JRE- administration of surveys or tests in schools
Date Adopted: 10 August 1999
Current Review / Revision: 11 March 2026
Students in grades Kindergarten through Twelve shall not be administered any psychological or psychiatric examination, test, treatment or any survey, analysis, or evaluation without the prior written consent of the student’s parent or legal guardian, in which the purpose or evident intended effect is to cause the student to reveal information, whether the information is personally identifiable or not, concerning the student’s or any family member’s:
- political affiliations;
- mental or psychological problems;
- sexual behavior, orientation, or attitudes;
- illegal, anti-social, self-incriminating, or demeaning behavior;
- critical appraisals of individuals with whom the student or family member has close family relationships;
- religious affiliations or beliefs;
- legally recognized privileged and analogous relationships, such as those with lawyers, medical personnel, or ministers; and
- income, except as required by law.
Unless otherwise agreed to by a student’s parent or legal guardian and the person requesting the written consent, the written consent is valid only for the activity for which it was granted. A general consent used to approve admission to school or involvement in special education, remedial education, or a school activity does not constitute written consent under this policy.
District employees who violate this policy shall be subject to appropriate disciplinary action which may include reprimand, suspension or dismissal.
In-service shall be provided to all administrators and teachers on the implementation of this policy.
This policy is intended to comply with Utah Code 53E-9-202.
School Climate Surveys
Definition—
For purposes of this policy:
“School Climate Survey” or “climate survey” means a survey that evaluates a range of aspects of the educational environment to assess perceptions and identify specific strengths and weaknesses within a school. The survey may also include additional questions from the District (subject to compliance with Policy FEA and related statutes).
“School Community” means relevant stakeholders, including parents, students, administration, school building staff (including teachers), and school resource officers
Utah Admin. Rules R277-623-4(2)(b)
Administration of Climate Survey—
The District may administer a school climate survey but is not required to do so.
If a school climate survey is administered, it shall be given using a State Board of Education approved online provider and shall be administered at least once every other year, in the opposite year from the Employee Engagement Survey. (See Policy GCW Employee Surveys.)
Utah Admin. Rules R277-623-4(1)(a)(iii), (4)
The survey shall be administered to the District’s school community in an anonymous and randomized way, using other languages relevant to the school community where possible and in a form which complies with the Americans With Disabilities Act. The survey shall be administered to all adults and to the lesser of 400 students or 35% of the District’s student population.
Utah Admin. Rules R277-623-4(2)
A student may request a different survey administrator. The survey may be administered orally to a student if measures are put into place to protect the confidentiality of the student’s responses and if measures are put into place to protect the confidentiality and identity of the survey administrator from the general public.
Utah Admin. Rules R277-623-4(3)
Confidentiality of Survey Information—
The responses provided by adults to climate surveys are designated as private information under Policy GA and the Utah Government Records Access and Management Act and access to such information will be allowed only as permitted under that policy and statute. The responses provided by students to climate surveys are student records for purposes of Policy FE and FERPA and access to those records will be allowed only as permitted under that policy and statute.
Utah Admin. Rules R277-623-4(5)
Access to Model Surveys—
The USBE Model School Climate Survey can be obtained at the Utah State Board of Education offices and online at:
https://schools.utah.gov/administrativerules/documentsincorporated
Utah Admin. Rules R277-623-3(2)
Previous Revision - 10 August 1999