This questionnaire has 5 main questions were designed to direct those taking the survey toward results that favored school choice programs, giving almost no other alternatives. It did not mention neighborhood school improvement alternatives. It did not mention k-8 schools or community schools to eliminate the multiple problems DISD has had for decades, especially with middle schools.
Here are the 5 main questions:
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1. Which types of choice schools would you like to see in your area? Please rank your top 4 choices in order of preference (descriptions of the types of "choice" schools were given below the question to select from)
2. Other comments or ideas regarding type of choice schools (An open question):
3. If a Dallas ISD school in your neighborhood attendance zone offered one of your top four school choice preferences and bus transportation was provided, would you choose that school for your child?
Definitely, Probably, Maybe, Probably Not, Definitely Not
4. If a Dallas ISD school outside of your neighborhood attendance zone offered one of your top four school choice preferences and bus transportation was provided, would you choose that school for your child?
Definitely, Probably, Maybe, Probably Not, Definitely Not
5. What is an acceptable amount of time for your child to travel to school either on a bus or by car?
Less than 30 minutes, 30-40 minutes, 40-50 minutes, 50-60 minutes, 60+ minutes
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Below is the list of "choice school" alternatives to select from for the answers to Question 1 above in this questionnaire circulated in September of 2014:
* 1. Which types of choice schools would you
like to see in your area? Please rank your top 4 choices in order of
preference (The areas for the selection and ranking were followed by these descriptions of the types of schools. No other alternatives were mentioned, especially as to improving neighborhood schools!)
Descriptions of Types of Choice Schools
Advanced Placement (AP) School
Advanced Placement (AP) classes are college level courses offered in high school. Schools are able to choose from up to 34 AP courses in various subjects to meet students’ needs. Students who score well on an AP Exam may earn college credit.
Advanced Placement (AP) School
Advanced Placement (AP) classes are college level courses offered in high school. Schools are able to choose from up to 34 AP courses in various subjects to meet students’ needs. Students who score well on an AP Exam may earn college credit.
International Baccalaureate (IB) School
The International Baccalaureate (IB) program offers a range of rigorous programs from kindergarten to high school graduation. One of the central features of the IB program is that it encourages international awareness in its students, such as learning a second language and developing the skills to thrive in an increasingly global age. IB students can also earn college credit.
The International Baccalaureate (IB) program offers a range of rigorous programs from kindergarten to high school graduation. One of the central features of the IB program is that it encourages international awareness in its students, such as learning a second language and developing the skills to thrive in an increasingly global age. IB students can also earn college credit.
Early College School
By partnering with a local community college, Early College Schools allow students to earn two years of college credit at no cost while they simultaneously earn a high school diploma.
By partnering with a local community college, Early College Schools allow students to earn two years of college credit at no cost while they simultaneously earn a high school diploma.
Career/Technical Education (CTE) Academy or Pathway
Career and Technical Education (CTE) academies and/or pathways provide high school students with the opportunity to explore their career interests. Students learn how core subjects, such as math, science, and writing, are used in the real-world. They also participate in internships, job shadowing, and hands-on practical training.
Career and Technical Education (CTE) academies and/or pathways provide high school students with the opportunity to explore their career interests. Students learn how core subjects, such as math, science, and writing, are used in the real-world. They also participate in internships, job shadowing, and hands-on practical training.
Community School
At community schools, public schools partner with other organizations throughout the community, such as non-profits, health clinics, and businesses. Together, they provide various programs and services to promote academic success for diverse learners, youth development, family support, and health and wellness. They are designed to be the “hub” of a community.
At community schools, public schools partner with other organizations throughout the community, such as non-profits, health clinics, and businesses. Together, they provide various programs and services to promote academic success for diverse learners, youth development, family support, and health and wellness. They are designed to be the “hub” of a community.
Dual-language School
Dual-language schools teach academic material in two different languages. The two main goals of these schools are high student achievement and bilingualism. Subjects are taught to students in both English and a second language.
Dual-language schools teach academic material in two different languages. The two main goals of these schools are high student achievement and bilingualism. Subjects are taught to students in both English and a second language.
Leadership Academy
A leadership academy provides students with rigorous educational opportunities that are combined with leadership training. The school is designed to promote academic success and increased levels of responsibility, communication, and self-confidence.
A leadership academy provides students with rigorous educational opportunities that are combined with leadership training. The school is designed to promote academic success and increased levels of responsibility, communication, and self-confidence.
Military Academy
At a military academy school, students participate in a demanding four-year JROTC program. The school provides a structured environment that is designed to promote academic excellence while developing students’ sense of citizenship, patriotism, responsibility, and leadership. Even though the school has a military theme, students are under no obligation to enlist in the armed forces after graduation.
At a military academy school, students participate in a demanding four-year JROTC program. The school provides a structured environment that is designed to promote academic excellence while developing students’ sense of citizenship, patriotism, responsibility, and leadership. Even though the school has a military theme, students are under no obligation to enlist in the armed forces after graduation.
Montessori School
Montessori schools emphasize student self-discovery and independence. Teachers will determine a range of options from which the students can choose and then students choose learning activities that best fit their interests. Students are given uninterrupted blocks of time to learn and to move freely around the classroom as they explore their interests. Montessori classrooms often contain students of different ages.
Personalized Learning School
A Personalized Learning school adapts content and instruction to meet the needs of diverse learners. It is designed to deliver a unique learning experience for every child through a customized approach, often enabled by technology. Personalized learning schools help enhance learning opportunities by giving students more choice about what they learn, when they learn, and how they learn.
Single Gender School
In single gender schools, male and female students attend separate classes or attend separate buildings.
Specific Content Theme Schools
A Specific Content Theme school specializes in an area of interest and offers a unique learning experience to students. At these schools, the core curriculum would be explored through a particular content lens.
Montessori schools emphasize student self-discovery and independence. Teachers will determine a range of options from which the students can choose and then students choose learning activities that best fit their interests. Students are given uninterrupted blocks of time to learn and to move freely around the classroom as they explore their interests. Montessori classrooms often contain students of different ages.
Personalized Learning School
A Personalized Learning school adapts content and instruction to meet the needs of diverse learners. It is designed to deliver a unique learning experience for every child through a customized approach, often enabled by technology. Personalized learning schools help enhance learning opportunities by giving students more choice about what they learn, when they learn, and how they learn.
Single Gender School
In single gender schools, male and female students attend separate classes or attend separate buildings.
Specific Content Theme Schools
A Specific Content Theme school specializes in an area of interest and offers a unique learning experience to students. At these schools, the core curriculum would be explored through a particular content lens.
- STEM
or Math/Science Program
STEM education integrates the content and skills of science, technology, engineering, and math. STEM classrooms encourage problem-solving, inquiry, and investigation. - Business/Entrepreneurship
Business/Entrepreneurship themed schools enable students to explore the opportunities and challenges of managing private businesses and non-profit organizations. Students engage in many practical exercises, such as developing a business plan and managing day-to-day operations. - Environmental
Sciences
Environmental Science themed schools enable students to explore environmental science. Students examine critical issues such as protecting today’s environment and sustaining the environment of tomorrow. - Health
Professions
The Health Professions content theme provides students with focus courses in areas such as anatomy, medical terminology, and health science technology. Students can also gain practical healthcare experience by shadowing at various healthcare facilities, which would help prepare them for a future profession in the healthcare industry. - Humanities/Communications
Humanities/Communications themed schools would focus on courses designed to develop students’ communication, reading, and critical thinking skills. Students would improve both oral and written skills, which is essential for any college or career transition. - Law/Government/World
Affairs
Law/Government/World Affairs themed schools expose students to diverse areas covering topics such as American and foreign politics, international relations, law, local government, and political philosophy. Students will refine their critical thinking and research skills so that they can participate effectively in domestic and international affairs. - Visual
and Performing Arts
Visual and Performing Arts themed schools expose students to academic classes and specialized training within the Arts field, such as ceramics, sculpture, drawing, music, graphic design, theatre, and dance. - Social
Sciences
Social Sciences themed schools challenge students to evaluate and analyze social concerns and the relationship among individuals in society. Students would be deeply exposed to subjects such as anthropology, economics, political science, psychology and sociology.
* 1. If a Dallas ISD school in your
neighborhood attendance zone offered one of your top four school choice
preferences and bus transportation was provided, would you choose that school
for your child?
Definitely
Probably
Maybe
Probably
Not
Definitely
Not
* 2. If a Dallas ISD school outside of your neighborhood attendance zone offered one of your top four school choice preferences and bus transportation was provided, would you choose that school for your child?
Definitely
Probably
Maybe
Probably
Not
Definitely
Not
* 3. What is an acceptable amount of time for your child to travel to school either on a bus or by car?
Less
than 30 minutes
30-40
minutes
40-50
minutes
50-60
minutes
60+
minutes
If you have any questions, please email: choice@dallasisd.org
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Do you think the above questionnaire gives a good view of the families who want their local community school to be excellent and for travel away from their neighborhood to not be necessary?
