In Wisconsin every year school
districts are selected to participate in a self assessment process. Part of
this process is a special education parent involvement survey. All school
districts in the state of Wisconsin participate in this survey at least once in
a five year cycle. The parent survey is part of the State Performance Plan that
also includes gathering information on Preschool Outcomes, Transition Goals,
Post-Secondary Outcomes, and a Self-Assessment on special education
procedures.
Through the survey, Wisconsin Department of Public
Instruction (DPI) collects statewide data to determine how districts are doing
in the state. This information is reported to the federal government
Office of Special Education Programs.
There is no risk to parents
filling out the survey. Their answers will not affect the services
provided for their children by the school. Parents will not be identified
with their responses to the survey questions.
Questions in the survey
include: Are you considered an equal partner with teachers and other
professionals in planning your child’s program? Is there someone on the
school staff who is available to answer your questions? Is your child’s
evaluation report written in terms you understand?
Filling out this survey gives
information to the Department of Public Instruction that assist in developing
resources for Wisconsin schools to increase parent understanding of the special
education process and encourage parent involvement. For example, previous
responses to this survey led to the development of resources such as
“Communication Options for Families” (A document you can personalize that
outlines local, regional and state contacts you can talk with if you have questions
or disagree with a decision of the school.), broadened awareness of parent
support organizations, and development of tools to support parents at IEP
meetings.
All parents of students with
disabilities are invited to complete the survey. Parents receive a letter
from the school district announcing the survey around the beginning of March.
The letter has instructions to access the survey and fill it out on the
internet. Some districts send out paper copies of the survey for parents to
fill out and mail in. Your feedback is important in statewide planning on how
we can improve parent involvement in your child’s education. If you have
questions about the survey you can find out more at http://dpi.wi.gov/sped/about/state-performance-plan/indicators/8-parent-involvement
