Since 1989, Pennsylvania has conducted a survey of school students in the 6th, 8th, 10th, and 12th grades to learn about their behavior, attitudes, and knowledge concerning alcohol, tobacco, other drugs, and violence. The ‘Pennsylvania Youth Survey,’ or PAYS, is sponsored and conducted every two years by the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency.
The data gathered in PAYS serve two primary needs. First, the results provide school administrators, state agency directors, legislators and others with critical information concerning the changes in patterns of the use and abuse of these harmful substances and behaviors. Second, the survey assesses risk factors that are related to these behaviors and the protective factors that help guard against them. This information allows community leaders to direct prevention resources to areas where they are likely to have the greatest impact.
The West Perry Middle School and High School will be administering the PAYS survey in November. This survey is voluntary, and students or parents and guardians can opt out of taking the survey. Parents and guardians will receive an email from their child’s school before the administration of the survey with information about PAYS and how to opt-out.
Parent Flyer:
https://www.pccd.pa.gov/Juvenile-Justice/Documents/2023%20PAYS/PAYS%20One-Pager%20(Parent)%20FINAL.pdf
2021 results by county:
https://www.pccd.pa.gov/Juvenile-Justice/Pages/2021-PAYS-County-Reports.aspx