“you’ve got mail” internal communication preferences of north branch area schools staff...
TRANSCRIPT
“You’ve Got Mail”Internal Communication Preferences
of North Branch Area SchoolsStaff Members
Presented by Sara L. Thompson
May 2005
Internal communication in an educational environment
About North Branch Schools
North Branch Area Public Schools– Located 40 miles north of St. Paul– Almost 500 staff members– 7 schools in district; all within a 5-mile radius
Communications problem– Communications Audit (March 2003)– Continual budget reductions– 2005 Communication Plan
Internal communication in an educational environment
Looking for Information
How do staff members currently receive information? How do staff members prefer to receive information? Do preferences vary …
– Type of information– Experience of staff member– Education of staff member– Position in school district
What are the barriers to staff members receivinginformation electronically?
Internal communication in an educational environment
Research Question
Is there a preferred method forNorth Branch Area Public Schoolsstaff members to receive communicationsfrom administrators?
Internal communication in an educational environment
Methodology
Written, paper survey All 493 staff members invited to participate Administered at staff meetings in March 2005 Color-coded by building/department
Internal communication in an educational environment
Sample Survey Questions
What is your primary source for news and information? During the school year, how often do you …
– Read your e-mail?– Listen to your voicemail?– Read your mail in paper form?
What is the primary location you access a computer? Select the primary method you prefer to receive information
from district administration.
Internal communication in an educational environment
Responses
78% response rate– 385 out of 493 staff members– 100% response rate from several departments
About the respondents …– Highly educated– Evenly distributed work experience– Teachers represented at highest rate
Internal communication in an educational environment
Primary Source for News
49% STAFF NEWS (internal bi-monthly e-newsletter) 31% Staff members or administrators/principals 11% VOICE (external monthly newsletter) 7% Local newspaper 2% Other
Internal communication in an educational environment
Frequency
67% of all staff read their e-mail once or more 57% of all staff listen to their voicemail once or more 30% of all staff read paper mail once or more 18% of all staff NEVER read their e-mail or
listen to their voicemail
Internal communication in an educational environment
Technology Access
83% access a computer in their classroom, office or other location within school district
17% have no computer access in the district– Bus drivers, grounds personnel, maintenance and
custodians and some early childhood and family education staff members
Internal communication in an educational environment
Communication Methods
Information Type / Source Face-to-Face Print Electronic
Human Resources Information
School Board/Policy Information
Superintendent Updates
District News/Information
Mission, Vision & Goals
Student/Staff Recognition
Student Assessment Data
Districtwide Budget Information
Internal communication in an educational environment
Method: Current
Information Type / Source Face-to-Face Print Electronic
Human Resources Information X
School Board/Policy Information X
Superintendent Updates X
District News/Information X
Mission, Vision & Goals X
Student/Staff Recognition X
Student Assessment Data X
Districtwide Budget Information X
Internal communication in an educational environment
Method: Preferred
Information Type / Source Face-to-Face Print Electronic
Human Resources Information 4 % 18 % 78 %
School Board/Policy Information 9 % 16 % 75 %
Superintendent Updates 14 % 13 % 73 %
District News/Information 20 % 18 % 62 %
Mission, Vision & Goals 10 % 37 % 53 %
Student/Staff Recognition 32 % 16 % 52 %
Student Assessment Data 16 % 33 % 51 %
Districtwide Budget Information 33 % 28 % 39 %
Internal communication in an educational environment
Method: Preferred
Staff members …– With computer access preferred electronic– Without computer access preferred paper
Staff members with more education preferred electronic communication
Staff members more years experience preferred paper
Internal communication in an educational environment
Research Question
Is there a preferred method forNorth Branch Area Public Schoolsstaff members to receive communicationsfrom administrators?
Yes! Staff members prefer to receive communications from administratorsvia electronic methods
Internal communication in an educational environment
Research Summary
Staff members prefer to receive most communications electronically– Consider multiple methods for highly important info.
Most staff members access their e-mail once daily Most staff access technology in their classroom/office Certain staff groups have no computer access
Internal communication in an educational environment
Recommendations
Increase computer access for bus drivers, maintenance personnel, paraprofessionals, and early childhood and family education staff members– Consider computer touchdown stations
Increase electronic communication districtwide; however …– Consider multiple methods for budget communications– Maintain face-to-face communication for student
and staff recognition– Deliver HR information electronically
Internal communication in an educational environment
Question & Answer
“The biggest difficulty with communicationsis the illusion that it has been accomplished.”
– George Bernard Shaw
“You’ve Got Mail”Internal Communication Preferences
of North Branch Area SchoolsStaff Members
Presented by Sara L. Thompson
May 2005