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 Surveyconducts annual student surveys in grades 1-5 and 6-10th 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 conducted student surveys in grades 5-7 and 8-10th The survey questions cover various aspects of the lives of children and youth, including mental and physical health, peer relationships, social media use, reading habits, and attitudes toward equality. They primarily focus on identifying risk behaviors and protective factors, including activity levels and social connections. We encourage school staff, youth center staff, and prevention project managers to work with the survey results and, when appropriate, share and discuss them with students and parents. 

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 10th 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 Center for Education and School Support Services administers the Matsferill Assessment Framework to assess student status and progress. The framework covers: Reading fluency – Reading comprehension – Mathematics 
The Matsferill Assessment Framework provides students, parents, and teachers with clear information about a student's standing and progress. Schools, municipalities, and education authorities also gain a clear picture of the broader landscape, enabling school administrators and policy makers to identify challenges and suggest improvements.

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 is recommended that the Lesferill Reading Assessment be administered regularly to all students in grades 1-10; currently, it is an optional tool. 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 2nd 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.

Between Languages Standardized Language Assessment

Milli mála (Between Languages Standardized Assessment) is a standardized language assessment for all primary school students with diverse language backgrounds in Reykjavík's primary schools. Schools generally administer the assessment to students in grades 1, 4, and 7, and in grade 9 if needed. The results indicate how much classroom instruction a child understands and what support needs they may have. Teachers should use the results to guide instructional planning.

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.

The LANIS language-development screening is a checklist designed for children aged 2 years and 11 months to 3 years and 9 months. The goal of LANIS is to screen for linguistic development and speech irregularities, helping to identify children who have difficulty expressing themselves early so they receive the understanding and support they need. The LANIS checklist consists of two parts: one for parents and one for preschool staff.

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.

Institution of the Year – 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.

Department of Education & Youth professional environment survey

Reykjavík City's Department of Education & Youth sends the professional environment survey to all staff at preschools, primary schools, after-school programs, youth centers, and school bands. The survey aims to gather staff perspectives on how their professional environment, roles, and development opportunities currently serve them, using those insights to better support workplaces. The department also uses the results to monitor the implementation of the Education Policy, ensuring that support and resources reflect the real needs of staff.

Workplaces with responses from seven or more people receive results for their own workplace; specialized offices and centers receive results for their specialized department and district; and the department also publishes overall results for Reykjavík.

Pilot project evaluations

Early Transition After-School Program 2023 and 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. Information about day parent quality and oversight.