LSU Survey Results
March Public Square: Louisiana's Drop-out Problem
Q1. What is your best estimate of the percentage of Louisiana public high school students who drop out of school before graduating- would you say that it is five percent or fewer, around ten percent, around twenty percent, around one-third, around half, or more than half?
Column1 % After % Before Not sure/ Don't know 0 6.1 Five percent or fewer 0 1.5 Around ten percent 0 9.1 Around twenty percent 21.4 31.8 Around one-third 15.7 31.8 Around half 0 12.1 More than half 0 7.6 Q2. When students do not graduate from high school, who would you say is most to blame - the student, the student's parents or family, or the school?
Column1 % After % Before Refused 0 1.5 Don't know 7.1 9.1 the student 0 12.1 the student's parents of family 64.3 65.2 school 28.6 12.1 Q3. Would you favor stricter requirements for high school graduation even if it meant that significantly fewer students would graduate than is now the case?
Column1 % After % Before Don't know 50 7.6 Yes, favor 50 47 Now I am going to read several statements about why students drop out of high school. Please tell me whether you strongly agree, agree, neither agree or disagree, disagree, or strongly disagree with each statement.
Q4. Students who drop out of high school lack motivation and discipline, there is little the state can do to help them complete their degree.
Column1 % After % Before Don't know 0 1.5 Strongly agree 0 6.1 Agree 7.1 30.3 Neither Agree of disagree 28.6 7.6 Disagree 35.7 48.5 Strongly Disagree 28.6 6.1 Q5. If students drop out of high school, it is largely the fault of parents who have failed to provide adequate support, discipline or a stable environment at home.
Column1 % After % Before Don't know 28.6 1.5 Strongly agree 28.6 19.7 Agree 14.3 51.5 Neither Agree of disagree 28.6 10.6 Disagree 0 13.6 Strongly Disagree 0 3 Q6.Most students who drop out do so because they need to work to support their families and because they can find jobs in their local community that do not require a high school education.
Column1 % After % Before Don't know 0 3 Strongly agree 0 4.5 Agree 35.7 24.2 Neither Agree of disagree 7.1 6.1 Disagree 35.7 50Strongly Disagree 21.4 12.1 Q7. Students generally drop out because their local schools are failing due to overcrowding, a lack of discipline, or concerns about the quality of education.
Column1 % After % Before Don't know 0 3 Strongly agree 0 10.6 Agree 28.6 42.4 Neither Agree of disagree 28.6 15.2 Disagree 35.7 27.3 Strongly Disagree 7.1 1.5 Now I am going to read some suggestions for improving the dropout rate in Louisiana. For each item, please tell me whether you strongly approve, approve, disapprove, or strongly disapprove.
Q8. Give teachers and principals greater authority to improve discipline in the schools.
Column1 % After % Before Strongly approve 0 35.7 Approve 7.1 57.1 Neither approve or disapprove 28.6 7.1 Disapprove 7.1 0 Q9. Fund alternative vocational programs so that students who have trouble with traditional academic programs can learn job skills.
Column1 % After % Before Strongly approve 78.6 47 Approve 14.3 42.4 Neither approve or disapprove 7.1 3 Disapprove 0 7.6 Q10. Fund alternative "boot camp" style programs to instill discipline in students who regularly miss school or cause discipline problems for teachers and principals.
Column1 % After % Before Don't know 0 1.5 Strongly approve 50 25.8 Approve 21.4 48.5 >Neither approve or disapprove 14.3 9.1 Disapprove 7.1 13.6 Strongly disapprove 7.1 1.5 Q11. Provide tutoring and other support services for students who are behind grade level or otherwise struggling academically.
Column1 % After % Before Don't know 0 1.5 Strongly approve 1.4 37.9 Approve 14.3 59.1 Disapprove 7.1 1.5 Neither approve or disapprove 7.1 0 Q12. Impose fines on parents who fail to get their children to school regularly or whose children regular cause discipline problems in the classroom.
Column1 % After % Before Strongly approve 28.6 15.2 Approve 28.6 39.4 Neither approve or disapprove 14.3 9.1 Disapprove 14.3 30.3 Strongly disapprove 14.3 6.1
Some questions and comments may be included in the program.
