Superintendent Survey

3n. Achieving High Standards for All Students
Proven policies and practices for…
Creating educational opportunities that
address individual students’ learning needs

POINTS
_____

Providing supplemental supports for students
to achieve high standards

_____

Using an ongoing assessment process to provide
continuous feedback to students

_____

Challenging students at all grade and ability levels

_____

TOTAL = 10

3o. Partnering with Parents and Community Members
for Improved Student Learning
Proven policies and practices for…
Obtaining parent and community input for
planning school and district improvement

POINTS

Superintendent Survey

_____

Involving parents in instructional decisions about
their children’s learning

_____

Expanding avenues for parents and the
community to support student learning

_____

Engaging parents and community in schools in
a meaningful way

_____
TOTAL = 10

3p. Can you think of any specific practices or strategies being used in your district for creating effective partnerships with
parents and community members that you think are promising and would like to have evaluated for effectiveness?
Please describe briefly.

Finding the Strategies that Work:
Asking Educators What the Research Agenda Should Be
Note: If you prefer to complete the survey online, logon at:
http://www.tobedetermined.org. Be sure to use this six-digit access code when logging on:

Section 1 – Your District’s Experience in Identifying and Implementing Best Practices

In recent years a stronger focus has been placed on the use of data and research to drive instructional decision-making in
classrooms, schools, and school districts. A primary focus of the Regional Educational Laboratories (REL), such as REL-Northwest,
is to support educators in using data and research to identify, evaluate and implement successful practices appropriate for their
schools and districts. We are interested in learning something about your district’s experiences in identifying and implementing
best practices.
Please indicate to what extent each of the following is a problem for schools in your district
by circling the appropriate rating 1-10 below.

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3q. Can you think of any promising practices or strategies for issues that were not included in this survey that you would
like to have evaluated for effectiveness? Please describe briefly.

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⎝

1a. Identifying problem areas that impact student
learning the most
Not a Problem
1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1c. Implementing new practices as designed
Not a Problem

Major Problem

Major Problem

1

8

If you rated this item 5 or higher, please explain why it is a

9

10

If you rated this item 5 or higher, please explain why it is a
problem. ______________________________________

______________________________________________

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

problem. ______________________________________

______________________________________________
______________________________________________

______________________________________________
1d. Achieving the results you were led to expect from
new practices

1b. Finding practices that are likely to work in your district
schools
Not a Problem
1

2

3

Not a Problem

Major Problem
4

5

1
6

7

8

9

10

If you rated this item 5 or higher, please explain why it is a
problem. ______________________________________

______________________________________________

2

3

Major Problem
4

5

6

7

8

9

10

If you rated this item 5 or higher, please explain why it is a
problem. ______________________________________

______________________________________________
______________________________________________

______________________________________________

Section 2 – Successes and Challenges for your District

THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR TIME AND OPINIONS
All responses will be kept strictly confidential and results will be published in summary form only.
Please return your survey in the envelope provided, to:
Gilmore Research Group
2324 Eastlake Avenue East
Suite 300
Seattle, WA 98102
OMB Control No. 1850-New, EDIC# 3237

2a. What is the single most important factor that has
contributed to positive student performance in your
district? Please describe briefly:

2b. What are you finding to be the biggest obstacles to
improving student learning?
Please describe briefly:

______________________________________________

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______________________________________________

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Please allocate 10 points among the options for each question below, based on the kinds of research and best practices information that would be most useful to your district.
Section 3 – Identifying Research Needs for Northwest Schools
Recently Northwest educators identified eleven critical school improvement issues in the region that could be better informed by
research. We are asking your assistance in identifying specifically where schools such as the ones in your district might benefit
from having better evidence of successful practices that address these issues; practices that meet your district’s unique needs.
There are four options listed below for each of the eleven issues. You have 10 points to allocate among the options in each set.
You can assign each option any value from 0 to 10, including decimals. Give the most points to the option that would provide the
greatest benefit to student learning in your district.
3a. Improving School Attendance

3b. Increasing High School Graduation Rates

Proven policies and practices for…
Strengthening connections between home
and school

_____

Proven policies and practices for…
Early identification of students that may be
at risk for eventually dropping out

Dealing with the effects of family culture on
school attendance

_____

Providing supplemental supports (K-12) for
students at risk for eventually dropping out

_____

Creating school as a welcoming place for students
and families

_____

Working with parents and the community
to improve graduation outcomes

_____

Developing a safety net of support systems for
students that can promote improved attendance

Designing effective alternative education programs

_____

_____

POINTS

POINTS
_____

TOTAL = 10

TOTAL = 10

3g. Providing Effective Professional Development
for Teachers
Proven policies and practices for…
Using on-going assessment in the classroom to
align instruction with standards

3h. Preparing Prospective Teachers to Teach
POINTS
_____

Proven policies and practices for…
Preparing prospective teachers to be able to
teach in a standards-based environment

POINTS
_____

_____

Preparing prospective teachers to be able to
collaborate as teams to improve teaching and
learning

_____

Developing effective collaboration skills and
techniques

_____

Strengthening the content knowledge of
prospective teachers in core academic areas

_____

Training teachers to partner effectively with
parents to support student learning

_____

Preparing prospective teachers to be able to use
school and classroom assessment to guide
instructional practices

_____

Developing teacher skills at self-evaluation and
reflection to improve their classroom practices

TOTAL = 10

TOTAL = 10

3i. Can you think of any specific professional development practices or strategies for current and/or prospective teachers
that you think are promising and would like to have evaluated for effectiveness? Please describe briefly.

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3c. Can you think of any specific practices or strategies being used in your district for improving school attendance and/or
keeping students in school that you think are promising and would like to have evaluated for effectiveness?
Please describe briefly.

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3j. Improving Mathematics Instruction

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Proven policies and practices for…
Providing instruction that fosters an
understanding and application of content

3d. Leading School Improvement
Proven policies and practices for…
Recruiting and retaining principals who can
lead school improvement efforts
Improving pre-service preparation of principals
to lead improvement
Providing on-going professional development
of principals to lead change efforts
Mentoring and coaching principals to lead
improvement

3e. Sustaining School and District Improvements
POINTS
_____
_____
_____
_____

Proven policies and practices for…
Creating more opportunities for teacher
collaboration on school improvement

POINTS
_____

Developing staff support for changes in
school programs and practices

_____

Determining the resources and support my
schools in my district need to carry out
improvement efforts

_____

Maintaining continuity of improvement efforts
regardless of personnel changes

_____

TOTAL = 10
TOTAL = 10
3f. Can you think of any specific practices or strategies being used in your district for leading and/or sustaining school
improvement efforts that you think are promising and would like to have evaluated for effectiveness?
Please describe briefly.

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3k. Improving Science Instruction

_____

Proven policies and practices for…
Teaching students to effectively apply scientific
principles and processes

Providing challenging mathematics learning
opportunities to address diverse learning styles
and needs of students

_____

Providing challenging science learning
opportunities to address diverse learning styles
and needs of students

_____

Identifying mathematics teaching practices that
would be effective in your school or district

_____

Identifying science teaching practices that would
be effective in your school or district

_____

Vertically aligning the mathematics curriculum
from kindergarten through grade 12

_____

Vertically aligning the science curriculum from
kindergarten through grade 12

_____

POINTS

TOTAL = 10
3l. Improving Literacy Instruction
Proven policies and practices for…
Integrating reading and writing across the
curriculum
Providing challenging literacy learning
opportunities to address diverse learning styles
and needs of students

POINTS
_____

_____

POINTS
_____

TOTAL = 10
3m. Can you think of any specific practices or strategies
for improving mathematics, science or literacy instruction
being used in district that you think are promising and
would like to have evaluated for effectiveness?
Please describe briefly.

______________________________________________
______________________________________________

Identifying literacy teaching practices that would
be effective in your school or district

_____

Vertically aligning the literacy curriculum from
kindergarten through grade 12

_____
TOTAL = 10

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