The Assessment & Accountability Office acts on behalf of the Superintendent to review research and data use proposals from researchers and investigators.  There is no right to access U-46 students, staff, or data for research purposes.  Access may be granted when determined to be in the best interest of the District.  If access is granted, the researcher may only access schools, students, staff, and data relevant to the research as approved in the Research and Data Use Application.

 Principles/Criteria for Review

• The proposed research must directly provide educational value to the U-46 Public Schools or the Board of Education or to the field of education generally.
• The proposed research addresses an identified research priority of the district and does not duplicate research already occurring in the district
• The proposed research should not intrude upon instructional time or disrupt the educational process.
• The proposed research must manifest a sound research methodology using valid and reliable techniques.
• The proposed research must document that the researcher or organization has the capacity and experience to successfully complete the project and has plans to share the results with the District.
• The proposed research must protect the privacy of students and staff and ensure compliance with state and federal laws and well as U-46 board policy. The Federal
• Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and the Illinois School Student Records Act are based on the premise that information about an individual student is private and confidential and generally may only be accessed with parent consent.
   

Important Policies to Review

Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)

http://www.ed.gov/policy/gen/guid/fpco/ferpa/index.html

The Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment (PPRA)

http://familypolicy.ed.gov/ppra

The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) Privacy Rule

http://privacyruleandresearch.nih.gov/

Illinois Student Records Act

http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/ilcs3.asp?ActID=1006

 Process

• Researcher completes Research and Data Use Application, Data Use Agreement, Confidentiality Agreement, and any other supplemental materials.
• Researcher submits electronic versions of documents to assessment@u-46.org and 3 paper copies to:  
        Director of Assessment
        355 E Chicago St
        Elgin, IL  60120
• Assessment Office reviews applications and submits recommendation for approval to Legal Office (2-4 weeks)
• Legal Office reviews proposal for compliance (2-4 weeks)
• Researcher is notified if application is approved or rejected
• Applications are valid for 12 months from the date of approval and will then have to apply for continuation if needed.

Documents