Lauren Bryie

EDL 646

School Effectiveness Survey Assignment

After giving this survey to five employees at Cutten School, it is clear that there are many
strengths within the school and school district. There are also a few spots that can be worked
on. Most of the questions scored 17 out of 20 points possible. The questions that received 17
were numbers 1-7, 10, 17, 19-21, 24 and 25. Those questions fell primarily under
communication, instruction, and climate. The volunteers wrote many comments feeling these
areas are strengths, but wrote a few comments on how to improve them.
The three questions that received the highest scores were number 13, 23, and all of the
communication questions. All of the communication questions got a score of 17. The three
questions that were the lowest scores were numbers 9, 15, and 16.
Since I work at Cutten School I can see why questions 23, 13, and all of the
communication questions scored high. There is a lot of free and open communication that
occurs between teachers, parents, administration, staff, and students. One volunteer wrote a
suggestion within communication would be to use the Blackboard Connect more effectively and
frequently to inform parents and staff about important dates and emergencies. Question 23,
students are informed of how they are expected to behave in school and at school activities,
scored 18 out of 20 points. Some of the volunteers wrote that PBIS (Positive Behavioral
Interventions and Supports) helps support what we have in place, such as our Tiger Pride
behavior matrix. The new program is very precise, consistent, and so far, effective. Most, if not
all, of the staff is on board with this new program and have a similar language of being safe,
respectful, and responsible to talk to the students with. The students know the expectations, in
part, because on the first day of school the whole school did expectation stations. At these
stations the adults who deal with that area, teachers assistants at the outside stations, the
principal in the multipurpose room, receptionist and office manager in the office, and teachers
for the classroom and hallways. The school has a Monday morning meeting to talk about
Second Step (the curriculum that goes along with PBIS) where students are reminded of
expectations. The last question that did well scored 19 out of 20 points and was #23, parents
and parent groups actively participate in school activities. We have many family volunteers in
the classroom, in PTA, and our Foundation. The PTA and Foundation fundraise a lot of money
for our school district. The fundraisers are fun and involve the parents, students, and staff. The
money provided by these organizations allow for student learning, such as chromebooks, field
trips, and supplemental curriculum. They also provide money toward salaries for the teachers
assistants, music teacher, and librarian.
Question 9 and 15 both got 14 out of 20 points. Question 9, teachers are meeting the
educational needs of all children in reading, writing, mathematics, science and social studies,
had comments from the volunteers that more collaboration support, professional learning
communities, professional development, and administrative observation would help make sure
this is happening more efficiently. Most of the comments also came from having the CCSS, but
not having all the curriculum necessary to meet all of the standards. There were comments of
excitement about the new National Geographic and My Math curriculum.Question 15, the
school building and grounds are clean and well maintained, scored low. A few of the comments
were that hot water would be nice in the sinks, a new paint job and an updated play structure
are needed. The question that scored the lowest from this survey was school and staff
members and students work together to keep the school clean and attractive. There were no
comments left by the volunteers, but one underlined the word student in the question. The
school campus looks great from all the hard work from the maintenance and janitorial staff, but
there are some things that need to be updated.
 For my year 1 action plan I want to keep all of the good things already in place within the
district and provide support and change for the shortcomings. I have a mission to motivate,
inspire, and propel each and every member of our school family into our places of continual
excellence as students, educators, parent-partners, community-based volunteers, and life-long
learners. Cutten School has immense potential to exceed the already high expectations and
produce learners and leaders who will become effective community members.
I will continue doing all of the great things that work in this district, such as open
communication between administration, staff, parents and parent groups, and students. I will
also continue to have highly qualified teachers who make high quality instruction a school
priority. The parent and parent groups are very important and helpful in the school district. To
continue the support for these groups, as the principal, I will attend meetings and be involved. I
will make sure I know what is needed within the school through discussions and surveys given
to teachers, staff, parents, and students, so I can bring that information back to these groups
when making financial decisions. Students will continue to know there are high expectations set
for behavior because I will monitor student interaction as often as possible. I will be consistent
with the behavior matrix supplied by PBIS. I will use the already established relationships with
parents to discuss behaviors, positive and negative, and solutions.
To improve on meeting the needs of all students I will implement regular administrative
observation with goals that are specific and can be discussed after observation. Observation is
important in every stage of a career. It is important to be able to praise a teacher for all of the
success happening in the classroom, support areas of weakness, or fine tuning strategies being
used. It is incredibly valuable for teachers to be able to observe other teachers as well. Within
my first year I will make time for teachers to observe other teachers who can demonstrate
important strategies, lessons, or curriculum. Teachers need more collaboration time and
professional development training time. Ongoing training is essential in creating confidence and
success in teaching to all student needs in all subject areas. As the principal I will locate
research-based programs for teachers to guide intervention and allocate funding for these
programs. I will build people within the district, teachers and staff, who are qualified to provide
training. Within the teacher collaboration time we will discuss and share ideas for student
progress, follow up in classrooms with differentiated instruction, and analyze data in order to
make growth.
As the leader of the school, I will determine and establish budget needs. Currently, the
top concern from the staff is maintenance of the school grounds. Our school needs new
playground equipment, hot water in sinks (at least in adult bathrooms), and a new paint job. I
will try and work with the PTA and Foundation to help support these needs. Some kind of grant
will need to be written for the playground considering how expensive they are. A paint job and
hot water can be done during the summer by the maintenance staff and necessary support. We
also need equipment, such as desks and chairs since our student enrollment keeps increasing,
but no new furniture has been purchased. We also need to keep up on technology and part of
the budget will be dedicated to that, for supplies such as chromebooks, updated document
cameras and teacher computers.
All of these strengths will be amplified and expanded upon. The weaknesses will be
specifically targeted for the year with a plan. The school will create a mission, vision, and goals
that will be worked on all year.