In October 2023, MCCSC Administration proposed and nearly implemented an unprecedented high school schedule change. Prior to this attempted altering of the academic atmosphere, MCCSC Superintendent Jeff Hauswald and the board contracted with an IU group to conduct a survey concerning general opinions surrounding the MCCSC high school experience. Hauswald claimed that many students were unable to pursue timely graduation, credit recovery, etc. – especially ‘priority’ student groups (historically marginalized populations, students receiving free/reduced lunch costs, below-average academic achievers, and students with disabilities). Hauswald initially refrained from providing evidence supporting students’ wishes to ditch current systems. 

On January 19th, 2024, Indiana University INsite director Molly Stewart published official data from the survey administered to all MCCSC students in spring, 2023. The following presents data Optimist has received.

Q: What percentage of MCCSC high school students completed the full survey?

A: 60.2% of South students responded to all questions, while 62.7% of North students responded to all questions – overall, 61.5% of MCCSC students (1,983) completed the full survey. 

Q: What percentage of MCCSC high schoolers believe that transfers between schools restricted their ability to pursue timely graduation?

A: 27% of students believe that their transfer negatively impacted their ability to pursue timely graduation, while 22% are unsure if their ability to graduate on time has been impacted by their transfer.

*Additional information* – students transferring to either South or North were far more likely to deny instability through respective graduation pathways/timeliness (56% and 59%)

Q: Describe the overall student body opinion regarding class length
A: Around 60% of Bloomington South students believe the current class length is “just right,” while North student responses present a statistically similar class length opinion.

Q: Do students believe they are able to retake classes or recover credits easily?

A: While the significant majority of Bloomington South (and North) students do not have to recover credits, only 3% of South students believe that they are unable to retake a course or recover credits, while only 4% of North students believe they are unable to retake a course or recover credits.

*none of the survey questions directly addressed a changing of schedule*

GENERAL CONCLUSIONS

• The vast majority of transfer students believe that their ability to graduate has not been negatively affected by their transfer.
• Generally, MCCSC students believe that current class lengths are “just right.”
• Overall, students believe that credit recovery is vital and entirely possible within their schedules.