Clarkston Schools have a lot to be proud of, according to a recent survey conducted within the district.
The district conducted a telephone survey throughout March. The survey encompassed 413 people and questions centered around the district’s strengthes, weaknesses, curriculum, communication and financing. Futhermore, the results were broken down in comparison to previous surveys conducted in 2001, 1987 and 1983 as well as by parents (respondants with school-age children) and non-parents.
Many members of the community spoke positively about the quality of education provided by Clarkston schools. Of those surveyed, 83 percent believe the district has high academic standards for children, while 74 percent said the district makes student expectations clear. Overall, when asked to give a letter grade to the school district, 79 percent rated them with an A or B.
A large portion of respondents said the district’s best feature is the academic foundation.
Approximately 21 percent listed the quality of curriculum while 20 percent listed teachers. On opposite ends of the spectrum, 11 percent said ‘everything? is the best part of the district, while 18 percent could not answer the question.
A majority of respondents also expressed confidence in the district’s leadership. Sixty percent believe the school board has strong leaders, while 65 percent believe the district is being efficiently run at this time. Sixty-five percent also believe that district administrators show interest in the opinions of residents and 75 percent believe the administration stresses parent involvement.
Looking forward, 22 percent of those surveyed see overcrowding as a problem the district will face in upcoming years, while 14 percent cited a lack of financial support as the district’s biggest problem. However, the survey also revealed a vast majority of those surveyed did not fully understand several aspects of school funding. Fifty-five percent of those surveyed did not know how bond dollars can be spent, 60 percent did not understand how Proposal A effects school funding and 76 percent were not aware of the amount of funding the district received from the state.
When asked where they obtain information about what is going on in the district, four major sources were cited, all within a five percent margin of each other ? friends and neighbors (17 percent), the district newsletter (16 percent), school newsletters (13 percent) and The Clarkston News (12 percent).