The Webster Groves School District in Missouri is under fire for violating state and federal privacy laws by subjecting students to probing surveys asking about political beliefs and affiliation, gender, sexual orientation and mental health status.
Attorney General Eric Schmitt on Monday agreed to investigate the issue after being alerted to the practice by the Southeast Legal Foundation, which was retained by Webster Groves parents after they learned of the practice.
'We appreciate the Southeast Legal Foundation for bringing their concerns to the office, and have received similar allegations in districts across the state,' Missouri Attorney General spokesman Chris Nuelle said in an email.
'We have been working diligently to empower parents and return transparency to Missouri's schools. We are currently closely reviewing the information contained in that letter and information in other districts, and will take action wherever possible.'
The surveys don't just ask questions, but like the one pictured, they hope to raise awareness of LGBTQ issues
One survey of a second grader prompted him to look at his own race for the first time
Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt agreed to look into the way school surveys were conducted and how the information is used
The foundation sent a 23-page letter to the state's top lawyer, outlining a 'cat-and-mouse game' in which Webster Groves, and other districts, purchase surveys for civics classes or general student questionnaires from education companies that then turn around and sell expensive lesson plans to address the problems the surveys have uncovered.
'They're very lucrative contract,' foundation lawyer Kimberly Herman said.
Although Hermann said she did not have information on how much Webster Groves is paying Panorama, the survey firm, another district Springfield Public Schools, pays $60,000 a year, she said. Fairfax County Public Schools in Virginia pays the firm $2.4 million annually.
Panorama did not immediately respond to a DailyMail.com request for comment.
Federal law does not allow the collection of this information without parental consent and Missouri law does not allow the collection of the information at all.
The Webster Groves School District did not immediately respond to a call
