District unveils local climate survey and interim student assessments; results show mixed perceptions and early areas for improvement

Talbot County Public Schools staff presented a new local school‑climate survey and preliminary instructional assessment results during the Jan. 13 work session, saying the local instrument is intended to give building leaders more timely, actionable feedback than the state’s Maryland School Survey.

Supervisor of Data and Accountability Lee Neild told the board the Maryland School Survey is administered once per year and “we don’t get the results until the following school year,” and that the district therefore developed a condensed local climate survey mirroring MSDE domains so principals can act during the school year. The local instrument adds a neutral response option and aligns topics into four domains: community, environment, relationships and safety.

Why it matters: school‑climate results factor into where district leaders focus interventions for student engagement, attendance and safety; the district also uses interim academic screeners (MAP Growth and DIBELS) to identify students needing intervention earlier than statewide accountability data allows.

Survey design and early trends

- Design: Staff said the local survey replicates…