With permission from the school principal, students in grades 6–8 in SeDoMoCha Middle School were given a link to an anonymous, electronic survey in February 2019. Participation was voluntary. SeDoMoCha Middle School had 242 students during 2018-2019, 199 of which took the survey for a participation rate of 82%. Every question was optional, so the number of responses varies by question; middle schoolers had fewer questions to answer. Fact sheets for all schools and each county are available online at: https://digitalcommons.library.umaine.edu/rural_youth_futures

Abrams, Jesse

Bernsen, Nicole

Capodilupo, Liz

Carleton, Alexa

Crandall, Mindy

Ellison, Autumn

Leahy, Jessica

English

University of Maine

The University of Maine DigitalCommons@UMaine Rural Youth Futures School of Forest Resources Fall 9-19-2020 Sedomocha Middle School (ME) Mindy Crandall Jessica Leahy Nicole Bernsen Jesse Abrams Autumn Ellison See next page for additional authors Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.library.umaine.edu/rural_youth_futures  Part of the Educational Sociology Commons, Forest Sciences Commons, and the Rural Sociology Commons This Fact Sheet is brought to you for free and open access by DigitalCommons@UMaine. It has been accepted for inclusion in Rural Youth Futures by an authorized administrator of DigitalCommons@UMaine. For more information, please contact um.library.technical.services@maine.edu. Authors Mindy Crandall, Jessica Leahy, Nicole Bernsen, Jesse Abrams, Autumn Ellison, Alexa Carleton, and Liz Capodilupo 0 50 100 150 200 250 300 3500 50 100 150 200Q42 family structureQ43 how far parents went in schoolDon’t know or NAWent to school, don’t know how farGraduated from college or moreWent to college, didn’t graduateFinished high schoolDid not finish high school6% 18% 8% 39% 8% 19%3% 14% 15% 23% 39%6%0 50 100 150 200Q44 Do parents work for pay0 50 100 150 200 250 300 350Don’t know or NADoes not have a jobNot working now, but looking for a jobYes, multiple jobsYes, one part-time jobYes, one full-time jobRetired48%11%5%4%12%2%18%65% 11% 8%3% 1%3% 11%46% 6%1%5% 34%3%6%A s rural communities face changes in local economies, populations, and workforce needs, what does the next generation of residents and workers value and want? That question was the motivation for the Rural Youth Futures project. Researchers and extension agents from several universities joined forces with local non-profits to find out what middle and high schoolers think in two forest-dependent regions: Piscataquis/Northern Somerset County in Maine and Coos County in Oregon. This is one in a series of fact sheets designed to present summary information to each participating school and county about the perceptions and aspirations of local youth.RURAL YOUTH FUTURES: SEDOMOCHA MIDDLE SCHOOLSURVEY RESULTS •  SUMMER 2020APPROACHWith permission from the school principal, students in grades 6–8 in SeDoMoCha Middle School were given a link to an anonymous, elec-tronic survey in February 2019. Participation was voluntary. SeDoMo-Cha Middle School had 242 students during 2018-2019, 199 of which took the survey for a participation rate of 82%. Every question was op-tional, so the number of responses varies by question; middle school-ers had fewer questions to answer. Fact sheets for all schools and each county are available online at: http://ewp.uoregon.edu/RuralYouth.Gender that you identify as: Category that best describes you:What level of education did your parents or guardians, whom you live with, complete?Mom, dad, or guardian:Second mom, dad, or guardian:Describe the family structure you live with:0 50 100 150 200 250 300 350Q42 family structureCouch surf, or “other” Live with grandparents Single parent, dad Single parent, mom2-parent, step family 2-parent, biological parents 49% 20% 15%3% 3%11%0 50 100 150 200Q42 family structureCouch surf or other Live with grandparents Single parent, dad Single parent, mom2-parent, step family 2-parent, biological parents Two-Parent with biological parents 78 50%Two-Parent with step family 24 15%Single-parent with mom only 11 7%Single-parent with dad only 6 4%Primarily live with grandparents 4 3%"C uch surf" multiple places or Other 33 21%15%50% 7%4%3%21%Do your parents or guardians work for pay?Mom, dad, or guardian:Second mom, dad, guardian:Choose not to respondNone of theseTransFemaleMaleNoYesChoose not to respond (2%)Non-Binary (8%)Trans (1%)Female (51%)Male (43%)Don't know (2%)Two or more races/ethnicities (17%)White/Caucasian (61%)Native American (6%)Latino/Hispanic (14%)Black/African American (1%)Asian (1%)050100150200250300350400No(13%)Yes (85%)No(9%)Yes (91%)Perception of family finances:050100150200None(64%)1 (16%)None(60%)1 (26%)2 (3%)3 or more (11%)Dont know/choose not to answer(34%)More than enough for food & bills(35%)Enough for food & bills(29%)Not enough for food & bills (2%)School changes from moving in past 5 years:050100150200None(64%)1 (16%)None(60%)1 (26%)2 (3%)3 or more (11%)Dont know/choose not to answer(34%)More than enough for food & bills(35%)Enough for food & bills(29%)Not enough for food & bills (2%)EcosystemWorkforce ProgramSCHOOL CONTEXTDEM GRAPHICSChoose not to respondTransNone of theseMaleFemaleDon't knowNoYesNoYesTwo or more races/ethnicitiesWhite/CaucasianNative AmericanLatino/HispanicBlack/African AmericanAsianChoose not to respond (5%)None of these (1%)Trans (1%)Female (45%)Male (48%)050100150200250300350400Choose not to respondNone of theseTransFemaleMale050100150200250300350400Two or more races/ethnicities (11%)White/Caucasian (78%)Native American (7%)Latino/Hispanic (1%)Black/African American (2%)Asian (1%)Born in Piscataquis or N. Somerset County:TOP 5 BARRIERS TOP 5 ACTIVITIESSCHOOL RESULTSWhat is the highest level of education that you a) want, and b) expect to complete?What could prevent you from going as far in school as you would like? Which of the following activities have you participated in the last year?High school2-year community college/trade school4-year college/universityGraduate, master's, or law programPh.D. program or medical schoolQ23 WantQ15a) Wantedb) ExpectedExpect17%6%14%35% 14%32%23%12%32%16%a) Wantb) Expect0 50 100 150 200Q17  Hours on activities10 or more hours7-9 hours5-6 hours3-4 hours1-2 hours0 hoursWhich of the following activities have you participated in the last year? (Q16)Sports team (60%)Art or dance (25%)Attend community events (21%)Community service or volunteering (49%)Other school clubs (science/math, computer, debate, foreign language, etc.) (21%)Student council or government (30%)After-school or summer program (28%)0 hours  22 12%1-2 hours 49 28%3-4 hours 36 20%5-6 hours 28 16%7-9 hours 21 12%10 or more hours 22 12%I don’t participate in activities (22%)xxFFA or agriculture club (25%)Band or orchestra (41%)12% 12%12%16%20%28%0 50 100 150 200Q17  Hours on activities10 or more hours7-9 hours5-6 hours3-4 hours1-2 hours0 hoursWhich of the following activities have you participated in the last year? (Q16)Sports team (60%)Art or dance (25%)Attend community events (21%)Community service or volunteering (49%)Other school clubs (science/math, computer, debate, foreign language, etc.) (21%)Student council or government (30%)After-school or summer program (28%)0 hours  22 12%1-2 hours 49 28%3-4 hours 36 20%5-6 hours 28 16%7-9 hours 21 12%10 or more hours 22 12%I don’t participate in activities (22%)xxFFA or agriculture club (25%)Band or orchestra (41%)12% 12%12%16%20%28%On average, how many hours per week do you spend participating in all the above activites combined?Schools in rural communities are critical. They bring families together, support civic interaction, and foster workforce development. Schools also influence youth aspirations for future education. To learn more about these things in Piscataquis and Northern Somerset County schools, we asked students to tell us about their school experience and future goals, what they felt were barriers to those goals, and the extracurricular activities they participated in. Barriers (Q24)It costs too much (27%) I need to work after school (14%) I’m not smart enough (18%) I’d need to move away to go to school (14%) I don’t have good enough grades (17%) On DutyOn DutyMore shops and retail storesMore liqueed natural gas or pipeline developmentMore indoor recreation (hockey rinks, gyms)More restaurantsMore arts and culture$$D-U-HAULOn DutyHow much do you agree or disagree with the following statements about your school?7%15%21%31%12%Q15I am usually bored at school:0.0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1.0I like school:I get bullied by others at school:Agree DisagreeNeither agreenor disagree Don’t know1%38%17%44%1%69%17%13%24%25%51% 1%TOP 5 WISHESCOMMUNITY RESULTSHow much do you agree or disagree with the following statements about your community:What would you like to see more of in your community? Where do you want to live and expect to live when you are 30 years old?Do you think the following are important problems facing your community?Increasing the number of young people and working families is a critical issue in many rural towns. Natural amenities and attachment to community can retain young people or attract in-migration. We asked students to tell us about their community to better understand what the community has to offer. We also asked them where they want to live in the future to see if there’s an interest in living in these places among young people.Q50.0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1.0This is a good place to grow up:I care about my community:I feel like I am part of my community:Agree DisagreeNeither agreenor disagree Don’t know4%12%21%63%2%5%12%81%3%5%14%78%More shops and retail stores (60%) More medical care and hospitals (39%) More outdoor recreation (49%) More restaurants (62%) More indoor recreation (hockey rinks, gyms) (63%) More indoor recreation (hockey rinks, gyms) 125More restaurants 124More shops and retail stores 119More outdoor recreation 97More medical care and hospitals 77WantSame town or nearby town as now 23%Other rural area in Oregon 10%City in Oregon 22%Rural area in another state 6%City in anot er state 24%Another country 15%Same town or nearby town as now 30%Somewhere else rural (not in a city) Oregon 13%City in Oregon 25%Rural area in another state 8%City in another state 20%Another country 5%Another countryCity in another stateRural area in another stateA city in MaineOther rural area in MaineSame or nearby town as now34%11%14%8%26%7%38%15%17%9%20%2%Same town or nearby town as now 23%Other rural area in Oregon 10%City in Oregon 22%Rural area in another state 6%City in another state 24%Another country 15%Same town or nearby town as now 30%Somewhere else rural (not in a city) Oregon 13%City in Oregon 25%Rural area in another state 8%City in another state 20%Another country 5%Another countryCity in another stateRural area in another stateA city in MaineOther rural area in MaineSame or nearby town as now34%11%14%8%26%7%38%15%17%9%20%2%Same town or nearby town as now 23%Other rural area in Oregon 10%City in Oreg n 22%Rural area in another state 6%City in another state 24%Another country 15%Same town or nearby town as now 30%Somewhere lse rural (not in a city) Oregon 13%City i  Oreg n 25%Rural area in anoth r state 8%City in another state 20%Another country 5%Another countryCity in another stateRural area in another stateA city in MaineOther rural area in MaineSame or nearby town as now34%11%14%8%26%7%38%15%17%9%20%2%ExpectSame town or ne rby  as ow 23%Other rural area in Oregon 10%City in Oregon 22%Rural area in another state 6%City in another sta e 24%Another country 15%Same town or ne rby  as ow 30%Somewhere else rural (not in a city) Oregon 13%City in Oregon 25%Rural area in another state 8%City in another sta e 20%Another country 5%Another countryCity in another stateRural area in another stateA city in MaineOther rural area in MaineSame or nearby town as now34%11%14%8%26%7%38%15%17%9%20%2%SeDoMoCha Middle School “yes” responsesAll Piscataquis & N. Somerset County “yes” responsesPeople not having enough moneyNot enough things to do in townNot enough jobsPeople moving awayPoor school qualityLack of public transportationDrug or alcohol abuseNot enough healthcare or doctorsNot enough outdoor activitiesNot enough affordable or good housingHomelessnessCrimePeople not having enough moneyNot enough things to do in townNot enough jobsLack of public transportationDrug or alcohol abusePeople moving awayNot enough healthcare or doctorsPoor school qualityNot enough affordable or good housingNot enough outdoor activitiesCrimeHomelessnessLack of public transportationDrug or alcohol abusePeople moving awayNot enough healthcare or doctorsPoor school qualityNot enough affordable or good housingNot enough outdoor activitiesCrimeHomelessness22%14%22%41%38%42%16%32%30%16%37%20%People not having enough money 55%Not enough things to do in town55%Not enough jobs 50%47%Lack of public transportationDrug or alcohol abuse 45%People moving away 42%Not enough healthcare or doctors33%Poor school quality 32%Not enough affordable or good housing 30%Not enough outdoor activities28%Crime 17%Homelessness 16%The Rural Youth Futures project is funded by USDA National Institute for Food and Agriculture grant #2017-67023-26240. Project partners include: University of Maine, the University of Oregon’s Ecosystem Workforce Program, Coos Watershed Association (Oregon), the Appalachian Mountain Club (Maine), and Oregon State University. Header photo credit: Angelina Buzzelli, University of Maine. For more information on the project, contact Mindy Crandall, Oregon State University, mindy.crandall@oregonstate.edu. What sort of help would you like preparing for a job?Training needs? (Q37)Training in hands-on skills (26%)Interviewing skills (30%)Education or college advice (26%)Help staying organized (15%)Job advice (21%)Training in hands-on skills 194Education or college advice 179Job advice 168Help with job applications 139Interviewing skills 114Training in hands-on skillsEducation or college adviceJob adviceHelp with job applicationsInterviewing skillsSports team (45%)Apprenticeships or internship opportunities (17%)Public speaking etc (31%)Do you think the following things will prevent you from getting the job you want?Would you want to work in one of the following industries in this county?Which of the following outdoor recreation activites have you done in the last year? (top ten):Visiting the beach 254Camping  225Hiking   212Fishing/ice s i g 141Wil life viewing 125ATV riding  111Canoeing or kayaking 106Clamming/crabbing  88Hunting  74Skateboarding 730 20 40 60 80Wildlife viewingSnowshoeingHuntingSnowmobilingHikingCanoeing or kayakingATV ridingCampingFishing/ice shingVisiting the beachWildlife viewingSnowshoeingHuntingSnowmobilingHikingCanoeing or kayakingATV ridingCampingFishing/ice fishingVisiting the beach 58%53%52%48%48%45%43%41%33%29%YOUTH PROGRAMMINGYouth today are the community’s future labor force. How prepared they feel, and how willing they are to work in local industries, influences their success in the workforce. We asked students to tell us about their career plans, including what barriers they may face and what training support they need. Because the outdoors is so important to our community, we also asked them about outdoor recreation activities that they participated in.050100150200   Yes No Don't knowEducation 29% 55% 16%Industrial 27% 58% 13%Medical 45% 40% 15%Outdoor- 35% 51% 13%Service 23% 56% 18%Education Manufacturing Medical RetailYes No Don’t know33%49%18%21%59%19%34%50%16%21%57%23%Percentage of students who agree or strongly agree with statements about their attachment to the outdoors (top two):  they can be themselves in the outdoors here77%of students said57%of students saidthey feel safe in the outdoors hereTraining needs? (Q37)I don’t have enough money to get the education I need (21%)I’m not smart enough (9%)I don’t know the right people (10%)I don’t have the necessary skills (9%)Training in hands-on skills 194Education or college advice 179Job advice 168Help with job applications 139I t rviewing skills 114Training in hands-on skillsEducation or college adviceJob adviceHelp with job applicationsInterviewing skills$I don’t have good enough grades (24%) It costs too much (45%) I don’t have enough good grades in school (13%)D-There aren’t enough jobs in that eld (9%)I won't be able to support myself with that job (15%)TOP 5 TRAINING NEEDSTOP 5 BARRIERSWhat would be your dream job when you are 30?For this question, students could type in any answer to the question of what their dream job would be. W  wanted to get a sense of their ideal career aspirations. All responses were entered into a program that ge erated this word cloud, where the larger and darker an entry is, the more times it was mentioned by students. Some students didn’t name a particular job, but described in general what they hoped they’d be doing.

Sedomocha Middle School (ME)

https://digitalcommons.library.umaine.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1005&context=rural_youth_futures

Sedomocha Middle School (ME)

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