State asks teachers for their opinion on what needs to be done to improve schools

Tennessee’s teachers now have the opportunity to tell education leaders what's needed to improve their schools.The Tennessee Department of Education (TDOE) launched its annual Tennessee Educator Survey in partnership Monday with Tennessee Education Research Alliance (TERA) at Vanderbilt University. Tennessee educators, administrators,and certified school staff are encouraged to take part in this survey to provide their voice and guide decisions at the state, district, and local school levels.“The Tennessee Educator Survey is one of the department’s main ways to collect feedback on the state of education from those who have a direct hand in instructing and supporting Tennessee students each and every day,” said Tennessee Department of Education Commissioner Penny Schwinn. “Teacher participation is highly encouraged to provide essential, actionable data that influences strategies and goals to improve schools and highlight successes in the classroom.”The survey addresses key topics that help shape future policy and decision making, such as student readiness, specific state initiatives, instructional practice and more. While the survey is voluntary, higher participation by teachers in a school district will provide its leaders with additional information.If a district has over 45% participation, it will receive localized information to assist in making informed decisions.“The Tennessee Educator Survey is a tool that Bedford County Schools uses to reflect on our district and our schools’ climate, instructional practices, and professional learning,” said Dr. Tammy Garrett, Director of Schools, Bedford County Schools. “With these survey results in hand, school and county leaders determine areas of strength and opportunities for improvement, while keeping educator experiences at the forefront of the process. A teacher’s voice is important, and we encourage participation in this survey annually because we value an environment in which teachers desire to be and are able to develop the capacity to be the best educators possible for our students.”Last year 51% of eligible educators took part in the survey. Schools with strong participation are also eligible for six staff appreciation grants of up to $5,000.Eligible staff should receive an email with survey details and a personalized invitation link to participate. The survey is now open and closes on April 14.