Austin ISD supports high-quality external research and evaluation efforts, especially in areas that will improve its educational practices and outcomes. AISD's application process was established to: (a) Coordinate external projects with ongoing research and evaluation conducted by the district, (b) protect staff and students from unnecessary or redundant data collection, (c) review research and evaluation requests in light of current privacy laws, and (d) assure that external research/evaluation projects are of value to the district and to education in general.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION:

• Open Records Requests (i.e., any existing information or reports) should be directed to the Office of the Superintendent, (512) 414-2412.
• You must submit an application if your research/evaluation project includes collecting or using individual-level data from or about AISD students, staff or parents.
• You must submit an application if you seek a letter of support as part of a grant application or if you seek to partner with the district on a grant funded program or initiative. The application must be received at least one month in advance of the grant application deadline.
• Application deadlines for the current school year (August-May):
  • November 1st for projects which involve implementation of a new program;
  • December 1st for research projects involving students, teachers, or administrators.
  • Applications for projects that do not involve student, teacher, or administrator contact are accepted on an ongoing basis.
  • Due to an increase in district initiatives and research conducted with AISD high schools, AISD is limiting the number of external studies involving high school students and staff.
• Active consent for student participation must be obtained from parents/guardians before data can be collected or any individually identifiable student information can be released.
• All data collection involving schools must be completed by May 1^st.
• No data collection is allowed on testing days. Be sure to consult the district testing schedule.
• Individual students, staff, or schools may not be identified in any research or evaluation product.
• Beginning in the 2008-2009 school year, the electronic submission of all application materials is preferred. Application materials and inquiries about the application process should be submitted to: externalresearch@austinisd.org

GETTING STARTED:

• External Research Procedures Overview
• Requirements for Data Collection and Release
• Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
• Application Review Criteria
• External Research Process Flow Chart (PDF)

APPLICATION MATERIALS:

Required, all projects

Application Checklist
AISD Application for External Research or Evaluation (Word)
Access to Confidential Data Form (Word)

Supplemental Materials

Application Guidance
Research Topics (PDF)
Parent/Guardian Consent Template - English (Word)
Parent/Guardian Consent Template - Spanish (Word)
Student Assent Template - English (Word)
Student Assent Template - Spanish (Word)
Staff Consent Form (Word)

MATERIALS FOR APPROVED PROJECTS:

Principal Agreement to Participate Form (Word)
Project Completion Checklist (PDF)