I think it is interesting how often I encounter surveys.

After I visit the doctor, I get a survey in the mail asking me about the care I received.

In airports, I notice survey buttons asking consumers to rate the cleanliness of the bathrooms.

When I make an online purchase, I am immediately presented with a survey, asking me how I felt about the website and checkout process. I am given ample opportunity to rate the products and the performance of the customer service representative. If I am unhappy with the product or the service, I am given the opportunity to return the product.

When I want to purchase something, I consider the customer reviews. I want to know how others feel about the product before I waste my time or money on something that is not valuable.

Businesses depend on customer satisfaction. Businesses that succeed know how their customers feel about their product and they make changes based on customer reviews.

The education system is a business. We, the taxpayers, pay for the product (education) and our children are the consumers. The students should regularly be asked (surveyed) how they feel about the education they receive. They should have ample opportunity to leave feedback and reviews. The schools and educators, in turn, should use those reviews to replicate successes and make changes accordingly.

This spring, our students will be surveyed. These reviews not only have the potential to help schools and educators improve, it can also greatly benefit other consumers. If families have access to the reviews, the results will help them make more informed decisions about the schools available to their children.  

In a recent article, lawmakers and educators debated the value of a student survey and the choice of vendors for the survey. I know a lot of elementary through high school age kids, and I believe they will be honest when surveyed about their teachers and schools.

We all can improve, and feedback makes that possible. I am looking forward to the student survey. If our schools and educators use this survey to look for strengths, then our teachers and schools can model that success. If they use the survey to pinpoint the weakness or flaws in education, then change and improvement becomes possible.

This survey has the potential to make education in Idaho better for everyone.

How do you think the student survey will benefit Idaho’s education system?