Surveys, evaluation and oversight

Surveys, assessments and oversight are regularly conducted in Reykjavík City's preschools, primary schools and recreational activities. This is an integral part of their operations, with emphasis placed on using the data for internal assessments at each workplace.

Surveys on children’s circumstances and wellbeing

Here you can find survey results, pilot project evaluations, information about family daycare oversight, and annual monitoring of private preschools and primary schools.

School Pulse Survey

School Pulse Survey conducts annual student surveys in grades 1-5 and 6-10. The questions focus on factors like how children feel at school, their engagement in learning, and the school and classroom atmosphere. Nearly all primary schools in Reykjavík participate in School Pulse Survey measurements, with an emphasis on presenting results to stakeholders and using the findings to drive improvements.

Research and analysis

Research and analysis conducts annual student surveys in grades 5-7 and 8-10. The questions address factors in children and young people's lives including mental and physical health, students' relationships with peers, their use of social media, book reading, and their attitudes toward equality. The main focus is identifying risk behaviors and protective factors like activity and connections. All primary schools in Reykjavík participate in Research and analysis measurements, with an emphasis on analyzing the results with school staff, youth center staff, and prevention project managers, and presenting and discussing them with student and parent groups when needed.

  • Studies on student wellbeing and circumstances in grades 8-10 – Research and Analysis, fall 2023
  • Studies on student wellbeing and circumstances in grades 5-7 – Research and Analysis, fall 2023
  • Substance use among students in grades 8–10 – Research and Analysis 2023

    Icelandic Youth Survey

    The Icelandic Youth Survey (Íslenska æskulýðsrannsóknin (ÍÆ)) is a study that the University of Iceland conducts for the Ministry of Education and Children based on Article 12 of the Youth Act No. 70/2007. The study's goal is to collect data on children's welfare and attitudes, with the Icelandic Youth Survey beginning in the 2021-2022 school year. The survey is administered each spring in primary schools to grades 4, 6, 8, and 10. The results show the status of factors related to well-being, health behaviors, and attitudes of primary school students. Schools and municipalities receive the results, and the results are intended to support policy development for each school and for municipalities as a whole.

    Matsferill Assessment Framework

    The Matsferill Assessment Framework is a collection of assessment tools for evaluating primary school children’s academic achievement, which are partly optional and partly mandatory. The Matsferill Assessment Framework is designed to provide a complete picture of each child’s status and progress in learning, consistently throughout their schooling. The information should benefit students and guardians and promote dialogue and trust in home-school collaboration about learning appropriate for each child. Additionally, the Matsferill Assessment Framework should gather information about the status of the school system as a whole through mandatory standardized assessment, so that policymakers and others can track academic progress over time and identify strengths and potential challenges, both in individual municipalities and nationwide.

    The Lesferill Reading Assessment is an assessment tool that evaluates fundamental literacy components such as reading fluency, reading comprehension, writing, vocabulary, and language comprehension. It’s recommended that the Lesferill Reading Assessment be administered to all students regularly in grades 1-10, but currently it’s optional. Eventually, the Lesferill Reading Assessment will become part of the Matsferill Assessment Framework.

    Lesmál Reading & Spelling Assessment is an assessment tool that evaluates reading, reading comprehension, and spelling of students in grade 2. The test is divided into eight sub-components that form the following four main components: decoding, reading comprehension, speed reading, and spelling. Reykjavík City publishes a report for the city as a whole, and each school also receives its own report.

    Lesmál 2024 

    Lesmál 2023 

    Lesmál 2022 

    Lesmál 2021 

    Between Languages Standardized Language Assessment

    Between Languages (Milli mála) Standardized Language Assessment is for students who have lived in Iceland for two years or more, or Icelandic students who have lived abroad for five years or more. The test's purpose is to assess whether children with a native language other than Icelandic have a sufficiently good command of Icelandic to keep up with the curriculum in their grade level. The test content is largely based on vocabulary, sentence structure, and lingonaut used in textbooks in Icelandic schools. The test is administered at the beginning of primary school, then at the end of grades 4, 7, and 9.

    Language-development screenings in preschool

    Preschools use different linguistic development screenings; it's each preschool's choice.

    EFI-2 Screening is a language development screening of comprehension and expression for 4-year-old children, intended for those involved in special education in preschools. EFI-2 Screening provides targeted results to assess whether further professional diagnosis is needed.

    Hljóm-2 Screening is an age-based screening administered to assess phonological and language awareness in children in the oldest preschool age group. The screening is conducted to identify children at risk for reading difficulties when formal reading instruction begins.

    Orðaskil Screening is designed to measure children’s vocabulary and their command of inflection systems and sentence structure from 18 months to 3 years old. It's most often used when there's suspicion of delayed linguistic development. Parents complete the checklist.

    TRAS Tool is a documentation tool used to record and monitor linguistic development of children ages 2-5. Each child has their own form, and the fields are filled out twice a year from age 2 throughout their preschool attendance.

    Parent surveys

    Department of Education & Youth parent surveys are conducted among parents of children in Reykjavík City preschools, primary schools, and recreational activities every other year. The process emphasizes examining the results, presenting them to stakeholders, and addressing areas that need improvement afterwards.

    Preschool parent survey spring 2025
    Preschool parent survey spring 2023
    Preschool parent survey spring 2021
    Opinion poll of parents with children in family daycare 2024

    Reykjavík City employee survey

    The Reykjavík City employee survey, Institution of the Year, is conducted among all city employees annually. The survey's purpose is to improve the work environment in public services and to provide detailed information about the current situation — strengths and challenges in the work environment. The process emphasizes presenting results to staff, discussing the findings, and addressing areas that need improvement.

    Reykjavík City/Department of Education & Youth: Workplace of the Year 2023

    Pilot project evaluations

    Early Transition After-School Program 2023 and 2024

    Evaluation of the Early Transition After-School Program pilot project 2023 

    Evaluation of the Early Transition After-School Program pilot project 2024

    Oversight of private preschools

    According to the regulation on evaluation and oversight in preschools (No. 893/2009), Reykjavík City is required to monitor early childhood education at all preschools operated in the city. Preschool data are reviewed annually, and preschool administrators answer a survey about the number of children and staff, enrollment and operating hours, safety matters, parent cooperation, and educational practices, which oversight officials review. If concerns are raised during oversight, matters are referred to the preschool specialized office and/or finance specialized office at the Department of Education & Youth, which continues working with the relevant preschool to resolve issues.

    Oversight of private primary schools

    According to regulation (658/2009), Reykjavík City is required to monitor primary schools operated in the city. The primary school's data is reviewed annually, including operational plans and school curriculum, information about the number of children and staff, facilities and finances. SFS oversight of privately operated primary schools in the city can also involve responding to suggestions in the same way as with other primary schools in the city. If concerns are raised, the specialized office for primary school affairs and/or the finance specialized office at the Department of Education & Youth works with the relevant primary school to resolve the issues.

    Day parent oversight

    Reykjavík City oversees day care services and conducts three unannounced inspections yearly at each workplace, though day parents work independently. During oversight visits, quality standards guide the process, including reviewing safety measures and assessing educational and play environments. At least one scheduled consultation visit takes place annually, more often if needed and when family daycare providers seek advice. Parents of children in daycare receive a survey every other year, as do the family daycare providers themselves. The city responds to suggestions received about daycare for children in home settings; the preschool program director at South Center, the preschool office, and SFS legal services work to resolve these issues. If the issues warrant it, they are reported to and/or handled in cooperation with the Quality and Supervisory Agency of Welfare.

    More information about family daycare oversight and quality standards