Created By: Amber Boling, Bridget Boling, Caitlin Kiess Young Adolescents Cultural Inquiry Project Johnson County Middle School Created By: Amber Boling, Bridget Boling, Caitlin Kiess

Student Survey’s 1. Who do you feel influences you the most? Is it a good influence? “Parents, coaches, family (siblings & grandparents), and friends. (GOOD) 2. Who supports your school work while you are at home? Parents (usually mom or dad, not both), family members. Many said no one. 3. Does anyone allow you to make your own decisions? Family and parental supervisor, and some no’s (about ¼). 4. Have you ever been bullied or cyberbullied? How did that make you feel? Majority said yes (mostly “hurt”, “depressed”, “sad”, “worthless”, or “self-harmful”.

Student Survey’s 5. Do you feel that your school is a safe place? About 50% said no. “Teacher’s aren’t armed” and “there are a lot of fights”. 6. Do you feel comfortable enough to talk to your teachers about the problems in your life? By far most people said no. Some said sometimes or with some teachers. 7. What type of music do you listen to? Rap and country mainly but a little bit of everything. 8. What types of foods do you eat? Do not eat breakfast (most skip meals) “Whatever I want”

Student Survey’s 9. What is your favorite part of school? Subject? Gym, lunches, and socializing. PE, science (experiment), history, teachers they feel most comfortable 10. What do you like to do after school? Watch TV, play outside, ride 4-wheel, hang out with friends, school events/sports. 11. Do you own a computer at home? What kind of websites do you use? Most have family computers. Facebook, instagram, google, youtube. 12. What do you see yourself doing in the next 10 years? Most said specific jobs (Motocycle company, farming, Police Officer), some said college.

Student Survey’s 13. Do you participate in a sport at your school or like to go to sport games? Most do not participate in sports but do go to the games. 14. Are you in a club at your school? Only ICE clubs (walking club, newspaper, recycling club, games, spanish, cooking, clogging, drama) 15. What kind of school activities are you involved in? Sports, club, middle school singers, etc. 16. If there was one class that you could add to your school day, what would it be and why? Spanish and another gym class, motorcycle building, engineering

Community Culture: Race Census Findings: White - 96.3% White alone, not hispanic or latino - 94.9% African-American - 2.2% Asian - 0.2% American Indian and Alaska Native - 0.2% Significance: There is NO racial diversity (represented in school)

Community Culture: Gender and Language Census Findings: English speaking - 93.2% Non-English Speaking: 6.6% Significance: teachers have to be aware of the language spoken at home Gender Census Findings: Female - 46.4% Male - 53.6% Significance: Slightly throws off the balance of the school

Community Culture: Education and Employment Census Findings: Private Wage - 68% Government - 23% Self employed - 9% Significance: May affect academic expectations May limit parent involvement Describes culture Education Census Findings: High graduate or higher- 71.5% Bachelors degree or higher - 10.5% Significance: May affect academic expectations Affects income May limit parent involvement

Community Culture: SES/ Income Census Findings: Per Capita income 2008-2012: $16,929 Median household income 2008-2012: $30,063 Significance: Can determine- how involved parents are able to be how focused students and parents are on school achievement

Community Culture: Housing and Families Census Findings: House ownership rate: 77.4% Housing unit in multi-unit structure: 4.6% Medium value of owner-occupied housing unit: 101,700 Persons per household: 2.27 Significance:

Community Culture: Religion and Politics Census Findings: Southern Baptist - 63% Church of Christ - 13% United Methodist Church - 8% Other - 13% Significance: Reinforces values Help make “right” decisions (developmental stage) 5 Politics Findings: 2008 Election Registered Voters - 10,356 Voting Turnout - 18.8% Early Voters - 731 Early votes cast - 37.6% Significance: Low voting turnout shows community doesn’t care as much High number of early voters shows that some people care a lot

Data Analysis Demographics: limits opportunities for students to come across a large diverse population. limit of diverse teachers could result in a lack of different teaching methods or content. Johnson County is a low income economy Could affect: types and quality of teachers high teacher turnover rate- lack of student-teacher relationships focus on education by parents and students involvement of parents Education does not seem valued, especially a 4-year college

Data Analysis How does the value of education shape the school lives of young adolescents? The academic expectations are lower which cause lower achievement and less pressure to do well in school. Value work more than education Less parent involvement in school or by helping with homework because it is not as emphasized. Affect income which can affect their children. Its a cycle.

Challenges that the School Faces Lack of school funding based off of surrounding property taxes. A lot of students do not try in school because education is not valued. Lack of diversity in school and surrounding community. Only 2 certified Middle School teachers (relating to turnover rate). Teachers feel like they are running into a brick wall sometimes with students (homework, classwork, college, and attendance)

Practices and Programs that Supports Young Adolescents Needs Clubs: Allows students to explore their interest while having a break from core subjects. ICE: Gives opportunities to students to get needed tutoring. Accolades: Acknowledges students success.