Improving Learning: Developing Measures of Accountability and Evaluating their Association with Students' Gains in Achievement in Nepal, 2017-2021

The student survey data include measures of students’ background, knowledge, aspirations, satisfaction, and perception of classroom environment and teaching quality. The student survey measures are drawn from previous national and international studies including TRIPOD, Evaluating the Design and Impact of School Sector Development Program (SSDP) Training in Nepal (3ie) and School Sector Reform Program (World Bank). Out of 4889 eligible students, data were collected from 4588 students resulting in a response rate of 94%. The parent survey data include household-level measures of household size, composition, socio-economic background (ethnicity, social status), education and occupation, wealth, assets, and income. The data also include individual-level measures of parents’ perceptions of teaching quality, parental action related to gathering information about alternative schools, barriers/facilitators to exercising school choice, and awareness and participation in civil society organizations seeking to influence governance of education. Out of 4889 eligible students’ parents, data were collected from 4606 parents resulting in a response rate of 94%. The teacher survey data include measures of teachers’ background, knowledge, training, instructional practice, classroom management, and parental outreach and reporting. Out of 951 eligible teachers, data were collected from 906 teachers resulting in a response rate of 95%. The Head Teacher (Principal) survey data include measures of general background, performance, school management experience, professional engagement with school leadership, and satisfaction with working conditions. Out of 114 eligible schools, data were collected from Head Teachers (Principals) from 113 schools resulting in a response rate of 99%. The school management committee (SMC) data include measures of accountability (delegation, finance, performance, information, and enforcement). Out of 114 eligible schools, data were collected from SMCs from 109 schools resulting in a response rate of 96%. The Parent Teacher Association (PTA) data include measures of short-term accountability (local community level) and other measures of accountability (delegation, finance, performance, information, and enforcement). Out of 114 eligible schools, data were collected from PTA representatives from 108 schools resulting in a response rate of 95%.