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Comprehensive
School Reform (CSR) Formative Evaluation Database (CSRFED)
Process
Tips
The
following tips and instructions are intended to provide
the research coordinator/CSR facilitator with recommended
guidelines to help administer the instruments for the
evaluation of the school’s CSR model implementation.
Each of the three sets of instruments—questionnaires,
focus group protocols, and interview protocols—have
suggested parameters to help ensure the reliability
and validity of the data gathered from the instruments.
We realize that practical necessity, limited resources,
and the availability of participants (students, parents,
teachers, etc.) can make full compliance difficult at
best.
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The
following tips were gathered from site research coordinators
from the SERVE pilot study of the instruments with southeastern
schools. Schools may use the tips below to aid in administering
the instruments, especially focus groups and interviews.
SERVE will answer instrument administration questions
or questions about the instruments. However, schools will
need to analyze their own data after collecting it or
hire an organization to aid in the analysis.
Tips
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Schools
must make single-sided copies of surveys and staple
them. Otherwise, scanning may be negatively impacted—marks
may show through both sides.
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Fill
in your school’s CSR model in the appropriate
blanks on the instruments before photocopying.
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It’s
important to consider the copy legibility. Avoid using
copies that are not readable to the participants, and
ensure that no questions are accidentally omitted.
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Submit
blank copies of the surveys to district offices or other
organizations that will be responsible for “calibrating”
the scanner (scantron).
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Use
sign-in sheets for focus groups and interviews that
capture ethnicity, gender, role in the school reform
project, frequency of involvement, and other involvement
in the school (especially for parents). Questions are
identical to those demographic questions used in the
surveys.
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Tape
recording interviews or focus groups are recommended
as an optional aid to note taking. However, tapes will
need to be transcribed for inclusion in your school’s
report. Note: tape recording may make some teachers
uneasy if they know their voices may later be identified.
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Schools
should include all school staff (including custodians,
clerical/administrative staff, food service personnel,
etc.).
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Confirm
evaluation administration schedule with the school administration
for conflicts with the school calendar (school vacation
schedule, testing, etc.).
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Schools
should cross-reference copies of their school’s
reform plan/goals so that they can compare responses
with what the reform plan actually states.
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