Glenbard survey raises questions about diversity, bullying

When it comes to educating students, parents think Glenbard High School District 87 does a pretty good job.

But when it comes to celebrating diversity, or preventing bullying, their reviews are a little less glowing.

Thanks to a community survey distributed this summer, the district has a wealth of information about perceptions among parents and non-parents alike across the four-school district.

Parents were asked if they thought the district had high expectations for staff and students, then later if they believe the district focuses on student learning. As to high expectations, 60.1 percent of the 281 parents responding said they agreed with the statement, and 16.5 strongly agreed.

Eighty one percent of parents also either agreed or strongly agreed the district focuses on student learning.

There is room for improvement, though, school board President David Brown said.

Parents were asked if they believed the district values diversity of practice, opinion and people. Only 57.8 percent of parents agreed with statement.

Brown said they're focusing on the strength of diversity with each freshman class, and hope to explore the origins of the answer further to determine if that's just a perception by parents or if the perception is true.

The same issue arose on another point, when only 53.9 percent of parents agreed their child is free from name-calling based on racial or ethnic group membership.

And when asked about bullying, 25.8 percent of parents agreed their children are free from its effects.

Brown said officials again are exploring that issue to determine if it involves parents' perception or that so many students are getting bullied. If children go home and report an incident, it might be isolated, but parents think it happens frequently, he said.

"We want a safe environment and we want them to feel there's a safe environment," he said.

A total of 400 people responded to the survey. The results will be used as part of the district's ongoing strategic planning process.