Education Department Seeks COVID-19 Info From Parents, Educators

CONCORD, NH — In 2020, as the first wave coronavirus pandemic began to wane, the New Hampshire Department of Education posted a survey in which 56,000 Granite Staters shared their viewpoints about remote and in-person instruction and a return to school.

This week, the department has launched another survey, the 603 Bright Futures Survey, to help shape New Hampshire's K-12 Back to School Guidance plans for the new school year. The survey, which is being directed at parents, educators, and community members, will take their shared experiences and use the data to influence instructional plans for the 2021-2022 school year, according to Frank Edelblut, the commissioner of the department.

"The survey we conducted last year at this time generated a tremendous amount of valuable information, helping shape our return to school across the state," he said. "The 603 Bright Futures Survey will provide valuable feedback — what worked and what did not work — and provide valuable information for schools that are already crafting plans for fall instructional programs."

The survey started June 1 and will run through June 30. Parents with more than one child should complete a survey for each student. Responses will also be accepted from the public without school-aged children. Those survey takers should use the "Community Members" link.

The department will release the results online after they are tabulated.

Survey Links:

• Families in K-12, Preschool, and Private Schools: bit.ly/nhdoefamily
• Staff in Public and Private Schools: bit.ly/nhdoestaff
• Community Members: bit.ly/nhdoecommunity

Editor's note: I was director of communications for the New Hampshire Department of Education between April 13, 2018, and April 16, 2019.

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