Methuen students completed climate survey at high rates; district highlights strengths, flags bullying in some grades

Dr. Galovsky, who led the presentation for Methuen Public Schools, told the school committee Tuesday that 93% of district students opted to take the VOCAL school climate survey in 2024, compared with a 73% state participation rate.

The data provide a snapshot of student perceptions of engagement, safety and environment. "Participation is really high," Dr. Galovsky said, and the district’s scores were “near, above, or on par with the state in most of these areas.” The district was at 50 on the participation index versus a state score of 51; the district’s bullying index was 44 versus the state’s 46; and the instructional-environment index was 50 versus the state’s 51.

Why it matters: The VOCAL instrument is intended to measure student engagement, safety and learning environment and is administered as part of the spring MCAS cycle. Committee members said the…