DOE Learning Environment Surveys in - CSS scores more than 100% in most categories!

Dear CSS-MSE community,  

http://schools.nyc.gov/OA/SchoolReports/2007-08/Survey_M362.pdf
 

Attached above, for your review, are the results of our School's Learning Environment Survey (LES) results for Y1 that faculty, parents and students filled out in February and March. Please note that the survey was done prior to the completion of our Spring semester and prior to our unique and highly successful June minisemester, and thus really only represent perspectives from experiences of our Fall and beginning of Spring semesters.
 
The LES is but one measure of how our school is perceived to be doing. It encapsulates the perspectives of students, parents and faculty who filled-out the surveys. It is one of the variables that will go into our annual School Progress Report and the basis by which we will be compared to other schools in the city.
 
The overall results point in the same direction as all our other data: that we had a very strong first year.
 
I am proud to report that in most categories we scored above 100%. Our average composite score was 98% for all three constituencies; and for both students and parents the composite scores were above 100%:  101% and 103% respectively!
 
What do these percents mean? That our school scored higher than 100% percent of the middle schools in the city!
 
I want to congratulate the CSS Faculty and Staff, on whose dedicated and passionate shoulders most of the burden and joy of running this school falls, for their extraordinary dedication and service. I also want to thank the parents and students for believing and supporting us in this dream of building CSS together. I feel privileged to be part of this great community of learning. And I want to thank Columbia University, for providing us with critical support in this first year of our institutional life. 
 
At the beginning of the year in Parent Association, Student Assembly and Faculty meetings we will examine these results, collate them to our own surveys from Fall and Spring (and other data from parent/student/faculty comments, focus group discussions, etc) to map out a picture of what we need to focus on how to improve even more as a learning community. I encourage all to send me comments, suggestions, etc. to continue this important discussion.
 
With warm regards
 
Dr. Maldonado