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Parent catalogue - includes variables that provide demographic information on parents and their school-aged children, and describe parents' views on fundamental educational issues (e.g., accountability, school climate, school organization, school leadership, rating of public schools, teacher training, evaluation and compensation) and parental involvement with school and schooling.
Variables are clustered by subthemes, which are presented in alphabetical order.
Parent demographics
Information on individual characteristics, socio-economic status, political opinions
| Variable |
pa_age |
| Survey question |
Parent age |
| Data type |
Numeric |
| Coding |
NA |
| Variable |
pa_DEM1 |
| Survey question |
What is the highest level of education you have finished? |
| Data type |
Numeric |
| Coding |
highest level of education |
| Variable |
pa_DEM2 |
| Survey question |
Where would you place yourself on most political issues? |
| Data type |
Numeric |
| Coding |
political spectrum scale |
| Variable |
pa_educ |
| Survey question |
Years of Schooling |
| Data type |
Numeric |
| Coding |
NA |
| Variable |
pa_FF |
| Survey question |
Could you please tell me your total annual family income from all sources before taxes. Is it? |
| Data type |
Numeric |
| Coding |
family income |
| Variable |
pa_gender |
| Survey question |
Gender of the interviewed parent |
| Data type |
Numeric |
| Coding |
gender |
| Variable |
pa_income |
| Survey question |
Family Income - derived |
| Data type |
Numeric |
| Coding |
NA |
| Variable |
pa_lang |
| Survey question |
Language - parent interview |
| Data type |
Numeric |
| Coding |
language |
Parent involvement
Parents' opinions about their partiicipation in school activities
| Variable |
pa_PA1 |
| Survey question |
How important is parent participation…? on school committees |
| Data type |
Numeric |
| Coding |
extent of importance |
| Variable |
pa_PA2 |
| Survey question |
How important is parent participation…? in parent-teacher meetings |
| Data type |
Numeric |
| Coding |
extent of importance |
| Variable |
pa_PA3 |
| Survey question |
How important is parent participation…? in hiring a school principal |
| Data type |
Numeric |
| Coding |
extent of importance |
| Variable |
pa_PA4 |
| Survey question |
How important is parent participation…? in school improvement planning |
| Data type |
Numeric |
| Coding |
extent of importance |
| Variable |
pa_PB1 |
| Survey question |
How much do you agree…? Parents’ present level of participation in schools is too low. |
| Data type |
Numeric |
| Coding |
extent of agreement |
| Variable |
pa_PB2 |
| Survey question |
How much do you agree…? It is easy for parents to get involved in school activities. |
| Data type |
Numeric |
| Coding |
extent of agreement |
| Variable |
pa_PB3 |
| Survey question |
How much do you agree…? Most often it is self-interested parents who participate in their school. |
| Data type |
Numeric |
| Coding |
extent of agreement |
Parent sample
Family characteristics
| Variable |
pa_I1 |
| Survey question |
Including yourself, how many people live in your household? |
| Data type |
Numeric |
| Coding |
NA |
| Variable |
pa_ID |
| Survey question |
Unique ID |
| Data type |
Numeric |
| Coding |
NA |
| Variable |
pa_province |
| Survey question |
Province |
| Data type |
Numeric |
| Coding |
province code |
| Variable |
pa_weight |
| Survey question |
Combined weight by province and gender |
| Data type |
Numeric |
| Coding |
NA |
Roles and responsibilities of teachers' unions
Parents' opinions about teachers' unions
| Variable |
pa_UA1 |
| Survey question |
Is the ability of teacher unions to influence what happens in schools? |
| Data type |
Numeric |
| Coding |
strength level |
| Variable |
pa_UA2 |
| Survey question |
Is the power of teacher unions to influence what happens in schools? |
| Data type |
Numeric |
| Coding |
strength level |
| Variable |
pa_UB1 |
| Survey question |
How involved should teacher's unions be…? Salaries and working conditions |
| Data type |
Numeric |
| Coding |
extent of involvement |
| Variable |
pa_UB2 |
| Survey question |
How involved should teacher's unions be…? Class Size |
| Data type |
Numeric |
| Coding |
extent of involvement |
| Variable |
pa_UB3 |
| Survey question |
How involved should teacher's unions be…? Curriculum and assessments |
| Data type |
Numeric |
| Coding |
extent of involvement |
| Variable |
pa_UB4 |
| Survey question |
How involved should teacher's unions be…? Professional development |
| Data type |
Numeric |
| Coding |
extent of involvement |
| Variable |
pa_UB5 |
| Survey question |
How involved should teacher's unions be…? Teaching performance standards |
| Data type |
Numeric |
| Coding |
extent of involvement |
| Variable |
pa_UB6 |
| Survey question |
How involved should teacher's unions be…? Certification and licensing |
| Data type |
Numeric |
| Coding |
extent of involvement |
| Variable |
pa_UB7 |
| Survey question |
How involved should teacher's unions be…? Teacher discipline |
| Data type |
Numeric |
| Coding |
extent of involvement |
| Variable |
pa_UB8 |
| Survey question |
How involved should teacher's unions be…? Influencing public opinion on educational issues |
| Data type |
Numeric |
| Coding |
extent of involvement |
| Variable |
pa_UC |
| Survey question |
How effective are provincial teacher unions in contributing to school improvement? |
| Data type |
Numeric |
| Coding |
effectiveness level |
| Variable |
pa_UD |
| Survey question |
Do you understand teachers to be members of a union or of a profession? |
| Data type |
Numeric |
| Coding |
membership |
School - general
Parents' opinions about public schools
| Variable |
pa_G1 |
| Survey question |
If the public schools in your community were graded the same way, what grade would you give them ? |
| Data type |
Numeric |
| Coding |
grading of school |
| Variable |
pa_G2 |
| Survey question |
How much do you agree ...? All schools should be pretty much the same to ensure that all students receive an equal education. |
| Data type |
Numeric |
| Coding |
extent of agreement |
| Variable |
pa_G3 |
| Survey question |
How much do you agree …? There should be an annual report card for schools just as for students. |
| Data type |
Numeric |
| Coding |
extent of agreement |
| Variable |
pa_G4 |
| Survey question |
How much do you agree …? Parents should be able to send their children to another school if they are dissatisfied with their current school. |
| Data type |
Numeric |
| Coding |
extent of agreement |
| Variable |
pa_G5 |
| Survey question |
How much do you agree …? Standardized tests should be used to assess changes over time in a school's performance. |
| Data type |
Numeric |
| Coding |
extent of agreement |
| Variable |
pa_marksch |
| Survey question |
Percentage marks for schools |
| Data type |
Numeric |
| Coding |
NA |
School accountability
Parents' opinions about school accountability
| Variable |
pa_AA1 |
| Survey question |
How much do you agree…? School boards should be able to close poor performing schools. |
| Data type |
Numeric |
| Coding |
extent of agreement |
| Variable |
pa_AA2 |
| Survey question |
How much do you agree…? Ranking school performance on standardized tests is unfair to some schools. |
| Data type |
Numeric |
| Coding |
extent of agreement |
| Variable |
pa_AA3 |
| Survey question |
How much do you agree…? The school principal should be accountable to the parents for school performance. |
| Data type |
Numeric |
| Coding |
extent of agreement |
| Variable |
pa_AA4 |
| Survey question |
How much do you agree…? Schools should do an annual survey of parent satisfaction. |
| Data type |
Numeric |
| Coding |
extent of agreement |
| Variable |
pa_AA5 |
| Survey question |
How much do you agree…? Schools should have an annual improvement plan and report their progress. |
| Data type |
Numeric |
| Coding |
extent of agreement |
School choice
Parents' choices and opinions regarding schools and programs
| Variable |
pa_CA1 |
| Survey question |
Private school for at least one child |
| Data type |
Numeric |
| Coding |
yes/no |
| Variable |
pa_CA2 |
| Survey question |
Do any of your children attend a public non-religious school? |
| Data type |
Numeric |
| Coding |
yes(number)/no |
| Variable |
pa_CA3 |
| Survey question |
Do any of your children attend a public religious school? |
| Data type |
Numeric |
| Coding |
yes(number)/no |
| Variable |
pa_CA4 |
| Survey question |
Do any of your children attend a private non-religious school? |
| Data type |
Numeric |
| Coding |
yes(number)/no |
| Variable |
pa_CA5 |
| Survey question |
Do any of your children attend a private religious school? |
| Data type |
Numeric |
| Coding |
yes(number)/no |
| Variable |
pa_CA6 |
| Survey question |
How many of your children are home schooled? |
| Data type |
Numeric |
| Coding |
NA |
| Variable |
pa_CB1 |
| Survey question |
Is your youngest child attending your local neighbourhood school? |
| Data type |
Numeric |
| Coding |
yes/no/dk |
| Variable |
pa_CB2 |
| Survey question |
Is your youngest child taking the regular provincial curriculum at their school or is he or she in a special program at the school? |
| Data type |
Numeric |
| Coding |
school program |
| Variable |
pa_CC1 |
| Survey question |
Among the public schools in your area, do all schools offer the standard, regular curriculum or are there some schools which offer only specialized curricula? |
| Data type |
Numeric |
| Coding |
public school curriculum type |
| Variable |
pa_CC2 |
| Survey question |
Is there sufficient information available to help you make good educational choices about the best type of schooling for your child/children? |
| Data type |
Numeric |
| Coding |
yes/no/dk |
| Variable |
pa_CD |
| Survey question |
How important was the quality of schooling to your choice of current residence? |
| Data type |
Numeric |
| Coding |
extent of importance_3 |
| Variable |
pa_CE1 |
| Survey question |
How important were each of the following…? close to our home |
| Data type |
Numeric |
| Coding |
extent of importance |
| Variable |
pa_CE2 |
| Survey question |
How important were each of the following…? sibling in the school |
| Data type |
Numeric |
| Coding |
extent of importance |
| Variable |
pa_CE3 |
| Survey question |
How important were each of the following…? met our religious views |
| Data type |
Numeric |
| Coding |
extent of importance |
| Variable |
pa_CE4 |
| Survey question |
How important were each of the following…? had a special theme or teaching method |
| Data type |
Numeric |
| Coding |
extent of importance |
| Variable |
pa_CE5 |
| Survey question |
How important were each of the following…? friends recommended this school |
| Data type |
Numeric |
| Coding |
extent of importance |
| Variable |
pa_CE6 |
| Survey question |
How important were each of the following…? school has a good academic reputation |
| Data type |
Numeric |
| Coding |
extent of importance |
| Variable |
pa_CE7 |
| Survey question |
Was anything else important in choosing the school your (youngest) child currently attends? |
| Data type |
Numeric |
| Coding |
yes/no/dk |
| Variable |
pa_CF |
| Survey question |
Have you ever checked school academic performance reports in newspapers or on education websites? |
| Data type |
Numeric |
| Coding |
yes/no/dk |
| Variable |
pa_CG |
| Survey question |
Have you ever used such information to choose a school? |
| Data type |
Numeric |
| Coding |
yes/no/dk |
| Variable |
pa_CH1 |
| Survey question |
How much do you agree…? There should be a greater variety of academic programs in public schools. |
| Data type |
Numeric |
| Coding |
extent of agreement |
| Variable |
pa_CH2 |
| Survey question |
How much do you agree…? The amount of school choice available in my district is sufficient. |
| Data type |
Numeric |
| Coding |
extent of agreement |
| Variable |
pa_CH3 |
| Survey question |
How much do you agree…? Government funding should follow the child, regardless of where he or she is enrolled. |
| Data type |
Numeric |
| Coding |
extent of agreement |
| Variable |
pa_CH4 |
| Survey question |
How much do you agree…? Government tax money should follow the child, regardless of where he or she is enrolled. |
| Data type |
Numeric |
| Coding |
extent of agreement |
| Variable |
pa_CH5 |
| Survey question |
How much do you agree…? All parents should have the right to choose their child’s school. |
| Data type |
Numeric |
| Coding |
extent of agreement |
| Variable |
pa_CH6 |
| Survey question |
How much do you agree…? School choice matters little because all schools are pretty much the same. |
| Data type |
Numeric |
| Coding |
extent of agreement |
School leadership
Parents' opinions about leadership in child's school
| Variable |
pa_LA |
| Survey question |
Does your youngest child’s school have a written annual improvement plan? |
| Data type |
Numeric |
| Coding |
yes/no/dk |
| Variable |
pa_LB1 |
| Survey question |
How much do you agree…? Creating a safe, caring, and respectful environment. |
| Data type |
Numeric |
| Coding |
extent of agreement |
| Variable |
pa_LB2 |
| Survey question |
How much do you agree…? Responding to my needs. |
| Data type |
Numeric |
| Coding |
extent of agreement |
| Variable |
pa_LB3 |
| Survey question |
How much do you agree…? Providing a sense of vision and purpose. |
| Data type |
Numeric |
| Coding |
extent of agreement |
| Variable |
pa_LB4 |
| Survey question |
How much do you agree…? Communicating to parents. |
| Data type |
Numeric |
| Coding |
extent of agreement |
School safety and discipline
Parents' opinions about safety and discipline in schools
| Variable |
pa_DA |
| Survey question |
At your youngest child’s school, do you consider student discipline and behavior to be a problem? |
| Data type |
Numeric |
| Coding |
discipline problem |
| Variable |
pa_DB |
| Survey question |
In the last three years at your children’s school, have issues and concerns about student discipline and behaviour decreased, increased, or stayed about the same? |
| Data type |
Numeric |
| Coding |
discipline concerns |
| Variable |
pa_DC1 |
| Survey question |
To what extent do each of the following contribute to classroom disruption…? Failure of parents to instill acceptable standards of behaviour |
| Data type |
Numeric |
| Coding |
extent level |
| Variable |
pa_DC2 |
| Survey question |
To what extent do each of the following contribute to classroom disruption…? Large class sizes |
| Data type |
Numeric |
| Coding |
extent level |
| Variable |
pa_DC3 |
| Survey question |
To what extent do each of the following contribute to classroom disruption…? One or a few problem students |
| Data type |
Numeric |
| Coding |
extent level |
| Variable |
pa_DC4 |
| Survey question |
To what extent do each of the following contribute to classroom disruption…? Too great a mix of academic abilities |
| Data type |
Numeric |
| Coding |
extent level |
| Variable |
pa_DC5 |
| Survey question |
To what extent do each of the following contribute to classroom disruption…? Too great a mix of special needs students |
| Data type |
Numeric |
| Coding |
extent level |
Schooling
Information on child's school and schooling
| Variable |
pa_FA1 |
| Survey question |
What is the population size of the city or community of your children(s) school? |
| Data type |
Numeric |
| Coding |
city size |
| Variable |
pa_FA2 |
| Survey question |
If over 500,000, is the school located closer to…. |
| Data type |
Numeric |
| Coding |
school location |
| Variable |
pa_FB |
| Survey question |
Which one of the following best describes the income level of most families of students attending your children(s) school? |
| Data type |
Numeric |
| Coding |
school SES |
| Variable |
pa_FC1 |
| Survey question |
Have you had the opportunity to…? Volunteer in a classroom/library/fieldtrip/other school activity |
| Data type |
Numeric |
| Coding |
yes/no/dk |
| Variable |
pa_FC2 |
| Survey question |
Have you had the opportunity to…? Meet individually with your child’s teacher |
| Data type |
Numeric |
| Coding |
yes/no/dk |
| Variable |
pa_FC3 |
| Survey question |
Have you had the opportunity to…? Attend a parent/school committee meeting |
| Data type |
Numeric |
| Coding |
yes/no/dk |
| Variable |
pa_FC4 |
| Survey question |
Have you had the opportunity to…? Attend a school event like sports, drama, music |
| Data type |
Numeric |
| Coding |
yes/no/dk |
| Variable |
pa_FC5 |
| Survey question |
Have you had the opportunity to…? Write a letter to anyone at the school |
| Data type |
Numeric |
| Coding |
yes/no/dk |
| Variable |
pa_FD |
| Survey question |
On average, how often do you help your child(ren) with homework? |
| Data type |
Numeric |
| Coding |
homework |
| Variable |
pa_highinc |
| Survey question |
School in High Income Area |
| Data type |
Numeric |
| Coding |
NA |
| Variable |
pa_lowinc |
| Survey question |
School in Low Income Area |
| Data type |
Numeric |
| Coding |
NA |
| Variable |
pa_sizecom |
| Survey question |
Community Size |
| Data type |
Numeric |
| Coding |
NA |
Standardized assesments
Parents' opinions about provincial/national standardized assessments
| Variable |
pa_SA1 |
| Survey question |
How much do you agree…? Provinces should administer standardized tests at key stages of schooling. |
| Data type |
Numeric |
| Coding |
extent of agreement |
| Variable |
pa_SA2 |
| Survey question |
How much do you agree…? Provinces should administer standardized assessments at key stages of schooling. |
| Data type |
Numeric |
| Coding |
extent of agreement |
| Variable |
pa_SA3 |
| Survey question |
How much do you agree…? Canada should have national standards indicating what students should know or be able to do at various grade levels. |
| Data type |
Numeric |
| Coding |
extent of agreement |
| Variable |
pa_SA4 |
| Survey question |
How much do you agree…? Teacher evaluations of students are better indicators of student performance than are standardized tests. |
| Data type |
Numeric |
| Coding |
extent of agreement |
| Variable |
pa_SA5 |
| Survey question |
How much do you agree…? All students should pass a test of basic skills in language and mathematics before being allowed to graduate from high school. |
| Data type |
Numeric |
| Coding |
extent of agreement |
| Variable |
pa_SA6 |
| Survey question |
How much do you agree…? Standardized tests are unfair to students from disadvantaged family backgrounds. |
| Data type |
Numeric |
| Coding |
extent of agreement |
Student
Information about school-aged children
| Variable |
pa_gendchild |
| Survey question |
Gender of youngest child |
| Data type |
Numeric |
| Coding |
gender |
| Variable |
pa_grdchild |
| Survey question |
Grade of youngest child |
| Data type |
Numeric |
| Coding |
grade child |
| Variable |
pa_I2 |
| Survey question |
How many members in your household attend elementary or secondary school |
| Data type |
Numeric |
| Coding |
NA |
Teacher evaluation and compensation
Parents' opinions about teacher evaluation and compensation
| Variable |
pa_TA1 |
| Survey question |
How effective for improving quality of teacher's work…? Increase pay for all teachers |
| Data type |
Numeric |
| Coding |
effectiveness level |
| Variable |
pa_TA2 |
| Survey question |
How effective for improving quality of teacher's work…? Reduce class sizes |
| Data type |
Numeric |
| Coding |
effectiveness level |
| Variable |
pa_TA3 |
| Survey question |
How effective for improving quality of teacher's work…? Financially reward outstanding teachers |
| Data type |
Numeric |
| Coding |
effectiveness level |
| Variable |
pa_TA4 |
| Survey question |
How effective for improving quality of teacher's work…? Increase professional development and training |
| Data type |
Numeric |
| Coding |
effectiveness level |
| Variable |
pa_TA5 |
| Survey question |
How effective for improving quality of teacher's work…? Make it easier to dismiss ineffective teachers |
| Data type |
Numeric |
| Coding |
effectiveness level |
| Variable |
pa_TA6 |
| Survey question |
How effective for improving quality of teacher's work…? Ensure job security for teachers |
| Data type |
Numeric |
| Coding |
effectiveness level |
| Variable |
pa_TB1 |
| Survey question |
How effective for evaluating teachers…? Student improvement on standardized tests |
| Data type |
Numeric |
| Coding |
effectiveness level |
| Variable |
pa_TB2 |
| Survey question |
How effective for evaluating teachers…? Evaluation by an outside education professional |
| Data type |
Numeric |
| Coding |
effectiveness level |
| Variable |
pa_TB3 |
| Survey question |
How effective for evaluating teachers…? Principal’s judgment |
| Data type |
Numeric |
| Coding |
effectiveness level |
| Variable |
pa_TB4 |
| Survey question |
How effective for evaluating teachers…? Evaluation by an experienced teacher |
| Data type |
Numeric |
| Coding |
effectiveness level |
| Variable |
pa_TB5 |
| Survey question |
How effective for evaluating teachers…? Parent evaluations |
| Data type |
Numeric |
| Coding |
effectiveness level |
| Variable |
pa_TB6 |
| Survey question |
How effective for evaluating teachers…? Student evaluations |
| Data type |
Numeric |
| Coding |
effectiveness level |
| Variable |
pa_TB7 |
| Survey question |
How effective for evaluating teachers…? Yearly exams for teachers |
| Data type |
Numeric |
| Coding |
effectiveness level |
| Variable |
pa_TC1 |
| Survey question |
How important in determining teacher's salary…? Teaching skills |
| Data type |
Numeric |
| Coding |
extent of importance |
| Variable |
pa_TC2 |
| Survey question |
How important in determining teacher's salary…? Years of teaching experience |
| Data type |
Numeric |
| Coding |
extent of importance |
| Variable |
pa_TC3 |
| Survey question |
How important in determining teacher's salary…? Academic progress of their students |
| Data type |
Numeric |
| Coding |
extent of importance |
| Variable |
pa_TC4 |
| Survey question |
How important in determining teacher's salary…? Professional development or training completed |
| Data type |
Numeric |
| Coding |
extent of importance |
| Variable |
pa_TC5 |
| Survey question |
How important in determining teacher's salary…? Leadership responsibilities |
| Data type |
Numeric |
| Coding |
extent of importance |
| Variable |
pa_TC6 |
| Survey question |
How important in determining teacher's salary…? Teaching in a more challenging school |
| Data type |
Numeric |
| Coding |
extent of importance |
| Variable |
pa_TC7 |
| Survey question |
How important in determining teacher's salary…? Teaching in an area of shortage, such as physics |
| Data type |
Numeric |
| Coding |
extent of importance |
| Variable |
pa_TD |
| Survey question |
If teacher salaries were based on performance, which method would be most effective for improving student achievement? |
| Data type |
Numeric |
| Coding |
teacher rewarding |
Teacher training
Parents' opinions about teachers' training and professional development
| Variable |
pa_PD1 |
| Survey question |
How much do you agree…? New teachers are not adequately prepared to work in today’s schools. |
| Data type |
Numeric |
| Coding |
extent of agreement |
| Variable |
pa_PD2 |
| Survey question |
How much do you agree…? Teachers need specific training when major curriculum changes are introduced. |
| Data type |
Numeric |
| Coding |
extent of agreement |
| Variable |
pa_PD3 |
| Survey question |
How much do you agree…? My child’s teacher is doing a good job. |
| Data type |
Numeric |
| Coding |
extent of agreement |
| Variable |
pa_PD4 |
| Survey question |
How much do you agree…? Teacher professional development days detract from time for student learning. |
| Data type |
Numeric |
| Coding |
extent of agreement |
| Variable |
pa_PD5 |
| Survey question |
How much do you agree…? Teachers should be paid extra for attaining additional university degrees. |
| Data type |
Numeric |
| Coding |
extent of agreement |
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