Download IEA Instruments

IEA Preprimary Project Phase 2 Instruments

IEA researchers from all of the participating countries collaborated to develop the data collection instruments used to gather information about what children experienced in their preschool or child care settings at age 4. By making these instruments available for download free of charge, we hope to encourage their use in research projects around the world. HighScope offers training in the use of the instruments and consultation on study design and data analysis on request. Contact researchinfo@highscope.org for more information.

The six instruments available — 3 questionnaires and 3 direct observation instruments — are described briefly below.

• Family Background Questionnaire — collects information about the family characteristics of the target child. It addresses such areas as household composition, parents’ educational attainment and employment, and household income.
• Provider Survey — administered to teachers and caregivers. It focuses on the characteristics of the setting, including its physical description, administrative policies, enrollment data, teacher background, and materials available for children’s use.
• Expectations Questionnaire — asks parents and teachers to rank 8 areas of young children’s development in order of their importance and to specify which areas they think are their particular responsibility.
• Management of Time Observation System — documents how the primary adult in a setting organizes children’s time. The activities the adult proposes, their proposed group structure, and their duration are recorded as a running record for 2½ –3 hours during 2 nonconsecutive mornings.
• Child Activities Observation System — focuses on the activities and interactions of the target child in a given setting. The types of activities the child is engaged in, the amount of time spent in each activity, and the group size are recorded every 30 seconds for two 10 minute periods on 2 nonconsecutive mornings.
• Adult Behavior Observation System — focuses on the behavior of the primary adult in a given setting. The behaviors and nature of the adult’s involvement with the children are recorded every 30 seconds for two 10 minute periods on 2 nonconsecutive mornings.

Terms of Use The instruments may be downloaded free of charge for use in educational or research projects. The instruments may not be sold. The HighScope Educational Research Foundation and the International Association for Evaluation of Educational Achievement must be acknowledged in any oral or written presentation based on their use.