A message from K-12 Counseling Supervisor Kristen Connor…
Dear BCSD families:
This year, the Bethlehem Central School District began using a brief student survey to help the district better address social and emotional barriers to learning. We administered the first Pupil Attitudes to Self and School (PASS) survey last fall and will be administering the spring survey the week of May 15, 2023.
The purpose of the survey is to provide more consistent data about how students are feeling about themselves as learners and how they feel about school.
The online PASS survey will be administered to all students in grades K-12. Students at the high school will complete the survey on May 15 at school; at the middle school, the survey will be given on May 16. Elementary students will take the survey at different times between May 15-19. The survey takes approximately 15-20 minutes to complete.
The PASS survey asks students to reflect on their own skills and experiences in three areas: connectedness, self-efficacy and motivation. Specifically, students will be asked about their:
- Feelings about school
- Perceived learning capability
- Self-regard as a learner
- Preparedness for learning
- Attitudes toward teachers
- General work ethic
- Confidence in learning
- Attitudes toward attendance
- Responses to classroom curriculum
All of the above are factors that are critical to student success at school. Data from the survey will be used to: (1) provide teachers, administrators and counselors with an increased understanding of individual, classroom, school, and district needs, (2) identify students who might require or benefit from additional interventions or supports, (3) monitor progress and growth over time, (4) inform social-emotional learning programs and the district’s multi-tiered systems of support (MTSS), and (5) address equity issues.
The PASS data will only be accessible to administrators and counselors and individual student data would only be shared with teachers after a parent/guardian is notified. Student confidentiality will be protected and results will be maintained in secure files. The PASS survey meets the strict regulations set forth by New York state’s EdLaw 2-d rules regarding student data privacy and security.
If you have additional questions about the PASS survey or if you DO NOT wish for your child to participate in the PASS survey, please email me at kconnor@bethlehemschools.
Sincerely,
Kristen Connor, K-12 Counseling Supervisor