North Allegheny School District December 13, 2017 Preparing all - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

North Allegheny School District

December 13, 2017

Preparing all students for success in a changing world

Dates Activity Aug-Jan End result committee meets Sept-Oct Collect feedback from various stakeholder groups (SPLC, SAC, etc.) Nov 8 Brief presentation to the School Board Nov 9 (MMS) and Nov 13 (CMS) Public forums Nov 14-22 Electronic survey for parents, staff members, and select students Dec 13 Board Presentation regarding possible recommendations Jan 17 (if necessary) Follow-up Board Presentation Jan 24 School Board votes on recommendations

 5,530 respondents

• 3,113 parent/guardian responses
• 1,935 student responses
• 482 staff member responses

Total Responses Much Earlier Slightly Earlier Current Time Slightly Later Much Later Earlier Current Time Later

High School 7:25 4267 1% 2% 23% 44% 29% 3% 23% 74% Middle School 8:10 4103 2% 5% 57% 32% 5% 7% 57% 36% Elem School 9:00 4045 12% 28% 53% 5% 1% 40% 53% 7% >50% >25% and <50%

Total Responses Much Earlier Slightly Earlier Current Time Slightly Later Much Later Earlier Current Time Later

Parents 2509 1% 1% 19% 48% 32% 2% 19% 80% Students 1351 2% 3% 31% 37% 27% 6% 31% 63% Faculty and Staff 407 0% 1% 29% 48% 22% 1% 29% 70% >50% >25% and <50%

Scenarios Considered

Current Times High School Middle School Elementary School 7:25-2:15 8:10-2:58 9:00-3:30 Flip Elementary to First Elementary School High School Middle School 7:45-2:15 8:30-3:20 9:12-4:00 Shift all Schedules to a Later Time High School Middle School Elementary School 8:15-3:05 8:55-3:42 9:45-4:15 Flip Elementary to First and Combine to Two Bus Runs Elementary School Middle /High School 8:00-2:30 8:40-3:30 Shift the High School to a Later Time and Combine to Two Bus Runs High/Middle School Elementary School 8:00-2:50 9:05-3:35

Total Responses Strongly Oppose Oppose Neutral Support Strongly Support Oppose Neutral Support

Current Time Schedules

4317

18% 20% 19% 21% 22% 38% 19% 43%

Flip Elementary to First

4321

45% 20% 7% 15% 13% 65% 7% 28%

Shift all Schedules to a Later Time

4323

35% 19% 9% 21% 16% 54% 9% 37%

Flip Elementary to First and Combine to Two Bus Runs

4310

39% 21% 9% 18% 12% 61% 9% 30%

Shift the High School to a Later Time and Combine to Two Bus Runs

4304

22% 19% 14% 27% 18% 41% 14% 45%

Support by Survey Group

Total Parents Students Staff

Current Time Schedules

43% 41% 44% 56%

Flip Elementary to First

28% 27% 28% 31%

Shift all Schedules to a Later Time

37% 37% 40% 23%

Flip Elementary to First and Combine to Two Bus Runs

30% 31% 26% 40%

Shift the High School to a Later Time and Combine to Two Bus Runs

45% 49% 37% 44%

 There was broad consensus that the high school

should start later.

 The data showed that flipping the elementary

schedules to before the high schools in any option was not favored by parents, students, or staff respondents.

 Shifting all student start times back did not have

substantial support.

 There were only two options that at least 40% of

respondents supported.

 High school students, K-12 parents, and K-12

staff were asked to rate the current grade weighting process as well as several possible

• ptions.

 Each process was rated using a Likert-type

scale in five areas:

• Incentivizing students taking challenging courses
• Earning academic scholarships
• Freedom to take classes of interest
• Academic performance
• College applications

1=Very Negative; 2=Negative; 3=Neutral; 4=Positive; 5=Very Positive

Average Score By Group

Total Parents Students Staff

Current Grade Weighting

3.7 3.6 4.1 3.6

Honors/AP Same Weight

3.2 3.2 2.9 3.3

Capping the Number of Courses for which a Student can Receive Weight

3.1 3.2 2.7 3.2

Unweighting All Courses

3.0 3.0 2.7 3.2

 Respondents were also asked to rate

several other questions related to student stress and grade weighting.

Total Responses Strongly Disagree Disagree Neutral Agree Strongly Agree Disagree Neutral Agree

Students avoid some classes of interest because those grades are not weighted.

3019

7% 15% 19% 40% 19% 22% 19% 59%

Students feel pressure to select classes with weighted grades.

3124

6% 13% 17% 37% 27% 19% 17% 64%

Weighted grades increase competition between students.

3144

5% 10% 18% 40% 27% 15% 18% 68%

Total Responses Strongly Disagree Disagree Neutral Agree Strongly Agree Disagree Neutral Agree

Weighted grades increase student stress.

3019

7% 15% 19% 40% 19% 22% 19% 59%

Weighted grades promote summer student acceleration.

3124

6% 13% 17% 37% 27% 19% 17% 64%

>50% >25% and <50%

 The District asked college counselors from 55 colleges

about weighted grades and how they affect enrollment and scholarship decisions. The colleges who participated in the questionnaire included:

• Tier 1 schools
• Small and large private institutions
• Small, medium and large public institutions

 In almost all instances, unweighting grades was not seen

as a barrier for college admission decisions.

 However, many schools reported that they used weighted

grades to determine scholarship eligibility.

 Because of the potential negative effects to students (loss

• f scholarship opportunities) of dropping weighted grades,

the District does not believe that making major changes to the grade weighting opportunities at North Allegheny should be considered at this time.

 In addition, the survey questions related to changing the

weighting policy (giving the same weight for AP and honors OR capping the number of AP and honors classes) had inconclusive results and little support from respondents.

 However, there were still areas within the survey data

related to student stress and grade weighting that the District should consider as part of a comprehensive plan to address student stress.