Public Survey: School Rankings 2011

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Since 2006, the high school ranking system developed by CHILDREN AT RISK has highlighted the successes and need for improvement of Houston area high schools. In 2009, CHILDREN AT RISK began to include all eligible high schools in the state of Texas as well as extend the ranking system to include eligible elementary and middle school campuses. While there are a myriad of factors responsible for the overall success or failure of a campus, the data used in CHILDREN AT RISK’s ranking system represents a compilation of factors that indicate the degree to which a campus has prepared students for secondary and post-secondary success, such as participation in advanced coursework, performance on college entrance exams, and graduation rates at the high school level.

CHILDREN AT RISK is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization with a mission to improve the quality of life for children across Texas through strategic research, public policy analysis, education, collaboration and advocacy.

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* 1. How could we improve the school rankings methodology? Please use this space for any comments you would like us to consider in evaluating elementary, middle, and/or high schools across Texas.

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* 2. How could we make the Public School Rankings Report more beneficial and/or easier to use for you?

Include more visual information on school statistics

Include more information on the variables used to rank the schools

Include a sample letter that can be used to contact my child's school, state representative, etc to seek change

Other (please specify)

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* 3. In response to CHILDREN AT RISK's School Rankings, I have taken the following actions. (Please select all that apply.)

Used the rankings in a grant proposal or report

Contacted my state representative

Used the results to inform a decision about where to send my child

Commented on a story about the School Rankings in my local paper

Contacted my school or district

Other (please specify)

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* 4. How did you hear about the CHILDREN AT RISK Public School Rankings Report?

Newspaper

Television

Internet

A Friend

My Child's School

My School

Other (please specify)

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* 5. CHILDREN AT RISK continually strives to improve the School Rankings and seeks feedback from educators, researchers, and community members. Please use the space below to provide any additional comments you would like us to consider.

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* 6. I would describe myself as (Select One):

Parent

Educator

Community Member

Non-Profit Employee

Researcher

Student

Other (please specify)

For more information, please contact Caroline Holcombe, Research Analyst, at cholcombe@childrenatrisk.org. If you would like to receive future updates from CHILDREN AT RISK, please visit http://bit.ly/joinCAR.