District 54 urges parents to take its online survey

Teachers, parents, guardians and students across Illinois are encouraged to participate in the Illinois 5Essentials Survey, to share their thoughts on the important elements of school effectiveness and help guide school improvement.

The 5Essentials Survey will be administered online on behalf of the Illinois State Board of Education. The survey identifies five indicators that can lead to important student outcomes, including improved attendance and larger test score gains. Research has shown that schools strong on these indicators are 10 times more likely to improve student learning. The five indicators are effective leaders, collaborative teachers, involved families, supportive environments and ambitious instruction.

All District 54 parents are encouraged to take this optional survey - whether your child is in an early childhood program, elementary school or junior high.

If parents have more than one child at a school, they should complete only one survey for that school. In addition, only one parent or guardian per household may participate in the survey. Parents with children enrolled in multiple schools may take the survey for each school.

The state is not providing hard copies of this survey; however, our schools will make computers available to parents. Call your child's school if you are interested in taking the survey at a District 54 school.

The parent survey results will only be generated by the state if at least 20 percent of parents at a school respond to the survey. Last year none of our schools met this target. If at least 20 percent of parents participate, this data will be made available to principals.

To take the parent survey, please visit https://survey.5-essentials.org/illinois/ before March 13, 2016. When searching for your school's name, look up the full name (for example, look under J for Jane Addams Junior High School, not A for Addams).

The state is only allowing students in grades 6 through 12 to take the survey. Students are required to take the survey at school and will be given time in District 54 during the week of Feb. 2.

All District 54 teachers were asked to take the survey on Jan. 28. The State Board of Education only administered the survey to certified teachers whose primary responsibility involves teaching students for the majority of the school day and year.

The identities of anyone taking a survey will be kept completely confidential and survey responses will not be linked to any individual. More information can be found online at https://illinois.5-essentials.org.