For more information:
Melissa Reeves, mdreeves@jeffco.k12.co.us, Jeffco Public Schools, 303-982-6567
Lynn Setzer, lsetzer@jeffco.k12.co.us, Jeffco Public Schools, 303-982-6810

Jeffco students weigh in on school issues
Students generally feel positive about their schools and education according to survey results released this month by Jeffco Public Schools. The survey of approximately 61,000 Jeffco students in second through 12th grade, found the majority of respondents feel they are learning in all subject areas and that teachers have high expectations for them.

More than 91 percent of elementary students feel that teachers at their school like them.  Nine in 10 respondents from all grade levels surveyed, say they like their school.

The data was collected through the district’s Make Your Voice Heard Survey (MYVH), which was conducted in fall 2009. The survey has been given to Jeffco students since 1998. Students were asked to respond anonymously to 40 questions on a 5 point scale ranging from “strongly disagree,” to “strongly agree.”

The majority of respondents agree they are getting a quality education in history, social studies, English language arts, world languages, math, science and electives such as art, P.E., music, drama and computer technology.

There was a 2.1 percentage point increase from the 2007 survey in the number of elementary students responding that teachers expect them to graduate from high school. This is more good news for the district, which has decreased the dropout rate and increased the graduation rate consistently since 2006-2007.

Several questions were added to the 2009 survey to reflect the district’s increased emphasis on 21st century learning skills, such as using technology in the classroom.  In response to the question, “I use technology and the Internet to help me learn in school,” 81 percent of the elementary students, 72 percent of middle school and 79 percent of high school students agree or strongly agree to the statement.

When asked if their school is clean, 83 percent of the elementary school students agreed or strongly agreed, which increased nearly 7 percentage points compared to the 2007 survey.

High school students responded favorably that school staff respects people from all cultures and races.  The majority of secondary students did not agree with the statement, “I can easily get drugs at school.” 

The executive summary of the MYVH survey can be found online at:
http://jeffcoweb.jeffco.k12.co.us/assessment/new/research/reports/documents/2009MYVHsurveysummary.pdf