Pasadena Education Network (PEN) was founded by parents, for parents, primarily to provide parents with accurate information about the Pasadena public schools so that they would consider their public school options. Our work has had a positive impact on PUSD, but – to sustain this impact – we see the need to help create the conditions that will enable more families to continue in PUSD beyond elementary school.

This August, as the first cohort of PEN families transitions to middle school, we have begun working collaboratively with parents, school district and site staff, and PEN representatives to define the positive aspects and challenges at the middle school level.

An initial element of this research is a parent survey. One version of this survey targets parents whose children are just transitioning into middle school, or will be transitioning next year – that is, parents of students entering 5th and 6th grades this year. The second version of the survey targets parents of children who already have one to three years of experience in a PUSD middle school – that is, parents of PUSD students entering 7th through 9th grades this year.

If you fit one of these categories, please take a few minutes to answer the survey!

Survey A (parents of students entering 5th or 6th grade)    

Survey B (parents of students entering 7th-9th grades)

The deadline for gathering survey responses is Thursday, August 23, 2012.

Following the survey, we will be gathering more detailed information from focus groups. Based on the survey and focus group findings with a cross-section of stakeholders, we will define the concerns of parents and the specific issues in the schools where PEN can have impact, and develop a comprehensive program that addresses those issues and concerns. Through this inclusive process, we hope to enhance our collaboration with PUSD and provide parents with the support and information they need to make a smooth transition to middle school.