Instructional personnel in Hillsborough County Public Schools participated in the TELL survey for the first time in 2012-13.  The survey replaced our School Climate and Perception Inventory (SCIP) for those employees and provided the opportunity to not only look at our own data regarding working conditions and related factors, but also to compare results to other districts nationwide.

The survey was administered between February and April.  Over 10,000 employees (66%) responded and all but 37 sites reached the 50% response rate required for the compilation of results (complete list of response rates attached).  Principals received training in interpreting results in May, and then conducted informational meetings for their faculty.  Teachers were able to view the results after their on-site training.  Further training is planned for principals this summer; they will work with colleagues to share strategies that are working and ways they can use the TELL data to make improvements in working conditions for teachers.

Results provided schools and the district useful information to establish action plans in the future.

 As for highlights, overall, results showed an extremely high rating for the district's professional development efforts:

• 90% of educators acknowledge that teachers are encouraged to try new things to improve instruction
• 85% said that the provided supports translate into improvements in instructional practices by teachers
• 94% agreed that teachers are held to high professional standards for delivering instruction

The major concerns expressed revolved round time:

• 55% report teachers have sufficient time to meet the needs of all students
• 53% said that efforts are made to minimize the amount of routine paperwork teachers are required to do
• 52% stated the non-instructional time provided for teachers is sufficient