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Survey: Dysart school district stakeholders happy

2020 results taken before COVID-19 shutdowns

Posted 6/18/20

Dysart Unified School District stakeholders appear happy with the district’s direction, according to results of its annual poll of parents, students and teachers.

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Survey: Dysart school district stakeholders happy

2020 results taken before COVID-19 shutdowns

Posted

Dysart Unified School District stakeholders appear happy with the district’s direction, according to results of its annual poll of parents, students and teachers.

Jayne Wieferich, the director of research and achievement, said results show the district is providing a “safe environment” for students and staff and employees describe the culture of the district as “positive and supportive.”

The surveys were taken before the COVID-19 shutdown of campuses statewide. Yet, the surveys had 3,313 more people take it — a nearly 33% increase.

“That just kind of gave me goose pimples in order to think that there are people out there completing the surveys and showing such great support for Dysart,” Governing Board member Traci Sawyer-Sinkbeil said.

Results of the parent survey found the satisfaction with the education their children are receiving increased from 65% to 70%.

Parents also reported their children experience low frequency of conflict with other students

And an overwhelming majority of parents believe the district considers school safety and security a high priority.

“Generally, there was greater satisfaction across the board,” Superintendent Quinn Kellis said. “I think that’s the result of a lot of hard work.”

For the student survey, they feel their school offers opportunities for their families to be involved in school activities and their learning.

The survey also showed more students reported low conflict at school with their peers.

The district is also seeing a 69% to 77% rise in students who continue to feel safe at locations throughout our campuses.

For the employee survey, school and district staff reported high percentages who feel they have open lines of communication with supervisors.

Satisfaction with the superintendent’s leadership increased with all but 2% feeling satisfied among school staff.

About 93% of school staff and 90% of district staff report being proud to work for DUSD.

The surveys also questioned about school counselors, which are in short supply across the state.

About three-quarters of students said they did meet with their counselor during the school year. About 84% of students said they had at least one classroom presentation by a counselor this school year.

Parents reported greater satisfaction for schools providing counseling services to students. Last year that mark was only at 63%, but 76% reported satisfied this year.

“Typically, as researchers understand, whenever you have more responses, you generally trend lower in the ratings,” Mr. Kellis said of the reverse trend.

The survey results showed some areas that need attention. Those include:

  • Post-high school awareness and support, including guidance on both college and career services.
  • Creating opportunities for students and parents to be involved in school improvements and decisions beyond Site Council, PTA and Student Council.
  • School sites need to cultivate a culture of respect between staff members and students. Some students indicated other students may be disrespectful to staff.

Editor’s Note: Jason Stone can be reached at jstone@newszap.com.