This survey was given to all SMS parents asking them to express their opinions on how SMS is addressing the 6 key goals. Below is a summary of their responses based on a survey return rate of 11%:

Key 1 Parenting Goal: Help all families establish home environments to support children as students?

            16% rated SMS as Excellent
            54% rated SMS as Good
            30 % rated SMS as Poor

The majority asked for more workshops or provide information for parents on child or adolescent development.

Other observations:

Provides families with information training and assistance to all families who want it or need it not just to the few who can attend meetings at the school site.

Asks families about their child’s goals

Supports home visiting programs

More parent to parent discussion groups

Key 2 Communicating Goal: Design effective forms of school to home and home to school communications about school programs and children’s progress

            19% rated SMS as Excellent in this area
            35% rated SMS as Good in this area
            16% rated SMS as Poor in this area

Conducts annual surveys for families to share information and concerns about student needs reactions to school programs and satisfaction with their involvement in school and at home
 
Conducts orientation for new parents
 
Sends home folders of student work weekly or monthly for parent review and comment

Key 3 Volunteering Goal:  Recruit and organize parent help and support

            11% rated SMS as Excellent in this area
            62% rated SMS as Good in this area
            23% rated SMS as Poor in this area

Annual surveys to identify interests, talents and availability of parent volunteer’s in order to match their skills and talents with school and classroom needs

Provide parents or family room for volunteers and family members to work, meet and access resources about parenting, childcare, tutoring and related topics

Create flexible volunteering opportunities and schedules enabling employed parents to participate.

Train and recognize volunteers

Key 4 Learning at Home Goal: Provide information to families about how to help students at home with homework and other curriculum related activities, decisions and planning

            11% rated SMS as Excellent in this area
            51% rated SMS as Good in this area
            32% rated SMS as Poor in this area
 
Provides information to families on how to monitor and discuss schoolwork at home
 
Provides information to families on required skills in all subjects

Provides ongoing and specific information to parents on how to assist students with skills that they need to improve

Make parents aware of the importance of reading at home, and ask parents to listen to their child read or read aloud with their child.

Assists families in helping students set academic goals and select courses and programs

Schedules regular interactive homework that requires students to demonstrate and discuss what they are learning with a family member.

Key 5 Decision Making Goal: Include parents in school decision to develop leaders and representatives

            11% rated SMS as Excellent in this area
            55% rated SMS as Good in this area
            30% rated SMS as Poor in this area

Has an active PTA/PTO or other parent organization

Includes parent representatives on school’s advisory council, improvement team or other committees.

Involves parents in organized, ongoing, and timely ways in planning, reviewing, and improving school programs.

Deals with conflict openly and respectfully

Asks involved parents to make contact with parents who are less involved to solicit their ideas and report back to them.

Key 6 Collaborating with the Community Goal:  Identify and integrate resources and services from the community to strengthen school programs, family practices, and student learning and development
 
            11% rated SMS as Excellent in this area
            62% rated SMS at Good in this area
            27% rated SMS as Poor in this area

Provides a resource directory for parents and students with information on community services, programs and agencies
 
Involves families in locating and using community resources

Works with local businesses, industries, libraries, parks, museums and other organizations on programs to enhance student skills and learning

Provides one-stop shopping for family services through partnerships of school, counseling, health, recreation, job training and other agencies.

Opens its building for community use after school hours.

Offers after-school programs for students with support from community businesses, agencies and volunteers.