Evaluating the DC Opportunity Scholarship Program After the 2017 Reauthorization

OMB Supporting Statement Evaluation of the DC OSP After the 2017 Reauthorization

Appendix C-1 Parent Applicant Survey

Information for Reviewers

The study team for the Evaluation of the DC Opportunity Scholarship Program (OSP) will administer this Parent Survey to collect data about families’ experiences with the OSP. This document includes proposed survey items, their sources, and programming logic for online administration. Reviewers should take note of the following:

Respondent samples and survey timing

The study team will administer two surveys to parents:

• Parent Applicant Survey: Parents of OSP-eligible students who apply for an OSP scholarship for the 2021-22 school year. When parents receive the survey invitation in the spring of 2022, their child may or may not have used an OSP scholarship to enroll in a DC private school.

• Parent User Survey: Parents of OSP-eligible students who applied for an OSP scholarship for the 2021-22 school year and whose child used the scholarship to enroll in the fall of 2021 in a participating private school. When parents receive the survey invitation in the spring of 2023, their child may or may not still be using an OSP scholarship to remain enrolled in a DC private school in the 2022-23 school year.

Formatting guide

This document uses the following conventions:

ALL CAPS	Indicates programming logic that respondents will not see but which drives survey skip patterns and auto-filled parameters.
Source:	Indicates the original source of the item and notes any study-related adaptations.

Variable definitions

The survey uses the following variables:

Variable	Definition
CHILD_FNAME CHILD_LNAME	Sample variables. The first and last names of the student for which the parent applied for an OSP scholarship. (In families with two or more OSP applicant students, the study team will select a target child at random.)
OCTOBER_SCHL	Survey response sets this variable to the name of the school where CHILD_FNAME was attending in October of the current school year (2021-2022)
CURRENT_SCHL	Survey response sets this variable to the name of the school where CHILD_FNAME is enrolled as of REF_DATE
REF_DATE	A common month and year for survey respondents to use when answering questions about “current” or past school enrollment, applications, etc. For example, “February, 2022”
OSP_USER	Survey response sets this variable to YES if student ever used an OSP scholarship in 2021-2022 (Year 1) and NO if student never used an OSP scholarship in Year 1
TRANSFER	Survey response sets this variable to YES if CURRENT_SCHL differs from OCTOBER_SCHL, and set to NO if CURRENT_SCHL is the same as OCTOBER_SCHL. This indicates if the student transferred schools mid-year in 2021-2022 (Year 1).

Survey item sources

DC OSP Education Study Parent Questionnaire, Spring 2013. Fielded as part of Dynarski, Rui, Webber, and Gutmann, Evaluation of the DC Opportunity Scholarship Program: Impacts Two Years After Students Applied (NCEE 2018-4010). Washington, DC: National Center for Education Evaluation and Regional Assistance, Institute of Education Sciences, U.S. Department of Education. Retrieved from https://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/DownloadDocument?objectID=57178801

Glazerman, S., Nichols-Barrer, I., Valant, J., & Burnett, A. (2018). Presenting School Choice Information to Parents: An Evidence-Based Guide (NCEE 2019-4003) (Parent Survey). Washington, DC: National Center for Education Evaluation and Regional Assistance, Institute of Education Sciences, U.S. Department of Education. Parent survey (PISCE Attachment A) retrieved from https://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAViewIC?ref_nbr=201601-1850-002&icID=219569

Jochim, A., DeArmond, M., Gross, B., & Lake, R. (2014). How parents experience public school choice. Making Choice Work Series. Seattle, WA: Center for Reinventing Public Education. Retrieved from http://www.crpe.org/publications/how-parents-experience-public-school-choice (Items from: A Survey of Public School Parents, prepared by Strategies 360 for the Center for Reinventing Public Education, available on request.)

National Center for Education Statistics (2017). ED School Climate Surveys (Parent Survey). Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Education. Retrieved from https://safesupportivelearning.ed.gov/sites/default/files/EDSCLS_Questionnaires_112017.pdf

National Center for Education Statistics (2017). ED School Climate Surveys (Student Survey). Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Education. Retrieved from https://safesupportivelearning.ed.gov/sites/default/files/EDSCLS_Questionnaires_112017.pdf

U.S. Census Bureau (2019). National Survey of Children’s Health. Retrieved from https://www.census.gov/content/dam/Census/programs-surveys/nsch/tech-documentation/questionnaires/2019/NSCH-T3.pdf

Welcome Text and Consent to Participate

DC Opportunity Scholarship Program:

Parent Survey, Spring 2022

WELCOME

This survey is part of a study focused on the DC Opportunity Scholarship Program (OSP).

The OSP provides scholarships to help DC families pay for private school. The U.S. Department of Education is sponsoring this study and has hired Abt Associates and researchers at the University of Washington and North Carolina State University to carry out the survey.

Some questions ask about your experiences with Serving Our Children, the nonprofit organization that runs the OSP scholarship program. As a reminder, their website looks like this:

CONSENT

We are asking you to complete a short survey with questions about your child’s current school and your experiences with the DC Opportunity Scholarship program (OSP). Even if your child is not using an OSP scholarship, we still want you to take part. We know your time is valuable: the survey should take about 15 minutes to complete.

We believe that you or another family member applied for an OSP scholarship for [CHILD_FNAME CHILD_LNAME] to use in the 2021-2022 school year. When you applied for this scholarship, you agreed to be part of future studies of the program.

As the parent or guardian of a student who applied for an OSP scholarship, you are an important part of this study. Your survey answers could help improve the OSP and schooling options for families in DC.

If you complete the survey, we will give you a $20 electronic gift card. None of your answers will affect your child’s OSP scholarship or eligibility. However, the survey is optional. You may skip questions you do not want to answer, and you may stop at any time. If you choose not to take the survey, your choice will not affect your child’s OSP scholarship or eligibility.

We will not include your name, your child’s name, or school names in any report, document, or database available to the public. The U.S. Department of Education and its contractors may store and use data collected in this study to evaluate the OSP, but they will not reveal information that identifies you or your child in any report, document, or database available to the public.

We thank you in advance for completing this survey. Your responses will help make this important U.S. Department of Education study a success.

EXIT

CONTINUE

Information collected for this study comes under the confidentiality and data protection requirements of the Institute of Education Sciences (The Education Sciences Reform Act of 2002, Title I, Part E, Section 183). Per the policies and procedures required by the Education Sciences Reform Act of 2002, Title I, Part E, Section 183, responses to this data collection will be used only for statistical purposes. The reports prepared for this study will summarize findings across the sample and will not associate responses with a specific program, district or individual. Any willful disclosure of such information for non-statistical purposes, except as required by law, is a class E felony.

Paperwork Burden Statement: According to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, no persons are required to respond to a collection of information unless such collection displays a valid OMB control number. The valid OMB control number for this information collection is xxxx-xxxx. Public reporting burden for this collection is estimated to average 15 minutes per response, including the time to review instructions, search existing data resources, gather the data needed, and complete and review the information collection. The obligation to respond to this collection is voluntary. If you have comments or concerns regarding the status of your individual submission of this form, application or survey, please contact (National Center for Education Evaluation/Institute of Education Sciences U.S. Department of Education, 555 New Jersey Avenue, SW Room 502i, Washington, DC 20208) directly. (Note: Please do not return the completed instrument, form, application or survey to this address.)

Section A: Your child’s school

Most of the questions in this section are about your child’s current school. First, however, we have a few questions about you and your child, [CHILD_FNAME].

A1. What grade is [CHILD_FNAME] CURRENTLY enrolled in? Mark one.

Kindergarten	4th grade	7th grade	10th grade
1st grade	5th grade	8th grade	11th grade
2nd grade	6th grade	9th grade	12th grade
3rd grade

Source: New

A2. What was your role when making decisions about [CHILD_FNAME]’s education for the current (2021-2022) school year? Mark one.

• I was the only person who made decisions about [CHILD_FNAME]’s education

• I was the main person who made decisions about [CHILD_FNAME]’s education, but I took into account the opinions of my child or another adult

• I shared equally in the decisions with someone else (my child or another adult)

• I was involved in some other way

• I was not involved in making decisions about [CHILD_FNAME]’s education for the 2021-2022 school year

Source: Glazerman et al., 2018. Parent Information and School Choice Evaluation, Parent Survey, Item A7.

IF “NOT INVOLVED” GO TO EXIT_3.

IF “SHARED EQUALLY” OR “SOME OTHER” DISPLAY TEXT:

Throughout the survey, when we say “you,” we are referring to you and others who made decisions about [CHILD_FNAME]’s education for the current (2021-2022) school year.

GO TO A3

A3. How are you related to [CHILD_FNAME]? Mark one.

• Biological or adoptive parent

• Step-parent

• Grandparent

• Foster parent

• Other: Relative

• Other: Non-relative

Source: National Survey of Childhood Health, 2019, item J1

A4. Does [CHILD_FNAME]… Mark one per row.

	YES	NO
Have a learning, physical, or developmental disability?		
Struggle with academic learning?		
Seem more advanced than other learners of the same age?		
Have a primary language other than English?		

Source: DC OSP Education Study Parent Questionnaire, Spring 2013, Items 10-12, adapted

IF ROW(A)=Y, LET STWD=YES

IF ROW(B)=Y, LET STGL=YES

IF ROW(C)=Y, LET ADVN=YES

IF ROW(D)=Y, LET ELL=YES

A5. Is [CHILD_FNAME] CURRENTLY using an OSP scholarship to attend a private school? Mark one.

• Yes

• No

• Not sure

Source: New

IF YES OR NOT SURE, THEN OSP_USER=YES, SKIP TO A8

IF NO OR MISSING, THEN GO TO A6

A6. Did [CHILD_FNAME] EVER use an OSP scholarship to attend a private school during THIS school year (2021-2022)? Mark one.

• Yes

• No

• Not sure

Source: New

IF YES OR NOT SURE OR MISSING THEN OSP_USER=YES AND SKIP TO A8.

IF NO THEN OSP_USER=NO AND GO TO A7

A7. [OSP_USER=NO] Why did you decide NOT to use the OSP scholarship for [CHILD_FNAME] this school year (2021-2022)? Mark all that apply.

• Moved out of DC

• Moved to a new location within DC

• Preferred a public school or a private school that does not accept OSP scholarships

• Wanted to home-school [CHILD_FNAME] this year

• [CHILD_FNAME] wanted to be with friends at a public school or a private school that does not accept OSP scholarships

The private school(s) we considered:

• Did not accept OSP scholarship funding

• Did not admit [CHILD_FNAME]/put [CHILD_FNAME] on a waiting list

• Was too far from home or too hard to get to

• Did not offer transportation

• Was too expensive

• Did not offer before- or after-school care we wanted

• Did not offer free or affordable breakfast or lunch

• Did not offer a sport or other activity we wanted

• IF STWD=Y, DISPLAY: Did not offer the services we wanted for a learning, physical, or developmental disability or other special needs

• IF STGL=Y, DISPLAY: Did not offer the support we wanted for learners who struggle with academics

• IF ADVN=Y, DISPLAY: Did not offer the learning opportunities for academically advanced students that we wanted

• IF ELL=Y, DISPLAY: Did not offer the support we wanted for students whose primary language is not English

• Other reason(s), please specify: [TEXTBOX]

• None of the above

Source: DC OSP Education Study Parent Questionnaire, Spring 2013, Item 28, adapted

RANDOM ORDER RESPONSE OPTIONS IN TOP SECTION EXCEPT FIRST 3 OPTIONS. RANDOM ORDER RESPONSE OPTIONS IN BOTTOM SECTION EXCEPT OTHER, NONE

IF 2 OR MORE ROWS MARKED, THEN GO TO A7a

IF ALL MISSING OR “NONE OF THE ABOVE” MARKED, SKIP TO A8

A7a. What is the MOST important reason you decided NOT to use the OSP scholarship this year? Mark one.

• A7_REASON_MARKED

• A7_REASON_MARKED

• …

• A7_REASON_MARKED

Source: New

GO TO A8

Now we have some questions about where your child is attending school. Throughout this survey we will refer to “public” and “private” schools.

Private schools charge tuition and can choose which students to admit.

Public schools are free (they do not charge tuition to students) and open to all students who live in DC.

Charter schools are a type of public school. In DC, your child may be able to attend a charter or traditional public school other than your neighborhood school by entering the My School DC lottery.

A8. As of [REF_DATE], what school is [CHILD_FNAME] attending?

School name: [Begin typing, then select your school].

Select your child’s school above, or mark one of the following:

• My child is home-schooled

• My child attends a school that is not in DC

• My child is not currently attending school

Source: New

FILTER DROPDOWN BASED ON ENTRY. DROPDOWN SHOULD INCLUDE “A school outside of DC” AND “Home schooling” AND “Not attending school” AT TOP OF MENU. AFTER RESPONDENT CLICKS NEXT CONFIRM ENTRY: “Just to confirm, you said [CHILD_FNAME] is attending [A8_SCHL] at [SCHL_ADDRESS]. Is that correct?” IF Y, CONTINUE, IF N, REPEAT A8.

IF “My child is home-schooled,” THEN LET CURRENT_SCHL = “home-schooled”

IF “…a school that is not in DC,” THEN LET CURRENT_SCHL = “current school not in DC”

IF “…not currently attending school” THEN LET CURRENT_SCHL = “not attending school”

IF MISSING AFTER SOFT PROMPT, THEN LET MFLAG_A8=1 AND CURRENT_SCHL = “your child’s current school”

ELSE LET CURRENT_SCHL=A8_SCHL (SELECTION MADE)

A9. Overall, how safe do you feel [CHILD_FNAME]’s school is? Mark one.

• Very safe

• Somewhat safe

• Not safe

Source: DC OSP Education Study Parent Questionnaire, Spring 2013, Item 8

A10. How serious of a problem are the following at [CHILD_FNAME]’s current school?

	Very serious	Somewhat serious	Not serious	Not Sure
Property destruction or vandalism				
Robbery or theft				
Physical conflicts among students				
Racial tensions				
Bullying				
Student possession of weapons				
Student drug or alcohol use				

Source: Description of DC OSP Parent Follow-up Survey, Spring 2009, on p. A-11 of the final report and ED School Climate Surveys Parent Survey, Items 19-26

A11. How would you rate [CHILD_FNAME]’s current school on the following? Mark one per row.

Current school:	A Excellent	B Good	C Fair	D Poor	F Failing	Don’t know
Condition of classrooms, other instructional areas (such as library, computer or science labs)						
Approach to discipline						
Communication with parents						
Teachers’ support for your child’s academic progress						
School leaders’ support for your child’s academic progress						
Respectful, positive school environment						
Sports or extra-curricular activities						
Overall grade						

Source: DC OSP Education Study Parent Questionnaire, Spring 2013, Item 14, adapted

IF OSP_USER=YES, GO TO A14

IF OSP_USER=NO AND (CURRENT_SCHL = “Home-schooled” OR “not attending school”) SKIP TO A15a

IF OSP_USER=NO AND (CURRENT_SCHL not equal “Home-schooled” OR “not attending school”) SKIP TO A15b

A14. Has [CHILD_FNAME] received any tutoring from Serving Our Children (the organization that runs the OSP scholarship program) during the current school year (2021-2022)? Mark one.

• Yes

• No

• Not sure

Source: New

IF (CURRENT_SCHL= “Home-schooled” OR “not attending school”) GO TO A15a. IF (CURRENT_SCHL NOT EQUAL “Home-schooled” OR “not attending school”) GO TO A15b.

Next, we’d like to know where your child was attending school this past fall – that is, in October of the current school year (2021-2022).

[SEE ITEM A8]: IF CURRENT_SCHL IN (“home-schooled,” “not attending school”), GO TO A15a. ELSE, SKIP TO A15b.

A15a. [INTRO TO A15a] Earlier, you told us that your child is currently [[DISPLAY ONE: home-schooled || not attending school]].

Was [CHILD_FNAME] also [home-schooled/not attending school] in October of this current school year (2021-2022)? Mark one.

• Yes

• No

Source: New

IF YES, LET TRANSFER=NO, LET OCTOBER_SCHL=CURRENT_SCHL.

IF [NO OR MISSING], LET TRANSFER=YES.

IF TRANSFER=YES GO TO A15c

IF TRANSFER=NO, GO TO SECTION B

A15b. [INTRO TO A15b] Earlier, you told us that your child is currently attending [CURRENT_SCHL].

Is [CURRENT_SCHL] the same school [CHILD_FNAME] was attending in October of this current school year (2021-2022)? Mark one.

• Yes

• No

Source: New

IF YES, LET TRANSFER=NO, LET OCTOBER_SCHL= CURRENT_SCHL. IF NO OR MISSING, LET TRANSFER=YES.

IF TRANSFER =YES, GO TO A15c

IF TRANSFER=NO, SKIP TO SECTION B

A15c. What school was [CHILD_FNAME] attending in October of this current school year (2021-2022)?

Name of school child was attending in October 2021:

[Begin typing, then select your school].

If your child was attending a school outside of DC in October 2021, check here: 

Source: New

FILTER DROPDOWN BASED ON ENTRY. DROPDOWN SHOULD INCLUDE “A school outside of DC” AND “Home schooling” AND “not attending school” AT TOP OF MENU. AFTER RESPONDENT CLICKS NEXT, CONFIRM ENTRY: “Just to confirm, you said [CHILD_FNAME] is attending [A15c_SCHL] at [SCHL_ADDRESS]. Is that correct?” IF Y, CONTINUE, IF N, REPEAT A15c.

LET OCTOBER_SCHL= A15c_SCHL (SELECTION MADE). IF BOX CHECKED (SCHOOL OUTSIDE DC), THEN LET OCTOBER_SCHL= “a school not in DC”.

GO TO SECTION B

Section B: Applying For The OSP Scholarship

The next set of questions ask about your experience with the OSP application process. [IF A2= “SHARED” OR “INVOLVED IN SOME OTHER WAY” DISPLAY: When we say ‘you,’ we are referring to you and others who made decisions about [CHILD_FNAME]’s education for the current (2021-22) school year.]

B1. Where did you find out how to apply for an OSP scholarship? (Later, we’ll ask you about applying for admission to private schools). Mark all that apply.

• Advertisement

• Serving Our Children’s website

• Talked to someone from Serving Our Children

• Mail from Serving Our Children

• School fair or information session

• School teacher or administrator

• Private school website

• Mail from a private school

• Word of mouth from friends, neighbors, family, pastor/minister, church members, others

• Other: [TEXTBOX]

Source: New

RANDOM ORDER RESPONSE OPTIONS EXCEPT OTHER

B2. When you applied for an OSP scholarship for [CHILD_FNAME], were the following steps easy, hard, or not something you had to do? Mark one per row.

	EASY	HARD	DID NOT HAVE TO DO
Figure out if my child would qualify for the scholarship			
Use the Family Portal (online application)			
Get a paper application			
Finish the application			
Keep track of scholarship deadlines			
Get help with the application from Serving Our Children			
Get or submit proof of income			
Get or submit proof of DC residency			
Get application translated into my home language			

Source: Jochim, et al. (2014). How parents experience public school choice. Item adapted from parent survey, Items 38-41.

PROGRAMMER NOTE: ADD “HELP” ICON TO END OF FIRST ROW and MOUSE-OVER for “qualify”: “Figure out if my child would qualify for the scholarship” to read: “The OSP scholarship is for students in families with a low income. If the family income is higher than a certain amount per year, the student may not be qualified to receive a scholarship.”

IF 2 OR MORE MARKED “HARD,” GO TO B3.

IF (ONLY 1 MARKED “HARD”), SKIP TO B4a

IF (NONE MARKED “HARD”) AND (1 OR MORE MARKED “EASY”) SKIP TO B4b

IF ALL MISSING OR ALL MARKED “DID NOT HAVE TO DO”, SKIP TO SECTION C

B3. What was HARDEST about applying for the OSP scholarship for [CHILD_FNAME]? Mark one.

• B2_ROW_MARKED HARD

• B2_ ROW_MARKED HARD

• …

• B2_ ROW_MARKED HARD

Source: New

B4a. Did Serving Our Children help with any of the steps you found HARD to do when applying for an OSP scholarship? Mark one per row.

	RECEIVED HELP FROM SERVING OUR CHILDREN?
	YES	NO
DISPLAY EACH ROW IN B4 MARKED “HARD”		
Figure out if my child would qualify for the scholarship		
Get or submit proof of income		
Keep track of scholarship deadlines		
Get scholarship application translated into my language		

Source: New

PROGRAMMER NOTE: ADD “HELP” ICON TO END OF ROW “Figure out if my child would qualify for the scholarship” to read: “The OSP scholarship is for students in families with a low income. If the family income is higher than a certain amount per year, the student may not be qualified to receive a scholarship.”

IF B2 HAS 1 OR MORE ROWS MARKED “EASY” GO TO B4b. ELSE IF B2 HAS NO ROWS MARKED “EASY”, SKIP TO SECTION C

B4b. Did Serving Our Children help with any of the steps you found EASY to do when applying for an OSP scholarship? Mark one per row.

	RECEIVED HELP FROM SERVING OUR CHILDREN?
	YES	NO
DISPLAY EACH ROW IN B4 MARKED “EASY”		
Use the Family Portal (online application)		
Finish the application		
Get or submit proof of DC residency		
		

Source: New

PROGRAMMER NOTE: ADD “HELP” ICON TO END OF ROW “Figure out if my child would qualify for the scholarship” to read: “The OSP scholarship is for students in families with a low income. If the family income is higher than a certain amount per year, the student may not be qualified to receive a scholarship.”

GO TO SECTION C

Section C: Applying to Schools

The next set of questions asks about your experiences finding out about schools and applying to schools in DC. Some items ask about applying for admission to private schools. Other items ask about applying for a public school by entering the My School DC school lottery.

IF A2= “SHARED” OR “INVOLVED IN SOME OTHER WAY” DISPLAY: When we say ‘you,’ we are referring to you and others who made decisions about [CHILD_FNAME]’s education for the current (2021-2022) school year.

C1. To which private schools did you submit an application for [CHILD_FNAME] to attend in the 2021-2022 school year? (If you applied to any DC schools using the My School DC lottery, we will ask about those schools later.)

• Did not apply for [CHILD_FNAME] to attend a private school in 2021-2022 [SKIP TO C1a]

Applied to the following private schools for the 2021-2022 school year:

School 1: [DROPDOWN OF PRIVATE SCHOOLS]

School 2: [DROPDOWN OF PRIVATE SCHOOLS]

School 3: [DROPDOWN OF PRIVATE SCHOOLS]

…

[PARENT CAN SELECT UP TO 8 PRIVATE SCHOOLS]

Source: New

IF “DID NOT APPLY…” IS CHECKED, GO TO C1a

IF MORE THAN 1 SCHOOL IS SELECTED IN C1, SKIP TO C1b

IF ONLY 1 SCHOOL IS SELECTED IN C1, SKIP TO C2

C1a. [IF C1=DID NOT APPLY TO ANY PRIVATE SCHOOLS] Why did you decide not to apply to any private schools for [CHILD_FNAME]? Mark all that apply.

• Could not find a private school in a good location for my family

• None of the private schools felt like a good fit for my child

• Missed application deadlines for the private schools we were considering

• Hard to finish the application forms for private schools we were considering

• The application materials were not available in my home language

• Unable to attend a required interview, child observation, or school visit

• Unable to get letters of recommendation or transcripts

• Unable to arrange for my child to take an admissions test

• Could not afford the tuition at any private schools

• Did not think we could meet private school expectations for parent involvement

• Did not get enough help from Serving Our Children

• Other: Please describe: [TEXTBOX]
  
  

Source: New

RANDOM ORDER RESPONSE OPTIONS EXCEPT OTHER

SKIP TO C7 (MY SCHOOL DC LOTTERY QUESTIONS)

C1b. Below are the private schools you applied to for [CHILD_FNAME] to attend in the 2021-2022 school year. Which school was your first choice for [CHILD_FNAME], second choice, and so on?

1^st choice: [Select first choice]

2^nd choice: [Select second choice]

3^rd choice: [Select third choice]

4^th choice: [Select fourth choice]

...

Source: New

EACH DROPDOWN LISTS THE SCHOOLS SELECTED IN C1 (UP TO 8 SCHOOLS)

DISPLAY UP TO 8 CHOICES BASED ON NUMBER OF SCHOOLS IN ITEM C1

C2. How did you learn about PRIVATE schools so that you could decide where to apply for admission for [CHILD_FNAME]? Mark all that apply.

• Used Serving Our Children’s Participating School Directory with school descriptions and maps

• Talked with staff from Serving Our Children

• Visited private school websites

• Visited private schools in person

• Attended school fair with multiple private schools

• Received mail from private schools

• Talked with private school teachers or administrators

• Talked with friends, neighbors, family, others

• Other: [TEXTBOX]

• None of the above

Source: New

RANDOM ORDER RESPONSE OPTIONS EXCEPT OTHER, NONE

APPLY ROLLOVER TO “Participating School Directory”: “This directory describes each OSP school’s mission, services, transportation options, admissions and financial aid information, extracurricular activities. It also includes school maps by zip code, and lists steps for applying to private schools.”

C3. When you were learning about PRIVATE schools for [CHILD_FNAME], were you able to find enough information about each of the following, or did you not look for that type of information?

Able to find enough information about PRIVATE SCHOOLS’…	Yes, found enough information	No, did NOT find enough information	Did not look for this information
Cost of tuition and fees			
Financial aid other than the OSP scholarship			
Before/after school care			
Reputation among families like yours			
Academic performance of students			
Sports or after-school activities			
Diversity, equity, and inclusion programs			
IF STWD=Y, DISPLAY: Services for students with a learning, physical, or developmental disability			
IF STGL=Y, DISPLAY: Services for students who struggle with academics			
IF ADVN=Y, DISPLAY: Learning opportunities for academically advanced students			
IF ELL=Y, DISPLAY: Services for students whose primary language is not English			

Source: New

C4. When you were applying for admission to PRIVATE schools for [CHILD_FNAME], were the following steps easy, hard, or not something you had to do? Mark one per row.

Steps in applying to PRIVATE schools	EASY:	HARD:	DID NOT HAVE TO DO:
Understand the school admissions process			
Get application materials translated into my language			
Keep track of application deadlines			
Get letters of recommendation or transcripts			
Finish application forms for schools we were considering			
Attend a required interview, child observation, or school visit			
Arrange for my child to take an admissions test			
Get school application fees waived or reimbursed			
Get answers to my questions from schools			
Fill out school financial aid forms			
Understand the financial aid a school offered my family			

Source: New

IF MORE THAN 1 OPTION MARKED “HARD,” GO TO C4a.

IF (ONLY 1 OPTION MARKED “HARD”), SKIP TO C5a

IF (NONE MARKED “HARD”) AND (1+ OPTION MARKED “EASY”) SKIP TO C5b

IF ALL MISSING OR ALL MARKED “DID NOT HAVE TO DO”, SKIP TO C6

C4a. What was HARDEST about applying to private schools for [CHILD_FNAME]? Mark one.

• C4_ROW_MARKED_HARD

• C4_ROW_MARKED_HARD

• …

• C4_ROW_MARKED_HARD

Source: New

C5a. Did Serving Our Children help with any of the steps that you found HARD to do? Mark one per row.

	RECEIVED HELP FROM SERVING OUR CHILDREN?
	YES	NO
DISPLAY EACH ROW IN C4 MARKED “HARD”		
Attend a required interview, child observation, or school visit		
Get application materials translated into my language		
Keep track of application deadlines		

C5b. Did Serving Our Children help with any of the steps that you found EASY to do? Mark one per row.

	RECEIVED HELP FROM SERVING OUR CHILDREN?
	YES	NO
DISPLAY EACH ROW IN C4 MARKED “EASY”		
Understand the school admissions process		
Get school application fees waived or reimbursed		
Get answers to my questions from schools		

C6. Which of these private schools offered [CHILD_FNAME] admission for the 2021-2022 school year? Mark all that apply.

• SCHOOL 1 LISTED IN C1

• SCHOOL 2 LISTED IN C1

• [LIST ALL SCHOOLS ENTERED IN C1]

• None

Source: New

These next questions are about the My School DC public school lottery. Families in DC may enter this lottery for a chance to enroll their child in a public school (DCPS or charter) in DC other than their “in-boundary” school.

IF A2= “SHARED” OR “INVOLVED IN SOME OTHER WAY” DISPLAY: When we say ‘you,’ we are referring to you and others who made decisions about [CHILD_FNAME]’s education for the current (2021-2022) school year.

C7. For the 2021-2022 school year, did you enter the My School DC public school lottery for [CHILD_FNAME]? Mark one.

• Yes

• No

Source: New

IF YES, GO TO C8.

IF NO OR MISSING, SKIP TO SECTION D.

C8. How did you learn about PUBLIC schools so that you could decide which schools to list on the My School DC lottery application for [CHILD_FNAME]? Mark all that apply.

• The My School DC website

• The DC public charter schools website (dcpcsb.org)

• Individual websites of public schools (traditional or charter)

• Other websites that give information about DC school options

• Called a hotline (such as My School DC or DC Public Schools Enrollment Team hotline)

• Visited schools in person

• School fair where I could learn about multiple public schools

• Mail from schools

• Talked with school teacher or administrator

• Word of mouth from friends, neighbors, family, others

• An organization that helps parents learn about DC schools (for example, DC School Reform Now, DCSRN)

• Other: [TEXTBOX]

• None of the above

Source: New

RANDOM ORDER RESPONSE OPTIONS EXCEPT OTHER, NONE

C9. When you were learning about PUBLIC schools for [CHILD_FNAME] were you able to find enough information about each of the following, or did you not look for that type of information? Mark one per row.

Able to find enough information about PUBLIC SCHOOLS’…	Yes, found enough information	No, did NOT find enough information	Did not look for this information
Before/after school care			
Reputation among families like yours			
Academic performance of students			
Sports or after-school activities			
Diversity, equity, and inclusion programs			
IF STWD=Y, DISPLAY: Services for students with a learning, physical, or developmental disability			
IF STGL=Y, DISPLAY: Services for students who struggle with academics			
IF ADVN=Y, DISPLAY: Learning opportunities for academically advanced students			
IF ELL=Y, DISPLAY: Services for students whose primary language is not English			

Source: New

GO TO SECTION D.

Section D: Choosing A School

Now we’d like to know which schools you thought would be best for your child, even if one of these schools did not offer your child a spot.

IF A2= “SHARED” OR “INVOLVED IN SOME OTHER WAY” DISPLAY: When we say ‘you,’ we are referring to you and others who made decisions about [CHILD_FNAME]’s education for the current (2021-2022) school year.

D1. Thinking about private and public schools in DC, what were your top 3 choices of schools for [CHILD_FNAME], at the start of the current school year (2021-2022)? Please indicate your first, second and third most preferred choices regardless of where your child was offered a spot.

MATCH ROLLOVER TO DEFINITIONS AT TOP OF SURVEY: “Private schools charge tuition for a child to attend and often require students to apply for admission. Public schools, including traditional public and charter schools, do not charge tuition.”

First choice school: [Begin typing, then select school ]

Second choice school: [Begin typing, then select school ]

Third choice school: [Begin typing, then select school ]

Source: New

FILTER DROPDOWN BASED ON ENTRY. DROPDOWN SHOULD INCLUDE “A school outside of DC” AND “Home schooling” AT TOP OF MENU. SECOND AND THIRD CHOICE DROPDOWNS SHOULD INCLUDE “I did not have a second choice school” AND “I did not have a third choice school” FOLLOWED BY “A school outside of DC” and “Home schooling”

IF OCTOBER_SCHL IN (“home-schooled,” “not attending school”) AND CURRENT_SCHL IN (“current school not in DC,” “your child’s current school,” A8_SCHL), GO TO INTRO_D2_ALT;

IF OCTOBER_SCHL IN (“home-schooled,” “not attending school”) AND TRANSFER=NO, GO TO INTRO_D4 [THESE STUDENTS NOT IN A SCHOOL IN YEAR 1]

IF OCTOBER_SCHL IN (“current school not in DC,” “your child’s current school,” A8_SCHL), SKIP TO INTRO_D2.

[INTRO_D2] Next, we’d like to understand how you chose a school for [CHILD_FNAME] based on the school options you had available AT THE BEGINNING of the current (2021-2022) school year. IF A2= “SHARED” OR “INVOLVED IN SOME OTHER WAY” DISPLAY: When we say ‘you,’ we are referring to you and others who made decisions about [CHILD_FNAME]’s education for the current (2021-2022) school year.

D2. IF TRANSFER=NO, DISPLAY THIS VERSION: For what reasons did you enroll [CHILD_FNAME] in [OCTOBER_SCHL] in Fall 2021? Mark all that apply.

IF TRANSFER=YES, DISPLAY THIS VERSION: For what reasons did you enroll [CHILD_FNAME] in [OCTOBER_SCHL] in Fall 2021? {IF CURRENT_SCHL = “Home-schooled”, DISPLAY: Earlier, you told us that your child is now home-schooled. ELSE IF CURRENT_SCHL = “not attending school”, DISPLAY: Earlier, you told us that your child is currently not attending school.} ELSE IF CURRENT_SCHL IN (“a school not in DC”, “your child’s current school”, A8_SCHL), DISPLAY: Earlier, you told us that your child is now attending a different school.}

However, we would like to know why you initially enrolled [CHILD_FNAME] at [OCTOBER_SCHL] at the start of this current school year. Mark all that apply.

• This was the only school where my child got a spot

• My child had attended this school last year (2020-2021)

• Convenient location

• Safe school

• Small class sizes

• Affordability

• Condition of classrooms, playground/athletic fields

• Student access to computers or technology

• Before-school or after-school care options

• Affordable breakfast and/or lunch options

• Respect between students and teachers

• Frequent communication to parents about student progress

• Time devoted to religious education

• Approach to discipline

• Commitment to parent involvement in the school

• Academic quality

• Sports, clubs, or other activities offered

• IF STWD=Y, DISPLAY: Services for students with a learning, physical, or developmental disability

• IF STGL=Y, DISPLAY: Support for students who struggle with academics

• IF ADVN=Y, DISPLAY: Learning opportunities for academically advanced students

• Other, specify: [TEXTBOX]

Source: DC OSP Education Study Parent Questionnaire, Spring 2013, Items 20 AND 21, adapted

RANDOM ORDER OPTIONS EXCEPT “This was the only school…” AND “My child had attended this school last year” AS THE FIRST OPTIONS AND “Other” AS LAST OPTION

IF MORE THAN ONE SELECTED, GO TO D2a

IF (ALL MISSING OR ONLY ONE OPTION MARKED) THEN USE THIS SKIP LOGIC:

[IF (TRANSFER=YES AND OSP_USER=YES), GO TO INTRO TO D3.

IF (TRANSFER=YES AND OSP_USER=NO), SKIP TO INTRO_D4.

IF (TRANSFER=NO), SKIP TO INTRO_D4

D2a. What was the MOST important reason that you chose to enroll [CHILD_FNAME] in [OCTOBER_SCHL] at the start of the current school year (2021-2022)? Mark one.

• D2_REASON_MARKED

• D2_REASON_MARKED

• …

• D2_REASON_MARKED

Source: New

IF (TRANSFER=YES AND OSP_USER=YES), GO TO INTRO TO D3.

IF (TRANSFER=YES AND OSP_USER=NO), SKIP TO INTRO_D4. IF (TRANSFER=NO), SKIP TO INTRO_D4.

[INTRO_D2_ALT] Now we’d like to understand how you made decisions about [CHILD_FNAME]’s education for the current (2021-2022) school year. IF A2= “SHARED” OR “INVOLVED IN SOME OTHER WAY” DISPLAY: When we say ‘you,’ we are referring to you and others who made decisions about [CHILD_FNAME]’s education for the current (2021-2022) school year.

D2_ALT. Earlier you told us that [CHILD_FNAME] was [home-schooled / not attending school] in October of this current school year.

However, we would like to know why you enrolled [CHILD_FNAME] in [CURRENT_SCHL] part way through this school year. Mark all that apply. IF A2= “SHARED” OR “INVOLVED IN SOME OTHER WAY” DISPLAY: When we say ‘you,’ we are referring to you and others who made decisions about [CHILD_FNAME]’s education for the current (2021-2021) school year. Mark all that apply.

• This was the only school where my child got a spot

• My child had attended this school last year (2020-2021)

• Convenient location

• Safe school

• Small class sizes

• Affordability

• Condition of classrooms, playground/athletic fields

• Student access to computers or technology

• Before-school or after-school care options

• Affordable breakfast and/or lunch options

• Focus on respect between students and teachers

• Frequent communication to parents about student progress

• Time devoted to religious education

• Approach to discipline

• Commitment to parent involvement in the school

• Academic quality

• Sports, clubs, or other activities offered

• IF STWD=Y, DISPLAY: Services for students with a learning, physical, or developmental disability

• IF STGL=Y, DISPLAY: Support for students who struggle with academics

• IF ADVN=Y, DISPLAY: Learning opportunities for academically advanced students

• Other, specify: [TEXTBOX]

Source: DC OSP Education Study Parent Questionnaire, Spring 2013, Items 20 AND 21, adapted

RANDOM ORDER OPTIONS EXCEPT “This was the only school…” AND “My child had attended this school last year” AS THE FIRST OPTIONS AND “Other” AS LAST OPTION

IF MORE THAN ONE SELECTED, GO TO D2a_ALT; ELSE GO TO INTRO_D4

D2a_ALT. What was the MOST important reason that you chose to enroll [CHILD_FNAME] in [CURRENT _SCHL] part way through this school year? Mark one.

• D2_ALT_REASON_MARKED

• D2_ALT_REASON_MARKED

• …

• D2_ALT_REASON_MARKED

Source: New

GO TO INTRO_D4

INTRO TO D3: Earlier, you told us that your child is now [IF CURRENT_SCHL = “Home-schooled”, DISPLAY: home-schooled. [IF CURRENT_SCHL = “not attending school”, DISPLAY: not attending school. IF CURRENT_SCHL (“a school not in DC”, “your child’s current school”, A8_SCHL), DISPLAY: attending a different school than in the fall.] We’d like to understand why you decided to change [CHILD_FNAME]’s school part way through this current school year (2021-2022).

D3. IF CURRENT_SCHL= “Home-schooled” || “not attending school” DISPLAY: Why did you decide to [[home-school [CHILD_FNAME] || have [CHILD_FNAME] not attend school]] part way through this school year? Mark all that apply.

IF CURRENT_SCHL IN (“a school not in DC”, “your child’s current school”, A9_SCHL), DISPLAY: Why did [CHILD_FNAME] change schools part way through this school year? Mark all that apply.

• Moved out of DC

• Moved to a new location within DC

• [CHILD_FNAME] was able to attend a school we liked better [HIDE IF CURRENT_SCHL= “home-schooled”, “not attending school”]

• [CHILD_FNAME] wanted to be with friends at another school(s) [HIDE IF CURRENT_SCHL= “home-schooled”, “not attending school”]

• [CHILD_FNAME] was becoming friends with children I did not approve of

• [CHILD_FNAME] was bullied, threatened, or hurt at previous school

• [CHILD_FNAME] was unable to participate in a specific sport or other activity we wanted

[CHILD_FNAME]’s previous school:

• Asked [CHILD_FNAME] to leave/expelled child

• Was too far from home or too hard to get to

• Did not offer transportation

• Was too expensive

• Did not offer before- or after-school care we wanted

• Did not offer free or affordable breakfast or lunch

• DISPLAY IF STWD=Y: Did not offer the services we wanted for a learning, physical or developmental disability

• DISPLAY IF STGL=Y: Did not offer the support we wanted for learners who struggle with academics

• DISPLAY IF ADVN=Y: Did not offer the Learning opportunities for academically advanced students that we wanted

• DISPLAY IF ELL=Y: Did not offer the support we wanted for students whose primary language is not English

• Other reason, please specify: [TEXTBOX]

• None of the above

Source: New

RANDOM ORDER OPTIONS IN BOTTOM SECTION EXCEPT OTHER, NONE. IF 2 OR MORE ROWS MARKED, GO TO D3a. IF (ONLY ONE ROW MARKED OR MISSING) SKIP TO INTRO_D4

D3a. What is the MOST important reason that you decided to [[DISPLAY ONE: home-school [CHILD_FNAME] || not have [CHILD_FNAME] attend school || move [CHILD_FNAME] to a different school]] part way through this school year (2021-2022)? Mark one.

• [OPTION MARKED IN D3]

• [OPTION MARKED IN D3]

• [OPTION MARKED IN D3]

• …

Source: New

INTRO TO D4: Since the start of the coronavirus many schools have switched to remote or a combination of remote and in-person learning. The next few questions ask about your experiences in the winter and spring of 2021.

D4. Did you, [CHILD_FNAME], or someone in [CHILD_FNAME]’s family experience any of the following as a result of the coronavirus (COVID-19) situation from January to June 2021? Mark all that apply.

• Lost a job, or had fewer hours or less income from work

• Skipped meals, ate less food, or went hungry for 3 or more days in any month

• Hospitalized

• Separated from [CHILD_FNAME] for 14 consecutive days or longer

• Changes in where we (or where [CHILD_FNAME]) lived

• Death of a family member

• None of the above

Source: Strada Center for Consumer Insights Work and Education Survey, April 29-30, 2020, items 2 and 4 (adapted). Retrieved from https://www.stradaeducation.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Public-Viewpoint-Report-Week-6.pdf; U.S. Household Food Security Survey Module: Six-Item Short Form, Economic Research Service, USDA, September 2012. Retrieved from https://www.ers.usda.gov/media/8282/short2012.pdf)

RANDOM ORDER OPTIONS EXCEPT NONE

D5. [IF APPLICABLE] Did school disruptions due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) situation during the last school year make it difficult to choose a school for [CHILD_FNAME] for the current (2021-2022) school year? Mark all that apply.

• No difficulties choosing

I found it difficult or impossible to:

• Finish applying to private schools [HIDE IF C1=DID NOT APPLY]

• Finish applying to public schools in the My School DC lottery

• Visit schools before choosing

• Get answers to questions from teachers or staff at schools

• Talk to parents or students at schools we were considering

• Access the internet to get information about schools

• Submit paperwork required to enroll my child in a school

• Other difficulties: Please specify [TEXTBOX]

Source: New

RANDOM ORDER OPTIONS EXCEPT OTHER

D6. [IF APPLICABLE] Do you agree or disagree with the following? Mark one per row.

Because of the coronavirus (COVID-19) situation at the end of LAST school year, I preferred a school for [CHILD_FNAME] this school year…

	Agree	Neither agree nor disagree	Disagree
That [CHILD_FNAME] could get to without using public transportation			
Where [CHILD_NAME] already knew classmates and/or teachers			
With small class sizes (a small number of students per teacher)			
That did not charge tuition			
That would provide a computer or tablet for at-home learning			
That would provide free or low cost internet access for at-home learning			
That would help students work together using technology even if schools had to close again			
Where one-on-one support for [CHILD_FNAME] would be available even if schools had to close again			
That would keep students in school as much as possible while protecting public health			
That would offer remote instruction to families that chose it even if schools had re-opened			

Source: New

D7. Did the coronavirus (COVID-19) situation affect where you enrolled [CHILD_FNAME] for the current (2021-2022) school year? Mark one.

• Yes

• No

Source: New

IF YES GO TO D7a. IF NO, SKIP TO SECTION E.

D7a. The coronavirus (COVID19) situation affected where I enrolled [CHILD_FNAME] for this school year for the following reasons:

• [CHILD_FNAME]’s school options changed because we moved

• We felt less positive about PRIVATE school options

• We felt less positive about PUBLIC school options

• We decided to home-school [CHILD_FNAME]

• Other reasons. Please specify: [TEXTBOX]

GO TO SECTION E

Section E: Demographics

Please answer these last four questions to help us understand a little bit more about you and your child.

E1. How many times has [CHILD_FNAME] moved to a new home since September 1, 2021? Mark one. Mark one.

• 0

• 1

• 2

• 3

• 4+

Source: New

E2. At any point during this school year (September 1, 2021 to [REF_DATE]), has [CHILD_FNAME] experienced homelessness? This does not include children awaiting foster care placement. Experiencing homelessness means having to spend one or several nights:

• Outdoors

• In a car or other vehicle

• In a building without doors, windows, heat, electricity, or running water

• In a bus or train station, public space, abandoned building, or similar location

• Sharing the house of another person due to economic hardship or similar reason

• In an emergency or transitional shelter

• In a motel, hotel, trailer park or similar place due to lack of other housing

Child experienced homelessness one or more nights since September 1, 2021:

• Yes

• No

• Not sure

Source: See McKinney-Vento definition https://nche.ed.gov/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/det_elig.pdf

E3. What is the highest grade or level of school you have completed? Mark one.

• 8^th grade or less

• 9^th-12^th grade; no diploma

• High school graduate or GED completed

• Completed a vocational, trade, or business school program

• Some college credit, but no degree

• Associate degree (AA, AS)

• Bachelor’s degree (BA, BS, AB)

• Master’s degree (MA, MS, MSW, MBA)

• Doctorate (PhD, EdD) or professional degree (MD, DDS, DVM, JD)

Source: National Survey of Childhood Health, 2019, item J6

E4. What is your marital status? Mark one.

• Married

• Not married, but living with a partner

• Never married

• Divorced

• Separated

• Widowed

Source: National Survey of Childhood Health, 2019, item J7

GO TO SURVEY END

SURVEY END

THANK YOU! Your survey is complete. Let’s confirm the email address where you would like to receive a $20 electronic gift card as a token of our appreciation. Our records show that your email address is:

[EMAIL]

Is this where you would like to receive your electronic gift card?

• Yes

• No

IF YES GO TO EXIT_1

IF NO: Where should we send your $20 electronic gift card? Please type your email address below:

Email: [TEXTBOX]

GO TO EXIT_1

EXIT 1

You may now close your browser.

EXIT 2

There may be an error in our records. We apologize for the inconvenience.

EXIT 3

We would like to invite the person who was involved in making decisions about [CHILD_FNAME CHILD_LNAME]’s education for the 2021-2022 school year to complete this survey. To help us find this person, may we please contact you by phone, text message, or email?

• Yes, a phone call is best.

• Yes, a text message is best.

• Yes, email is best.

• No, please do not contact me.

[CONFIRM CONTACT INFORMATION. THEN GO TO EXIT 1.]

Abt Associates Inc. Appendix C-1. Parent Applicant Survey ▌pg. C1-3