A reduction in the incidence of disruptive behavior and insubordination among high school students has been reported at Suttons Bay School.

Student assistance coordinator Sue Chapman last week shared the results of a biannual survey of students in grades 7, 9 and 11 that correlate with improved behavior as measured by staff members.

According to Chapman, there has been a 55 percent reduction from 2006-07 to the current school year in the number of staff referrals for “disruptive behavior.”

At the middle and elementary school levels, discipline referrals are down 21 percent.

The statistics could be linked to factors that may positively impact student behavior as measured by the Search Institute, known for identifying “40 Developmental Assets” that positively impact children’s lives. Suttons Bay students recently completed the survey that not only measures the number of students engaging in “risk” behaviors, but also their self-confidence. The assessment has been given every other year since 1999, with the exception of 2005.

“Seventy-four percent of those questioned indicated that they felt their life has a ‘purpose,’” Chapman said. “This is up from 59 percent in 2003 and 58 percent in ‘99.”

More than 76 percent said they are “optimistic” about their future and 38 percent indicated they know how to plan ahead and make choices, up from 27 percent in 2003. Along these lines, 51 percent of students indicated it is important not to be sexually active or to use alcohol or other drugs. And 69 percent of the students said they accept and take “personal responsibility” for their actions.

Regarding study habits, there was a drop in the number of students who report doing at least one hour of homework every school day. Forty-five percent of those surveyed said they do at least one hour of homework daily, compared to 61 percent four years ago. The number of young people reading for pleasure three or more hours per week fell from 32 percent in 2003 to 27 percent this year.

“External assets” were also measured in the survey, and found that 80 percent of students said they spend three or more hours per week in sports, clubs or other school/community organizations, up from 69 percent in 2003. Sixty-two percent said they feel safe at home, school and in the neighborhood, up from 51 percent in 2003. Also, 36 percent of students indicated that parents are actively involved in helping young people succeed in school, a slight decrease from 37 percent in 2003.

Thirty-seven percent of students indicate they communicate positively with their parents and that they are willing to seek parental advice or counsel, up from 29 percent in 2003.

There were also increases in the number of students who receive support from three or more non-parent adults. Fifty-six percent indicated that to be true in 2007, up from 49 percent in 2003. Likewise, there was a 6 percent increase in the number of young people who said they experience “caring neighbors.”

Forty percent of those surveyed this year said they had caring neighbors, up from 34 percent in 2003.

In the area of tobacco, drug and alcohol use, there were also improved numbers.

The number of 7th, 8th and 11th-grade students who said they’ve used alcohol one or more times in the past 30 days has fallen or remained the same between 1999 and this year. Nine percent of seventh graders admitted to alcohol use in the last 30 days, compared to 27 percent of ninth graders and 39 percent of 11th graders. The same three groups were at eight percent, 36 percent and 40 percent in 2005, respectively. The number of 9th and 11th grade students who said they had become drunk once or more in the previous two weeks fell between 2005 and this year. Eight percent of ninth graders said they fell into the category, down from 20 percent in 2005. For 11th-graders, the rate was 26 percent, about the same as 2005.

Use of tobacco products also dropped across the board, according to survey results.

In 1999, 65 percent of high school juniors said they had smoked cigarettes once or twice in the last 30 days. That fell to 29 percent in 2005 and 20 percent this year. The number of ninth graders falling into this group has dropped from 18 percent in 1999 to 11 percent this year. Likewise, only seven percent of seventh graders surveyed said they used cigarettes once or twice in the past month, compared to 17 percent in 1999.

Admitted use of intoxicating inhalants has fallen in all age groups, but appears to be the most popular with high school freshmen. Only two percent of 11th graders said they had sniffed or inhaled substances to get “high” once or more in the last 12 months. Eight percent of ninth graders and five percent of seventh-graders admitted to the behavior.

Use of marijuana among students appears to be more prevalent at the high school level. This year, seven percent of seventh-graders admitted to using marijuana once or more in the last year, compared to 15 percent of ninth-graders and 32 percent of 11th-graders.