As we gear up for the new school year, it’s a prime time to think about how we connect with our students, families, and staff. One crucial aspect of building a strong educational environment is gathering feedback and using it effectively. That’s where Parsec Real comes in—a tool designed to help schools create a continuous feedback loop that not only collects data but also fosters trust and drives meaningful change.
Asking the Right Questions
In our most recent Back to School webinar, we delved into the importance of asking the right questions. What questions do you typically ask your students? Some of our participants shared that they ask about career goals, wellness, and school culture. But it’s not just about asking questions—it’s about how we ask them. For instance, combining quantitative methods like Likert scales with qualitative follow-ups can provide a fuller picture of what our students are experiencing.
One key takeaway was the power of understanding the “why” behind the responses. It’s one thing for a student to say they feel safe at school, but it’s another to know that their sense of safety comes from having a school resource officer who cares about restorative practices. This depth of understanding can shape how we support our students moving forward.
Overcoming Barriers to Feedback
However, it’s not always easy to ask the questions we need answers to. Sometimes, resources are limited, and we’re hesitant to ask questions that might uncover needs we can’t immediately address. But as challenging as it may be, it’s crucial to bring awareness to these issues. When we ask difficult questions, we must be prepared to respond—even if it’s just acknowledging the concern and explaining what we’re trying to do about it. Want to see some examples of questions? Download our Back-to-School questions now.
Leveraging Technology for Better Feedback
This is where Parsec Real can make a significant difference. Our platform allows schools to collect qualitative feedback quickly and at scale, leveraging technology to analyze and respond to student, parent, and staff input effectively. The tool supports multiple formats—text, audio, and video—across English and Spanish, making it accessible to a broader audience.
One of the strengths of Parsec Real is that it allows respondents to communicate in the way that feels most natural to them. Instead of relying solely on long Likert scale surveys, which can lead to fatigue and lower-quality responses, Parsec Real enables more dynamic and authentic feedback. It also provides transcripts and themes from the responses, helping you identify common threads and make informed decisions.
Building a Continuous Feedback Loop
At the heart of our approach is creating a continuous feedback loop. This loop isn’t just about collecting data once and moving on—it’s about maintaining an ongoing dialogue with your community. When you ask for feedback, act on it, and then communicate those actions back to your students, families, and staff, you build trust and encourage more open communication in the future.
For example, one of our users shared a story about how responding to just eight parents’ feedback led to a much higher response rate in future surveys. By showing that their voices were heard and that their input led to tangible actions, the school fostered a stronger connection with its community.
Starting the School Year Strong
As you prepare for the upcoming school year, consider using Parsec Real to start building that feedback loop from day one. Ask questions that get to the heart of what matters, identify immediate needs, and set the tone for continuous improvement. Whether you’re asking teachers what support they need, parents how they can feel more connected to the school, or students what they’re excited or nervous about, the goal is to create a foundation of trust and open communication.
Special Offer: 25% Off Parsec Real
To help you get started, we’re offering a special discount for the August 2024 month only—25% off Parsec Real for the 24-25 school year for new. *See Details. This is your chance to implement a tool that will not only gather valuable feedback but also help you build stronger relationships with your school community. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to make a real difference in your school this year.
Ready to take the next step? Book a demo for Parsec Real today by emailing [email protected] and start the school year with a commitment to listening, learning, and leading with purpose.
*Promotion only valid for the 24-25 school year. Not eligible for customers already signed up for the 24-25 school year. This promotion is for new Parsec Real customers only.
