2026 CNM Survey Items

2026 CNM Survey Items

Domain 1: Student Success Skills

Construct: Collaboration

Q: Think about the times this year that you worked in a group in class. How true have the following statements been for you?

  • I considered everyone's ideas.

  • I paid attention when my teammates talked.

  • I helped my group figure out and fix any problem we faced.

  • I shared my ideas with my group.

Matrix question. Scale points =

  1. Not at All True

  2. A Little True

  3. Somewhat True

  4. Mostly True

  5. Completely True

Construct: Growth Mindset

Q: How true are the following statements for you?

  • I can become smarter by challenging myself.

  • I can do well in a subject even if I am not naturally good at it.

  • I can increase my intelligence with hard work.

Matrix question. Scale points =

  1. Not at All True

  2. A Little True

  3. Somewhat True

  4. Mostly True

  5. Completely True

Construct: Professional Communication

Q: How well prepared do you feel to do the following in a school or work environment?

  • Communicate in writing.

  • Communicate with adults outside of my family.

  • Make a presentation.

  • Speak in public.

Matrix question. Scale points =

  1. I do not feel prepared

  2. I feel slightly prepared

  3. I feel moderately prepared

  4. I feel well prepared

  5. I feel very well prepared

Construct: Goal Setting

Q: How true are the following statements for you?

  • I set goals for my performance in school.

  • I know the steps I need to take to accomplish my goals.

  • I know whether or not I am on track to meet my goals.

  • I know the areas in which I need to improve to meet my goals.

Matrix question. Scale points =

  1. Not at All True

  2. A Little True

  3. Somewhat True

  4. Mostly True

  5. Completely True

Construct: Self Efficacy

Q: How true are the following statements for you?

  • I know I can do many different things well.

  • I believe I will be able to overcome challenges.

  • I know I can complete difficult tasks.

  • I believe I will be able to reach my goals.

Matrix question. Scale points =

  1. Not at All True

  2. A Little True

  3. Somewhat True

  4. Mostly True

  5. Completely True

Domain 2: School Climate

Construct: Classroom Engagement Comfort Level

Q: Think about your classes this school year. For how many of your classes is each of the following statements true?

  • I feel comfortable sharing my ideas.

  • I feel it is okay to make mistakes in front of my classmates.

  • I feel comfortable asking questions if I don’t understand something.

Matrix question. Scale points =

  1. None

  2. A few

  3. About half

  4. Most

  5. All

Construct: Sense of Belonging

Q: To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statements:

  • People at this school are friendly to me.

  • Other students here like me the way I am.

  • People at my school care if I am absent.

  • People really listen to me when I am at school.

Matrix question. Scale points =

  1. Strongly disagree

  2. Disagree

  3. Neither agree nor disagree

  4. Agree

  5. Strongly agree

Construct: Student-Teacher Relationships *New in 2026*

Q: To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statements:

  • Teachers at my school listen to me.

  • My teachers care about me.

  • My teachers are there for me when I need them.

Matrix question. Scale points =

  1. Strongly disagree

  2. Disagree

  3. Neither agree nor disagree

  4. Agree

  5. Strongly agree

Domain 3: Advising and Postsecondary Planning

Construct: Postsecondary Guidance

Q: Think about your experiences at this school. To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statements?

  • My school has helped me understand what I want to do after I graduate from high school.

  • My school has helped me understand what kind of education or training I will need after high school to help prepare me for my possible career.

  • My school has helped me understand what high school courses I will need to get into College.

  • My school has helped me understand the financial benefit of attending college.

  • My school has encouraged me to consider a 4-year college.

  • My school has helped me understand my financial aid options (how to pay for college or a training program).

Matrix question. Scale points =

  1. Strongly disagree

  2. Disagree

  3. Neither agree nor disagree

  4. Agree

  5. Strongly agree

Construct: Postsecondary Plan Self Efficacy

Q: Someone at my school has helped me begin to develop a written plan for what I will do after I graduate from high school.

  • Yes

  • No

Q: I have created a written postsecondary plan that describes what I will do after I graduate from high school.

  • Yes

  • No

Q: Skip Logic: If the answer to either of the two questions above  = Yes, the student will see the following questions which are about their postsecondary plan. To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statements:

  • I feel good about my plan.

  • I believe that I can achieve this plan.

  • I know what steps I need to take to achieve this plan.

  • I am confident that this plan is right for me

Matrix question. Scale points =

  1. Strongly disagree

  2. Disagree

  3. Neither agree nor disagree

  4. Agree

  5. Strongly agree

*NEW in 2026* Domain 4: Instruction

Construct: Purpose

Q: Think about your classes this school year. For how many of your classes is each of the following statements true?

  • I understand the purpose of the work we do in class.

  • The assignments help me gain the skills and knowledge I need to make a positive change in my world.

  • The topics we learn about matter to me.

  • We study issues that are important to my community.

  • It’s clear how what we are learning will help me after I finish high school.

  • I understand why what we are learning is important.

Matrix question. Scale points =

  1. None

  2. A few

  3. About half

  4. Most

  5. All

Construct: Academic Rigor

Q: Think about your classes this school year. For how many of your classes is each of the following statements true?

  • Most assignments focus on a question that lacks an obvious answer.

  • Most assignments require me to do more than simply memorize things or look up facts or formulas.

  • Most assignments expose me to new ideas and perspectives.

  • Major assignments in my classes require multiple drafts so I can strengthen my argument.

  • Major assignments in my classes require multiple drafts so I can make my final product clearer.

  • Major assignments challenge me to do my very best work.

Matrix question. Scale points =

  1. None

  2. A few

  3. About half

  4. Most

  5. All

Not Part of a Construct

Q: What do you plan to do immediately after completing high school?

  • Attend a 2-year college

  • Attend a 4-year college

  • Attend a trade or technical school

  • Pursue my career full time, without continuing my education

  • Join the military

Q: If you could do exactly what you wanted, how far would you go in your education?

  • Attend some high school

  • Graduate from high school

  • Attend some college

  • Graduate from a two-year college or technical/trade school

  • Graduate from a four-year college

  • Earn a Master’s degree or equivalent

  • Earn a doctorate (PhD), law degree (JD), or medical degree (MD)

Q: Think about your classes this school year. For how many of your classes is each of the following statements true?

  • I understand my teacher’s expectations for high-quality work.

  • In my classes, students – not the teacher – do most of the talking.

  • My teacher accepts nothing less than my full effort.

Matrix question. Scale points =

  1. None

  2. A few

  3. About half

  4. Most

  5. All

Q: How true are the following statements for you?

  • There is an adult from school who would be willing to help me with a personal problem?

  • There is an adult from school I could ask to write me a recommendation for a job, program, scholarship, or college?

  • There is an adult from school who I can talk to when I’m feeling upset, stressed, or having problems.

Matrix question. Scale points =

  1. Not at All True

  2. A Little True

  3. Somewhat True

  4. Mostly True

  5. Completely True

Demographics & Grade

Q: What grade are you in?

  • 6

  • 7

  • 8

  • 9

  • 10

  • 11

  • 12

Q: Which of the following describes your race? (Select all that apply)

  • Asian or Asian American

  • Black or African American

  • Hispanic, Latinx, or Spanish origin

  • Indigenous American or Alaska Native

  • Middle Eastern or North African

  • Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander

  • White

  • A race, ethnicity, or origin not listed (please specify)

  • Prefer not to say

Q: Which gender identity best describes you?

  • Female / woman

  • Male / man

  • Genderqueer or gender non-conforming

  • A gender identity not listed (please specify)

  • Prefer not to say

Q: Think of your parent or guardian with the highest level of education. What is the highest level of education this person completed?

  • Did not graduate from high school

  • Graduated from high school

  • Went to college but did not graduate

  • Graduated from a two-year college or technical/trade school

  • Graduated from a four-year college

  • Earned a graduate degree (such as master’s degree, doctorate, law degree, medical degree)

  • Don’t know

Q: Are you currently participating in any classes or services targeted to help you learn the English language? These might be called ESL, ESOL or ELD classes, or they might be other language programs or services to learn English.

  • Yes

  • No

  • I’m not sure

  • Prefer not to say

Q: Do you have an IEP (individualized education program or plan) or receive special education services?

  • Yes

  • No

  • I’m not sure

  • Prefer not to say

Q; Do you have a 504 Plan or receive 504 services?

  • Yes

  • No

  • I’m not sure

  • Prefer not to say