Feds reportedly probe Seattle schools over controversial health survey
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Seattle-area school districts administer a health survey to 10-year-old students asking about their gender identity, romantic interests, and substance use, and reportedly share the data with outside groups; This raises privacy and consent concerns among some parents and led to an investigation by the Department for Education.
The survey, known as “Check Yourself,” is a web-based survey given to students in sixth through 10th grade and, in some cases, through fifth grade at participating schools. The tool is part of a grant-funded initiative called SBIRT, short for Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Services, that aims to reduce substance abuse, improve mental health, and connect students to counseling and other support resources.
The survey includes approximately 40 questions about gender identity, school crushes, goals, mental health, substance use, safety and social supports. Some questions ask students to indicate “which gender they are most in love with” or how they determine their gender, while others ask about alcohol or drug use, self-harm or suicidal thoughts.
According to Seattle Public Schools (SPS), participation in the survey is voluntary. Students may refuse to participate and parents will be notified in advance in a letter and may choose not to have their children participate. The district also says the survey is not diagnostic and is intended to flag students who may benefit from additional support.
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Children are sitting in school classrooms and raising their hands to answer a question. (Getty)
However, a recent National Review report It found that the letter sent home to parents did not disclose the sensitive nature of the questions or explain that the results might be shared with outside groups. Documents obtained by the organization show survey data was shared with outside organizations under data sharing and funding agreements, including King County and Seattle Children’s Hospital or its research affiliates, for evaluation and research purposes.
SPS says students were given proxy ID numbers when participating in the survey and no student names or district ID numbers were used. The district adds that individual responses are reviewed by school personnel, such as counselors or prevention specialists, and parents or guardians are contacted if a student poses a danger to themselves or others.
Parents in the district told National Review they are concerned that sharing such personal information with outside organizations could make students identifiable even if their names are not attached.
Stephanie Hager, a mother whose son took the survey in 2019, is among the most vocal critics. He obtained the survey records through public document requests and argued that current safeguards do not adequately protect student privacy.
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Young girls are sitting in rows at desks in the classroom and writing exams. (iStock)
“Schools were paid a lot of money to release these records to third parties, including Seattle Children’s Hospital,” Hager told National Review. “These records are very valuable because it’s very difficult to get this information from students, teenagers, children, minors.”
A letter signed by 23 Seattle parents to King County and obtained by the publishing house requested that the district obtain written permission before sharing any student data with third parties.
The survey has been distributed to more than 67,000 students in the Seattle area since 2018, according to the report.
The Department of Education’s Office of Student Privacy Policy said it launched an investigation into Seattle-area schools over survey and data sharing concerns.
A previous investigation It was concluded by the King County Ombudsman’s Office that “there is no evidence to suggest that private student information was wrongfully disclosed by King County.”
Seattle Public Schools survey says It is an important tool for identifying students who may need support and complies with federal and state student privacy laws, including the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and the Student Rights Protection Amendment.
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The Department of Education and Seattle Public Schools did not immediately respond to requests for comment from Fox News Digital.
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Parents in Oregon were also alarmed about the distribution of similar surveys at their children’s schools.
Oregon father Chuck Gonzales told Fox News Digital in November that he was angry and disgusted when he learned his 11-year-old son would take a survey this school year asking about his sexual orientation and gender identity, saying it was “wrong” and a violation of parental and religious rights.
