Press Release

Surveys Seek To Gauge School Climate

Thu, Feb 8, 2001

DPS parents, students and teachers will be asked to weigh in on important questions about their school during the week of March 5-9 when School Satisfaction Surveys are distributed by all schools.

The survey solicits the views of all DPS parents, students, and teachers on classroom learning, homework, school safety, discipline, teacher expectations, school-parent communication, and CSAP preparation.

Students and teachers will complete the surveys at school. Parent surveys will be sent home with each student. "In a school district that is seeking to be more data driven, there is no more important information than from those who serve the district and those who are served by the district," said Aaron Gray, DPS director of Community Relations. "We hope to hear from everyone as we continue the journey of making Denver schools second to none."

Schools use the results to help determine what changes may be needed to better meet the needs of their communities.

"The survey is meant to gauge the climate of a school," said David B. Thomas of the district's Assessment and Testing Department. "It's an important feedback tool for schools." The survey consists of 15-26 questions, depending on the audience and student level, and takes about 10 minutes to complete. Survey questions include those intended to measure change from the previous year, identify school-specific concerns, and evaluate major elements of the district's programs. All questions were reviewed and approved by school Collaborative-Decision Making teams.

Most student and teacher surveys will be administered at each school during the week of March 5-9. A few schools with conflicts may schedule them at a different time during March.

Parents who do not receive a survey form should contact their child's school. To assure confidentiality, parents will be provided with a postage-paid, pre-addressed envelope to send completed surveys to the DPS Assessment and Testing Department. Participants are not asked their names, although schools are identified on each survey form.

The surveys will be compiled and the results released in late April. All school and district summary data will be made public. Individual survey forms are confidential and will not be released.