People skip surveys for many reasons, but the good news is there are strategies we use (and you can too!) to improve participation. You’ll likely never get to 100% participation (some people just don’t like surveys), but the more barriers you remove, the better.
Here’s a quick overview of potential challenges and what you can do about them, whether you’re surveying your staff, parents, students, or community:
1. It's too long
Why it’s a problem: People are busy, and long surveys feel like a chore.
What to do about it:
- Streamline your survey to gather feedback on the most important questions.
- Include an estimated completion time (e.g., “Takes 5-10 minutes”).
- Display a progress bar so respondents know how far along they are.
2. They think it’s a waste of their time
Why it’s a problem: If they don’t believe their feedback makes a difference, they won’t bother.
What to do about it:
- Clearly explain how survey results will be used.
- Share examples of how past surveys have led to real change.
- Encourage them using phrasing like: “Your voice matters. Here’s how.”
3. They think it’s spam
Why it’s a problem: Suspicious subject lines, unexpected senders, or unclear messages trigger the “delete” reflex.
What to do about it:
- Prepare them beforehand with a “heads up” to expect to see the survey.
- Identify who will be sending the survey, and when the survey will be sent.
- Keep the subject line short and clear
4. They forgot
Why it’s a problem: They intended to take the survey… but just never got around to it.
What to do about it:
- Send 2 friendly, spaced-out reminders during the survey window.
- Emphasize how quick and easy it is to complete.
- Use mobile-friendly formats so they can respond on the go.
5. Bad timing
Why it’s a problem: The survey came during a busy season or coincides with other surveys or testing within the District.
What to do about it:
- Schedule surveys thoughtfully (avoid holidays, or end-of-semester activities).
- Avoid peak stress periods like finals or other school testing days.
6. They're over-surveyed (survey fatigue)
Why it’s a problem: If they’re over-surveyed, people start tuning them out.
What to do about it:
- Be selective and consistent -- consider surveying just once a year, preferably around the same time each year.
- Combine your survey into fewer, more succinct questions.
- Tell people why this survey is important.
7. Privacy Concerns
Why it’s a problem: People are (with good reason!) increasingly aware of and concerned about their privacy.
What to do about it:
- Explain the measures you will take to protect the confidentiality of survey responses.
- Outline how you will handle and protect the privacy of email lists.
The School Perceptions Resource Center features the voices of our team members. This post was written by Cari Udermann, Project Manager.