Tripod Student Surveys in Shelby County Schools Enhancing feedback for teachers and school leaders Alka Pateriya, Vice President Jeremy Walter, Senior Director September 30, 2015

Ron Ferguson Co-Founder of Tripod Education Partners Leads all research and analysis of Tripod survey data Senior Lecturer in Education and Public Policy, Harvard University Director of the Achievement Gap Initiative, Harvard University © 2015 Tripod Education Partners2

Tripod Surveys Are Used Across the Country © 2015 Tripod Education Partners3 States: 29 Schools: 9,500 Classrooms: 227,000 Responses: 4,580,000

Quick Poll Use of student surveys to enhance feedback… © 2015 Tripod Education Partners4 Skeptical NeutralIntrigued

Activity – 5 Whys © 2015 Tripod Education Partners5

Teachers can be skeptical about the introduction of student surveys as a source of feedback. 1. Why is this? Why is this?

Student surveys are used but nothing changes. Student learning stays the same. 1. Why is this? Why is this?

Tripod’s Guiding Beliefs Students are good observers. We should trust and value student voice. Multiple measures, multiple times, over multiple years can improve the quality of feedback for teachers and school leaders. A well-designed student survey provides a way for students to communicate about what they are experiencing. By understanding more about what students are experiencing, teachers and school leaders can improve teaching and learning. © 2015 Tripod Education Partners8

Our Vision Learn from every student in every classroom © 2015 Tripod Education Partners9 When teachers understand what students are experiencing, Student Perception Data With structured opportunities to reflect, discuss, and work on new strategies with colleagues, Teacher Reflection and PD Teachers respond to student needs and improve learning outcomes for all students. Improved Student Learning

Fall Survey Administration Timeline Next Monday-Friday – Survey materials arrive in all Shelby schools before Fall Break Monday, October 19 – First day of survey administration window (the Monday after Fall Break) Friday, October 23 – Last day of survey administration window. Monday, October 26 – Last day to send back completed survey materials to Tripod. Mid-December – Schools leaders and teachers will receive reports. © 2015 Tripod Education Partners10

What is my role as Survey Coordinator? 1)Track shipping progress of survey materials. 2)Receive and check survey materials for accuracy. 3)Distribute survey materials to respective teachers. 4)Collect survey materials after administration. 5)Confirm that all teachers have completed student survey sign-off process. 6)Pack survey materials and prepare for shipping. © 2015 Tripod Education Partners11

1. Track shipping progress of survey materials Packages are scheduled for delivery starting Monday, October 5. All packages are due to arrive in Shelby schools by Friday, October 9. District staff will have access to online system to track status of packages. School coordinators should contact the Tripod Help Desk if you have not received boxes by Thursday, October 8, so Tripod can track the status of © 2015 Tripod Education Partners12

2. Receive and check survey materials When survey materials arrive, follow these steps to ensure smooth administration process: 1)Check that each teacher has a survey pack. 1)If teachers are missing survey packs, contact a Shelby district staff member at 2)Each survey pack should have a cover sheet and identify a specific teacher. Teachers may not use survey packs that do not have their name. © 2015 Tripod Education Partners13

What will be included in each box? School coordinator guide Teacher class packs, which will include: Administration guide (new K-2 alternative phrasing guide) Surveys and peel-and-stick envelopes Teachers will distribute one survey and one envelope to each student on the day of administration. Please keep the box, air pillows, and return shipping label for use when returning the completed surveys Please note: your school must provide writing utensils. The survey may be completed in pencil or pen. © 2015 Tripod Education Partners14

What will be included in each box? © 2015 Tripod Education Partners15 School coordinator guide on top, with teacher class packs below. This pack also includes the return shipping label. Each teacher’s class pack contains their name, subject, grade level, and also the list of serial numbers for their surveys.

3. Distribute survey materials to respective teachers Give each teacher his or her survey pack and inform them of the survey administration deadlines. Remind K-2 teachers that they will need a proctor to administer their survey. There are detailed instructions in the K-2 Administration Guide. If a teacher is unsure which class they should be surveying, refer to the roster that you submitted to Mrs. Arnett. If you have further questions, send those to © 2015 Tripod Education Partners16

4. Collect survey materials after administration Remind teachers of your school’s collection deadlines. Collect each teacher’s survey pack and double-check that: All surveyed the assigned class. (If not, Talent Management.) K-2 teachers used a proctor. Include only surveys in sealed envelopes in the return shipment. Recycle unused surveys. You may repurpose unused envelopes. Ship the box, according to the directions (on the next slide), by Monday, October 26. © 2015 Tripod Education Partners17

5. Pack survey materials and prepare for shipping Return all completed surveys in their envelopes once ALL teachers have returned their materials to you. Remove blank surveys and envelopes and recycle them. Insert the sealed envelopes into the box(es) in which you received the materials. If there is extra space in the boxes, re-use the air- pillows or fill with old newspaper. Seal the boxes and attach the prepaid return-shipping label to the outside of the box. Follow the instructions in the Site Coordinator Guide for scheduling FedEx to pick up your shipment. © 2015 Tripod Education Partners18

Pack survey materials and prepare for shipping © 2015 Tripod Education Partners19

What is the role of teacher? Carefully review administration guide and script. During the assigned period: Hand out surveys and envelopes to students. Read script to students and follow instructions in administration guide. Collect sealed envelopes (containing completed surveys) from all students. Discard any unused survey materials. © 2015 Tripod Education Partners20

How will teachers know which period/class to survey? As a reminder, this information is in the roster that you submitted. © 2015 Tripod Education Partners21

What accommodations are available for students taking the survey? Students are given the same accommodations that are available for test takers with disabilities or health needs: Extended Testing Time Extra Breaks Read-Aloud Scribing or Bubbling For questions, contact: © 2015 Tripod Education Partners22