At Columbus City Schools, we believe that well-planned and carefully conducted educational research is a powerful tool for addressing today’s educational challenges. That’s why we actively encourage meaningful research that contributes to the advancement of education and benefits our students and staff.

We also recognize the importance of hands-on experience in training future educational researchers. To support this, we collaborate with institutions of higher education, offering opportunities for graduate students to conduct impactful research in our schools as part of their practicum programs.

Each year, we receive numerous requests to participate in research studies, and we’re excited to partner with researchers who are committed to rigorous, ethical work that directly benefits our district. To ensure alignment with our goals and priorities, researchers must submit a Research Application, whether it’s for original research, advanced degree work, or program evaluation. This application helps us assess the quality, relevance, and potential impact of the proposed research.

Our district’s research priorities are closely aligned with our strategic goals, and all research conducted within CCS must support these priorities. The Research Review Committee evaluates proposals based on these criteria to ensure they provide meaningful contributions to our mission.

We look forward to continuing our work with research partners who share our dedication to improving education for all students. Learn more.

Your application will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

• Proposed research or evaluation does not place undue strain on CCS staff and student time and/or other resources.
• Proposed research or evaluation is aligned with CCS Strategic Priorities and/or Board Goals/ Guardrails outlined in CCS Strategic Plan.
• Proposal includes sound research methodology, including the use of reliable and valid techniques/ instruments.
• Proposed research is in compliance with human consent procedures, and state and federal laws, including FERPA and PPRA.
• Research cannot evaluate nor appear to be evaluative of district staff.

Carefully review the Guidelines for Conducting Research in Columbus City Schools prior to completing this application. The resource guide provides detailed information about the application submission process including the timeline for review of proposals and notification of Committee decisions. 

Questions about the application process and/ or application materials should be directed to researchproposalccs@columbus.k12.oh.us.

Before beginning your application, please review and affirm your understanding of the following Columbus City Schools research partnership requirements:

• Prospective research applications are accepted throughout the school year, with the Research Review Committee meeting monthly, with the exception of December, April and July.
• Research using only secondary data (i.e requests for existing data to support formal research) is reviewed on a rolling basis and will be reviewed within 12 weeks of submission.
• Incomplete submissions will not be added to the Research Review Committee agenda.
• IRB approval from your home institution is required. If your institution is unable to provide IRB approval confirming that the proposed project complies with applicable regulations, meets commonly accepted ethical standards, follows institutional policies, and adequately protects research participants, CCS will not be able to review or approve your study. *If your institution will not approve IRB without district approval, a letter of support from the dissertation committee chair on official university stationery can be submitted in lieu of IRB approval.
• CCS staff are unable to accept monetary gifts for participating in a study while on contract.
• Research projects are approved in one-year increments. If research activities occur over more than one year, a research extension form, including a summary of project progress must be completed annually 2 months prior to the expiration of the research project to be considered for renewal.
• Upon completion of the project, approved research partners must provide a final report of all findings and present their findings to the Research Review Committee. This includes dissertations, class projects, government contracts, etc.
• Research involving student or school staff participants must not disrupt instructional time.
• Columbus Public Schools does not participate in randomized control trials in which students are denied services or there is deceit of students in their application to a program.

Consent/Assent forms must be returned from every participant or parent/guardian (if the participant is under the age of 18) and kept on file by the researcher. Consent forms must be collected for each year of the primary data collection. Written consent is required for each research participant (including district staff, teachers, and/ or the parent guardian of student participants who are younger than 18 years of age). No person may participate in the study without consent forms. All consent forms should be collected and shared with the RRC once data collection has been completed.

Consent materials need to be translated into the preferred language of all families participating. All consent forms should include the following sections:

• Study purpose/ Program description
• Conditions of participation (what will students be asked to do?)
• Risks
• Benefits
• Administrative Data (if applicable, describe the data elements that will be requested)
• Confidentiality/ Anonymity Protections (indicate how the researcher will keep information confidential)
• Compensation Contact Information
• Voluntary Participation/Conditions of withdrawal

To submit a request to complete research in Columbus City Schools, please submit a Research Request Form.