2010-2011 Parent Involvement Statewide Survey Results
October is Parent Involvement in Education Month in NH

In spring 2011, Measurement Incorporated (MI) conducted the fourth year of the statewide New Hampshire Parent Involvement Survey. For the fourth year in a row there was a significant increase in the percentage of parents with a child receiving special education services who indicated that their school facilitated parent involvement as a means of improving services and results for children with disabilities.

Commissioner of Education, Virginia M. Barry, Ph.D., said, “The Department recognizes the importance of family involvement, as research clearly shows that when families and schools work together all children are more likely to experience success in school and achieve their goals.”

The 2011 survey continues to evidence efforts schools are making to support parents. In general, statewide results suggest that school and family partnerships overall are strong and parental involvement is being facilitated. Over 90% of parents (both preschool and school age combined) agreed that schools facilitated:

• effective communication between the school and families,
• active engagement as a partner in the IEP process, and
• an open and respectful climate for parents with questions.

The NHDOE is committed to supporting families and schools in working together and have resources and trainings available to support efforts to improve family/school partnerships. During the 2011-2012 school year the NHDOE will be offering targeted technical assistance to schools and families through the NH Connections project funded by the Bureau of Special Education as well as statewide webinars in collaboration with the Data Accountability Center and NH Connections.

The Parent Involvement Survey is a requirement of the United States Department of Education (USDOE), Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP), pursuant to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) that each State measures the percent of parents of children receiving special education services who report that schools facilitated parent involvement as a means of improving services and results for children with disabilities.

The statewide data is now available on the New Hampshire Department of Education Web site at www.education.nh.gov/instruction/special_ed/parent_involv.htm.