Leverage existing communication channels to grow awareness of the survey (i.e., newsletters, e-mail, social media)
Get creative with new ways to communicate about the survey. Involve students in making signs for key drop-off areas, creating flyers, or designing personalized stickers.
Communicate the bigger “Why?”
Send out two reminders with a week left and a day or two left.
Give parents at least a week to opt their child out of participating if so desired.
Improve Participation
Set aside dedicated time for students and staff to take the MRA
Ensure all eligible students have the accommodations they need to complete the MRA.
Provide families with opportunities to use school computers or tablets to complete the survey.
Ensure families who would prefer completing the MRA in a language other than English know where to find the other 25 languages the MRA is available in.
Send out printed surveys that can be anonymously returned home with students.
Involve local businesses who will donate food or other small incentives like free coffee and donuts for parents who come in and take the MRA before school.
Ethical Reminders
Do not attempt to influence the answers provided by respondents.
The MRA is voluntary. Do not force anyone to take it and/or require evidence of completion.
Teachers can monitor their students’ participation but they should not watch how they respond.
In a similar way, principals are strongly encouraged to leave the room when staff are taking the MRA.
If you send out printed surveys, decide in advance the system of collecting and entering those surveys to protect the respondent's anonymity.