Fairfax County Public Schools Trust and Confidence Survey Results November 15, 2011

The District Management Council70 Franklin St.Boston MA, 02110Tel: 877.DMC.3500www.dmcouncil.org

Fairfax County Public Schools

Trust and Confidence Survey Results

November 15, 2011

2Trust and Confidence in Fairfax County Public Schools

Survey objectives

What is in this report?

This report highlights findings from an online survey distributed to parents of Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) and non-parent taxpayers of Fairfax County via the public library database. The survey is a snapshot in time of general perceptions of FCPS and will be carried out annually.

What are we trying to explain?

This survey had four sequential objectives culminating in determining the overall level of trust and confidence of parents and non-parent taxpayers in FCPS.

Access Understanding Agreement Trust

• Access to the information provided by FCPS

• Level of understanding of the information provided by FCPS

• Agreement with decisions and decision-making process made by FCPS

• Overall trust and confidence in current decisions and future decisions to be made by FCPS


Survey methods

What were the respondent characteristics considered in this survey? Parent or non-parent identification If parent, then level of school of current student Geographic residence (by zip code)

How were the questions developed?The questions used to measure overall trust and confidence were derived from best practice surveys used in public school districts combined with tailored questions from the Department of Communications and Community Outreach (DCCO). The resulting multi-item scales meet the conventional standard for reliability. The scale used included: Strongly Disagree, Disagree, Agree, Strongly Agree, Don’t have enough information to make an assessment. Questions on the extent of access of information1. I receive the information I want or need about the

school system2. I receive specific information regarding FCPS’

progress towards meeting its goals and priorities3. I am informed in a timeline manner of major decisions

made by FCPS4. Extent of access to various sources of information

Questions on the level of understanding5. The district has made progress in students’ academic

skills6. The district has made progress in students’ gaining

essential life skills7. The district has made progress in students’

understanding of their responsibility to the community

Questions on the level of agreement 1. FCPS is providing students with the right education for the 21st century2. The quality of education has improved in FCPS over the past 2 years3. FCPS respects the cultural diversity of students and their families4. FCPS is innovative5. FCPS school system leaders make decisions that reflect the

community’s values

Questions on the level of trust and confidence in FCPS6. FCPS principals and asst. principals are effective instructional leaders

for teachers and staff7. FCPS teachers are effective in preparing students for the future8. FCPS operates in the best interest of all students9. School system leaders make decisions that are fair for all students10. FCPS manages its budget responsibly11. Extent of trust in information sources12. FCPS is a trustworthy public institution


Survey respondent data

The survey was distributed via the following sources: Parents: 5,000 individual randomly selected emails Library Patrons: 150,000 individual emails

Other categories: former parent, private school parent, alumni of FCPS, parent of future student, grandparent or student of FCPS

8 parents responded to the Korean-language survey

29 parents and 2 non-parents responded to the Spanish-language survey

Number of respondents

Percent of total respondents

A non-parent taxpayer in Fairfax County 6,177 37%

A parent of a student in FCPS 6,773 40%

Other 3,933 23%


Table of contents

Trust in Fairfax County Public Schools

Information that supports trust Access Understanding Agreement

Focus group comments


FCPS is a trustworthy public institution.

Strongly Agree Agree Disagree Strongly

DisagreeNot Enough

Info Grand Total

Parent 1,321 3,061 403 171 442 5,398

Non-Parent 830 1,842 291 111 1,161 4,235

Total 2,151 4,903 694 282 1,603 9,633

• Parents: • 81% agree / 10% disagree

• Non-parents:• 63% agree / 10% disagree

Parent Non-parent0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

8%

27%3%

3%

7%

7%

57%

43%

24%20%

Strongly Agree

Agree

Disagree

Strongly Disagree

Don't have enough information to make an assessment


FCPS is providing students with the right education for the 21st century.


DisagreeNot Enough

Info Grand Total

Parent 1,494 2,852 590 140 322 5,398

Non-Parent 861 1,481 375 101 1,417 4,235

Total 2,355 4,333 965 241 1,739 9,633



Parent Non-parent0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

6%

33%

3%

2%

11%

9%

53%

35%

28%20%

Strongly Agree

Agree

Disagree

Strongly Disagree



FCPS teachers are effective in preparing students for the future.


DisagreeNot Enough

Info Grand Total

Parent 1,436 2,898 600 137 327 5,398

Non-Parent 845 1,433 341 90 1,526 4,235

Total 2,281 4,331 941 227 1,853 9,633



Parent Non-parent0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

6%

36%

3%

2%

11%

8%54%

34%

27%20%

Strongly Agree

Agree

Disagree

Strongly Disagree



FCPS principals and assistant principals are effective instructional leaders for teachers and staff.


DisagreeNot Enough

Info Grand Total

Parent 1,285 2,438 563 213 899 5,398

Non-Parent 466 1,179 362 130 2,098 4,235

Total 1,751 3,617 925 343 2,997 9,633



Parent Non-parent0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

17%

50%

4%

3%

10%

9%45%

28%

24%

11%

Strongly Agree

Agree

Disagree

Strongly Disagree



FCPS operates in the best interests of all students.


DisagreeNot Enough

Info Grand Total

Parent 820 2,645 1,188 305 440 5,398

Non-Parent 497 1,448 657 191 1,442 4,235

Total 1,317 4,093 1,845 496 1,882 9,633



Parent Non-parent0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

8%

34%

6%

5%

22%

16%

49%

34%

15% 12%

Strongly Agree

Agree

Disagree

Strongly Disagree



Table of contents





I receive the information I want or need about the school system.


DisagreeNot Enough

Info Grand Total

Parent 1,695 3,021 438 99 145 5,398

Non-Parent 559 1,742 574 158 1,202 4,235

Total 2,254 4,763 1,012 257 1,347 9,633



Parent Non-parent0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

3%

28%

2%

4%

8%

14%56%

41%

31%

13%

Strongly Agree

Agree

Disagree

Strongly Disagree



Blogs

The Washington Examiner

Radio

Other (please specify)

I don’t use any of these sources.

My local school

Other print and online media

Local television

FCPS employees

FCPS sources

Friends or neighbors

The Washington Post

1.4%

4.5%

9.8%

10.7%

10.9%

11.2%

18.4%

19.5%

28.7%

30.6%

35.5%

42.4%

Trusted sources of information about FCPS

FCPS sources

My local school

Friends or neighbors

FCPS employees

The Washington Post

Other print and online media

Local television

Other (please specify)

Radio

I don’t use any of these sources.

Blogs

The Washington Examiner

80.5%

59.3%

23.3%

20.5%

12.3%

6.8%

6.4%

3.6%

2.9%

1.3%

1.2%

1.0%

Parents Non-parents


I receive specific information regarding FCPS’ progress towards meeting its goals and priorities.


DisagreeNot Enough

Info Grand Total

Parent 991 2,622 1,067 143 575 5,398

Non-Parent 315 914 1,081 316 1,609 4,235

Total 1,306 3,536 2,148 459 2,184 9,633



Parent Non-parent0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

11%

38%

3%

7%

20%

26%49%

22%

18%7%

Strongly Agree

Agree

Disagree

Strongly Disagree



I am informed in a timely manner of major decisions made by FCPS.


DisagreeNot Enough

Info Grand Total

Parent 1,313 2,828 722 163 372 5,398

Non-Parent 344 1,083 935 314 1,559 4,235

Total 1,657 3,911 1,657 477 1,931 9,633



Parent Non-parent0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

7%

37%

3%

7%

13%

22%

52%

26%

24%

8%

Strongly Agree

Agree

Disagree

Strongly Disagree



What information would you like to receive about FCPS?

The majority of respondents wanted more information around the district’s focus and practices around Standards of Learning (SOLs) and testing

The next most common requested topic was details around FCPS’ curriculum choices

Other topics of interest for more information were (in order of frequency): the School Board Student performance / grades / achievement FCPS Budget Discipline policies Principal decisions Superintendent / central office Diversity / minority-related issues Technology use


Table of contents





The district has made progress in students’ academic skills.


DisagreeNot Enough

Info Grand Total

Parent 657 2,471 682 131 1,457 5,398

Non-Parent 370 1,270 339 65 2,191 4,235

Total 1,027 3,741 1,021 196 3,648 9,633



Parent Non-parent0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

27%

52%2%

2%

13%

8%

46%

30%

12% 9%

Strongly Agree

Agree

Disagree

Strongly Disagree



The district has made progress in students’ gaining essential life skills.


DisagreeNot Enough

Info Grand Total

Parent 522 2,196 924 181 1,575 5,398

Non-Parent 274 987 510 129 2,335 4,235

Total 796 3,183 1,434 310 3,910 9,633



Parent Non-parent0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

29%

55%3%

3%

17%

12%

41%

23%

10% 6%

Strongly Agree

Agree

Disagree

Strongly Disagree



The district has made progress in students’ understanding of their responsibility to the community.


DisagreeNot Enough

Info Grand Total

Parent 659 2,350 794 169 1,426 5,398

Non-Parent 277 968 523 140 2,327 4,235

Total 936 3,318 1,317 309 3,753 9,633



Parent Non-parent0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

26%

55%3%

3%

15%

12%44%

23%

12%7%

Strongly Agree

Agree

Disagree

Strongly Disagree



Table of contents




Appendix


The quality of education has improved in FCPS over the past 2 years.


DisagreeNot Enough

Info Grand Total

Parent 526 1,554 1,292 204 1,822 5,398

Non-Parent 272 619 527 119 2,698 4,235

Total 798 2,173 1,819 323 4,520 9,633



Parent Non-parent0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

34%

64%4%

3%

24%

12%29%

15%

10% 6%

Strongly Agree

Agree

Disagree

Strongly Disagree



School system leaders make decisions that are fair for all students.


DisagreeNot Enough

Info Grand Total

Parent 624 2,301 1,378 366 729 5,398

Non-Parent 348 1,168 833 205 1,681 4,235

Total 972 3,469 2,211 571 2,410 9,633



Parent Non-parent0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

14%

40%7%

5%

26%

20%

43%

28%

12% 8%

Strongly Agree

Agree

Disagree

Strongly Disagree



FCPS manages its budget responsibly.


DisagreeNot Enough

Info Grand Total

Parent 610 2,400 783 287 1,318 5,398

Non-Parent 340 1,299 574 240 1,782 4,235

Total 950 3,699 1,357 527 3,100 9,633



Parent Non-parent0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

24%

42%

5%

6%

15%

14%

44%

31%

11% 8%

Strongly Agree

Agree

Disagree

Strongly Disagree



FCPS respects the cultural diversity of students and their families.


DisagreeNot Enough

Info Grand Total

Parent 2,211 2,425 193 102 467 5,398

Non-Parent 1,177 1,411 128 59 1,460 4,235

Total 3,388 3,836 321 161 1,927 9,633



Parent Non-parent0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

9%

34%

2%

1%

4%

3%45%

33%

41%

28%

Strongly Agree

Agree

Disagree

Strongly Disagree



FCPS is innovative.


DisagreeNot Enough

Info Grand Total

Parent 1,045 2,557 869 190 737 5,398

Non-Parent 621 1,461 403 101 1,649 4,235

Total 1,666 4,018 1,272 291 2,386 9,633



Parent Non-parent0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

14%

39%4%

2%

16%

10%

47%

34%

19%15%

Strongly Agree

Agree

Disagree

Strongly Disagree



FCPS school system leaders make decisions that reflect the community’s values.


DisagreeNot Enough

Info Grand Total

Parent 700 2,662 883 296 857 5,398

Non-Parent 391 1,444 548 157 1,695 4,235

Total 1,091 4,106 1,431 453 2,552 9,633



Parent Non-parent0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

16%

40%5%

4%

16%

13%

49%

34%

13% 9%

Strongly Agree

Agree

Disagree

Strongly Disagree



Table of contents





Parent Focus Group Comments

What are the strengths of FCPS? Safe, clean schools Good education and dedicated teachers Substantial resources for students Great reputation within Virginia and nationally that draws exceptional parents and students to the district The district feels welcoming to new parents

What are the areas of improvement for FCPS? Concerned that FCPS is becoming a business and not a community-parent based institution Some initiatives go under the radar such as the decreasing honors programs in the district Too much trimming on the budget and parents do not know how decisions are being made on these items (this

includes the thought process for and not only who is making decisions) Schools are not being treated equally in terms of funding, programming and class-sizes


Parent Focus Group Comments

What are the characteristics of a trustworthy school district? Transparency and accessibility Strength of teachers Team environment Respect from the top all the way to the teacher level Honesty – be open about what is not working so parents can engage in developing solutions Parents must feel like valued partners

Parents feel that trust in FCPS comes largely from great student outcomes derived from great teachers and a rigorous education

Impressions on general access to information Information is not always user-friendly: There is a lot of information being distributed but does not allow the

average parent to easily understand the big picture, the current news or the most relevant issues Many invitations to meetings but it is unclear whether the topic would be of interest to a particular parent

Access and understanding of budget and student achievement in FCPS Parents know they have access to budget information but are not equipped to understand the information FCPS only communicates the positive information on student achievement but parents want to hear about the

challenges and the solutions Regarding student goals: had not heard of the specific goals before but can see how those goals are reflected in

the curriculum


Business and Community Representatives Focus Group Comments

What are the strengths of FCPS? Parents are educated and engaged FCPS has the necessary resources to be successful Advanced academic program which draws great parents Special education services are also strong Wonderfully talented students, teachers and parents

What are areas of improvement for FCPS? Responsiveness to requests for data and district-level issues This may not be able to change but FCPS is constrained by the state in terms of innovation and choice Trust between parent groups / teacher groups and the district. Also, district trust IN parent and teacher groups

to be representative. The district is too centralized when parent populations want more differentiation (of students and of schools) Demand to be heard is a lot higher at FCPS than in other districts FCPS needs to look at stakeholders as decision-makers too which can prevent a lot of the parent reactive

backlash Lack of understanding and lack of consistent messaging causes a limited sense of credibility of central office


Business and Community Representatives Focus Group Comments

What makes a trustworthy public school district? Open dialogue and true collaboration Concessions are made by the district and is therefore representative of cooperation Follow-up with parents and community members Good communications

Trust in FCPS comes because stakeholders know FCPS operates with good intentions but they would like to see a greater effort in engaging in meaningful dialogue with community groups

Impressions on access to information There is a high level of information being distributed but limited understanding therefore groups are creating and

sharing their own interpretations which can lead to widespread misunderstanding It is hard to find specific information when you need it

Access and understanding of budget management and student achievement Unclear how specific management decisions were made concerning the budget on specific programs Most parents don’t need details, they need to know what the return on their investment is and how their money is

being invested Achievement has not improved because class sizes are increasing across the district Advanced programs have been watered down as more and more students are involved limiting overall achievement The district has left out the “middle” students: provides great support for special needs and academically advanced

but no supports for the middle and they are falling behind


FCPS Teachers and Employees Focus Group Comments

What are the strengths of FCPS? Exceptional special education programs Great programs for academically advanced Professional development for teachers is very high Focus on lowering class sizes and increase staff at high risk schools Cluster-level information and support

What are the areas of improvement for FCPS? Schools need updated technology especially to support a 21st century education Too much emphasis on Standards of Learning (SOLs) as a primary indicator of student success Achievement gap still exists despite efforts to eliminate it Not everyone has a pre-K foundation and therefore are further behind at the start and continue to fall behind Little understanding of how budget decisions are made especially with regards to certain programs Parents have a low level understanding of curriculum and academic achievement levels and


FCPS Teachers and Employees Focus Group Comments

What makes a trustworthy school system? Focus on teacher development (professional development) Professionalism from every level (central office, school level, teachers and parents) Consistency of communicated priorities and visible practices A consensus on the goals for the school district – if it is to eliminate achievement gap then community should

be prepared to align financial resources to this goal

Staff believe that trust in FCPS comes from its commitment to support and develop staff but believe greater consistency in messaging could increase overall trust

School-level engagement of parents and communities Schools conduct surveys of teachers, students and parents on specific issues as needed Instructional committees at schools often have parent participants Parents are involved in principal selection so there is a high level of accountability to the community Most parents ask about:

Discipline issues and policies International Baccalaureate programs Extra-curricular program information Concerns about “regular” programming – that money is being invested in advanced programs and

remediation programs but is consistently taking funds from support to regular programs


Takeaways from the Survey

We now have a baseline to measure against.

Strong trust from parents and non-parents on FCPS: As a trustworthy public institution Providing students with the right education for the 21st century Teachers effectively preparing students for the future Respecting the cultural diversity of students and families

Parents receive the information they want or need about FCPS Parents trust FCPS, their local school, friends/neighbors Non-parents trust the Washington Post, friends/neighbors, FCPS Parents feel informed on major decisions in a timely way


Takeaways from the Survey

We have opportunities to inform in several areas: Principals’ and assistant principals’ role as instructional leaders for

teachers and staff (50% of non-parents indicated not having enough info)

FCPS’ progress on three student achievement goals (more than 50% of non-parents and 26% of parents indicated not having enough info in each of the three areas)

How the quality of education has improved in FCPS over the last 2 years (64% of non-parents and 34% of parents indicated not having enough information)

How FCPS manages its budget responsibly (42% of non-parents and 24% of parents indicated not having enough information)

Fairfax County Public Schools Trust and Confidence Survey Results November 15, 2011

Documents

Transcript of Fairfax County Public Schools Trust and Confidence Survey Results November 15, 2011