Input

I was recently asked to participate in a Quality Assurance Review in Buffalo to help determine if their high school should be accredited and provide suggestions on how to improve. As is often the case when I visit other districts and educational entities, I learned a lot.

One of the things I learned is the importance of stakeholder communication and working together to provide a positive educational experience for students. Embedded throughout the AdvancEd criteria for accreditation, stakeholder input was evident in several of the seven standards, including those in Vision and Purpose; Leadership; Stakeholder Communication and Relationships; and Continuous Improvement. In addition, active involvement of students in the learning process was a part of the Teaching and Learning standard.

While it is sometimes not always easy asking for input when one is certain of neither the volume nor tenor of the response, it is nonetheless important in order to get a more complete picture. Organizations must ask their customers and shareholders what they are thinking or feeling. Only by gathering input from all stakeholders can school districts get a good feel for the wants, needs and issues of a community.

Platte #2 recently put a survey on its website asking for input. We received a fair amount of input on a controversial topic and feel that conversations were started that will lead to improvement. As the district moves forward and plans for the future, I am asking for your input again. On the website is a much more detailed survey, but one that will help the board of trustees and the district determine a direction to continue getting better. If you do not have an Internet connection, we do have a paper survey available. We ask that you take the time to fill out this survey and thank you ahead of time for doing so. Working together, we can continue to reach for excellence while providing an outstanding education for our students.
(also appears in the October 31 Guernsey-Gazette)