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The Tennessee Conservative [By Paula Gomes] –
A letter sent to Jefferson County school parents reads:
“Your child’s school is conducting a survey about school climate and learning in school. The survey will help us create safe and supportive school environments that promote academic success. In prior years, schools have used this information to drive positive changes for student and staff culture. We are asking permission for your child to take the survey.
The survey is voluntary. The survey includes questions about student relationships with teachers, school principals, and other students; school safety, bullying and substance abuse; and school rules and the school environment. However, note that there is a delay between the administration of the survey and the analysis of the data so the TN School Climate Survey should not be viewed as a means of communicating health or safety risks. The survey is voluntary. Students who take the survey may skip any question they do not want to answer or may stop taking the survey at any time. Your child’s teacher will be there to help answer any question.
This survey is designed to be anonymous and your child will be asked not to provide their name or any identifying information. Any personnel who have access to the TN School Climate Survey data are required to maintain the confidentiality of these data.
This survey is sponsored by the Tennessee Department of Education. The survey will be administered to students online between March 11 – April 15, 2022. The survey will take about 15 – 20 minutes to complete. Please read the section below. If you do not want your child to participate in the survey, sign the form and return it to the school within three days. You may contact your child’s teacher or principal with any questions about the survey.“
At the bottom of the letter, is the handwritten request to have the letter signed and returned by Friday March 25th. A parent from Jefferson County said that their child was given the letter just two days before that deadline.
The Tennessee Conservative sent an Open Records Request to Jefferson County Schools on Friday asking to see sample questions that students will be asked on the survey, or a copy of the survey itself.
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According to a parent in Jefferson County, the content of the survey has not been made available to the public.
Concerned Jefferson County citizens say that getting information from the school system is being discouraged by the school board. In January the board requested that citizen records requests be tracked, a decision that some feel quells citizen participation.
Last week we reported on social emotional learning surveys being conducted in Hamilton County Schools.
According to a statement released by HCS, parents could complete an opt-out letter. However, parents were not provided with a list of survey questions or information regarding the level of access that people would have to the results of the survey.
Moms for Liberty (M4L) noted, “The district has confirmed that this data stays in the student’s permanent record. It is NOT confidential. Who has access to this data?”
HCS did provide results from the previous year’s surveys in response to a request from M4L. Students were asked questions in a variety of areas, including Emotion Regulation, Growth Mindset, and Social Awareness. Districts have the ability to customize questions that are asked of their students.
A companion Parent survey is available for Tennessee parents to complete.
About the Author: Paula Gomes is a Tennessee resident and reporter for The Tennessee Conservative. You can reach Paula at paula@tennesseeconservativenews.com.
