The Mid-Atlantic Equity Center Parent Involvement Survey

School:____________________________________________Date:____________

Number of Children:___Grade level(s): Pre-K K 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 (circle all that apply)

Language(s) spoken at home:________________County of origin:_________________

The _____________ Public School system is working to strengthen partnerships between schools and families in order to help children perform better in school. In order to continue to do so, they would like to collect as much information as possible regarding the involvement of parents of diverse backgrounds and the schools their children attend. The purpose of this survey is to get your opinion on how well the schools have met your family's and children's needs and how do you feel about your and/or the involvement of other parents in the schools. There are no right or wrong answers. We are only interested in your opinions. The findings of the survey will be summarized and used to make improvements.

DIRECTIONS: Please circle or check the selection that most closely matches your answer for each item. The last page provides room for written comments.

A. PARENTING

Last year, did the school sponsor workshops or courses to help parents understand and work with children?
```
__Yes          __No          __Do not know
```
Approximately how many workshops or courses did the school provide for parents on parenting skills (e.g. discipline, child development, etc) last year?
```
1       2-3       4-5       6 or more       Do not know
```
How many workshops or courses did you or your family attend last year?
```
1       2-3       4-5       6 or more
```
If you did attend workshops or courses, overall, were they well prepared and interesting?
__ Yes always
__ Usually
__ Not usually
__ Never
If you did attend workshops or courses, overall, did they provide you with useful information?
__ Yes always
__ Usually
__ Not usually
__ Never
Are workshops or courses provided in different languages? Are interpreters used?
__ No, workshops are only in English
__ Yes, workshops are in different languages (specify other languages: _______)
__ Yes, interpreters are available (specify other languages:_______)
__ I do not know
If you did not attend many workships, please specifiy why (check all that apply):
__ I was not provided with enough information or notice
__ Workshops were not held at convenient times
__ No child care was available
__ Workshop information provided is difficult for parents to understand
__ I am not interested in workshop topics

If you attended workshops, respond to the following:

STATEMENT	Strongly Agree	Agree	Disagree	Strongly Disagree
The workshops helped me better understand my child's needs
I have used the techniques offered in the workshops
I believe that my child has improved his/her skills and/or behaviors as a result of using the techniques suggested in the workshops

How much of the following information has the school provided to you or your family:

Topic A lot Some Very
little None

Child development and parenting

How to support learning at home

Discipline techniques

B. COMMUNICATION

When you visit your child's school . . .

Question	Yes	Somewhat	No
Is the reception staff friendly and helpful?
Are the teachers easy to talk to?
Is the principal easy to talk to?
Do you feel comfortable interacting with parents of cultural & ethnic backgrounds different from yours?

Are written communications from school, such as report cards and newsletters . . .
Available in a language you understand?
```
__Yes          __ No
```
Clearly written?
```
__Yes          __ No
```
The best way to communicate with you and/or your family is: (check your two preferred methods)
__ School memos
__ Children's teachers
__ PTA newsletter
__ Parent liaison
__ Counselor
__ Parent representative (your own culture)
__ Parent representative (of any given culture)
How many parent-teacher conferences did you attend last year?
```
None         1          2 or more
```

Did you receive sufficient information about:

Category	Yes	Somewhat	No
English-as-a-second language programs
Special education programs
Gifted & talented programs
Bilingual education programs
Title I programs
Report cards
Standardized testing

How often do you communicate with teachers about your child's performance?
```
__Often         __ A little         __ Never
```
Are report card grades fully explained to you?
```
__Yes         __ Somewhat         __ No
```
Are standardized tests fully explained to you?
```
__Yes         __ Somewhat         __ No
```
Does the school provide translators, when needed, for:
Parent conferences?
```
__ Yes   __ No   __ Not Sure
```
Private individual meetings?
```
__Yes   __ No   __ Not Sure
```
When requested by parent?
```
__Yes   __ No   __ Not Sure
```
C. VOLUNTEERING
Were you asked about your interests, talents, and availability for volunteering at school?
__ Yes
__ No
Last year, did you volunteer at school?
```
__ Yes          __ No
```

If you did volunteer, please indicate for what type of activity and the frequency:

Activity	Never	1 Time	2-3 Times	3+ Times
Helping on trips or at parties
Sharing food, stories and customs from your culture
Assisting in the classroom (e.g., tutoring, grading papers, etc.)
Leading club and/or activities
Other (please specify)______________

If you have not volunteered at school, please indicate why:
__ Have never been asked
__ I don't know how
__ Conflict with work schedule
__ Have other children to care for
__ I do not feel comfortable
__ Not interested
__ Other (please specify)__________________________________________

D. LEARNING AT HOME

Do teachers suggest homework activities for you and your child?
```
__ Often     __ Sometimes     __ Very Little     __ Never
```
Do you listen to your child read or read aloud to your child?
```
__ Often     __ Sometimes     __ Very Little     __ Never
```
Is the information related to home learning activities provided in different languages?
__ No, information only in English
__ Yes, information is in different languages (specify other languages: ___________)
__ I do not know

E. DECISION MAKING
Does the school have an active parent-teacher organization (e.g. PTA, PTO)?
```
__ Yes          __ No         __Do not know
```
If yes, how many parent-teacher organization meetings have you attended?
```
__ 1          __ 2 or more         __ None
```
Are parents involved in planning and evaluating school programs?
```
__ Yes          __ No        __ Do not know
```
If yes, have you participated on any school councils or committees?
__ Yes (please specify: ____________________________________)
__ No, I have not participated on any school councils or committees.
Does the school actively seek ideas from parents on school-related issues (e.g. selecting staff, developing programs)?
```
__ Yes         __ No         __ Do not know
```
If yes, have you given your ideas or advice on school-related issues?
__ Yes (please specify ____________________________________________)
__ No, I have not offered my ideas or advice on school-related issues
__ No, I have not been asked for my ideas or advice on school-related issues

Which of these statements best reflect your opinion and/or level of participation?

STATEMENT	Strongly Agree	Agree	Disagree	Strongly Disagree
I feel my opinion is taken in consideration when it comes to school policy decisions.
I actively participate in PTA meetings.
I actively participate in school committees and/or school improvement teams.
School staff consider my opinion when it comes to decisions concerning my child.
I don't feel part of the decision making body at the school at any level.
I believe Latino parents are very involved in decision making at the school.
I have not been asked for my ideas or advice on school-related issues.

Would you like to participate more in school decisions? (Please check all that apply.)
__Yes, I would like to participate more but I don't feel encouraged by the school.
__Yes, I would like to participate more but I do not know how to get involved.
__Yes, I would like to participate more but I do not have time.
__Yes, I would like to participate more but communicating in English is difficult for me.
__Yes, I would like to participate more but I do not understand the issues very well.
__Yes, I would like to participate more but I do not feel comfortable.
__No, I am not interested in participating in school decision making.
__No, I would rather become involved in other school activities.
__ Other reasons: ___________________________________________

F. COMMUNITY COLLABORATION

Does the school participate in events planned by members of the ethnic community?
```
__ Yes         __ No          __ Do not know
```
Does the school provide any of the following support programs for families of diverse educational and linguistic backgrounds?

Family literacy programs
PROGRAM Yes No Do not know

G.E.D. programs

English-as-a-second-language programs

Computer training programs
In which of these support programs have you participated?

Family literacy programs
PROGRAM Yes No

G.E.D. programs

English-as-a-second-language programs

Computer training programs
What kind of support programs would you like the school to offer to you and your family?
__ Family literacy programs
__ G.E.D. programs
__ English-as-a-second language programs
__ Computer training programs
__ Other programs:
```
  (1) ______________________________

  (2) ______________________________ 
```

What is your opinion about the following statements? Please indicate.

STATEMENT	Strongly Agree	Agree	Disagree	Strongly Disagree
The school provides information about community organizations that support my child's learning.
The school participates in community events organized by diverse ethnic groups
The parent liaison assists parents and communities to become more involved in the schools

What best describes your education level
__ Informal Education
__ Elementary School
__ High School
__ Trade school/Community College degree
__ College degree
__ Master's/Doctorate degree
What best describes your household?
__Two parents or guardians, both working outside the home
__Two parents or guardians, one working outside the home
__Two parents or guardians, none working outside the home
__One parent or guardian, working outside the home
__One parent or guardian not working outside the home
__Other, please specify_____________________________
Do any other relatives (or other persons) live in your home? Please specify.
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
Other comments or suggestions on how the school can create better connections with families:
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
THANK YOU FOR YOUR COOPERATION IN COMPLETING THIS FORM.

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Topic	A lot	Some	Very little	None
Child development and parenting
How to support learning at home
Discipline techniques

PROGRAM	Yes	No	Do not know
G.E.D. programs
English-as-a-second-language programs
Computer training programs