Result Summary for Survey:AK Education Summit 2008 Survey Questionnaire

1. Please indicate the area of Alaska in which you live:
		Response Percent	Response Count
Rural off road system		21.7%	634
Rural on road system		17.6%	515
Urban		60.7%	1776
	answered question		2925
	skipped question		28

2. Please tell a little about yourself (choose one):
		Response Percent	Response Count
Parent		27.0%	785
Student		4.3%	124
Policy maker / elected official		2.9%	85
Business		4.4%	127
Early Childhood Educator		3.9%	112
K-12 Educator		54.6%	1587
Post-Secondary Educator		3.0%	88
	answered question		2908
	skipped question		45

3. Please indicate whether you currently have children in school.
		Response Percent	Response Count
Yes, I have children in public school at present.		41.9%	1225
No, I do not have children in public school at present.		58.1%	1697
	answered question		2922
	skipped question		31

4. Please rate your satisfaction with the following in relation to our state, Alaska.
	1 (Highest)	2	3	4 (Lowest)	Response Count
Schools in your community	29.3% (826)	52.2% (1475)	14.9% (421)	3.6% (101)	2823
Schools statewide	6.0% (163)	55.0% (1494)	35.4% (961)	3.6% (98)	2716
Early childhood options	12.2% (331)	38.8% (1055)	33.3% (904)	15.7% (428)	2718
Post secondary options and programs	13.5% (373)	49.0% (1359)	30.1% (835)	7.4% (205)	2772
Schools as safe learning places	26.9% (757)	55.2% (1552)	15.0% (422)	2.9% (83)	2814
	answered question				2831
	skipped question				122

5. How rigorous are Alaska standards and expectations for students in K-12 schools in the areas of reading, writing, and mathematics, toward building success in post-secondary endeavors?
		Response Percent	Response Count
The standards are too rigorous.		5.8%	161
The standards are about right.		52.1%	1437
The standards need to be slightly more challenging.		29.0%	800
The standards need to be significantly more challenging.		13.1%	360
	answered question		2758
	skipped question		195

6. I receive good information about the performance of schools in Alaska and my community.
		Response Percent	Response Count
Strongly disagree		8.5%	235
Disagree		17.9%	496
Agree		55.9%	1550
Strongly agree		17.7%	491
	answered question		2772
	skipped question		181

7. What are the three greatest strengths of education in Alaska?
		Response Percent	Response Count
Financial support / funding / money		27.9%	749
Student behavior / discipline		14.0%	376
School facilities		43.0%	1154
Class size relative to the number of teachers		31.5%	846
Academic standards and instruction		38.9%	1045
Programs to prepare K-12 students for work, college, and life		18.2%	489
Post-Secondary options		12.7%	342
Student success as measured by graduation rates		4.5%	122
Use of technology to enhance learning		47.7%	1282
Connections between early childhood, K-12 schools, and post-secondary		11.0%	296
Other (please specify)		16.5%	443
	answered question		2685
	skipped question		268

8. What are the three greatest challenges for education in Alaska?
		Response Percent	Response Count
Financial support / funding / money		51.2%	1388
Student behavior / discipline		37.8%	1024
School facilities		15.2%	412
Class size relative to the number of teachers		36.6%	991
Academic standards and instruction		22.7%	616
Programs to prepare K-12 students for work, college, and life		34.6%	939
Post-Secondary options		16.0%	433
Student success as measured by graduation rates		25.4%	689
Use of technology to enhance learning		11.8%	320
Connections between early childhood, K-12 schools, and post-secondary		25.5%	691
Other (please specify)		14.0%	380
	answered question		2711
	skipped question		242

9. Which three of the following would most improve the high school graduation rate in Alaska?
		Response Percent	Response Count
Early childhood education programs		28.6%	773
Career and technical education programs		30.4%	823
Traditional vocational education programs and classes		23.9%	646
Career and technical educational programs strongly tied to academic programs		36.1%	975
Apprenticeship programs in K-12 schools		24.2%	654
Rigorous academic programs based on world class standards for all students		15.1%	407
Post-secondary education scholarship programs		6.5%	177
School choice		6.8%	185
Drug, alcohol, and tobacco prevention programs for students		11.6%	314
Violence prevention programs		5.1%	139
Programs to impact teacher quality		18.6%	502
Virtual Schools		4.0%	109
Boarding schools and educational opportunities		5.4%	146
School partnerships with community agencies and business		13.2%	356
Parental support and education programs		44.6%	1207
Post-secondary scholarship programs for all K-12 graduates		6.7%	180
Other (please specify)		13.0%	352
	answered question		2704
	skipped question		249

10. What is your greatest hope for Alaska high school graduates?
		Response Count
		2125
	answered question	2125
	skipped question	828

11. What do you like the most about education in Alaska?
		Response Count
		1968
	answered question	1968
	skipped question	985

12. What is something you would change about education in Alaska?
		Response Count
		2103
	answered question	2103
	skipped question	850

13. What do you want to tell us about education in Alaska?
		Response Count
		1740
	answered question	1740
	skipped question	1213