Dear Ms. Fenton, Please review the following information attached to this email. Several parents in district SAU16 contacted me today regarding a PEAR survey that would be administered to students. The notification sent home indicates all children will take this mental health survey unless a parent or guardian notifies the district that they do not want their child to complete it.
It is my understanding that this kind of survey would fall under state law that requires informed consent before a child completes a non-academic survey.
From the PEAR website :
PEAR partners with schools and youth-serving organizations to drive positive youth development by improving mental health and program quality.
From the PEAR webinar on holistic assessment:
In addition, the video from PEAR includes information on how the Clover Framework and the holistic assessment are connected to mental health. That begins at 21:22.
Federal Law ESSA requires informed consent when schools administer mental health assessments. ESSA SEC. 4002. GENERAL PROVISIONS.
As you can see from the notice sent to parents, PEAR will be gathering the data in order to conduct research on the students. Basic ethical guidelines where research is involved also require informed consent.
A notification was sent to parents, but this would not meet the regulations that require informed consent.
