Results of Heart River Elementary
Annual Assessment of Parental Involvement
For 2006 – 2007
*80 surveys were returned
1. Do you feel that your child has experienced success in the area of reading over the past year?
YES – 76 (1 parent circled yes and no)
*in the beginning he got frustrated trying to read; now between myself and the school I feel (student) is doing really well and more confident with himself and his abilities
*he has been able to recognize letters and sound them out
*he reads well
*he can read fluently
*they both have good comprehension of what they read; they enjoy it more
*he is reading more without having to stop to figure words out
*seems to be more interested in his reading this year
*my child was placed in a group that met her needs, and continued to challenge her at the same time. She now reads a variety of material above grade level
*it shows in his grades
*my child feels more confident with her reading skills and comprehension; she believes the SRA’s were an important factor
*he feels that he is reading many more books
*they seem confident w/their reading abilities
*(student) reads very well at home and at school; her grades in reading have improved
*she recognizes a few words now
*I feel he has learned the basics of reading
*my child was placed in a group that met his needs; his reading ability has greatly increased; he entered the Kindergarten year only somewhat reading and can now read full sentences and short stories
*once he knows how to pronounce a word, it usually is easy for (student) to remember the word
*my older child has had many opportunities in reading and my younger child has been introduced to reading
*her comprehension is very good
*I think what (student) has learned will help him throughout school
*reading is getting easier for her; able to pronounce out words; enjoys reading
*he did learn for his age
*loves to read bigger and better books
*especially when it comes to the tests; can find out where my child is
*she started HR having a difficult time reading. She is now at grade level
*she reads bigger books now.
*reading comes easier
*my child feels successful and that he has gotten better with his reading skills
*my son’s reading ability is much better than my first son’s when he was in 1st
*she’s done a lot better
*the books she reads get harder and harder
*her comprehension is much better
*my daughter loves to read; she is reading books beyond her grade level and understanding them
*but he still has stress when expected to read out loud, and dislikes reading
*just made him a better reader
*she wants to read on her own; I don’t have to make her read
*(student) had made it all the way through her Dick and Jane books just recently
*she can sound out almost any word
*she reads almost every night at bedtime; the AR points encourage her (my 6th grader)
*they both can read better than at the beginning of the year
*he has been bringing home and reading more advanced books
*due to the ‘flexible-grouping’ of students
*he’s reading more advanced books
*challenged at their reading level
*they both can read better than at the beginning of the year
*he is reading on the 8th – 9th grade level; his comprehension is good and he likes to read sequels and series
*she loves reading and her books keep getting more difficult but seems to get a grasp of her reading
*she is reading a lot more
NO – 4 (1 parent circled yes and no)
*they read at the same pace and level; TRE had a better reading program.
*no small groups; all students limited to ‘middle’ level reading; no opportunity to advance or ‘work up’ to skill level
*is only in kindergarten; just starting to read words; will more when getting older
Blank – 1
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2. Do you feel that your child has experienced success in the area of
math over the past year?
YES – 74 (1 parent circled yes and no)
*same as above (in the beginning he got frustrated trying to (learn math), now between myself and the school I feel (student) is doing well and more confident with himself and his abilities) and he has seemed to learn to enjoy it.
*he can count to 100+ and add single numbers together.
*seems to excel in math
*some areas I feel are difficult, but for the most part I feel he has had success
*they have both brought up their grades in math
*he is working more independently when he brings math homework home
*seen improvement in his skills
*my child’s mathematical skills were increased; she has grown in achievement over this past year; this is evident in the games we play at home; she can now compute at a higher level.
*it shows in his grades
*she feels she was successful due to natural ability and the way the math was taught.
*(yes/no) I feel (student) is doing very well in math although I feel he is still having a hard time memorizing his multiples
*grade 6 small group beneficial to work at skill level and challenge to advance further
*my son was able to ‘move ahead’; he wasn’t held back by others and didn’t seem to get as bored.
*she understands the concept of math and applies it well
*she is getting better w/recognizing and writing numbers
*they have taught him how to add and count money
*my child’s mathematical skills have increased; he has grown in achievement of these skills over the past year; this is evident in the games we play at home; he can now compute at a higher level.
*he can count easily from 0 – 100+
*my daughter struggles with the advanced math concepts but it’s more due to frustration and lack of trying, not the instruction
*she is very good in math with an A; multiplication and division came very easy to her
*(student) has been able to explore new math that challenged his thinking
*knowledge has increased; is working w/$ and other math subjects she enjoys
*yes, but I do feel he is struggling because at home he says it is hard
*my child loves math no matter what
*she started HR as a third grader not knowing addition/subtraction; she now is functioning where she should be
*usually has a B
*he still has a long way to go with multiplication and division, but improving every day
*not sure this is due to the groups – he’s never talked about being in a group
*she likes math more and more
*she is very smart in multiplication and division
*she does great and she is really understanding the concepts
*he enjoys math
*he’s done more and is understanding more
*her grades have improved
*somewhat; some math was not explained to where they fully understood it; went on to the next lesson too quickly
*she has learned to count without seeing the objects and using all her fingers
*she has always been good in this area, even when she was very small, but I have seen many improvements
*my kindergartner has learned his numbers; my 6th grader has had the best math grades she has ever had
*concepts at times are hard for them but they have shown improvement
*has definitely advanced
*we’ve seen such an interest in math skills from our child
*concepts at times are hard for them but they have shown improvement
*he can solve a lot more difficult problems
*AR math has been a blessing; he needs the enrichment of being able to work at his own pace, not being held back by slower learners
*I realize she has some struggles with math but think she is improving
*she comes home and does math and asks questions
NO - 6 (1 parent circled yes and no)
*(yes/no) I feel (student) is doing very well in math although I feel he is still having a hard time memorizing his multiples
*just starting to learn about math; just in kindergarten
*math is harder as they get older
*child is in special needs class
Blank – 1
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3. If your child was in grades K – 3 this past year, do you feel the flexible-grouping in Reading benefited your child?
YES – 50
*she enjoys reading alone more than before and also gets more out of the reading
*the grouping allowed my child to perform at her level. It also allowed the teacher to teach all at that level-challenging them all the same
*my child was taught at a level that best met his needs and skills and abilities
*my son was able to be challenged by the flexible reading groups
*it gave them the more one-on-one rather than a whole group
*noticing on how she is trying to pronounce words
*I think the flexible groups helps to challenge those who need it and not separate them from the class like when I went to school.
*more one-on-one time w/smaller groups; give child more reading time, then if in w/a bigger group
*smaller groups – more quiet time; easier to read and understand what they read
*more reading time
*enjoys reading every night
*better readers
*she became a better reader
*I believe it challenges the kids
*he has exceeded our goals
*it gives them more one-on-one
*they didn’t have to be at a certain place and get behind; they were able to read at their levels
*had her reading at her reading ability level
*they didn’t have to be at a certain place and get behind; they were able to read at their levels
*I believe the different groups helps with different reading levels.
*significantly!
*he loves to read
*he’s enjoying reading more now
*(student) really enjoys the reading groups and the activities
*helping her to learn to read
NO – 1
*same reading level
Blank/not applicable - 26
Other – 3
*not sure; I wasn’t really informed what reading group he was in or if there is one for K
*I am not aware of this program
*unknown
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4. If your child was in grades 5 – 6 this past year, do you feel the flexible grouping in Math benefited your child?
Yes – 27 (1 parent circled yes and no)
*his grades have greatly improved and he enjoys it more
*with there being smaller groups, teachers have more one-on-one w/students
*they did well
*able to work in a group closer to their own level of skill
*he wasn’t held back by others and didn’t get bored
*different kids; different levels
*(yes/no) math is hard; harder as they get older; struggle more
*they get a chance to see other people’s problems (difficulties?)
*small groups are better
*her grades have improved
*somewhat
*my 6th grader was able to move at an accelerated pace
*his math skills improved; he was challenged
*he could be at his own pace, but still make progress
NO - 1 (parent also circled yes)
* math is hard; harder as they get older; struggle more
Blank/not applicable – 52
Other - 1
*no difference
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5. If you are a parent of a student entering 4 – 6th grade in the 2007 – 2008 school year, do you feel your child would benefit from flexible-grouping instruction in the area of Reading? In Math?
Yes – 41 (2 parents responded NO for Reading and YES for Math)
*it has worked so far; and it also is easier for the kids that need extra help to get it; it should have been done many years ago
*he will have the attention of the teacher and the teacher will be able to keep the child’s attention and notice if she has lost this right away
*I believe this would allow for those children with more ability to advance and feel challenged rather than bored with material that does not meet their potential; also it may help those children who struggle with comprehension and need more time
*reading yes, but engage them more; math yes
*flexible-grouping allows students to learn at a level that can challenge their skills and give them goals to strive for
*readers may feel more comfortable reading with others of similar abilities; I feel it will increase their confidence and allow them to learn better; in math, the same concept applies plus the more advanced students can learn at their own pace and not lose interest
*she reads well on her own and understands what she reads; her math is good but with extra instruction will improve
*it allows for different levels of learning to be challenged without under stimulating or over stimulating students
*I think Reading is so important in everything you do; you can never have enough of math
*because then they can have discussion about reading & math and get more out of it
*in math maybe flash cards would be a little quicker
*any help is beneficial
*I’m not sure what that is – but any extra is always good
*it’s very important in all areas of school; because it’s so advanced
*variety
*more 1 to 1
*smaller groups
*her grades have improved
*he would still need the option so he could understand reading and math concepts
*in both reading and math
*he would still need the option so he could understand reading and math concepts
*he is bored when forced to keep pace w/his classmates who are slower; it’s probably a good tool for enriching the school experience
*great small group opportunities!
No – 2 (2 parents circled NO for Reading and YES for Math)
Blank/not applicable – 40
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6. Do you as parents have any suggestions for Heart River staff that would assist your child in the areas of reading and/or math?
Yes - 15
*newer books with diverse but appropriate content
*make a fun school-wide challenge to read; make it an around-the-world journey
*I think (student) needs to learn how to memorize all of his multiplication facts. I bought him a Twist & shout multiplication game, but with my medical condition and the stress I am under at this time I don’t think he is getting all the help here that he should get; although we try he gets frustrated very easily with my teaching abilities
*continue to utilize small groups. Students at the lower levels can benefit by receiving necessary guidance while children at higher levels can be challenged to excel and move on to more advanced levels of study to keep them interested and involved
*one-on-one time to work on things, and hands-on activities work well for (student)
*just to keep doing the flexible-grouping in Reading and Math
*more communication; If they are in a different group we should be told why they are in that group and when they are placed in that group. So that we may understand where our children are and what problems/strengths they have
*keep challenging them to do well
*some of the concepts are a very different way of learning than we received in school (100 yrs ago!), so it is difficult to help our child understand when we have a very different way of explaining what we know! Some can’t deal with more than one way of understanding something. But I don’t know how to suggest an answer to that problem!
*more individual help
*keep doing the flexible-grouping; the students have a more one-on-one
*do not let the child pick his or her books out without the teacher’s help
*more understanding/talking one on one; communication
*maybe a child that is showing more advancement could spend a certain amount of time in the next grade up
*perhaps more advanced opportunities for the students to they remain stimulated and interested
No – 52 (Comments included)
*At this point I think you guys are doing great and I would like to thank Mrs. Gress for everything and all her efforts.
*I appreciate all Heart River has done for my student. The classroom teacher went above and beyond to challenge her by getting her time with the gifted and talented teacher, which has brought about an increased interest in reading.
*I appreciate all Heart River has done for my student. The classroom teacher went above and beyond to challenge him without bringing about frustration.
*I am so very pleased that (student) is at Heart River. Everyone is so friendly, kind, willing to lend a hand when needed. I can tell that when he’s at school he is in one of his Comfort Zone’s. Thanks for everything.
*the HR staff goes above and beyond our expectations. Keep it up!
*I think you are doing just fine on how you are teaching the children.
*things going great!
*they’re doing a good job in both areas
*I think they are doing a wonderful job
*he does well in school when his teachers keep him on track; and they do (smiley)
*my child seems to be doing well
*I (we) think our children have been challenged and benefited from both math and reading programs at HR – no suggestions
*not really; I feel my child is progressing very well in both math and reading for his age
*please continue with your current plan – thank you for all that you do for the students at Heart River!
*I think you guys are doing a great job!
Blank - 13