FOCUS GROUP FINDINGS

1
FOCUS GROUP FINDINGS

• Valley Center USD 262
• Final Report
• Prepared by Dr. Gene George
• 2/13/2007

2
Review of Research Plan

• Conduct 2 focus group sessions to gather patron
  input
• General perception of schools
• Important skills and abilities for high school
  graduates
• Priorities
• Extent of support for school improvements

3
Value of focus groups

• Gain in-depth understanding of views from a
  cross-section of patrons
• Identify patterns of thought and opinion
  regarding schools what people think matters
• Use input to shape improvement strategies
• Engage patrons in the process

4
Review of sessions

• 2 sessions Jan. 22 and Feb. 7, Valley Center
  city offices
• 27 participants total
• Gathering further input is critical
• Opinions are dynamic the discussion doesnt end
  with the focus group
• Feedback to patrons and further input to shape
  strategies critical
• Some views may not be well represented in
  findings

5
Participant profile

• Constraint of 2 sessions made it difficult to
  clarify context of responses and seek deeper
  perspectives
• Participants tended to over-represent wealthier
  patrons

6
Key Themes

• Community
• Quality
• Skills
• Expectations

7
Key Themes

• COMMUNITY
• Small town environment safe
• Small schools a value
• Growth zone
• Close to city
• Schools have good reputation

8
Key Themes

• QUALITY
• Good teachers care about students
• Small schools
• Important that many VC graduates go to college
• Administration takes holistic approach
• Proactive
• Promote communication

9
Key Themes

• EXPECTATIONS
• Small schools, small classes
• Provide VC graduates high-end academic skills
  coupled with life skills
• Planning is critical
• Anticipate change growth, staff turnover, need
  for additional staff
• Maintain communication be transparent
• Formalize planning define timetables,
  objectives
• Manage growth but keep small town environment

10
Key Themes

• EXTENT of SUPPORT
• Support for continuous improvement of schools
• Superintendents goal cited by many participants
• Board appears to have strong foundation for
  planning as long as it
• Keeps process formal, transparent
• Can build on current successes (communication,
  quality of learning)
• Successfully anticipates change

11
Questions and further input

• What comes to mind when you hear the phrase
  Valley Center public schools?
• What have you heard about the schools that make
  you glad they are a part of the community?
• What have you heard about the schools that make
  you unhappy they are part of the community?

12
Questions and further input

• What contributions to the community have they
  made?
• What contributions dont they make that they
  should?
• What are the priorities over next 5 years?

13
Questions and further input

• What skills and abilities should high school
  graduates have when they leave?
• What needs are emerging in the future?
• When current H.S. nears capacity build onto
  existing building or build 2nd school?

14
Questions and further input

• Was this session worthwhile?