Monument Academy 2016-2017 End-of-Year Survey Results Prepared By
School Accountability Advisory Committee (SAAC) June 19, 2017
Committee Directory: Name
Position
Lis Richard
Principal
Elizabeth Davis
Principal; Chief Academic Officer
Tanja Curtis
SAAC Chair; Parent
Al Brown
SAAC Vice Chair; Public Member
Nanette Walker Smith
SAAC Secretary; DAAC Rep; Parent
Scott Saunders
MA School Board Liaison; Parent
Sarah Hall
Preschool Director; Parent
Rachel Strahl
Elementary School Rep ; Parent
Sara Petrie
Elementary School Rep; Parent
Richard Hart
Middle School Rep
Mimi Brown
Public Member
Dana Gregory
Middle School Rep; Parent
Heather Kohlhase
DAAC Rep; Elementary School Rep; Parent
Bob Linza
Parent
Rick Dahlman
DAAC Rep; Middle School Rep; Parent
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Table of Contents
Committee Directory: ................................................................................................................................................................................................... 2 1.0
INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................................................................................................................... 4
2.0
S CHOOL-WIDE R ECOMMENDATIONS ...................................................................................................................................................................... 6
3.0
E ND -OF-Y EAR S URVEYS ........................................................................................................................................................................................ 7
3.1
Preschool ...................................................................................................................................................................................................... 7
3.1.1
Year-to-Year Comparison ..................................................................................................................................................................... 7
3.1.2
Summary of Preschool Recommendations .......................................................................................................................................... 8
3.2
Elementary School ........................................................................................................................................................................................ 9
3.2.1
Year-to-Year Comparison ..................................................................................................................................................................... 9
3.2.2
Summary of Elementary School Recommendations ......................................................................................................................... 10
3.3
Middle School ............................................................................................................................................................................................. 11
3.3.1
Year-to-Year Comparison ................................................................................................................................................................... 11
3.3.2
Summary of Middle School Recommendations ................................................................................................................................ 12
3.3.3
Question 20 Concerning Safety and Security .................................................................................................................................... 13
4.0
I P AD S URVEYS ................................................................................................................................................................................................... 14
4.1
Summary of Favorable and Negative iPad Results .................................................................................................................................... 14
4.2
Summary of iPad Recommendations ........................................................................................................................................................ 15
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1.0
INTRODUCTION
During March 2017, Monument Academy (MA) parents were asked to complete surveys that addressed programs and policies currently in effect at MA. The ultimate purpose of the End-of-Year (EOY) Surveys is to provide information to the MA executive leadership team that will identify both positive and negative trends in our students’ educational experience. The entire survey process was written and monitored by the School Accountability Advisory Committee (SAAC). SAAC is a Colorado Department of Education (CDE) mandated advisory committee made up of parents, teachers, employees of Monument Academy (MA), and at least one public member who does not have children currently attending MA. The committee is an advisory body only; however, it serves an important role by assisting the Principal in the development and completion of the Unified Improvement Plan (UIP) required annually by the CDE and making recommendations to the MA School Board in the areas of academics, budgets, and safety based on the interpretations of MA Community surveys. The surveys are used, in part, to obtain information to assist with the formulation of the UIP. The UIP identifies areas needing improvement, predominantly academic, but can include safety, social, and other trackable areas, then monitors progress over time of how a school is responding to addressing the identified areas. SAAC acts as an additional voice of the MA Community for checks and balances. Four separate EOY surveys were created using the online survey tool SurveyMonkey® to be completed by parents. The surveys for 2017 (Preschool, Elementary, Middle School, and iPad) are identical to those completed in 2015 (no iPad survey in 2015) and 2016 in order to identify year-to-year trends. The survey responses remain anonymous. This report presents the results of the 2017 EOY surveys. Included are summary results for each survey question and recommendations from SAAC to the executive leadership team for reviews or changes in policies/procedures. Given several comments in the surveys, SAAC advises the MA School Board and Administration to continue to remind the MA Community that Monument Academy was founded as, and is, a traditional, classical school. At MA, the Arts are balanced with a Core Knowledge Curriculum. As such, curriculum and much of MA’s decisions are based on these parameters. This year overall, communication was a common thread in comments across the board. The SAAC recommends the MA School Board and Administration, especially the incoming Principal and Chief Academic Officer, take focused look at information delivery to parents and guardians. It is important that readers of this report keep the proper perspective about the survey results. By just about any metric, MA is among the best schools in the State. MA has a waiting list for every grade. MA’s success is a result of the actions of the Board of Directors and the leadership team over the past several years, and the actions and dedication of MA’s staff, teachers, and volunteers. MA has a reputation for delivering Monument Academy 2017 EOY Report PUBLIC 062017.docx
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quality education and caring for our children. All of us share a common objective: we want to be the best we can be. It is within this context that the SAAC has prepared this report.
Survey Metrics The overall breakdown of the emails, survey takers, and percentages are as follows:
Survey
Number of Email Invitations Sent
Number of Completed Surveys
Preschool
148
35
Elementary School
803
132
Middle School
561
83
iPad-Parents
561
28
Percentage Completion 23.6% (35/148) 16.4 (132/803) 14.8 (83/561) 5.0% (28/561)
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2.0
SCHOOL-WIDE RECOMMENDATIONS Topic
Safety: • Traffic Flows • Congestion • Overcrowding
Communications
Security: • Bullying • Internet • Facilities Inconsistent Discipline
Status • •
High concern for safety during pick-up and drop-off CDOT & El Paso County Works are “investigating”
Sometimes missing; sometimes duplication
• • •
Hallways overcrowded Minimal physical activity Some controls on Internet
A few disruptive students hurt all
Recommendation • • • •
Higher sense of urgency “Town Hall” meeting with CDOT & El Paso County Works Consider bussing Install more sidewalks
Need school-wide communications strategy: • Teacher specific • Dean specific • Admin specific • Board specific • • • •
Add Middle School to new High School Add exercise minutes in classroom Parents monitor iPads at home Hallway doors
Enforce consistent guidelines
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3.0
END-OF-YEAR SURVEYS 3.1 Preschool 3.1.1 Year-to-Year Comparison
The scores for 2015, 2016, and 2017 come directly from the analysis prepared by Survey Monkey®. The color coding is somewhat arbitrary; however, it helps identify areas where parents have expressed concerns and where the leadership team should consider additional actions.
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3.1.2 Summary of Preschool Recommendations Topic
Status
Communications to Parents about Weekly e-mail to parents with number, MA Approach to Academics shape, and book of the week Security: • Playground • Pick-up • Hallways Parent-Teacher Conferences
• • •
Playground highly visible Pick-up congested Hallways vulnerable
Beginning assessment and February assessment
SAAC Recommendations • •
Add social/emotional content to weekly e-mail More communications from the BOD
• • • •
Consult D38 safety officer Solid bottom 4’ of playground fences Install solid, auto-locking hallway doors Bussing children to/from several drop-off locations
Conference appointments whenever requested by parent or teacher
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3.2
Elementary School 3.2.1 Year-to-Year Comparison
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3.2.2 Summary of Elementary School Recommendations Topic Uniform Policy
Status • • •
IEP’s for Special Needs
Gifted/Talented Program
• •
Monitored by teachers Inconsistent enforcement and disciplinary action Teacher out of classrooms for individual assessments Robs other students of teaching time Very little time devoted to GT students in past year
SAAC Recommendations • • •
Revisit/update purpose, intent, priority of uniform policy Is this best use of teachers’ time? Teachers and staff should also conform to policy
Dean of Student Services to propose solution
Re-evaluate and revamp GT program
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3.3
Middle School 3.3.1 Year-to-Year Comparison
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3.3.2 Summary of Middle School Recommendations Topic
Status •
Overcrowding
•
• Consistently Disruptive Students •
Jammed hallways create behavior problems Teachers requested to stand in doorways Teachers take kids into hallway to counsel/ discipline Rest of classroom left unattended
Gym and performing arts share the same space
Facilities New Student Orientation
Minimal integration of new MA students
SAAC Recommendations • •
Make new High School a Middle School as well Teachers or volunteers stand in doorways to monitor halls
•
Encourage parent/ volunteer involvement in MS classrooms More admin support Re-evaluate effectiveness of current discipline deterrents Maintain consistent discipline Strong desire for dedicated gym, spectator seating, locker rooms, etc. Dedicated Performing Arts area
• • • • •
Add Ambassador Program to pair new and old families
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3.3.3 Question 20 Concerning Safety and Security
This question asked for parental feedback concerning safety and security at Monument Academy. 79 parents responded to this question. Almost 90% gave affirmative responses; i.e., safety and security policies and procedures are Adequate or Very Adequate. The SAAC, however, is concerned that the eight parents responding “Not Adequate” have experiences that are contrary to the mission and values of our institution. While a 100% positive response is unlikely, it is incumbent on the leadership and staff to continuously monitor and enforce the safety and security of our children.
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4.0
IPAD SURVEYS
4.1
Summary of Favorable and Negative iPad Results
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4.2
Summary of iPad Recommendations Topic
Status
SAAC Recommendation
Handwriting skills
Parents see decline in handwriting skills and attribute it to iPad use
Teachers make sure that some assignments are handwritten
Is iPad a Tool or a Distraction?
Teachers: iPad is a tool. Some parents: a distraction
Continue training and correct use
iPad training
Some parents see this as a weak area
Teach fundamentals of iPad use in a technology class
Submitting assignments
Some students have problems with this
Provide basic training at the beginning of the school year
Keyboarding
Keying is difficult on an iPad
• •
Investigate using/providing wireless keyboards. Communicate need to parents who may be able to provide wireless components
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