cwC

March 17th, 2021

Dear Parent,

 

Beginning February 3, students and teachers across Illinois will have an opportunity to participate in the ninth annual statewide Illinois 5Essentials Survey. This survey is designed to generate a detailed picture of the inner workings of your child’s school. 

 

On behalf of the Illinois State Board of Education, the Illinois 5Essentials Survey will be administered online by UChicago Impact at the University of Chicago. The survey gathers data related to five indicators that can predict important student outcomes, including improved attendance and larger test score gains. These five indicators that affect and predict school success are:

 

·       Effective Leaders

·       Collaborative Teachers

·       Involved Families

·       Supportive Environments

·       Ambitious Instruction

 

Prior research in more than 400 schools has shown that schools that were strong on at least three of these “5Essential” indicators were 10 times more likely to improve student learning gains in math and reading than those that were weak on three or more Essentials. 

 

All teachers and 4thth through 12th-grade students will be responding to this survey. 5Essentials Reports will be generated for schools if their teachers and/or students meet the response rate threshold of 50 percent. These reports will be sent to schools and districts in May 2021 and will also be included in the State School Report Card. 

 

We are writing to inform you about the student survey that will be administered at your child’s school (Washington Attendance Center & Carmi-White County Jr./Sr. High) called the Illinois 5Essentials Survey. This is the ninth year the Illinois State Board of Education will implement this survey across the state. This survey is based on 20 years of research at the University of Chicago. It asks students about their experiences in school, giving school leaders critical student input to help develop school improvement plans. 

 

Student participants will be required to log-in using their state student ID and birth date in order to complete the survey. Students’ identities will be completely confidential. Teachers or administrators will never see individual responses to survey questions and will only receive aggregated information, such as the total percentage of students who agree homework assignments help them learn the course material.

 

Please be aware that under the Protection of Pupil Rights Act. 20 U.S.C. Section 1232(c) (1) (A), you have the right to review a copy of the questions asked of your student(s). Survey questions can be found on the Illinois 5Essentials Support Center (https://impactsurveyshelp.force.com/s/article/illinois-5essentials-survey-questions).

 

If you do not want your son or daughter to participate, please contact your respective school office.

 

Thank you for your cooperation,

Amy Atteberry- Principal- Washington Attendance Center

Bart King- Principal- Carmi-White County Jr. High School

Jarrod Newell- Principal- Carmi-White County High School