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GCC-AR: Criteria for Considering Third-Party Learner Surveys & Research

Surveys and educational studies can serve as a valuable tool for determining learner needs and developing educational services.  The Superintendent or designee shall consider the following criteria when a request has been made to conduct a survey and/or research studies:

  1. The study/survey is conducted for the purpose of improving the education or general welfare of learners;
  2. The party proposing the study/survey has a purpose and mission that is in keeping generally with the district's mission, vision, and beliefs.
  3. The study must mutually benefit the district and the proposing party.
  4. The study/survey proposal is sufficient in scope and depth to justify the use of the time and effort of district learners and staff;
  5. The party conducting the study/survey will provide an abstract of the survey, a copy of the survey instrument, a copy of a consent form, approval from a supervisor, and/or any requested instructional materials that will be used. Such material must be provided prior to the initiation of the survey/study and in a timely manner, allowing the Superintendent or designee and other relevant school officials ample opportunity to review such material, and comply with any applicable parental notification and consent requirements under the Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment (PPRA) if the survey concerns a protected area or is for marketing purposes;
  6. Neither the study/survey nor its findings are reasonably predicted to exploit or compromise the safety of district learners or staff; and
  7. The party conducting the study/survey agrees to provide a copy of the outcome/results to the District within a reasonable time after the study/survey's completion.

The Superintendent or designee, along with relevant building administrators or district coordinators, shall also take into account the amount of instructional time the survey/study will consume, if it will unduly disrupt district operations and/or the educational environment, the level of supervision the District will have to provide to third parties conducting the survey/study, the amount of protected/confidential information that will be gathered, and whether or not the agency conducting the survey/study has developed appropriate safeguards for collection, protection, disclosure, and use of protected/confidential information.

Educators may use surveys in classes to determine learner knowledge and/or attitudes prior to teaching, provided that responses will not be used in a manner that would breach learner confidentiality requirements under law and/or district policy. These surveys would be to assess academic proficiency or learner needs and would not be used to support a teacher’s personal research project for an outside agency such as a college or university. Surveys administered by educators that align with these guidelines are not subject to the pre-approval protocols outlined in this policy or regulation.

02/25/25