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TELL Mass survey will reveal teachers' perspectives on schools

Date: 4/9/2012

April 9, 2012

By Chris Maza

chrism@thereminder.com

LONGMEADOW — Educators in the Longmeadow Public Schools recently received the opportunity to provide feedback on how they feel the district fares in teaching its children.

On March 12, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education launched the Teaching, Empowering, Leading and Learning in Massachusetts (TELL Mass) survey an online questionnaire giving school department employees the chance to give their perspective on the working conditions of the schools, including instructional practices, allotted time for learning, supplies, facilities, resources and community support.

Participation in the survey, which was funded through the DESE's Race to the Top grant, was voluntary and confidential.

"We know that positive teaching and learning conditions are critical to meeting high standards and expectations, improving student performance and recruiting and retaining educators," DESE Commissioner Mitchell Chester said. "The TELL Mass survey will help us to ensure that educators have the time, tools and supports necessary to be effective in their classrooms and schools."

The survey, which took 20 to 30 minutes to complete, according to the DESE, was available to teachers until April 6. Longmeadow Public Schools Superintendent Marie Doyle said she was eager to see the results.

"The TELL Mass survey will give our district feedback on whether or not we're fostering a positive learning environment for our children," she said. "That information is very important to ensuring our students are learning at the highest level possible."

Doyle added that the district will take the information into consideration when implementing any changes.

She also said that once the results come in, she would be happy to share the results with the public. Results will also be posted on the TELL Mass website — www.tellmass.org — in July, according to the DESE.

"I think the parents have the right to know," she said. "This information can help parents understand what is going on in our schools and we can use the survey to determine what courses of action we wish to pursue going forward."



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