US Charter Schools Web Dialogue Evaluation Results

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US Charter Schools Web Dialogue Evaluation
Results Report

• July 1, 2004

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Participation Numbers

• 675 participants registered for the event
• Approximately 200 participants attended the
  National Charter Schools Conference in Miami

3
Participant Roles
Total does not equal 100 since participants
could select multiple roles
4
Participant Home Locations
Total does not equal 100 since this field was
not required
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Participants by State
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Evaluation Results

• A total of 82 evaluations were submitted
• Major positive findings
• 96 of respondents stated that the overall
  dialogue experience was positive.
• 80 said they would refer a colleague to this
  dialogue as a tool to learn more about charter
  school issues.
• 78 said they saw new opportunities for action.

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Details Quality of Experience
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Views on Charter Schools
How would you rate the following statements about
your views on charter schools?
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Details Refer a Colleague
I will refer a colleague to this dialogue as a
tool to learn more about charter issues
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Open-ended Comments

• I loved how easy it was to access, that it was
  free, that there was a summary the next day of
  the past day's events. It was great. Thank you so
  much for offering it. As a Ed. Consultant who
  designs training programs for Charter Schools,
  yesterday's dialogue was so insightful as to what
  Charter Schools' needs are.
• The participants represented a broad spectrum of
  views and voices across the nation. I felt that
  the topics were very pertinent to what is
  happening across the nation in education. Many
  of the same problems of charter schools are
  similar to those in public schools.

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Open-ended Comments (cont. 1)

• The nice thing about this is that the more time
  you take with it, the better it becomes.
• However, the dialogue did deepen my
  understanding of charter schools and it did
  broaden my perspectives. It also made me aware of
  misinformation that exists about charter schools.
  I'm sure that this project was a lot work, but I
  would be interested in listening to another
  dialogue.
• Great for ... names of interested and involved
  individuals in my state.

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Open-ended Comments (cont. 2)

• I felt encouraged to read and to share my
  ideas--quite a validating experience for
  teachers. I enjoyed reading the research
  articles that were linked to the web discussion.
  I learned a great deal more than I already know
  about the charter school movement....
• The talk was ALL about systems and not meeting
  the needs of the KIDS...
• While I found many of the discussions interesting
  I didn't really find them to be a true give and
  take between those of us in the trenches.

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Open-ended Comments (cont. 3)

• Perhaps the summaries should be disseminated in a
  print document for wider dissemination.
• I lurked because of time constraints. The
  summaries helped me stay connected to the
  discussions. I did not realize there were
  library resources. We used the dialogue as a
  teaching tool.
• Our professor in the Leadership for Educational
  Entrepreneur program at ASU West used the
  dialogue as a remarkable teaching tool in her
  class. Each member of the class participated in
  group presentation at the end of the week based
  on one of the 4-5 topic areas. It was very
  rewarding to see the dynamic use of the webcast
  and how it could be used to enhance a masters
  level coursework.

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Open-ended Comments (cont.4)

• . I realize how important is for a Charter
  School to become part of the community where is
  located. It's essential to its success to
  incorporate itself among its government leaders
  and the overall community.
• This dialogue also gave emphasis that schools
  do not have to be afraid of trying new approaches
  and must importantly NEVER NEVER GIVE UP!
• What a super way to involve people....I hope
  you'll do this in the future....
• What a great and efficient way to share thoughts
  instantaneously on a national level! Way to go!

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Comments from Panelists

• There were a lot of good "kernels" in the
  discussion. One that emerged loud and clear was
  the uncertainty over how to interpret and
  implement the NCLB provision allowing for
  conversion of chronically underperforming
  district schools into charters. Practitioners are
  concerned that districts will just slap a
  "charter" label on dysfunctional schools, and
  policymakers are just beginning to come to terms
  with whether and how to use this option. This
  issue was particularly well-suited to a web
  dialogue, because the "thread" format unpeels
  layer upon layer -- and there are many layers to
  this one.
• The dialogues are a powerful forum for involving
  citizens in examining the key issues facing the
  country's dynamic charter schools movement.

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Comments from Panelists (cont.)

• I have three emails to my office from people
  around the country. What is particularly
  nice/sensitive about it, is that those that might
  not want to post a message for all to see, they
  still have an opportunity to participate in a
  meaningful way.
• I was extremely pleased with the topics and
  interaction that came from the US Charter Schools
  dialogue. It was good to hear the thoughts, idea,
  and philosophies of a diverse group of
  respondents. Projects such as this can only help
  to bring clarity to the movement, consistency in
  the use of proven practices, and continued
  improvement in the educational opportunities
  offered to children. I look forward to
  participating in the next dialogue as a panelist
  or as a participant.

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Questions

• Bob Montgomery
• bmont_at_wested.org
• [phone]
• Visit the Web Dialogue at
• http//www.uscharterschools.org/dialogue