In October of 1983, Austin Independent School District secondary students (n=1275) completed a Youth Needs Survey (YNS) representing a 16 percent return of the original sample. Because the countywide Social Policy Advisory Committee was using the YNS results for planning, it was decided to use a high school student questionnaire (Questions for Students) to determine if the responses on the YNS had any relation to possible responses of a true random sample of students. From eight of the YNS scale sets it was possible to choose one item that could be used on a districtwide survey, without first acquiring parental permission. These were among the least personally sensitive items, but had been previously correlated with the other items. These items were randomly assigned to about 1,400 high school students each, and each student had one or two items included with other vocational course and job-need questions. Students were promised anonymity on non-course related choices, and the rate of responses was consistent across all items. While the YNS student sample differed from the District, the results indicate that most teenagers' attitudes and opinions are strongly influenced by their common membership in the school system. (PN)