1. How can educators use student feedback to create strong learning environments?
2. How do schools use the Cultivate Survey and framework with students to improve their classroom experiences and learning?
3. What do strong classroom learning environments look like in action?
4. How can families partner with educators to strengthen learning environments for all students?
Research shows that students’ experiences of classroom learning conditions predict students’ beliefs about themselves as learners, which then predict their students’ learning & well-being.
Educators can use student feedback to create strong learning environments that benefit all students.
The Family Playbook: Centering Student Voice and Experience is designed to help families, caregivers, and school communities understand how student feedback drives better learning environments and outcomes. Based on research from the UChicago Consortium, this playbook shares actionable steps to engage in school improvement, partner with educators, and center student voice and experience.
The UChicago Consortium conducts research that helps educators, parents, and leaders build better schools for all Chicago students. The Family Playbook series is part of our effort to make research accessible, actionable, and aligned with the lived experiences of families.
Puede leer este playbook en español aquí.
What’s inside the new playbook
This playbook is packed with research, tips, and tools for parents, caregivers, and parent leaders, including Local School Council (LSC) members:
- What we know about youth learning & development
- An overview of the Cultivate Survey & Framework, and how it’s used in schools
- A school spotlight: what this work looks like in action
- How families can learn about and support how school staff are working toward stronger student experiences and learning.
Did you know?
- Research shows that people do our best learning & work in spaces that...
- Recognize our strengths
- Are responsive to who we are, including:
- How we see ourselves
- Our ways of thinking and doing things
- Traditions, cultural knowledge, & experiences
- Respect, empower, & value us as people and thinkers who can contribute positively to our environments and our own growth
- Effective educators create these kinds of learning environments in their classrooms and school communities.
- Many educators in Chicago are using student feedback from the Cultivate Survey, together with resources and guides, as a starting point for students participating, partnering, and leading in decision-making in the school.
Families can…
- Ask about two key Cultivate data points:
- Student response rates
- The “Impact Question:” what percentage of students surveyed believed their responses would be used for improvement?
- Ask questions about what areas the school is working on to improve students’ experiences (see p.23 for examples)
- Ask questions about how the school is working together with students to improve their experiences (see p.24 for examples)
- Work together with school staff for stronger student experiences and learning (see p.25 for examples)
