BPS: Two Online Surveys Ask for Feedback on Student Assignment Process

The Boston Public Schools is offering two two online surveys to help the district gather feedback on two important BPS efforts: increasing school quality and improvements to the system's school choice process. 

The Improving School Choice survey is available to the entire Boston community, regardless of whether you have a student in the system, at www.bostonpublicschools.org. BPS officials said the surveys ask similar questions to what was discussed in community meetings in April. 
 
The School Climate Survey is only open to current BPS parents and can be accessed on the district’s website. Different versions for students and teachers are being offered to students and teachers in schools.
 
Both surveys are offered in multiple languages.
 
“With these surveys we hope to get valuable insights into the work we still must do to improve all our schools,” said BPS Superintendent Carol Johnson via press release. “Online options compliment the conversations we are having in our community meetings and in our schools. We want to make it is easier for all members of the community to be part of this conversation to ensure everyone has an opportunity to tell us what they think.” 
 
The School Climate Survey asks students, parents and teachers what they think about various aspects of their school, according to BPS officials. The Improving School Choice: Student Assignment survey asks broader questions about school quality and the school choice process, said BPS personnel.
 
The School Climate Survey has been offered for three years prior, but this is the first year BPS has offered it as an online option. Studentss fill out their surveys during homeroom while teachers will receive the survey through their school.

Parents will receive surveys with postage-paid envelopes in the next week. The feedback will be summarized and sent back to each school for the district and school leaders to better understand their schools.
 
BPS officials said that last year 60% of students and 55% of teachers completed the climate surveys, but parent participation was just 19%. The low parent survey participation is one reason BPS is also offering an online option this year. 
 
BPS leaders said more surveys and meetings, with different questions, are planned for the coming months. Community members can get updates on this process and sign up for the BPS newsletter at bostonpublicschools.org/choice.