All researchers, including Baltimore City Public Schools (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, staff, or families. 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.

All research proposals, whether involving only a 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. However, research projects that involve student-level data sets require the creation of data-sharing agreements, such as an MOU, with the district.

City Schools prioritizes* research that:

• Aligns with City Schools’ Blueprint for Success 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.

Please note that researchers should not submit requests to individual schools or district office departments. For assistance, review the information below or email the Achievement and Accountability Office.