Survey on State Mandated Parent Advisory Groups

School:                                   

District:                                            

County:                                  

Who completed this survey: 

Name:

Your Role:

 1) Has your district formed a Parent Advisory Group in accordance with the New Jersey Special Education Code (NJAC 6A :14-1.2(h))?

Yes           No

2) If yes, how were the members of your district’s Parent Advisory Group chosen?

The preexisting parent group became the Parent Advisory Group.
The district worked with the preexisting Parent group to establish the Parent Advisory Group
The district included members of the preexisting parent group on the state mandated Parent Advisory Group.
The district established a Parent Advisory Group without the assistance or participation of the preexisting parent group.
The district established a Parent Advisory Group. There was no previous parent group.
No district parent advisory group that has been formed.

3) How did your district publicize formation of the Parent Advisory Group? Check all that apply.

            Via letter sent to every parent of a classified student in the district
                        Via article in school or district newsletter sent to every parent in the district
            Via letters to selected parents identified by the existing parent group and district
            Via telephone calls to selected parents identified by the existing group and district
            Via letters to selected parents identified by the district
            Via telephone calls to parents identified by the district
            Via advertisements in local newspapers

4) Were parents of students with 504 Plans included?  Yes          No

 5) Does the district regularly publicize its existence?  Yes       No

If yes, how frequently and in what manner? (school newsletter, local  paper)

6) How often does the Parent Advisory Group meet?

            Weekly      
            Monthly 
            Quarterly 
            As needed        
            Other:

7) When (what time) does the Parent Advisory Group meet?

            Before school in the morning 
            During school hours         
            After school
            Evenings   
            Weekends

8) Where does the Parent Advisory Group meet?

            In a district building (school or district office)
            In a community setting
            Other:

9) How is the Parent Advisory Group organized (committee, board)? 

a.  What are the positions ( chair, vice chair, etc...)?
b.  How were the group’s leadership positions if any selected?

            Appointed by the district
            Elected by the group members
            Other:

10) How was that structure determined?

         Determined by the district
         Determined by the members
         Determined jointly by the district and members
           Other:

11) Does the Parent Advisory Group have a minimum or maximum number of members?    Yes          No

a.  If yes, what is the:

i.  Minimum number of members
            ii. Maximum number of members

b.  How many are parents of special education students?

All
            Most
            Some
            None

12) Have goals been established for the Parent Advisory Group?    Yes           No

a.  If yes, who established the goals?

  The district
            Group members
            Set jointly by district and members
              Other:

 13) Who facilitates the meetings?

              District personnel
              Parent leader
              Jointly facilitated by district personnel and parent leaders
              Other:

14) Who sets the agenda for the meetings?

              District personnel
              Parent leader
              Jointly set by district personnel and parent leaders
              Other:

15) What is the main purpose of the meetings?

              to impart information
              to gather input
              Combination of imparting information and gathering input

16) Are official minutes of the meetings taken and disseminated?  Yes   No

 17) How is input gathered from special education parents in the district?  Check all that apply.

      Parent surveys
Periodic parent focus groups
Scheduled time for Parent input at the meetings
Review of parent letters, complaints, etc.
Other:

18) Does the Parent Advisory Group meet with the Board of Education?     Yes           No

a.  If yes, how frequently?

      Monthly
                Quarterly
                As requested
                Other:

b.  If no, how does the Parent Advisory Group communicate its input and information to the Board of Education (BOE)?  Check all that apply.
                        Via formal written communication on a periodic basis
                        Via formal written communication when requested by the BOE
                        Via informal telephone or in person communication on a periodic basis
                        Via informal telephone or in person communication when requested by BOE
                        The Parent Advisory Group does not communicate input to the BOE
                        There is at least one BOE member present at all or most meetings

19) What does the BOE do with that information?  Check all that apply.

            Uses the information when it develops Annual goals
            Uses the information as part of its self assessment
            Uses the information in other ways.  Specify:
            Does not appear to use the information.

20)  Is the Parent Advisory Group represented on key district leadership teams?  Check all that apply.

            a.  District wide PTA/PTSO council Yes           No               Not applicable; doesn’t exist

            b.  District wide NCLB Parent Advisory Group:  Yes         No       Not applicable; doesn’t exist

            c.  District leadership committee: Yes      No            Not applicable; doesn’t exist

            d.  District Personnel Development Committee: Yes         No          Not applicable; doesn’t exist

            e.  District Facilities Committee:  Yes        No           Not applicable; doesn’t exist

            f.  Other district committee/team:  Yes        No           Not applicable; doesn’t exist          

            If yes, please specify:

 22) How effective is the Parent Advisory Group in communicating and resolving concerns with the Board of Education? 

            Very effective           
            Somewhat effective
            Not effective

23) Additional Comments: