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District presents YouthTruth survey: safety, engagement mixed by grade level; family participation low
Summary
District staff presented YouthTruth survey results (December 2025 benchmarking) showing gains in perceived school safety across groups, high elementary engagement percent-positive (86%) but lower national percentile, and low family participation (about 13–22%). Trustees asked how representative the sample is and how the data will guide LCAP and school plans.
District staff presented findings from the YouthTruth survey administered in December 2025 and explained how the results will inform site plans and the district’s LCAP refresh. The presentation emphasized two reporting methods—percent positive and percentile-benchmarked average ratings—and highlighted areas of improvement and remaining challenges across elementary, middle and high school levels.
At the elementary level, staff reported an 86% percent-positive rate on engagement questions but cautioned that percentile rankings versus national benchmarks remained lower; staff noted most elementary themes showed slight positive shifts since 2023. Middle school results showed larger gains in relationships and school safety (double-digit percentage point increases), while high school staff results included mixed signals with some negative changes around professional development and support.
The presenters said some changes were statistically significant and explained that significance testing (p-value and effect size) supported interpreting certain gains—staff noted increases in school safety across students, staff and families (students +4 percentage points; staff +6; families +7) as an example of concerted district efforts producing measurable improvement.
Trustees focused on family participation, which the presentation listed at about 13% for families overall and 22% at other levels; board members asked whether the sample is representative and how to increase family participation. Presenters recommended principals use school-level reports to start focused conversations (PTOs, site councils, DELAC) and use the district data to guide targeted follow-ups. Staff said principals and school leadership will incorporate YouthTruth findings into site plans and the district will use the data in strategic-plan refresh work.
Board members also asked technical questions about cohort comparisons (whether the same students/families responded across years) and how the district might disaggregate results by demographics to test representativeness. Staff said participation demographics could be pulled and that the district would explore benchmarks and family engagement goals going forward.
No formal action was taken; the presentation will inform next steps at the school and district level.
