Lansing Sun

A state survey looked for parent's perspectives to ensure student success and builds on Michigan Parents’ Council meetings to gather input for future education budgets.

According to a news release by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s office, the survey was expected to bring feedback regarding education policy decisions that will help set up students for long term success.

"Parents are their children’s first and most important teachers and we need their input to help our kids thrive in school," Whitmer said in the release. "I’m launching the MI Parent Survey to urge every parent in every district to share their thoughts on how we can help all our kids succeed. The success of our kids and schools is a bipartisan priority and I am proud of the record investments we have made to improve every student’s in-class experience over the last couple of years. As we put our kids back on track for long-term success, we need parent input. Let’s keep working together to put our kids first."

Parents who have children in state public schools were encouraged to take the survey and tell state leaders what future projects should be prioritized. The survey can be taken in English, Spanish or Arabic and takes roughly six minutes to finish.

Whitmer established the Michigan Parents’ Council in order to solicit the input of parents throughout the state when it came to educational decisions. The council has already held discussions with parents throughout Michigan to provide input, along with the survey.

The survey was available until the end of October and council followed it up with a virtual meeting on Nov. 3.

“The council will submit a report to the governor highlighting major themes from the roundtables and summarizing proposals for inclusion in the governor’s budget recommendation by Dec. 9,” according to the news release.