NONACADEMIC TESTS, QUESTIONNAIRES, SURVEYS, AND EXAMS

USD 231 created this resource page per the requirements of Kansas House Bill 2567, Section 27, which took effect July 1, 2022.  This webpage hosts resource links to Nonacademic Tests, Questionnaires, Surveys, and Exams (NTQSE) that may be available to students. Parental consent is required for students to participate when these types of surveys or exams include questions about personal and private attitudes, values, and beliefs, as well as practices of the student, parents, guardians, family members, associates, friends, and/or peers. 

When administering NTQSE, the district will notify parents/guardians in writing no more than four months before administering the instrument. The notification will be sent to parents/guardians via email and will include a copy of the NTQSE. The notice will describe how the parent provides written consent, provide the name of the company or entity that produces or provides the survey, and explain how the data will be used.

The parent must “opt-in” with consent in writing or electronic signature for each NTQSE. The district will utilize electronic signatures through a secured Google form. The student may “opt-out” of the NTQSE and must be informed of this right. A copy of the NTQSE is available on this webpage (below).  

USD 231 embraces family engagement and transparency by asking parents to also "opt-in" their students for participation in other screeners and measures. Information related to other screeners and measures is on this webpage.

Panorama

Surveys
In the Fall of 2020, USD 231 Schools began using the Panorama survey to understand students’ experience in our schools better. This survey helps teachers, administrators, and counselors gauge student growth and understanding around social and emotional competencies, which contribute to academic success and increase engagement in the classroom.

Frequently Asked Questions about Panorama
Updated 10.31.2023

What is Panorama Education?
Panorama Education partners with K-12 schools and districts across the country to collect and analyze data about social-emotional learning and school climate. With research-backed surveys and a leading technology platform, Panorama helps educators act on data and improve student outcomes. Panorama supports more than 10 million students in 17,000 schools and 1,500 districts across 49 states. To learn more about Panorama Education, visit www.panoramaed.com

Where can I find the content of the survey for my student?
Full content proofs for each of the student surveys being used during this school year are available below: 

Student Supports and Environment_3-5.pdf

Student Competency Measures_3-5.pdf

Student Supports and Environment-6-12.pdf

Student Competency 6-12.pdf 

How was the survey developed?
The Panorama Student Survey was developed under the leadership of Dr. Hunter Gehlbach, Associate Professor at the University of California, Santa Barbara, and Director of Research at Panorama Education. The research team followed a rigorous survey development process that involved multiple rounds of piloting and refinement, following cognitive interviews with students, an extensive review of survey literature, and feedback from experts around the country. USD 231 was able to select specific topics and questions to address our target areas. 

What does the survey measure?
The Panorama Education survey is designed to capture students' voices and allow students to express their perspectives about teaching and learning, culture and climate, and their classroom experiences. The Student Supports and Environments portion of the survey allows students to offer feedback specifically about school safety, their sense of belonging, and teacher-student relationships. 

Are there questions included in the survey that ask about the mental health of my student?
No. Panorama survey content is not designed for nor should be used to identify students who require mental health or trauma treatment. The Panorama survey aims to help educators understand students’ general social-emotional needs and strengths. 

Research tells us that conditions for teaching and learning are extremely important for students to achieve academic success. Those include areas that we use Panorama to measure, for example:

  • How connected students feel at school (sense of belonging); 

  • Student’s ability to regulate their emotions (emotion regulation);

  • Student’s ability to persevere through challenges (grit and growth mindset);

  • Positive connections with teachers (teacher-student relationships);

  • How connected students feel to their peers (social awareness), and many more areas.  

When educators have access to this type of information about how students feel at their school, they are better able to make informed decisions about what they should and could target in order to increase students’ ability to achieve. 

What if I don’t want my student(s) to participate?
Families are notified before the Panorama Education survey's administration in various ways. The district sends notifications of the surveys through parent email and newsletters, as well as posting information on school and district websites. Parents/guardians are able to complete a brief opt-out form to exclude their child from participating during the current school year. Opt-out forms for the Panorama survey must only be completed once per school year. During enrollment, your family opted in or out for your student to complete the Panorama survey. Families who do not complete an opt-in or opt-out will not complete the survey.

Because the time needed to give the survey is brief, students who have opted out are given the opportunity to do other tasks (homework, study, reading on their own) while those who are participating complete the survey.

When will the survey be administered to students?
The fall survey window will run from Monday, September 25 to Friday, September 29, 2023, and Monday, December 4 to Friday, December 8, 2023. 

Will this impact my student’s grades if they don’t take the survey?
No. No credit or grade is given to students for participating or not participating. The survey is totally voluntary. There are no right or wrong responses. 

SURVEY LOGISTICS

How is the survey administered?
Students use an electronic device to access their unique and secure survey link. The survey is taken at school during the school day, under staff supervision.

How much time does the survey take to complete?
The survey is given twice during each school year, once in the fall and again in the spring. On average, it will take the following amount of time:

  • 3rd-5th: Two surveys, 47 questions, estimated time to complete 20 minutes.

  • 6th-12th: Two surveys, 65 questions, estimated time to complete 22 minutes. 

RESULTS

Are students’ responses anonymous?
Student responses to the survey items are anonymous. 

What does USD 231 do with the information provided by the surveys?
The primary purpose of the survey is to understand students’ perspectives. District leadership, school administrators, and staff review the overview data to understand areas of strength and growth opportunities to serve students better and provide targeted instruction and support. 

Where can I find Panorama’s Privacy Policy?
Panorama’s full Privacy Policy can be accessed publicly through Panorama’s website. 

PERSONAL INFORMATION AND DATA

What does Panorama do with students’ data?
Panorama only uses student data for the purpose of serving schools and districts. Panorama does not collect personal information from students unless they are performing services for the school or district pursuant to a written contract. The collection and use of students' personal information are governed by schools and districts and applicable laws. Panorama also does not market, sell, or rent any student's personal information, nor does it engage in, inform, influence, or enable student advertising. 

How does Panorama keep students’ data safe?
Panorama follows best practices for data privacy and security. The company implements administrative, technical, and physical security controls designed to protect information stored on its servers, which are located in the United States. Panorama does not use student data for purposes other than serving schools and districts and cannot share any education or student information unless authorized by the school or district or under applicable law.

What kinds of student data does Panorama collect?
Panorama only collects student data when performing services for the school or district pursuant to a written contract, and Panorama only uses student data to serve schools and districts. 

Does Panorama engage in data mining?
Panorama’s products enable educators to gain insights from their students’ data to understand better and support them. Panorama does not market, sell, or rent any student's personal information. Panorama does not engage in, inform, influence, or enable advertising to students. Panorama does not collect information from students unless they are performing services for their school or district pursuant to a written contract. Panorama cannot share any education or student information unless authorized by the school or district or under applicable law.

Does Panorama share student data with Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, or other social media companies?
No, absolutely not. Panorama only uses student data for the purpose of serving schools and districts.

QUESTIONS
Please contact Dr. Daniel T. Pollitt, Coordinator of Social-Emotional Learning at pollittd@usd231.com or (913) 856-2033.