Page 52 - PROGRAM IMPACT AND SATIFACTION AS SEEN THROUGH THE EYES OF HEAD START PARENTS

Seven parents commented on changes that could be made to the curriculum to improve the Head Start program at Sherwood. Parents expressed a desire for the program to increase academic work through the use of high frequency words, letter recognition, counting, and learning colors and how to write their name. One parent suggested tailoring the program to the needs of the children, while another recommends teachers to frequently encourage children to participate. One parent expressed a need to challenge children who are doing well and wrote, “I feel that the kids that know a little more should be pushed a little harder.”
One parent suggested that teachers pay more attention to the students and communicate more with them. Another parent wrote that teachers should remain in one classroom and should not be moved to another position within the center.
Three parents wrote comments related to parking. Parents expressed the need for more parking. One parent wrote, “Parking situation at this Head Start was horrible. But someone said to come early or walk. [My child and I] walked most of the times.” Other comments parents wrote included:
 Make sure there is no sand inside the children’s shoes
 Children should not be in the bathroom at the same time
 More play equipment outside
See Figure 13 in the Appendix for a select list of comments written by parents at Sherwood.
Tulsa
Parents at Tulsa who provided a response (65.5%) mostly wrote comments related to class time, the curriculum, and parent engagement. Of the 19 parents who responded, 31.6% wrote that they would not change anything or that they are satisfied with the program. Of the 3 parents who wrote a comment about class time, two suggested more hours and one recommended that class should be held on Fridays. Tulsa parents (21.1%) suggested changes to the curriculum that included more field trips, more homework that teachers correct and return to the children, and different lessons for older children in order to prepare them for kindergarten.
Two parents wrote comments related to parent engagement. One parent wrote that parents should be involved in parent meetings, while the other parent suggested that teachers should make a stronger connection with parents to get them involved.
Other suggestions included:
 A nutritionist with a sensitive and professional approach toward children and parents
 Shortening meetings by not including translation
 Teachers who speak Arabic
 More playtime
 Equipment that creates shade in the play area
Figure 14 in the Appendix presents select comments of parents from the Tulsa Head Start Center.
CCRC’s Head Start Parents Page | 49 December 2014