At City Schools, our commitment to enhancing educational outcomes for our students is supported by the work of the Office of Achievement and Accountability (OAA). This office serves as a vital hub for research and evaluation, recognizing that informed decision-making hinges on rigorous data analysis and collaboration with community partners, researchers, and service providers. We prioritize the privacy and welfare of our students, families, and staff, balancing the need for data sharing with our ethical responsibilities. Through these efforts, we aim to create a robust framework that fosters continuous improvement in our schools while safeguarding individual rights.

All researchers, including City Schools staff working on dissertations or graduate theses, must obtain approval from the City Schools Institutional Review Board (IRB) before beginning any study that involves City Schools’ students or staff, or that seeks to recruit research participants within our schools. The IRB’s purpose is to ensure that the rights and welfare of human subjects are protected and that potential risks due to research participation are minimized (e.g., through privacy procedures). The IRB also discusses the scientific merit and potential benefit of research to City Schools, while balancing the need to prioritize student learning.

All research proposals, whether involving only a student, school, staff, district data request, or new data collection, must be submitted using the online IRBManager form. The IRB meets once a month to review submitted proposals. The district also makes numerous data reports publicly available for download that may be used for research purposes.  

City Schools prioritizes* research that:

• Aligns with City Schools’ Portrait of a Graduate and the work of students, teachers, and administrators or other district initiatives.

• Meets “Every Student Succeeds Act” (ESSA) standards for providing high-quality evidence.
  
  *Note that studies meeting these criteria are not guaranteed IRB approval.

The IRB is not prioritizing:   

• Case studies and qualitative studies that utilize a single method of data collection (e.g., survey or interview). 

• Studies that do not address student or staff outcomes beyond satisfaction or opinion.

• Graduate theses, projects, or dissertations for non-City Schools' employees. 

Please note that researchers should not begin any research activities before receiving IRB approval. 

Before submitting any request, please review the frequently asked questions and support documents below. For assistance, please email the Achievement and Accountability Office.

• Research Proposal FAQs

• Research Proposal Checklist

• Data Request FAQs