In May 2009, DESA began conducting the South Carolina Parental Engagement Survey which was designed to research the relationship between African-American parents and their local public schools. The initiative was implemented following the 2006 African-American Economic Summit that was held at Claflin University. A heavy emphasis was placed on education at the Summit, and increased parental involvement and an education subcommittee was formed as a result.

Funded by the S.C. General Assembly, South Carolina State University developed a research mechanism designed to measure parental engagement, and contracted DESA to conduct the study. We completed the study in August 2009.

DESA consultants provided:

• State-wide agenda for sampling, distribution and final collection of 402 parental engagement surveys.
• Vital information detailing current relationships between schools and the communities they serve.
• Goals and suggested solutions. Ultimately, the detailed analysis was shared with the State Department of Education, the NAACP, the Urban League, local school boards and principals, community organizations, housing authorities and churches. Community leaders took this information to develop improved programs and policies that enhance the student’s overall learning experience.