Survey: Reed district students feel safe at school but have stress, anxiety

Students at Bel Aire Elementary and Del Mar Middle schools largely feel respected and safe on campus, according to the results of a survey administered last fall. However, students who identify as LGBTQ+ said they typically feel less comfortable seeking out a trusted adult to talk about problems, and a significant number of middle-school students report that feelings of stress and anxiety, as well as their extracurricular commitments, make it hard for them to do their best in class.

Those were some of the key takeaways from the results of the YouthTruth Survey, which is given annually to Reed Union School District students in grades 3-8, as well as to staff and parents districtwide. The survey, which is administered in schools in some 39 states, aims to solicit feedback in several key areas, including engagement, culture, relationships and topics around diversity and inclusion. The student surveys also cover topics like academic challenge and belonging; the parent surveys seek additional feedback on school safety and communication; and the staff surveys ask additional questions about professional development and support.

In the Reed district, survey results are just one of the data points the district uses to track student progress and the overall culture of the district, said Ashley Williams, the district’s coordinator of special projects, in briefing the district board on the survey results at its March 21 meeting.

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