Sample Monthly Polls and Surveys

Using assessments to guide your work adds value to your role and credibility to the parent/family program field. The AHEPPP Research and Assessment Committee wants to assist you in your assessments. Below are five poll questions (typically used monthly) and five survey items for a larger-scale parent assessment, as well as response options for all questions. Share your responses with AHEPPP by clicking on the link beneath each question and filling in your data. Please use these items, and share your findings with us!

Monthly Polls
Parent Survey Options


 Monthly Polls 

1. For what life skill does your student currently need the most guidance? (suggested months: September or February)

  • Career guidance
  • Cooking
  • Financial management
  • Health/wellness management
  • Home maintenance
  • Organizational skills
  • Relationship/social skills
  • Street smarts
  • Time management
  • Other

Share your results here

2. What topic is most difficult for you to discuss with your student? (November or April)

  • Academics
  • Careers
  • Finances
  • Mental health
  • Physical health
  • Sex
  • Religion
  • Romantic relationships
  • Safety
  • Other

Share your results here

3. How often do you communicate with your student? (September or March)

  • At least once a day
  • At least once a week
  • At least once a month
  • Almost never

Share your results here

4. During this semester, on what topic regarding your student did you personally contact [institution]? (Suggested months: January or June)

  • Academics
  • Billing
  • Career planning
  • Financial Aid
  • Involvement opportunities
  • Mental health or wellness
  • Physical health
  • Roommate or housing concern
  • Safety
  • Time management or study skills
  • Other
  • I did not contact [institution]

Share results here

5. Have you asked this semester if your student’s budget is still on track? (Suggested month: October or March)

  • Yes-we talked and they are on track
  • Yes-we talked and adjustments are needed
  • No, but I plan to
  • No, it is my student’s responsibility
  • My student does not have a budget

Share results here


Parent Survey Question Options

1. This year, what has been your greatest concern regarding your student?

  • Academics
  • Campus or community involvement opportunities
  • Career planning
  • Finances
  • Living situations
  • Mental health
  • Personal relationships
  • Physical health
  • Safety
  • Time management/study skills
  • Other­­__________
  • None

Share results here

2. This year, on what topic has your student most requested your assistance or advice?

  • Academics
  • Campus or community involvement opportunities
  • Career planning
  • Finances
  • Living situations
  • Mental health
  • Personal relationships
  • Physical health
  • Safety
  • Time management/study skills
  • Other­­__________
  • None

Share results here

3. How familiar are you with campus resources in the following areas? [Response options for each item: familiar; moderately familiar; slightly familiar; not at all familiar]

  • Academics
  • Campus or community involvement opportunities
  • Career planning
  • Finances
  • Living situations
  • Mental health
  • Personal relationships
  • Physical health
  • Safety
  • Time management/study skills

Share results here

4. What information do you typically look for when visiting the parent website? [choose top 3]

  • Read/review parent newsletters
  • Information about how to support my student’s academic life
  • Information about how to support my student’s personal/social life
  • Parent event information (e.g. Family Orientation; Family Weekend)
  • Cost of attendance (tuition; housing; dining; etc)
  • Pictures and videos of campus
  • Information about FERPA and parent access
  • Other___________

Share results here

5. Have you discussed with your student any of the information you have seen in the newsletter or on the parent website or the Facebook page? [edit to fit institution’s parent communications]

  • Yes
  • No

Share results here