2016-2017 Community Survey Report Allen Independent School District January 23 – February 10, 2017

Purpose of the Study Allen Independent School District asked parents, staff members, and community members to share their perceptions of district communication, student experiences, district operations, and school safety, as well as the quality of an Allen ISD education. Survey questions focused on the entire district rather than a specific school. Allen ISD will use the feedback to improve education for all students. Topics included: Communications Academics School operations and safety District challenges Community mission Measuring educational excellence Preparing students for the future

Details of the Study The survey was open from Jan. 23 to Feb. 10. K12 Insight emailed invitations with unique survey links to parents and employees. A public link was also posted on the district’s website. Participants were informed about the survey via letters to staff and parents, district newsletters, a website news item, social media, and flyers. The survey was available in English and Spanish. Reminders were sent to those who had not yet completed the survey on Jan. 31 and Feb. 7 and 10. Results do not reflect random sampling; therefore, they should not be generalized to all Allen ISD community members. Rather, results reflect only the perceptions and opinions of survey participants. The findings for each item exclude participants who did not answer. In some charts and graphs, data labels less than 5 percent are not shown.

Participation Respondent Group Number of Invitations Delivered (NMax) Unique Access Link Responses Response Rate for Unique Access Link Public Access Link Responses Total Responses 2016-2017 23,179 3,995 17% 1,350 5,345 2015-2016 N/A 1,800 2014-2015 22,758 5,274 23% 175 5,449 2013-2014 21,601 4,618 21% 143 4,761

Demographic Information How long have you lived within Allen ISD's boundaries? (N=5,341)

Demographic Information: Comparison Over Time How long have you lived within Allen ISD's boundaries? Response 2016-2017 (N=5,341) 2014-2015 (N=5,449) 2013-2014 (N=4,761) Less than 1 year 5% 7% 1-5 years 20% 22% 6-10 years 26% 27% 11-15 years 19% 23% More than 15 years 24% 21% I do not live within Allen ISD's boundaries. 12% 0% –

Affiliation with Allen ISD To help us better understand your perspective, please select all that apply. (N=5,334) Note: The sum of the percentages may exceed 100 because participants could select more than one response.

District Role Which of the following best describes your role in the district? (N=1,775) Response Count (N) Percentage (%) Teacher 1,081 61% School Administrator (e.g., principal, assistant principal) 53 3% District Administrator 45 School Office Staff Member 86 5% District Office Staff Member 68 4% Other School Staff Member (e.g., facilities, counseling, etc.) 456 26% Notes: The sum of the percentages may exceed 100 because participants could select more than one response. Only Allen ISD employees answered this question.

Communication

Information Sources From which of the following sources do you currently get information about the school district? Please select all that apply. (N=5,338) Response Count (N) Percentage (%) Allen ISD website (www.allenisd.org) 4,282 80% Campus email 3,785 71% District email 2,915 55% Peachjar e-flyers 2,939 Campus website 2,810 53% School Messenger e-notification system 2,562 48% Campus newsletters 2,176 41% District social media (Facebook) 1,622 30% FastTrack district e-newsletter 1,191 22% Newspaper (e.g., Allen American, Dallas Morning News) 652 12% Allen ISD mobile app 453 8% TV station(s) 412 Board of Trustee meetings 217 4% Radio station(s) 146 3% Note: The sum of the percentages may exceed 100 because participants could select more than one response.

Information Sources: Top 5 Over Time Allen ISD website (www.allenisd.org) Campus email District email Campus website School Messenger e-notification system Peachjar e-flyers Question type changed from Yes or No to multiselect. We were unable to trend. Note: The sum of the percentages may exceed 100 because participants could select more than one response option.

Preferred Communication Method How would you prefer to receive information about the school district? Response Count (N) Percentage (%) Campus email 3,497 66% Allen ISD website (www.allenisd.org) 3,165 60% District email 3,025 57% School Messenger e-notification system 2,045 39% Campus website 1,979 37% Peachjar e-flyers 1,700 32% Campus newsletters 1,414 27% District social media (Facebook) 1,287 24% FastTrack district e-newsletter 959 18% Allen ISD mobile app 850 16% Newspaper (e.g., Allen American, Dallas Morning News) 316 6% TV station(s) 299 Board of Trustee meetings 134 3% Radio station(s) 148 Note: The sum of the percentages may exceed 100 because participants could select more than one response.

Preferred Communication Method: Comparison Over Time How would you prefer to receive information about the school district? Response 2016-2017 (N=5,286) 2014-2015 (N=5,254) 2013-2014 (N=3,854) Campus email 66% 80% 96% Allen ISD website (www.allenisd.org) 60% 71% 91% District email 57% 74% 93% School Messenger e-notification system 39% 35% 12% Campus website 37% 50% 85% Peachjar e-flyers 32% – Campus newsletters 27% 22% 73% District social media (Facebook) 24% 29% 53% FastTrack district e-newsletter 18% 20% 69% Allen ISD mobile app 16% Newspaper (e.g., Allen American, Dallas Morning News) 6% 9% 34% TV station(s) 44% Board of Trustee meetings 3% Radio station(s) Note: The sum of percentages may exceed 100% because participants could select more than one response option.

Emergency Communication In the event of an emergency (e.g., severe weather, school safety concern), how would you like Allen ISD to communicate with you? Select up to two options. (N=5,338) Response Count (N) Percentage (%) Automated text message 4,415 83% Automated phone message/call 2,833 53% Email from the school 992 19% Email from the district 882 17% TV station(s) 456 9% District social media (Facebook) 340 6% Radio station(s) 27 1% Other 45 None of the above 7 0% Note: The sum of the percentages may exceed 100 because participants could select more than one response.

Events and Activities The school district works to keep the community informed about events and activities. Please rate your awareness of the following district activities and programs.

Events and Activities: Comparison Over Time The school district works to keep the community informed about events and activities. Please rate your awareness of the following district activities and programs. Answer Options: Not Aware, Somewhat Aware, Usually Aware, Very Much Aware Note: Trending for 2015-2106 is unavailable because that year used a 5-point familiarity scale.

Academics

State Ratings What level of importance do you place on the state ratings for public schools? (N=5,331)

State Ratings: Comparison Over Time What level of importance do you place on the state ratings for public schools? Note: Trending for 2015-2106 is unavailable because that year used a 5-point importance scale.

Academic and Extracurricular Programs Allen ISD also offers numerous academic and extracurricular programs for students. Please indicate the importance you think Allen ISD should place on each of the following programs. 

Academic and Extracurricular Programs: Comparison Over Time Allen ISD also offers numerous academic and extracurricular programs for students. Please indicate the importance you think Allen ISD should place on each of the following programs.  Answer Options: No Importance, Low Importance, Moderate Importance, High Importance Note: Trending for 2015-2106 is unavailable because that year used a 5-point familiarity scale.

Student Preparation Please indicate your agreement with the following statements. The district prepares students …   Note: In the 2015-2016 survey, participants had the option to select “Don’t Know or No Opinion” Note: Trending for 2013-2014 and 2014-2015 is unavailable (item not asked)

Student Support Please indicate your agreement with the following statements. The district … Note: In the 2015-2016 survey, participants had the option to select “Don’t Know or No Opinion” Note: Trending for 2013-2014 and 2014-2015 is unavailable (item not asked)

Student Support (Continued) Please indicate your agreement with the following statements. The district …

School Operations and Safety

School Operations and Safety Please indicate your agreement with the following statements. The district's schools ... Note: In the 2015-2016 survey, participants had the option to select “Don’t Know or No Opinion” Note: Trending for 2013-2014 and 2014-2015 is unavailable due to a scale change (was an importance scale)

School Operations and Safety (Continued) Please indicate your agreement with the following statements. The district's schools ...

Campus Security Allen ISD has made several changes to facilities and procedures in recent years to increase student safety and campus security. How would you rate the security on Allen ISD school campuses? (N=5,324)

Campus Security: Comparison Over Time Allen ISD has made several changes to facilities and procedures in recent years to increase student safety and campus security. How would you rate the security on Allen ISD school campuses? Note: “I don’t know” was not an option in the 2015-2016 and 2013-2014 surveys.

District Priorities

District Priorities Please indicate your agreement with the following statements. The school district … Note: In the 2015-2016 survey, participants had the option to select “Don’t Know or No Opinion” Note: Trending for 2013-2014 and 2014-2015 is unavailable due to a scale change (was an importance scale)

District Priorities (Continued) Please indicate your agreement with the following statements. The school district …

School Environment — Employees Please indicate your agreement with the following statements. Note: Only Allen ISD employees answered these questions.

School Environment — Employees: Comparison Over Time Please indicate your agreement with the following statements.   Note: Trending for 2013-2014 and 2014-2015 is unavailable (item not asked) Answer Options: Strongly Disagree, Disagree, Neither Disagree nor Agree, Agree, Strongly Agree Notes: Only Allen ISD employees answered these questions. In the 2015-2016 survey, participants had a “No Opinion or N/A” answer option.

Staff Behavior — Employees Please indicate your agreement with the following statements. Staff members at my school … Note: Only Allen ISD employees answered these questions

Staff Behavior — Employees: Comparison Over Time Please indicate your agreement with the following statements. Staff members at my school …   Note: Trending for 2013-2014 and 2014-2015 is unavailable (item not asked) Answer Options: Strongly Disagree, Disagree, Neither Disagree nor Agree, Agree, Strongly Agree Notes: Only Allen ISD employees answered these questions. In the 2015-2016 survey, participants had a “Don’t Know/No Opinion” answer option.

Student Behavior — Employees Please indicate your agreement with the following statements. Students at my school … Note: Only Allen ISD employees answered these questions.

Student Behavior — Employees: Comparison Over Time Please indicate your agreement with the following statements. Students at my school …   Note: Trending for 2013-2014 and 2014-2015 is unavailable (item not asked) Answer Options: Strongly Disagree, Disagree, Neither Disagree nor Agree, Agree, Strongly Agree Notes: Only Allen ISD employees answered these questions. In the 2015-2016 survey, participants had a “Don’t Know/No Opinion” answer option.

Staff Behavior — Parents Please indicate your agreement with the following statements. Staff members at my child's school … Note: Only parents of Allen ISD students answered these questions.

Staff Behavior — Parents: Comparison Over Time Please indicate your agreement with the following statements. Staff members at my child's school …   Note: Trending for 2013-2014 and 2014-2015 is unavailable (item not asked) Answer Options: Strongly Disagree, Disagree, Neither Disagree nor Agree, Agree, Strongly Agree Notes: Only parents of Allen ISD students answered these questions. In the 2015-2016 survey, participants had a “Don’t Know/No Opinion” answer option.

Student Behavior — Parents Please indicate your agreement with the following statements. Students at my child's school … Note: Only parents of Allen ISD students answered these questions.

Student Behavior — Parents: Comparison Over Time Please indicate your agreement with the following statements. Students at my child's school …   Note: Trending for 2013-2014 and 2014-2015 is unavailable (item not asked) Answer Options: Strongly Disagree, Disagree, Neither Disagree nor Agree, Agree, Strongly Agree Notes: Only parents of Allen ISD students answered these questions. In the 2015-2016 survey, participants had a “Don’t Know/No Opinion” answer option

Measuring Educational Excellence

Recommending Allen ISD Would you recommend Allen ISD to a friend or family member with school-age children looking to move? (N=5,312) Notes: “I don’t know” was not an answer option in the 2013-2014 survey. Responses for that answer option was not included in the 2015-2016 report..

Overall Satisfaction Please indicate your overall satisfaction with the following aspects of Allen ISD.   Note: Trending for 2015-2106 is unavailable due to a scale change (was a 5 point satisfaction scale + Don’t Know or No Opinion)

Overall Satisfaction (Continued) Please indicate your overall satisfaction with the following aspects of Allen ISD.   Note: Trending for 2015-2106 is unavailable due to a scale change (was a 5 point satisfaction scale + Don’t Know or No Opinion)

Strongest Qualities and Characteristics What do you feel are Allen ISD's strongest qualities or characteristics? Please select all that apply. 2016-2017 (N=4,603) 2014-2015 (N=4,802) 2013-2014 (N=4,192) Quality of teachers 65% 71% 52% Community support for the school district 59% 72% 13% Variety of academic programs 58% 45% Academic rigor 55% 68% 34% Condition of school facilities 51% 11% Technology resources available to students 48% 19% Success of extracurricular programs 42% 6% Parent/Guardian involvement 40% 49% Student performance on standardized tests 30% 12% Other 2% 4% 3% Note: Notes: Only participants who would recommend Allen ISD to a friend saw this question. The sum of the percentages may exceed 100 because participants could select more than one response. Trending for 2015-2016 is unavailable (item not asked).

Opportunities for Improvement What area(s) do you feel Allen ISD most needs to improve? Please select all that apply. 2016-2017 (N=194) 2014-2015 (N=199) 2013-2014 (N=263) Quality of teachers 48% 51% 44% Academic rigor 41% 38% 40% Other 55% 56% Variety of academic programs 31% 22% 16% Parent/Guardian involvement 25% 19% 0% Technology resources available to students 24% 14% 8% Success of extracurricular programs 23% 10% Condition of school facilities 21% 12% 9% Student performance on standardized tests 18% 6% Community support for the school district 5% Notes: Only participants who would not recommend Allen ISD to a friend saw this question. The sum of the percentages may exceed 100 because participants could select more than one response. Trending for 2015-2016 is unavailable (item not asked).

What We Heard Please share any additional comments you have about Allen ISD. Positive comments included overall pride in the district, educational quality, and student support. Some participants expressed the need for an additional high school because of concerns about high student enrollment.

Executive Summary Pt. 1 The number of participants this year (5,345) almost tripled last year’s responses (1,800). This year, most participants identified as a parent or guardian of an Allen ISD student whereas last year the majority of participants were Allen ISD employees. The top five information sources that participants use are Allen ISD’s website (80%), campus email (71%), district email (55%), Peachjar e-flyers (55%), and campus website (53%). These aligned closely with the most preferred methods. 84% of participants said they place high or moderate importance on state ratings for public schools. Trending data shows that the percentage of participants that selected high importance is the lowest it has ever been. The majority of participants strongly agreed or agreed that the district prepares and supports students in all survey areas.

Executive Summary Pt. 2 Employees and parents had mostly positive agreement to questions about faculty and student behavior. 88% of participants would recommend Allen ISD to a friend or family member with school-age children looking to move. Participants who would recommend Allen ISD to a friend cited teacher quality as one of the district's strongest qualities. However, participants who would not recommend Allen ISD to a friend cited this same area as the most needed improvement. Overall, the majority of participants were very satisfied or satisfied with all aspects of Allen ISD included in the survey, with the highest satisfaction in school safety (89%), followed by school environment (86%) and academic programs (85%).