Surveys & Focus GroupsThe Importance of Stakeholder Feedback

When leaders are faced with difficult decisions, stakeholder input often produces new insights and offers in-depth exploration of issues that can generate a more distinct pathway to the future. A components of any effective, continuous quality improvement model is regular feedback from stakeholders. Stakeholders offer unique and valid perspectives into organizational performance and areas for improvement. Tapping into this collective wisdom is an efficient and best practices approach to document performance and uncover opportunities for improvement efforts.

ECRA offers a variety of survey and focus group processes that can be adapted at a local context to engage stakeholders. Regardless of the context, ECRA's experience and resources solicit and documentvital information. ECRA collaborates with school leaders to identify challenges and incorporate unique goals and objectives into the development of large- and small-scale surveys and focus groups.

Methodology

Proven research methods and best practices are incorporated into all of ECRA's survey and focus group designs. ECRA stakeholder feedback processes incorporate the latest methods of focus group facilitation and provide empowering, interactive experiences designed to engage stakeholders. Survey data are analyzed using advanced survey methodology similar to that used by major government agencies. Advanced sampling techniques such as post-stratification, weighting, and statistical modeling are some of the tools used to ensure a disciplined and scientific process. ECRA offers several survey options to achieve the greatest response, including direct distribution and mailing, telephone, and/or online surveys.

Survey Contexts and Stakeholder Groups

ECRA conducts surveys across many contexts. Experience shows that the following are the most common contexts in which surveys are administered:
  • Strategic Planning
  • Demographic Studies
  • Capital Improvements and Facilities
  • Technology Needs and Uses
  • Curriculum and Instruction
  • Organization Climate, Culture, and Learning Environment
  • Program Evaluation
A variety of stakeholder groups should be considered when conducting surveys. The most commonly surveyed groups are:
  • Community Members
  • Parents
  • Administration, Faculty, and Staff
  • Students and Graduates