How to assess student well-being using Making Caring Common's check-in survey
Whether students are learning remotely or in person, Making Caring Common's classroom check-in survey is a quick, easy tool for assessing student well-being.
What is the classroom check-in survey?
Our quick check-in survey gives educators a glimpse into key aspects of student well-being even when schools need to go remote. The survey asks students about how they’re feeling; any questions or concerns they have; and any support they might need. It also invites students to share ideas for further connecting with their teacher and with each other. The results of the survey can help educators identify students who may need additional support and can pinpoint the types of support that each student might need.
Developed by educators and researchers in MCC's Caring Schools Network, the survey is designed to be used in both virtual and in-person K-12 classrooms. You can view the survey as a Google Form and use our questions to create your own survey.
Benefits of the check-in survey
The survey can be used to assess student well-being in several ways. First, the questions on the survey can help educators identify students who may be struggling. Second, data from the survey can help educators create individualized support plans for students who need them or a well-being plan for a whole class. Finally, the survey can help educators track students' progress over time. This can be especially useful for schools that are unable to consistently meet with students in person.
Tips for using the survey
We recommend using the survey in classrooms, during advisory periods, or when students are at home. You can administer this survey once a week or even daily, and you can use the information you gather to support your students in ways that are meaningful them. Here are some ideas as you prepare to create and share a survey with students:
Ensure confidentiality by checking the settings on your digital form;
Let students know if the survey will be anonymous and how you plan to use the information you gather;
Follow up on the data you gather by sharing highlights and speaking one-on-one with students who need support. Some students may benefit from a quick conversation about how they’re feeling or things that are troubling them while other may want to speak with a counselor or other school adult for extra support.
Questions? Don’t hesitate to reach out to Glenn Manning, Sr. Project Manager for Caring Schools, at glenn_manning@gse.harvard.edu. You may also book a time to speak with Glenn by phone.
