Superintendent Survey

1a.

Identifying problem areas that impact student

learning the most

Not a Problem

Major Problem

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

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

problem.

______________________________________

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1

b. Finding practices that are likely to work in your district

schools

Not a Problem

Major Problem

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

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

problem.

______________________________________

______________________________________________

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1c. Implementing new practices as designed

Not a Problem

Major Problem

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

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

problem.

______________________________________

______________________________________________

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

new practices

Not a Problem

Major Problem

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

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

problem.

______________________________________

______________________________________________

______________________________________________

Superintendent Survey

Finding the Strategies that Work:

Asking Educators What the Research Agenda Should Be

N ot e: I f y ou pr ef er t o c omplet e the sur v e y online , lo gon at: http://www .t ob edet ermined .or g .

P lease lo gin using the six-digit c o de in the upp er lef t-hand c orner as y our P IN numb er .

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 REL-NW, which operates under contract with the U.S. Department of

Education, 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.

P lease indic at e t o what e x t ent each of the follo wing is a pr oblem for scho ols in y our distric t

b y cir cling the appr opriat e r ating 1-10 b elo w .

Section 2 – Successes and Challenges for your District

2a.

What is the single most important factor that has

contributed to positive student performance in your

district? P lease descr ib e br ie_y :

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2b. What are you finding to be the biggest obstacles to

improving student learning?

P lease descr ib e br iefly :

______________________________________________

______________________________________________

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3n.

Achieving High Standards for All Students

P r o v en p olicies and pr ac tic es for…

POINTS

Creating educational opportunities that

address individual students’ learning needs

_____

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

P r o v en p olicies and pr ac tic es for…

POINTS

Obtaining parent and community input for

planning school and district improvement

_____

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?

P lease descr ib e br iefly.

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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? P lease descr ib e br ie_y.

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

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THANK Y OU VER Y MUCH FOR Y OUR TIME AND OP INIONS

Please return your survey in the envelope provided, to:

Gilmore Research Group, 2324 Eastlake Avenue East, Suite 300, Seattle, WA 98102

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control number. The valid OMB control number for this information collection is OMB Control No. 1850-New, EDIC# 3237 . The time required to complete this

information collection is estimated to average 15 t0 20 minutes per response, including the time to review instructions, search existing data resources, gather the

data needed, and complete and review the information collection. If you have any comments concerning the accuracy of the time estimate(s) or suggestions

for improving this form, please write to: U.S. Department of Education, Washington, D.C. 20202-4700. If you have comments or concerns regarding the status

of your individual submission of this form, write directly to: Institute for Education Sciences, 555 New Jersey Ave. NW Room 505d, Wash DC 20208.

OMB Control No. 1850-New, EDIC# 3237

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.

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.

3a.

Improving School Attendance

P r o v en p olicies and pr ac tic es for…

POINTS

Strengthening connections between home

and school

_____

Dealing with the effects of family culture on

school attendance

_____

Creating school as a welcoming place for students

and families

_____

Developing a safety net of support systems for

students that can promote improved attendance

_____

TOTAL = 10

3b. Increasing High School Graduation Rates

P r o v en p olicies and pr ac tic es for…

POINTS

Early identification of students that may be

at risk for eventually dropping out

_____

Providing supplemental supports (K-12) for

students at risk for eventually dropping out

_____

Working with parents and the community

to improve graduation outcomes

_____

Designing effective alternative education programs

_____

TOTAL = 10

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?

P lease descr ib e br iefly.

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

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3d. Leading School Improvement

P r o v en p olicies and pr ac tic es for…

POINTS

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

_____

TOTAL = 10

3e. Sustaining School and District Improvements

P r o v en p olicies and pr ac tic es for…

POINTS

Creating more opportunities for teacher

collaboration on school improvement

_____

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

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?

P lease descr ib e br iefly.

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

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3g. Providing Effective Professional Development

for Teachers

P r o v en p olicies and pr ac tic es for…

POINTS

Using on-going assessment in the classroom to

align instruction with standards

_____

Developing teacher skills at self-evaluation and

reflection to improve their classroom practices

_____

Developing effective collaboration skills and

techniques

_____

Training teachers to partner effectively with

parents to support student learning

_____

TOTAL = 10

3h.

Preparing Prospective Teachers to Teach

P r o v en p olicies and pr ac tic es for…

POINTS

Preparing prospective teachers to be able to

teach in a standards-based environment

_____

Preparing prospective teachers to be able to

collaborate as teams to improve teaching and

learning

_____

Strengthening the content knowledge of

prospective teachers in core academic areas

_____

Preparing prospective teachers to be able to use

school and classroom assessment to guide

instructional practices

_____

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? P lease descr ib e br ie_y.

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

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3j. Improving Mathematics Instruction

P r o v en p olicies and pr ac tic es for…

POINTS

Providing instruction that fosters an

understanding and application of content

_____

Providing challenging mathematics learning

opportunities to address diverse learning styles

and needs of students

_____

Identifying mathematics teaching practices that

would be effective in your school or district

_____

Vertically aligning the mathematics curriculum

from kindergarten through grade 12

_____

TOTAL = 10

3k.

Improving Science Instruction

P r o v en p olicies and pr ac tic es for…

POINTS

Teaching students to effectively apply scientific

principles and processes

_____

Providing challenging science learning

opportunities to address diverse learning styles

and needs of students

_____

Identifying science teaching practices that would

be effective in your school or district

_____

Vertically aligning the science curriculum from

kindergarten through grade 12

_____

TOTAL = 10

3l.

Improving Literacy Instruction

P r o v en p olicies and pr ac tic es for…

POINTS

Integrating reading and writing across the

curriculum

_____

Providing challenging literacy learning

opportunities to address diverse learning styles

and needs of students

_____

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

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.

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