The Illinois Youth Survey

Insert Your Name, Title and Organization

About the IYS

The Illinois Youth Survey (IYS) is a self‐reported adolescent survey administered in Illinois schools and funded entirely by the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS).

Conducted since 1990. IDHS awarded the contract to administer the survey to

the Center for Prevention Research and Development (CPRD) at the University of Illinois in January 2011.

All public and private schools in Illinois are welcome to participate.

About the IYS

The survey is given to students at the 6th, 8th, 10th and 12th grade levels.

Administered in the Spring of every other school year during even numbered years. (2012, 2014, etc.) The school chooses a date between January and

May 15th to administer

Takes approximately one class period, or about 40 to 50 minutes.

About the IYS

Available in English or Spanish.Available in the traditional paper/pencil

format or online.You receive everything you need 30

days prior to the survey date you choose: parent notification forms, survey forms, pre-sharpened pencils, instructions, and even UPS shipping.

Purpose

Designed to gather information from youth about a variety of health and social indicators including:Substance abuse (ATOD)Violence and bullyingPerceptions of school climateGambling DepressionNutrition and fitness

Why is Prevention Important?

Adolescent substance abuse, bullying, and other emotional and health issues are related to negative school outcomes: AbsenteeismAbsenteeism Academic difficultiesAcademic difficulties Lack of motivationLack of motivation Interpersonal violenceInterpersonal violence

Why is Data Important?

Research shows that cost effective youth prevention strategies should be based on local, up-to-date data local, up-to-date data from youth.from youth.

The IYS provides data to schools about what their students are doing and thinking doing and thinking in regard to emotional and health related issues.

Data gathered through the IYS can be used to guide planning for effective prevention strategies to ultimately increase academic performance and healthy behaviors.

IYS Advantages

Data provides schools and communities the knowledge they need to develop and evaluate localized, targeted and effective solutions to youth substance abuse, violence and related issues.

Benefits

Each participating school will receive their own individual school results. Report will cover all survey items and includes state

comparisons for selected items Schools can measure progress over time (when implemented

every two years) The data can be useful for a variety of school and

community planning efforts. The data can be useful for grant reporting purposes

and to help leverage additional funding (Drug Free Community, Safe Schools/Healthy Students, CSAP grants).

Cost

No cost to the school when implemented in 6th, 8th, 10th or 12th grades during the statewide surveying years.

Schools can add questions to get data on local issues at no cost.

Free training is provided on how to interpret and use the school-specific data for planning.

Confidentiality

Participation is confidential.The identity of the youth who participate is

not collected or revealed. Compiled survey data is shared only with

the participating school. County, regional and statewide reports are

not released in a way that an individual school’s results can be identified.

Validity

The IYS produces valid results when conducted according to survey directions. Questions are carefully designed and tested. There are screening measures in place to detect

and invalidate over-reporting and under-reporting. Studies of similar surveys comparing self-report to

actual use have showed substantial validity. Patterns of use revealed by the IYS are consistent

with other measures.

For the price of 1 class period every 2 years,

schools and their community partners can receive essential information to

•Compete for grants that infuse needed resources •Guide local community coalition efforts•Track changes in health behaviors•Reduce barriers to academic success

Benefits and Bottom Line

Questions?

Resources

Insert your name, organizationInsert your email addressInsert your phone number

IYS website: http://iys.cprd.illinois.eduEmail: cprd@illinois.edu

Jessica Thomas, IYS Coordinatorjthomas0@uillinois.edu(888) 333-5612 (toll-free)