Surveys and Results
Surveys are one method for gathering data to develop improvement goals, focus resources, gauge community support, and guide school improvement efforts. Schools or districts can use the Characteristics of Successful School surveys to measure and report the perceptions of educators, student, parents, and community members concerning their schools' strengths and areas needing improvement. Depending on the need, different surveys can be used for data collection.
This tool contains two different sets of surveys. One set measures seven characteristics that research shows are critical to school success:
- Vision
- Leadership
- High Academic Standards
- Standards of the Heart
- Family, School, and Community Partnerships
- Professional Development
- Evidence of Success
The other set consists of a School Climate Survey to be filled out by students, and a Staff Climate Survey to completed by teachers and administrators.
Each of the surveys produces results that always remain confidential. Although respondents provide basic demographic information, an individual's demographic data is never shared or displayed in isolation. Rather, results are aggregated by groups for reporting purposes. Each survey requires approximately ten minutes for completion and submission. Project results are password protected and confidential.
The Characteristics of Successful Schools Surveys
Overview and Seven Characteristics Surveys
This composite survey is made up of eight individual surveys: one overview survey and one survey for each of the seven characteristics of successful schools. Each survey closely relates to the characteristics found in effective schools research . The users of this survey might include any stakeholders in the school or district that may provide valuable information, i.e. parents, school board members, community members, district staff, teachers, and students.
Click on the survey title to view the items.
Overview
Vision
Leadership
High Academic Standards
Standards of the Heart
Family, School, and Community Partnerships
Professional Development
Evidence of Success
Role-Specific Surveys
The School Climate Survey
This two-page survey is used to gather information from students in a school or district. These comprehensive surveys will help school improvement leaders assess student perceptions about their school. Developed by Victoria Bernhardt, this set of the surveys can be used with students in grades K–12 since there are two versions: one for elementary students and one for high school students.
The Staff Climate Survey
This two-page survey is used to gather information from the various staff members within a school. Developed by Victoria Bernhardt, this is a comprehensive survey that will help school improvement leaders assess staff perceptions about their school.
