California Healthy Kids Survey

photographq The California Healthy Kids Survey (CHKS) is the largest statewide survey of resiliency, protective factors, and risk behaviors in the nation. Across California, the CHKS has led to a better understanding of the relationship between students' health behaviors and academic performance, and is frequently cited by state policymakers and the media as a critical component of school improvement efforts to help guide the development of more effective health, prevention, and youth development programs. It can be easily customized to meet local needs, interests, and standards, and provides a means to confidentially obtain data on student knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions about the topics it covers.

The CHKS also helps schools meet the current requirements of the federal Safe and Drug Free Schools and Communities Act (SDFSC) as embodied in Title IV of the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) of 2001. NCLB requires that CDE collects data on the incidence, prevalence, age of onset, and perception of health risks and social disapproval of drug use by youth, and violence in schools and communities through anonymous student and teacher surveys. The CHKS, along with its partner surveys, the California School Climate Survey and the California School Parent Survey, is highlighted as a model program in a research document released by the US Department of Education highlighting the research behind the Obama administration’s Blueprint for Reform: The Reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (pdf).

With the CHKS, schools, districts, counties, and the state have a standard tool that promotes the collection of uniform data within and across local education agencies that are also comparable to existing state and national survey datasets.

Major Survey Features:

Available in paper form with optical scan answer sheets or in a web-based online version.
Allows schools and districts to monitor whether they are providing the critical developmental supports and opportunities that promote healthy growth and learning.
Assesses health risks, specifically relating to alcohol, tobacco, and other drug (ATOD) use; school violence; physical health; resilience and youth development; and school climate.
Offers add-on modules that expand on topics covered in the core module, as well as address issues of HIV/AIDS and sex education, equity, bias and staff cultural responsiveness, and other issues related to the achievement gap.
Allows schools to customize their surveys and focus on special topics by choosing from many existing items or creating new items of their own.
Works hand-in-hand with the California School Climate Survey and the California School Parent Survey to enable the comparison of student, teacher, and parent data.

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“We all know that children can only learn to their full potential when they feel safe and secure at school and in their classroom. The California School Climate Survey, and its companion the California Healthy Kids Survey, provide a venue for students to express how they really feel about their school experience and their classroom environment. These surveys provide teachers and administrators the critical data needed to create positive learning environments in our schools. I strongly encourage all school districts to participate in these important surveys.”

Tom Torlakson

State Superintendent of Public Instruction

News & Highlights

New Source of CHKS Funding Announced (pdf). The California Departments of Education and Alcohol and Drug Programs are pleased to announce a new plan for conducting the 2011-12 state-mandated Biennial California Student Survey as part of normal local administration of the California Healthy Kids Survey (CHKS). Districts and schools agreeing to participate in the Biennial Survey will receive substantial incentives that will reduce the cost and burden of conducting their own district CHKS. Participation only involves including a short module of questions about substance use to the CHKS survey. Click here for more info.
New 2011-2012 School Year Survey Materials. 2011-2012 CHKS and CSPS survey materials (such as Memoranda of Understanding, instruments, guidebooks, instructions, consent forms, etc.) are available to download now. CSCS materials will be available shortly. If you have any questions, please contact your Regional Center, or call the Cal-SCHLS helpline at (888) 841.7536.
CA Healthy Kids Survey Data Helping Redondo Beach Schools improve API. Schools in Redondo Beach, CA report that recent increases in API scores are linked to using CHKS data to help them identify areas of strength and weakness in how they support their students' social, emotional, and physical development. The district uses multiple indicators, including CHKS data, to measure student success, and believes that improved academic performance is a result of focusing on educating the whole child. Read the complete article here.
New Cal-SCHLS Surveys Administration Info and Pricing for 2011-2012 (pdf). As part of our continuing efforts to respond to the needs of California students, schools, and families, several major innovations in the California Healthy Kids Survey (CHKS) and the California School Climate Survey (CSCS) for staff have recently occurred.

Companion Surveys

CHKS is part of the comprehensive California School Climate, Health, and Learning Survey (Cal-SCHLS) System. Learn more about Cal-SCHLS..

The California School Climate Survey (CSCS) is a cost-effective, easy-to-use online resource for data from school staff to help build positive learning and working environments. Visit the Website

TThe California School Parent Survey (CSPS) assesses the experiences and views of parents related to school climate, student achievement, and parent outreach, in comparison to staff and student perspectives. Visit the Website