Author: Rick Nobles

Turn survey data into intuitive digital dashboards

Written research reports are the meat and potatoes of most companies who produce surveys for K-12. These reports tend to be voluminous – anywhere from 50 to 150 pages (or more). The alternative to these massive tomes is the digital dashboard. The term “dashboard” comes from its similarity to the dashboard, or instrument panel, of…
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Research discoveries: Part 3

When we ask district patrons to grade various people, places and things in their school district, the item that often gets the lowest score is “value for the tax dollars spent.” Ironically, even patrons who rate their district high in all other areas (and consider their district the best in the area) give the district…
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Considering doing a school bond election? Now is the time.

If you’re considering a tax election in the next couple of years, spring 2020 is your best bet to get something passed. Fall 2020 will be all about the presidential election and everyone in America will be voting – including millions who are anti-education.   I suggest avoiding that time frame at all costs. Spring…
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Research discoveries: Part 2

In our research, we often ask patrons a series of grading questions. One question we ask that almost always receives low marks is related to “Involving citizens in the life of the district.” Why? Patrons often feel like they are not part of the conversation when the district is making decisions on new buildings, renovations,…
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The one thing

  If you haven’t read it, go buy the book The One Thing, by Gary Keller. It’s informative, well-written and will help any organization zero in on the one thing it needs to do to become more successful.    At ExcellenceK12, we know school superintendents have more than one thing to focus on — probably closer…
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Research discoveries: part 1

Our team at ExcellenceK12 has worked with many school districts on research projects. We have seen similar issues and themes come up in our findings. Specifically, when we ask “grading questions” in school district surveys, the following topic areas rise to the top: – Communications – Involving citizens in the life of the district –…
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