FORT SHAFTER — U.S. Pacific Command is surveying military families about their Hawaii education experience.
The goal is to gain at least 3,000 survey participants by this summer. However, about only 600 people have responded.
The study, created by Johns Hopkins University, with assistance from the University of Hawaii, has two parts: an online survey and focus groups.
"If enough people participate in the survey and focus groups, there will be strong evidence to help inform leadership regarding the education of students of military families," said Dr. Robert Blum, director of the study and a Johns Hopkins University researcher.
The survey and focus groups results will promote informed decisions about education in future years.
Military leaders in all branches of service have joined PACOM in asking active duty military members to make participation in the study a high priority.
Parents of all school-age children can take the survey. Parents can also give permission for their children, ages 10-18, to take the youth survey. Children who take the survey can win prizes including iTunes cards and MP3 players. The next drawing is set for April. At the end of the study, a flat screen high-definition TV will be awarded as a grand prize.
This study is the first of its kind that seeks input from families that homeschool or send their children to private school, as well as public school.
The study is also longitudinal, meaning that first-year survey takers will have a chance to express their opinions for two more years. The first-year survey takes about 30 minutes to complete. The second and third year surveys are shorter.
Families who have permanently changed stations can complete a survey about whether their children are prepared to attend other schools after receiving education in Hawaii.
The survey and focus groups discuss all topics that impact childrens' performance in school: quality of education, educational equipment, social relationships, safety, transitions to Hawaii and services available to military children and parents.
The survey also asks about parental deployments.
•To take the Military Child in Hawaii survey, visit www.hawaiikids.org. If online survey takers experience technical computer problems, e-mail padmin@jhsph.edu. For general questions about the survey, e-mail hikids@jhsph.edu.
•Focus groups will be conducted at different locations, April 18-22. To register for a focus group, e-mail hawaiikidsfocusgroups@gmail.com. Parents of all school-age children can register for parent focus groups. Parents can register their children, ages 9-18 for youth focus groups.