TELL Background Information What is the TELL Kentucky Survey? The TELL Kentucky Survey is an online, anonymous survey of all public school educators across the state about their perception of their school environment. The TELL Kentucky Survey is a unique opportunity to gather information about school conditions from those whose views matter most-practicing educators. The purpose of the survey is to support sound educational policies and practices based on the views of teachers, principals and other certificated educators in Kentucky’s public schools. The respondents will be asked for their perceptions on a variety of issues related to student achievement and teacher retention, including time, facilities and resources, community support and involvement, managing student conduct, teacher leadership, school leadership, professional development, instructional practices and support, and new teacher and principal support. The results of this survey will provide local school and district educators and state policymakers with guidance on what is working well, and what could be working better, in Kentucky public schools. Who will take the survey? All public school-based licensed educators should take the survey. The survey has two sets of questions: Teacher Questions and Principal Questions. Teacher Questions will be answered by teachers and other educators, including: All PreK-12 classroom teachers, vocational-technical teachers, and special area teachers. All licensed personnel, including guidance counselors, speech and language therapists, occupational therapists, physical therapists, school nurses, special education educators, and assistant principals. A limited number of questions specifically related to new teacher and principal support and mentoring will be addressed to our newer colleagues. Principal Questions: Each principal will answer questions related to teacher teaching and learning conditions in his/her schools and questions related to his/her teaching and learning conditions in the district. These questions are designed to gauge principal perception of district support to create positive school conditions. Data related to district questions will only be reported at the state level in order to protect the anonymity of principals.
Online Resources Having Difficult Conversations We Have to Talk: A Step-By-Step Checklist for Difficult Conversations by Judy Ringer http://www.hodu.com/checklist.shtml Think of a conversation you’ve been putting off. Got it? Great. Then let’s go. There are dozens of books on the topic of difficult, crucial, challenging, important (you get the idea) kinds of conversations. Those times when you know you should talk to someone, but you don’t. Maybe you’ve tried before and it went badly. Or maybe you fear that talking will only make the situation worse. Still, there’s a feeling of being stuck, and you’d like to free up that stuck energy for more useful purposes. Conflict Resources The Magic of Conflict, by Thomas F. Crum (). Difficult Conversations, by Douglas Stone, Bruce Patton, and Sheila Heen Crucial Conversations, by Kerry Patterson, Joseph Grenny, Ron McMillan, Al Switzler (.) FAQs about Conflict, by Judy Ringer. This article can be found on the Free Articles page at . © 2005 Judy Ringer, Power & Presence Training Judy Ringer is a conflict and communication skills trainer, black belt in aikido, and sole owner of Power & Presence Training. For ideas and inspiration on conflict, communication, and creating the life you want, visit her online at: .