Guidance for Students

Answering the Questions in the Post-School Survey

What kinds of questions will I be asked?

Questions about work:

• Are you working?
• If so, where? How long?
• How many hours? How much do you get paid? Who do you work with?

Questions about education:

• Are you going to school?
• If so, where? How long?

Questions about agency connections:

• Have you had contact with any agencies for support?
• If so, who?

How do I prepare for the survey?

• Provide your teacher with a reliable way to reach you next year (phone, email, text).
• Make sure you or someone in your family knows the following information:
  • The number of hours you work at your job (or the last job you had).
  • How much you earn (or earned) per hour.
  • The name of your school or training program (if you are enrolled in one).
  • The names of any agencies you contacted after high school.

How do I answer the questions?

• Answer truthfully.
• Be as accurate as possible.
• Take your time.
• Ask for help if you don’t understand.
• It’s ok if you don’t know or don’t remember.
• You do not have to answer any questions you don’t want to.

What if I don't understand a question?

You may not understand some of the questions, and that’s ok. Some ways you can ask for help:

• Can you say that again?
• What does that mean?
• Can you give me an example?

What if the question doesn't fit my situation or I don't know the answer?

It’s ok if you don’t know the answer or if the question does not fit with your experience. Ways you could respond:

• Ask for more information to be sure you understand the question.
• Tell the interviewer: “I don’t know.”
• Tell the interviewer why the question doesn’t fit your situation.

What if I don't want to answer the question?

• All questions are voluntary. You don’t have to answer any questions if you don’t want to.
• When you do answer the questions, it helps schools think of more ways to prepare students for the future.
• If you choose not to answer, you can say: “I don’t want to answer that.”

Can someone else answer the questions for me?

• Yes, if you are unable to answer the questions because you are unavailable or for any other reason, a family member or guardian can answer the questions for you.
• If someone else answers the questions for you, they should be someone who knows the details of your job, school, or other activities.
• You can share this information with your parents or guardian so that they can answer accurately.

What if I haven't found a job or school program?

• Don’t worry if you aren’t working or attending school.
• The survey is meant to understand what you are doing, not to tell you what you should be doing!

What if i need accommodations?

If you need accommodations to answer survey questions over the phone:

• Make sure your school knows what accommodations you need. You can include it with your contact information or tell your teacher.
• Remind the interviewer or have a family member remind them when they call you for the survey.