Pittsburgh Teaching and Learning Conditions Survey index

Congratulations to Conroy, Banksville, Greenfield, Phillips, Dilworth, Manchester, and Sunnyside, all of which have achieved a participation rate of 100% after the second week of the survey.

Over the past few years, we have seen first-hand how capturing input from every one of you working hard in our schools every day can lead to growth and change at the school and District-level. By participating in the annual Teaching and Learning Conditions (TLC) Survey, you have collectively created tools and enhanced systems to enable you and your colleagues to be even more effective and improve student outcomes. Not only are your school teams utilizing past survey results to create and implement action plans at a school-level but the following steps have been taken at the District level:

Creation of A Teacher’s Guide to Understanding, Preventing, and Responding to Bullying in response to concerns around Managing Student Conduct, to help teachers by providing strategies and resources to address negative student behavior before it escalates into bullying; a parent guide is also in the works.
Promising Practices Report showcasing best practices among schools in the District that have seen the greatest growth on the TLC survey and what specific actions these schools have taken to support this growth.
Collection of Best Practices in the TLE (http://www.pps.k12.pa.us/domain/317) and New Teacher Center (http://teachingconditions.org/constructs) resource libraries, highlighting expertise of staff across the District regarding strategies and resources being used to address areas of focus identified in the action plans.
Differentiated Support to Schools based upon school-level survey results, including: recommending areas of focus for all schools that did not achieve a positive teaching and learning environment; providing detailed feedback on each school’s action plan for improvement; site visits and/or phone calls for follow-up; and connecting schools with resources (e.g. personnel, best practices) to support plan implementation.

In partnership, the District and PFT are working again with the nationally recognized New Teacher Center to conduct this anonymous and confidential survey of all Pittsburgh teachers, school-based licensed professionals, and paraprofessionals. Last year among schools nationwide participating in the Teaching and Learning Conditions Survey, our final response rate was the highest at 94%. Our goal this year is 100%!

Hear from Pittsburgh Educators and Leadership about the Teaching and Learning Conditions Survey:

“We are committed to developing strong school cultures for both our students and you, our staff. Your participation in the Teaching and Learning Conditions Survey is one way we rely on you to tell us about our progress in your school. Thank you so much for taking the time to complete this survey!”—Dr. Linda Lane

“Our commitment to creating and improving the teaching and learning environment did not begin with the Empowering Effective Teachers plan. But, the current efforts to improve educational opportunities in Pittsburgh will not succeed without re-dedicating safe and orderly schools as a priority. I urge you to again participate in the Teaching and Learning Conditions survey. The information that you provide is essential to supporting the work that will lead to better outcomes for students.”—Nina Esposito-Visgitis

“The TLC survey provides our administrative team with valuable feedback to improve the teaching and learning conditions at our school. Authentic feedback from staff is an essential part in the school improvement process. It provides our school an opportunity to establish goals and develop a plan to reach those goals through a collaborative process.”—Principal Adam Sikorski

"The Teaching and Learning Conditions (TLC) Survey has helped teachers address the needs of the entire school community. By filling out the TLC survey, it begins the process to analyze what works and doesn’t work in a school climate/culture, and then gives us the foundation needed to address what components need to be managed differently by creating a plan of action. Teachers want and have a voice that needs to be heard, and by filling out the survey, it gives all stakeholders the opportunity to be truthful in a safe outlet."—Janet Zak, Teacher, Minadeo K-5