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Aug. 27, 1999
Parentssatisfied,but identifysome concernsin District 88Survey indicates 88 percent approve ofeducation programBy ERIC SERRANO Journal Staff Writer NEW ULM -- A majority of the parents of public school 7th- through 12th-graders feel District 88 is doing a good job educating their children, according to a survey conducted by district administrators. The survey's author, Director of Curriculum and Instruction Bill Sprung, presented the third installment of the results of the 46-item questionnaire during the school board's meeting Thursday night. He reported that 88 percent of the roughly 350 parents who responded said they were satisfied with the education their children are receiving. As with a similar review of the responses of elementary students' parents, 77 percent of the parents of students in the district's upper grades agreed the district provides opportunities for exploring the fine arts as a means of expression. "It looks like we could offer more fine arts classes or extra curricular activities. That's how I interpret it -- that parents are asking us to offer more," board member Susan Ullery said. Board chair Mark Wiger echoed Ullery's comment, adding that information he had received pointed to conflicts in scheduling in many cases. "It's frustrating for some students in making a choice between some (required coursework) and electives," he said, adding that in a number of cases the problem could be connected to scheduling. Sprung said the district may look at alternatives to the current seven-period schedule. Superintendent Harold Remme suggested looking into offering "early bird or late-bird," classes and extra-curricular programs. Parents also expressed some concern with the manner in which the district addresses the needs of students with either higher than average academic potential or those with learning difficulties. Twenty-one percent and 32 percent of parents respectively, disagreed with the statement the school is meeting the needs of both ability groups. "As with the elementary group, I think parents are telling us we need to look at more than just the middle," Sprung told the board. "We need to look at both ends of the spectrum as well, broaden our scope." The survey was based on goals the board set last year. The goals involved improving student achievement, communications, and parental involvement, as well as providing a safe learning environment. Responses aimed at assessing communications took the biggest hit from upper level parents. Thirty-four percent of parents disagreed that teachers and administrators listen and respond to parental opinions and concerns. Thirty percent disagreed that parents and teachers practice open communications, while 36 percent said they didn't feel problems are recognized and openly discussed. "It looks like we have some work to do there," board member David Leuthe said. "I recognize that (communication) is a two-way street, but I think it's something worth exploring further." "Those are not good numbers at all," Wiger agreed. Board member Brian Wieland suggested the district seek out staff responses to the communications issue. "I think it would be helpful to hear from staff about this," he said. "How are parents responding (to school communiques)?" Overall, the survey numbers were positive, Sprung said. "In general, based on these responses, consumers are saying things are pretty good. Eighty-eight percent is a satisfactory rating for a business, isn't it?" Sprung said the survey responses, including individual comments added to many of the returned questionnaires, will be distributed to each of the district's building administrators and to teachers. The results will also be presented to the District Curriculum Advisory Committee, a panel comprised of parents and other non-school connected individuals.
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