Concerns Over Student Health Survey in Seattle-Area Schools

A school district near Seattle is facing scrutiny for administering a health survey to students as young as 10, which inquires about gender identity, romantic interests, and drug use. This has raised privacy concerns among some parents, leading to an investigation by the Department of Education.

The survey, called “Check Yourself,” is conducted online for students in grades 6 through 10, with some participation from fifth graders. It’s part of a grant-funded initiative dubbed SBIRT (Screening, Brief Intervention and Referral to Services), aimed at curbing substance abuse, fostering mental health, and connecting students with support services.

The survey contains around 40 questions touching on various topics—including gender identity, crushes, personal goals, mental health issues, substance use, safety, and social connections. It prompts students to specify which gender they might have a crush on and how they identify gender-wise, among other inquiries related to alcohol and drugs, as well as self-harm and suicidal thoughts.

Seattle Public Schools (SPS) maintains that participation is voluntary. Parents receive notification letters in advance, and students have the option to opt out. The district emphasizes that the survey is not meant for diagnosis; rather, it’s to identify students who might need additional support.

However, a recent report highlighted that a letter sent home didn’t adequately mention the sensitive nature of the questions or clarify that results might be shared with outside organizations. Documents show that data is indeed shared with external agencies, including King County and Seattle Children’s Hospital, for evaluation and research purposes.

SPS claims that students will be given a proxy identification number to protect their identities, ensuring that individual names aren’t used. Responses are said to be reviewed by school staff, including counselors, who will reach out to parents if there’s any indication of a student being in danger.

Some local parents are worried that even anonymized data might still allow for identification of students. One mother, Stephanie Hager, who has spoken out about the issue, obtained investigation records and argues that current protections do not sufficiently safeguard student privacy.

In a letter to King County, signed by 23 Seattle parents, the district is urged to secure written consent before sharing any student data with third parties.

Since 2018, the survey has reached over 67,000 students in the Seattle area. Meanwhile, the Department of Education’s Office of Student Privacy Policy has initiated an investigation into the local schools regarding these surveys and their data-sharing practices.

Documents from the King County Ombuds Office previously suggested there was “no evidence of improper disclosure” of private student information. Seattle Public Schools asserts that the survey is vital for identifying students needing help and complies with federal and state privacy laws, including the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).

In a related note, parents in Oregon have raised alarms about similar surveys being distributed in their children’s schools. One Oregon father expressed his indignation upon learning that his 11-year-old son was to participate in a survey regarding sexual orientation and gender identity, stating it infringes upon parental and religious rights.