Parents Grade Schools in Survey of Educational Climate
Parents Grade Schools in Survey of Educational Climate
By Lee Revis
Editor, Valdez Star
SCHOOL BOARD- The tables were turned this week when local schools received report cards and grades from Valdez parents on their opinions of how the schools are doing.
Gilson Junior High was the clear cut winner, earning a grade of 3.55, putting it in the range of an A-, when the numbers were tallied on questions ranging from what grade overall parents would give a school and to whether or not they agreed or disagreed with a wide variety of questions, including whether or not their child enjoys attending the school.
Hermon Hutchens Elementary came in with a high mark of B+ while Valdez High School only rated a C+ in they eyes of parents. However, when asked to specifically grade the schools performance, 13% of Valdez High parents handed out an A, while over half gave the school a B and 18% gave a C. Parents at the elementary school were very positive with 45% giving the school an A and another 43% graded the school with a B. No school was rated an F by any of the respondents.
Parents were given a specific survey for each school in which they have a student enrolled and parents living in separate households were each sent surveys. Parents were asked to read a statement, then say if they Strongly Agreed, Agreed, Disagreed or Strongly Disagreed with the statement. Some questions allowed for open ended answers, which have not yet been released by Administration. While some questions were the same for all three schools, many were geared particularly towards a specific school.
Hermon Hutchens had the highest rating, 3.6, of parents who feel their child enjoys attending school there, while Gilson was a close second with a score of 3.5, with 4 being the highest rating possible for any category. Valdez High suffered in this category, receiving only a 2.9. All three scored high in the helpfulness of the office staff and low in whether or not the school building and grounds are attractive and well maintained.
The elementary and junior high were both rated 3.4 in the perceived quality and professionalism of the teachers, but once again, Valdez High lagged behind the other two schools with a combined parental score of 3.1.
Overall, parents of Hermon Hutchens students rated the elementary school with a high score of 3.6, with most parents agreeing or agreeing strongly that their child or children enjoy attending the school, the office staff is courteous and helpful and that as parents, they felt comfortable visiting the school and getting involved in the school. The lowest overall score, 3.0,. meant fewer parents strongly agreed that the services provided by the counseling program adequately met student needs. The school also received a 3.1 in the categories student discipline and the adequacy of programs meeting the requirements of special needs students.
Gilson Junior High's parents gave the office staff a generous 3.7, the highest average score in any category for any of the schools. The smallest school in the district, it also received high marks for parental involvement and extracurricular activities. Its lowest mark, a 2.8, was for the statement: Teachers let me know how I can help my child at home.
Valdez High School, the second largest in the district, scored their highest grades in professionalism of teachers, preparing students for continuing education after high school and for providing students "the necessary skills for students entering the work force after high school". The school scored the lowest parental grades, a 2.5 average, on student discipline and teachers letting parents know how to help their kids at home.
According to Art Nash, an analyst from Fairbanks hired to compile the grades of the survey, the purpose of the survey was an attempt to gather information from parents on how well they believe the school or schools are doing in meeting the educational needs of their children. However, he noted that there was a relatively low return rate of surveys from parents. Valdez High, with a student body of 273 at the time of the survey, only had a return rate of 22%. Gilson Junior High had a school population of 137 and a return rate of 29%, as did Hermon Hutchens. The elementary school had a total of 405 students at the time surveys were mailed home to parents.
By Lee Revis
Editor, Valdez Star
SCHOOL BOARD- The tables were turned this week when local schools received report cards and grades from Valdez parents on their opinions of how the schools are doing.
Gilson Junior High was the clear cut winner, earning a grade of 3.55, putting it in the range of an A-, when the numbers were tallied on questions ranging from what grade overall parents would give a school and to whether or not they agreed or disagreed with a wide variety of questions, including whether or not their child enjoys attending the school.
Hermon Hutchens Elementary came in with a high mark of B+ while Valdez High School only rated a C+ in they eyes of parents. However, when asked to specifically grade the schools performance, 13% of Valdez High parents handed out an A, while over half gave the school a B and 18% gave a C. Parents at the elementary school were very positive with 45% giving the school an A and another 43% graded the school with a B. No school was rated an F by any of the respondents.
Parents were given a specific survey for each school in which they have a student enrolled and parents living in separate households were each sent surveys. Parents were asked to read a statement, then say if they Strongly Agreed, Agreed, Disagreed or Strongly Disagreed with the statement. Some questions allowed for open ended answers, which have not yet been released by Administration. While some questions were the same for all three schools, many were geared particularly towards a specific school.
Hermon Hutchens had the highest rating, 3.6, of parents who feel their child enjoys attending school there, while Gilson was a close second with a score of 3.5, with 4 being the highest rating possible for any category. Valdez High suffered in this category, receiving only a 2.9. All three scored high in the helpfulness of the office staff and low in whether or not the school building and grounds are attractive and well maintained.
The elementary and junior high were both rated 3.4 in the perceived quality and professionalism of the teachers, but once again, Valdez High lagged behind the other two schools with a combined parental score of 3.1.
Overall, parents of Hermon Hutchens students rated the elementary school with a high score of 3.6, with most parents agreeing or agreeing strongly that their child or children enjoy attending the school, the office staff is courteous and helpful and that as parents, they felt comfortable visiting the school and getting involved in the school. The lowest overall score, 3.0,. meant fewer parents strongly agreed that the services provided by the counseling program adequately met student needs. The school also received a 3.1 in the categories student discipline and the adequacy of programs meeting the requirements of special needs students.
Gilson Junior High's parents gave the office staff a generous 3.7, the highest average score in any category for any of the schools. The smallest school in the district, it also received high marks for parental involvement and extracurricular activities. Its lowest mark, a 2.8, was for the statement: Teachers let me know how I can help my child at home.
Valdez High School, the second largest in the district, scored their highest grades in professionalism of teachers, preparing students for continuing education after high school and for providing students "the necessary skills for students entering the work force after high school". The school scored the lowest parental grades, a 2.5 average, on student discipline and teachers letting parents know how to help their kids at home.
According to Art Nash, an analyst from Fairbanks hired to compile the grades of the survey, the purpose of the survey was an attempt to gather information from parents on how well they believe the school or schools are doing in meeting the educational needs of their children. However, he noted that there was a relatively low return rate of surveys from parents. Valdez High, with a student body of 273 at the time of the survey, only had a return rate of 22%. Gilson Junior High had a school population of 137 and a return rate of 29%, as did Hermon Hutchens. The elementary school had a total of 405 students at the time surveys were mailed home to parents.
posted by Newman at 10:38 PM
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