MINNESOTA STUDENT SURVEY

Every three years Minnesota schools are asked to participate in the Minnesota School Survey. This survey has been collecting data regarding Minnesota students for the past 30 years. The survey is administered to students in grades 5, 8, 9, and 11 and asks the students questions related to their health and well-being. The Lester Prairie Public Schools intends to participate in this survey in March of 2022. The general results of this survey will help improve our programing at Lester Prairie Public Schools.

Minnesota Student Survey (Minnesota Department of Education website)

Families may opt out of the survey by submitting the form that will be included in the notification letter that will. be  sent to families with students in grades 5, 8, 9, & 11. Contact Christine Mattson at or 320-395-2521 for more information.
 

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is the Minnesota Student Survey (MSS)?

The Minnesota Student Survey (MSS) is one of the longest running youth surveys in the nation. It is a triennial survey that began in 1989. The survey is an anonymous statewide school-based survey conducted to gain insights into the world of students and their experiences.

Why is the survey important?

The MSS is the primary source of comprehensive data on youth at the state, county and local level in Minnesota and is the only consistent source of statewide data on the health and well-being of youth from smaller population groups, such as racial or ethnic groups. It provides valuable information about issues vital to the health, safety and academic success of young people. The survey results have proven to be a dynamic vehicle in bringing the youth voice into decisions made by youth programs, schools, communities and state agencies.

How is the information from the survey results used?

School districts, local public health agencies and community nonprofits use local data to hold community forums and stimulate discussion about the needs of youth, to plan programs and to obtain grant funding. State agencies use the results to monitor trends, to assess the extent of disparities among population groups, to obtain federal and state funding and to assist local communities and schools.

Who administers the MSS?

The survey is a collaboration between local schools and four state agencies: the Minnesota Departments of Education, Health, Human Services and Public Safety. The state agencies develop the survey content, monitor data quality, analyze data and report results. Schools administer the survey to their students.

Who takes the survey?

All schools are invited to participate in the survey. This includes public, non-public, charter and tribal schools. It also includes alternative learning centers and juvenile correctional facilities. Fifth-, eighth-, ninth- and 11th-grade students take the survey, but schools may add additional grades, if desired.

Do all schools participate? Do all students take the survey?

The survey is voluntary for school districts and students. School districts have the option to not participate in the survey. Parents can choose not to have their children participate. Students themselves can decide not to take the survey. In every survey administration, at least 84 percent of school districts have participated in the survey.

How many students took the survey in 2019?

In 2019, more than 170,000 public school students participated in the survey, including 66 percent of fifth-grade students, 68 percent of eighth-grade students, 66 percent of ninth-grade students and 54 percent of 11th-grade students. The next MSS will be administered between January and June 2022.

What questions are included on the survey?

The survey asks students about their activities, opinions, behaviors and experiences. Students respond to questions on school climate, bullying, out-of-school activities, healthy eating, emotional health, substance use and connections with school and family. Questions about sexual behaviors are asked only of high school students. All responses are anonymous.

Are the same questions asked every three years?

Yes and no. Some questions are asked every three years in order to identify trends in student responses over time. However, as new issues emerge and old issues become less relevant, questions are reviewed for their usefulness. The MSS Research Team carefully examines all survey items every three years and gathers feedback from stakeholders. Since the MSS is already a lengthy survey, new items must have clear rationale and purpose.

How is the survey given?

In 2019, the MSS will be administered entirely online. Students may complete the survey on a desktop computer, laptop, tablet (e.g., iPad) or netbook (e.g., Chromebook). The online survey meets federal and state accessibility requirements and will include a text-to-speech option. This will ensure the survey is inclusive of more students.

How are the results reported?

State, county and district data are available on the Minnesota Department of Education website in an interactive format. PDF tables are distributed to participating districts and schools, as well as by request. Individual level data files can be requested by those who want to do their own analysis.