Survey results should help DUSD form strategic plan

The Dysart Unified School District is on its way to forming a strategic plan.

Progress Education, an independent consulting firm working with Dysart to develop the strategic plan, recently provided the district a summary report of findings collected during several surveys and focus groups.

Progress Education developed the survey and focus group protocol to help the district analyze gaps to address and strengths upon which to build. Stakeholder and focus-group meetings were arranged with eight different groups ranging from teachers to administrators, parents to retirees.

To supplement the findings, various stakeholders within the district completed a total of 4,074 electronic surveys.

The data indicates Dysart stakeholders recognize the positive steps the district has made to improve curriculum, invest in faculty development and promote high standards.

Information collected also indicates those surveyed see the district values student performance and data-driven decision making for schools and teachers. Conversely, the report indicates the district should focus on improving meaningful parent involvement in its schools, building morale and establishing a climate of trust across all stakeholders.

The district will analyze the data, as well as other information sources including assessment, instructional and classroom walk-through data, to identify areas on which the strategic plan should focus.

Action teams of various district stakeholder groups will be established and will work cooperatively to develop a strategic plan using the talents and knowledge of district personnel, parents and community members.

In the near future, stakeholders will be able to learn more detailed information about the strategic plan by logging on to www.dysart.org.