Your child is being asked to participate in a voluntary survey called the Illinois Youth Survey (IYS), the purpose of which is to better understand Illinois youth risk and protective behaviors as they relate to students and their success.
Participation will involve completing a survey (with no names or identification numbers) that will be confidentially administered by a classroom teacher, counselor, or community member who has received training on administering
the survey. Your child’s participation will last no more than one class period (40-45 minutes). Risks related to participating are minimal, but some questions ask about sensitive topics and personal behavior that might make some students feel uncomfortable. Examples of potential sensitive topics include questions about substance use, bullying, dating violence, school climate, and screen time. The benefits related to this research include improving your community’s ability to develop programs and strategies to prevent youth problem behaviors and enhance youth development. The alternative to participating in the survey is an alternate activity such as quiet reading in the classroom.
• Principal Investigator Name and Title: Doug Smith, PhD, Director
• Department and Institution: Center for Prevention Research and Development / University of Illinois
• Contact Information: 888-333-5612
• Sponsor: Illinois Department of Human Services
Why is your child being asked?
Your child’s school district is working with the Center for Prevention Research Development (CPRD) at the University of Illinois to conduct the Illinois Youth Survey. Your child has been asked to participate because he or she is a student in a elementary, middle, or high school located in the state of Illinois. Approximately 230,000 student participants will take this survey at Illinois schools in the spring of 2026. Your child’s participation is voluntary. Your and your child’s decision about whether or not to participate will not affect your or your child’s current or future dealings with your child’s school or with the University of Illinois. If you decide your child can participate, you or your child are free to withdraw at any time without affecting those relationships.
What procedures are involved?
The study involves completing a survey (with no names or identification numbers) that will be confidentially administered by a classroom teacher, counselor, or community member who has received training on survey
administration. This survey will take place in a regular classroom at your child’s school and will be administered online. Your child’s participation will last no more than one class period (40-45 minutes).
What are the potential risks and discomforts?
Some questions ask about sensitive topics and personal behavior that might make respondents feel uncomfortable. Participants don’t have to answer any questions they don’t want to and may stop responding at any time.
Are there any benefits to participating in the research?
The results of this survey may improve your school’s or community’s ability to develop programs and strategies to prevent youth problem behaviors and enhance youth development.
What other options are there?
You have the option to refuse your child’s participation in the survey. If you do not want your child to participate, he or she will be asked to participate in an alternate activity such as quiet reading in the classroom while the survey is taking place.
Will my child’s study-related information be kept confidential?
When this research is discussed or published, no one will know your child took part in the survey. When required by law or university policy, your child’s de-identified survey responses may be seen by university departments that
monitor whether the study is being conducted in an ethical and fiscally responsible manner.
Will we be reimbursed for any expenses or paid for participation in this research?
You will not be offered payment for your child’s participation in this study.
Can my child withdraw or be removed from the study?
If you allow our child to participate, you are free to change your mind and stop participation at any time. Your child can also choose to not participate or to stop participation in the survey.
Will data collected from my child be used for any other research?
Your child’s de-identified survey responses could be used for future research without additional informed consent.
Who should I contact if I have question?
IF you have questions about the survey process at your child’s school, please contact the school office. If you wish to look over the survey questionnaire, it is available for review in your child’s school office or online. If you have questions about the study, or if you have concerns or complaints about the research, contact Doug Smith, PhD, Director of the Center for Prevention Research and Development at 888-333-5612 (toll-free) or smithdc@illinois.edu
What are my child’s right as a research subject?
If you have questions about your child’s rights as a participate in this study, contact the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Office for the Protection of Research Subjects at 217-333-2670 or irb@illinois.edu.
What if I do not want my child to participate?
If you do not want your child to participate in the survey, please complete the attached form, sign it, and return it to the school within 2 weeks. Your decision to refuse permission will not in any way influence your future relationship with your child’s school.
