1. The KIP Survey is administered every two years to students in grades 6, 8, 10, and 12.
2. Student participation is voluntary, and active parent/caregiver permission is required.
3. The survey is anonymous and confidential — no student names are collected.
4. Districts must meet minimum participation thresholds (50 responses and 20%) to receive results.
5. The survey is fully funded and provides valuable local data to support planning, prevention, and funding efforts.

What is the KIP Youth Survey?

The KIP Youth Survey is Kentucky’s largest source of data on student health and well-being. It collects information from students in grades 6, 8, 10, and 12 about substance use, mental health, school safety, and related topics. The survey has been conducted for over 25 years and helps schools and communities make informed, data-driven decisions.

What is the purpose of the KIP Survey?

The purpose of the KIP Survey is to better understand student experiences and needs among 11 to 18-year-olds throughout Kentucky. Results are used to:

• Guide prevention and behavioral health efforts
• Support program planning and evaluation
• Inform grant applications and funding decisions
• Track trends over time

What topics are included in the survey?

• The survey includes questions related to:
• Substance use (alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs)
• Attitudes toward substance use
• Mental health and well-being
• Bullying and school safety
• School connectedness and peer relationships
• Family support and trusted adults

Are students required to participate?

No. Participation is completely voluntary. Students may choose not to participate and may skip any questions they do not wish to answer.

Is parent/caregiver permission required?

Yes. Active parent or caregiver permission is required for students to participate. Permission may be collected through:

• A signed paper form, or
• A web-based form

Parents/caregivers must be notified in advance of the survey.

Are parents/guardians allowed to view the KIP survey?

Yes. Copies of the survey should be available for viewing at the school office or some other appropriate location. However, in order to protect the confidentiality of the document, the survey may not be removed from the building.

What happens to students who do not participate?

Students who do not participate should be given a quiet, neutral alternative activity (such as reading or schoolwork). This should not be presented as a punishment or a reward.

When is the survey administered?

The KIP Survey is administered every two years during a 6-week window (typically October–mid-November). Districts may schedule the survey at any time during this window.

How long does the survey take?

The survey takes approximately 25–30 minutes for most students. Schools should plan for a full class period to allow adequate time.

How is the survey administered?

Students complete the survey online during a designated class period using school devices (e.g., laptops or tablets).

Can the survey be taken on different devices?

Yes. The survey is compatible with desktops, laptops, tablets, and smartphones.

Should we offer a make-up survey?

Yes. A make-up survey is recommended and should be scheduled at least one week after the initial administration to allow more students to participate.

How should staff be trained?

All survey administrators should review the KIP Training Manual prior to administration. Districts may also hold brief training events to review key procedures, timelines, and expectations.

What is the Agreement of Confidentiality and Professional Ethics?

This form should be completed by staff involved in survey administration and kept on file at the district for one year.

Is the survey anonymous?

Yes. The survey is completely anonymous:

• Student names are not collected
• Responses cannot be linked to individual students
• Results are reported only in summary form

How is student data protected?

Survey data are securely collected and processed. Strict administration guidelines and data protections are in place to ensure confidentiality.

How accurate are the results?

KIP Survey data are considered reliable because:

• Responses are anonymous, which encourages honesty
• Students can skip questions they are not comfortable answering
• Data are reviewed and cleaned to remove invalid responses
• Standardized administration ensures consistency across districts

Are there minimum participation requirements?

Yes. To receive district-level results, districts must have:

• At least 50 completed surveys, and
• At least 20% participation among students in grades 6, 8, 10, and 12

These requirements help ensure results are both meaningful and protect student confidentiality.

What happens if a district does not meet the participation threshold?

Districts that do not meet the minimum requirements will not receive district-level results. However, their data will still contribute to regional and statewide findings.

Are district results shared publicly?

No. District-level results are only shared with the superintendent and designated KIP Coordinator unless explicit written permission is provided. Statewide and regional reports are publicly available.

How can districts increase participation?

The most effective strategies include:

• Distributing parent permission materials early (e.g., back-to-school packets)
• Sending reminders to families
• Clearly communicating the purpose and importance of the survey
• Scheduling make-up opportunities

Higher participation leads to more reliable and useful data.

Is there a cost to participate?

No. The KIP Survey is fully funded, and there is no cost to participating districts.