OPELOUSAS, La. — The St. Landry Parish School System sent surveys out to parents and staff over the summer about students returning to school in the fall with a majority of respondents stating their preference of a traditional face-to-face learning over an all virtual model as the best option for students.
Both surveys were sent on June 10, with the Family & Stakeholder Survey sent through district and school websites and Facebook pages while the Instructional Staff Survey was delivered through email.
According to the family survey, a majority of Pre-K - Grade 6 parents, or about 43%, said that they strongly agree that traditional face-to-face learning for the upcoming school year will best meet the safety and educational needs for their children from August to May.
A slight majority of Grade 7 -12 parents, or 40%, said they strongly agree that traditional face-to-face learning is best.
According to the staff survey, a majority of staff, or about 44%, said that they preferred traditional face-to-face instruction all year (August - May) as the best school schedule to meet the needs of students.
On Tuesday, the school board discussed its Strong Start Plan for 2020-2021.
Earlier this month, school board members approved a motion to start school virtually on Aug. 20, which will start with Phase 1.
Family Survey
According to the family survey for Pre-K - Grade 6, a majority of parents, or about 43%, said that they strongly agree that traditional face-to-face learning for the upcoming school year will best meet the safety and educational needs for their children from August to May. Another 18% said they agree with 17% being neutral, 12% saying they strongly disagree and 9% saying they disagreed.
According to the family survey for Grade 7 -12, a majority of parents, or 40%, said they strongly agree that traditional face-to-face learning for the upcoming school year will best meet the safety and educational needs for their children from August to May. About 19% said they were neutral and 17% said they agree. Another 13% said they strongly disagree and 11% said they disagree.
A slight majority of parents of children in Pre-K - Grade 6, or 28%, said they strongly disagree that virtual at-home learning for the upcoming school year will best meet the safety and educational needs for their children from August to May. Another 22% said they were neutral, 18% said they strongly agree, 18% said they disagree and 14% said they agree.
A slight majority of parents of children in Grade 7 -12, or 28%, said they strongly disagree that virtual at-home learning for the upcoming school year will best meet the safety and educational needs for their children from August to May. About 22% said they were neutral, 19% said they strongly agree, about 16% said they agree and 15% said they disagree.
Another small majority of parents of children in Pre-K - Grade 6 said they strongly disagree that virtual at-home learning for the first semester (August - December) is best for their children and that decisions for the rest of the school year would be determined later. Another 21% said they were neutral and 20% said they strongly agree.
Another small majority of parents of children in Grade 7 -12, or 24%, said they strongly disagree that virtual at-home learning for the first semester (August - December) is best for their children and that decisions for the rest of the school year would be determined later. Another 23% said they strongly agree and 20% said they are neutral.
A clear majority of Pre-K - Grade 6 parents, 51%, said they strongly agree that if the school board is able to provide traditional face-to-face instruction in a safe and healthy learning environment then their children will go to school. Another 23% said they agree and 13% were neutral.
A clear majority of Grade 7 -12 parents, or about 51%, said they strongly agree that if the school board is able to provide traditional face-to-face instruction in a safe and healthy learning environment then their children will go to school. Another 22% said they agree and 16% were neutral.
Staff Survey
According to the staff survey, a majority of staff, or about 44% said that they preferred traditional face-to-face instruction all year (August - May) as the best school schedule to meet the needs of students, even though final decision had been made at the time. About 32% said they preferred a blended model of face-to-face and at-home learning, about 18% said they preferred at-home learning for the first semester and nearly 6% preferring at-home learning all year long.
The staff survey shows that a clear majority of those taking part in the survey, or 74%, said that their role was classroom teacher.
The survey also showed that the most provided service from staff to students over the course of school closures was reviewing work at 71% and academic packets at about 59%.
According to the staff survey, a majority of staff, or 38%, said that they had no barriers in effectively working from home, while about 28% said that a lack of technology was their biggest barrier.
A majority of teachers, 63%, said that teaching in a virtual setting was the most requested training they needed to receive to work successfully in a virtual setting, followed by Google Classroom at 48.1% and Zoom at 48%.
Teachers said that they communicated with parents and students the most through text at 52%, through regular office hours at about 50% and through parent email at 46%.
You can view the full Parent Survey results below.
You can view the full Instructional Staff Survey results below.
------------------------------------------------------------
Stay in touch with us anytime, anywhere.
To reach the newsroom or report a typo/correction, click HERE.
Download our free app for Apple,Android, Roku and Amazon devices.
Sign up for newsletters emailed to your inbox. Select from these options: Breaking News, Evening News Headlines, Latest COVID-19 Headlines, Morning News Headlines, Special Offers
