COMMUNITY SURVEY REPORT - Envision Estacada Schools 2030 · 2019-03-26 · Envision Estacada Schools 2030 Community Survey 5 Springwater (10 percent), George (6 percent) and Barton

Envision Estacada Schools 2030 Community Survey

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COMMUNITY SURVEY REPORT A Qualitative Analysis Summarizing Results of the

Online Community Survey

Envision Estacada Schools 2030 Estacada School District

March 26, 2019

Prepared by Steve Maher, Steve Maher New Media NXT Consulting Group • Portland | Bend, Oregon

envision.plan.achieve…


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CONTENTS INTRODUCTION & OVERVIEW 3

SURVEY DESIGN, ADMINISTRATION & ANALYSIS 4 • Survey Design 4 • Survey Administration and Analysis 4 • Survey Demographics 4 OVERALL SURVEY FINDINGS 6 • Major Findings 6 • Other Significant Findings 7 • A Look at Respondent Subgroups 8 A CLOSER LOOK AT OPEN-ENDED QUESTIONS 10 • One thing you most value about the Estacada School District? 10 • Estacada School District’s greatest strength? 11 • Estacada School District’s greatest weakness? 12 • Estacada School District’s biggest challenge? 14 • One idea for the future of Estacada School District? 16 • Ways the Estacada School District can engage and collaborate with the community? 19 APPENDIX 22 • Results of Demographic and Multiple-Choice Questions 22


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INTRODUCTION & OVERVIEW The Envision Estacada Schools 2030 visioning and strategic planning initiative is utilizing three distinct survey tools to collect information from Estacada School District’s employees and from the community at large in 2019. All three surveys are meant to engage people in the planning process and to learn about their aspirations for the School District’s future. Additional community outreach is occurring through interviews of school district officials and community leaders, and during a public visioning workshop in which residents can offer input and ideas. All the feedback and input will be utilized to help develop a new long-range vision and a five-year strategic plan for the School District. The first survey, for the community at large, was launched in early January and concluded in early March, and gauged residents’ perceptions of recent School District progress, including strengths, weaknesses and challenges. It also elicited residents’ aspirations for the future of Estacada schools and how to better engage the public going forward. As of this report, a total of 201 people completed the online questionnaire. The first survey is the subject of this report. Another survey, for employees only, was conducted in January and February. It was completed by 51 employees. That survey found employees are satisfied with their jobs and more than 80 percent saying the district’s performance has improved over the past five years. The employee survey also found that teachers, paraprofessionals, administrators and directors believe there has been good progress made in student achievement and communications (two of three key planks in the district’s 2015-19 strategic plan). A final community survey will be conducted in April and will seek feedback from residents on the key elements of the draft Envision Estacada Schools 2030 Strategic Plan.


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SURVEY DESIGN, AMINISTRATION & DEMOGRAPHICS Survey Design The Envision Estacada Schools 2030 Community Survey questions were developed in conjunction with key Estacada School District administrators. The survey was divided into three parts: demographic questions, multiple-choice questions and open-ended questions (i.e., questions requiring a written response). Three open-ended questions appeared in both the community survey and the employee survey. They were:

• What is the Estacada School District’s greatest strength?

• What is the Estacada School District’s greatest weakness?

• What is the Estacada School District’s biggest challenge?

Online portal SurveyMonkey was chosen to host the community survey. A link to the survey was distributed via social media, email, the District and Envision Estacada Schools 2030 (www.envisionestacadaschools.org) websites, traditional media, and word-of-mouth. Survey Administration and Analysis All of the survey responses were stored in an online database. From there, the project utilized qualitative data analysis (QDA) software to analyze the results, conduct a sophisticated content analysis, and identify emerging vision themes identified by School District employees. Some of the results were translated into graphical “word clouds” and lists. Survey Demographics Nearly all of the 201 survey respondents are full-time or part-time residents inside the Estacada School District boundaries. About 57 percent live in the City of Estacada or just outside the city limits. The rest are from unincorporated areas, with Eagle Creek (at 19 percent of respondents) making up the biggest share of those people, followed in order by


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Springwater (10 percent), George (6 percent) and Barton (3 percent). Most of the survey respondents (67 percent) are between the ages of 35 and 54 years, the cohort most likely to have children in school. Just 5 percent of respondents are 65 years and older, and only 2 percent are 18 years and younger. More than three-fourths of respondents said they have a child attending a school in the school district. About 11 percent said they previously had a child in the school district. Small percentages (around 6 percent) said they either will have a child attending in the future or will never have a child attending a school. About 1.5 percent said they have a child currently at the Summit Charter School.


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OVERALL SURVEY FINDINGS Major Findings Estacada School District has many things going for it — teachers and staff who are valued by community members for their knowledge, caring attitudes and dedication; smaller class sizes that allow greater teacher-student interaction and attention; and a small-town feel that nurtures face-to-face conversations and discussions about the educational system. Solid majorities of community survey respondents say the school district is performing and communicating better today than it was five years ago and that input from community members on how to improve schools is being integrated into district decision making.

The survey also identified weaknesses, including two — poor school facilities and a lack of funding to make improvements — cited by survey respondents significantly more often than other responses. Those two weaknesses are present at a time when population growth in the community is now leading to higher enrollment, larger classroom sizes, and greater staffing needs. (The District is also considering a bond measure intended, in part, to address such shortcomings.) Indeed, when asked what “one idea” could enhance the future of the Estacada School District, survey respondents ranked building new and improved facilities as the number one idea. The School District’s communications efforts received strong approval from community members. Seven out of 10 respondents said the district effectively communicates what it considers important. Additionally, nearly nine in 10 respondents said the district is communicating better than it was five years ago.


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In a sign of how important community outreach is for residents, communication is ranked by survey respondents as the school district’s second greatest strength – as well as the fourth biggest challenge going forward. When asked how the school district can better engage and collaborate with the overall community, survey respondents overwhelmingly said they want broader and more transparent communication from the school district. Respondents suggested several ways to do so, including through social media, website, live video streams, surveys, meetings, printed and mailed newsletters, and flyers. Some asked for that information to be provided in both English and Spanish. Along those same lines, the second and third most popular responses to the community collaboration question is for the school district to be more visible and engaged at community events, and to hold more school events. Respondents ranked better communication between the school district and parents, students and residents as one of the best ways to enhance the school district. Tapping into Estacada’s strong sense of community seemingly offers another “open door” for the school district to communicate to residents. Other Significant Findings Other significant findings from the community survey include the following:

• About 66 percent respondents agree that the Estacada School District regularly connects parents with a variety of community programs and resources. About 13 percent disagree with that statement. Another 21 percent are undecided.

• 60 percent of respondents agree that relationships between the school district and

families are stronger today than they were five years ago. About 10 percent disagree with that statement. Another 30 percent are undecided.


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• About 56 percent of respondents agree students have more of an “ownership” stake in

their learning today, while 13 percent disagree and 31 percent are undecided.

• Less than a majority of respondents — about 45 percent — agree that parents are more involved today in their child’s education and have a better idea of changes enacted by the Estacada School District. 21 percent disagree with that statement and 34 percent are undecided.

• When asked to list the biggest challenge facing the School District, many respondents

cited both adjusting to population growth and its impacts, and the need to upgrade facilities in their answers.

• Community members consider the school district’s small size to be both a top strength

and a top weakness.

• Bullying wasn’t mentioned once in the employee-only survey, but is ranked the third highest weakness for the School District in the community survey.

• Community survey respondents had differing opinions on curriculum. Some believe the

School District is giving too much attention to children with special needs and to those who are struggling — to the detriment of children with advanced learning abilities. Others believe the School District is not doing enough for children with special needs and for those who are struggling.

A Look at Respondent Subgroups The demographic questions asked in the survey allowed for an analysis of whether specific subgroups (where people live in the District, their age range, and present/past/future enrollment of their children in District schools) responded differently to questions than the entire survey group did. We looked at three questions with this in mind. They were:

• Do you believe the Estacada School District’s performance has improved since 2014, when the first strategic plan was put into place?

• Does the Estacada School District effectively communicate what the district stands for

and what the district considers important? • As a community member, do you believe your input about how to improve schools

has been integrated into the Estacada School District’s decision-making? The analysis showed significant differences among two groups of respondents (where people live in the District, their age range) in only one of the survey questions: “Do you believe your


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input about how to improve schools has been integrated into the Estacada School District’s decision-making?” 71 percent of people living either in the City of Estacada or just outside the city limits answered in the affirmative to that question, while only 53 percent of those living everywhere else in the district did so. Overall, the question generated a 63 percent “yes” response rate. When looked at by age range, 54 percent of those aged 35 to 44 answered “yes” to the same question.


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A CLOSER LOOK AT OPEN-ENDED QUESTIONS Open-ended questions, in which survey respondents must write their own answer to a question, offer a deeper dive and more nuanced answers to questions about issues facing the Estacada School District. In the community survey, there were six such questions. Here is a look at the most common answers to those questions as well as a sampling of some of the individual responses. Each of the summaries below is accompanied by a “word cloud,” which is a graphical image of the most common terms used in response to a particular question. The more frequent the use of a particular term, the larger its graphical representation. Question: What is one thing you value most about the Estacada School District? The 10 most common answers and themes — ranked in order of frequency (times mentioned in parenthesis): 1. Teachers and other staff (44) 2. Sense of community, small-town culture (41) 3. Smaller school district and class sizes (28) 4. Communication (20) 5. A close-knit and caring school district (15) 6. Education and learning environment (8) 6. Involved in the community (8) 8. Safe environment (6) 8. Excellence and high standards (6) 10. Proximity and location (5)


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A look at some of the responses to this question: “Walking down the street a person can have a conversation about the school with an administrator or school board member, and you know they care because they live and are part of the community they work in.” “The schools and educators truly care about my children.” “I personally value the classes that aren’t the major classes. I love my English and history classes, but those are required. The electives that teach you real life skills are really important to me, such as metals and automotive.” “Principal Hudson's motto — ‘Every student. Every classroom. Every day.’” “Always striving to make education better for our kids.” “The ability to highly educate our children in a small community, giving them the skills to do whatever they want to do.” “I appreciate that the ESD is small enough that my family members are known to teachers and administrators.” QUESTION: What is the Estacada School District’s greatest strength? The 10 most common answers and themes — ranked in order of frequency (times mentioned in parenthesis): 1. Teachers and other staff (39) 2. Communication (31) 3. Sense of community, small-town feel (23) 4. Relationships with parents, students and residents (18) 5. Smaller school district and class sizes (17) 6. School district leadership (9) 7. Caring school district (7) 8. Desire to improve (6) 8. Open to change (6) 10. Students (5)


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A look at some of the responses to this question: “The tight knit relationships and accessibility to talk to the staff” “Good leadership that develops ideas through feedback and what people want” “The Estacada School District’s greatest strength is its small size and therefore its ability to be nimble in its decisions and actions.” “They care very much about our children.” “Valuing each child as an individual, not just a number in a seat” “The push to improve communication to the community.” “My kids are in elementary school and in my opinion the teachers and staff at their school are the greatest strength. They care for the well-being and safety of the kids and really celebrate their accomplishments.” QUESTION: What is the Estacada School District’s greatest weakness? The 10 most common answers and themes — ranked in order of frequency (times mentioned in parenthesis): 1. Poor facilities (35)


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2. Limited funding (22) 3. Bullying (11) 4. District office, including not listening to concerns and input and not providing support (10) 5. Communication (9) 5. Class offerings and programs limited due to the school district’s small size (9) 7. The needs of all students, abilities, diversity and income-levels are not being met (8) 7. Employee turnover / keeping good teachers (8) 9. Teachers and staff not up to par (7) 9. Transportation (7) 11. Class sizes too big (5) 11. Special education (5)

A look at some of the responses to this question: “Sometimes it seems even with the input they receive, popularity in the board and such takes precedence.” “A community that isn't always willing to back up the schools’ needs” “Preparing ALL staff for changes that are implemented.” “Communication. There can never be too much. I like classroom weekly newsletters. I appreciate the weekly school newsletter, but I believe more information could be included. I believe communication on events happening at the schools could be better managed.”


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“A lot of teachers are first-timers and only stay a couple years, then leave.” “Classroom and athletic facilities are far behind other school districts. Also, allowing kids to retake tests is a detriment to them when they get to college and are unprepared.” “Lack of vision and purposeful direction for the future (although it's improving)” “Intervention for helping students who are struggling academically” “Teachers and faculty are stretched too thin. This impacts the kids because they are not being provided the attention to learn.” “Follow through regarding repercussions for large matters such as bullying — both with the student but additionally the faculty.” QUESTION: What is the biggest challenge facing the future of the Estacada School District? The 10 most common answers and themes — ranked in order of frequency (times mentioned in parenthesis): 1. Adjusting to population growth and its impacts — higher enrollment, classroom size, staffing, student learning (89) 2. Upgrading facilities and navigating funding issues (57) 3. Adding, recruiting and retaining employees (12) 4. Creating and maintaining academic excellence, including improved test scores and graduation rates (9) 4. Communication and relationship-building (9) 6. Developing a learning environment that meets needs of all students, including those with special education needs and those without those needs (7) 6. Bullying and out-of-control students (7) 8. Communicating with and getting parents involved (6) 9. Providing support services, including mental health services, to students' mental health (3) 10. Changing community demographics (2) 10. Scheduling (2) 10. Drugs (2) 10. Moving away from the school district’s past reputation (2)


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A look at some of the responses to this question: “Being forward thinking and creative in problem solving” “Campanella Estates (and its) 330 new homes” “The new housing developments might bring in too many children to our schools.” “Ability to maintain our buildings to provide a safe and comfortable learning environment for our students.” “Where are we going to put the students that will be moving to this community? Our high school is falling apart and has to be redone.” “Being able to keep good teachers” “Building trust and engagement within the community” “The Estacada School District’s greatest challenge is not expecting excellence from every student, not holding each student to a high enough standard.” “Having to many kids in class and not enough teachers. Therefore, not enough one-on-one time.”


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“Convincing students their education has value.” “Growing population and deteriorating buildings” “Convincing the tax payers to pay for a bond” “Unless the community can be brought back to the school and find trust in the leadership, the school will not gain public support.” “Getting community on board to pass a bond to allow our kids the best, most up-to-date learning environment.” “I worry that the district will not be able to keep up with the growth. Much of the growth is happening in the River Mill boundary. What will be done to ensure that the building is safe for students and there is adequate space for teaching and learning to occur? Will boundaries be changed to more equally distribute student populations between River Mill and Clackamas River?” “Students coming in with more emotional and behavior issues” Question: What is one idea you have that could enhance the future of the Estacada School District? The 10 most common answers and themes — ranked in order of frequency (times mentioned in parenthesis): 1. Building new and improved facilities, with or without help of a bond (34) 2. Additional staff, training and resources (18) 3. More career-oriented, technical, vocational and basic-skills classes; partnership with CCC for AA degree (15) 4. Increased communication between the school district and students, parents and residents (13) 4. Year-round school (13) 6. More community involvement and support (7) 6. Greater parental involvement, including parent volunteers (7) 6. Change structure of the schools; including middle school back to a junior high, reopen Eagle Creek Elementary (7) 6. Meet needs of talented and gifted students (7) 10. Increased transparency (6) 10. More after-school activities, extracurriculars and summer programs (6)


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A look at some of the responses to this question: “Four-day week or early day on Fridays” “I love the idea of the two elementary schools splitting off and one being for K-2nd and the other for 3rd-5th.” “Year-round school. It will only improve the students' ability to learn and retain info. I also firmly believe it will improve test scores and graduation rates.” “Passing a bond to start getting are buildings ready for the future.” “Very involved counselors in all the schools, more career-focused classes in high school, continued assistance for students struggling with classes, recognition for good behavior, keep the student council program” “Moving too quickly and pushing an agenda leaves children without an education they can use for their future.” “Communicate all of the positive attributes about the district to the public.” “Helping the entire community understand the value of the school district could help with future bond measures.” “Start recognizing we have some talented and gifted students in our district that are not having their educational needs met. Estacada needs to not always be focused on the lesser students’ needs.”


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“Hire more teachers to keep class sizes small.” “Stability. Make a decision and stick to it. Stop changing everything every year or two. It's not good for the kids to have constant time changes. High school students need more accountability. Stop focusing so much on district test scores. You are failing our kids by giving them multiple chances to do things. It's more about district scores then about setting our kids up to succeed rather than fail at life.” “Teachers assistants. One assistant per grade to assist with classroom assignment, grading homework, help with reading, allow art to be completed, etc.” “Implementing more technical and skills classes” “Update the high school. Check out Stanwood School District in Washington. They needed to pass a bond to update their high school. The students made a video showing the community what issues the high school had and the bond passed. It was a great video made at Stanwood High.” “Ensure class sizes stay manageable as Estacada grows. Which likely will mean another elementary school and classrooms added to the middle and high schools.” “Continue the recent improvements in communication levels to provide transparency and trust within the entire community.” “More equity work and more money spent on teacher professional development. And more work being done to keep good teachers. So many good teachers keep moving away from Estacada to go to other school districts.” “More action when a child is bullied.” “Collaborating with the Estacada Library to help all students receive the resources needed to help them academically.” Encourage the local business owners, even the new ones, to sponsor or participate. Encourage the new dance studio in town to come in to a PE class to teach something special. Get a local artist to come in. With more community involvement, get stronger financial backing and you can network for some amazing things. The opportunities are endless for a small community school. Yes, we are growing, all the more reason to network to keep the close knit country feeling to our beautiful town! It all starts with the kids!” “More social media involvement from the principals and superintendent” “Not a priority but it would be nice to have a beautification project or program started to improve the landscaping and aesthetic or our schools. We have a lot of nursery/business owners living in the community that I think would love to donate, discount or provide labor to help. I


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think that kids and staff will be happier and more motivated to go to school and work if it's a clean and beautiful environment that they are excited and proud to attend.” “Reopen Eagle Creek School to prepare for population growth.” “Build a very successful strategic plan” QUESTION: In what ways can the District better engage and collaborate with the overall community? The 10 most common answers and themes — ranked in order of frequency (times mentioned in parenthesis): 1. Communicate better and on a broader and more transparent scale, including in English and Spanish. Communicate through several platforms, utilizing social media, a more robust website, live video streams, robocalls, surveys, town hall meetings and other community meetings, traditional mailings, and flyers (72) 2. More visibility, engagement and participation in the community, including at community events (13) 3. Hold more school activities and events (10) 3. Seek community input and then take that feedback seriously (10) 5. Hire, engage, assist and support teachers with students struggling in the classroom (4) 5. Incorporate local businesses in the classroom, including through internships (4) 5. Develop better relationships with students and families (4) 8. Listen to residents from outside the City of Estacada and those who do not have kids in school (3) 9. Conduct strategic planning (2) 9. Seek better community representation at meetings and on panels (2) 9. Community tours: Invite the community into the schools to express the growing needs of the district. (2) 9. Get parents more involved (2)


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A look at some of the responses to this question: “By all means keep up the great work in opening the lines of communication. This truly has been refreshing. Going forward, I think hosting town hall type meetings might go over well.” “I feel as if a decision has already been made and we are simply being pacified into believing we are getting a choice. Working parents are not heard.” “Although I have lived in the district for many years I’ve just recently had my child enroll. I have been impressed by the leadership at district and the staff I have worked with to ensure a smooth transition. I am looking forward to seeing exactly what Estacada can do for my child compared to our old school district.” “Real time video of all public meetings so those unable to attend can still be informed. Ask and listen. Holding open forums without limiting structure, and vent sessions, especially on bullying, would let families feel heard. Structured guided meetings does not allow open communication. Both formats are needed, but a meeting where parents share current experiences that can then be used to drive a structured meeting would be beneficial.” “The district has achieved better communication in recent years. However, I feel more progress needs to be made so that there is more community buy-in so the district can get the needed funding for improvements and talent.” “Form a committee of community members to visit successful schools in communities our size to see what works and how to implement effective changes.” “Keep reaching out and talking and listening to the community.”


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“Actually listen to the community’s needs and actually implement and act on them. Many times offered collaboration feels like a 'show' rather than appreciation feedback.”


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APPENDIX

RESULTS OF THE DEMOGRAPHIC AND MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS DEMOGRAPHIC QUESTIONS: Question: What is your age range? Results: 18 years or younger: 2.0% 19 to 24 years: 1.5% 25 to 34 years: 14.9% 35 to 44 years: 41.3% 45 to 54 years: 25.4% 55 to 64 years: 9.4% 65+ years: 5.5% Question: Are you currently a full-time or part-time resident in the Estacada School District? Results: Yes: 97.5% No: 2.5% Question: If you are a full-time or part-time resident in the Estacada School District, where do you live? (Please check one.) Results: City of Estacada: 33.9% Just outside the Estacada city limits: 23.5% Eagle Creek: 18.6% Barton: 3.3% Tracy: 1.1% Dover: 0.0% George: 6.0% Springwater: 9.8% Dodge: 1.1% Mount Hood National Forest: 2.7%


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Question: Which of the following best describes your connection with the Estacada School District? Results: I have children currently attending the high school, middle school, or one of the elementary schools. 76.1% In the future I will have children attending the high school, middle school, or one of the elementary schools. 5.5% I previously had children attending the high school, middle school, or one of the elementary schools. 10.9% I have never had a child attend the high school, middle school, or one of the elementary schools. 6.0% I have children attending Summit Charter. 1.5% MULTIPLE-CHOICES QUESTIONS: Question: Do you believe the Estacada School District’s performance has improved since 2014, when the first strategic plan was put into place? Results: Yes: 61.7% No: 9.0% Not sure: 29.3% Question: If you are a parent of a student currently in the Estacada schools, please read the following statements regarding the School District. And then indicate whether you strongly agree, agree, are undecided, disagree or strongly disagree with each statement. Results: Statement: The school district is performing at a higher level than it was a few years ago. Strongly agree: 13.8% Agree: 51.3% Undecided: 28.7% Disagree: 3.7% Strongly disagree: 2.5% Statement: Parents are more involved today in their child’s education and have a better idea of changes enacted by the Estacada School District. Strongly agree: 3.7% Agree: 41.6% Undecided: 34.2% Disagree: 18.6% Strongly disagree: 1.9%


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Statement: The Estacada School District regularly connects parents with a variety of community programs and resources. Strongly agree: 21.7% Agree: 44.7% Undecided: 20.5% Disagree: 11.2% Strongly disagree: 1.9% Statement: By working together and by being accountable, students in the Estacada School District have more of an “ownership” stake in their learning today. Strongly agree: 8.7% Agree: 47.2% Undecided: 31.0% Disagree: 11.2% Strongly disagree: 1.9% Statement: Relationships between the school district and families are stronger today in the Estacada School District than they were five years ago. Strongly agree: 14.9% Agree: 44.7% Undecided: 29.8% Disagree: 6.9% Strongly disagree: 3.7% Question: How do you typically learn about happenings in the Estacada School District? (Select all that apply.) Results: Email communications: 69.0% From printed school district newsletter: 8.0% From Estacada News weekly newspaper: 6.5% During parent-teacher conferences: 1.5% From my child: 4.5% At school athletic events: 0.5% At other school events: 0.5% Via word of mouth in the community: 9.5% Question: Does the Estacada School District effectively communicate what the district stands for and what the district considers important? Results: Yes: 70.6% No: 29.4%


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Question: Is the District communicating with you better than it was five years ago? Results: Yes: 88.6% No: 11.4% Question: As a community member, do you believe your input about how to improve schools has been integrated into the Estacada School District’s decision-making? Results: Yes: 62.2% No: 37.8%

Documents

COMMUNITY SURVEY REPORT - Envision Estacada Schools 2030 · 2019-03-26 · Envision Estacada Schools 2030 Community Survey 5 Springwater (10 percent), George (6 percent) and Barton