Hollister
– San Benito High School’s class of 2006 indicated more interest
in going to two- and four-year colleges than seniors from the last
two years, according to survey results compiled by educators.
Hollister – San Benito High School’s class of 2006 indicated more interest in going to two- and four-year colleges than seniors from the last two years, according to survey results compiled by educators.
Each year San Benito High School asks its graduates to complete a survey detailing their plans beyond high school and reflect on their experience as ‘Balers. In 2004 and 2005, 61 and 69 percent of all graduates responded, respectively. This June, however, 86 percent of SBHS’ 539 seniors returned a survey, giving educators a much better picture of their education plans once they leave SBHS.
“I feel very positive about these results,” said SBHS Superintendent Jean Burns Slater. “This means that our students are getting more involved in looking for colleges and are taking responsibility for their education after high school.”
In addition, graduates reported feeling safer at school and thought staff were more helpful in assisting them with personal problems than did their counterparts in 2005.
“Our seniors took their final exams a day early this year, so they had more time to practice for their graduation ceremony and take care of things like this,” Slater said.
More than half of those surveyed, 55 percent, said they planned on attending a community college in the fall, with Gavilan College in Gilroy being by far the most popular choice. Several students also planned on attending Cabrillo College in Santa Cruz and Hartnell College in Salinas. In 2005, 53 percent of seniors wanted to go to community college and 45 percent did in 2004.
Just as many seniors plan on attending four-year universities this year as did graduates in 2005 – 32 percent, or 151 students. In 2004, 25 percent of graduates said they were headed toward a four-year school. Just this year the survey began tracking how many seniors were accepted to four-year schools – 36 percent, so more seniors were accepted into a university than actually chose to go.
“That is certainly good news,” said County Superintendent of School Tim Foley. “It reinforces what we already know: That education is valuable.”
San Jose State University is the most popular choice among students attending a four-year school with 27 students enrolling, and Fresno State is a distant second with 10 students. Altogether, 94 SBHS graduates plan on attending a CSU. Among the 16 students attending a University of California campus, half chose to go to UC Santa Barbara.
More than 20 students planned on attending one of 27 different out-of-state or private universities, including Bringham Young University, Stanford University and the United States Military Academy at West Point.
Educators worked extra hard during the 2005-2006 school year to foster a “going to college” attitude among students and increase accessibility to college-preparatory coursework, Slater said.
“We decided to offer open access to our AP and Honors classes,” she said, “so that students could get a good perspective on college work, and realize ‘Yes, I can do this.'”
Only 4 percent of graduates were undecided as to their plans. Fewer students reported plans to attend a vocational school or enter the workforce full-time than they had in previous years.
As the survey is given to students right before they graduate, there is no tracking method available at this time to determine how many students actually stay in school or later enroll even if they had not planned on it.
“I’d really like to see a post-graduation survey,” said Slater. “If we could get parents or students to tell us a little bit about their ’13th year,’ wherever it is or whatever they’re doing, so we can see how they’re doing.”
Students are also asked several questions about their overall experience at SBHS, including their relationships with staff members and campus environment. Many of the questions weren’t posed to students all three years, however, so comparing student responses is difficult.
However, 73 percent of seniors said they felt safe at school most of the time, compared to 59 percent in 2005, and 41 percent said that Student Support Teams had proven helpful with personal problems, compared to 34 percent the year prior. Student Support Teams are groups of educators and administrators that work together with a specific group of students.
In the future, Slater said she would like to see the surveys modified to include questions about individual academic departments and ensure that students are asked the same questions every year.
Danielle Smith covers education for the Free Lance. Reach her at 637-5566, ext. 336 or ds****@fr***********.com.
