Key points:
One-third of parents say they feel uninformed about their child’s progress in school, and less than 40 percent receive regular communication around supporting their child’s academic success, according to a survey from edtech solution company SchoolStatus.
The lack of clarity around school-home communications is cause for concern, given that 77 percent of families surveyed in the 2024 School-Family Communications Report recognize the importance of school-home communication.
Attendance also emerged as a critical factor for student success, with 88 percent of families across all grades considering it essential.
Underscoring the urgency of these findings, the Biden-Harris Administration recently identified two-way school-home communication and addressing chronic absenteeism as top priorities for improving overall student achievement in 2024. This highlights an opportunity for districts to leverage survey findings to enhance collaboration with families and improve communication effectiveness on these issues.
The survey collected insights from diverse K-12 families on school communication preferences and the relevancy, inclusivity, and accessibility of current communications.
Streamlined, accessible digital communications channels
K-12 families are grappling with technology and information overload, emphasizing a desire for a single, user-friendly school-home communications solution.
- 62 percent of respondents expressed that having a central communications hub would simplify their connection with their child’s school
- 72 percent of respondents favor emails and 70 percent prefer texts, highlighting that strong digital communication is key for engagement
Frequent, relevant, and actionable communications on ptudent Progress
The survey illuminated a clear need for improvement in ensuring information accessibility and understanding, as well.
- 69 percent of families want daily (48 percent) or weekly (21 percent) communication on their children’s academic progress, but only 52 percent currently receive updates at that frequency
- 45 percent reported that school communications are not frequent enough
- 42 percent indicated insufficient information is provided by the school
- 53 percent expressed that information shared by their children’s school is not always easy to access and understand
Positive, Proactive Communication about Attendance
Attendance emerged as a critical aspect of student success, with K-12 families expressing the importance of proactive, positive messaging.
- Over 45 percent of families only receive communication about the importance of attendance after their child misses school
- Over 70 percent of families believe positive updates celebrating good attendance or improvements in attendance are helpful
“At a time when K-12 districts and educators are facing academic setbacks, chronic absenteeism, and more, districts have a significant opportunity to enhance collaboration with families to address these critical issues and support student success,” said SchoolStatus founder and CEO Russ Davis. “Families want to be involved in their child’s education, and for them to fully participate, they need relevant, accessible, and actionable information.”
Material from a press release was used in this report.
Laura Ascione is the Editorial Director at eSchool Media. She is a graduate of the University of Maryland’s prestigious Philip Merrill College of Journalism.