Student survey results, not good

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) - Students presented the results of their extensive survey of conditions inside the classroom. From hands on learning to how well teachers explain homework assignments.

So did schools get passing grades?

More than a thousand students conducted the survey and nearly 150 teachers participated. There were 17 focus groups involving curriculum and school climate.

The goal is to use the data to create better education reform and what better way to achieve that then finding solutions to real problems that students face.

Since its founding in 2006 young voices has enabled students to create policy agendas and action plans for improving the quality of life for young people in Rhode Island.

Results from last year's survey are in and in general, student experience in the classroom is not positive. Students often feel teachers do not explain information clearly, or give them the help they need when they ask for it.

Hands-on learning and connecting learning to real-life experience is rare. Data also reveals that 44 percent of teachers make comments that students find discouraging.

But it wasn't all negative. The data indicated that there are, in every school, effective teachers who are skilled in their craft and are dedicated to student learning.

And youth at schools with fewer students consistently reported a higher level of satisfaction in all categories. Results from the teacher survey shows both teachers and students recognized that student disruption undermines the learning process.

The findings also show teachers do not have access to supplies to design hands-on learning experiences. During upcoming forums, students will make sure their voices are heard by government leaders, school administration and educators.
 

Student Survey Results:

In general, student experience in the classroom is not positive:
-Survey results indicated that students often feel teachers do not explain information clearly, or give them the help they need when they ask for it.
- Hands-on learning and connecting learning to real-life experience is rare. Use of “dittos” and students reading on their own with the textbook is prevalent.
- Focus group data also revealed that teachers make comments that students find discouraging.

There were exceptions to these findings:
- Focus groups indicated that there are, in every school, effective teachers who are skilled in their craft and dedicated to student learning.
- Youth at schools with fewer students consistently reported a higher level of satisfaction in all categories, including: receiving help; teachers being encouraging and more hands-on learning. The smaller schools in this study included Cooley, Hope, E3, and Times2, all of which are part of a “reform agenda” of Providence Schools