Appendix A Communications Materials

The following letters and emails are templates for generic communication materials. Generic communication materials do not preview the topic area(s) that the SPP will be asking about that month and do not provide relevant statistics from prior SPP collections. The SPP team may use generic communication materials during the 2024-25 collection, and the following materials will be adjusted accordingly. Minor formatting and wording changes may be made after approval. Until October 2024, NCES will use the “Nonrespondent” initial letter and email for all respondents.

<MONTH> Initial Letter – <TWO MONTHS’ PRIOR> Respondents (Reimbursement Schools) – Generic, No Monthly Topic Information

DATE

Dear [POSITION] of [SCHOOL_NAME]

Thank you for your prior participation in the School Pulse Panel (SPP) data collection. This letter contains your <MONTH YEAR> SPP survey invitation.

The survey will take 30 minutes or less, and your school will receive $200 for completing the entire survey.

Please complete the 30-minute <MONTH YEAR> survey by visiting the link below and entering your User ID:

Shape1

[URL]

User ID: [EXTERNALREFERENCE]

You should have also received an email invitation that contains this same link and User ID. Please submit your response no later than <DAY>, <MONTH #>, <YEAR>. If you have already responded to the <MONTH> SPP survey, thank you! Please disregard this letter.

The information that you provide is critical for data-driven decision making on program and policy implementation and federal funding distributions by program offices in the Department of Education, the White House, other federal agencies, and Congress. By participating in this survey, you will ensure that information about your school is included in these important decisions.

We look forward to hearing from you!

Sincerely,

Peggy G. Carr, Ph.D.
Commissioner

National Center for Education Statistics (NCES)
U.S. Department of Education

School Pulse Panel: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the 2024-25 School Pulse Panel?

The 2024-25 School Pulse Panel is a monthly data collection designed to measure a rotating collection of high-priority, education-related topics, as determined by federal stakeholders, interest groups, and school administrators like you.

How is the 2024-25 School Pulse Panel different from other education surveys?

The 2024-25 School Pulse Panel is a unique study. While surveys like the National Assessment of Educational Progress and the National Teacher and Principal Survey produce benchmark statistics critical to monitoring progress over time, they are only conducted once every few years. The SPP surveys schools each month, providing the U.S. Department of Education and federal policymakers with crucial, real-time information that can quickly inform policies and funding decisions at the federal level.

Why should my school participate?

Your school’s responses provide national, state, and local education leaders with the information needed to make evidence-based decisions about education policy and resource allocation. Without responses from your school, we will have an incomplete picture of the condition of education during the 2024-25 school year. Data that are representative of all schools inform better policies.

What does it look like to participate on a monthly basis?

Each month’s survey will take 30 minutes or less to complete and will be open for two weeks. When surveyed at the conclusion of the 2021-22 School Pulse Panel, 98 percent of participating schools said they felt that the time necessary to complete each monthly survey was reasonable. However, we understand that, as an educator, you are very busy; to show our appreciation for your time and effort for completing the survey, your school will receive $200 for each completed survey you submit. These reimbursements will be mailed five to six weeks after the end of each monthly data collection.

How do I participate?

This is the <nth> monthly collection of the 2024-25 school year. Monthly collections will continue through June 2024. Each school will designate a point of contact that will be responsible for completing the survey. Your school’s designated point of contact will receive an invitation to complete the School Pulse Panel survey via regular mail and email. Both will include a link to the survey, which should take 30 minutes or less to complete and will be open for two weeks. The person completing the survey can share the link with a colleague if they need help completing the survey. On behalf of the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), the Census Bureau is collecting the information. A new survey invitation will be issued each month from the email address [email protected]. All participation is voluntary.

Does the person completing the 2024-25 School Pulse Panel for the school have to be the principal?

No. You are welcome to delegate completion of the survey to another staff member who is knowledgeable about programs at the school.

Will you ask the same questions every month?

Some questions may remain on the survey from month to month to learn how schools are experiencing and adapting to change. Other questions may rotate in and out. Topic areas will change monthly and will reflect high-priority, education-related topics that NCES and federal policymakers lack timely data on. You will also help shape content for surveys.

Other important information

By federal law, we are required to protect the responses of all schools included in our survey (see citations at the end of the FAQ). Individual responses will be combined with those from other participants to produce summary statistics and reports. No teacher or student time is required to complete the survey. Send comments regarding the 30-minute survey burden estimate or any other aspect of this collection of information, including suggestions for reducing this burden, to the National Center for Education Statistics Institute of Education Sciences (IES) PCP, 550 12th Street, SW, 4th floor, Room 4036, Washington, D.C. 20202. 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 is 1850-0969.

NCES is authorized to conduct this survey by the Education Sciences Reform Act of 2002 (ESRA 2002, 20 U.S.C. §9543). All of the information schools 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). Reports of the findings from the survey will not identify participating Local Education Agencies (LEAs), schools, or staff. Individual responses will be combined with those from other participants to produce summary statistics and reports.

<MONTH> Initial Letter – <TWO MONTHS’ PRIOR> Respondents (No Debit Card Schools) – Generic, No Monthly Topic Information

DATE

Dear [POSITION] of [SCHOOL_NAME]

Thank you for your prior participation in the School Pulse Panel (SPP) data collection. This letter contains your <MONTH YEAR> SPP survey invitation.

The survey will take 30 minutes or less.

Please complete the 30-minute <MONTH YEAR> survey by visiting the link below and entering your User ID:

Shape2

[URL]

User ID: [EXTERNALREFERENCE]

We look forward to hearing from you!

Sincerely,

Peggy G. Carr, Ph.D.
Commissioner

National Center for Education Statistics (NCES)
U.S. Department of Education

School Pulse Panel: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the 2024-25 School Pulse Panel?

How is the 2024-25 School Pulse Panel different from other education surveys?

Why should my school participate?

What does it look like to participate on a monthly basis?

How do I participate?

Does the person completing the 2024-25 School Pulse Panel for the school have to be the principal?

No. You are welcome to delegate completion of the survey to another staff member who is knowledgeable about programs at the school.

Will you ask the same questions every month?

Other important information

<MONTH> Initial Letter – <TWO MONTHS’ PRIOR> Nonrespondents (Accepts Reimbursement) – Generic, No Monthly Topic Information

DATE

Dear [POSITION] of [SCHOOL_NAME]

The National Center for Education Statistics, part of the U.S. Department of Education’s Institute of Education Sciences, is asking you to participate in the 2024-25 School Pulse Panel (SPP) survey. The 2024-25 SPP is a unique opportunity to provide your school’s perspective directly to the Department on a range of high-priority, education-related topics on a monthly basis.

The survey will take 30 minutes or less, and your school will receive $200 for completing the entire survey.

Please complete the 30-minute <MONTH YEAR> survey by visiting the link below and entering your User ID:

Shape3

[URL]

User ID: [EXTERNALREFERENCE]

We look forward to hearing from you!

Sincerely,

Peggy G. Carr, Ph.D.
Commissioner

National Center for Education Statistics (NCES)
U.S. Department of Education

School Pulse Panel: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the 2024-25 School Pulse Panel?

How is the 2024-25 School Pulse Panel different from other education surveys?

Why should my school participate?

What does it look like to participate on a monthly basis?

How do I participate?

Does the person completing the 2024-25 School Pulse Panel for the school have to be the principal?

No. You are welcome to delegate completion of the survey to another staff member who is knowledgeable about programs at the school.

Will you ask the same questions every month?

Other important information

<MONTH> Initial Letter – <TWO MONTHS’ PRIOR> Nonrespondents (No Debit Card Schools) – Generic, No Monthly Topic Information

DATE

Dear [POSITION] of [SCHOOL_NAME]

The survey will take 30 minutes or less.

Please complete the 30-minute <MONTH YEAR> survey by visiting the link below and entering your User ID:

Shape4

[URL]

User ID: [EXTERNALREFERENCE]

We look forward to hearing from you!

Sincerely,

Peggy G. Carr, Ph.D.
Commissioner

National Center for Education Statistics (NCES)
U.S. Department of Education

School Pulse Panel: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the 2024-25 School Pulse Panel?

How is the 2024-25 School Pulse Panel different from other education surveys?

Why should my school participate?

What does it look like to participate on a monthly basis?

How do I participate?

Does the person completing the 2024-25 School Pulse Panel for the school have to be the principal?

No. You are welcome to delegate completion of the survey to another staff member who is knowledgeable about programs at the school.

Will you ask the same questions every month?

Other important information

<MONTH> Initial Letter – <TWO MONTHS’ PRIOR> Respondents (No Email Schools, Accepts Reimbursement) – Generic, No Monthly Topic Information

DATE

Dear [POSITION] of [SCHOOL_NAME]

Thank you for your prior participation in the School Pulse Panel (SPP) data collection. This letter contains your <MONTH YEAR> SPP survey invitation.

The survey will take 30 minutes or less, and your school will receive $200 for completing the entire survey.

Please complete the 30-minute <MONTH YEAR> survey by visiting the link below and entering your User ID:

Shape5

[URL]

User ID: [EXTERNALREFERENCE]

Please submit your response no later than <DAY>, <MONTH #>, <YEAR>. The information that you provide is critical for data-driven decision making on program and policy implementation and federal funding distributions by program offices in the Department of Education, the White House, other federal agencies, and Congress. By participating in this survey, you will ensure that information about your school is included in these important decisions.

If you would like to preview the <MONTH YEAR> SPP survey questions before taking the survey online, please visit www.census.gov/schoolpulse to view the questionnaire. Unfortunately, we do not have a valid email address on file for you or your school. To receive an electronic link to the survey, please email [email protected] or call 1-844-868-3661 and provide the name and a valid email address for the best point of contact for this study. The Census Bureau is collecting data on behalf of the National Center for Education Statistics.

We look forward to hearing from you!

Sincerely,

Peggy G. Carr, Ph.D.
Commissioner

National Center for Education Statistics (NCES)
U.S. Department of Education

School Pulse Panel: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the 2024-25 School Pulse Panel?

How is the 2024-25 School Pulse Panel different from other education surveys?

Why should my school participate?

What does it look like to participate on a monthly basis?

How do I participate?

This is the <nth> monthly collection of the 2024-25 school year. Monthly collections will continue through June 2024. We currently do not have an email on file for your school. Please contact [email protected] or call 1-844-868-3661 and provide a valid email address for a designated point of contact for this study. Your school’s designated point of contact will receive an invitation to complete the School Pulse Panel survey via regular mail and email, which will include a link to the survey. The person completing the survey can share the link with a colleague if they need help completing the survey. On behalf of the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), the Census Bureau is collecting the information. A new survey invitation will be issued each month from the email address addp.school.pulse.panel@census.gov. All participation is voluntary.

Does the person completing the 2024-25 School Pulse Panel for the school have to be the principal?

No. You are welcome to delegate completion of the survey to another staff member who is knowledgeable about programs at the school.

Will you ask the same questions every month?

Other important information

By federal law, we are required to protect the responses of all schools included in our survey (see citations at the end of the FAQ). Individual responses will be combined with those from other participants to produce summary statistics and reports. No teacher or student time is required to complete the survey. Send comments regarding the 30-minute survey burden estimate or any other aspect of this collection of information, including suggestions for reducing this burden, to the National Center for Education Statistics Institute of Education Sciences (IES) PCP, 550 12^th Street, SW, 4^th floor, Room 4036, Washington, D.C. 20202. 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 is 1850-0969.

<MONTH> Initial Letter – <TWO MONTHS’ PRIOR> Nonrespondents (No Email Schools, Accepts Reimbursement) – Generic, No Monthly Topic Information

DATE

Dear [POSITION] of [SCHOOL_NAME]

The survey will take 30 minutes or less, and your school will receive $200 for completing the entire survey.

Please complete the 30-minute <MONTH YEAR> survey by visiting the link below and entering your User ID:

Shape6

[URL]

User ID: [EXTERNALREFERENCE]

We look forward to hearing from you!

Sincerely,

Peggy G. Carr, Ph.D.
Commissioner

National Center for Education Statistics (NCES)
U.S. Department of Education

School Pulse Panel: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the 2024-25 School Pulse Panel?

How is the 2024-25 School Pulse Panel different from other education surveys?

Why should my school participate?

What does it look like to participate on a monthly basis?

How do I participate?

Does the person completing the 2024-25 School Pulse Panel for the school have to be the principal?

No. You are welcome to delegate completion of the survey to another staff member who is knowledgeable about programs at the school.

Will you ask the same questions every month?

Other important information

<MONTH> Initial Email – <PRIOR MONTH> Respondents (Reimbursement Schools) – Generic, No Monthly Topic Information

[Subject line: 2024-25 School Pulse Panel: <MONTH> Survey Invitation]

Dear [POSITION] of [SCHOOL_NAME]

Thank you for participating in the <PRIOR MONTH> <YEAR> School Pulse Panel (SPP) data collection. This email contains your <MONTH> survey invitation. Please complete the survey by <DAY OF WEEK>, <MONTH> <DAY>, <YEAR>.

The survey will take 30 minutes or less.
Your school will receive $200 for completing the entire survey.
Please complete the <MONTH> survey by visiting the link below and entering your User ID:

[URL]

User ID: [EXTERNALREFERENCE]

If you would like to preview the <MONTH YEAR> SPP survey questions before taking the survey online, please visit www.census.gov/schoolpulse to view the questionnaire. If you have questions or need assistance, you may also call 1-844-868-3661 or email [email protected]. The Census Bureau is collecting data on behalf of the National Center for Education Statistics. Please be assured that we are required, by federal mandate, to protect the responses of all schools included in the Panel, and your responses will not be identifiable.

We look forward to hearing from you!

Sincerely,

Peggy G. Carr, Ph.D.
Commissioner

National Center for Education Statistics (NCES)
U.S. Department of Education

<MONTH> Initial Email – <PRIOR MONTH> Respondents (No Debit Card Schools) – Generic, No Monthly Topic Information

[Subject line: 2024-25 School Pulse Panel: <MONTH> Survey Invitation]

Dear [POSITION] of [SCHOOL_NAME]

The survey will take 30 minutes or less.
Please complete the <MONTH> survey by visiting the link below and entering your User ID:

[URL]

User ID: [EXTERNALREFERENCE]

We look forward to hearing from you!

Sincerely,

Peggy G. Carr, Ph.D.
Commissioner

National Center for Education Statistics (NCES)
U.S. Department of Education

<MONTH> Initial Email – <PRIOR MONTH> Nonrespondents (Reimbursement Schools) – Generic, No Monthly Topic Information

[Subject line: 2024-25 School Pulse Panel: <MONTH> Survey Invitation]

Dear [POSITION] of [SCHOOL_NAME]

The survey will take 30 minutes or less, and your school will receive $200 for completing the entire survey.

Please complete the 30-minute <MONTH YEAR> survey by visiting the link below and entering your User ID:

[URL]

User ID: [EXTERNALREFERENCE]

We look forward to hearing from you!

Sincerely,

Peggy G. Carr, Ph.D.
Commissioner

National Center for Education Statistics (NCES)
U.S. Department of Education

<MONTH> Initial Email – <PRIOR MONTH> Nonrespondents (No Debit Card Schools) – Generic, No Monthly Topic Information

[Subject line: 2024-25 School Pulse Panel: <MONTH> Survey Invitation]

Dear [POSITION] of [SCHOOL_NAME]

The survey will take 30 minutes or less.

Please complete the 30-minute <MONTH YEAR> survey by visiting the link below and entering your User ID:

[URL]

User ID: [EXTERNALREFERENCE]

We look forward to hearing from you!

Sincerely,

Peggy G. Carr, Ph.D.
Commissioner

National Center for Education Statistics (NCES)
U.S. Department of Education

<MONTH> Reminder Email 1 – <CURRENT MONTH> Nonrespondents (Reimbursement Schools) – Generic, No Monthly Topic Information

[Subject line: 2024-25 School Pulse Panel: <MONTH> Survey Reminder]

Dear [POSITION] of [SCHOOL NAME]:

Through your participation in the <MONTH> School Pulse Panel (SPP), we will learn more about pressing issues facing public schools.

This is a reminder to complete the <MONTH> survey by <DAY OF WEEK>, <MONTH> <DAY>, <YEAR>. To thank you for your time and effort in providing this information, your school will receive $200 for completing the entire survey.

The survey will take approximately 30 minutes or less to complete. You can access the survey by visiting the link below and entering your User ID:

[URL]

User ID: [EXTERNALREFERENCE]

Your school is among a small number of schools selected to participate in the Panel. Without responses from your school, we will have an incomplete picture of the condition of education during the 2024-25 school year. Data that are representative of all public schools inform better policies.
By participating in the 2024-25 SPP, you will ensure that information about your school and others like it is included in policy and funding decisions.

If you need help or have questions, you may visit www.census.gov/schoolpulse, call 1-844-868-3661, or email [email protected]. Please be assured that we are required, by federal mandate, to protect the responses of all schools included in the Panel, and your responses will not be identifiable.

Thank you for your consideration of this important initiative. We look forward to your school’s participation in this month’s collection!

Sincerely,

Peggy G. Carr, Ph. D.

Commissioner

National Center for Education Statistics (NCES)

U.S. Department of Education

<MONTH> Reminder Email 1 – <CURRENT MONTH> Nonrespondents (No Debit Card Schools) – Generic, No Monthly Topic Information

[Subject line: 2024-25 School Pulse Panel: <MONTH> Survey Reminder]

Dear [POSITION] of [SCHOOL NAME]:

Through your participation in the <MONTH> School Pulse Panel (SPP), we will learn more about pressing issues facing public schools.

This is a reminder to complete the <MONTH> survey by <DAY OF WEEK>, <MONTH> <DAY>, <YEAR>.

The survey will take approximately 30 minutes or less to complete. You can access the survey by visiting the link below and entering your User ID:

[URL]

User ID: [EXTERNALREFERENCE]

Your school is among a small number of schools selected to participate in the Panel. Without responses from your school, we will have an incomplete picture of the condition of education during the 2024-25 school year. Data that are representative of all public schools inform better policies.
By participating in the 2024-25 SPP, you will ensure that information about your school and others like it is included in policy and funding decisions.

Thank you for your consideration of this important initiative. We look forward to your school’s participation in this month’s collection!

Sincerely,

Peggy G. Carr, Ph. D.

Commissioner

National Center for Education Statistics (NCES)

U.S. Department of Education

<MONTH> Reminder Email 2 – <CURRENT MONTH> Nonrespondents (Reimbursement Schools) – Generic, No Monthly Topic Information

[Subject line: 2024-25 School Pulse Panel: Your Response is Important]

Dear [POSITION] of [SCHOOL_NAME]:

This is a reminder that the National Center for Education Statistics, part of the U.S. Department of Education’s Institute of Education Sciences, is asking you to participate in the School Pulse Panel survey. Your participation in the <MONTH> survey will help ensure that information about your school and others like it is included in policy and funding decisions. We ask that you complete the SPP <MONTH> survey by <DAY OF WEEK>, <MONTH> <DAY>, <YEAR>.

The survey will take 30 minutes or less, and your school will receive $200 for completing the entire survey. You can access the survey online by visiting the link below and entering your User ID:

[URL]

User ID: [EXTERNALREFERENCE]

To learn more about the School Pulse Panel and to preview the <MONTH> questions, visit www.census.gov/schoolpulse. If you have questions, please call 1-844-868-3661 or email [email protected]. Please be assured that we are required, by federal mandate, to protect the responses of all schools included in the Panel, and your responses will not be identifiable.

Thank you for your consideration of this important initiative.

Sincerely,

Peggy G. Carr, Ph. D.

Commissioner

National Center for Education Statistics (NCES)

U.S. Department of Education

<MONTH> Reminder Email 2 – <CURRENT MONTH> Nonrespondents (No Debit Card Schools) – Generic, No Monthly Topic Information

[Subject line: 2024-25 School Pulse Panel: Your Response is Important]

Dear [POSITION] of [SCHOOL_NAME]:

The survey will take 30 minutes or less. You can access the survey online by visiting the link below and entering your User ID:

[URL]

User ID: [EXTERNALREFERENCE]

Thank you for your consideration of this important initiative.

Sincerely,

Peggy G. Carr, Ph. D.

Commissioner

National Center for Education Statistics (NCES)

U.S. Department of Education

<MONTH> Reminder Email 3 – <CURRENT MONTH> Nonrespondents (Reimbursement Schools) – Generic, No Monthly Topic Information

[Subject line: School Pulse Panel: Last Day to Respond to <MONTH> Survey is Today]

Dear [POSITION] of [SCHOOL_NAME]:

This is a final reminder to complete the <MONTH> School Pulse Panel (SPP) survey by today, <MONTH> <DAY>. If you have already responded for <MONTH>, thank you! Please disregard this notice.

The survey will take 30 minutes or less, and to thank you for your time and effort in completing the entire survey, your school will receive $200. Please complete the <MONTH> survey by visiting the link below and entering your User ID:

[URL]

User ID: [EXTERNALREFERENCE]

Thank you for your consideration of this important initiative.

Sincerely,

Peggy G. Carr, Ph. D.

Commissioner

National Center for Education Statistics (NCES)

U.S. Department of Education

<MONTH> Reminder Email 3 – <CURRENT MONTH> Nonrespondents (No Debit Card Schools) – Generic, No Monthly Topic Information

[Subject line: School Pulse Panel: Last Day to Respond to <MONTH> Survey is Today]

Dear [POSITION] of [SCHOOL_NAME]:

This is a final reminder to complete the <MONTH> School Pulse Panel (SPP) survey by today, <MONTH> <DAY>. If you have already responded for <MONTH>, thank you! Please disregard this notice.

[URL]

User ID: [EXTERNALREFERENCE]

Thank you for your consideration of this important initiative.

Sincerely,

Peggy G. Carr, Ph. D.

Commissioner

National Center for Education Statistics (NCES)

U.S. Department of Education

Detailed Communications Templates

The following letters and emails are templates for detailed communication materials. Detailed communication materials preview the topic area(s) that the SPP will be asking about that month and provide relevant statistics from prior SPP collections. The SPP team may use detailed communication materials during the 2024-25 collection, and the following materials will be adjusted accordingly. Minor formatting and wording changes may be made after approval. Until October 2024, NCES will use the “Nonrespondent” initial letter and email for all respondents. For a list of topic areas and statistics that may be incorporated into these materials, please see the section titled “Content Areas and Estimates for 2024-25 Communication Materials” in this document.

<MONTH> Initial Letter – <TWO MONTHS’ PRIOR> Respondents (Reimbursement Schools)

DATE

Dear [POSITION] of [SCHOOL_NAME]

Thank you for your prior participation in the School Pulse Panel (SPP) data collection. This letter contains your <Month Year> SPP survey invitation.

This month, we would like to know more about <topics>.
The survey will take 30 minutes or less, and your school will receive $200 for completing the entire survey.

Please complete the 30-minute <Month Year> survey by visiting the link below and entering your User ID:

Shape7

[URL]

User ID: [EXTERNALREFERENCE]

You should have also received an email invitation that contains this same link and User ID. Please submit your response no later than <Day, Month, XX, Year>. If you have already responded to the <Month Year> SPP survey, thank you! Please disregard this letter.

In <description of collection>’s SPP survey, we asked participating public schools questions about <prior SPP topic area>. We found that <prior SPP statistic>.
Through your participation in the <Month year> SPP, we will learn more about <topic area>. This information will inform decisions and policy regarding <topic area> at the federal level.

We look forward to hearing from you!

Sincerely,

Peggy G. Carr, Ph.D.
Commissioner

National Center for Education Statistics (NCES)
U.S. Department of Education

School Pulse Panel: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the 2024-25 School Pulse Panel?

How is the 2024-25 School Pulse Panel different from other education surveys?

Why should my school participate?

What does it look like to participate on a monthly basis?

How do I participate?

This is the <nth/th> monthly collection of the 2024-25 school year. Monthly collections will continue through June 2024. Each school will designate a point of contact that will be responsible for completing the survey. Your school’s designated point of contact will receive an invitation to complete the School Pulse Panel survey via regular mail and email. Both will include a link to the survey, which should take 30 minutes or less to complete and will be open for two weeks. The person completing the survey can share the link with a colleague if they need help completing the survey. On behalf of the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), the Census Bureau is collecting the information. A new survey invitation will be issued each month from the email address [email protected]. All participation is voluntary.

Does the person completing the 2024-25 School Pulse Panel for the school have to be the principal?

No. You are welcome to delegate completion of the survey to another staff member who is knowledgeable about programs at the school.

Will you ask the same questions every month?

Other important information

By federal law, we are required to protect the responses of all individuals and schools included in our survey (see citations at the end of the FAQ). Individual responses will be combined with those from other participants to produce summary statistics and reports. No teacher or student time is required to complete the survey. Send comments regarding the 30-minute survey burden estimate or any other aspect of this collection of information, including suggestions for reducing this burden, to the National Center for Education Statistics Institute of Education Sciences (IES) PCP, 550 12th Street, SW, 4th floor, Room 4036, Washington, D.C. 20202. 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 is 1850-0969.

NCES is authorized to conduct this survey by the Education Sciences Reform Act of 2002 (ESRA 2002, 20 U.S.C. §9543). All of the information schools 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). Reports of the findings from the survey will not identify participating Local Education Agencies (LEAs), schools, or staff. Individual responses will be combined with those from other participants to produce summary statistics and reports.

<MONTH> Initial Letter – <TWO MONTHS’ PRIOR> Respondents (No Debit Card Schools)

DATE

Dear [POSITION] of [SCHOOL_NAME]

Thank you for your prior participation in the School Pulse Panel (SPP) data collection. This letter contains your <Month Year> SPP survey invitation.

This month, we would like to know more about <topics>.
The survey will take 30 minutes or less.

Please complete the 30-minute <Month Year> survey by visiting the link below and entering your User ID:

Shape8

[URL]

User ID: [EXTERNALREFERENCE]

In <description of collection>‘s SPP survey, we asked participating public schools questions about <prior SPP topic area>. We found that <prior SPP statistic>.
Through your participation in the <Month Year> SPP, we will learn more about <topic area>. This information will inform decisions and policy regarding <topic area> at the federal level.

We look forward to hearing from you!

Sincerely,

Peggy G. Carr, Ph.D.
Commissioner

National Center for Education Statistics (NCES)
U.S. Department of Education

School Pulse Panel: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the 2024-25 School Pulse Panel?

How is the 2024-25 School Pulse Panel different from other education surveys?

Why should my school participate?

What does it look like to participate on a monthly basis?

How do I participate?

Does the person completing the 2024-25 School Pulse Panel for the school have to be the principal?

No. You are welcome to delegate completion of the survey to another staff member who is knowledgeable about programs at the school.

Will you ask the same questions every month?

Other important information

<MONTH> Initial Letter – <TWO MONTHS’ PRIOR> Nonrespondents (Accepts Reimbursement)

DATE

Dear [POSITION] of [SCHOOL_NAME]

This month, we would like to know more about <topics>.
The survey will take 30 minutes or less, and your school will receive $200 for completing the entire survey.

Please complete the 30-minute <Month Year> survey by visiting the link below and entering your User ID:

Shape9

[URL]

User ID: [EXTERNALREFERENCE]

In <description of collection>‘s SPP survey, we asked participating public schools questions about <prior SPP topic area>. We found that <prior SPP statistic>.
Through your participation in the <Month Year> SPP, we will learn more about <topic area>. This information will inform decisions and policy regarding <topic area> at the federal level.

We look forward to hearing from you!

Sincerely,

Peggy G. Carr, Ph.D.
Commissioner

National Center for Education Statistics (NCES)
U.S. Department of Education

School Pulse Panel: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the 2024-25 School Pulse Panel?

How is the 2024-25 School Pulse Panel different from other education surveys?

Why should my school participate?

What does it look like to participate on a monthly basis?

How do I participate?

Does the person completing the 2024-25 School Pulse Panel for the school have to be the principal?

No. You are welcome to delegate completion of the survey to another staff member who is knowledgeable about programs at the school.

Will you ask the same questions every month?

Other important information

<MONTH> Initial Letter – <TWO MONTHS’ PRIOR> Nonrespondents (No Debit Card Schools)

DATE

Dear [POSITION] of [SCHOOL_NAME]

This month, we would like to know more about <topics>.
The survey will take 30 minutes or less.

Please complete the 30-minute <Month Year> survey by visiting the link below and entering your User ID:

Shape10

[URL]

User ID: [EXTERNALREFERENCE]

In <description of collection>‘s SPP survey, we asked participating public schools questions about <prior SPP topic area>. We found that <prior SPP statistic>.
Through your participation in the <Month Year> SPP, we will learn more about <topic area>. This information will inform decisions and policy regarding <topic area> at the federal level.

We look forward to hearing from you!

Sincerely,

Peggy G. Carr, Ph.D.
Commissioner

National Center for Education Statistics (NCES)
U.S. Department of Education

School Pulse Panel: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the 2024-25 School Pulse Panel?

How is the 2024-25 School Pulse Panel different from other education surveys?

Why should my school participate?

What does it look like to participate on a monthly basis?

How do I participate?

Does the person completing the 2024-25 School Pulse Panel for the school have to be the principal?

No. You are welcome to delegate completion of the survey to another staff member who is knowledgeable about programs at the school.

Will you ask the same questions every month?

Other important information

<MONTH> Initial Letter – <TWO MONTHS’ PRIOR> Respondents (No Email Schools, Accepts Reimbursement)

DATE

Dear [POSITION] of [SCHOOL_NAME]

Thank you for your prior participation in the School Pulse Panel (SPP) data collection. This letter contains your <Month Year> SPP survey invitation.

This month, we would like to know more about <topics>.
The survey will take 30 minutes or less, and your school will receive $200 for completing the entire survey.

Please complete the 30-minute <Month Year> survey by visiting the link below and entering your User ID:

Shape11

[URL]

User ID: [EXTERNALREFERENCE]

Please submit your response no later than <Day, Month, XX, Year>. The information that you provide is critical for data-driven decision making on program and policy implementation and federal funding distributions by program offices in the Department of Education, the White House, other federal agencies, and Congress. By participating in this survey, you will ensure that information about your school is included in these important decisions.

In <description of collection>‘s SPP survey, we asked participating public schools questions about <prior SPP topic area>. We found that <prior SPP statistic>.
Through your participation in the <Month Year> SPP, we will learn more about <topic area>. This information will inform decisions and policy regarding <topic area> at the federal level.

If you would like to preview the <Month Year> SPP survey questions before taking the survey online, please visit www.census.gov/schoolpulse to view the questionnaire. Unfortunately, we do not have a valid email address on file for you or your school. To receive an electronic link to the survey, please email [email protected] or call 1-844-868-3661 and provide the name and a valid email address for the best point of contact for this study. The Census Bureau is collecting data on behalf of the National Center for Education Statistics.

We look forward to hearing from you!

Sincerely,

Peggy G. Carr, Ph.D.
Commissioner

National Center for Education Statistics (NCES)
U.S. Department of Education

School Pulse Panel: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the 2024-25 School Pulse Panel?

How is the 2024-25 School Pulse Panel different from other education surveys?

Why should my school participate?

What does it look like to participate on a monthly basis?

How do I participate?

This is the <nth/th> monthly collection of the 2024-25 school year. Monthly collections will continue through June 2024. We currently do not have an email on file for your school. Please contact [email protected] or call 1-844-868-3661 and provide a valid email address for a designated point of contact for this study. Your school’s designated point of contact will receive an invitation to complete the School Pulse Panel survey via regular mail and email, which will include a link to the survey. The person completing the survey can share the link with a colleague if they need help completing the survey. On behalf of the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), the Census Bureau is collecting the information. A new survey invitation will be issued each month from the email address [email protected]. All participation is voluntary.

Does the person completing the 2024-25 School Pulse Panel for the school have to be the principal?

No. You are welcome to delegate completion of the survey to another staff member who is knowledgeable about programs at the school.

Will you ask the same questions every month?

Other important information

<MONTH> Initial Letter – <TWO MONTHS’ PRIOR> Nonrespondents (No Email Schools, Accepts Reimbursement)

DATE

Dear [POSITION] of [SCHOOL_NAME]

This month, we would like to know more about <topics>.
The survey will take 30 minutes or less, and your school will receive $200 for completing the entire survey.

Please complete the 30-minute <Month Year> survey by visiting the link below and entering your User ID:

Shape12

[URL]

User ID: [EXTERNALREFERENCE]

In <description of collection>‘s SPP survey, we asked participating public schools questions about <prior SPP topic area>. We found that <prior SPP statistic>.
Through your participation in the <Month Year> SPP, we will learn more about <topic area>. This information will inform decisions and policy regarding <topic area> at the federal level.

We look forward to hearing from you!

Sincerely,

Peggy G. Carr, Ph.D.
Commissioner

National Center for Education Statistics (NCES)
U.S. Department of Education

School Pulse Panel: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the 2024-25 School Pulse Panel?

How is the 2024-25 School Pulse Panel different from other education surveys?

Why should my school participate?

What does it look like to participate on a monthly basis?

How do I participate?

This is the <nth/th> monthly collection of the 2024-25 school year. Monthly collections will continue through June 2024. We currently do not have an email on file for your school. Please contact [email protected] and provide a valid email address for a designated point of contact for this study. Your school’s designated point of contact will receive an invitation to complete the School Pulse Panel survey via regular mail and email, which will include a link to the survey. The person completing the survey can share the link with a colleague if they need help completing the survey. On behalf of the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), the Census Bureau is collecting the information. A new survey invitation will be issued each month from the email address [email protected]. All participation is voluntary.

Does the person completing the 2024-25 School Pulse Panel for the school have to be the principal?

No. You are welcome to delegate completion of the survey to another staff member who is knowledgeable about programs at the school.

Will you ask the same questions every month?

Other important information

<MONTH YEAR> Initial Email – <ONE MONTH PRIOR> Respondents (Reimbursement Schools)

[Subject line: 2024-25 School Pulse Panel: <MONTH> Survey Invitation]

Dear [POSITION] of [SCHOOL_NAME]

Thank you for participating in the <Prior Month> School Pulse Panel (SPP) data collection. This email contains your <MONTH> Survey Invitation. Please complete the survey by <Day, Month, XX, Year>.

The <month> survey collects data on topic area.
The survey will take 30 minutes or less.
Your school will receive $200 for completing the entire survey.
Please complete the <month> survey by visiting the link below and entering your User ID:

[URL]

User ID: [EXTERNALREFERENCE]

In <description of collection>‘s SPP survey, we asked participating public schools questions about <prior SPP topic area>. We found that prior SPP statistic.
Through your participation in the <Month Year> SPP, we will learn more about <topic area>. This information will inform decisions and policy regarding <topic area> at the federal level.

If you would like to preview the <Month Year> SPP survey questions before taking the survey online, please visit www.census.gov/schoolpulse to view the questionnaire. If you have questions or need assistance, you may also call 1-844-868-3661 or email [email protected]. The Census Bureau is collecting data on behalf of the National Center for Education Statistics. Please be assured that we are required, by federal mandate, to protect the responses of all schools included in the Panel, and your responses will not be identifiable.

We look forward to hearing from you!

Sincerely,

Peggy G. Carr, Ph.D.
Commissioner

National Center for Education Statistics (NCES)
U.S. Department of Education

<MONTH YEAR> Initial Email – <ONE MONTH PRIOR> Respondents (No Debit Card Schools)

[Subject line: 2024-25 School Pulse Panel: <MONTH> Survey Invitation]

DATE

Dear [POSITION] of [SCHOOL_NAME]

The <month> survey collects data on topic area.
The survey will take 30 minutes or less.
Please complete the <month> survey by visiting the link below and entering your User ID:

[URL]

User ID: [EXTERNALREFERENCE]

In <description of collection>‘s SPP survey, we asked participating public schools questions about <prior SPP topic area>. We found that prior SPP statistic.
Through your participation in the <Month Year> SPP, we will learn more about <topic area>. This information will inform decisions and policy regarding <topic area> at the federal level.

We look forward to hearing from you!

Sincerely,

Peggy G. Carr, Ph.D.
Commissioner

National Center for Education Statistics (NCES)
U.S. Department of Education

<MONTH YEAR> Initial Email – <ONE MONTH PRIOR> Nonrespondents (Reimbursement Schools)

[Subject line: 2024-25 School Pulse Panel: <MONTH> Survey Invitation]

Dear [POSITION] of [SCHOOL_NAME]

The <month> survey collects data on topic area.
The survey will take 30 minutes or less, and your school will receive $200 for completing the entire survey.

Please complete the 30-minute <Month Year> survey by visiting the link below and entering your User ID:

[URL]

User ID: [EXTERNALREFERENCE]

In <description of collection>‘s SPP survey, we asked participating public schools questions about <prior SPP topic area>. We found that prior SPP statistic.
Through your participation in the <Month Year> SPP, we will learn more about <topic area>. This information will inform decisions and policy regarding <topic area> at the federal level.

We look forward to hearing from you!

Sincerely,

Peggy G. Carr, Ph.D.
Commissioner

National Center for Education Statistics (NCES)
U.S. Department of Education

<MONTH YEAR> Initial Email – <ONE MONTH PRIOR> Nonrespondents (No Debit Card Schools)

[Subject line: 2024-25 School Pulse Panel: <MONTH> Survey Invitation]

Dear [POSITION] of [SCHOOL_NAME]

The <month> survey collects data on topic area.
The survey will take 30 minutes or less.

Please complete the 30-minute <Month Year> survey by visiting the link below and entering your User ID:

[URL]

User ID: [EXTERNALREFERENCE]

In <description of collection>‘s SPP survey, we asked participating public schools questions about <prior SPP topic area>. We found that prior SPP statistic.
Through your participation in the <Month Year> SPP, we will learn more about <topic area>. This information will inform decisions and policy regarding <topic area> at the federal level.

We look forward to hearing from you!

Sincerely,

Peggy G. Carr, Ph.D.
Commissioner

National Center for Education Statistics (NCES)
U.S. Department of Education

<CURRENT MONTH> Reminder Email 1 – <CURRENT MONTH> Nonrespondents (Reimbursement Schools)

[Subject line: 2024-25 School Pulse Panel: <CURRENT MONTH> Survey Reminder]

Dear [POSITION] of [SCHOOL NAME]:

Did you know that <prior SPP statistic>? Through your participation in the <CURRENT MONTH> School Pulse Panel (SPP), we will learn more about <topic>.

This is a reminder to complete the <CURRENT MONTH> survey by <Day, Month, XX, Year>. To thank you for your time and effort in providing this information, your school will receive $200 for completing the entire survey.

This month’s survey will ask you <topic area>.
The survey will take approximately 30 minutes or less to complete. You can access the survey by visiting the link below and entering your User ID:

[URL]

User ID: [EXTERNALREFERENCE]

Your school is among a small number of schools selected to participate in the Panel. Without responses from your school, we will have an incomplete picture of the condition of education during the 2024-25 school year. Data that are representative of all public schools inform better policies.
By participating in the 2024-25 SPP, you will ensure that information about your school and others like it is included in policy and funding decisions.

Thank you for your consideration of this important initiative. We look forward to your school’s participation in this month’s collection!

Sincerely,

Peggy G. Carr, Ph. D.

Commissioner

National Center for Education Statistics (NCES)

U.S. Department of Education

<CURRENT MONTH> Reminder Email 1 – <CURRENT MONTH> Nonrespondents (No Debit Card Schools)

[Subject line: 2024-25 School Pulse Panel: <CURRENT MONTH> Survey Reminder]

Dear [POSITION] of [SCHOOL NAME]:

Did you know that <prior SPP statistic>? Through your participation in the <CURRENT MONTH> School Pulse Panel (SPP), we will learn more about <topic>.

This is a reminder to complete the <CURRENT MONTH> survey by <Day, Month, XX, Year>.

This month’s survey will ask you <topic area>.
The survey will take approximately 30 minutes or less to complete. You can access the survey by visiting the link below and entering your User ID:

[URL]

User ID: [EXTERNALREFERENCE]

Your school is among a small number of schools selected to participate in the Panel. Without responses from your school, we will have an incomplete picture of the condition of education during the 2024-25 school year. Data that are representative of all public schools inform better policies.
By participating in the 2024-25 SPP, you will ensure that information about your school and others like it is included in policy and funding decisions.

Thank you for your consideration of this important initiative. We look forward to your school’s participation in this month’s collection!

Sincerely,

Peggy G. Carr, Ph. D.

Commissioner

National Center for Education Statistics (NCES)

U.S. Department of Education

<CURRENT MONTH> Reminder Email 2 – <CURRENT MONTH> Nonrespondents (Reimbursement Schools)

[Subject line: 2024-25 School Pulse Panel: Your Response is Important]

Dear [POSITION] of [SCHOOL_NAME]:

This is a reminder that the National Center for Education Statistics, part of the U.S. Department of Education’s Institute of Education Sciences, is asking you to provide information about <topic>. Your participation in the <CURRENT MONTH> survey will help ensure that information about your school and others like it is included in policy and funding decisions. We ask that you complete the SPP <month> survey by <Day, Month, XX, Year>.

The survey will take 30 minutes or less, and your school will receive $200 for completing the entire survey. You can access the survey online by visiting the link below and entering your User ID:

[URL]

User ID: [EXTERNALREFERENCE]

In <description of collection>‘s SPP survey, we asked participating public schools questions about <prior SPP topic area>. We found that, <prior SPP statistic>.

Through your participation, we will learn more about <topic area>. This information will inform decisions and policy regarding <topic area> at the federal level.

To learn more about the School Pulse Panel and to preview the <Month Year> questions, visit www.census.gov/schoolpulse. If you have questions, please call 1-844-868-3661 or email [email protected]. Please be assured that we are required, by federal mandate, to protect the responses of all schools included in the Panel, and your responses will not be identifiable.

Thank you for your consideration of this important initiative.

Sincerely,

Peggy G. Carr, Ph. D.

Commissioner

National Center for Education Statistics (NCES)

U.S. Department of Education

<CURRENT MONTH> Reminder Email 2- <CURRENT MONTH> Nonrespondents (No Debit Card Schools)

[Subject line: 2024-25 School Pulse Panel: Your Response is Important]

Dear [POSITION] of [SCHOOL_NAME]:

The survey will take 30 minutes or less. You can access the survey online by visiting the link below and entering your User ID:

[URL]

User ID: [EXTERNALREFERENCE]

In <description of collection>‘s SPP survey, we asked participating public schools questions about <prior SPP topic area>. We found that, <prior SPP statistic>.

Through your participation, we will learn more about <topic area>. This information will inform decisions and policy regarding <topic area> at the federal level.

Thank you for your consideration of this important initiative.

Sincerely,

Peggy G. Carr, Ph. D.

Commissioner

National Center for Education Statistics (NCES)

U.S. Department of Education

<CURRENT MONTH> Reminder Email 3 – <CURRENT MONTH> Nonrespondents (Reimbursement Schools)

[Subject line: School Pulse Panel: Last Day to Respond to <CURRENT MONTH> survey is Today]

Dear [POSITION] of [SCHOOL_NAME]:

This is a final reminder to complete the <Month Year> School Pulse Panel (SPP) survey by today, <Month Day>. We are looking forward to learning more about <topic>. If you have already responded for <Month Year>, thank you! Please disregard this notice.

The survey will take 30 minutes or less, and to thank you for your time and effort in completing the entire survey, your school will receive $200. Please complete the <CURRENT MONTH> survey by visiting the link below and entering your User ID:

[URL]

User ID: [EXTERNALREFERENCE]

Thank you for your consideration of this important initiative.

Sincerely,

Peggy G. Carr, Ph. D.

Commissioner

National Center for Education Statistics (NCES)

U.S. Department of Education

<CURRENT MONTH> Reminder Email 3 – <CURRENT MONTH> Nonrespondents (No Debit Card Schools)

[Subject line: School Pulse Panel: Last Day to Respond to <CURRENT MONTH> survey is Today]

Dear [POSITION] of [SCHOOL_NAME]:

The survey will take 30 minutes or less. Please complete the <CURRENT MONTH> survey by visiting the link below and entering your User ID:

[URL]

User ID: [EXTERNALREFERENCE]

Thank you for your consideration of this important initiative.

Sincerely,

Peggy G. Carr, Ph. D.

Commissioner

National Center for Education Statistics (NCES)

U.S. Department of Education

Content Areas and Estimates for 2024-25 Communication Materials

Communication Content Areas and Estimates for the 2024-25 SPP Communication Materials

The following content areas and estimates will be rotated into the detailed communication materials depending on the content area focus for that month. The following list of content areas and estimates is not exhaustive and may change depending on stakeholder needs. In some months, NCES may omit the use of content areas and estimates from the communication materials entirely and will utilize the generic communication materials instead. All estimates and statements that may be used for the communication materials will be pulled from previously released SPP press releases or from the NCES School Pulse Panel dashboard.

Content Areas

The following topic areas may be inserted in place of the <topics> section in the “Detailed Communications Templates.”

Staffing (summer hiring cycle, staffing challenges, current vacancies)

Community collaboration and partnership programs

Principal goals

Summer and after-school programs

Civics education

Tutoring programs

Food and nutrition programs

Physical education programs

Arts education programs

Educational programming provided by the National Park Service

School facilities

School preparedness

Technology, including digital literacy and the use of artificial intelligence in schools

Migratory students

Housing instability among students

Climate impacts on educational operations

Family engagement strategies

Evidence-use

Parent and administrator concerns

State testing perceptions

School crime and safety

Student and staff mental health

School or district vaccine requirements

Drug overdose prevention and treatment (naloxone use in schools)

College and career readiness

School emergency preparedness

Transportation

Student behavior

Social and emotional learning programs

Absenteeism

Learning recovery strategies

Estimates

The following estimates may be inserted in place of the “prior SPP statistic” section of the “Detailed Communications Templates.”

Staffing (summer hiring cycle, staffing challenges, current vacancies)

As of October 2023, 37 percent of public schools were operating with at least one teaching vacancy, down from the 44 percent that were operating with at least one teaching vacancy as of October 2022 (StaffVac1).
Nationally, 3 percent of all public school teaching positions were vacant as of October 2023 (StaffVac1).
As of October 2023, 45 percent of public schools were operating with at least one non-teaching staff vacancy, which includes 29 percent of public schools operating with multiple non-teaching staff vacancies (StaffVac2).
Nationally, 6 percent of all public school non-teaching staff positions were vacant as of October 2023 (StaffVac2).
Forty-five percent of U.S. public schools reported feeling that they were understaffed entering the 2023-24 school year, a decrease from the 53 percent of schools that felt understaffed entering the 2022-23 school year (HP5).

Community collaboration and partnership programs

As of August 2023, sixty percent of U.S. public schools utilized a “community school” or “wraparound services” model, in which a school partners with other government agencies and/or local nonprofits to support and engage with the local community (CSP1).
As of August 2023, among all public schools, the most prevalent community services provided through school partnerships were mental health care (66 percent), nutrition/food assistance (55 percent), and volunteering opportunities (43 percent) (CSP2a).

Principal goals

N/A – currently planned to be fielded for the first time in 2024-25

Summer and after school programs

Eighty-two percent of U.S. public schools offered some type of summer programming during summer 2023 (SP_gate).
Seventy-eight percent of all public schools offered academically focused summer programming during summer 2023, which included summer school, learning and enrichment, bridge, and other summer programs (SP_gate)
Eighty-seven percent of U.S. public schools offered some type of after-school programming during the 2023-24 school year (ASP_gate).
Sixty-four percent of all public schools offered academically focused after-school programming during the 2023-24 school year, which includes academic assistance, academic enrichment, and other after-school programs (ASP_gate).

Civics education

N/A – currently planned to be fielded for the first time in 2024-25

Tutoring programs

Eighty-two percent of public schools offered some type of tutoring program during the 2023-24 school year (Tutoring_gate).
Fifty-two percent of public schools offered standard tutoring during the 2023-24 school year, a lower percentage than did so during the 2022-23 school year (Tutoring_gate).
Thirty-nine percent of public schools offered high-dosage tutoring during the 2023-24 school year, which was not statistically different from the percentage that did so during the 2022-23 school year (Tutoring_gate).
Seventy percent of public schools offering high-dosage tutoring during the 2023-24 school year reported using federal funds to support this tutoring program (HDT11).

Food and nutrition programs

Ninety-two percent of public schools reported participating in United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) meal programs for the 2023-24 school year, a higher percentage that reported doing so than during the 2022-23 school year (88 percent) (SchLun1).
Four percent of public schools reported offering a non-U.S. Department of Agriculture school meal program to their students during the 2023-24 school year (SchLun1).
Of the 96 percent of public schools that offered a school meal program to their students during the 2023-24 school year, the top challenge they reported in operating their school meal program was school food service staff shortages (41 percent) (SchLun13).
Of the 96 percent of public schools that offered a school meal program to their students during the 2023-24 school year, 21 percent reported that increased program costs were a challenge to operating their school meal program (SchLun13).

Physical education programs

N/A – currently planned to be fielded for the first time in 2024-25

Arts education programs

N/A – currently planned to be fielded for the first time in 2024-25

Educational programming provided by the National Park Service

N/A – currently planned to be fielded for the first time in 2024-25

School facilities

96 percent of all public schools had one or more permanent buildings in use at their school during the 2023-24 school year (Fac19a)
31 percent of all public schools had one or more non-permanent (portable) buildings in use at their school during the 2023-24 school year (Fac20a).
In December 2023, 21 percent of all public schools reported having major repair, renovation, or modernization work currently being performed at their school (Fac24).
In December 2023, 93 percent of all public schools reported having some kind of athletic amenities on-site (Fac3).

Technology, including digital literacy and the use of artificial intelligence in schools

Entering the 2023-24 school year, 44 percent of U.S. public schools reported providing internet access to students who needed it at their homes. This is a decrease from the percentage of schools that did so entering the 2021-22 school year (70 percent) (Internet1).
In August 2023, 95 percent of public schools reported providing digital devices (such as laptops) to students who needed them for the 2023-24 school year (Internet3).
In August 2023, 75 percent of public schools reported providing digital literacy training to their students, while 27 percent reported offering this training to students’ families (DL1, DL3).

Migratory students

N/A – currently planned to be fielded for the first time in 2024-25

Housing instability among students

N/A – currently planned to be fielded for the first time in 2024-25

Climate impacts on educational operations

N/A – currently planned to be fielded for the first time in 2024-25

Evidence-use

N/A – currently planned to be fielded for the first time in 2024-25

Parent and administrator concerns

32 percent of public schools reported that “several” or “many” parents/guardians have expressed concerns about bullying and/or cyberbullying during the 2023-24 school year (ParCon24_4)
40 percent of public schools reported that “several” or “many” parents/guardians have expressed concerns about their child’s mental health during the 2023-24 school year (ParCon24_5)
43 percent of public school leaders reported being “moderately” or “extremely” concerned about their students’ mental health during the 2023-24 school year (AdmnCon24_5)
36 percent of public school leaders reported being “moderately” or “extremely” concerned about issues related to staffing shortages during the 2023-24 school year (AdmnCon24_10)

State testing perceptions

Of the 96 percent of public schools that participated in state-mandated testing for English language arts and literacy during the 2023-24 school year, 68 percent believed these tests would not accurately measure the ability of English Learners or students with IEPs (SA_ELA, SA3_4, SA3_5)
Of the 96 percent of public schools that participated in state-mandated testing for mathematics during the 2023-24 school year, 62 percent reported that they “somewhat agree” or “strongly agree” with the statement “I support the use of current statewide tests to measure student mastery of math standards.” (SA_math, SA1_2)
Of the 96 percent of public schools that participated in state-mandated testing for English language arts and literacy or mathematics, 33 percent reported the belief that the COVID-19 pandemic and its lingering effects will have a “large negative impact” on their students’ performance on state-mandated testing during the 2023-24 school year (SA_ELA, SA_math, SA2, SA4)
Of the 96 percent of public schools that participated in state-mandated testing for English language arts and literacy during the 2023-24 school year, 47 percent reported that they “somewhat agree” or “strongly agree” with the statement “The work we will do to prepare our students for the state-mandated English language arts subject test will take time away from other more important classroom work.” (SA_ELA, SA3_3)

School crime and safety

In January 2024, forty-eight percent of public schools reported having a School Resource Officer (SRO) present at their school at least once a week during the 2023-24 school year (CS7a).
In January 2024, eleven percent of public schools reported having a sworn law enforcement officer present at their school at least once a week during the 2023-24 school year (CS7a).
In January 2024, twenty-two percent of public schools reported having a security officer present at their school at least once a week during the 2023-24 school year (CS7a).
In January 2024, four percent of public schools reported that they had a staff member, aside from any security personnel, who legally carried a firearm on school property during the 2023-24 school year (CS8).

Student and staff mental health

Forthcoming; new SPP data on this topic was not yet released at the time of package submission

School or district vaccine requirements

N/A – currently planned to be fielded for the first time in 2024-25

Drug overdose prevention and treatment (naloxone use in schools)

N/A – currently planned to be fielded for the first time in 2024-25

College and career readiness

Among public schools offering any of grades 9 or above, 73 percent offered at least one of the following types of advanced coursework: Advanced Placement (AP), Pre-Advanced Placement (Pre-AP), International Baccalaureate (IB), or dual enrollment courses during the 2023-24 school year (AdvCla)
Among public schools that offered any of grades 9 or above and AP courses offered, on average, 10 AP courses to their students (AdvClb)
15 percent of public schools that offered any of grades 9 or above said their school did an “excellent” job preparing students for college (CCP3)
15 percent of public schools that offered any of grades 9 or above said their school did an “excellent” job preparing students for the workforce (CCP4)

School emergency preparedness

Forthcoming; new SPP data on this topic was not yet released at the time of package submission

Transportation

Forthcoming; new SPP data on this topic was not yet released at the time of package submission

Student behavior

Forthcoming; new SPP data on this topic was not yet released at the time of package submission

Social and emotional learning programs

…as of February 2024, 63 percent of public schools use a formal curriculum designed to support the development of students’ social and emotional skills (SECfc_gate)
…among the 63 percent of public schools that use a formal curriculum designed to support the development of students’ social and emotional skills, 27 percent reported that their curriculum has been “very effective” or “extremely effective” at improving student outcomes during the 2023-24 school year (SECfc_gate, SECfc5)
…among the 63 percent of public schools that use a formal curriculum designed to support the development of students’ social and emotional skills, 72 percent reported that time limitations are a barrier to implementing the curriculum (SECfc_gate, SECfc6)
49 percent of public schools reported that they “strongly agree” that the culture of their school supports the development of students’ social and emotional skills in school (SEC1_4)

Absenteeism

Public school leaders nationwide reported their average daily attendance rate was 90 percent as of November 2023 (ABS7).
When asked about their concerns related to student attendance and absences as of November 2023, the ability to obtain substitute teachers was the most concerning issue, with 35 percent of public schools reporting being “extremely concerned” about this issue (ABS8).
When asked about their concerns related to student absences as of November 2023, 15 percent of public schools reporting being “extremely concerned” about this issue (ABS8).
In November 2023, higher percentages of public schools located in high-poverty neighborhoods reported being “extremely concerned” about student absences compared to the estimate among all public schools (15 percent) (ABS8).

Learning recovery strategies/ Family engagement strategies

In December 2023, 97 percent of public schools reported using email to engage with parents (ParEng1).
In December 2023, forty-four percent of public schools reported that they have a parent/family engagement specialist or outreach worker at their school (ParEng2).
In December 2023, 17 percent of public schools reported that they have added a parent/family engagement specialist or outreach worker position since the 2019-20 school year (ParEng3a).
In December 2023, 95 percent of public schools reported offering parent-teacher conferences to inform parents about their child’s learning progress (LSR2)

Advance Secretary Letter Communications

The following letter from Education Secretary Miguel Cardona was sent to sampled schools prior to the start of the August 2023 data collection. A letter from the Education Secretary has not yet been approved but may be secured prior to the start of the August 2024 collection. The following letter serves as an example of what may be sent to schools in late July 2024. The exact wording and formatting may change after approval.

Summer 2024 Advance Letter from Education Secretary Miguel Cardona (Accepts Reimbursement)

THE SECRETARY OF EDUCATION

WASHINGTON, DC 20202

July 31, 2023

Dear [POSITION] of [SCHOOL_NAME]:

Thank you for the great work you are doing providing students with opportunities to thrive! The job of school principal is critical for our country’s growth. From personal experience, I know the role has many demands for your time and presence; however, I am writing to ask you to be a part of a special group that will inform the U.S. Department of Education (Department) and me on the “pulse” of education in America.

The Department’s National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) will be conducting a monthly survey with public school staff for the 2023-24 school year. The survey, known as the School Pulse Panel, is designed to provide educators and policy leaders with information needed to make evidence-based decisions about programs and resource allocations that support your mission of educating our nation’s youth, especially as you continue to grapple with the ongoing repercussions of the pandemic. The survey was designed by NCES in coordination with program offices in the Department, other federal agencies, and public schools. NCES will collect data from a representative sample of 4,000 schools on learning recovery, staffing, student mental health, absenteeism, school facilities, and student behavior, among other topics. Previous versions of the survey provided insights on school reopening progress, investments in learning recovery, and the need for additional mental health supports. The survey is an opportunity to share your voice in Washington, D.C.!

Recently, you should have received an invitation to complete a screener survey to confirm the contact information NCES had on file for your school. Soon, you will receive an invitation via email and/or FedEx to participate in the August survey, which will ask about your school’s experiences with teacher and staff hiring, technology availability, and community partnerships. You will continue to receive invitations to participate in the School Pulse Panel each month thereafter through June 2024. Completion of the survey may be done by you or another school staff member who you feel can represent the perspective of the school leadership. For example, assistant principals, teacher leaders, or others may serve as your designee. The survey will take 30 minutes or less every month to complete. Your school will receive $200 for each completed survey submitted to offset the staff time necessary to complete this collection on behalf of NCES.

NCES will not identify participating schools but will present results by characteristics, such as student body composition, school neighborhood poverty levels, and other appropriate indicators. Survey results will be released via an online dashboard within a few weeks of collection.

Thank you for considering participating in this important data collection. We believe all students in our public education system deserve the best education possible, and we appreciate the important role school principals play in this work. If you have any questions, please contact the School Pulse Panel team at [email protected].

I n partnership, Miguel A. Cardona, Ed.D.

U.S. Secretary of Education

Summer 2024 Advance Letter from Education Secretary Miguel Cardona (No Debit Card Schools)

THE SECRETARY OF EDUCATION

WASHINGTON, DC 20202

July 31, 2023

Dear [POSITION] of [SCHOOL_NAME]:

In partnership,

Miguel A. Cardona, Ed.D.

U.S. Secretary of Education

Advance Letter from SPP Team Communications

In the event that we are not able to secure an advance letter from Education Secretary Miguel Cardona or from the Secretary’s office, the School Pulse Panel team at NCES will send an advance letter to schools. The following letter is an example of what may be sent to schools in late July 2024. Minor formatting and wording changes may be made after approval.

August 2024 Advance Letter from SPP Team (Reimbursement Schools)

Federal policy makers need timely information on the condition of education in the U.S. to make evidence-based decisions about programs and resource allocations that support your school’s mission of educating our nation’s youth. You are being invited to take part in a voluntary survey that will provide this information to policymakers and the public.

The Department’s National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) will be conducting a monthly survey with public school staff for the 2024-25 school year. The survey, known as the School Pulse Panel, is designed to provide educators and policy leaders with information needed on high-priority, education-related topics. The survey was designed by NCES in coordination with program offices in the Department, other federal agencies, and public schools. NCES will collect data from a representative sample of 4,000 schools on topics like learning recovery, staffing, student mental health, absenteeism, school facilities, and student behavior, among other topics.

Recently, you should have received an invitation to complete a screener survey to confirm the contact information NCES had on file for your school. Soon, you will receive an invitation via email and/or FedEx to participate in the August survey, which will ask about your school’s experiences with teacher and staff hiring, your goals for your school, and community partnerships. You will continue to receive invitations to participate in the School Pulse Panel each month thereafter through June 2025. Completion of the survey may be done by you or another school staff member who you feel can represent the perspective of the school leadership. For example, assistant principals, teacher leaders, or others may serve as your designee. The survey will take 30 minutes or less every month to complete. Your school will receive $200 for each completed survey submitted to offset the staff time necessary to complete this collection on behalf of NCES.

Sincerely,

The School Pulse Panel Team

National Center for Education Statistics

U.S. Department of Education

August 2024 Advance Letter from SPP Team (No Debit Card Schools)

Recently, you should have received an invitation to complete a screener survey to confirm the contact information NCES had on file for your school. Soon, you will receive an invitation via email and/or FedEx to participate in the August survey, which will ask about your school’s experiences with teacher and staff hiring, your goals for your school, and community partnerships. You will continue to receive invitations to participate in the School Pulse Panel each month thereafter through June 2025. Completion of the survey may be done by you or another school staff member who you feel can represent the perspective of the school leadership. For example, assistant principals, teacher leaders, or others may serve as your designee. The survey will take 30 minutes or less every month to complete.

Sincerely,

The School Pulse Panel Team

National Center for Education Statistics

U.S. Department of Education

Spring 2025 Nonrespondent Letter with Non-Monetary Incentive (Tote Bag)

The following letters may be sent to schools in spring 2025 (or earlier) in the event response rates are low. Minor formatting and wording changes may be made after approval.

Nonrespondent Letter with Non-Monetary Incentive (Tote Bag) – Spring 2025 (Reimbursement Schools)

THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

NATIONAL CENTER FOR EDUCATION STATISTICS

[MONTH] 2025

Dear [POSITION] of [SCHOOL_NAME]:

Thank you for all the work you are doing to educate and make a difference in the lives of our country’s students! We know that, as an educator, you are very busy, but we are writing to ask you to set aside 30 minutes each month from now through June to take part in the School Pulse Panel (SPP) survey.

The SPP is conducted by the U.S. Department of Education’s National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and provides educators and policy leaders with information needed to make evidence-based decisions about program implementation and resource allocations that support your mission of educating our nation’s youth. Having your voice represented in the survey is critical; without data from all schools that were selected to participate in the study, we will have an incomplete picture of the condition of education in the U.S. during the 2024-25 school year. Participate in the SPP and share your voice in Washington, D.C.!

Within the next few days, you will receive invitations via email and mail to complete the [MONTH] survey online. To thank you for your time and effort in participating in the SPP, your school will receive a $200 debit card for each completed survey you submit. This debit card will be mailed to your school approximately five to six weeks after the end of each data collection.

Last year, NCES conducted the SPP with a different group of public schools. Findings from this collection enabled the Department and the public to have a “pulse” on the challenges school leaders were facing. Some key findings from last year’s SPP include:

In <MONTH YEAR>, <STATISTIC>.
In <MONTH YEAR>, <STATISTIC>.
In <MONTH YEAR>, <STATISTIC>.

NCES will not identify participating SPP schools but will present results by characteristics, such as student body composition, school neighborhood poverty levels, and other appropriate indicators. Survey results will be released via an online dashboard within a few weeks of collection. You can explore these results at https://ies.ed.gov/schoolsurvey/spp/.

Please enjoy the enclosed tote bag as a token of our appreciation for all the work you do for our nation’s students. If you have any questions about participating in the SPP, please contact the School Pulse Panel team at [email protected]. The Census Bureau is collecting the data on behalf of NCES. We hope that you will participate in the remaining monthly collections!

Sincerely,

The School Pulse Panel Team

National Center for Education Statistics

Nonrespondent Letter with Non-Monetary Incentive (Tote Bag) – Spring 2025 (No Debit Card Schools)

THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

NATIONAL CENTER FOR EDUCATION STATISTICS

[MONTH] 2025

Dear [POSITION] of [SCHOOL_NAME]:

Within the next few days, you will receive invitations via email and mail to complete the [MONTH] survey online.

In <MONTH YEAR>, <STATISTIC>.
In <MONTH YEAR>, <STATISTIC>.
In <MONTH YEAR>, <STATISTIC>.

Sincerely,

The School Pulse Panel Team

National Center for Education Statistics

Other Communications

School Pulse Panel FAQ/Brochure

The following FAQ brochure will be posted on the SPP Census website and sent to schools and school districts if requested. Minor changes to formatting and text (such as updates to links and QR codes) may be made after approval.

Web Instrument Log-In Screenshots

The screenshot below depicts the landing page for respondents after they click or type in the links including in the above communication materials. This image is of the screen as it will appear for the July screener, as contained in the SPP Preliminary Activities package. For the monthly data collections, the footer text here will be changed in the following ways:

The OMB expiration date will be updated.

Once respondents have logged in on the screen shown above, below is an image of the page they see before they begin providing data. This is a screenshot of the screen as it will appear for the July screener, as contained in the SPP Preliminary Activities package. For the monthly data collections, the text above the U.S. Census Bureau Notice and Consent Warning will read as follows:

Welcome to the School Pulse Panel! The information you provide here is essential to providing national, state, and local education leaders with the information needed to make evidence-based decisions about education policy and resource allocation.

The National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), within the U.S. Department of Education, is authorized to conduct this survey by the Education Sciences Reform Act of 2002 (ESRA 2002, 20 U.S.C. §9543). 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 1850-0969. The time required to complete this information collection is estimated to average 30 minutes per response, including the time to review instructions, search existing data resources, gather the data needed, and complete and review the information collection. If you have any comments concerning the accuracy of the time estimate, suggestions for improving this collection, or comments or concerns about the contents or the status of your individual submission of this questionnaire, please e-mail: [email protected].

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Author	Bielamowicz, Rebecca
File Modified	0000-00-00
File Created	2024-07-25

Appendix A Communications Materials

Appendix A SPP 2024-25 - Contact Materials 30D.docx

School Pulse Panel 2024-25 Data Collection