Results from the first Dallas ISD extensive survey of students show that a strong majority of students said their teacher encouraged them to do their best; their teacher set high expectations; and their teacher clearly presented the information they needed to learn.
The student perception survey is a research-based survey that was administered in April to students in grades 3-12. Each student that met the eligibility requirements completed two surveys. The results provide feedback to teachers and could count for up to 15 percent of a teacher’s overall evaluation.
As the district announces the results from the inaugural student perception survey, multiple students say they appreciated the opportunity to provide feedback on their classroom experience.
Kendell Long, a twelfth-grade student at Barack Obama Male Leadership Academy, spoke highly of the survey experience.
“The student surveys allow for my voice to be heard by the teachers as well as by the administration of the school and the district,” he said.
The survey asked questions about the students’ perception of their teacher’s level of care, support, and expectations. The survey also asked students questions about their perception of the classroom climate and their own level of engagement.
Each question had either five or seven possible responses. Here is a look at some of the survey questions and possible responses for students in grades 3–5:
A report on the survey results looks at what percentage of students responded positively to the questions. On questions with five possible responses, the report considers the top two responses as favorable; on questions with seven possible responses, the report considers the top three as favorable. Click here to see the compiled results to the student survey for grades 3–5, and click here to see the survey results for grades 6–12.
Other results include:
- 90 percent of students in grades 3–5 said their teacher helped them learn
- 88 percent of students in grades 3–5 said their teacher clearly presented the information that they needed to learn
- 79 percent of students in grades 6–12 said they learned from their teacher about the subject
- 74 percent of students in grades 6–12 said their teacher was good at giving them extra help when needed.
While the majority of students reported they feel supported by their teacher, many students responded that they don’t feel their teacher is concerned about them as a person. Also, while a majority of students responded that they felt they are learning what they are supposed to learn in school, at the secondary level, many students do not feel that what they are learning is interesting.
District leaders have begun conversations with campus administrators about the survey results. District officials said they plan to work with the campuses to provide additional support needed to address any areas of concern.
Students completed a survey for two of their teachers. A random sampling model determined what students would complete surveys for which of their two teachers.
The survey was available in English and Spanish. The survey for elementary students consisted of 23 questions, while survey for students in grades 6-12 had 28 questions.
Panorama Education, a data analytics company focused on K-12 education, administered the survey and is responsible for the report detailing the results. In addition to providing the survey results, Panorama Education is offering Dallas ISD teachers the option to view an online collection of successful teaching and classroom strategies recommended by other teachers. The strategies directly align with the survey questions, giving teachers an opportunity for targeted professional development.
“The goal of the student survey is to gather feedback from students on their experiences inside the classroom while also providing teachers with additional resources and support,” said Dr. Cecilia Oakeley, Dallas ISD Assistant Superintendent, Evaluation and Assessment.
