How does the recently enacted New Jersey Survey Law affect survey research in schools?
Effective January 7, 2002, New Jersey law requires that school districts obtain written parental consent prior to administering to students surveys or other specific study instruments which would reveal information concerning certain topics listed in the law (NJSA 18A:36-34). If written informed consentis not obtained, then students may not participate in surveys or assessments which fall within the scope of the law. Although this new law refers explicitly to surveys and other instruments which the school district administers, but not to research which is not administered by the school district, cautious districts may interpret this law to apply to all research conducted in its schools. Investigators who have approved or proposed protocols that include the administration of surveys, assessments, analyses or evaluations in a New Jersey school district should be aware of this new legislation, and recognize that written parental permission may be required in districts that did not previou
