APS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL PLANNING SURVEY

ARLINGTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS PLANNING AND EVALUATION OFFICE APS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL PLANNING SURVEY SURVEY PROCESS & DATA SUMMARY PLANNING AND EV ALUATION O FFICE 1426 NORTH Q UINCY STREET A RLINGTON, VA 22207 703-228-2481

TABLE OF C ONTENTS Highlights Overview of the Survey Administration Process Instructions for Interpreting the Tabular Summaries Attachment A: Item Frequencies and Tabulations Attachment B: Survey Questionnaire 2

HIGHLIGHTS In spring 2007 an Elementary School Planning Survey was conducted within the northwestern portion of Arlington County to identify the number of prekindergarten children, their ages and their expected enrollment in APS. More than 14,000 surveys were sent to homes in the school boundaries for Ashlawn, Glebe, McKinley, Nottingham and Tuckahoe elementary schools. More than 5,300 households responded to the survey resulting in an overall response rate of 41% when adjusted for approximately 900 surveys that were returned as undeliverable. Key results identified via the households responding to the survey are outlined below. Households With APS Students 31% (n = 1,637) of the households reported having children attending school in grades Kindergarten through Grade 12. Of these 1,637 households having children attending school in grades Kindergarten through Grade 12, 89.4% attend APS, 11.4% attend private schools, 1.0% are home schooled, and 1.9% are enrolled in other types of schools. Of these 1,637 households, 32.1% have children 5 years old or younger. All Households With ren 5 years old or Younger 26.8% (1,433/5,341) of the households have children 5 years old or younger. 63.2% of these households presently do not have school-age children. Among these households (1,433) there are 1,885 children 5 years old or younger. The age groupings for these children (n=1,861 excluding cases with missing data) are: o 408 children 1 year old or younger. o 303 children 1+ to 2 years old. o 354 children 2+ to 3 years old. o 332 children 3+ to 4 years old. o 488 children 4+ to 5 years old. 3

Overall, 94% of the children in households with children 5 years old or younger plan to attend APS. See Figure 1: APS Planned Attendance. Figure 1: APS -- Planned Attendance 100.0% 80.0% 94.1% 93.5% 94.0% 94.5% 92.1% Percent 60.0% 40.0% 20.0% 0.0% 5.9% 6.5% 6.0% 5.5% 7.9% 1 year old or younger 1+ to 2 years old 2+ to 3 years old 3+ to 4 years old Age Groupings 4+ to 5 years old Do Not Plan to Attend APS Plan to Attend APS 4

OVERVIEW OF THE S URVEY ADMINISTRATION P ROCESS Survey Purpose To acquire Arlington County resident information that would assist the APS School Board and Superintendent s Office in identifying the number of prekindergarten children, their ages and their expected enrollment in APS. The geographical focus of the survey encompassed the northwestern portion of Arlington County defined by the Ashlawn, Glebe, McKinley, Nottingham and Tuckahoe elementary school boundaries. Survey Design Questionnaire items were drafted by staff of the APS Office of Special Projects. The questionnaire requested county residents to indicate if their household included school age children, the type of school(s) attended by these children, the presence of children 5 years old or younger (i.e., pre-kindergarten age) in the household, and the approximate age of the pre-kindergarten children. Staff from the APS Planning and Evaluation Office refined questionnaire items and developed an optical scan questionnaire formatted using Pearson s NCS Design Expert software. Once the questionnaire was programmed for optical scan administration, the survey form was reviewed and pilot-tested by APS staff to ensure item and presentation clarity. The one-page survey form, consisting of three basic items, could be completed in approximately 2 to 4 minutes. The reverse side of the form included a complete version of the questionnaire in Spanish. Survey Respondent Population The identified survey population included all postal addresses in the northwestern portion of Arlington County. This geographic area was defined further by the school boundaries of Ashlawn, Glebe, McKinley, Nottingham and Tuckahoe elementary schools. The targeted population included 14,092 households. Survey Administration The questionnaires were directed to residents of the targeted households and mailed on May 11, 2007 using Arlington County data files. The mailing included a letter from the Office of the Superintendent explaining the purpose of the survey in both English and Spanish languages, a survey form, and a pre-paid postage return envelope. 5

Survey returns were logged in over a time period of approximately six weeks. No follow-up efforts were conducted during this time period. The survey was closed on June 22, 2007. A total of 14,092 surveys were mailed. Approximately, 900 survey forms were returned as undeliverable by the postal service. In total, 5,341 completed questionnaires were returned achieving an approximate response rate of 40.5% (5,341/13,192). Among the completed surveys, Spanish versions of the survey form were completed by.04% (22/5,341) of the respondents. Survey Processing Following the close-out of the survey, the optical scan forms were scanned and the resulting data file prepared using Pearson s NCS Design Expert software. The SPSS file that was generated was reviewed and analyzed using the SPSS software package. These tasks were completed by Planning and Evaluation Office staff. 6

INSTRUCTIONS FOR INTERPRETING THE TABULAR SUMMARIES All survey responses were processed and compiled an analytic data set. This data set was then analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) analytic software. For each item (question) included on the form, a generic SPSS formatted table was created. In general, each tabular summary includes the (1) number of respondents (observations) to each item, (2) number of responses to each response category associated with the item, and (3) response percentages for all valid responses and for each response category. Guidelines for interpreting the summary data presented in each column of the table are detailed below. Column 1: (untitled) These entries identify responses as either Valid or Missing. The missing response grouping includes blank responses, does not apply, or multiple answers. All other response selections are considered valid. Column 2: (untitled) A list of all response categories provided to the questionnaire item. [Note that SPSS formatted tables include only item response categories that were selected by the respondents.] Column 3: Frequency The count of responses provided to each response category. Column 4: Percent This percentage is calculated by dividing the number (frequency) of responses to a particular response category by the total number of responses to the questionnaire item. Column 5: Valid Percent This percentage is calculated by dividing the number (frequency) of valid responses to a particular response category by the number (frequency) of valid responses to the questionnaire item. Column 6: Cumulative Percent This calculation adds the valid percentage for a particular response category to the valid percentage from the previous response category. (See definition of a valid response provide above under the Column 1 description.) 7

ATTACHMENT A ITEM FREQUENCIES AND TABULATIONS 8

APS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL PLANNING SURVEY ITEM FREQUENCIES 1. Do you currently have any school age children enrolled in Kindergarten through grade 12 living at your residence? Valid Frequency Percent Valid Percent Yes 1637 30.6 30.8 No 3682 68.9 69.2 Total 5319 99.6 100.0 Missing System 22.4 Total 5341 100.0 ITEM FREQUENCIES OF SCHOOLS ATTENDED FOR HOUSHOLDS WITH SCHOOL AGE CHILDREN Arlington Public Schools Frequency Percent Valid Percent Valid No 174 10.6 10.6 Yes 1463 89.4 89.4 Total 1637 100.0 100.0 Private Schools Frequency Percent Valid Percent Valid No 1450 88.6 88.6 Yes 187 11.4 11.4 Total 1637 100.0 100.0 Home School Frequency Percent Valid Percent No 1621 99.0 99.0 Valid Yes 16 1.0 1.0 Total 1637 100.0 100.0 9

Other Frequency Percent Valid Percent Valid No 1606 98.1 98.1 Yes 31 1.9 1.9 Total 1637 100.0 100.0 Household Has ren 5 years old or Younger Frequency Percent Valid Percent Cumulative Percent Valid No 3908 73.2 73.2 73.2 Yes 1433 26.8 26.8 100.0 Total 5341 100.0 100.0 CROSSTABS OF ITEM #1 BY ITEM #3A 1. Do you currently have any school age children enrolled in Kindergarten through grade 12 living at your residence? * No 5 years or Less Cross-tabulation 1. Do you currently have any school age children enrolled in Kindergarten through grade 12 living at your residence? Total Yes No Note: Table excludes 22 records with missing data. 5 years or Less No Yes Total Count 1112 525 1637 % within 1. Do you currently have any school age children enrolled in Kindergarten through grade 12 living at your residence? 67.9% 32.1% 100.0% Count 2781 901 3682 % within 1. Do you currently have any school age children enrolled in Kindergarten through grade 12 living at your residence? 75.5% 24.5% 100.0% Count 3893 1426 5319 % within 1. Do you currently have any school age children enrolled in Kindergarten through grade 12 living at your residence? 73.2% 26.8% 100.0% 10

Bar Chart Count 3,000 2,000 2,781 52.28% 5 years or Less No Yes 1,000 0 1,112 20.91% 525 9.87% 901 16.94% Yes No 1. Do you currently have any school age children enrolled in Kindergarten through grade 12 living at your residence? ITEM FREQUENCIES FOR HOUSEHOLDS WITH CHILDREN 5 YEARS OLD OR YOUNGER Households with ren 5 years or Less Frequency Percent Valid Percent Cumulative Percent Valid Yes 1433 100.0 100.0 100.0 Valid Number of ren 5 years old or less by Age Groups Age Group 1 year old or younger (12 months or younger) #1 #2 #3 #4 #5 Total 229 143 31 2 3 408 1+ to 2 years old (13-24 months) 198 91 4 3 7 303 2+ to 3 years old (25-36 months) 212 131 9 2 0 354 3+ to 4 years old (37-48 months) 233 89 9 1 0 332 4+ to 5 years old (49-60 months) 403 70 11 2 2 488 Total 1275 524 64 10 12 1885 Missing System 158 909 1369 1423 1421 Total 1433 1433 1433 1433 1433 11

Valid Number of ren 5 years old or less Who Will Attend APS Age Group 1 year old or younger (12 months or younger) #1 #2 #3 #4 #5 Total 213 135 30 1 1 380 1+ to 2 years old (13-24 months) 184 85 3 2 1 275 2+ to 3 years old (25-36 months) 196 123 8 2 0 329 3+ to 4 years old (37-48 months) 221 81 8 1 0 311 4+ to 5 years old (49-60 months) 372 61 10 2 1 446 Total Yes 1186 485 59 8 3 1741 Total No 87 30 3 0 0 120 Total 1273 515 62 8 3 1861 Percent to Attend APS 93.2 94.2 95.2 100.0 100.0 93.6 Note: Table excludes 24 records with missing data. 12

ATTACHMENT B SURVEY QUESTIONNAIRE 13

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 Introduction The Arlington Public Schools seeks your help in developing a long-term projection of the number of elementary students who will be attending our schools within the next several years. Please take a few minutes to complete this brief survey form. You can simply return your completed form in the enclosed postage paid envelope. THANK YOU for your assistance. 1. Do you currently have any school age children enrolled in Kindergarten through grade 12 living at your residence? Yes No (If No, go to Question #3) 2. If you responded "yes" to question #1, what type of school does this child attend? (If more than one child, check all that apply) Arlington Public Schools Private School Home School Other 3. Please indicate the ages of the pre-kindergarten children (ages 5 years old or younger) who live in your residence. For each child you list, indicate if you expect that child to attend Arlington Public Schools. There are no children ages 5 years old or younger who live at this residence.(thank you for your participation. Please return this form in the envelope provided.) AGE 1 year old or younger (12 months or younger) 1+ to 2 years old (13-24 months) 2+ to 3 years old (25-36 months) 3+ to 4 years old (37-48 months) 4+ to 5 years old 49-60 months) Yes No APS Elementary School Planning Survey CORRECT: MARKING INSTRUCTIONS Use a No. 2 pencil or a blue or black ink pen only. Do not use pens with ink that soaks through the paper. Make solid marks that fill the response completely. Make no stray marks on this form. Please indicate the ages of the pre-kindergarten children INCORRECT: #1 #2 #3 #4 #5 Please indicate whether or not you expect this child to attend the Arlington Public Schools. THANK YOU Please return the completed survey form in the enclosed envelope to: Office of Special Projects Department of Instruction 1426 North Quincy Street

Escuelas Públicas de Arlington encuesta de planificación escolar CÓMO MARCAR SUS RESPUESTAS Use sólo un lápiz No. 2. No use tinta, ni bolígrafos, ni lapiceros, ni marcadores. Lllene por completo, el espacio provisto para cada respuesta. Cuando quiera cambiar una respuesta, bórrela completamente, sin dejar marcas. No haga marcas innecesarias en este formulario. CORRECTO: INCORRECTO: Introduccion: Las Escuelas Públicas de Arlington piden su ayuda para poder elaborar proyecciones de largo plazo acerca del número de alumnos de escuelas primarias que asistirán a nuestras escuelas en los próximos años. Por favor, dedique unos minutos a llenar esta breve encuesta. Puede devolver la encuesta completada en el sobre con estampilla que le estamos enviando aquí. MUCHAS GRACIAS por su ayuda. 1. Tiene usted en el presente, viviendo en su hogar, niños de edad escolar del K al 12 grado que están en la escuela? Sí No Proceda a la pregunta #3 2. Si su respuesta a la pregunta #1 fue "sí", a qué clase de escuela asiste su niño? (Si tiene mas de un nino, marque todas las que correspondan.) Escuelas Públicas de Arlington Escuela privada Enseñanza en el hogar Otra 3. Por favor, indique las edades de los niños de edades de pre-kindergarten (5 años de edad o menores) que viven en su hogar. Por cada niño que usted incluya en la lista, indique si usted está planeando que él asista a las Escuelas Públicas de Arlington. En nuestro hogar no viven niños de 5 años de edad o menores. (Gracias por su participación. Por favor, envíe esta encuesta en el sobre provisto aquí.) Por favor, indique las edades de los niños de edades pre-escolares. AGE 1 año de edad o menor [12 meses o menor] 1+ a 2 años de edad [13-24 meses] 2+ a 3 años de edad [25 a 36 meses] 3+ a 4 años de edad [37-48 meses] 4+ a 5 años de edad [49 60 meses] Niño #1 Niño #2 Niño #3 Niño #4 Niño #5 Por favor, indique si usted está planeando que este niño asista a las Escuelas Públicas de Arlington. Sí No GRACIAS Por favor envíe esta este formulario de encuesta, completado, en el sobre que hemos provisto a: Oficina de Proyectos Especiales Departamento de Instrucción 1426 North Quincy Street