Regulation 6620-1

Assessment of Student Achievement

District Research

Reviewed and affirmed by the Board: 
Last Revision: 
Original publish date: 11/24/2009
Related policies & regulations:  1430, 1430-2, 5300, 5310, 5320, 5330, 5330-1, 5330-2, 5340, 5340-1, 5340-2, 5340-3, 5350, 5350-1, 5350-2, 5360, 6443, 6621
Legal references:  Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, 20 U.S.C. § 1232g; Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment, 20 U.S.C. § 1232h; Regulations 34 CFR Part 98; § 79-530, R.R.S., et seq

 

District research includes all research conducted by Lincoln Public Schools employees in the performance of, or related to, assigned responsibilities; research conducted by ESU 18 or external agencies on behalf of the Lincoln Public Schools; and research agreed to by the Lincoln Board of Education or the Superintendent.

 

Schools and staff are expected to participate in District research unless participation is designated as voluntary by the individual conducting the research.

 

District research will be conducted in a manner that protects the rights of students, parents and staff; involves consultation with parents; protects the time of teachers and administrators; and minimizes the impact on classroom instruction. Prior written consent of a parent or legal guardian will be required in research and evaluation studies that include the collection of information concerning the following protected areas (“protected information survey”) if the survey is funded in whole or part by a program of the U.S. Department of Education (ED):

1. political affiliation or beliefs of the student or the student’s parent;
2. mental and psychological problems of the student or the student’s family;
3. sex behavior or attitudes;
4. illegal, anti-social, self-incriminating or demeaning behavior;
5. critical appraisals of other individuals with whom the student has close family relationships;
6. legally recognized privileged or analogous relationships, such as those of lawyers, physicians, and ministers;
7. religious practices, affiliations or beliefs of the student or the student’s parent; or
8. income (other than that required by law to determine eligibility for participation in a program or for receiving financial assistance under such program).

Parents/guardians and students shall be informed of their right to opt out or not to participate in other district research and evaluation studies that concern:

1. A protected information survey, regardless of funding;
2. Any non-emergency, invasive physical exam or screening required as a condition of attendance, administered by the school or its agent, and not necessary to protect the immediate health and safety of a student, except for hearing, vision or scoliosis screenings or any physical exam or screening permitted or required under State law; and
3. Activities involving collection, disclosure or use of personal information obtained from students for marketing or to sell or otherwise distribute the information to others.

All surveys, questionnaires, opinionnaires, interviews and other assessments administered during such evaluation and research studies will be available for review by parents/legal guardians. The approximate dates of research and evaluation activities shall be throughout the school year.  A schedule of known dates of activity shall be made available to students and parents and can be obtained at each school building or from the Director of Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment or the director’s designee (Lincoln Public Schools, 5905 “O” Street, Lincoln, Nebraska 68510).

 

Staff conducting District research will take necessary steps to assure confidentiality of information about individual students. Such information will not be included in reports on District research that are made public without the written consent of a parent or legal guardian.

 

Questions regarding requirements for conducting internal research will be referred to the Director of Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment or the director’s design.