Instructional Programs and Materials AP 290: Research Studies

Background

The Division recognizes its responsibility to share educational experiences and provides opportunities for individuals to interact with the system and its schools.

Procedures

1. All applications to undertake research projects or surveys within the school system or to obtain assistance from the system with respect to studies or research projects shall be submitted to the Superintendent.
2. After due consideration and applying the criteria identified in this Administrative Procedure, an application will, depending upon its nature, be approved or denied.
3. Research projects undertaken by or for the system shall be conducted and/or coordinated by the Superintendent or designate.
4. The Associate Superintendent, Business and Finance shall be responsible for the financial arrangements for research projects.
5. Externally initiated research projects may be terminated at any time if, in the judgment of the Superintendent or designate, the guidelines established for the study have been violated.
6. Research studies will be approved and conducted according to the following procedures.
   1. All applications shall be satisfactorily completed at least one (1) month in advance of the study and must be submitted to the Superintendent. Timelines shorter than one (1) month will be considered if extenuating circumstances exist.
   2. Requests to undertake graduate level research or survey studies must be submitted to the Superintendent.
   3. Upon completion of the study, the researcher shall be required to submit to the Superintendent, if available, a complete report plus an abstract describing the project and the findings.
   4. The following criteria will be used by the Superintendent or designate in considering research studies:
      1. The study shall have recognizable value to the Division and/or to education in general;
      2. The content of any proposed questionnaire or survey instrument must not be objectionable to staff, students or parents;
      3. The involvement of students or teachers does not require an unreasonable amount of time;
      4. The willingness of schools or individuals to participate;
      5. The number of research studies planned or underway in the Division; and
      6. Preference for approval will be given to Division staff.
7. The Superintendent or designate shall, when necessary, ensure that the contents of a study are held in confidence.