Lake Orion will require parent permission for student health surveys

What happened

Lake Orion Community Schools is replacing its previous opt-out practice with a requirement for a parent signature before students take surveys about mental health or other health-related topics. The Teaching and Learning Department is working out implementation for this school year, with a longer-term plan beginning in 2027–28.

Why it matters to families

Families will need to give affirmative written permission for students to participate in covered surveys, rather than only having the option to opt out.

The evidence

The Sept. 18, 2026 Curriculum Committee minutes say new federal regulations require a parent signature for all student surveys dealing with mental health and health-related questions, changing the district's prior opt-out practice. The minutes state the Teaching and Learning Department is working on implementation for the current school year and has a long-term plan for 2027–28.

The source