Most New Yorkers are greatly satisfied with their schools but also suggest needed improvements, according to the city's first annual Learning Environment Surveys released on Thursday.
Nearly 600,000 parents, teachers, and 6th-12th graders responded to the survey, the largest-ever feedback collected by an American school system.
According to key citywide findings from the parent surveys, 90 percent of parents were satisfied or very satisfied with the quality of their children's teachers.
And 84 percent of parents were satisfied or very satisfied with how well their children's schools communicated with them, but 38 percent of parents said they were contacted by a teacher or other adult at their school once, twice, or not at all last year.
Elementary school parents are generally more satisfied than middle and high school parents
A total of 24 percent of parents said reducing class size should be their school's top priority, while 45 percent of parents who said creating more or better programs should be their school's top priority. And 10 percent of parents called for more preparation for state tests.
As for teachers, 84 percent said they feel safe at their schools, and 80 percent of teachers think their schools set high expectations for all students.
A majority of teachers feel included in decision making at their school, but significant numbers do not. For example, more than a third of teachers feel that their school leaders do not encourage open and honest communication on important school issues.
Totally 37 percent of teachers say that the professional development they receive does not help them better meet the needs of their students.
Middle and high school student surveys found 88 percent of students said their teachers encourage them to succeed, 51 percent of students said students who get good grades are respected, 67 percent of students said teachers in their school treat students with respect.
Survey reports are designed to give school leaders and members of school communities the constructive information they can use to improve programming, attitudes, engagement, communication, safety, and respect at their schools.
Approximately one of every 12 survey respondents (nearly 600, 000 New Yorkers) returned surveys -- 216,914 parents, 31,592 teachers, and 338,201 students.
The Department of Education will conduct the next Learning Environment Survey in the spring and expand the surveys to other school staff.
Source: Xinhua
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