Thank you for your participation! More than 10,000 educators (75 percent) participated in the 2010 FCPS Working Conditions Survey which concluded on January 29th. Results are now available for the district as well as all schools in which at least 35 percent of educators responded. Click here to view the survey results.

A message from Dr. Dale: Understanding and Utilizing Working Conditions Survey Data

With the significant budget issues, why did FCPS conduct the survey?

Positive working conditions are essential to creating schools where teachers and administrators want to work and where students thrive, which makes the survey data especially important during this difficult time (click here to read teacher testimonials about using the 2008 FCPS WCS data). With concerns about employee morale, the survey data will provide schools and the district with valuable information about the extent to which educators have supportive school environments where they are valued, trusted, and have the time and ability to collaborate and improve instruction.

The second iteration of the survey was streamlined and the January survey window will ensure schools will receive their results back earlier and allow time for work with the data prior to the end of school year.

How will your school use the data?

While a district-level report showing correlations between working conditions and student achievement as well as teacher retention will be compiled, the success of the FCPS Working Conditions initiative depends on the extent to which school communities can use their data to inform real school improvement processes. Data about working conditions is not about accountability nor is it about any one individual. Working conditions are about schools, and it will take a community effort to improve.

Training and support for schools on how to interpret their school reports and on how to use the data will be provided when the survey results are available. Click here to see how schools used the 2008 FCPS WCS data for continuous improvement.

The New Teacher Center has created a resources page to help schools and communities engage in ongoing and meaningful conversations about potential strategies to improve teaching and learning conditions.

• New Teacher Center Resources
• Data Use Guide
• Facilitation Guide

The FCPS Working Conditions Survey is made possible in large part through a generous grant from the NEA, and in-kind support from the New Teacher Center.