CNN - Chatpage - U.S. News

August 10, 1999
Web posted at: 7:15 p.m. EDT

(CNN) -- The following is an edited transcript of a chat with Dr. Jennifer Park, educational analyst from the Horatio Alger Association, about the Third Annual State of Our Nation's Youth Survey. Dr. Park joined us on August 10, 1999 from Washington, D.C. CNN Interactive provided a typist.

Chat Moderator: What does the Horatio Alger Association do to help the youth of our nation?

Dr. Jennifer Park: The Horatio Alger Association provides scholarships to students who have disadvantaged backgrounds and tracks student attitudes and behaviors through the State Of Our Nation's Youth Survey.

Chat Moderator: Did the students surveyed express concern for their safety in schools?

Dr. Jennifer Park: Yes, the percentage of students who feel completely safe and secure in their schools dropped this year from 44 percent to 37 percent. When students were asked if teachers and administrators have done all that they could to make them feel safe and secure, only 35 percent agreed that they had.

Chat Moderator: What was the focus of discussion today at the press conference announcing the survey results?

Dr. Jennifer Park: The focus at the Press Club news conference was on student violence as well as the sense of opportunity experienced by the millennial generation.

Question from Ron M: How reliable are these figures? Aren't such 'self-reporting' surveys considered questionable, statistically speaking?

Dr. Jennifer Park: Ron M, this data was gathered by NFO Worldwide which is the third largest research company in the world. And the data for the survey were collected from the NFO panel, which has been balanced regionally and nationally to represent students across the country.

Chat Moderator: Why is the survey taken?

Dr. Jennifer Park: It's really a service to the public to help them understand the attitudes and behaviors of teens. It is intended for the general public as well as for educators.

Chat Moderator: Please check out for more information.

Chat Moderator: How can this survey information best be utilized?

Dr. Jennifer Park: It could affect public policy in education and it can alert parents to potential problems that their teens may be experiencing.

Question from Jean: Do you think that the presence of weapons and guns of every kind, shown on TV and in movies, affects a child's beliefs, causing the person not to distinguish reality from fiction?

Dr. Jennifer Park: Well, we didn't really cover that in the scope of our report, but I think that the widespread availability of guns is harmful...but that is my personal opinion.

Chat Moderator: Did the survey have any questions about students and weapons at school?

Dr. Jennifer Park: No, we only answered the two questions which concerned how safe and secure students feel, and whether teachers and administrators have done all they can to make students feel safe and secure.

Question from Ron M: If students report that they feel teachers and administrators are not doing enough to ensure their safety, what specific recommendations do you see arising from this survey?

Dr. Jennifer Park: These would not be Horatio Alger Association recommendations, but I would consider the following to be a logical outcome of an understanding of student opinions: Teachers and parents would work with their school administration to implement ways to make their schools more secure.

Question from Rory: When was the Horatio Alger Association founded? Who were the people responsible for creating it and what were their goals?

Dr. Jennifer Park: The Horatio Alger Association was founded in 1947 to demonstrate that the American Dream is a truly attainable goal for all citizens--who through hard work, honesty, and determination can overcome any obstacles. The Association reaffirms this critically important goal each year by identifying outstanding role models whose lives are characterized by great success, triumph over adversity, and an abiding commitment to help others.

Chat Moderator: What were your most interesting findings in the survey?

Dr. Jennifer Park: One of our findings was that high school students continue to feel a keen sense of personal opportunity. Over two thirds believe that they will have many personal opportunities after they graduate. And African-Americans responded affirmatively in greater proportions than other races to the statement that the harder they worked, the more opportunities would be available to them. Eighty-two percent of African Americans agreed that the statement was true, compared with 71 percent of Caucasians and 68 percent of students from other minority groups.

Chat Moderator: How have the survey results changed since the survey first began three years ago?

Dr. Jennifer Park: This year there was an increase in the proportion who feel that crime and violence are the number one problem facing the nation today. That jumped from 30 percent in 1998 to 40 percent in 1999.

Question from Dcmguru: I live in Washington, D.C., which last week was named 51st in the U.S. for youth safety. This is a national tragedy when the capital of the U.S. is dead last in the rankings. Have you been approached, or thought of approaching, the mayor, city council, or Congress about this issue and providing some form of advice or assistance?

Dr. Jennifer Park: I, personally, haven't thought of that, but I think that would be a great question to send to the Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans, Inc., 99 Canal Center Plaza, Alexandria, VA, 22314.

Question from Greene: Do you think parents are really aware of the atmosphere that their kids are subjected to, or are they relying on their past experiences as a reference?

Dr. Jennifer Park: I think that it’s possible that parents don't fully understand the situation their children face in schools.

Chat Moderator: Do you have any advice for parents today?

Dr. Jennifer Park: Parents should encourage their teens to join school-related activities. We encourage parents to get to know their teens' friends and to find a safe place where their teens can spend the time between the end of the school day and their parents’ arrival home from work. We also recommend that parents limit the number of hours their teens work outside the home to about 15 hours per week.

Chat Moderator: How was the survey done in order to have a complete representation of the thoughts of our nation's youth?

Dr. Jennifer Park: The survey was conducted using the NFO panel and it was balanced by using a variety of student demographics, such as the age and gender of the teen, household income, household size, race, and type of household. It was balanced in each of the nine census regions to be truly representative of a cross section of American youth.

Chat Moderator: Any issues you wanted to share with us today that we haven't asked you about?

Dr. Jennifer Park: One thing we found is that teens look to their parents, friends, and family friends for role models much more than they do to the media or to political figures.

Chat Moderator: Can you tell us how the Horatio Alger Association works with schools?

Dr. Jennifer Park: The survey is used by schools. The Horatio Alger Association does work with schools across the country but Terry Giroux at the above address can answer that question better than I can.

Chat Moderator: Any final comments on today's survey results press conference?

Dr. Jennifer Park: The press conference was very impressive. The students were very supportive of the survey results and gave their unique perspectives, which differed among the school districts.

Chat Moderator: How would you like to see the survey results change in next year's survey?

Dr. Jennifer Park: It would be great if students could feel safer and more secure in their schools. It would be great to have more students challenged by their coursework.

Chat Moderator: Any final comments?

Dr. Jennifer Park: I would like students to feel that their courses are preparing them for the future. This year's results showed that fewer than two thirds felt that their courses were preparing them for the future.

Chat Moderator: Can you comment on the breaking news story of a shooting in a Jewish Community Center in Los Angeles where three young children were reported injured this afternoon?

Dr. Jennifer Park: We have identified about 15 percent of students who are at risk for more negative attitudes, and less positive feelings about themselves and their own personal opportunities. These students, who do not feel as positive about their futures, could become the perpetrators of violence. We need to identify those students.

Chat Moderator: Thank you, Dr. Jennifer Park, for joining us today to discuss the State of Our Nation's Youth Survey.

Dr. Jennifer Park: Thank you! Bye.