Valley View to Administer Illinois 5Essentials Survey Beginning Nov. 16

ROMEOVILLE, IL — Valley View School District 365U will conduct the fifth 5Essentials statewide survey of school climate and learning conditions Nov. 16 through Jan. 16.

The survey provides a unique opportunity for students, teachers and parents to have a voice in improving their schools by taking a 25-minute research-based survey to help identify strengths and weaknesses in their school’s learning environment. VVSD views this survey as an opportunity for district and school personnel to reflect on progress over the past year.

The Illinois 5Essentials Survey provides a comprehensive picture of a school’s organizational culture in an individualized report measuring five “essentials” critical for school success including Effective Leaders, Collaborative Teachers, Involved Families, Supportive Environment and Ambitious Instruction.

Twenty years of research at the University of Chicago in more than 400 schools has shown that schools that were strong on at least three of the 5Essentials were 10 times more likely to make substantial gains in improving student reading and math than schools that were weak on three or more of the Essentials. Those differences remained true even after controlling for student and school characteristics, including poverty, race, gender, and neighborhood characteristics. Strength on components within the Essentials also correlated with increased teacher retention, student attendance, college enrollment, and high school graduation.

Generated from a rigorous analysis of student and teacher survey responses, 5Essentials Reports demonstrate that what students and teachers say about their schools can serve as important indicators for school success.
VVSD has consistently participated in the statewide 5Essentials Survey and is opting to administer the survey to teachers and students again this year to continue tracking and informing progress.

Principals and superintendents will receive their 5Essentials Reports in March 2017. Survey results will also be reported publically next fall on the 2017 State School Report Card website.

UChicago Impact is providing Illinois 5Essentials to schools statewide on behalf of the Illinois State Board of Education. Beginning Nov. 16, teachers, students, and parents may complete the Illinois 5Essentials Survey online at https://illinois.5-essentials.org.

Submitted by Valley View School District 365U

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