Report on IPS shows majority of public want improvement

Compiled in a series of interviews and community meetings, resident's opinions of Indianapolis Public Schools were released as part of a report Tuesday.

The report, titled "What's Possible?", was an effort by the city, IPS and many community groups.

One of the biggest portions of the survey was a question that asked, "How likely would you be to recommend to a parent that they enroll their child in an IPS school?" More than half, 52 percent, of those who responded said they would not likely do so.

"It's incumbent upon us to do a better job of communicating with the community and I think that will allow people to have more confidence in IPS," spokesman John Althardt said.

Althardt said that the fact that the survey included all residents, including those who do not have children in IPS, played a part in the results. He hoped that engagement with those people would improve the district going forward.

Other takeaways from the report included an interest in preschool, which the district plans to offer starting next year, and a desire for good schools in every city neighborhood.

You can see the report and give your input online.