Parent Involvement Survey

The US Department of Education Office of Special Education Programs requires that states indicate the percent of parents with a child receiving special education services who report that schools facilitated parent involvement as a means of improving services and results for children with disabilities.  In order to accomplish this, the Office of Special Education Services provides a survey to parents of children with disabilities. The survey measures to what degree parents feel that their involvement was encouraged.

Reporting Districts by Year

2022-2023: Anderson 1, Berkeley, Dorchester 2, Florence 1, Georgetown, Greenville*, Lexington 4, Union, Wil Lou Gray, York 2

2023-2024: Anderson 3, Beaufort, Charter Erskine, Dillon 3, Dillon 4, Greenville*, Greenwood 52, Limestone Charter, Marlboro, Pickens, Richland 2, SC Governor's School for Science and Mathematics, Spartanburg 1, York 4

2024-2025: Abbeville, Aiken, Anderson 4, Calhoun, Chester, Fairfield, Florence 3, Greenville*, Greenwood 51, Horry, Jasper, McCormick, Newberry, Richland 1, SC Governor's School for Arts and Humanities, Williamsburg

2025-2026: Allendale, Bamberg, Barnwell, Charleston, Florence 2, Greenville*, Laurens 56, Lee, Lexington 1, Palmetto Unified, Saluda, SC School for the Deaf and Blind, Spartanburg 2, York 3

2026-2027: Anderson 2, Anderson 5, Darlington, Greenville*, Greenwood 50, Hampton, Laurens 55, Lexington 3, Marion, Oconee, Orangeburg, SC Department of Juvenile Justice, SC Governor's School for Agriculture at John de la Howe, SC Public Charter, Spartanburg 6, Spartanburg 7, York 1

2027-2028: Cherokee, Chesterfield, Clarendon, Colleton, Dorchester 4, Edgefield, Florence 5, Greenville*, Kershaw, Lancaster, Lexington 2, Lexington 5, Spartanburg 3, Spartanburg 4, Spartanburg 5, Sumter

*One-sixth of Greenville County Schools are surveyed annually due to district population size.

Online Parent Survey Forms

Parent Survey – English
Parent Survey – Spanish
Parent Survey – Russian
Parent Survey – Chinese
Parent Survey – Arabic
Parent Survey – Vietnamese
 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

  • Why am I being asked to complete this survey?

    The US Department of Education requires states to collect information from parents every year. This information is used to determine if schools involve parents in their children’s special education programs. In addition, the SC Department of Education has a strong commitment toward meeting the educational, social, and emotional needs of our students and families. So, the information helps the state and school districts improve educational services to children with IEPs. Participation in the survey is voluntary, and parents’ responses will be kept confidential.

  • What if my child does not have a disability?

    This survey is designed for parents of children with disabilities who have IEPs (individualized education programs). You were sent this survey because our records indicated that your child had an IEP in place during the school year. If your child did not have an IEP in place at any point during the school year, please contact the Office of Special Education Services at 803-734-8224 (OSES Data Team) or via email specialeducationservices@ed.sc.gov.

  • Can I submit a survey response if it is not my district's year?

    Yes, you may submit a survey response even if it is not your district's year. However, only the responses from your applicable districts will not be included for federal reporting. Responses will be shared with the districts but not included in federal reporting.

  • How will this information be used?

    No individual responses will be given to any district or other entity. However, the information will be combined and reported at the district level in the Special Education District Reports. The information will also be combined and reported at the state level in the Annual Performance Report, a report that is submitted to the US Congress.

  • Why was I chosen to complete this survey?

    The SC Department of Education tries to survey all parents of students who have IEPs once every six years. This gives the Office of Special Education Services the ability to receive input from families of students served within each disability category and grade level. In order to improve special education programming and outcomes for all students, it is important that we hear from every family.

  • What if I don’t have access to a computer at home or need assistance in completing the survey?

    There are several ways you can complete the survey if you don’t have internet access at home. First, since the survey is found on the internet, you can complete it from any computer with internet access. Typically, your public library and public schools have access to the internet. Also, your school districts are aware that their parents are being surveyed. Second, you can call the number provided on the postcard or the Office of Special Education Services. Someone will assist you in completing the survey.

  • Is the survey site secure? Will I have to share any personally identifiable information?

    For these parent surveys, the SC Department of Education has state-of-the art security features for their online surveys. In addition, you will not have to answer any questions that will reveal your identity or reveal any other personally identifiable information. You simply need to type in your Survey ID and respond to about questions with responses such as “agree” or “disagree” and should take no longer than 5 minutes.

  • I lost my survey ID. Can I still complete the survey?

    Yes, surveys are anonymous. You do not need a survey code to complete the survey as the responses are anonymous. However, the codes do ensures that responses are not duplicated per child.

  • Why do I have to enter the survey ID number?

    We want to ensure that each child’s parent/guardian has a voice and that each parent/guardian completes one survey. Each parent/guardian was provided with a unique identification number of letters and numbers to ensure that individuals are not able to complete multiple surveys.

  • Do I have to answer all the questions on the survey?

    Yes, because the more information we can gather, the better we can help schools facilitate parents’ involvement. Also, it is important to answer each question honestly

  • A lot of the questions ask about the IEP team meeting, but we had more than one during the school year. How do I answer?

    There are two ways to answer. First you can think of the bigger picture with regards to all the IEP team meetings put together. Another way to answer is to think of one specific meeting, but answer all following questions based on that one meeting.

  • What are the “Procedural Safeguards” that is mentioned in one of the items?

    This is the Parent Handbook that tells you what your and your child’s rights are under the law.

  • What time span does this survey cover?

    This survey covers the full school year (July 1 – June 30).

  • My child did not have an IEP team meeting during the school year. How can I answer?

    Please contact the Office of Special Education Services at 803-734-8224 (OSES Data Team) or via email specialeducationservices@ed.sc.gov.