A1. We completed 8 monthly meetings over the course of the year explaining facility needs, generating surveys, and prioritizing work that will be the focus of a building referendum - community members and staff were invited to each meeting… #k12prchat
A3. Provide an agenda at the beginning of the meeting. Set a time limit for the length of the meeting and stick with it. Re-focus as necessary. #k12prchat
A5: I hope to hear from pros on this (even after the chat!) We have copious feedback from often-heard stakeholders, but continue to struggle bridging gaps over language and culture in one room. One tip: Go remote. More options, easier interpretation, less stigma… #K12PRChat
Tom Scheidel, APR Imagine sending a survey to invite people to a focus group... It has to be personal to get personal. #k12prchat
A1. Members of focus groups can respond with a passion that is missing from survey answers. #K12PRchat
A6. Run questions by professionals, or have others in your office read them and answer them. Then you can see if you are leading or have some sort of bias. #k12PRchat
Q3. The personal, direct ask is the best way to get participation in almost any endeavor. #K12PRchat
Q5: What are some best practices in forming and accommodating multilingual focus groups or focus groups with interpreters? How have focus groups helped your district connect with communities that have been marginalized or heard less often? #k12PRchat
Q2. Let's think STRATEGY.
What steps do you take to explain to others why conducting a focus group(s) is best practice for a specific initiative in your district? #k12PRchat
Q4: Working with an agency or association to conduct focus groups gives the district critical and impartial feedback. How do you work with them beforehand to ensure success? How do you evaluate their work? #k12PRchat
A4: We cannot always afford to hire an agency to provide support. Instead, we will contract with a local university and ask students to conduct the focus groups. We work with the professor regarding what we are try to learn. #k12prchat
A4: If you have someone who hasn't spoken up or hasn't had the chance to, start with them on the next question: 'How do you feel about XYZ? Jane?' #k12prchat
psst...
If you're headed to NSPRA next month, you're invited to the podcast session I'm hosting.
Or, if you just wanna stop by for a high-five and a #schoolPR selfie that's cool too.
See you there!
#Road2NSPRA #k12prchat
A2. I think focus groups engage more stakeholders that might not necessarily come forward with ideas and conversations on their own. It’s an invitation of engagement. #k12prchat
A2. Focus groups allow us to design survey questions that are presented to larger groups. #K12PRchat
A2: Think about what you like best about being social -- keep asking “tell me more” & unearth what even the best survey will miss. Five why’s are better than one. For richness and depth over expediency, incorporate “focus groups” #K12PRChat
Q5. This goes back to the invitation: make folks feel welcome by telling them their opinion is important. I had an EL parent laugh during a FG when I asked her if she felt the district listened to her input. This is the first time anyone has asked, she said! #k12prchat
A1: Our Superintendent’s new TOY roundtable bubbled up staff energy & harnessed leadership capacity --leading to a revitalized teacher conference (tomorrow!). Pro: offers time & space for crucial dialogue. #K12PRChat
Q3. I have watched some really skilled focus group moderators and they seem to be able to make a personal connection. And they would draw quiet types by reaching out to them to ask questions…also asking how they felt about previous answers. #k12PRchat
