We are
committed to gathering the perspectives of parents, staff, and students to
better understand our strengths and challenges as a district.
2,351 parents
of students in grades 3-12 recently completed the District Survey—an impressive
55.4% response rate compared with 52% when the survey was last administered in
2013. We combined the results of the Parent Survey with responses from 3,974
Students and 637 Staff (a response rate exceeding 90% in both cases!) to
measure progress towards the District goals.
As
promised, we are sharing the results of the survey with Needham Public Schools’
parents, students and staff. Here are highlights of key findings for the
district:
Evidence
of Progress Toward the District Goals (average “agree/strongly agree” of Parents, Students, Staff
responses)
Goal 1 - Advance Learning for All
Students:
• School sets high academic standards/Teachers want me to do well in school: 95%
• Staff/School Administrators are responsive to input from parents: 93% (item
not in Student survey)
• Students understand how to use
online tools responsibly / digital
citizenship: 92%
• Staff care about how much students learn/Teachers care about how much I
learn: 92%
Goal 2 - Develop Social, Emotional
Wellness and Citizenship Skills:
·I feel welcome at my (child’s) school/My school is a good place to
work and learn: 94%
·My child is (students are) not fearful of being hurt by other students:
93%
·School staff (adults in my school)
seem to work well with one another:
93%
Goal 3 - Ensure Infrastructure
Supports District Values and Learning Goals:
·I am satisfied with the district administration services: 93% (item
not in Student survey)
·The school library/media center is meeting my child’s (students’) needs / Media
Center has the books and materials I need for school: 93%
·The district website provides me with useful information: 92% (item not
in Student survey)
·I am satisfied with the administration at my (my child’s) school:
91% (item not in Student survey)
Areas
Needing Attention (average “agree/strongly agree” of Parents, Students, Staff responses)
·Homework furthers learning: 74%
·Info on student
progress: 73%
·Adequate space to meet instructional needs: 66%
·Not feeling stressed or overwhelmed by school: 51%
The voices
of our parents, students and staff have been heard! The district survey allows
our school district to celebrate strengths and respond to goal areas needing
attention. Over the next several months we will engage the School Committee,
parents, staff, students, and our School Councils in analyzing the survey findings
in depth and incorporate the data, and appropriate action steps, into our school
improvement plans.
To view a
presentation of the survey results, check out the District’s website: 2016 Needham Public Schools Survey Results Presentation
