Our end-of-year survey provides invaluable information to help us in planning and give the parents a chance to be heard. It asks the parents to prioritize interest in supporting programs on a 5 (important) to 1 (unimportant)scale:
Art Programs
General Educational Program Supplements
Math
Physical Activities/Sports
Reading Programs
School Facilities & Playgrounds
School Spirit
Science
Technology
Theatre Arts
We also ask about the value of the newsletter.
Then we have questions pertinent to the specific year.
Our group only holds 2 general meetings per year, relying on a large Executive Board to manage PTO business. Last year, we asked if the parents wanted this to change. (Receieved an overwhelming vote to leave as is!) We were also looking at whether the group wanted to continue with family night (bingo, silent auction, sock hop) or go back to a carnival as the Spring event.
This year we asked if parents would be interested in the PTO selling school supply kits.
Sometimes we have generic, open ended questions:
What could the PTO do to encourage more parent volunteers for school activities and programs?
In your opinion, what are the strengths and benefits of {name} PTO?
In your opinion, in what areas could the PTO do a better job/what should be done differently?
We keep the form on one page, but people can write extra comments on the back. It's been very helpful.