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This article discusses the challenges faced by HSLS in conducting longitudinal studies on high school students' trajectories and decision-making processes. The article highlights issues related to data collection, school and parent reluctance, computer usage, and data security.
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Challenges of the New Era of Longitudinal Studies: The Perspective from HSLS Laura LoGerfo June 29, 2010
Objectives of HSLS:09 • Understand students’ trajectories from the beginning of high school to postsecondary education and/or the workplace and beyond • Understand how students make decisions about and prepare for secondary and postsecondary courses, majors, careers • Understand what factors influence students’ persistence in STEM
HSLS:09 Overview • 944 schools 760+ public schools ~100 Catholic schools > 70 other private high schools • ~ 21,000 9th graders • 75% of students have parent data • 90% have school counselor data • 93% have school administrator data • 85% have math or science teacher data
Challenge #1: Fall Data Collection • First time among secondary longitudinal studies • Staffing unstable during summer and fall • Student rosters unstable in early fall • Reduced time to set logistics • Schools face busy fall schedules
Solution: Fall Data Collection • Begin school recruitment early • Enlist knowledgeable staff to work as School Coordinator • Prompt school staff for info frequently • Minimize interruption, maximize support
Challenge #2: School Reluctance • Very low school response rate • Schools cited barriers to participation: • Economy • NCLB exhaustion • Competing studies • Cost/burden
Solution: School Reluctance • Persist and persevere • Minimize burden on school staff • Accommodate and be very flexible • Collaborate with locals • Knock on school doors – Show up! • Offer school report
Challenge #3: Computer Reluctance • Use school computer labs • Fraught with perilous problems to security • Diverse technology requirements / resources • Unfamiliarity with computer-based testing
Solution: Computer Reluctance • Sojourn • Work with IT coordinator in advance • Students naturals at computer-based testing • Staff simply respond Y/N to questions for set-up • Back-up laptops offered to reluctant schools
Challenge #4: Incomplete Student Surveys • In ELS, students did not complete all survey questions • Missing data were not randomly distributed • Timing tightly constrained
Solution: Incomplete Student Surveys • Randomize presentation of 3 survey sections • Start with survey to collect contact information • Incomplete surveys presented again • 98% of students completed entire survey
Challenge #5: Parent Reluctance • Very low parent response rate • More difficult to reach parents • Parents questioned purpose of Government survey • No incentives
Solution: Parent Reluctance • Persist and persevere • Implement complex parent incentive experiment • Offer parents multiple modes of participation
Challenge #6: Data Security • Schools more reluctant than ever to provide PII • Moderate-Risk level prohibited HSLS from advertising
Solution: Data Security • Persistence and perseverance • Enhanced security procedures • Emphasize U.S. Department of Education involvement • Data security issues also emerge with states
Challenge #7: State Reluctance (Kinda) • Working with 10 states to merge state data • Data sharing of this nature is a new frontier • Understanding state and federal legal requirements and approval processes • Limited staff time • Delayed reward
Solution: State Reluctance (Kinda) • Persist and persevere • Work with state and federal SLDS staff • Make presence known, repeatedly • Make intangible benefit more tangible • Privacy! Confidentiality! Security!
Questions? Now (or Later): Laura.LoGerfo@ed.gov 202-502-7402
