These last two months, when the reality of the pandemic hit central Ohio,
have been true learning experiences for most in our school
community. Shifting our educational environment from a
classroom-based learning model to a home-based distance-learning one altered
fundamental structures and practices. Few people were overly
comfortable in this environment. But, as is frequently the case with
new challenges, we’ve grown from this crisis.
Certainly, innovations have hatched. New insights about ourselves, the
learning process, and our students emerged. We’ve heard of some of these
already. However, we need to move beyond anecdote and isolated
observations if we want to truly benefit from the experiences that took
place. Also, we need to learn from local stakeholders served by our
system: students, parents, and educators. We need to learn from
this in 3-D!
To that end, we and other participating districts are casting a wide net to
systematically capture observations and reactions during this historical time
period. We have worked with Battelle for Kids to develop customized
surveys for this very moment. Each survey instrument has
been reviewed by a focus group representing its intended audience. Also,
the survey design and items are grounded in research related to the underlying
constructs in question. Finally, the data resulting from these surveys
will not only inform key take-a-ways from this moment but may help inform our
re-entry plan this fall and will contribute to our continuous improvement
efforts long-term.
Because this effort is a canvass of three major stakeholder groups, it is important
that all three respond as fully as possible to keep the voices balanced and
fully represented. We are ONE system and as such, we need equity of voice
across all groups. Parents have the opportunity to complete a survey for
each child because each experience is different.
Our key goal is to be an even stronger, more supportive, and transformative
system for ALL coming out of this unprecedented shutdown. Being
intentional, attentive, and thoughtful about our reflections on this
sudden paradigm-challenge will go a long way toward realizing that
aim. Please use the survey monkey link below to provide
your anonymous perspective as parents!
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/Granville_Parents
Go Blue Aces!