Kansas House Bill 2567 Sec. 27 - A nonacademic test, questionnaire, survey or examination containing any questions about the personal and private attitudes, values, beliefs or practices of the student or the student's parents, guardians, family members, associates, friends or peers that is administered during the school day shall not be administered to any student enrolled in kindergarten or grades one through 12, unless the parent:

1. Is notified in writing not more than four months in advance of the administration of such test, questionnaire, survey or examination that this such test, questionnaire, survey or examination is to be administered, and notification includes:

a. copy of the test, questionnaire, survey or examination that is to be administered;

b. information on how the parent or guardian may provide written consent to authorize the student to take such test, questionnaire, survey or examination;

c. the name of the company or entity that produces or provides the test, questionnaire, survey or examination to the school; and

d. whether the school will receive or maintain the resulting data and an explanation of how the school intends to use and maintain such data;

2. The parent must “opt-in” with consent either by written or electronic signature. Written consent from the parent shall be provided separately for each individual test, questionnaire, survey or examination that is to be administered.

3. However, the student shall have the right to refuse even after the parent consents, and may “opt-out” of taking it. Prior to administering the test, each student shall be informed they have the right to refuse to take it without suffering any consequences.

Prior to the administration of any such test, questionnaire, survey or examination, a school district shall post and maintain a copy of such test, questionnaire, survey or examination on the school district website.

No personally identifiable student data shall be collected through any such test, questionnaire, survey or examination.

If any school district employee becomes aware that a student may be at risk of suicide by a credible report from the student, the student's peers or another school district employee, after attempting to notify the parent, designated school personnel may administer a suicide risk assessment or screening tool. If parent cannot be verbally notified, as soon as contact is made, school personnel will provide the parent all information obtained from the risk assessment administered to the student.

Kansas Communities That Care Survey

The Kansas Communities That Care (KCTC) Student Survey has been administered annually in Kansas since 1994-1995 and measures teen substance use, delinquency, and related problem behaviors. We know that students are influenced by many factors, and behavior and attitudes do not develop in isolation. What happens at home affects youth performance and behavior at school. What happens in our schools can affect youth attitudes toward the community, and vice versa. It is critical that we look at the whole picture to determine the most appropriate approaches to focus on prevention efforts. If problem behaviors decrease in schools and communities, they are better places to learn, grow, and live. A short video overview of the KCTC Student Survey and its importance to local communities can be found on YouTube. 

What is the purpose of the study?

With the movement towards accountability at all levels, having high quality youth data is critical for school districts, community, county, and regional organizations, as well as state agencies. KCTC data is used across multiple state agencies, including the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services (KDADS), Behavioral Health Services Commission, Kansas State Department of Education, and Juvenile Justice Authority. Frequent and consistent participation is critical to establishing reliable trend data over time.

Why is this study important?

The KCTC student survey provides schools with data. This data is used to help districts gauge what is working and what needs work within their schools. Districts can then look into different programs to address weaknesses or enhance strengths. Districts can also use the data when seeking funding for programming. There are many community organizations (e.g., United Way, Big Brothers/ Big Sisters, Boys & Girls Clubs, Kansas Children’s Service League, Communities in Schools, Juvenile Services, and community coalitions) counting on annual survey data to apply for grant funding for student and community prevention programming that will benefit students.

How will my student’s confidentiality be protected? What will happen to the information the study keeps? 

This survey is completely anonymous. Students will not be asked for their names on the survey, nor will anyone be able to connect any individual student with responses. School staff will not see any one student’s responses, but only summaries of results. Data security is ensured through a combination of sound technology infrastructure, clear protocols and practices for key personnel involved in data collection, storage, transit, and access. All data is stored, encrypted, and secured with offsite backups. The data can be accessed only by managed authenticated users with least privileged access. Data is stored onsite and offsite using redundant servers protected by managed firewalls. Access to server(s) is restricted to authorized users and accessed by encrypted connection only. Summaries of survey results will be published online each spring and can be viewed at kctcdata.org.

Why has my student been asked to take part in this study?

Principal Investigators with KDADS have determined the KCTC is grounded in rigorous research from a variety of disciplines. This research has identified the predictors of youth problem behaviors, developed assessment tools for measuring those predictors in a community, and tested programs that work to address those predictors.

How many people besides my student will be in the study?

This study is expected to collect results from about 30,000 participants.

What will my student be asked to do in this study?

Participants will be asked to complete an online survey.

What questions will my student be asked?

The survey is a valuable tool in asking questions to help us understand how students behave, think, and feel about bullying and school safety, as well as alcohol, marijuana, and other drug use. The survey also includes questions regarding student-teacher relationships and student involvement. USD 383 has chosen to include the following optional sets of questions, which are not automatically included in the core survey: depression/suicide and family domain. For districts participating in the depression/suicide set of questions, these questions are not a suicide risk assessment or suicide screening tool. Talk with your school to learn which optional question sets your student will receive, if any. A copy of all questions on the survey can be viewed at Student Survey .

How much time will my student spend being in this study?

The survey will take approximately 27 minutes to complete and will be administered during a single class period. Keep in mind, some students are able to finish more quickly, while others may need additional time. Most students will be with their teachers when taking the survey.

Will my student be paid for being in this study? Who pays for the survey?

Your student will not be paid for being in this study. This survey is funded through KDADS and is available at no cost to all districts.

Will being in this study cost me or my student anything?

There is no monetary cost to you or your student for completing the survey.

What are the benefits of my student being in this study?

Annual participation is important. Even if your student has participated in previous surveys, annual data is extremely helpful in determining the effectiveness of previous efforts and changes in program areas.

What are the risks to my student in this study?

No risks, danger, or harm exists for participating in this study. Your student may choose to leave the study at any time. No personally identifying information will be collected about your student. It is possible, however, with Internet communications, that through intent or accident, someone other than the intended recipient may see your student’s responses.

What are the alternatives to being in this study? Does my student have other choices?

The alternative/other choice is not to participate in this study. Participation is entirely voluntary. The student may decline to participate in the survey or may simply skip any particular question the student does not wish to answer.

What are my student’s rights as a participant?

Taking part in the study is completely voluntary. You may decline to have the student participate in the survey or change your election of consent at any time. The student may choose not to take part even if you give consent. The student can exit the survey at any time. Partial responses will be recorded. The Institutional Review Board (IRB) at Greenbush – The Education Service Center is the committee that protects the rights of people in research studies.

Who do I call if I have questions or problems?

The survey is provided by the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services, Behavioral Health Services Commission and administered by Greenbush – The Southeast Kansas Education Service Center, Research and Evaluation Department. SEKESC IRB STUDY #2022-01. If you have any questions or concerns about this study, please contact the Project Manager or via phone at 620-724-6281, extension 366. The Institutional Review Board (IRB) at Greenbush has approved this study. If you have any concerns as to your rights, the rights of your school district, or the rights of the students, you may contact The Research Compliance Officer of Greenbush SEKESC.  If you have questions related to the survey at your school, you can contact Kari Q. Humes, District Drug and Alcohol Prevention Coordinator, or 785-587-2100 extension 8058.

Individual Plans of Study (IPS) - Student

In January 2014 the Kansas State Department of Education went to the State Board of Education strongly recommending that all districts implement individual plans of study for students in grades 8 through 12 for the following reasons:

1) Individual plans of study should be considered a “best practice” for districts, can help all Kansas students obtain a suitable vision of their path toward college and career readiness, and will address the gap between the percentage of students enrolling and the percentage of students earning credit during their first year of enrollment in 2- and 4-year postsecondary institutions.

2) Individual plans of study are addressed as part of the “Career Awareness and Guidance” criteria in the current draft version of Kansas’ new accreditation model.

3) The Kansas State Department of Education can provide support to educators, as well as to vendors of student information systems to ensure that individual plans of study are implemented in ways that will be cost-effective and not unreasonably taxing to students or educators.

As students navigate through high school and into career and college, it is imperative that students set educational goals and create a roadmap for success in high school and beyond. This roadmap, or individual plan of study, includes development of a flexible career focus and an education plan that is clearly-defined, rigorous, and relevant to assure a successful and efficient transition to postsecondary education and/or the workforce.

The foundational elements of the individual plan of study are the career interests identified by the student through an authentic career interest survey or assessment. A roadmap based on the student’s interests and talents can then be developed. Other parts of the IPS include graduation requirements, approved coursework for the student's educational and career goals, and developmentally-appropriate, work-based learning experiences.

An IPS is developed cooperatively with the student and the student's counselor, teachers, and family members. The plan is reviewed at least twice annually and is revised as needed.

• Xello 6 - 12 Plan
• Xello Assessment Package
• Individual Plan of Study Digital Reference Guide