A Unit 5 survey results reveal teachers feel the least safe in school and that classroom sizes are a big issue for educators of the district.
McLean County Unit 5 school district is beginning a strategic planning process this fall. The goals of its strategic planning process are to define Unit Five’s vision, examine its current realities and identify its priorities. Tasks will include developing plans to achieve the identified priorities. The district is providing opportunities for feedback and engagement from all stakeholders.
Unit Five launched a survey in September aimed at students in grade six through 12, families and staff. 3,706 students, 2,084 families and 620 staff members participated.
The district also invited all members of the Unit Five community to participate in two community engagement sessions, where people heard a short presentation and then broke into groups. More detailed presentations were made to the small groups and participants then offered feedback. 70 people participated in those events.
The surveys determined some wide differences of opinions between how students, staff and families perceive some things.
The most major item in this regard is whether or not class sizes are conducive to learning. In the survey, 75% of students believe so and 60% of families, but only 35% of staff believe they have adequate space.
Responses to a question asking whether or not there were adequate spaces for classroom and small group learning show similar results. When it comes to space for clubs activities and athletics there was more agreement this was the case but still only 56% of staff agreed.
In the survey there were questions regarding students receiving additional support/interventions when needed.
Results of there survey show: 91% of students feel they receive the support they need. But only 61% of families think so. Staff agrees more with parents with 69% feeling enough additional support is given.
One set of results regards to feeling safe at school. Students feel safe. Parents feel less safe and teachers feel the least safe.
None of the groups felt that the district was doing anything more than perhaps average when it comes to using innovative opportunities as part of instruction.
While students were not asked, families and staff were in agreement that one of the weakest areas the school district has is in regard to dealing with students social and emotional needs.
Another question not asked to students but to families and staff was concerning schools being balanced in size and demographics. This question received some of the lowest rates of agreement. Only 43% of families and 21% of staff believes this to be the case.
The results of the survey will be used to help set the vision and focus for the district.
Participants were also asked to suggest areas the school district should focus on in the next five years. Suggestions rising to the top in response to that question are;
- Recruiting and Retaining Quality Employees,
- Providing a Safe Environment for Students and Staff and
- Addressing Students Social and Emotional Well Being
In response to being asked to provide any other comments responses identified at least two other major areas of interest. Those were;
- Facility Improvements and Room for Students in New Developments and
- Balancing Schools According to Size and Demographics.
The project is being overseen by a steering committee. The committee plans to send out more surveys and utilize a small working group as it continues working on the comprehensive plan through December.
The committee plans to prepare a draft report for review early next year and have a final report approved by the board in March.
