“Clearly, we have some things to fix. Where should we start?”
We hear some variation of that almost every time we present staff, student, and parent survey information. And we’re working to get you the best answer we can.
We often say that data doesn’t do any good if it just collects dust on a shelf.
We hold ourselves to the same standard. We’re not just a survey company. We’re a research company too.
To that end, we have – what we hope is – a really interesting and action-oriented plan to share insights from our data throughout this upcoming fall semester.
It drives us bonkers when we go to a conference and hear things we already know. We’re sure the same is true for you.
You know retaining staff is important. You know student engagement is a precursor for academic and social development. You know you need the support of parents and the community.
We all get that. It’s not news.
But how do you measure those things quickly and easily? Then, more importantly, what do you do about it? And in what order?
That’s where School Perceptions come in.
Over the next six months, we’re going to discuss things like:
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What survey questions matter most when you’re trying to figure out whether staff and students are engaged and parents are satisfied?
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What do you need to fix first to retain your best and brightest staff (especially in a time of substantial turnover and a thinner bench)?
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How can you use very brief snapshot surveys multiple times throughout the year to address potential issues before they swell?
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Where does it seem all districts struggle? There’s a good chance you’re not alone in what you’re trying to solve.
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Who’s rockin’ it? What actionable steps have other school districts taken to improve their scores, and what can you learn from them?
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How many things are within your control? You can’t change how rich or poor your community is, but you can change how easy it is for parents to receive school communications. And that’s pretty darn impactful.
Every few weeks, we’ll dig into each of these questions and get you some answers in a clear and efficient way. Stay tuned! We’re excited.
The School Perceptions Blog and Resource Center features the voices of our team members. This post was written by Rob DeMeuse, Research Director.