Minnesota teens in many ways appear to be living healthier lifestyles. They’re using seatbelts more often, becoming more physically active and smoking less. On the other hand, high school seniors continue to drink alcohol and indulge in binge drinking at high rates, and more of them are using marijuana.

Those are among the findings of the 2007 Minnesota Student Survey, a voluntary survey coordinated by four state agencies and taken this year by about 72 percent of Minnesota students in grades 6, 9 and 12. The survey was last given in 2004.

The survey gathers a wide range of data about students in those grades, from the amount of time they spend doing homework to the percentage who report being bullied or physically or sexually abused.

 “It’s our hope that the results of the student survey provide parents and educators with some additional insights into important issues and challenges facing Minnesota students,” Education Commissioner Alice Seagren said.

A sample of this year’s findings:

• More than nine out of 10 students in grades 9 and 12 say they feel safe at school.
• Alcohol use by 12th-graders held steady from 2004 at 62.7 percent, and those reporting that they binge drink remained steady at 30 percent. Those behaviors declined among ninth graders, however.
• The percentage of 12th-graders reporting they plan to go to college increased from 83 percent in 2004 to 86 percent in 2007.