Norwalk Public Schools
Parent and Staff Surveys
November 1, 2011
Joseph Giandurco, Teacher Sally Grose, Community Lisa Lenskold, PTOC President Bruce LeVine Mellion, NFT President Robert Polselli, Director of Technology Lisa Brinton Thomson, Parent Susan Marks, Superintendent
Survey Committee
Met over a dozen times Used other surveys as a guide Identified areas to ask questions about Identified similar areas for staff and parents
to give input Translated the survey into Spanish Used Survey Monkey Posted for several weeks in May and June
Process
Student progress and expectations School atmosphere School leadership Safety and security Technology School meals Facilities Transportation
Content of Parent Survey
Student learning Staff expectations Professional development Technology Safety and Security School leadership School atmosphere Facilities
Content of Staff Survey
90.8% of the respondents were white
1189 staff members completed the survey - 80%
1050 parents responded◦ Rates varied by schools◦ About 20%
Response Rate
Obtain perceptions of the school learning environment from parents and staff
Findings for 2010-12 are a baseline
The focus is on continuous improvement – not a “gotcha”
Interpretation of the feedback should take into consideration that this is the first time we have given a survey
Purpose of Survey
Parent Survey
Staff Survey
Positive feelings
Parents and staff throughout the district take pride in their schools
The individual school is perceived more positively than the system as a whole
Outcomes - Overall
Staff expectations of students are high across the district
Staff had concerns about needing more instructional materials, interruptions and training for special needs children
Staff is more interested in receiving focused professional development
Instruction and Professional Development
Parents felt that although the district website was reported as informative, the individual schools websites were less helpful
Teachers and parents agreed that NPS need more up-to-date technology in the schools
Technology
Parents felt that the school leadership supports the PTO
Staff would like more involvement in decisions affecting their work
School Leadership
Parents felt that their children are safe in the Norwalk Public Schools
Parents are concerned about teasing and bullying
Parents did not feel well informed with regard to the emergency procedures
School Safety
Both parents and staff felt that our schools were clean and well kept
Parents felt that the custodians were kind and helpful
The bathrooms and the grounds are kept neat
Facilities
Staff felt they get satisfaction from their work
Many of the staff said that they would recommend their school site as a place to work
Atmosphere - Climate
Most parents felt that the bus drivers maintain order
Parents felt that the bus drivers drive safely
Transportation
More than half the parents completing the survey volunteer for the PTO
PTO
Each school is sharing the information with staff and parents
The committee will meet to review and revise the survey questions for 2011-12
Student surveys will be developed in 2011-12
We will try to reach out to the whole community for increased participation
Next Steps