Caitlin Churchill, Possip’s Community Director provides an overview of top family feedback trends from February. If you love these Trend blogs, look forward to the annual Trends Reveal this April 26!
You may have seen response rates on Pulse Checks drop a bit during February – participation is lower this time of year than any other time of year. It may pick up in March, according to trends in past year’s data. The good news is that new voices continue to participate in each Pulse Check – over 21,000 new voices just in February. And over 42,000 families from across the country took the Possip Pulse Check in February!
Happiness has dipped slightly as well, from 77% to 75%. Generally, happiness is higher for families receiving Pulse Checks weekly, dropping a percentage point for families receiving Pulse Checks biweekly, and a couple more for those receiving Pulse Checks monthly. Parents in elementary schools tend to be happier than parents in middle or high schools.
P.s. We’ll feature praise trends next month to gear up for Teacher Appreciation Week!
Below are the top 10 trends from report recommendations in February:
#1 Teacher Feedback:
Teacher Feedback is holding steady as the top trend this winter.
When framing this trend, it is important to mention that year over year the number of praise comments for teachers outweighs other categories.
This trend summary considers only the hot, medium, and cool recommendations provided about teacher feedback, so praise is not accounted for. In the hot comments, of which there are far more than medium and cool comments, families share concerns about interactions between teachers and students.
- Hot comments are concentrated around interactions they perceive impacting their students’ emotional well-being and self-esteem.
- Medium and cool comments this month express a desire for engaged teachers with professional behavior.
Reporters recommended articles such as Repairing and Rebuilding Student-Teacher Relationships from Growing Great Schools Worldwide.
#2 Communication with Teachers:
Communication with Teachers is the second trend this month, but overall communication is a significant trend – encompassing communication about frequency and grades as well and representing about a fifth of all recommendations. Comments express parents wanting to be in touch with how their student is progressing academically or needing a better way to contact the school. Reporters suggested this Possip blog on Communications Solutions.
#3 Academic Support:
Many families mention situations where students are struggling or feeling overwhelmed and inquire about tutoring opportunities. In hot comments, over half the ~100 comments were requesting tutoring. Check out this highly-read article from Possip on tutoring programs for your school.
#4 School Safety:
In general, families ask for supervision and transparency and may share that their student has communicated not feeling safe. Possip reporters recommend resharing with families the safety protocols that are in place for your school. Some of our partner schools like to share with parents and students ways they can communicate with a staff member if their child is feeling uncomfortable or unsafe for any reason. For more guidance, check out this highly-read Possip blog on school safety communication.
#5 Curriculum Feedback:
This winter families were asking for a more rigorous curriculum, but now the general ask is to help make learning fun and to help kids generate some enthusiasm and motivation! Parents are mentioning fine arts options and other elective classes students would enjoy. Possip reporters suggested hosting a curriculum night for families and reviewing course options with a curriculum planning committee or leadership.
#6 Student Discipline:
Comments on disciplinary practices may be on teachers’ responses to behavior, or on the families’ desire to improve behavior. Here’s an article with best practices for student discipline.
#6 & 7 Bullying & Student Fighting:
Two separate trends in this month’s top 10. Among the top ten trends, this month is bullying. Possip Reporters recommend reminding students and families who to go to for bullying-related needs. Here is a resource with helpful responses to parents and actions to take regarding bullying concerns.
#8 Transportation Needs:
Uniquely in the top ten trends is transportation. Generally, families are asking for more transportation options or safer transportation by managing bullying and safe pick-up and drop-off locations.
#9 Homework Assignments:
This month parents are commenting on too much homework, particularly if it is online work or requires technology. Possip Reporters recommended sharing the feedback at an upcoming leadership team meeting and making adjustments when possible. Here’s a Possip blog post with 8 tips to help parents be homework heroes.
#10 It’s a tie!
A close tie for #10 goes to Carline Logistics and Extracurricular Activities and we’ve coupled them together because some schools create flexible drop-off and pick-up schedules with extracurricular activities and after-school programs! Visit this clip of Lenisha Roberts from Uplift Education in Texas on how Possip feedback helped her network improve carline logistics!
We share these top family trends in the hopes that they help you have the tools, information, and ideas to support your school. Want to learn more about these trends? Reach out to Jennifer Kehl at jennifer@possip.com.
The post February Family Trends 2023 appeared first on Possip | Engagement Platform | School Feedback Survey.
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