HKPBSD 2018 Student Climate and Mindset Survey Report

Background Information:

This report presents the results of a survey administered by Hanover Research (Hanover) on behalf of Kenai Peninsula Borough School District (KPBSD). Hanover administered the survey to students in Grades 3-12 throughout the district during the month of February, 2018. The survey seeks to create an index for Grades 3-12 students measuring the district’s student climate, culture, and mindset in specific topic areas by grouping batteries of related items together in a scale. These scales/topic areas are:

Scale 1: Community and Connectedness

Scale 2: School Climate

Scale 3: Social-Emotional Learning

Scale 4: Student Mindset

Scale 5: Instructional Depth (Grades 6-12 only)

Sample Size: A total of 3,680 students took the survey (1,387 students in grades 3-5 and 2,293 students in grades 6-12).

The Key Findings from the Survey:

• Grade 6-12 students indicate that they feel connected to their community. Over 70 percent of students state that they care about their community (86%) and think it is important to participate in community service (74%). Furthermore, 65 percent of students believe that they personally can make a difference in their community.
• Grade 6-12 students' schools and teachers provide a welcoming and encouraging environment for students. At least 75 percent of students agree that they care about their school (78%), that their school is a welcoming place (75%), that they feel safe at school (75%), that adults treat students with respect (75%), and that students are encouraged to do their best at school (82%). Moreover, most students indicate that teachers are fair (70%), that teachers care about students’ health and well-being (79%), and at least one teacher makes them excited about the future (81%).
• While most Grade 6-12 students note camaraderie with fellow students, this is a potential area for improvement. Only 55 percent of students agree that when students see another student being picked on, they try to stop it or students in their school help each other, even if they are not friends. Furthermore, only 64 percent of students state that students at their school treat them with respect. Conversely, over 75 percent of students indicate that they can work in a team with other students (76%), get along with students that are different (81%), recognize and compliment others' accomplishments (82%), and respect other people's opinions, even if they are different (83%).
• Grade 6-12 students indicate that they are goal-oriented and have a positive outlook on their future. At least 75 percent of students agree that they can excel in their classes (75%), have a great future ahead of them (75%), have goals for the school year (79%), have goals for the future (85%), and work hard to achieve their goals (83%).

Additionally, based on the survey results, Hanover recommends KPBSD explore the following:

• Investigate school policies that promote community and connectedness between students and staff. Students note that principals do not frequently ask them about their own ideas. Furthermore, only half of students indicate that it is easy to talk to adults at this school about things that are bothering them.
• Consider programs to foster growth mindset to improve students’ confidence and ability to learn. Only 42 to 66 percent of students disagree with the statements "Challenging myself won't make me any smarter" (66%), "If I am not naturally smart in a subject, I will never do well in it" (63%), "My intelligence is something that I can't change very much" (51%), and "There are some things I am not capable of learning".
• Institute programs that help teach students how to remain calm under stress and describe their feelings. Students reported the lowest scores on these two items for social-emotional learning with only 63 percent of students indicating that they can remain calm even when under stress and 52 percent indicating that they can clearly describe their feelings.