Youth Works Survey

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 13, 2009

YOUTH WORKS SURVEY

NO NAME OR PERSONAL IDENTIFICATION REQUESTED. This survey is used to guage high school youth perceptions about their community and the resources it provides. The survey will be conducted in Morrison and Fulton high schools.

1. How old are you?

2. What grade are you in?

3. What is your gender?

4. Ethnic/racial group?

5. What best describes where you are living now? Farm, country, in town

6. In the last year who did you live with most of the time? Both parents, mother, father, parent and stepparent, other

7. Compared to other kids your age, how well-off do you think your family is? A lot poorer than most, little poorer than most, average, little richer than most, a lot richer than most

8. How long have you lived in your town? Less than 2 years, 2-5 years, 6-10 years, more than 10 years, my whole life

9. How many hours per week on average do you c urrently work at a paid part-time job? Do not work, <5 hours, 6-15 hours, 16-20 hours, >20 hours

YOUR FUTURE PLANS

10. What do you plan to do right after high school? Find a full time job, enter military, complete trade or professional school program, get an associate's degree (community college), get a bachelor's degree at a 4-year college, other

11. Which statement best describes your career plans? I have no idea what my career will be, I have narrowed down my career plans to a few options, I have decided what my career will be

12. How interested are you in working in a career that involves working in rural communities or agriculture? Not interested at all, possibly interested, very interested

13. How likely is it you could find the type of job you are interested in in your hometown? Not at all likely, not very likely, somewhat likely, very likely, extremely likely

14. Overall, how supportive are your family of your career goals? Not at all supportive, not very supportive, somewhat supportive, very supportive, extremely supportive

15. Overall, how supportive are your friends of your career goals? Not at all supportive, not very supportive, somewhat supportive, very supportive, extremely supportive

16. What is the size of community you want to live in when you graduate high school or complete your education? Farm/rural area, town <10,000, Small city 10,000-15,000, medium city 50,000-100,000, large city > 100,000

17. How likely is it that you will live in your hometown soon after you complete your education? Not at all likely, not very likely, somewhat likely, very likely, extremely likely

18. Overall, how supportive are your family of your ideas about where you want to live? Not at all supportive, not very supportive, somewhat supportive, very supportive, extremely supportive

19. Overall, how supportive are your friends of your ideas about where you want to live? Not at all supportive, not very supportive, somewhat supportive, very supportive, extremely supportive

20. How many of your friends are likely to live in your hometown on a permanent basis after they complete their education? None, not very many, a good number, most of my friends

21. How likely are you to live in your hometown later in life, for example, to raise children? Not at all likely, not very likely, somewhat likely, very likely, extremely likely

YOUR FUTURE RESIDENTAL PLANS. How important are each of the following factors when you think about where you want to live after you complete your eduation. Answers given on a scale, from "not at all important" to "extremely important."

22. Finding the kind of job I want

23. Earning a salary I can live comfortably on

24. Being able to join a profitable business

25. Being able to start my own business

26. Finding housing I want and can afford

27. Living close to family members

28. Being independent from family members

29. Living close to a romantic partner

30. Living close to friends

31. Having a good place to raise children

32. being able to work at home some days (e.g. by being able to telecommute from home)

33. Having enough things to do in the community

34. Having internet access

35. Having good shopping in town

36. Feeling that I could play a meaningful role in this community as an adult, if I wanted

37. Being loyal to the commnity I grew up in

38. Wanting to give something back to the community I grew up in

YOUR COMMUNITY: How do you feel about adults in the community you live in? Answer the following questions about adults you know other than your parents or guardians. How much do you agree with each of the folling statements. (Answers given on a scale from "strongly disagree" to "strongly agree."

39. The relationships I have with other people in my town mean a lot to me

40. There are adults in my town who see my potential and help me believe in myself

41. I feel loyal to the people in my town

42. I think I agree with most people in my town about what is important in life

43. I feel like I belong in this town

44. There are adults in my town I can talk to about a problem I am having.

45. There are adults in my town I can talk to about a problem I am having

46. There are adults in my town who have helped me set higher goals

47. There are adults in my town who have helped me plan my future

48. There are adults in my town whom I admire

49. I would be willing to work with adults in my town to do something important for the community

50. Teens find it easy to trust adults in my town

51. It is easy for teens to talk to adults in my town

YOUR FEELINGS ABOUT YOUR TOWN: Please tell us about the opportunities you feel that your town provides for you to be engaged in now, and as a future member of your town. How much do you agree with each of the following statements? Answers given on a scale from "strongly disagree" to "strongly agree."

52. The adults in my town appreciate hearing what teens are thinking about

53. The adults in my town believe that teens are important members of the community

54. My town is a good place to live

55. My town has lots of activities for teens to participate in

56. My town looks clean and attractive

57. Teens in my town feel safe

58. There are many places in my town where teens can go to "hang out"

59. Youth in my town feel respected

60. My town likes to feature accomplishments of local young people

61. Youth in my town are viewed as resources for the community

62. My town cares about the problems that many teens face and tries to do something about them

63. My town offers many different types of programs and services to help teens

64. My town offers many opportunities for teens to have a voice in local affairs

65. People in my town work together to make good things happen for all people in the community

66. I could play a meaningful role in this town when I am an adult, if I wanted

67. I would like to become a leader in this community when I am an adult

68. I look forward to being able to vote and having a say in local government

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT: Please tell us about yo ur involvement in the following activities.

How many times did you do the folllowing activities in the past week? Answers to all questions include none, once a week, 2-3 times a week, 4-5 times a week, every day.

69. Extracurricular activities (including organized team sports, arts, and music programs) offered by your school.

70. Sports activities outside of school, such as playing in a neighborhood team, taking sports lessons, or practicing sports.

71. Creative activities outside of school, such as acting, dancing, art or music leasons or practice.

72. Organized youth clubs or groups not offered by your school.

73. Church events or activities, such as attending services or a youth group.

74. Civic engagement, such as participating in community government or town council meetings.

75. Working a part-time job.

76. Volunteering at a school or social service agency (e.g. a nursing home).

77. Doing a community service project, doing something good for my neighborhood.

78. Doing chores at home or on the farm.

79. Hanging out with friends outside of school.

80. Attending community festivals, fairs, or celebrations.

How much do teens in your community make use of the following resources? Answers include "We don't have, teens don't use, teens rarely use, teens often use, teens use a lot."

81. Boys & Girls Clubs

82. 4-H youth clubs and Extension

83. YMCA/YWCA

84. Boy or girl scouts

85. Teachers and high school staff

86. Libraries

87. Parks and recreation programs

88. Religious organizations

89. Hospitals and clinics

90. Family planning services

91. Counselors, social workers, mental health center

92. Police and sheriff, DARE officer

ABOUT ME: Circle the answer that best describes you. Answers include Never, Sometimes, Usually, Always.

Circle the answer that best describes your experiences.

93. I am confident that I can solve difficult problems in my life.

94. When a solution to a problem does not work, I try to figure out why.

95. When faced with a big problem, I get more information about the problem.

96. When I have a problem, I think up as many posssible ways as I can to solve it.

Please select the answer that best describes your feelings.

97. I am happy with the way I can do most things

98. I am happy with myself as a person

99. I am well liked by other people

100. I am the kind of person I want to be

101. I feel good about how well I get along with other people

102. I like being just the way I am

103. Overall, I am satisfied with my life

104. What is your Grade Point Average (GPA?) 1.99 or below, 2-2.99, 3-3.99, 4-4.99, 5 or above

105. To what extent does your current GPA reflect your capabilities? To no extent at all, very poorly, somewhat, very well, to a great extent

YOUR TOWN'S NEEDS: Please tell us about the activities you feel are needed in your town. In your town, how much do you need the following? Answer all "do not need, need very little, need moderately, need very much, needed most."

106. A park

107. A skateboard / rollerblading area

108. Bike trails

109. ATV / off-road trails

110. A movie theater or movie night

111. A place to get snacks and talk to friends

112. A pool or other indoor recreational facility

113. A gym or place to work out

114. A library, science center, or other learning center

115. An arts, crafts, or creative arts center

116. A place to listen to music or dance

117. A place to go for help when teens are in trouble of have personal problems

118. A theater to see plays or concerts

119. More places to shop

120. Places to get a part-time job

121. Places to get help studying for college entrance exams

122. Places to get skills for landing a good job

123. Are there other activities, programs, or places that you think would make your community a better place for youth. Please list.

124. What is the most important problem facing youth in your hometown that people should try to do something about?

125. What is the main reason why you might NOT want to stay in your hometown after high school graduation or return to it after you complete your continued education?

END OF SURVEY