Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
High School Principals, Teachers, Counselors, and Staff
What is this study about?
On behalf of the U.S. Department of Education’s National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), EurekaFacts, a research company based in Rockville, MD, is administering interviews with high school teachers, staff, principals, and counselors to evaluate some questions for the High School and Beyond 2020 (HS&B:20) study. This study looks at how students progress through high school to post-secondary education and/or into the workforce. Each participant’s feedback will help NCES improve the questions, so they are clear and can be easily understood and answered by thousands of other individuals across the country.
Where will the research interview take place?
Depending on your eligibility, interviews are conducted via online conferencing (Skype), some of the interviews will be held at the EurekaFacts office at 51 Monroe Street, PE10, Rockville, MD 20850, and some may occur at your school.
What will happen during the research interview?
During the interview, you will complete a set of survey questions and be asked how you interpreted each question and how you came up with your answers. Follow-up questions will focus on the participant’s understanding of the questions. All interviews will be audio-recorded. Interviews may be video recorded and will include a screen recording.
Will information be kept private?
Each participant will be assigned a unique identifier (ID), and their name will not be linked to their answers. All of the information provided by participants 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). Audio and any video from the session will be recorded only for analysis. NCES is authorized to conduct this study by the Education Sciences Reform Act of 2002 (ESRA 2002, 20 U.S.C. §9543). OMB Control Number 1850-0803 v.252
How long will the research interview last and when will it take place?
Your interview will last no more than 30 to 60 minutes depending on your eligibility. The research interview can be scheduled at your convenience with early morning, after school, evening, and weekend times are available.
Will the results go to the participant’s school or place of work?
Participants’ responses will not be disclosed to their school or place of work and will not be linked to any personally identifiable information.
Is there an incentive for participating?
Yes. You will receive a $50 gift card from a major credit card company at the end of the interview session as a thank you for your participation.
What are the possible risks of being in the study?
There are no known risks to participating in this voluntary study.
Who can I contact with questions or for further information?
If you have any questions about the study, you can call Cecilia Teal, the Project Director at 240-403-4800 x264 or email recruitment@eurekafacts.com. If you have questions about your rights as a study participant, you can call the EurekaFacts’ Office of Research Protection at 855-750-7272.
Can participation end early?
Participation in this study is completely voluntary. The participant has the right to refuse to answer particular questions. The participant may elect to withdraw from this study at any time and can leave the interview early if they wish.