Use Feedback Data to Make Entry Plans

In Bellingham, Washington, all school or district administrators accepting new positions create entry plans. For some of them, a core component of that entry plan is looking at feedback data Panorama gathered from the students, families, and staff in their new school or from the district at large. The feedback data, which was collected to align with the district’s strategic plan, the Bellingham Promise, have been an important way for administrators to learn about the needs and priorities of the community they’re joining.

How Feedback Can Inform Entry Plans

Anda Adams, Director of Teaching and Learning at Bellingham Public Schools, has worked closely with principals to support their using their school climate and culture data as part of their process for creating entry plans that help them set long-term strategic goals.

“As school leaders join their new communities, they are gathering data from their stakeholders. In Bellingham, we want our leaders to be thoughtful about how they come into the community, and help them listen to what different stakeholders in their community think and believe. Panorama surveys are a support tool for our leaders who are figuring these things out.”

—Anda Adams, Director of Teaching and Learning, Bellingham Public Schools 

For principals entering into their new communities, the data have also been used to help them think about who needs to be involved in decision-making and outreach. The data have provided principals with an opportunity to consider what groups need to look at and interpret the data together, so that the school can reach consensus about what courses of action to take.

“The data help us understand what’s important to our stakeholders, and allow us to have a broader reach of contacting stakeholders who we don’t always hear from. It also allows stakeholders to give their feedback anonymously, so that they feel comfortable sharing things that they might not otherwise. We use these surveys in concert with other data sources—interviews, focus groups—to help with strategic planning.”

—Anda Adams, Director of Teaching and Learning, Bellingham Public Schools

Using Data to Support Strategic Planning and Sharing

At a district level, Bellingham plans to use stakeholder data to support how the district reports on progress to the district school board and broader community. Previously, the report relied on stories and anecdotes to capture how students are developing into “respectful and compassionate humans” and “leaders, collaborators, and team players”. This year, their stakeholder feedback on climate and culture will add more quantitative information about the perceptions of students, families and staff on these important outcomes.

Takeaways:

• Have new school and district leaders use the data collected to create entry plans. Digging into feedback from their new community of stakeholders will help them identify areas of strength to build on and areas for growth to improve.
• Stakeholder feedback can be used to support reporting back to the school or district about priority areas for change and positive areas to celebrate.