[Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System Logo] Spring 2008 STUDENT QUESTIONNAIRE Grade 8 DIRECTIONS Mark your answers to the following questions in the box labeled Student Questionnaire on the inside back cover of your Student Answer Booklet. If none of the answer options apply to you, leave the question blank. Please ask your teacher for help if you are not sure how to answer any of these questions. 1. If there is a computer in your home, how do you mainly use it? A. There is no computer in my home. B. There is a computer in my home, but I do not use it. C. I use the computer in my home mainly for schoolwork. D. I use the computer in my home mainly for things other than schoolwork. E. I use the computer in my home about the same amount of time for schoolwork as I use it for other things. 2. Typically, how often do you use a computer at school for school assignments such as researching a topic or writing a report? A. nearly every day B. two or three days a week C. about one day a week D. about one day a month E. less than one day a month F. I do not use a school computer for school assignments. 3. Typically, how often do you use a computer at home (or somewhere other than school) for school assignments such as researching a topic or writing a report? A. nearly every day B. two or three days a week C. about one day a week D. about one day a month E. less than one day a month F. I do not use a home/non-school computer for school assignments. 4. Estimate the total number of hours you spend in a typical week using computers at school, at home, and anywhere else that you use them. A. None. I never use computers. B. less than 2 hours each week C. about 2 to 4 hours each week D. about 5 to 9 hours each week E. about 10 to 15 hours each week F. more than 15 hours each week 5. How does using a computer compare with working by hand when you are completing school assignments such as reports or essays? A. It is a lot easier to write on a computer than by hand. B. It is somewhat easier to write on a computer than by hand. C. It doesn’t make any difference whether I write on a computer or by hand. D. It is somewhat harder to write on a computer than by hand. E. It is a lot harder to write on a computer than by hand. 6. What types of tests have you taken on a computer? (Choose all that apply.) A. multiple choice B. essay C. combination of multiple-choice questions and written responses D. I have never taken a test on a computer. E. I don’t know. 7. What are your plans after high school? A. attend a four-year college B. attend a two-year college C. join the military D. work full time E. other F. I don’t know. 8. What types of college preparatory programs have you participated in? A. programs offered through my school’s guidance office (for example, Career Day) B. programs sponsored by community organizations such as the local library or youth center C. programs offered by colleges or other post-secondary institutions D. I have not participated in any programs to help me prepare for college. E. I don’t know. 9. In general, how much time do you spend on homework each week? A. less than 3 hours each week B. about 3 to 6 hours each week C. about 7 to 9 hours each week D. about 10 to 12 hours each week E. about 13 to 15 hours each week F. more than 15 hours each week 10. Which of the following types of writing have you been assigned in your English/language arts class this year? (Choose all that apply.) A. Persuasive (stating an opinion and attempting to influence the reader’s point of view) B. Expository (providing an explanation, giving directions, or clarifying information) C. Personal Narrative (writing a story based on personal experience) D. Imaginative Narrative (writing a fictional story) E. Literary Analysis (writing an essay using a work of literature) 11. Which of the following best describes the English/language arts course you are planning to take next year? (Choose all that apply.) A. general English/freshman English B. American literature C. world literature D. other English/language arts course E. I am not planning to take an English/ language arts course next year. 12. Which of the following best describes the math course you are taking or have taken this year? A. basic or general math B. pre-algebra C. algebra D. geometry E. integrated math (a course combining a variety of topics, such as number sense, operations, algebra, measurement, and probability) F. I am not taking/have not taken a math course this year. 13. If you are taking or have taken algebra this year, which textbook did you use? (If you are not taking algebra this year, skip this question.) A. Prentice Hall’s Connected Mathematics 1 or Connected Mathematics 2 B. Glencoe’s Algebra 1 C. Glencoe’s Impact Mathematics D. McDougal Littell’s Algebra 1 E. I use an algebra textbook, but it’s not listed here. F. I use an algebra textbook, but I don’t know its title. 14. If you are taking or have taken basic/general math or pre-algebra this year, which textbook did you use? (If you are not taking basic/general math or pre-algebra this year, skip this question.) A. Prentice Hall’s Connected Mathematics 1 or Connected Mathematics 2 B. Glencoe’s Pre-Algebra C. Glencoe’s Impact Mathematics D. Holt, Rinehart, and Winston’s Middle School Math E. I use a basic/general math or pre-algebra textbook, but it’s not listed here. F. I use a basic/general math or pre-algebra textbook, but I don’t know its title. 15. If you use math software, where do you use it? (Choose all that apply.) A. in my math classroom B. in my school’s computer lab C. at home D. I don’t use math software. 16. Which of the following best describes the science and/or technology/engineering course or courses you are taking or have taken this year? (Choose all that apply.) A. life science (biology) B. earth science C. physical science D. technology/engineering E. other science course (for example, integrated science) F. I am not taking/have not taken a science and/or technology engineering course this year. 17. Approximately how much time do you spend on laboratory activities or investigations in science and/or technology/engineering class each week? A. less than 30 minutes each week B. about 30 minutes each week C. about 1 hour each week D. about 2 hours each week E. 3 or more hours each week F. I do not have laboratory activities or investigations in my science and/or technology/engineering class. 18. Which of the following best describes the science and/or technology/engineering course or courses you are planning to take in grade 9? A. biology B. earth science C. introductory physics (for example, conceptual physics) D. technology/engineering E. other (for example, general science, integrated science, physical science) F. I do not plan to take a science and/or technology/engineering course in grade 9.