Our policies and procedures have changed. The Office of Assessment, Accountability & Evaluation will only be accepting and reviewing research applications submitted online through this link beginning in 2020.

The following information must be uploaded using a Google account to complete the application.

  1. A completed “Application to Conduct Research” Form.
  2. A brief abstract, not exceeding 200 words.
  3. A detailed research proposal.
  4. Copies of all necessary consent/assent forms with completed checklists.
  5. A letter from principals/teachers granting permission to conduct research in their school/classroom.
  6. Evidence of recent (within five years) human subjects research training.
  7. College and university-affiliated researchers must obtain approval of their proposed research by the Institutional Review Board or similar committee.

2020-2021 Research Application & Review Deadlines

Review Cycle Application Deadline Research Review Committee Meeting Approval Notification
September – October Monday, September 14, 2020 Friday, October 2, 2020 Monday, October 12, 2020
November – December Thursday, November 19, 2020 Wednesday, December 2, 2020 Monday, December 14, 2020
January – February Monday, January 11, 2021 Wednesday, January 27, 2021 Monday, February 15, 2021
March – April Friday, March 12, 2021 Friday, April 2, 2021 Wednesday, April 14, 2021
May – June Friday, May 14, 2021 Friday, June 4, 2021 Wednesday, June 16, 2021
July – August Wednesday, July 14, 2021 Thursday, July 29, 2021 Friday, August 13, 2021
September – October Monday, September 13, 2021 Friday, October 1, 2021 Tuesday, October 12, 2021
November – December Thursday, November 18, 2021 Wednesday, December 1, 2021 Monday, December 13, 2021
January – February Monday, January 10, 2022 Wednesday, January 26, 2022 Monday, February 14, 2022
March – April Friday, March 11, 2022 Friday, April 1, 2022 Wednesday, April 13, 2022
May – June Friday, May 13, 2022 Friday, June 3, 2022 Wednesday, June 15, 2022

2019-2020 Approved Research Requests

The following research projects have been approved by the Research Review Board and are currently active.

Please be advised that approval of research activities does not equate an endorsement of research by Polk County Public Schools. Our approval means that the study has met professional and ethical standards as determined by the District’s Research Review Board, and these researchers have permission to conduct activities in our school district. Regardless, principals must grant final approval on whether or not a particular researcher may conduct research at their school. Informed consent documents must be obtained from parents or legal guardians before a researcher has direct contact with students.

Research Project Researcher(s) Institution Effective Dates
Developing Premier Leaders: A Focus on the Future Farmers of America in Florida High Schools BourneSmothers, Julian Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University 10/14/19-06/25/20
Teachers’ Perceptions on the Effectiveness of Community Resources Adams, Carl Nova Southeastern University 10/14/19-06/30/20
Investigating the Feasibility of Contact-Based Stigma Change Programs: A Focus Group Study with School Psychologists, Counselors, Teachers, & Parents Beekman, B. Michelle University of South Florida 10/30/19- 07/14/20
STEP Facilitator Improvement Network Action Research Brown, Debbie University of Denver 12/16/19-09/01/20
First-year Teacher Efficacy for Teaching Character Education Ciganek, Lisa &

Ribble, Alana

 Southeastern University 05/28/20-09/01/20
Transition from Classroom Teacher to School Administrator Nelson, Brandy Florida Southern College 05/28/20-09/01/20
Schools for Rigor: Achievement Gains at Kathleen High School Basileo, Lindsey Learning Sciences International 02/07/19-09/30/20
Training Intervention for Middle School Teachers on Culturally Relevant Instruction and Culturally Relevant Classroom Management Strategies Newton, Vivian Nova Southeastern University 04/10/20-09/30/20
School Discipline: Zero Tolerance Perry Jr., Aram Northcentral University 07/09/20-09/30/20
An Evaluation of Equity and Access for All Students in a School District’s Career and Technical Education Programs Jaime, Cynthia National Louis University 12/16/19 – 01/31/21
The Implementation of CHAMPS Procedures to Improve Behavior and Academic Performance Jarrett, Henreta Nova Southeastern University 10/14/19-03/30/21
A Qualitative Case Study to Discover How Title I Schools Build the Capacity of Staff and Families in Support of Academic Achievement Atwell, Denise Florida Southern 04/01/19-

04/30/21

To request the documents listed below, please call 863-534-0979 ext. 744 or email research@polk-fl.net.

Application Documents

  • Application to Conduct Research
  • Informed Consent Letter Checklist
  • Student Assent Letter Checklist

Information for Research Request Applicants

  • Should I Submit a Research Request?
  • The Research Application Review Process
  • Composition of the Research Review Committee
  • Checklist Used for Phase I Quality Control Review
  • Rubric Used for Phase II RRC Review

Resources for Approved Researchers

  • Monthly Research Progress Reports
  • Request for Extension of Research Activities
  • Suspension for Research Activities

Research Incident Reports

  • Report by Person Involved
  • Report by Witness
  • Report by School Administrator

General Resources

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