TaRPS Technical Assistance Role Perception Survey 2E

Survey Informed Consent

1. Informed Consent Form

Purpose of the Study:You are invited to participate in an online survey for a research project being carried out by staff at the McCormick Institute for Early Childhood Leadership at National Louis University. The study, titled Technical Assistance Role Perceptions in ECE, is taking place from September 2026 to September 2027. The study is being conducted by Robyn Kelton M.A. , Director of Data and Evaluation, Assistant Professor; Dr. Xiaoli Wen, Senior Director of Research at McCormick Institute for Early Childhood, Professor in ECE at National College of Education; Dr. Adrian Rivera-Rodríguez, Research Associate; and Nurdat Hassan, M.P.H, Data and Evaluation Coordinator.

This study will examine how professionals who provide technical assistance (TA) in early childhood education and care (ECEC) experience their roles, responsibilities, work conditions, and professional learning needs. The findings will be used to better understand the early childhood TA workforce and identify areas where additional training, resources, supervision, and peer support may be helpful. Results may inform future research, revisions to current coaching and TA training, and development of new professional learning curricula or profiles.

What Participation Involves:If you agree to participate, you will be asked to:
1. Complete one online survey, expected to take approximately 15-20 minutes. Your participation is voluntary and can be discontinued at any time without penalty or bias.

Confidentiality and Data Security:
De-identification: Your name and any identifying information will be removed from all data before analysis.
Data storage: A separate file linking your name to a study ID will be stored in a locked office (Room 319, Lisle Campus). Only the principal investigator will have access to this file.
Access: De-identified data will only be available to the principal investigators.
Storage: All electronic data will be stored on a secure, password-protected network drive.
Retention: Data will be retained for five years after the study ends and then permanently deleted.

All findings will be reported in aggregate form. No individual participant will be identified in any presentations, publications, or reports.

Risks and Benefits:
Risks: Participation involves minimal risk, no greater than that of everyday life, and similar to completing any standard survey or assignment.

Benefits: Potential indirect benefits include an opportunity to reflect on professional strengths, current challenges, and training needs. The findings may help inform future TA curricula, coaching supports, training resources, and credential-development efforts intended to strengthen the early childhood technical assistance workforce. Individual responses will not be shared in an identifiable form. supporting flexible, high-quality professional pathways for early childhood educators.

Voluntary Participation and Withdrawal: Your participation is completely voluntary. You may refuse to participate or withdraw from the study at any time without penalty or impact on your academic standing. You may stop the survey at any time.

Sharing of Results: You may request to access to the study findings in formats of report, publications, and presentations.

Questions or Concerns:If you have any questions about this research, please contact: Robyn Kelton; robyn.kelton@nl.edu 847-947-5698 or Xiaoli Wen; Xiaoli.wen@nl.edu; 312-261-3160;

If you have any concerns or questions before or during participation that has not been addressed by the researchers, you may contact, the National Louis University Institutional Review Board (IRB) at: Dr. Shaunti Knauth; email: Shaunti.Knauth@nl.edu; phone: (312) 261-3526; or Dr. Carla L. Sparks; email: CSparks3@nl.edu; phone: (813) 928-6889. IRB Chairs are located at National Louis University, 122 South Michigan Avenue, Chicago, IL.

Thank you for your consideration.

Consent:
I understand that by checking ‘Yes” below, I am agreeing to participate in the study, Technical Assistance Role Perceptions in ECE. My participation will consist of the following activity: an online survey that takes approximately 15-20 minutes to complete.

Please select your choice below. You may print a copy of this consent form for your records. Clicking on the “Agree” button indicates that:

You have read the above information
You voluntarily agree to participate
You are 18 years of age or older

*This question is required.