Administrative Procedure 290

RESEARCH STUDIES

Background

The Charter Board recognizes its responsibility to share educational experiences and provides opportunities for individuals to interact with the School.

Procedures

1. All applications to undertake research projects or surveys within the School or to obtain assistance from the School with respect to studies or research projects shall be submitted to the Superintendent.
2. After due consideration and applying the criteria identified in this Administrative Procedure, an application will, depending upon its nature, be approved or denied.
3. Research projects undertaken by or for the School shall be conducted and/or coordinated by the Superintendent.
4. The Secretary-Treasurer shall be responsible for the financial arrangements for research projects.
5. Externally initiated research projects may be terminated at any time if, in the judgement of the Superintendent, the guidelines established for the study have been violated.
6. Research studies will be approved and conducted according to the following procedures.
6.1 All applications shall be satisfactorily completed at least one (1) month in advance of the study and must be submitted to the Superintendent. Timelines shorter than one
(1) month will be considered if extenuating circumstances exist.
6.2 Requests to undertake graduate level research or survey studies must be submitted to the Superintendent.
6.3 Upon completion of the study, the researcher shall be required to submit to the Superintendent, if available, a complete report plus an abstract describing the project and the findings.
6.4 The following criteria will be used by the Superintendent in considering research studies:
6.4.1 The study shall have recognizable value to the School and/or to education in general;
6.4.2 The content of any proposed questionnaire or survey instrument must not be objectionable to staff, students or parents;
6.4.3 The involvement of students or teachers does not require an unreasonable amount of time;
6.4.4 The willingness of individuals to participate;
6.4.5 The number of research studies planned or underway in the School; and
6.4.6 Preference for approval will be given to School staff.
7. The Superintendent shall, when necessary, ensure that the contents of a study are held in confidence.
8. The Superintendent shall inform the Charter Board of requested research projects and involve the Charter Board in the decision to conduct a major research at VCS.

References: Section 11, 25, 26, 33, 52, 53, 68, 196, 197, 222, 225 Education Act