Communication gap at MV-Whisman Communication gap at MV-Whisman (October 15, 2004)

Problems include language barrier, poor Web site

By Julie O'Shea

Three years after the Mountain View-Whisman School District formed, parents report that there is still a communication gap. This is a problem that has surfaced year after year in parent surveys and during school board meetings. It is also something district leaders acknowledge needs improving.

Results from the most recent Communication Action Team survey, which were distributed to district parents last spring, show that while the majority of families are generally satisfied with their children's education, schools and teachers, there is still a tremendous lack in communication.

For example, one Monta Loma School parent wrote: "I find that communication from the school and/or teachers is often informative, but usually too late. We would love to participate; however, with busy schedules, one-day's notice is not enough time to react."

Some complained that meeting with their child's teacher once or twice a year is simply not enough time to get questions answered and go over the child's academic growth. Others noted that the district's Web site desperately needs a makeover.

Parents were given the opportunity to respond anonymously to open-ended questions about the district's strengths and weaknesses. About 35 percent of the 1,837 parents who responded to the survey provided written feedback to the open-ended questions.

The survey results also show that 46.9 percent of those who returned the questionnaire speak a language other than English at home, and 23 percent of parents said they experience a language barrier in communicating with the school or district.

Superintendent Eleanor Yick said the district is working on this problem and that it will be addressed along with adding better and more current information to the district's Web site. The school district also held a series of town-hall style meetings last year to help improve communication.

In addition to improving communication, Mountain View-Whisman plans to make sure all children are treated with respect by other children and be accountable for the different ways children learn.

Survey team members said with so much focus being placed on academically-challenged students, high-achieving children are being neglected. The action team suggested the district should make Gifted and Talented Education material more available to families and teachers and provide parents with a list of resources outside of the district which offer opportunities and challenges to advanced students.

The Communication Action Team survey was distributed to roughly 4,400 student families. Last year, 837 surveys were returned; this year the return rate jumped by 1,000.

Complete survey results may be requested by visiting the district office at 750-A San Pierre Way.

E-mail Julie O'Shea at joshea@mv-voice.com

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