Contra Costa County Office of Education

California Healthy Kids Survey

The California Healthy Kids Survey (CHKS) is a modular, anonymous assessment recommended for students age 10 (grade 5) and above. It is focused on the five most important areas for guiding school and student improvement:

student connectedness, learning engagement/motivation, and attendance;
school climate, culture, and conditions;
school safety, including violence perpetration and victimization/bullying;
physical and mental well-being and social-emotional learning; and
student supports, including resilience-promoting developmental factors (caring relationships, high expectations, and meaningful participation).

Elementary Student Modules

The elementary core survey contains many of the same or similar items as the middle school version so that cross-survey comparisons can be made. For these items, the wording is simpler and developmentally appropriate. Intended for use in grade 5, but also appropriate for grades 3, 4, and 6. Assesses student attitudes, behaviors, and experiences related to:

school;
academic and social-emotional learning;
positive development;
overall health and well-being; and
provides indicators to support meeting Local Control and Accountability Plan requirements.

In-School Core Survey

Elementary School Questionnaire (ENGLISH) Elementary School Questionnaire (SPANISH)

Middle and High School Student Modules

The Core Module is aligned with the Local Control and Accountability Plan to assess:

school climate and safety;
pupil engagement;
student supports;
bullying; and
substance abuse;

Demographic questions help identify the needs of key subgroups, including:

racial/ethnic groups;
foster youth;
economically disadvantaged; and
English language learners.

New in 2020/21: The secondary Core Modules have been expanded this year to assess topics of particular concern due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the associated reduction in in-person learning opportunities. Note that there is one middle school and one high school Core Module. Students are directed to questions relevant to the instructional learning model used in their school using skip logic.