Embedded Files
During the month of February, BSD7 will be participating in the 2021 Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS). For the past 30 years, this biennial survey has been sponsored by the Montana Office of Public Instruction and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The survey will ask about the health behaviors of students throughout Montana in grades 7 through 12. Questions will be asked about unintentional injuries and violence; tobacco use, including vaping; alcohol and other drug use; sexual behaviors; nutrition and dietary behavior; and physical activity.
The YRBS has been approved by state and local school officials and has the support of many national organizations, including the National Parent Teacher Association, American Association of School Superintendents, and American Academy of Pediatrics, National Association of State Boards of Education, National Association of Secondary School Principals, National Catholic Educational Association, National Education Association, and National School Boards Association.
Click here for FAQs about the YRBS. For more information or to see a copy of the survey contact your child's school.
Youth Behavior Risk Survey: FAQs
Youth Behavior Risk Survey: FAQs
Q. How will survey results be used?
A. The Office of Public Instruction and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will use the results from the survey to help determine the extent to which teenagers practice behaviors that place their health at risk, and to develop education programs and other strategies to help reduce these behaviors.
Q. Are sensitive questions asked?
A. Some questions may be considered sensitive. STDs are a major health problem. Sexual intercourse is a behavior known to increase the risk of getting an STD. The only way to determine the extent to which adolescents are at risk is to ask questions about these behaviors. Suicide, tobacco, alcohol, other drug use, and weapon carrying also may be considered sensitive issues. Questions are presented in a straightforward and sensitive manner in recognition of these sensitive topics.
Q. Will student participation be anonymous? Will student privacy be protected?
A. Yes. Survey administration procedures have been designed to protect student privacy and allow for anonymous participation. Students will not put their names or other identifying information on the questionnaires or answer sheets.
Q. Will certain students be surveyed again to see how their behavior changes?
A. No. Each biennial cycle a new sample of schools and students will be drawn. It will be impossible to track students who participate because no identifying information will be collected.
Q. How was my child selected?
A. Entire classes were selected rather than specific students.
Q. How long will it take to fill out the questionnaire?
A. One class period is needed for completing the written questionnaire, which contains multiple-choice questions. There is no physical test or exam involved.
Q. Does the survey have broad state and national support?
A. The survey is supported by many major national, state, and local organizations. Co-sponsors of the Montana YRBS are the Montana Department of Public Health & Human Services, the Montana Board of Crime Control, the Montana Department of Transportation, the Billings Area Indian Health Services, the Montana Department of Justice, and county health departments. Nationally, the YRBS is supported by the American Association of School Superintendents, National Association of Secondary School Principals, National Catholic Educational Association, American Medical Association, American Academy of Pediatrics, American School Health Association, Association of State and Territorial Health Officials, Council of Chief State School Officers, National Association of State Boards of Education, National Education Association, National Parent Teachers Association, National Education Association, National School Boards Association, National School Health Education Coalition, and the Society of State Directors of Health, Physical Education and Recreation just to name a few.
Report abuse