June: What We Are Thinking About – Monthly Round Up

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52 Effective Parent Survey Questions For Meaningful Feedback

Each family survey question, when carefully crafted, can be a powerful tool to leverage when you need information from your staff, families, or students. Asking what families need, when they are best able to attend events, and what they are thinking about is a major step toward building relationships with parents and increasing their engagement. As we know, family engagement is a critical lever to boost student outcomes. 

You may want to ask about communication, academic support, a recent event, or more. Getting this feedback can be scary – but you can win at parent engagement! 

What should be included in a parent survey?

When deciding on the questions you want to ask your families, first, you will want to consider what decisions you need to make with the information, and how specifically you will use the answers. Some schools use annual surveys that take parents 15-20 minutes to complete, and include dozens of questions. At Possip, we offer this through our Long Form or Strategic Surveys. Questions may include everything from impressions about school climate, reflections on school-sponsored events, thoughts on academic preparation, barriers, and needs, and ideas and questions.

We’ve found that simply asking if parents are happy with their child’s school, what ideas or feedback they have, and one additional custom question (we call it a Bonus Question) can yield incredible data. We call these Pulse Checks®. With short and simple surveys, parents are more likely to respond and even more likely to complete the entire survey. They also get used to the cadence (weekly, biweekly, monthly, etc), and if they know the school is responsive to their feedback, parents will consistently use the quick survey to voice their opinions. Short and simple surveys are easier to translate into more languages accurately, helping you engage with and include more of your families.

What is an example of a good survey question?

One key decision you’ll want to make is whether to ask an open-ended question or a closed-ended one, where you provide the answer choices.  When deciding between an open-ended or closed-ended question, it can be helpful to think about what you want to learn and the nuances of each question type:

Do you want to explore a topic and generate a list of ideas or praise? If so, using an open-ended question will give you a lot of feedback and ideas.

• • Open-ended questions allow you to explore, and you may learn more than you expected. People may share feedback or ideas that you didn’t anticipate. This can be beneficial in helping you learn more about a topic. 

• • To be effective with open-ended questions, you’ll want to ensure your question wording is very clear so that the answers provided serve your needs. 

Do you need input on specific options or choices? Are there only certain answers that are feasible or relevant to your decision? In this case, a close-ended question that includes predefined answer options is best. 

• • Since close-ended questions ask people to select from a list of predefined responses, you won’t end up with answers that you weren’t expecting. Responses will be consistent and relevant to the question.

• • Do you want a quantitative analysis? Closed-ended questions with a list of options or Yes/No answers are the most appropriate for a quick and clear analysis–a graph of your results at both a school and district level. 

In some cases, Possip can help you get a quantitative analysis, even from an open-ended question. Possip Partners, reach out to your Possip Relationship Manager or our Possip Support Team to explore this option if you need to quantify open-ended input. For more guidance on writing great questions, check out this article.

We’ve compiled a list of effective parent survey questions to consider and sorted them for you by topic!

Example Parent Survey Questions

Parent Survey Questions for the Beginning of the Year

Sample questions to ask in the first month of school:

1. 1. Do you have the materials and resources you need for your student to succeed in school this year: Yes or No? If No, please tell us more about your needs.
   2. Do you feel you received enough school communication to start the school year? Yes, Mostly, or No
   3. Please share one thing your student’s teacher did to make them feel excited to start the year.
   4. Please share something specific that had a positive impact on your student during the first few weeks of school. (i.e. extracurriculars, academics, registration, teacher, etc.)
   5. How do you prefer to receive communication from the school? Please reply with the number of your choice below: 1) Text 2) Email 3) Social Media 4) Newsletter 5) Robocall
   6. We’re planning family and parent events for the school year. Please reply with the number of the one event you’re most interested in. (List your potential events here, i.e. 1) Back to School BBQ 2) Turkey Bingo, etc.)

Parent Survey Questions for Academics: Curriculum & Support

Sample questions to ask about curriculum, grades, and academic support:

1. 1. What types of academic support would you like to see at school this year? Please respond with the number of all supports you would like to see provided. 1) Tutoring; 2) Advanced work; 3) Small group support; 4) Homework help;  5) Other
   2. What academic support does your student need at this time?
   3. What academic goals do you have for your student this year?
   4. Are you able to clearly understand your student’s academic performance and progress (e.g. assignments, grades, attendance) using our school’s online tools? Please reply: Yes, Mostly, or No
   5. Do you contact your student’s teachers when you have concerns about their academic progress? Please reply: Yes, Sometimes, or No.
   6. Do you feel informed about your student’s academic progress? Please reply: Yes, Mostly, or No.
   7. Do you feel our school supports your student successfully in terms of their academic needs?
   8. What resources do you need to support your student’s learning at home? Please reply with your top choice: 1) Tips for learning at home; 2) Tutoring; 3) Tools for standardized test preparation; 4) 504 support; 5) Tools for emotional and social learning 6) Other, please explain 7) None
   9. Are you satisfied with the amount and quality of homework your student receives? Please reply: Yes, Mostly, or No.
   10. How do you feel about how much your student uses technology at school?  Please reply: 1) Too much 2) Too little  3) Just enough

Parent Survey Questions for Attendance

Sample questions to learn more about barriers to student attendance:

1. 1. Attendance every day is critical. Do you have any barriers that prevent your student from attending school?
   2. Are you concerned about your child’s school attendance? Please reply: Yes or No. If yes, let us know why and please share your name so we can help.
   3. Do you have any barriers to getting your students to school each day? Please reply: Yes or No.  If yes, please reply with your top barrier. 1) Health 2) Transportation 3) Suspension 4) Language barriers 5) Other
   4. Would any of the following help encourage your student to attend school every day? Please reply with all that apply: 1) Transportation assistance 2) Language assistance 3) School breakfast 4) More extracurricular activities 5) Emotional-support centers in school 6) A support person, like a mentor
   5. What motivates your child to attend school? Please reply with all that apply. 1) Getting to be with friends; 2) Teachers/Staff Members; 3) Course choices; 4) Becoming college ready; 5) In-school activities; 6) After-school activities; 7) Other (please explain what else motivates your child to attend)

Parent Survey Questions for Carline and Bus Transportation

Sample questions about the family experience with the school carline and bus transportation:

1. 1. Are you currently satisfied with school bus transportation this year? Please reply: Yes or No.  If no, please share why.
   2. Is our carline running safely and efficiently? Please reply: Yes or No. If no, please share any suggestions you have for improving the carline.
   3. Have you seen improvement in the carline since the start of the year? Please reply: Yes or No, and tell us why.

Parent Survey Questions for Registration and Enrollment

Sample questions to ask to assist with registration, enrollment, and re-enrollment:

1. 1. Will you be enrolling your student for the next school year? Please reply: Yes, Maybe, No or Graduating
   2. How would you rate your experience with the 20xx-20xx school year registration process? 1) Very easy 2) Somewhat easy 3) Somewhat hard 4) Very hard  5) Other – please specify

Parent Survey Questions to Gather Praise

1. 1. What is one specific way your student has grown academically or socially since being at [school name]? 1) Organizational skills, 2) Study skills, 3) Academic progress, 4) Improved time management, 5) Other, please explain
   2. What is one specific way your child has felt celebrated this year? 1)Teacher email, 2) Award Ceremony, 3) Certificate of recognition, 4) Honors List, 5) Awards breakfast/lunch
   3. What is something specific that had positive impact on your student during the first few weeks of school? [timeline can be changed i.e. month, quarter, semester] 1) Teacher, 2) Support Staff (Guidance, Social Worker, Dean), 3) Extracurricular Activity, 4) Classroom Environment, 5) Peer interactions
   4. As we prepare for the end of the semester, we want to recognize the positive impact our teachers and staff have had on your students. Please share where you’ve seen or heard our staff support your child, and Select all that apply. 1) Offered extra academic support, 2) Created a positive learning environment, 3) Encouraged classroom engagement, 4) Collaborated with support services, 5) Demonstrated empathy and understanding, 6) Celebrated student progress 7) Other, please explain

Parent Survey Questions for Teacher Appreciation

1. 1. What do you like most about [school name]? 1) Sense of community 2) Academic opportunities 3) Opportunity for social/emotional development 3) Teachers and staff 4) Strong sense of school spirit 4) Extracurricular offerings 5) Level of support offered to my child 6) Other, please share
   2. Does your student have a teacher that does a great job engaging them in class? Please respond: Yes, Mostly, or No.  If Yes, what does that teacher do?
   3. Are there specific school programs that you believe have been beneficial for your student this [insert time frame]? (Option to include list of programs offered)
   4. What has made you feel welcomed at your student’s school this year? 
   5. Please share the name of a teacher or team member at your child’s school who has made positive impact on your child this year. What did they do?
   6. In honor of Teacher Appreciation Week, is there a teacher or staff member you’d like to recognize with praise? Reply with a comment for us to share with them.

Parent Survey Questions for Teacher and Grade Communication

Sample questions about communication with and by teachers or about grades:

1. 1. Are you happy with the communication you get from your student’s teachers? Please reply: Yes, Mostly. or No.
   2. Did you attend the recent parent-teacher conferences? Please reply: Yes or No, and if no, please let us know why: 1)Transportation 2) Language differences 3) Scheduling conflict 4) Did not receive an invitation 5) Other, please explain
   3. Did our Parent Teacher Conferences help you better understand your student’s progress? Please reply: Yes, Mostly, or No.
   4. How useful was your recent Parent Teacher Conference in understanding your student’s experience at our school?  Please respond 1) Very useful 2) Useful 3) Somewhat useful 4) Not useful
   5. Do you find it easy to contact your student’s teacher when you need to? Please reply Yes, Mostly, or No.
   6. Have you heard from all of your student’s teachers? Please reply: Yes, Mostly, or No.
   7. Do you need additional support with any of the following? Please select all that apply: 1) Knowing how to access your student’s grades 2) Contacting your student’s teacher 3) Understanding assignments
   8. State testing begins next month (insert dates). What resources would be most helpful as we think about testing? Please select all that apply.1)Tips on how to support your student on test-taking days 2) Support in understanding your student’s scores 3) A calendar with specific dates and content area tested each day 4) A list of what students needs to bring 5) Info on any schedule changes 6) Other – please share!
   9. Do you feel confident that is preparing your child to succeed academically? Please reply Yes, Mostly, or No.

Parent Survey Questions for Family Engagement

Sample questions to ask about family events and experiences in your school community:

1. 1. Do you feel a part of the community in our school? Please reply: Yes, Maybe, or No, and share why
   2. What kind of family information sessions or family activities would you like to see at school?
   3. What feedback do you have for our recent _____ event?
   4. Are you coming to the event “___________” on “_________(date)”? Please reply: Yes, Maybe, or No. Learn more about the event here: ADD LINK WITH INFO
   5. Did you attend the recent parent-teacher conferences? Please reply: Yes or No, and if no, please let us know why: 1) Transportation 2) Language differences 3) Scheduling conflict 4) Did not receive an invitation 5) Other, please explain
   6. Are there any barriers that prevent you from attending our family events? Please select all that apply: 1) Transportation 2) Language 3) Work 4) Time conflict 5) Childcare Challenges (Options can be customized) 

In addition, check out how Better Questions to Increase Family Turnout.

The Possip team is ready to help you ask effective parent survey questions. We have examples that cover additional topics like school safety and AI. Then, we’ll do the heavy lifting of analyzing the results for you so you can focus on how you’re going to use this valuable information!

Ready to start asking questions with Possip? Contact us!

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60 Parent Engagement Ideas To Boost School Involvement

Table of Contents: Parent Engagement Ideas

• How do you engage parents effectively?
• Goals of Parent Engagement
• Examples of Parent Engagement
• Family Engagement Activities (Examples)
• Activities to Build Family Relationships
• Parent Engagement Ideas for Parents with Multiple Barriers
• Parent Engagement Ideas for Elementary School
• For Middle School
• For High School
• Parent Engagement Ideas Hosted at Local Places

Parent engagement boosts student outcomes; the data speaks for itself. It can be challenging for schools and teachers to commit to additional work and planning outside the typical school day, but that investment yields incredible rewards. You can read more about the studies of its effectiveness here or check out the impact some of our Possip Partners have seen through increased family engagement! 

How do we encourage, promote, and reward families for their efforts? Firstly, we must break down barriers and provide ways for parents to connect with their children and each other.

How do you engage parents effectively?​

Here are five things to consider to effectively engage parents with their child’s schooling:

1. Identify barriers and work to resolve them. Are parents busy working? If so, when are the best days and times to reach out to them? Do they not pick up phone calls from unknown callers? Is there a language barrier?
2. Learn which communication channels parents prefer. Do parents want to be updated via paper, website, blog, email, phone, social media, or text messages? Maybe all of them?
3. Work to get parents into school events. We have found that parents are most invested in events with their child – consider adding an art exhibit, poetry cipher, choir performance- to report card conferences. Have students invite their parents to events.
4. Encourage parents to submit ideas and offer feedback. The goal here is to listen to parents and have them take part in the conversation.
5. Provide resources for parent engagement. What are the ways schools can easily hear from and capture the insights of parents?.

What are the goals of family engagement?

Family engagement is when parents and educators work together to address the challenges students face. Also, they help students’ performance and improve the school environment. Schools engage with parents for a wide variety of reasons:

• Evaluating academic performance to make sure that students are on track.
• Working with parents so they know how to help their children do well in school.
• Developing relationships with parents so that there is an open dialogue.
• Bringing up issues students may face, such as bullying and drug use.
• Letting parents know about events and programs run by the school.
• Helping the school be better by leveraging the asset and community of parents.

What is an example of family engagement?

Most parents try to be involved on some level. For example, they make sure their kids are engaged in school, doing their homework, and doing well socially. However, this level of involvement doesn’t necessarily mean that they are engaged with what’s going on in the school. 

Engagement is about building a relationship between educators and parents. Family engagement might look like attendance at school activities, to volunteerism at school, to participation in school surveys or focus groups. More specifically, schools can take a look at how active parents are with school activities.

For instance, schools can look at volunteering, PTA meetings, regular communication with teachers, and participation in surveys or requests for feedback.

To that end, we’ve collected a list of 60 different family engagement ideas!

Family Engagement Activities (Examples)​

Family Engagement Activities to Improve Student Success

1. Volunteer in Classrooms: Assist teachers with daily activities or special projects, providing additional support and resources.
2. Participate in School Boards or Committees: Engage in decision-making processes and school policy development.
3. Attend Parent-Teacher Conferences: Stay informed about their child’s progress and discuss strategies with teachers.
4. Support Homework and Learning at Home: Reinforce learning by helping with homework and providing educational resources at home.
5. Join the PTA/PTO: Become active members of the Parent Teacher Association or Organization, contributing to school events and fundraising.
6. Lead Extracurricular Activities: Organize or support after-school programs such as clubs, sports, or arts.
7. Engage in Workshops and Trainings: Participate in educational workshops that enhance parenting skills and understanding of academic content.
8. Advocate for the School: Represent the school in the larger community and advocate for resources or policies that support education.

Located in a rural area? Parent engagement might look a little different than it could in more urban areas. Read more here!

Family Activities to Build Relationships ​

To help increase turnout, survey parents in advance to know what interests them and what times work best for them. Read more here!

1. Family Fun Nights: Organize themed evenings like game night or movie night at school.
2. Cultural Festivals: Celebrate diverse cultures with food, music, and crafts.
3. Reading Workshops: Host sessions where families can enjoy stories and learn about supporting literacy at home.
4. Sports Events: Arrange family sports days with activities suitable for all ages.
5. Art Showcases: Display student artwork, with families invited to view and participate in creative workshops.
6. Community Service Projects: Organize group activities like park cleanups or charity drives.
7. Workshops for Parents: Offer sessions on topics such as internet safety, health and wellness, or financial planning.
8. Science Fairs: Have families work together on simple science projects and present them.
9. Breakfast or Lunch with the Principal: Schedule informal gatherings to discuss the school’s direction and achievements.
10. Back-to-School Picnics: Kick off the new school year with a social gathering that allows families to mingle.
11. Career Day: Invite parents to present their careers, providing students with insights into various professions.
12. Music and Dance Nights: Host an evening where students and families can perform or enjoy live performances.

Parent Engagement Ideas for Parents With Multiple Barriers​

Some families have multiple kids in different schools. Many parents work full-time jobs with little wiggle room for daytime activities. Families might not have reliable transportation. All of these barriers should be considered so everyone feels welcome and included. Here are some ideas to engage families with multiple barriers:

1. Virtual Meetings and Events: Participate in school board meetings, parent-teacher conferences, and workshops via video calls.
2. Online Surveys and Feedback Forms: Provide input on school policies and activities through online surveys, which can be completed at their convenience.
3. Remote Volunteer Opportunities: Help with tasks that can be done from home, like updating the school website, managing social media pages, or organizing virtual fundraisers.
4. Email Communication: Stay in touch with teachers and staff through email to keep up with their child’s progress and school events.
5. Flexible Scheduling: Engage in school activities that occur at various times, such as evening events or weekend projects, to accommodate different schedules.

For additional alternatives to in-person events, check out these ideas!

Elementary School Parent Engagement Ideas

1. Classroom Helper Days: Parents can volunteer in the classroom, assisting with activities or special projects.
2. School Beautification Projects: Organize days where parents and students can come together to improve school grounds, such as planting gardens or painting murals.
3. Parent Workshops: Host educational workshops on topics relevant to child development or learning strategies.
4. Parent and Child Cook-Off: Hold a fun cooking event where parents and children team up to prepare dishes.
5. Family Field Trips: Organize educational outings that families can attend together, such as visits to a local museum or historical site.
6. Online Book Club: Start a book club where parents and students can read and discuss books via a virtual platform.
7. Virtual Parent Cafés: Hold regular online meetings where parents can discuss school-related topics and share experiences.
8. Webinars for Parents: Provide online seminars on various parenting topics, such as digital literacy or supporting homework routines.
9. Online Art Exhibition: Students create artwork at home with their parents, which is then showcased in a virtual gallery.
10. Interactive Virtual Science Fair: Allow students to present science projects online with their parents as assistants, using video presentations and live Q&A sessions.

Parent Engagement Ideas for Middle School​

1. STEM Workshops: Invite parents to participate in hands-on science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) workshops with their children, fostering both educational bonding and practical learning.
2. Cultural Heritage Day: Organize a day where families can share and celebrate their diverse backgrounds through food, stories, and performances.
3. Sports and Wellness Day: Host a day dedicated to physical activities and wellness where parents and students can participate in sports clinics, yoga sessions, and health awareness workshops.
4. Parent-Teacher Strategy Sessions: Set up regular meetings where parents and teachers can strategize together on improving academic performance and student well-being.
5. Arts Night: Host an evening where students can perform plays, display artwork, or conduct musical performances with their parents as the audience.
6. Virtual Career Day: Allow parents to share their career experiences and advice through a virtual platform, giving students insights into various professions.
7. Online Safety Webinar: Conduct webinars on online safety and digital citizenship to educate both parents and students on navigating the digital world responsibly.
8. Virtual Science Fair: Organize a virtual science fair where students can present their projects online, with parents and community members participating as judges or audience members.
9. Homework Help Sessions: Set up virtual rooms where parents can learn strategies to assist their children with homework effectively.
10. Online Book Club: Start a book club that meets virtually, discussing books read by both parents and students to foster a love of reading and critical thinking skills.

High School Parent Engagement Ideasl

1. College Preparation Workshops: Host workshops where parents and students can learn about college applications, financial aid, and scholarship opportunities together.
2. Annual Science and Engineering Fair: Encourage parents to mentor and assist students in preparing projects for a science and engineering fair, fostering a deeper understanding of STEM fields.
3. Parent-Student Debate Nights: Organize debate nights where parents and students can form teams and engage in friendly competitions on current events or historical topics.
4. Sports Tournaments: Plan parent-student sports tournaments, such as basketball or soccer, to promote physical fitness and teamwork.
5. Arts and Performance Evenings: Invite parents to attend or help organize evenings where students showcase their talents in drama, music, or dance.
6. Virtual Internship and Career Panels: Arrange for parents and other community professionals to participate in virtual panels about different careers, providing students with real-world insights.
7. Online Parent Advisory Councils: Set up virtual councils where parents can provide feedback on school policies and discuss improvements in an online forum.
8. Virtual Financial Literacy Courses: Offer courses that parents and students can attend together to learn about managing finances, budgeting, and planning for the future.
9. Remote Cultural Exchange Programs: Facilitate virtual cultural exchanges with schools in different countries, allowing parents and students to learn about and interact with diverse cultures.
10. Parent-Led Virtual Workshops: Allow parents to lead virtual workshops in their areas of expertise, sharing knowledge and skills with the student community.

Parent Engagement Ideas Hosted At Local Places​

1. Library Workshops: Collaborate with local libraries to host educational workshops or book clubs for parents.
2. Community Center Classes: Offer classes or talks on topics of interest at community centers, like parenting skills or financial literacy.
3. Local Park Clean-Ups: Organize family-friendly environmental clean-ups or green initiatives at nearby parks.
4. Coffee Shop Meetups: Arrange informal gatherings at local coffee shops for parents to discuss educational topics or receive school updates.
5. Local Business Partnerships: Partner with businesses to host parent engagement events, which can also support local enterprises.

 

Coordinating and facilitating parent engagement can be one of the best things you do to strengthen your school community. Read reflections from Possip’s CEO, Shani Dowell, on what she’s learned as a parent since teaching earlier in her career.

Curious how to engage your families with a simple Pulse Check? Contact us!

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Building Relationships as a First-Year Principal

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Possip Live Demo

Discover the power of Possip in our upcoming live demo! Join us as we demonstrate how Possip revolutionizes the way schools and communities engage, enabling effective communication and fostering a positive culture.

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Preparing Parents & Teams for Possip: Video Session

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Supporting Mental Health: Reframing Unhelpful Thinking

Sometimes our minds play tricks on us or our students. Harvard Health says that cognitive distortions, or negative or unhelpful thinking patterns, make us feel worse, more anxious, and bad about ourselves. In order to quell these feelings of anxiety, we can equip ourselves and our students with tools.

Elizabeth Janca, experienced school administrator, former campus testing coordinator, licensed professional counselor, and Possip Reporter shares ways to address unhelpful thoughts that can increase anxiety. 

Let’s look at what cognitive distortions are and what to do about them. Then, to combat these negative thought patterns, we can learn a Cognitive Behavioral Therapy tool, Catch it, Check it, Change it. This allows us to learn how to recognize a cognitive distortion (Catch it), identify the distortion (Check it), and reframe thoughts (Change it).

What does unhelpful thinking look like?

While there are a lot of cognitive distortions, 10 are identified as the most common:

Unhelpful Thought

Explanation

Example

All or Nothing	Sometimes called “black and white” thinking – one extreme or the other	“I’m going to get a 0 or 100 on this test.”
Mental Filter	Identifying only thoughts that support what you believe	“I got a 90 on the quiz, but a 75 on the test so I don’t know the material at all.”
Jumping to Conclusions	Mind reading – assuming you know what someone else is thinking Fortune telling – assuming you know what will happen	“They’re really quiet so they must hate my idea. They are going to want to go a different direction with the project.”

Click here to read the full blog in our Possip Membership.

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Teaching Students Self Advocacy at Home and At School

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In a Time of Unrest, How Can College Students Feel Heard on Campus?

Speed Read (tldr): How Can We Make Sure College Students Feel Heard on Campus?

Initial survey responses indicate three levers to help college students feel heard: 

1. Clear Communication Channels: Colleges and universities need to clarify how students can feel heard as they voice concerns and administrators ensure feedback reaches decision-makers.
2. Enhance Feedback Engagement: Institutions should simplify feedback mechanisms and demonstrate their impact to encourage student participation.
3. Foster Open Dialogue: Many students feel their voices aren’t heard; colleges must create a more inclusive environment that encourages open discussions and acknowledges diverse backgrounds.

Read below for resources, tips, and the why!

Table of Contents

• Do College Students Feel Heard?
• How Do College Students Try to Communicate With Their Schools?
• Participation in Surveys and Feedback Forms
• Why Communication Breaks Down
• Moving Towards Solutions

Colleges and universities are titans of innovation, human development, and thought leadership. Generally, higher education institutions willingly facilitate and hold space for uncomfortable conversations that challenge the status quo established by the working world. However, across the globe, growing protests reflect people who desperately want their voices to be heard and feel they are not. So how can we make sure college students feel heard?

Zac Klinger, a Possip intern majoring in Human and Organization Development at Vanderbilt University, explores communication breakdowns on college campuses. 

Prompted by the palpable unrest on college campuses, I wanted to listen to the voices of frustration and work toward generating a healthy solution. I started by surveying those on the ground level—students. The goal of the survey was essentially to figure out a) how students feel and b) why they feel that way. And while the pilot surveys are still growing in sample size and representation, the first impressions unequivocally put a voice to the struggles on campus portrayed by the media while optimistically pointing toward potential remedies.

Do College Students Feel Heard?

When asked if they felt they had a voice on campus, a significant portion of my pilot group of students expressed doubt. Specifically, 50% of respondents answered “No” or “Somewhat” when asked if they felt like they had a voice on campus. This indicates a substantial gap between the ideal of open dialogue and the actual experiences of many students.

With more data, I am inclined to explore the demographic nuances of this question. Factors such as campus, race, grade classification, socio-economic background, and more could provide profound insight into the material dynamics.

How Do College Students Try to Communicate With Their Schools?

The survey asked students how they would voice their concerns if they wanted to give feedback on campus. Thirteen distinct responses emerged, with email being the most common method. Unfortunately, however, when students were asked who they would email to feel heard and drive change, the top response was, “I don’t know”. This highlights a critical problem: students don’t know the appropriate channels for their feedback, leading to frustration and disempowerment. Furthermore, I find it fascinating that the initial responders reported 13 different feedback channels. I imagine having so many different ways to collect feedback makes it extremely difficult for administration to aggregate and use the student input efficiently.

Participation in Surveys and Feedback Forms

Many universities or student organizations ask students for their input through surveys and forms. But students don’t often participate. This remains an enormous barrier to effective communication. In fact, when asked how often they participate in these surveys, no student I’ve polled so far has responded, “Always.”

To dig into this, we asked about four potential factors that could lead to low participation rates:

• Lack of Interest
• Lack of Time
• Surveys are too long
• Do not see the value

Interestingly, no student selected “Other” when asked what prevents them from participating, suggesting that the factors we hypothesized are confirmed so far as the primary barriers.

Why Don't College Students Feel Heard?

The initial survey results point to three reasons why students find communication on college campuses challenging:

 

1. Unclear Communication Channels: Students don’t know who to contact or how to voice their concerns effectively.
2. Low Engagement in Feedback Mechanisms: Students are reluctant to participate in surveys and feedback forms for various reasons, primarily related to perceived value and practicality.
3. Cultural and Structural Barriers: Diverse backgrounds and the bureaucratic nature of campus administration can further complicate effective communication.

 

In my experience generating change on campus, I have found that the only surefire way to influence the systems requires us to work from the top down. For example, when some like-minded friends and I wanted to start a new student club, we realized we  needed to gain Board of Trust backing before our idea was fully supported by the university. 

 

While I have seen working with the top leadership to be more effective than working bottom up, this does not align with the priorities or structures in place. Traditional paths of engagement for students typically lead to extended wait times, generic responses, or even complete abandonment. From the point of view of a student, the only strategy that has led to meaningful progress includes an aggressive approach of going above traditional methods.

Moving Towards Solutions

The good news: with data comes hope! By designing new structures around the feedback observed, higher education institutions have an opportunity to have student feedback be a powerhouse in the pursuit of campus flourishing. Here are five strategies to consider: 

1. Streamline Communication Channels

Rationale: The number one response to “Who would you contact to make change?” was “I don’t know”.

How: Universities should provide clear, accessible information on how students can voice their concerns and ensure that feedback reaches the right people to enact change. By decreasing fragmentation of communication channels, universities can provide causal evidence of listening to students.

2. Enhance the Value of Feedback

Rationale: “Do not see the value” was cited as a reason for non-participation in over 40% of surveys.

How: Institutions must demonstrate that they value student feedback and it leads to tangible improvements. This could involve regular updates on how feedback has been used to make changes.

3. Simplify Surveys and Feedback Forms

Rationale: Over 50% of students cited “surveys are too long” and “lack of time” for reasons of non-participation.

How: Reducing the length and complexity of surveys can encourage more students to participate. Offering incentives or integrating feedback opportunities into existing student activities also helps.

4. Foster a Culture of Open Dialogue

Rationale: 50% of students responded “no” or “somewhat” when asked if they have a voice on campus.

How: Encouraging open forums or allowing anonymity could help create spaces where students feel safe and valued when expressing their opinions, which can help bridge the communication gap.

5. Data, Data, and More Data

To devise a solution, we must understand the issue at hand truly. To my fellow students: I implore you to add your voice to this survey in order to effectively communicate with your campus administrators.

In my experience, university administrators absolutely have the desire to listen to students. Students must take the time to provide them with productive data points and anecdotes. When they do, students can seize the opportunity to shape the systems around them in a way that promotes universal flourishing.

Conclusion

College campuses should be havens for dialogue and learning, yet communication often falls short. Our survey highlights significant challenges but also provides valuable insights that can guide us toward effective solutions. By supporting higher ed institutions in streamlining communication channels, demonstrating the value of feedback, simplifying surveys, and fostering a culture of open dialogue, we can move closer to the ideal of truly engaged and connected campus communities.

As students, your participation is crucial. Each response helps build a stronger, more inclusive dialogue on campus. Your voice matters—let’s work together to make our campuses true havens for dialogue and learning. Together, we can turn these insights into actions that benefit everyone in our academic communities.

Are you a college student? Share your thoughts here!

Are you a college administrator? See what Possip could look like on your campus.

The post In a Time of Unrest, How Can College Students Feel Heard on Campus? appeared first on Possip.

Celebrate Dads, Grandpas and Father Figures!

Speed Read (tldr): Celebrate Dads, Grandpas, and Father Figures!

1. Spent time to learn more about what dads will find most helpful and exciting so that you can increase the likelihood of their involvement.
2. Dads, like all parents, have limited time. Host activities where the entire family can be involved and spend time with everyone they love.
3. Don’t only celebrate in June – find ways to recognize them all year long! Just like moms, recognizing dads isn’t about one day but about seeing and valuing their contributions all year.

Read below for resources, tips, and the why!

Table of Contents

• Find out what dads are eager to do more of or learn about ​
• Consider activities that involve the whole family
• Don’t only celebrate in June - find ways to recognize them all year ​

In June we celebrate dads and all the people who act as father figures and help us succeed. Whether a father, grandfather, uncle, mentor, or other father figure, there is no wrong way to engage them at school and ensure they feel part of the lives of their kids, nephews, or other young people.

When working to engage and celebrate dads and other father figures, consider their interests, responsibilities, and roles in their families and communities. Here are some effective strategies that can help you recognize, celebrate, and involve all the men who are a part of the lives of your students:

Find out what dads are eager to do more of or learn about.

Spend time learning more about what dads will find most helpful and exciting so that you can increase the likelihood of their involvement. 

• Use Possip! You could use a BQ that specifically asked dads about how engaged they feel in the lives of their students and what they wish they had more access to. One dad who is deployed overseas was able to share his ideas since Possip is done asynchronously: “Thank you. The school has been great. Also, I appreciate connecting with the school and my daughter’s schooling this way while I’m deployed overseas.”
• Online Communities: Create online forums or social media groups where dads can share experiences, ask for advice, and build a supportive network. Having a Facebook page where they can see photos, get calendar updates, and stay up to date can increase engagement among dads.
• Educational Content: Develop digital content such as blogs, podcasts, or video series on topics relevant to fathers and family life. Ask them if they might be up to create some of their own to share with the group.
• Check out All Pro Dad: This site is devoted to bringing dads and father figures closer to their kids’ lives.

Celebrate dads with activities that involve the whole family.

Dads, like all parents, have limited time. Host activities where the entire family can be involved and spend time with everyone they love as they celebrate dad.

• Parenting Workshops: Offer workshops on fatherhood, child development, and parenting techniques tailored to dads.
• Family Events: Organize family-friendly events encouraging dads to participate, such as sports days, picnics, or camping trips. “Donuts with Dads” or “Breakfast Bunch” can be great low-lift opportunities for people to get into your school.
• Father-Child Activities: Create opportunities for dads to spend quality time with their children through reading programs, DIY projects, or science experiments. Help dads become “Homework Heroes” by giving them tips to assist their kids.
• Athletic Programs: Develop fitness classes or sports leagues for dads, such as dad-and-me yoga, basketball leagues, or running clubs.
• Workshops and Seminars: Offer workshops on various topics such as financial planning, home maintenance, cooking, or technology skills.

And remember, these don’t have to just be for dads- any family member can join in, as long as they are interested!

Don’t only celebrate dads in June - find ways to recognize them all year!

Just like moms, celebrating dads isn’t about one day but about seeing and valuing their contributions all year.

• Awards and Recognition: Highlight the contributions of fathers through awards or recognition programs in the community or workplace.
• Father’s Day Events: Organize special events to celebrate Father’s Day, honoring the role of dads in their families and communities.

Finally, remember to be flexible. Most dads, like most parents, work during the day. Ensuring they can find ways to be involved outside the regular school day is critical. Offering conferences after school hours or on Zoom and hosting student performances first thing in the morning or the evening can increase the likelihood of their attendance.

Addressing these various aspects can create a holistic approach to engaging and celebrating dads, supporting them in their roles, and fostering community and involvement.

Click here to register for a Possip Live Demo!

The post Celebrate Dads, Grandpas and Father Figures! appeared first on Possip.