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2015-2016PARENT VIEWSON EDUCATIONBrought to you byPathways In Educationand YouGov
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SURVEY TOPICS
OVERVIEW
KEY FINDINGS
More than two thirds of respondents believe their local schools are diverse.
Q. Would you describe your local schools as racially/ethnically diverse?
![](https://i2.wp.com/www.educationsurveyresults.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/equality-figure-1.png?w=940)
Based on a list of 16 attributes, parents were asked to state the importance of each when selecting a school for their child.
![](https://i1.wp.com/www.educationsurveyresults.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/91percent-icon-set_v4-04_small.png?w=940)
Q. Please indicate the importance of each of the following attributes when choosing a school for your children
Dropout Ubiquity
More than half of parents say that they personally know high school drop outs- usually family members or friends.
Q. Do you know any high school dropouts (select all that apply)?
![](https://i1.wp.com/www.educationsurveyresults.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/dropout-ubiquity_v3-01_small.png?w=940)
Dropout Estimation
Parents estimate the national dropout rate to be significantly higher than it actually is.
![](https://i2.wp.com/www.educationsurveyresults.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/dropout-estimation_v4-02.png?w=940)
Dropout Causes
Most parents believe that the primary reason students drop out is because they don’t have a parent or teacher who cares about their future. High school can be a challenging environment for students, especially the initial transition into ninth grade. We know that having someone who cares about them- whether it’s a parent, guardian, teacher, or mentor- can make all the difference. In addition to teacher care, parents cited a lack of tangible diploma value, a lack of self-discipline, and the need to get a job to support themselves or their family as primary motivators for a student to drop out of high school.
![](https://i0.wp.com/www.educationsurveyresults.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/parent-teacher-cares_text-graphic_OUTLINED-09.png?w=940)
Q. What do you think are common reasons for a student to drop out of high school?
![](https://i2.wp.com/www.educationsurveyresults.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/dropout-reasons-parents-graphic-01-1.png?w=940)
Support for Dropout Reengagement Programs
Q. Do you think there should be special programs or services available to dropouts who want to reenter school?
![](https://i1.wp.com/www.educationsurveyresults.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/91-percent-dropout-reengagement-courses_small.png?w=940)
Reengagement Strategies
Parents were asked which measure would be the most effective in helping current or at-risk dropouts reengage.
More so than any other measure, parents say that a teacher or staff member who pushes students to succeed would make the biggest difference in getting a student back on track to graduate. Many students who have dropped out or are at-risk of dropping out also have complicated home lives and responsibilities outside of school like a job, a sick parent, or a child or sibling to take care of, and often these duties conflict with high school class schedules. Unsurprisingly, the opportunity to have a flexible schedule ranked second as an effective means for getting students back on track to graduate.
![](https://i1.wp.com/www.educationsurveyresults.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/reengagement-strategies-most-effective-03.png?w=940)
Q. What is most effective for getting current or at-risk dropouts back on track to graduate?
![](https://i2.wp.com/www.educationsurveyresults.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/most-effective-measures-toward-reengagement-4.png?w=940)
Ninth Grade Transition
Q. How significant do you think a students’ adjustment to high school (their first semester in ninth grade) is as an indicator of whether or not they will drop out?
![](https://i2.wp.com/www.educationsurveyresults.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Dropout-Prevention-and-Reengagement.png?w=940)
Support by Student Group
Q. Do you think schools provide enough support to students who struggle emotionally?
![](https://i0.wp.com/www.educationsurveyresults.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/support-by-student-group-41percent-02_small.png?w=940)
Q. Do you think schools provide enough support to students who come from low socio-economic backgrounds?
![](https://i2.wp.com/www.educationsurveyresults.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/support-by-student-group-least-likely-02_small.png?w=940)