High School & Beyond 2020

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Students and Parents/Guardians

 

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 several groups 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. The groups eligible to participate in this study include:

  • 9th grade students and their parents/legal guardians
  • 12 grade students
  • 17- and 18-year-olds no longer in high school (including recently graduated)
  • 9th-12th grade students who are non-native English speakers

 

Where will the research interview take place?

Research interviews will take place at the EurekaFacts office located at 51 Monroe Street, PE10, Rockville, MD 20850. All interviews are done individually. For your convenience, parent/guardian and 9th-grade students interviews will be conducted at the same date and time. Though interviews will happen at the same time, the parent and student will be interviewed separately.

 

What will happen during the research interview?

During the interview, students and 17- and 18-year-olds will complete a set of survey and test questions. Parents/guardians will complete a set of survey questions. Participants will be asked how they interpreted each question and how they came up with each answer. These 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?

Interviews will only require one visit to our office and can be scheduled at your convenience in the afternoon, evening, or weekend. Interviews last from 30-90 minutes depending upon your eligibility.

  • Interviews for 9th-grade students will last no more than 90 minutes and interviews for their parent/guardian will last no more than 60 minutes.
  • Interviews for 12th-grade students and 17- and 18-year-olds who are not in high school will last no more than 30 minutes.
  • Interviews for high school teenagers who are non-native English speakers will last no more than 30 minutes.

 

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. Responses will not be graded.

 

Is there an incentive for participating?

Yes, there is an incentive for participation. The amount depends on eligibility.

  • 9th-grade students will receive a $35 gift card from a major credit card company and the parent or legal guardian who participates in the corresponding interview will receive a $50 gift card as a thank you for their time.
  • 12th-grade students and 17- and 18-year-olds who are not in high school will receive a $25 gift card from a major credit card company. A parent or legal guardian providing transportation to and from the interview will also receive a $25 gift card as a thank you for their time.
  • High school teenagers who are non-native English speakers will receive a $25 gift card from a major credit card company. A parent or legal guardian providing transportation to and from the interview will also receive a $25 gift card as a thank you for their time.

 

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.