Idahoans invited to help shape surveys about schools

Draft parent and staff surveys, developed by education stakeholders as part of a new Accountability Framework for Idaho schools, are available online for review and feedback until Oct. 26.

A stakeholders’ committee worked with researcher Jean Henscheid and staff from the State Department of Education and Office of the State Board of Education to develop the surveys. Committee members included representatives from the Idaho Education Association, the Idaho Association of School Boards, the Idaho Association of School Administrators, the Idaho Parent-Teacher Association and the Idaho School Public Relations Association.

The committee will meet Oct. 30 to review the feedback and finalize the surveys, which will be presented to the State Board of Education in December for approval before distribution to Idaho parents and school staff in the spring. Students will take a separate survey to gauge their engagement at school. Results from all three surveys will be part of a new accountability Report Card for all Idaho schools.

The proposed Parent Engagement and Satisfaction Survey asks parents and guardians to assess varied factors of their children’s learning environment, including: school leadership’s engagement with parents, student safety, available resources, adequate facilities and staffing levels, clear expectations and challenging work that meets children’s individual needs.

The survey also invites parents to assess what they like most and least about their child’s school and submit suggestions for improvement.

To access the survey, go online to http://bit.ly/2yYnzAV .