Use a targeted universalist approach to identify student groups with less positive survey reports and respond with empathy, curiosity, and support¶

Strategy · All strategies
Evidence · no claims cited

Description¶

The brief recommends that school leaders "apply a targeted universalist approach to look for areas where particular student groups share less positive reports—and respond with empathy, curiosity, and support." This is an implementable data-use routine: disaggregate survey reports by student group, locate groups with less positive experiences, and respond supportively. It complements school-wide 5Essentials summaries.

Design Implications¶

Context¶

Requirements¶

• Access to 5Essentials survey results disaggregated by student group

Constraints¶

• The brief notes that individuals within student groups can have widely differing experiences, so group-level reports do not capture every student's experience

Target Learners¶

• K-12 students in elementary and high schools

Target Learning Goals¶

• Improving school climate, attendance, and student experiences school-wide

Related Strategies¶

• 5Essentials Survey Diagnostic Tools
• Dig into item-level survey responses: examine how students and teachers answer specific questions as a starting point for learning and responding
• Select one essential support area to improve—chosen for community interest, need, or buy-in—and continue working on it, since improvement in any essential positively impacts student success
• Use 5Essentials survey data to identify where to improve students' school experiences and teachers' relationships with parents to support attendance
• Identify cross-subgroup themes and combine broad access-expanding policies with targeted subgroup-specific interventions
• Disaggregate attainment data by student subgroup to locate barriers and target supports

Examples¶

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Key Sources¶

• 5Essentials Survey: New insights for school leaders. (2026). University of Chicago Consortium on School Research. https://consortium.uchicago.edu