Graduation Survey 1998 and 2001

Process for Questionnaire Development

Rational for Third Year Graduate Would still be in college Send mailing to parents address Send mailing over spring break

Rational for One Year Graduate Future base group data Send mailing to parents address Send over spring break

Questionnaire: Based upon how I respond to surveys. Wanted it to fit on a post card Wanted a quick and easy instrument for higher return rate Postcards were pre-stamped

Questions for Survey Asked Mick and Al for suggestions Surveyed high school staff for suggestions No one seemed to know exactly what information was wanted Uncertainty on who/how information would be used Therefore, Questions were broad and open ended CLEP and activities questions were from staff

Questionnaire

Return Rates: 1998 Graduates: mailed 185 surveys, 41 returned----22% return rate 2001 Graduates: mailed 194 surveys, 78 returned---40% return rate 31 returned with address unknown

1998 Results

1998— 41 out of % response 25 attending 4 year college/university 2 attending 2 year college transfer program 4 attending vocational school 3 enlisted in military 8 are working full time

Colleges:

Iowa Regent Institutions: 4---Iowa State University 3---The University of Iowa 1---The University of Iowa, Dental College 4---University of Northern Iowa

Iowa 4 year Private Colleges Drake Iowa Wesleyan College 2--Mount Mercy

Out of state 4 year College/Universities Eckerd College MNU Northwestern University Smith College UNCW U. of South Dakota UNLV U. of Minnesota Winona State

Transfer to 4 year College All attending Kirkwood—transferring to: The University of Iowa University of Northern Iowa

Vocational Colleges Aveda Institute Mercy Radiology Kirkwood Community College

Military 3—Navy

Work Accounting Mercy Medical Center Sattler Homes Day Care ACT Reinhart Foods NCS Nursing Home

School Activities 40--More than 1 activity 12—Athletics 6—Music 5—Clubs 1--Speech

Strength Categories Instructional Courses Other

Instructional 12—Good teachers Industrial tech program Personal help from teachers

Courses 8—PSEO Class choices Diversity of curriculum Integrated math

Other Work ethic Size of school Portfolio School to Work program Activities Newspaper Facilities Technology Athletics

Limitation Categories Instructional Courses Other

Instructional No comments

Courses Integrated math Lack of AP courses Need more course selection Need computer classes, not just keyboarding

Other Raise credits for graduation Need more art supplies Crowding Ethnic diversity College information/ financial aid No swimming pool Four Oaks

2001 Results 78 responses out of 194—40% return 39--Attending 4 year college/university 18—Transfer college program 12—Vocational program 4—Military 5—Working

Colleges

Iowa Regent Institutions 4—Iowa State University 5—The University of Iowa 8—University of Northern Iowa

Iowa 4 year Private Colleges Drake Loras Luther 7--Mt. Mercy St. Ambrose Warburg

Out of State Colleges/Universities Arizona State U. JIMC Northwestern University U. of Nebraska— Omaha U. of Rochester Wayne State U. Eastern Kentucky U. Wisconsin Lutheran College

Transfer programs 17 at Kirkwood Community College – 8 to Iowa Regent Institutions – 9 are undecided

Vocational Colleges Kirkwood CC Capri Paradise Valley CC Interior Design Culinary Arts 2—Cosmotology Automotive Tech Physical Therapy Ass’t

Military 2—Iowa National Guard 2—United States Air Force

Work Cedar Rapids Golf Course Lakeside Plumbing RM Boggs Stay at home mom

School Activities 19—More than 1 activity 15—Athletics 2—Music 1--Speech

Strength Categories Instructional Courses Other

Instructional 24—Instructors Teamwork Band/music

Courses English department Library Special educaiton 7—PSEO 8—Technology College prep coursework

Other Open campus Number of activities Involved parents 5—Portfolio Communication with parents Facilities Athletics/activities Block days

Limitation categories Instructional Courses Other

Instructional None listed

Courses Need more variety Not enough emphasis on core classes 9-10 English Need AP courses Need AP weighted GPA 10—Pushed into integrated math Math program Guidance—what’s available to students Student involvement in community Parking 3--Don’t value kids Senior presentation No swimming pool Tension between students Lack of diversity

Conclusions Better % return than expected from mailings Teachers are highly respected and appreciated at PHS Overall, students and parents are happy and appreciative of their educational experiences Several concerns have been resolved with the new building and the on going improvement of the curriculum No real interest in CLEP—possibly because they don’t have information about the option

Suggested changes for next survey

Post Card If used: Need better way to obtain updated addresses Reassess the questions Confusion on “Year of graduation” Phrasing for “attending 2 year college” Confusion with “Employment, part time” for college student

Most Importantly Need greater input as to who will be using this data and how. This will then effect the questions to be asked.

Questionnaire