Student Perception Surveys for Principals

Using Student Perception Survey Results A Training for Principals

Objectives Develop an understanding of the survey content Understand how to read and interpret survey reports Identify strengths and focus areas in reports Have meaningful conversations with educators about survey results

Agenda Purpose and overview of the survey Understanding survey content Interpreting results and navigating reports Talking with teachers about results Next steps

SURVEY OVERVIEW

Why use a student survey? Integrate student voice and experience into teacher practice and school culture. Provide actionable feedbackfrom the stakeholders who experience instruction the most. Contribute to a big-picture view of what is happening in classrooms as well as school- and district-wide trends.

The research behind student surveys The combination of student surveys, observation, and student growth data are able to predict future effectiveness better than any of them alone. THE MET PROJECT Student survey results are correlated to student achievement gains. OTHER RESEARC H Student ratings of teachers are consistent over time and are able to meaningfully distinguish teachers. The use of student feedback promotes both reflection and responsibility on the part of the students.

Colorados Student Perception Survey Free and publically available 34-item survey about student learning experiences, mapped to the Colorado Teacher Quality Standards Two versions of the survey one for grades 3-5 and another for grades 6-12 Developed by CEI with feedback from Colorado teachers and students

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Research on Colorados SPS Student ratings are correlated with Principal ratings Student growth Student achievement Teachers are using results to change practice I used my Student Perception Survey results to: Agree Identify areas for growth Reflect on my teaching in a way I haven't before Change my practice Complete my self-assessment Have a meaningful conversation with my evaluator or coach 77% 72% 66% 63% 49%

SURVEY CONTENT

What does the survey measure? How teachers use content and pedagogical knowledge to help students learn, understand, and improve. STUDENT LEARNING STUDENT-CENTERED ENVIRONMENT How teachers create an environment that responds to individual students backgrounds, strengths, and interests. CLASSROOM COMMUNITY CLASSROOM MANAGEMENT How teachers cultivate a classroom learning community where student differences are valued. How teachers foster a respectful and predictable learning environment.

What does the survey measure? 1. Read through the survey questions for each category. 2. Write down up to five words for each category that describe the overall content. Share your words with the group and come to a common set of up to five words for each category Discuss

How does the survey content align to Teacher Quality Standards? Teachers demonstrate mastery of and pedagogical expertise in the content they teach. 1. Which standard(s) align to each survey category? Teachers establish a safe, inclusive and respectful learning environment for a diverse population of students. 2. Teachers plan and deliver effective instruction and create an environment that facilitates learning for their students. 3.

What does the survey measure? Student Learning How teachers use content and pedagogical knowledge to help students learn, understand, and improve. Standards I and III Student-Centered Environment How teachers create an environment that responds to individual students backgrounds, strengths, and interests. Standard II Classroom Management How teachers foster a respectful and predictable learning environment. Classroom Community How teachers cultivate a classroom learning community where student differences are valued. Standard II Standard II

Digging deeper Online Tool Onlin e Tool Take ten minutes to read and annotate the Digging Deeper document Star professional practices where you would like more information about teachers practice Underline professional practices where you think students are uniquely positioned to provide additional information

Digging deeper 1. Pick one element that you would like to discuss with your group 2. Going around the table, each person shares one element and how it is annotated Why did you pick this element? How do your stars and underlined areas align? Does this change your thinking about how to use student feedback to get more information about teacher practice? Discuss

STUDENT SURVEY RESULTS AND REPORTS

Interpreting student survey results Identify strengths and areas of need Dig deeper into the data Start with predictions Reflect

Start with predictions Identify strengths and areas of need Dig deeper into the data Start with predictions Reflect

Start with predictions How do teachers perceive their own practice as measured by the Student Perception Survey? What are their strengths? Where do the think they need to improve? Online Tool Onlin e Tool Teachers can complete the teacher self assessment (for grades 3-5 and 6-12) prior to reviewing their results

Prioritize focus areas Identify strengths and areas of need Dig deeper into the data Start with predictions Reflect

Guiding principles for digging into the data Always consider comparison groups Questions should be compared against the school, district, or content are comparison groups. Two questions may have the same percent favorable score but one could have many more never responses than most of the time. Look at the distribution of responses Responses to some questions may look very different for different groups of students (e.g., boys vs. girls, different periods or grade levels, etc.). Disaggregate to understand subgroups

Identify strengths Are higher than the comparison groups Are better than predictions Have a lot of always responses Have consistent responses across subgroups LOOK FOR ITEMS THAT

Identify areas of need Are lower than the comparison groups Don t live up to predictions Have a lot of never responses Look very different for student subgroups LOOK FOR ITEMS THAT

Incorporate context Identify strengths and areas of need Dig deeper into the data Start with predictions Reflect

Student survey results dont stand alone Programs and initiatives Student growth data SPS results Professional practices Curriculum

Try it on your own Identify strengths and areas of need Dig deeper into the data Start with predictions Reflect Online Tool Onlin e Tool Use the SPS Reflection Tool to analyze your results

Incorporating SPS results in professional goals Think about outcomes instead of metrics Use SPS results as one of multiple measures Align goals to the Teacher Quality Standards

Taking action Incorporate data into professional growth plans Use data as an artifact for professional practices Pair teachers with complimentary strengths and areas of need Online Tool Onlin e Tool Strategies Guide for grades 3-5 and 6-12 Coaching Conversations Guide

TALKING TO TEACHERS ABOUT SPS RESULTS

Guiding principles for talking to teachers about results TAKE NERVOUSNESS AND ANXIETY INTO ACCOUNT Approach results with empathy and understanding. REINFORCE THE QUALITY OF THE SURVEY Help teachers understand why the survey is fair, valid, and reliable. Address concerns such as how students were assigned to teachers, how the survey was proctored, accommodations etc. REASSURE TEACHERS ABOUT IMPLEMENTATION FIDELITY

Presenting school-level SPS results Demo report format Build a common understanding of school-level results Model analyzing results Set expectations for individual review of results Online Tool Onlin e Tool Use the School-level Results PowerPoint template to present results to teachers

Having conversations with individual teachers Be clear about expectations Review the SPS data Gather additional relevant information PREPARE Get and give general impressions Provide space for questions and concerns REFLECT Listen to the teacher s impressions Share your impressions Push on areas that don t align DIG IN Reiterate conclusions Discuss next steps Provide support and/or resources TAKE ACTION

Role play Prepare for a conversation with a teacher using the results you have been working with today Use the SPS reflection sheet and the Coaching Conversations Guide Tool Online Tool Onlin e Role play a coaching conversation with a partner Discuss

NEXT STEPS

SPS Next Steps Review your school-level SPS results and use the PowerPoint template to prepare to share those results with your staff Review individual teachers results to prepare for individual conversations Be creative about making time for these conversations Share the responsibility with other administrators, coaches, or teacher leaders Focus your time on specific teachers you think need the most support

SPS Timeline Timeline [Date] Activity SPS results are delivered to principals [Date] Usually 1-2 weeks later [Date] Day after presentation of school results [Date range] Present school-level results to teachers SPS results are delivered to teachers Individual conversations with teachers

TPS reminders and next steps TPS administration window: [dates] TPS results will be deliver to principals [date] Next steps [Insert any specific next steps] Online Tool Onlin e Tool Use the TPS Reflection Tool to reflect on your TPS results

THANK YOU!