Requests: Research, Data, and Public Information

Private companies, higher education staff, graduate students, etc., may request school data for research purposes. Brunswick County Schools will not release test data or student data beyond what is publicly available. If you are not a researcher and are seeking public information or directory information, please expand the public information request topic.

Researchers are encouraged to review the reports and data published at the following websites:

• Brunswick County Schools Longitudinal Test Results
• NCDPI Statistical Profile
• NCDPI Accountability Data Sets and Reports

If more data is needed beyond what is publicly available, the individual may request to conduct research in Brunswick County Schools by following the topic below or contact the NC Education Research Data Center. 

Thank you for your interest in conducting research or a study in Brunswick County Schools. We will be happy to review your proposal to determine if it aligns with our local policies. The department encourages studies that supports learning, contributes to new knowledge and practice in education, and employs effective strategies for the dissemination of outcomes to teachers, researchers and other stakeholders. 

Directions:
To begin the process, submit a written proposal via email or postal service and include/attach the following information:

• First & Last Name and email address of principal investigator seeking permission to conduct research.
• IRB approval letter (or IRB status, if approval has not been granted).
• Copies of all questionnaires, surveys, data collection instruments, etc.
• Detailed description of data collection methods including time involvement required of any/all participants.
• Any other relevant information.

Send the proposal to Amanda Richardson (arichardson@bcswan.net) or 35 Referendum Drive, Bolivia NC 28422. Please allow 2 weeks for initial processing. If you have not received a response after two weeks, please call the BCS Testing and Data Management department @ 910-782-5058.

Criteria for Evaluating Research Proposals:

• Benefit: The potential benefit of the research to Brunswick County Schools, NC Public Schools, and/or the education research community
• Feasibility and Methodology: The likelihood that the benefits will be realized
• Cost and Impact: The impact on, or time and effort required by, staff and students as participants
• Ethics: Whether the participants are accorded the respect and protection that is due to them

After the committee reviews the proposal, you will be notified by email with the decision.  Most requests can be processed and reviewed in four weeks. Larger, more detailed proposals, may take longer.

Please note, if the proposal is approved, it only constitutes permission to invite principals, staff members, and/or students to participate in the research project as outlined in your research application. This approval does not imply official departmental endorsement of any aspect of a research project or support for the general and /or commercial use of an intervention or curriculum program, software program or other enterprise being developed or evaluated as part of your research.  If your study involves collecting or receiving confidential data, an Agreement for the Sharing and Use Confidential Data will be required.

Additional Guidelines:

• If applicable to your study, you must obtain consent from the relevant Principals before your research project can commence.
• Principals, staff members and/or students have the right to decline participation if they consider that the research will cause undue disruption to educational programs in their schools.
• Principals have the right to monitor any research activities conducted in their facilities and can withdraw their support at any time.
• Any part of the study involving students, staff members, and/or parents must be concluded prior to May of the current school year. Proposals received in March or April of the current school year may be declined based on turnaround time. 

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), a Federal law, requires that Brunswick County Schools, with certain exceptions, obtain parental/guardian written consent prior to the disclosure of personally identifiable information from a child's education records.  However, Brunswick County Schools may disclose appropriately designated "directory information" without written consent, unless a parent/guardian has notified the child's principal in writing. 

Directory information, which is information that is generally not considered harmful or an invasion of privacy if released, can also be disclosed to outside organizations, including media outlets without a parent/guardian's prior written consent.  In addition, two Federal laws require local educational agencies receiving assistance under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA) to provide military recruiters, upon request, with the following information - names, addresses, and telephone listings - unless parents/guardians have advised the local educational agency that they do not want their student's information disclosed without their prior written consent.

All public records requests must be made in writing and submitted to the Brunswick County Schools Communications and Marketing Coordinator. Please review the Brunswick County Schools policy on public records requests and visit the BCS Communications website for more information.

Brunswick County Schools provides a secure website for current students, former students and corporations to request transcripts and student records online. Click HERE to request student records or transcript.