Question INTRO
Hello, my name is _______________ and I am calling from the Stony Brook University Center
for Survey Research.
We are conducting a SHORT survey of Chicago teachers regarding the quality of your work
environment and the ways in which you feel it affects your teaching. This study is funded by the
Ford Foundation and is being conducted with the full support of the Chicago Teachers’ Union in
conjunction with the Neighborhood Capital Budget Group. You have may have read about this
survey in the latest issue of the CTU News.
We'll skip over any questions you don't want to answer, and all answers will be kept confidential.
You do not have to participate if you do not want to. With your permission, let's begin.
1. Continue, begin interview
[SKIP TO Q01]
2. Schedule callback with the respondent [SKIP TO SCHEDCB]
3. Hang up
[SKIP TO GOODBYEI]
4. Refusal by the respondent
[SKIP TO GOODBYEI]
NOTE TO PROGRAMMER: RANDOMIZE Q01/Q01A-Q10/Q10A AND
CREATE VARIABLE INDICATING QUESTION ORDER
Question Q01
How important are pay and benefits to your overall performance as a teacher?
1. Very important
2. Somewhat important
3. Somewhat unimportant
4. Very unimportant
[DO NOT READ]
9. Don’t know / Refused
Question Q01A
How satisfied are you with your current pay and benefits?
1. Very Satisfied
2. Somewhat satisfied
3. Somewhat Dissatisfied
4. Very Dissatisfied
[DO NOT READ]
5. Neither satisfied, nor dissatisfied
9. Don’t know / Refused
Question Q02
How important is the collegiality of other staff members in your school to your overall
performance as a teacher?
1. Very important
2. Somewhat important
3. Somewhat unimportant
4. Very unimportant
[DO NOT READ]
9. Don’t know / Refused
Question Q02A
How satisfied are you with the collegiality of other staff members in your current school?
1. Very Satisfied
2. Somewhat satisfied
3. Somewhat Dissatisfied
4. Very Dissatisfied
[DO NOT READ]
5. Neither satisfied, nor dissatisfied
9. Don’t know / Refused
Question Q03
How important is the condition and design of your school building and classroom
your overall performance as a teacher?
[If necessary: By facilities, I mean buildings, classrooms and equipment]
1. Very important
2. Somewhat important
3. Somewhat unimportant
4. Very unimportant
[DO NOT READ]
9. Don’t know / Refused
Question Q03A
How satisfied are you with the condition and design of your school building and classroom?
1. Very Satisfied
2. Somewhat satisfied
3. Somewhat Dissatisfied
4. Very Dissatisfied
[DO NOT READ]
5. Neither satisfied, nor dissatisfied
9. Don’t know / Refused
Question Q04
How important is the opportunity for teacher training and professional development to your
overall performance as a teacher?
1. Very important
2. Somewhat important
3. Somewhat unimportant
4. Very unimportant
[DO NOT READ]
9. Don’t know / Refused
Question Q04A
How satisfied are you with your current opportunities for teacher training and professional
development?
1. Very Satisfied
2. Somewhat satisfied
3. Somewhat Dissatisfied
4. Very Dissatisfied
[DO NOT READ]
5. Neither satisfied, nor dissatisfied
9. Don’t know / Refused
Question Q05
How important is the ability to make and affect decisions in your school to your overall
performance as a teacher?
1. Very important
2. Somewhat important
3. Somewhat unimportant
4. Very unimportant
[DO NOT READ]
9. Don’t know / Refused
Question Q05A
How satisfied are you with your current ability to make and affect decisions in your school?
1. Very Satisfied
2. Somewhat satisfied
3. Somewhat Dissatisfied
4. Very Dissatisfied
[DO NOT READ]
5. Neither satisfied, nor dissatisfied
9. Don’t know / Refused
Question Q06
How important is effective central district leadership and management to your overall
performance as a teacher?
1. Very important
2. Somewhat important
3. Somewhat unimportant
4. Very unimportant
[DO NOT READ]
9. Don’t know / Refused
Question Q06A
How satisfied are you with the current central district leadership and management?
1. Very Satisfied
2. Somewhat satisfied
3. Somewhat Dissatisfied
4. Very Dissatisfied
[DO NOT READ]
5. Neither satisfied, nor dissatisfied
9. Don’t know / Refused
Question Q07
How important is the number of students in your classes to your overall performance as a
teacher?
1. Very important
2. Somewhat important
3. Somewhat unimportant
4. Very unimportant
[DO NOT READ]
9. Don’t know / Refused
Question Q7A
How satisfied are you with the current size of the classes you now teach?
1. Very Satisfied
2. Somewhat satisfied
3. Somewhat Dissatisfied
4. Very Dissatisfied
[DO NOT READ]
5. Neither satisfied, nor dissatisfied
9. Don’t know / Refused
Question Q08
How important are involved parents and a supportive local community to your overall
performance as a teacher?
1. Very important
2. Somewhat important
3. Somewhat unimportant
4. Very unimportant
[DO NOT READ]
9. Don’t know / Refused
Question Q8A
How satisfied are you with the current involvement of parents and the local community in your
school?
1. Very Satisfied
2. Somewhat satisfied
3. Somewhat Dissatisfied
4. Very Dissatisfied
[DO NOT READ]
5. Neither satisfied, nor dissatisfied
9. Don’t know / Refused
Question Q09
How important is student discipline to your overall performance as a teacher?
1. Very important
2. Somewhat important
3. Somewhat unimportant
4. Very unimportant
[DO NOT READ]
9. Don’t know / Refused
Question Q9A
How satisfied are you with student discipline in your current school?
1. Very Satisfied
2. Somewhat satisfied
3. Somewhat Dissatisfied
4. Very Dissatisfied
[DO NOT READ]
5. Neither satisfied, nor dissatisfied
9. Don’t know / Refused
Question Q10
How important is the quality of instructional material to your overall performance as a teacher?
1. Very important
2. Somewhat important
3. Somewhat unimportant
4. Very unimportant
[DO NOT READ]
9. Don’t know / Refused
Question Q10A
How satisfied are you with the current quality of instructional material in your school?
1. Very Satisfied
2. Somewhat satisfied
3. Somewhat Dissatisfied
4. Very Dissatisfied
[DO NOT READ]
5. Neither satisfied, nor dissatisfied
9. Don’t know / Refused
Question Q1xxx
How important is the competence and effectiveness of your principal to your overall performance
as a teacher?
1. Very important
2. Somewhat important
3. Somewhat unimportant
4. Very unimportant
[DO NOT READ]
9. Don’t know / Refused
there is no “satisfaction question” paired to this principal question
Question Q12
For using the most effective teaching activities¸ is the size your room
1. Too small
2. Too large
3. The right size
[DO NOT READ]
8. Don’t know
9. Refused
Question Q13
In the last five years, have you ever taught classes in spaces that were not designed as
classrooms?
1. Yes
2. No
[DO NOT READ]
8. Don’t know
9. Refused
Question Q14
Is there space in the school for you and your colleagues to plan and to work together on other
professional matters?
1. Yes
2. No (skip the next question)
[DO NOT READ]
8. Don’t know
9. Refused
Question Q14a
If yes, is it
1.
2.
3.
4.
Very adequate
Somewhat adequate
Somewhat inadequate
Very inadequate
[DO NOT READ]
8. Don’t know
9. Refused
Question Q15
How clean and well maintained are the restrooms that you and your colleagues have access to?
1.
2.
3.
4.
Very clean and well functioning
Somewhat clean and well functioning
Not very clean and well functioning
Not at all clean and well functioning
[DO NOT READ]
8. Don’t know
9. Refused
Question Q17
How adequate are the lunchroom facilities that you and your colleagues have access to? [If
necessary, we are interested in just the facility itself, not the quality of the food]
1.
2
3.
4
Very adequate
Somewhat adequate
Not very adequate
Not at all adequate
[DO NOT READ]
8. Don’t know
9. Refused
Question Q19
Do you have access to computers in your school to do your work?
1. yes
2. no , skip to q19b
[DO NOT READ]
8. Don’t know
9. Refused
Question 19a
How adequate are these computers?
1.
2.
3.
4.
Very adequate
Somewhat adequate
Not very adequate
Not at all adequate
[DO NOT READ]
7. Don’t have computer access
8. Don’t know
9. Refused
Question Q20
Is the temperature in your classrooms generally
1.
2.
3.
4.
at the right level for students to do their work
somewhat comfortable [for students to do their work]
not very comfortable [for students to do their work]
not comfortable at all [for students to do their work]
[DO NOT READ]
8. Don’t know
9. Refused
Question Q21
Do you feel that the air quality in the classrooms is
1.
2.
3.
4.
Excellent
Good
Fair
Poor
Question Q22
How adequate is the lighting in your classroom?
1. Very adequate
2. Somewhat adequate
3. Somewhat inadequate
4. Very inadequate
[DO NOT READ]
8. Don’t know
9. Refused
Question Q23
Is the number and placement of electrical outlets in your classroom
1.
2.
3.
4.
Very adequate to power all the equipment you need
Somewhat adequate [to power all the equipment you need]
Somewhat inadequate [to power all the equipment you need]
Completely inadequate [to power all the equipment you need]
[DO NOT READ]
8. Don’t know
9. Refused
Question Q24
How much does the noise level in the classroom and hallways affect your ability to teach?
1.
2.
3.
4.
A great deal
Somewhat
A little
Not at all
[DO NOT READ]
8. Don’t know
9. Refused
Question Q26
Do you have windows in your classroom.
1. Yes
2. No (skip next 2 questions)
[DO NOT READ]
8. Don’t know
9. Refused
If yes, can you safely open and close the windows
1. Yes
2. No
[DO NOT READ]
8. Don’t know
9. Refused
Can you see through these windows.
1. Yes
2. No
[DO NOT READ]
8. Don’t know
9. Refused
[DO NOT READ]
8. Don’t know
9. Refused
Question Q27
How adequate are the Science Labs in your school to help students meet the state standards?
1.
2.
3.
4.
Very adequate
Somewhat adequate
Not very adequate
Not at all adequate
[DO NOT READ]
8. Don’t know
9. Refused
Question Q27A
How adequate are the art and music rooms to help students meet the state standards?
1.
2.
3.
4.
Very adequate
Somewhat adequate
Not very adequate
Not at all adequate
[DO NOT READ]
8. Don’t know
9. Refused
Question Q28
How safe do you feel in your school?
1.
2.
3.
4.
Very safe [SKIP TO Q29]
Somewhat safe [SKIP TO Q29]
Not very safe [SKIP TO Q28A]
Not safe at all [SKIP TO Q28A]
[DO NOT READ]
8. Don’t know
9. Refused
Question Q28A
Why is that?
[DO NOT READ]
9. Don’t know/Refused
Question Q29
How well do the Phys. Ed. and recreational facilities meet your students’ needs?
1.
2.
3.
4.
Very well
Somewhat well
Not very well
Not at all
[DO NOT READ]
8. Don’t know
9. Refused
Question Q30
Do you feel that number of students in your school is
1. Too high
2. Too low
3. The right number
[DO NOT READ]
8. Don’t know
9. Refused
Q30a
How much of an impact do you think the quality of your school’s physical facilities have on your
ability to teach?
1.
2.
3.
4.
A great impact
Moderate impact
Very little impact
No impact at all.
[DO NOT READ]
5. Don’t know
6. Refused
Question Q31
In the last year, about how many days did you lose instructional time because of problems with
the school building or classroom.
(For example, the school was closed early because it was too hot or too cold.)
Enter number: _____
[DO NOT READ]
8. Don’t know
9. Refused
Question Q32
Have you experienced any adverse effects to your health due to the physical conditions of your
school building?
1. Yes
2. No (skip next question)
[DO NOT READ]
8. Don’t know
9. Refused
Question 32a
If yes, what was that? _______________________
Question Q33
Please give an overall grade to the condition of your school building.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
A skip next 2 questions
B skip next 2 questions
C skip next 2 questions
D
F
[DO NOT READ]
8. Don’t know
9. Refused
Question Qxxx. Have these poor conditions led you to think about leaving teaching?
1. Yes,
2. no
[DO NOT READ]
8. Don’t know
9. Refused
Question Qxxx. Have these poor conditions led you to think about changing schools?:
1. Yes
2. no
[DO NOT READ]
8. Don’t know
9. Refused
Question Q34
Have you ever complained to your principal about a problem with the physical condition of your
classroom (for example, a broken window or leak in ceiling)?
1. Yes [SKIP TO Q34A]
2. No [SKIP TO Q35]
[DO NOT READ]
7. Don’t know [SKIP to Q35]
8. Refused [SKIP to Q35]
Question Q34A
When you have complained to your principal about such a problem, did you feel that the problem
was addressed and corrected in a timely fashion?
1. Yes
2. No
[DO NOT READ]
8. Don’t know
9. Refused
Question Q35
Have you ever complained to the Teachers’ Union about a problem with the physical condition of
your classroom (for example, a broken window or leak in ceiling)?
1. Yes
2. No [SKIP to Q36]
[DO NOT READ]
8. Don’t know [SKIP to Q36]
9. Refused [SKIP to Q36]
Question Q35A
When you have complained to the Teachers’ Union about such a problem, were you satisfied with
their response?
1. Very Satisfied
2. Somewhat satisfied
3. Somewhat Dissatisfied
4. Very Dissatisfied
[DO NOT READ]
5. Neither satisfied, nor dissatisfied
9. Don’t know / Refused
Question Q37
Do you believe that the students in your school are being taught in educationally adequate
facilities.
1. yes
2. no
[DO NOT READ]
8. Don’t know
9. Refused
Question 39a
How willing would you be to become involved in planning improvements to your school facility
1.
2.
3.
4.
very willing
somewhat willing
somewhat unwilling
very unwilling
[DO NOT READ]
5. Don’t know
6. Refused
Question Q40
Finally, we would like some information about you and the school in which you teach.
Do you usually teach a particular grade?
1. YES [SKIP TO Q40A]
2. NO [SKIP TO Q40B]
[DO NOT READ]
8. Don’t know [SKIP TO Q40B]
9. Refused [SKIP TO Q40B]
Question Q40A
What grade is that?
99. Don’t know/Refused [SKIP TO Q41]
Question Q40B
What grade or grades are you currently teaching this year?
99. Don’t know/Refused
Question Q41
Do you have a specific field of specialization?
[DO NOT READ]
1. Yes [SKIP TO Q41A]
2. No [SKIP TO Q42]
9. Don’t know/Refused
Question Q41A
What is your specialized field?
[DO NOT READ]
10. Don’t know/Refused
Question Q42
What is the highest degree you have earned?
1.
2.
3.
4.
Bachelor’s
Master’s
Ph.D.
Other (please specify)__________________
Question Q43
Do you hold state teaching certification?
[DO NOT READ]
1. Yes
2. No [SKIP TO Q45]
9. Don’t know/Refused
Question Q44
Do you teach mostly in the area in which you are certified?
1. Yes
2. No
9. Don’t know/Refused
Question Q45
Are you of Hispanic or Latin American descent
1. Yes
2. No
[DO NOT READ]
8. Don’t know
9. Refused
Question Q46
Are you White, Black, Asian, or of another background.
1.
2.
3.
4.
White
Black
Asian (Chinese, Japanese, Thai Filipino)
Other
[DO NOT READ]
8. Don’t know
9. Refused
Question Q47
In what year were you born
99. Don’t know/Refused
Question Q48
How long have you been a teacher?
0. Less that one year
otherwise enter number of years
[DO NOT READ]
8. Don’t know
9. Refused
Question Q49
How long have you taught in your current school?
0. Less that one year
otherwise enter number of years
[DO NOT READ]
8. Don’t know
9. Refused
Question Q49
How long have you taught in the Chicago public schools?
0. Less that one year
otherwise enter number of years
[DO NOT READ]
8. Don’t know
9. Refused
Question Q50
Are you still teaching at ____________________ [Insert school from record]
[DO NOT READ]
1. Yes [SKIP TO Q51]
2. No [SKIP to Q 50A]
10. Don’t know/Refused [SKIP TO Q51]
Question Q50A
In what school are you currently teaching?
[DO NOT READ]
10. Don’t know/refused
Question Q51
Looking forward, do you plan to teach again next year?
[DO NOT READ]
1. Yes [SKIP to Q52]
2. No [SKIP to Q51A]
9. Don’t know/Refused [SKIP TO Q52]
Question 51A
Why not?
[DO NOT READ]
9. Don’t know/Refused
Question 52
Do you plan to remain in your current school next year?
[DO NOT READ]
1. Yes [SKIP TO Q53]
2. No [SKIP TO Q52A]
9. Don’t know/Refused
Question Q52A
Why not?
[DO NOT READ]
9. Don’t know/Refused
Question GOODBYE
This completes the survey. I want to thank you for your cooperation.
For further information on the survey, you can call:
Thanks for your participation.
Question GENDER
[Interviewer please code gender of respondent]