Low parent satisfaction: PV media comment

The Age reported yesterday on the recent decline in parent satisfaction with public schools in Victoria.

The article begins: “Parent satisfaction rates for Victorian public high schools have hit almost 15-year lows at the same time as students are feeling more disconnected, amid fears that ongoing teacher shortages and a reliance on technology in classrooms are straining the state’s education system.”

The article quotes Monash University senior lecturer Fiona Longmuir, who pointed out that lower parent satisfaction could be related to the ongoing teacher shortages in Victoria and across the country, and that there are also issues around declining trust in public institutions that negatively impact schools and parent relationships.

Parents Victoria CEO Gail McHardy is quoted in the article:

Parents Victoria chief executive Gail McHardy said it was not surprising that parent satisfaction rates have declined as public schools battled for funding, additional resources and dealt with ongoing teacher shortages.

“Education has evolved, especially with increased technology that has brought impacts with it, so it’s more crucial today that school communities work together for the future,” she said.

In comments provided to the Age, Gail also made the following points:

• The data collected annually via the parent opinion survey is only a portion of the parent population at a public school, primary or secondary.
• Parents’ expectations on schools in general (not just public) always look to education to address and support their children with learning and wellbeing needs.
• Throughout the campaign to Governments to fully fund public schools, it has been shown public schools enrol almost three times the number of students from low socio-educationally advantaged (SEA) families. While public schools continue to be not being fully funded for additional resources and the ongoing school workforce shortages it should be of no surprise that some parent satisfaction rates have declined.
• The Victorian Government has acknowledged there is more to be done in the secondary years with one of the refreshed Education State priorities focused directly on this” (see page 13)
• Parents Victoria has advocated for funded family engagement officers for schools, as a human resource to engage families more effectively, have quality relationships and to reduce workloads on teachers and leaders.
• Education has evolved, especially with increased technology that has brought impacts with it, so it’s more crucial today that school communities work together for the future. 
• Student and parent agency is essential, schools cannot do all this on their own, they need the required support from the whole system to do this effectively.

Read the Age article (subscription only)