A national student poll from the Data Quality Campaign (DQC), in collaboration with the Kentucky Student Voice Team (KSVT) found that high school students lack the relevant information to successfully navigate post-secondary education and career plans.
Less than 50% of students reported that they received any information about whether they were on track to graduate. Only 35% of students reported that their school informed them of their postsecondary options, and the same percentage was made aware of what courses they needed to reach their future goals.
“Without access to data about their own progress, students are being left in the dark,” said the DQC and KSVT in a news release, “State, district, and local education leaders must prioritize giving students access to data and ensuring they have the resources to use it to understand and navigate their K-12 education as well as their postsecondary and workforce options.”
The COVID-19 pandemic also played a role in how prepared students felt about leaving high school, and even changed their perceptions of what they should do beyond secondary according to the poll. Sixty-Seven percent of students said that the 2021-22 school year was challenging – more so than years prior. In addition, 54% said that the pandemic changed the way they think about life after school.
“Students are out of the loop just as the pandemic is prompting them to rethink what they’re going to do after high school,” said DQC and KSVT.
Career readiness is a matter more students would prefer to discuss with school counselors than their families, but the poll shows that isn’t always happening. Of students surveyed, 74% have had career readiness conversations with their families compared to 55% percent with school counselors. The poll found 41% of students would like to have those conversations with school counselors compared to 34% who want to have those conversations with their families.
Eighty percent of students said they would feel more confident about their respective paths after high school if they had better access to information. Further, 84% said it’s important for their school to share data on how it supports different student bodies, regardless of whether that data is favorable to school image.
“Students want more information to navigate their academic experience and chart their path after high school. Without access to data about their own progress, students are being left in the dark,” said DQC and KSVT. “State, district, and local education leaders must prioritize giving students access to data and ensuring that they have the resources to use it to understand and navigate their K–12 education as well as their postsecondary and workforce options.”
