Obstacled journey.

• Author: Garin, Geoff
• Position: BLACKBOARD BASICS - Public school parents

A NATIONAL POLL reveals public school parents' perspectives on their children's academic, emotional, and physical well-being, and identifies a disconnect between views on students' performance in school and the national data. The study, "Parents 2016: Hearts and Minds of Public School Parents in an Uncertain World," which polled parents with children in grades K-8, was conducted by Hart Research Associates and commissioned by Learning Heroes.

The findings show parents' high expectations and deep engagement in their children's development, and unearth areas where parents most need support. Across race, ethnicity, and income, parents want to see their children go to college and are committed to helping them get there but along with these shared goals, parents share worries. On top of pressing concerns--such as bullying, physical safety, and their children's social-emotional development--many worry that their kids will not be prepared for college.

Among the results:

Parents are united in their belief in the importance of college.

Seventy-five percent of parents believe it is very important or absolutely essential for their child to attain a college education, including 90% of Hispanic parents, 83% of African-American parents, and 67% of white parents. Yet, two-fifths are not very confident that their children will be prepared to succeed in college, and 53% of all parents worry about their ability to afford it.

Parents believe their children are on-track academically, despite national data. The study finds that 90% believe their children perform at or above grade level in reading and the same proportion feel that way about their children's performance in math, compared to just over one-third of students who successfully met that bar according to the 2015 National Assessment of Educational Progress. This disconnect likely reflects an awareness lag, as states transition to higher learning standards and accompanying state assessments.

Parents believe specific resources will be most helpful in preparing their child for success. When asked to rate how helpful various resources would be, parents prioritized an explanation of grade-level expectations for their children and activities to improve math and English skills.

To provide parents with the tools they need to guide their children in their education journey, and in response to the study findings, Learning Heroes...