ARTICLE
Narratives suggesting a groundswell of parents are fed up with how their children are taught and treated in school are contradicted by statewide survey results released earlier this month. The Indiana Department of Education contracted with Gallup to interview a representative sample of K-12 parents. Between August and September 2022, Gallup surveyed 3,042 Indiana parents of school-aged children, creating “a statistically accurate picture of the opinions of Indiana parents.” The results indicate that a majority rate their child’s school positively on communications, curriculum, academic quality, and other indicators. Overall, 88% of Indiana parents said they are satisfied with the quality of their child’s school. Positive Opinion of School Communications Among elementary parents, 82% have a positive opinion of the communications they receive about their child’s academic performance, and 74% have a positive opinion of communications regarding their child’s wellbeing. The percent of middle and high school parents who rated the quality of school communications as excellent or good was 73% for academics and 58% for wellbeing. Parental Engagement Efforts Appreciated The IDOE-Gallup survey uncovered widespread satisfaction with school efforts to involve and engage parents. Only 10% of parents believe their child’s school is not responsive to parental concerns, and just 9% of parents disagree that their child’s school provides a variety of ways for parents to become involved. Parents Agree With Subjects and Topics Taught in School More than four out of five parents (81%) are familiar with the subjects and topics taught to their child, and 78% approve of those subjects and topics. Of the 7% of parents who disapprove of the subjects/topics taught to their child, about two-thirds admit they don’t know or are unsure of what those subjects/topics are. A small minority of Indiana parents (2%) indicate they are both knowledgeable of the subjects/topics taught and disapprove of those subjects/topics. Most parents (78%) feel their child was on track or getting ahead with their learning during the 2021-2022 school year. Additionally, parents hold positive opinions about school employees, with 79% agreeing that the leadership at their child’s school always treats them with respect, and nearly three out of four parents (74%) confirming that the teachers at their child’s school are deeply committed to student success. Rural and small-town parents were the most positive about the quality of their child's school, with 96% expressing satisfaction, compared to 87% of their micropolitan and metropolitan peers. Parents in households with average or above average earnings were more satisfied than parents in households earning less than the average (90% vs. 84%). Satisfaction did not differ significantly by race. ### Adam VanOsdol ISBA Communications Specialist/Content Strategist avanosdol@isba-ind.org
Narratives suggesting a groundswell of parents are fed up with how their children are taught and treated in school are contradicted by statewide survey results released earlier this month.
The Indiana Department of Education contracted with Gallup to interview a representative sample of K-12 parents. Between August and September 2022, Gallup surveyed 3,042 Indiana parents of school-aged children, creating “a statistically accurate picture of the opinions of Indiana parents.”
The results indicate that a majority rate their child’s school positively on communications, curriculum, academic quality, and other indicators.
Overall, 88% of Indiana parents said they are satisfied with the quality of their child’s school.
Positive Opinion of School Communications
Among elementary parents, 82% have a positive opinion of the communications they receive about their child’s academic performance, and 74% have a positive opinion of communications regarding their child’s wellbeing. The percent of middle and high school parents who rated the quality of school communications as excellent or good was 73% for academics and 58% for wellbeing.
Parental Engagement Efforts Appreciated
The IDOE-Gallup survey uncovered widespread satisfaction with school efforts to involve and engage parents. Only 10% of parents believe their child’s school is not responsive to parental concerns, and just 9% of parents disagree that their child’s school provides a variety of ways for parents to become involved.
Parents Agree With Subjects and Topics Taught in School
More than four out of five parents (81%) are familiar with the subjects and topics taught to their child, and 78% approve of those subjects and topics. Of the 7% of parents who disapprove of the subjects/topics taught to their child, about two-thirds admit they don’t know or are unsure of what those subjects/topics are. A small minority of Indiana parents (2%) indicate they are both knowledgeable of the subjects/topics taught and disapprove of those subjects/topics.
Most parents (78%) feel their child was on track or getting ahead with their learning during the 2021-2022 school year.
Additionally, parents hold positive opinions about school employees, with 79% agreeing that the leadership at their child’s school always treats them with respect, and nearly three out of four parents (74%) confirming that the teachers at their child’s school are deeply committed to student success.
Rural and small-town parents were the most positive about the quality of their child's school, with 96% expressing satisfaction, compared to 87% of their micropolitan and metropolitan peers. Parents in households with average or above average earnings were more satisfied than parents in households earning less than the average (90% vs. 84%). Satisfaction did not differ significantly by race.
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Adam VanOsdol
ISBA Communications Specialist/Content Strategist
avanosdol@isba-ind.org