Illinois 5Essentials Survey open

District 88 is joining the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) in the fifth statewide survey of school climate and learning conditions, referred to as the Illinois 5Essentials Survey.

The survey provides an opportunity for teachers, students and parents/guardians to have a voice in improving their schools. Through Jan. 16, 2017, teachers, students and parents/guardians are able to complete this research-based survey to help identify strengths and weaknesses in their school’s learning environment. This survey will allow schools to reflect on progress since the last statewide implementation.

  • Teachers will receive details about how to take the survey through their e-mail.
  • Students will receive details about how to take the survey through Addison Trail or Willowbrook.
  • Parents/guardians can take the survey online at https://survey.5-essentials.org/illinois/survey/parent or at the schools during the following meetings:
    • Addison Trail: Dec. 5 (Music Booster Club meeting), Dec. 15 (Padres Latinos en Acción meeting), Dec. 19 (Theatre Booster Club meeting), Jan. 11, 2017 (Citizens Advisory Council meeting)
    • Willowbrook: Dec. 7 (Willowbrook Parent Organization meeting), Dec. 21 (Athletic Booster Club meeting), Jan. 10, 2017 (Music Booster Club meeting), Jan. 11, 2017 (Citizens Advisory Council meeting)

The Illinois 5Essentials Survey provides a comprehensive picture of a school’s organizational culture in an individualized report that measures five “essentials” critical for school success. Those are:

  • Effective Leaders
  • Collaborative Teachers
  • Involved Families
  • Supportive Environment
  • Ambitious Instruction

Twenty years of research at The University of Chicago in more than 400 schools has shown schools that are strong on at least three of the 5Essentials are 10 times more likely to make substantial gains in improving student reading and math than schools that are 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 correlates with increased teacher retention, student attendance, college enrollment and high school graduation.

District 88 has consistently participated in the statewide 5Essentials Survey and is opting to administer the survey again this year to continue tracking and informing progress. The principals and superintendent will receive their 5Essentials Reports in March 2017, and survey results will be reported in the 2017 Illinois Report Card. Results from the optional parent/guardian survey will be included only in the individual school 5Essentials Report, if the required response rate is met.

For more information about the survey, go to https://illinois.5-essentials.org.