Public Advocate Betsy Gotbaum's office today released survey results on their efforts to reach Family Advocates during the week of August 12 to 15. Guess what? They very nearly struck out, with only about a third of calls answered by actual people, 12 of 32 districts unreachable despite multiple attempts, and a paltry 6 of 63 voicemail messages returned within five business days. The news won't surprise many parents but may serve as a wake-up call for the Office of Family Engagement and Advocacy, which announced cuts in Family Advocate staffing last month.

Gotbaum's staffers called all 32 school districts three times -- twice during business hours (once in English, once in Spanish) and right after work, between 5 and 6 pm. Of the 96 calls placed, 30 percent yielded an actual human connection. During business hours, a third of calls were answered, as opposed to 3 of the 32 calls placed after 5 pm. Calls in Spanish (32) were answered in 12 instances -- but only 7 resulted in substantive, Spanish-language conversations. Granted, mid-August is the deadest of doldrums in New York City, but the DOE was and is still placing students in schools, registering new arrivals, and working in advance of the new school year. Parents have questions year-round; their calls, in any language, shouldn't go unanswered.

New Yorkers can call the Public Advocate's schools hotline (212 669-7250) for help with logistics, transportation, and registration information and have a look at Insideschools' Parent Resourcesfor details on schools, registration, navigating the system and more.