503.4 Student Surveys

The Board recognizes the importance of conducting student surveys and gathering information from students. Surveys relating to and/or gathering certain information from students are subject to the parent’s consent and/or right to opt his/her student out of the survey.

The District shall require parental consent before a student is required to submit to a survey that concerns one or more of the following protected areas (“protected information surveys”) if the survey is funded in whole or in part by a program of the U.S. Department of Education (ED):

1. Political affiliations or beliefs of the student or the student’s parents;
2. Mental or psychological problems of the student or the student’s family;
3. Sex behaviors or attitudes;
4. Illegal, anti-social, self-incriminating or demeaning behavior;
5. Critical appraisals of others with whom the respondents have close family  relationships;
6. Legally recognized privileged relationships, such as with lawyers, doctors, or ministers;
7. Religious practices, affiliations, or beliefs of the students or parents; or
8. Income, other than as required by law to determine program eligibility.

The District shall provide an opportunity for parents to opt their child out of any of the following surveys and/or information gathering processes:

1. A protected information survey, which concerns any of the protected areas outlined above, regardless of the source of funding of the survey;
2. Any non-emergency, invasive physical examination or screening required as a condition of attendance, administered by the school or its agent, and not necessary to protect the immediate health and safety of a student, except for hearing, vision, or scoliosis screenings, or any physical examination or screening permitted or required under Iowa law; and
3. Activities involving the collection, disclosure, or use of personal information obtained from students for marketing or to sell or otherwise distribute the information to others.

The District shall provide parents an opportunity to inspect upon request and before administration or use, any of the following information:

1. Protected information surveys of students;
2. Instruments used to collect personal information from students for any of the above marketing, sales, or other distribution purposes; and
3. Instructional materials used as part of the educational curriculum.

The District shall also directly notify, such as through U.S. Mail or e-mail, parents of students who are scheduled to participate in the specific activities or surveys listed above and will provide an opportunity for the parent to consent to or opt his/her child out of participation of the specific activity or survey. The District will provide the Schedule of Activities outlining the activities to which this Policy applies, preferably at the same time as the District provides the Notice, if the District has identified the specific or approximate dates of the activities and surveys at that time. For surveys and activities scheduled after the school year starts, parents will be provided reasonable notification of the planned activities and surveys listed above and/or planned activities and surveys that may arise during the school year that are not listed below, and will be provided an opportunity to consent to or opt his/her child out of participation of the specific activity or survey. Parents will also be provided an opportunity to review any pertinent surveys.

It is the responsibility of the building Principal to annually notify parents and eligible students of their right consent and/or opt-out of participation in surveys and/or activities. The notice will include a statement that the parents have a right to file a complaint alleging the District failed to comply with this policy. Complaints are forwarded to Family Policy Compliance Office, U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20202-5920.

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