We offer a variety of surveys to help you assess how things are going in your schools. Comparison data is one of the most valuable aspects of our surveys. This enables you to understand your data in context. If X% of your stakeholders feel a particular way, is that normal? Is it above average? Below average? How does this compare to schools that look like yours?
At the same time, we can offer longitudinal comparisons as well. How does a score look this year as compared to last year?
Today, we’re doing just that. We’re analyzing comparisons from a year-over-year perspective.
As compared to last school year, where are student scores going up? Where are they going down? And how can you use this data?
Areas of Growth
We are seeing some post-COVID celebrations as everyone works hard to return to normalcy.
“If I were bullied, I would feel comfortable talking to someone about it.”
We are excited that students’ answers to this question are up a whopping 7.4%. This tells us that students are comfortable advocating for themselves and see their school as a place where they can get help and support should they have this unfortunate circumstance.
“The homework and projects I'm assigned help me learn and are more than just busywork.”
Learning amidst the pandemic was challenging. While we all grew in our virtual and online instructional skills, an appreciation for what takes place in the “classic” classroom was seen with an all-new appreciation. Students’ answers to this question soared by 4.9%. This seems to send a message that teachers have been empowered to get back to doing what they do best, and students are appreciating that.
“Teachers treat me with respect.”
There is nothing more important and special at school than the student-teacher relationship. Given the importance of that relationship, we are pleased to see that this question is up 2.9%.
“My teachers make their classes fun and interesting.”
Again, whether it is the excitement of getting back to the familiarity of in-classroom instruction or maybe literally kids getting their hands dirty during an experiment, the reality is that students are reporting an increased happiness about their learning. This question increased 2.8% over last school year.
Areas of Challenge
If everything were going perfectly in your schools, you wouldn’t need us. Obviously, that’s not the case for anyone. As such, we’re here to help you focus your finite resources. There are only so many hours in the day and so many dollars in the budget. Where are scores lower so that you can fix those issues?
You can’t solve a problem until you know what it is.
“I can go online or use a device at school when I need it.”
This item showed the most decline as compared to last year. This score is down 3.7%. At the same time, this makes a little bit of sense. Students were neck deep in virtual learning the past few years, and devices may simply be less needed now than they were in the past.
Good, effective plans are not built on a foundation of anecdotal data. You need to hear from your most important stakeholder – the kids – to best understand how to allocate your limited resources.
We’ve said it a million times before: the students are the best experts on what’s going on at school.
Listen to those experts. Where are your schools seeing increases and decreases, and what will you do about it?
The School Perceptions Blog and Resource Center features the voices of our team members. This post was written by Daren Sievers, Project Manager.