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Published on 09/01/1999 All articles from this issue

New U.S. survey shows academics a top concern among teen students

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By Linda Taaffe

Town Crier Staff Writer

It seems sex, drugs and peer pressure have taken a back seat to academics.

A survey released by the U.S. Department of Education this month asked 1,015 high school students nationwide to list the top pressures they face. Academic pressures topped the list - 44 percent of those surveyed listed "the pressure to get good grades" as a top concern, and 32 percent listed "the pressure to get into college." These were followed by the "pressure to fit in socially," with 29 percent; and the "pressure to use drugs or alcohol," with 19 percent.

Two-thirds of the high school students surveyed said their lives are at least somewhat tough - yet three-fourths said their future looks promising.

On his first day at St. Francis High School last week, freshman Erik Apland said he was worried about his doing well academically - more than about making new friends or school safety.

St. Francis sophomore Brian Seaby said he too feels the pressure to get good grades and accepted into college.

"My parents are pretty much hounding me," Seaby said.

St. Francis senior Jennifer Fish said she believes the pressure to drink alcohol follows closely behind the pressure to get good grades.

Fish said she knows a lot of teens who drink.

"There's a lot of pressure," she said. "Especially at this school. A lot of people like to party and drink here."

The survey, conducted for the Shell Oil Company by Peter D. Hart Research Associates, also revealed that most students feel safe on campus - 77 percent gave their high schools an "A" or "B" rating for safety. Local students gave similar responses.

Almost four in 10 students, or 37 percent of those who participated in the survey, gave their schools unsatisfactory grades when it came to having enough space for the number of students. Almost half of the students in the survey gave low marks regarding the extent to which their schools have small classes and offer personal attention.

"Kids generally treating each other with respect," took the lowest ranking when talking about aspects of school.

For freshman Kimberly So, social pressures topped her concerns.

"This is my first day of being (in high school) for the next four years," she said. "Right now, I'm trying to meet new people."

Students surveyed said their parents' support and guidance is more important than that of their friends. And most polled said they feel comfortable talking to their parents about their lives.

Students locally gave similar responses.

"I go to my mom for problems with my friends, and to my friends for problems with guys," said freshman Melanie Caselas.

The Los Altos Youth Commission conducted a similar survey last June, asking 1,800 local students to name their biggest problems.

The top three concerns were drugs and alcohol (63 percent), the environment (44 percent) and gangs (29 percent) as top concerns. Only 26.3 percent of those surveyed listed education as a concern.