Caregiver Priorities
Districtwide Summary Report
Between December 2024 and March 2025, Minneapolis Public Schools asked caregivers to share their priorities for school district programming. This information was collected via survey, which was available in English, Spanish, Hmong and Somali. Questions were derived from a review of previously collected stakeholder data regarding priorities.
This survey sought to confirm these identified priorities and identify additional areas of consideration. A total of 7,139 responses with priority data were collected, representing approximately 35% of MPS students. MPS staff tabled at over 35 school and district events and meetings in order to encourage caregivers to complete the survey. Outreach also occurred through emails, SMS messages and robocalls.
The following summary represents data collected from caregivers districtwide. Additional reports disaggregated by race/ethnicity priorities and school priorities will be available in the near future.
Demographics
Caregivers were asked to provide some demographic information about their students attending an MPS school. The following student grade levels and race/ethnicities are represented in this report.
Agree or Disagree
Caregivers in MPS were asked the degree to which they agreed or disagreed with a number of items.
Question 4 asked about priorities previously identified by MPS caregivers, and whether current caregivers agree that it should be a top priority for the district.
Question 5 asked caregivers about different family participation and engagement opportunities and the extent to which they feel each opportunity is available at their students’ school(s).
Question 6 asked families who reported a home language of Spanish, Hmong, or Somali the extent to which they feel their language and culture is accessible, valued, and included at their students’ school(s).
Caregiver Priorities
Caregivers in MPS were asked to think about their student(s) and family’s biggest programming needs. Caregivers were asked to identify their top two or three priorities in the following areas.
Academic Program
- Academic interventions (tutoring, credit recovery, etc.)
- Advanced language program pathways
- Advanced learner programs
- Career and Technical Education (CTE)
- Diverse elective options
- Dual-credit course options (PSEO, college credit, etc.)
- Dual-language programs
- Ethnic studies/culturally-specific programming
- Magnet programming (STEM, Arts, Global Studies, Montessori, etc.)
Question 7. What are your top two or three ACADEMIC PROGRAM priorities?
Student and Family Support Services
- Before- and after-school care programs
- Family involvement and engagement support
- Health services
- Housing support (Stable Homes Stable Schools program)
- Mental health support services
Question 8. What are your top two or three SUPPORT SERVICES priorities?
School Climate
- Bullying reduction and prevention
- Schools feeling equitable and inclusive
- Student and staff safety at school
- Student discipline/behavior policies
- Student wellbeing
- Schools having a welcoming environment
Question 9. What are your top two or three SCHOOL CLIMATE priorities?
Staffing Support
- Support staff for academic interventions
- Support staff for advanced learner support
- Support staff for English Learner programs
- Support staff to improve communication between schools and families
- Support staff for student social and emotional needs
- Support staff for Special Education programs
Question 10. What are your top two or three STAFFING priorities?
Language and Cultural Programming
- Curriculum related to student home language and culture
- Strong ethnic studies program
- Heritage language classes/pathways
- Multicultural representation in buildings
- Staff training related to student home language and culture
Question 11. What are your top two or three LANGUAGE & CULTURE priorities?
Student Behavior and Safety
- Consequences for student behavior incidents
- Districtwide discipline policy update
- Reduce class sizes
- Additional investment in the Safe Routes to School Program
- School safety improvement
Question 12. What are your top two or three STUDENT BEHAVIOR AND SAFETY priorities?
