Disney Worldwide Outreach

Survey of Nation's Top Teachers Reveals Two Keys to Better Schools:
Real-Life Learning Experiences and Parental Involvement

Anaheim, Calif. (July 27, 2005) - A group of the nation's best teachers say the two things that would most improve education in the United States are a greater emphasis on experience-based learning and more parental involvement, according to a new survey released today during the annual Disney Teacher Awards celebration.

The survey of Disney Teacher Award winners from the past 15 years found 47 percent say a greater emphasis on experience-based learning and 42 percent say more parental involvement are two key factors to improving schools and student achievement — selected over other potential policy changes that ranged from higher pay for teachers (23 percent), to more resources (18 percent), to better testing and accountability (2 percent).

Experience-based learning is founded on the principle that students learn more by "doing" than by passively "being taught to." As one respondent said, "Authentic learning, application to real life, and using the interests of the students to guide instruction is the way to capture students and enable them to succeed. These lessons cannot be found in textbooks, but in the imaginations of the teachers and their students."

"Teachers are obviously the experts when it comes to teaching our children, and this group of some of the nation's best teachers is eager to share what they know about improving education for all children," said Terry Wick, vice president of Disney Worldwide Outreach. "The Disney Teacher Award recognizes the most creative and innovative teachers across the country. We are pleased to say that despite challenges faced by the nation's schools, by teachers and by public leaders, teachers are dedicated to maintaining the creativity that is so important to keeping students interested, challenged and learning."

Eighty-four percent of respondents say that "students applying the material they learn in class to real-life situations" is most important to them personally as teachers. They shared the belief that students will learn and remember better if they understand how a lesson fits into real life. "I do follow an approved curriculum, but I believe that a creative teacher should not be stifled by it, but rather view it as a challenge to show how many real-life situations can be used to meet curricular goals," said Harlan Kredit, a high school science teacher from Washington State and a 2005 Disney Teacher Award Honoree. "For my students, using the outdoors as an integral part of our science curriculum has reaped many benefits, among which is a high level of performance on their tests - they are considerably above average."

While 68 percent of survey respondents say that they have changed their teaching methods in some way because of new testing and accountability standards, the teachers continue to say that they must incorporate experience-based learning into their lessons. "Children are motivated to learn when they seek answers to questions of interest to them. As they apply their learning to something they care about, they are more likely to remember what they have learned," said Carol Baird, a first-grade teacher from Mississippi. "By connecting activities to the world around them, my students engage in interesting, challenging and meaningful work. By using an integrated curriculum guided by district and state benchmarks as well as the national standards, I strive to provide optimal learning opportunities for my students."

In explaining their preference for more parental involvement, the survey respondents suggested that greater support from parents and the community would make education a high priority. One respondent said, "If every family valued education and let their children know that, there would be a completely different attitude towards education."

"As the family outreach coordinator for my school, I have developed a variety of family involvement activities with regards to the arts, science, math and literacy to strengthen the home/school connection and help parents help their children," said Dara Feldman, a kindergarten teacher from Maryland who was named the 2005 Outstanding Elementary School Teacher. "Parents and students participate in learning activities together, enjoy quality family time and are important members of a community of learners. Working together on authentic and meaningful projects prepares students not only for high stakes testing but also for successful lifelong learning!"

Additional findings from the online survey include:

Ninety-four percent of Disney Award winning teachers say that they rely on their own imagination as they develop their creative lessons. Eighty percent say they are also inspired by their students and classroom discussions.

Nearly all (95 percent) say that other teachers ask them for creative, engaging ideas for their classes.

Half (51 percent) of these award-winning teachers report being asked by a policymaker what they see as the key problems and solutions that would improve schools.

Half (49 percent) of respondents say that their core curriculum has been changed one or two times during the last five years. Twenty percent have seen no changes, and 30 percent have experienced curriculum changes three or more times.

Close to three-quarters (72 percent) of respondents say that they use books (other than textbooks) in their classroom every week. Fifteen percent report having guest speakers in class every week.

Sixty-two percent use the Internet in their classroom and 43 percent use videos and DVDs at least once a week.

Learning comes from the joy of discovery, fostering curiosity and daring a group of students to look at education outside of the four walls of the classroom," summed up one of the online respondents.

Since 1989, Disney has proudly presented the Disney Teacher Awards, honoring representatives of the teaching profession who construct learning environments where students and teachers alike explore, imagine and engage in a variety of stimulating ideas and experiences. The Disney Teacher Awards is part of DisneyHand, worldwide outreach for The Walt Disney Company. DisneyHand is dedicated to making the wishes of families and children a reality through public service initiatives, community outreach and volunteerism in the areas of compassion, learning, the arts and the environment. For more information, please visit www.disneyhand.com.