Survey shows conflicting trends

By FRITZ BUSCH

Journal Staff Writer

NEW ULM -- Results from the Minnesota Student Survey showed both positive and negative trends at New Ulm public and parochial schools.

Independent School District 88 Curriculum Director Bill Sprung Wednesday presented the results of surveys of sixth, ninth and 12th-graders, taken in 1998 and 2001. The results were prepared by the Minnesota Department of Human Services and Children, Families and Learning.

Survey results:

* Twelve percent more freshmen did not smoke cigarettes last year compared to 1998.

* Fewer freshmen drank alcohol in the last year but of those that did, more students drank larger amounts of alcohol.

* Twelve percent more sixth grade students and 10 percent more freshmen did not drink alcohol in the past year compared to the 1998 survey.

* Fewer freshmen than the state average felt adults (at school, church, the police department and community) did not care for them.

* A high percentage of students (96 to 99 percent in most cases and never lower than 88 percent) indicated they felt good and their friends cared about them.

* Only 22 percent of senior boys and 21 percent of senior girls spent an hour per week practicing music.

* Time spent in school athletics fell greatly for senior girls (27 percent) compared to 52 percent of senior boys and 49 percent for freshmen girls.

* Time spent in church activities -- a protective factor -- fell from 62 to 73 percent for sixth graders and freshmen to 45 percent for senior boys and 33 percent for senior girls.

* Senior volunteering was below the state average. Twenty-nine percent of girls volunteered and 20 percent of boys did.

* Computer and online access was above the state average for most groups, rating 77 to 98 percent.

* Sixty-five percent of seniors that used and abused alcohol said they bought it at gas stations, 44 percent from friends and 27 percent from older people they knew. Sixty-seven percent of freshmen that used and abused alcohol said their friends bought alcohol.

* Sixty-nine percent of seniors that used and abused tobacco bought it from friends, 52 percent found somebody else to buy it and 52 percent got it at parties.

* Marijuana was the most popular drug, used by 28 percent of senior girls that use and abuse. Amphetamines (20 percent) and prescription drugs were right behind at 19 percent. Marijuana topped the senior boys list at 24 percent, followed by prescription drugs (12 percent) and amphetamines (10 percent).

* PSD/LSD topped the hard drug list, used by 8 to 11 percent of freshmen and seniors that use and abuse. Most students said they used drugs after school. Drug use before school followed. As many as 15 percent of freshmen boys that use and abuse drugs said they used drugs during school.

* Sexual abuse exposure was double the state average of 4 percent for freshmen boys and girls and senior girls.

* Exposure to family violence and alcohol problems was greater than the state average for freshmen boys and girls.

* Self-perception appeared to be an important issue. Twenty-three percent of freshmen girls said they attempted suicide in the past year. Eleven percent of freshmen boys and 11 percent of sixth-grade and senior girls said they attempted suicide.

Sprung urged adults to talk openly with their children about unacceptable behavior. He voiced concern about students that reported access to tobacco in New Ulm convenience stores.

Many adults at the presentation said they found the survey results sobering.

Healthy Communities/Healthy Youth

District 88 Healthy Communities/Healthy Youth New Ulm Area Director Susan Ward commented about the survey and her non-profit organization that is dependent on volunteers. She thanked youth for their imagination, creativity and enthusiasm and adults for their partnering with youth and leadership to the program.

"There is lots to celebrate about what is good about youth in District 88," Ward said.

In her five-year program report, Ward said community members are each responsible for creating a healthy community that includes consistent, intentional work with and for youth. More than 75 percent of HC/HY funding is local support for more than 500 youth.

Students performed a skit that centered on an in-school conversation and after-school party involving peer pressure to drink beer and have sex.