An external research request must be submitted and approved through the local research review process to conduct research at the school or district level at KSD. External research request guidelines apply to any research request initiated by an outside entity to be conducted in the school district or by a KSD employee who is conducting research for purposes beyond their role at KSD (e.g., graduate degree program work, publication).

Research is defined as any data collection to be conducted from or about KSD students, staff, or guardians; or any analysis of internal databases containing KSD students, staff, or school data. Activities that do not involve data collection for external purposes, such as observations or class visitations by university students, or piloting of curricular/instructional materials and techniques, are not considered research and are not subject to these guidelines.

Requests will be reviewed on a rolling basis. In most cases, applicants can expect responses within two weeks, although it may take up to four weeks.

External research approval is valid for a one-year period. If research activities go beyond one year, or if research activities change from the initial application during the approval period, please submit a Modification Form.

To apply to conduct external research at KSD or request an amendment or extension, please email the following completed forms to research@kent.k12.wa.us:

• External Research Request Form or Modification Form

• University or agency IRB approval

• Consent forms (if applicable)

• Draft interview protocols or survey instruments (if applicable)