The Mass Department of Education is conducting a survey of all special education parents in Duxbury “as an invitation to share your experience with your child’s school”. The opening letter states that “we are particularly interested in understanding the efforts made by school personnel to help you feel welcome and an important partner in planning for your child’s special education program”. The letter goes on to say that “Research shows that schools that are good partners have better outcomes for the students they serve. Mass schools are interested in learning how well they are promoting good partnerships with parents, and your opinion will help us to make this determination. Please understand that the purpose of the survey is to reflect how well your child's school is partnering with you and promoting parent involvement in your child's educational program and is not intended to measure schools' compliance with special education law and regulations".

On the survey, parents are asked to rate their experience on a six point scale from very strongly disagree to very strongly agree. Survey questions acknowledge the attitude that the DOE expects our school district to start to demonstrate regarding the importance of parental participation:
I am considered an equal partner with teachers and other professionals in planning my child’s program.
All of my concerns and recommendations were documented on the IEP.
Teachers and administrators at my child’s school invite me to share my knowledge and experience with school personnel.
I have been asked my opinion about how well special education services are meeting my child’s needs.
IEP meetings are scheduled at a time and place that are convenient for me.
I feel I can disagree with my child’s special education program or services without negative consequences for me or my child.
Teachers and administrators seek out parent input.
Teachers and administrators show sensitivity to the needs of students with disabilities and their families.
Teachers and administrators encourage me to participate in the decision-making process.
The school gives me choices with regard to services that address my child’s needs.
The school offers parents a variety of ways to communicate with teachers.
The school gives parents the help they may need to play an active role in their child’s education.
The school explains what options parents have if they disagree with a decision of the school.

Every parent of a special education student in Duxbury should have received one of these surveys by now. There were 426 surveys mailed out by Macro International and Ashton Associates who were contracted by the Dept. of Education to distribute and collect parent surveys. If you did not receive your copy, you should contact Macro International at 877-223-0136. Surveys are due by June 1st.

Survey date will be summarized and made public by late summer.

As a further note, I think that all parents should be allowed to participate as respected, knowledgable and valued team members in decisions regarding their child's education. Perhaps we should survey all parents in Duxbury rather than limiting it to just special ed parents as the DOE did.