Delaware Department of Education

Comprehensive Success Review

Student Focus Group Questions – High School

School: ______Date: ______

Facilitators: ______

Protocol for Student Focus Groups:

  • Read Purpose Statement: The goal of the Delaware Comprehensive Success Review process is to identify areas of strengths and challenges in the research-based elements and provide technical assistance to schools in developing strategies to address the areas of need. The schools and districts will be able to include these needs, strategies and associated measures in their Success Plans for continuous school improvement.
  • Have students write their name and grade on a name tag.
  • Explain the ground rules:

•Respect the ideas of one another.

•Allow everyone the opportunity to share.

•Stay focused on the questions.

•Information that is shared in the focus group will only be expressed in the report.

•No names will be used.

  • Allow enough time for responses. Use the 10-second rule if necessary.
  • Allow approximately 45 - 60 minutes for focus group. (If you end early, you may dismiss students back to class.)
  • When conducting interviews, make an effort to get quotes to support the conclusions you reach.
  • Document all responses on this form (paper or electronic). You may use chart paper to record answers first while conducting focus group. Please ask students permission to chart answers before using this option.

Teacher and Student Class Assignment [High School Only]

  1. Do you have a say in which classes you take? Do you work with your guidance counselor or another staff member to choose your classes? Explain how you select classes.(III.2)
  2. Do your parents have a say in which classes you take? Do they talk to your guidance counselor or anther staff member to choose your classes?(III.2)

Curriculum and Instruction

  1. In which subject would you say you learn the most and why? (IV.2)
  2. If you are struggling in a class, what is available or what does the teacher do to help you better understand the material? Is there any other help available in the school?(IV.4, VII.1)

School Environment

  1. How do you know the principal and teachers expect you to do well? (VII.1)
  2. If you could suggest changes to the principal that would help students do better academically in school, what would it be?(VII.1)
  3. What are your plans once you finish high school? Do you know what an SSP is? Do you have one? Do you feel your Student Success Plan helps you with these plans and your long term goals?(VII.1, VII.3)
  4. How do you know the principal expects teachers to do their best? (VII.2)
  5. How do you know you have completed good or excellent work in your classes? On the flip side how do you know if you haven’t done good work? Are you familiar with the standards? If so, how do you know your work meets the standards?(VII.3)
  6. Do you feel safe in this school? Why or Why not? (VII.4)
  7. Now remember, I am not asking for the names of teachers or the principal or assistant principal or deans. With that said, how does the school staff provide assistance with behavior issues and the emotional needs of students here?(VII.5, VII.6)
  8. How does the school help you with your health, physical activity and nutritional needs? (VII.7)

General

  1. Is there anything else you would like to tell us about your school or district?

Student Focus Group ProtocolComprehensive Success Review

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