This document summarizes the results of a parent survey conducted by the Los Angeles Education Foundation (LAEF). Key findings include: 1) Parents appreciate LAEF but perceive its value as slipping; 2) Most think LAEF's advocacy level is appropriate but some want more; 3) Opinions are mixed on whether LAEF grants provide good value. The survey also gauges parent interest in potential new programs and solicits general feedback.

1. LAEF
Parent Advocacy Survey
Jan 2012

2. Purpose
• Give parents a voice, keep them happy
• Reduce risk of misplaced expectations
• Prepare for 2012-13 grantmaking process
• Understand parent attitudes, align w/ District

3. Methodology
• Short web survey to all LASD parents, separate
from in-depth sat/priorities survey
• Detailed Setup/context re: LAEF’s mission, what
‘advocacy’ is and how LAEF advocates today
• Test limits of parent attitudes on advocacy, don’t
just seek affirmation, allow them to “vote No”

4. Key Findings
• Overwhelming appreciation that we took this survey
• Attitudes re: donating to LAEF stable to improving
• Big surprise: LAEF perceived value slipped vs 2010
• Most parents think current level of advocacy is good, many
parents want even more, a few feel LAEF has gone too far
• Many parents like the idea of LAEF being ‘more hands-on’
while a few are concerned about LAEF ‘playing its position’

5. Which statement best represents your attitude
about donating to LAEF?
60%
45%
30%
15%
0%
Non Donor Tax Deduction Not High Priority Try Every Year Counts on Me Every Family
2010 2011 2012
Note: “counts on me” response expresses the strongest “greater good” sentiment
n = 955

6. Which statement best represents your attitude
about donating to LAEF?
Top Themes Comments Share
Understands the Value of LAEF and Gives What they Can 52 46%
Everyone Should Give Something 23 20%
State and District Financial Situation Needs to Improve 16 14%
LAEF should Exercise More Control with District 14 12%
n = 113

7. Are the staff and programs supported by
LAEF's grant a good value for your donation?
70%
!
35%
0%
Very good Good Neutral Poor Very poor
2010 2012
NOTE: Between 2010 and 2012, LAEF’s grant grew 30%, the suggested donation
grew 25%, yet class sizes have gone up and we’ve lost enrichment programs.
n = 873

8. Are the staff and programs supported by
LAEF's grant a good value for your donation?
Top Themes Comments Share
Questioning the Quality or Balance of Programs 43 34%
Good Value Overall 37 29%
Missing Previously Funded Programs 24 19%
Not Enough Data to Make a Value Judgement 24 19%
n = 126

9. Should advocacy be a larger or smaller part of
LAEF's role?
60% Larger Smaller
54%
45%
30%
30%
15% 12%
2% 2%
0%
Much Larger A Little Larger About Right A Little Smaller A Lot Smaller
n = 873

10. Should advocacy be a larger or smaller part of
LAEF's role?
Larger It’s about right Smaller
!"!"!"
!"!"!"
!"!"!" !"!"!"
!"!"!" !"!"!"
!"!"!" !"!"!"
!"!"!" !"!"!"
!"!"!" !"!"!"
!"!"!" !"!"!"
!"!"!" !"!"!" !"!"
100 parents n = 873

11. Should advocacy be a larger or smaller part of
LAEF's role?
Top Themes Comments Share
Parents are paying, they deserve more voice 42 29%
Need structural/process improvement 21 15%
Caution: partner with, don’t usurp Admin/Trustees 10 7%
LAEF has crossed the line 6 4%
Don't know/Not sure 36 25%
n = 143

12. Are there other District matters in which you
would like LAEF to advocate on your behalf?
Top Themes Comments Share
BCS 53 24%
Union/Staff 25 11%
Gen Prog Impr 21 10%
No/not sure 45 20%
Other 26 12%
n = 221

13. Keeps parents well informed with OUTBOUND
communications.
100%
75%
50% 48%
25%
20%
20% 20%
0%
LAEF PTA Supes Trustees
Non-Neutral 16:1 9:1 16:1 1:1
Strongly disagree Disagree Neutral Agree Strongly agree
n = 849

14. Seeks INPUT from parents.
100%
75%
51%
50%
43%
25% 30%
22%
0%
LAEF PTA Supes Trustees
Non-Neutral 15:1 7:1 3:1 1:1
Strongly disagree Disagree Neutral Agree Strongly agree
n = 844

15. RESPONDS to input it receives from parents.
100%
75%
50%
66%
53%
25% 36%
33%
0%
LAEF PTA Supes Trustees
Non-Neutral 18:1 10:1 5:1 1:1
Strongly disagree Disagree Neutral Agree Strongly agree
n = 835

16. Takeaways re: Communications
• We can never over-communicate
• Parent perceptions are clear/consistent
• Parents appreciate being surveyed
• Feedback loops need improvement
• Q: Frequent small ‘pulse check’ surveys?

17. Should LAEF be “more hands on”
with the deployment of its grant?
Yes No
40%
20% 40%
21%
18% 16%
6%
0%
Definitely Yes Probably Yes Neutral Probably Not Definitely Not
n = 853

18. Should LAEF be “more hands on”
with the deployment of its grant?
Yes Neutral No
!"!"
!"!"!"
!"!"!"
!"!"!"
!"!"!"
!"!"!"
!"!"!" !" !"!"
!"!"!" !"!"!" !"!"!"
!"!"!" !"!"!" !"!"!"
!"!"!" !"!"!" !"!"!"
100 parents n = 853

19. What new programs would you enroll your
child(ren) in, before or after school?
Top Programs Responses Share
Music 84 24%
Foreign Language 69 19%
Art 66 19%
Science 51 15%
Math 47 13%
n = 340

20. Any final comments you'd like to share?
Top Themes Comments Share
Gratitude 84 52%
Concern 32 20%
Re: a particular program 11 7%
n = 161