Mark Coplan/Berkeley Unified School District
Parents listen during a Dec. 3 forum on the Local Control Funding Formula at the Berkeley Unified School District.

With a change in state law that gives parents a larger role in school budget-making decisions, a first-of-its kind statewide poll by EdSource gives new insight into how involved parents are with their children’s schools and the obstacles to greater parent engagement in schools.

The weeklong telephone survey reached 1,003 parents across California to assess their knowledge of the Local Control Funding Formula law, their overall satisfaction with their child’s school, and to gauge their willingness to become involved in the budgeting process. The poll shows a high level of parental involvement in their children’s schools, but with distinct differences tied to levels of parental income. Most parents say they have never heard of the new law — but indicate a willingness to participate in the decision-making process once they are told about it. The survey was underwritten by The California Endowment and conducted by Fairbank, Maslin, Maullin, Metz & Associates (FM3).

Read EdSource Today’s story on the poll here.

We’ve also presented the results in a variety of formats for your use. The first is a PowerPoint presentation that we encourage you to download and use at community meetings and parent presentations. Also provided is a summary of survey findings and a detailed look at the questions and responses. We’ve also included the news release on the survey, summarizing key findings.

Downloadable PowerPoint presentation on key findings of the poll

Summary of survey results

Detailed look at survey questions, with responses

EdSource news release announcing the poll

To get more reports like this one, click here to sign up for EdSource’s no-cost daily email on latest developments in education.

Share Article

Comments (1)

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked * *

Comments Policy

We welcome your comments. All comments are moderated for civility, relevance and other considerations. Click here for EdSource's Comments Policy.

  1. Parent News Opinion 9 years ago9 years ago

    Well, about two years have passed since this article was written. I as a parent was involved with attending LCAP meetings for two years, and also, I attended many school meetings, and district meetings... The experience of the LCAP, in my opinion had this going on. Parents voiced things they wanted the school district to do with regard to spending monies. Teachers spoke their opinions too. Then teachers and parents got to believe that the school … Read More

    Well, about two years have passed since this article was written.

    I as a parent was involved with attending LCAP meetings for two years, and also, I attended many school meetings, and district meetings…

    The experience of the LCAP, in my opinion had this going on. Parents voiced things they wanted the school district to do with regard to spending monies. Teachers spoke their opinions too.

    Then teachers and parents got to believe that the school district most of the time really does not act on parent nor teacher requests.

    The LCAP is touted as being wonderful, but it may not be in this parent’s opinion, and others.