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Action Research
Project
Creating a New
Student Orientation for Grades 7-12 and Evaluating Its Efficacy
Action
Research
New
Student Orientation
Submitted
by Aleeta Shaw
University
School
SY
2004-2005
Action Research:
Prior to the 2004-2005 school year we planned and
held a new student orientation for students in grades 7-12 who were new
to University School and a dinner and information session for their
parents. New and current students and parents were surveyed to
determine the need for and efficacy of the program.
Action Research Goals:
To determine the comfort level of new and current
students and parents prior to beginning University School with and
without the intervention of orientation.
Question:
Does holding a new student orientation prior to the
first day of school make students and parents more comfortable and
prepared for the student to attend University School?
Subjects:
New 7th-12th grade students
during the 2003-2004 school year
New 7th-12th grade students
during the 2004-2005 school year
New 7th-12th grade parents
during the 2003-2004 school year (aka current)
New 7th-12th grade parents
during the 2004-2005 school year (aka current)
Procedures:
Administer a survey to new and current students and
parents regarding their level of comfort about the student beginning
school at University School. Current students and parents did not
receive orientation. New students and parents did receive orientation.
Results for grades 9-12:
Note: Results for Middle School Students were
reported separately by April Blakely.
Current Parent
Surveys (5 surveys returned)
Parent felt student
knew what to expect on their first day of school
60% Agree
40% Disagree
Parent knew what to
expect on student’s first day of school
60% Agree
40% Disagree
Parent had many
questions before student’s first day of school
80% Agree
20% Disagree
Parent felt that
most of their questions were answered before student’s first day of
school
60% Agree
40% Disagree
Parent felt that
student had most of their questions answered before first day of school
40% Agree
20% Neutral
40% Disagree
Parent felt that
student had a positive experience first day of school
60% Agree
40% Neutral
Parent knew who to
contact with questions before first day of school
80% Agree
20% Disagree
Parent found it easy
to make connections with other US parents
60% Neutral
40% Disagree
Parent had another
child enrolled at US prior to 2003-2004
100% No
Comments:
-My son was able to
attend classes for a day before he actually started at US. This made
his transition much easier.
-For transfers it
would be nice to have a parent list that might be willing to help answer
questions
New Parent Survey
(8 surveys returned)
Parent felt that
student knew what to expect on their first day of school
75 % Agree
25 % Neutral
Parent knew what to
expect on student’s first day of school
75% Agree
25% Disagree
Parent had many
questions before student’s first day of school
75% Agree
12.5% Neutral
12.5 % Disagree
Parent felt that
most of their questions were answered before student’s first day of
school at orientation
50% Agree
50% Neutral
Parent felt that
student had a positive experience on their first day of school
100% Agree
Parent felt that
student seemed more confident about attending US after orientation
100% Agree
Parent knew who to
contact with questions before first day of school
50% Agree
50% Neutral
Parent felt that
they made connections with other US parents at orientation dinner
37.5% Agree
25% Neutral
12.5 % Disagree
Comments:
-send these surveys
when the event is more fresh in our minds
-informational
session too long and not that informative
-[student] somewhat
bored and a few times misinformed (overall good)
-student leaders who
work with other students needed more training (or at least my student’s
leader) at one point she said, “I have no idea who teaches 9th
grade.” I know this changes just give them a list.
-perhaps ask for a
list of questions to be answered so the parents arrive more thoughtful
and prepared
-too much time was
spent explaining two things that could easily be looked up in the
handbook—the dress code and student pickup procedure. I can see 2-3
minutes on each, but I remember being bored and wanting to move on to
other topics.
Current Student
Survey (7 surveys returned):
Student knew what to
expect on first day
29% Agree
71% Neutral
Student knew where
classes were on first day
43% Agree
43% Neutral
14% Disagree
Student felt like
they knew some other students on first day
29% Agree
29% Neutral
43% Disagree
Student knew where
to get information on first day if they needed it
43% Agree
43% Neutral
14% Disagree
Student felt like
most questions had been answered before first day
14% Agree
57% Neutral
29% Disagree
Student felt excited
about first day at US
29% Agree
57% Neutral
29% Disagree
Student wished they
had had a new student orientation
57% Agree
43% Neutral
Comments:
-[have] a meet and
greet
-just tell students
about UH—get a bunch of teachers involved
-have more teachers
walking through hallways to help students out
New Student
Survey (25 surveys returned):
Student knew what to
expect on first day
40% Agree
36% Neutral
24% Disagree
Student had a good
idea where classes were on first day
32% Agree
32% Neutral
36% Disagree
Student felt like
they knew some other students on first day
60% Agree
28% Neutral
12% Disagree
Student felt like
they knew where to get information on first day
80% Agree
20% Neutral
Student felt like
most questions had been answered before first day
56% Agree
40% Neutral
4% Disagree
Student felt excited
about first day at University School
52% Agree
36% Neutral
12% Disagree
Student had fun at
new student orientation
60% Agree
20% Neutral
20% Disagree
Student was glad
they had attended new student orientation
72% Agree
16% Neutral
12% Disagree
Comments:
-have several
teachers available for students to meet. Also do a tour of the music
building and show the wellness room
-meet teachers
-I think overall,
last year it was very good, but the tour of the school could have been a
little bit more descriptive.
-have food and
drinks
-it was fine the way
it was
-I liked the way it
was
-I would like for it
to have giant inflatables that would be tight.
-It helps new kids
to have friends at a new school
-Do the same as last
year
-it was too long and
boring
-You can’t really
make it exciting but it was informative. Make it shorter.
-tell people where
classes are
-not so long
-I think that if you
say that you have cookies and juice boxes, then you should have cookies
and juice boxes, not PB crackers and juice in non-box shape other than
that the orientation went well.
-last year it was
REALLY long
-there should be a
snack bar
-I think that the
new student orientation was fun and very informative. It was a good
idea.
-last year’s new
student orientation was very organized and I wouldn’t change a thing
-make it less long
Conclusions:
Unfortunately, I believe that sample size of both
parent surveys was too small to get really accurate results, but the
sample size for next year should be larger since it will be conducted
sooner following the event. The most important aspect of the
orientation for parents seemed to be the increased confidence of their
students about attending University School and have a positive first day
experience. Anecdotal evidence from our faculty indicates that they
felt that our first day was much smoother compared to previous years.
The students definitely seemed to feel more
comfortable beginning University School after having attended
orientation. They definitely reported a higher level of satisfaction
with getting questions answered and seeking information.
Overwhelmingly, students were glad they attended orientation and thought
it was a good idea.
Recommendations:
Some of the recommendations were implemented at
this year’s orientation like having a specific tour destination list.
Perhaps maps should be handed out in addition to the tour.
The orientation was shorter this year and should
remain shorter. Holding New Student Orientation should definitely
continue to be a priority at University School.
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