"Stretching students to grow as readers and writers require that I discover who they are as learners."
-Cris Tovani, So What Do They Really Know

Surveying students is a quick way for teachers to learn where and why students are struggling or confused, and to quickly assess what steps need to be taken next. Though interest surveys are a great get-to-know-you tool at the beginning of a school year, surveys should mainly be used to understand how students are responding to classroom work. For example, Tovani uses this survey to gauge how her students feel about their reading and writing skills:

Survey questions can be altered and adapted to fit whatever assessment needs teachers face, and by answering these questions directly, students are able to take an active role in their education.