GUARDIANS/FAMILIES
If you are seeking to conduct research with WPS GUARDIANS/FAMILIES, follow these steps:
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SCHOOL AND CLASSROOM VISITS REQUIRE CORI CHECK
SCHOOL AND CLASSROOM VISITS REQUIRE CORI CHECK
If your research with families will include any school 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
Research Application Process to Conduct Research with PARENTS/GUARDIANS within WPS
STEP 1: Develop Mutually Beneficial Research Focus
STEP 1: Develop Mutually Beneficial Research Focus
The mission of the ERC is to unite school communities and researchers as equal partners to make first step smoother.
CONTACT PRINCIPALS
CONTACT PRINCIPALS
You can reach out directly to WPS Principals with information about the proposed project to determine interest and availability.
On the homepage of every WPS school's website, you can find the Principal's name, email, and phone number.
STEP 2: Begin Process to Obtain IRB Approval
STEP 2: Begin Process to Obtain IRB Approval
Follow your institution's IRB processes. The ones below are for WPI. The processes may vary by institution.
Visit WPI IRB Website
Start an IRB Application in WPI's InfoEd Portal
Select the type of application (exempt or full review)
Complete all the questions in the Application and attach all required documents including Methods, Procedures, Recruitment, CITI certificates, and Consent Forms
All participating researchers MUST complete the CITI Program Training and have a current certificacte of completion. Upload certificates to InfoEd for each researcher.
If you have any questions regarding the IRB process, contact your IRB contact.
DETERMINE TYPE OF APPLICATION
DETERMINE TYPE OF APPLICATION
WPI IRB Application for Exemption from IRB Review for Survey or Interview Research involving Minimal or No Risk
WPI IRB Application for Exemption for Human Subjects Research (see examples from 45 CFR Part 46)
WPI Full Application
IRB APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS (Required regardless of type of application)
IRB APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS (Required regardless of type of application)
STEP 3: COMPLETE WORCESTER PUBLIC SCHOOL RESEARCH APPLICATION
STEP 3: COMPLETE WORCESTER PUBLIC SCHOOL RESEARCH APPLICATION
Click the link above to submit your application. Fill out all fields and attach the documents requested.
Questions? Contact the Office of Research and Accountability research@worcesterschools.net or call 508-799-3061 X62043
Your Research Project/Data Collection Application Needs to Include:
IRB documentation/approval – If you are conducting research to satisfy degree requirements, IRB documentation may be submitted as part of the Research Project/Data Collection Application to describe the research effort, design, and methodology that will be used. Attach evidence that you have begun the application process at your institution. If you have submitted a complete application to IRB, you can include it in your application (must include everything listed below).
Data collection instruments* – Copies of all assessments, surveys, interview protocols, or any other data gathering templates must be submitted as part of the application.
Will student data (if any) be maintained by you and will WPI have custody over the data collected?
If Yes → no issue.
If you are using a third party platform, ORA needs to ensure their platform is approved for student data privacy.
Study sample recruitment letters or fliers* – If applicable, these must be included as part of the application.
Parent Consent Forms* – Since your research is with students, provide a copy of both forms and indicate which languages the form will be translated into. Parent Consent sample and template are linked in Step 5 below.
*These forms and descriptions should be IDENTICAL to what you attach to your IRB application for consistency. It's ideal to download your IRB application for the institution and attach that to your WPS application. It must have all the required information.
If approved by Worcester Public School's Office of Research and Accountability (ORA), move onto the next steps:
STEP 4: RECRUIT INTERESTED GUARDIANS
STEP 4: RECRUIT INTERESTED GUARDIANS
Share a recruitment flier with principal(s) to distrubute to families via ParentSquare. ParentSquare is the district's two-way communications platform with instant translations in 100+ languages, used for newsletters, group chats, calendars, report cards, volunteer sign-ups, and announcements.
The recruitment flier should contain the study overview, participant expectations, and interest form access via link/QR code.
PRINCIPAL CONTACTS
PRINCIPAL CONTACTS
On the homepage of every WPS school's website, you can find the Principal's name, email, and phone number.
STEP 5: GUARDIAN CONSENT TO PARTICIPATE
STEP 5: GUARDIAN CONSENT TO PARTICIPATE
Research team will contact interested guardians directly with additional information about the research study and a link to a consent form.
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