More Than 90 Percent of Staff, Students and Their Parents Respond They Are Satisfied With LT

   More than 90 percent of Lyons Township High School staff members, students and their parents expressed satisfaction with the school, according to the results of a “climate” survey administered earlier in the year to gauge opinions on a variety of issues.

   Superintendent Timothy Kilrea said, “We are pleased the data reveals such an overall positive response from students, parents and staff, with LT ranking competitively against the national norm in so many categories.”

   The surveys were administered online and via email; paper surveys were available in English and Spanish for those without Internet access. Administrators, staff, parents and students were involved in developing the questions in categories that included instruction, communication, life at school and social/emotional development. School Perceptions was hired to administer and analyze the finding against national norms.

   Responding were about 45 percent of students, more than 33 percent of parents and almost 50 percent of the staff members.

   Three areas seen as needing improvement were improved communication, more individualized instruction and the level of stress related to academics.

   These initial findings are under discussion, will be distributed to committees for further study and the results will be used for short-term and long-range planning, according to the superintendent.

     He added, “The survey provides us with valuable, insightful information that will help guide our administrative team as we address concerns raised by students, parents and staff.”

    Some 96 percent of parents responding said they are satisfied or very satisfied  with LT and 89 percent agreed or strongly agreed that their child is well prepare for college and/or life after school.

    Of the students responding, 94 percent said they agreed or strongly agreed they are satisfied with the education they are receiving at LT; 90 percent are proud of their school.  

    And 90 percent of staff members responded they would recommend LT to other colleagues seeking employment; 85 percent said they are satisfied with the financial management at the school.

     Survey results indicated a need for a clearer vision and overall better communication on behalf of the administration with staff. About 83 percent of students said they feel well-informed about LT and 90 percent know how they are doing in classes, they still would like a better understanding of how their work is graded.

    The average rating at LT for a student’s clarity of their expectations for assignments and how assignments are graded, as well as parents’ views of teachers’ personalization of instruction fell below the average ratings at similar schools. Teachers, in their professional learning communities, will continue to review assessments, clarify how they are graded and adjust syllabi to incorporate grading components.

     On academic stress, 87 percent of students said they feel it is a problem, significantly higher when compared to similar schools. And 47 percent of parents and 74 percent of teachers indicated academic stress is a problem.

     LT students enjoy going to school at an average rate of 3.27, high than the average of 2.92 for similar schools.

     About bullying, 92 percent of students said they feel safe at school and 84 percent use the First Class Principles. But 42 percent of students feel bullying, or picking on others, is a problem at LT. Some 66 percent of students are satisfied with the district’s efforts to address bullying, while 50 percent of parents say the district’s response to reported bullying incidents does not apply to them, or they do not know.

    The preferred way of the district communicating with parents has shifted since the last parent survey in 2008.  Some 93 percent prefer to be contacted by email and 79 percent given information through the school website, rather than district mailings and printed newsletters