Education Elements released its inaugural “State of Student Experience” report today, revealing critical insights into how COVID-19 has reshaped K-12 education. This data was gathered using the 7Cs framework of effective teaching which captures essential elements of instructional practice. The analysis of millions of student responses demonstrates a complex pattern of recovery, with notable disparities across grade levels and student populations.
In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic’s unprecedented disruption to education, the 7Cs Survey revolutionizes classroom assessment by centering student perspectives across seven critical dimensions: Care, Confer, Captivate, Clarify, Consolidate, Challenge, and Classroom Management. By examining these key aspects of teaching and learning, the survey provides a comprehensive picture of instructional effectiveness, helping educators refine their practice based on real student experiences. The framework directly amplifies student voices to uncover nuanced insights that traditional evaluation methods often miss. Unlike conventional top-down assessments, the 7Cs framework provides teachers with a comprehensive, student-driven lens into their instructional effectiveness, offering a critical tool for understanding and addressing the emotional and academic impacts of pandemic-era educational disruptions.
Districts that systematically gather and act upon student perception data create more effective learning environments,” says Ty Field, CEO at Education Elements. “The 7Cs Survey is a validated research tool based on Dr. Ferguson’s framework that reliably measures teaching quality through student feedback. Our research clearly shows that student voice is not just valuable—it’s essential for meaningful educational transformation.”
Key Findings from the 2025 Report:
- Student Voice Drives Improvement: The 7Cs Survey provides unfiltered insights into learning experiences, leading to measurable growth in teaching quality, student outcomes, and school culture.
- Female Students Had Greater Continuity in Experience: Disaggregated data reveals that female students experienced smaller changes in their 7Cs scores from pre- to post-COVID compared to male students, across all survey levels.
- Disparities in Student Experiences: While gender differences were minimal, racial and ethnic disparities emerged, highlighting the survey’s role in helping educators address demographic differences and improve student experiences.
- Younger Students Faced Greater Disruption: While Upper Elementary students experienced a slight decline in average scores post-COVID, Middle and High School students showed overall gains, reflecting the pandemic’s disproportionate impact on younger learners.
- Positive Instructional Experiences in Secondary Settings: Although Upper Elementary students consistently rated the 7Cs constructs higher than older students, their scores declined post-COVID—particularly in “Personal Support”—while High School students showed notable gains in “Curricular Support,” suggesting more positive instructional experiences in secondary settings.
- Student Performance Gaps in Perception: Across all grade levels, high-performing students consistently rated their teachers more favorably than low-performing peers, with Middle School showing the greatest increase in this disparity post-COVID.
Actionable Recommendations for School Leaders Based on the Report’s Findings:
- Prioritize Student Voice – Implement systematic data collection to ensure student perspectives inform decision-making.
- Build a Data-Driven Culture – Use student perception data to create continuous feedback loops for professional learning and school improvement.
- Invest in Responsive Professional Learning – Tailor teacher development to address student-identified needs, ensuring that educators receive actionable, student-informed feedback.
Real-World Impact: Case Studies in Action
The report features case studies from Washington County Schools (TN) and Harrisburg School District (PA), demonstrating how the strategic use of 7Cs data leads to targeted professional learning, improved instructional practices, and better student outcomes. In Harrisburg, for example, a middle school that acted on 7Cs feedback saw a 16-point increase in Captivate scores and significant improvements in Classroom Management and Challenge constructs over two survey administrations.
“This comprehensive data tells a story of both progress and persistent challenges,” explains Dr. Leila Nuland, Senior Vice President at Education Elements. “Our longitudinal analysis from 2016-2024 shows remarkable improvements, particularly among teachers who initially struggled.”
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