Trust Issues

As an extension of our study on student trust our learning team developed and distributed a questionnaire to our students. Our goal was to measure the trust of students both in the educational process as well as Denver Academy's approach to education. Students were asked a series of questions and these results were tabulated and measured. The questions and subsequent results were as followed:

1. Why do you come to Denver Academy each day?

30%- Because I feel comfortable learning here

30%- To better prepare for college

18%- Because my parents feel it is the best place for me

7%- To earn a high school diploma

7%- For the vocational and elective programs

5%- Because the teachers "get me"

3%- For the sports programs

2. Do you trust in the process of education?

61%- Yes

15%- No

24%- Not sure

3. Do you trust in your homeroom teacher?

97%- Yes

3%- No

4. What is one thing, if changed, that would alter your level of trust in Denver Academy?

25% - If the students did not have a voice

25%- Longer school days

20%- A universal high school

15%- If the education became less individualized

5%- If we had more homework

5%- If we had no athletics

5% If classes were tougher

While the results of this quiz are anything but scientific, there is one area of concern as it relates to question number four. Twenty percent of Progressive students will feel a level of altered trust as a result of a unified high school. In addition, another fifteen percent of students will feel less trust if the education provided by Denver Academy becomes less individualized. In quick analysis it is important to realize the connectivity of these two sentiments. It is imperative that as we prepare to transition to a unified high school that we continue to value the student voice in the process. We must make it clear to students our objective as an institution. We must continue to stress the importance of differentiated education as our primary agenda. From this survey I take away that students want to trust in the system. They want to believe that DA will help them reach their individual goals. If we are to remain in the students "quality world" hearing their concerns, meeting their needs and delivering on our mission is essential to our long term success and believability as a provider of quality education.- Pressler