HHF & My College Options: Take Pulse of Student Views

Study will take an in-depth look at the views of students on various national issues

Washington, DC – Hispanic Heritage Foundation (HHF), My College Options, and other partners joined forces to execute a research project aimed at better understanding high school students’ views – from all backgrounds – on various topics of national importance. The broad, national study, titled Taking the Pulse of High School Student Experience in America, will be conducted in multiple stages including a fresh look at a variety of existing research studies.  The study is being designed, jointly, by multiple organizations, and executed by the research team at myCollegeOptions.org.

“’Taking the Pulse’ is a unique study which will turn our ears toward the voices, opinions and guidance of our youth on various topics we believe shape America,” said Jose Antonio Tijerino, president and CEO of HHF.  “HHF truly believes in the power of our youth to move America forward and as an organization serving young people, we also believe listening to them on key issues is a critical step in mapping out effective strategies going forward.  myCollegeOptions.org has served as a resource for students for many years and now they will be a tremendous resource for organizations and stakeholders serving the needs of our youth.”

Survey topics will include teacher diversity, immigration, civic engagement, access to technology, career path interests including STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math), value of creativity, family involvement in education, nutrition, self-identity, financial literacy, bullying, and more.

The study will start with an omnibus survey of students conducted in June (sampling size to be over 3,000), which will cover the critical issues mentioned above.  These findings will be presented in the fall on Capitol Hill as the various topics will be broken out and discussed during a presentation with policymakers, community and educational leaders and other influencers.

During the 2014-15 school year, lead by the findings from the summer omnibus findings, the study will take deeper dives into these various topics by surveying students, teachers, school administrators, and parents.  Those findings will be released through the school year.

In parallel with the primary study, HHF and partners will re-examine previous data sets and research findings to uncover new discoveries to drive the student experience forward. Attitudinal Trends of High School Students in America, which will be presented over the summer before the Fourth of July.

Members of the “Taking the Pulse Advisory Committee,” who submitted questions for the survey and provided guidance in their area of expertise, will include leaders and top organizations focused on addressing the various areas of focus for the study.