Grande Prairie, AB – A quality education goes beyond grades, supporting students’ success as they explore their talents and abilities. Great schools are caring, secure and encourage family involvement. This week, Alberta Education began mailing the annual Accountability Pillar Survey to homes. Peace Wapiti Public School Division (PWPSD) asks families to add their voice to the future of education by returning completed surveys in the enclosed postage-paid envelope by February 22, 2019. New this year is an online option for parent surveys.

Surveys are anonymous and ask questions designed to provide feedback on student learning opportunities; the safe and caring school environment; student learning achievement; student preparation for lifelong learning, world of work, and citizenship; parental involvement; and the school improvement process.

In larger schools, the survey will be open to all teachers, and Grades 4, 7 and 10 students and their parents. Students and teachers will complete an online survey at school. Parents can expect to receive their mailed surveys by mid-January, which will also include a link to the new online survey option. Schools with fewer than 120 students will see the survey expanded to include all students in Grade 4 and above, and their parents.

Superintendent Bob Stewart says it is very important for parents to complete all questions in the survey.

“We want to hear from as many parents as possible on how our schools are performing,” adds Mr. Stewart. “Parents have an opportunity to influence their child’s education simply by completing the survey by February 22nd. If parents are unsure of what is being asked in any part of the survey, it’s best to contact their child’s Principal for clarification. Skipping sections or selecting the “Don’t Know” response will impact our understanding of how we are doing in those areas.”

Parents can learn more about programs and initiatives offered by their child’s school by reading the Accountability Pillar Survey information sheet included in school newsletters or sent home in students’ backpacks.

Once Alberta Education gathers and analyzes surveys, the results will be made available to school divisions in May. The easy-to-read colour-coded results chart is included in PWPSD’s annual Three-Year Education Plan and the Annual Education Results Report.

For more information about the Accountability Pillar Survey, visit www.education.alberta.ca

Information provided by the Peace Wapiti Public School Division.