What is the Self-Study?

The School Improvement Self-Study is a user-friendly research-based data collection system. Developed and administered by the Center for Prevention Research and Development (CPRD) at the University of Illinois, the Self-Study consists of a set of surveys for middle school students, teachers, and principals. An additional survey is available for parents. These confidential and anonymous surveys ask about middle school classroom practices, integration of instruction and curricula, decision-making practices, parent and community involvement, climate and attitudes, professional development needs, educational expectations, school safety, and student well-being.

The Self-Study has these specific objectives:

• To help schools understand the relationship between the implementation
   of practices that are part of their school improvement plan and student
   success in their school.

• To provide schools with specific, reliable data on how the changes and
   practices targeted in their improvement plan are being implemented
   at the school, grade, and classroom levels.

• To provide schools, local and state agencies, and other policy makers with
   critical information on the value and impact of bringing the
   school improvement plan to life.