Lake Orion Community Schools

Survey Summary

Presented to the Lake Orion Community Schools Board of Education

March 20, 2010by

Michigan Association of School BoardsJennifer Rogers, MPA

Director of Communications/PR

Evaluation Purpose• The community engagement process at

Lake Orion Community Schools (LOCS) was conducted to:– Identify and assess strengths– Gauge values and perceptions of community– Provide opportunity for input– Identify areas for improvement– Use as a decision making tool– Use to develop communication plans/tools

Survey Overview

• Community Engagement Survey open from Jan. 5, 2010 to Feb. 2, 2010

• Survey sent to 7,154 valid e-mail addresses• 1,825 people responded (25% response rate)• 95 percent confidence level with one percent limit

of error• Response rate shows community cares about

schools

Demographics of Respondents• 71% bachelor’s or advanced degree• 24% household income of $140,000 or more;

17% preferred not to answer• 60% between ages of 40-49 • 70% female; 98% parents• 55% have lived in district between 6-15 years• 98% have K-12 school-aged children • 60% of respondents have children in household

who attend elementary school; 39% middle school; and, 42% high school

Vision & Beliefs• Respondents “strongly agree” across

the board regarding beliefs about LOCS:– All learners entitled to safe learning environment.– Learning is lifelong; all students can learn and

deserve equity and opportunity.– Education is shared responsibility.– Education promotes a healthy sense of self and

personal achievement.– High expectations promote success.– Exemplary education result of growth and

continuous improvement.

Belief Statements

• Open-ended questions revealed:– Need for individualized learning for all students– Shared responsibility was trend– Teachers key to success– Concern that Lake Orion doesn’t exemplify the

belief statements– Student discipline

Preparing Students for 21st Century• Respondents were asked to rank skills

important to succeed in 21st Century. Highest rated:– Core subjects (reading, writing, math, science)– Critical thinking and problem solving– Communication and collaboration skills

• Open-ended questions revealed trends– Life skills, foreign languages, balance of

academics and extra-curricular/athletics

Continuous Advancement of Student Achievement

• 80% “strongly agree” or “agree” that LOCS ensures the continuous advancement of student performance to meet the challenges of the changing world.

• 13% “neutral”

• 4.3% “disagree” or “strongly disagree”

Strengths of LOCS

• Curriculum

• Teachers, staff, administrators, leadership, students– The people make the difference

• Sense of community/involvement – Parents

• All about the kids

• See chart for complete breakdown

Opportunities for Improvement

• Address disengaged teachers

• Focus on individualized learning

• Foreign language

• Encourage parent involvement

• See chart for complete breakdown

Overall Perception

• Quality-great schools and great people

• Not impressed; average district; needs improvement; adequate

• Leadership

• Concerned about finances/budget cuts

• High school too big– See graph for complete breakdown

Preparing Students for Life After School

• Top four IMPORTANT issues:1. Math (90%)

2. English language arts (83.7%)

3. College prep programs (76%)

4. Science (73.1%)

• Open-ended responses revealed:– All courses important; balanced/diverse

curriculum; not all taught at/by school

Preparing Students for Life• When preparing students for life,

respondents believe the most EFFECTIVE programs are:– Math– English language arts– College prep programs– Technology education

• Respondents also believe:– School is often about preparing kids for college

and not for life.

Planning for the FutureA Vision for LOCS

• Top words/phrases:1. Best academic environment; world-class; high

standards; strives to be the best

2. Community; close-knit; family values; caring; collaborate; work together; team approach

3. Innovative; forward-thinking; progressive

4. Prepare future leaders

5. Globally competitive; leader

6. Leader in technology

Curriculum

• 38.2% of respondents believe the curriculum at LOCS is “very effective” or “effective” for preparing students for expectations and trends in the workforce.

• 43% of respondents believe the curriculum is “somewhat effective” or “not effective.”

Curriculum• Respondents revealed:

– Core curriculum doesn’t keep up with rapidly changing workforce

– To truly prepare kids for life, they need foreign language, creativity, global skills, technology, life skills, leadership, collaboration, accountability

– Room for improvement regarding communicating about curriculum, grad rates, college acceptance, scores, etc.

Safety• Overall, LOCS provides a safe learning

environment for students (83%).

• Respondents “agree” on all indicators.

• When asked specifically about student behaviors, respondents indicated “occasional problems” with:– Harassment/bullying/intimidation– Disruptive/disrespectful behavior– School bus behavior/discipline– Drugs and alcohol

Safety

• Open-ended responses revealed:– Zero tolerance policies being consistently

enforced; inconsistent disciplinary actions– Bullying behaviors (mostly verbal)– School bus safety-bullying, swearing, intimidation– Drugs and alcohol (in school and afterschool)– Concern with suicide incidents– Middle school/high school levels

Athletics

• High level of overall satisfaction (60%).

• More than half of respondents “strongly agree” or “agree” that athletic teams are:– Competitive with other teams– High levels of student and community spirit– Adequate equipment and facilities– Attending athletic events are a good value– Better than neighboring districts

Athletics

• Respondents didn’t know about:– Academic and disciplinary eligibility

requirements being consistently enforced– Complaints and issues directed to coaches

addressed in timely fashion– Quality of athletics impacting retention

• Open-ended responses revealed trends.

Facilities

• Respondents across the board “agree” that facilities are clean, adequately maintained, are a positive reflection of the district and support an effective learning environment.

• Area of strength for the district.

• Few open-ended responses with little patterns revealed. Some concerns about upkeep of grounds, cleanliness of bathrooms and snow removal.

Food Service• 67% (890) of respondents say their child

regularly purchases school meals.

• 50% satisfied with quality of the program.

• Respondents “agree” on all 5/6 indicators; “neutral” regarding high quality menus.

• Clear pattern of concern:– Nutritional value of meals/healthy options– Poor vending machine options (pop & sugar)– Variety of meal choices for vegetarians/allergies– Not enough time to eat

Transportation• 68% of respondents say their child

regularly rides the school bus.

• Many respondents “don’t know” how to rate the transportation services.

• Those who do use service are generally satisfied.

• Open-ended responses: parents not happy with bus stops, overcrowding, improve discipline on the bus, and customer service.

Communications

• Communication is a strength for LOCS.• Respondents “agree” across the board in all

indicators that communication is:– frequent, consistent and regular– occurs trough a variety of media channels and

sources– balanced between positive and constructive– thorough and detailed– accurate, up-to-date and reliable– professional, well-written and concise

Communications

• Survey respondents have a perception that the board/administration doesn’t listen and offer true two-way communication; the decisions are already made.

• Overall, respondents are satisfied with communication; indicate it’s a strength; and has improved over last few years.

Communications

• Majority of respondents (87.7%) receive communications about LOCS via e-mail.

• Other sources include:– Child (69.5%)– Web site (58%)– Teacher (50%)

• Least mentioned: media, forums and Twitter.

Communications

• Respondents prefer to receive their information about LOCS from (in order):– E-mail– Teacher– Child– Web site

• LOCS communication is aligned with what community wants and prefers.

Communications

Respondents would like to receive moreregular communication from the districtand/or the board on issues (top five):

1. Curriculum2. Future plans for the district3. General school news and events4. Overall district performance5. Extra-curricular activities and programs

Community Involvement• Overall, active community involvement; strength

for district and community.

• About 90% of respondents have attended one or more school events.

• 90% attended one or more meeting/conference.

• 65% participated as a volunteer.

• Positive experiences with volunteerism.

• About 64% unable to volunteer due to work or personal obligations

Board of Education• Respondents “agree” or are “neutral” about

developing policies that promote achievement, responsible financial management, effective oversight and communications and positive image of district.

• About 17% don’t know what the school board does to answer question. Good opportunity for communication to foster understanding.

• Open-ended questions revealed two concerns: timing of elections and principal issue. (30 each/162 responses/18%)

Superintendent• Respondents “agree” or are “neutral” about

providing positive, educational leadership; respected by staff and community; fiscally responsible; effective management of district and effective communications.

• About 25% don’t know enough about superintendent; would like more visibility in community.

• Main concern: principal issue (30/176 responses; 17%)

Building Principals• Average rating of 82% (“strongly agree” or

“agree”) on all four indicators:– Provide positive, educational leadership;

demonstrate effective competence in management of building; promote positive school climate; and foster effective communications.

• Building principals are a strength for LOCS.

• Concern areas: interim principals and no principal at high school (20 each/292 responses/<5%).

Teachers• Overall, teachers received high regards from

respondents. Another strength for LOCS with many positive comments.

• Teachers demonstrate importance of learning; provide high-quality education; and foster a positive school climate for students.

• Areas for improvement/concern (357): addressing disengaged teachers (70); consistently updating PowerSchool (31); and providing ongoing communication to parents regarding child’s progress (25).

Other Than Funding

• Survey respondents believe the top four issues facing LOCS are:1. Adequate preparation for life after graduation

2. School funding

3.Teacher quality

4. Curriculum offerings

Conclusions

• Response rate illustrates that community cares about their neighborhood school.

• Community believes LOCS is a quality district. The strengths, such as teaching staff, curriculum offerings, communications, community pride, facilities, principals, etc. must be celebrated, communicated and advertised to multiple audiences.

Conclusions

• Survey revealed opportunities for improvement and/or community concerns.– Address disengaged teachers– Foreign language– Focus on individualized learning– Encourage parent involvement

• Many opportunities to use data to allocate resources and use time more efficiently.

Next Steps• Communicate survey results to internal and

external audiences. • Develop recommendations and strategies for

improvement; use data for strategic plan.• Develop key communicator network to

continue to strengthen community engagement.

• Consider creating committees to address concern areas; input from community.

• Celebrate successes and accomplishments!