RESEARCH IN SCHOOLS

All research conducted in or in cooperation with schools or school districts requires approval from the district prior to the initiation of the study. Typically, district approval is a site letter (on district letter head) signed by the district superintendent.

The Austin Independent School District (AISD) has a request concerning our assent forms. Some consent forms that have come to AISD contain an "abuse will be reported statement." AISD is asking those PIs whose assent forms contain that statement to clearly list that statement in bold.

For all pre-K through college level investigations, the district requests that research protocols distinguish clearly between research stimuli and regular classroom curricula.

The PIs need to add to the assent form, that if "the student feels distressed while participating in the study that they should contact the school counselor" followed by the counselor's name and phone number.

DISTRICT INFORMATION:

Austin Independent School District (AISD)
http://www.austinisd.org/inside/accountability/research/
Cathy Malerba, Coordinator of External Research and Evaluation
Department of Program Evaluation
(512) 414-3565
e-mail: cmalerba@austinisd.org