Holyoke Public Schools recently received results from its annual Panorama Culture and Climate Survey that gathers feedback from students, staff, and families. Survey results are an important source of data that HPS uses each year to continually improve as a district.
“There were several changes this year that make it more challenging to compare current survey results with results from prior years,” said Superintendent Anthony Soto, “including the district’s rezoning, the time of year when the survey was released, and a change in how Panorama phrased and organized some of the questions. But there is still a lot we learned from this year’s survey. I encourage you toreview the data for yourself so you can form your own conclusions.”
The 2023-24 survey was offered in November 2023. In prior school years, the survey had been offered in late winter.
Bright spots from the 2023-24 survey results include:
The move to distinct elementary schools is contributing to students and families feeling connected to and safe at school.
The large majority of students and families are motivated for children to do well in school.
Teachers are creating culturally responsive classroom environments.
Teachers and families communicate regularly about students’ progress.
Areas for improvement include:
More effectively supporting students’ social-emotional needs so they can better engage in learning and be respectful to teachers and peers.
Creating a more positive work environment for teachers and staff so they can be their best selves when supporting students. This includes creating a culture of more respectful student-to-teacher and student-to-student relationships and customized professional learning.
Examining the resources that schools need, particularly around technology and culturally responsive books and materials. HPS has made investments in these areas in the past, so the district needs to identify what more is needed and/or why investments aren’t having the intended impact.
“After reflecting on the survey results, we are committing or recommitting to a number of efforts to strengthen the experience of our students, teachers, staff, and families,” Superintendent Soto said. These include:
Continuing to build supportive school communities and strengthen school cultures so that every child can learn and all staff can teach and work in a safe, supportive, and productive environment. (More information is available here.)
Developing a teacher retention strategy. This work is in progress, and HPS expects to release a report by March.
Ensuring the school and district budgeting process determines the resource needs—particularly in the areas of materials, supplies, and technology—for students, teachers, and staff.
Ensuring that each school reviews and responds to their school-specific data in order to strengthen the culture and climate at their school.
More detailed information about the Panorama survey results are available on the district website.