LC – Relations with Education Research Agencies

By /
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 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 administrative procedures to determine if permission shall be granted. If research by non-school personnel is to involve students, complete information about the project shall be provided to parents and students in advance. No student shall be the subject of any research project without the prior written consent of the student's parents or guardian 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's or parent's decision not to participate in a research project conducted by non-school personnel shall be kept private and respected in all cases. Federally-Funded Research or Experimentation Programs or Projects No student shall be required as part of any federally-funded research or experimentation program or project to submit without prior written consent to psychiatric or psychological examination, testing or treatment in which the primary purpose is to reveal information concerning:
  1. Political affiliations
  2. Mental and psychological problems potentially embarrassing to the student or his 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 or emancipated minor. The terms "psychiatric or psychological examination or test" in this context shall mean a method of obtaining information including a group activity that is not directly related to academic instruction and that is designed to elicit information about attitudes, habits, traits, opinions, beliefs or feelings. The term "psychiatric or psychological treatment" means an activity involving the planned, systematic use of methods or techniques that are not directly related to academic instruction and that is designed to affect behavioral, emotional or attitudinal characteristics of an individual or group. "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 of students involved in the project.
Cross References: JLDAC - Screening/Testing of Students (And Treatment of Mental Disorders)
Legal References: 20 U.S.C. ยง 1232(h) (Protection of Pupil Rights)
34 C.F.R. Part 98 (Student Rights in Research, Experimental Programs, and Testing)
Adoption Date: July 01, 1991
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