Research in OUSD

Introduction

Thank you for your interest in conducting research in Oakland Public Schools! The Research, Assessment, and Data (RAD) Department is composed of three interconnected units that collaborate to support student outcomes across the district. RAD is also responsible for reviewing all research or evaluation projects in the district as well as surveys and requests for data. Any individual (internal or external), or organization interested in conducting research, evaluation, or survey must apply before collecting any data.

The role of the Research Review Committee is to ensure that proposed work is beneficial to the school district and complies with the ethical codes of research in addition to state and federal laws. 

Types of Applications accepted by RAD

• Renewals of previously approved applications: Renewals must be submitted before the existing application expires.

• Applications from current OUSD employees who wish to conduct research in OUSD as part of their postgraduate studies

• Applications from OUSD partner organizations for evaluation studies of programs conducted in OUSD schools or central office programs. This type of application requires a 3rd party evaluator.

Research Review Process

When submitting your research application and supporting documents to OUSD Research, please allow 4 weeks for initial response from the research team. If there are missing items from the application package you will be informed and your application will be reopened to make any necessary changes. Once all information has been received, the research team will review the application and all supporting documents. Please allow up to 4 weeks for the team to review your application. If there are questions along the way you will receive an email from someone on the research team.

The entire process can take as long as 12 weeks. Please plan accordingly.

If the application also requires a Data Sharing Agreement (DSA), the DSA must go to OUSD Board of Directors for final approval. Researchers will work with the OUSD Research team to complete the DSA and submit it to the Board of Directors. It can take one to two months to get the DSA on the Board agenda depending on when the documents are submitted. The Board agenda preparation, submission schedule can be viewed here.

Application reviews evaluate the extent to which a submission:

a) Shows potential for improving instructional programs and strategies

b) Addresses a relevant educational problem, concern, or issue

c) Is designed to minimize interruptions and demands upon the time of students and staff. 

Only proposals that are compliant with state and federal laws (including FERPA) as well as local board policies and regulations may be granted approval. 

Approvals are granted for a period of one year. To extend any project into a second year, the researcher(s) must obtain approval via resubmission of their research application. All applications are reviewed in the order that they are received. 

Note that there is currently up to a 12 week lag in the review process due to reduced staffing and increased workloads. 

Supporting Documents

There are several documents that will help facilitate the review process. Depending on the nature of the application will determine which documents are needed.

• Complete OUSD Research Application (found on our requests page)

• Approval by an external institutional review board (IRB). This does not guarantee approval to conduct research in OUSD.

• Letter of support from faculty advisor, only if part of graduate school program

• Letter of support from an OUSD staff member. In most circumstances this person will be the Director or Executive Director of the sponsoring department.

• Staff consent form

• Parent consent form (active consent is required for all OUSD students under the age of 18 or whose IEP restricts them from signing on their own behalf)

• Student assent form

• Recruitment materials such as:

  • • Flyers

    • Informational letters

    • Emails to recruit staff participation

• Study Instruments such as:

  • • Surveys

    • Writing prompts

    • Focus group questions and protocols

• Data Sharing Agreement for identifiable data (the research team will work with you to complete this form)

• Services Agreement: This contract is typically required with the Data Sharing Agreement. There are two types of Services Agreements (Cost and No-Cost). If OUSD is paying for a service you're providing then a Cost Service Agreement is required. If OUSD is not paying for a service (usually the case with research) then a No-Cost service agreement is required. The service agreement describes the services being provided by the vendor or researcher in relation to the data being requested.

Research Application

To submit your research application visit www.ousddata.org\requests

Contact us

research@ousd.org