1. Is sustained silent reading (SSR) utilized at your middle/junior high school?

Yes                (Please proceed to question 5.)
No                 (Please answer questions 2, 3, and 4, and questions 29 to 35.)

Please note that questions 2 to 4 are only for respondents who are not currently utilizing SSR in their classrooms. Thank you!

2. Have you ever used SSR in your reading classroom in the past?

Yes             
No             

3. Why are you not currently using SSR in your reading classroom?

4. By whom was the decision not to use SSR made?

Teachers             
Administration             
Both teachers and administration             
Other (please explain)                                                 

Go to question 29.

Please answer questions 5 through 35 if you are currently utilizing SSR in your reading classroom. Thank you!

5. Indicate the terminology used to designate SSR at your school if it is other than SSR.

USSR (uninterrupted sustained silent reading)             
DEAR (drop everything and read)             
SQUIRT (silent, quiet, uninterrupted reading time)             
Other (please explain)                                                 

6. How many years, including the current school year, has SSR been a part of your reading classroom?

7. Who implemented the original introduction of SSR into your curriculum?

Teachers             
Administration             
Both teachers and administration             
Other (please explain)                                                 

8. For what reason was SSR implemented in your reading classroom?

9. How many days per week is SSR normally a part of your instruction assuming a full, five-day week?

10. How many minutes per day are utilized for SSR in your reading classroom?

11. Would you like to spend more, less, or the same amount of time than you are now spending on SSR?

More time             
Less time             
Approximately the same amount of time             

12. Compared to last school year, are you spending more, less, or the same amount of time on SSR during this school year?

More time             
Less time             
Approximately the same amount of time             
Please explain:                                                 

13. Do you utilize SSR at any specific time of the day or part of the instructional period?

Yes             
No             
Please explain:                                                 

14. During SSR time, does everyone (custodians, office personnel, cafeteria personnel, etc.) in the school building participate?

Yes             
No             

15. Are your students graded on their SSR participation?

Yes             
No             
Please explain:                                                 

16. Please indicate the types of follow-up activities your students engage in following their SSR. (Check all that apply.)

No follow-up activities             
Journal or log             
Book reports (oral or written)             
Tests             
Other (please explain)                                                 

17. Does your school have required reading lists for seventh-grade students?

Yes             
No             

18. Does your school have recommended reading lists for seventh-grade students?

Yes             
No             

19. If your answer to either question 17 or 18 was “Yes,” please indicate how these lists are compiled.

20. Is there any particular type(s) of material(s) that are not allowed or are discouraged for SSR?

Yes             
No             

21. If your answer to question 20 was “Yes,” please indicate the type(s) of material(s) that are disallowed or discouraged.

Comics             
Magazines             
Newspapers             
Textbooks             
Particular topics (please explain)                                                 
Particular authors (please explain)                                                 

22. Is there a classroom library from which students may borrow books for SSR?

Yes             
No             

23. Is a timing device used to indicate the beginning and end of SSR?

Yes             
No             

24. Does the teacher read during SSR?

Always             
Usually             
Sometimes             
Never             

25. If the teacher reads, what is the teacher reading during SSR?

Magazines             
Mail             
Newspapers             
Books             
Other (please explain)                                                 

26. In what way do you deal with students who chronically come to class without a book for SSR? (Check all that apply.)

Grade is lowered             
Disciplinary action (detention, sent to office, etc.)             
Teacher provides reading material             
Other (please explain)                                                 

27. How satisfied have you been with your SSR program? (1 = extremely dissatisfied; 5 = moderately satisfied; 10 = extremely satisfied)

28. What has been your students' reaction to SSR? (1 = very unfavorable; 5 = neutral; 10 = highly favorable)

All respondents please answer the remaining questions.

29. Have you ever assessed your students' attitude toward reading?

Yes             
No             

30. For how many years have you been teaching reading (all levels)?

31. For how many years have you been teaching reading at the seventh-grade level?

32. How many students are there in the seventh grade at your school?

33. What is the average size of your reading classes?

34. Please indicate the type(s) of material(s) you currently use in your reading classes. (Check all that apply.)

Traditional basal             
Literature-based basal             
Literature based             
Trade books             
Short stories             
Poetry             
Other (please explain)                                                 

35. Would you like to receive a copy of the results of this survey?

Yes             
No            

To return to the article, close this browser window by clicking in the box at the top left or selecting “Close” from the File menu.