부산대학교 도서관

This document highlights key information needed to work with the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study, Kindergarten Class of 1998-99 (ECLS-K) data and points the reader to the appropriate sections of the User's Manual so that they can get started quickly. To read more about any particular topic, the reader should go to the indicated section of the User's Manual. In this document, major differences between the third grade data collection and previous rounds are summarized; cautions and caveats about using the data are provided; and basic information about using the Electronic Code Book (ECB) is summarized. This manual provides guidance and documentation for users of the third grade data of the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study, kindergarten Class of 1998-99 (ECLS-K). It begins with an overview of the ECLS-K study. Subsequent chapters provide details on the instruments and measures used, the sample design, weighting procedures, response rates, data collection and processing procedures, and the structure of the data file. The ECLS-K focuses on children?s early school experiences beginning with kindergarten. It is a multisource, multimethod study that includes interviews with parents, the collection of data from principals and teachers, and student records abstracts, as well as direct child assessments. The ECLS-K has been developed under the sponsorship of the U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics (NCES). Westat is conducting this study with assistance provided by Educational Testing Service (ETS) in Princeton, New Jersey. The ECLS-K is following a nationally representative cohort of children from kindergarten through fifth grade. The base year data were collected in the fall and spring of the 1998-99 school year when the sampled children were in kindergarten. A total of 21,260 kindergartners throughout the nation participated. (Contains 88 tables and 80 exhibits.)