Survey from the Class of 2022 Highlights Changes in Future
The graduating class of 2022 has experienced more than half of their high school careers during a pandemic. From school buildings closed, to remote and/or hybrid learning, to milestones missed, and for some, loved ones taken, research shows this class is deeply affected by COVID-19.
A recent survey of high school students from 19 states, including Maine, found that one in four high school seniors in the class of 2022 have changed their post-secondary plans since the start of the pandemic. The survey, conducted by Youth Truth, sheds light on where students plan to go after high school, what kind of support they feel they have in school from adults, and which populations of students feel the most prepared, and which need the most support.
Of note: the comparison data from 2019 to 2022 for boys, students in rural schools, non-white students, and LGBTQ+ students offer important insight for educators both at the high school and college level. The data below can be used to help educators prepare for the next senior class, focusing on ways to help keep kids in school, and foster a smooth transition from high school to whatever path a student chooses. Below are some of the survey highlights.
College Bound
Nearly half of all seniors in the class of 2022 plan to attend a four-year college, however of that half there are major differences in the type of student planning to go to college. The data shows expectation gaps for students of color, those in higher poverty areas, males, those in rural schools, and LGBTQ+ students. Additionally, fewer seniors now consider two-year programs than in 2019.
Seniors in the class of 2022 who are Black or African American, or boys/men are less likely to want to go to college compared to these groups in the class of 2019.
Adult Support
Fewer seniors in the class of 2022 report having career counseling and college financial counseling than in 2019, with even fewer male students or students in rural schools seeking that support.
Dropping Out
A higher proportion of seniors in the class of 2022 who are transgender, gender non-binary, prefer to self-describe their gender, or members of the LGBTQ+ community seriously consider dropping out as compared to their peers. Additionally, students who identified being affected by the pandemic have seriously thought about dropping out.
Have you ever seriously considered dropping out of high school? (CLASS OF 2022 “YES”)
Read the entire report here: https://youthtruthsurvey.org/future-plans-2022/
