These are the original questions of The California Endowment’s survey with results generated after eight We’Ced youth took it. You can download The Cal Endow’s original survey questions and raw results here.

• How closely have you followed the news about the school shooting in Newtown, Connecticut that took place at Sandy Hook Elementary School last month: would you say you have followed the news about this issue very closely, somewhat closely, not too closely or not at all?

• Very closely – 12.5%,
• somewhat closely – 37.5% ,
• not too much – 37.5%,
• not at all – 12.5%

• Please tell me how serious you think each of the following issues is in the State of California: extremely serious, very serious, somewhat serious, not serious or don’t know/no answer?
  • The economy and unemployment:
  • Extremely serious – 100%,
  • Very serious – 0%,
  • Somewhat serious – 0%,
  • Not so serious – 0%,
  • Don’t know/NA – 0%

• The cost of health care:
• Extremely serious – 37.5%
• Very serious – 37.5%
• Somewhat serious – 25%
• Not so serious – 0%,
• Don’t know/NA – 0%

• The quality of education in local schools:
• Extremely serious – 62.5%
• Very serious – 12.5%
• Somewhat serious – 12.5%
• Not so serious – 0%
• Don’t know/NA – 0%

• Gangs and youth violence:
• Extremely serious – 25%,
• Very serious – 50%,
• Somewhat serious – 25%, 
• Not so serious – 0%,
• Don’t know/NA – 0%

• A lack of funding for public education:
• Extremely serious – 75%
• Very serious – 25%
• Somewhat serious – 0%
• Not so serious – 0%
• Don’t know/NA – 0%

• The price of gasoline:
• Extremely serious – 25%
• Very serious – 25%
• Somewhat serious – 37.5%
• Not so serious – 12.5%
• Don’t know/NA – 0%

• Violence in schools:
• Extremely serious – 37.5%
• Very serious – 25%
• Somewhat serious – 25%
• Not so serious – 12.5%
• Don’t Know/NA – 0%

• Illegal immigration:
• Extremely serious – 0%
• Very serious – 37.5%,
• Somewhat serious – 25%,
• Not so serious – 25%,
• Don’t know/NA – 12.5%

• The potential for shootings in schools:
• Extremely serious – 75%
• Very Serious – 0%
• Somewhat serious – 25%
• Not so serious – 0%
• Don’t know/NA – 0%

• Crime:
• Extremely serious – 37.5%,
• Very serious – 37.5%,
• Somewhat serious – 25%
• Not so serious – 0%
• Don’t know/NA – 0%

• A lack of safety in schools:
• Extremely serious – 50%,
• Very serious -12.5%,
• Somewhat serious – 25%
• Not so serious – 0%
• Don’t know/NA – 0%

• In your opinion, how safe are California’s schools? Would you say they are very safe, somewhat safe, not too safe or not at all safe?

• Very safe – 0%
• Somewhat safe – 25%
• Not too safe – 62.5%
• Not at all safe – 12.5%

• How important is it to you that government leaders take action to improve safety in California’s schools: extremely important, very important, somewhat important, not too important or don’t know/no answer?
• • Extremely important – 62.5%
  • Very important – 0%
  • Somewhat important – 12.5%
  • Not too important – 12.5%
  • Don’t know/NA -12.5%

• I am going to read you a list of different policy options currently under discussion to improve safety and prevent violence in schools. Please tell me wether you support or oppose that particular police.
• • Requiring every school to have a comprehensive safety plan:
  • Support – 100%
  • Oppose – 0%

• Training school staff in emergency response:
• Support – 75%
• Oppose – 25%

• Increasing mental health services in communities:
• Support – 87.5%
• Oppose – 12.5%

• Teaching students conflict resolution techniques and anger management skills:
• Support – 87.5%
• Oppose – 12.5%

• Providing mental health first aid training to teachers and school staff, so they recognize signs of mental illness in young people:
• Support – 37.5%
• Oppose – 62.5%

• Training teachers in conflict resolution techniques and classroom management skills:
• Support – 87.5%
• Oppose – 12.5%

• Please tell me which approach you believe would be more effective in preventing violence in schools and making schools safer:
• • Putting a trained guidance counselor in every school – 62.5%
  • OR
  • Putting an armed police officer in every school – 37.5%

• Please tell me which approach you believe would be more effective in preventing violence in schools and making schools safer:
• • Improving mental health services in schools and communities – 37.5%
  • OR
  • Installing more security cameras and metal detectors in schools – 62.5%

• Please tell me which approach you believe would be more effective in preventing violence in schools and making schools safer:
• • We should prioritize strategies to prevent violent situations at school by increasing mental health services and better detecting the early signs of mental illness, so people who need it can get treatment or be taken off the streets – 37.5%
  • OR
  • We should prioritize strategies to respond to violent situations at school by having armed police officers ready to confront attackers and hardened barriers that make it more difficult to get access to school grounds – 62.5%

Continue to the next page to read We’Ced’s reactions to the survey as well as further youth insight!

Tags: mental health, prevention, school violence, spotlight, the california endowment