In March and April, the groups were asked to respond to six key questions about the present operation and future direction of Vancouver Public Schools. These questions are listed below, along with emerging themes from the listserv group responses:

1. What issues will Vancouver Public Schools need to address over the next five years to provide the highest quality education possible for its students?

• Focus on the basics, plus the knowledge, skills, and dispositions needed for success in a competitive global economy
• Educate the whole child
• Invest in early childhood education
• Challenge students with world-class standards
• Personalize learning
• Create more effective use of instructional time and calendar
• Ensure learning occurs in a safe and inviting environment
• Provide expanded programs of choice and alternative programs
• Engage parents (and community) as partners in learning
• Invest in continued professional development of staff
• Focus on systems and sustainability
2. What are the most important skills students will need as they live and work in the 21st century?

• Basics, plus
• Personal development in human relationships (EQ, compassion, integrity, ethics, cultural competency, teamwork, etc.)
• Critical and creative thinking
• Life skills
3. What standards do you use to evaluate the quality of education students receive in Vancouver Public Schools?

• Student achievement results (comparisons)
• Anecdotal opinions from others
• Observation of my/other children’s personal needs being met
• Feeling or tone of school - access and invitational culture
• Positive learning environment (safe and respectful)
• The quality of learning tools
• Information provided by the district
• My child’s happiness
• Teacher quality
4. What evidence would persuade you that students in Vancouver Public Schools receive a world-class education?

• Students are excited and engaged in rigorous learning experiences
• Students achieve post-secondary education/career goals
• High on-time graduation rate
• Breadth of program offerings
• Student achievement data comparisons with state, national, and international measures
• Excellent teachers
• Active, compassionate, and engaged citizens
• National recognition of schools and district
5. As a school district constituent/stakeholder, are you satisfied? If yes, why?

• Quality of our educators
• Community engagement and outreach
• Programs and schools of choice
• High expectations/personalization
• Nurturing a love of learning
• The “village” feel in our schools
• Facilities
• School and family communication

If no, why not?

• Need to improve math and science achievement
• Need for higher expectations and greater relevance for the kids “in the middle”

6. What would Vancouver Public Schools need to do to delight you?

• Engagement of parents through high-quality communication and training
• A broader measure of student and school success (WASL too narrow)
• Make all schools magnets/schools of choice
• Make music and arts pervasive at all levels
• Improve math and science instruction
• Lower student/teacher ratio