Learning Bar attends ETSB meeting to address student survey concerns

Last week two representatives from the Learning Bar, the New Brunswick company responsible for the Tell Them From Me (TTFM) survey, attended a meeting with parents and Eastern Townships School Board (ETSB) members.

For several years now, the ETSB has purchased the survey service, which assembles data collected anonymously from across the country for use in pedagogical planning as well as creating a safe and productive learning environment for students, based on the answers provided in the survey.

Due to concerns raised last year by the Galt governing board, use of the survey was suspended for this school year until a number of issues could be addressed regarding the content, the security of the data collected and the way the survey was being administered.

“I thought it was very productive,” said Ethan Young-lai, Chief Client Services Officer for the Learning Bar. “There were thoughtful questions and reasonable concerns,” he said, adding that he felt the meeting was more of an information session than a defense of the survey.

“In the absence of information, misconceptions arise,” Young-lai said, adding that he appreciated the

opportunity to explain the security features in place that protect the privacy and anonymity of the data collected.

One of the biggest concerns raised, according to Young-lai, was that parents felt left out of the process and not properly informed.

“I think they really turned a corner on being heard on that,” Young-lai commented.

“There were some great ideas,” he said, regarding what could be done to strengthen communication and ensure that students are aware that the survey is completely voluntary.

ETSB Chairman Mike Murray also believed the meeting was constructive.

“They (The Learning Bar) laid out the entire survey, its purpose, the mechanics of it, and the benefits,” Murray said, feeling everyone in attendance was satisfied.

“There seemed to be a broad consensus,” he commented, with the exception of one parent who Murray said “clearly wasn’t listening to what they were being told.”

The message received by the board, according to Murray, was that the survey was not the issue so much as the way it was being administered.

Parents were worried that it was not made clear to students that they were free to opt out of participating.

In a previous meeting, the board adopted a resolution to suspend the TTFM survey until May 4, after the meeting with parents and representatives from the Learning Bar.

When asked if they now intend to move forward with the survey, Murray said that even before the meeting, the board had decided not to rush to get it done by the end of the school year.

There are pedagogical advantages to administering the survey in the autumn, Murray added.

Murray said the board will spend the coming months to address any lingering concerns, and focus on the way the survey is implemented in ETSB schools.

“We acknowledge that we can do better,” Murray said, wanting parents and students to be at ease with the process.

Murray pointed out that the various committees involved in the TTFM discussion are consultative bodies. The decision regarding whether or not the survey will be used in ETSB schools ultimately lies with the board.

The Record contacted two parent commissioners for their perspective on the meeting, but they could not be reached over the weekend for comment.