Using Student Surveys: Research Findings and

Implications for Teaching and Learning

March 6, 2014

@AYPF_Tweets

How Kids Can Help Adults Increase Effective Teaching through

Tripod Student SurveysRonald F. Ferguson, PhD

Tripod Project for School Improvementand Harvard University

Presentation for the American Youth Policy Forum, December 6th, 2013

The Tripod Project is a partnership between the presenter and Cambridge Education LLC, of Westwood, MA. www.tripodproject.org

To support improvement, classroom-level student perspectives can inform

the work of:TeachersSchool and district administratorsCoaches and mentorsHigher education institutions

Origins & Evolution

of the Tripod Project

For School Improvement

Tripod Survey Versions(Online or on paper, multiple languages,

refined implementation supports.Over 1 million student surveyed in 2013.)

Grades K-2• Fewer Questions• Fewer Choices• Administered to

Smaller Groups• Proctor and Small

Groups Needed

Grades 3-5• Shorter than the

Secondary Version• Uses More

Simplistic Language

Grades 6-12• Designed for older

students• Includes More

Items

Commitment to provide formative Tripod Polls to supplement formal survey assessments.

Central Importance of

the Framework:Student

perspectives in a conceptual

context that has action

implications.

Tripod Student Engagement Targets

1. Trust: Feelings of Safety and Belonging

2. Cooperation: Respectful, On-Task Behavior

3. Ambitiousness: High Goals (Intentions)

4. Diligence: High Effort, Persistence, Resilience (Action)

5. Satisfaction: Sense of Success, Efficacy & Optimism

How to improve student engagement and learning?

Patterns in student responses and

achievement data have helped us

understand that one way is to,

“Get better on the Tripod 7Cs.”

Components of the Tripod 7Cs FrameworkWhat Teachers Do (What Students Experience)

1. Care about students (Encouragement and Emotional Support)

2. Captivate students (Learning seems Interesting and Relevant

3. Confer with students (Students Sense their Ideas are Respected)

4. Clarify lessons (Success Seems Feasible)

5. Consolidate knowledge (Ideas get Connected and Integrated)

6. Challenge students (Press for Effort, Perseverance and Rigor)

7. Control behavior (Culture of Cooperation and Peer Support)

SUPPORT

PRESSWhich do you anticipate is the strongest

predictor of value-added test score gains?

10

Clarify• My teacher knows when the class

understands, and when we do not.• In this class, we learn to correct our

mistakes.

Sample Survey Items

Challenge

Control

Care

Confer

Captivate

Clarify

Consolidate