Spring 2020: Community Needs Assessment
A phone survey of 1,400 Parent Institute for Quality Education (PIQE) California families highlights parent fears, lack of connectivity and skills to navigate the new norm.
In May 2020, PIQE conducted a phone survey following the closure of schools. With most resources, applications, and information as well as academic learning tools and school updates online, families were struggling to connect to resources and understand distance learning and tools needed to support their children. It was crucial for PIQE to learn more about the challenges and needs of our families to provide the best resources and supports possible.
One-thousand-four-hundred respondents who participated and graduated from the PIQE parent engagement program between fall 2019 and Winter 2020 were interviewed by phone across the state. Ninety-eight percent of the respondents were Spanish speakers. Respondents were 82% women and 18% men with 22% from northern California, 31% from Central California, and 47% from Southern California.
According to the survey, there are still many families who are uninsured for health care and without access to home internet service. Language and literacy persist as obstacles in deciphering school messages and updates. Low to no digital literacy skills are worsening parents’ ability to support their children, teachers and school during distance learning. Families whose student is in special education or an English Learner (EL) are not receiving needed supports.
Key findings from the survey include:
- 1 in 3 parents do not have health insurance, while most of their children do have coverage.
- 1 in 3 parents do not have email addresses
- More than a quarter of parents do not know if their student is turning in schoolwork.
- While many students are receiving equipment necessary to participate in online classes, 21% did not.
Additionally, a subset of regional responses indicates:
- More than 45% of EL families are not receiving support
- More than 70% of families do not know if their student is meeting IEP requirements while on distance learning
CENTRAL: Fresno | Kern | Modesto
Of the 1,400 survey respondents, 435 parents interviewed by phone reside in the Central region of California and participated and graduated from the PIQE parent engagement programs.
A focused analysis of the 435 parent respondents from Fresno, Bakersfield and Modesto region include:
- 1 in 3 parents do not have health insurance, while most of their children do have coverage.
- Half of the parents do not have email addresses
- 30% of parents who received communication from school regarding distance learning did NOT understand instructions.
- While many students are receiving equipment necessary to participate in online classes, 26% did not.
- 21% do not have internet at home.
SOUTHERN: Covina | Los Angeles | San Diego
Of the 1,400 survey respondents, 661 parents interviewed by phone reside in the Southern region of California and participated and graduated from the PIQE parent engagement programs.
A focused analysis of the 661 parent respondents from Covina, Los Angeles, and San Diego region include:
- 1 in 3 parents do not have health insurance, while most of their children do have coverage.
- A quarter of the parents do NOT have email addresses.
- 30% of parents who received communication from school regarding distance learning did NOT understand instructions.
- While many students are receiving equipment necessary to participate in online classes, 22% did NOT.
- 14% do not have internet at home.
Northern: Bay Area (Richmond) | Santa Clara
Of the 1,400 survey respondents, 304 parents interviewed by phone reside in the Northern region of California and participated and graduated from the PIQE parent engagement programs..
A focused analysis of the 304 parent respondents from Bay Area (Richmond) and Santa Clara region include:
- 1 in 3 parents do not have health insurance, while most of their children do have coverage.
- 1 in 3 parents do NOT have email addresses
- 26% of parents who received communication from school regarding distance learning did NOT understand instructions.
- While many students are receiving equipment necessary to participate in online classes, 12% did not.
- 12% do not have internet at home.
For more information contact Director of Policy Patty Chavez
PIQE Data Briefing Partners
