State High Renovation Survey Student Government Facilities Renovation Survey Preliminary Results Alex Donahue Alex Frieden

State High Renovation Survey Research Objective: The State College Area Student Government decided that in order to accurately represent its constituency, it must educate and survey the student body. For the first semester of the academic year Student Government focused on educating the students, hosting several forums with the following interested groups: the Citizens for Constructive Progress, State High Vision, the David Paterno Group and the State College Area School District Board of School Directors. After providing these opportunities, we began drafting the survey in December. Methodology and Overview

State High Renovation Survey Survey Design: Initial drafts of the survey were generated by members of Student Government during brainstorming sessions and committee meetings. After formulating a rough draft, Student Government sought input from advisors, members of the School Board, and researchers at Diagnostics Plus. In order to eliminate bias and increase statistical validity, we maintained working relationships with the School Board and Diagnostics Plus as we submitted drafts to both throughout the process. Methodology and Overview

State High Renovation Survey Sampling and Data Collection: Our high school educates approximately 2,500 students. We had first considered a random sample but ultimately felt every student should be given the chance to take the survey. On April 17th, 2007 we conducted the survey. Along with the survey we included a fact sheet provided by the School Board. In the end, 1,615 acceptable surveys were tabulated. Methodology and Overview

State High Renovation Survey Data Entry: With the guidance and assistance of Diagnostics Plus, a group of student government volunteers tabulated the surveys. The only section left to tabulated are the free response, verbatim questions. Methodology and Overview

State High Renovation Survey Analysis and Reporting: The findings that follow this introduction are represented merely as draft charts and tables that provide a summary of the results. We have not attempted to provide interpretation of these charts. Diagnostics Plus has agreed to provide some level of support to address inquiries or further explore hypotheses from any interested parties. Methodology and Overview

State High Renovation Survey Bias Potential: We did not achieve a 100% response rate. However, we may assume that that the 1,615 students that responded constitute a representative sample of significant size. Diagnostics Plus concluded that there was no evidence to suggest that those who did not to complete a survey exhibited any bias qualities regarding perception of various issues or had demographics that might suggest significant non- response or under-representation of any group or segment of the population. Assuming a random sample, the 1,615 completed surveys has an error margin of under plus or minus 1% at 95% confidence. Methodology and Overview

State High Renovation Survey Current High School Facilities Q1. How do the following facilities in the current high school meet your needs? n=1,615

State High Renovation Survey Q2 Q2. How much do you agree or disagree with the following statements? n=1,615

State High Renovation Survey Q3 Q3. How much do you agree or disagree with the following statements? n=1,615

State High Renovation Survey Q3 – Only those who Strongly Agree/Agree Q3. How much do you agree or disagree with the following statements? n=1,615 * * * * Indicates statistical significance * *

State High Renovation Survey Plans Q5. Which of the following plans would you prefer?

State High Renovation Survey Amount of Information Received Q6. How much information have you received on the school renovation project by the following methods? n=1,615

State High Renovation Survey Presentation Attendance Q7. Did you attend any of the following presentations? % Yes

State High Renovation Survey Presentation Attendance – Student Gov Tour ‘06 Q7. Did you attend any of the following presentations? % Yes

State High Renovation Survey Number of presentations attended by each student n=1,615

State High Renovation Survey Demographics – Gender & Grade n=1,615

State High Renovation Survey Extracurricular Activities Q10. In what school related extracurricular activities are you involved? % Yes

State High Renovation Survey Crossing Westerly Parkway Q11. During an average school day, how many times during school hours do you cross Westerly Parkway?