Evaluation Purpose

1. Lake Orion Community Schools Survey Summary Presented to the Lake Orion Community Schools Board of Education March 20, 2010byMichigan Association of School BoardsJennifer Rogers, MPADirector of Communications/PR

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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.

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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”

9. 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

11. Opportunities for Improvement • Address disengaged teachers • Focus on individualized learning • Foreign language • Encourage parent involvement • See chart for complete breakdown

13. 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

15. Preparing Students for Life After School • Top four IMPORTANT issues: • Math (90%) • English language arts (83.7%) • College prep programs (76%) • Science (73.1%) • Open-ended responses revealed: • All courses important; balanced/diverse curriculum; not all taught at/by school

16. 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.

17. Planning for the FutureA Vision for LOCS • Top words/phrases: • Best academic environment; world-class; high standards; strives to be the best • Community; close-knit; family values; caring; collaborate; work together; team approach • Innovative; forward-thinking; progressive • Prepare future leaders • Globally competitive; leader • Leader in technology

18. 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.”

19. 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.

20. 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

21. 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

22. 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

23. 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.

24. 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.

25. 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

26. 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.

27. 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

28. 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.

29. 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.

30. 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.

31. Communications Respondents would like to receive more regular communication from the district and/or the board on issues (top five): • Curriculum • Future plans for the district • General school news and events • Overall district performance • Extra-curricular activities and programs

32. 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

33. 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%)

34. 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%)

35. 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%).

36. 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).

37. Other Than Funding • Survey respondents believe the top four issues facing LOCS are: • Adequate preparation for life after graduation • School funding • Teacher quality • Curriculum offerings

38. 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.

39. 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.

40. 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!