District unveils revised student-engagement survey and implementation plan for WeLearn goals

District leaders presented the WeLearn foundation goal focused on student engagement and learning experience, explaining that this year the district will establish a baseline for students’ reported engagement while implementing three Danielson-framework components (knowing students, engaging students, and documenting progress).

Melanie McGee, director of strategic initiatives, said the revision of the student survey was driven by student input gathered through partnerships with student groups and community organizations. Student intern Stella Liu described the feedback process, which included student-centered outreach and staff review before the survey is finalized and administered in 2026.

Instructional-technology curriculum leaders described concrete school-level implementations: Chinook’s integration of Character Strong lessons and a student-run “Winter Olympics” kindness campaign that earned more than 10,000 participation points in January; Tye and Tillicum professional-development arcs focused on Danielson components; and student leadership programs that took classroom work into community outreach.

Board members asked how the district will move from annual snapshots to leading indicators, how to track chronically disengaged students, and how to ensure these practices are sustainable without large new investments. Directors asked for clarity on measurement, whether the same groups are persistently unengaged, and how to link student survey data to timely feedback and instructional supports.

What’s next: The district will finalize the survey and begin baseline administration in 2026 and return to the board with leading-indicator proposals and plans for teacher capacity building and measurement.