Dr. Colin Martin, Executive Director
678-301-7090
Fax: 678-301-7088
Overview
The Office of Research and Evaluation provides direct support in accelerating school and system wide improvement. It provides technical support for the Research-Based Evaluation System (RBES); support for the development of data systems; management of the instructional research approval process; and research consultation to schools, departments, and professional staff.
The Office of Research and Evaluation provides critical research in support of the Gwinnett County Public Schools (GCPS) mission and vision by producing fair, accurate, timely, results-oriented information, and ensuring high-quality data collection, interpretation, and data-based decision making through collaboration and communication with others.
Board Policy on Educational Research
The Gwinnett County Board of Education recognizes that systematic study of the educational process and related variables can contribute significantly to the development and implementation of high-quality instructional programs. The Board therefore encourages the conduct of well-designed educational research projects within the district.
While recognizing the value of educational research, the Board also has a responsibility to protect students, parents, and staff from harassment; invasion of privacy; physical, psychological, social, and educational injury; and substantial distraction from teaching and learning. Consequently, the Board requires that all research proposals be carefully screened by the Executive Director of Research and Evaluation and the Research Committee to ensure that the proposed research has potential value for the district and is consistent with district philosophies, legal obligations, and standards of good scholarship.
The Executive Director of Research and Evaluation must provide written approval before a research project may be conducted in the district. The Director and the appropriate division will be responsible for monitoring any approved research.
Procedures for External Research in Gwinnett County Public Schools (GCPS)
The purposes of these procedures are to govern and to coordinate research conducted in GCPS, to protect staff and students’ safety and time, and to ensure that the research is of high quality and will improve educational practices.
Who to contact:
Informal inquiries to schools concerning tentative interest in participating in a research study are acceptable, but formal approval must be obtained through the GCPS Central Office. Call the Research and Evaluation Office at 678-301-7090. Submit written research proposals to the Research and Evaluation Office, GCPS, 437 Old Peachtree Road, Suwanee, GA 30024-2978.
How is research defined?
Research is any data collection from or about Gwinnett County Public School (GCPS) students, staff, parents, or school communities.
Definition of “external” research:
- Studies initiated by an outside agency/agent to be conducted in the school district. These researchers much submit a research proposal according to the required GCPS Research Proposal Format.
- Studies initiated by a GCPS employee for purposes beyond his/her job role (thesis, course requirements, dissertation). These researchers must also submit a GCPS research proposal.
Note: The following research approval procedures do not apply to research projects conducted by GCPS students. GCPS students who wish to conduct research projects must have their projects approved by their teacher, principal, and the principal and teachers of any schools involved other than their own.
Research proposals that are given priority:
- Proposals which address research that would be beneficial to the education of our students (see Department/Area Suggestions); and
- Projects requested by an employee of GCPS in fulfillment of requirements for an advanced degree or certification, if the research is sound.
Research proposals that are usually denied:
- Research that would require a large amount of teacher, student, or staff time, loss of instructional time or focus;
- Data collection that requests personal information about students or their families, that includes information beyond that which is absolutely necessary to answer the research question, or that asks for general access to student records;
- Proposals that are biased, prejudicial and unobjective;
- Proposals that are not formatted according to GCPS requirements, that are hastily and unprofessionally written, that are incomplete, or that provide insufficient information on which to base approval.
How to submit a research proposal:
- Create a research proposal according to the required GCPS Research Proposal Format.
- If data are to be collected about or from individual students, parent permission will be required in most cases. A proposed Parental Permission Letter must be attached to the proposal.
- Submit twelve (12) paper copies of the proposal by deadline date in the month chosen for submission.
GCPS RESEARCH PROPOSAL DUE DATES FOR 2008-09
For the month of… | Due | Projected Response |
September | August 25, 2008 | First week in October |
October | September 29, 2008 | First week in November |
November | October 27, 2008 | First week in December |
December | December 1, 2008 | Week of January 5, 2009 |
January | January 5, 2009 | First week in February |
February | January 26, 2009 | First week in March |
March | February 23, 2009 | First week in April |
April | March 23, 2009 | First week in May |
May | April 27, 2009 | First week in June |
GCPS Employees
- Researchers who are employees must also submit a GCPS research proposal. When employees plan to conduct research only at their own schools, an abbreviated research plan may be submitted on a Local School Research Request Form. This form must be approved and signed by the employee's principal, and a copy must be sent to the Research and Evaluation Office at the Instructional Support Center for documentation and filing. No further approval is necessary.
- If researcher is an employee of GCPS and conducting research in schools other than his/her school, the researcher must create a proposal using the Research Proposal Format.
Time and notification regarding decisions:
The review process takes place each month from September through May. Studies planned for the beginning of the school year must be proposed and approved no later than the May review cycle. The review process normally takes four to five weeks. Deadline dates for submitting monthly proposals are included in the Research Proposal Format. Once the proposal has been approved or denied, the Research and Evaluation Office will notify the researcher in writing. The researcher is asked to complete an evaluation form regarding his/her experience with the research proposal process and return it to the Research and Evaluation Office.
Who reviews research proposals?
Proposals are reviewed by the Executive Director of Research and Evaluation and a Research Committee that consists of administrative school personnel and district level personnel. Proposals that have been recommended for approval by the committee are forwarded to the associate superintendent and area superintendents. Proposals are also forwarded to Central Office content area experts for review.
Final decision regarding research proposals:
- If any member of the review process denies a proposal, usually it will not be approved.
- If the proposal could be approved with minimal changes, the researcher may be asked to make revisions and resubmit.
- Approved proposals usually carry a set of “limitations” imposed by GCPS, which must be followed in the implementation of the researcher’s plan.
- Principals and teachers usually may elect not to participate in a research study, even if the district has approved it.
After a research proposal is approved:
- Researchers must deliver a copy of their approval letter to the school principal(s).
- Since several research projects involve so many representatives, each representative should have a copy of the approval letter which contains the Research Project Title and the assigned Research ID Number. It is necessary to refer to the ID Number when contacting district level or local school personnel regarding a research project.
- Contact the Research and Evaluation Office if any substantive changes to the approved plan become necessary.
- Researchers are asked to forward a copy of the final results or report of their research to the Research and Evaluation Office.
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