31 Survey Questions Examples for Students to Improve Learning

Course Feedback Survey

Why & When to Use

Course Feedback Surveys are the old standbys for academic improvement. With these, teachers grab both numbers and stories about what’s working, what’s wobbly, and what needs an overhaul in a class. Catching this feedback at mid-course lets you pivot while there’s still time for tweaks, and repeating it at the end delivers a full report card for next year.

Count on this survey type to: - Reveal hidden confusion over assignments or assessments before grading drama hits. - Highlight which parts of the curriculum get students’ brains buzzing with excitement, and which ones spark snores. - Spot wish-list resources that could make a good course truly great.

Heads-up for extra credit: - Pair mid-course and end-of-term surveys to spot changes and trends over time. - Combine open-ended questions with rating scales for more honest, nuanced answers.

Because students get a chance to speak up about what really matters, Course Feedback Surveys turn even the shyest learners into outspoken problem solvers.

Sample Questions

1. Which lesson or unit has been the most engaging so far, and why?

2. How clear are the learning objectives stated at the beginning of each unit?

3. Rate the fairness of the grading criteria used in this course (1–5).

4. What additional resources would help you understand the material better?

5. If you could change one aspect of this course, what would it be?

Effective course feedback surveys should include a mix of quantitative and qualitative questions, focusing on specific, actionable aspects of the course to gather meaningful insights. (umsl.edu)

Teacher Evaluation Survey

Why & When to Use

Teacher Evaluation Surveys flip the script by asking students to grade the teacher—no apples required! This tool gives classroom leaders direct, student-centered feedback on how they teach, listen, and create a respectful space where everyone feels heard.

You’ll usually find these surveys: - At the end of the term for a candid teacher “report card.” - Right after special projects, guest lectures, or any new teaching methods. - When schools need evidence for teacher growth and professional development.

Why use them? Because: - Students will spot the teaching habits that really click, as well as areas where teachers could be more supportive. - Teachers can celebrate what’s working (like making a boring topic fun) and tackle constructive criticism with clear action steps. - Classroom culture gets a boost when every voice is invited into the improvement process.

Trust these surveys to reveal just how approachable and inspiring a teacher really is—even if everyone acts shy in class.

Sample Questions

1. How well does your teacher explain complex ideas in ways you understand?

2. How approachable is your teacher when you need extra help?

3. Give one example of feedback from your teacher that improved your learning.

4. Rate how respectful the teacher is toward different opinions in class (1–5).

5. What could your teacher do to make lessons more engaging?

Social-Emotional Well-Being Survey

Why & When to Use

Let’s face it—school is about more than grades, and the best schools care about how students feel, not just what they know. Social-Emotional Well-Being Surveys get to the heart of students’ mental health, sense of safety, and support systems.

They come in handy: - Each quarter as part of an SEL (social-emotional learning) check-up. - Following big school changes or tough events—think new principals, major policy shifts, or anything that shakes up the student routine. - Whenever schools roll out new counseling or peer programs.

Why invest in these surveys? Because: - Students get a safe space to share worries that teachers might otherwise miss in the daily shuffle. - Counselors and SEL teams gain a map of where extra support or new initiatives are needed. - School communities foster a sense of belonging, which can boost academic results and cut down on discipline issues.

When you genuinely care how students feel, they’ll tell you what lifts them up—and what drags them down.

Sample Questions

1. How often do you feel connected to your classmates?

2. During the past two weeks, how frequently have you felt stressed about schoolwork?

3. Do you have at least one adult at school you can talk to when needed?

4. Which school activities make you feel most included?

5. What strategies help you manage stress both in and out of school?

Surveys assessing students' social-emotional learning (SEL) competencies and school climate are reliable, valid, and provide insights beyond traditional academic indicators. (edpolicyinca.org)

Campus Climate & Safety Survey

Why & When to Use

If students don’t feel safe, learning slows down—plain and simple. Campus Climate & Safety Surveys give students a platform to voice concerns about security, inclusivity, and how well anti-bullying policies actually work.

You’ll spot these surveys: - Once per year, as a way to track long-term progress. - After safety policy changes, like new lockdown drills or security staff. - When there’s a need to check for lingering problems following a bullying incident or community concern.

Smart schools use these surveys to: - Spot “hidden” safety risks that adults might overlook. - Check if students trust staff enough to report real issues instead of staying silent. - Upgrade safety plans with student-driven suggestions for a better, kinder campus.

Run these surveys regularly, and you’ll create a safer, more inclusive school climate for everyone—guaranteed.

Sample Questions

1. How safe do you feel in school hallways and common areas?

2. Have you witnessed or experienced bullying in the past month?

3. How comfortable are you reporting safety concerns to staff?

4. Rate the effectiveness of current anti-bullying programs (1–5).

5. What additional steps could the school take to improve campus safety?

Career Readiness & Guidance Survey

Why & When to Use

Every student has at least one big question: “What’s next?” Career Readiness & Guidance Surveys help schools figure out what students want, what they need, and what makes them nervous about the future.

Use these surveys: - Before students pick classes for next year or sign up for new programs. - Ahead of college or career fairs to match opportunities to real student interests. - To help guidance counselors spot gaps in skill-building or planning.

Offer this survey when you want to: - Spot skills students want to develop, from public speaking jitters to resume-building worries. - Connect teens to the right internships, job shadows, or guest speakers. - Ensure every student gets a head start planning for life after school—even if they change their minds next semester.

Surveying career dreams is both practical and motivating, turning fuzzy futures into real-life goals.

Sample Questions

1. Which careers interest you most right now?

2. How confident are you about choosing a college major or career path (1–5)?

3. What skills do you feel you need to develop for your desired career?

4. Have you met with a counselor to discuss post-graduation plans this year?

5. What type of internships or job-shadowing opportunities would you value?

Technology & Remote Learning Survey

Why & When to Use

Thanks to blended learning, Zoom classes, and device rollouts, technology questions are fresher than ever. Technology & Remote Learning Surveys give a crystal-clear picture of what’s working online—and what’s driving students up the virtual wall.

Best times to use: - After launching new learning platforms, such as a learning management system or educational apps. - As a follow-up when hybrid schedules shake up the usual classroom scene. - Any time your school district wants a reality check on device or internet access.

What can you learn? - Spot tech barriers before frustration leads to missed assignments. - Measure whether digital tools actually help students learn or just add confusion. - Gather creative ideas for future tech improvements straight from student “super-users.”

Listening to students on tech means fewer glitches, more engagement, and a smoother digital ride for everyone.

Sample Questions

1. Do you have reliable internet access at home for schoolwork?

2. How user-friendly is our learning management system (1–5)?

3. What technical issues have disrupted your learning recently?

4. Which digital tools help you learn best during remote lessons?

5. How would you rate your overall remote learning experience this semester?

Best Practices: Dos & Don’ts for Crafting Student Survey Questions

Crafting the perfect survey is half science, half art. To snag honest and useful answers, there are a few easy rules to follow—plus a couple of “don’ts” to avoid embarrassing survey fails.

Do: - Use plain language and age-appropriate vocabulary so students don’t need a dictionary or a decoder ring. - Keep Likert scales (those “1 to 5” ratings) consistent across your questions to reduce confusion. - Guarantee anonymity so students are more likely to offer honest, thoughtful feedback. - Limit surveys to 10–15 minutes—respect students’ time, and you’ll get more completed responses. - Pilot test survey questions with a small, diverse group of students for clarity and comfort.

Don’t: - Avoid double-barreled questions (e.g., “Was the class interesting and easy?”) that make students guess which part to answer. - Skip leading or biased wording, which can push students toward a particular answer instead of encouraging honest opinions.

Making sure every question is clear and unbiased helps you collect meaningful, actionable feedback—and avoids eye rolls in the process.

Conclusion & Next Steps

By combining multiple survey types, schools can create a 360-degree snapshot of student experiences, opinions, and ambitions. Each survey offers fresh insight, making it easier to analyze, share findings, and steer improvement efforts school-wide. Don’t forget to close the feedback loop by publicly celebrating victories—that’s how you keep students and staff engaged. Analyze results, act on what you learn, and tweak your surveys for even better results next time! With a little practice, student surveys can spark real, lasting change.