Teachers Speak is a national survey funded by the U.S. Department of Education to collect critical information from teachers about professional development experiences, teacher perspectives, and classroom practices. The Nebraska Center for Research on Children, Youth, Families, and Schools, in collaboration with the Bureau of Sociological Research (BOSR), is gathering input from teachers across the United States about training opportunities and practices in content areas, including reading, science and math. The information collected from the Teachers Speak Survey will be used to characterize existing professional development experiences and to determine teachers’ perceived training needs. The Teachers Speak Survey presents a unique opportunity for kindergarten through fifth-grade teachers to provide relevant information that will be useful in informing policy and future professional development research and practice. All information collected from this survey is completely confidential and will not be used to evaluate specific schools or teachers in any way.

Your school was randomly selected out of all schools in the United States and the District of Columbia serving kindergarten through fifth grade. Teachers in selected schools have the unique opportunity to contribute information about their own experiences and beliefs, which will be used to inform future professional development research and practice for teachers.

COMING SOON! Return to this site in a couple months to find out what other elementary teachers across the United States said in response to survey items!

As a professional educator, the classroom teacher provides an excellent avenue for gathering and sharing insight about classroom practices and professional development. When the opportunity presents itself to share information and expertise, it should be expected that the classroom teacher complete surveys related to their craft. Certainly, they are in the best position to do so. This provides ways for them to share their thoughts and opinions and to benefit other teachers, students, and those who conduct educational research.

– Dr. Bob Michl, K-12 Principal of Freeman Public Schools