Parents as Consumers Survey

Dear Pennsylvania Concerned Citizen,

We are writing to invite you to participate in a 2 minute poll regarding Pennsylvania's educational options. The data from this poll will be used to inform a study that will be published in the Social Innovations Journal and shared with legislators at an educational policy symposium on June 15, 2018.

The goal of this study is to understand what choices parents would make for their children's education and to provide this data to inform legislators and educational systems how to improve public education policies and school systems based on the needs of parents.

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* 1. Are you a parent or guardian of a child living in Pennslyvania

Yes

Other (please specify)

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* 2. Would you like a greater variety, outside of what your current school provides, of education options for your child/children?

No, I'm satisfied with what my school provides.

Yes, I need additional options outside of what my school provides.

Somewhat, for the most part I'm satisfied with what my school provides but need a few additional options

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* 3. Please rank the educational options that are important for you and your child/children? a) specialized tutoring b) credit-bearing online courses c) community courses of interest to your child such as art, dance, music, sports, science, technology d) educational technology platforms e) other.

Specialized Tutoring

Credit-bearing online courses

Community Courses of interest to your child such as art, dance, music, sports, science, technology....

Educational Technology Educational Platforms

Other

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* 4. Assuming Pennsylvania passed legislation that pays for or reimburses for educational expenses, outside of public education, how much would you imagine spending annually to meet your child's educational needs? a) $0; b) $0-$100 c) $100 - $500 d) $500 - $1000 e) $1000+.

$0-$100

$100 - $500

$500 - $1,000

$1,000+

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* 5. If you have a child with special needs defined as being academically advanced, having learning differences, having a disability, and/or needing specialized services how important is it that specialized services are obtained through your school district vs. using allocated funds to find your own specialized services? a) through school district b) provided funds to seek own services c) combination school district

Through school district

Provided funds to seek own services

Combination

Other (please specify)

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* 6. 26 states have passed legislation that gives parents more flexibility and control over their child's education. Which option best meets your needs?

Full descriptions can be found at edchoice.org

Educational Savings Account: “Education savings accounts (ESAs) allow parents to withdraw their children from public district or charter schools and receive a deposit of public funds into government-authorized savings accounts with restricted, but multiple, uses. Those funds—often distributed to families via debit card—can cover private school tuition and fees, online learning programs, private tutoring, community college costs, higher education expenses and other approved customized learning services and materials. Some ESAs, but not all, even allow students to use their funds to pay for a combination of public school courses and private services.”

Individual Tax Credit Program: Individual Tax Credits/Deductions: “Individual tax credits and deductions allow parents to receive state income tax relief for approved educational expenses, which can include private school tuition, books, supplies, computers, tutors and transportation.”

School Vouchers: “School Vouchers give parents the freedom to choose a private school for their children, using all or part of the public funding set aside for their children’s education. Under such a program, funds typically spent by a school district would be allocated to a participating family in the form of a voucher to pay partial or full tuition for their child’s private school, including both religious and non-religious options.”

Combination: Combining elements of the above three policies could allow parents to customize their child’s educational experience to meet their individual learning needs. This could allow parents to find the right combination of public schools courses, online education, special needs classes, and intern/work experiences.

None of the Above

Other (please specify)

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* 7. Would you be more likely to vote for a candidate that supported any of the above options?

Yes

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* 8. Would you consider moving to a place that provided a greater variety of educational options?

Yes

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* 1. Are you a parent﻿ or guardian of a child living in Pennslyvania

Question Title

* 2. Would you like a greater variety, outside of what your current school provides, of education options for your child/children?

Question Title

* 3. Please rank the educational options that are important for you and your child/children? a) specialized tutoring b) credit-bearing online courses c) community courses of interest to your child such as art, dance, music, sports, science, technology d) educational technology platforms e) other.

Question Title

* 4. Assuming Pennsylvania passed legislation that pays for or reimburses for educational expenses, outside of public education, how much would you imagine spending annually to meet your child's educational needs? a) $0; b) $0-$100 c) $100 - $500 d) $500 - $1000 e) $1000+.

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* 6. 26 states have passed legislation that gives parents more flexibility and control over their child's education. Which option best meets your needs? Full descriptions can be found at edchoice.org

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* 7. Would you be more likely to vote for a candidate that supported any of the above options?

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* 8. Would you consider moving to a place that provided a greater variety of educational options?

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* 9. If you are interested in receiving a copy of the survey results please provide us with your email.

* 1. Are you a parent or guardian of a child living in Pennslyvania

* 6. 26 states have passed legislation that gives parents more flexibility and control over their child's education. Which option best meets your needs?

Full descriptions can be found at edchoice.org