15 Survey Questions to Ask About Learning Recovery in Your District

With the release of the latest report from the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), conversations about learning loss and learning recovery are everywhere right now. The report showed severe declines in literacy and math scores among students in grades 4 and 8 across the United States:

• The average math score for 4th graders fell 5 points since 2019, while the score for 8th graders dipped 8 points.
• In reading, average scores decreased by 3 points in both grades compared to 2019.

As you refine your school or district’s learning recovery plans to meet this challenge, consider conducting a survey to gather feedback from students, families, and teachers.

• Students: It might sound obvious, but students have firsthand knowledge and understanding of their own journey to learning recovery. Elevating student voice enables educators to gain insight into how students are feeling about their learning and to ensure their needs are being met.
• Families: When families are engaged in school, their students are more likely to succeed. By engaging families in the learning recovery journey, school districts can help make parents and caregivers partners in their child’s education.
• Teachers and staff: When teachers and staff feel supported, empowered, and trusted by school leadership, they are able to create the conditions that lead to students’ academic, social, and emotional development.

While strategies vary, understanding student, teacher, and family voice in the learning recovery journey can be a powerful way to meet this moment. If you’re conducting a student, teacher, or family survey to address learning recovery, here are 15 questions to consider including.

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15 Questions to Ask About Learning Recovery

Questions for Students 

• How confident are you about learning what you need to learn this school year?
• What is one thing your school did to support your learning in the past that you would like to see again? 
• This school year, are you worried about being able to focus in class?
• How excited are you to learn this school year?
• What additional help do you need to be successful this year?

Questions for Families 

• Overall, how much did your child learn last school year? 
• How confident are you about your child’s ability to learn this school year?
• How concerned are you about your child’s interest in their classes this school year? 
• How much support from the school does your child need to be successful with learning recovery?
• How well do the resources at your child’s school meet the needs of learning recovery?

Questions for Teachers and Staff 

• How concerned are you about your students’ engagement in your classes this school year? 
• How concerned are you about your students’ emotional well-being this school year?
• How much support do you need to implement effective learning recovery?
• How much support are you receiving in implementing effective learning recovery? 
• What support(s) do you need most to be successful this school year?
  
  

Key Takeaways & Next Steps for District Leaders

Understanding student, family, and educator voice matters when it comes to learning recovery—and to each child’s entire educational journey. Consider conducting bi-annual, district-wide online surveys to collect robust data that can elevate voices and experiences. 

Your school or district can use survey data to take meaningful action to address learning recovery—for example, by providing stronger academic interventions or identifying and addressing gaps in communication with parents and caregivers. Understanding and elevating student, family, and educator voice can be the springboard to learning recovery by building lasting partnerships that contribute to student success.

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