Effective Schools Survey
In the Spring of 1994, the Nine Mile Falls School District put out
a survey to students and parents in the Nine Mile Falls School District. Parents could view the survey given
their child at the district office.
What parents were shown at the district office, however, was not the
actual survey, but a typewritten document revealing the survey questions. It was not until the parent survey
arrived home that most parents realized the survey was individually bar coded,
individually numbered and requested information that could identify the
child. This was after their
child had already filled out his/her survey and returned it to the
teacher. Student surveys were
filled out in class before the parent surveys were sent home.
Parents would also learn that students
were given rewards for handing in the survey and punishment for not doing
so. When the district was taken to
task for doing this, they claimed this action on the part of teachers wasn't
sanctioned by the district, and was just a misunderstanding. Of course, this was after the fact, and
after district officials had been taken to task about it.
Actual questions on student survey,
grades 7 through 12:
1. Teachers in this school really stress academic achievement
2. Students in this school are serious about their education
3. At this school there is a strong "push" for academic
performance
4. I feel that I can talk to a school administrator or counselor
about problems I might have at school
5. The principal or other administrators are often seen around campus
between classes, at lunch and at other times
6. Sometimes the principal or other administrator observes in my
classes
7. The principal often stops to talk with students around school
8. The principal lets students know what is expected of them
9. My teachers expect me to get good grades on assigned work and
tests
10.
This school makes students want to
learn
11.
The teachers at this school treat all
students as if they can learn
12.
Most of my teachers encourage me to
work hard in class
13.
I think that the teachers,
administrators and counselors want students to be successful in school
14.
The teachers at this school really care
about students
15.
Students have opportunities to take
positions of responsibility in this school
16.
The administrators at this school really
care about students
17.
The ideas and suggestions of students
are listened to and used in this school
18.
Students can count on teachers to
listen to their side of the story and to be fair
19.
Students are rewarded or recognized for
high academic achievement
20.
Students are rewarded or recognized for
outstanding performance in sports, art, music or speech / drama
21.
In general, I am happy with school
22.
School spirit is good on this campus
23.
Students treat teachers with respect
24.
I feel safe when I'm at school
25.
I feel that my personal property is
safe at school
26.
The school buildings and grounds are
neat, clean and well kept
27.
In general, I believe the school rules
are fair
28.
School rules are clearly explained to
students
29.
I am aware of the school attendance
policy and know the consequences of breaking it
30.
The school provides many types of
extra-curricular activities for students like clubs, organizations, and social
activities
31.
Teachers are willing to help students
who don't understand the work
32.
My teachers clearly explain what we are
expected to learn in each course
33.
My teachers make sure I have learned
material before they move on to new material
34.
My teachers encourage students to think
for themselves
35.
Most of my teachers regularly assign
homework
36.
My teachers are very knowledgeable about
the subjects they teach
37.
My teachers give all students a
chance to answer questions or make comments in class
38.
What students are taught in this school
will help them later in life
39.
Homework assignments are usually clear
and cover material which has already been presented in class
40.
I feel that I learn a lot in my class
41.
Not much time is wasted in my classes
42.
My classes are not interrupted
often by announcements and other people coming into the classroom
43.
Students are usually well-behaved and
do not disrupt classroom work
44.
My teachers sped almost all of the
class time on material related to the course
45.
Teachers start class on time and
continue teaching until the final bell
46.
Most of my teachers give tests
regularly
47.
Usually I know how well I am doing in
class
48.
My teachers grade assigned classwork and homework regularly and return the papers to
me
49.
Most of my teachers grade fairly
50.
The tests that my teachers give are
usually fair
51.
My parents know how well I am doing in
school
52.
I think the school keeps parents well
informed about what the school is doing
53.
My parents would feel free to talk to
someone at the school if they had concerns
54.
My parents usually attend school
activities
55.
My parents are pleased that I attend
this school
56.
Teachers contact parents when a student
has a problem
57.
My parents help me with my homework
when I need it
A place was provided at the bottom of
the survey for any comments the student might wish to make.
Actual questions on the parent survey:
1. I understand the overall purpose and priorities of the school
2. Teachers stress academic achievement as the most important
priority for their students
3. Throughout this school there is a "push" for academic
achievement
4. This school has clear, consistent rules for student behavior
5. Disciplinary actions are fair and related to the rules which were
broken
6. The principal and teachers really care about students
7. This school encourages my child to be self-directing, independent
and successful
8. I feel teachers treat my child with respect
9. I feel that the school is a safe place for my child
10.
Students are rewarded for academic
achievement, e.g., assemblies, special awards, displays of student work
11.
Problems at school are usually handled
promptly and effectively
12.
There are few discipline problems at
this school
13.
The school is neat, clean and well
maintained
14.
Staff at this school are willing to
listen to parents
15.
It is easy for me to talk to the
principal or other school administrator
16.
I am pleased with the leadership of
this school
17.
This school has high academic standards
for all students
18.
Teachers in this school are dedicated
to helping all students learn
19.
I receive information about the
academic expectations for students in this school
20.
Teachers at this school want students
to be successful and to reach their potential
21.
Students in this school receive high
grades only when they actually deserve them
22.
My child's homework is checked and
returned promptly
23.
Teachers let my child know on a regular
basis how he/she is doing in school
24.
My child's test results are reported to
me in a clear and understandable manner
25.
Teachers regularly inform me about my
child's progress and specific areas needing improvement
26.
My child's completed classroom work is
sent home often
27.
Parents are encouraged to participate
in school activities
28.
The teachers make parents feel welcome
at school
29.
It is easy for me to talk to my child's
teachers
30.
Teachers are available for discussing
my child's work and behavior
31.
I know what the homework policy is in
this school
32.
The school staff is open to parents'
suggestions
33.
I am kept well informed about school
activities
34.
I regularly assist my child with
homework
35.
Parents and community members are
involved in school decisions through advisory committees
36.
I respect the teachers in this school
37.
I have been informed about the school's
rules and consequences for breaking rules
38.
I feel that my child understands the
rules of the school
39.
It seems that classroom time is used
appropriately
40.
Teachers give rewards, praise and
recognition to all deserving students
41.
The subjects taught to my child in
school are the important ones
42.
This school is doing a good job
teaching the basic academic subjects
43.
My child is able to get help from the
teacher on school work when it is needed
44.
Homework assigned to my child is practice
on what has already been taught in class
45.
Overall, I am satisfied with this
school
A place was provided at the bottom of
the survey for any comments the parent/s might want to make.
When the fact that what the parents
were shown as the survey for the different grades, was different than the
actual survey given the students, when the legality of this survey was brought
up to the school board, it was decided by the board to scrap the survey. When disclosure was requested of the
school board as to the location of the surveys, except to say that Gonzaga University had them, the district refused to
respond. District officials also
refused to disclose what was encoded into the surveys, making it obvious that,
while the district claimed the surveys to be "confidential", the
surveys were not anonymous.
╪