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WHAT CHALLENGES DO RESEARCHERS AND WPS FACE TOGETHER?
Some of the biggest challenges for Education Researchers and WPS alike are research approval, recruitment, and mutually beneficial alignment of research goals with curricular needs.
WPS is eager and interested in pursuing relationships with local experts and university researchers that could generate meaningful scholarship and help improve the educational experiences and outcomes for WPS students. Like many urban districts, WPS is frequently approached by researchers interested in conducting research studies, but there are a number of challenges and processes that often hinder research from occurring.
The Research Approval Process is outlined in detail on this website.
The process for gaining approval of your research in Worcester Public Schools will be reviewed by the Office of Research and Accountability (ORA) and is primarily dependent on:
alignment with WPS strategic initiatives and objectives
rigor of the research methodology
risk/benefits to WPS students or staff
timing of the research or other implementation challenges
WHAT ARE GOALS OF THIS RESOURCE?
✅ STREAMLINE the Research Approval Process so that researchers and WPS teachers, administrators, and students can more easily work together
✅ CLARIFY the research application process for school-based studies
✅ DEVELOP a more broad, overarching application process between WPS and researcher(s) at local institutions to streamline approvals
✅ PROVIDE SAMPLES* including consent forms, fliers, procedures that could cover multiple projects that meet both institutional IRB and WPS requirements
*The included sample forms, fliers, and IRB procedures are based on real WPI research projects. The website includes contacts and links specifically for the Worcester school system, and the processes are similar to those required of other school districts, with some modifications.
WHAT STEPS ARE NEEDED TO CONDUCT RESEARCH WITH SCHOOLS?
Depending on who your direct participants or collaborators are in your school-based research, you will need to follow specific steps and include specific consent/assent forms during the application process. Locate the tab at the top of the Google Site (and linked below) that identifies who you are collecting data with in your research - students, teachers, guardians - and follow those steps.
MOST SCHOOL/CLASSROOM VISITS REQUIRE CORI CHECK
MOST SCHOOL/CLASSROOM VISITS REQUIRE CORI CHECK
If your research will include any classroom visits, you will need to have a completed CORI with the school PRIOR to your visit.
Please complete the CORI form and return to:
Assistant Superintendent of Personnel, Engagement & Equity
Worcester Public Schools
20 Irving Street Worcester, MA 01609
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