Community Feedback Summary
M2 Communications was hired to design and implement a plan to solicit feedback and engage all stakeholders (parents/community, teachers, principals, staff and students) in the development of the District 65 strategic plan. M2 has extensive experience working with schools, districts and education organizations to integrate strategic communications into efforts to improve education.
Community input and engagement has been a cornerstone of the strategic planning process from the beginning. To facilitate this, M2 gathered information from:
Finally, the superintendent and the chief strategy officer are in the midst of conducting intensive school visits to every district school that include conversations with the principal and 10-15 teachers per school. M2 analyzed the notes from the visits to date and has incorporated the feedback into the following PowerPoint presentation that summaries all of the community engagement findings. Please note that all of the findings in this presentation were mentioned at every focus group, regardless of stakeholder group, but the items that appear in bold are ones that were mentioned more frequently and with broad support from the group.
An overarching and critical reflection on this research is that while people raised concerns and frustrations, their comments were largely framed in positive, constructive ways. People identified many effective strategies and opportunities that are currently in place but would like to see the district enhance and build on these and spread them equitably throughout the district for the benefit of all students.
While District 65 has many assets from which to draw, perhaps its greatest strength is its people – the families and community members; educators, staff and administrators; and the students. The collective wisdom and willingness of the District 65 community to work for the good of all students is an impressive foundation upon which to support every child, every day, by whatever it takes.
Click here to view full survey results.
Click here to view focus group, school visit, and survey summary.
Community input and engagement has been a cornerstone of the strategic planning process from the beginning. To facilitate this, M2 gathered information from:
- 15 focus groups conducted throughout the community within diverse stakeholder groups including families, community members and educators and staff
- Principal led focus groups for 4th and 5th grade students and 7th and 8th grade students
- A survey open to all stakeholders
Finally, the superintendent and the chief strategy officer are in the midst of conducting intensive school visits to every district school that include conversations with the principal and 10-15 teachers per school. M2 analyzed the notes from the visits to date and has incorporated the feedback into the following PowerPoint presentation that summaries all of the community engagement findings. Please note that all of the findings in this presentation were mentioned at every focus group, regardless of stakeholder group, but the items that appear in bold are ones that were mentioned more frequently and with broad support from the group.
An overarching and critical reflection on this research is that while people raised concerns and frustrations, their comments were largely framed in positive, constructive ways. People identified many effective strategies and opportunities that are currently in place but would like to see the district enhance and build on these and spread them equitably throughout the district for the benefit of all students.
While District 65 has many assets from which to draw, perhaps its greatest strength is its people – the families and community members; educators, staff and administrators; and the students. The collective wisdom and willingness of the District 65 community to work for the good of all students is an impressive foundation upon which to support every child, every day, by whatever it takes.
Click here to view full survey results.
Click here to view focus group, school visit, and survey summary.