This page answers questions frequently asked by people who have been selected to participate in the NHES interviews.
The purpose of the study is to learn about various educational experiences of both adults and children. Findings will be published in U.S. Department of Education reports and other federal publications. The reports, which use grouped data for large numbers of people and never contain individual answers, are widely distributed to educators, researchers, policy makers, news organizations, and the general public.
Your telephone number was selected as part of a scientific and random sample of all households in the United States. The sample is designed this way so that interviews with only a few thousand people will accurately describe the educational experiences of almost all Americans.
People depend on the information collected in this survey to study various issues that are central to improving education, to help set education policy, and to keep the public informed about the condition of education in the United States. To ensure that the results are valid, it is important to interview each person who has been scientifically selected. By participating, you are helping to provide the best and most accurate information about American education.
Yes. Your personal information is protected by law. Reports based on the survey use grouped data for large numbers of people and never reveal individual answers. We will never publish your name or telephone number.
The first part usually takes only 3 to 4 minutes. Many participants will be finished at this point. Others are selected to answer questions that usually take 15 minutes or less, depending on the household.
Please browse the NHES web pages and/or contact Gail Mulligan at the National Center for Education Statistics (e-mail: nhes@ed.gov).
