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  BU-07565     2000 To Order   

Appendix A

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Teachers: Please take this opportunity to have your opinions about early literacy heard by Minnesota legislators!

We are University of Minnesota faculty who have been selected to write a public policy paper on the topic of early literacy to be shared with MN legislators. We need to know what kindergarten, first and second grade teachers believe about this important topic. By completing this survey, you are agreeing to have your responses included in a statewide analysis of early grade teachers' opinions about early literacy. You are asked to respond as a K-2 teacher in one of a sample of elementary schools in MN. Please complete the questions below and return to us in the envelope provided. We will be unable to include your response if mailed after February 25, 2000.

There are no known risks to participating. The records of the study will be kept private, and only the researchers will have access to the surveys. There is no way for us to identify you as a participant. The statewide results will be compiled and will be shared with the legislature. Your decision to complete the survey will not affect your current or future relations with the University. We very much appreciate your time and willingness to make your voice heard. Thanks! If you should have any questions or would like a copy of the results, you can reach us at 612-624-4156.

- Ann Casey & Marika Ginsburg-Block

Demographic Questions



(please circle or fill in responses below)

The term "literacy" as it is used below represents the broad array of learning activities associated with the acquisition of reading skills, including reading, writing, spelling, and listening skills.

  1. How would you describe the community in which you currently teach? urban   rural   suburban

  2. Please describe your school:  K-2   K-5   K-6   K-8   K-12   Other: _______________

  3. How many students attend your school? _________________

  4. What grade(s) do you currently teach?  K   1    2   Other: _________________

  5. How many students are currently enrolled in your class?  ____________________

  6. Number of years teaching  (Total) ______   (K-2) ______

  7. Highest degree:  BA/BS   MA/MS/MEd   EdS   PhD

  8. Are you nationally certified?  yes   no

  9. Where did you receive undergrad teaching preparation? ___________________________________

  10. Graduate training area of emphasis? (if applicable) ______________________________________

  11. How many college credits did you have in literacy instruction during your BS/BA degree? _________

  12. How many college credits in literacy instruction have you taken after your BS/BA degree? ________

  13. Considering an individual student in your classroom, how many minutes per day are spent in:
    large group literacy instruction ____   small group literacy instruction ____
    individual(1 on 1) literacy instruction ____   independent reading and writing activities ____

  14. If you are using a basal series, what is it? _____________________________________________

  15. How would you categorize your approach to teaching early reading?
    whole language     literature based     basal series
    phonics emphasis     balanced approach     direct instruction
    other (please describe) ________________________________________________________

Beliefs about Literacy



(Please circle whether you agree or disagree with the following statements.)

Don't Know Strongly Disagree Disagree Neutral Agree Strongly Agree
DK 1 2 3 4 5


1. I was adequately prepared by my preservice coursework to teach early reading. 1   2   3   4   5
2. I was adequately prepared by my preservice coursework to teach early writing. 1   2   3   4   5
3. I was adequately prepared by my preservice coursework to teach literacy to English Language Learners (i.e. ESL). 1   2   3   4   5
4. I believe that a special license for Reading Specialists should be reinstated in MN. 1   2   3   4   5
5. The district provides adequate materials to meet the literacy needs of my students? 1   2   3   4   5
6. I receive adequate support from others during literacy instruction (e.g. paraprofessionals, reading specialists, volunteers, other teachers). 1   2   3   4   5
7. Professional development opportunities in early literacy are adequate. 1   2   3   4   5
8. Collaboration with colleagues about literacy instruction is important. 1   2   3   4   5
9. My school supports collaboration among teachers for literacy instruction by allocating time in the schedule. 1   2   3   4   5
10. My school has strong leadership around early literacy instruction. 1   2   3   4   5
11. Grouping students by their reading/language skill levels is a good idea. 1   2   3   4   5
12. I have a good understanding of skills-emphasis and whole language approaches. 1   2   3   4   5
13. Phonemic awareness is important for students as they learn to read/write. DK   1   2   3   4   5
14. Unskilled readers rely on contextual clues to recognize words. DK   1   2   3   4   5
15. Balanced teaching is superior to either skills-emphasis approaches or DK whole language. DK   1   2   3   4   5
16. What would you like to see changed/improved to support early literacy efforts in your school?

____________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________
17. What would you like to see changed/improved to support statewide early literacy efforts?

____________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________

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