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:

1. Coordinate external projects with ongoing research and evaluation conducted by the district,
2. protect staff and students from unnecessary or redundant data collection,
3. review research and evaluation requests in light of current privacy laws,
4. assure that external research/evaluation projects are of value to the district and to education in general.

Existing Research/District Reports

Open Records Request (i.e., any existing information or reports) should be directed to the Office of the Superintendent, (512) 414-2412.

Application Process for Research/Evaluation Projects

You must submit an application:

• if your research/evaluation project includes collecting and/or using individual-level data from or about AISD students, staff, or parents (e.g., observations, surveys, tests, interviews, focus groups, filming, or other direct data-gathering methodologies); or,
• 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.

Due to the priority placed on technical staffs' time to transition the district to a new data system, projects requiring extraction from student data system cannot be accommodated. Please check this website periodically to see if this restriction has been lifted.

Applications that involve data collection from students, teachers, or administrators:

• Are no longer being accepted for the 2009-2010 school year.
• Applications for the 2010-2011 school year will be reviewed beginning June 1, 2010 and will continue through:
  • November 1^st for projects which involve implementation of a new program or involve a campus with an "academically unacceptable" rating; and,
  • and December 1^st for other research and evaluation projects.
  • 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 and staff.

  As of the 2008-2009 school year, the electronic submission of all application materials is required. Application materials and inquiries about the application process should be submitted to: externalresearch@austinisd.org

IMPORTANT Information Regarding Research/Evaluation Conducted in AISD

• 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.
• Individual students, staff, or schools may not be identified in any research or evaluation product.
• All data collection involving schools must be completed by May 1st.
• No data collection is allowed on testing days. Be sure to consult the district testing schedule.

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)