Vaping, bathrooms, stress: What 357,000 NYC students revealed in revamped school survey

The New York City Department of Education has revamped its annual school survey, shortening the number of questions from 79 to 61 and streamlining the language. The goal is to gather more precise information to address specific issues faced by students, parents, and teachers. This year, the survey received responses from over 357,000 students in grades 6-12, marking a 3% increase from the previous year.

One of the new questions focuses on vaping, a growing concern in schools. Approximately 39% of female students and 32% of male students reported that their peers vape often or very often. The frequency of vaping varied by grade, with ninth graders reporting the highest instances of vaping at 45%.

The survey also inquired about gender-inclusive bathrooms, a topic that has been a point of contention. Most students (86%) reported having access to a bathroom that aligns with their gender identity, though this varied by gender. Additionally, the survey asked students about the relevance of what they learn in school to their lives outside of it. Less than half (49%) of students reported that most or all of their teachers connect classroom learning to real-world applications.

Other highlights include students' feelings of inclusion in school activities and their ability to manage stress through strategies learned at school. While 86% of students felt they could always or most of the time use bathrooms matching their gender identity, 45% reported using school strategies to stay focused during frustrating situations. Girls were less likely to report feeling included in school activities, with 43% saying they sometimes or never felt included, compared to 38% of boys.