>

Complete by phone: (855) 500-1439

Complete the HS&B:21 survey today and receive $<incentive> as our thanks to you.

Appendix A11.2 Parent Data Collection Email (previously approved)

Dear <Parent or Guardian>,

We are thrilled that your child’s school is participating in the High School and Beyond Longitudinal Study of 2021 (HS&B:21), and we are hoping that the person most knowledgeable about <student_firstname>’s school and home life would complete a <##>-minute online survey for the study.

As a token of our appreciation for being a part of the study, when you finish the survey either online or over the phone, you will receive <incentive>. You may have already received a letter inviting your child to participate in HS&B:21, or that letter will be coming to you in the next few weeks. To access the parent survey, please use the login information below:

Study website: https://surveys.nces.ed.gov/hsb21

Study ID: <xxxxxxxx>

Password: <xxxxxxxx>

NCES has been conducting studies like this since 1970. This is your opportunity to contribute information that may lead to change.

For more information please watch this brief video about the study at https://surveys.nces.ed.gov/hsb21. You may also call the study hotline at (855) 500-1439 or send email to [email protected]. Thank you for supporting education by participating in this important study.

Sincerely,

James L. Woodworth

NCES Commissioner

Appendix A11.3a Parent Data Collection Email Reminder (previously approved)

Dear Parent or Guardian,

Did you know that it’s not too late to participate in the High School and Beyond Longitudinal Study of 2021 (HS&B:21) a study that schools, students, parents, school counselors, math teachers, and school administrators are participating in around the nation? The information you provide will help improve education for students now and in the future.

Please complete the <##>-minute online survey for the study. As a token of our appreciation for being a part of the study, when you finish the survey either online or over the phone, you will receive <incentive>. To access the parent survey, please use the login information below:

Study website: surveys.nces.ed.gov/hsb21

Study ID: <xxxxxxxx>

Password: <xxxxxxxx>

NCES has been conducting studies like this since 1970. This is your opportunity to contribute information that may lead to change.

For more information, please watch this brief video about the study at https://surveys.nces.ed.gov/hsb21. You may also call the study hotline at (855) 500-1439 or send email to [email protected]. Thank you for supporting education by participating in this important study.

Sincerely,

James L. Woodworth

NCES Commissioner

Appendix A11.3b Parent Data Collection Email Reminder (previously approved)

Dear <<fname>>,

My name is Elise Christopher and I am the Project Officer for the High School and Beyond Longitudinal Study of 2021 (HS&B:21), from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES). I hope that you will take a bit of time out of your busy schedule to complete the HS&B:21 survey today. This survey is part of a nationwide study of students’ education and life experiences as they move through high school and transition into postsecondary education and/or the workforce. Your views and those of your child are important to this study. Decisions about what high school courses to take, whether to pursue further education after high school, and which future career paths to follow are important for policymakers and researchers to understand.

On average, the survey takes only about <##> minutes and you will receive <<inc_amount>> as a token of appreciation for filling it out.

To complete the survey online, go to our secure website:

https://surveys.nces.ed.gov/hsb21

Study ID: <<StudyID>>

Password: <<password>>

If you have questions or prefer to complete the survey over the phone, please call us at 855-500-1439. You may also contact [email protected]. Our data collection contractor, RTI International, is available to assist you with any questions you may have.

Thank you for helping to make HS&B:21 a success.

Elise Christopher, PhD

HS&B:21 Project Officer

National Center for Education Statistics (NCES)

U.S. Department of Education

[email protected]

Appendix A11.4a Parent Data Collection Reinterview Email – Web (previously approved)

Dear «fname»:

You may recall recently completing the High School and Beyond Longitudinal Study of 2021 (HS&B:21) web survey. Thank you for your participation!

At the end of your survey, you were randomly selected for and agreed to participate in a quality control web survey. This second survey will take only about 10 minutes to complete, and will determine how well our questions collected reliable information.

To complete the quality control survey, please log in to our secure website at https://surveys.nces.ed.gov/hsb21/ using the Study ID and password provided below:

Study ID = «caseid»

Password = «password»

If you have any questions or need assistance, you can call us toll-free at 1-855-500-1439, or you can e-mail us at [email protected].

If you have already completed this quality control survey, please disregard this message.

Again, thank you for your time and willingness to participate.

Sincerely,

Dan Pratt

HS&B:21 Project Director

RTI International

Appendix A11.4b Parent Data Collection Reinterview Email – CATI (previously approved)

Dear «fname»:

You may recall recently completing the High School and Beyond Longitudinal Study of 2021 (HS&B:21) survey with a telephone interviewer. Thank you for your participation!

At the end of your survey, you were randomly selected for and agreed to participate in a quality control survey. This second survey will take only about 10 minutes to complete and will determine how well our questions collected reliable information.

Please call 1-855-500-1439, provide our interviewer with the Study ID number listed below, and inform them that you are calling in reference to the quality control survey.

Study ID = «caseid»

If you have already received a telephone call and have completed this quality control survey, please disregard this message. Again, thank you for your time and willingness to participate.

Sincerely,

Dan Pratt

HS&B:21 Project Director

RTI International

Appendix A12a. Staff Data Collection Letters – Math Teacher Letter (modified)

Shape39 Shape38

Your login information:

Website: <insert URL>

Study ID: <ID>

Password: <Password>

<DATE>

<ADDR1>

<ADDR2>

Dear <TEACHER NAME>,

Shape40

Source: https://nces.ed.gov/pubs2019/2019154.pdf

SCHOOL NAME> is participating in the High School and Beyond Longitudinal Study of 2021 (HS&B:21), conducted by the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), part of the U.S. Department of Education’s Institute of Education Sciences. You are receiving this invitation to participate because one or more of your 9^th grade students has been selected. <As a token of our appreciation, you will receive [incentive] for answering questions about your background and selected students.> You will also receive a Certificate of Service from the U.S. Department of Education for your survey.

HS&B:21 focuses on factors that lead to positive outcomes for high school students. This is data that educators, policymakers, and researchers need to inform practices, knowledge funding, and to support student success. This is your opportunity to provide information about your experiences and opinions as a teacher, providing essential information about academic policies and curriculum in the classroom. The survey will include several general questions about your background and experiences at school and in the classroom (about 15 minutes), as well as questions about students in the study (about 3 minutes per student). Your participation is voluntary and very important to the success of this study.

To access the online questionnaire, use the web address and unique study ID and password provided at the top of this letter.

Shape41

Source: Kelly, S., & Zhang, Y. (2016). Teacher Support and Engagement in Math and Science: Evidence from the High School Longitudinal Study. The High School Journal 99(2), 141-165.

Should you have any questions, please call (855) 500-1439 or email [email protected]. You can also learn more about the study in the enclosed materials, or by watching a short video on our website https://surveys.nces.ed.gov/hsb21.

We thank you in advance for your cooperation in making this important research study a success.

Sincerely,

James L. Woodworth

NCES Commissioner

Enclosures: HS&B:21 Brochure, Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) sheet

Appendix A12a.1 Staff Data Collection Letters – Math Teacher Reminder (modified)

Shape42 <DATE>

Shape43

Your login information:

Website: <insert URL>

Study ID: <ID>

Password: <Password>

<ADDR1>

<ADDR2>

Dear <TEACHER NAME>,

Shape44

Source: https://nces.ed.gov/pubs2019/2019154.pdf

e are following up on survey information recently sent to you about the U.S. Department of Education’s High School and Beyond Longitudinal Study of 2021 (HS&B:21), which <SCHOOL NAME> is participating in. You are invited to complete a survey because one or more of your students are in the study. <As a reminder, you will receive [incentive] for answering questions about your background and selected students. You will also receive a Certificate of Service from the U.S. Department of Education for your survey.> <As a reminder, you will receive a Certificate of Service from the U.S. Department of Education for your survey.>

This is your opportunity to provide information about your experiences and opinions as a teacher, providing essential information about academic policies and curriculum in the classroom. The survey will include general questions about your background and experiences at school and in the classroom (about 15 minutes), and questions about students who are part of the study (about 3 minutes per student). Your participation is voluntary and very important to the success of this study.

To access the online questionnaire, use the web address and unique study ID and password provided at the top of this letter.

Shape45

Source: Kelly, S., & Zhang, Y. (2016). Teacher Support and Engagement in Math and Science: Evidence from the High School Longitudinal Study. The High School Journal 99(2), 141-165.

Should you have any questions, please call (855) 500-1439 or email [email protected]. You can also learn more about the study in the enclosed materials.

We thank you in advance for your cooperation in making this important research study a success.

Sincerely,

James L. Woodworth

NCES Commissioner

Enclosures: HS&B:21 Brochure, Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) sheet

Appendix A12a.2 Staff Data Collection Letters – Math Teacher Email (modified)

SUBJECT LINE: Share your voice! Inform education practices nationwide

Dear <TEACHER NAME>,

This email is to follow up on an invitation you should have received from the U.S. Department of Education about <SCHOOL NAME>’s participation in the High School and Beyond Longitudinal Study of 2021 (HS&B:21). You are receiving this invitation because one or more of your students are in the study. This is an opportunity for your voice and the voices of your students to be heard by providing information about your experiences and opinions as a teacher. The survey will include general questions about your background and experiences teaching (about 15 minutes), as well as questions about students who are part of the study (about 3 minutes per student). Your participation is voluntary and very important to the success of this study.

As a token of our appreciation, you will receive a Certificate of Service from the U.S. Department of Education for your time. <You will also receive [incentive] for answering the questions about your background and selected students.> To access the online questionnaire, please use the web address and unique study ID and password provided below.

Website: surveys.nces.ed.gov/hsb21

Study ID: <ID>

Password: <Password>

Should you have any questions, please call (855) 500-1439 or email [email protected]. You can also get more information by watching a short video on our website https://surveys.nces.ed.gov/hsb21.

We thank you in advance for your cooperation in making this important research study a success.

Sincerely,

James L. Woodworth

NCES Commissioner

HS&B:21 is conducted by the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) in the U.S. Department of Education’s Institute for Education Sciences. NCES is authorized to conduct the High School and Beyond Longitudinal Study of 2021 (HS&B:21) by the Education Sciences Reform Act of 2002 (ESRA 2002, 20 U.S.C. §9543) and to collect students’ education records from education agencies or institutions for the purposes of evaluating federally supported education programs under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA, 34 CFR §§ 99.31(a)(3)(iii) and 99.35). The data are being collected for NCES by RTI International, a U.S.-based nonprofit research organization. All of the information students, parents, and staff provide 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 (20 U.S.C. §9573 and 6 U.S.C. §151). The collected information will be combined across respondents to produce statistical reports.

Study Conducted by:

Data Collected by:

Appendix A12a.3 Staff Data Collection Letters – Math Teacher Email Reminder (modified)

SUBJECT LINE: SHARE your voice! It is not too late!

Dear <TEACHER NAME>,

It is not too late to participate in the High School and Beyond Longitudinal Study of 2021 (HS&B:21). This is an opportunity to support your student’s and <SCHOOL>’s participation and for your voice to be heard by providing information about your experiences and opinions as a teacher. The survey will include general questions about your background and experiences teaching (about 15 minutes), as well as questions about students who are part of the study (about 3 minutes per student). Your participation is voluntary and very important to the success of this study.

Website: surveys.nces.ed.gov/hsb21

Study ID: <ID>

Password: <Password>

Should you have any questions, please call (855) 500-1439 or email [email protected]. You can also get more information by watching a short video on our website https://surveys.nces.ed.gov/hsb21.

We thank you in advance for your cooperation in making this important research study a success.

Sincerely,

James L. Woodworth

NCES Commissioner

Appendix A12b. Staff Data Collection Letters – Guidance Counselor (modified)

Shape47 Shape48 Shape46

Your login information:

Website: <insert URL>

Study ID: <ID>

Password: <Password>

Website: <insert URL>

Study ID: <ID>

Password: <Password>

<DATE>

<ADDR1>

<ADDR2>

Dear <COUNSELOR NAME>,

< SCHOOL NAME> is participating in the High School and Beyond Longitudinal Study of 2021 (HS&B:21), conducted by the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), part of the U.S. Department of Education’s Institute of Education Sciences. To gain a wholistic view of the high school education experience, we are asking you to complete an online school counselor questionnaire on behalf of your school. Your participation will provide essential information about student services, activities and programs in the school, and other school related experiences that impact student learning.

Shape49

Source: https://toandthrough.uchicago.edu/mythbusters

This is an opportunity for your voice to be heard by providing information about your experiences and opinions as a counselor. Your participation is voluntary and very important to the success of this study and you will receive a Certificate of Service from the U.S. Department of Education <and [incentive]> for your time.

To access the questionnaire online, please use the web address and unique study ID and Password provided at the top of this letter. It should take no longer than 25 minutes to complete. We recommend gathering the following information in advance of completing the survey:

Student services and programs offered at school
Participation rates in programs and services
Graduation requirements
Student population (e.g., percent IEP, percent ELL/LEP)

Should you have any questions, please call (855) 500-1439 or email to [email protected]. You can also learn more about the study and education research focused on students in the enclosed materials, or by watching a short video on our website https://surveys.nces.ed.gov/hsb21.

We thank you in advance for your cooperation in making this important research study a success.

Sincerely,

James L. Woodworth

NCES Commissioner

Enclosures: HS&B:21 Brochure, Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) sheet

Appendix A12b.1. Staff Data Collection Letters Reminder – Guidance Counselor (modified)

Shape52 Shape51 Shape50

Your login information:

Website: <insert URL>

Study ID: <ID>

Password: <Password>

Website: <insert URL>

Study ID: <ID>

Password: <Password>

<DATE>

<ADDR1>

<ADDR2>

Dear <COUNSELOR NAME>,

We are following up on information recently sent to you about the U.S. Department of Education’s High School and Beyond Longitudinal Study of 2021 (HS&B:21), which <SCHOOL NAME> is participating in. To gain a wholistic view of the high school education experience, we are asking you to complete an online school counselor questionnaire to provide essential information about student services, activities and programs in the school, and other school related experiences that impact student learning.

Shape54 Shape53

Source: https://toandthrough.uchicago.edu/mythbusters

T his is an opportunity to support not only your students, but students nation-wide by providing information about your experiences and opinions as a counselor. Your participation is voluntary and very important to the success of this study. You will receive a Certificate of Service from the U.S. Department of Education <and [incentive]> for your time.

To access the questionnaire online, please use the web address and unique study ID and Password provided at the top of this letter. It should take no longer than 25 minutes to complete. We recommend gathering the following information in advance of completing the survey:

Student services and programs offered at school
Participation rates in programs and services
Graduation requirements
Student population (e.g. percent IEP, percent ELL/LEP).

We thank you in advance for your cooperation in making this important research study a success.

Sincerely,

James L. Woodworth

NCES Commissioner

Enclosures: HS&B:21 Brochure, Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) sheet

Appendix A12b.2. Staff Data Collection Email– Guidance Counselor (modified)

SUBJECT LINE: Share your voice! Inform education practices and student supports nationwide

Dear <COUNSELOR NAME>,

This email is to follow up on an invitation you should have received from the U.S. Department of Education about <SCHOOL NAME>’s participation in the High School and Beyond Longitudinal Study of 2021 (HS&B:21). This is an opportunity for you to share your experiences and opinions as a school counselor at <SCHOOL>. This information will be combined with data from counselors across the nation to inform high school policy and practice. You will receive a Certificate of Service from the U.S. Department of Education <and [incentive]> for your time. Participation is voluntary and very important to the success of this study.

Please use the web address and unique study ID and password provided below to complete an online questionnaire. The survey should take no longer than 25 minutes. We recommend gathering the following information in advance of completing the survey:

Student services programs offered at school
Participation rates in programs and services offered
Graduation requirements
Student population (e.g., percent IEP, percent ELL/LEP)

Website: surveys.nces.ed.gov/hsb21

Study ID: <ID>

Password: <Password>

If you have questions, please call the HS&B:21 information number, (855) 500-1439 or send an email to [email protected]. Learn more about the study and education research focused on students in high school by watching a short video on our website surveys.nces.ed.gov/hsb21.

We thank you in advance for your cooperation in making this important research study a success.

Sincerely,

James L. Woodworth

NCES Commissioner

Appendix A12b.3. Staff Data Collection Email Reminder – Guidance Counselor (previously approved)

SUBJECT LINE: Share your voice! It is not too late!

Dear <COUNSELOR NAME>,

It is not too late to participate in the High School and Beyond Longitudinal Study of 2021 (HS&B:21). This is an opportunity to support <SCHOOL>’s participation and for your voice to be heard by providing information about your experiences as a school counselor. You will receive a Certificate of Service from the U.S. Department of Education <and [incentive]> for your time. Participation is voluntary and very important to the success of this study.

Student services programs offered at school
Participation rates in programs and services offered
Graduation requirements
Student population (e.g., percent IEP, percent ELL/LEP)

Website: surveys.nces.ed.gov/hsb21

Study ID: <ID>

Password: <Password>

We thank you in advance for your cooperation in making this important research study a success.

Sincerely,

James L. Woodworth

NCES Commissioner

Appendix A12c. Staff Data Collection Letters – School Administrator (modified)

Shape56 Shape57 Shape55

Your login information:

Website: <insert URL>

Study ID: <ID>

Password: <Password>

Website: <insert URL>

Study ID: <ID>

Password: <Password>

<DATE>

<ADDR1>

<ADDR2>

Dear <ADMIN NAME>,

Shape58

Source: http://impact.all4ed.org/

hank you for your school’s participation in the High School and Beyond Longitudinal Study of 2021 (HS&B:21). To provide a wholistic view of the high school education experience, we are asking you to participate in an online administrator questionnaire about academic policies and programs, activities and curriculum in the school, and other school related experiences that impact student learning. This is an opportunity for you to provide information about your experiences and opinions as a school administrator. Your participation is voluntary and very important to the success of this study.

You will receive a Certificate of Service from the U.S. Department of Education <and [incentive]> for your time. To access the questionnaire online, please use the web address and unique study ID and Password provided at the top of this letter. The survey should take no longer than 40 minutes to complete. We recommend gathering the following information in advance of completing the survey:

Student body demographics

School personnel counts

Math curriculum information

State assessment scores

Student attendance and matriculation

information

Programs, services, and supports available for students with IEPs, and the percentage of students who use them

If there is someone at your school who you would like to respond on your behalf, please contact us at (855) 500-1439, or [email protected] to provide your designee’s name and email address. Learn more about the study and education research focused on students in high school in the enclosed information or by watching a short video on our website https://surveys.nces.ed.gov/hsb21.

We thank you in advance for your cooperation in making this important research study a success.

Sincerely,

James L. Woodworth

NCES Commissioner

HS&B:21 is conducted by the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) in the U.S. Department of Education’s Institute for Education Science. NCES is authorized to conduct the High School and Beyond Longitudinal Study of 2021 (HS&B:21) by the Education Sciences Reform Act of 2002 (ESRA 2002, 20 U.S.C. §9543) and to collect students’ education records from education agencies or institutions for the purposes of evaluating federally supported education programs under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA, 34 CFR §§ 99.31(a)(3)(iii) and 99.35). The data are being collected for NCES by RTI International, a U.S.-based nonprofit research organization. All of the information students, parents, and staff provide 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 (20 U.S.C. §9573 and 6 U.S.C. §151). The collected information will be combined across respondents to produce statistical reports.

Appendix A12c.1. Staff Data Collection Letters Reminder– School Administrator (modified)

Shape60 Shape59

Your login information:

Website: <insert URL>

Study ID: <ID>

Password: <Password>

<DATE>

<ADDR1>

<ADDR2>

Dear <ADMIN NAME>,

Thank you for <SCHOOL>’s participation in the High School and Beyond Longitudinal Study of 2021 (HS&B:21). Please take time to participate in your online administrator questionnaire to provide essential information about academic policies and programs, activities and curriculum in the school, and other school related experiences that impact student learning. Your participation is voluntary and very important to the success of this study.

Shape61

Source: http://impact.all4ed.org/

ou will receive a Certificate of Service from the U.S. Department of Education <and [incentive]> for your time. To access the questionnaire online, please use the web address and unique study ID and Password provided at the top of this letter. The survey should take no longer than 40 minutes to complete.

We recommend gathering the following information in advance of completing the survey:

Student body demographics

School personnel counts

Math curriculum information

State assessment scores

Student attendance and matriculation

information

Programs, services, and supports available for students with IEPs, and the percentage of students who use them

We thank you in advance for your cooperation in making this important research study a success.

Sincerely,

James L. Woodworth

NCES Commissioner

Enclosures: HS&B:21 Brochure, Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) sheet

Appendix A12c.2. Staff Data Collection Email – School Administrator (modified)

SUBJECT LINE: Share your voice! Inform education practices and student supports nationwide

Website: surveys.nces.ed.gov/hsb21

Study ID: <ID>

Password: <Password>

Dear <ADMIN NAME>,

We are grateful for your schools participation in the High School and Beyond Longitudinal Study of 2021 (HS&B:21). Please complete your online administrator questionnaire to provide essential information about academic policies, programs, activities, and curriculum in the school. Your participation is voluntary and very important to the success of this study. You will receive a Certificate of Service from the U.S. Department of Education <and [incentive]> for your time.

To access the questionnaire online, please use the web address and unique study ID and password provided above. The survey should take no longer than 40 minutes and does not have to be completed at one sitting. We recommend gathering the following information in advance of completing the survey:

Student attendance and matriculation information
Student body demographics
Math curriculum information
School personnel counts
State assessment scores
Programs, services, and supports available for students with IEPs, and the percentage of students who use them

If there is someone at your school who you would like to respond on your behalf, please contact us at (855) 500-1439, or [email protected] to provide their name and email address.

Learn more about the study by watching a short video on our website https://surveys.nces.ed.gov/hsb21.

We thank you in advance for your cooperation in making this important research study a success.

Sincerely,

James L. Woodworth

NCES Commissioner

HS&B:21 is conducted by the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) in the U.S. Department of Education’s Institute for Education Sciences. NCES is authorized to conduct the High School and Beyond Longitudinal Study of 2021 (HS&B:21) by the Education Sciences Reform Act of 2002 (ESRA 2002, 20 U.S.C. §9543) and to collect students’ education records from education agencies or institutions for the purposes of evaluating federally supported education programs under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA, 34 CFR §§ 99.31(a)(3)(iii) and 99.35). The data are being collected for NCES by RTI International, a U.S.-based nonprofit research organization. All of the information students, parents, and staff provide 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 by law (20 U.S.C. §9573 and 6 U.S.C. §151). The collected information will be combined across respondents to produce statistical reports.

Appendix A12c.3. Staff Data Collection Email Reminder– School Administrator (modified)

SUBJECT LINE: Share your voice! It is not too late!

Website: surveys.nces.ed.gov/hsb21

Study ID: <ID>

Password: <Password>

Dear <ADMIN NAME>,

We are grateful for your schools participation in the High School and Beyond Longitudinal Study of 2021 (HS&B:21). Please complete your online questionnaire to provide essential information about academic policies, programs, activities, and curriculum in the school. Your survey will help complete your school’s participation. Your administrator survey is voluntary yet very important to the success of this study. You will receive a Certificate of Service from the U.S. Department of Education <and [incentive]> for your time.

Student attendance and matriculation information
Student body demographics
Math curriculum information
School personnel counts
State assessment scores
Programs, services, and supports available for students with IEPs, and the percentage of students who use them

If there is someone at your school who you would like to respond on your behalf, please contact us at (855) 500-1439, or [email protected] to provide their name and email address.

Learn more about the study by watching a short video on our website https://surveys.nces.ed.gov/hsb21.

We thank you in advance for your cooperation in making this important research study a success.

Sincerely,

James L. Woodworth

NCES Commissioner

Appendix A13a. School Staff Participation Certificate (previously approved)

Appendix A13b. Parent/Student Incentive Receipt Form (previously approved)

Interview Incentive Receipt

National Center for Education Statistics (NCES)

and

RTI International

Thank you for participating in the High School and Beyond Study (HS&B:21)

In appreciation of your participation in this important study, you are eligible to receive $______.

Since maintaining the confidentiality of your information is important to us, your name will not be entered on this form. However, the interviewer must sign and date this form to certify you received (or declined) the incentive.

___________________________________ _________ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __

Interviewer Date Study ID

□ Accepted Incentive □ Declined Incentive

Appendix A14a. Lead Postcards (new)

Shape63

<<ADDRESS>>

Appendix A14b. Informational Materials (new)

Incentives and Accommodations Menu

H ow is HS&B:21 Different

From State, Local & Other Research?

HS&B:21 is a unique opportunity for all involved in the education experience—students, educators, and parents—to contribute meaningful information that will impact student outcomes for generations to come.
This is not just another test or survey; rather HS&B:21 will capture a wholistic view of student learning, growth, and social and interpersonal development during the critical high school years.
While NAEP and state assessments measure student performance and progress, NCES longitudinal series are the only studies that collect data on school and family experiences that allow us to examine associations between contextual factors and student outcomes.
HS&B:21 is not high stakes – the study does not affect student grades or school accountability ratings.
HS&B:21 was designed with input from educators and recognizes that a “one size fits all” approach does not work. Within an overarching framework, we partner with districts and schools to customize a data collection plan that complies with district policies and minimizes disruption to the school day.
Many educational programs and practices currently in use are based on research that used NCES’s longitudinal data. School participation today is essential for producing research-based practices for tomorrow.
Findings generated from HS&B:21 will not only advance teaching and learning, but will also inform federal, state, and local policy, programming, and funding decisions.
With limited resources available, it is imperative for districts and schools to join together in research that will benefit all of our nation’s youth.
What we learn from HS&B:21 will be invaluable to better understanding student achievement and what factors lead students to successfully complete high school and enter postsecondary education or the workforce.

Appendix A14c. Virtual Session PowerPoint(new)

1 Berkowitz, R., Moore, H,m and Astor, R. A., November 1, 2016. ,A Research Synthesis of the Associations Between Socioeconomic Background, Inequality, School Climate, and Academic Achievement.

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