Survey Shows Parents Willing to Send Students Back to School
Boise School District Releases Results from Parent and Staff Surveys

Boise, ID -- 06/03/2020 -- Boise School District today released results from two surveys - one for parents, the other for staff - designed to help Boise Schools best prepare for school in the Fall during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Parent Survey Summary  
Parents were surveyed on a number of topics, including the likelihood they would send their student back to school for in-person Fall learning, what they thought of the District’s emergency remote learning initiative (created and launched within ten days), and parents’ thoughts about the importance of health guidelines. 
Fall School Safety Planning
  • 85.10% of parents surveyed say if school buildings reopen in the Fall, they would be comfortable sending their child back to school under certain conditions (i.e., schools are open and health guidelines are followed) - see graph.
  • 93.70% of parents surveyed say it’s important that all or some of the health guidelines are followed (i.e., minimum social distancing of six feet, large gathering limits (250 or less), hand sanitizer or hand-washing available in each room, temperature screenings, and face masks).

Spring Closure Feedback
  • 83.4% of parents surveyed rate their experience with Boise Schools during the COVID-19 school closure between a 3 and 5 rating, with 5 being excellent. 
  • 46.9% of parents surveyed say teacher engagement was the highlight of their experience during the COVID-19 school closure, while 39.2% of parents surveyed say the District’s overall approach (i.e., level of student expectations, communications, flexibility) was the highlight of their experience during the COVID-19 school closure.

Online Learning Expectations
  • 38.1% of parents surveyed say an environment as close to traditional school as possible (i.e., daily schedule, multiple courses, student accountability) was the most important aspect of online learning, while 32% of parents say an environment that keeps students engaged, but provides flexibility for families and students was the most important aspects of online learning.
Staff Survey Summary  
District staff were surveyed on a variety of topics, including their feedback about the emergency remote learning initiative, their experience during the COVID-19 school closure, and the health guidelines most important to them.
  • 96.30% of staff surveyed rate their experience with Boise Schools during the COVID-19 school closure between a 3 and 5 rating, with 5 being excellent (see chart).
  • 89.50% of staff surveyed say it’s important that all or some of the health guidelines are followed (i.e., minimum physical distancing of six feet, large gathering limits (250 or less), hand sanitizer or hand-washing available, temperature screening, and face masks/face shields).

“We thank our parents and staff members who took the time to complete these surveys,” said Superintendent Coby Dennis , Boise School District. 

“It’s obvious our parents and staff have high expectations for education and we are committed to meeting and exceeding these expectations as we move forward. Our Board of Trustees and our administration will now dig deeper into these survey results as we plan for the Fall. We want to reassure our parents, students and staff that we will do what we do best - educate our students today for a better tomorrow.” 

Links to survey questions & results
Parent Survey Questions & Results
Staff Survey Questions & Results
News Media Contact:
Dan Hollar
Public Affairs Administrator
Boise School District
(208) 854-4064
Boise School District | 8169 W. Victory Rd., Boise, Idaho | 208-854-4000 | Fax 208-854-4003 | www.boiseschools.org
Boise School District does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, or age in its programs and activities and provides equal access to all individuals.  Learn more...