File: LC - Relations with Education Research Agencies File: LC - Relations with Education Research AgenciesThe Board of Education recognizes that requests will be made on occasion by nonschool personnel and/or agencies to conduct research projects in the school that have educational and social benefit.
However, because such projects invariably involve school personnel and interrupt class instructional time, it is necessary to evaluate carefully the merits of each project before permission is granted.
All requests to conduct research shall be reviewed by a research testing review committee in accordance with this policy and accompanying procedures to determine if permission shall be granted.
If research by nonschool personnel is to involve students, complete information about the project shall be provided to parents/guardians and students in advance. No student shall be the subject of any research project without the prior written consent of the student's parents/guardians and the student himself if the student is old enough to understand the process and purpose of the project. Consent shall not be necessary when the researcher merely will observe students engaged in normal activities.
All researchers shall be prepared to explain the purpose, risks, benefits, procedures, results and intended uses of the project in understandable terms. A student or parent/guardian decision not to participate in a research project conducted by nonschool personnel shall be kept private and respected in all cases.
Federally-funded research or experimentation programs or projects
No student, as part of any applicable federal program, shall be required without prior written consent to submit to a survey, analysis or evaluation that reveals information concerning:
1. Political affiliations
2. Mental and psychological problems potentially embarrassing to the student or the student´s family
3. Sex behavior and attitudes
4. Illegal, anti-social, self-incriminating and demeaning behavior
5. Critical appraisals of other individuals with whom respondents have close family relationships
6. Legally-recognized privileged and analogous relationships such as those of lawyers, physicians and ministers
7. Income other than that required by law to determine eligibility for participation in a program or for receiving financial assistance under such program
Participation in such research or experimentation programs shall require the prior written consent of the parent/guardian or emancipated minor.
"Research or experimentation program or project" means a program or project designed to explore or develop new or unproven teaching methods or techniques.
All instructional and supplementary materials used in connection with any research or experimentation program or project shall be available for review by the parents/guardians of students involved in the project.
Adopted: August 1998
LEGAL REFS: 20 U.S.C. §1232h
CROSS REFS.: GCS, Professional Research and Publishing
JLDAC, Screening/Testing of Students