The 2020-21 National Teacher and Principal Survey (NTPS)

NCES is currently collecting information from schools, teachers, and principals by asking sampled participants to respond to the National Teacher and Principal Survey (NTPS). We value your responses and want to hear your opinions and learn from your experiences. But we need your help to make this data collection a success.

What is the purpose of the NTPS?

The purpose of the NTPS is to provide policymakers and researchers with relevant and timely data on the characteristics and conditions of America’s public, charter, and private K–12 schools and the professionals who staff them, all directly from the perspective of the principals and teachers themselves. The data collected permit detailed analyses of the characteristics of schools, principals, and teachers at the national, state, and affiliation level and are critical for policymakers who set funding and other priorities, including Congress, the U.S. Department of Education, state education agencies, and public school districts.

How have beginning principal salaries changed over time?
Do traditional public, public charter, or private school teachers have more average years of experience?		What is the racial/ethnic distribution of teachers in the U.S.?

The NTPS has been designed with input from state and local education agencies, school administrators, teachers, education policymakers, and researchers through the numerous organizations representing these various data providers and data users.

How long does it take to complete a NTPS questionnaire?

While the surveys will vary in length, each questionnaire will take approximately 15 to 40 minutes to complete. If necessary, you may save your responses and return to the survey later.

Why is my participation important?

We need your help to learn more about teachers and principals’ experiences in classrooms and schools.

This survey is a primary source of information about what is happening in K–12 schools across the United States from the perspective of administrators and teachers. Only a small percentage of school, teachers, and principals are selected to participate, and no one else can be substituted for you; therefore, you are important for the success of this survey.

How are the NTPS data used?

The data from the NTPS are used by Congress, the U.S. Department of Education, state education agencies, public school districts, and education research organizations to:

1. Evaluate the effects of school workplace conditions, salaries, and training opportunities on the educational workforce;
2. Assess school staffing practices and personnel policies; and
3. Aid in the Department of Education’s program planning in the areas of teacher shortage, teaching policies, and teacher education.

Will my data remain confidential?

Yes, both the U.S. Department of Education and the U.S. Census Bureau follow strict procedures to protect the confidentiality of study participants. Your responses to the survey questions will not be shared with your school administration.