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For maximum participation and return, keep the parent suvey short, simple, and anonymous.
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A survey is a straightforward way to invite input from all of your students' parents. For maximum participation and return, keep it short, simple, and anonymous. If the survey is longer than one page, it's too long. Parents are busy, they need to be able to complete the survey quickly and have an easy way to return it to you.
Notice we are talking about a paper pencil survey. Someday, when you are confident all parents have easy access to the school web site, you will use it as a vehicle for collecting information about which you want all parents' opinions. The concern is the school will benefit most from learning from a large representation of the families. That's going to be hard enough to get with paper and pencil.
We are not talking about the long complicated parent surveys your district might use as part of its school improvement efforts. They certainly provide important information to the entire district and serve a useful purpose. Our purpose here is to "listen" (through a survey) to the parents of our elementary students. For parents to accept change, schools and school systems must involve them from the onset (Dodd, 1996).
If the faculty with whom you work has never used surveys as a tool for gathering parent input, surveying parents may be a scary prospect at first. By starting with topics that directly relate to students and are within their control to improve, they will become comfortable with the process. A topic that is going to result in a "pat on the back" from parents is a great place to begin if you are a novice or a bit skittish. As you and your coworkers gain confidence, you will be ready to ask the questions that elicit answers that call for meaningful changes.
By using a simple, clearly written, straightforward survey, you will obtain information from parents that will help you and your coworkers develop a plan to make school an even better place for kids! |
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