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What happens to our students after they graduate from Lansing High School?  How well does the school prepare them for life, college, and careers?  As the Lansing School District develops its long term strategic plan, school officials are anxious to use as much data as is available to help shape it.  High School Principal Eric Hartz presented a piece of that data Monday when he shared poll results with the Lansing Board Of Education (BOE).  The survey asked graduating seniors to rate their experience in the Lansing schools.

"This is the first of three surveys," said Superintendent Stephen Grimm.  "This one was administered before they graduated.  Then there is one that is three years out, and one that's five years out.  They stay in touch with the young adults, who are surveyed those other two times.  It also helps them stay in touch for class reunions and things like that."

Of 110 students in this year's graduating class, all but three responded to the survey.  The class of 2010 rated their school high in overall and academic performance.  97.2% of students said they felt they were offered a quality academic education at Lansing High School.

"This was probably one of the highest, which I thought was interesting," Hartz said.  "Even though some students don't feel they were cared about, they feel they came out of here very strong academically."

The survey shows 2.8% (3 students) entering the military, 6.45% (7) working part time, 0.93% attending vocational schools, and 24.3% (26) attending a two year college.  75.7% (81) of the class of 2010 are attending four year colleges.

"That is something that we do here," Hartz said.  "Our students are very proud of that, as is everybody in this community.  I think it's one of the highest in the area for small schools."

Behavioral issues didn't rank as high.  25.23% of the class of 2010 said they thought the school did an excellent job of providing a safe and drug-free environment, 35.51% said the school did a good job, and 28.97 rated the school's performance in that area as average.

"That's one of my targeted concerns right now," Hartz commented.  "I've had conversations with other local principals, and it seems to be a concern in a lot of districts right now. There have been more articles about (abuse of) prescription drugs."

Other areas of concern included the effectiveness of guidance counselling, and how students were treated by adults in the school.  About 30% said that school counselors were not helpful in selecting courses that met students' needs, interests, and future goals.  More than 93% said they felt they were treated with care and respect by adults, but Hartz noted that an earlier survey raised a flag in this area.

"I think it's awesome that our kids are feeling very well treated here," he said.  "On the youth survey that the students responded to three years ago (and will be doing again this October) through the County, this was an area of concern.  That survey also included 6th through 8th graders.  This was an area of concern."


Grimm noted that these results can influence decisions that are made not only for long term planning, but in the annual budget process as well.  About 40% said that extracurricular activities had an excellent impact on their academic performance, and about 37% said it had a good impact.

"Not only is it interesting that they have the self-awareness to report that it is positively impacting them, but when we look at the total education that we offer here at Lansing, we want to make sure that everything we're doing is impacting them positively in their overall success," Grimm said.  "When we look at extra-curricular activities and sports -- sometimes they come to the top of the list of things people want to cut.  We have to understand that they are connected to overall success and academic achievement.  Research also shows that."

BOE member Christine Iacobucci challenged the effectiveness of the questions, pointing out that some were vague.  She noted that one actually asked three questions, leaving it unclear exactly what student answers referred to.  Hartz said that he is also concerned with the vagueness of some of the questions.  Grimm noted that the school does not have a long term contract with Lifetrack Services, which developed the poll.  He said that district officials may want to develop their own surveys for followups and future polls.  Hartz suggested making it a project for the high school statistics class.

The final question asked whether the school experience made students positive, contributing members of  society.  84% marked 'excellent' or 'good' with an even split between the two answers.

"We have great programs," Hartz said.  "We have the CASS program, a lot of kids participate in New Visions, and a lot go to the elementary school.  We have a job work program through the County.  I think our kids are seeing how that contributes to their success."

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