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School Communications Effective During Pandemic —Parents

Parents have been overwhelmingly satisfied with school communications during the pandemic. According to a new survey, a massive 70% indicated that digital school communications have been effective.

The survey, conducted in August 2021 by Pollfish on behalf of ed tech company OneSignal, which provides messaging and notification services, involved 1,000 adults — 200 school administrators and teachers and 800 parents of K–12 students. Among educator findings:

  • 74% think digital communications are helpful for staying in touch with parents;

  • 70% said digital communications are less time-consuming than in-person or phone communications (or equally time-consuming);

  • Top uses included general school reminders, COVID-related notifications and homework/academic updates.

Among the findings from parents, the most useful types of messages (for parents) were "general school updates and reminders, assignment and homework reminders, and academic progress and grading reports,: according to OneSignal.

According to OneSignal: "The findings showed a promising trend that teachers and parents were receptive to digital communications and demonstrated how email, mobile push notifications, and SMS text alerts helped parents stay up to date on critical updates around COVID and their children's academic progress throughout the remote school year."

About the Author

David Nagel is the former editorial director of 1105 Media's Education Group and editor-in-chief of THE Journal, STEAM Universe, and Spaces4Learning. A 30-year publishing veteran, Nagel has led or contributed to dozens of technology, art, marketing, media, and business publications.

He can be reached at [email protected]. You can also connect with him on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidrnagel/ .


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