JERSEY CITY – The Jersey City Board of Education announced Tuesday that it is circulating two surveys to parents and other residents as part of a strategic five-year planning process for the school district.
According to the board, it is seeking creative ideas that will lead to “district-wide innovation” in the classroom. Ultimately, the board plans to draft a five-year strategic plan to improve local schools and raise test scores and graduation rates in the district.
One 27-question survey asks parents for their opinions on such issues as whether they are “confident in the effectiveness of the Jersey City Board of Education,” and whether or not their children were “provided assistance or tutoring to help improve academic achievement.” The survey also tries to measure the level of parental involvement in students’ educational achievement. The survey asks parents whether they “participated in open houses, parent-teacher conferences, or other parent meetings at school,” and whether they made sure homework and other school assignments were completed.
Hard copies of the survey can be picked up at every school in the district. Parents can also answer the survey online by visiting www.research.net/s/JCPS-parent-survey.
A separate survey for members of the community will be circulated to several unnamed civic organizations, according to a release issued Tuesday by the Board of Education. The community survey can also be accessed by visiting www.research.net/s/JCPS-community-partner-survey.
The community survey largely measures residents’ perceptions of Jersey City’s public schools. The community survey includes questions about whether residents believe most kids in the school system fight a lot, will graduate from high school, or are likely to attend college.
The Board of Education will accept surveys through Monday, Nov. 14.
There will be separate surveys circulated to students, teachers, and school administrators.
According to the board release, trustees will in the coming months develop and finalize a strategic planning calendar and steering committee; set dates for staff orientation meetings and community orientation meetings; and create research and action sub-committees.
School Board Trustee Patricia Sebron is serving as chair of the board’s Strategic Planning Committee. Outgoing School Superintendent Dr. Charles Epps is also working with the committee, although he will be leaving his post at the end of the year. The school board is currently in the early stages of looking for a new school superintendent.
Questions regarding the board’s strategic planning initiative can be directed to strategicplanning@jcboe.org. – E. Assata Wright
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