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