In the just-released DreamBox Learning Parent Survey,
528 parents shared their experiences, and many took the time to add comments
and provide insight. Their children’s ages ranged from 4 - 8 years old,
and were almost exactly split between boys and girls. Following are some
highlights that we found especially interesting. If you’d like to
download a summary of the full survey results,
click here.
Math and literacy are equally important, but don’t get equal attention
Parents are spending significantly more time with
their children on literacy activities than on math, even though, by a
wide margin, they believe literacy and math are equally important for
their children’s futures.
And 72% of parents report that literacy teaching is
individualized, while only 50% report that math teaching is individualized.
In terms of homework, not surprisingly for the K-2
age group, the biggest percentage (38%) reported their child is given less
than 10 minutes of math homework each week; another 33% reported 10-30 minutes
each week. A strong majority feel their kids are getting about the right
amount of homework.
Many believe the “gender gap” in math education is disappearing
A majority, 63%, believe there is no gender gap in
math education. However, this question elicited a particularly high number
of comments. Many believe the gap has existed but credit their schools with
addressing the gap. A number commented that there was less of a gap in
early elementary grades, but that it may increase in higher grades.
Parents would like to get more teacher communications
A majority of parents get teacher communications
monthly or only with term report cards, but 56% would prefer more teacher
communications. Only 1% would prefer to get fewer teacher communications.
A majority would prefer to receive emails about their child’s specific
progress, the curriculum, and class activities. And 46% would like to access
this information through a website.
Parents work to communicate positive attitudes toward math
46% of parents feel (or felt as students) apprehensive
about math; and a majority (65%) believe their own feelings influence their
child. This question also elicited a high number of comments from parents!
Many stressed their efforts to turn around their own negative feelings and
ensure they’re positively influencing their child.
Most parents believe technology improves education
A very strong majority, 94% of respondents, believe
that computers and technology can enhance the subject matter being taught
in school; while 66% believe that technology access will enhance their
child’s ability to learn, and help him or her be successful.
We are grateful to all of the parents who participated
in the DreamBox survey. If you’d like to download the full DreamBox
parent survey summary, go to
www.dreambox.com/fullparentsurvey.
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January 2010
