Appendix 2: Sample of schools

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• Sampling

Sampling

ERO investigated curriculum principles and teaching as inquiry in 109 schools (67 primary and 42 secondary) reviewed in Term 2 and 3, 2010. The number of classrooms evaluated in each school was dependent on the school size as shown below.

Table 9: Classrooms by school roll

Tables below show the demographics of the sample. The sample has been compared to the national percentage^[23] and comments made, where relevant, about any statistical differences between the observed (sample percentage) and expected (national percentage) values. The differences between observed and expected values were tested using a Chi square test. The level of statistical significance for all statistical tests in this report was p<0.05.

Table 10: Schools by decile

Table 10 shows that the sample was not representative of national figures in terms of decile. Compared to the national sample, the sample for this evaluation was over represented by medium decile schools and under represented by low decile schools. These differences were statistically significant.

Table 11: Schools by size

Table 11 shows that the sample was not representative of national figures in terms of school size. Compared to the national sample, the sample was over represented by large and very large schools, and under represented by very small, small and medium schools.

Table 12: Schools by locality

Table 12 shows that the sample was not representative of national figures in terms of school locality. Compared to the national sample, the sample was over represented by main urban schools and under represented by minor urban and rural schools.

Table 13: Number of schools sampled by school type

Table 13 shows that the sample was not representative of national figures in terms of school type. Compared to the national sample, the sample was over represented by composite, secondary (Years 7-15 and Years 9-15) schools, and under represented by full primary and special schools.