2011 Volusia Career & Technical Education Academy Student Survey Report

1. 2011 Volusia Career & Technical Education Academy Student Survey Report

2. Survey Totals • 7 of 10 high schools responded, representing 20 of 33 academies. • Of the approximately 4,000 academy students, 1,492 survey responses were submitted. • 23 survey questions covered student perceptions of overall quality, use of technology, career pathways and interest, and instruction. • 6 open response questions gathered insight into whether or not the student would continue in the academy subject area, advantages and disadvantages of their academy experience, what they would change about the academy, and any other comments. SUMMARY Survey Questions

3. Overwhelmingly, the student responses were positive!!!

4. Instructional Practices On a scale of one to five, with five being ‘Excellent’: • 83% of students rated their academy instructors as a 4 or 5 for the help they offered to the students. • 49% of students agreed that their academy courses were academically challenging and rigorous. • 65% of students agree that they feel prepared to pursue this program in college or other post-secondary programs. • 74% agreed they enjoyed the career-based projects and learning. • 61% of students enjoyed learning academy concepts in their core class(es). • 80% agreed that the industry certifications and/or end of program exams were relevant to the academy. RESULTS

5. Student Satisfaction of Quality On a scale of one to five, with five being ‘Excellent’: • 80% of students rated their academy experience as a four or five. • 82% of students enjoyed their academy experience; • 89% agreed that overall, they were satisfied with the quality of their academy. • 82% rated the level of education that they received in their academy a four or five. • 85% of students also rated their academy instructors as a four or five; and • 89% agreed that their instructors were knowledgeable and skilled in the academy area. • 75% of students agreed that their academy kept their interest and enhanced their high school experience. • 82% of students would recommend their academy to other students. RESULTS

6. I plan on working in this field. Why or why not? • I plan to pursue a career as a probation officer. 10th grade, Atlantic High School, Academy of Law and Government • I have always wanted to pursue architecture and this Academy has ensured me of the right choice. 12th, Deltona High School, Drafting and Trade Related Occupations • Engineering is a fun and exciting job. 10th, Seabreeze High school Drafting and Design Academy • I enjoy business, communicating with others, and making deals. 10th, Spruce Creek High School Academy of Finance • I plan on pursuing a career in the field of technology because technology is constantly developing, and jobs will always be available and in demand. 11th, Spruce Creek High School, Academy of Information Technology and Robotics • I've enjoyed my experience so far, and I absolutely love sciences, but it may not be my strongest subject. My favorite part of MHS is that it gives you the ability to explore so many different fields, while my academy keeps me on track and college bound. 9 Mainland High School Academy of Science and Medicine • This is what I have a passion for. 12th, Mainland, Sports Science Academy STUDENT RESPONSES

7. What do you think was the biggest advantage of your academy experience? • The biggest advantage i would say is that i would never have had imagined learning so much my classes are so interesting i feel like if I miss a day of school the world would end i love the high school and i love the academy. Mainland High, ASM 9th grade • Scholarship opportunities, new experiences, trying new foods, making high-school friends from being in the academy for three years so far Seabreeze High School, Culinary Academy 11th grade • It helped me feel like I belong somewhere in my school community. I love technology, so this academy helped me explore the technology world in ways that I didn't think I would come across. Spruce Creek High School, AITR, 9th grade • I was exposed to a working environment with hand-on activities and teamwork. In regular classrooms, students sit behind a desk and do classwork, whereas in the academy classroom, we are in a group and presented with challenges, new technology, and scenarios that apply to the real world. University High School, The STEM Academy, 9th grade • I learned a lot of stuff that I did NOT know before entering the academy of finance, such as how to balance a check, or how to tie a tie to look presentable in areas such as job interviews, I also learned how to and guidance on how to make any situation a "win win situation." So overall it was a fantastic and major experience. University High School, Finance, 9th grade STUDENT RESPONSES

8. What do you think was the biggest disadvantage of your academy experience? • The biggest disadvantage of my academy experience was that it requires a lot of your time. You have to be ready to put 100% effort in everything that you do in the academy but once you finish the academy and graduate high school, it really makes a difference and gets you ready for work after high school. 12th, Deltona High School AEMM • The lack of time. 12th grade, Deltona High School, Health Academy • I really don't see a disadvantage it helps push your self to stay on the right track to keep your self from losing it. 11th, Mainland, ACMT • For me there was no disadvantage but some of the work was a bit challenging. 9th, Mainland High ASR • Nothing really. besides having to do the work. But you have too? so its not really a disadvantage haha 9th, New Smyrna Beach high school, Sports Marketing • Poor funding for food to use the equipment regularly. 11th, new Smyrna beach high, Culinary • It is hard if you are not mature enough to pay attention. 12th, New Smyrna Beach High School Culinary • No girls take these classes. 11 New Smyrna Beach High School Engineering • Class Size!!! 11th, Seabreeze, Drafting and Design • Unweighted compared to my other IB classes. 11th, Spruce Creek High School, Academy of Finance STUDENT RESPONSES

9. What would you change about the academy? • The only thing that I would change is just to make the classes honors classes instead of just regular 4.0 classes. 10th, University High School, Finance • Make some classes worth college credit 10th, University High School Academy of Finance • Getting Windows 7 on the laptops, and maybe work on kids' behavior, but other than that nothing. 9th, Spruce Creek High School, The Academy of Information Technology and Robotics • More field trips. 11th, Spruce Creek High School, AOF • More speakers to come in and speak to the academy. It would give us more of an advantage if we could also participate in more field trips. 10th, Atlantic High School Academy of Law and Government • have more shadowing. 9th, Deltona, AEMM • I would want there to be more class time to be in the program. 12th, Deltona High AEMM • Id make the classes alot longer and maybe add another course involving the actual profession. 11th, Deltona High, Health • The limited amount of tools and supplies for the class work. And not enough replacements for things that break. 9th, University high, STEM STUDENT RESPONSES

10. Additional comments and suggestions are encouraged. • it is a life changer and it is very helpful 12th, Deltona High School, Drafting and Trade Related Occupations • Health academy brings a lot of people together, there fore you are making friends who have the same goals in life as you do, I met people in the health academy my freshman year and they are still my best friends. 11th, Deltona High School, Health Academy • the academy is great and will help me choose a career when i graduate from college. 9th, Mainland High, ADMT • The medical academy has taught me a lot and my teacher has enhanced my learning to a whole new level for the medical field! Being in the medical academy has made my desion to become a doctor way easier and has eased my mind about second thoughts!! 9th, New Smyrna Beach, Medical • This is by far this biggest class to me that has made me want to come to school and learn. Our teacher makes learning fun and applys it though creative learning games. This academy deserves more then what it has been giving so far to work with. 12th, New Smyrna Beach High School Entertainment and Sports Marketing • This academy helped shape my educational and social aspects of high school. I learned many helpful and useful tools that will assist me in finding a job directly out of high school, and I also gained an academic edge on many when it comes to applying for college. I am so grateful for enrollment and acceptance in the academy. I would recommend it to anyone ready to dedicate themselves to the foodservice industry. 12th, Seabreeze High, Culinary • I really love being in this academy. With the new way of working I'm happier to be at school. Being around people that are interested in everything you are is awesome and you make a lot of great friends. 11th, Spruce Creek High School, Information Technology and Robotics • Overall I love the S.T.E.M. Academy, because of the experience and hands on experiments. I am pleased with having a partner and working together. I also enjoy feeling as if I am really part of a company. 9th, University High School, S.T.E.M. STUDENT RESPONSES

11. THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU DO!