Overview
The Oregon Department of Education (ODE) wants to hear what YOU think about your school and classroom experiences! Take the Student Educational Equity Development (SEED) survey to honestly share what you think is great about your school and needs to be improved.
Your Voice Matters
Want to know more about the SEED Survey? Check out our answers to some Frequently Asked Questions below! If you have a question that is not answered in the FAQs, email us at
ODE.SEEDSurveys@ode.oregon.gov.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Overview of the SEED Survey
How to Access and Take the SEED Survey
What Questions are on the SEED Survey
Survey Privacy, Safety, and Other Resources for Support
Overview of the SEED Survey
Q: What is the Oregon Department of Education (ODE)?
A: The Oregon Department of Education is a state government agency that supports all schools in Oregon. If you want to learn more information about ODE, visit our
website.
Q: Why is the survey called the Student Educational Equity Development (SEED) survey?
A: The SEED Survey is an equity tool, which means it helps ODE make sure that every student is treated fairly and has the same access to a high quality education.
Q: Why should I take the SEED Survey?
A: Your answers on the SEED survey will help ODE better understand what it is like to be a student in Oregon. Adults in Oregon care about what you have to say and want to be able to support you in school. We recognize that you might get asked to take lots of surveys; here’s what is different about this one:
- Students across the whole state take the same survey, which means that ODE is hearing from ALL students. This is the only survey that is offered free of charge to all students in Oregon.
- Adults are counting on you to let them know what issues about your experience in school are important to you. When more students take the survey, your collective voice is strong.
- There are not many opportunities for students in grades 3 through 11 to directly talk to adults who work for a state government agency. The survey was proposed and designed to give students an accessible way to speak directly with the adults who are responsible for making policies about your schools.
One way that we draw attention to students’ experiences and needs is through posting SEED Survey results to our website. Do you want to see what we’ve done with survey results already? Check out one of our reports:
In Their Own Words: Analysis of Student Short Answers on the SEED Survey. To see other reports, visit the “Survey Results and Reporting” section of the
SEED Survey webpage.
Q: Who can take the SEED Survey?
A: You can take the survey if you are a 3rd through 11th grade student in any Oregon public school or program, including charter schools.
Q: Do I have to take the SEED Survey?
A: No! You do not have to take the SEED Survey if you don't want to. It is completely voluntary! If you take it, you can skip any question that you do not want to answer.
Q: Will my teachers get in trouble or lose their jobs because of what I write on the SEED Survey? Will my school get extra funding or lose money because of my answers?
A: No! The survey results will not be used to reward or punish specific schools or the adults who work in those schools.
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How to Access and Take the SEED Survey
Q: How can I take the SEED Survey?
A: If you are eligible to take the SEED Survey, someone at your school should give you a chance to take it between February and June each year. It is an online survey that you can take in a few different ways:
- You can complete the SEED Survey on the same platform that you take state tests, OR
- You can complete the SEED Survey on a laptop, smartphone, or other similar device.
Q: My school has not given me a chance to take the SEED Survey. What should I do?
A: There are many reasons why you might not have gotten a chance to take the SEED Survey. For example, your parents might have asked the school to not give you the survey or you could have been absent on the day it was offered. Check with a trusted adult, such as a teacher, school counselor, or principal to find out the exact reason. If the adult you talk to doesn’t know about the SEED Survey, they can reach out to ODE (ODE.SEEDSurveys@ode.oregon.gov) for help. You are also welcome to contact ODE at the same email address.
Q: How long does the SEED Survey take to complete?
A: The SEED Survey takes about 10-15 minutes to complete.
Q: Can I ask my teachers or parents for help if I don't understand a question?
A: Yes! You should answer the questions based on your own experiences, but it's okay to get help if you don’t understand what a word means or what the question is asking.
Q: Why is my school having me take the SEED Survey on the same platform as my state tests? Is the SEED Survey a test?
A: The SEED Survey is available on the same platform as state tests so that students who have an IEP or 504 plan can use their accessibility supports. All students will have access to universal supports such as using a highlighter and changing the size of the mouse pointer. Even though it is on the same platform, it is
NOT a test! There are no right or wrong answers, and you are not being scored.
Q: Can I pause the SEED Survey and come back to it?
A: Yes! You can pause the SEED Survey and your progress will be saved. You can return to your survey and keep working on it any time within the administration window.
Q: Can I take the SEED Survey in a language other than English?
A: Yes! The SEED Survey is available in English, Spanish, Russian, Vietnamese, Ukrainian, Simplified Chinese, or Traditional Chinese. It is also available in Braille.
Q: I have an IEP (or a 504 plan). Can I use my accessibility supports for the SEED Survey?
A: Yes! The SEED Survey can be taken using a lot of different accessibility supports such as line reader, dictation / speech to text, and sensory supports. If you don't know how to access your supports, ask the adult who is giving you the survey for help. You should have the same supports for the SEED Survey that you have for the state tests and in any regular classroom activity.
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What Questions are on the SEED Survey
Q: What kinds of questions are asked on the SEED Survey?
A: The SEED Survey asks students about their experiences at school. Depending on what grade you are in, you could be asked questions about some or all of the following topics:
- Access to Learning Resources: If you have access to technology and other learning tools
- Sense of Belonging: If you feel welcomed, valued, cared for, and respected at school
- Opportunity to Learn: What you have learned at school about English Language Arts, Math, Science, and Tribal History / Shared History
- Self-Efficacy: If you feel confident about your academic skills
- Post-Graduation Planning: What your plans are once you graduate high school
- Extracurricular Engagement: What kind of extracurricular activities you have at your school; if you participate in extracurricular activities
- Career/Technical Education: What you have learned at school about future careers
- Well-Rounded Education: If you have an opportunity to take a variety of classes; if your classes are interesting to you
Most questions are multiple choice, but there are a few open-ended questions for 6th to 11th graders. Each grade has its own survey.
Want to see the SEED Survey for your grade, or any other grade? Click on the example surveys below to see exactly what questions are asked!
To see the surveys in Spanish, Vietnamese, Russian, Ukrainian, Simplified Chinese, or Traditional Chinese, visit the
SEED Survey webpage.
Q: Why does the SEED Survey have a lot of questions about some of my classes, but not others? For example, why am I only asked about Science, but not English Language Arts or Math?
A: The SEED Survey does not ask you about all your classes because we want to make sure that the survey does not take more than 10-15 minutes to complete. The SEED Survey includes questions about specific classes based on what grade you are in:
- Students in 3rd, 6th, and 9th grade are asked about English Language Arts
- Students in 4th, 7th, and 10th grade are asked about Math
- Students in 5th, 8th, and 11th grade are asked about Science
Q: Why does the SEED Survey ask if I’m learning about Native Americans at school?
A: In 2017, Oregon passed a law called Tribal History, Shared History. The law is meant to improve students’ education about Native Americans through a program designed by ODE. We want to know if our program is working!
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Survey Privacy, Student Safety, and Further Resources for Support
Q: Will people at my school see my answers to the SEED Survey?
A: ODE takes your privacy seriously. We want you to be able to share your school experiences openly and honestly. We will not share your identity with anyone at your school unless there is a safety concern. For example, your principal might see your answer to a question on SEED if you share that you have experienced harm, that you want to harm others, or that others are being harmed. If you are experiencing harm, please tell a trusted adult or use these resources.
Q: I got called into the principal’s office / counselor's office because of what I wrote on the SEED Survey. Why did this happen?
A: Your answers will only be seen by adults at your school if you write something that alerts ODE to a possible safety concern. If your answers do get shared with adults at your school, it is up to them to decide how to best respond. Sometimes, that might mean that you get called into the principal’s office or counselor’s office so they can talk with you more about your answers. Here is a link to additional resources if you need help or support.
Q: What do I do if I need help right now?
A: If you need help right now, ODE suggests reaching out immediately to a trusted adult. You can also use the following resources:
- Calling 911: This phone number is for emergencies that require immediate help from the police, fire department or ambulance.
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SafeOregon: This is a school safety tip line for Oregon. You can use it to report bullying or harassment. Reports are confidential.
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988 Lifeline: This is a crisis line that is there to support anyone who is dealing with mental health challenges or just needs someone to talk to. You can use it to talk to a counselor over call, text, or chat.
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YouthLine: This is a crisis and support line. You can use it to talk to another teen over call, text, or chat.
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Racial Equity Support Line: This is a line that offers support to people who have experienced racism.
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Safe + Strong Helpline: This is a line that offers mental and emotional support.
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