Dear Partners in Education,
We are writing to inform you about a student survey (grades 4 through 12) that will be administered at your child’s school called the Illinois 5Essentials Survey. The Illinois State Board of Education implements this survey across the state. This survey is based on 20 years of research at the University of Chicago. It asks students about their experiences in school, giving school leaders critical student input to help develop school improvement plans.
Student participants log-in using their student ID and birth date in order to complete the survey. Students’ identities are kept completely confidential. Teachers or administrators will never see individual responses to survey questions and will only receive aggregated information, such as the total percentage of students who agree homework assignments help them learn the course material.
Please be aware that under the Protection of Pupil Rights Act. 20 U.S.C. Section 1232(c) (1) (A), you have the right to review a copy of the questions asked of your student(s). Survey questions can be found on the Illinois 5Essentials website (https://www.5-essentials.org/illinois).
If you do not want your son or daughter to participate, please use the template below to write a letter to the school office and send it to school with your son/daughter by Friday, February 21, 2025. The letter must have a date and signature on it.
Thank you for your cooperation. If you have questions, please contact your school office.
Sincerely,
Jason Spang, Superintendent
---SAMPLE LETTER---
Dear (Insert Name of Principal),
I DO NOT want my child, _______________, to take part in the 2024-2025 Illinois 5Essentials Survey.
Include:
SIGNATURE OF PARENT OR GUARDIAN & DATE