WI State Performance Plan--Parent Involvement: Frequently Asked Questions about the Parent Survey Data Collection

Frequently Asked Questions about the Parent Survey Data Collection

Question 1: Is our LEA required to conduct a parent survey to collect the data for Indicator 8?

If your LEA is on the list found at http://dpi.wi.gov/sped/xls/selfassmt-cycle.xls for 2007-2008, and you did not conduct the parent survey in 2005-2006 or 2006-2007, you are required to conduct the parent survey this year. If your LEA is involved in onsite monitoring this year, you also will conduct the parent survey.

Question 2: We contacted parents in the fall when we did our self-assessment. Is this different?

Yes. The procedural compliance self-assessment included parents as a source for substantiating procedural compliance. It addressed Indicators 11, 13 and 15. The Parent Survey collects data for Indicator 8, schools facilitated parent involvement as a means of improving services and results for children with disabilities.

Question 3: Must we fill in all of the telephone contact numbers on the letter to parents?

Your district may select what supports you wish to provide to parents who are asked to complete the survey. You may use all of them if you wish. WSPEI and WI FACETS personnel are familiar with the survey and are prepared to assist districts. If you wish to use a local family resource center or cultural liaison, you will need to familiarize them with the survey and how to provide assistance.

Question 4: I am unable to find the Excel file spreadsheet.

The file was e-mailed to the director of special education as an attachment. If you are unable to locate the e-mail, please contact DPI.

Question 5: I am unable to find the password to get into the Excel spread sheet.

The password is the password you use for submitting your Local Performance Plan. Please contact DPI if you do not have the LPP password.

Question 6: What if a student on the list left the district . . .
A. And we have the forwarding address?
B. And we don't have the forwarding address?
C. And the student went to a correctional facility?

A. If the student moved during this school year and you have the parent's current address, send the letter. If the student graduated or moved out of the district before this school year, do not send the letter to that parent. Keep a record of parents who were deleted from the mailing so that you will not follow up with those parent as unused codes.

B. If you have no forwarding address, delete that parent from the mailing. Enter the survey access code on the online survey and decline to complete the survey.

C. If the student went to another facility during this school year and you have the parent's current address, send the letter.

Question 7: To which parent should we send the letter if there are two parents who are divorced, both with educational rights?

Request additional survey access codes from DPI and send the letter to both parents.

Question 8: If our list of students includes siblings, should the parent receive a letter for each of them?

Yes. Each letter will include a different student name and a different survey access code. You may enclose the multiple letters in one envelope, if you wish.

Question 9: What should we do if a parent calls and says s/he does not want to complete the survey?

If a parent states that s/he does not want to complete the survey, you can go into the online survey and enter the parent's survey access code. There is a Welcome screen and then a Consent screen in which you can check the "No" box. The survey will then close, but it will have recorded the code as used.

Question 10: A parent called because his survey access code is not working. We tried it and get the message "Log in failed."

Ask the parent if s/he is willing to complete the survey over the phone with you or to mail in a paper survey that you will send. Then try some of the other codes yourself. As long as you do not submit the survey, using a code to enter the survey will not invalidate it. If no codes work, call or email DPI and report the problem.

Question 11: Where are the paper surveys for the school to send to the parent upon request?

They are on the DPI website at http://dpi.wi.gov/sped/spp8-lawp.html. Download by clicking the link(s) for the language and age you need, NOT the pdf logo. [Give this website address to school district staff only. Only the school can send a paper copy of the survey.]

Question 12: What address should be on the return envelope that is sent with a paper survey?

North Central Regional Resource Center
5 Pattee Hall
150 Pillsbury Dr. SE
Minneapolis, MN 55455

Question 13: Where are the scripts for reading the survey to the parent in plain language?

They are on the DPI website at http://dpi.wi.gov/sped/spp8-lawp.html. Download by clicking the link(s) for the age you need. [Give this website address to school district staff only. If WSPEI parent liaisons or WI-FACETS staff ask for scripts, please download them yourself and e-mail them the document as an attachment.]

Question 14: May we use WI FACETS staff or contracted help to call parents (disclosing parent names and phone numbers to non-employees)?

Yes, if you draw up a contract that is signed by a district representative and the helper who is not an employee of the district or CESA. The contract should include confidentiality language.

Question 15: Who should we contact at DPI for help?

Please contact Pat Bober at patricia.bober@dpi.wi.gov or 608/266-5194.

For questions about this information, contact Patricia A. Bober (608) 266-5194

Last updated on 2/22/2008 1:30:35 PM

WI State Performance Plan (SPP), Indicator #8: Parent Involvement

Frequently Asked Questions about the Parent Survey Data Collection