RE: Conditions for Learning Survey
Dear Parent, Guardian, or other Legally Responsible Adult:
The North Butler Community School District is getting ready to administer an annual school climate and culture survey called Conditions for Learning to all students in grades 3 through 12. This survey administration is required by the state’s plan to meet a federal law called the Every Student Succeeds Act. Grades 3-12 will administer the survey on April 22nd, 2022.
All Iowa public school districts will use the Conditions for Learning Survey to improve safety, student engagement, and the overall learning environment so that all Iowa students have optimum conditions for learning. Our work to improve safety, student engagement, and the overall learning environment will have a lasting impact on the future.
Iowa measures conditions for learning by asking the real experts each year – STUDENTS. This is their chance to make their voice heard, and we intend to listen. Studies have shown this work matters. Improving skills such as problem-solving, conflict resolution, and working with other people in a group has led to double-digit increases on achievement test scores, improved classroom behavior, and improved attitudes.
All public schools in Iowa will use the statewide online Survey to assess the Conditions for Learning in their school grades 3 - 12. Each school will receive data at the building level annually in the fall to support the alignment of professional development with the identified needs of students.
We will ask your child to simply fill out the confidential Survey. The Survey will focus on issues ranging from student safety to positive student relationships, to school rules and how they are enforced. A high rate of participation by students in completing the Conditions for Learning Survey is important for obtaining the most complete school climate data for our school. It is critical that you communicate to your students that this is their chance to be heard and to be part of the effort to improve conditions for learning at their school.
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Previews of the surveys (3-5 & 6-12) are available upon request.
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Link to the written refusal form if you do not want your child/children to participate in completing the Survey.
From April 1-29, parents and families of students in preschool through grade 12 will also have the opportunity to participate in the Parent Conditions for Learning Survey. The Survey contains similar items to those on the Student Survey, focusing on areas that range from student safety, to positive adult and student relationships, to school rules and how they are enforced.
The Parent Survey, which is available in English and Spanish, will be accessible to parents or families online from April 1-29. Participation in the Survey is encouraged, but it is completely voluntary, and all questions are optional to answer. A copy of the items on the Survey is available by request. The end of the Survey also asks a few questions which the Department of Education must collect as required to report under Part B of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).
Responses to the Parent Survey are confidential and the results are completely anonymous. No names are recorded, and no identifying information is attached to specific responses. The results of the Survey will be provided back to the school to be used with the Student Survey results for identifying areas of strengths, and areas for improvement.
Thank you for your involvement in North Butler Community Schools to improve conditions for learning here and throughout the state. A link to an overview of the Survey and link to the Survey is included (Click on “Link” to access the Parent, Guardian, or other Legally Responsible Adult survey.)
Please let us know if you have any questions.
Sincerely,
Mark Olmstead
North Butler Superintendent
Beth Endelman
North Butler Jr./Sr. High School Principal
Jaymie Odell
North Butler Elementary Principal
