May 00, 2016

DEPED PERSONNEL
Designation
Department of Eductaion
DepEd Address
Dear Director,
Greetings!
We, the Global Resources for Assessment Curriculum and Evaluation (GRACE), are in the process of gathering data for a
country study of UNESCO research entitled : The Culture of Testing: Socio-cultural drivers and the effects on youth in the
Asia-Pacific region. This research aims to gain data through survey method and focused group discussions from students,
parents, and teachers of grades 1, 7, 10, and 12 who have taken National Achievement Tests, National Career Assessment
Examinations, and College Entrance Examinations this school year 2016-2017 in six public schools nationwide including Metro
Manila, Metro Cebu, Metro Davao, Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. In line with this, we would like to ask for your approval and
endorsement to District Superintendents if you can permit us to conduct the data gathering procedures in six selected public
schools nationwide.
This research aims to better understand the culture of testing and their effects on the relevance of education to youth cultures
and aspirations. This focus on testing more specifically refers to the reliance and focus on examinations utilized for transition
and selection purposes, like the National Achievement Tests, National Career Assessment Examinations and College Entrance
Examinations. In addition, this study will examine the different aspects and perceptions that shape education policies and systems
as a result of the culture of testing, examining implications for policy making.
GRACE proctors and administrators will administer the survey and the entire process will run for half day tentatively scheduled
on January 2017.
Moreover, we assure you that any information we will gather will be treated with utmost confidentiality as it will be used solely
for the conduct of the validation of the survey questionnaire.
Attached here are the documents which will be sent to schools:
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Letter of invitation for schools

Letter of invitation for parents
Written informed consent form
List of prospect public school participants
Actual survey forms for students, parents, and teachers
Questions for the focused group discussions
Tentative programme

For more information about the data gathering procedures, feel free to reach Mr. Alejandro Ibanez, Assistant Director of GRACE,
via landline 375-1640 loc. 227, 376-4074 or through his email alejandro@grace.com.ph / aibanez.grace@gmail.com
We hope for your favorable response.

Sincerely yours,
Pilar Fatima Sibal Balbin
President, GRACE