Student Surveys in VBCPS required by VA Dept of Health

I have received a number of questions related to surveys being conducted in Virginia Beach Schools.  I would like to share detailed information regarding one of those surveys that many are asking about.  

Under state law 32.1-73.8, government schools are required to cooperate with the distribution and collection of certain surveys.  

3 middle schools (Bayside, Landstown, and Salem) and 5 high schools (First Colonial, Green Run, Landstown, Salem, and Tallwood) were randomly selected by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to participate in the Virginia Youth Survey sponsored by the Virginia Department of Health (VDH).

Some further details about the surveys:

• The school division and schools are mandated by the Code of Virginia to participate.
• The survey is voluntary and anonymous for students.
• The survey administration must be completed by November 22.
• The survey includes items about safety, violence (including parental violence and sexual violence), weapons, bullying, suicide, tobacco, alcohol, other drug use, body weight, nutrition, physical activity, sexual behaviors and sexual orientation (high school only), gender identity, Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE), mental health, and other health-related issues topics.
• As required by School Board Policy 5-67 when surveys address areas of protected information, VBCPS is using an active parental consent process.
• A total of 479 parents of students in classes selected by VDH to participate will be mailed information about the survey and a consent form at least 30 days prior to survey administration.
• Only ​those students whose parents return a signed consent form giving permission for their child to participate will be administered the survey in mid-November.

Here are copies of the surveys.  

High School Survey

​Middle School Survey