Welcome to the Blount County Schools Research Review Portal. This site serves as the mandatory first step for all research proposals involving BCS students, staff, or data.
Whether you are an AP Research student or an external university researcher, you must use the AI Compliance Tool linked below to screen your documents against Blount County Schools' Board Policy 6.4001 and federal guidance on research ethics and data management.
Do not submit your proposal to the district until you have completed this screening. Our goal is to ensure your proposal is "Solidified & Compliant" before it reaches the BCS Research Committee for review. This screening process helps to prevent unnecessary delays and immediate rejections.
Step 1: Run the Self-Check
Launch the tool below. Select your role (AP Student or External / Higher Ed Researcher) and upload your draft proposal, consent forms, and survey instruments.
Tip: Please ensure your files match the "File Naming Standards" listed inside the tool.
Tip: The compliance tool will evaluate your documents one at a time, but It is best to include all of your documents at the same time so the checker can complete an overall review of your collective proposal.
Security reminder: Do not upload files containing real participant names or personally identifiable information (PII).
Step 2: Review the Feedback
The AI will act as a strict compliance officer. It will flag:
Fatal Flaws: Prohibited topics (e.g., politics, firearms) that result in automatic denial.
Missing Protections: Lack of distress protocols, data destruction plans, or voluntary consent statements.
Policy Gaps: Failure to cite specific district benefits or adhere to instructional time limits.
Step 3: Revise & Solidify
Use the AI's feedback to edit your documents. Repeat the check until you receive a "Clean Bill of Health" (No major red flags).
Step 4: Official Submission
Once your proposal is fully screened and compliant, follow the submission route for your role:
AP Research Students:
Confirm your passing status with your AP Teacher.
Upon teacher confirmation, submit your final files to Mr. Donny Anderson, BCS Supervisor of Assessment and Accountability. Make sure that all files are correctly named and are properly shared for access.
External / University Researchers:
Email your screened packet directly to the BCS Research Committee. Make sure that all files are correctly named and are properly shared for access.
Deadlines for Higher Ed proposals: Proposals are reviewed twice per month. Requests must be received no later than the first Monday of each month.
The BCS Research Committee protects the instructional time and privacy of our students. Proposals are frequently rejected for preventable administrative errors. The compliance tool assists in saving time of unnecessary reviewing and re-reviewing by human evaluators.
This tool utilizes Artificial Intelligence to assist in the review process. While it is highly effective at identifying policy violations, a "Pass" from this tool does not guarantee final approval from the Human Review Committee. It is a resource to help you prepare a stronger, compliant submission prior to human evaluation.