Frequently Asked Questions

What is the American School District Panel (ASDP)?

The ASDP is the first and only nationally representative sample of school district and charter management organization (CMO) leaders. Panel members participate in surveys and interviews to inform policy and monitor trends over time. Its findings help policymakers and stakeholders understand the challenges school leaders face, how they innovate and solve problems, and what districts need.

Are there other national surveys of educators?

Although there are other educator surveys, the ASDP is the first and only nationally representative panel of school districts and CMOs. It is the newest addition to the American Educator Panels (AEP), which regularly surveys over 25,000 teachers and 8,000 principals from around the country. The ASDP provides timely answers to education topics such as how districts are responding to COVID-19; changes to enrollment, staffing and budget; the rigor and quality of instruction; and equity of schooling.

Who are the ASDP partners?

The ASDP is a partnership among the RAND Corporation, the Center on Reinventing Public Education (CRPE) at the Arizona State University, the Council of the Great City Schools, and Kitamba (an education consulting firm).

Who funds the ASDP?

It is funded by a grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. The ASDP is open for additional sponsors. Like the other American Educator Panels, outside organizations such as researchers, education organizations, government agencies and philanthropies are able to commission surveys fielded to the ASDP. To learn more about sponsoring survey items, contact us at aep@rand.org.

Why does the ASDP matter?

ASDP findings are informing and influencing decisionmakers. The first three surveys from the ASDP have shown that districts are adapting to the COVID-19 pandemic in ways that have big implications, such as by expanding their non-academic services and providing more virtual schooling.

Findings from the ASDP have been featured on NPR, CBS News, and ABC News and covered in The New York Times, POLITICO, Education Week, and The Washington Post.

How do participating districts/CMOs benefit?

ASDP members receive customized data after each survey that provide their own responses alongside peer districts’ responses and responses overall.

All ASDP publications, along with interactive survey results, are available at americanschooldistrictpanel.org. The ASDP also provides free, downloadable data files for each survey. Learn more about the data portal and sign up for an account.

What’s required of participating districts?

The impact is great, but the time commitment is not. The surveys are short—most take five to ten minutes to complete. Participating districts and CMOs are asked to make a three-year commitment to participate and will receive up to three surveys per year. Leaders and staff may also be asked to participate in interviews on how policies and their implementation influence district improvement efforts.

Is there any risk to being an ASDP panelist?

A district or CMO’s decision to take part in the ASDP study is voluntary, and they may withdraw at any time. Staff members may choose not to complete a survey or participate in an interview; the district will not be informed nor penalized.

Will ASDP panelists’ answers be kept confidential?

Responses to ASDP surveys will be used for research purposes only. Our study reports present findings in the aggregate, and responses will not be connected to a specific individual, district, or CMO. We use strict data security practices to protect the privacy of information provided.

Is the ASDP supported by other educators?

The ASDP is supported by an advisory committee of national, state, and local education leaders from across the country representing urban, rural, and suburban communities, as well as traditional public schools and charter schools. The ASDP is also supported by numerous state and national education organizations.