About Research
The Research and Accountability office reviews and approves all research requests for any school or department in Durham Public Schools. If you plan to conduct research or collect student data for analysis, please review all attachments below and send your completed research proposal to DeShawna Gooch, Coordinator of Local Assessments, Research, Grants and Program Evaluation by the indicated deadlines. Approval for all research requests is contingent on its substantial and direct connection to the Strategic Plan.
Please note that DPS does not approve or distribute surveys or flyers for any outside agencies. We ask that you employ alternate methods for soliciting survey candidates or distributing flyers by utilizing social media, posting flyers in the community and submitting info to local magazines and/or newspapers.
If you are writing a grant to fund your research project and you require a letter of support or MOU, please contact DeShawna Gooch. Letters of support MUST be approved by the Superintendent and requests must be made at least six weeks in advance of the deadline for submission. It is advised that someone from the district be involved in the writing of the grant if extensive district participation is requested. Please plan accordingly.
If you are a researcher affiliated with Duke University, the Center for Child and Family Policy has a school liaison team that you must contact prior to submitting your research proposal. They will provide guidance regarding your research and the DPS review process. Please contact Jenni Owen, Director of Policy Initiatives, at jwowen@duke.edu or 919-613-9271.
