Graduation Survey
1998 and 2001
Process for Questionnaire
Development
Rational for Third Year Graduate
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Would still be in college
Send mailing to parents address
Send mailing over spring break
Rational for One Year Graduate
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Future base group data
Send mailing to parents address
Send over spring break
Questionnaire: Based upon how I
respond to surveys.
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Wanted it to fit on a post card
Wanted a quick and easy instrument for
higher return rate
Postcards were pre-stamped
Questions for Survey
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Asked Mick and Al for suggestions
Surveyed high school staff for suggestions
No one seemed to know exactly what information
was wanted
Uncertainty on who/how information would be used
Therefore, Questions were broad and open ended
CLEP and activities questions were from staff
Questionnaire
Return Rates:
1998 Graduates: mailed 185 surveys,
41 returned----22% return rate
2001 Graduates: mailed 194 surveys,
78 returned---40% return rate
31 returned with address unknown
1998 Results
1998—
41 out of 185------22% response
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25 attending 4 year college/university
2 attending 2 year college transfer program
4 attending vocational school
3 enlisted in military
8 are working full time
Colleges:
Iowa Regent Institutions:
4---Iowa State University
3---The University of Iowa
1---The University of Iowa, Dental College
4---University of Northern Iowa
Iowa 4 year Private Colleges
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Drake
Iowa Wesleyan College
2--Mount Mercy
Out of state 4 year College/Universities
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Eckerd College
MNU
Northwestern University
Smith College
UNCW
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U. of South Dakota
UNLV
U. of Minnesota
Winona State
Transfer to 4 year College
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All attending Kirkwood—transferring to:
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The University of Iowa
University of Northern Iowa
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Vocational Colleges
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Aveda Institute
Mercy Radiology
Kirkwood Community College
Military

3—Navy
Work
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Accounting
Mercy Medical Center
Sattler Homes
Day Care
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ACT
Reinhart Foods
NCS
Nursing Home
School Activities

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40--More than 1 activity
12—Athletics
6—Music
5—Clubs
1--Speech
Strength Categories
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Instructional
Courses
Other
Instructional
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12—Good teachers
Industrial tech program
Personal help from teachers
Courses
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8—PSEO
Class choices
Diversity of curriculum
Integrated math
Other
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Work ethic
Size of school
Portfolio
School to Work
program
Activities
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Newspaper
Facilities
Technology
Athletics
Limitation Categories
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Instructional
Courses
Other
Instructional
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No comments
Courses
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Integrated math
Lack of AP courses
Need more course selection
Need computer classes, not just keyboarding
Other
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Raise credits for
graduation
Need more art supplies
Crowding
Ethnic diversity
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College information/
financial aid
No swimming pool
Four Oaks
2001 Results
78 responses out of 194—40% return
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39--Attending 4 year college/university
18—Transfer college program
12—Vocational program
4—Military
5—Working
Colleges
Iowa Regent Institutions
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4—Iowa State University
5—The University of Iowa
8—University of Northern Iowa
Iowa 4 year Private Colleges
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Drake
Loras
Luther
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7--Mt. Mercy
St. Ambrose
Warburg
Out of State Colleges/Universities
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Arizona State U.
JIMC
Northwestern University
U. of Nebraska—
Omaha
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U. of Rochester
Wayne State U.
Eastern Kentucky U.
Wisconsin Lutheran
College
Transfer programs
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17 at Kirkwood Community College
–
–
8 to Iowa Regent Institutions
9 are undecided
Vocational Colleges
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Kirkwood CC
Capri
Paradise Valley CC
Interior Design
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Culinary Arts
2—Cosmotology
Automotive Tech
Physical Therapy Ass’t
Military
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2—Iowa National Guard
2—United States Air Force
Work
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Cedar Rapids Golf Course
Lakeside Plumbing
RM Boggs
Stay at home mom
School Activities

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19—More than 1 activity
15—Athletics
2—Music
1--Speech
Strength Categories

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
Instructional
Courses
Other
Instructional
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24—Instructors
Teamwork
Band/music
Courses
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English department
Library
Special educaiton
7—PSEO
8—Technology
College prep coursework
Other
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Open campus
Number of activities
Involved parents
5—Portfolio
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Communication with
parents
Facilities
Athletics/activities
Block days
Limitation categories

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Instructional
Courses
Other
Instructional
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None listed
Courses

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Need more variety
Not enough emphasis on
core classes
9-10 English
Need AP courses
Need AP weighted GPA
10—Pushed into integrated
math
Math program
Guidance—what’s available
to students
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Student involvement in
community
Parking
3--Don’t value kids
Senior presentation
No swimming pool
Tension between students
Lack of diversity
Conclusions

Better % return than expected from mailings
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Teachers are highly respected and appreciated at PHS
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Overall, students and parents are happy and appreciative of
their educational experiences

Several concerns have been resolved with the new building
and the on going improvement of the curriculum

No real interest in CLEP—possibly because they don’t have
information about the option
Suggested changes for next survey
Post Card
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If used:
Need better way to obtain updated
addresses
Reassess the questions
Confusion on “Year of graduation”
Phrasing for “attending 2 year college”
Confusion with “Employment, part time” for
college student
Most Importantly
Need greater input as to who will
be using this data and how. This
will then effect the questions to be
asked.
Questionnaire