Thank you for taking the time to complete our online survey.

Your feedback is very important.

STRONG FOUNDATIONS CHARTER SCHOOL is seeking feedback from the education community prior to completing its charter school application.

The concept is for a K-4 school specializing in literacy achievement in reading writing, and math based on best practice research and specialized teaching materials/ methods used by learning disabilities specialists. The school’s main goal is for >70% children to be proficient or advanced in reading, writing, and math as measured by state and other assessments, including children at risk for learning disabilities or considered learning or reading disabled. The curriculum will follow a traditional public school K-4 curriculum. The school will be based on consistent teaching methods from teacher to teacher and grade to grade, and all staff will be trained in updated Orton-Gillingham approaches (now includes phonemic awareness and fluency). In addition, founders envision the school being so specialized that it might provide teacher and support staff training in teaching all children for high achievement.

The founders believe this small elementary school, if established, could be easily reproduced by school districts with similar interests. Thus, feedback, ideas, and concerns from the education community would be helpful.

1. If this school could provide training to teachers and teacher assistants, do you think it would be valuable to other schools, parents, and teachers? yes no not sure

2. What form of training would be useful to any needs you or your organization might have: (check all that apply)
Intensive summer courses
Evening programs
Weekend programs
Internships
Day seminars provided in regions
Ability for visits and observations
Direct support for certain faculty
Seminars Designed for School Leaders
Guidelines for Assessment and Student Achievement Portfolio Development
Supervision of Uncertified Learning Disabilities Specialists
Mentorship for Alternative Certification Candidates

Comments

3. (For personnel in school districts): If the school were based in the greater Concord area, as planned, e.g. within a 30-minute radius, might your district consider: (check all that apply)

Encouraging a parent of a struggling student to attend
Discussing the school as an option to parents
Alerting elementary principals and guidance counselors about the school’s existence
Transporting or collaborating with other districts to transport students at districtexpense          Note: There is no transportation requirement for non-special ed students choosing a charter school outside their resident district.
Using the school for a student identified in grades 1-3 as at risk for learning disabilities
Using the school for students identified as having learning disabilities.

Comments

4. The State Board of Education can authorize 20 chartered public schools and, to date, has authorized 8 schools (click here for complete listing). In your opinion, would a demonstration elementary school that consistently reached >70% proficient or advanced in reading, writing, and math be of value?

5.Would you or someone on your faculty be interested in __staying informed about or __being involved in this school's development? If so, please leave contact information.

Thank you for giving this matter your attention.

For more information, contact:
Susan Hollins, Ph.D.
New Hampshire Center for School Reform
susan@nhschoolreform.org

This online survey was developed 9/20/05 for the Strong Foundations Charter School project.