Joliet Township presents 5Essentials, Hanover survey results showing strengths in teacher–student trust and gaps in safety and communication

Principals Cara Parker, Chad Gallian and Diane McDonald presented the district’s results from the University of Chicago’s 5Essentials survey and a Hanover Research culture-and-climate review, saying the instruments are used to track school climate, safety and instructional conditions across Joliet Township High School District 204.

The presenters noted the 5Essentials is administered to teachers, students and parents and “is mandated by the state of Illinois” and contributes to the school report card. They said the survey counts toward the school’s summative designation (they cited a 6.67% contribution tied to participation rates), but that parent and student participation thresholds must be met for some measures to count. Presenters said parent response must meet a 20% participation threshold to be shared and student participation must reach 50% for certain report‑card calculations; district leaders said those thresholds have not been consistently met in recent years.

District staff highlighted…