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Subcommittee Response to Standard #5: Learning Media and Technology

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Standard #5

Standard #6

Subcommittee Members: Bill Switala, Ray Moyer, Abby Yavorek

Survey Responses

Faculty Survey

Standard #5: Learning Media Services and Technology

Learning media services and technology function as important tools to enhance classroom instruction and other school activities. Well-organized information resources reinforce knowledge, skills, and attitudes learned in other program areas and broaden minds by providing opportunities to conduct research and interact with information.

Faculty

Survey

4 < > 1

Indicator

2.93

a.) Information resources and technology are of adequate scope, quantity, and quality to support the total educational program and encourage students and staff to broaden and extend their learning.

3.11

b.) An information skills curriculum is provided to enable students to develop research and information literacy skills.

3.00

c.) Staff, students, and the school community are encouraged to offer input into the types, quality, and format for the information resources and technology provided.

3.26

d.) Learning materials and technology are maintained in a manner that makes them accessible to students and staff. They are properly catalogued, housed, and periodically reviewed for relevancy.

3.24

e.) Learning media center and technology staffs are sufficient and appropriately qualified to provide effective service to students and staff.

3.17

f.) Adequate orientation to the use of the learning media services, its resources, and equipment is provided to staff and students.

2.87

g.) Learning media services and technology are appropriately supported through adequate funds provided in an annual budget.

3.67

h.) Long range planning activities are in place to ensure that the school keeps pace with information and technological changes.

Sample Faculty Comments

Trying to improve technology more each year...growing with the times.

The librarian is constantly asking for our input about materials and programs. She makes us feel as if we have a say about what goes into our Media Center program

The school has invested in two mobile computer labs, which are a great asset to instruction

There are not enough people employed in the tech field. The tech services employees are overworked and understaffed. There also are not enough funds spent in purchasing new technology.

The need for a technology assistant in each building.

Allocation of funds does NOT keep pace with what is needed for effective implementation, neither for the quantity of computers/equipment required, nor especially with the need to hire additional Tech. staff to effectively maintain existing systems and equipment, and also to provide staff with the necessary training.

*Student Survey*
*Standard #5: Learning Media Services and Technology* . Learning media services and technology function as important tools to enhance classroom instruction and other school activities. Well-organized information resources reinforce knowledge, skills, and attitudes learned in other program areas and broaden minds by providing opportunities to conduct research and interact with information.
*Student* *Survey* *4 < > 1*	*Indicator*
3.43	1. The school provides students with adequate library/media services.
3.11	2. The school curriculum helps students develop research and technology skills.
*Sample Student Comments*
The library and its staff are wonderful and very helpful...the extra hours it's open after school come in handy quite often. I feel my research skills are developed but my technology abilities are lacking.
The media center has only enough computers for one class to be in there. There isn't a place for students to find information quick for a class if there is a class in the media center already.
There are departments who could really offer some up to date classes, but they lack the support to improve. Also, the courses such as Computer Apps. should be able to supply student with a Microsoft Office certification upon completion which will make a huge difference when the reach the work force.
The computers are slow which slows down the number of things you can search in an amount of time.

*Parent Survey*
*Standard #5: Learning Media Services and Technology* . Learning media services and technology function as important tools to enhance classroom instruction and other school activities. Well-organized information resources reinforce knowledge, skills, and attitudes learned in other program areas and broaden minds by providing opportunities to conduct research and interact with information.
Parent Survey 4 < > 1	*Indicator*
3.21	1. The school provides students with adequate library/media services.
3.02	2. The school curriculum helps students develop research and technology skills.
3.17	3. Technology resources are adequate to support the total educational program.
*Sample Parent Comments*
The computers are there but they are being used minimally in courses. I was shocked there are no required computer classes since it is a primary communication tool.
There is adequate technology but it is underutilized at best. The faculty is not providing a 21st century education. The High School's web site is amateurish and provides inadequate information for 2006. Only a couple classes provide materials online. They all should.

List the significant strengths of the school in the area of Learning Media Services and Technology.

Overall, the Media Center staff earned praise from every group surveyed. There also seems to be an adequate amount of technology available in the building (numbers of computers), with the exception of the Media Center Lab.

List the significant weaknesses of the school in the area of Learning Media Services and Technology.

Overall, some of the staff feels inadequately qualified to use the technology it has available. This appears to cause the students and parents to feel frustration with the minimal use of technology by those staff members. There is an adequate amount of technology, but it seems to be under repair or in a state of disrepair on a regular basis, making the planning of the use of it hazardous due to its unreliability. There are also concerns about the number of technology support staff employed by the district (too few). Several parents expressed concern about the lack of a required computer course.

Additional relevant information:

Since beginning the self-review process, Selinsgrove Area High School has been awarded one of Pennsylvania’s “Classrooms of the Future” grants. This success means that, as this report is being prepared, Selinsgrove is eagerly awaiting delivery (scheduled for November, 2007) of a truly magnificent array of new technology hardware, accompanied by appropriate teacher training intended to transform the way we deliver instruction.

The Classrooms of the Future grant is geared towards science, English, math and social studies. Twenty-one (21) CFF teachers will be equipped with a minimum of a laptop, whiteboard, and LCD projector. We will be getting a digital still camera and a digital movie camera for each department, and several web cams that we will place with those who might want to use them. The biggest part of the grant will be 13 mobile carts with 22 student laptops each. They can be moved, so each room with a whiteboard will be also prepared with additional LAN connections. The carts will, however, be based in specific rooms.

All teachers receiving a whiteboard, LCD projector, and laptop will be committing to professional development in the use of the equipment, and will complete a 30-hour course by August 2008. It appears as if it can be taken for graduate credit on line. This new equipment and training promises to have a monumental impact on the educational process in Selinsgrove Area High School, and we are very excited.

Subcommittee Response to Standard #6: Student Services

Subcommittee Members: Karen Stauffer (parent), Donna Gavitt (faculty), Annette Gray (parent)

The school provides services to students that optimize their preparation for learning. Chief among those services are health services and, at appropriate levels, guidance including academic and personal counseling. Preventive and emergency health care services are provided and health and safety policies are clear and well understood. Other services that may be provided include transportation, food service, services for special needs students, and admissions and placement.

*Survey Responses*
*Teacher/Staff Survey*
Faculty Survey 4<.>1	Indicator
3.41	a.) The school is sensitive to the non-academic needs of students and has in place a process whereby the emotional and social needs of students are addressed.
3.41	b.) Counselors, administrators, teachers, and other staff share responsibilities for providing guidance and support to students
3.26	c.) Counseling services are well organized, are in accord with the school's philosophy, mission, beliefs, and/or objectives, and are under the leadership of qualified personnel.
3.26	d.) Student data is current, comprehensive, and readily available for use by the staff.
2.50	e.) Follow-up studies for graduates and other former students are carried out, and the resultant data are shared with staff to help in determining the effectiveness of school programs.
3.29	f.) Guidance services include both individual and group counseling activities.
3.02	g.) Career awareness is provided at upper elementary, middle, and secondary levels.
3.12	h.) Guidance services extend into and interact with community services as needed.
3.72	i.) Health services are provided to meet basic health needs and handle medical emergencies.
3.43	j.) An established written policy for faculty members to follow in handling accidents or illnesses is available. Staff and administration are familiar with safety and/or evacutaion plans.
3.66	k.) Health records are maintained in good condition.
3.30	l.) Training is available for staff in CPR and first aid.
3.10	m.) The health staff informs the faculty and parents (where appropriate) about serious health or physical needs that may exist in the student body.
3.49	n.) Working relationships with local authorities/health service providers are positive.
3.27	o.) The instructional program includes opportunities for students to develop knowledge, attitudes, and practices necessary to meet the present health needs of youth and society.
3.60	p.) Transportation needs of students are met and provided through prudent oversight.
3.53	q.) Safety concerns for pick-up and drop-off of students are effectively addressed.
3.40	s.) Food services and/or functional, hygienically maintained areas for students to consume their own food are provided.
2.81	t.) Information on nutrition, and, when needed, counseling on the nutritional merits of the food the school serves or the students bring is provided.
3.56	u.) Psychological, social, and psychiatric services are available to students through school-or community-based services.
3.40	v.) Effective procedures are established for identifying and addressing the special needs of students with learning differences.
3.11	w.) The school has a well-defined, published admissions process with criteria upon which admissions decisions are made.
3.06	x.) Those wishing to enroll in the school are clearly informed of the philosophy, mission, beliefs, and/or objectives of the school, the nature and extent of educational programs and services available, tuition and fees, and the expectations of students for satisfactory performance.
3.33	y.) The school accepts students for whom there is a reasonable expectation of success from the program as appropriate and interpreted by law.
3.29	Average
Faculty Comments
Follow-up studies for graduates and other former students are not carried out. If they are, the resultant data are not shared with staff to help in determining the effectiveness of school programs.
I feel we need to do a better job of helping students determine potential career options, prior to college. Helping them to narrow their focus.
9g and 9h: Without being critical of the guidance counselors themselves (who may not always have a say in what their duties are), our guidance department has become sidetracked by too many other responsibilities that they have almost abandoned the original purpose of high school guidance programs: career guidance. The guidance department needs to focus more on helping students plan for their careers. This includes two key areas: 1) Helping students thoughtfully choose high school courses which will prepare them for career fields in which they are interested. 2) Helping students decide what type -- if any -- of post-high-school education they will pursue, and helping them in admissions and financial aid application processes.
The nutritional value of the cafeteria food is suspect, in my opinion.
Too much 'junk food' is offered to the students. Is good nutrition or good profit the real goal.

Student Survey
STANDARD #6: The school provides services to students that optimize their preparation for learning. Chief among those services are health services and, at appropriate levels, guidance including academic and personal counseling. Preventive and emergency health care services are provided and health and safety policies are clear and well understood. Other services that may be provided include transportation, food service, services for special needs students, and admissions and placement.
Student Survey 4<.>1	Indicator
3.19	13. Counselors, administrators, teachers, and other staff members provide students with guidance and support.
3.05	14. Career awareness activities are provided by counselors and/or teaching staff.
3.19	15. My school provides services to meet student’ basic health needs and to handle medical emergencies.
3.23	16. My school meets students’ transportation needs, as appropriate.
2.5	17. My school provides an adequate, nutritional food service program, as appropriate.
3.032	Average

Student Comments

I have been in several situations where I don't believe that the counselors provide students with the appropriate guidance and support; however, I do feel that the teachers provide guidance and support. I do not think that our school really provides any activities that encourage career awareness. The army comes in and recruits, but besides that I'm not sure.

I feel I get no guidance from my guidance counselor and sometimes even feel resistance when I go to talk to him to fix my schedule, approach him about an opportunity or actually receive guidance in scheduling, career opportunities, etc.

I don't understand why we just get fed 4 mozzeralle sticks and they think it will be good enough for us. I feel that we should have good food.

Our school lunches are not balanced. We get junky food, and as a diabetic, I find pizza and tater tots to not follow the diabetic diet. They do not see that the food is fit for any health problem.

The counselors could do a better job with providing support for students, they could also throw career awareness a little further out to reach the students. The schools food could be more nutritional and they could also take away some of the junk food they are provided for students because students don’t each lunch.

Parent Survey

STANDARD #6:

4<.>1

Indicator

2.73

21. The school addresses the emotional and social needs of its students.

2.59

22. Counselors, administrators, teachers, and other staff members provide students with guidance and support.

2.63

23. Career awareness activities are provided by counselors and/ teaching staff.

3.00

24. The school provides services to meet students’ basic health needs and to handle medical emergencies.

3.13

25. The health service staff or nurse communicates with parents and staff members as needed about students’ health or physical needs.

3.13

26. The school meets students’ transportation needs, as appropriate.

2.97

27. The school provides an adequate, nutritional food service program, as appropriate.

3.15

28. Programs to address students’ special learning needs are in place.

2.97

29. Psychological, social work, and other services are available to support student learning.

2.922

Average

Parent Comments

High school guidance office understaffed for college preparatory work; not able to provide students with full range of services offered at other schools (one-on-one counseling for college admissions, college selection assistance, etc.)

Junk Food choices as supplement or alternative to main meal and inappropriate for school.

I would like to see the cafeteria/food services provide more nutritional choices for the kids. Try to eliminate friend, greasy, fatty foods and sodas from the diet.

Food/Nutritional Education lacking. Eating disorders are common particularly with females. Poor veggie salads offered.

career awareness is on a very limited basis. The students are not exposed to a lot of the careers that are available and that are in demand now or will be in the near future.

Summary: Teacher Survey

The teacher survey indicated Standard #6 reached or exceeded 3.0 average response rating. More specifically, two areas fell below and will be examined more carefully.

The two questions with the highest ratings were:

3.72	i.) Health services are provided to meet basic health needs and handle medical emergencies.
3.66	k.) Health records are maintained in good condition.

The two (or three**) lowest rated questions:

2.81	t.) Information on nutrition, and, when needed, counseling on the nutritional merits of the food the school serves or the students bring is provided.
2.50	e.) Follow-up studies for graduates and other former students are carried out, and the resultant data are shared with staff to help in determining the effectiveness of school programs.
3.02**	g.) Career awareness is provided at upper elementary, middle, and secondary levels.

Analysis of teacher survey: While the average response was generally rated above three, two general concerns as evidenced by staff comments pertained to nutritional merits of food service and a need for follow-up studies of former students to determine effectiveness of programs and to a lesser degree, career awareness for students.

Summary: Student Survey

The student survey indicated Standard #6 reached (with just over) a 3.02 average rating. The top two indicators of greatest satisfaction are:

3.23

16. My school meets students’ transportation needs, as appropriate.

3.19

13. Counselors, administrators, teachers, and other staff members provide students with guidance and support.

15. My school provides services to meet student’ basic health needs and to handle medical emergencies.

The lowest rating on any one question answered by the students was food services:

2.5	17. My school provides an adequate, nutritional food service program, as appropriate.

Analysis of student survey:

Clearly, the students feel food services are lacking. Based on comments, they want greater variety, more food, less greasy foods, generally more nutritious meals. Students questioned the ‘snack shack’ in terms of nutritional value.

Summary: Parent Survey

The parent survey indicated Standard #6 did not reach a 3.0 on the overall average response rating. The resulting average was 2.92.

Highest satisfaction was evidenced in three categories:

3.15	28. Programs to address students’ special learning needs are in place.
3.13	25. The health service staff or nurse communicates with parents and staff members as needed about students’ health or physical needs.
3.13	26. The school meets students’ transportation needs, as appropriate.

Lowest satisfaction focused on :

2.59	22. Counselors, administrators, teachers, and other staff members provide students with guidance and support.
2.63	23. Career awareness activities are provided by counselors and/ teaching staff.

SUMMARY OF STRENGTHS

Meeting transportation and health needs of students is a strength based on surveys of all three groups; parents, students and staff.

SUMMARY OF WEAKNESSES

Two issues surfaced with students and teachers; food services and follow-up on graduates with career counseling and guidance services, closely behind or showing a relationship to, follow-up studies on graduates.

The survey would indicate some action on food services, with emphasis on variety and better nutritional options.

In addition, the survey indicates attention in the area of guidance services. Career counseling and student tracking are two areas of focus under the current Classrooms for the Future grant activities and are being addressed for improvement. Recommendations at this time would be duplicative in light of these events. A required career course for ninth and eleventh graders is being written as part of the Strategic Planning process for implementation in the 2008-2009 school years.

(Reference Strategic Plan Summary)

RECOMMENDATION FOR ACTION PLAN:

We recommend, as one option, to convene a committee of students and teachers for the purpose of further defining what students prefer, and identifying nutritional alternatives or food service options that meet the expectations of students and teachers. This committee would then make recommendations based on their findings.

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