Ongoing Surveys
Milwaukee Public Schools (MPS) surveys students each year to gather information about their health, future goals and aspirations, and more.
Senior Exit Survey
MPS has administered the Senior Exit Survey (SES) to graduating seniors every spring since the 2010–11 school year. The survey was modeled after a similar tool used by Chicago Public Schools.
The SES provides a rich source of information on students’ future goals, aspirations, and perceptions of their experience as MPS students, specifically regarding college and career readiness.
Results from the SES are used for two primary purposes:
- MPS is required by state law to submit an annual report on seniors’ post-graduation plans to the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction. (This was previously referred to as the “Bound For” report.)
- Survey results help to identify potential areas in which key steps in the process of preparing students for college and careers have not been fulfilled.
Youth Risk Behavior Survey
The Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) asks students about the health behaviors of students in grades six through 12. The survey has specific questions related to nutrition; physical activity; and the use of tobacco, alcohol, and other drugs.
While the survey asks sensitive questions, all precautions have been taken to ensure the anonymity of students; student names or ID numbers are not collected. Students may skip any question that they are not comfortable answering.
Results from the survey are used by MPS for risk reduction efforts and for Project AWARE grants.