Committee approves district administration of Youth Risk Behavior Survey for middle and high schools

The Wallingford Instructional Committee on March 3 took consensus to administer the Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) to middle- and high-school students, with the district planning an April administration and parental opt-out for each student.

"This is an every other year survey, that we provide to our students," said Mrs. Turner, who presented the surveys and described the district’s process. She said the district and Rothenbach Research reviewed the CDC’s 2025 instrument and adapted language to preserve reliability and age-appropriateness; "the surveys that I'm presenting to you this evening are actually, the same surveys that we administered in 2023," she told the committee.

Turner said the YRBS is administered electronically in advisory groups, that the district will publicize opt-out procedures to parents, and that the survey is anonymous. "The survey is anonymous, so students are told this is anonymous. And, it is an opt, parents can opt out their child from taking it," she said. The district noted support services are available if a survey question raises concerns for a student and said counselors, social workers and psychologists will be available during administration times.

Board members asked whether particular locations—such as buses—are included in the bullying question; Turner confirmed transportation incidents are considered part of school property for the survey item. Members also discussed whether students themselves can opt out; presenters said parents may opt a student out but the district administers in advisory and teachers supervise the session.

A committee member raised a concern that truly anonymous responses might prevent staff from reaching a specific student in need. Turner said staff can and do advise students to seek help and that counselors are available during administration; she also agreed to explore additional proactive options that preserve anonymity, such as ways for students to request follow-up without identifying information. "Let me spend some time really problem solving…what are some proactive strategies we can put in place so they know that there's an anonymous way to leave the classroom or to get a pass," she said.

The committee recorded a roll-call consensus vote to approve the high-school administration and, separately, the middle-school administration. The transcript records unanimous "yes" votes in the roll-call for both items; meeting presenters said the high-school administration is scheduled for April with a separate middle-school administration to follow.

Ending: District staff will finalize logistics, distribute opt-out notices to families, and coordinate Rothenbach Research's analysis of results after administration; staff also said they will consider additional anonymous follow-up options for students who indicate concerns.