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Beginning February 4, parents and students (grades 4-12) across Illinois will have an opportunity to participate in the annual statewide Illinois 5Essentials Survey. This survey is designed to generate a detailed picture of the inner workings of your schools. As a parent, this opportunity will allow you to share your thoughts on the important elements of school effectiveness in a survey about your child’s school.

On behalf of the Illinois State Board of Education, the Illinois 5Essentials Survey is administered online by UChicago Impact at the University of Chicago. The survey gathers data related to five indicators that can predict important student outcomes, including improved attendance and larger test score gains. These five indicators that affect and predict school success: effective leaders, collaborative teachers, involved families, supportive environments, and ambitious instruction.

Prior research in more than 400 schools has shown that schools that were strong on at least three of these “5Essential” indicators were 10 times more likely to improve student learning gains in math and reading than those that were weak on three or more Essentials.

If at least 20 percent of Mt. Pulaski CUD #23 parents complete this survey, a parent supplement will also be generated. The parent data will not be reported on the State Report Card. Your participation in the parent portion of the survey will help us understand the conditions at your child’s school and guide improvement. Your identity and survey responses will be kept completely confidential and will never be connected to you or your child. 

The student portion of the survey is given to all students in grades 4 through 12. If you do not want your student to participate in the survey, please email an "opt out" notice to their school principal as follows:

    MPGS: dlora@mtpulaski.k12.il.us

    MPHS:  tmorgan@mtpulaski.k12.il.us

The Illinois 5Essentials Survey will be conducted through April 2, 2021Once the survey is available, a link will be sent to you.

For more information about the Illinois 5Essentials Survey, or to view previous years’ Reports, please visit https://illinois.5-essentials.org. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact 5Essentials Client Services at 1-866-440-1874 or 5essentials@uchicago.edu.