Accountability and Quality Assurance

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AQA Home Grant Information Research Guidelines Research Application Helpful Hints Principal Research Approval Form

The Department of Accountability and Quality Assurance falls within the scope of the Division of Academics. Our department supports and assists schools and district representatives in reaching goals by designing and implementing planned programs of research, testing, evaluation, and accountability structures related to the ongoing development of instructional and other student-related programs. In addition, we provide constituents with data and concomitant interpretations with the intent to better inform data users in making data-driven decisions.

General departmental functions include: testing; evaluating programs; writing and evaluating grants, training for school building teams/leaders related to strategic planning and data analysis; facilitating accreditation processes with to meet both internal and external accountability and accreditation goals; and providing research along with other supporting functions.

*Note - download forms and open in Adobe Reader to access fillable form options

External or Unsolicited Research

From time-to-time individuals and organizations external to our District have sought to conduct research in our district. These studies are not those conducted by the state or federal government, but research conducted as dissertations or to promote an individual or agency's program. For all unsolicited external research, the Department of Accountability and Quality Assurance has prepared Research Guidelines and a Research Application (linked on this page). These procedures promote valid and reliable research, protect instructional time, and protect against liability. Moreover, these procedures obligate researchers to maintain professionalism, abide by all district policies, preserve confidentiality, and define the study's scope. At the conclusion of the application review process, a letter of approval or rejection will be sent to the researcher. A researcher whose study has been approved will be able to present the district's letter of approval to interested parties within our District.

All research requests must align with the district’s Strategic Plan.
All external research proposals that require parental consent or request student records with or without identifiable information will not be approved, unless the relationship is a grantor, vendor, or partner.
- External requestors should utilize publicly available data sources such as the SC Department of Education Test Scores Reports.
- External requests can be submitted in the following application windows (September 1-30 and February 1-28).

Anyone wishing to conduct research in GCS should contact Dr. Christine Crumbacher at 355-3178.

Grants

This Grants webpage will help guide you through the process and will provide resources that you may find beneficial.