• Any primary data collection (e.g., academic results, survey administration, focus groups, interviews, etc.) to be conducted using district or school data of any kind  

OR 

• Any analyses of internal or external resources containing staff or students as subjects

If the project falls under either condition, St. Vrain Valley Schools classifies it as research and therefore the research is required to go through the St. Vrain Valley Schools research request process and obtain IRB approval. If it is believed that IRB approval is not needed, a letter must be obtained from the university’s or institution’s IRB stating the research is exempt from IRB.

• External research studies are those:
  • Initiated by individuals, organizations, or agencies outside of St. Vrain Valley Schools who wish to conduct independent research. 
  • Individuals or groups that have established programs within St. Vrain Valley Schools (e.g., grantees, foundations, service providers) who wish to evaluate their programs. 
  • St. Vrain Valley Schools employees who wish to conduct research for personal purposes outside of their work duties and/or work hours (e.g., research for the completion of a master’s thesis or doctoral dissertation). Employee theses or dissertations will only be considered if the topic aligns with district priorities. 
• Internal research studies are those:
  • Initiated by a district or school staff member on behalf of a school or the district, as part of a school, district research, or program evaluation agenda (e.g., evaluation of action steps for improvement plans or classroom/PLC action research projects are internal research).

St. Vrain Valley Schools Board of Education Administration Policy GCS states that the Board recognizes the value of educational research conducted by staff members. However, all research studies carried out within the school system using district or school data of any kind or staff or students as subjects, must be approved in advance by the superintendent or designee. Only those studies which have value

to the school district shall be approved. 

St. Vrain Valley Schools Board of Education Administration Policy LC states that the Board of Education recognizes that requests will be made on occasion by non-school 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 the merits of each project carefully before permission is granted.

Since St. Vrain Valley Schools Board of Education Administration Policies require that all research studies carried out within the school system using district or school data of any kind, or staff or students as subjects, must be approved in advance, we require all staff members and external non-school personnel to submit proposals to the St. Vrain Valley Schools Research Committee for approval, including: 

• Research organizations, 
• University researchers, including students in master’s or doctoral programs, 
• Grantees or foundations, 
• Educational programs or service providers who wish to evaluate their programs, 
• St. Vrain Valley Schools employees,
• St. Vrain Valley Schools students,
• St. Vrain Valley Schools Community Partners,
• St. Vrain Valley Schools contracted vendors, and
• Other individuals (e.g., consultants) interested in doing research with St. Vrain Valley Schools.

No. Under no circumstances may a researcher contact any district staff, students, or parents without an approval letter from the St. Vrain Valley Schools Research Committee.

If research 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 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.

• The research topic doesn’t align with our St. Vrain Valley Schools Strategic Priorities and Goals.
• The methodology places an unnecessary burden upon district/school resources.
• The research proposal involved human subjects and the committee deemed there was not adequate protection of their rights and welfare.
• The research proposal requested was not consistent with district policy and applicable law.
• The research proposal submission was incomplete and didn’t include all required materials and therefore didn’t meet the minimum requirements for review. 

* A St. Vrain Valley Schools Research Committee member or designee will notify you if the application was identified as incomplete so you have an opportunity to resubmit at a later date.

1. The committee agrees that the study results will benefit a particular school(s), the district, or education in general.
2. The research is compatible with St. Vrain Valley Schools policy and sound educational practices.
3. There is a benefit to the school system and to education at large.
4. The research is aligned to the district’s strategic priorities. 
5. Impact on students, parents, and staff would be positive. 
6. The research does not interfere with district approved curriculum, classroom progress or instruction.
7. The design and instrumentation of the research should be sound and acceptable to the Research Committee.
8. Successful submission of all required documents as listed in the: 

• Research Request Application Checklist 
• Informed Consent Checklist

The Executive Director of Assessment along with the St. Vrain Valley Schools Research Committee will judge whether the application should be accepted, rejected, or accepted with stipulations/revisions.

• If the application is approved, you will receive notification by email with an attached approval letter from the St. Vrain Valley Schools Research Committee.
• If the application is rejected, you will be notified of the decision by email.
• If it appears that the study could be approved with minimal changes, the applicant may be advised to re-apply. This is often combined with a phone call to discuss the specifics regarding recommended changes.

1. The Researcher agrees to provide the report and any findings to the St. Vrain Valley Schools Research Committee upon completion of the study.
2. If the researcher desires to publish in a more complete form-book, dissertation, journal article, etc., the author(s) should provide the St. Vrain Valley Schools Research Committee with a copy.  Final approval must be granted by St. Vrain Valley Schools Research Committee or designee before publication.
3. After completion of the study, all St. Vrain Valley Schools data shall be destroyed.