Region 15 Gathers Information From Parent Focus Groups In An

Effort To Address Strategic Planning

            In January 2006, school administrators from Region 15 hosted a series of parent focus groups to listen and learn about what is working in the District’s schools and what may need improvement.

            At each of the seven schools, parents were randomly selected and invited to attend a focus group session.  The sessions were designed to elicit candid feedback from parents to such questions as:  How can we improve service to our students and parents, and how can we improve the budget development process?  

            “Overall, we heard that parents are very pleased with the level of education their children receive in Region 15,” said Dr. Lois Lanning, Assistant Superintendent.  “Many parents reported that their decision to move to the area was a direct result of their research of our school district.  There is always, however, continued room for improvement.”

            In coming months, the administration will utilize the information they received from the focus groups to better address the District’s strategic planning and budget setting process.  As a result of this collaboration, administrators will look at such areas of concern as communication, facilities, school safety, curriculum and instruction, and understanding the school budget process.

            In 2002, over 100 volunteers comprised of parents, educators, administrators and community leaders worked for over eight months to identify challenges and opportunities for the school district.  Their findings helped formulate 36 action plans that comprise the Region 15 Strategic Plan, adopted by the Board of Education in December 2002. 

            Now in its third year, the plan continues to guide District decision making.  Action plans which have been accomplished to date include developing and implementing a well articulated Pre-K to 12 curriculum, expanding professional development opportunities for teachers and improving internal and external communications.          

            “We look to parents to provide us with the type of information that will help us maintain the level of excellence in our schools,” said Lanning.  “We are educators.  The only way to learn is to listen and people want to be heard and understood.  It is only by being open to listening to both the positive and negative aspects of people’s perceptions about Region 15, that we can learn how to further strengthen our schools and community.”