Your child is being asked to participate in a voluntary survey called the Illinois Youth Survey, whose purpose is to better understand Illinois youth risk and protective behaviors as they relate to students and their success. Participation will involve completing a survey (with no names or identification numbers) that will be confidentially administered by a classroom teacher, counselor, or community member who has received training on administering this survey. Your child's participation will last no more than one class period (40-45 minutes). Risks related to participating are minimal, but some questions ask about sensitive topics and personal behavior that might make some students feel uncomfortable. The benefits related to this research include improving your community's ability to develop programs and strategies to prevent youth problem behaviors and enhance youth development. The alternative to participating in the survey is an alternate activity such as quiet reading in the classroom.
A Parent Notification Letter with a Parent Opt-Out Form will be sent home to parents/guardians. If you have questions about the survey process at your child's school, please contact the school office. If you wish to look over the survey questionnaire, it is available for review in your child's school office or online at https://iys.cprd.illinois.edu/about/content. If you have any questions about this study or your child's part in it, or if you have concerns, contact Nancy Flowers, Director of Research Programs at the Center for Prevention Research and Development toll-free at 888-335-5612 or
[email protected]
If you do not want your child to participate in the survey, please complete the form, sign it, and return it to the school within 2 weeks. Your decision to refuse permission will not in any way influence your future relationship with your child's school. You may also withdraw your child during the survey by notifying the school office.