School opinion information
On 5 April 2012, the Standing Council on School Education and Early Childhood (SCSEEC, from 1 July 2014 known as Education Council) acknowledged the importance to schools, schooling systems and jurisdictional authorities of gathering and analysing school opinion information and changes to that information over time.
This information can be invaluable to educational practitioners in understanding and responding to their communities’ perceptions, and providing leaders with data for consideration for continuous improvement in their schools, schooling systems and jurisdictional authorities.
ACARA convened the National School Opinion Survey Working Group to assist in developing specifications that the tool would need to meet. The Working Group was comprised of representatives from DEEWR, each government Department of Education, the Independent Schools Council of Australia, the National Catholic Education Commission and Education Services Australia (ESA).
The result is the
School Survey website, developed by ESA on behalf of the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR), as agreed by Commonwealth, state and territory ministers for education through SCSEEC.
Schools, schooling systems and jurisdictional authorities may use School Survey to conduct any surveys they choose, including asking the agreed student and parent school opinion items.
Further information about the use of School Survey
Timing
The School Survey website was launched on 15 August 2013. Some schools will be advised by their jurisdictional authority to distribute the student and parent items within a particular timeframe. Other schools will decide when they use the items. Visit the site at www.schoolsurvey.edu.au.
Reporting
Schools are required to report on student, parent and staff satisfaction under the National Education Agreement and the Schools Assistance Act, and are also required to include a link to the My School home page alongside their school satisfaction reporting in their annual reports.
Each school profile page on My School will have information to inform viewers about the national items agreed for parents and students.
Data visibility
Each school’s authorised administrator(s) will be able to see the response data collected by the school using School Survey.
Response data for national and jurisdictional items asked using School Survey will be visible to jurisdictional administrators (if a schooling system or jurisdictional authority chooses to appoint one).
ACARA does not have access to data within the system.
The state and federal Freedom of Information and privacy provisions relevant to each sector and state/territory apply, together with any other generally applicable provisions.
Student items
1. My teachers expect me to do my best.
2. My teachers provide me with useful feedback about my school work.
3. Teachers at my school treat students fairly.
4. My school is well maintained.
5. I feel safe at my school.
6. I can talk to my teachers about my concerns.
7. Student behaviour is well managed at my school.
8. I like being at my school.
9. My school looks for ways to improve.
10. My school takes students’ opinions seriously
11. My teachers motivate me to learn.
12. My school gives me opportunities to do interesting things.
Parent items
1. Teachers at this school expect my child to do his or her best.
2. Teachers at this school provide my child with useful feedback about his or her school work.
3. Teachers at this school treat students fairly.
4. This school is well maintained.
5. My child feels safe at this school.
6. I can talk to my child’s teachers about my concerns.
7. Student behaviour is well managed at this school.
8. My child likes being at this school.
9. This school looks for ways to improve.
10. This school takes parents’ opinions seriously.
11. Teachers at this school motivate my child to learn.
12. My child is making good progress at this school.
13. My child's learning needs are being met at this school.
14. This school works with me to support my child's learning.