This technical report presents results of an analysis of unit response rates for the components of the 1993-94 Schools and Staffing Surveys (SASS). The study was motivated by the general need to evaluate and improve the quality of SASS data and to identify potential sources of nonsampling error associated with nonresponse in SASS. As background, the report describes the survey design and nonresponse adjustment procedures for each of the components of the SASS. A primary focus of the analysis is to compare the response rates for known characteristics of schools, administrators, teachers, school districts, libraries, librarians, and student records, and to assess the extent and pattern of these differences. Where possible findings from the 1993-94 analyses are compared to results from an exploratory analysis of response rates from the 1990-91 SASS. In addition, the hierarchical nature of response rates is examined, and a multivariate model of unit response is developed for one of the SASS components (public schools) to explain the relationship between these factors and the level of unit response. The following chapters are included: (1) "Overview"; (2) "SASS Core Components"; (3) "New SASS Components"; (4) "Summary of Significance Tests"; (5) "Hierarchical and Cross-Classified Testing"; (6) "Measurement of the Sampling Frame and Cooperation Rates"; (7) "Nonresponse Modeling for the Public School Component"; and (8) "Highlights and Recommendations." Appendixes contain response rate tables and a description of tests of association between response status and characteristics. (Contains 80 tables, 64 figures, and 34 references.) (SLD)

This report summarizes findings of the 1993-94 Schools and Staffing Survey (SASS) with regard to schools that serve American Indian and Alaska Native students, and examines trends since 1990-91 when data were previously collected. In 1993-94, the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) and federally recognized tribes with BIA funding operated 170 elementary and secondary schools. In addition, 1,244 public schools had high Indian enrollment (at least 25 percent American Indian and Alaska Native students). These two types of schools were typically small and located in rural areas and small towns. However, of the 491,936 American Indian and Alaska Native students enrolled in K-12 classes, 53 percent attended public schools with low Indian enrollment. Chapters contain many data tables and figures and provide information for the three school types on the following: (1) school and student profiles (school location and size, student race/ethnicity, school programs and services, student-to-staff ratios, graduation rates and requirements, free and reduced-price lunch rates, student linguistic characteristics, support services, and student outcomes); (2) principal characteristics and attitudes (educational background, teaching experience, specialized training, salaries, school goals, perceptions of school problems and influential groups, and career plans); (3) teacher characteristics (demography, qualifications, salaries, and perceptions of problems); (4) teacher supply and demand; and (5) trends since 1991. Appendices include technical notes, tables of estimates and standard errors, and additional resources on SASS. Contains 71 references and an index. (SV)