Data Requests, Research & Public Information

Data Request Process

The data request process is intended for individuals that need data sets for grant writing or data analysis purposes. The Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and portions of North Carolina G.S. 115C protect the privacy of student educational records. The BCS Assessment Department reviews all requests for student assessment data.  Student assessment data will only be shared in accordance with state and federal laws.

Note: The data request process is not intended to request individual student records (i.e. transcripts) or personnel records. If you need to request individual student records, please click HERE. If you need personnel records, please contact the BCS Human Resources Department directly.

• Secure data will only be shared with NCDPI colleagues or other professional representatives associated with the data.
• Secure data are the property of NCDPI.  Usage of secure data are for the purposes of testing and accountability only. 
• All copies of data must be kept secure.
• Secure data can only be transferred using secure methods (i.e., FTP,  hand delivery, parcel delivery service).

Note: Released State and Local assessment data can be found on the NCDPI testing website

Directions:
The BCS Request form Data Form is available HERE. You will be notified about the status of your request. Allow 5 business days for processing.  Most requests can be completed within four weeks. If you submitted a request but have not yet received a decision, please contact Amanda Richardson via email: arichardson@bcswan.net.

Research Request

Thank you for your interest in conducting research in Brunswick County Schools. We will be happy to review your research proposal to determine if it aligns with our local policies. The department encourages research 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 to Amanda Richardson (arichardson@bcswan.net) or 35 Referendum Drive, Bolivia NC 28422

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 this information, you will be notified by email with our 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.  We suggest the following guidelines be adhered to:

• You need to obtain consent from the relevant Principals before your research project can commence (if applicable).
• 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.
• We ask that any part of the study involving students, staff members, and/or parents be concluded prior to May of the current school year. 

Public Information Requests

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), a Federal law, requires that Brunswick County Schools, with certain exceptions, obtain your written consent prior to the disclosure of personally identifiable information from your child's education records.  However, Brunswick County Schools may disclose appropriately designated "directory information" without written consent, unless you have notified your 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's prior written consent.  In addition, two Federal laws require local educational agencies (LEAs) 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 have advised the LEA that they do not want their student's information disclosed without their prior written consent.