2. Executive Summary
Survey Response
• 1,449 starts and 1,237 completed surveys
• Focus of the survey was on the satisfaction of programs in 2012-13 and
program priorities in 2013-14.
• Survey responses similar to 2011-12.
• 22% less than 2010-11 when parents were concerned about pink slips.
• Representative sample by school and by grade
• Non-donors are under-represented.
3. Executive Summary
Donation Attitudes
-Year 3 of LAEF’s $1,000 per student suggested donation amount.
• Respondents hope all families will donate what they can afford, with
broad understanding that not all families are able to donate equally.
•“District Counts on Me” remains the predominant sentiment for why
donors give
•Among respondents, 96% report they donate annually
4. Program Satisfaction
• Overall satisfaction high across all grades & most programs
• Increased communication to improve parent understanding of program
curriculum needed for most programs
• K-3 class size remains a priority for parents. Satisfaction levels indicate
parents agree class size reduction is a good use of their donation.
• Overall satisfaction is high at Blach and Egan across all LAEF-funded
program
Executive Summary
5. Pressure Points
• Science- desire for more hands-on science at the elementary level.
• Library- dissatisfaction in comments regarding lack of class time and
libraries which are not open consistently at recess and lunch.
• Math- what is the path to provide geometry in 8th grade?
• Music- can more instruments be offered?
Executive Summary
6. Executive Summary
Board & Grant-Making
• Parents give LAEF Board good marks for communicating about funding
and reasons to give.
• Majority of parents believe LAEF grant is distributed equally among
schools and grade levels.
• Parents are still unclear about how LAEF works with District to
develop LAEF grant & how funds are allocated.
7. Executive Summary
Funding & Fundraising
• Most parents remain committed to supporting high-quality, well-
rounded education (smaller class sizes, enrichment programs) via
donations.
•While committed to high quality public education, parents recognize
changes need to be made to public education funding
• Ex: property tax inequities and state taxes.
•Concerns over rising expenses
•Ex: health care costs
• Parents expect fiscal responsibility, accounting for funds.
8. Executive Summary
Action Items
Communication:
-Despite high marks on communication, many comments note lack of
information about LAEF programs
• LAEF Board needs to remain visible on campus, improve outreach to
school communities
• Increase communications about LAEF programs
• Regular program updates from LAEF-funded staff would be greatly
appreciated by parents
Investigate Program changes w/ District:
• Science- how can we support the classroom teachers’ delivery of the
science curriculum?
14. Which statement best represents your attitude
about donating to LAEF?
0%
15%
30%
45%
60%
Non Donor Tax Deduction Not High Priority Try Every Year Count on Me Every Family
2010 2011 2012 Advocacy 2012 Program 2013
n = 1,436
“Counts on Me” response captures strongest sense of community “greater
good”
While respondent pool changes over time, attitudes are highly consistent
15. Which statement best represents your attitude
about donating to LAEF?
Top Themes Comments Share
Amount- too high/too low
Every family should give something
Taxes- already paying high taxes
Other Themes
Praise for LAEF
Financial Hardship- donate time
Would like targeted donations
Spend their money on outside programs
23 24%
13 13%
10 10%
Comments Share
9 9%
9 9%
7 7%
7 7%
n = 97
17. Rate LAEF Board Members
n = 1,351
0% 25% 50% 75% 100%
The LAEF Board of Directors strives to represent all of the families in
our school district. Please read the following statements and provide a
rating that reflects your thoughts/feelings about LAEF.
Strongly Disagree Disagree Neutral Agree Strongly Agree
LAEF Board members are parents
like me who are interested in
keeping our schools strong.
LAEF Board members at my school
are accessible and open to hearing
my input.
LAEF Board members effectively
communicate with the parent
community on funding issues.
18. Top Themes Comments Share
Don’t Know my Board member
Not Enough Communication/Details from board
Thank You LAEF!
24 32%
13 17%
10 13%
n = 75
Rate LAEF Board Members Comments
19. Rate LAEF Board Members
n = 1,324
0% 25% 50% 75% 100%
The LAEF Board of Directors strives to create a balanced grant. Please
read the following statements and provide a rating that reflects your
thoughts/feelings about the LAEF grant.
Strongly Disagree Disagree Neutral Agree Strongly Agree
LAEF grants are spread fairly across
all the SCHOOLS in our district.
LAEF grants are spread fairly across
all GRADES in the district so that all
students benefit equally.
LAEF's current level of fund raising
and funding to the school district is
about right.
20. Top Themes Comments Share
Don’t Know- don’t have the info to evaluate
Spending Too High- reduce the grant/ask
Spending Too Low- increase the grant/ask
Spend On Other Things- we want “x” program
85 49%
21 12%
20 12%
20 12%
n = 173
Rate LAEF Board Members Comments
22. Kindergarten Program Satisfaction
n = 216
How satisfied are you with the following LAEF funded Kindergarten
programs?
** (The total cost to deliver each program this year to EVERY
Kindergarten at ALL 7 elementary schools)
0% 25% 50% 75% 100%
Very Dissatisfied Dissatisfied Do Not Know Neutral Satisfied Very Satisfied
Reduce Class Size from 30 to 25
or less ($225,000)**
Library ($37,000)**
Art Docent Lessons ($7,000)**
Living Classroom Science
Docents Lessons ($5,000)**
23. Top Themes Comments Share
Class Size Reduction- classes are still too large
Library
Living Classroom
Art Docents
Other Themes
Miscellaneous
22 52%
8 19%
8 19%
7 17%
Comments Share
5 12%
n = 42
Kindergarten Satisfaction Comments
24. n = 217
Class Size Reduction Program
How is it going?
LAEF spent $900,000 (or 38% of its grant) on class size reduction in
grades K-3.To reduce class size from 30 to 25 or less costs $225,000 for
kindergarten.
Do you believe this is a good use of your donation?
0% 25% 50% 75% 100%
Strongly Disagree Disagree Neutral Agree Strongly Agree
25. Top Themes Comments Share
Class Sizes Could Be Even Smaller
Happy With Class Size Reduction/Good Use of Funds
Extra Aides and/or ELL Support Needed
Other Themes
Full-Day Kindergarten Needed
Money Should Be Spent on Other Programs
23 64%
8 22%
6 17%
Comments Share
2 6%
2 6%
n = 36
Class Size Reduction Comments
27. Grade 1-3 Program Satisfaction
n = 675
n = 480 Small Group
Below is the list of LAEF funded programs provided to your children in
Grades 1-3.The total cost to deliver each program this year to grades
1-3 at all 7 elementary schools is indicated in parentheses. How satisfied
are you with these programs?
0% 25% 50% 75% 100%
Very Dissatisfied Dissatisfied Do Not Know Neutral Satisfied Very Satisfied
Reduce Class Size from 30 to 25
or less ($225,000)**
Library ($37,000)**
Art Docent Lessons ($7,000)**
Living Classroom Science
Docents Lessons ($5,000)**
Physical Education ($140,000)**
Small Group Instruction Time,
Grades 1 & 2 ($92,000)**
28. Top Themes Comments Share
Class Size Reduction
More PE
Library
More Science
Other Themes
Small Group Instruction Information
Living Classroom
More Aides/More Small Group Instruction
20 16%
19 15%
18 14%
18 14%
Comments Share
12 9%
12 9%
10 8%
Grade 1-3 Program Satisfaction
Comment Summary
n = 127
29. n = 676
Class Size Reduction Program
How is it going?
LAEF spent $900,000 (or 38% of its grant) on class size reduction in
grades K-3.To reduce class size from 30 to 25 or less in grades 1-3 costs
$675,000.
Do you believe this is a good use of your donation?
0 25 50 75 100
Strongly Disagree Disagree Neutral Agree Stongly Agree
30. Top Themes Comments Share
Support Class Size Reduction
Reduce Class Size More
Fund Other Programs Instead
35 45%
22 28%
8 10%
Class Size Reduction Program
Comment Summary
n = 78
32. Grades 4-6
Program satisfaction
0% 25% 50% 75% 100%
Very Dissatisfied Dissatisfied Not Familiar Neutral Satisfied Very Satisfied
PE ($280,000)**
Instrumental and Vocal Music ($350,000)**
Library ($79,000)**
Art Docent Lessons ($21,000)**
Living Classroom Science Docents Lessons
($15,000)**
cSTEM- grade 6 ($28,000)**
How satisfied are you with the LAEF-funded programs provided to your
children in grades 4-6? **(The total cost to deliver each program this year to
EVERY student in grades 4-6 at ALL 7 elementary schools)
n = 649
n = 209 cSTEM
33. Grades 4-6
Program satisfaction
Top Themes Comments Share
Change Music
More Library
Change PE
Other Themes
More Science
Less PE
24 19%
15 12%
13 10%
Comments Share
11 9%
11 9%
n = 127
34. Instrumental &Vocal Music
LAEF provided $400,000 for Instrumental andVocal Music for students in
Grades 4-6 at all 7 elementary schools this year. How satisfied are you
with the LAEF funded Music Programs in Grades 4-6 this school year?
0% 25% 50% 75% 100%
Very Dissatisfied Dissatisfied Neutral Satisfied Very Satisfied
4th grade - Weekly Vocal Music (Fall) /
Recorder (Spring)
5th grade - Twice weekly Instrumental Music
(1st semester Vocal and Instrumental, 2nd
semester Instrumental)
5th grade - Twice weekly Vocal Music (if your
student is not in Instrumental Music)
6th grade - Twice weekly Instrumental Music
6th grade - Twice weekly Vocal Music (if your
student is not in Instrumental Music)
35. Instrumental &Vocal Music
Comments
Top Themes Comments Share
Desire Program Changes
Not Getting Benefit/already take private lessons
Love It
33 39%
17 20%
16 19%
n = 147
37. Junior High
Program Satisfaction
Each year LAEF designates 22% of its grant to the 2 Junior Highs who
represent 22% of the district students. Below is a list of Junior High
programs with LAEF's contribution is indicated in parentheses. How
satisfied are you with these programs for this school year?
0% 25% 50% 75% 100%
Very Dissatisfied Dissatisfied Neutral Satisfied Very Satisfied
Science CSR ** $90,000
Math CSR ** $90,000
Social Studies CSR ** $90,000
English CSR ** $90,000
Library ** $70,00
Electives ** $125,000
38. Top Themes Comments Share
More High-Caliber Electives
Library Underutilized
Classes Still Too Large
Lack of Geometry
15 29%
10 19%
9 17%
5 10%
n = 52
Junior High
Program Satisfaction
39. Did your Junior High Student receive
one of their top 3 electives choices?
n = 364
0
50
100
150
200
Blach Egan
No I don’t know Yes
40. Top Themes Comments Share
Pleased with Electives
Want More Electives
Study Hall
Leadership Class Should be 8th Grade Only
6 32%
4 21%
3 16%
3 16%
n = 19
Junior High Elective Comments
41. Innovation Grant
n = 1322
This year, LAEF allocated $460,000 towards an Innovation Grant, which supports:
* Instructional Coach to empower innovation in how students learn- including using technology in the classroom
* Instructional Coach to bring more STEM (Science, Engineering,Technology and Math) to the classroom
* Small-group Language Arts support for grades 1-2
* Library Innovation- centralizing resources and access to ebooks year round
* iLearn- a professional development opportunity designed to empower teachers to innovate and increase
student engagement
* iLearn for resource teachers- providing iPads and specialized training for teachers working to meet the needs
of all students
* "ReThink" Professional development days- project based learning strategies for K-4 teachers
What statement best describes your awareness of these programs:
0
225
450
675
900
Not Aware Somewhat Aware Very Aware
42. Top Themes Comments Share
Unaware/Would Like More Info
We Support
E-Books
Not a Good Use of Funds
Other Themes
Wary of Technology as a Substitute for Innovation
STEM
44 34%
25 20%
17 13%
16 13%
Comments Share
13 10%
9 7%
n = 128
Innovation Grant
43. Innovation Grant
n = 1295
Programs like those funded by the Innovation Grant typically
require the investment of resources over several years to
realize measurable results.While exposure to these programs
will vary based on your child's grade, how important is it to
continue funding our Innovation in Education Grant?
0
175
350
525
700
Not Important Somewhat Important Extremely Important
44. Top Themes Comments Share
Support
Need to Measure Effectiveness
Unaware/Would Like More Info
Technology is Overrated
Other Themes
STEM
Fund Other Priorities
41 31%
20 15%
19 14%
18 14%
Comments Share
14 11%
12 9%
n = 132
Innovation Grant
45. Innovation Grant
n = 1296 - 1306
Teachers are rethinking and innovating their instructional practices as part
of the Innovation Grant.The goal is to increase student engagement and
ensure teachers are providing relevant learning experiences for all
students.We'd like to hear how aware you are that your child has been
exposed to the following tools:
0% 25% 50% 75% 100%
Not Aware Somewhat Aware Very Aware
Student Presentation
Web Publishing
Collaboration & Communication
Student Creativity
Multimedia
Leveled Electronic Reading
Materials
Student Creativity had the largest “outage”
Reading Materials had the highest awareness
46. Top Themes Comments Share
Wary of Technology as a Substitute for Innovation
Not Aware
Limited Exposure in Lower Grades
We Support
RazzKidz
34 24%
25 18%
25 18%
22 15%
20 14%
n = 142
Innovation Grant
47. Innovation Grant
n = 477
What areas of innovation in the classroom is your child
excited about?
Top Themes Comments Share
iPad
Google Docs
RazzKidz
Filmmaking
Edmodo
Presentation Tools
69 14%
59 12%
53 11%
51 11%
48 10%
36 8%
48. LAEF Annual Report
No- Prefer paper
I never read it
More likely to read paper
Would read either
Yes- online
0 275 550 825 1100
LAEF is considering transitioning to an electronic
Annual Report How do you feel about receiving our
Annual Report electronically?
49. Thank you to all the parents who provided
feedback, and thank to the LAEF volunteers who
spent many hours analyzing the results.
Your comments have been sent to the Board of
Trustees, LASD Superintendents, School Principals
and PTA Presidents.
Your feedback will determine how the LAEF
donations will be granted for 13-14.
