Writer questions accuracy of student survey

Editor’s Note: Student Union is written by students at Brewer High School, Hermon High School, Schenck High School in East Millinocket, Searsport District High School and Stearns High School in Millinocket. The weekly column is a joint effort among the schools, the Bangor Daily News and Acadia Hospital. This week’s column was written by a Searsport District High School student. Her adviser is Kathleen Jenkins.

A survey taken by last year’s freshmen and juniors at Searsport District High School (now sophomores and seniors) has brought back some interesting statistics.

The survey was required as part of the Great Maine Schools grant received by the school two years ago. Approximately 280 students attend Searsport District High, and, according to the students who responded to the survey, 44.7 percent say that about half or more of all students believe it’s OK to cheat.

On the other hand, 28.2 percent believe that a few or almost none of their fellow students believe it’s OK to “work hard on school work,” and 41.1 percent agree or strongly agree that the teachers they have had have “given up on some of their students.”

These are disturbing statistics, but how accurate are they?

I was a freshman last year, and I can remember taking this survey. I am alarmed that so many students believe cheating is accepted here. However, I admit I certainly have seen a lot of cheating. Students cheat about every day, sometimes on tests. They will write certain things on their desks that they know will be on the test. They write it in pencil and erase or wipe it off after the test has been taken. The latest technique is to text message each other the answers (using cell phones that aren’t even allowed in school).

They also write important information and answers on pieces of paper and tuck the paper into clothing, on their laps, underneath an upside-down notebook, etc.

No news there. Students have been cheating for as long as testing has gone on. But students don’t cheat just on tests. I continually see students handing off their completed homework to other students. The students copy their answers, changing a few minor words, sometimes in exchange for money or just because they’re friends.

The percentage of students who don’t believe it’s OK to work hard on schoolwork is kind of surprising as well. This makes me wonder: What do students believe it’s OK to do? Obviously, cheating – but I mean why shouldn’t you work hard? After all, it’s called schoolwork, isn’t it?

The percentage of students who believe that teachers are giving up on students makes me doubt the validity of the survey. In a way, I feel the teachers probably should be giving up on some students. With some of the prevailing attitudes, what do you expect your teachers to do?

Then again, I have to disagree. I think teachers giving up on students isn’t really a problem at Searsport. In fact, I think teachers are really concerned with the progress of each student. And since our school is so small, a lot of individual help is offered.

Teachers are always trying to get as many students involved as they possibly can. They offer a lot of different ways, designed to fit each learning style and interest, to earn a grade.

When taken properly and seriously, surveys can provide a snapshot of the school and reveal what is going on in students’ minds. But in most cases, surveys aren’t taken seriously or students may start out giving serious answers, then run out of gas and blow off the last part.

I also noticed that on many questions, 25 percent to 30 percent weren’t even answering. However, I’m sure in certain circumstances accurate information can be taken from the survey.

As for other circumstances, the results should be taken with a grain of salt. After participating in the survey and stating my thoughts, I trust my own observations over the survey’s results. Then again, how do I know I’m right? I represent one person while the survey, if accurate, represented dozens.