Iowa Youth Survey Data: Safe and Supportive Communities

Iowa Data: Iowa Youth Survey
One way to evaluate how well Iowa’s community members are doing in supporting the children and youth is through the Iowa Youth Survey.  Since 1999 students  in grades 6, 8, and 11 in almost every school district in Iowa have participated in the Iowa Youth Survey. The survey is a collaborative effort conducted by the Iowa Department of Public Health, the Iowa Department of Education, the Office of Drug Control Policy, the Iowa Department of Human Services, and the Division of Criminal and Juvenile Justice Planning in the Department of Human Rights.

Versions of the survey have been administered to various students since 1975. In 2005, 98.4% of Iowa’s school districts and 13.9% of non-public schools in the state participated in the survey. Because of this widespread use of the survey, it can be said that it reflects the perceptions, attitudes and behaviors of Iowa youth.

Iowa Youth Survey Data:Families

Iowa Youth Survey Data:Communities

Many of the questions focus on substance abuse and other destructive behaviors of teens to help organizations plan education, prevention, and support programming. Other questions focus on the existence of the Search Institute’s 40 Developmental Assetswhich result in less risky behaviors among youth and can also promote academic success. When the spotlight is focused on the research-based external assets that community youth receive through their families and the community, organizations can consider opportunities for alignment, as described in complementary learning, to provide stronger support to all families and youth in the community.
Reports for the Iowa Youth Survey statewide data is available on the website listed above. Reports are also available on the website for each AEA and county in the state. Local district data are sent directly to the superintendent of schools to distribute at will. Most schools use the data to report to the community on Safe and Drug-free Schools indicators.

When only the data on safe and supportive communities (survey items #G16 and #G19–24) and safe and secure families (survey items #F4–11) are displayed, communities members can analyze these needs of the children and youth in their community which impact their learning. The data can be used to develop education opportunities for community and family members about basic behaviors to support children and youth as learners. One advantage of these data is that the instrument is administered every 3 years giving community planners an opportunity to see the impact of work they are doing related to the safe and supportive communities and safe and secure families.