January 18, 1996
Web posted at: 9:20 p.m. EST
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Cheating, risky sexual behavior and drug and alcohol use are activities found among high-achievers in the nation's high schools, according to the 26th annual survey of students listed in "Who's Who Among American High School Students."
However, students who took part in the survey named the "decline of moral and social values" as the greatest crisis confronting the nation and the number one problem facing teen-agers.
Cheating: 89 percent of the students said cheating is common at their schools, and 76 percent admitted they had cheated on schoolwork themselves. Of those who cheated, 94 percent said they never got caught, and only 5 percent of those caught said they were punished.
"In theory, we all want this to be a better world," said Jackie Knoll, 17, a senior in Montrose, Michigan. "In reality, we have to get this test done and we have to get an A. I think the bright kids are honest, but there is a lot of pressure to excel."
Drugs and alcohol: About half of students surveyed said drugs and alcohol are "easy or not very difficult" to obtain at school, while eight out of 10 students said there is a lot of alcohol use among students in their schools. About one in 10 of the students surveyed admitted driving after drinking and about one in four said they have been in cars with drivers who had had too much to drink.
Guns: About 28 percent knew someone who had brought a weapon to school and 45 percent said they own or have access to some kind of gun.
Suicide: 26 percent said they have considered suicide, 4 percent said they have attempted it and 45 percent said they know someone their own age who has tried to take his or her own life.
Sexual behavior: 44 percent of the students who said they were sexually active revealed that they did not use birth control measures on a regular basis. Among the sexually active students, 85 percent said they did not think they were at risk for AIDS, and 37 percent said they would engage in sexual intercourse if a condom was not available.
Home life, schools and the media: 69 percent said they come from homes that are "happy and close most of the time" and 83 percent said they have a great deal of confidence in their parents. Only 4 percent said they have confidence in the media, while 35 percent say they have confidence in their schools.
The Who's Who annual survey was conducted among 3,351 16- to 18-year-old students around the country who have an "A" or "B" average. Of those surveyed, 98 percent plan to attend college after high school graduation.
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AP contributed to this report.
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