Sample Diagnostic Tools

WholeSchools® flexible approach has designed a variety of diagnostic tools which may be used in combination or independently to meet the interests of your school including surveys, interviews, net promoter and focal groups directed at specific stakeholder groups identified by the school.

Sample survey questions to faculty

• Mission and Vision : Our school's mission statement is based on shared values and beliefs that guide decision-making.

• Leadership: Our school's leaders regularly evaluate staff members on criteria designed to improve teaching and learning.

• Teaching and Learning:  All teachers in our school regularly use instructional strategies that require student collaboration, self reflection, and development of critical thinking skills.

• Resources and Support Systems: Our school provides instructional time and resources to support our school's goals and priorities.

• Continuous Improvement: Our school uses multiple assessment measures to determine student learning and school performance.

sample focus group discussion with parents

Parents asked to attend focus groups are selected by the administration of with the intent to reflect the student body. They are selected proportionately from the different sections in the school based on gender, ethnicity, tenure and their level of involvement ranging from supportive to constructive critic. Sample questions: 

1. Why did you chose to enroll your child here?

2. What keeps you at this school?

3. How does the school foster an environment that allows your child to develop and express their unique talents and skills?

4. Do you feel your child is physical and emotionally safe during the school day?

5. What is the strongest component of school curriculum?

6. If you could add one physical item, one piece of curriculum, or anything else you what would it be?

7. Would you recommend this school?

sample focus group discussion with Faculty

The teachers selected to attend these focus groups were chosen by the administration with the intent to reflect the makeup of the faculty across all school sections. Teachers were selected based on gender, ethnicity, tenure in the school and tenure as a teaching professional. Sample questions:

1. Is there a part of the curriculum that you would lessen or remove? 2.What resources should be made available to you to maximize your teaching potential? 

3. Are continuing educational opportunities provided on an on-going basis?

4.Are you provided with the technology updates and training to maximize the benefits technology may provide your classroom and students?

5.If you were able to change one non-curriculum aspect of the school, what would you chose to change?

6. What area of the school would you not want to see changed?

7.What should the school do better to prepare its students for high school?

8. Why did you choose to teach at this school?

9. Would you recommend this school?

"Net Promoter" is the term used to describe respondents to the "ultimate question" which in our case is, "on a scale of 1-10, how likely are you to recommend the school?" From net promoter.com: "By asking one simple question- How likely is it that you would recommend (the school) to a friend or a colleague? - you can track these groups and get a clear measure of your school's performance through your stakeholder's eyes. Stakeholders respond on a 1-10 point rating scale and are categorized as follows:

• Promoters (score 9-10) are "loyal enthusiasts who will keep buying and refer others, fueling growth."
• Passives (score 7-8) are "satisfied but unenthusiastic customers who are vulnerable to competitive offerings."
• Detractors (score 1-6) are "unhappy customers who can damage your brand through negative word-of-mouth."

The net promoter score is calculated by taking the percentage of respondents who are Promoters and subtracting the percentage who are Detractors.