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Teachers Say Communities In Schools Helps Them Enjoy Teaching More
A new survey of teachers shows they believe in the key tenet that Communities In Schools resources and personnel free teachers to do what they do best: teach. A study on teacher satisfaction, conducted by leading research firm ICF International, shows a direct relationship between Communities In Schools’ presence in their schools and the teachers’ perception of improved teaching effectiveness.
A recent survey showed that teachers believe they are more effective when supported by Communities In Schools.
Photo © 2006 Greg Schaler
The Teacher Support Study was initiated after findings from the Communities In Schools National Evaluation pointed out a distinct indication across the network that the organization plays a vital role in supporting teachers. That emerging theme was validated through responses from teachers across eight states – Georgia, Florida, Texas, Michigan, Washington, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Ohio – that together contain nearly 80 percent of schools served by Com-munities In Schools. The Web-based survey was completed by 1,527 respondents. "Teachers and others on the front line of education face many challenges inside and outside school that can negatively affect their feelings about how effec-tively they are serving young people. This survey data shows that Communities In Schools creates a link among educators, students and their families, allowing teachers to focus on teaching and students to reach their full potential," said Susan Siegel, vice president, Research, Education and Learning Management.
Among the main findings was that nearly two-thirds of the survey’s teacher respondents said Communities In Schools helped them effectively address chronic risk factors such as poverty, students who are unprepared to learn and a lack of parental involvement. They also believed that Communities In Schools helped students acquire learning resources, improved student attitudes toward learning, increased engagement with learning and improved student behavior.
Roughly half of the respondents also believed that partnering with Communities In Schools helped reduce suspensions and tardiness that can affect teaching effectiveness.
Additionally:
- Seventy-two percent said they were better able to improve student achievement because of the coordination of services that Communities In Schools provides.
- Seventy-one percent said that the organization brought more community resources into schools.
- Seventy-one percent said that their jobs would be more difficult without a relationship with Communities In Schools.
While numbers are important, written comments offered additional insight. The following are quotes from teachers who responded to the survey. While they were contributed anonymously, they show that educators believe Communities In Schools makes a difference.
..."I am excited to know that there is another hand at the table of education working collaboratively to ensure that one more student is given the opportunity to succeed. Communities In Schools is that other hand."
..."In the 11 years that I’ve worked at this school, Communities In Schools has been a major support to the students and faculty, providing social services, guidance and leadership in our community outreach efforts."
..."The personnel from Communities In Schools have become an essential part of the fabric of our school. They are professional and committed. They support the total school program and are very effective in communicating with parents. Students seek them out because they know the love and concern is authentic and unconditional. We (the school) are better for the partnership."
For more information on the Teacher Support Study, including FAQs, talking points and conference call dates to hear more about the findings, visit www.communitiesinschools.org/teachersupportstudy/.