School Environment Matters: Flossmoor School District 161 Administers the Illinois 5Essentials Survey

Flossmoor School District 161 will join the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) in the eleventh statewide survey of school climate and learning conditions. The survey provides a unique opportunity for students, teachers, and parents to have a voice in improving their schools. From January 24 through March 31, students and teachers will be asked to take a 25-minute research-based survey to help identify strengths and weaknesses in their school’s learning environment. The parent survey supplement will also be administered during the same survey window. These surveys will serve as an opportunity for schools to reflect on progress since the last statewide implementation.

The survey provides a comprehensive picture of a school’s organizational culture in an individualized report measuring five “essentials” critical for school success:

Effective Leaders
Collaborative Teachers
Involved Families
Supportive Environment
Ambitious Instruction

Flossmoor School District has consistently participated in the statewide 5Essentials Survey and is opting to administer the survey to teachers and students again this year to continue tracking and informing progress.

On behalf of the Illinois State Board of Education, UChicago Impact is providing Illinois 5Essentials to schools statewide. Teachers, students, and parents may complete the Illinois 5Essentials Survey online.