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Intelligent leadership uses data to make administrative decisions. Thriving schools plan carefully and anticipate change partly through self-studies that are guided by statistical surveys. ISACS provides access to a constituent survey that has proven to be both valid and reliable in providing schools with highly useful statistics related to parent, teacher, administrator, trustee and student perspectives. Implemented in 1995, over 106,000 parents, teachers, staff, administrators, trustees, and students in over 300 schools have completed the Independent Schools Constituent Survey.

The survey is organized across categories of interest to constituents. Categories and sample items include:
  • General Attitudes and Perceptions about the School (ie, the school has a commitment to moral values and character development, the school has the right emphasis on grades and student evaluation)
  • School Related Groups (ie, students: respect for school authorities and property, enthusiasm, spirit, commitment)
  • School Programs (ie, computer/technology, religion/ethics)
  • Student Development (ie, behavior: honesty, civility, inclusivity, avoiding inappropriate activities)
  • Academic Service (ie, special needs services)
  • Extracurricular Activities (ie, athletic program, community service)
  • Auxiliary Services (ie, transportation)
  • Administrative Departments (ie, food services, buildings and grounds)
  • School Communication (ie, publications)
  • Financial/Educational Value Issues (ie, overall educational comparison for comparable schools)
  • Quality of Education (overall)
  • Overall Relationship with the School (likelihood to increase support)
The survey can also be customized to address areas of particular interest to individual schools.

Administrators report benefits in using the survey across the following areas of critical interest to independent schools.

Self Study/Strategic Planning
  1. Survey results provide an easier, more focused self-study process, especially when using the ISACS benchmark data.
  2. Faculty, parental, administrative and student perspectives are integrated into one self-study process.
  3. School strengths and weaknesses are identified which become key issues in creating a strategic plan.
  4. Because the survey is usually given to all constituents, the self-study is informed by the entire community rather than by a small percentage of vocal constituents.
Administration
  1. Some Heads use the survey as an annual planning tool to continually improve the relationship between the administration, faculty and parents.
  2. The survey provides support for administrative positions, particularly to address the vocal minority.
  3. The survey has proven essential in discovering the critical elements for an enhanced strategic plan and/or for school improvement plans.
Marketing
  1. The survey identifies program strengths. Clear communication of these strengths attracts more families and higher quality faculty.
  2. Promoting school strengths and addressing concerns improves retention of families and faculty.
  3. Constituent relationships are enhanced as a result of communicating action plans based on school survey findings.
Survey Process
  1. Schools save money with the shared cost structure that allows for below-market pricing. This applies both to using the survey (copyrighted) and for marketing and research consulting services.
  2. Schools report ease in administering the survey, especially related to survey development and tabulation of results.
  3. Custom questions provide data-based process for obtaining feedback on specific school initiatives.
The survey offers clear data at key points in the life cycle of a school, such as the start of a new head's tenure, both long and short term strategic planning, and changes in the admissions or development offices. If surveys are implemented regularly (three-year intervals are recommended), school evaluation and planning can be based upon comparisons with the previous survey results. For example, schools have data to compare commitment to moral values and character development from Year A to Year B.

Analysis and Interpretation ISACS and the Kensington Group, Inc., are pleased to provide support in analyzing, interpreting and summarizing survey findings. Data-based summary reports for trustees, faculty/staff, alumni, and parents build community cohesion, particularly when timed with launching.