Graduation Survey 1998 and 2001

Process for Questionnaire Development

Rational for Third Year GraduateWould still be in college Send mailing to parents addressSend mailing over spring break

Rational for One Year GraduateFuture base group dataSend mailing to parents addressSend over spring break

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

Questions for SurveyAsked Mick and Al for suggestions Surveyed high school staff for suggestionsNo one seemed to know exactly what information was wantedUncertainty on who/how information would be usedTherefore, Questions were broad and open endedCLEP 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 185------22% response25 attending 4 year college/university2 attending 2 year college transfer program4 attending vocational school 3 enlisted in military8 are working full time

Colleges:

Iowa Regent Institutions: 4---Iowa State University3---The University of Iowa 1---The University of Iowa, Dental College 4---University of Northern Iowa

Iowa 4 year Private CollegesDrakeIowa Wesleyan College 2--Mount Mercy

Out of state 4 year College/UniversitiesEckerd CollegeMNU Northwestern UniversitySmith CollegeUNCWU. of South DakotaUNLVU. of Minnesota Winona State

Transfer to 4 year CollegeAll attending Kirkwoodtransferring to:

The University of Iowa University of Northern Iowa

Vocational CollegesAveda Institute Mercy Radiology Kirkwood Community College

Military 3Navy

WorkAccountingMercy Medical CenterSattler Homes Day Care ACTReinhart Foods NCSNursing Home

School Activities40--More than 1 activity12Athletics6Music5Clubs1--Speech

Strength CategoriesInstructionalCoursesOther

Instructional12Good teachersIndustrial tech programPersonal help from teachers

Courses8PSEOClass choicesDiversity of curriculumIntegrated math

Other Work ethicSize of school PortfolioSchool to Work programActivitiesNewspaperFacilities TechnologyAthletics

Limitation CategoriesInstructional Courses Other

Instructional No comments

CoursesIntegrated mathLack of AP courses Need more course selectionNeed computer classes, not just keyboarding

OtherRaise credits for graduationNeed more art suppliesCrowdingEthnic diversityCollege information/ financial aidNo swimming pool Four Oaks

2001 Results78 responses out of 19440% return39--Attending 4 year college/university18Transfer college program12Vocational program 4Military 5Working

Colleges

Iowa Regent Institutions4Iowa State University 5The University of Iowa 8University of Northern Iowa

Iowa 4 year Private Colleges DrakeLorasLuther7--Mt. MercySt. AmbroseWarburg

Out of State Colleges/UniversitiesArizona State U. JIMCNorthwestern UniversityU. of NebraskaOmaha

U. of Rochester Wayne State U. Eastern Kentucky U. Wisconsin Lutheran College

Transfer programs17 at Kirkwood Community College 8 to Iowa Regent Institutions 9 are undecided

Vocational Colleges Kirkwood CC Capri Paradise Valley CCInterior DesignCulinary Arts 2CosmotologyAutomotive TechPhysical Therapy Asst

Military 2Iowa National Guard 2United States Air Force

Work

Cedar Rapids Golf Course Lakeside PlumbingRM Boggs Stay at home mom

School Activities19More than 1 activity 15Athletics 2Music 1--Speech

Strength CategoriesInstructional Courses Other

Instructional 24Instructors Teamwork Band/music

CoursesEnglish departmentLibrary Special educaiton 7PSEO 8Technology College prep coursework

OtherOpen campusNumber of activitiesInvolved parents 5Portfolio

Communication with parentsFacilities Athletics/activitiesBlock days

Limitation categoriesInstructional CoursesOther

Instructional None listed

CoursesNeed more varietyNot enough emphasis on core classes 9-10 EnglishNeed AP courses Need AP weighted GPA10Pushed into integrated mathMath programGuidancewhats available to studentsStudent involvement in communityParking3--Dont value kidsSenior presentationNo swimming pool Tension between studentsLack of diversity

ConclusionsBetter % 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 CLEPpossibly because they dont have information about the option

Suggested changes for next survey

Post CardIf used: Need better way to obtain updated addressesReassess the questionsConfusion on Year of graduation Phrasing for attending 2 year college Confusion with Employment, part time for college student

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

Questionnaire