Regulations and Procedures for Research Projects

The Eudora School District frequently receives requests to conduct research on educational programs and services. As a district, we are committed to protecting the rights of our staff, students, and patrons while ensuring that research activities do not disrupt the educational environment. To support this, we have established protocols for individuals and organizations seeking permission to conduct research involving our students and staff. These guidelines also apply to staff members conducting research within our schools for professional, personal, or academic purposes, such as degree programs.

STEPS FOR OBTAINING PERMISSION TO CONDUCT RESEARCH

1. Submit a completed copy of the application below and a complete description of the proposed research project, including the instruments or tests to be used, and any pertinent consent or recruitment documents, to the person designated by the district as responsible for approving research requests. 

2. Upon receipt of the completed application, the designated approver will work with affected school campuses and/or district departments to review the request.

3. After review and consideration, the request may be approved, not approved, or tentatively approved on the condition that some changes take place. 

4. At the conclusion of the study, a copy of the results of the research shall be provided to the district office.

Disclosure of Student Records and Administration of Student Surveys and Other Data Collection on Students

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) is a federal law regarding the privacy of student records. In accordance with FERPA, student education records are considered confidential and may not be released to third parties without written consent from the parent or eligible student unless disclosure is permitted through one of FERPA’s exceptions.

Under the provisions of the Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment (PPRA), parents of students and eligible students (those who are 18 or older) are afforded various rights with regard to the administration of any student surveys at school. In accordance with PPRA, the following must be adhered to.

1. Parents or eligible students have the right to inspect any survey created by a third party before it is administered or distributed to students in the school. This means that parents or guardians of minors must be notified and given the opportunity to see the survey.
2. If the survey is federally funded (in whole or in part), schools must obtain written parental consent before minor students may be required to participate in any survey.

Kansas Student Data Privacy Act (KSA 72-6312, et. seq. and USD 491 Board Policy IDAE

The Kansas Student Data Privacy Act prohibits school districts from collecting biometric data or assessing a student’s psychological or emotional state unless written consent is granted.  It also prohibits the administration of nonacademic test, questionnaire, survey or examination containing any questions about the personal and private attitudes, values, beliefs or practices of the student or the student's parents, guardians, family members, associates, friends or peers that is administered during the school day to any student enrolled in kindergarten or grades one through 12 without proper consent as outlined in the law and board policy. Based on the language of this law, it should be assumed that any survey collection, student observation, or non-archival collection of student data requires parent/guardian consent.

Documents to Submit for Review

• Brief overview of the research literature and research question(s).
  • Include an estimated timeline
• Any tools that will be used for data collection
  • Surveys/tests; methods for recording data; interview protocol(s)
• A list of data fields needed (if asking for archival data)
• Drafts of consent/permission forms
• Your procedures for ensuring the privacy of individuals relative to your study
• Human subjects and/or IRB approval documents

The Eudora School District frequently receives requests to conduct research on educational programs and services. Guidelines have been established to aid persons or organizations seeking permission to utilize facilities, staff, or students in research endeavors.

It is necessary to:

1. Protect the rights of the district, its staff, its patrons, and its students.
2. Ensure that the research process does not unduly interfere with the educational endeavors of the district.
3. Provide the district with the results of such research in order to improve the educational process.