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Background Information:

Kenai Peninsula Borough School District partnered with Hanover Research to design and analyze a set of surveys administered to KPBSD alumni and Seniors (Class of 2017). The purpose of the surveys is to gain an understanding about how well the District prepared students for both college and career. Hanover surveyed senior respondents from the class of 2017 in May of 2017 and KPBSD Alumni respondents between August 2017 and September 2017.

Sample Size: A total of 411 senior respondents entered the survey and 342 seniors remain in the analyses after data quality checks. A total of 239 alumni entered the survey and 194 remain after data quality checks. Sample sizes vary throughout the report because not all respondents answered each question and some did not complete the survey.

Emerging Themes:

Overall, both seniors and alumni report satisfaction with core academic preparation from KPBSD. Most seniors and alumni indicate they are satisfied with the English/writing, science, social studies, and mathematics preparation they received from KPBSD. Across both groups, most KPBSD students pursued or plan to pursue postsecondary education. However, seniors and alumni indicate less satisfaction with the career preparation provided by KPBSD. Alumni note that career assessment and career and technical education are among the top areas KPBSD should focus on.

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 (75%), science (75%), social studies (73%), and mathematics (72%). Additionally, two-thirds or more of respondents are satisfied with their preparation in problem solving (68%), research skills (66%), and critical thinking (66%). Furthermore, over two-thirds of respondents agree that KPBSD provides students with the academic support they need to succeed (68%) (Figure 1.8, Figure 1.10, Figure 1.11).
KPBSD may increase its focus on career preparation. Less than half of student respondents are satisfied with the career and technical education provided by KPBSD (45% satisfied; 34% neither satisfied nor dissatisfied) and only slightly more than half agree that KPBSD offers an appropriate number and variety of vocational/CTE opportunities (52% agree; 31% neither agree nor disagree). Furthermore, one-third of respondents indicate that KPBSD should place more emphasis on Career and Technical Education (33%) (Figure 1.8, Figure 1.9, Figure 1.10).
Students may benefit from a stronger focus on personal finance and postsecondary financial options. Less than half of student respondents are satisfied with the personal finance preparation at KPBSD (42% satisfied; 26% neither satisfied nor dissatisfied) or with the financial aid/scholarship process support provided by KPBSD (45% satisfied; 27% neither satisfied nor dissatisfied). Moreover, around one-third of respondents who are not planning on entering postsecondary education report they cannot afford school (30%) and/or that they need to work to support themselves (32%), further suggesting that financial options should be presented (Figure 1.4, Figure 1.11, Figure 1.13).
Nearly half of seniors plan on leaving the state after graduation (44%) and over half plan on continuing their education (61%). More than one-third of respondents (34%) plan on staying in the Kenai Peninsula. Additionally, nearly one-quarter of respondents plan on finding a part-time or full-time job (23%) instead of continuing their education (Figure 1.3, Figure 1.5).

Alumni Survey Summary:

Two-thirds of alumni respondents enrolled in postsecondary education after graduation (66%), most of whom completed their degree in four years or less (67%). Most alumni who attended a postsecondary institution studied or are studying medicine/health services (16%), sciences (15%), business (13%), or education (12%). Similar to current seniors, nearly half left Alaska for their post-graduation plans (47%) (Figure 2.5, Figure 2.6, Figure 2.8).
Alumni, overall, are generally satisfied with preparation from KPBSD in core academic subjects. In particular, respondents are satisfied with preparation in English/writing (72%), science (67%), and mathematics (64%). Additionally, most respondents are satisfied with the preparation KPBSD provided for developing teamwork (64%), problem solving (60%), and work ethic (60%) skills (Figure 2.16, Figure 2.18).
However, respondents indicate a need for better college preparation, both in academic rigor and in skills such as test-taking and time management. Less than half of alumni indicate they were well-prepared for college-level work (49%) compared to their peers and even fewer found the transition from high school to college to be easy (40%). Additionally, less than half of respondents are satisfied with the preparation they received from KPBSD in terms of test-taking skills (48%), time management (48%), study skills (48%), and personal finance (28%) (Figure 2.12, Figure 2.13, Figure 2.17).
Additionally, alumni indicate KPBSD should focus more on career preparation. Only 27 percent of alumni are satisfied with the career and technical education preparation at KPBSD (35% neither satisfied nor dissatisfied). Moreover, career and technical education (49%) and career assessments (45%) are among the top three areas alumni indicate KPBSD should emphasize more (Figure 2.14, Figure 2.15)

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