1.2 Using Response Distributions to Understand Your Results

Response distributions show how consistently students experienced a teaching practice. Distributions are especially useful when response counts are small or when averages feel difficult to interpret on their own. Response distributions for survey questions can be found in the report by hovering over the question’s average score.

As a rough guide, if a clear majority of responses are 4 or higher, this typically reflects effective practice. If fewer than half of responses fall at that level, additional reflection and investigation may be helpful.

Below is an example of a response distribution where most responses are at or above 4. This indicates a pattern of students seeing the practice happening consistently and positively.

Below is an example of a response distribution showing mixed results. This indicates that a substantial number of students may not be experiencing this practice as intended. This pattern is often worth exploring further.