Baltimore County Public Schools
Office of Research
RESEARCH PROPOSAL COVER SHEET
Please complete this form and submit one copy with your proposal packet.
Date Submitted:
Proposed Project Start Date:
Proposal Title:
Researcher Name:
Position/Title:
Affiliated Organization:
Contact Information:
Address:
City:
State:
Phone Number:
E-mail:
Type of Request:
Research only
Zip:
Data Only*
Research & Data*
* The Office of Research facilitates all Baltimore County Public Schools' external and internal data requests. External entities
or individual researchers are NOT permitted to request data directly from schools or departments. If you are seeking data files
or school summaries that are not available through the Maryland Report Card Web site, you may submit a Request to Release
Data form. Please note that approval to release BCPS data files to external entities or individual researchers is on a case by
case basis.
Use the checklist below to ensure that your proposal packet is complete. Only completed proposals will be
reviewed.
Item
Page #
Item
Page #
1. Cover sheet
8. Consent and assent
2. Abstract
9. Letters of support from your institution
3. Research questions
10. IRB approval (when available)
4. Data description
11. Statement of Confidentiality
5. Timelines
12. Alignment to Blueprint 2.0
6. Targeted populations
13. Examples of instrumentation
7. Description of recruitment method
14. Request to Release BCPS Data (if
applicable)
Research Office use only
FILE NUMBER ______________
DATE RECEIVED ____________
PROPOSAL COMPLETE___________
APPROVED_____ DENIED ______ OFFICIAL LETTER SENT _______________ SCANNED _____________
Proposal Cover and Guidelines
05/24/2016
Baltimore County Public Schools
Office of Research
RESEARCH PROPOSAL SUBMISSION GUIDELINES
The Office of Research is responsible for managing the approval of all requests from agencies,
universities, companies, individuals, including BCPS employees who wish to conduct research in
Baltimore County Public Schools. If you would like to conduct a research study, please follow the steps
outlined in this document.
Currently, Baltimore County Public Schools is limiting the amount of new external research projects
by entities, such as government agencies, private organizations, and institutions of higher education.

Internal research projects from BCPS staff members will continue to be reviewed.

Dissertations from non-employees will not be reviewed.

Anyone interested in conducting research must submit a completed proposal at least three months prior
to the start of the research project.
Submit a letter of intent which includes estimated submission date of completed proposal, proposed
project start date, title of project, your contact information (address, phone number, e-mail), and type of
request (research, data, or both) to Dr. Maria Finger-Elam at mfingerelam@bcps.org.

Submission of a Research Project proposal does not guarantee approval. All participation by BCPS
students, parents, and staff is voluntary. Each proposal will be evaluated on the following:
Burden to students and staff

Impact on instructional program

Benefits to BCPS
Please outline the following sections in the proposal. Only complete proposals will be reviewed.
Please include page numbers.
1. Cover sheet.
2. Abstract. Include the purpose and brief description.
3. Research questions. List the questions you will address in your research.
4. Data description. Describe the kinds of data to be collected or obtained.
5. Timelines. Include anticipated start and end dates. Please refer to the testing calendar to avoid
conflicts. Click here.
http://www.bcps.org/offices/accountability_research_testing/pdf/BCPS_State_Mandated_Asse
ssment_Schedule.pdf
6. Targeted populations. Describe the population targeted by your research. This may include,
any schools, grades, special student subgroups, teacher/staff and parents.
7. Description of recruitment method. Describe how you will identify and contact potential
participants.
Proposal Cover and Guidelines
05/24/2016
8. Consent and Assent. Include copies of all informed consent and assent forms, and describe
how informed consent and assent will be collected. Ensure the required disclaimer is included
on the forms.
The following disclaimer is required by board policy and rule #2361
(https://www.bcps.org/system/policies_rules/2000toc.htm) to be placed on all consent/assent
forms, flyers, posters, and any other materials that will be sent home or displayed at a BCPS
site. “These materials are neither sponsored by nor endorsed by the Board of Education of
Baltimore County, the Superintendent, or this school or office.” We strongly suggest putting
the disclaimer as the footer on each page.
9. Letters of support from your institution. Submit a signed letter of approval for the study on
official letterhead from a university advisor or the supporting agency.
Please note: Research projects cannot be implemented until final IRB approval has been
obtained from the institution or supporting agency.
10. IRB Approval. Please submit an official approval letter from the Institutional Review Board
(IRB) when made available. BCPS may issue a conditional approval prior to IRB approval.
11. Statement of Confidentiality. Explain how you will ensure the confidentiality of subjects from
data collection through data analysis. How and to whom will this information be
disseminated? What will happen to the data once the study is over?
12. Alignment to Blueprint 2.0. Indicate how your study aligns with BCPS’ Blueprint 2.0.
(http://www.bcps.org/system/pdf/Blueprint2.pdf). Cite the specific Blueprint goals and
indicators addressed by the study.
13. Examples of Instrumentation. Include copies of all surveys, tests, interviews, and other data
collection instruments.
14. If applicable. Request to Release BCPS Data form. Individual researchers are NOT permitted
to request data directly from schools or departments. If you are seeking data files or school
summaries that are not available through the Maryland Report Card Web site
http://mdreportcard.org/, you may submit the "Request to Release BCPS Data" form. Please
note that approval to release data are on a case by case basis.
Please mail or email one (1) copy of your completed proposal to:
Dr. Maria Finger-Elam
Office of Research
Baltimore County Public Schools
9611 Pulaski Park Drive, Suite 307
Baltimore, MD 21220
mfingerelam@bcps.org
Review and Notification Completed proposals will be reviewed monthly by a multi-disciplinary
committee. You will be notified about the status of the study and your next steps by e-mail within three
weeks after the committee meeting. Please be advised that the timeline can change at any time; therefore,
you are encouraged to submit your completed proposal well in advance of your project’s anticipated start
date. Researchers must provide BCPS one copy of each report or product developed as a part or outcome
of the research project. Researchers may not charge BCPS for any of these reports, projects, or
summaries.
Only completed proposals will be reviewed.
Proposal Cover and Guidelines
05/24/2016