The COVID-19 outbreak has taken a toll on everyone’s lives and affected the format of student learning across the United States. As a result of school closures and social distancing requirements, students are now finishing their fourth quarter online through school and video call platforms such as Canvas and Zoom. 

The Broward County School Board has sent out a survey seeking opinions on how people feel about distance learning. The survey was created in order to give the district insight on how families feel about the distance learning process and how it is being handled by the county. It is also being utilized to check up on families and evaluate their feelings toward the school closures. 

This survey is to be completed by students in grades 6-12, parents/guardians of these enrolled students and any school-based instructional or support staff member in a district school for grades Pre-K to 12th grade. 

“The information placed in the survey seems to be a ‘show piece’ [and it] probably won’t [prompt] many changes as far as I’m concerned,” Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School English teacher Theresa Bennett said. “The students know they only have to complete a few more weeks of school, they don’t need an incentive in order to succeed.”

This survey can be found on the Canvas portal, on the Broward Schools official website or through the direct site. Parents should complete the survey one time for the school that their child attends. If they have multiple students from different schools, they are welcome to complete it for each school their students are enrolled in.

It is encouraged that everyone participates in the survey as it is to be completed by Thursday, May 14. It is available to be taken in multiple languages including English, Spanish, Portuguese or Haitian-Creole. 

“BCPS received more than 65,000 survey responses. As we review the results, we expect to understand how students access distance learning, their level of engagement and the overall perception on the quality of our curriculum and instruction. We will use the survey input to make the system better,” Broward County School Board member Lori Alhadeff said. 

The survey includes 28 questions, such as “How confident are you that you can complete all of your schoolwork this week?” and “Would you like to talk privately with a teacher, counselor, or another adult from school about your well-being, academics, mental health or anything else?” 

The district is aiming towards creating specialized programs based on the students’ answers.

“The survey allowed me to freely express my opinions and concerns,” senior Rebecca Toms said. “Distance learning is hard sometimes for me but I am slowly getting used to it.”

The answers students provide are strictly anonymous so they are encouraged to answer with complete honesty regarding their feelings and concerns. However, if the student is seeking help or support from officials, their information is requested.

“I continue to do my part in social distancing by staying isolated,” freshman Emma Betancourt said. ”I thought the survey was really in depth and useful, hopefully our input will be used.”

This survey has given Broward County families the ability to voice their opinions and give insight about their feelings towards distance learning. 

“Distance learning lacks face-to-face interactions with teachers and peers, but it provides a vehicle to continue delivering high-quality instruction through these challenging times. I’m proud of the work done with my colleagues on the School Board to support the mental health needs of the community, which was a large focus of this survey,” Broward County School Board Member Lori Alhadeff said.