BYU Surveys SJHS Students

Early this April during their English classes, students at Springville Junior High took an online survey in the computer labs about their school.  The survey was created by Dr. Erin Whiting, a professor of Teacher Education and Multicultural and Inclusive Education at BYU.  Dr. Whiting met with the SJHS administration, counselors, and Ms. Miley, an SJHS English teacher, last summer to see what kind of information they were interested in learning about SJHS students.  Based on those conversations, Dr. Whiting assembled the survey for students to take.  “The purpose [of the survey] was to gather information about how students are connecting with the school,” said Mr. Van Ausdal, principal at SJHS.

The survey, though, will be able to serve more than one purpose.  In fact, the survey might play an important role in the changing of things at SJHS.  “When we get this kind of data, we get a more clear understanding of how students feel,” said Mr. Van Ausdal.  “Then, we can adjust our programs to meet students’ needs.”  

According to Dr. Whiting, she lives very close to Springville Junior High, and is looking forward to when her own children will attend SJHS.  All in all, the survey shows how much the teachers, counselors, and administration care about Springville Junior High and its students.  “As a research team, we hope that we will be able to better understand the dynamics of the school, as well as find ways that we can support students, and make SJHS an even better place for all students,” said Dr. Whiting.