May 00, 2016

Sr. Cecilia Sto. Tomas

Principal
St. Paul University
Gilmore Ave. cor. Aurora Blvd. Quezon City
Dear Sr. Cecilia,
Greetings!
We would like to invite you to participate in a country study of UNESCO regarding the culture of testing here in the
Philippines. The Global Resources for Assessment Curriculum and Evaluation (GRACE) has been selected by UNESCO
to participate in their research entitled The Culture of Testing: Socio-cultural drivers and the effects on youth in the
Asia-Pacific region. This research aims to gain data through survey method and focused group discussions from students, parents,
and teachers of grades 1, 7, 10, and 12 who have taken National Achievement Tests, National Career Assessment Examinations, and
College Entrance Examinations this school year 2016-2017 in eighteen public and private schools nationwide including Metro
Manila, Metro Cebu, Metro Davao, Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. In line with this, we would like to ask for your kind help by
allowing us to conduct the data gathering procedures in your school.
Specifically, the survey forms will be administered to the entire levels of Grades 1, 7, 10 and 12; ten conversationally active parents of
the students who participated in the study per grade level; and all current teachers of the students who participated in the study. After
answering the survey questionnaires, a simultaneous focused group discussions will be conducted. Ten participants from each group
(Grades 1, 7, 10, and 12 students; parents of the students per grade level; and all current teachers of the students) will be expected to
participate in the focused group discussions.
Attached are the documents which will be needed in order to conduct this study:
1. Letter of invitation to the parents with attached written informed consent
2. Actual survey forms for students, parents, and teachers
3. Questions for the focused group discussions
4. Tentative programme

All the materials that will be needed; snacks; token for students, teachers and parents will be shouldered by GRACE. The
transportation allowance of the parents will be reimbursed to GRACE. Our proctors and administrators will administer
and conduct the survey and focused group discussions and the entire process will run for half day which will tentatively
be scheduled on January 2017 for students and teachers. A separate schedule for parents on January 2017
(Saturday) considering their availability. However, in case that your school will not be able to take part on our
suggested schedule, kindly inform us beforehand by including your preferred schedule on the reply slip provided.
Moreover, we assure you that any information we will gather will be treated with utmost confidentiality as it will be used
solely for the conduct of UNESCOs research.
For more information about the data gathering procedures, feel free to reach Mr. Alejandro Ibanez, Assistant Director of
GRACE, via landline 375-1640 loc. 227, 376-4074 or through his email alejandro@grace.com.ph /
aibanez.grace@gmail.com

927 Phoenix building, Quezon Avenue, Quezon City, Philippines

Telephone: (632) 375 1640 loc. 227 / 376 4074

We hope for your favorable response.

Sincerely yours,
Pilar Fatima Sibal Balbin
President, GRACE

REPLY SLIP
Data Gathering Procedure for the Country Study of UNESCO
Please email to mjpangan.grace@gmail.com
on or before December 2016
To whom it may concern:
I have read this letter and have learned about the data gathering procedures.
Please check one:
[ ] Our school will take part in the data gathering procedures on the said date.
[ ] Our school will take part in the data gathering procedures. However, we prefer to take it
on ___________ ____________________ because
_____________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
[ ] Our school will not take part in the pilot testing because _____________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
CONTACT DETAILS
(Kindly fill up the information needed.)
School: St. Paul University
Address: Gilmore Ave. cor. Aurora Blvd. Quezon City
Contact Person:
Telephone Number/s:

Email Address:

927 Phoenix building, Quezon Avenue, Quezon City, Philippines

Telephone: (632) 375 1640 loc. 227 / 376 4074

927 Phoenix building, Quezon Avenue, Quezon City, Philippines

Telephone: (632) 375 1640 loc. 227 / 376 4074