District 25 - Republican
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Session: State Capitol, Room 104 Juneau, AK 99801-1182 Phone: (907) 465-2199 Fax: (907) 465-4587 Send E-Mail Interim: 10928 Eagle River Rd., Suite 140 Eagle River, AK 99577 Phone: (907) 694-6683 Fax: (907) 694-1015 |
Sponsor Statement for HB 70
Public School Surveys
An Act relating to questionnaires or surveys administered in public schools.
Updated: May 6, 1999 Alaska State Law (AS 14.03.110) requires parental consent for student questionnaires. There has been some confusion over "passive" versus "active" parental consent. A controversy arose recently with the use of the anonymous "Youth Risk Behavior Survey," sponsored by the Alaska's Department of Health and Human Services (DHSS). The successful completion of the "Youth Risk Behavior Survey" is reported to be necessary for the securing of Federal grant funds. The survey was administered by some districts without parental permission. Some schools, and districts, chose to not use the survey, in deference to parental concerns. Other districts obtained legal opinions indicating that they did not require "active" parental consent in apparent contradiction of the intent of the legislature. While parents were upset with the lack of involvement offered, the survey was considered by many to be too invasive and far too personal. Samples of some of the questions are included in the bill packet. The immediate solution to the dilemma would appear to be getting active parental consent for the surveys. However, public health officials maintain that it would be impractical to handle the logistics and that too few parents would respond positively. Committee Substitute for CSHB 70 attempts to solve this dilemma by allowing for a once a year blanket parental consent for anonymous questionnaires and surveys. The sponsor anticipates that each district or school would obtain the blanket annual anonymous questionnaire permission at the time of student registration. With automation, the school should be able to enter and retrieve the list of authorized questionnaire recipients. Public health officials argue that even this won't work. Even with all-inclusive annual parental permission, CSHB 70 requires that parents and students be given two weeks notice before the anonymous survey and another opportunity to decline to participate. CSHB 70 tries to strike a practical balance between the rights of parents to control the educational experience of their children while allowing public officials to obtain apparently needed information and the grants that follow.