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What Is an Essential Question?
An essential question is the engine of an inquiry process. It is a question about crucial aspects of the school, as identified in the school's chosen focus areas that, if answered, will inform actions that can substantially close the gap between student-achievement goals and current student-achievement levels. Defining an essential question is not a perfect science, so it may require revision and alteration as you go.
Characteristics of a "good" essential question:
- It identifies an issue that relates directly or closely to improving teaching and learning.
- It identifies a topic that most stakeholders agree needs to be addressed.
- It can be used to direct an inquiry that includes data collection that will provide meaningful information for adjusting the work of the school.
Signs that the question is not an essential question:
- You already know the answer.
- You cannot relate the question to teaching and learning.
- Few stakeholders agree that the question needs to be investigated.
- It cannot direct an inquiry process.
- It cannot lead to data collection.
- Answering it has no implications on your school's practice or day-to-day operations.
For instance, a school in which the student population has shifted to include many students who are learning English might ask: Is our instruction currently successful or unsuccessful for English-language learners? The intent of the question may be double:
- to address the needs of English-language learners
- to initiate a process for addressing the specific needs of different populations of students
Excerpt from Inquiry and Action: Making School Improvement Part of Daily Practice, 2004, Annenberg Institute for School Reform.
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