This is a list of frequently asked questions and their responses that you can refer to if you would like additional information about the National Teacher and Principal Survey (NTPS) Screener.
What is the NTPS?
The NTPS is a system of related questionnaires that provides policymakers and researchers with relevant and timely data on the characteristics and conditions of America's public, charter, and private K–12 schools and the professionals who work in them. The data collected permit detailed analyses of the characteristics of schools, principals, teachers, and students. The data also link the NTPS components, which enables researchers to examine the relationships among these elements of the education system. For example, researchers can study teacher attrition using information not only provided by teachers, but also from their principals.
The NTPS has been designed with input from state and local education agencies, school administrators, teachers, education policymakers, and researchers through the numerous organizations representing these various data providers and data users. For more information about the NTPS, please visit our website at http://nces.ed.gov/surveys/ntps.
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What is the purpose of the NTPS Screener?
The purpose of the NTPS Screener is to gather basic information about your school to confirm its eligibility for the survey and to establish a "survey coordinator" at your school. A "survey coordinator" is a school staff member who can easily maintain contact with survey respondents in your school and help to make the survey a success.
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How long does it take to complete the NTPS Screener?
The NTPS Screener takes approximately 3 minutes to complete.
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What are the next steps for the NTPS?
Data collection for the NTPS will begin in September. At that time, your school will receive the necessary materials to complete three related surveys:
- Principal Questionnaire
- The Principal Questionnaire collects information about your school principal's experience and training, goals and decision making, school climate, teacher evaluations, teacher professional development, principal evaluations, principal professional development, and principal engagement. The intended recipient of this questionnaire is your school's principal.
- School Questionnaire
- The School Questionnaire collects information about your school. Topics include general information about the school and student population as well as information about instructional time, community service requirements, and school programs and services offered. The intended recipient of this questionnaire is a staff member who is knowledgeable about these topics, for example, the principal, vice-principal, school administrator, or secretary.
- Teacher Listing Form
- The Teacher Listing Form obtains information about the teachers working in your school, including their e-mail address and the subject matter they teach. A small number of teachers in your school will be selected from the Teacher Listing Form and sent instructions for completing a Teacher Questionnaire later this school year.
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What are the duties of the "survey coordinator"?
The duties of the survey coordinator include completing or distributing materials to the appropriate individuals for their completion of a Teacher Listing Form, School Questionnaire, and Principal Questionnaire, distributing materials to sampled teachers for their completion of the Teacher Questionnaire, and following up with the applicable school staff as needed.
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How are the NTPS data used?
The data from the NTPS are used by Congress, the U.S. Department of Education, state education agencies, public school districts, and education research organizations to:
- Evaluate the effects of school workplace conditions, salaries, and training opportunities on the educational workforce;
- Assess school staffing practices and personnel policies; and
- Aid in the Department of Education's program planning in the areas of teacher shortage, teaching policies, and teacher education.
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Why is my school's participation important?
This survey is a primary source of information about what is happening in K–12 schools across the United States. Only a small percentage of schools are selected to participate; therefore, your school is important for the success of this survey.
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Who authorizes this survey?
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). The U.S. Census Bureau administers this survey on behalf of the NCES. The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approved this survey. The OMB control number is 1850-0598, and the approval expiration date is 12/31/2025.
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Who can answer general questions regarding this survey?
Please contact the U.S. Census Bureau at 1-888-595-1338 if you have any questions about the survey. Someone will be available to take your call Monday through Friday, between 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. (Eastern Time). At any other time, please leave a message and someone will return your call as soon as possible.
The U.S. Census Bureau is also available to answer your questions via e-mail at ntps@census.gov.
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