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Instructions for Selecting a Sample of Students at Each School

Charter School Survey

We would like to have the surveys administered to three classes of students at each school. Ideally, we will have at least 40 students, or else 100 percent of the students Grades 5 and above at each school. The surveys should preferably be administered to Grades 6 and above. If we cannot obtain a sufficient sample of students between Grades 6-12, we intend to also sample a class of Grade 5 students.

When selecting classes for administering the student charter school surveys, consider the following:

- If a school has three or more grades represented between Grades 6-12, then randomly
select a class at three different grade levels. Attempt to represent a range of classes.

- If a school has only two grades represented between Grades 6-12, then select two
classes at one grade level and one class at the other grade level. If the school only has
one class at each of the two grade levels include a class at the 5th grade level, if the
school has one.

- If a school has only one grade represented between 6-12, then select two classes at
   this grade level as well as a class at the fifth grade level, if the school has a Grade 5.
   If the school only has one class at Grade 6 and above, select a second Grade 5 class
   if the school has two classes at this level.

- If the school has no grades represented between grades 6-12, select two classes at
Grades 5 level, if the school has students enrolled in these grades.

- If the school has no students between Grades 5-12, do not administer the school
climate survey to any students at the school.

A number of the schools are likely to have classes with students at different grade levels, particularly the upper-secondary schools. Keep in mind the desire to include students from different grade levels. Therefore, a combination of mixed grade classes may be necessary.

Select the specific classes by first questioning the principal about the general characteristics of the classes (i.e., How many classes at each grade level? Are all classes representative or are any selective in any way?). It is important to attempt to select representative classes and not classes which are streamed (e.g., we may get very different results if we sample a Calculus class rather than a General Math class).

Decisions about which class to select should be made by the field researcher to the extent possible. For example, if the principal says there are three classes at Grade 7 and they are equally representative, then the field researcher should suggest that the class with the teacher’s name which is first in alphabetical order should be selected at that grade level.

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The Evaluation Center • Western Michigan University • Kalamazoo, MI 49008-5178
Phone: (616) 387-5895 • Fax: (616) 387-5923