survey2013-14web

LAEF Satisfaction & Priorities

Survey 2013-14

Executive Summary

Survey Response • 1,707 starts and 1,456 completed surveys

• Focus of the survey was on the satisfaction of programs in 2013-14 and program priorities for 2014-15

• Survey responses similar to 2012-13 • Parents satisfied overall with funded programs, continue to support

small class sizes • Overwhelmingly positive response to new STEM program • Strong support for continuing the Innovation Grant !

• Representative sample by school and by grade

• Non-donors are under-represented

Executive Summary

Donation Attitudes Year 4 of LAEF’s $1,000 per student suggested donation amount !• Respondents expect all families to donate what they can afford, with broad

understanding that not all families are able to donate at the “ask” !• “District Counts on Me” remains the predominant reason that donors give !

• Among respondents, 92% report they donate annually !

Program Satisfaction !

• Overall satisfaction is high across all grades & programs, consistent over the last 3 years

• Increased communication is needed to improve parent understanding of program curriculum, especially for STEM and cSTEM

• Comments reflect that parents value K-3 class student:teacher ratio reduction, but would like even smaller class sizes

• Overall satisfaction at Jr. Highs is high across all LAEF-funded programs

Executive Summary

Pressure Points ! STEM - Different lessons were tested at different schools during the pilot

year, resulting in varied experiences across the district. Comments reflect different levels of awareness among parents of their students’ hands-on science experience.

! Jr. High Electives - Parents would like to have expanded elective offerings,

specifically increased STEM offerings (coding, robotics) and Home Economics/Cooking. !

Executive Summary

Executive Summary

Board & Grant-Making !• Parents give LAEF Board good marks for communicating about funding

and reasons to give !• Majority of parents believe LAEF grant is distributed fairly between

schools and grade levels !• Parents are still unclear about how LAEF works with District to develop

LAEF grant and how funds are allocated

Executive Summary

Funding & Fundraising !

• Most parents remain committed to supporting high-quality, well-rounded education (smaller class sizes, enrichment programs) via donations !

• While committed to high quality public education, parents recognize that further changes need to be made to public education funding • Eg: property tax inequities • News of increasing tax revenues and state funding changes is

confusing perception of continuing need !

• There is strong parent support for pursuing partnerships with local businesses

!• Parents expect fiscal responsibility, accounting for funds

Action ItemsCommunication Despite good marks on communication, many comments indicate lack of information about LAEF programs: • LAEF Board needs to remain visible on campus, improve outreach to

school communities • Increase communications about LAEF programs • Parents would greatly appreciate regular program updates from LAEF-

funded staff !Investigate Program changes with District:

• STEM - Build upon successes from first year of pilot to make the program even more robust, sustainable, and fine-tune the student experience across grades and at all schools

• Jr. High - Consider offering additional electives in STEM and Home Economics

Survey Participation

Who took the survey?

300300300300300

n = 1,695

Almond Covington Gardner Egan Loyola Oak Santa Rita Springer

0

62.5

125

187.5

250

218

197210216

167

246247231

189

Blach

Are all populations represented?

# of Families % Population # of Response % of Responses over/under Representation

Almond 358 14.7 189 13.1 -1.6%

Covington 369 15.1 247 17.1 2.0%

Gardner Bullis 223 9.2 167 11.6 2.4%

Loyola 370 15.2 216 15.0 -0.2%

Oak 334 13.7 210 14.5 0.8%

Santa Rita 420 17.2 197 13.6 -3.6%

Springer 363 14.9 218 15.1 0.2%

Blach 499 45.5 231 51.3 +5.8%

Egan 558 54.5 246 48.7 -5.8%

Survey sample proportional to actual elementary enrollment +/- 3%. Junior Highs- Egan is under-represented

Historic Satisfaction & Program Survey

Participation

Survey Starts Completes Complete %

2011 S&P 1927 1525 0.79

2012 S&P 1496 1237 0.83

2013 S&P 1489 1237 0.83

2014 S&P 1707 1456 0.85

Note: “Completes” equals respondents who click “Done”. Effective completion rate even higher.

Donation Attitudes

Which statement best represents your attitude about donating to LAEF?

0%

13%

25%

38%

50%

Non Donor Tax Deduction Not High Priority Try Every Year Count on Me Every Family

2011 2012 2013 2014

n = 1,620

“Counts on Me” response captures strongest sense of community “greater good” While respondent pool changes over time, attitudes are highly consistent

Which statement best represents your attitude about donating to LAEF?

Comments

Top Themes Comments Share

We Donate Every Year 18 16%

LAEF Is a Good Cause 12 11%

All Families Should Donate If They Can Afford It 11 10%

n = 111

How is LAEF doing?

Rate LAEF Board Members

n = 1,520

0% 25% 50% 75% 100%

Strongly Disagree Disagree Neutral Agree Strongly Agree

The LAEF Board of Directors strives to represent all of the families in our school district. Please read the following statements and provide a rating that reflects your thoughts/feelings about LAEF.

LAEF Board members are parents like me who are interested in

keeping our schools strong. !!LAEF Board members at my school are accessible and open to hearing

my input. !!LAEF Board members effectively

communicate with the parent community on funding issues.


Communication Issues 22 24%

Don’t Know LAEF Representatives 17 18%

Praise for LAEF Representatives 12 13%

n = 93

Rate LAEF Board Members Comments

LAEF Grant Attitudes

n = 1,497

0% 25% 50% 75% 100%


The LAEF Board of Directors strives to create a balanced grant. Please read the following statements and provide a rating that reflects your thoughts/feelings about the LAEF grant.

LAEF grants are spread fairly across all the SCHOOLS in our district. !!

LAEF grants are spread fairly across all GRADES in the district so that all

students benefit equally. !!LAEF's current level of fund raising and funding to the school district is

about right.


Don’t Really Know 100 52%

It’s Too Much Money 26 13%


n = 193

LAEF Grant Attitudes Comments

Kindergarten

Kindergarten Program Satisfaction

n = 243

How satisfied are you with the following LAEF funded Kindergarten programs?

** (The total cost to deliver each program this year to EVERY Kindergarten at ALL 7 elementary schools)

0% 25% 50% 75% 100%

Very Dissatisfied Dissatisfied Do Not Know Neutral Satisfied Very Satisfied

Reduce Class Size from 30 to 25 or less ($175,000)** !

Library ($33,000)** !

Art Docent Lessons ($7,000)** !

Living Classroom Science Docents Lessons ($5,700)** !

STEM Lab (Science/Technology/Engineering/Math) ($71,400)**


Want Even Smaller Classes 15 38%

Reduced Class Size is Important 7 18%

Library 6 15%

STEM 5 13%

n = 39

Kindergarten Satisfaction Comments

n = 242

Student:Teacher Ratio Reduction How is it going?

LAEF spent $700,000 (or 29% of its grant) on reducing student:teacher ratios in grades K-3. To reduce class size from 30 to 25 or less costs $175,000 for kindergarten. !Do you believe this is a good use of your donation?

0% 25% 50% 75% 100%



Good Use of Funds 30 71%

Would Like Class Sizes to Be Even Smaller 22 52%

n = 42

Student:Teacher Ratio Reduction Comments

Grades 1-3

Grade 1-3 Program Satisfaction

n = 730 Small Group = 571

How satisfied are you with the following LAEF-funded programs provided to your child(ren) in grades 1-3. **(The total cost to deliver each program this year to EVERY student in grades 1-3 at ALL 7 elementary schools)

0% 25% 50% 75% 100%

Very Dissatisfied Dissatisfied Do Not Know Neutral Satisfied Very Satisfied

Reduce Class Size from 30 to 25 or less ($525,000)**

Library ($98,000)**

Art Docent Lessons ($21,000)**

Living Classroom Science Docents Lessons ($17,000)**

Physical Education ($127,000)**

Small Group Instruction Time, Grades 1 & 2 ($120,000)**

STEM Lab(Science/Technology/Engineering/Math) ($215,000)**


STEM 57 36%

PE 48 30%

Class Size 42 27%

Art 31 20%

Small Group 20 13%

Grade 1-3 Program Satisfaction Comments

n = 158

n = 727

Student:Teacher Ratio Reduction How is it going?

LAEF spent $700,000 (or 29% of its grant) on reducing student:teacher ratios in grades K-3. To reduce class size from 30 to 25 or less in grades 1-3 costs $525,000. !Do you believe this is a good use of your donation?

0% 25% 50% 75% 100%

Strongly Disagree Disagree Neutral Agree Stongly Agree


Good Use Of Funds 61 75%

Would Like Even Smaller Classes 23 28%

Teachers/Aides 18 22%

Student:Teacher Ratio Reduction Comments

n = 81

Grades 4-6

Grades 4-6 Program Satisfaction

0% 25% 50% 75% 100%

Very Dissatisfied Dissatisfied Not Familiar Neutral Satisfied Very Satisfied

PE ($253,000)**

!Instrumental and Vocal Music ($315,000)**

!Library ($98,000)** !

Art Docent Lessons ($21,000)** !Living Classroom Science Docents Lessons

($17,000)** !cSTEM- grade 6 ($60,000)** !

STEM Lab (Science/Technology/Engineering/Math) ($215,000)**

How satisfied are you with the LAEF-funded programs provided to your children in grades 4-6? **(The total cost to deliver each program this year to EVERY student in grades 4-6 at ALL 7 elementary schools)

n = 724 n = 694 cSTEM

Grades 4-6 Program Satisfaction


STEM 46 32%

PE 37 26%

Music 31 22%

Art 26 18%

cSTEM 23 16%

n = 143

Instrumental & Vocal Music

LAEF provided $315,000 for Instrumental and Vocal Music for students in grades 4-6 at all 7 elementary schools this year. How satisfied are you with the LAEF-funded Music Programs in grades 4-6 this school year?

0% 25% 50% 75% 100%

Very Dissatisfied Dissatisfied Neutral Satisfied Very Satisfied

4th grade - Weekly Vocal Music (Fall) / Recorder (Spring) !

5th grade - Twice weekly Instrumental Music (1st semester Vocal and Instrumental, 2nd

semester Instrumental) !5th grade - Twice weekly Vocal Music (if your

student is not in Instrumental Music) !6th grade - Twice weekly Instrumental Music !6th grade - Twice weekly Vocal Music (if your

student is not in Instrumental Music)

n = 558 - 621

Instrumental & Vocal Music Comments


Happy with Music Program 37 39%

Dissatisfied with Music Program 28 29%

Fund Other Things 9 9%

Communications Issues 7 7%

n = 96

Junior High

Junior High Program Satisfaction

Each year LAEF designates 23% of its grant to the 2 Junior Highs, which represent 23% of the district students. How satisfied are you with these LAEF-funded programs for this school year? **(Amount of LAEF funding for ALL 7th & 8th students at Blach and Egan)

0% 25% 50% 75% 100%

Very Dissatisfied Dissatisfied Neutral Satisfied Very Satisfied

Science CSR ** $90,000 !!Math CSR ** $90,000 !!

Social Studies CSR ** $90,000 !!English CSR ** $90,000 !!

Library (25 hours/week) ** $70,00 !!Electives ** $125,000

n = 454


Pleased Overall 24 38%

Classes Still Too Large 9 14%

Not Enough Information 9 14%

Library 8 13%

More Elective Choices 6 9%

n = 64

Junior High Program Satisfaction Comments

Did your Junior High Student receive one of their top 3 electives choices?

n = 454

0

55

110

165

220

Blach Egan

No I don’t know Yes

n = 22

Junior High Elective Comments


Satisfied 10 45%Yes, but… 6 27%

Junior High Additional Electives

n = 110

Are there additional electives that you would like to see offered?

Top Themes Comments ShareSTEM 31 28%Cooking/Home Economics 29 26%Languages 16 15%

Innovation Grant

Innovation Grant Awareness

n = 1485

The Los Altos School District is a recognized leader in education. This year, LAEF allocated $750,000 towards an Innovation Grant, which funds innovative learning and interactive classrooms. This includes: *STEM Lab Teachers at each elementary school *STEM Coach to bring more Science, Engineering, Technology and Math to the classroom *Technology Integration Coach to assist in designing the iLearn professional development program and support teachers integrating technology in the classroom *iLearn - a professional development opportunity designed to empower teachers to innovate and increase student engagement. !What statement best describes your awareness of these programs:

0

250

500

750

1000

Not Aware Somewhat Aware Very Aware


STEM 91 59%

Unaware/Would Like More Information 46 30%

iLearn 25 16%


n = 154

Innovation Grant Awareness Comments

Innovation Grant Continuation

n = 1471

Programs like those funded by the Innovation Grant typically require the investment of resources over several years to realize measurable results. While exposure to these programs will vary based on your child's grade, how important is it to continue funding our Innovation in Education Grant?

0

250

500

750

1000

Not Important Somewhat Important Extremely Important


Very Important 47 36%

STEM 29 22%

Not Enough Information/Too Soon To Tell 22 17%

Technology 15 12%

Different Priorities/Back to Basics 11 9%

n = 129

Innovation Grant Continuation Comments

Innovation Grant Impact

n = 1483

Have these innovative teaching approaches in the classroom improved your student's engagement and depth of learning?

0

225

450

675

900

No I Don't Know Yes


Don’t Know/Too Early to Tell 56 33%

See Benefits Already 48 29%

No Impact/Negative Impact 20 12%

n = 168

Innovation Grant Impact Comments

Future Innovation Grants

n = 219

Are there other areas that you would like to see addressed in future Innovation Grants?


Technology/Computer Skills 49 22%

Science/STEM 36 16%

Foreign Language 25 11%

Math 22 10%

Music & Art 18 8%

Action Items

Action Items

Communications: ! • LAEF Board members need to continue to be visible on

campus and reach out to their school communities - Each campus should create their own action plan

! • Strive for consistent communications about LAEF programs at all schools

! • Parents would greatly appreciate program updates directly from the staff which LAEF funds

! • Stress participation message

Action Items

Investigate Program changes with District: !

• STEM - Build upon first year of pilot program to fine-tune the student experience across all elementary schools

!• Jr. High Electives - Consider offering additional STEM and Home

Economics !• Continue efforts to improve communication to parents regarding

LAEF-funded programs

- Investigate new methods to increase visibility of programs and their benefits

Thank You!Thank you for taking the time to read our survey results!

Please note that although a lot of time and energy was put into making this the best survey possible, we are volunteers and this is not our field of expertise! The statistical accuracy of this survey has not been verified by a professional. In many cases the sample size from a particular question/school/grade level may be too small to draw conclusions from. All these factors should be taken into account as you read the results.

-The volunteers of the LAEF Board

survey2013-14web

Education

Transcript of survey2013-14web