Farmington Schools Use Surveys to Include Students in Learning Process

Farmington Public Schools is using a third-party survey program that aims to give students and parents more of a say in a student’s education.

The school system started using Panorama Education 360 surveys three years ago.

“Farmington has a long history of using feedback surveys at the school level,” Kimberly Wynne, assistant superintendent of schools said. “We have always valued parent feedback as a way to strengthen the home and school partnership.”

Four years ago Farmington developed the Framework for Teaching and Learning that aims to elevate the role of the student in the learning process.

“In order to collect some data on how students are experiencing learning we turned to Panorama to help us design customizable – but valid and reliable – survey prompts to solicit that feedback.”

Administrators also wanted to get faculty ideas and feedback.

Wynne said the data has allowed the school system to communicate in new and innovative ways with parents and families.

The most significant changes are focused on student-centered instruction. It has helped identify points of need and expanded opportunities for choice in the learning process, she said.

On the teacher side it’s led to increase opportunities for teacher-led learning and sharing across grade levels and schools for professional development.

All students complete surveys during school and parents are emailed the survey and are given a two-week window to complete it. Last year the average response rate was 38 percent, which is a very good rate, Wynne said.

It is imperative to allow students to have hand in their own education, especially as the school system focuses on 21st century goals such as critical thinking, problem solving, collaboration and self-direction.

“Our students are included at every level of creating more effective instruction,” she said. “When we listen carefully to our students tell us what they find engaging and interesting and how they learn best, the whole district moves forward and ultimately students achieve more.”