The Washoe County School District has released the results of the 2009 Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS). Conducted every two years under the auspices of the Centers for Disease Control in school districts across the U.S., the survey is designed to monitor priority health risk behaviors that contribute to the leading causes of death, disability and social problems among youth.
This year's local results present both cause for celebration and concern. At the middle school level, student perception of safety has improved dramatically, with the percentage of students reporting that they feel unsafe at school dropping 10 points from the 2007 survey (29.8% in 2007 to 19.5% in 2009). The percentage saying they did not attend school one or more days because they felt unsafe dropped from 14.1% in 2007 to 10.3% in 2009.
"After we looked at the 2007 YRBS results, we made middle schools a priority and the results show real success. We convened a summit of school leaders and began to deal with bullying and harassment, with neighborhood issues and with creating a culture of respect and tolerance," said Katherine Loudon, the Safe and Drug Free Schools Coordinator for the district.
Results are not as encouraging in the areas of student suicide, substance abuse and sexual behavior.
A disturbing trend continues in the percentage of students who report attempting suicide in the past year. Among high school students, the percentage has increased every year from 8.6% in 2001 to 14.6% in 2009. The district collaborates with the State of Nevada's suicide prevention and intervention coordinator and provides counseling and psychological services to those students who may be at risk.
In the area of substance abuse, the percentage of high school students reporting some lifetime use of most drugs declined from 2001 to 2007, but increased in 2009. Of great concern are the 47% who report marijuana use, up from 39% in 2007. Equally alarming is the upward trend in high school students reporting that they were offered, sold or were given drugs at school. Those numbers rose to 35.7% in 2009 compared to 29% in 2007.
"We have a comprehensive strategy to deal with issues of substance abuse and we're partnering with community agencies such as Join Together Northern Nevada. When the epidemic of meth use came to light, we produced our own video and showed it in all middle and high schools," Loudon said. Obviously, she noted, much more remains to be done to reverse the increase in this problem.
The 2009 survey also revealed an increase in the percentage of high school students reporting that they have had sexual intercourse (52.4% in 2009 compared to 44.3% in 2007). It is the first time that the number has exceeded 50%. The WCSD's sex education program begins in grade 4 and continues into high school. Called Sexual Health and Responsibility Education (SHARE), 98% of all students take part in the program in age-appropriate classroom instruction.
Commenting on these data, Superintendent Dr. Heath Morrison said, "Nobody can be happy about these trends. They are more than troubling; they should be a call to action. Our students need and deserve a life free of drugs, sexual activity and one where the thoughts of suicide do not exist. But schools are a mirror of the communities they serve. They do not exist in isolation. I call on parents, community agencies and educators to join with us to strengthen our collective efforts. Our goal of graduating students who are college and career-ready can only be achieved if the community works together to remove barriers such as these. It has to be a priority."
Barbara Clark, president of the Board of Trustees said, "These are sobering statistics. They should remind us of the challenges and pressures faced by the teenagers of this community. While the majority of students come to school every day ready and willing to learn, many others come bringing these overwhelming problems with them. For them, they are barriers to school success. It is now up to us as parents and community leaders to rally together and seek solutions."
