Rock Creek parent Erika Tafel removed her daughter from public school last December after the nine-year old participated in a behavioral survey at school against her mother’s wishes.
For Tafel the question comes down to active vs. passive consent.
Under the rules established by UBC for the research project parents and students are considered to have automatically agreed to participate. The only way to opt out is by letting the teacher know before the survey date.
“Passive means there is no accountability on who says yes to participate and who says no,” maintains Tafel.
“They make you do that (give consent) in order for your child to have milk, they make you do that for your child to go on a ski trip. But to do behavioral studies that are global and to pay $7,000 out of a shrinking education budget – I want to know what they are buying. “
“Passive consent is not acceptable – especially for behavioral studies of children.”
The Middle Development Instrument (MDI) is a survey given to grade 4 and 7 students. The data is linked with that from the Early Development Instrument (EDI) data provided by Kindergarten teachers a few years before.
The University of British Columbia’s Human Early Learning Partnership developed the surveys. Data is collected on five areas of development that are strongly linked to well-being, health and academic achievement.
The questionnaire is supposed to be optional. But lines of communication broke down and the survey was given to her daughter. Tafel insists she told the school, they say they didn’t get the message.
“I do believe the district is trying to ensure this doesn’t recur,” said WBES Principal Brian Foy.
According to Maxine Ruzicka, Director of Instruction for SD 51 (Boundary) the survey completed by Tafel’s daughter is being stored – waiting for Tafel’s agreement to witness it being shredded. Tafel removed her daughter from public school last December and has demanded the return of her daughter’s survey.
However Ruzicka said that students were told the information they give will not be shared with their principal, teacher or parent.
Foy said that giving the survey to Tafel would be a violation of the commitment that was made with the students around confidentiality.
However, he said he does agree that discussion about the use of passive consent would be a good conversation to have.
Last month the school board agreed to continue to participate in the MDI for an additional two years, with costs reported to be $7,000 for the district to participate.