Noncognitive outcomes\u2014such as attitudes about
school and interactions with fellow students\u2014can affect
students\u2019 cognitive or learning outcomes. Reviewing
this sample student survey provides an example of
one evaluator\u2019s approach to measuring noncognitive
outcomes in a magnet program. Although steps

Note: In developing this student survey, The Education
Alliance at Brown University took several actions to help
ensure its validity. For example, items were drawn from
existing magnet program surveys whenever possible.
The survey was reviewed by an expert panel before
it was implemented. When The Education Alliance
pilot tested the survey in real classroom settings, they
discovered that the order of questions, and using
subheadings for each group of questions, affected how
survey subjects interpreted questions. In response,
survey developers made revisions to improve reliability.

\u201cMagnet Schools Assistance Program: Middle and High
School Student Survey,\u201d developed by The Education
Alliance at Brown University and American Education
Solutions, Inc. (2008).

you do not understand, just raise your hand and your teacher will help you.
Please note: The questions on this survey refer to your experiences in your school during last school year - 2007-2008.
Fill in one bubble for each question. If there is a question you do not wish to answer, you may skip it.

1. Thinking about last school year, 2007-2008,
how often have you done each
of the following:

a) Had conversations with
students of a different
race or ethnicity than
your own?

b) Had conversations with
students who are very
different from you in
terms of their religious
beliefs, political opinions,
or personal values?

2. How much do you agree with each of the following:

a) Adults in our school
respect students
of different races.

b) Students in our
school respect
students of
different races.

c) I think students of
different races or
colors should go
to school together.

d) My classes are
made up of
students of
different races.

4. How much has your experience at this
school contributed to your growth in
understanding people
of other racial and ethnic
backgrounds?

3. To what extent does your school encourage
contact among students of different
backgrounds and beliefs
(race, religion, politics,
etc.)?

a) Spending a lot of time
studying and on school
work

b) Providing the support needed to succeed in school

among students of
different backgrounds
and beliefs (race, religion,
politics, etc.)

e) Participating in school
events and activities
(athletics, plays, etc.)

k) Involving students in
school leadership and
governance

6. Please mark the extent to which you agree
or disagree with each
of the following:

a) My teachers notice
when I am doing a
good job and let me
know about it.

b) Teachers are patient
when a student has
trouble learning.

d) It is usually easy to
get help from the
teachers at my
school.