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Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Email Story to a Friend November 23, 2005 Public gets chance to grade Medford schools By ANITA BURKE Mail Tribune Parents and other residents in the Medford School District can grade the schools in a survey the district is conducting. As part of the district’s efforts to assess and improve its communication with the community, it’s asking people to rate its performance via a survey conducted online, at schools and by phone. "We want to improve the opportunity for people to tell us what they think, so we don’t have to surmise," Superintendent Phil Long said. The survey asks people to give A, B, C, D or failing marks in overall school quality, building conditions and how well schools prepare students for employment after graduation. It also asks people to explain why they gave such a grade and collects some demographic data. "This gives us a baseline to see if what we do responds to the needs of the community," Long said. Advertisement Long and other district officials had considered a survey and knew the basic questions they wanted to ask. Randall-Dixon Public Relations LLC, the Salem-based consulting firm the district hired last month, helped shape the questions so the district can compare its results with nationwide Gallup Poll data. A scientific survey conducted by phone in mid-November was the first stage of the survey. Now the district has opened up the online survey, in both English and Spanish, to collect comments. "We think the comments will be valid for beginning a conversation," Long said. To conduct the survey, the district tapped its existing subscription to Zoomerang, online survey software provided by a Mill Valley, Calif., market research company, Market Tools Inc. For a $350 annual fee, schools can conduct as many online surveys as they want. The Medford district has used the software to survey parents and teachers in the past two years and found it easier and more cost-effective than paper surveys, said Julie York, director of student services. The survey is available at the district’s Web site, www.medford.k12.or.us . Long suggests that people without computer access can stop by a library or school to complete the survey or answer this summary questionnaire and return it to the district office, 500 S. Monroe St., Medford. Survey questions u Students are often given the grades of A, B, C, D, or Fail to indicate the quality of their work. Suppose the public schools themselves were graded in the same way. What overall grade would you give the Medford School District? Why? u What grade would you give the district for preparing students for employment after high school? Why? u What grade would you give to district school buildings as far as their condition and ability to meet the needs of students? Why? u How do you receive most of your information about the Medford School District? Choose from: Mail Tribune, other newspaper, TV, radio, district employee, other word of mouth, Web site, e-mail, district materials such as newsletters, other, don’t know. u Have you ever attended a Medford school? u Do you have children or grandchildren who attend or have attended a Medford school? u What Medford schools have you been in? u What age group are you in? Choose from: Under 17, 18-29, 30-44, 45-59, 55-64, over 65. Reach reporter Anita Burke at 776-4485, or e-mail Public gets chance to grade Medford schools ">[email protected] . Mail Tribune Home | Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life | Opinion AP News | Archives | Site Map | Community | Classified Copyright © 1997-2005 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback www.bingo.com Home Security Systems Trunks, Footlocker dvd-r Distance Education Computer Security Ztech Media Hosting Sports Equipment Online Casino Salvia Divinorum Student Loans tcg student loan consolidation Online Pharmacy Online Casino Reviews Myspace Home Equity Loans Windermere Van Vleet Rogue Valley Travel Discount Hotel Reservations Southern Oregon Loans Online Casino News Casino Gambling Sites Budget Website Templates Online Bingo Entertainment Guide Advertisement s