Page 45 - PROGRAM IMPACT AND SATIFACTION AS SEEN THROUGH THE EYES OF HEAD START PARENTS

Staff-related comments revolved around teachers. One parent wrote that there should be more teachers. Two parents suggested that the program work to keep the same teacher and school personnel in the classroom and program.
Seven other parents wrote suggestions and recommendations for improving the program, such as:
 Stop wasting so much food
 Add more services
 Give children homework daily
 Provide children with more trips, more projects, and more homework
 Provide a full day schedule
 Safety
 Boys and girls should have separate bathrooms
See Figure 1 in the Appendix for selected suggestions and recommendations from parents at Arthur Avila.
CDI
Of the 28 parents from the CDI Head Start Center, 57.1% commented on what their program can do to improve. Of the 16 parents who provided a comment, most (75%) indicated that they did not have any suggestions or were satisfied with the program. They wrote that they were happy with the way the program was run, that the teachers and program had helped them and their child, and that Head Start is one of the best programs in their community.
Two parents suggested that the program include the celebration of holidays and teach children more about culture and traditions. Two other parents wrote about parent engagement stating that they would like more explanations and reminders of upcoming events and would like to see more parents motivated to participate. Figure 2 in the Appendix presents several comments of parents from CDI.
Chase
Forty of the 56 parents from Chase who submitted a survey (71.4%) responded to this question. Most of the parents who responded (55%) indicated that they were content with the program and that there was nothing they would change. Parents commented that the teachers and staff were wonderful, well-organized, and well-trained in teaching the students and dealing with the families.
A couple of parents expressed a greater need for organization stating that a more dedicated calendar needs to be provided and that there was a need to have things in order with teachers. Four parents suggested that the program could improve its parent engagement by having better communication with parents and by planning activities that enable parents to become more involved. Two other parents recommended that the program consistently prepare the children for kindergarten by providing more education activities and constantly assigning homework and speaking to the children in English. Three other parents suggested curriculum-related changes and a stronger focus on learning. These parents suggested that their children be taught to write complete sentences and work on their reading skills.
CCRC’s Head Start Parents Page | 42 December 2014