During the spring semester (January through June) of the 2017-18
school year, schools within the city of Chicago and throughout the state
will have the opportunity to conduct the Illinois Youth Survey (IYS)
with students in 10th or 12th grade. Your child’s school may choose
to participate.

WHAT IS THE ILLINOIS YOUTH SURVEY?
The purpose of the IYS is to better understand youth attitudes and
behaviors that can impact student problems and academic success. It
will ask about topics including nutrition, physical activity, bullying,
tobacco, alcohol, and other drug use. Students will be asked to
complete a survey (with no names or identification numbers) that will
be confidentially administered during one class period. The survey is
completely voluntary and privacy will be strictly protected.

DO I HAVE TO DO ANYTHING TO ALLOW MY CHILD TO PARTICIPATE?
Approximately 1 month before the school-selected survey date, you
will be sent a notification form officially informing you that the survey
is being conducted at your school. This form will allow you to exclude
your child from participation and only needs to be returned if you
do not want your child to participate. Even if you allow your child to
participate, every student will also be given the choice to participate or
not.

WHAT IS THE SURVEY DATA USED FOR?
The Illinois Youth Survey will provide your school with a local report
of the combined student results which will help to determine which
programs may be needed to keep students safe and healthy.


The IYS is funded by the Illinois Department
of Human Services and is coordinated by
the Center for Prevention Research and
Development at the University of Illinois.
For more information, please visit the Illinois Youth Survey website at
http://iys.cprd.illinois.edu