Achieve, Inc.

Rising to the Challenge: Are High School Graduates Prepared for College and Work?, February 2005

In this survey, high school graduates (college bound and not), college professors and employers report that high school graduates are not prepared for college or work, did not feel challenged in high school, and would have worked harder if more was expected of them. Achieve worked with Peter D. Hart Research Associates to poll 1,487 students, 300 college professors and 400 employers.

Alliance for Excellent Education (Alliance)

Americans on High Schools: In Need of Improvement, August 2005

This phone survey of 1,000 adults found that the American public believes that high schools have major problems and need urgent fixing by state and national leaders. Most important, respondents want high schools to increase the number of students who graduate prepared for college and good jobs, which is critical to maintaining our economic standing in the world. The poll was performed by Lake, Snell, Perry, Mermin, and it has a margin of error plus or minus 3.1 percentage points.

The Chronicle of Higher Education

Special Report: School and College, March 2006

In March 2006, The Chronicle of Higher Education released a special report on high school and college. There are two companion surveys that find that professors believe college freshmen are not as prepared as their high school teachers say they are, particularly in writing and math. Conducted by Maguire Associates, a Boston-area research and consulting company, the survey comprised 9,000 teachers and 7,000 faculty members who were randomly selected, including 746 high school teachers and 1,098 college faculty.

Civic Enterprises (The Silent Epidemic)

The Silent Epidemic: Perspectives of High School Dropouts, March 2006

Released in March 2006, this poll conducted by Peter D. Hart Research Associates found that while some students drop out because of significant academic challenges, most dropouts are students who could have, and believe they could have, succeeded in school. This survey of young people who left high school without graduating suggests that despite career aspirations that require education beyond high school and a majority of the students' having grades of C or better, circumstances in students’ lives and an inadequate response to those circumstances from the schools led to dropping out.

Educational Testing Service (ETS)

Ready for the Real World? Americans Speak on High School Reform, June 2005

Americans say high schools are not challenging our students and that the United States will be less competitive in 25 years unless high schools are overhauled. This annual survey was conducted by Peter Hart and David Winston. The focus of the survey was parents, administrators and teachers, with a special emphasis on those in California, New Jersey and Ohio. The survey’s major findings include that high school is not rigorous enough, freshmen are not arriving prepared, teachers need to be better qualified and expert in the subjects they teach, students should have to pass a test in core subjects to graduate, and our nation’s competitive position rests on education. They surveyed 2,250 adults with a margin of error plus or minus 3.1 percentage points.

Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans, Inc. (Horatio Alger)

State of Our Nation’s Youth 2005 (PDF), August 2005

This annual survey of 13–19 year-olds was conducted by Peter D. Hart Research Associates. The 1,005 young people surveyed say they want to go to college, have more rigorous academics in high school and be given the opportunity to meet these challenges.

Indiana University

The High School Survey of Student Engagement, spring 2005

This annual survey polled 200,000 students in spring 2005 to learn the extent to which they are involved in activities associated with high levels of learning and development. The Center for Evaluation and Education Policy at the University of Indiana got high schools in 29 states to participate.

National Governors Association (NGA)

Redesigning the American High School: Rate Your Future, winter/spring 2005

NGA launched this survey of more than 10,000 teens ages 16 to 18 in winter and spring 2005. The responses are divided into high school students who intend to graduate and those who are not currently in high school or plan to leave early. The survey results provide insight into the experiences of high school students.

Public Agenda

Life After High School: Young People Talk about Their Hopes and Prospects, February 2005

Released in February 2005, this survey of 1,000 young adults ages 18 to 25 found that, no matter what race or income level, young adults aspire to go to college. It raises questions about the pressures that effect the decisions young people ultimately make regarding higher education and work and their futures. There was a margin of error of plus or minus 3 percentage points.