GKPBSD 2018 Senior Survey Report

Background Information:

This is the second year that the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District partnered with Hanover Research to design and analyze a set of surveys administered to KPBSD graduating Seniors. The purpose of the surveys is to gain an understanding about how well the District prepared students for both college and career. In this most recent survey, Hanover surveyed senior respondents from the class of 2018 in May of 2018.

Sample Size: A total of 131 seniors completed the 2018 survey, which is less than the 342 completed surveys last year, in 2017.  The decrease is due to a scheduling glitch which resulted in the survey not being delivered to many of our graduating seniors until after their last day of school.  Protocols have been put in place to ensure all future seniors be given the survey well before their last day of school.  However, despite low response rates, KPBSD and Hanover are confident that the 2018 survey results represent quality feedback for the district to consider.  Sample sizes vary throughout the report because not all respondents answered each question and some did not complete the survey. 

Senior Survey Summary:

• Overall, most seniors believe that their high school experience prepared them for their post-graduation plans. Most respondents are satisfied with their high school preparation in English/writing (85%), science (77%), social studies (72%), and mathematics (73%). Additionally, two-thirds or more of respondents are satisfied with their preparation in problem solving (69%), research skills (66%), and critical thinking (69%). Furthermore, over two- thirds of respondents agree that KPBSD provides students with the academic support they need to succeed (68%).
• KPBSD may increase its focus on career preparation. Less than half of student respondents note satisfaction with the career and technical education provided by KPBSD (44% satisfied; 36% neither satisfied nor dissatisfied) and only and a little over half agree that KPBSD offers an appropriate number and variety of vocational/CTE opportunities (56% agree; 30% neither agree nor disagree). Furthermore, one-quarter of respondents indicate that KPBSD should place more emphasis on Career and Technical Education (26%).
• Students may benefit from a stronger focus on personal finance and postsecondary financial options. About one-third of student respondents are satisfied with the personal finance preparation at KPBSD (35% satisfied; 30% neither satisfied nor dissatisfied). Around one-fifth of respondents who are not planning on entering postsecondary education report they cannot afford school (19%) and one-third indicate that they need to work to support themselves (33%).
• Nearly half of seniors plan on leaving the state after graduation (49%) and over half plan on continuing their education (71%). About one-third of respondents (32%) plan on staying in the Kenai Peninsula. Additionally, 15 percent of respondents plan on finding a part-time or full-time job instead of continuing their education