Surveys, Needs Assessments and Data... OH MY!

Often our student service programs and Technology Center guidance self-study goals create a need for data collection. Several counselors and career advisors have written goals this year which mention the need for a survey or some type of data to be collected. Surveys can assist us in collecting valuable perception data. Perception data is a way for us to hear the voice and story of our students. It can provide us with hard evidence about their attitude and beliefs, what they think they know and what they attained from our services. When we ask students about their experiences and attitude toward school we can begin to deliver an intentional guidance program and address the needs of our students.

 Making DATA Work an American School Counselor Association Publication describes

 four types of surveys for school counselors.

Pre and Post	These are surveys given before and after an intervention to measure the change in a student’s perception or knowledge gained.
Needs Assessment	Are given to students or stakeholders (teachers/instructors/parents) to gather their thoughts and opinions on student and program needs.
Evaluation	Given to the participants at the conclusion of a particular intervention or activity. Evaluation surveys are used to gain their opinions about the intervention or activity.
Opinion	Given to students or stakeholders to understand their perception of the school counseling program or school counseling activities.

By using surveys for perception data tools, we can show how student knowledge or behaviors were impacted or changed through a school counselor’s interventions. It’s extremely important when we implement interventions and conduct activities driven by smart goals, that we track perception data like the surveys mentioned above.

In the book, Dr. Kaffenberger and Young also share a few

tips to keep in mind when creating surveys.

·       Survey at the beginning (lesson, activity or school year) to assess knowledge and at the end to assess learning.  By doing this you will have perception data on; what they already know and how the program/ lesson benefited the students.

·       Have a clear purpose- What is it you want to learn, need to know or understand?

·       Keep it simple- one page, fewest possible questions.

·       Require an answer in parallel language. Do not mix positive and negative language.

o   I know how to solve problems.  

o   I am helpful.

o   I know what credits are required for HS graduation.

o   I have a graduation plan. 

·       Pre and post survey school counseling lessons, programs, small groups and workshops, then compare the results.

·       Ask one open-ended question.

Data is technically a four letter word, but it doesn’t have to be bad! It can help us address the needs of our students and improve our programs.