Daniel Jee / Staff reporter
On March 30, all grade 10 and 12 students participated in the student learning survey in period 1.
The Student Learning Survey, or SLS, is an annual province-wide census about students’ learning experiences through the perspectives of students in grades 4, 7, 10, and 12, their parents, guardians or caregivers, staff, vice-principals, and principals in schools.
The survey covers a wide range of topics and aims to get a comprehensive picture of educational experiences in B.C. public schools.
There are 80 questions on the grade 10 and 12 surveys, which consist of both closed and open-ended questions, with some anonymous questions. Most questions are identifiable by each student’s personal education number, or PEN. Parent, staff, vice-principal, and principal surveys are anonymous.
“I found the questions very personal. And it was mainly about what I am being taught in school, or more about the teachers and how they are doing,” said Finnegan Price, grade 10.
It takes approximately 30 – 45 minutes to finish and administered electronically on any device such as desktops, laptops, tablets, or even cellphones. but it can also be done on paper where necessary.
Student, staff, and principal/vice-principal surveys are available in English and French while the parent survey is available in 18 languages.
It is voluntary to participate in the survey.
Reports of results, including summaries of participation and responses by question, are posted at the end of each school year.
Schools, districts, government ministries, and other external organizations such as the Representative for Children and Youth use the survey data for planning, research, and advocacy work for youth.
It is developed based on the opinions of partner groups, teacher and educational measures, and specialist education experts, and additional questions are added by schools/districts which can take longer to complete.
Sources:
Information given to administrators
Information given to students, parents
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